bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunosuppressive disorders and risk of anal squamous cell carcinoma: A nationwide cohort study in Denmark, 1978–2005
Authors: Sunesen Kåre G. , Nørgaard Mette , Thorlacius‐Ussing Ole , Laurberg Søren
Published: December 2009

Compromised immune function may increase the risk of anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). We examined the risk of anal SCC in patients with HIV infection and other chronic disorders associated with immunosuppression. A population‐based cohort study was conducted using the Danish National Patient Registry and the Danish Cancer Registry (DCR). We identified all patients with a first‐time hospital contact or procedure for HIV infection, solid organ transplantation or autoimmune disease or a first‐time record of haematologic malignancy in the DCR, 1978–2005, and followed these for a subsequent anal SCC, starting follow‐up 1 year after diagnosis of the index disease. Standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) were computed as the ratio of observed to expected numbers of anal SCCs, based on national age‐, sex‐ and period‐specific rates. Among 4,488 patients with HIV, we observed 21 anal SCCs with 0.3 expected (SIR: 81.1 (95% confidence interval (CI): 51.6–121.9)). Risk of anal SCC was markedly increased among 5,113 solid organ recipients (SIR: 14.4 (CI: 7.0–26.4)) and 30,165 patients with haematologic malignancies (SIR: 2.3 (CI: 1.1–4.2)) but only moderately increased among 242,114 patients with autoimmune diseases (SIR: 1.3 (CI: 1.0–1.6)). SIRs varied according to type of autoimmune disease and were high in patients with Crohn's disease (SIR: 3.1 (CI: 1.2–6.4)), psoriasis (SIR: 3.1 (CI: 1.8–5.1)), polyarteritis nodosa (SIR: 8.8 (CI: 1.5–29.0)) and Wegener's granulomatosis (SIR: 12.4 (CI: 2.1–40.8)). In conclusion, we found HIV infection, solid organ transplantation, haematologic malignancies and a range of specific autoimmune diseases strongly associated with increased risk of anal SCC.
Conundrums in screening for cancer
Authors: Miller Anthony B.
Published: December 2009

Screening for cancer has to be carefully organized for maximum effectiveness, and introduced in full understanding of the natural history of the disease. There are major potential harms as well as benefits from screening. The current state of art for breast, cervix and prostate cancer screening is reviewed, only for breast and cervix are policies of screening in the population justified.
The T‐box transcription factor Tbx2: Its role in development and possible implication in cancer
Authors: Abrahams Amaal , Parker M. Iqbal , Prince Sharon
Published: December 2009

Tbx2 is a member of the T‐box family of transcription factors that are crucial in embryonic development. Recent studies suggest that T‐box factors may also play a role in controlling cell cycle progression and in the genesis of cancer. Tbx2 has been implicated in several developmental processes such as coordinating cell fate, patterning and morphogenesis of a wide range of tissues and organs including limbs, kidneys, lungs, mammary glands, heart, and craniofacial structures. Importantly, Tbx2 is overexpressed in several cancers including melanoma, small cell lung carcinoma, breast, pancreatic, liver, and bladder cancers and can suppress senescence, a cellular process, which serves as a barrier to cancer development. This review presents a state of the art overview of the role and regulation of Tbx2 in early embryonic development and in cancer. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(2): 92–102, 2010
Fertility and female employment dynamics in Europe: the effect of using alternative econometric modeling assumptions
Authors: Michaud Pierre‐Carl , Tatsiramos Konstantinos
Published: December 2009

We investigate the direct and long‐run effects of fertility on employment in Europe, estimating dynamic models of labor supply under different assumptions regarding the exogeneity of fertility and modeling assumptions related to initial conditions, unobserved heterogeneity and serial correlation in the error terms. We find overall large direct and long‐run effects of giving birth on employment probabilities, and these effects differ considerably across countries. We find that within countries the results are sensitive to the statistical assumption made on initial conditions, the inclusion of serial correlation and the assumption of strict exogeneity of children. However, the pattern across countries is robust to these assumptions. We show that such patterns are largely consistent with prevailing institutional differences related to the flexibility of the labor markets and family policies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Micropillar substrate influences the cellular attachment and laminin expression
Authors: Su Wen‐Ta , Liao Yung‐Feng , Lin Chuang‐Yu , Li Li‐Tzu
Published: December 2009

Fibroblasts alter their mode of attachment and focal contact when placed on square arrays of silicon pillars. The pillars had 1‐μm diameters with identical surface chemistry. Distance between pillars is 9 μm and height of pillars is 1, 5, or 10 μm on substrates. We found that these micropillars, rather than specific interactions, provided more opportunities for mechanical interlocking of the fibroblasts and acted as physical barriers that restrained cell migration. The cellular morphology and behavior is guidable by the height of pillars. In some cases, the fibroblasts filled in the intervals among several pillars; in others, a pillar protruded visibly through the cell body but did not pierce it, the cells were survived. Therefore, fibroblasts were immobilized upon in situ and the cytoplasma migrated outward to the bottom of the substrate subsequently. Laminin plays a critical role in cell attachment to the basement membrane. The results of laminin expression in fibroblasts suggest that pillar pattern appears to change cellular behavior and affect laminin expression significantly. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Increased integrin α5β1 heterodimer formation and reduced c‐Jun expression are involved in integrin β1 overexpression‐mediated cell growth arrest
Authors: Fang Zhengyu , Yao Wantong , Fu Yi , Wang Li‐Ying , Li Zengxia , Yang Yong , Shi Yinghong , Qiu Shuangjian , Fan Jia , Zha Xiliang
Published: December 2009

