bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential Influence of Timing of Low‐Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Evaluation in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Faulkner Michele A. , Hilleman Daniel E. , Destache Christopher J. , Mooss Aryan N.
Published: June 2004

Objective. To determine the significance of timing of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol evaluation in patients with chest pain as it relates to subsequent National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) treatment decisions.

Design. Prospective, observational study.

Setting. A university‐affiliated tertiary care hospital.

Patients. Sixty‐two patients with coronary heart disease who were not receiving lipid‐lowering therapy and whose LDL levels were obtained 25–48 hours after onset of chest pain.

Intervention. We evaluated laboratory test results of patients with chest pain admitted to the cardiac care unit to determine risk to patients when LDL levels obtained inappropriately are used to make decisions regarding antihyperlipidemic therapy.

Measurements and Main Results. Inpatient and outpatient LDL levels were compared, and changes in NCEP treatment decisions analyzed. Differences between inpatient and outpatient LDL levels were significant (p<0.05), which frequently resulted in changes in therapy using the NCEP guidelines. The LDL levels of most inpatients were consistent with NCEP goals for patients with coronary heart disease, whereas the outpatient levels showed a need for drug therapy.

Conclusion. Lipid values obtained 25–48 hours after hospital admission in patients with acute coronary syndromes do not represent baseline values and may significantly alter the treatment approach; thus, they should not be used to direct drug therapy.
A Review of Rosiglitazone in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Werner Amy L. , Travaglini Maryann T.
Published: June 2004

The thiazolidinedione rosiglitazone maleate works primarily to improve insulin sensitivity in muscle and adipose tissue. It may have additional pharmacologic effects, however, as its main target is peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ. Data using the homeostasis model assessment and proinsulin:insulin ratio in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus suggest that rosiglitazone may have the potential to sustain or improve β‐cell function. In these patients the drug reduces fasting plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, insulin, and C‐peptide. In clinical trials, rosiglitazone monotherapy significantly reduced glycosylated hemoglobin by 1.5% compared with placebo and led to significant improvements in glycemic control when given in combination with metformin, sulfonylureas, or insulin. A dosage of 4 mg twice/day significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose levels and produced comparable reductions in glycosylated hemoglobin compared with glyburide. Rosiglitazone has a low risk of gastrointestinal side effects and hypoglycemia, reduced insulin demand, potential sparing effects on β‐cells, and favorable drug interaction profile. Adverse events of clinical significance are edema, anemia, and weight gain. Premarketing data indicate no significant difference in liver enzyme elevations for rosiglitazone, placebo, or active controls. Another drug in the thiazolidinedione class, troglitazone, was associated with idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity and was removed from the market. Therefore, until long‐term data are available for rosiglitazone, liver enzyme monitoring is recommended.
Clinical Considerations in the Use of Inhaled Corticosteroids for Asthma
Authors: Williams Dennis M.
Published: June 2004

Inhaled corticosteroids are the most potent and effective therapy for treating asthma. They exert their pharmacologic action through activation of the glucocorticoid receptor, which helps regulate gene transcription. Corticosteroids also directly inhibit several inflammatory mediators involved in the pathophysiology of asthma. In randomized, controlled clinical trials, inhaled corticosteroids, as monotherapy, are superior to other therapies in improving lung function and clinical outcomes in patients with asthma. However, the use of inhaled corticosteroids is limited by concerns of dose‐related adverse effects, including growth suppression and decreased bone density. Combination regimens with these agents and other long‐term therapies are beneficial in maintaining asthma control while minimizing dose‐related toxicities. Several inhaled corticosteroid products are available in the United States. They differ in potency; however, clinical efficacy is similar when equipotent doses are administered. A variety of factors influence product selection and patient response, including the therapeutic ratio, pharmacokinetic properties, and the inhalation delivery device. In addition, adherence to therapy and the patient's skill in administering the inhaled drug contribute to the therapeutic outcome.
Homozygosity Mapping Using Pooled DNA
Authors: Sheffield Val C.
Published: June 2004

Genomic screening is a common and popular method for localizing human disease genes. Genotyping each individual sample can be a laborintensive and expensive process. This unit describes the technique of pooling DNA from many related affected individuals, genotyping the resulting pools, and scoring the results. This technique can greatly reduce the effort required to screen for genetic linkage and is particularly useful when applied to inbred populations. The unit includes a table showing a pool of human STRP markers developed by the Cooperative Human Linkage Center.
Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis
Authors: Jarcho John
Published: June 2004

This unit describes Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, which utilizes restriction endonuclease digestion to identify DNA sequence polymorphisms in genes or DNA regions of interest. When investigating families for inheritance of an RFLP, aliquots of genomic DNA from individual family members are digested to completion with the restriction enzyme known to generate the polymorphism of interest. After size fractionation on an agarose gel, DNA is transferred to a membrane by capillary action in a high‐salt buffer. The gel is first treated with NaOH to denature DNA, and after neutralization, the gel is placed between buffer‐soaked filter paper and a sheet of membrane. Labeled probe is hybridized overnight to the Southern blot. The blot is washed under conditions designed to remove all nonspecifically adherent probe and exposed to X‐ray film. Identified fragment sizes differ among individuals and can be traced from generation to generation.
Simultaneous Detection of Multiple Point Mutations Using Allele‐Specific Oligonucleotides
Authors: Handelin Barbara , Shuber Anthony P.
Published: June 2004

