bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endonucleolytic mutation analysis by internal labeling (EMAIL)
Authors: Cross Michael J. , Waters Daniel L. E. , Lee L. Slade , Henry Robert J.
Published: February 2008

Mismatch‐specific endonucleases are efficient tools for the targeted scanning of populations for subtle DNA variations. Conventional protocols involve 5′‐labeled amplicon substrates and the detection of digestion products by LIF electrophoresis. A shortcoming of such protocols, however, is the limited 5′‐signal strength. Normally the sensitivity of fluorescent DNA analyzers is superior to that of intercalating dye/agarose systems, however, pooling capacities of the former and latter approaches to mismatch scanning are somewhat similar. Detection is further limited by significant background. We investigated the activity of CEL nucleases using amplicon substrates labeled both internally and at each 5′‐terminus. The amplicons were generated from exon 8 of the rice starch synthase IIa encoding gene. Signal of both 5′‐labels was significantly reduced by enzyme activity, while that of the internal label was largely unaffected. In addition, background resulting from internal labeling was a significant improvement on that associated with 5′‐labeling. Sizing of the multilabeled substrates suggests that 5′‐modification enhances exonucleolytic activity, resulting in the removal of the dye‐labeled terminal nucleotides. We have developed an alternative approach to mismatch detection, in which amplicon labeling is achieved via the incorporation of fluorescently labeled deoxynucleotides, which we have named Endonucleolytic Mutation Analysis by Internal Labeling (EMAIL). The strength of the EMAIL assay was demonstrated by the reclassification of a rice line as being heterozygous for the starch gene. This cultivar was assigned as being homozygous by a previous resequencing study. EMAIL shows potential for the clear identification of multiple mutations amongst allelic pools.
Integrated isotachophoretic stacking and gel electrophoresis on a plastic substrate and variations in detection dynamic range
Authors: Lin Chun‐Che , Hsu Bi‐Kei , Chen Shu‐Hui
Published: February 2008

In this study, we demonstrated an integrated ITP–gel electrophoresis (GE) device on a plastic substrate, in which 50 nL of samples could be hydrodynamically or electrokinetically injected and enriched by ITP into narrow bands and then subsequently introduced into a homogeneous GE channel for separation and detection. This microchip design rendered a simple introduction scheme for creating sandwiched stacking buffer system and flexibilities in choosing separation and stacking buffers independently. We used gel sieving buffers which compositions were different from those for stacking buffers to separate DNA and protein molecules based on sizing mechanism. Compared to conventional microchip GE, the sensitivity of microchip ITP‐GE was estimated to increase by one to two orders of magnitude based on the dilution factor of the injected sample and the S/N ratio detected from the electropherogram. Moreover, it is interesting to note that ITP stacking leads to a preferential enhancement for analytes with lower concentrations compared to those with higher concentrations. Therefore, a reduction in the detection dynamic range for ITP‐GE was gained. We demonstrated that ITP‐GE could lead to 2–4‐folds of reduction in the signal dynamic range for two PCR products in a mixture. Such advantage is demonstrated to be useful for the detection of two products amplified from a multiplex PCR in which one product is poorly amplified compared to the other.
Discovering novel targets for autoantibodies in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Buse Christina , Altmann Frank , Amann Barbara , Hauck Stefanie M. , Poulsen Nautrup Cordula , Ueffing Marius , Stangassinger Manfred , Deeg Cornelia A.
Published: February 2008

There is increasing evidence that a large proportion of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) cases are mediated by autoimmune processes. Since DCM is a fatal disorder with rapid aggravation and is the leading cause of heart transplantation, further insights into disease pathogenesis are needed. Recent studies have separated the pathogenic capacity of autoantibodies and initial clinical trials removing such autoantibodies via immunoadsorption have been promising. In order to elucidate the full autoantibody repertoire involved in DCM, we applied an autoantibody screening test using ventricular and atrial proteomes as autoantigenic sources and subsequently tested the autoantibody‐binding patterns of sera from dogs with spontaneous DCM. With this method, we detected five potentially DCM‐related autoantigens which were identified by MS as being: myosin heavy chain cardiac muscle alpha isoform, alpha cardiac actin, mitochondrial aconitate hydratase, glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), and brain glycogen phosphorylase (GPBB). The recovery of two known DCM autoantigens (myosin heavy chain and alpha cardiac actin) and the discovery of three novel autoantigens (mitochondrial aconitate hydratase, GADPH, and GPBB) underscore the efficacy of this experimental method and the significance of the spontaneous canine DCM model.
Polymorphisms in the matrix metalloproteinase‐2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐2 and the risk of human adenomyosis
Authors: Kang Shan , Zhao Xiwa , Xing Huimin , Wang Na , Zhou Rongmiao , Chen Shucheng , Li Wansheng , Zhao Jian , Duan Yanan , Sun Donglan , Li Yan
Published: February 2008

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) may contribute to the development of adenomyosis. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter regions of MMP‐2 (−1306C/T and −735C/T) and TIMP‐2 (‐418G/C) genes were related to the risk of adenomyosis development. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) assay in 180 adenomyosis patients and 324 frequency‐matched control women in a Chinese population. There were significant differences in allele frequencies and genotype distributions of the MMP‐2 −1306C/T polymorphism between patients and control women (P = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). The frequency of C allele in patients (92.2%) was significantly higher than in the controls (87.0%) (P = 0.01). Compared with the C/T+T/T genotypes, the C/C genotype could significantly increase the risk of adenomyosis development, with an odds ratio of 1.83 (95% CI = 1.13–2.96). However, no statistically significant difference was found in allele frequencies and genotype distributions of MMP‐2 −735C/T and TIMP‐2 −418G/C SNPs between the two groups (all P values > 0.05). Two polymorphisms of MMP‐2 displayed linkage disequilibrium (D′ = 0.74). The haplotype analysis suggested no significant association of four haplotypes with the risk of adenomyosis development. Our results indicated an association of MMP‐2 −1306C/T polymorphism with the risk of adenomyosis, suggesting a potential role in adenomyosis development in North Chinese women. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cytogenetic monitoring of coal workers and patients with coal workers' pneumoconiosis in Turkey
Authors: Ulker Ozge Cemiloglu , Ustundag Aylin , Duydu Yalcin , Yucesoy Berran , Karakaya Asuman
Published: February 2008

Occupational exposure to coal dust causes coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP), which is a chronic inflammatory and fibrotic lung disease. Recently, chronic inflammation has been accepted as a crucial factor in the pathogenesis of neoplasia. The chronic inflammation provides dynamic setting for oxidative stress and formation of free radicals. Interaction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with DNA augments the likelihood of DNA structural and transcriptional errors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the genotoxic risk in pneumoconiotic patients and in those with occupational exposure to coal dust. Therefore, sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronucleus (MN) tests were performed in Turkish CWP patients, coal workers, and an unexposed control group. Both SCE and MN frequencies in CWP patients were found significantly higher than in coal worker and unexposed groups. There were no differences between SCE and MN frequencies of coal worker and unexposed groups. On the other hand, no correlation between SCE frequency, duration of exposure, and age was observed in all three groups. There was also no effect of smoking on the frequencies of SCE and MN in the groups. Based on these results, it might be suggested that development of CWP leads to a significant induction of cytogenetic damage in peripheral lymphocytes of CWP patients. This is the first report on CWP patients with elevated cytogenetic endpoints. Further, a larger follow‐up study is warranted. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of a contaminated fish diet on germline expanded‐simple‐tandem‐repeat mutation frequency in mice
Authors: Somers Christopher M. , Valdes Eduardo V. , Kjoss Victoria A. , Vaillancourt Andre L. , Quinn James S.
Published: February 2008

Herring gulls (Larus argentatus) in polluted areas on the North American Great Lakes were previously shown to have elevated germline mutation frequencies at minisatellite DNA loci. Airborne or dietary contaminants likely caused induced mutations, but the importance of each exposure type was unknown. Follow‐up experiments with lab mice determined that air pollution significantly induced germline mutations; however, an evaluation of mutations induced by the diet of herring gulls has not yet been conducted. To address this issue, we fed mice a high‐fish diet (58% wet mass) of the most common prey species for herring gulls nesting in Hamilton Harbour, a polluted industrial area on Lake Ontario. We bred the mice and screened pedigrees for germline mutations at expanded‐simple‐tandem‐repeat (ESTR) DNA loci. Mutation frequencies were compared to those in a reference group that was fed fish from Atlantic Canada, and a control group that was fed commercial chow. Germline mutation frequencies were highest in mice fed contaminated fish, but were only marginally or not significantly affected by diet treatment. Statistical power to detect differences among treatment groups was low, and the effect of diet may have more clearly emerged if larger sample sizes were available. Levels of organic pollutants in the fish from Hamilton Harbour were higher than those from Atlantic Canada, but their ability to induce ESTR mutations is unknown. Our findings suggest that a contaminated fish diet may contribute to the elevated germline mutation frequencies observed previously in gulls at this site, but air pollution is likely a more important route of exposure. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fuzzy Logic for reservoir operation with reduced rules
Authors: Sivapragasam C. , Sugendran P. , Marimuthu M. , Seenivasakan S. , Vasudevan G.
Published: February 2008

This paper suggests the use of Fuzzy Logic for reservoir operation schemes. With the advantage of linguistic interpretation of optimal operating schemes, Fuzzy‐based models aid the reservoir operators in alleviating their reservations toward conventional optimization models that are usually difficult to understand and implement. Further, in this study, a clustering‐based novel method is suggested to provide the operators with a handful number of most meaningful operating rules, once the reservoir system is optimized. The proposed method is applied to a case study of the Pilavakkal reservoir system in Tamil Nadu. The results obtained are highly encouraging, with five simple operation schemes obtained from Fuzzy system. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2008
Kir4.1 and AQP4 associate with Dp71‐ and utrophin‐DAPs complexes in specific and defined microdomains of Müller retinal glial cell membrane
Authors: Fort Patrice E. , Sene Abdoulaye , Pannicke Thomas , Roux Michel J. , Forster Valerie , Mornet Dominique , Nudel Uri , Yaffe David , Reichenbach Andreas , Sahel Jose A. , Rendon Alvaro
Published: February 2008

The dystrophin‐associated proteins (DAPs) complex consisting of dystroglycan, syntrophin, dystrobrevin, and sarcoglycans in muscle cells is associated either with dystrophin or its homolog utrophin. In rat retina, a similar complex was found associated with dystrophin‐Dp71 that serves as an anchor for the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kir4.1 and the aqueous pore, aquaporin‐4 (AQP4). Here, using immunofluorescence imaging of isolated retinal Müller glial cells and co‐immunoprecipitation experiments performed on an enriched Müller glial cells end‐feet fraction, we investigated the effect of Dp71 deletion on the composition, anchoring, and membrane localization of the DAPs–Kir4.1 and/or –AQP4 complex. Two distinct complexes were identified in the end‐feet fraction associated either with Dp71 or with utrophin. Upon Dp71 deletion, the corresponding DAPs complex was disrupted and a compensating utrophin upregulation was observed, accompanied by diffuse overall staining of Kir4.1 along the Müller glial cells and redistribution of the K+ conductance. Dp71 deficiency was also associated with a marked reduction of AQP4 and β‐dystroglycan expression. Furthermore, it was observed that the Dp71–DAPs dependent complex could be, at least partially, associated with a specific membrane fraction. These results demonstrate that Dp71 has a central role in the molecular scaffold responsible for anchoring AQP4 and Kir4.1 in Müller cell end‐feet membranes. They also show that despite its close relationship to the dystrophin proteins and its correlated upregulation, utrophin is only partially compensating for the absence of Dp71 in Müller glial cells. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Macro‐ and micro‐level impacts of droughts: the case of the Zayandeh Rud river basin, Iran
Authors: Molle François , Hoogesteger Jaime , Mamanpoush Alireza
Published: February 2008

The irrigation sector is usually the first water user to be restricted in case of drought and agriculture is most affected. It is very important for water planners to better understand the relationship between a water deficit and agricultural performance in times of drought. This paper examines the 1999–2002 drought in the Zayandeh Rud basin, central Iran. It reviews the impact of dam management, the impact of supply reduction on water allocation and agricultural production, and examines the coping strategies used by farmers at the local level. It shows that although volumes diverted were greatly reduced (and were even zero in 2002) the impact on production was much less, due to a series of adjustment and massive substitution of groundwater for surface water. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A unified approach to standardized‐residuals‐based correlation tests for GARCH‐type models
Authors: Chen Yi‐Ting
Published: February 2008

In this paper, we propose a unified approach to generating standardized‐residuals‐based correlation tests for checking GARCH‐type models. This approach is valid in the presence of estimation uncertainty, is robust to various standardized error distributions, and is applicable to testing various types of misspecifications. By using this approach, we also propose a class of power‐transformed‐series (PTS) correlation tests that provides certain robustifications and power extensions to the Box–Pierce, McLeod–Li, Li–Mak, and Berkes–Horváth–Kokoszka tests in diagnosing GARCH‐type models. Our simulation and empirical example show that the PTS correlation tests outperform these existing autocorrelation tests in financial time series analysis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social power and forms of change: implications for psychopolitical validity
Authors: Speer Paul W.
Published: February 2008

Prilleltensky's notion of psychopolitical validity elevates power as a key phenomenon of interest within community psychology. Importantly, two types of psychopolitical validity are articulated: epistemic—the explicit study of power, and transformative—understanding the role of power in social change. In this article, the author develops the concepts of epistemic and transformative power by presenting a framework for understanding their application to community phenomena. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Blockade of adhesion molecule CD146 causes pregnancy failure in mice
Authors: Liu Qin , Zhang Bairu , Zhao Xingang , Zhang Ying , Liu Yixun , Yan Xiyun
Published: February 2008

Unexplained pregnancy loss and recurrent miscarriage seriously impair human fecundity. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Recent studies suggest that the adhesion molecule CD146 may be involved in unexplained recurrent miscarriage. Here, we investigate the effect of CD146 on early pregnancy. Using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we found that CD146 was specifically expressed in the receptive maternal uteri and invasive embryonic trophoblasts during the early stages of pregnancy, but it was completely absent in the non‐pregnant uterus. Our in vitro studies demonstrated that blocking CD146 with a function‐perturbation antibody AA98 significantly inhibited the attachment of blastocysts onto the receptive uterine luminal epithelial monolayer, the trophoblastic outgrowth of blastocysts and ectoplacental cones, and the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases. Animal experiments showed that applying this antibody before embryo implantation caused pregnancy failure in mice. Our data present direct evidence for the role of CD146 in mediating embryonic attachment and trophoblastic invasion, and provide new insight into the molecular mechanism underlying unexplained pregnancy loss and recurrent miscarriage. J. Cell. Physiol. 215: 621–626, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hypoxic induction of UCP3 in the growth plate: UCP3 suppresses chondrocyte autophagy
Authors: Watanabe Hitoshi , Bohensky Jolene , Freeman Theresa , Srinivas Vickram , Shapiro Irving M.
Published: February 2008

The overall goal of the investigation was to examine the role of uncoupling proteins (UCPs) in regulating late stage events in the chondrocyte maturation pathway. We showed for the first time that epiphyseal chondrocytes expressed UCP3. In hypoxia, UCP3 mediated regulation of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential (ΔΨm) was dependent on HIF‐1α. We also showed for the first time that UCP3 regulated the induction of autophagy. Thus, suppression of UCP3 enhanced the expression of the autophagic phenotype, even in serum‐replete media. Predictably, the mature autophagic chondrocytes were susceptible to an apoptogen challenge. Susceptibility was probably associated with a lowered expression of the anti‐apoptotic proteins Bcl2 and BCLxL and a raised baseline expression of cytochrome c in the cytosol. These changes would serve to promote sensitivity to apoptogens. We conclude that in concert with HIF‐1α, UCP3 regulates the activity of the mitochondrion by modulating the transmembrane potential. In addition, it inhibits induction of the autophagic response. When this occurs, it suppresses sensitivity to agents that promote chondrocyte deletion from the growth plate. J. Cell. Physiol. 216: 419–425, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Fra‐1‐dependent, matrix metalloproteinase driven EGFR activation promotes human lung epithelial cell motility and invasion
Authors: Adiseshaiah Pavan , Vaz Michelle , Machireddy Narsa , Kalvakolanu Dhananjaya V. , Reddy Sekhar P.
Published: February 2008

We and others have shown a persistently high induction of Fra‐1 transcription factor (a dimeric partner of AP‐1) levels by respiratory carcinogens in pulmonary epithelial cells. Fra‐1 is frequently overexpressed in various human tumors and cancer cells. We have recently shown that Fra‐1 significantly promotes growth, motility, and invasion of human pulmonary epithelial cells, the precise molecular mechanisms by which this enhancement occurs are unclear. Because matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play key roles in wound healing and lung tumor metastasis, we tested the hypothesis that Fra‐1 promotes lung epithelial cell motility and invasion via MMP activation. We show here that MMP‐9 and MMP‐2 activated signaling plays a critical role in regulating Fra‐1‐induced lung epithelial cell growth and invasion. Ectopic Fra‐1 markedly stimulates MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 mRNA expression. Inhibition of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 activity significantly attenuated Fra‐1‐driven cell motility and invasion. Furthermore, Fra‐1 induced EGFR phosphorylation in an MMP‐dependent manner, and an EGFR‐specific inhibitor was able to block Fra‐1‐enhanced cell motility and invasion. Taken together, our data suggest that Fra‐1 enhances lung cancer epithelial cell motility and invasion by inducing the activity of MMPs, in particular MMP‐2 and MMP‐9, and EGFR‐activated signaling. J. Cell. Physiol. 216: 405–412, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mesenchymal stem cells in tissue engineering
Authors: Godara Pankaj , Nordon Robert E , McFarland Clive D
Published: February 2008

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) offer great promise in therapies aimed at repairing, replacing or regenerating damaged or diseased tissues and organs. This potential is due to their capacity for self‐renewal, ability to differentiate down a range of lineages, and potential in autologous therapies, free from major ethical concerns. This review examines the issues around the use of MSC in tissue engineering (TE) applications. Key issues facing widespread MSC therapeutic use include both the scarcity in adult tissues and the current lack of a simple unambiguous identifying marker. These major challenges facing the isolation, characterization and expansion of MSC to therapeutically significant numbers currently limit their usefulness as ‘off the shelf’ therapies. Balanced against this, recent evidence suggests that MSC have a much wider tissue distribution and greater plasticity than originally envisaged. Although therapeutic applications of MSC initially focused on mesenchymal lineages such as cartilage and bone, this is now broadening to include organs such as the heart and skin. Ultimately, the clinical utility of such MSC‐based therapies will depend on their performance and cost. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Fragmentation patterns of new esterified and unesterified aromatic 1‐hydroxymethylene‐1, 1‐bisphosphonic acids by ESI‐MSn
Authors: Hardouin Julie , Guénin Erwann , Monteil Maëlle , Caron Michel , Lecouvey Marc
Published: February 2008

1‐Hydroxymethylene‐1,1‐bisphosphonic acids (HMBPs) are compounds that have interesting pharmacological applications. Unfortunately few studies exist on their analyses by mass spectrometry (MS). In this work, we have analyzed new aromatic HMBPs and their prodrugs with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MSn). We describe, for the first time, a complete study of fragmentation patterns, in both positive and negative‐ion modes. In positive mode, the cation dissociations are mainly elimination of water and phosphorus fragments. In negative mode, losses of ROH (RH, C6H5, CH3OC6H5) and HPO2 were observed. The results have revealed specific structural fingerprints for the screening of these compounds in complex biological mixtures. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid change in early Holocene environments inferred from Lake Pupuke, Auckland City, New Zealand
Authors: Augustinus Paul , Bleakley Nerida , Deng Yanbin , Shane Phil , Cochran Ursula
Published: February 2008

Sediment cores from Lake Pupuke in Auckland City, New Zealand, contain a high‐resolution millennial to centennial‐scale record of changing climate and catchment hydrology spanning the past ca. 10 000 years. Here, we focus on the period between 9500 ± 25 and 7000 ± 155 cal. yr BP during which grain size, diatom palaeoecology, biogenic silica concentrations, sediment elemental and carbon isotope geochemistry reflect changes in sediment sources and lake conditions, with a significant event commencing at ca. 8240 cal. yr BP, commensurate with a lowering of lake level, faster erosion rates and increased sediment influx with a duration of ca. 360 yrs. However, the changes in the lake are not reflected in the terrestrial vegetation, where the pollen record indicates that podocarp forest dominated the Auckland region, with apparent environmental stability during this part of the early Holocene. The synchronous change in most of the proxies between ca. 8240 and 7880 cal. yr BP at Lake Pupuke indicates the presence of a sustained episode of relatively low lake level and concomitant increased rate of erosion in the early Holocene that appears to be at least partly coeval with the 8200 cal. yr BP meltwater event proposed for the North Atlantic region. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterizing changes in the sedimentary environment of a varved lake sediment record in southern central Finland around 8000 cal. yr BP
Authors: Ojala Antti E. K. , Heinsalu Atko , Kauppila Tommi , Alenius Teija , Saarnisto Matti
Published: February 2008

The varved lake sediment record of Lake Nautajärvi in southern central Finland indicates fluctuations in the annual sedimentation pattern and lake environment around 8000 cal. yr BP. Annual accumulation of catchment‐derived mineral matter peaks a number of times and there are changes in the deposition rate of organic matter. Based on evidence from the Lake Nautajärvi sediment record, the climate was characterised by a millennial‐scale colder period that terminated at one or several cooling events around 8000 cal. yr BP. During one of these events, diatom composition undergoes a change from planktonic species dominance to more littoral species dominance at 8160 cal. yr BP, and a recovery around 8010 cal. yr BP. The timing of this 150‐year‐long diatom anomaly is convergent with increased catchment erosion and decreased organic matter accumulation. We interpret that during such a period, the environment was characterised by colder winter temperatures, prolonged duration of ice cover, higher than normal spring discharge and rapid development of thermal stratification in the spring, coupled with reduced water circulation and shorter growing seasons. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymerized Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Assemblies for Membrane Applications
Authors: Gin Douglas L. , Bara Jason E. , Noble Richard D. , Elliott Brian J.
Published: February 2008

Cross‐linked lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC) assemblies represent a new class of polymer materials for membrane applications. These materials are formed by the phase‐segregation and self‐assembly of polymerizable amphiphiles in water into condensed ordered ensembles that can be cross‐linked in situ with retention of microstructure. The resulting LLC polymer networks have ordered, nanometer‐scale aqueous and cross‐linked organic domains, which can be used to affect gas solubility and diffusivity through the polymer to help separate molecules via the solution–diffusion mechanism. The open aqueous domains can also be used for pore transport and size exclusion with resolution on the molecular size level. The use and application potential of cross‐linked LLC assemblies as gas separation membranes, selective vapor barrier materials, and water nanofiltration and desalination membranes are presented.

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Analysis of the expression of biomarkers in urinary bladder cancer using a tissue microarray
Authors: Harris Loleta D. , La Cerda Jorge De , Tuziak Tomasz , Rosen Daniel , Xiao Lianchun , Shen Yu , Sabichi Anita L. , Czerniak Bogdan , Grossman H. Barton
Published: February 2008

Dysregulation of Akt, PTEN, Drg‐1, Cx‐26, and L‐plastin expression appear to be important in the progression of various cancers. Their expression in bladder cancer has not been well characterized. To assess the expression of these genes and their relationship to the outcome of bladder cancer, we used a bladder cancer tissue microarray (TMA) of 251 transitional cell carcinomas. We quantitated immunohistochemical staining of each protein using both automated and manual methods and correlated the expression levels with the clinicopathologic characteristics of the tumor and patient survival. Overall, the results from both automated and manual analyses were similar. We found a significant correlation between the expression of PTEN, Cx‐26 and L‐plastin with known clinically important pathologic features of bladder cancer (tumor grade, stage, and growth pattern). Aberrant localization patterns of Cx‐26 and Drg‐1 were observed in bladder tumors. There was also a significant correlation in expression among pAkt, PTEN, and L‐plastin. Although the expression of these genes correlated with factors known to be associated with patient outcome, none of them was an independent predictor of progression‐free or overall survival. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Incidence and time of intraoperative vascular complications in head and neck microsurgery
Authors: Wolff Klaus‐Dietrich , Hölzle Frank , Wysluch Andreas , Mücke Thomas , Kesting Marco
Published: February 2008

Vascular occlusion is still the main reason for flap loss and occurs mostly within the first hours after performing anastomoses. Many surgeons still prefer to perform reconstruction and close the defect before starting to anastomose. The aim of this investigation was to find out if detection of early vascular occlusion is facilitated with a prolonged observation period. Between January 2000 and August of 2006, 350 consecutive free flap transfers for reconstruction in maxillofacial surgery were analyzed. In all flaps vascular anastomoses were performed prior to definite flap insertion. The flaps were controlled continuously during soft tissue or bony reconstruction until final wound closure at the neck. Complete operation time, ischemia time of the flap, and time from reperfusion to wound closure (direct pedicle observation time) were registered for each flap. In 350 flaps (138 radial forearm, 94 fibular, 53 ALT, 23 DCIA, 26 soleus perforator, 9 lateral arm, 5 lat. dorsi, and 2 scapular), operation time in average was 8.5 h, ischemia time varied between 78 and 139 min (average 104 min), and direct pedicle observation time of the flaps was 144 min in average (93‐192 min). Four arteries and 2 veins showed immediate failure within 5 min after clamp removal, 10 arteries and 6 veins developed thromboses during the direct pedicle observation time. Out of these 16 vascular complications, 15 developed later than 15 min, 7 of them later than 30 min, and 2 of them later than 45 min. The overall complication rate including secondary revision of the pedicle was 16.8%, and an overall flap survival rate resulted in 95.4%. We conclude that microvascular anastomoses should be controlled for at least 45 min before definite wound closure. By performing anastomoses first and flap insertion second, this can be easily warranted. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2008.
Penile replantation, complication management, and technique refinement
Authors: Chou Erh‐Kang , Tai Yu‐Tzu , Wu Chao‐I , Lin Meng‐Shi , Chen Hsin‐Han , Chang Sophia Chia‐Ning
Published: February 2008

We describe a case of complete guillotine‐type penile amputation at the proximal penile shaft. The blood flow was established 10 h after trauma. Circulation in the replanted penis was quite good but there was progressive prepuce necrosis after the hematoma. Cosmetic and urinary outcome was good 6 weeks later. The repair of deep dorsal penile vessels helps in corpus tissue healing and glans circulation. The blood supply from the corpus tissue is sufficient for the survival of the replanted penis even when the repaired dorsal vessels were occluded. Surgical pitfalls in replantation procedures and complication management are discussed. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2008.
Hepatic lobectomy and segmentectomy models using microsurgical techniques
Authors: Martins Paulo Ney Aguiar , Neuhaus Peter
Published: February 2008

The mouse and rat models are the most commonly utilized experimental models of partial liver resection. Microscope‐assisted partial hepatectomy is associated with better outcomes by reducing the risk of vena cava stenosis after ligature and injury to other liver pedicles. In addition, microsurgery allows lobectomies and segmentectomies after individual ligation of intrahepatic vascular branches, including the left and right segments of the median lobe, which has not been reported before. Here, we describe a new technique (catheter‐assisted suture technique) and report our experience with partial hepatectomies in rodents using a microsurgical approach. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2008.
A singular nonlinear elliptic equation with natural growth in the gradient
Authors: Zhou Wen‐Shu
Published: February 2008

This paper is devoted to the existence and regularity of the homogenous Dirichlet boundary value problem for a singular nonlinear elliptic equation with natural growth in the gradient. By certain transformations, the problem can be transformed formally into either a Dirichlet problem or boundary blowup problems without gradient term, for which the corresponding existence results are also derived, which is a partial extension and supplement to the previous works. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low phase noise bond wire VCO for DVB‐H
Authors: Kim Ki‐Jin , Ahn K. H. , Lim T. H.
Published: February 2008

A low phase noise VCO with bond wire inductor for DVB‐H is implemented in TSMC CMOS 0.18 μm. The bond wire VCO exhibits −137 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz with the 5 mA current consumption. To meet the DVB‐H phase noise requirement, bond wire modeling is introduced in this paper. Due to the bond wire characteristics, Q value of the VCO inductor is more than 25 at 1 GHz. The proposed wire bond inductor provides an additional frequency tuning option after IC fabrication by modifying the length of the wire bond. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 859–863, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23228
Frequency‐shift keying optical code‐division multiple‐access system with novel interference cancellation
Authors: Karbassian M. M. , Ghafouri‐Shiraz H.
Published: February 2008

A novel multiple user interference (MUI) cancellation technique is introduced with a reference signal which is data‐free from the intended signal. It also simplifies the receiver architecture in synchronous M‐ary wavelength or frequency shift keying (FSK) OCDMA. In the analysis, the system upper‐bounded bit‐error rate (BER) is derived taking into account the Poisson effect on the I/O characteristics of the photo‐detectors (PD). It is found that the capacity of this system also increases by employing the proposed MUI canceller. In contrast to wavelength‐division multiplexing (WDM), fewer wavelengths are needed as a result of M‐ary source coding. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 883–885, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23233
A new wavelength converter for an optical NRZ data signal using an SOA‐loop‐mirror
Authors: Kim Hae Geun , Lee Hyuek Jae
Published: February 2008

A new wavelength conversion method using an SOA‐loop‐mirror for NRZ optical data has been proposed and experimentally demonstrated. A conventional wavelength converter with a nonlinear fiber‐loop‐mirror can perform RZ‐to‐RZ, NRZ‐to‐RZ, or RZ‐to‐NRZ data format conversion, while NRZ‐to‐NRZ conversion has not been demonstrated up to now. We successfully experiment optical wavelength conversion of 1300 nm NRZ data into 1550 nm NRZ data at 1.5 Gbit/s using a fiber‐loop‐mirror with a 1300 nm‐SOA. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 855–859, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23234
Dual‐mode square ring resonators for design of millimeter‐wave ultra‐wideband bandpass filter
Authors: Cai Peng , Ma Zhewang , Guan Xuehui , Zhang Yong , Chen Bin , Xu Bo
Published: February 2008

In this article, a millimeter‐wave ultra‐wideband (UWB) bandpass filter is proposed and implemented by cascading two dual‐mode square ring resonators loaded with λ0/4 and 3λ0/4 open tuning stubs, aiming at transmitting the signals in the UWB passband of 22–29 GHz. Formulae based on even‐ and odd‐mode analysis are derived to facilitate the design of transmission zeros of these ring resonators. Because of the transmission zeros in the lower and upper stopbands, the proposed filter exhibits sharp attenuations near the passband as well as very wide stopband. The measured responses of the filter agree well with the design simulation, and satisfy well the Federal Communications Commission's indoor limit on millimeter‐wave UWB applications over very wide frequency band. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 879–883, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23237
Interpolation/averaging in nonorthogonal FDTD algorithm
Authors: Nilavalan Rajagopal , Craddock Ian J.
Published: February 2008

Finite difference time domain (FDTD) method has many applications. This contribution focuses on nonorthogonal FDTD method, which offers an improved geometric flexibility. The effects of the interpolation step in nonorthogonal FDTD on overall accuracy, modeling metallic and dielectric discontinuities, and absorbing boundaries are discussed and the errors are estimated through numerical simulations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 846–851, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23239
The application of the second‐order accurate FDTD techniques at planar dielectric interface in three‐dimensional case
Authors: Ding Hai , Chu Qing‐Xin
Published: February 2008

The second‐order accurate FDTD equations at planar dielectric interfaces in three‐dimensional case are straightforwardly presented based on the second‐order accurate FDTD techniques in the TEx and TMx polarization modes proposed previously. Numerical experiments are carried out to verify the better accuracy of the method in this article than the conventional FDTD equations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 871–875, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23245
Design of compact suspended stripline bandpass filters with wide stopband
Authors: Lin Li‐Jing , Ho Min‐Hua , Xu Wei‐Qin
Published: February 2008

The design of compact suspended stripline (SSL) bandpass filters is demonstrated. Equivalent circuit models of lumped elements for the proposed filters are also developed to analyze the circuit behaviors. The SSL filters have achieved the benefits of size compactness, extremely low insertion losses, low dispersion, high operation frequency, and sometimes a wide stopband. Experiments are conducted to validate the SSL filters' performance. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 865–868, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23250
High dielectric constant tape double‐stacked EBG structure for broadband suppression of SSN in LTCC‐based SiP applications
Authors: Park Jongbae , Lu Albert Chee W. , Sunappan Vasudivan , Wai Lai L. , Kim Joungho
Published: February 2008

The advantages of a dielectric loaded double‐stacked electromagnetic bandgap structure with a significantly improved noise isolation bandwidth, fabricated on a low‐temperature co‐fired ceramic multilayer substrate, were experimentally demonstrated in system‐in‐package applications. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 942–944, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23253
New broadband driver for switchmode RF power wideband amplifiers
Authors: Javier Ortega‐Gonzalez Francisco
Published: February 2008

This article shows a new wideband driver for switchmode RF power wideband amplifiers based on the voltage waveforms generated across nonnominal wideband Class‐E amplifier's switch. Their key features are high efficiency, wideband operation, and only positive driving voltage generation. Harmonic balance simulations and measurements on a prototype (B = 40%, POUT = 50 W at 7.5 MHz, ηOV > 90%) show its effectiveness. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 985–988, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23258
CPW‐fed printed monopole antenna with branch slits for WiMAX applications
Authors: Chen Wen‐Shan , Chang Yu‐Chen
Published: February 2008

This study proposes a novel design of printed monopole antenna using branch slits for WiMAX applications. Here, dual‐band‐reject function is used to form triple band for WiMAX operation. We first investigated the printed rectangular monopole antenna for wide‐band operation of 2.5–6 GHz, and the meandered slit strip etched on the wide‐band printed rectangular monopole antenna with a rejected frequency of 2.9–3.1 GHz. Furthermore, we embedded two short slits etched on the signal strip of the 50‐Ω CPW‐fed line, which is approximately quarter wavelength to suppress the band of 3.96–4.9 GHz. This study demonstrates good impedance matching, good radiation patterns, and good band‐rejected performance of the proposed antenna. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 952–954, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23260
A compact and wideband balance‐fed triangular‐monopole antenna for DCS/pPCS/UMTS/WLAN/WiMAX applications
Authors: Chiu Cheng‐Nan , Chen Hung‐Ruei
Published: February 2008

A compact and wideband balance‐fed triangular‐monopole antenna is newly proposed in this article for modern wireless applications. This balance‐fed antenna is for microstrip‐feeding with differential signals. The antenna is compact in size and has the attractive merit of insensitivity to the influence of size variation of the feed ground. A prototype of the antenna having adequate bandwidth for the DCS, PCS, UMTS, WLAN, and WiMAX bands was constructed and is shown. The simulated and measured results of its return loss and antenna patterns demonstrate the sufficient impedance‐matching bandwidth and omnidirectional radiation characteristic of the newly developed antenna, together with the attractive merit mentioned earlier. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 971–974, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23266
Subtraction of scattering parameters for adiabatic intrinsic responses of semiconductor lasers
Authors: Zhang S. J. , Zhu N. H. , Liu Y. , Liu Y. Z.
Published: February 2008

Thermal effects will make chip temperature change with bias current of semiconductor lasers, which results in inaccurate intrinsic response by the conventional subtraction method. In this article, an extended subtraction method of scattering parameters for characterizing adiabatic responses of laser diode is proposed. The pulsed injection operation is used to determine the chip temperature of packaged semiconductor laser, and an optimal injection condition is obtained by investigating the dependence of the lasing wavelength on the width and period of the injection pulse in a relatively wide temperature range. In this case, the scattering parameters of laser diode are measured on adiabatic condition and the adiabatic intrinsic responses of packaged laser diode are first extracted. It is found that the adiabatic intrinsic responses are evidently superior to those without thermal consideration. The analysis results indicate that inclusion of thermal effects is necessary to acquire accurate intrinsic responses of semiconductor lasers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 992–995, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23278
Divide‐by‐3 LC injection‐locked frequency divider with inductor over MOS topology
Authors: Jang Sheng‐Lyang , Chen Wei‐Chi , Lee Chien‐Feng
Published: February 2008

This letter proposes a divide‐by‐3 frequency divider employing inductor‐over MOS topology to reduce the chip area and chip cost; the divider was fabricated using the 0.35‐μm 2P4M CMOS technology. The divider consists of an nMOS cross‐coupled LC oscillator and two injection MOSFETs in series with the cross‐coupled NMOSFETs, and the LC resonator is composed of two inductors and varactors. At the supply voltage of 1.6 V, the divider free‐running frequency is tunable from 2.17 to 2.43 GHz, and at the incident power of 0 dBm the locking range is about 1.03 GHz (14.9%), from the incident frequency 6.41 to 7.44 GHz. The core power consumption is 15.1 mW. The die area is 0.753 × 0.786 mm2. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 988–992, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23279
Investigations into unit cells offering an increased phasing range for single‐layer printed reflectarrays
Authors: Sayidmarie K. H. , Bialkowski M. E.
Published: February 2008

This paper reports on the investigations into new configurations of unit cells which offer an increased phasing range for a single‐layer printed reflectarray. It is shown that the extended phasing range can be obtained by utilizing similar in shape but different in size resonant elements. Using this principle it is shown that two resonant elements forming a unit cell can double while three elements can almost triple the phasing range of a single resonant element unit cell. These investigations also show that the relative sizes and spacing between the elements in the cell can be adjusted to linearize the phasing curves as a function of the elements dimensions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 1028–1032, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23285
A novel monopole antenna with parallel structure for DVB‐H/SDMB applications
Authors: Jeon Seung‐Gil , Ryu Kwang‐Woo , Choi Jae‐Hoon
Published: February 2008

A novel planar monopole antenna with parallel ground structures for dual and wide band properties are proposed. The proposed antenna has two separate 10 dB return loss bandwidths of 423 MHz (about 63% centered at 670 MHz) and 50 MHz (about 3% centered at 1.465 GHz). It shows good impedance and radiation characteristics over the frequency bands (DVB‐H and SDMB) of interest. The simulated and measured return loss results are in good agreement. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 1054–1056, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23291
Compact planar antennas with a parasitic shorted‐strip for dual‐band WLAN
Authors: Chae Gyoo‐Soo , Lim Joong‐Soo , Kim Min‐Nyun
Published: February 2008

Compact printed antennas with a parasitic folded shorted‐strip for dual‐band WLAN are presented. The proposed antennas are based on the parasitic shorted‐patch structure, which is a popular approach for further bandwidth improvement. According to our simulation results, two prototype antennas are manufactured and measured. The obtained antennas operate in IEEE802.11a/b/g bands (2.4–2.484 GHz and 5.15–5.35 GHz bands) and can be adapted for various portable applications. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 1124–1126, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23294
Analysis of highly birefringent photonic crystal fibers with squeezed rectangular lattices
Authors: Franco Marcos A. R. , Barreto Elaine C. S. , Serrão Valdir A. , Sircilli Francisco , Hattori Haroldo T.
Published: February 2008

In this article, we analyze the birefringence of photonic crystal fibers with squeezed rectangular lattices by using finite element method. When the original photonic crystal fiber is squeezed, the lattice is compressed, and the holes become elliptical. This operation leads to birefringences as high as 7.5 × 10−3 at 1550 nm. However, confinement losses and dispersion are also changed after this operation is performed, needing to be reassessed. We estimate the changes in dispersion and confinement losses after this operation is performed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 1083–1086, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23297