bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improving the quality of life of patients with prostate carcinoma
Authors: Giesler R. Brian , Given Barbara , Given Charles W. , Rawl Susan , Monahan Patrick , Burns Debra , Azzouz Faouzi , Reuille Kristina M. , Weinrich Sally , Koch Michael , Champion Victoria
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND

Treatments for clinically localized prostate carcinoma are accompanied by sexual, urinary, and bowel dysfunction and other sequelae that can result in significant distress and reduced well being. Methods capable of improving quality of life are needed that can be integrated into clinical practice. To address this need, a nurse‐driven, cancer care intervention was developed and tested.

METHODS

Within 6 weeks after completing treatment, 99 patients, along with their partners, were enrolled into a prospective, controlled trial and were randomized to receive the cancer care intervention or to receive standard care. Participants in the intervention arm met once each month for 6 months with an oncology nurse intervenor, who helped patients identify their quality‐of‐life needs using an interactive computer program. The intervener then provided education and support tailored to participants' needs. Primary outcome variables included 1) disease‐specific quality of life, including sexual, urinary, and bowel outcomes and cancer worry; 2) depression; 3) dyadic adjustment; and 4) general quality of life. Outcomes data were collected prior to randomization and again at 4 months, 7 months, and 12 months posttreatment.

RESULTS

Patients in the intervention arm experienced long‐term improvements in quality‐of‐life outcomes related to sexual functioning and cancer worry compared with patients who received standard care. Baseline depression moderated the impact of the intervention on several other quality‐of‐life outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the current study indicated that a computer‐assisted, nurse‐driven intervention was capable of providing durable improvements in the quality of life of men who underwent treatment for clinically localized prostate carcinoma. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Estrogen regulation of cell proliferation and distribution of estrogen receptor‐α in the brains of adult female prairie and meadow voles
Authors: Fowler Christie D. , Johnson Frank , Wang Zuoxin
Published: June 2005

Adult female prairie (Microtus ochrogaster) and meadow (M. pennsylvanicus) voles were compared to examine neural cell proliferation and the effects of estrogen manipulation on cell proliferation in the amygdala, ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus (DG). Unlike prior studies, our study focused on the amygdala and VMH, because they are involved in social behaviors and may underlie behavioral differences between the species. Meadow voles had a higher density of cells labeled with the cell proliferation marker 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (BrdU) in the amygdala and DG than did prairie voles. Treatment with estradiol benzoate (EB) for 3 days increased the density of BrdU‐labeled cells in the amygdala, particularly in the posterior cortical (pCorA) and medial (pMeA) nuclei, in meadow, but not prairie, voles. Furthermore, the majority of the BrdU‐labeled cells in the pCorA and pMeA displayed either a neuronal or a glial progenitor phenotype, but no species or treatment differences were found in the percentage of neuronal or glial progenitor cells. To understand better estrogen's effects on adult neurogenesis, we also examined estrogen receptor‐α (ERα) distribution. Meadow voles had more ERα‐labeled cells in the pCorA and VMH, but not in the pMeA or DG, than did prairie voles. In addition, more than one‐half of the BrdU‐labeled cells in the amygdala of both species coexpressed ERα labeling. Together, these data indicate that estrogen alters cell proliferation in a species‐ and region‐specific manner, and some of these effects may lie in the specific localization of estrogen receptors in the adult vole brain. J. Comp. Neurol. 489:166–179, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative anatomy of α2 and β adrenoceptors in the adult and developing brain of the marine teleost the red porgy (Pagrus pagrus, Sparidae): [3H]clonidine and [3H]dihydroalprenolol quantitative autoradiography and receptor subtypes immunohistochemistry
Authors: Zikopoulos Basileios , Dermon Catherine R.
Published: June 2005

The present study aimed to determine the anatomic distribution and developmental profile of α2 and β adrenoceptors (AR) in marine teleost brain. Alpha 2 and β adrenoceptors were studied at different developmental stages by using [3H]clonidine and [3H]dihydroalprenolol, respectively, by means of in vitro quantitative autoradiography. Furthermore, immunohistochemical localization of the receptor subtypes was performed to determine their cellular distribution. Saturation studies determined a high‐affinity component of [3H]clonidine and [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding sites. High levels of both receptors were found in preglomerular complex, ventral hypothalamus, and lateral torus. Dorsal hypothalamus and isthmus included high levels of α2 AR, whereas pretectum and molecular and proliferative zone of cerebellum were specifically characterized by high densities of β AR. From the first year of life, adult levels of both AR were found in most medial telencephalic, hypothalamic, and posterior tegmental areas. Decreases in both receptors densities with age were prominent in ventral and posterior telencephalic, pretectal, ventral thalamic, hypothalamic, and tegmental brain regions. Immunohistochemical data were well correlated with autoradiography and demonstrated the presence of α2A, α2C, β1, and β2 AR subtype‐like immunoreactivity. Both the neuronal (perikaryal or dendritic) and the glial localization of receptors was revealed. The localization and age‐dependent alterations in α2 and β AR were parallel to plasticity mechanisms, such as cell proliferation in periventricular thalamus, hypothalamus, and cerebellum. In addition, the biochemical characteristics, distribution pattern, and neuronal or glial specificity of the receptors in teleost brain support a similar profile of noradrenergic transmission in vertebrate brain evolution. J. Comp. Neurol. 489:217–240, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of actin polymerization in bending of the early heart tube
Authors: Latacha Kimberly S. , Rémond Mathieu C. , Ramasubramanian Ashok , Chen Amy Y. , Elson Elliot L. , Taber Larry A.
Published: June 2005