This unit can be used to screen one gene for many allelic mutations or to screen each of several loci for several allelic mutations. In the , pools of radiolabeled allele‐specific oligonucleotide (ASO) probes are hybridized to dot blots containing polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐amplified DNA products generated from one or more loci. The pooled probes will give a positive hybridization signal from any PCR‐amplified DNA sample containing a sequence complementary to any of the ASOs in the pool of oligonucleotide sequences. If many PCR‐amplified samples are spotted onto a single filter, multiple individuals can then be screened simultaneously for many mutant sequences. The describes the removal of radiolabeled probe DNA from the filter in order to reuse the filter for further screening.
Prevalence and predictors of respiratory symptoms among New York farmers and farm residents
Authors: Gomez Marta I. , Hwang Syni‐An , Lin Shao , Stark Alice D. , May John J. , Hallman Eric M.
Published: June 2004

Background

Data from telephone interviews with New York farmers and farm residents were used to study the prevalence and risk factors of symptoms that could be related to asthma and allergies.

Methods

Participants were asked if they had wheezing or whistling in the chest in the past year and about the occurrence of stuffy, itchy, runny nose or watery, itchy eyes in the past year.

Results

The prevalence of wheeze was 18.2% and of stuffy nose/watery eyes was 57.4% (N = 1,620). Significant risk factors for wheeze were cigarette smoking, a systemic reaction to allergy skin testing, immunotherapy, or insect sting, reactivity to a pet, having goats, and more acreage in corn for silage. Significant risk factors of stuffy nose/watery eyes were younger age, having more than a high school education, being a worker on the farm, and having done spraying.

Conclusions

Wheeze may be indicative of existing or latent asthma, a potentially limiting respiratory illness. Stuffy, itchy, runny nose or watery, itchy eyes, which may cause irritation and discomfort, may also indicate an increased sensitivity to respirable dusts and chemicals. This cohort of New York farmers had significant farm‐related risk factors for wheeze and stuffy nose/watery eyes. Am. J. Ind. Med. 46:42–54, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of qualitative methods to map job tasks and exposures to occupational hazards for commercial fishermen
Authors: McDonald Mary Anne , Loomis Dana , Kucera Kristen L. , Lipscomb Hester J.
Published: June 2004

Background

Understanding job tasks and estimating occupational exposures is difficult for self‐employed or autonomous workers, who tend to be dispersed, with no fixed workplace, employment records, or historical exposure measurements.

Methods

We used ethnographic methods to collect work information for southern commercial fishermen. Major activities were mapped using the seasonal round, an anthropological tool that records activities of groups whose lifeways depend on natural cycles.

Results

Fishermen's work schedules depended on boat size, gear, market fluctuations, and regulations, as well as season. The seasonal round guided the analysis of qualitative data on annual cycles of activities increasing understanding of exposures and their variation.

Conclusions

Combined with detailed exposure information this framework for organizing and categorizing seasonal activities could improve accuracy of exposure information and guide quantitative analysis in work settings that challenge standard exposure assessment methods. Am. J. Ind. Med. 46:23–31, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ischemic heart disease mortality among heavy equipment operators
Authors: Finkelstein Murray M. , Verma Dave K. , Sahai Dru , Stefov Evelyn
Published: June 2004

Background

Inhalation of fine particulate is hypothesized to increase risk of heart disease events.

Methods

Seven Ontario construction unions participated in a retrospective cohort mortality study. Proportional mortality ratios (PMRs) were computed and a mortality odds ratio (MOR) analysis was performed to compare the risk of ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality among heavy equipment operators (HEO) to that of members of other unions. Deaths attributed to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and accidental causes were excluded from the comparison.

Results

Two hundred fifty nine of 1,009 deaths among the HEO were attributed to IHD. The PMR was 1.09 (0.96–1.2). None of the IHD PMRs among the other six unions exceeded 0.89. The MOR for IHD mortality, comparing the HEO to all other workers combined was 1.47 (1.17–1.84) for ages 25–64, was 1.20 (0.96–1.50) for ages 65 or more, and was 1.32 (1.13–1.55) for all ages combined.

Conclusions

Increased risk of IHD mortality among HEO is consistent with the hypothesis that exposure to diesel fume has adverse effects upon the heart and circulatory system. Am. J. Ind. Med. 46:16–22, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonfatal occupational injuries from slips, trips, and falls among older workers treated in hospital emergency departments, United States 1998
Authors: Layne Larry A. , Pollack Keshia M.
Published: June 2004

Background

Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults. As the workforce demographics shift to an older population, the dearth of information on occupational falls among older adults must be addressed.

Methods

A national probability sample of hospital emergency departments (EDs) (National Electronic Injury Surveillance System) was utilized to characterize falls at work.