Integrins, heterodimers of α and β subunits, are a family of cell surface molecules mediating cell–cell and cell–extracellular matrix interaction. The largest subgroup is formed by the β1 subunit containing integrins which consist of 12 members with different ligand‐binding properties. We previously reported that overexpressed integrin β1 subunit in the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line SMMC‐7721 imposed a growth inhibitory effect through the upregulation of p21cip1 and p27kip1. In this study, we confirmed the growth inhibitory effect of β1 subunit overexpression in different cancer cell lines. The upregulated CDK inhibitors induced by β1 integrin overexpression were essential for this integrin‐mediated growth arrest. Reduced c‐Jun level after integrin β1 overexpression plays an important role in the transcriptional activation of p21 through the Sp1 sites. Solely overexpressed β1 subunit could induce the expression of diverse α subunit in different cell lines, among which α5 subunit was found to be correlated with integrin β1‐mediated growth arrest. Relative lack of ECM–integrin interaction might be a reason for integrin β1 overexpression‐mediated growth arrest. These results helped us understand more about the mechanisms that integrins regulate cell growth. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 383–395, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
All‐trans‐retinoic acid intensifies endoplasmic reticulum stress in N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase V repressed human hepatocarcinoma cells by perturbing homocysteine metabolism
Authors: Xu Ying‐Ying , Guan Dong‐Yin , Yang Min , Wang Hao , Shen Zong‐Hou
Published: December 2009

We previously reported that all‐trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA) induced apoptosis in N‐acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT‐V) repressed human hepatocarcinoma 7721 (GnT‐V‐AS/7721) cells via endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. In addition to confirming these findings, we further found that ATRA repressed the expression of betaine‐homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) and cystathionine‐β‐synthase (CBS), which are key enzymes that are involved in homocysteine metabolism, increased the level of intracellular homocysteine, and decreased the glutathione (GSH) level in GnT‐V‐AS/7721 cells. To investigate the effect of ATRA on homocysteine metabolism, cells were challenged with exogenous homocysteine. In GnT‐V‐AS/7721 cells with ATRA treatment, a significant elevation of intracellular homocysteine levels suggests that ATRA perturbs homocysteine metabolism in GnT‐V‐AS/7721 cells and, therefore, sensitizes the cells to homocysteine‐induced ER stress. An obvious increase in the levels of GRP78/Bip protein and spliced XBP1 mRNA were observed. Furthermore, we observed that ATRA blunted the homocysteine‐induced increase of GSH only in GnT‐V‐AS/7721 cells. These results demonstrate that ATRA intensifies ER stress and induces apoptosis in GnT‐V‐AS/7721 cells by disturbing homocysteine metabolism through the down‐regulation of CBS and BHMT, depleting the cellular GSH and, in turn, altering the cellular redox status. In addition, we showed that ATRA did not trigger ER stress, induce apoptosis, or affect homocysteine metabolism in L02 cells, which is a cell type that is derived from normal liver tissue. These results provide support for the hypothesis that ATRA is an anticancer agent. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 468–477, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PcG recruitment by the YY1 REPO domain can be mediated by Yaf2
Authors: Wilkinson Frank , Pratt Heather , Atchison Michael L.
Published: December 2009

The Polycomb Group (PcG) complex of transcriptional repressors is critical for the maintenance of stage‐specific developmental gene expression, stem cell maintenance and for large‐scale chromosomal dynamics. Functional deficiency of a single PcG gene can severely compromise PcG function, leading to developmental defects, embryonic lethality, or a number of malignancies. Despite the critical nature of PcG proteins, the mechanisms by which these complexes mediate their effects are relatively uncharacterized. Nearly all vertebrate PcG proteins lack inherent DNA binding capacity, making it unclear how they are targeted to Polycomb response element (PRE) sequences. Transcription factor YY1 is a functional ortholog of a Drosophila PcG protein, Pleiohomeotic (PHO), one of the few PcG proteins with specific DNA binding capability, and YY1 can recruit PcG proteins to specific DNA sequences. A small 25 amino acid YY1 domain (the REPO domain) is necessary and sufficient for recruitment of PcG proteins to DNA and for transcriptional repression. We show here that the YY1 REPO domain interacts with PcG protein Yaf2 and recruits Yaf2 to DNA. Interaction is lost when the YY1 REPO domain is deleted. In addition we show that Yaf2, when linked to a heterologous DNA binding domain, can recruit PcG proteins to DNA leading to transcriptional repression. When the Drosophila homolog of Yaf2 (dRYBP) is mutated, PcG recruitment to DNA is reduced. Taken together, our results suggest that Yaf2 serves as a molecular bridge between YY1 and other PcG complex proteins. J. Cell. Biochem. 109: 478–486, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of the glycerol by‐product of biodiesel to modify the surface of expanded vermiculite to produce an efficient oil absorbent
Authors: de Araújo Medeiros Miguel , de Oliveira Danielle Leite , Sansiviero Maria T. C. , Araújo Maria Helena , Lago Rochel Montero
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: Glycerol (Gly) a by‐product from biodiesel production was impregnated onto the surface of expanded vermiculite (EV) and reacted to produce a highly efficient absorbent to remove oils spilt on water.