During cardiac c‐looping, the heart transforms from a straight tube into a c‐shaped tube, presenting the first evidence of left–right asymmetry in the embryo. C‐looping consists of two primary deformation components: ventral bending and dextral rotation. This study examines the role of actin polymerization in bending of the heart tube. Exposure of stage 9–11 chick embryos to low concentrations of the actin polymerization inhibitors cytochalasin D (5 nM–2.0 μM) and latrunculin A (LA; 25 nM–2.0 μM) suppressed looping in a stage‐ and concentration‐dependent manner in both whole embryos and isolated hearts. Local exposure of either the dorsal or ventral sides of isolated hearts to LA also inhibited looping, but less than global exposure, indicating that both sides contribute to the bending mechanism. Taken together, these data suggest that ongoing actin polymerization is required for the bending component of cardiac c‐looping, and we speculate that polymerization‐driven myocardial cell shape changes cause this deformation. Developmental Dynamics 233:1272–1286, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nude thymic rudiment lacking functional foxn1 resembles respiratory epithelium
Authors: Dooley James , Erickson Matthew , Roelink Henk , Farr Andrew G.
Published: June 2005

The epithelial compartment of the thymus arises from endoderm of the 3rd pharyngeal pouch. As it moves from a cervical to a mediastinal position during development, this epithelium becomes populated by lymphoid progenitor cells from the blood and begins to support their differentiation along the T cell lineage. Productive differentiation of thymic epithelium is strictly dependent on the foxn1 transcription factor, as evidenced by the lack of functional thymic tissue in nude mice that carry a spontaneous loss‐of‐function mutation of foxn1. Evaluation of the thymic rudiment epithelium from nude mice revealed phenotypic properties and tissue organization that was strongly reminiscent of respiratory epithelium. These data suggest that foxn1 may be involved in directing lineage choices of multi‐potential progenitor epithelial cells rather than simply affecting the terminal differentiation program of epithelial cells specified to a thymic fate. Developmental Dynamics 233:1605–1612, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Self‐Assembly of 1D to 3D Cadmium Complexes: Structural Characterization and Properties
Authors: Li Xing , Cao Rong , Bi Wenhua , Yuan Daqiang , Sun Daofeng
Published: June 2005

Self‐assembly reactions of 5‐sulfoisophthalic monosodium salt (NaH2sipa), Cd(NO3)2·4H2O and 2,2'‐bipyridine (or 4,4'‐bipyridine) under hydrothermal condition give rise to four polymeric complexes, namely {[Cd3(sipa)2(2,2'‐bpy)4(H2O)2]·6H2O}n (1), {[Cd(sipa)(H‐4,4'‐bpy)(H2O)]·2H2O}n (2); {[Cd2(sipa)(4,4'‐bpy)3(H2O)3]·[Cd(sipa)(4,4'‐bpy)(H2O)]·8H2O}n (3),and {[Cd3(sipa)2(4,4'‐bpy)4(H2O)2]·3H2O}n (4), respectively. X‐ray diffraction analyses reveal that complex 1 possesses a 1D rail‐like chain structure, 2 is a 1D double chain, 3 has a 2D network consisting of an independent [Cd2(sipa)(4,4'‐bpy)3(H2O)3]nn+ cationic layer and a [Cd(sipa)(4,4'‐bpy)(H2O)]nn– anionic layer, and 4 is a novel 3D self‐penetrating network constructed from two mixed bridging ligands. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and fluorescent measurements of complexes 1–4 have also been performed. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Ruthenium Complexes of the Scorpionate Ligand Bis(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)dithioacetate and the Effect of Nitric Oxide Coordination
Authors: Ortiz Mayreli , Penabad Ariadna , Díaz Alicia , Cao Roberto , Otero Antonio , Antiñolo Antonio , Lara Agustín
Published: June 2005

Six new ruthenium(II) complexes with the scorpionateligand bis(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)dithio‐κ3N,N,S‐acetate (bdmpzdta) were obtained by treatment of the ligand with RuCl3 or [RuCl3(NO)] in 1:1 or 2:1 molar ratios in the presence or absence of ethylenediamine. In all six complexes the pyrazolic rings lie in the equatorial plane. The mononitrosyl complexes present a sharp ν(NO) band in the range 1864–1859 cm–1 for samples prepared either as KBr tablets or dichloromethane solutions. In the case of [Ru(NO)(bdmpzdta)2]Cl (7), the dithiocarboxylate group of one of the ligands is not coordinated (κ2N,N). In the other five complexes, however, bdmpzdta behaves as a κ3N,N,S scorpionate ligand. When the complexes obtained from RuCl3 were dissolved in dichloromethane and NO was bubbled through the solution, a high degree of coordination of NO+ was observed, according to IR, UV and voltammetric studies. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Synthesis and Crystal Structures of [W(3,6‐dichloro‐1,2‐benzenedithiolate)3]n– (n = 1, 2) and [Mo(3,6‐dichloro‐1,2‐benzenedithiolate)3]2–: Dependence of the Coordination Geometry on the Oxidation Number and Counter‐Cation in Trigonal‐Prismatic and Octahedral Structures
Authors: Sugimoto Hideki , Furukawa Yuuki , Tarumizu Makoto , Miyake Hiroyuki , Tanaka Koji , Tsukube Hiroshi
Published: June 2005