Results

Older workers were found not to be at increased risk of a fall injury, but were more likely than younger workers to be hospitalized post‐injury. Same‐level falls were the most common type of incident among older workers. Falls from height were more prevalent among men than women. The narrative case descriptions for same‐level falls to the floor primarily implicated floor contamination and tripping hazards.

Conclusions

Fall prevention programs targeted to older workers must examine extrinsic sources of falls, particularly surface traction, contaminant control, and footwear. Am. J. Ind. Med. 46:32–41, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The interleukin 1β gene promoter polymorphism (−511) acts as a risk factor for psychosis in Alzheimer's dementia
Authors: Craig David , Hart Dominic J. , McCool Keira , McIlroy Stephen P. , Passmore A. Peter
Published: June 2004

The explanation for why some patients develop psychotic change in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is unclear. “Psychosis‐modifier genes” may act in the setting of neurodegeneration to produce AD plus psychosis in a similar way to how genetic modulation during neurodevelopment leads to schizophrenia. Because there is increasing interest in the common disruption of cytokine pathways seen in both AD and schizophrenia, we tested the association between the functional interleukin‐1β −511 promoter polymorphism with delusions and hallucinations in AD. Significant associations between psychotic symptoms and the CC genotype (p = 0.001 ‐ p = 0.043) and C allele (p = 0.014 vs p = 0.048) were found, thus confirming the previously noted increased risk in schizophrenia.
Levodopa: Faster and better word learning in normal humans
Authors: Knecht Stefan , Breitenstein Caterina , Bushuven Stefan , Wailke Stefanie , Kamping Sandra , Flöel Agnes , Zwitserlood Pienie , Ringelstein E. Bernd
Published: June 2004

Dopamine is a potent modulator of learning and has been implicated in the encoding of stimulus salience. Repetition, however, as required for the acquisition and reacquisition of sensorimotor or cognitive skills (e.g., in aphasia therapy), decreases salience. We here tested whether increasing brain levels of dopamine during repetitive training improves learning success. Forty healthy humans took 100mg of the dopamine precursor levodopa or placebo daily for 5 days in a randomized double‐blind and parallel‐group design. Ninety minutes later on each day, subjects were trained on an artificial vocabulary using a high‐frequency repetitive approach. Levodopa significantly enhanced the speed, overall success, and long‐term retention of novel word learning in a dose‐dependent manner. These findings indicate new ways to potentiate learning in a variety of domains if conventional training alone fails.
A natural compound (reuterin) produced by Lactobacillus reuteri for hemoglobin polymerization as a blood substitute
Authors: Chen Yi‐Chien , Chang Wen‐Hsiang , Chang Yen , Huang Chun‐Ming , Sung Hsing‐Wen
Published: June 2004

Stroma‐free hemoglobin (Hb) has been modified by pyridoxylation and followed by polymerization with glutaraldehyde as a blood substitute. Nevertheless, the reaction rate of pyridoxylated Hb (PLP‐Hb) with glutaraldehyde is too fast to control its molecular weight distribution. Additionally, it was reported that glutaraldehyde is cytotoxic even at low doses. To overcome these problems, another aldehyde, β‐hydroxypropionaldehyde (β‐HPA), was used in the study to polymerize hemoglobin (PLP‐Hb). β‐HPA is a natural compound (reuterin) produced by Lactobacillus reuteri. It was found that the maximum degree of PLP‐Hb polymerization by reuterin (RR‐PLP‐Hb) was approximately 40% if the formation of high molecular (> 500 kDa) polymers should be prevented. In contrast, at the same reaction condition, the glutaraldehyde‐polymerized PLP‐Hb solution became gel‐like, due to overpolymerization. This indicated that the rate of PLP‐Hb polymerization by reuterin was significantly slower than that by glutaraldehyde. With increasing the reaction temperature, PLP‐Hb concentration, or reuterin‐to‐PLP‐Hb molar ratio, the time to reach the maximum degree of PLP‐Hb polymerization by reuterin became significantly shorter. Removal of unpolymerized PLP‐Hb from the RR‐PLP‐Hb solution can be effectively achieved by a gel‐filtration column. The P50 value of the unmodified Hb solution was 14 torr, while that of the RR‐PLP‐Hb solution was 20 torr, an indication of lower oxygen affinity. Additionally, the oxygen‐Hb dissociation curves for both test solutions had a sigmodial shape and a nearly 100% saturation at 100 torr. In the in vivo study, it was found that the animals treated with the RR‐PLP‐Hb solution all survived and remained healthy more than 3 months. In contrast, only one out of six rats survived for the control group treated with the unmodified Hb solution. Furthermore, it was found that the RR‐PLP‐Hb solution resulted in a significantly longer circulation time (≈ 12 h) than the unmodified Hb solution (≈ 1.5 h). These results suggest that the reuterin‐polymerized PLP‐Hb solution may be a new option in the development of blood substitutes. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controversies in the management of advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Weber Randal S. , Forastiere Arlene , Rosenthal David I. , Laccourreye Ollivier
Published: June 2004