RESULTS: Expanded vermiculite was impregnated with glycerol at EV/Gly ratios of 1/1, 1/2, 1/3 and 1/4, and treated at 380, 480, 580 or 700 °C. Electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, BET surface area, Hg porosimetry and Raman analyses indicated that residual NaOH from the biodiesel process catalyzed the polymerization of glycerol. At higher temperatures the polymer decomposed to form a carbon layer covering the EV surface. These materials were investigated for the removal of three different oils, i.e. diesel, soybean and engine oil spilt on water.

CONCLUSION: This work showed that glycerol from biodiesel production can be used directly to produce a highly efficient absorbent to remediate oil spill accidents. The results obtained showed a remarkable increase on oil removal efficiency with a strong decrease on water absorption. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Ladungsverteilung und Reaktivität phosphororganischer Verbindungen, IX1) Experimentelle Befunde zur Ladungsverteilung in Arylphosphin‐[p‐nitro‐phenyl]‐iminen2)
Authors: Goetz Horst , Probst Dietrich
Published: December 2009

Es werden Dipolmomente, 1H‐NMR‐ und UV‐Spektren einer Reihe von Aryl‐dipropyl‐ (1) und Triaryl(bzw. Trialkyl)‐phosphin‐[p‐nitro‐phenyl]‐iminen (2) untersucht. Eine Merocyaninartige Mesomerie in diesen Verbindungen und das Problem der dπ–pπ‐Konjugation am Phosphor werden diskutiert.
Modelluntersuchungen zur Funktion der Tetrahydropterine als Cofaktoren biologischer Hydroxylierungen
Authors: Wahlefeld August‐Wilhelm , Jaenicke Lothar , Hein Günter
Published: December 2009

2‐Amino‐4‐hydroxy‐6.8‐dimethyl‐7.8‐dihydro‐pterin (2) und ‐5.6.7.8‐tetrahydro‐pterin (1) werden synthetisiert und ihre Eigenschaften als Redoxsystem sowie als Metallkomplexbildner untersucht. – Das Tetrahydropterin 1 wird reversibel über ein Trihydropterin‐Radikal 5 bzw. dessen N.N′‐Dimeres zum 7.8‐Dihydro‐pterin 2 oxydiert, wie durch Aufnahme der potentiometrischen Oxydoreduktionskurven, der polarographischen Halbstufenpotentiale und der UV‐Spektren nachgewiesen wird. Entsprechend ist die Metall‐Affinität der Hydrierungsstufen bestimmt worden Es bilden sich aus 1 mit zweiwertigen Übergangsmetallen (Cu2⊕) und aus 2 mit einwertigen Übergansgsmetallen (Cu⊕) die gleichen chargetransfer‐Komplexe, in denen das Pterin in der radikalischen Trihydropterin‐Zwischenstufe stabilisiert ist. – Auf Grund dieser Modelluntersuchungen wird die enzymatische Hydroxylierung aromatischer Ringe als ein Kreisvorgang gedeutet, bei dem 1 das essentielle Metall reduziert, das dann seinerseits mit Sauerstoff über das Peroxid‐Anion das hydroxylierende Hydroxyl‐Radikal oder das Hydroxyl‐Anion bildet.
Zur Stokvis‐Reaktion, XVII1) Vilsmeier‐Reaktion mit Pyrrol‐ und Pyrrolon‐Derivaten
Authors: Schnierle Franz , Reinhard Horst , Dieter Norbert , Lippacher Eberhard , von Dobeneck Henning
Published: December 2009

Pyrrole mit freier α‐Stellung ergeben bei der Vilsmeier‐Formylierung α‐Formylpyrrole. Besitzt das Ausgangspyrrol oder ‐pyrrolon einen Acetyl‐Substituenten, so entstehen bevorzugt Halogenacroleine 1 oder 2. Δ3‐Pyrrolone geben über Immoniumsalze 4 und innere Immoniumsalze 5 α‐Halogen‐α‐formylpyrrole 3, die sich reduktiv in Formylpyrrole überführen lassen. Am N nicht‐substituierte Bromformylpyrrole kondensieren mit Pyrrolonen in Zn/Natronlauge zu α‐Oxo‐dipyrromethenen (“Neo‐Typ”). – Durch Verwendung von Oxalylchlorid bei der Vilsmeier‐Reaktion erhält man 2.1′‐Dipyrromethene 7.
Azapolyenaldehyde
Authors: Kuhn Richard , Teller Erich
Published: December 2009

Pyridiniumsalze aus aromatischen Aldehyden, Benzoylchlorid und Pyridin setzen sich mit konz. Alkalien unter Öffnung des Pyridin‐Rings zu Azapolyenaldehyden um. In diesen haben die der Aldehydgruppe folgenden beiden konjugierten Doppelbindungen cis‐Anordnung. Aus dem Pyridiniumsalz 1a erhält man so 7‐Phenyl‐6‐aza‐heptatrien‐(2c.4c6)‐al (3a), aus 16 sein Methylderivat 17. Aus 8 bzw. 11 entstehen 9‐Phenyl‐6‐aza‐nonateraen‐(2.4.6.8)‐al (10) bzw. 13‐Phenyl‐6.12‐diaza‐tridecahexaen‐(2.4.6.8.10.12)‐al (12). Das Bispyridiniumsalz 14 liefert den Bis‐azapolyenaldehyd 15. Aus dem Chinoliniumsalz 19 und dem Isochinoliniumsalz 22 lassen sich Azapolyenaldehyde (21 bzw. 23) gewinnen, die im konjugierten System einen Benzol‐Ring besitzen. Bei den Azapolyenaldehyden 3a (als Anil 7a) und 23a gelingt die Isomerisierung mit Jod zu einer trans‐Form (7b bzw. 23b), wie sich NMR‐spektroskopisch (Tab. 1) erkennen läßt. Die längstwelligen UV‐Maxima der Phenyl‐aza‐polyenaldehyde sind gegenüber denen der analogen Phenylpolynaldehyde hypsochrom verschoben (Tab. 2).
Über Phenothiazone, XV1) Nitrierung von Phenothiazon und Halogen‐phenothiazonen
Authors: Bodea Cornel , Terdic Marius , Broser Edda
Published: December 2009