The novel complexes (Et4N)2[W(bdtCl2)3] (1a), (Ph4P)2[W(bdtCl2)3] (1b), (Et4N)[W(bdtCl2)3] (2a), (Ph4P)[W(bdtCl2)3](2b), (C5NH6)[W(bdtCl2)3] (2c), and (Et3NH)2[Mo(bdtCl2)3] (3a) (bdtCl2 = 3,6‐dichloro‐1,2‐benzenedithiolate) were prepared and characterized by X‐ray crystallographic, UV/Vis spectroscopic, and electrochemical methods. Versatile geometrical changes around the tungsten centers were observed. The trigonal‐prismatic structure of the tungsten center in (Et4N)2[W(bdtCl2)3] (1a) is changed to an intermediate structure between trigonal prismatic and octahedral upon solid‐state oxidation of the complex to (Et4N)[W(bdtCl2)3] (2a). Replacement of the counter‐cation of (Et4N)2[W(bdtCl2)3] (1a) with Ph4P+ also resulted in geometrical changes and somewhat of an octahedral contribution is included in (Ph4P)2[W(bdtCl2)3] (1b). However, almost the same coordination structures are present in the series of structures (Et4N)[W(bdtCl2)3] (2a), (Ph4P)[W(bdtCl2)3] (2b), and (C5NH6)[W(bdtCl2)3] (2c), with an oxidation number of +5. These structures adopt an intermediate geometry between trigonal prismatic and octahedral. No geometrical change was observed upon changing the metal center from tungsten to molybdenum in [M(bdtCl2)3]2– (M = W and Mo). (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Self‐Assembled Triorganotin(IV) Moieties with 1,3,5‐Benzenetricarboxylic Acid: Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Monomeric, Helical, and Network Triorganotin(IV) Complexes
Authors: Ma Chunlin , Han Yinfeng , Zhang Rufen , Wang Daqi
Published: June 2005

A series of novel triorganotin(IV) complexes of the type [(R3Sn)3(TMA)]·Y·L [R = CH3, Y = 3CH3OH (1); R = CH3, Y = 2CH3OH (2); R = C6H5CH2(3); R =o‐F‐C6H4CH2(4); R =o‐Cl‐C6H4CH2(5); R = C6H5, L = CH2Cl2(6); R = C6H5, L = EtOH·2H2O (7); R = C6H5, L = Et2O·CH2Cl2(8); H3TMA = 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid] and [(CH3)3Sn]2(HTMA)·H2O (9) have been synthesized. All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and by IR,1H,13C, and119Sn NMR spectroscopy. Except for4and5, all complexes were also characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Complex1possesses a network structure where TMA acts as a tridentate ligand coordinated to three trimethyltin(IV) moieties and three methanol molecules that are involved in a hydrogen‐bond system, whereas2possesses a helical structure where TMA acts as a tetradentate ligand coordinated to three trimethyltin(IV) ions and two methanol molecules that bend into the helical turn in the intra‐helix hydrogen‐bond system. Complexes3–8are monomeric structures where TMA acts as a hexadentate ligand coordinated to triorganotin(IV) ions and9possesses a network structure where TMA acts as a tetradentate ligand coordinated to trimethyltin(IV) ions and water molecules in the hydrogen‐bond system that links the neighboring layers into a 3D network. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Valence Tautomerism: New Challenges for Electroactive Ligands
Authors: Evangelio Emilia , Ruiz‐Molina Daniel
Published: June 2005

Valence tautomeric complexes combine redox‐active ligands and transition metal ions with two or more accessible oxidation states, exhibiting two nearly degenerated electronic states with localized electronic structures. Charge distribution in such electronic isomers has an appreciable sensitivity to the environment so an external perturbation, like photons, temperature and/or pressure, may lead to an intramolecular electron transfer between both redox active units and therefore to a reversible interconversion between the two degenerated electronic states. Moreover, since each electronic isomer exhibits different optical, electronic and/or magnetic properties, these complexes are being proposed as candidates for future use in molecular electronic devices and switches. Most of the valence tautomeric complexes reported thus far are based on quinone or quinone‐type ligands with a series of transition metal ions such as Co, Cu, Ni and Mn. Nevertheless, in the last few years, the number of electroactive ligands identified to be active in valence tautomeric complexes is being expanded by including new radical ligands such as polychlorotriphenylmethyl, phenoxyl or tetraphenylporphyrin radicals. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Sensitization of Nanocrystalline TiO2 Films with Carboxy‐Functionalized Bis(indolyl)maleimide
Authors: Kükrer Kaletas Basak , Kozhevnikov Valery N. , Zimine Mikhail , Williams René M. , König Burkhard , De Cola Luisa
Published: June 2005

