bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How temporal distance from past selves influences self‐perception
Authors: Broemer Philip , Grabowski Adam , Gebauer Jochen E. , Ermel Olga , Diehl Michael
Published: October 2007

The present studies examine how perceived temporal distance from past selves influences perceptions of the current self. Participants recalled their past self either at age 9 or 15. These two past selves differ in levels of identification with gender and thus denote different standards of comparison. Three hypotheses were tested. Temporal distance should determine whether recalled past selves produce assimilation or contrast effects on the current self. Second, temporal comparison effects should be weaker when people recall their past in terms of stable, relatively enduring characteristics (e.g. traits). Third, past selves should to a greater extent be biased by stereotypical knowledge about former lifetime periods the farther away individuals feel from past selves. Past selves coloured by stereotypical knowledge are more extreme and should thus produce stronger judgemental effects on the current self. The results supported the hypotheses. Implications for autobiographical remembering are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
When is individual mobility costly? The role of economic and social identity factors
Authors: Jetten Jolanda , Iyer Aarti , Tsivrikos Dimitrios , Young Brian M.
Published: October 2007

Two studies considered when the individual mobility strategy of attending university has psychological costs in terms of poor adjustment to university life. Study 1, (N = 74) examined both economic considerations affecting university choice and identity‐related factors among open day attendees. Expected identification as a university student and preparedness for university life was affected by economic factors (economic benefit of university attendance and status of the considered universities) but also negatively related to perceived incompatibility with one's social background. These findings were replicated in a longitudinal study in which students' perceptions were assessed before entering university (T1), after being at university for two months (T2) and again after being at university for 8 months (T3; N = 109). Social class (T1) predicted perceived incompatibility but not economic factors. In addition, economic factors and incompatibility predicted group identification (T2) but only perceived incompatibility predicted longer‐term identification (T3). Belief that university education serves as a successful individual mobility strategy (T3) was indirectly negatively affected by initial incompatibility (T1), but positively with perceiving economic benefits of a university degree (T1). Implications for the (economic) benefits versus (identity) costs of individual mobility strategies are discussed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electroactivity of Nonconjugated Proteins and Peptides. Towards Electroanalysis of All Proteins
Authors: Paleček Emil , Ostatná Veronika
Published: October 2007

Present proteomics and biomedicine require sensitive analytical methods for all proteins. Recent progress in electrochemical analysis of peptides and proteins based on their intrinsic electroactivity is reviewed. Tyrosine and/or tryptophan‐containing proteins are oxidizable at carbon electrodes. At mercury electrodes all peptides and proteins (about 13 peptides and >25 proteins were tested) produce chronopotentiometric peak H at nanomolar concentrations. This peak is sensitive to changes in protein structure. Microliter sample volumes are sufficient for the analysis. Electrochemical methods can be used in studies of nucleic acid‐protein interactions and can be applied in biomedicine. Examples of such applications in neurogenerative diseases and cancer are presented.
Chronopotentiometric Determination of Redox States of Peptides
Authors: Dorčák Vlastimil , Paleček Emil
Published: October 2007

Reduced and oxidized forms of peptides were studied by different electrochemical methods at carbon and hanging mercury drop (HMDE) electrodes. Striking differences between the reduced and oxidized peptides were obtained by constant current chronopotentiometric stripping analysis (CPSA) at HMDE. Peptides yielded electrocatalytic peak H at highly negative potentials (ca. −1.75 V). Reduced peptides adsorbed at positively charged HMDE produced substantially higher peak H than the oxidized forms. Voltammetry reflected the peptide redox state less efficiently. Different orientation of reduced and oxidized molecules at the positively charged electrode and very fast potential changes in CPSA were probably responsible for the observed effects.
Conductive Organic Complex Salt TTF‐TCNQ as a Mediator for Biosensors. An Overview
Authors: Pauliukaite Rasa , Malinauskas Albertas , Zhylyak Gleb , Spichiger‐Keller Ursula E.
Published: October 2007

Preparation and application of a conductive organic salt complex of tetrathiafulvalene‐tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF‐TCNQ) for analytical bioelectrochemistry as a mediator is overviewed in this work. The third‐generation biosensors based on this charge transfer salt are very promising for biosensors applied in vivo. Such mediated biosensors have been studied mainly for glucose determination, but at present other substrates are being applied in this system more and more often.
Novel Potentiometric Sensors of Molecular Imprinted Polymers for Specific Binding of Chlormequat
Authors: Kamel Ayman H. , Moreira Felismina T. C. , Almeida Sofia A. A. , Sales M. Goreti F.
Published: October 2007

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) were used as potentiometric sensors for the selective recognition and determination of chlormequat (CMQ). They were produced after radical polymerization of 4‐vinyl pyridine (4‐VP) or methacrylic acid (MAA) monomers in the presence of a cross‐linker. CMQ was used as template. Similar non‐imprinted (NI) polymers (NIP) were produced by removing the template from reaction media. The effect of kind and amount of MIP or NIP sensors on the potentiometric behavior was investigated. Main analytical features were evaluated in steady and flow modes of operation. The sensor MIP/4‐VP exhibited the best performance, presenting fast near‐Nernstian response for CMQ over the concentration range 6.2×10−6–1.0×10−2 mol L−1 with detection limits of 4.1×10−6 mol L−1. The sensor was independent from the pH of test solutions in the range 5–10. Potentiometric selectivity coefficients of the proposed sensors were evaluated over several inorganic and organic cations. Results pointed out a good selectivity to CMQ. The sensor was applied to the potentiometric determination of CMQ in commercial phytopharmaceuticals and spiked water samples. Recoveries ranged 96 to 108.5%.
Logic Gates Based on Magnetic Nanoparticles Functionalized with a Bioelectrocatalytic System
Authors: Vasilyev Sergey , Pita Marcos , Katz Evgeny
Published: October 2007