The current treatment paradigm for patients with advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma continues to evolve. The authors assembled a panel of experts from the fields of medical oncology, radiation oncology, and surgery to discuss treatment options and to defend their positions.
A modified Newton–Raphson method
Authors: He Ji‐Huan
Published: June 2004

In this paper, we propose the following modified Newton–Raphson iteration formulation:

In case r=1, the obtained formulation reduces to the Newton–Raphson formulation. The present technique circumvent pitfalls of the Newton–Raphson iteration method. Some examples are illustrated. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simple and efficient numerical method for determination of deformations and stresses in rotating solid shafts with non‐linear strain‐hardening
Authors: You X. Y. , You L. H. , Zhang J. J.
Published: June 2004

A simple and efficient numerical method is proposed to investigate deformations and stresses in elastic–plastic rotating solid shafts. Using the assumption of plane strain, the governing equation is derived from the geometric relation, equilibrium equation, deformation theory, von Mises' yield criterion and non‐linear stress–plastic strain relationship. By making use of the information of the second and third derivatives of the radial stress with respect to the radial co‐ordinate and introducing a truncated Taylor's expansion, an iterative algorithm is presented which can solve elastic–plastic problems of rotating solid shafts quickly and effectively. Two numerical examples are given to demonstrate accuracy, efficiency and capacity of the proposed method in both fully elastic and non‐linear strain‐hardening elastic–plastic analyses of rotating solid shafts. Excellent agreement is found between this method and finite element approach. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Data structures in Java for matrix computations
Authors: Gundersen Geir , Steihaug Trond
Published: June 2004

In this paper we show how to utilize Java's native arrays for matrix computations. The disadvantages of Java arrays used as a 2D array for dense matrix computation are discussed and ways to improve the performance are examined. We show how to create efficient dynamic data structures for sparse matrix computations using Java's native arrays. This data structure is unique for Java and shown to be more dynamic and efficient than the traditional storage schemes for large sparse matrices. Numerical testing indicates that this new data structure, called Java Sparse Array, is competitive with the traditional Compressed Row Storage scheme on matrix computation routines. Java gives increased flexibility without losing efficiency. Compared with other object‐oriented data structures Java Sparse Array is shown to have the same flexibility. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient parallel implementations of near Delaunay triangulation with High Performance Fortran
Authors: Chen Min‐Bin , Chuang Tyng‐Ruey , Wu Jan‐Jan
Published: June 2004

Unstructured mesh generation exposes highly irregular computation patterns, which imposes a challenge in implementing triangulation algorithms on parallel machines. This paper reports on an efficient parallel implementation of near Delaunay triangulation with High Performance Fortran (HPF). Our algorithm exploits embarrassing parallelism by performing sub‐block triangulation and boundary merge independently at the same time. The sub‐block triangulation is a divide & conquer Delaunay algorithm known for its sequential efficiency, and the boundary triangulation is an incremental construction algorithm with low overhead. Compared with prior work, our parallelization method is both simple and efficient. In the paper, we also describe a solution to the collinear points problem that usually arises in large data sets. Our experiences with the HPF implementation show that with careful control of the data distribution, we are able to parallelize the program using HPF's standard directives and extrinsic procedures. Experimental results on several parallel platforms, including an IBM SP2 and a DEC Alpha farm, show that a parallel efficiency of 42–86% can be achieved for an eight‐node distributed memory system. We also compare efficiency of the HPF implementation with that of a similarly hand‐coded MPI implementation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Authentication with 3D pattern communication
Authors: Ito Masahito , Uda Ryuya , Awaya Kohei , Nasu Shoken , Inomae Goro , Shigeno Hiroshi , Okada Ken‐ichi , Matsushita Yutaka
Published: June 2004

This paper proposes an authentication technique by 3D pattern communication, using terminals with a small‐sized screen. 3D pattern communication is a method whereby an arbitrary signal can be transmitted by rewriting the signal patterns on the screen for several times on the terminal screen. The signal is not limited by the display resolution of the screen or the kind of liquid crystal. Consequently, any signal can be sent to the destination through the screen, and secure authentication can be realized by using a portable terminal. It is verified that, even if the terminal is inclined to some extent during reading due to the angle of the hand holding the terminal, or an arbitrary picture is overlaid on the pattern, the 3D pattern can be recognized correctly by utilizing error‐correcting code and interleaving. The proposed scheme is implemented on current models of portable phones with TFT, TFD, STN, and organic EL screens. The communication of 1024‐bit RSA signature data is successfully performed in 0.33 to 0.44 second, except for a single terminal. Using the proposed 3D pattern communication, an authentication service with a strong security requirement can be provided without adding a special device to existing portable phone terminals. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(12): 78–89, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10171
A fundamental study of acoustic and EM wave absorber using resistive films and glass wool
Authors: Yokokawa Hidehiro , Kondo Asuka , Hashimoto Osamu , Soh Tetsu , Ono Kazunori , Toyota Makoto
Published: June 2004