The immobilization on a semiconductor surface of a bis(indolyl)maleimide functionalized with two carboxylic acid groups by alkylation of the indole nitrogen atoms is presented and its synthesis is described. The compound, 3,4‐bis[1‐(carboxymethyl)‐3‐indolyl]‐1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐dione is strongly colored and emissive and the imide part can coordinate an oxidizable substrate. Its absorption and emission spectra on TiO2 are substantially changed as compared to the spectra obtained in neat acetonitrile, indicating surface bonding through the carboxy groups. The quenching of the fluorescence of the sensitizer by the TiO2 surface is almost complete, reflecting the high degree of association between the TiO2 and the dye, fast charge injection and good electronic coupling between the sensitizer and the semiconductor. Nanosecond transient absorption spectra of the free sensitizer and of TiO2 surface bound sensitizer are recorded and compared. While the free chromophore in neat acetonitrile shows a transient absorption spectrum that decays on the nanosecond timescale (like the emission), the transient absorption spectra of the sensitized TiO2 film show a band at 360 nm, and a decay on the microsecond time scale. This is assigned to a slow recombination reaction of the charge‐separated state. The properties discussed indicate that our system can be considered as a model compound for the development of photocatalysts immobilized on surfaces. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
A Mild and Efficient Asymmetric Hetero‐Diels–Alder Reaction of the Brassard Diene with Aldehydes
Authors: Fan Qian , Lin Lili , Liu Jie , Huang Yaozong , Feng Xiaoming
Published: June 2005

This paper describes the successful development of the hetero‐Diels–Alder (HDA) reaction of the Brassard diene with aldehydes in the presence of a series of titanium(IV) tridentate Schiff‐base complexes under mild conditions. The influence of the substituent of the chiral Schiff‐base ligands on the enantioselectivities of the reaction was studied. It was found that ligand L13 is a highly enantioselective ligand for the Ti‐catalyzed HDA reaction, affording 6‐substituted 4‐ethoxy‐5,6‐dihydropyran‐2‐one in up to 99 % ee. The mechanism of the HDA reaction between the Brassard diene and benzaldehyde in the presence of the (Schiff base)TiIV complex was investigated. The results indicate that the reaction pathway is influenced by reaction temperature: at higher temperature (0 °C), the reaction is mostly a Diels–Alder process, whereas at lower temperature (–78 °C) it is a Mukaiyama aldol process. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Electrochemical Behavior of Chloranil Chemically Modified Carbon Paste Electrode. Application to the Electrocatalytic Determination of Ascorbic Acid
Authors: Ojani Reza , Raoof Jahan‐Bakhsh , Zamani Saeed
Published: June 2005

A p‐chloranil modified carbon paste electrode was constructed and the electrochemical behavior of this electrode was studied in the aqueous solution with different pH. From the E1/2–pH diagram for this compound the values of formal potential E0' and pKa of some different redox and acid‐base couples depending on the solution pH were estimated. The diffusion coefficient, D, value for p‐chloranil was estimated 1.5×10−7 cm2 s−1. It has been shown by direct current cyclic voltammetry and double potential step chronoamperometry, that this p‐chloranil incorporated carbon paste electrode, can catalyze the oxidation of ascorbic acid in the aqueous buffered solution. Under the optimum condition (pH 7.00), the oxidation of ascorbic acid at the surface of such an electrode occurs at a potential about 325 mV less positive than that at an unmodified carbon past electrode. The catalytic oxidation peak currents was linearly dependent on the ascorbic acid concentration and a linear calibration curve was obtained in the range of 7×10−5 M–4×10−3 M of ascorbic acid with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998. The limit of detection (3σ) was determined as 3.5×10 −5 M. This method was used as simple, selective and precise voltammetric method for determination of ascorbic acid in pharmaceutical preparations.
Forecasting international bandwidth capability
Authors: Madden Gary , Coble‐Neal Grant
Published: June 2005

M‐competition studies provide a set of stylized recommendations to enhance forecast reliability. However, no single method dominates across series, leading to consideration of the relationship between selected data characteristics and the reliability of alternative forecast methods. This study conducts an analysis of predictive accuracy in relation to Internet bandwidth loads. Extrapolation techniques that perform best in M‐competitions perform relatively poorly in predicting Internet bandwidth loads. Such performance is attributed to Internet bandwidth data exhibiting considerably less structure than M‐competition data. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Model uncertainty, thick modelling and the predictability of stock returns
Authors: Aiolfi Marco , Favero Carlo A.
Published: June 2005

Recent financial research has provided evidence on the predictability of asset returns. In this paper we consider the results contained in Pesaran and Timmerman (1995), which provided evidence on predictability of excess returns in the US stock market over the sample 1959–1992. We show that the extension of the sample to the nineties weakens considerably the statistical and economic significance of the predictability of stock returns based on earlier data. We propose an extension of their framework, based on the explicit consideration of model uncertainty under rich parameterizations for the predictive models. We propose a novel methodology to deal with model uncertainty based on ‘thick’ modelling, i.e. on considering a multiplicity of predictive models rather than a single predictive model. We show that portfolio allocations based on a thick modelling strategy systematically outperform thin modelling. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is birth history the key to highly educated women's higher breast cancer mortality? A follow‐up study of 500,000 women aged 35–54
Authors: Strand Bjørn Heine , Tverdal Aage , Claussen Bjørgulf , Zahl Per‐Henrik
Published: June 2005