Die Nitrierung von Phenothiazon und von Halogen‐phenothiazonen erfolgt an C‐4. Halogen‐phenothiazone mit 4‐ständigem Brom gehen ein Nitroenthalogenierung ein, während welcher das Br‐Atom durch die NO2‐Gruppe ersetzt wird.
Synthese von [Gly5, Gly10]Gramicidin S1,2)
Authors: Halstrøm John , Klostermeyer Henning
Published: December 2009

Das Boc‐Val‐Orn(Tos)‐Leu‐D‐Phe‐Gly‐Val‐Orn(Tos)‐Leu‐D‐Phe‐Gly‐O‐Bz‐Polymer wird nach dem Merrifield‐Verfahren aufgebaut. Das mit HBr in Trifluoressigsäure vom Träger gelöste Decapeptid‐Derivat wird in Pyridin mit Dicyclohexylcarbodiimid cyclisiert und dann durch Natrium in flüssigem Ammoniak von den Tosyl‐Gruppen befreit. Das so erhaltene [Gly5, Gly10]Gramicidin S ist mit dem auf herkömmliche Weise synthetisierten Präparat identisch.
Reaktionen mit N‐Sulfinylverbindungen, X1) Benzothiadiazin‐Derivate aus N‐Sulfinyl‐sulfonamiden und N‐Aryl‐amidinen2)
Authors: Kresze Günter , Seyfried Christoph , Trede Achim
Published: December 2009

Die Umsetzung von N‐Sulfinyl‐sulfonamiden 2 mit N‐Aryl‐Aryl‐amidinen,‐isoharnstoffen, ‐isothioharnstoffen bzw. ‐guanidinen vom Typ 1 führt zu 1‐Sulfonylimino‐2H‐1.2.4‐benzothiadiazinen 3. Der Anwendungsbereich dieser Reaktion, ihr Mechanismus und die Umsetzungen der Reaktionsprodukte werden untersucht.
Development of integrins in the vasculature of germinal matrix, cerebral cortex, and white matter of fetuses and premature infants
Authors: Dummula Krishna , Vinukonda Govindaiah , Xu Hongmin , Hu Furong , Zia Muhammad T. , Braun Alex , Shi Qiuhu , Wolk John , Ballabh Praveen
Published: December 2009

Germinal matrix (GM) vasculature is selectively vulnerable to hemorrhage in premature infants during the first 48 hr of life. This is attributed to rapid angiogenesis of this brain region, resulting in formation of nascent vessels that show a paucity of pericytes and immaturity of extracellular matrix. Integrins are key regulators of angiogenesis and contribute to stabilization of cerebral vasculature by providing endothelial– and astrocyte–matrix adhesion. Therefore, we asked whether GM exhibited a distinct regional pattern of integrin expression that was dissimilar from that of the cerebral cortex and white matter in human fetuses and premature infants. To this end, we measured protein and gene expression of integrins in the GM, cortex, and white matter of human fetuses (15–22 weeks), premature infants (23–35 weeks), and mature infants (36–40 weeks). We found that protein levels of α5β1 integrin were greater in the GM than in the cortex or white matter by 1.6‐fold for both fetuses and premature infants. α5β1 integrin mRNA expression was higher in the GM than in the cortex or white matter by 2‐fold for fetuses but not for premature infants. αVβ3, αVβ5, αVβ8, and α4β1 integrin expression were comparable among GM, cortex, and white matter in fetuses and premature infants. Because α5β1 integrin is a central regulator of angiogenesis, its elevation in the GM of fetuses and premature infants indicates that this might be a key activator of endothelial proliferation in this brain region. We speculate that selective α5β1 integrin inhibition might suppress angiogenesis in the GM and thus prevent brain hemorrhage in premature infants. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Participation of cysteine protease cathepsin L in the gel disintegration of red bulleye (Priacanthus macracanthus) surimi gel paste
Authors: Hu Yaqin , Morioka Katsuji , Itoh Yoshiaki
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: Endogenous proteases, among them cysteine‐type proteases, are reported to contribute to gel disintegration, resulting in kamaboko of poor quality. Severe gel disintegration occurs in red bulleye surimi gel paste. The objective of this study was to clarify the participation of cysteine protease cathepsin L in the gel disintegration of red bulleye surimi. The surimi was made into kamaboko with and without cathepsin L inhibitors. To confirm its hydrolysis action, crude cathepsin L was also extracted and added to the surimi to make kamaboko.

RESULTS: The gel strength of kamaboko obtained by both one‐step (50 °C, 2 h) and two‐step (50 °C, 2 h + 80 °C, 20 min) heating was very low in the absence of inhibitors. Protease inhibitors E‐64 and leupeptin were found to enhance the gel strength considerably. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the hydrolysis of kamaboko was promoted by crude cathepsin L and inhibited by E‐64 and leupeptin. The gel strength of two‐step heated kamaboko was increased from 12 to 110 and 130 g cm−2 by E‐64 and leupeptin respectively at a concentration of 0.2 g kg−1 surimi.

