bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A modular approach to addressing model design, scale, and parameter estimation issues in distributed hydrological modelling
Authors: Leavesley G. H. , Markstrom S. L. , Restrepo P. J. , Viger R. J.
Published: August 2002

A modular approach to model design and construction provides a flexible framework in which to focus the multidisciplinary research and operational efforts needed to facilitate the development, selection, and application of the most robust distributed modelling methods. A variety of modular approaches have been developed, but with little consideration for compatibility among systems and concepts. Several systems are proprietary, limiting any user interaction. The US Geological Survey modular modelling system (MMS) is a modular modelling framework that uses an open source software approach to enable all members of the scientific community to address collaboratively the many complex issues associated with the design, development, and application of distributed hydrological and environmental models. Implementation of a common modular concept is not a trivial task. However, it brings the resources of a larger community to bear on the problems of distributed modelling, provides a framework in which to compare alternative modelling approaches objectively, and provides a means of sharing the latest modelling advances. The concepts and components of the MMS are described and an example application of the MMS, in a decision‐support system context, is presented to demonstrate current system capabilities. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon‐DNA adducts in liver tissues of hepatocellular carcinoma patients and controls
Authors: Chen Shu‐Yuan , Wang Li‐Yu , Lunn Ruth M. , Tsai Wei‐Yann , Lee Po‐Huang , Lee Chue‐Shue , Ahsan Habibul , Zhang Yu‐Jing , Chen Chien‐Jen , Santella Regina M.
Published: August 2002

HCC is a common cancer and HBV and AFB1 are well‐documented, major risk factors. Epidemiologic studies have documented that cigarette smoking also contributes to the development of HCC. PAHs are ubiquitous environmental pollutants and products of incomplete combustion. They are present in both mainstream and sidestream cigarette smoke. PAHs are metabolically activated by phase I enzymes, including CYP1A1, into electrophilic reactants (diol epoxides), which covalently bind to DNA to form adducts. Diol epoxides are also substrates for phase II detoxifying enzymes, including GSTM and GSTP. To examine the association between PAH‐DNA adducts and HCC, adduct levels were determined in liver tissue by relative staining intensity with an immunoperoxidase method using a polyclonal antiserum against BPDE‐modified DNA. Subjects were also genotyped for polymorphism in several genes involved in the metabolism of PAH, including GSTM1 and GSTP1. Liver tissue was collected from patients with histologically confirmed HCC (n = 105) and from non‐HCC controls (n = 37). There was a significant positive correlation (r = 0.3, p < 0.01) between adducts in tumor and adjacent nontumor tissues among HCC cases. The risk of HCC was higher after adjustment for age, sex and HBsAg in the group with the highest tertile tissue levels of PAH‐DNA adducts (mean relative nuclear staining intensity of tumor and nontumor tissue > 344) than in the group with the lowest tertile (staining < 241, OR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.0–14.9). Among non‐HCC controls, there were no significant associations between adduct levels and cigarette smoking, GSTM1 null genotype and HBsAg positivity. A strikingly increased HCC risk was observed (OR = 20.3, 95% CI = 5.0–81.8) among HBsAg‐positive subjects whose PAH‐DNA adduct levels were high (mean relative nuclear staining intensity of tumor and nontumor tissue > 301, median of control tissues) compared to HBsAg‐negative subjects who had low PAH‐DNA adduct levels. 4‐ABP‐ and AFB1‐DNA adducts had been measured previously in these same tissues. Subjects with elevated DNA adduct levels of PAH, 4‐ABP and AFB1 had a significantly higher HCC risk with an OR of 36.7 (95% CI 7.2–187.2) compared to those who had low DNA adduct levels. These results suggest that PAHs may play a role in human hepatocarcinogenesis in conjunction with HBsAg carrier status, GSTM1 and GSTP1 genotypes and exposure to 4‐ABP and AFB1. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Long‐term freedom from recurrence in 2 stage IV melanoma patients following vaccination with tyrosinase peptides
Authors: Scheibenbogen Carmen , Nagorsen Dirk , Seliger Barbara , Schmittel Alexander , Letsch Anne , Bauer Sandra , Max Nicole , Bock Michaela , Atkins Derek , Thiel Eckhard , Keilholz Ulrich
Published: August 2002

We report here on 2 patients who received adjuvant vaccination with an HLA‐A2– or HLA‐A24–restricted tyrosinase peptide, respectively, and GM‐CSF for frequently relapsing stage IV melanoma. Following resection of metastases and irradiation of brain metastases in 1 patient, both patients were without evidence of disease when receiving the first vaccination. While the patients had had 9 and 12, respectively, mostly s.c., relapses during the 3 years before vaccination, they experienced freedom from relapse for more than 2 years after vaccination. We found a T‐cell response to the vaccine peptide in both patients in the peripheral blood by ex vivo IFN‐γ ELISPOT assay. The T‐cell population could be further characterized by 4‐color flow cytometry in 1 patient, showing that the majority of the peptide‐specific CD3+CD8+IFN‐γ+ T cells were granzyme B‐positive and CCR‐7‐negative, characterizing them as effector T cells with the ability to mediate cytotoxicity and migrate to inflamed tissues. In this patient also, augmentation of the T‐cell response to autologous tumor cells by vaccination could be detected. A single‐site postvaccination relapse occurred in both patients, showing downregulation of tyrosinase expression in 1 patient, while normal expression levels for tyrosinase, MHC class I antigens and components of the antigen‐processing machinery were found in the other patient. These results suggest that peptide vaccination resulted in a prolonged relapse‐free interval in these high‐risk patients. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Leukaemia and non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma in children of male Sellafield radiation workers
Authors: Dickinson Heather O. , Parker Louise
Published: August 2002