A positive relationship has been found between high levels of education and breast cancer mortality. The aim of our study is to determine if the educational gradient in breast cancer mortality persists after adjustment for reproductive history. Register data including the total adult population in Norway were used. A total of 512,353 Norwegian women 35–54 years of age at the Norwegian Census in 1990 were followed with respect to breast cancer deaths until December 31, 2001. The analysis included 2,052 breast cancer deaths in 5.6 million person years. Educational differences in breast cancer mortality were analysed using Cox regression. The age adjusted relative risk of dying from breast cancer for women with >12 years of education compared to women with <10 years was 1.25 (95% confidence limits [CI] = 1.10–1.41). Adjustment for age at first birth with nulliparous as reference category reduced this difference to 1.08 (95% CI = 0.95–1.23). For parous women, age at first birth explained all the educational difference in breast cancer mortality. Among nulliparous women there was a larger positive educational gradient in breast cancer mortality than among parous women (relative risk [RR] = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.15–2.13), indicating that there were differences in other confounders than birth history among the childless. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
FTY720, a fungus metabolite, inhibits in vivo growth of androgen‐independent prostate cancer
Authors: Chua Chee‐Wai , Lee Davy Tak‐Wing , Ling Ming‐Tat , Zhou Chun , Man Kwan , Ho Joanna , Chan Franky L. , Wang Xianghong , Wong Yong‐Chuan
Published: June 2005

FTY720, a derivative of fungus, has demonstrated dramatic anticancer effect in several malignancies recently. Our study evaluates the therapeutic potential of FTY720 in the treatment of androgen‐independent prostate cancer using a human prostate cancer xenograft in nude mice. CWR22R, an androgen‐independent human prostate tumor xenograft was inoculated into castrated nude mice and the animals were administrated with either normal saline or FTY720 (10 mg/kg) through intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection for 20 days. Body weight and tumor volume were recorded every 2 days, and serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels were also measured before and after the treatment. The effect of FTY720 on tumor cell proliferation was examined using antibodies against PCNA and Ki‐67 by immunohistochemical staining, MTT assay and colony forming assay, whereas apoptotic effect of FTY720 was evaluated by TUNEL assay and immunostaining using antibodies against cleaved caspase 3 and Bcl‐2. In addition, the potential inhibitory effect of FTY720 on prostate cancer angiogenesis and metastasis was investigated by immunostaining of CD31, VEGF, E‐cadherin and β‐catenin. Our results showed that FTY720 treatment led to suppression of CWR22R tumor growth without causing any detectable side effects in nude mice. The FTY720‐induced tumor suppression was correlated with decreased serum PSA level as well as reduced proliferation rate, suppression of angiogenic factors, and restoration of E‐cadherin and β‐catenin expression. In addition, the FTY720‐treated tumors showed increased apoptosis rate demonstrated by increased TUNEL‐ and cleaved caspase 3‐positive cells, and decreased Bcl‐2 expression. Our results suggest a potential novel agent in the suppression of androgen‐independent prostate cancer. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lifestyle habits as prognostic factors in survival of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer: A multicentric European study
Authors: Dikshit Rajesh P. , Boffetta Paolo , Bouchardy Christine , Merletti Franco , Crosignani Paolo , Cuchi Teresa , Ardanaz Eva , Brennan Paul
Published: June 2005

Little information is available on the role of tobacco, alcohol and diet in the survival of upper aero digestive cancers. Our study analysed the survival of 931 laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer patients, enrolled in a population based case‐control study conducted at 5 centres in southeast Europe during 1979–1982. Age at the time of diagnosis and site of origin of tumour were observed to be predictors of the survival. Cigarette smoking, and to a limited extent alcohol drinking, before the diagnosis of tumour seem to influence the overall survival whereas high intakes of vegetables and vitamin C were observed to favourably affect the prognosis. For mortality from upper aerodigestive cancer protective effects of high intakes of vegetables, fibres and vitamin C were observed. Our results support the hypothesis that there is a role for dietary intervention to improve survival of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer patients. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Incidence of intracranial meningiomas in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, 1968–1997
Authors: Klaeboe Lars , Lonn Stefan , Scheie David , Auvinen Anssi , Christensen Helle C. , Feychting Maria , Johansen Christoffer , Salminen Tiina , Tynes Tore
Published: June 2005

It has been reported that the incidence of meningioma increased in several industrialized countries in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time trends in incidence of meningiomas in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, with emphasis on the age distribution and sex ratio. Information about cases of meningiomas in people aged 15–84 years was obtained from the cancer registries of these Nordic countries for the years 1968–1997, and estimates of person‐years at risk were calculated from information provided by the national population registries. Age‐specific incidence rates per 100,000 and incidence rate ratios were calculated for 3‐year periods. The female:male ratios were also evaluated. The combined incidence among men increased from 1.4 to 1.9 per 100,000 during the follow‐up period, the corresponding rates for women were 2.6 and 4.5. The female:male ratio increased over time for several age groups and was as high as 3.5:1 in the group aged 40–44 years in the latest follow‐up period (1993–1997). In summary, our results provide some support for the idea that the introduction of computed tomography in the late 1970s has had an impact on the detection of cases in people aged 60 and over. The decrease in the rate or detection postmortem has affected the incidence time trend, but it also coincides with widespread use of new imaging technologies. The increasing trend shown for the female:male ratio in the group aged 35–59 years is consistent with the possibility that increasing use of hormones may affect the incidence of meningiomas in women. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of Hap/BAG‐1 variants as RP1 binding proteins with antiapoptotic activity
Authors: Wadle Andreas , Mischo Axel , Henrich Philipp P. , Stenner‐Lieven Frank , Scherer Christoph , Imig Jochen , Petersen Gabriele , Pfreundschuh Michael , Renner Christoph
Published: June 2005