Magneto‐controlled OR, AND and INHIB logic gates were designed using cobalt ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (CoFe2O4, saturated magnetization ca. 70 emu g−1, 17±2 nm diameter) functionalized with microperoxidase‐11. Tunable magnetic field generated by three external permanent magnets (NdFeB) upon moving them below the electrochemical cell resulted in translocation of the biofunctionalized magnetic nanoparticles between conductive and nonconductive domains of a solid plate. This resulted in electrochemically readable output signals with the Boolean logic controlled by the magnetic input signals. The current corresponding to the reversible redox process of the heme measured at −0.4 V (vs. SCE) was considered as “1” output signal, while a small background current obtained from the conducting interface in the absence of the magnetic nanoparticles was considered as “0” output signal. Addition of H2O2 to the solution resulted in the generation of a cathodic catalytic current when the microperoxidase‐11‐functionalized magnetic nanoparticles are associated with the conductive domain of the support. This resulted in the amplification of “1” output signal and the increased difference between “1” and “0” signals generated by the cell, thus reducing the possibility of errors in the Boolean logic operations.
Electrochemical Detection of Arsenic(III) in the Presence of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) by Adsorptive Square‐Wave Cathodic Stripping Voltammetry (Ad‐SWCSV)
Authors: Tongesayi Tsanangurayi , Smart Ronald B.
Published: October 2007

This study has demonstrated that As(III) can be electrochemically detected and quantified in the presence of fulvic acid (FA) and dissolved organic matter (DOM). This eliminates the need to remove DOM prior to measurement of As(III) in environmental samples. Apart from reducing analysis time and the cost of the analysis, this could be potentially useful for the development of electrochemical methods for the detection and measurement of As(III) onsite. Both synthetic samples in which FA was added and a real sample with 22.16 mg/L total organic carbon (TOC) were analyzed.
Alternative solution to global warming arising from CO2 emissions—Partial neutralization of tropospheric H2CO3 with NH3
Authors: Apak Resat
Published: October 2007

The impact of anthropogenic CO2 emissions to global warming arising from the “greenhouse effect” is presented, and atmospheric fate of NH3 summarized. It is proposed that if the near‐future attempts of the United Nations to restrict the emissions of CO2 from fossil fuels end up with failure, it would be a rational alternative to increase the contribution of anthropogenic NH3, the only alkaline gaseous molecule in the troposphere, so as to partly neutralize atmospheric carbonic acid in aerosols in the form of ammonium bicarbonate, which would be eventually swept away by precipitation to the oceans where the HCO−3 species is stable. Thus, addition of ammonium N‐compounds to infertile nonurban land, especially in the form of urea, is recommended to enable volatilization losses of NH3 to the atmosphere. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 26: 355–359, 2007
Emotional awareness among eating‐disordered patients: the role of narcissistic traits
Authors: Lawson Rachel , Waller Glenn , Sines Jennie , Meyer Caroline
Published: October 2007

The narcissistic defences and a lack of emotional awareness (alexithymia) are both salient features of eating disorder pathology, as well as being linked to each other. As each of these characteristics impacts independently on treatment, it is important to understand how they interact within an eating‐disordered population. The present study assessed the associations between the three core elements of alexithymia and the core and defensive elements of narcissism in this clinical group. Seventy eating‐disordered patients completed standardised measures of alexithymia and narcissism, and multiple regression analyses were conducted in order to examine the relationship between these variables. Core narcissism (e.g. grandiosity, entitlement) was associated with difficulties in describing feelings to others, whereas the narcissistic defences were associated with difficulties in identifying feelings and distinguishing them from somatic experiences. These patterns of association suggest that different aspects of alexithymia are associated with different aspects of narcissism. Clinical suggestions are made for how these characteristics might require modifications of standard treatment approaches for the eating disorders. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
The mirror‐neuron system and handedness: A “right” world?
Authors: Rocca Maria A. , Falini Andrea , Comi Giancarlo , Scotti Giuseppe , Filippi Massimo
Published: October 2007

To assess the relationship between the mirror‐neuron system (MNS), an observation‐execution matching system, and handedness, we acquired functional magnetic resonance imaging from 11 right‐handed (RH) and eight left‐handed (LH) subjects to identify regions involved in processing action (execution and observation) of the right and left upper limbs. During the execution tasks, LH subjects had a more bilateral pattern of activation than RH. An interaction between handedness and hand observed during the observation conditions was detected in several areas of the MNS and the motor system. The within‐ and between‐groups analyses confirmed different lateralizations of the MNS and motor system activations in RH and LH subjects during the observation tasks of the dominant and nondominant limbs. The comparison of the execution vs. observation task demonstrated that during the execution task with their dominant limbs, RH subjects activated areas of the motor system in the left hemisphere, whereas LH subjects also activated areas of the MNS. During the execution task with the nondominant limbs, both groups activated regions of the MNS and motor system. Albeit this study is based on a small sample, the patterns of MNS activations observed in RH and LH subjects support the theory that suggests that this system is involved in brain functions lateralization. In LH people, this system might contribute to their adaptation to a world essentially built for right‐handers through a mechanism of mirroring and imitation. Hum Brain Mapp, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of cortical connections as measured by EEG coherence and phase delays
Authors: Thatcher Robert W. , North Duane M. , Biver Carl J.
Published: October 2007