CONCLUSION: Endogenous cathepsin L of red bulleye surimi participates in gel disintegration during kamaboko processing. It does so by degrading the myosin heavy chain of actomyosin and consequently hindering the gelation of red bulleye surimi. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Development and in‐house validation of the event‐specific qualitative and quantitative PCR detection methods for genetically modified cotton MON15985
Authors: Jiang Lingxi , Yang Litao , Rao Jun , Guo Jinchao , Wang Shu , Liu Jia , Lee Seonghun , Zhang Dabing
Published: December 2009

BACKGROUND: To implement genetically modified organism (GMO) labeling regulations, an event‐specific analysis method based on the junction sequence between exogenous integration and host genomic DNA has become the preferential approach for GMO identification and quantification.

RESULTS: In this study, specific primers and TaqMan probes based on the revealed 5′‐end junction sequence of GM cotton MON15985 were designed, and qualitative and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were established employing the designed primers and probes. In the qualitative PCR assay, the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.5 g kg−1 in 100 ng total cotton genomic DNA, corresponding to about 17 copies of haploid cotton genomic DNA, and the LOD and limit of quantification (LOQ) for quantitative PCR assay were 10 and 17 copies of haploid cotton genomic DNA, respectively. Furthermore, the developed quantitative PCR assays were validated in‐house by five different researchers. Also, five practical samples with known GM contents were quantified using the developed PCR assay in in‐house validation, and the bias between the true and quantification values ranged from 2.06% to 12.59%.

CONCLUSION: This study shows that the developed qualitative and quantitative PCR methods are applicable for the identification and quantification of GM cotton MON15985 and its derivates. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry
Surgical treatment of pelvic chondrosarcoma involving periacetabulum
Authors: Guo Wei , Li Dasen , Tang Xiaodong , Ji Tao
Published: December 2009

Background and Objectives

Surgical treatment of pelvic chondrosarcoma involving acetabulum is challenging. Primary goals of surgical treatment include local control and prevention of distant metastases. A secondary goal is maintenance of quality of life by avoiding major amputative surgery. The purpose of the study was to review the oncological outcome, functional outcome, and the surgical complications of patients with periacetabular chondrosarcomas in the context of resection and reconstruction treated at one tumor center in the past decade.

Methods

Forty‐five cases between June 1998 and June 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 26 men and 19 women with an average age of 41.2 (18–63) years. Patients were followed up for a median time of 37 months (18–119 months). There were 32 patients with conventional chondrosarcomas, 9 with dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas, and 4 with mesenchymal chondrosarcomas. According to Enneking's classification there were: Type II‐1, Type I + II‐8, Type II + III‐23, Type I + II + IV‐8, and Type I + II + III‐5. Six patients had an external hemipelvectomy, whereas 39 patients underwent a limb‐salvage procedure. In 27 patients the defect was reconstructed by a modular hemipelvic endoprosthesis and in 4 patients reconstruction by saddle endoprosthesis. Five patients received reconstruction with devitalized tumor bone and three underwent iliofemoral arthrodesis.

Results

The 5‐year estimated survival was 62.6%. Local recurrence occurred in 10 (22.2%) patients at an average of 18 months after operations. Ten (22.2%) patients had distant metastasis. The average MSTS 93 score was 68.3% (33.3–100). Eighteen complications occurred in 13 patients (28.9%). Wound complication occurred in six (13.3%) patients. Deep infection rate was 11.1%.

Conclusions

Favorable oncological and functional outcome can be achieved in selected patients with periacetabular chondrosarcomas. The complication rates were still high; however, facing the goal of limb salvage, a certain number of complications is acceptable. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;101:160–165. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Improving models, methods, and measures: Contributions of CITRM to the field of psychological trauma
Authors: Keane Terence M.
Published: December 2009

In 2004, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies' Research Methods Special Interest Group initiated annual updates on contemporary research methods in a 2‐day conference entitled, Conference on Innovations in Trauma Research Methods (CITRM). These meetings, summarized annually in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, affected the field in measurable ways. Collaborations were inspired and integration of new conceptual models, methods, and measures influenced the growing body of knowledge. After 5 years of outstanding presentations, CITRM's contributions are palpable. It is clear that trauma research would benefit immeasurably by continued educational opportunities that focus upon improving models, methods, and measures.
Testing posttraumatic stress as a mediator of physical, sexual, and psychological intimate partner violence and substance problems among women
Authors: Sullivan Tami P. , Cavanaugh Courtenay E. , Buckner Julia D. , Edmondson Donald
Published: December 2009

This study examined whether posttraumatic stress specifically resulting from intimate partner violence (IPV‐related posttraumatic stress) mediated relationships between types of IPV and drug and alcohol problems among 212 women currently experiencing IPV. Six‐month prevalence was high for drug use (48%) and alcohol use (59%). Structural equation modeling revealed that the frequency of physical, sexual, and psychological IPV were significantly and positively related to greater IPV‐related posttraumatic stress, and IPV‐related posttraumatic stress was significantly and positively related to drug problems. Further, IPV‐related posttraumatic stress mediated the relationships between physical IPV and drug problems and psychological IPV and drug problems. Findings suggest that prevention and intervention efforts targeting posttraumatic stress among IPV‐exposed women may reduce drug problems in this population.
The role of the dopamine transporter (DAT) in the development of PTSD in preschool children
Authors: Drury Stacy S. , Theall Katherine P. , Keats Bronya J.B. , Scheeringa Michael
Published: December 2009