The MAPRE protein family (EB1, RP1, EB2) represents a highly conserved group of proteins that localize preferentially to the plus end of microtubules, both in the nucleus and cytoplasm. In addition, MAPRE family members are characterized by their capability to bind to the C‐terminus of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein and tubulin in order to stabilize microtubules. Apart from the interaction with APC and tubulin, no other direct binding partners are known today. Because the RP1 gene product was identified in activated T cells, we set out to search for new interacting molecules in a yeast 2‐hybrid system. We isolated a cDNA variant encoding for the antiapoptotic Hap/BAG‐1 protein truncated by 34 amino acids at the C‐terminus. In the original Hap/BAG‐1 protein, the C‐terminal domain is responsible for binding to Bcl‐2 and Hsp/Hsc70, which is believed to be the reason for its antiapoptotic activity. Although this putative Hap/BAG‐1 variant protein showed no interaction with Bcl‐2 or Hsp/Hsc70, it was perfectly able to confer resistance to apoptosis. Subcellular distribution analysis revealed that the Hap/Bag‐1 variant protein localized homogenously to the cytoplasm and shuttles into the nucleus in response to stress, a process that could be blocked by RP1 protein overexpression. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of pregnancy as a risk factor for breast cancer in BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation carriers
Authors: Cullinane Carey A. , Lubinski Jan , Neuhausen Susan L. , Ghadirian Parviz , Lynch Henry T. , Isaacs Claudine , Weber Barbara , Moller Pal , Offit Kenneth , Kim‐Sing Charmaine , Friedman Eitan , Randall Susan , Pasini Barbara , Ainsworth Peter , Gershoni‐Baruch Ruth , Foulkes William D. , Klijn Jan , Tung Nadine , Rennert Gad , Olopade Olufunmilayo , Couch Fergus , Wagner Teresa , Olsson Hakan , Sun Ping , Weitzel Jeffrey N. , Narod Steven A.
Published: June 2005

Early age at first birth and multiparity have been associated with a decrease in the risk of breast cancer in women in the general population. We examined whether this relationship is also present in women at high risk of breast cancer due to the presence of a mutation in either of the 2 breast cancer susceptibility genes, BRCA1 or BRCA2. We performed a matched case‐control study of 1,260 pairs of women with known BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, recruited from North America, Europe and Israel. Women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer were matched with unaffected control subjects for year of birth, country of residence, and mutation (BRCA1 or BRCA2). Study subjects completed a questionnaire detailing their reproductive histories. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were derived by conditional logistic regression. Among BRCA1 carriers, parity per se was not associated with the risk of breast cancer (OR for parous vs. nulliparous = 0.94; 95% CI = 0.75–1.19; p = 0.62). However, women with a BRCA1 mutation and 4 or more children had a 38% decrease in breast cancer risk compared to nulliparous women (OR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.41–0.94). In contrast, among BRCA2 carriers, increasing parity was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer; women with 2 or more children were at approximately 1.5 times the risk of breast cancer as nulliparous women (OR = 1.53; 95% CI = 1.01–2.32; p = 0.05). Among women with BRCA2 mutations and who were younger than age 50, the (adjusted) risk of breast cancer increased by 17% with each additional birth (OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.01–1.36; p = 0.03). There was no significant increase in the risk of breast cancer among BRCA2 carriers older than 50 (OR for each additional birth = 0.97; 95% CI = 0.58–1.53; p = 0.92). In the 2‐year period following a birth, the risk of breast cancer in a BRCA2 carrier was increased by 70% compared to nulliparous controls (OR = 1.70; 95% CI = 0.97–3.0). There was a much smaller increase in breast cancer risk among BRCA2 carriers whose last birth was 5 or more years in the past (OR = 1.24; 95% CI = 0.79–1.95). A modest reduction in risk of breast cancer was observed among BRCA1 carriers with 4 or more births. Among BRCA2 carriers, increasing parity was associated with a significant increase in the risk of breast cancer before age 50 and this increase was greatest in the 2‐year period following a pregnancy. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Breast‐feeding and childhood cancer: A systematic review with metaanalysis
Authors: Martin Richard M. , Gunnell David , Owen Christopher G. , Smith George Davey
Published: June 2005

It has been suggested that breast milk may play a role in the prevention of certain childhood cancers. We undertook a systematic review of published studies investigating the association between breast‐feeding and childhood cancers using Medline (1966 to June 2004), supplemented with autoalerts and manual searches. Analyses are based on odds ratios for specific cancers among those ever breast‐fed compared with those never breast‐fed, pooled using random‐effects models. Forty‐nine publications were potentially relevant; of these, 26 provided odds ratio estimates for at least one childhood cancer outcome and were included in metaanalyses. Overall, 92% of the studies were case‐control studies, 85% relied on long‐term recall of feeding history, only 8% examined breast‐feeding exclusivity and control response rates were under 80% in over half. Metaanalyses suggested lower risks associated with having been breast‐fed of 9% (95% CI = 2–16%) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 24% (3–40%) for Hodgkin's disease and 41% (22–56%) for neuroblastoma, with little between‐study heterogeneity. The estimates for Hodgkin's disease and neuroblastoma, however, were driven by single studies. There was little evidence that breast‐feeding was associated with acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia, non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, central nervous system cancers, malignant germ cell tumors, juvenile bone tumors, or other solid cancers. In conclusion, ever having been breast‐fed is inversely associated with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Hodgkin's disease and neuroblastoma in childhood, but noncausal explanations are possible. Even if causal, the public health importance of these associations may be small. Our estimates suggest that increasing breast‐feeding from 50% to 100% would prevent at most 5% of cases of childhood acute leukemia or lymphoma. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hormonal contraceptive use, pregnancy and parity, and the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 among oncogenic HPV DNA‐positive women with equivocal or mildly abnormal cytology
Authors: Castle Philip E. , Walker Joan L. , Schiffman Mark , Wheeler Cosette M.
Published: June 2005