Over the past few years, the use of electromagnetic (EM) waves on highways has increased due to the spread of Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) systems in Intelligent Transport Systems (ITSs). Conventionally, roadside walls have been set up while considering the sound absorption of noise, but the need has developed for a structure also equipped with an EM wave absorption effect with the objective of preventing unwanted EM waves when EM waves are used. In addition, based on the properties of the EM waves used in Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC), the EM wave absorber used in the roadside walls should handle the circularly polarized waves that are second‐order reflections due to the wall surface and have ultrawide angle characteristics. In this paper, we place an EM wave absorber that does not harm the acoustic absorption characteristics behind a commercial acoustic absorber (standard acoustic panel of the Japan Highway Public Corporation) and unify the acoustic absorber and the EM wave absorber in a single structure. We then study the implementation of an acoustic and EM wave absorber having both functions of absorbing sound and EM waves, and wide angle characteristics for circularly polarized waves. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(12): 60–67, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10195
Proposal and implementation of IPv4–IPv6 bidirectional communication system
Authors: Hei Yuichiro , Kubota Ayumu , Hotta Takao , Yamazaki Katsuyuki
Published: June 2004

Communication between an IPv6 host and an IPv4 host requires a name server that makes a mapping between an IPv4 address and an IPv6 address, and a translator that performs IP packet conversion. In this paper, we propose an IPv4–IPv6 bidirectional communication system, implement our proposed method, and present the results of performance evaluation. Our system can provide IPv4 hosts with connectivity to more IPv6 hosts in spite of pooling fewer IPv4 addresses. It is realized by adding a source IPv4 address and a port number to an address mapping with cooperation between a name server and a translator. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(12): 49–59, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10203
Compensation of carrier frequency offset for MMSE‐SMI adaptive array antenna
Authors: Ichikawa Yoshihiro , Obote Shigeki , Kagoshima Kenichi
Published: June 2004

When a frequency offset exists in an MMSE‐SMI adaptive array antenna, the correlation vector varies and as a result the SINR varies and the average BER is degraded. In order to resolve this problem, a method for compensation of the frequency offset at the array input stage is proposed in which an AFC (Auto Frequency Control) is used to estimate the frequency offset. In the proposed method, the weights are averaged (AW: Averaging of Weights) to stabilize the correlation vector (SCV: Stabilizing Correlation Vector) so that the complex conjugate of the frequency offset estimated is multiplied by the array input signal for compensation of the frequency offset (SCV‐AW method). As a conventional method, the one estimating and compensating the frequency offset with fixed weights is simulated and the effectiveness of the SCV‐AW method is demonstrated. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(12): 28–38, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10220
The largest eigenvalue characteristics for MIMO channel with spatial correlation
Authors: Fu Jianyu , Taniguchi Tetsuki , Karasawa Yoshio
Published: June 2004

In this paper, a typical mobile communication environment is assumed and the eigenvalue distributions of the correlation matrix of a MIMO channel with the spatial correlation of the multipath taken into account are studied by simulation. Based on this study, a simple method is proposed for accurately deriving the probability distribution of the largest eigenvalue of the correlation matrix. The proposed approximation equation is compared with simulation results and good agreement is obtained. In order to understand the information transmission capability of MIMO in a multipath fading environment with spatial correlation, the proposed equation is used for studying the effect of the spatial correlation on channel capacity. Finally, the digital transmission characteristics (relationship between the BER and the CNR) with correlation taken into account are obtained. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(12): 18–27, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10223
Analysis of uplink capacity in W‐CDMA systems with adaptive antenna array
Authors: Imai Tetsuro , Taga Tokio
Published: June 2004

With regard to the uplink channel in the case of a W‐CDMA system with an adaptive antenna array technology, a method is presented that theoretically analyzes the uplink channel capacity with consideration of the effects of RAKE reception and of soft handover between sectors. A propagation model presuming the angle of arrival profile on the base station side and a rather realistic delay profile is applied to the proposed analysis method, making it possible to evaluate the effect on the capacity by the angular spread on the base station side and the level threshold that determines the soft handover region. It is demonstrated that system parameters such as the number of elements in the array antenna, the level threshold at the time of using the above‐described soft handover, and the half‐value width of the sector pattern can be optimized. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 87(12): 1–17, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.20140
Relative sensitivity of fish and mammalian cells to sodium arsenate and arsenite as determined by alkaline single‐cell gel electrophoresis and cytokinesis‐block micronucleus assay
Authors: Raisuddin Sheikh , Jha Awadhesh N.
Published: June 2004

To protect human and ecosystem health, it is necessary to develop sensitive assays and to identify responsive cells and species (and their life stages). In this study, the relative genotoxicity of two inorganic arsenicals: trivalent sodium arsenite (As3+) and pentavalent sodium arsenate (As5+), was evaluated in two cell lines of phylogenetically different origin, using alkaline single‐cell gel electrophoresis (i.e., the Comet assay) and the cytokinesis‐block micronucleus (MN) assay. The cell lines were the rainbow trout gonad‐2 (RTG‐2) and Chinese hamster ovary‐K1 (CHO‐K1) lines. Following optimization and validation of both assays using reference chemicals (i.e., 1–100 μM hydrogen peroxide for the Comet assay and 1–10 mM ethylmethane sulfonate for the MN assay), cells were exposed to 1–10 μM of both arsenicals to determine the relative extent of genetic damage. The unexposed controls showed similar (background) levels of damage in both cell lines and for both assays. Treatment with the arsenicals induced concentration‐dependent increases in genetic damage in the two cell lines. Arsenite was more potent than arsenate in inducing DNA strand breaks in the Comet assay; at the highest concentration (10 μM) arsenite produced similar levels of DNA damage in CHO‐K1 and RTG‐2 cells, while 10 μM arsenate was significantly more genotoxic in RTG‐2 cells. MN induction was consistently higher in RTG‐2 cells than in CHO‐K1 cells, with 10 μM arsenite inducing an approximate 10‐fold increase in both cell lines. MN induction also was positively correlated with DNA strand breaks for both arsenicals. Overall, the study demonstrated that the fish cells are more sensitive than the mammalian cells at environmentally realistic concentrations of both arsenicals, with arsenite being more toxic. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 44:83–89, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Promoter methylation of the PTEN gene is a common molecular change in breast cancer
Authors: García Jose M. , Silva Javier , Peña Cristina , Garcia Vanesa , Rodríguez Rufo , Cruz Miguel A. , Cantos Blanca , Provencio Mariano , España Pilar , Bonilla Felix
Published: June 2004

About 25–50% of women with Cowden disease, a syndrome associated with germ‐line mutations of the PTEN gene (at 10q23), develop breast cancer (BC), but PTEN mutations have been found in only 5% of sporadic BCs. However, 29–48% of BCs display loss of heterozygosity in 10q23, and about 40% of BCs show a decrease or absence of PTEN protein levels at the time of diagnosis. Promoter hypermethylation has been identified as an alternative mechanism of tumor‐suppressor gene inactivation, but its importance in PTEN silencing in sporadic BC is unknown. We investigated PTEN promoter hypermethylation in 90 sporadic BCs and its correlations with 11 molecular and pathologic parameters, including mRNA levels of PTEN. The study, a methylation‐specific PCR assay, was carried out with methylated specific primers designed in a region with scarce homology with the psiPTEN pseudogene. Expression was analyzed by real‐time PCR. We found that the PTEN promoter was hypermethylated in 43 BCs (48%). PTEN hypermethylation was associated with ERBB2 overexpression, larger size, and higher histologic grade (P = 0.012, 0.03, and 0.009, respectively). We concluded that PTEN promoter hypermethylation is a common event in sporadic BC, correlating with other well‐established prognostic factors of this malignancy. Additionally, PTEN mRNA expression was lower in tumors with aberrant methylation. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High frequency of HPV16‐associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the Puerto Rican population
Authors: Báez Adriana , Almodóvar José I. , Cantor Alan , Celestin Frederic , Cruz‐Cruz Luis , Fonseca Sharon , Trinidad‐Pinedo Juan , Vega William
Published: June 2004

Background.

Recent evidence has accumulated suggesting that human papillomavirus (HPV) plays a role in the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). HPV16 is the most common of the HPV subtypes associated with oral and laryngeal malignancies. This study estimated the prevalence of HPV16 DNA in Puerto Rican patients with HNSCC.

Methods.

DNA was extracted from frozen tissue of 118 HNSCCs. Genomic DNA was screened for the presence of HPV16 DNA with E6‐specific and E7‐specific primers.

Results.

HPV16 was detected in tumor tissue of 52 patients (44%) with HNSCC. The oropharynx had a slightly higher incidence of HPV16 DNA. Fifteen of 66 patients with HPV16‐negative HNSCC later had recurrences. Positivity for HPV16 was independent of the tumor grade, tumor stage, nodal status, and tobacco or alcohol use. The 3‐year survival rate was higher in HPV16‐positive patients than in HPV16‐negative patients (36% vs 21%).

Conclusions.

Our findings suggest that HPV16 may play a role in the etiology of a subgroup of HNSCC in Puerto Ricans. Overall survival times of the HPV16‐positive patients were not significantly different from those of HPV16‐negative patients. Increasing our understanding of the role of HPV16 in the etiology of HNSCC might facilitate the development of new treatment modalities for this subgroup of HNSCC. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 26: 778–784, 2004
Expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 1 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Possible upregulation by Epstein‐Barr virus latent membrane protein 1
Authors: Siegler Gabriele , Meyer Birgit , Dawson Chris , Brachtel Elena , Lennerz Jochen , Koch Claudia , Kremmer Elisabeth , Niedobitek Edith , Gonnella Roberta , Pilch Ben Z. , Young Lawrence S. , Niedobitek Gerald
Published: June 2004