Our objective was to investigate if there was (i) an excess risk of leukaemia/non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma among children of male radiation workers at the Sellafield nuclear installation in Cumbria, northwest England; (ii) a dose‐response relationship between fathers' preconceptional irradiation and their children's risk of leukaemia/non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma; and (iii) whether any observed association could be explained by demographic factors. We performed a cohort study of live births, 1950–1991 in Cumbria, followed up to age 25 years or the end of 1991, comparing the risk of leukaemia/non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma among all 9,859 children of male radiation workers to that among all 256,851 children of non‐Sellafield fathers. Children of radiation workers had a higher risk of leukaemia/non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma than other children [rate ratio (RR) = 1.9, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–3.1, p = 0.05]. Adjustment for population mixing greatly reduced the excess risk in the village of Seascale, adjacent to Sellafield, but had little effect elsewhere. The risk increased significantly with father's total preconceptional external radiation dose (RR100mSv = 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.2, p = 0.05). This dose‐response was not reduced by adjustment for population mixing. Although our 13 exposed cases included 10 considered previously (Gardner et al., BMJ 1990;300:423–34), we used a cohort rather than a case‐control design, with wider temporal and geographic boundaries, and confirmed the statistical association between father's preconceptional irradiation and child's risk of leukaemia/non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma that they reported. The possibility remains that paternal preconceptional irradiation may be a risk factor for leukaemia/non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma, and this effect may not be confined to Seascale. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prediction of response to docetaxel by CYP3A4 mRNA expression in breast cancer tissues
Authors: Miyoshi Yasuo , Ando Akiko , Takamura Yuuki , Taguchi Tetsuya , Tamaki Yasuhiro , Noguchi Shinzaburo
Published: August 2002

We studied the relationship between response of breast cancer to docetaxel (DOC) or cylophosphamide + epirubucin (CE) treatment and CYP3A4 mRNA expression in breast tumors. CYP3A4 inactivates DOC but not E, which is a predominant effector in CE treatment. Twenty patients with locally advanced breast tumors and 18 patients with locally recurrent tumors underwent tumor biopsy before chemotherapy, and CYP3A4 mRNA expression levels in tumor tissues were assayed by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Twenty‐three patients were treated with DOC (60 mg/m2 q3w) and 15 patients were treated with CE (C 600 mg/m2 and E 60 mg/m2 q3w). Patients with low CYP3A4 mRNA levels (n = 14) exhibited a significantly (p < 0.01) higher response rate (71%) to DOC treatment than those (n = 9) with high CYP3A4 mRNA levels (response rate, 11%). Positive predictive value, negative predictive value and diagnostic accuracy of CYP3A4 mRNA levels in the prediction of response to DOC were 71, 89, and 78%, respectively. However, no significant association was observed between CYP3A4 mRNA expression and response to CE treatment. These results suggest that intratumoral CYP3A4 mRNA levels might be useful as a predictor of response to DOC treatment, but not to CE treatment, in breast cancer patients. The increased inactivation of DOC by CYP3A4 in tumor tissues may play some role in the acquisition of resistance to DOC. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Incidence and mortality trends for prostate cancer in 5 French areas from 1982 to 1996
Authors: Chirpaz Emmanuel , Colonna Marc , Menegoz François , Grosclaude Pascale , Schaffer Paul , Arveux Patrick , Lesec'h Josette Mace , Exbrayat Catherine , Schaerer René
Published: August 2002

After an increase in the 1980s, incidence and mortality for prostate cancer in North America or England and Wales started to decrease in the early 1990s. The reasons for this evolution are widely debated, notably the importance of early detection. This study describes trends of prostate cancer incidence and mortality in 5 areas in France, where practices of early detection for this cancer are widely used. The 5 French administrative areas, covered by a population‐based registry, have a total population of approximately 1,700,000 men. Incidence data from these registries were studied for the period 1982–1995, and mortality data were provided by the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) for the period 1982–1996. Age‐Period‐Cohort models by Poisson regression were created to characterize these trends. Between 1982 and 1995, 14,699 cases of prostate cancer were registered by the 5 registries under consideration. After a little intensification of the increase in 1987, undoubtedly due to early detection (notably using Prostate‐Specific Antigen), the trend of the incidence seems to reverse from 1993. Mortality increased monotonically from 1982–1990 by an average of 1.8% per year, before decreasing annually by an average of 3.3% until 1996. Poisson regressions indicated a period effect on both incidence and mortality data; a small, but significant, cohort effect exists for incidence evolution, showing that elements such as etiologic factors may have an influence. Until results of randomized studies on mass screening are available, the question of individual screening remains; improved knowledge of risk factors could be interesting. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of training and technical assistance in supporting the delivery of high quality services in Early Head Start
Authors: Mann Tammy L.
Published: August 2002