Oral contraceptive (OC) use, hormonal contraceptive use and multiparity are potential risk factors for cervical precancer, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 3 (CIN3), but a limited number of studies have adequately accounted for possible confounding effect of oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. To examine the relationships of these factors with CIN3, we conducted an analysis of women (n = 5,060) with minimally abnormal Pap smears who were enrolled in the ASCUS and LSIL Triage Study (ALTS), a clinical trial to evaluate management strategies. Cervical specimens collected at enrollment were tested for HPV DNA using 2 methods. Multivariate logistics regression models were used to assess associations (odds ratio [OR] with 95% confidence intervals [CI]) of the potential risk factors (e.g., OC use and parity) with testing oncogenic HPV positive among controls (<CIN2) (n = 4,114) and with rigorously reviewed cases of CIN3 identified throughout the study (n = 499) among women with oncogenic HPV (n = 3,126). Only former oral contraceptive use (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 1.0–1.7) was associated marginally with having an oncogenic HPV infection among controls. Restricted to women with oncogenic HPV, current injectable hormonal contraceptive users were at an elevated risk of CIN3 (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 1.2–2.1) compared to women who never used them. Similarly, restricted to women with HPV16 infection, current users of injectable contraceptives were at a marginally elevated risk of CIN3 (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.0–2.3) compared to women who never used them. Oral contraceptive use, Norplant (implantable hormonal contraceptive) use, a history of pregnancy, age at first pregnancy, lifetime numbers of pregnancies and lifetime numbers of live births were not associated with CIN3. We conclude that only current injectable hormonal contraceptive use slightly elevated the risk (∼50%) of CIN3 in this young and low parity population of women with oncogenic HPV and minimally abnormal Pap smears but further confirmation of this relationship is needed. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with colon adenomatous polyps detected by high‐resolution colonoscopy
Authors: Mizuno Shigeto , Morita Yoshinori , Inui Toshio , Asakawa Akihiro , Ueno Naohiko , Ando Takashi , Kato Haruki , Uchida Mutsumi , Yoshikawa Toshikazu , Inui Akio
Published: June 2005

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is associated with the development of cancer in the stomach, but both positive and negative associations were reported with colorectal neoplasia. We sought to determine whether H. pylori is associated with colon neoplasia in Japanese population. We examined 332 patients who underwent routine high‐resolution total colonoscopy and serologic testing for IgG antibodies agonist H. pylori. Subjects who received cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors or previous eradication therapy and those with borderline titer levels were excluded from data analysis (n = 27). Seronegative control subjects were from the same study population to maximize the representativeness. There were no significant differences in age and gender between the 2 patient groups. A significant increase in the incidence of adenomatous polyps (p < 0.0001) and decrease in normal colonoscopic findings (p < 0.0005) were observed in seropositive patients than those seronegative. Our study indicates an etiological link of H. pylori infection to colorectal neoplasia and the need of routine colonoscopy in seropositive patients. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunocytochemistry of the nervous system and the musculature of the chordoid larva of Symbion pandora (Cycliophora)
Authors: Wanninger Andreas
Published: June 2005

To date, the phylum Cycliophora comprises only one described extant species of acoelomate marine invertebrates, Symbion pandora. Adult specimens live commensally on the mouthparts of the Norwegian lobster, Nephrops norvegicus. Its complicated life cycle includes an asexually produced Pandora larva and a sexually produced chordoid larva. Despite detailed TEM investigations and its inclusion in recent molecular phylogenetic analyses, cycliophoran relationships still remain enigmatic. In order to increase the morphological database, I investigated the anatomy of the nervous system and the musculature of the chordoid larva by applying fluorescence‐coupled antibodies against the neurotransmitters serotonin and FMRFamide, as well as FITC‐coupled phalloidin to label filamentous F‐actin, in combination with confocal laser scanning microscopy. The FMRFamidergic nervous system shows a bilobed anterior ganglion and one pair of ventral nerve cords, while serotonin is distributed in a scattered pattern in the anterior ganglion. In addition, there are two pairs of ventral serotonergic nerves, of which the inner pair fuses with the outer nerve cords in the posterior third of the larva. The musculature comprises an outer layer of six units of circular body wall muscles, several helicoid muscle fibers, a set of paired longitudinal muscles that span the entire anterior–posterior axis of the larva, and a few oblique muscle strands. Furthermore, an anterior muscle complex and one pair of posterior muscles are present. The chordoid organ consists of a number of distinct subunits that are each formed by a dense layer of circular muscle fibers.