EBV infection is associated with virtually all cases of undifferentiated NPC, and the EBV‐encoded LMP1 is expressed in a proportion of cases. LMP1 has transforming functions similar to members of the TNF receptor family and activates intracellular signaling cascades through interaction with TRAFs. In B cells, expression of TRAF1 is in turn upregulated by LMP1. LMP1 signaling in epithelial cells may be affected by the presence or absence of TRAF1. By immunohistochemistry, we detected TRAF1 expression in 17 of 42 (40%) EBV+ undifferentiated NPCs. All 7 LMP1+ NPC biopsies were also TRAF1+. Using an RNAse protection assay, high‐level TRAF1 expression was detected in an LMP1‐expressing NPC‐derived cell line (C15) and expression was weaker in 2 LMP1− cell lines (C17, C19). Finally, LMP1 upregulated TRAF1 expression in an EBV− keratinocyte cell line. Our results demonstrate that TRAF1 is expressed in NPC tumor cells in vivo and suggest that TRAF1 expression may be upregulated by LMP1 in NPC. An antiapoptotic function has been proposed for TRAF1, and this may be relevant for the pathogenesis of NPC. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Histone deacetylase inhibitors: Understanding a new wave of anticancer agents
Authors: Villar‐Garea Ana , Esteller Manel
Published: June 2004

Cancer is as much an epigenetic disease as it is a genetic and cytogenetic disease. The discovery that drastic changes in DNA methylation and histone modifications are commonly found in human tumors has inspired various laboratories and pharmaceutical companies to develop and study epigenetic drugs. One of the most promising groups of agents is the inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs), which have different biochemical and biologic properties but have a single common activity: induction of acetylation in histones, the key proteins in nucleosome and chromatin structure. One of the main mechanisms of action of HDAC inhibitors is the transcriptional reactivation of dormant tumor‐suppressor genes, such as p21WAF1. However, their pleiotropic nature leaves open the possibility that their well‐known differentiation, cell‐cycle arrest and apoptotic properties are also involved in other functions associated with HDAC inhibition. Many phase I clinical trials indicate that HDAC inhibitors appear to be well‐tolerated drugs. Thus, the field is ready for rigorous biologic and clinical scrutiny to validate the therapeutic potential of these drugs. Our current data indicate that the use of HDAC inhibitors, probably in association with classical chemotherapy drugs or in combination with DNA‐demethylating agents, could be promising for cancer patients. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dietary soy and increased risk of bladder cancer: A prospective cohort study of men in Shanghai, China
Authors: Sun Can‐Lan , Yuan Jian‐Min , Wang Xue‐Li , Gao Yu‐Tang , Ross Ronald K. , Yu Mimi C.
Published: June 2004

To verify our previous finding of a positive association between dietary soy and bladder cancer risk, we examined the association in a second, geographically distinct prospective cohort of Chinese subjects, the Shanghai Cohort Study. Briefly, 18,244 men aged 45–64 years were recruited between January 1986 and September 1989. As of December 31, 2002, 61 incident bladder cancer cases were identified. Information on soy consumption was obtained through in‐person interviews at baseline using a food frequency questionnaire. Cox proportional hazard regression methods were used to estimate relative risks (RR) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), with adjustment for age (years) at baseline interview, level of education and other potential confounders. Compared to men consuming soy less than once a week, the RR (95% CI) for those who consumed soy 1–<3 times per week, 3–<7 times a week and daily were 2.05 (0.80–5.29), 2.45 (0.89–6.76) and 4.61 (1.57–13.51), respectively (pfor trend = 0.004), after adjustment for age, cigarette smoking and level of education. The soy–bladder cancer risk associations in smokers and non‐smokers were comparable. The soy–bladder cancer relationship became stronger when the analysis was restricted to subjects with 2 or more years of follow‐up. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enhanced cathepsin L expression is mediated by different Ras effector pathways in fibroblasts and epithelial cells
Authors: Collette John , Ulku Aylin S. , Der Channing J. , Jones Anta'Sha , Erickson Ann H.
Published: June 2004

Ras expression induces increased expression and altered targeting of lysosomal proteases in multiple cell types, but the specific downstream cytoplasmic signaling pathways mediating these changes have not been identified. In this study, we compared the involvement of 3 major Ras effectors, Raf, phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) and Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factor (RalGEF) in the Ras‐mediated alteration of lysosomal protease protein expression and targeting in rat 208F fibroblasts and rat ovarian surface epithelial (ROSE) cells. Effector domain mutants of Ras, constitutively activated variants of Raf, PI3K and RalGEF and pharmacologic inhibitors of MEK and PI3K were utilized to determine the role of these downstream pathways in mediating fibroblast transformation and lysosomal protease regulation in the fibroblasts and epithelial cells. We found that Raf activation of the ERK mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway alone was sufficient to cause morphologic and growth transformation of the fibroblasts and was necessary and sufficient to alter cathepsin L expression and targeting. In contrast, transformation and upregulation of cathepsin L expression in the epithelial cells required the activity of all 3 Ras effectors. Increased protease secretion from the epithelial cells was not observed on ectopic expression of Ras, as it was from the fibroblasts, consistent with the utilization of different signaling pathways in the 2 cell types. In neither cell type did Ras expression increase the expression, processing or secretion of 2 other major lysosomal proteases, cathepsin B and cathepsin D. Thus, Ras utilizes different effectors to mediate transformation and to deregulate cathepsin L expression and secretion in fibroblast and epithelial cells. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
First pregnancy characteristics and subsequent breast cancer risk among young women
Authors: Innes Kim E. , Byers Tim E.
Published: June 2004

There is growing evidence that perinatal factors associated with altered gestational hormones may influence subsequent breast cancer risk in the mother. Events occurring during the first pregnancy may be particularly important. In this matched case‐control study, we investigated the relation between characteristics of a woman's first pregnancy and her later breast cancer risk using linked records from the New York State birth and tumor registries. Cases were 2,522 women aged 22 to 55 diagnosed with breast cancer between 1978 and 1995 and who had also completed a first pregnancy in New York State (NY) at least 1 year prior to diagnosis. Controls were 10,052 primiparous women not diagnosed with breast or endometrial cancer in NY and matched to cases on county of residence and date of delivery. Information on factors characterizing the woman's first pregnancy was obtained from the pregnancy record of each subject. The association of these factors to breast cancer risk was assessed using conditional logistic regression. Extreme prematurity (< 32 weeks gestational age) was associated with elevated maternal breast cancer risk [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=2.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2,3.9], as were abruptio placentae (OR = 1.8, CI 1.1,3.0) and multifetal gestation (OR=1.8, CI 1.1,3.0). Preeclampsia was associated with a marked reduction in breast cancer risk among women who bore their first child after age 30 (OR=0.3, CI 0.2,0.7) and in the first 3 years after delivery (OR=0.2 (0.1–0.9). These findings suggest that certain perinatal factors influence maternal breast cancer risk and offer indirect support for a role of gestational hormones, and particularly gestational estrogens, in the etiology of breast cancer. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endogenous sex hormones and subsequent breast cancer in premenopausal women
Authors: Micheli Andrea , Muti Paola , Secreto Giorgio , Krogh Vittorio , Meneghini Elisabetta , Venturelli Elisabetta , Sieri Sabina , Pala Valeria , Berrino Franco
Published: June 2004

Because of large intra‐individual variation in hormone levels, few studies have investigated the relation of serum sex hormones to breast cancer (BC) in premenopausal women. We prospectively studied this relation, adjusting for timing of blood sampling within menstrual cycle. Premenopausal women (5,963), recruited to the Hormones and Diet in the Etiology of Breast Tumors (ORDET) cohort study, provided a blood sample in the 20–24th day of their menstrual cycle. After 5.2 years of follow‐up, 65 histologically confirmed BC cases were identified and matched individually to 4 randomly selected controls. Sera, stored at −80°C, were assayed blindly for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, total and free testosterone (FT), androstenedione, androstanediol‐glucoronide, progesterone, 17‐OH‐progesterone, sex hormone‐binding globulin, follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Fifty‐five cases had information for multivariate analyses. Compared to controls, BC cases had shorter cycles and intervals between blood sampling and bleeding, and lower LH and FSH. FT was significantly associated with BC risk: relative risk (RR; adjusted for age, body mass index and ovarian cycle variables) of highest vs. lowest tertile was 2.85 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11–7.33, p for trend = 0.030]. Progesterone was inversely associated with adjusted RR for highest vs. lowest tertile of 0.40 (95% CI = 0.15–1.08, p for trend = 0.077), significantly so in women with regular menses, where adjusted RR was 0.12 (95% CI = 0.03–0.52, p for trend = 0.005). These findings support the hypothesis that ovarian hyperandrogenism associated with luteal insufficiency increases the risk of BC in premenopausal women. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Smoking is associated with postmenopausal breast cancer in women with high levels of estrogens
Authors: Manjer Jonas , Johansson Robert , Lenner Per
Published: June 2004

We investigated the association between smoking and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer in groups defined by high levels of estrogens, a factor known to enhance tumour progression. Two prospective cohorts of Swedish women provided 260 postmenopausal breast cancer cases and 514 controls. Blood samples were collected at baseline, and anthropometry, life‐style factors and reproductive history had been assessed. Subjects were classified into quartiles with regard to the level of estrone, and into three categories with regard to estradiol. All analyses of the relation between smoking and breast cancer were repeated in different categories of these hormones. Logistic regression analysis, adjusted for matching factors, i.e., age at baseline, storage time and sub‐cohort, yielded odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Ever‐smoking was associated with breast cancer in the top category of estrone, 2.02 (1.17–3.49). The highest risk was seen among ex‐smokers, 2.96 (1.53–5.75). The pattern was similar for estradiol. Recent smoking cessation was associated with a high OR in top categories of estrone, 4.38 (1.27–15.2) and estradiol 10.0 (1.14–88.7). Smoking initiation before the age of 20 was associated with breast cancer in the top category of estrone, 2.73 (1.27–5.91). Several potential confounders were introduced into the statistical model, but none remained using backward selection. We conclude that ever‐smoking was associated with the risk of breast cancer in women with high levels of estrone, and that ex‐smoking was associated with breast cancer in women with high levels of estrone or estradiol. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.