Population‐based association studies have supported the heritability of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study explored the influence of genetic variation in the dopamine transporter (DAT) 3′ untranslated region variable number tandem repeat on the development of PTSD in preschool children exposed to Hurricane Katrina, diagnosed using a developmentally appropriate semistructured interview. A diagnosis according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition , (DSM‐IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), total symptoms, and specifically Criterion D symptoms were significantly more likely to be found in children with the 9 allele. This study replicates a previous finding in adults with PTSD. The specificity of this finding to the increased arousal symptoms of Criterion D suggests that dopamine and the DAT allele may contribute to one heritable path in a multifinality model of the development of PTSD.
Effects of trauma‐focused psychotherapy upon war refugees
Authors: Kruse Johannes , Joksimovic Ljiljana , Cavka Majda , Wöller Wolfgang , Schmitz Norbert
Published: December 2009

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a trauma‐focused psychotherapy upon war refugees from Bosnia. Seventy refugees who met the criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and somatoform disorders were included. The first 35 refugees were offered psychotherapy and the following 35 refugees received usual care. Outcome variables were changes in self‐reported PTSD symptoms, psychological symptoms, and health status. At 12‐month follow‐up, participants in the intervention group reported significantly lower scores on the PTSD scale and the measure of psychological symptoms than the comparison group participants. Our results suggest that psychotherapy reduces symptoms of PTSD and somatoform disorders among war refugees even in the presence of insecure residence status.
The application of mixed methods designs to trauma research
Authors: Creswell John W. , Zhang Wanqing
Published: December 2009

Despite the use of quantitative and qualitative data in trauma research and therapy, mixed methods studies in this field have not been analyzed to help researchers designing investigations. This discussion begins by reviewing four core characteristics of mixed methods research in the social and human sciences. Combining these characteristics, the authors focus on four select mixed methods designs that are applicable in trauma research. These designs are defined and their essential elements noted. Applying these designs to trauma research, a search was conducted to locate mixed methods trauma studies. From this search, one sample study was selected, and its characteristics of mixed methods procedures noted. Finally, drawing on other mixed methods designs available, several follow‐up mixed methods studies were described for this sample study, enabling trauma researchers to view design options for applying mixed methods research in trauma investigations.
Estrogen receptor β ligands: Recent advances and biomedical applications
Authors: Minutolo Filippo , Macchia Marco , Katzenellenbogen Benita S. , Katzenellenbogen John A.
Published: December 2009

Recent work elucidating the role that the estrogen receptor β (ERβ), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, plays in regulating various physiological functions has highlighted the potential of this receptor subtype as a therapeutic target for several pathologies. In fact, molecules that are able to selectively activate ERβ hold promise for the treatment of certain cancers, as well as endometriosis, inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, and cardiovascular and CNS conditions. Nevertheless, ERβ remains a challenging target because its ligand‐binding cavity is very similar to that present in ERα, and this makes it difficult to develop ligands having sufficient levels of ERβ selectivity for therapeutic use. Nevertheless, considerable advances have recently been made in developing both nonsteroidal and steroidal ERβ‐selective agonists. These molecules constitute not only important tools to probe the biological effects of the selective stimulation of ERβ, but some of them appear to be agents with considerable therapeutic potential. This study provides a detailed review of selective ERβ ligands that have been developed recently. After a brief introduction to the structure and nature of the two ERs and the biology of ERβ and its isoforms, the ligands are classified on the basis of their structures and activities. Common pharmacophore elements are highlighted throughout the description of the various chemical classes analyzed, and these elements are presented in a concluding summary overview along with a discussion of potential therapeutic applications of these agents in biomedicine. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev, 31, No. 3, 364–442, 2011
Characterization of plant food allergens: An overview on physicochemical and immunological techniques
Authors: Harrer Andrea , Egger Matthias , Gadermaier Gabriele , Erler Anja , Hauser Michael , Ferreira Fátima , Himly Martin
Published: December 2009

Allergy to plant‐derived foods is a highly complex disorder with clinical manifestations ranging from mild oral, gastrointestinal, and cutaneous symptoms to life‐threatening systemic conditions. This heterogeneity in clinical manifestations has been attributed to different properties of allergenic molecules. Based on this fact, symptom elicitors were grouped into class I and pollinosis‐associated class II food allergens, but clear distinction is rather ambiguous. Moreover, mechanisms underlying food sensitization are not fully understood yet, and food allergy management most often relies on patient's compliance to avoid suspected foods. Therefore, recent efforts aim at the investigation of plant food allergies at the molecular level. This review provides an overview on currently available techniques for allergen characterization and discusses their application for investigation of plant food allergens. Data obtained by an array of physicochemical analyses, such as allergen structure, integrity, aggregation, and stability, need to be linked to results from immunological methods at the level of IgE and T‐cell reactivity. Such knowledge allows the development of computational algorithms to predict allergenicity of novel foods being introduced by biotechnological industry. Furthermore, molecular characterization is an indispensable tool for molecule‐based diagnosis and future development of safer patient‐tailored specific immunotherapy in plant food allergy.
Safety assessment of botanicals and botanical preparations used as ingredients in food supplements: Testing an European Food Safety Authority‐tiered approach
Authors: Speijers Gerrit , Bottex Bernard , Dusemund Birgit , Lugasi Andrea , Tóth Jaroslav , Amberg‐Müller Judith , Galli Corrado L. , Silano Vittorio , Rietjens Ivonne M. C. M.
Published: December 2009

This article describes results obtained by testing the European Food Safety Authority‐tiered guidance approach for safety assessment of botanicals and botanical preparations intended for use in food supplements. Main conclusions emerging are as follows. (i) Botanical ingredients must be identified by their scientific (binomial) name, in most cases down to the subspecies level or lower. (ii) Adequate characterization and description of the botanical parts and preparation methodology used is needed. Safety of a botanical ingredient cannot be assumed only relying on the long‐term safe use of other preparations of the same botanical. (iii) Because of possible adulterations, misclassifications, replacements or falsifications, and restorations, establishment of adequate quality control is necessary. (iv) The strength of the evidence underlying concerns over a botanical ingredient should be included in the safety assessment. (v) The matrix effect should be taken into account in the safety assessment on a case‐by‐case basis. (vi) Adequate data and methods for appropriate exposure assessment are often missing. (vii) Safety regulations concerning toxic contaminants have to be complied with. The application of the guidance approach can result in the conclusion that safety can be presumed, that the botanical ingredient is of safety concern, or that further data are needed to assess safety.
Allyl isothiocyanate as a cancer chemopreventive phytochemical
Authors: Zhang Yuesheng
Published: December 2009

Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), which occurs in many common cruciferous vegetables, is widely and often frequently consumed by humans. Besides antimicrobial activity against a wide spectrum of pathogens, it showed anticancer activity in both cultured cancer cells and animal models, although the underlining mechanisms remain largely undefined. Bioavailability of AITC is extremely high, as nearly 90% of orally administered AITC is absorbed. AITC absorbed in vivo is metabolized mainly through the mercapturic acid pathway and excreted in urine. Available data suggest that urinary concentrations of AITC equivalent are at least ten times higher than in the plasma, and tissue levels of AITC equivalent in the urinary bladder were 14–79 times higher than in other organs after oral AITC administration to rats. These findings suggest that AITC may be most effective in the bladder as a cancer chemopreventive compound. AITC at high‐dose levels also exhibit a low degree of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in animal studies, but such adverse effects are unlikely in humans exposed to dietary levels of AITC. Overall, AITC exhibits many desirable attributes of a cancer chemopreventive agent, and further studies are warranted in order to elucidate its mechanism of action and to assess its protective activity in humans.
Elucidation of spermidine interaction with nucleotide ATP by multiple NMR techniques
Authors: Song Zhiyan , Parker Kari J. , Enoh Idorenyin , Zhao Hua , Olubajo Olarongbe
Published: December 2009

Interaction of polyamines with nucleotides plays a key role in many biological processes. Here we use multiple NMR techniques to characterize interaction of spermidine with adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP). Two‐dimensional 1H‐15N spectra obtained from gs‐HMBC experiments at varied pH show significant shift of N‐1 peak around pH 2.0–7.0 range, suggesting that spermidine binds to N‐1 site of ATP base. The binding facilitates N‐1 deprotonation, shifting its pKa from 4.3 to 3.4. By correlating 15N and 31P chemical shift data, it is clear that spermidine is capable of concurrently binding to ATP base and phosphate sites around pH 4.0–7.0. The self‐diffusion constants derived from 1H PFG‐diffusion measurements provide evidence that binding of spermidine to ATP is in 1:1 ratio, and pH variations do not induce significant nucleotide self‐association in our samples. 31P spectral analysis suggests that at neutral pH, Mg2+ ion competes with spermidine and shows stronger binding to ATP phosphates. From 31P kinetic measurements of myosin‐catalyzed ATP hydrolysis, it is found that binding of spermidine affects the stability and reactivity of ATP. These NMR results are important for advancing the studies on nucleotide–polyamine interaction and its impact on nucleotide structures and activities under varied conditions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Probabilistic models for the Steiner Tree problem
Authors: Paschos Vangelis Th. , Telelis Orestis A. , Zissimopoulos Vassilis
Published: December 2009

We consider a probabilistic model for the Steiner Tree problem. Under this model, the problem is defined in a two‐stage setting over a first‐stage complete weighted graph having its vertices associated with a probability of presence (independently each from another) in the second stage. A first‐stage feasible solution on the input graph might become infeasible in the second stage, when certain vertices of the graph fail. Therefore, a well defined modification strategy is devised for modifying the remainders of a first‐stage solution to render it second‐stage feasible. The objective is to minimize the expected weight of the second‐stage solution over the distribution of all possible second‐stage materializable subgraphs of the input graph. We recognize two complementary computational problems in this setting, one being the a priori computation of first‐stage decisions given a particular modification strategy, and the second being the cost‐efficient modification of a first‐stage feasible solution. We prove that both these problems are NP‐hard for the Steiner Tree problem under this setting. We design and analyze probabilistically an efficient modification strategy and derive tight approximation results for both aforementioned problems. We show that our techniques can be extended to the case of the more general Steiner Forest problem in the same probabilistic setting. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2010
A polyhedral study of the network pricing problem with connected toll arcs
Authors: Heilporn Géraldine , Labbé Martine , Marcotte Patrice , Savard Gilles
Published: December 2009

We consider the problem of setting revenue‐maximizing tolls on a subset of arcs of a transportation network, assuming that the users of the network are assigned to shortest paths with respect to the sum of tolls and initial costs. Our main results are concerned with a polyhedral study of the problem, i.e., the design of valid inequalities and facets for this pricing problem and some of its variants. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2010
A mean‐variance model for the minimum cost flow problem with stochastic arc costs
Authors: Boyles Stephen D. , Waller S. Travis
Published: December 2009

This article considers a minimum cost flow problem where arc costs are uncertain, and the decision maker wishes to minimize both the expected flow cost and the variance of this cost. Two optimality conditions are given, one based on cycle marginal costs, and another based on concepts of network equilibrium. Solution methods are developed based on these conditions. The value of information is also studied, and efficient approximation techniques are developed for the specific case of learning the exact cost of one or more arcs a priori. Finally, numerical results compare the solution methods developed in this work: the minimum mean cycle canceling algorithm performs better on all of the networks tested, although the equilibrium‐based algorithm is more competitive for large networks. Solution sensitivity to input parameters is also examined, as is the performance of the approximation techniques for the value of information. Approximation techniques based on arc cost distributions were found to outperform those based on properties of optimal flows. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, 2010
Hexahedral Mesh Matching: Converting non‐conforming hexahedral‐to‐hexahedral interfaces into conforming interfaces
Authors: Staten Matthew L. , Shepherd Jason F. , Ledoux Franck , Shimada Kenji
Published: December 2009

This paper presents a new method, called Mesh Matching, for handling non‐conforming hexahedral‐to‐hexahedral interfaces for finite element analysis. Mesh Matching modifies the hexahedral element topology on one or both sides of the interface until there is a one‐to‐one pairing of finite element nodes, edges and quadrilaterals on the interface surfaces, allowing mesh entities to be merged into a single conforming mesh. Element topology is modified using hexahedral dual operations, including pillowing, sheet extraction, dicing and column collapsing. The primary motivation for this research is to simplify the generation of unstructured all‐hexahedral finite element meshes. Mesh Matching relaxes global constraint propagation which currently hinders hexahedral meshing of large assemblies, and limits its extension to parallel processing. As a secondary benefit, by providing conforming mesh interfaces, Mesh Matching provides an alternative to artificial constraints such as tied contacts and multi‐point constraints. The quality of the resultant conforming hexahedral mesh is high and the increase in number of elements is moderate. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Noninvasive prenatal exclusion of haemoglobin Bart's using foetal DNA from maternal plasma
Authors: Ho Sherry S. Y. , Chong Samuel S. C. , Koay Evelyn S. C. , Ponnusamy Sukumar , Chiu Lily , Chan Yiong Huak , Rauff Mary , Baig Sonia , Chan Jerry , Su Lin Lin , Biswas Arijit , Hahn Sinuhe , Choolani Mahesh
Published: December 2009

Objective

Prenatal diagnosis of alpha‐thalassaemia requires invasive testing associated with a risk of miscarriage. Cell‐free foetal DNA in maternal plasma presents an alternative source of foetal genetic material for noninvasive prenatal diagnosis. We aimed to exclude HbBart's noninvasively by detection of unaffected paternal alleles in maternal plasma using quantitative fluorescence PCR (QF‐PCR).

Method

Microsatellite markers (16PTEL05, 16PTEL06) within the breakpoint regions of ‐SEA, ‐FIL and ‐THAI deletions were analysed using QF‐PCR of maternal plasma from 30 families. In this blinded study, genotypes were confirmed using conventional PCR. Maternal plasma from two known cases of HbBart's were also analysed.

Results

HbBart's was excluded in 10 out of 30 (33.3%, 95% CI, 17.3–52.8%) mothers by identifying the presence of nondeleted paternally inherited fetal alleles; either only 16PTEL05 (n = 1) or only 16PTEL06 (n = 4), or both (n = 5), and confirmed through direct analysis of fetal DNA. Paternally inherited foetal alleles of 16PTEL05 and 16PTEL06 were not detected in maternal plasma of the two known HbBarts cases. False negatives were excluded with the detection of paternally inherited fetal control marker, D21S1270 in maternal plasma.

Conclusion

We show proof‐of‐principle that such a test can accurately exclude HbBart's in the foetus by identifying the nondeleted paternally inherited fetal alleles in maternal plasma in one out of three pregnancies, avoiding invasive testing in these pregnancies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using Z‐scores to compare biometry data obtained during prenatal ultrasound screening by midwives and physicians
Authors: Capmas P. , Salomon L. J. , Picone O. , Fuchs F. , Frydman R. , Senat M. V.
Published: December 2009

Objective

To compare retrospectively the distribution of foetal biometry data as measured by midwives and physicians during second and third trimester screening of an unselected population of pregnant women.

Methods

Standard measurements of biparietal diameter (BPD), head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC), and femur length (FL) were performed by four midwives and ten physicians at 20 to 24 weeks of gestation and at 30 to 34 weeks of gestation as part of routine ultrasound examinations over a 26‐month period (Jan. 2005–Mar. 2007). All measurements were converted into Z‐scores using different prediction equations. The reference chart best fitting our practice was determined for each fetal parameter (French College of Sonographers for BPD, Chitty et al. for HC and FL, Snidjers and Nicolaides for AC). The means and SDs of the Z‐score distributions for data collected by midwives and physicians were compared using Student's t‐test for means and the Fisher‐Snedecor test for SDs.

Results

We retrieved 1566 and 1631 measurements made by midwives and physicians respectively between 20 and 24 weeks of gestation, and 1710 and 1578 measurements made by midwives and physicians respectively between 30 and 34 weeks of gestation. Mean values recorded by midwives were significantly closer to 0 (p < 0.05) for many foetal parameters. SD values were also significantly lower and were below 1.

Conclusion

In this study, midwives have a greater tendency than physicians to normalize biometry data. Such normalization may hamper the sensitivity of routine ultrasound screening for abnormal foetal growth. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.