The overall arrangement of the oblique and longitudinal muscles as well as the body wall musculature in the chordoid larva of Symbion pandora exhibits similarities with the condition found in certain rotifers. This is congruent with some recent phylogenies based on 18S rRNA sequences but additional morphological, developmental, and molecular data are needed to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of Cycliophora. J. Morphol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
S100b counteracts effects of the neurotoxicant trimethyltin on astrocytes and microglia
Authors: Reali Camilla , Scintu Franca , Pillai Rita , Donato Rosario , Michetti Fabrizio , Sogos Valeria
Published: June 2005

Central nervous system degenerative diseases are often characterized by an early, strong reaction of astrocytes and microglia. Both these cell types can play a double role, protecting neurons against degeneration through the synthesis and secretion of trophic factors or inducing degeneration through the secretion of toxic molecules. Therefore, we studied the effects of S100B and trimethyltin (TMT) on human astrocytes and microglia with two glial models, primary cultures of human fetal astrocytes and a microglia cell line. After treatment with 10–5 M TMT, astrocytes showed morphological alterations associated with an increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression and changes in GFAP filament organization. Administration of S100B before TMT treatment prevented TMT‐induced changes in morphology and GFAP expression. A decrease in inducible nitric oxide synthase expression was observed in astrocytes treated with TMT, whereas the same treatment induced iNOS expression in microglia. In both cases, S100B prevented TMT‐induced changes. Tumor necrosis factor‐α mRNA expression in astrocytes was not modified by TMT treatment, whereas it was increased in microglia cells. S100B pretreatment blocked the TMT‐induced increase in TNF‐α expression in microglia. To trace the mechanisms involved in S100B activity, the effect of BAY 11‐7082, an inhibitor of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation, and of PD98059, an inhibitor of MEK‐ERK1/2, were investigated. Results showed that the protective effects of S100B against TMT toxicity in astrocytes depend on NF‐κB, but not on ERK1/2 activation. These results might help in understanding the role played by glial cells in brain injury after exposure to chemical neurotoxicants and support the view that S100B may protect brain cells in case of injury. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integration of sensory and objective measurements of tomato quality: quantitative assessment of the effect of harvest date as compared with growth medium (soil versus rockwool), electrical conductivity, variety and maturity
Authors: Thybo Anette K , Bechmann Iben E , Brandt Kirsten
Published: June 2005

Sensory characteristics as well as objective measures of texture, refractory index, colour and total acid content were measured in tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) from two experiments comprising variation in harvest time, electrical conductivity (EC), growth medium (soil versus rockwool), variety and maturity. For most characteristics, simultaneous sensory evaluations were more sensitive for detection of small differences than corresponding objective measurements, while the objective measurements obtained better significances in comparisons of different harvest times. Using the correlations between parallel sensory and objective analyses of firmness, a procedure to combine objective and sensory measurements of texture was defined and used to compensate for the drift of sensory data at different evaluation times, and the calibrated measure of firmness used in a principal components analysis. For most sensory characteristics assessed, the greatest variation was due to differences in variety, followed by maturity, harvest time and EC, while the type of growth medium (soil or rockwool) had no or little effect. However, for the characteristics related to texture (crispness and firmness), the ranking was harvest time, EC, growth medium, maturity and variety, with soil‐grown tomatoes being slightly but significantly softer than the rockwool‐grown ones. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Chemical constituents and antimicrobial and antioxidant potentials of essential oil and acetone extract of Nigella sativa seeds
Authors: Singh Gurdip , Marimuthu Palanisamy , de Heluani Carola S , Catalan Cesar
Published: June 2005

The antifungal, antibacterial and antioxidant potentials of essential oil and acetone extract of black cumin were investigated by different techniques. In the inverted petriplate method, the essential oil showed complete zones of inhibition against Penicillium citrinum at a 6 µl dose. Essential oil showed complete growth inhibition against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 2000 and 3000 ppm, respectively, by the agar well diffusion method. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring peroxide, TBA and total carbonyl values of rapeseed oil at fixed time intervals. Both the extract and essential oil showed strong antioxidant activity in comparison with butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). In addition, their inhibitory action in the linoleic acid system was studied by monitoring the accumulation of peroxide concentration. Their radical scavenging capacity was carried out on 2,2′‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and they showed excellent scavenging activity in comparison with synthetic antioxidants. Their reducing power was also determined, demonstrating strong antioxidant capacity of both the essential oil and extract. Gas chromatographic and gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric studies on the essential oil resulted in the identification of 38 components representing 84.65% of the total amount. The major component was p‐cymene (36.2%) followed by thymoquinone (11.27%), α‐thujene (10.03%), longifolene (6.32%), β‐pinene (3.78%), α‐pinene (3.33%) and carvacrol (2.12%), whereas extract showed the presence of 16 components representing 97.9% of the total amount. The major components were linoleic acid (53.6%), thymoquinone (11.8%), palmitic acid (10%), p‐cymene (8.6%), longifolene (5.8%) and carvacrol (3.7%). Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Inactivation of yeasts in grape juice using a continuous dense phase carbon dioxide processing system
Authors: Gunes Gurbuz , Blum Lisa K , Hotchkiss Joseph H
Published: June 2005

The effects of dense phase CO2 processing parameters, including temperature (25 and 35 °C), CO2 concentration (0, 85 and 170 g kg−1) and pressure (6.9, 27.6 and 48.3 MPa), on yeast survival and sensory properties of grape juice were investigated. The dense phase CO2 process resulted in more than a 6 log reduction in yeast population. As the CO2 to juice concentration, temperature and pressure increased, the inactivation rate increased. CO2 in the supercritical state was more effective in inactivating yeast than in the subcritical state. The process did not cause detectable flavor degradation. Dense phase CO2 processing can be an effective non‐thermal alternative process for pasteurization of grape juice. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry