bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of overweight and obesity in a Portuguese sample of adults: Results from the Azorean Physical Activity and Health Study
Authors: Santos Rute , Aires Luísa , Santos Paula , Ribeiro José Carlos , Mota Jorge
Published: October 2007

The sample of this study comprised 9,991 adults who participated in the Azorean Physical Activity and Health Study, Portugal. Body mass index was calculated from self‐reported weight and height and used as a depended variable. Physical activity was assessed by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—short version, participants were classified in three categories according to their METs min/week values: low physical activity level, moderate physical activity level, and health‐enhancing physical activity. Smoking status, alcohol consumption, and socio‐economic status were also collected. Results showed that the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 33.5 and 18.8% in women, and 45.8 and 16% in men, respectively. The prevalence of health‐enhancing physical activity individuals was 23.6% for women and 43.8% for men. Logistic regression analysis showed that age was a predictor of overweight and obesity, in both genders. Smoking status was negatively associated with overweight and obesity, in both genders. Men with low physical activity level and higher sitting time (≥3 h/day) were more likely to be obese. Low socio‐economic status and alcohol consumption were found to be predictors for overweight and obesity for women. In summary, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Azorean adults is high. Targeted programs aimed to lower the prevalence of overweight and obesity, among the Azoreans, should focus on elderly, on women with low socio‐economic status, and on men aged 26–40 years, due to the higher prevalence of overweight and obesity and low levels of physical activity observed in these groups. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intercalary Elements, Treefrogs, and the Early Differentiation of a Complex System in the Neobatrachia
Authors: Manzano Adriana S. , Fabrezi Marissa , Vences Miguel
Published: October 2007

Intercalary elements are additional skeletal structures of digits of many anuran amphibians. Twelve terminal clades in the neobatrachian lineage of frogs have intercalary elements revealing it is a homoplastic character with five to seven gains and two to four losses along a consensus phylogeny of the Neobatrachia. We analyzed anatomical variation of intercalary elements, related structures (distal phalanges, tendons, and muscles), and articulations of digits of 45 anuran species, representing eight suprageneric terminal taxa. The intercalary elements are integrated in a complex system that is probably related to different types of movements, which are produced by a similar set of muscles and tendons with limited variation among the studied taxa. Species in the clades Hyloides and Ranoides show distinctive patterns of morphostructural features in their intercalary elements that are usually wedge‐shaped and composed of hyaline cartilage in Ranoides, and biconcave and composed of embryonic cartilage in Hyloides. Features derived from the typical hyloid condition may only be interpreted in some Hylidae (Pseudis and Lysapsus) and Centrolenidae. In Ranoides, the described features of the intercalary elements are found in all taxa examined with the exception of Leptopelis, which have an intercalary element similar to the other Ranoides but formed by connective tissue. Several features are shared by all taxa having intercalary elements: (1) the intercalary elements differ from the phalanges by lacking terminal epiphyses, (2) they are present in hands and feet, and (3) they appear in all digits. This finding suggests that the genetic basis for presence of intercalary elements may be homologous in all these taxa and may have evolved only once early in neobatrachian history. Anat Rec, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neuroanatomy of the Subadult and Fetal Brain of the Atlantic White‐sided Dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) from in Situ Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Montie Eric W. , Schneider Gerald E. , Ketten Darlene R. , Marino Lori , Touhey Katie E. , Hahn Mark E.
Published: October 2007

This article provides the first anatomically labeled, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ‐based atlas of the subadult and fetal Atlantic white‐sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus) brain. It differs from previous MRI‐based atlases of cetaceans in that it was created from images of fresh, postmortem brains in situ rather than extracted, formalin‐fixed brains. The in situ images displayed the classic hallmarks of odontocete brains: fore‐shortened orbital lobes and pronounced temporal width. Olfactory structures were absent and auditory regions (e.g., temporal lobes and inferior colliculi) were enlarged. In the subadult and fetal postmortem MRI scans, the hippocampus was identifiable, despite the relatively small size of this structure in cetaceans. The white matter tracts of the fetal hindbrain and cerebellum were pronounced, but in the telencephalon, the white matter tracts were much less distinct, consistent with less myelin. The white matter tracts of the auditory pathways in the fetal brains were myelinated, as shown by the T2 hypointensity signals for the inferior colliculus, cochlear nuclei, and trapezoid bodies. This finding is consistent with hearing and auditory processing regions maturing in utero in L. acutus, as has been observed for most mammals. In situ MRI scanning of fresh, postmortem specimens can be used not only to study the evolution and developmental patterns of cetacean brains but also to investigate the impacts of natural toxins (such as domoic acid), anthropogenic chemicals (such as polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and their hydroxylated metabolites), biological agents (parasites), and noise on the central nervous system of marine mammal species. Anat Rec, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative Study of Fibrillar Collagen Arrangement in the Corneas of Primates and Other Mammals
Authors: Hayes Sally , Boote Craig , Lewis Jennifer , Sheppard Jack , Abahussin Mohammad , Quantock Andrew J. , Purslow Christine , Votruba Marcela , Meek Keith M.
Published: October 2007

This study is a comparative study of the relationship between corneal structure, morphology, and function in a range of mammalian species. X‐ray scattering patterns were gathered at regular spatial intervals over the excised cornea (and in most cases also the scleral rim) of humans, marmosets, horses, cows, pigs, rabbits, and mice. All patterns were analyzed to produce quantitative information regarding the predominant orientation of fibrillar collagen throughout the tissue. The predominant direction of corneal collagen varies between mammals. This variation is not related to the size, shape, or thickness of the cornea or the frequency with which the animal blinks. A relationship does, however, appear to exist between corneal collagen arrangement and visual acuity. An excess of collagen directed toward one or both sets of opposing rectus muscles is a feature of animals that have an intermediate to high level of visual acuity. There is a significant variation in the arrangement of corneal collagen between different mammalian species. This finding may be related to differences in the frequency of action and the forces generated by the various extraocular muscles during eye movement and image fixation. Anat Rec, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Astrophysical supplements to the ASCC‐2.5: Ia. Radial velocities of ∼55000 stars and mean radial velocities of 516 Galactic open clusters and associations
Authors: Kharchenko N.V. , Scholz R.‐D. , Piskunov A.E. , Röser S. , Schilbach E.
Published: October 2007

We present the 2nd version of the Catalogue of Radial Velocities with Astrometric Data (CRVAD‐2). This is the result of the cross‐identification of stars from the All‐Sky Compiled Catalogue of 2.5 Million Stars (ASCC‐2.5) with the General Catalogue of Radial Velocities and with other recently published radial velocity lists and catalogues. The CRVAD‐2 includes accurate J2000 equatorial coordinates, proper motions and trigonometric parallaxes in the Hipparcos system, B, V photometry in the Johnson system, spectral types, radial velocities (RVs), multiplicity and variability flags for 54907 ASCC‐2.5 stars. We have used the CRVAD‐2 for a new determination of mean RVs of 363 open clusters and stellar associations considering their established members from proper motions and photometry in the ASCC‐2.5. For 330 clusters and associations we compiled previously published mean RVs from the literature, critically reviewed and partly revised them. The resulting Catalogue of Radial Velocities of Open Clusters and Associations (CRVOCA) contains about 460 open clusters and about 60 stellar associations in the Solar neighbourhood. These numbers still represent less than 30% of the total number of about 1820 objects currently known in the Galaxy. The mean RVs of young clusters are generally better known than those of older ones. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Correcting second‐order contamination in low‐resolution spectra
Authors: Stanishev V.
Published: October 2007

An empirical method for correcting low‐resolution astronomical spectra for second‐order contamination is presented. The method was developed for correcting spectra obtained with grism#4 of the ALFOSC spectrograph at the Nordic Optical Telescope and the performance is demonstrated on spectra of two nearby bright Type Ia supernovae. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparison of dust‐to‐gas ratios in luminous, ultraluminous, and hyperluminous infrared galaxies
Authors: Contini M. , Contini T.
Published: October 2007

The dust‐to‐gas ratios in three different samples of luminous, ultraluminous, and hyperluminous infrared galaxies are calculated by modelling their radio to soft X‐ray spectral energy distributions (SED) using composite models which account for the photoionizing radiation from H II regions, starbursts, or AGNs, and for shocks. The models are limited to a set which broadly reproduces the mid‐IR fine structure line ratios of local, IR bright, starburst galaxies. The results show that two types of clouds contribute to the IR emission. Those characterized by low shock velocities and low preshock densities explain the far‐IR dust emission, while those with higher velocities and densities contribute to the mid‐IR dust emission. Clouds with shock velocities of 500 km s–1 prevail in hyperluminous infrared galaxies. An AGN is found in nearly all of the ultraluminous infrared galaxies and in half of the luminous infrared galaxies of the sample. High IR luminosities depend on dust‐to‐gas ratios as high as ∼0.1 by mass, however most hyperluminous IR galaxies show dustto‐gas ratios much lower than those calculated for the luminous and ultraluminous IR galaxies. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Formation and temperature stability of G‐quadruplex structures studied by electronic and vibrational circular dichroism spectroscopy combined with ab initio calculations
Authors: Nový Jakub , Böhm Stanislav , Králová Jarmila , Král Vladimír , Urbanová Marie
Published: October 2007

Variations in the structure of d(GGGA)5 oligonucleotide in the presence of Li+, Na+, and K+ ions and its temperature stability were studied using electronic and vibrational circular dichroism, IR absorption, and ab initio calculations with the Becke 3‐Lee‐Yang‐Parr functional at the 6‐31G** level. The samples were characterized by nondenaturing gel electrophoresis. Oligonucleotide d(GGGA)5 in the presence of Li+ forms a nonplanar single tetramer, with angles of 102° and 171° between neighboring guanine bases. This tetramer changes its geometry at temperatures >50°C, but does not form a quadruplex structure. In the presence of Na+, the d(GGGA)5 structure was optimized to almost planar tetramers with an angle of 177° between neighboring guanines. The spectral results suggest that it stacks into a quadruplex helical structure. This quadruplex structure decayed to a single tetramer at temperatures >60°C. The Hartree–Fock energies imply that d(GGGA)5 prefers to form complexes with Na+ rather than Li+. The d(GGGA)5 structure in the presence of monovalent ions is stabilized against thermal denaturation in the order Li+ < Na+ < K+. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 89: 144–152, 2008.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Percutaneous occlusion of posttraumatic aortic arch pseudoaneurysm by catheter‐based delivery of thrombin
Authors: Buhr Christiane , Eggebrecht Holger , Erbel Raimund
Published: October 2007

Purpose: To report a patient in whom a posttraumatic pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch was successfully treated by catheter‐based delivery of thrombin with balloon occlusion of the entry tear. Case Report: A 63‐year‐old male presented with pseudoaneurysm of the aortic arch after blunt chest trauma which was detected incidentally during routine chest X‐ray. Using a percutaneous transfemoral approach, a 5 French Swan‐Ganz catheter could be positioned into the aneurysm sac. Under balloon occlusion of the entry tear in order to prevent systemic embolization, 1,000 units of bovine thrombin were injected into the aneurysm sac resulting in complete occlusion of the aneurysm. Contrast‐enhanced computed tomographic control showed complete thrombosis of the aneurysm over a follow‐up period of 12 months. Conclusion: Percutaneous catheter‐based delivery of thrombin is a feasible and effective minimally‐invasive treatment alternative for patients with thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysms. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isostructural Materials Achieved by Using Structurally Equivalent Donors and Acceptors in Halogen‐Bonded Cocrystals
Authors: Cinčić Dominik , Friščić Tomislav , Jones William
Published: October 2007

We demonstrate the supramolecular and structural equivalence of two halogen‐bond donors (I and Br) and three acceptors (O, NH and S) through the synthesis of seven isostructural halogen‐bonded cocrystals, involving six different molecules: 1,4‐dibromo‐ and 1,4‐diiodotetrafluorobenzene (donors) and thiomorpholine, thioxane, morpholine, and piperazine (acceptors). The formation of isostructural cocrystals indicates how cocrystallization may be used to overcome shape and functional group dissimilarities that control molecular arrangement in the solid state. The differences in composition between the seven isostructural cocrystals directly affect the strength and nature of halogen bonds between their constituents, allowing the systematic variation of cocrystal physical properties, in particular the melting point, without affecting their crystal structure. Replacement of each O or S halogen‐bond acceptor with an NH group provided an approximate 70 °C increase in melting point, whereas the replacement of I with Br as the halogen‐bond donor lowered the melting point of the resulting solid by a similar amount.
Management Strategies for Stage‐D Patients with Acute Heart Failure
Authors: Feldman David , Menachemi Doron M. , Abraham William T. , Wexler Randell K.
Published: October 2007

Heart Failure (HF) accounted for 3.4 million ambulatory visits in 2000. Current guidelines from the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology, the Heart Failure Society of America, and the International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation recommend aggressive pharmacologic interventions for patients with HF. This may include a combination of diuretics, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors, β‐blockers, angiotensin receptor blockers, aldosterone antagonists, and digoxin. Nitrates and hydralazine are also indicated as part of standard therapy in addition to β‐blockers and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors, especially but not exclusively, for African Americans with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. For those with acute decompensated HF, additional treatment options include recombinant human B‐type natriuretic peptide, and in the future possible newer agents not yet approved for use in the U.S., such as Levosimendan. Medical devices for use in patients with advanced HF include LV assist devices, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and implantable cardioverter defibrillators. For refractory patients, heart transplantation, the gold‐standard surgical intervention for the treatment of refractory HF, may be considered. Newer surgical options such as surgical ventricular restoration may be considered in select patients. Copyright © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of alpha‐actinin 4 and 67 kDa laminin receptor as stage‐specific markers in esophageal cancer via proteomic approaches
Authors: Fu Li , Qin Yan Ru , Xie Dan , Chow Hoi Yee , Ngai Sai Ming , Kwong Dora L. W. , Li Yan , Guan Xin Yuan
Published: October 2007

BACKGROUND.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world with a very poor prognosis. The majority of ESCC patients present with advanced metastatic disease upon diagnosis. Therefore, it is important to understand the molecular mechanism in the tumor invasion process and to find new biomarkers for early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation.

METHODS.

Differentially expressed proteins among different stages of primary ESCCs and their matched surrounding normal tissues were compared by proteomics‐based technology. The correlations between interesting proteins and clinical features of ESCC were further investigated by using ESCC tissue microarray (TMA) by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS.

Compared with normal tissues, a total of 18 differentially expressed proteins were identified in ESCC in this study. Among them, expression levels of alpha‐actinin 4 (ACTN4) and 67 kDa laminin receptor (67LR) were progressively increased from stage I to III. Clinicopathological correlation using TMA revealed that overexpression of ACTN4 was significantly associated with advanced tumor stage (P = .026) and lymph node metastasis (P = .049), whereas overexpression of 67LR was significantly correlated with advanced tumor stage (P = .019) but not lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS.

These findings suggested that overexpression of ACTN4 and 67 LR is associated with ESCC progression and that these biomarkers may potentially be useful to prognostic evaluation, molecular biological classification, and therapeutic targeting. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Higher prostate‐specific antigen levels predict improved survival in patients with hormone‐refractory prostate cancer who have skeletal metastases and normal serum alkaline phosphatase
Authors: Xie Wanling , Nakabayashi Mari , Regan Meredith M. , Oh William K.
Published: October 2007

BACKGROUND.

Higher prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) and alkaline phosphatase (ALK‐P) levels predicted worse survival in men with metastatic hormone‐refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). In the current study, the authors evaluated the combined effects of PSA and ALK‐P on survival.

METHODS.

Two hundred twenty‐four men who had HRPC with bone metastases and who were receiving chemotherapy were identified, and 143 of those men had data available on both ALK‐P and PSA levels at chemotherapy initiation. The primary endpoint of the study was overall survival (OS) after chemotherapy. The men were dichotomized into normal and abnormal ALK‐P groups according to levels based on institutional normal ranges. The effect of PSA was evaluated as both a categorical value and a continuous value using Cox regression.

RESULTS.

Eighty‐nine of 143 patients (62%) had elevated ALK‐P levels. The median PSA was 147 ng/mL (93 ng/mL in patients with normal ALK‐P, 171 ng/mL in patients with elevated ALK‐P). At a median follow‐up of 30 months after chemotherapy initiation, 93 patients had died. The median OS after chemotherapy was 15.8 months (95% confidence interval, 12.8–18.4 months) and was significantly longer if ALK‐P was in the normal range (21.3 months vs 14 months; P = .005). For the group with normal ALK‐P levels, the median OS was 12.5 months, 24.5 months, and 36.9 months for patients with low, medium, and high PSA levels, respectively. In contrast, the effect of PSA on survival was not as evident in the group with elevated ALK‐P levels (16.5 months vs 11.9 months vs 12.1 months, respectively; P = .14 for interaction). Age‐adjusted multivariate analysis demonstrated statistically significant interactions of PSA and ALK‐P with OS (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS.

ALK‐P significantly predicted OS in men with HRPC who had bone metastases. In patients with normal ALK‐P levels, higher PSA levels were associated with improved survival. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Supramolecular Chemistry of Acyclic Oligopyrroles (Eur. J. Org. Chem. 32/2007)
Authors: Maeda Hiromitsu
Published: October 2007

The cover picture shows the two representative characteristics of pyrrole, “duality” as a hydrogen‐bonding acceptor (or a metal‐coordination ligand) N and a hydrogen‐bonding donor (or an anion‐binding ligand) NH and “planarity” to form stacking assemblies, depicted by the disks of Yin and Yang. Acyclic π‐conjugated oligopyrrole derivatives, though less extensively studied so far, often potentially have even more advantages than cyclic ones. For example, the linear oligopyrroles prepared by the author form infinite and discrete coordination oligomers to give emissive spherical colloids and nanorings, hydrogen‐bonding supramolecular assemblies to afford unique crystalline morphologies, and stacking structures to yield organogels that can be controlled by anions. Details are presented in the Microreview by H. Maeda on p. 5313 ff. This picture has been provided by Mr. Takashi Hashimoto, one of the members in the author's group.
Electrochemical Studies on New Chelating Compounds of the Mono‐ and Bis(imidazolyl)pyridine Type
Authors: Mikysek Tomáš , Švancara Ivan , Bartoš Martin , Vytřas Karel , Drabina Pavel , Sedlák Miloš , Klíma Jiří , Urban Jiří , Ludvík Jiří
Published: October 2007

Recently designed and synthetized mono‐imidazolinone (I and III) and bisimidazolinone (II and IV) chelating ligands were electrochemically characterized at mercury and carbon paste electrodes. Based on polarographic, voltammetric and coulometric investigations in buffered aqueous media, the general reduction pathway has been suggested. Reduction of the mono‐imidazolinone derivatives proceeds in acidic and neutral media in two two‐electron steps. In the first step, the 2,3‐CN double bond of the imidazolone ring is reduced yielding a mixture of two diastereoisomers (V and VI). In the second step, the 2,3‐CN single bond (in protonated form) is further reductively split and as the only final product the compound VII was formed. Both intermediates (V and VI) as well as the final product (VII) were prepared using controlled potential electrolysis on the first and second wave, respectively, isolated and identified by means of NMR. The reduction of bis‐derivatives proceeds most probably in an analogical way: in the first step, both imidazoles are reduced simultaneously at the same potential, whereas the following reduction (ring‐opening) proceeds stepwise. In the case of compound III, the covalent hydration of the parent compound takes place in acidic media, partially preventing its reduction. Finally, voltammetric behaviour of mono‐ and bisimidazolinones at carbon paste electrode is also discussed and, in prospect, possible electroanalytical applications outlined.
Type I collagen expression contributes to angiogenesis and the development of deeply invasive cutaneous melanoma
Authors: van Kempen Léon C.L.T. , Rijntjes Jos , Mamor‐Cornelissen Ine , Vincent‐Naulleau Silvia , Gerritsen Marie‐Jeanne P. , Ruiter Dirk J. , van Dijk Marcory C.R.F. , Geffrotin Claudine , van Muijen Goos N.P.
Published: October 2007

Tumors are complex tissues composed of neoplastic cells, soluble and insoluble matrix components and stromal cells. Here we report that in melanoma, turn‐over of type I collagen (Col(I)), the predominant matrix protein in dermal stroma affects melanoma progression. Fibroblasts juxtaposed to melanoma cell nests within the papillary dermis display high levels of Col(I) mRNA expression. These nests are enveloped by collagen fibers. In contrast, melanoma‐associated fibroblasts within the reticular dermis express Col(I) mRNA at a level that is comparable to its expression in uninvolved dermis and reduced amount of collagen protein can be observed. To determine the significance of Col(I) expression in melanoma, we pharmacologically inhibited its transcription in a porcine cutaneous melanoma model by oral administration of halofuginone. When administered before melanoma development, it reduced melanoma incidence and diminished the transition from microinvasive toward deeply invasive growth by limiting the development of a tumor vasculature. Whereas invasive melanoma growth has been correlated with increased blood vessel density previously, our data for the first time demonstrate that the proangiogenic effect of Col(I) expression by fibroblasts and vascular cells precedes the development of invasive melanomas in a de novo tumor model. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Helicobacter hepaticus promotes azoxymethane‐initiated colon tumorigenesis in BALB/c‐IL10‐deficient mice
Authors: Nagamine Claude M. , Rogers Arlin B. , Fox James G. , Schauer David B.
Published: October 2007

The BALB/c‐IL10 null mouse strain develops colitis and colitis‐associated adenocarcinomas, and is a model for idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease. We tested the hypotheses that (i) azoxymethane (AOM), a carcinogen that targets the colon, synergizes with the colonic inflammation inherent in the BALB/c‐IL10 null mouse resulting in an increase in incidence, multiplicity and/or progression of AOM‐induced tumors or colitis‐associated adenocarcinomas; and (ii) prior infection with Helicobacter hepaticus, a common enterohepatic bacterial pathogen in many research mouse colonies, increases the incidence, multiplicity and/or progression of AOM‐induced colon tumors or colitis‐associated adenocarcinomas in the BALB/c‐IL10 null mouse. We show that, within the timeframe examined, AOM‐induced colon tumors in the BALB/c‐IL10 null mouse were grossly and microscopically similar in appearance to AOM‐induced colon tumors in the wild type BALB/cJ mouse. No colitis‐associated adenocarcinomas were identified. Infection with H. hepaticus prior to AOM‐treatment also did not result in colitis‐associated adenocarcinomas but did result in a significant increase in the incidence of AOM‐induced colon tumors relative to AOM treatment alone. The AOM‐induced adenomas were predominantly exophytic and nodular or polypoid and localized to the distal colon. These results suggest that H. hepaticus promotes AOM‐induced tumorigenesis in the BALB/c‐IL10 null mouse. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
IQGAP2 inactivation through aberrant promoter methylation and promotion of invasion in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Jin Shun‐Hua , Akiyama Yoshimitsu , Fukamachi Hiroshi , Yanagihara Kazuyoshi , Akashi Takumi , Yuasa Yasuhito
Published: October 2007

Invasion and metastases of cancer cells are the main causes of treatment failure in cancer. IQ motif‐containing GTPase activating protein 1 (IQGAP1), plays pivotal roles in intercellular adhesion, migration, invasion and metastases in various cancer cells. However, the role of another family member, IQGAP2, in carcinogenesis remains unknown. Here, we investigated IQGAP2 functions in gastric cancers. We found that IQGAP2 protein expression was lost in 5 of the 9 gastric cancer cell lines. Through analysis by the methylation‐specific PCR, aberrant IQGAP2 methylation was detected in 3 gastric cancer cell lines. IQGAP2 mRNA was found to be activated after 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine treatment of the methylation‐positive cells. Moreover, IQGAP2 methylation was detected in 28 of the 59 (47%) primary gastric cancer tissues, but not in 12 normal gastric mucosa samples. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that 7 of the 8 (88%) gastric cancer tissues without methylation signals displayed IQGAP2 expression, whereas among 10 with methylation signals none expressed IQGAP2 (p = 0.0002), indicating that IQGAP2 methylation is highly associated with loss of the IQGAP2 expression in the primary gastric cancer tissues as well as gastric cancer cell lines. Furthermore, IQGAP2 methylation was also associated with tumor invasion and a poor prognosis. IQGAP2 knockdown with small interfering RNA increased the invasive capacity of a gastric cancer cell line. These results suggest that silencing of IQGAP2 by promoter methylation may contribute to gastric cancer development. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Persistent use of “false” cell lines
Authors: Lacroix Marc
Published: October 2007

From HeLa and its multiple identities, to MDA‐MB‐435, erroneously and widely used as breast cancer cells, the history of cancer cell lines is rich in misidentification and cross‐contamination events. Despite the fact that these problems were regularly signaled during the last decades, many actors of research still seem to ignore them. A never‐ending story? Solutions exist, notably based on recent technical advances in cell line authentication (short tandem repeat analysis). However, a collaborative action involving users of cell lines, cell banks, journals and funding agencies is needed to achieve success. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intracellular delivery enhancement of poly(amino acid) drug carriers by oligoarginine conjugation
Authors: Yang Seung Rim , Kim Seung Beom , Joe Cheol O. , Kim Jong‐Duk
Published: October 2007

Poly(2‐hydroxytethyl aspartamide) (PHEA) was effectively translocated in both fixed and unfixed HeLa cells, when oligoarginine (Arg8) known as one of the cell‐penetrating peptides was conjugated via a thioether linkage. The internalization of PHEA‐Arg8 into cells was a temperature‐dependent process, and the studies at endocytosis inhibition conditions suggested that an endocytosis was a key mechanism. The fluorescence spectra of PHEA‐Arg8 in liposome solutions showed that PHEA‐Arg8 was collectively adsorbed in the negative liposome membrane due to the high cationic property of a conjugated Arg8, representing that a surface adsorption was a first step in the internalization of PHEA‐Arg8. The membrane leakage activity of PHEA‐Arg8 was much lower than that of Arg8 own, meaning that PHEA‐Arg8 does not effectively disrupt the cell membrane integrity. The uptake of polymer con„jugates increased with the incubation time and reached saturation after several hours. The increase in the number of „peptide conjugated to one polymer chain could increase the collective adsorption of polymer conjugates and enhance the cellular uptake. Thus, it is believed that PHEA‐Arg8 could be internalized by an adsorptive‐endocytosis. A model conjugate of PHEA‐Arg8 with methotrexate (PHEA‐MTX‐Arg8) inhibited the cell proliferation about several orders of magnitude more active than PHEA‐MTX. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Deformation behavior, corrosion resistance, and cytotoxicity of Ni‐free Zr‐based bulk metallic glasses
Authors: Liu L. , Qiu C.L. , Chen Q. , Chan K.C. , Zhang S.M.
Published: October 2007

Two Ni‐free bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) of Zr60Nb5Cu22.5Pd5Al7.5 and Zr60Nb5Cu20Fe5Al10 were successfully prepared by arc‐melting and copper mold casting. The thermal stability and crystallization were studied using differential scanning calorimetry. It demonstrates that the two BMGs exhibit very good glass forming ability with a wide supercooled liquid region. A multi‐step process of crystallization with a preferential formation of quasicrystals occurred in both BMGs under continuous heating. The deformation behavior of the two BMGs was investigated using quasi‐static compression testing. It reveals that the BMGs exhibit not only superior strength but also an extended plasticity. Corrosion behaviors of the BMGs were investigated in phosphate buffered solution by electrochemical polarization. The result shows that the two BMGs exhibit excellent corrosion resistance characterized by low corrosion current densities and wide passive regions. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis revealed that the passive film formed after anodic polarization was highly enriched in zirconium, niobium, and aluminum oxides. This is attributed to the excellent corrosion resistance. Additionally, the potential cytotoxicity of the two Ni‐free BMGs was evaluated through cell culture for 1 week followed by 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl‐)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and SEM observation. The results indicate that the two Ni‐free BMGs exhibit as good biocompatibility as Ti‐6Al‐4V alloy, and thus show a promising potential for biomedical applications. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2008
Convergent evolution in feeding types: Salivary gland mass differences in wild ruminant species
Authors: Hofmann Reinold R. , Streich W. Jürgen , Fickel Jörns , Hummel Jürgen , Clauss Marcus
Published: October 2007

In the ongoing debate about divergent evolutionary morphophysiological adaptations of grazing and browsing ruminants, the size of the salivary glands has received special attention. Here, we report the most comprehensive dataset on ruminant salivary glands so far, with data on the Glandula parotis (n = 62 species), Gl. mandibularis (n = 61), Gl. buccalis ventralis (n = 44), and Gl. sublingualis (n = 30). All four salivary gland complexes showed allometric scaling with body mass (BM); in all cases, the 95% confidence interval for the allometric exponent included 0.75 but did not include 1.0 (linearity); therefore, like other parameters linked to the process of food intake, salivary gland mass appears to be correlated to metabolic body weight (BM0.75), and comparisons of relative salivary gland mass between species should rather be made on the basis of BM0.75 than as a percentage of BM. In the subsequent analyses, the percentage of grass (%grass) in the natural diet was used to characterize the feeding type; the phylogenetic tree used for a controlled statistical evaluation was entirely based on mitochondrial DNA information. Regardless of phylogenetic control in the statistical treatment, there was, for all four gland complexes, a significant positive correlation of BM and gland mass, and a significant negative correlation between %grass in the natural diet and gland mass. If the Gl. parotis was analyzed either for cervid or for bovid species only, the negative correlation of gland mass and %grass was still significant in either case; an inspection of certain ruminant subfamilies, however, suggested that a convergent evolutionary adaptation can only be demonstrated if a sufficient variety of ruminant subfamilies are included in a dataset. The results support the concept that ruminant species that ingest more grass have smaller salivary glands, possibly indicating a reduced requirement for the production of salivary tannin‐binding proteins. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developmental morphology of the neonatal alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) ovary
Authors: Moore Brandon C. , Uribe‐Aranzábal Mari Carmen , Boggs Ashley S.P. , Guillette Louis J.
Published: October 2007

American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) ovary development is incomplete at hatching. During the months following hatching, the cortical processes of oogenesis started in ovo continues and folliculogenesis is initiated. Additionally, the medullary region of the gonad undergoes dramatic restructuring. We describe alligator ovarian histology at hatching, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months of age in order to characterize the timing of morphological development and compare these findings to chicken ovary development. At hatching, the ovarian cortex presents a germinal epithelium containing oogonia and a few primary oocytes irregularly scattered between somatic epithelial cells. The hatchling medulla shows fragmentation indicative of the formation of lacunae. By 1 week of age, oocytes form growing nests and show increased interactions with somatic cells, indicative of the initiation of folliculogenesis. Medullary lacunae increase in diameter and contain secretory material in their lumen. At 1 month, nest sizes and lacunar diameters continue to enlarge. Pachytene oocytes surrounded by somatic cells are more frequent. Trabeculae composed of dense irregular connective tissue divide cortical nests. Three months after hatching oocytes in meiotic stages of prophase I up to diplotene are present. The ovary displays many enlarged follicles with oocytes in diplotene arrest, thecal layers, lampbrush chromosomes, and complete layers of follicular cells. The medulla is an elaborated complex of vascularized lacunae underlying the cortex and often containing discrete lymphoid aggregates. While the general morphology of the alligator ovary is similar to that of the chicken ovary, the progression of oogenesis and folliculogenesis around hatching is notably slower in alligators. Diplotene oocytes are observed at hatching in chickens, but not until 3 months in alligators. Folliculogenesis is completed at 3 weeks in chickens whereas it is still progressing at 3 months in alligators. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Structure elucidation of glycoproteins by direct nanoESI MS and MS/MS analysis of proteolytic glycopeptides
Authors: Henning Stefanie , Peter‐Katalinić Jasna , Pohlentz Gottfried
Published: October 2007

Bovine ribonuclease B (RNAse B) and asialofetuin (FETUA) were subjected to in‐capillary tryptic digest (Pohlentz et al. Proteomics. 2005, 5, 1758–1763) and the obtained glycopeptides were analyzed, respectively, by nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry and collision‐induced dissociation (CID) during the ongoing digest. For RNAse, B glycans of the high‐mannose type (Man4 to Man9) attached to either a tetra‐ or a hexapeptide containing the sole N‐glycosylation site of the protein were detected. Glycopeptides derived from all three N‐glycosylation sites of FETUA were observed, and the corresponding CID spectra proved the respective glycans to be oligosaccharides of the triantennary complex type. Moreover, an O‐glycopeptide carrying Gal‐GalNAc at T280 could be unambiguously identified. An in‐solution tryptic/chymotryptic digest of human transferrin (TRFE) was analyzed directly for glycopeptides subsequent to the addition of methanol and formic acid. Disialylated diantennary glycans were observed in glycopeptides of both N‐glycosylation sites of TRFE. These results demonstrate the feasibility of direct structure determination of glycopeptides in proteolytic mixtures without any further refurbishment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinematic analysis of kneeling in cruciate‐retaining and posterior‐stabilized total knee arthroplasties
Authors: Hamai Satoshi , Miura Hiromasa , Higaki Hidehiko , Matsuda Shuichi , Shimoto Takeshi , Sasaki Kousuke , Yoshizumi Masaaki , Okazaki Ken , Tsukamoto Nobuaki , Iwamoto Yukihide
Published: October 2007

Kneeling is an important function of the knee for many activities of daily living. In this study, we evaluated the in vivo kinematics of kneeling after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using radiographic based image‐matching techniques. Kneeling from 90 to 120° of knee flexion produced a posterior femoral rollback after both cruciate‐retaining and posterior‐stabilized TKA. It could be assumed that the posterior cruciate ligament and the post‐cam mechanism were functioning. The posterior‐stabilized TKA design had contact regions located far posterior on the tibial insert in comparison to the cruciate‐retaining TKA. Specifically, the lateral femoral condyle in posterior‐stabilized TKA translated to the posterior edge of the tibial surface, although there was no finding of subluxation. After posterior‐stabilized TKA, the contact position of the post‐cam translated to the posterior medial corner of the post with external rotation of the femoral component. Because edge loading can induce accelerated polyethylene wear, the configuration of the post‐cam mechanism should be designed to provide a larger contact area when the femoral component rotates. © 2007 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 26:435–442, 2008
Trace elements in edible tissues of three shrimp species (Penaeus semisulcatus, Parapenaeus longirostris and Paleomon serratus)
Authors: Gokoglu Nalan , Yerlikaya Pınar , Gokoglu Mehmet
Published: October 2007

Accumulation levels of trace elements in edible tissues of three shrimp species (Penaeus semisulcatus, Parapenaeus longirostris and Paleomon serratus) from the Gulf of Antalya, Turkey were investigated. Copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The lowest Cu (1.33 mg kg−1) and Cd (0.23 mg kg−1) and highest Mn (1.52 mg kg−1) concentrations were found in P. longirostris, the lowest Zn (6.25 mg kg−1), Fe (1.84 mg kg−1) and Mn (0.25 mg kg−1) concentrations in P. serratus and the highest Cu (6.19 mg kg−1), Cd (2.36 mg kg−1), Zn (30.84 mg kg−1) and Fe (33.89 mg kg−1) concentrations in P. semisulcatus. The Cd levels detected in P. semisulcatus and P. serratus were above legislative limits. Our results show that there were significant differences in trace element concentrations among the three shrimp species. The highest levels of the five trace elements investigated, with the exception of Mn, were found in edible tissue of P. semisulcatus. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of an Automated Cross‐Fractionation Apparatus (TREF‐GPC) for a Full Characterization of the Bivariate Distribution of Polyolefins
Authors: Ortin Alberto , Monrabal Benjamin , Sancho‐Tello Juan
Published: October 2007

Summary: A compact automated instrument has been developed for measuring the bivariate distribution by TREF fractionation and subsequent GPC analysis of the fractions in a single run. The configuration of this instrument and its operation principles are covered here. High resolution TREF fractionation of HDPE and fast methods with overlapped GPC injections are also discussed. Future developments, such the addition of comonomer or molar mass sensitive detectors, as well as operation in GPC – TREF mode for broad MWD resins are outlined.
Molecular Topology Fractionation of Polystyrene Stars and Long Chain Branched Polyethylene Fractions
Authors: Meunier David M. , Stokich Theodore M. , Gillespie David , Smith Patrick B.
Published: October 2007

Summary: Control of long chain branching (LCB) architecture is an area of considerable interest in materials science because LCB can have a dominating effect on polymer rheology and properties. Currently no analytical technique provides a quantitative description of the LCB topologies in these materials beyond a basic estimation of the average number of branch points per molecule. Neither the molecular weight of the branch, nor the shape of the branched molecule (e. g. star, comb, “H” or other) can be determined using current state of the art methodology such as size exclusion chromatography (SEC) with molecular weight sensitive detectors or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

In our laboratory, we have developed a fractionation method that sorts polymer solutes based on LCB topology. The approach, which we term molecular topology fractionation (MTF), utilizes a separating medium comprising channels having dimensions similar in size to the dimensions of the macromolecules being analyzed. An applied flow field provides the driving force for the separation. Although the details of the separation mechanism are not well understood at this time, two possible mechanisms are being considered. In one, dissolved solute molecules are restricted by the channels such that the relaxation modes for reorientation determine the rate of transport. In the second, pinning (or entanglement) of molecules on the stationary phase determines the rate of transport. Both mechanisms result in the largest molecules eluting latest (opposite to the sequencing in SEC), and produce significant additional retardation for LCB chains above that of linear chains. This additional retardation leads to fractionation of an LCB distribution even if the hydrodynamic radii of the components are the same.

In this paper, an overview of the MTF experiment will be provided. MTF fractionation of PS stars is presented to demonstrate the separation of LCB chains from linear chains and LCB chains based on topology. The application of MTF for characterizing LCB polyolefin fractions will be shown. The paper will also include a brief discussion of the coupling of MTF and SEC in an on line two dimensional approach for determination of LCB distributions.
Block Index for Characterizing Olefin Block Copolymers
Authors: Shan Colin Li Pi , Hazlitt Lonnie G.
Published: October 2007

Summary: Olefin block copolymers produced by chain shuttling catalysis exhibit crystallinity characteristics that are distinct from what would be expected for typical random olefin copolymers with comparable monomer compositions produced from either ‘single‐site’ or heterogeneous catalysis. Olefin block copolymers produced by chain shuttling catalysis have a statistical multiblock architecture. A unique structural feature of olefin‐based block copolymers is that the intra‐chain distribution of comonomer is segmented (statistically non‐random). Fractionating an olefin block copolymer by preparative temperature rising elution fractionation, TREF, results in fractions that have much higher comonomer content than comparable fractions of a random copolymer collected at an equivalent TREF elution temperature. We have developed a “block index” methodology which quantifies the deviation from the expected monomer composition versus the analytical temperature rising elution fractionation, ATREF, elution temperature. When interpreted properly, this index indicates the degree to which the intra‐chain comonomer distribution is segmented or blocked. The unique crystallization behavior of block copolymers determine the magnitude of the block index values because the highly crystalline segments along an otherwise non‐crystalline chain tend to dominate the ATREF (and DSC) temperature distributions.
A Mathematical Model for the Kinetics of Crystallization in Crystaf
Authors: Anantawaraskul Siripon , Soares João B.P. , Jirachaithorn Preechathorn
Published: October 2007

Summary: A series of ethylene homopolymers and ethylene/1‐hexene copolymers with different molecular weight distributions (MWD) and chemical composition distributions (CCD) was analyzed by crystallization analysis fractionation (Crystaf) at several cooling rates to investigate the effect of MWD, CCD, and cooling rate on their Crystaf profiles. Using these results, we developed a mathematical model for Crystaf that considers crystallization kinetic effects ignored in all previous Crystaf models and can fit our experimental profiles very well.
Thermal Stability Evaluation of PA6/LLDPE/SEBS‐g‐DEM Blends
Authors: Cataño Luis , Albano Carmen , Karam Arquímedes , Perera Rosestela , Silva Pedro
Published: October 2007

Summary: The thermal stability of a polyamide‐6/low linear density polyethylene blend (PA6/LLDPE) was studied using thermal analysis techniques. The thermogravimetric studies carried out showed that when a diethyl maleate grafted styrene‐ ethylene/butadiene‐styrene terpolymer (SEBS‐g‐DEM) is added to the PA6/LLDPE blend there is an actual enhancement of the thermal stability due to the increase in the interfacial area within the blend. The Invariant Kinetic Parameter method (IKP) proved to be a qualitative technique unfolding the type of degradation mechanisms taking place in the material vicinity. Nucleation and phase boundary reactions are the kinetic models of thermal decomposition with the most significant probability of occurring.
Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe – Platencin, ein neues Antibiotikum
Authors: Holzgrabe Ulrike
Published: October 2007

Kürzlich berichtete eine Gruppe der Merck Research Laboratories über das neue Antibiotikum Platensimycin, einer Substanz, die den Fettsäureaufbau inhibieren kann und damit mit dem Aufbau von Zellmembranen und Oberflächen von Bakterien interferiert (siehe auch Treffpunkt Forschung, PharmuZ 5/06). Jetzt wurde eine ähnliche Substanz vorgestellt.