Training and technical assistance services have been an integral part of the fabric of support that Early Head Start (EHS) programs have utilized as they have worked to implement quality programs. In the same way that EHS has continued to evolve with increased program expansion, so too have the training and technical assistance support services. This article examines that nature of the early system of support and notes challenges that EHS programs faced during their first year of funding and the impact of these challenges on training and technical assistance support. The present day system is composed of a network of national and regional providers and federal staff working in partnership to support EHS programs. The nature of this network is described and recommendations for future areas of emphasis for training and technical assistance support are offered. ©2002 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.
Water resources management in the Aral Basin: a river basin management model for the Syr Darya
Authors: Heaven S. , Koloskov G. B. , Lock A. C. , Tanton T. W.
Published: August 2002

The Aral Sea environmental crisis has been created by poor water management in the river basins of the Amu Darya and Syr Darya. Nearly all the flow is abstracted for ailing irrigation schemes in the upper and middle basins, for massive river basin transfer schemes, or is lost to evaporation and seepage from reservoirs and canals. The only solution to the crisis in the lower deltas is to allow more water to flow to them. The paper argues that the only practical approach for achieving this in the short to medium term is better water management in the upper and middle river basins, and that a more rational basis for allocating water to meet the needs of all users is urgently required. The paper describes a real‐time water resources management model for the Syr Darya river that has been designed for sustainable planning and management of the water resources to meet the needs of all riparian users. The power and limitations of such models in relation to effective management of the water resources of the Aral Basin are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Haemolytic anaemia after oral self‐giving of naphthalene‐containing oil
Authors: Trevisan Andrea , di Schio Margherita Rossi , Pieno Mariangela
Published: August 2002

A clinical case of suicide attempt by means of oral self‐giving of naphthalene‐containing oil in an old man was reported. Clinical features showed haemolytic anaemia supported by a decrease of haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count, an increase of bilirubin (prevalently indirect) and lactate dehydrogenase and very low levels of haptoglobin. Methaemoglobin (metHb) measured at admission to the Emergency Room and 19 days after poisoning was still above normal limits. No deficiency of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase was detected. The clinical manifestations ameliorated after treatment with concentrated red blood cells and ascorbic acid, with fast normalization of metHb. The clinical picture appeared almost normal 1 month after poisoning. The clinical diagnosis was ‘haemolytic anaemia caused by naphthalene’. Absence of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency probably reduced the severity of poisoning. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface modification by alkali and heat treatments in titanium alloys
Authors: Lee Baek‐Hee , Do Kim Young , Shin Ji Hoon , Hwan Lee Kyu
Published: August 2002

Pure titanium and titanium alloys are normally used for orthopedic and dental prostheses. Nevertheless, their chemical, biological, and mechanical properties still can be improved by the development of new preparation technologies. This has been the limiting factor for these metals to show low affinity to living bone. The purpose of this study is to improve the bone‐bonding ability between titanium alloys and living bone through a chemically activated process and a thermally activated one. Two kinds of titanium alloys, a newly designed Ti‐In‐Nb‐Ta alloy and a commercially available Ti‐6Al‐4V ELI alloy, were used in this study. In this study, surface modification of the titanium alloys by alkali and heat treatments (AHT), alkali treated in 5.0M NaOH solution, and heat treated in vacuum furnace at 600°C, is reported. After AHT, the effects of the AHT on the bone integration property were evaluated in vitro. Surface morphologies of AHT were observed by optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Chemical compositional surface changes were investigated by X‐ray diffractometry (XRD), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Titanium alloys with surface modification by AHT showed improved bioactive behavior, and the Ti‐In‐Nb‐Ta alloy had better bioactivity than the Ti‐6Al‐4V ELI alloy in vitro. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Biomater Res 61: 466–473, 2002
Cloning, sequencing, heterologous expression, and characterization of murine cytochrome P450 3a25*(Cyp3a25), a testosterone 6β‐hydroxylase
Authors: Dai Ding , Bai Re , Hodgson Ernest , Rose Randy L.
Published: August 2002

A full‐length cDNA clone encoding a novel form of the cytochrome P450 3A subfamily (Cyp3a‐25) has been isolated from a mouse liver cDNA library. The sequence contained 2010 base pairs and encoded a protein with 503 amino acids. The amino acid sequence shared greater identities with rat CYP3A18 (90%) and golden hamster CYP3A10 (81%) sequences than with known mouse sequences (Cyp3a‐11, Cyp3a‐13, Cyp3a‐16, and Cyp3a‐41 [68–70%]). CYP3A25 was expressed in the Escherichia coli PCWori+ expression vector following slight modifications of the N‐ and C‐terminals of the cDNA. The purified CYP3A25 was recognized on an immunoblot by CYP3A1 antibody and has a molecular weight of 50 kD. CYP3A25 was catalytically active in the 6β‐hydroxylation of testosterone and the N‐demethylation of benzphetamine and erythromycin. It was demonstrated by RT‐PCR that the CYP3A25 mRNA is present in both fetal and adult tissues, including liver, lung, intestines, kidney, and brain. Northern blotting demonstrated that expression is greatest in the liver and small intestine. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 15:90–99, 2001
Signaling by the Mpl receptor involves IKK and NF‐κB*
Authors: Zhang Ying , Sun Shishinn , Wang Zhengyu , Thompson Alexander , Kaluzhny Yulia , Zimmet Jeffrey , Ravid Katya
Published: August 2002

Binding of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) to its receptor activates IKK complex, which leads to inducement of NF‐κB activity. Here we report that activation of Mpl ligand is also linked to IKK and NF‐κB activity. Mpl ligand, also known as thrombopoietin (TPO) or megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF), induces megakaryocyte differentiation and inhibition of mitotic proliferation, followed by induction of polyploidization and fragmentation into platelets. The latter process is often observed in megakaryocytes undergoing apoptosis. Treatment of a Mpl ligand‐responding megakaryocytic cell line with this cytokine led to an immediate, transient increase in IKK activity followed by a profound decrease in this kinase activity over time. This decrease was not due to an effect on the levels of the IKK regulatory components IKKα and IKKβ. Proliferating megakaryocytes displayed a constitutive DNA‐binding activity of NF‐κB p50 homodimers and of NF‐κB p50–p65 heterodimers. As expected, reduced IKK activity in Mpl ligand‐treated cells was associated with a significant reduction in NF‐κB DNA binding activity and in the activity of a NF‐κB‐dependent promoter. Our study is thus the first to identify a constitutive NF‐κB activity in proliferating megakaryocytes as well as to describe a link between Mpl receptor signaling and IKK and NF‐κB activities. Since a variety of proliferation‐promoting genes and anti‐apoptotic mechanisms are activated by NF‐κB, retaining its low levels would be one potential mechanism by which inhibition of mitotic proliferation is maintained and apoptosis is promoted during late megakaryopoiesis. J. Cell. Biochem. 85: 523–535, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of regulator of G‐protein signaling‐2 (RGS‐2) expression and function in osteoblastic cells
Authors: Thirunavukkarasu Kannan , Halladay David L. , Miles Rebecca R. , Geringer Chad D. , Onyia Jude E.
Published: August 2002

Regulator of G‐protein signaling‐2 (RGS‐2) belongs to a novel family of GTPase‐activating proteins that rapidly turn‐off G‐protein coupled receptor signaling. RGS proteins contain a characteristic RGS domain by which they interact with the α‐subunit of G‐proteins and drive them into their inactive GDP‐bound forms. Previously, we have reported that RGS‐2 mRNA is rapidly and transiently increased by PTH in rat bone and in osteoblast cultures in vitro. In this study, we further explored the molecular basis for the regulation of RGS‐2 by cloning and functionally characterizing the RGS‐2 gene promoter. We cloned 2.3‐ and 2.8‐kb fragments of the 5′‐flanking regions of the rat and mouse RGS‐2 genes, respectively, and generated a stable clone of UMR106 osteoblastic cells containing the rat RGS‐2 promoter driving the β‐gal reporter gene (p2.3RGS‐2‐β‐gal). Treatment of the stable clone with PTH resulted in a maximal 2.2‐ to 3.6‐fold increase in promoter activity at 8 h, reminiscent of the early response observed with endogenous RGS‐2 mRNA regulation. Further, PTH (1–38), (1–31), PTHrP (1–34), and forskolin, which elevate cAMP levels, stimulated the promoter, while PTH (3–34) and (7–34), which do not readily stimulate cAMP accumulation, and PMA that directly activates protein kinase C, had no effect on promoter activity. Taken together, these results implicate the involvement of the Gαs‐adenylate cyclase‐protein kinase A pathway in stimulating RGS‐2 expression. Maintenance of a hyperphosphorylated state via the inhibition of type 2A protein phosphatases by okadaic acid, resulted in a strong dose‐dependent increase in transcriptional activity of the RGS‐2 promoter as well as that of the endogenous RGS‐2 gene. Furthermore, overexpression of the osteoblast‐specific transcription factor Runx2 also led to a stimulation of RGS‐2 promoter activity. Functional analysis using RGS‐2 overexpression suggests the potential negative regulatory effects of RGS‐2 on PTH‐ and forskolin‐induced cAMP production in osteoblastic cells. In summary, our data suggest that PTH treatment results in a direct transcriptional stimulation of RGS‐2 that in turn may play a role in modulating the duration/intensity of PTH receptor signaling. J. Cell. Biochem. 85: 837–850, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dependence of relativistic effects on electronic configuration in the neutral atoms of d‐ and f‐block elements
Authors: Autschbach J. , Siekierski S. , Seth M. , Schwerdtfeger P. , Schwarz W. H. E.
Published: August 2002

Although most neutral d‐ and f‐block atoms have ndg−2(n + 1)s2 and (n − 1)fg−2(n + 1)s2 ground configurations, respectively, where g is the group number (i.e., number of valence electrons), one‐third of these 63 atoms prefer a higher d‐population, namely via (n + 1)s→nd “outer” to “inner” electron shift (particularly atoms from the second d‐row), or via (n − 1)f→nd “inner” to “outer” electron shift (particularly atoms from the second f‐row). Although the response to the modified self‐consistent field is orbital destabilization and expansion for (n + 1)s→nd, and stabilization and contraction for (n − 1)f→nd, the relativistic modification of the valence orbital responses is stabilization in both cases. This is explained by double perturbation theory. Accordingly, electron configuration and relativity trigger the orbital energies, the orbital populations and the chemical shell effects in different ways. The particularly pronounced relativistic effects in groups 10 and 11, the so‐called gold maximum, occur because of particularly efficient cooperative nonrelativistic shell effects and relativistic stabilization effects (inverse indirect effect) at the end of the d‐block. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 23: 804–813, 2002
Ureaplasma urealyticum biovar determination in women attending a family planning clinic in Guiné‐Bissau, using polymerase chain reaction of the multiple‐banded antigen gene
Authors: Domingues D. , Tavira L. Távora , Duarte A. , Sanca A. , Prieto E. , Exposto F.
Published: August 2002

Although Ureaplasma urealyticum is commonly found in the genital tract of asymptomatic women, it has been suggested that only certain subgroups of this microorganism are disease associated. Vaginal specimens were collected to determine the distribution of U. urealyticum biovars and to estimate their possible association with age, absence of lactobacilli, and tetracycline resistance. Of the 94 women studied, 40 (43%) carried U. urealyticum and were biotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Twenty‐nine (73%) strains presented with parvo biovar, 10 (25%) with T960 biovar, and one (2.5%) with both biovars. Parvo biovar was predominant in all age groups and appears to be more frequent in women 20–25 years of age (41%), whereas T960 was common in women 30–35 years of age (22%). In this study, U. urealyticum was not associated with changes in vaginal flora, although the inverse apparently was true for Mycoplasma hominis. However, T960 biovar was more associated with the loss of lactobacilli than was parvo biovar. The number of T960 biovar strains that presented tetracycline (40%) or multiple (100%) resistance was higher than that of parvo biovar strains (27% and 69%, respectively). J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 16:71–75, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Personality characteristics associated with psychological reactance
Authors: Seibel Cynthia A. , Dowd E. Thomas
Published: August 2002

This study compared six different personality disorders on level of psychological reactance. Eighty clients met criteria for inclusion in one of six personality disorder groups, including passive‐aggressive, dependent, personality disorder NOS (not otherwise specified), no personality disorder, obsessive‐compulsive, and borderline. Instruments included the Therapeutic Reactance Scale (TRS) and the Questionnaire for the Measurement of Psychological Reactance (QMPR). Four one‐way analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were conducted on the scales and subscales of the two reactance measures. All four ANOVAs were significant, although post hoc tests indicated significant differences only among the more extreme groups. The personality disorders were generally ordered on reactance level according to predictions derived from the theory of separation‐individuation. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 57: 963–969, 2001.
Progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, and ABC relaxation theory
Authors: Matsumoto Mia , Smith Jonathan C.
Published: August 2002

This study compared the psychological effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) and breathing exercises. Forty‐two students were divided randomly into two groups and taught PMR or breathing exercises. Both groups practiced for five weeks and were given the Smith Relaxation States Inventory before and after each session. As hypothesized, PMR practitioners displayed greater increments in relaxation states (R‐States) Physical Relaxation and Disengagement, while breathing practitioners displayed higher levels of R‐State Strength and Awareness. Slight differences emerged at Weeks 1 and 2; major differences emerged at Weeks 4 and 5. A delayed and potentially reinforcing aftereffect emerged for PMR only after five weeks of training—increased levels of Mental Quiet and Joy. Clinical and theoretical implications are discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 57: 1551–1557, 2001.
Personality traits and pathology in older and younger incarcerated women
Authors: Hurt Susan , Oltmanns Thomas F.
Published: August 2002

Personality disorders were examined in 157 incarcerated women, using the Schedule for Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality (SNAP; Clark, 1996) to assess 10 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Third Edition, Revised (DSM‐III‐R; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) diagnostic categories and dimensions and 15 domains of trait/temperament relevant to disordered personality. Similar to both community samples and incarcerated men, older women had lower rates of personality disorders than younger women, and the difference was mostly accounted for by differences in the Cluster B disorders. In an exploratory analysis of trait and temperament scales, the older women also scored lower in Aggression, Disinhibition, Entitlement, Exhibitionism, Impulsivity, and Manipulativeness while younger women scored lower in Workaholism and Propriety. These findings suggest that remission of antisocial behavior in women may be associated with changes in lower order personality traits or temperament. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 58: 457–464, 2002
MET receptor is overexpressed but not mutated in oral squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Morello S. , Olivero M. , Aimetti M. , Bernardi M. , Berrone S. , Di Renzo M.F. , Giordano S.
Published: August 2002

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a neoplasm characterized by a high degree of local invasion and an elevated rate of metastasis to cervical lymph nodes. It has been shown that the Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor Receptor Met is constitutively activated in many human tumors of epithelial origin and that it plays a critical role to confer invasive properties to neoplastic cells. Most frequently, Met activation is due to receptor overexpression, but also point mutations in the tyrosine kinase domain can lead to deregulated activation. Here we show that in all the primary tumors examined this receptor is overexpressed. Direct sequencing of Met mRNAs failed to find any activating mutation in its intracellular domain. Moreover, in cell lines derived from squamous cell carcinomas, HGF‐induced activation of Met resulted in the acquisition of invasive properties. All together these data suggest that the MET oncogene is involved in progression of squamous cell carcinoma toward an invasive‐metastatic behavior. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modulation of the heteromeric Kir4.1–Kir5.1 channels by P at physiological levels
Authors: Cui N. , Giwa L.R. , Xu H. , Rojas A. , Abdulkadir L. , Jiang C.
Published: August 2002

Several inward rectifier K+ (Kir) channels are pH‐sensitive, making them potential candidates for CO2 chemoreception in cells. However, there is no evidence showing that Kir channels change their activity at near physiological level of P, as most previous studies were done using high concentrations of CO2. It is known that the heteromeric Kir4.1–Kir5.1 channels are highly sensitive to intracellular protons with pKa value right at the physiological pH level. Such a pKa value may allow these channels to regulate membrane potentials with modest changes in P. To test this hypothesis, we studied the Kir4.1–Kir5.1 currents expressed in Xenopus oocytes and membrane potentials in the presence and absence of bicarbonate. Evident inhibition of these currents (by ∼5%) was seen with P as low as 8 torr. Higher P levels (23–60 torr) produced stronger inhibitions (by 30–40%). The inhibitions led to graded depolarizations (5–45 mV with P 8–60 torr). Similar effects were observed in the presence of 24 mM bicarbonate and 5% CO2. Indeed, the Kir4.1–Kir5.1 currents were enhanced with 3% CO2 and suppressed with 8% CO2 in voltage clamp, resulting in hyper‐ (−9 mV) and depolarization (16 mV) in current clamp, respectively. With physiological concentration of extracellular K+, the Kir4.1–Kir5.1 channels conduct substantial outward currents that were similarly inhibited by CO2 as their inward rectifying currents. These results therefore indicate that the heteromeric Kir4.1–Kir5.1 channels are modulated by a modest change in P levels. Such a modulation alters cellular excitability, and enables the cell to detect hypercapnia and hypocapnia in the presence of bicarbonate. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Novel mechanism for age‐related macular degeneration: An equilibrium shift between the angiogenesis factors VEGF and PEDF
Authors: Ohno‐Matsui Kyoko , Morita Ikuo , Tombran‐Tink Joyce , Mrazek David , Onodera Mitsue , Uetama Tomoko , Hayano Masato , Murota Sei‐itsu , Mochizuki Manabu
Published: August 2002

We investigated gene expression profiles of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium‐derived factor (PEDF) in differentiated and non‐differentiated retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells during oxidative stress. Human RPE cells were grown in culture on laminin‐coated flasks to obtain differentiated features. Cells cultured on plastic were used as non‐differentiated controls. After confluence, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was added for 48 h, then, total RNA was extracted and used for RT‐PCR and Northern blot analysis. Medium conditioned by RPE was used for ELISA, Western blotting, and in vitro angiogenesis assay. As a result, differentiated RPE cells expressed significantly higher levels of VEGF protein, as compared to their non‐differentiated counterparts. The expression pattern remained consistent even after cellular exposure to H2O2. Conversely, while elevated levels of PEDF transcript and protein were seen in differentiated RPE cells, compared to non‐differentiated cells, a marked decrease at both PEDF mRNA and protein levels was seen after treatment with H2O2. Moreover, this decrease in PEDF expression was dosage dependent. In in vitro angiogenesis assay, conditioned medium from differentiated human RPE cells after exposure to H2O2 showed a dramatic increase in tubular formation and migratory activity of microvascular endothelial cells. These data suggest that, in physiological conditions, a critical balance between PEDF and VEGF exists, and PEDF may counteract the angiogenic potential of VEGF. Under oxidative stress, PEDF decreases disrupting this balance. This equilibrium shift may be significant in promoting a pathological condition of RPE cells and contributing to choroidal neovascularization in age‐related macular degeneration. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
COX‐dependent and ‐independent pathways in bradykinin‐induced anion secretion in rat epididymis
Authors: Cheuk B.L.Y. , Ko W.H. , Wong P.Y.D.
Published: August 2002

Lysylbradykinin (LBK) added to the apical or basolateral side of cultured rat epididymal monolayers stimulated a rise in short‐circuit current (Isc) due to anion secretion. The concentration–response relationships for the apical and basolateral applications have EC50 value of 0.001 μM. The responses to apical or basolateral application of LBK were blocked by WIN64338, a specific B2 receptor antagonist, but not by Des‐Arg9,[Leu8]‐BK, a specific B1 receptor antagonist, indicating that the LBK effects were mediated through B2 bradykinin receptors. Experiments to desensitize the B2 receptors by repeated stimulation have demonstrated that the responses to apical or basolateral LBK were due to dIscrete receptors on the apical or basolateral surface. In epithelia clamped in the Ussing chambers, addition of LBK to the apical or basolateral surface evoked release of PGE2 into the apical and basolateral bathing solutions over the first 10 min following hormone addition. LBK added to the basolateral side elicited a greater release than it was added to the apical side. Pretreatment of the epithelia with piroxicam (5 μM) abolished PGE2 release elicited by apical or basolateral LBK and abrogated the Isc induced by basolateral LBK. However, the rise in Isc induced by apical LBK was reduced by 31.3% only. The anion secretion response to apical LBK was not affected by MDL‐12330A, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor, but greatly attenuated by thapsigargin, an inhibitor of intracellular Ca2+ release. However, the reverse effects were seen for basolateral LBK. It is concluded that distinct pathways are involved in the stimulation of anion secretion by apical or basolateral LBK. The response to basolateral LBK was COX‐dependent, mediated by PGE2 and involves cAMP as second messenger. In contrast, the response to apical LBK is largely COX‐independent, not mediated by PGE2 and involves Ca2+ as intracellular messenger. J. Cell. Physiol. 191: 217–226, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calyculin‐A induces focal adhesion assembly and tyrosine phosphorylation of p125Fak, p130Cas, and paxillin in Swiss 3T3 cells
Authors: Leopoldt Daniela , Yee Hal F. , Rozengurt Enrique
Published: August 2002

Treatment of intact Swiss 3T3 cells with calyculin‐A, an inhibitor of myosin light chain (MLC) phosphatase, induces tyrosine phosphorylation of p125Fak in a sharply concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner. Maximal stimulation was 4.2 ± 2.1‐fold (n = 14). The stimulatory effect of calyculin‐A was observed at low nanomolar concentrations (<10 nM); at higher concentrations (>10 nM) tyrosine phosphorylation of p125Fak was strikingly decreased. Calyculin‐A induced tyrosine phosphorylation of p125Fak through a protein kinase C‐ and Ca2+‐independent pathway. Exposure to either cytochalasin‐D or latrunculin‐A, which disrupt actin organization by different mechanisms, abolished tyrosine phosphorylation of p125Fak in response to calyculin‐A. Treatment with high concentrations of platelet‐derived growth factor (20 ng/ml) which also disrupt actin stress fibers, completely inhibited tyrosine phosphorylation of p125Fak in response to calyculin‐A. This agent also induced tyrosine phosphorylation of the focal adhesion‐associated proteins p130Cas and paxillin. These tyrosine phosphorylation events were associated with a striking increase in the assembly of focal adhesions. The Rho kinase (ROK) inhibitor HA1077 that blocked focal adhesion formation by bombesin, had no effect on the focal adhesion assembly induced by calyculin‐A. Thus, calyculin‐A induces transient focal adhesion assembly and tyrosine phosphorylation of p125Fak, p130Cas, and paxillin, acting downstream of ROK. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adsorption and desorption behaviour of taurine on macroporous adsorption resins
Authors: Zhigang Tang , Rongqi Zhou , Zhanting Duan
Published: August 2002

Adsorption of taurine on S‐8, NKA2 and Amberlite XAD‐1 resins was measured with respect to time and the results indicated that equilibrium was reached in 50 min. The adsorption isotherms of taurine on D4006, AB‐8, S‐8, NKA2 were recorded and compared with those using Amberlite XAD‐1, XAD‐3, XAD‐6 and XAD‐7 at 28 °C. For an aqueous concentration range of 0–100 mg g−1, each isotherm could be represented as a straight line. S‐8 and XAD‐1 resins had the highest solid/liquid distribution coefficients of 0.92 and 0.9. Since the locally produced S‐8 resin is less expensive than XAD‐1 resin, it was selected for further studies with adsorption isotherms being measured over the aqueous concentration range of 0–160 mg g−1. These experimental results could be fitted by the Langmuir equation. The effects of pH, salting‐out and temperature on the adsorption were studied with the results showing that the influence of temperature was the most important. A temperature‐swing adsorption process was then tested to separate taurine from aqueous solutions and gave a overall yield >90% when taurine was adsorbed at 28 °C and eluted by deionized water at 70 °C.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Transvaginal sonographic diagnosis of live monochorionic twin ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Hanchate Vijay , Garg Ashwin , Sheth Rahul , Rao Jhanavi , Jadhav Pallavi J. , Karayil Diljit
Published: August 2002

Ectopic pregnancy is a leading cause of pregnancy‐related deaths; its incidence has progressively increased in recent years. Spontaneous twin ectopic pregnancy, however, is extremely rare. Among more than 100 reported cases of twin tubal pregnancies, only 5 cases in which fetal cardiac motion has been visualized in both embryos have been reported. We describe an additional case of a live monochorionic twin ectopic pregnancy in a patient with no predisposing factor. With transabdominal sonography, we initially diagnosed a single ectopic pregnancy, visualized as an ill‐defined mass in the left adnexa. However, with transvaginal sonography, we determined the left adnexal mass to contain a single monochorionic gestational sac with 2 embryos, each with cardiac motion. These findings were confirmed with color Doppler sonography and at laparotomy. The introduction of high‐resolution transvaginal sonography has resulted in the earlier diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy and has contributed to a recent decrease in the maternal mortality and morbidity associated with this condition. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 30:52–56, 2002.
Lymphatic vessels in the oral cavity: Different structures for the same function
Authors: Marchetti Carla , Poggi Paola
Published: August 2002

A study using a light and transmission electron microscope was performed on some structural characteristics of the lymphatic capillaries in different regions of the human oral cavity. The lymphatic capillaries of dental pulp, masticatory mucosa (gingiva and peri‐implant mucosa) and lining mucosa (cheek) were examined. Our attention was focused on the morphologic characteristics of the endothelial wall in the lymphatic capillaries. In particular, the connections between endothelial cells were investigated. In the lymphatic capillaries of the dental pulp, the endothelial wall was always very complex. It frequently presented protrusions of the endothelial cells that overlapped and formed intercellular channels. These channels were thus contained by the vessel endothelial wall with their extremities opening out towards the surrounding interstitium and the vessel lumen. The endothelial wall of the lymphatic capillaries of the cheek was very smooth and thin without complex intercellular junctions. The endothelial cells were joined by end‐to‐end junctions and open junctions were frequently observed. Intercellular channels were also found in the endothelial wall of lymphatic capillaries of the gingiva and the peri‐implant mucosa. The presence of numerous clefts represented by the open junctions in the lymphatics of the cheek and the existence of complex intercellular adhesions with the formation of intercellular channels in the endothelial wall of the lymphatic capillaries of the dental pulp and gingiva induce us to believe that these may play a role in the various mechanisms used by lymphatic capillaries to absorb interstitial fluids. These mechanisms are based on the different morpho‐functional characteristics of the surrounding tissue. Microsc. Res. Tech. 56:42–49, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cell biology of the adipokinetic hormone‐producing neurosecretory cells in the locust corpus cardiacum
Authors: Diederen Jacques H.B. , Oudejans Rob C.H.M. , Harthoorn Lucien F. , Van Der Horst Dick J.
Published: August 2002

The adipokinetic cells are neuron‐like unipolar cells, the cell bodies and cell processes of which are intermingled within the glandular part of the corpus cardiacum. In Schistocerca gregaria, they produce two adipokinetic hormones, AKH‐I and ‐II, whereas in Locusta migratoria an additional hormone, AKH‐III, is present. The three AKHs are produced by the same cells and are co‐localized in secretory granules. The biosynthesis and processing of the AKH prohormones to the bioactive hormones, which has been elucidated in detail for AKH‐I and ‐II in S. gregaria, takes less than 75 min and goes on continuously. In older locusts in particular, the adipokinetic cells contain intracisternal granules, widely dilated cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, which function as stores of prohormones of AKH‐I and ‐II, not of AKH‐III. The adipokinetic cells are subjected to regulation by a number of neural and humoral substances, neural influences coming from secretomotor cells in the lateral part of the protocerebrum. Flight activity is the only natural stimulus unequivocally shown to induce the release of AKHs, which in L. migratoria results in parallel secretion of all three AKHs. During secretory stimulation, young secretory granules containing newly synthesized hormones are preferentially released over older granules. Secretory stimulation is not accompanied by a clear increase in the levels of the AKH mRNAs and the AKH prohormones and in the rate of synthesis of the (pro‐)AKHs. Apparently, a coupling between release and biosynthesis of the AKHs in the adipokinetic cells is very loose or does not even exist. Microsc. Res. Tech. 56:227–236, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Adrenomedullin in mammalian embryogenesis
Authors: Garayoa Mercedes , Bodegas Elena , Cuttitta Frank , Montuenga Luis M.
Published: August 2002

Here are summarized data supporting that adrenomedullin (AM) is a multifunctional factor involved in the complex regulatory mechanisms of mammalian development. During rodent embryogenesis, AM is first expressed in the heart, followed by a broader but also defined spatio‐temporal pattern of expression in vascular, neural, and skeletal‐forming tissues as well as in the main embryonic internal organs. AM pattern of expression is suggestive of its involvement in the control of embryonic invasion, proliferation, and differentiation processes, probably through autocrine or paracrine modes of action. AM levels in fetoplacental tissues, uterus, maternal and umbilical plasma are highly increased during normal gestation. These findings in addition to other physiological and gene targeting studies support the importance of AM as a vasorelaxant factor implicated in the regulation of maternal vascular adaptation to pregnancy, as well as of fetal and fetoplacental circulations. AM is also present in amniotic fluid and milk, which is suggestive of additional functions in the maturation and immunological protection of the fetus. Altered expression of AM has been found in some gestational pathologies, although it is not yet clear whether this corresponds to causative or compensatory mechanisms. Future studies in regard to the distribution and expression levels of the molecules known to function as AM receptors, together with data on the action of complement factor H (an AM binding protein), may help to better define the roles of AM during embryonic development. Microsc. Res. Tech. 57:40–54, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Photoreception and circadian clock system of the chicken pineal gland
Authors: Okano Toshiyuki , Fukada Yoshitaka
Published: August 2002

Chicken pinealocytes contain three major components of the circadian clock system: 1) a self‐sustained oscillator, 2) a photic‐input pathway to the oscillator, and 3) an overt output represented by the rhythmic production of melatonin. Even under cultured conditions of isolated pineal gland or dissociated pinealocytes, the input‐oscillator‐output functions are well maintained. Because of these experimental advantages, chicken pineal gland has been one of the best models for the study of the circadian clock system. Since the finding of a pineal‐specific photoreceptive molecule, pinopsin, we have characterized the endogenous phototransduction pathway in the pinealocytes. On the other hand, despite the long history of chick pineal research, the molecular mechanism underlying the pineal clock oscillation has been largely unknown. Our recent characterization of the chick pineal clock genes strongly suggests that they constitute a transcription/translation‐based autoregulatory feedback loop, which is very similar to that generating circadian rhythmicity in mammalian SCN. Microsc. Res. Tech. 53:72–80, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.