The purpose of this study was to explore human development of EEG coherence and phase differences over the period from infancy to 16 years of age. The electroencephalogram (EEG) was recorded from 19 scalp locations from 458 subjects ranging in age from 2 months to 16.67 years. EEG coherence and EEG phase differences were computed for the left and right hemispheres in the posterior‐to‐anterior direction (O1/2‐P3/4, O1/2‐C3/4, O1/2‐F3/4, and O1/2‐Fp1/2) and the anterior‐to‐ posterior direction (Fp1/2‐F3/4, Fp1/2‐C3/4, Fp1/2‐P3/4, and Fp1/2‐O1/2) in the beta frequency band (13–25 Hz). Sliding averages of EEG coherence and phase were computed using 1 year averages and 9 month overlapping that produced 64 means from 0.44 years of age to 16.22 years of age. Rhythmic oscillations in coherence and phase were noted in all electrode combinations. Different developmental trajectories were present for coherence and phase differences and for anterior‐to‐posterior and posterior‐to‐anterior directions and inter‐electrode distance. Large changes in EEG coherence and phase were present from ∼ 6 months to 4 years of age followed by a significant linear trend to higher coherence in short distance inter‐electrode distances and longer phase delays in long inter‐electrode distances. The results are consistent with a genetic model of rhythmic long term connection formation that occurs in cycles along a curvilinear trajectory toward adulthood. Competition for dendritic space, development of complexity, and nonlinear dynamic oscillations are discussed. Hum Brain Mapp, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Association between lung cancer risk and single nucleotide polymorphisms in the first intron and codon 178 of the DNA repair gene, O6‐alkylguanine–DNA alkyltransferase
Authors: Crosbie Philip A.J. , McGown Gail , Thorncroft Mary R. , O'Donnell Paul N.S. , Barber Philip V. , Lewis Sarah J. , Harrison Kathryn L. , Agius Raymond M. , Santibáñez‐Koref Mauro F. , Margison Geoffrey P. , Povey Andrew C.
Published: October 2007

The association between lung cancer risk and 2 polymorphisms, rs12268840 and rs2308327 (codon K178R), in the DNA repair protein, O6‐alkylguanine–DNA alkyltransferase, which are associated with interindividual differences in activity, have been investigated in 3 hospital‐based case–control studies. Genotyping was carried out on 617 subjects of whom 255 had lung cancer. In 2 of the 3 series, there was a significant inverse association between the 178R allele and case status (p < 0.05). In a meta‐analysis, the odds ratio (95% CI) associated with the 178R allele relative to the 178K allele was 0.64 (0.45–0.92, p = 0.01) and 0.51 (0.24–1.11, p = 0.09) in fixed effects and random effects models, respectively. In a pooled analysis, after adjustment for sex, age, pack years and series, the OR (95% CI) for a heterozygote was 0.67 (0.45–1.01) and for a 178R homozygote was 0.10 (0.01–0.94); the trend for a decreased risk with the number of R alleles was significant (p = 0.008). This trend was particularly pronounced in heavy smokers (trend test p = 0.003), but not significant in light smokers (p = 0.73). There was no evidence of an association between rs12268840 and lung cancer risk. These results suggest that the R allele may protect against lung cancer, specifically in heavy smokers, an effect that may result from this polymorphism affecting the function of the MGMT protein and/or levels in MGMT activity. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diagnosis of breast cancer by X‐ray diffraction of hair
Authors: Corino Gary L. , French Peter W.
Published: October 2007

This article presents the results of analyses of hair fibers from women with breast cancer using synchrotron‐derived X‐ray diffraction. These diffraction patterns contained a new feature superimposed on the normal diffraction pattern of α‐keratin. The feature appeared as a ring with a molecular spacing determined to be 4.76 ± 0.07 nm. This feature was not present in the diffraction patterns of hair from women without breast cancer as assessed by other routine clinical diagnostic techniques. Furthermore, different hairs from the same subject analysed on two different synchrotron beamlines give remarkably consistent diffraction patterns. Previous studies by other investigators have suggested that analysis of X‐ray diffraction patterns of hair can reveal the presence of breast cancer in clinical and preclinical trials. This finding, however, has not been independently confirmed. The methodologies of sample handling, sample exposure and image analysis are known to be vital. We discuss some of these issues and provide a detailed description of the methodology employed for the sample handling and image analysis and new methodologies developed from this work. We conclude that X‐ray diffraction of hair has the potential to provide a non‐invasive test for the presence of breast cancer. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Period versus cohort modeling of up‐to‐date cancer survival
Authors: Brenner Hermann , Hakulinen Timo
Published: October 2007

Recently, 2 modeling strategies have been proposed and shown to be useful to increase precision of up‐to‐date cancer survival estimates and to predict cancer patient survival: modeled period analysis and modeled cohort analysis. We aimed to compare the performance of both types of modeling for providing up‐to‐date and precise cancer survival estimates. Data from the nationwide Finnish Cancer Registry were used to assess how well both approaches would have been able to predict 5‐year relative survival of concurrently diagnosed patients if they had been applied for that purpose throughout the past decades. Analyses were carried out for 20 common forms of cancer. For each cancer, 5‐year relative survival was modeled with either approach for each single calendar year from 1962 to 1997. Mean differences and mean squared differences from 5‐year relative survival later observed for patients diagnosed in the 5‐year period around those calendar years were calculated. Survival estimates obtained by period modeling had much lower standard errors than those obtained by cohort modeling. Furthermore, for a clear majority of cancers, period modeling on average also provided better prediction of 5‐year relative survival than cohort modeling. We conclude that, although both modeling strategies have their merits and specific indications, period modeling of survival has distinct advantages for up‐to‐date and precise estimation of cancer survival in population‐based cancer survival studies. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of BORIS in melanoma: Lack of association with MAGE‐A1 activation
Authors: Kholmanskikh Olga , Loriot Axelle , Brasseur Francis , De Plaen Etienne , De Smet Charles
Published: October 2007

Several genes with specific expression in germ cells show aberrant activation in different types of tumors. These genes, termed cancer‐germline (CG) genes, encode tumor‐specific antigens, which represent potential targets for therapeutic vaccination against cancer. The germline‐specific gene BORIS (Brother Of the Regulator of Imprinted Sites), which encodes an 11‐zinc‐fingers transcriptional regulator, was recently qualified as a new CG gene, as it was found to be activated in a variety of tumor samples. Moreover, it was suggested that BORIS might be responsible for the activation of most other CG genes, including gene MAGE‐A1, in tumors. In the present study, we evaluated the frequency of BORIS activation in melanoma by quantitative RT‐PCR. BORIS activation was detected in 27% (n = 63) melanoma tissue samples. Surprisingly, many melanoma samples expressed MAGE‐A1 and other CG genes in the absence of BORIS activation, suggesting that BORIS is not an obligate factor for activation of these genes in melanoma. Consistently, forced expression of BORIS in melanoma cell lines did not induce expression of MAGE‐A1. Our results indicate that BORIS may serve as a useful target for immunotherapy of melanoma. However, it appears that BORIS is neither necessary nor sufficient for the activation of other CG genes. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Screening for prostate cancer in Dutch hereditary prostate cancer families
Authors: Kiemeney Lambertus A. , Broeders Mireille J. , Pelger Marjon , Kil Paul J. , Schröder Fritz H. , Witjes Johannes A. , Vasen Hans F.
Published: October 2007

It is common belief that in families with hereditary prostate cancer (HPC), unaffected men should be screened periodically with PSA, but little is known about the effects of such screening. We studied test and tumor characteristics in unaffected 50–75‐year‐old screenees from HPC families. In the Netherlands, 153 verified HPC families are registered; 132 unaffected men in these families were not under surveillance for prostate cancer and gave informed consent for PSA testing by their GP and referral to a urologist in the case of a PSA level ≥ 3.0 ng/ml. Results were compared to published data from the Rotterdam and Göteborg sections of the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC). A PSA ≥ 3.0 ng/ml was found in 20 men: referral rate, 15.1% (ERSPC Rotterdam: 20.1%; ERSPC Göteborg: 12.0%). Only 3 cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in these men: detection rate in the first screening round 2.3% (ERSPC Rotterdam: 5.3%; ERSPC Göteborg: 2.3%). Frequent opportunistic PSA testing made it impossible to estimate the detection rates in subsequent screening rounds. In the first and subsequent PSA screening rounds, 11 cases of cancer were detected. All but 1 had favorable tumor characteristics (cT1c/pT2; Gleason < 7). These results raise the question as to whether men from all HPC families should be considered at high‐risk. We suggest that the same PSA testing guidelines should apply to HPC families and the general population. A more aggressive screening policy in HPC families does not seem to be justified. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome mutations and risk of breast cancer
Authors: Bogdanova Natalia , Feshchenko Sergei , Schürmann Peter , Waltes Regina , Wieland Britta , Hillemanns Peter , Rogov Yuri I. , Dammann Olaf , Bremer Michael , Karstens Johann H. , Sohn Christof , Varon Raymonda , Dörk Thilo
Published: October 2007

Mutations in the NBS1 gene have been identified as disease‐causing mutations in patients with Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome (NBS), but their clinical impact on breast cancer susceptibility has remained uncertain. We determined the frequency of 2 NBS mutations, 657del5 and R215W, in two large series of breast cancer cases and controls from Northern Germany and from the Republic of Belarus. The 5‐bp‐deletion 657del5 was identified in 15/1,588 cases (0.9%) from Belarus and in 1/1,076 cases (0.1%) from Germany but in only 1/1,014 population controls from Belarus and 0/1017 German controls (p < 0.01). The missense substitution R215W was observed in 9/1,588 Byelorussian and 9/1,076 German patients (0.6% and 0.8%, respectively) but was also present in 5/1,014 Byelorussian and 2/1,017 German control individuals (adjusted OR = 1.9, 95%CI 0.8–4.6, p = 0.18). Studies of lymphoblastoid cell lines revealed that NBS1/p95 protein levels were reduced to 70% in cells from a heterozygous breast cancer patient carrying R215W and to 15% in cells from a NBS patient compound heterozygous for 657del5/R215W suggesting that the R215W substitution may be associated with protein instability. Levels of radiation‐induced phosphorylation of Nbs1/p95(Ser343) were reduced to 60% and 35% of wildtype, respectively. Neither age at diagnosis nor family history of breast cancer differed significantly between carriers and noncarriers of NBS mutations. The combined data are in line with an about 3‐fold increase in breast cancer risk for female NBS heterozygotes (OR 3.1; 95%CI 1.4–6.6) and indicate that the 657del5 deletion and perhaps the R215W substitution contribute to inherited breast cancer susceptibility in Central and Eastern Europe. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coactivator requirements for p53‐dependent transcription in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Yousef Ahmed F. , Xu Guo Wei , Mendez Megan , Brandl Christopher J. , Mymryk Joe S.
Published: October 2007

p53 is a sequence‐specific DNA‐binding transcription factor and key regulator of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. p53 is mutated in most human cancers and these mutations generally impair its ability to activate transcription. When expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, p53 acts as a strong transcriptional activator allowing yeast to be used as a model system to study the effects of p53 mutations on activity. However, little is known about the exact mechanisms by which p53 functions in yeast. Using 76 mutant yeast strains, we have evaluated the effect of deleting components of the ADA, COMPASS, INO80, ISW1, Mediator, RSC, SAGA, SAS, SLIK, SWI/SNF, and SWR1 transcriptional regulatory complexes on p53‐dependent transcription. In addition, we examined the role of histone H2B ubiquitylation by Rad6/Bre1 on p53 activation. Overall, our analysis indicates that there are several remarkable similarities between p53‐dependent transcription in yeast and mammalian cells, suggesting that yeast can serve as a valid model system for at least some aspects of p53 function. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic polymorphisms of MDM2, cumulative cigarette smoking and nonsmall cell lung cancer risk
Authors: Liu Geoffrey , Wheatley‐Price Paul , Zhou Wei , Park Sohee , Heist Rebecca S. , Asomaning Kofi , Wain John C. , Lynch Thomas J. , Su Li , Christiani David C.
Published: October 2007

Abnormalities of the tumor suppressor TP53 pathway are critical in the development of many cancers since it regulates cell cycle components and apoptosis. Murine double minute‐2 (MDM2) protein is a central node in the p53 pathway and a direct negative regulator of p53. The MDM2 SNP309 (rs2279744) polymorphism increases MDM2 RNA and protein levels, attenuating the p53 pathway. The MDM2 SNP309 polymorphism was investigated in 1,787 Caucasian nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and 1,360 healthy controls. Cases and controls were analyzed for associations with genotype and adjusted for age, gender, histology and smoking history. There were no overall associations between the MDM2 genotypes and risk of lung cancer (adjusted odds ratios [AORs] = 0.82 [95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.6–1.1] for the T/G genotype and AOR = 1.32 [95% CI = 0.9–2.0] for the G/G genotype). A statistically significant interaction (p = 0.01) was found between smoking and MDM2 genotypes. Consistent with this interaction, stratified analysis by pack‐years of smoking demonstrated that the AORs of G/G vs. T/T were 1.56 (1.0–2.7), 1.46 (1.0–2.2), 0.80 (0.5–1.3) and 0.63 (0.4–1.1), respectively, for never, mild (<30 pack‐years), moderate (30–57 pack‐years) and heavy smokers (≥58 pack‐years). In conclusion, a strong gene‐smoking interaction was observed between the MDM2 SNP309 and NSCLC risk. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anticancer effects of wogonin in both estrogen receptor‐positive and ‐negative human breast cancer cell lines in vitro and in nude mice xenografts
Authors: Chung Heekyoung , Jung Young‐mi , Shin Dong‐Hui , Lee Jeong‐Yeon , Oh Mi‐Yun , Kim Hyun‐Jun , Jang Ki Seok , Jeon Su Jin , Son Kun Ho , Kong Gu
Published: October 2007

Wogonin is a plant monoflavonoid which has been reported to inhibit cell growth and/or induce apoptosis in various tumors. Herein, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo anticancer effects and associated mechanisms of wogonin in human breast cancer. Effects of wogonin were examined in estrogen receptor (ER)‐positive and ‐negative human breast cancer cells in culture for proliferation, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. The in vivo effect of oral wogonin was examined on tumor xenograft growth in athymic nude mice. The molecular changes associated with the biological effects of wogonin were analyzed by immunoblotting. Cell growth was attenuated by wogonin (50–200 μM), independently of its ER status, in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. Apoptosis was enhanced and accompanied by upregulation of PARP and Caspase 3 cleavages as well as proapoptotic Bax protein. Akt activity was suppressed and reduced phosphorylation of its substrates, GSK‐3β and p27, was observed. Suppression of Cyclin D1 expression suggested the downregulation of the Akt‐mediated canonical Wnt signaling pathway. ER expression was downregulated in ER‐positive cells, while c‐ErbB2 expression and its activity were suppressed in ER‐negative SK‐BR‐3 cells. Wogonin feeding to mice showed inhibition of tumor growth of T47D and MDA‐MB‐231 xenografts by up to 88% without any toxicity after 4 weeks of treatment. As wogonin was effective both in vitro and in vivo, our novel findings open the possibility of wogonin as an effective therapeutic and/or chemopreventive agent against both ER‐positive and ‐negative breast cancers, particularly against the more aggressive and hormonal therapy‐resistant ER‐negative types. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impact of serum total cholesterol on the incidence of gastric cancer in a population‐based prospective study: The Hisayama study
Authors: Asano Kouichi , Kubo Michiaki , Yonemoto Koji , Doi Yasufumi , Ninomiya Toshiharu , Tanizaki Yumihiro , Arima Hisatomi , Shirota Tomoko , Matsumoto Takayuki , Iida Mitsuo , Kiyohara Yutaka
Published: October 2007

The results of prospective studies that have examined the association between serum cholesterol levels and the incidence of gastric cancer remain controversial. To examine this issue in a general population, a total of 2,604 subjects aged 40 years or older were followed up prospectively for 14 years. During the follow‐up period, gastric cancer developed in 97 subjects. The age‐ and sex‐adjusted incidence of gastric cancer by quartiles of serum cholesterol level, namely, <4.06, 4.06–5.32, 5.33–6.04 and ≥6.05 mmol/L, were 3.9, 3.3, 3.1 and 2.1 per 1,000 person–years, respectively. The risk of gastric cancer increased with decreasing cholesterol level (age‐ and sex‐adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.49;p= 0.04 for a decrease of 1 mmol/L in serum cholesterol level). This inverse association remained unchanged even after adjustment for other confounding factors, namely,Helicobacter pyloriinfection, atrophic gastritis, family history of malignant neoplasm, smoking habits, body mass index, hemoglobin A1c, white blood cell count and dietary factors (adjusted HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.03–1.58;p= 0.02). This association was significant for intestinal‐type gastric cancers, but not for diffuse‐type. As regards cancer stage, the inverse cholesterol‐cancer association was marginally significant for early gastric cancer after multivariate‐adjustment (adjusted HR, 1.25; 95% CI, 0.97–1.61;p= 0.09), but was not for advanced gastric cancer probably due to the small number of cases. In conclusion, our findings suggest that low serum cholesterol levels are an independent risk factor for developing gastric cancer, especially intestinal‐type gastric cancer. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Novel production method and in‐vitro cell compatibility of porous Ti‐6Al‐4V alloy disk for hard tissue engineering
Authors: Bhattarai Shanta Raj , Khalil Khalil Abdel‐Razek , Dewidar Montasser , Hwang Pyoung Han , Yi Ho Keun , Kim Hak Yong
Published: October 2007

Porous metals are attractive due to its unique physical, mechanical, and new bone tissue ingrowth properties. In the present study, the production of highly porous Ti‐6Al‐4V parts by powder metallurgical technology and subsequently it's uses in in vitro bone tissue engineering is described. A space‐holder method using carbamide with different particle size to produce parts with porosities between 35 and 70% were applied. The compressive strength and Young's modulus of porous Ti‐6Al‐4V were determined. Results indicated that stress and Young's modulus decrease with increasing porosity and pore size. The porous parts are characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, study was to investigate the effects of three different porosities of porous Ti‐6Al‐4V (35, 50, and 70%) on proliferation, differentiation, and cell–matrix interaction of mouse osteoblast‐like cells, MC‐3T3. Results showed that the cell proliferation was significantly (p < 0.05) higher on 70% porous Ti‐6Al‐4V. However, synthesis of different types of extra cellular matrix proteins was also more abundant on 70% porous Ti‐6Al‐4V than 35 and 50% porous Ti‐6Al‐4V disk except some specific proteins. An increase in alkaline phosphate activity was significantly (p < 0.05) higher on 70 and 50% porous Ti‐6Al‐4V disk after 12 days of MC‐3T3 cells incubation. Above all, results indicated that porosity (nearly 70%) of porous Ti‐6Al‐4V topography affects proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast‐like MC‐3T3 cells. The results showed that this novel process is a promise to fabricate porous biomaterials for bone implants. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Micelles of poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly(ε‐caprolactone) as vehicles for the solubilization, stabilization, and controlled delivery of curcumin
Authors: Ma Zengshuan , Haddadi Azita , Molavi Ommoleila , Lavasanifar Afsaneh , Lai Raymond , Samuel John
Published: October 2007

Curcumin is recognized as a potential chemotherapeutic agent against a variety of tumors. However, the clinical application of curcumin is hindered due to its poor water solubility and fast degradation. The objective of this study was to investigate amphiphilic block copolymer micelles of poly(ethylene oxide)‐b‐poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) (PEO‐PCL) as vehicles for the solubilization, stabilization, and controlled delivery of curcumin. Curcumin‐loaded PEO‐PCL micelles were prepared by a cosolvent evaporation technique. PEO‐PCL micelles were able to solubilize curcumin effectively, protect the encapsulated curcumin from hydrolytical degradation in physiological matrix, and control the release of curcumin over a few days. The characteristics of resultant micelles were found to depend on the polymerization degrees of ϵ‐caprolactone. Among different PEO‐PCL micelles, PEO5000‐PCL24500 was the most efficient in solubilizing curcumin while PEO5000‐PCL13000 was the best carrier in reducing its release rate. PEO‐PCL micelle‐encapsulated curcumin retained its cytotoxicity in B16‐F10, a mouse melanoma cell line, and SP‐53, Mino, and JeKo‐1 human mantle cell lymphoma cell lines. These results demonstrated the potential of PEO‐PCL micelles as an injectable formulation for efficient solubilization, stabilization, and controlled delivery of curcumin. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Aurora‐A kinase phosphorylation of Aurora‐A kinase interacting protein (AIP) and stabilization of the enzyme‐substrate complex
Authors: Katayama Hiroshi , Sasai Kaori , Czerniak Bogdan A. , Carter Jennifer L. , Sen Subrata
Published: October 2007

Aurora‐A is an oncogenic kinase that plays essential roles in mitosis as well as cell survival. Aurora‐A interacting protein (AIP) was identified as a negative regulator of Aurora‐A with its ectopic over expression inducing destabilization of Aurora‐A protein. Here we present evidence that in human cells, contrary to the earlier report, AIP functions in stabilizing rather than destabilizing Aurora‐A. Furthermore, AIP is phosphorylated on Serine 70 by Aurora‐A but not Aurora‐B and expression of phosphorylation mimic mutant of AIP results in prolonged protein stability compared to unphosphorylatable mutant. We observed that when co‐expressed with AIP, protein levels of both Aurora‐A and Aurora‐B are markedly elevated regardless of their kinase activities and phosphorylation state of AIP. Interaction of Aurora kinases with AIP is necessary for this elevated stability. This phenomenon is commonly detected in several human cancer cell lines used in this study. Depletion of AIP by RNA interference decreased Aurora‐A but not Aurora‐B in two of the three cell lines analyzed, indicating that under physiological condition, AIP functions in stabilization of Aurora‐A but not Aurora‐B, though this regulation may be dependent on additional factors as well. Further, AIP siRNA induced cell cycle arrest at G2/M, which is consistent with anticipated loss of function of Aurora‐A in these cells. Thus, our study provides the first evidence of a role for AIP in G2/M cell cycle progression by cooperatively regulating protein stabilization of its up‐stream regulator, Aurora‐A kinase through protein–protein interaction as well as protein phosphorylation. J. Cell. Biochem. 102: 1318–1331, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular signaling in the regulation of mucins
Authors: Theodoropoulos George , Carraway Kermit L.
Published: October 2007

Mucins are large, highly glycosylated proteins involved in the protection of epithelia. The 20 different mucins show a diverse and highly regulated distribution among different epithelia. Most of the studies on mucin regulation done to date have been on the membrane mucins MUC1 and MUC4 and the gel‐forming mucins. Multiple mechanisms have been implicated in that regulation, including examples at the transcriptional, transcript stabilization and post‐translational levels. Several signaling pathways have been demonstrated to be involved, most frequently the canonical Erk MAP kinase pathway, but also the cytokine‐JAK‐STAT pathway and TGFβ‐SMAD pathways. Diversity in Erk signaling is achieved through multiple activation mechanisms and multiple downstream transcriptional factors that are affected. Given the still limited amount of information available on regulation of most of the mucins, other mechanisms and pathways are likely to be uncovered in the future. J. Cell. Biochem. 102: 1103–1116, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On k‐domination and minimum degree in graphs
Authors: Favaron Odile , Hansberg Adriana , Volkmann Lutz
Published: October 2007

A subset S of vertices of a graph G is k‐dominating if every vertex not in S has at least k neighbors in S. The k‐domination number $\gamma_k(G)$ is the minimum cardinality of a k‐dominating set of G. Different upper bounds on $\gamma_{k}(G)$ are known in terms of the order n and the minimum degree $\delta$ of G. In this self‐contained article, we present an Erdös‐type result, from which some of these bounds follow. In particular, we improve the bound $\gamma_{k}(G) \le (2k- \delta - 1)n/(2k -\delta)$ for $(\delta +3)/2 \le k \le \delta - 1$, proved by Chen and Zhou in 1998. Furthermore, we characterize the extremal graphs in the inequality $\gamma_{k}(G) \le kn/(k +1)$, if $k \le \delta$, of Cockayne et al. This characterization generalizes that of graphs realizing $\gamma_1(G) = \gamma(G) = n/2$. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 57: 33–40, 2008
Volume and morphology changes of a bdelloid rotifer species (Macrotrachela quadricornifera) during anhydrobiosis
Authors: Ricci Claudia , Caprioli Manuela , Fontaneto Diego , Melone Giulio
Published: October 2007

Following a study on the changes occurring in a bdelloid species (Macrotrachela quadricornifera, Rotifera, Bdelloidea) when entering anhydrobiosis, we investigated the changes in morphology, including weight and volume during the transition from the active hydrated to the dormant anhydrobiotic state by scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy and light microscopy. We compared sizes and morphologies of hydrated extended, hydrated contracted and anhydrobiotic specimens. Bdelloid musculature is defined: longitudinal muscles are contracted in the hydrated contracted animal (head and foot are retracted inside the trunk), but appear loose in the anhydrobiotic animal. When anhydrobiotic, M. quadricornifera appears much smaller in size, with a volume reduction of about 60% of the hydrated volume, and its internal organization undergoes remarkable modifications. Internal body cavities, clearly distinguishable in the hydrated extended and contracted specimens, are no longer visible in the anhydrobiotic specimen. Concomitantly, M. quadricornifera loses more than 95% of its weight when anhydrobiotic; this is more than expected from the volume reduction data and could indicate the presence of space‐filling molecular species in the dehydrated animal. We estimate that the majority of body mass loss and volume reduction can be ascribed to the water loss from the body cavity during desiccation. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cooperative particle swarm optimization of passive microwave devices
Authors: Mahanfar Alireza , Bila Stéphane , Aubourg Michel , Verdeyme Serge
Published: October 2007

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) has lately become very popular in the electromagnetics domain. Although in some instances PSO shows a superior performance compared with other global optimization techniques, it is still computationally more expensive relative to classical gradient techniques. In this paper, a cooperative particle swarm optimization (CPSO) is adopted to achieve a faster convergence compared with the conventional PSO, while maintaining its main feature, which is the capability of finding global optimum. In order to deploy PSO more efficiently, the often neglected effect of the initial population on the overall convergence of PSO is discussed. It is shown that subdividing the space into grid cells and using random distribution within these cells will give the best results in terms of convergence speed. Different boundary conditions are tried on the CPSO algorithm. In order to verify the performance of the proposed algorithm, the algorithm is compared with the conventional PSO using six different objective functions. As a design example, an ultra‐wide‐band filter is designed. The results show a slightly faster convergence compared with the conventional PSO. The designed filter is fabricated and experimental results are also shown. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo bone and cartilage MRI using fully‐balanced steady‐state free‐precession at 7 tesla
Authors: Krug Roland , Carballido‐Gamio Julio , Banerjee Suchandrima , Stahl Robert , Carvajal Lucas , Xu Duan , Vigneron Dan , Kelley Douglas A.C. , Link Thomas M. , Majumdar Sharmila
Published: October 2007

The purpose of this work was to investigated the feasibility of fully‐balanced steady‐state free‐precession (bSSFP) pulse sequence for trabecular bone and knee cartilage imaging in vivo using ultra‐high‐field (UHF) MRI at 7T in comparison with pulse sequences previously used at 3T. We showed that bSSFP and spin‐echo imaging is possible at higher field strengths within 3.2 W/kg specific absorption rate (SAR) constraints. All pulse sequences were numerically optimized based on measured tissue relaxation parameters from six healthy volunteers (T1 = 820 ± 128 ms, T2 = 43.5 ± 3 ms for bone marrow and T1 = 1745 ± 104 ms and T2 = 30 ± 4 ms for cartilage). From simulations of the Bloch equation, a signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) increase of more than 1.9 was predicted. Cartilage SNR of bSSFP was 2.4 times higher at 7T (51.3 ± 4.3) compared with 3T (21.3 ± 3.3). Bone SNR increased from 11.8 ± 2.0 to 13.2 ± 2.5 at the higher field strength. We concluded that there is SNR benefit and great potential for bone and cartilage imaging at higher field strength. Magn Reson Med, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Short‐TE localised 1H MRS of the human brain at 3 T: quantification of the metabolite signals using two approaches to account for macromolecular signal contributions
Authors: Gottschalk Michael , Lamalle Laurent , Segebarth Christoph
Published: October 2007

The goal of this study was to validate metabolite quantification at short TE, with particular focus on how to best account for the macromolecular signal contribution. A robust, short‐TE PRESS protocol is presented, which allows reliable quantification, in vivo, of metabolite signals at 3 T in human brain. Water suppression was adapted to the experimental conditions at 3 T. Metabolite signal from the parietal white matter was quantified in the time domain using QUEST (jMRUI). The increased macromolecular signal contribution at short TE was dealt with by two approaches, based on either metabolite nulling or initial signal truncation. A detailed comparison of the two approaches was made. The first used a metabolite‐nulled signal, measured either individually or averaged over different subjects. The second used the total signal, metabolites and macromolecules, from a single scan. The two approaches gave similar quantification results in terms of metabolite concentrations, but differed in their precision and the number of metabolites quantified reliably. With an average metabolite‐nulled baseline, a set of seven metabolites could be reliably quantified in parietal white matter under these experimental conditions: N‐acetylaspartate, myo‐inositol, glucose, glutamate, glutathione, creatine and choline. When initial signal truncation was used, glucose was removed from this set. The short TE (10–11 ms) facilitated quantification of glutamate. The reliable quantification of N‐acetylaspartyl glutamate at 3 T proved very difficult. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bevacizumab gegen Dickdarmkarzinom. Angiogenese‐Hemmung in der Krebstherapie
Authors: Fieth Christian , Kebig Anna , Mohr Klaus
Published: October 2007

Aus medizinischer Sicht ist eine zusätzliche Therapie mit dem Angiogenese‐Hemmstoff Bevacizumab in der Chemotherapie des kolorektalen Karzinoms wirksam, da die Zulassungsstudie eine signifikant längere Überlebensdauer und Zeit bis zur Tumorprogression ergab. Pharmakoökonomisch ist zu beachten, dass zusätzliche Therapiekosten von ca. 4000 R pro Monat anfallen. Kürzlich wurde Bevacizumab für die Kombinationstherapie des Mammakarzinoms zugelassen. Derzeit laufen Studien, in denen untersucht wird, ob Bevacizumab auch bei anderen Karzinomerkrankungen, wie z.B. dem metastasierten Nierenzellkarzinom und Pankreaskarzinom, wirksam ist. In den USA ist der Antikörper bereits zur Primärtherapie des metastasierten nichtkleinzelligen Bronchialkarzinoms zugelassen.

Bevacizumab wird ohne Zulassung bei der feuchten altersbedingten Makuladegeneration (AMD) eingesetzt. Aus Bevacizumab ist das Antikörperfragment Ranibizumab hervorgegangen, welches zur Behandlung der feuchten Form der altersbedingten Makuladegeneration zugelassen ist (siehe Beitrag zu Ranibizumab von Mohr‐Andrä & Mohr in diesem Heft).