bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risky Discussions
Authors: Cook Julian , Jacobs Neil
Published: March 2006

This article considers a hypothetical decision by a hypothetical learner about whether or not to participate in an online ‘discussion’, viewed through the lens of risk analysis. It begins with the premise that participation online is desirable but that it involves the participant in risk, a fact that needs to be acknowledged and taken into account in the design of online learning. The article refers to previous work done on understanding online interaction through discourse analysis, which found instances of confusion about the interactive rules (or genre) that were appropriate to the online interaction. The article argues that such an uncertainty may constitute an important risk factor which may affect online participation. The element of risk is then more fully examined through a table of risk analysis; notional risk values are ascribed to a number of risk factors facing the potential online participant, calculated according to the seriousness and probability of the risk. These are weighed against likely benefits and summed to give an overall risk score. This approach is proposed as a method of integrating research findings from a range of sources, providing pointers for future research and of identifying ways to reduce the risks of online participation.
New Patterns of Power and Participation? Designing ICT for Informal and Community Learning
Authors: Cook John , Light Ann
Published: March 2006

The United Kingdom and other governments have demonstrated faith in information and communications technology (ICT) as a means of achieving a participative and inclusive society through various high-profile initiatives. It is also claimed that ICT or e-learning can bring about new patterns of power and participation for excluded learners. In this context, this article examines the following questions: What new patterns of power and participation are ICTs enabling through e-learning? And what else is needed for a participative and inclusive society? The article addresses the questions from two different perspectives. First, the authors look at the small but growing empirical base in the area of informal and community learning, including the description of a previously unreported study in this area. Second, they discuss what is required to design digital media that plug into the motivations of ‘real people’ in a way that empowers them. It is argued that we need a merging of interdisciplinary perspectives if we are to enable true power and participation for e-learners. Specifically, the authors illustrate how the careful design of ICTs can contribute to empowerment.
In a Glass Darkly: Identity, Agency and the Role of the Learning Technologist in Shaping the Learning Environment
Authors: Ellaway Rachel , Begg Michael , Dewhurst David , Macleod Hamish
Published: March 2006

Learning technologies are becoming a common, and in many cases essential, component of the contemporary learning environment. As such, those who design, implement and control these encompassing technologies have emerged as major contributors to the success (or otherwise) of such systems. This article considers the power and responsibilities of learning technologists and the ways that they affect the teaching and learning environments around them. It does this by investigating, through semi-structured interview, the praxis of a learning technology group at the University of Edinburgh and relating this to professional issues for learning technologists in general. The article goes on to develop a typology of learning technology service provision based on the relationship between the learning technologist and the context in which their work is to be used. This is compared with interviews with practitioners, and a series of principles and recommendations is then developed. The thrust of these is that direct participation in the learning community is essential for learning technologists and that common codes of practice for learning technologists are required, both as a benchmark and as a framework by which professional practice can be measured and developed.
Spinline tension control in melt spinning by discrete adaptive sliding‐mode controllers
Authors: Huang Chang‐Chiun , Tang Tsann‐Tay
Published: March 2006

The spinline tension plays a critical role in the development of fiber structures and the quality of as‐spun yarns in melt spinning. Implementing a controller to adjust the spinline velocity is helpful to maintain the spinline tension at a target level with small fluctuation, enabling as‐spun yarns to possess the desired tenacity and uniform qualities. The spinline tension system is difficult to model and the stochastic disturbance always exists. The discrete adaptive sliding‐mode controller can robustly and adaptively deal with the system with the unknown model and stochastic disturbance, such as the spinline tension system. The algorithm estimates the parameters of the controller in the sense of minimizing the deviation from the sliding surface, thus reducing the variation of the tension response about the desired level. The sliding surface is defined by an asymptotically stable polynomial, and seven stable polynomials are chosen in experiments. The experiments are carried out by using a laboratory type of the melt spinning setup to produce polypropylene as‐spun yarns. Compared with the results without control, the proposed controller can not only maintain the mean of the tension response close to the target level but also reduce the standard deviation to the value, which is generally acceptable to the manufacturer. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 3816–3821, 2006
Written versus spoken queries: A qualitative and quantitative comparative analysis
Authors: Crestani Fabio , Du Heather
Published: March 2006

The authors report on an experimental study on the differences between spoken and written queries. A set of written and spontaneous spoken queries are generated by users from written topics. These two sets of queries are compared in qualitative terms and in terms of their retrieval effectiveness. Written and spoken queries are compared in terms of length, duration, and part of speech. In addition, assuming perfect transcription of the spoken queries, written and spoken queries are compared in terms of their aptitude to describe relevant documents. The retrieval effectiveness of spoken and written queries is compared using three different information retrieval models. The results show that using speech to formulate one's information need provides a way to express it more naturally and encourages the formulation of longer queries. Despite that, longer spoken queries do not seem to significantly improve retrieval effectiveness compared with written queries.
The photochemistry of the light‐, oxygen‐, and voltage‐sensitive domains in the algal blue light receptor phot
Authors: Kottke Tilman , Hegemann Peter , Dick Bernhard , Heberle Joachim
Published: March 2006

Phot proteins are blue light photoreceptors in plants and algae that mainly regulate photomovement responses. They contain two light‐, oxygen‐, and voltage‐sensitive (LOV) domains and a serine/threonine kinase domain. Both LOV domains noncovalently bind a flavin mononucleotide (FMN) as chromophore. Upon blue light illumination, the LOV domains undergo a photocycle, transiently forming a covalent adduct of the FMN moiety with a nearby cysteine residue. The presence of two light‐sensitive domains in the photoreceptor raises the question about the differences in properties and function between LOV1 and LOV2. As a model system, the photocycles of the LOV1 and LOV2 domains from phot of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have been studied in detail, both separately and in a tandem construct. Here we give an overview about the results on the individual behavior of the domains and their interaction. Furthermore, the current status in the understanding of the role of LOV1 in phot in general is presented. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 82: 373–378, 2006

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
Avoidance of laparotomy for recurrent disease is a long-term benefit of laparoscopic resection for Crohn's disease
Authors: Lawes D A , Motson R W
Published: March 2006

Laparoscopic resection has advantages
Randomized clinical trial of robot-assisted versus laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication
Authors: Morino M , Pellegrino L , Giaccone C , Garrone C , Rebecchi F
Published: March 2006

Background

Several studies have shown the safety and feasibility of robot-assisted antireflux surgery but comparative data are lacking.

Methods

Fifty consecutive patients scheduled for laparoscopic antireflux surgery were randomized into two groups. Twenty-five patients underwent robot-assisted surgery and 25 standard laparoscopic fundoplication. All robot-assisted procedures were performed with the da Vinci Surgical System®.

Results

There were no significant differences in age, sex, body mass or preoperative reflux pattern between the groups. Operating times were significantly longer for robot-assisted than standard laparoscopic operations (mean total operating time 131·3 versus 91·1 min, P < 0·001; skin-to-skin time 78·0 versus 63·5 min, P = 0·001). There was no conversion to open surgery. Conversion to standard laparoscopy was necessary in one of 25 robot-assisted procedures. The length of hospital stay was similar in both groups. Robot-assisted surgery was associated with significantly higher mean total costs (€3157 versus €1527; P < 0·001). There were no significant differences in clinical, endoscopic and functional outcomes between groups. There was no procedure-related mortality.

Conclusion

Robot-assisted laparoscopic fundoplication is comparable to the standard laparoscopic procedure in terms of feasibility and outcome, but costs are higher owing to longer operating times and the use of more expensive instruments.
Polysaccharide Microarrays for Polysaccharide–Platelet‐Derived‐Growth‐Factor Interaction Studies
Authors: Carion Olivier , Lefebvre Julien , Dubreucq Guy , Dahri‐Correia Latifa , Correia José , Melnyk Oleg
Published: March 2006

Polysaccharide microarrays have great potential for the high‐throughput analysis of polysaccharide–protein interactions. Here we demonstrate that a polysaccharide microarray prepared by printing a library of dextran polymers derivatized by methylcarboxylate, benzylamide, and sulfate groups (DMCBSu compounds) on to glass slides permitted the rapid identification of a set of compounds able to interact with the platelet‐derived growth factor BB (PDGF‐BB) isoform, a growth factor involved in wound healing. Microarray interaction results were compared to the capacity of DMCBSu compounds to potentiate the in vitro PDGF‐BB‐induced proliferation of human dermal fibroblasts.
Self‐Assembly with Block Copolymers through Metal Coordination of SCS–PdII Pincer Complexes and Pseudorotaxane Formation
Authors: South Clinton R. , Higley Mary Nell , Leung Ken C.‐F. , Lanari Daniela , Nelson Alshakim , Grubbs Robert H. , Stoddart J. Fraser , Weck Marcus
Published: March 2006

Poly(norbornene)‐based block copolymers containing side chains of palladated pincer complexes/dibenzo[24]crown‐8 or palladated pincer complexes/dibenzylammonium salts were synthesized. Noncovalent functionalization was accomplished with their corresponding recognition units through simple 1:1 addition with association constants (Ka) greater than 105 m−1. The self‐assembly processes were monitored by using both 1H NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry. In all cases, we found that the self‐assembly of the recognition units along each polymer block does not preclude the self‐assembly processes along the other block.
Solubilization of Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes by using Polycyclic Aromatic Ammonium Amphiphiles in Water—Strategy for the Design of High‐Performance Solubilizers
Authors: Tomonari Yasuhiko , Murakami Hiroto , Nakashima Naotoshi
Published: March 2006

We describe the design of polycyclic aromatic compounds with high performance that dissolve single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Synthetic amphiphiles trimethyl‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenylethyl)‐ammonium bromide (1) and trimethyl‐(2‐naphthalen‐2‐yl‐2‐oxo‐ethyl)‐ammonium bromide (2) carrying a phenyl or a naphtyl moiety were not able to dissolve/disperse SWNTs in water. By contrast, trimethyl‐(2‐oxo‐2‐phenanthren‐9‐yl‐ethyl)‐ammonium bromide (3) solubilized SWNTs, although the solubilization ability was lower than that of trimethyl‐(2‐oxo‐2‐pyrene‐1‐yl‐ethyl)‐ammonium bromide (4) (solubilization behavior observed by using 4 was described briefly in reference 4a). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), as well as visible/near‐IR, fluorescence, and near‐IR photoluminescence spectroscopies were employed to reveal the solubilization properties of 4 in water, and to compare these results with those obtained by using sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB) as solubilizers. Compound 4 solubilized both the as‐produced SWNTs (raw‐SWNTs) and purified SWNTs under mild experimental conditions, and the solubilization ability was better than that of SDS and HTAB. Near‐IR photoluminescence measurements revealed that the chiral indices of the SWNTs dissolved in an aqueous solution of 4 were quite different from those obtained by using micelles of SDS and HTAB; for a SWNTs/4 solution, the intensity of the (7,6), (9,5), and (12,1) indices were strong and the chirality distribution was narrower than those of the micellar solutions. This indicates that the aqueous solution of 4 has a tendency to dissolve semiconducting SWNTs with diameters in the range of 0.89–1.0 nm, which are larger than those SWNTs (0.76–0.97 nm) dissolved in the aqueous micelles of SDS and HTAB.
Photoresponsive Self‐Assembly and Self‐Organization of Hydrogen‐Bonded Supramolecular Tapes
Authors: Yagai Shiki , Iwashima Tomoyuki , Kishikawa Keiki , Nakahara Shoichiro , Karatsu Takashi , Kitamura Akihide
Published: March 2006

Self‐assembling building blocks that are readily functionalizable and capable of achieving programmed hierarchical organization have enabled us to create various functional nanomaterials. We have previously demonstrated that N,N′‐disubstituted 4,6‐diaminopyrimidin‐2(1 H)‐one (DAP), a guanine–cytosine hybridized molecule, is a versatile building block for the creation of tapelike supramolecular polymer species in solution. In the current study, DAP was functionalized with azobenzene side chains. 1H NMR, UV/Vis, and dynamic light scattering studies confirmed the presence of nanometer‐scale tapelike supramolecular polymers in alkane solvents at micromolar regimes. At higher concentrations (millimolar regimes), the supramolecular polymers hierarchically organized into lamellar superstructures to form organogels, as shown by X‐ray diffraction and polarized optical microscopy. Remarkably, the azobenzene side chains are photoisomerizable even in the supramolecular polymers, owing to their loosely packed state supported by the rigid hydrogen‐bonded scaffold, enabling us to establish photocontrollable supramolecular polymerization and higher order organization of the tapelike supramolecular polymers into lamellar superstructures.
Structural Characterisation of the Core Oligosaccharides Isolated from the Lipooligosaccharide Fraction of Agrobacterium tumefaciens A1
Authors: De Castro Cristina , Carannante Anna , Lanzetta Rosa , Lindner Buko , Nunziata Rosa , Parrilli Michelangelo , Holst Otto
Published: March 2006

Three different oligosaccharide structures from the lipooligosaccharide fraction of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain A1 were determined by means of chemical and spectrometrical methods. The peculiar feature of this oligosaccharide family consisted of its unusual length, that was very close to the that minimal requested for the external membrane functionality as exemplified from oligosaccharide 3, where the inner core is glycosylated from only one sugar moiety onwards.
Classification schemes for tumors diagnosed in adolescents and young adults
Authors: Barr Ronald D. , Holowaty Eric J. , Birch Jillian M.
Published: March 2006

The International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD‐O) is a collaborative undertaking of the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the National Cancer Institute in the U.S., under the aegis of the World Health Organization. Although the ICD‐O system generally is applicable to cancer diagnosed in childhood, it is recognized that morphology takes precedence over topography in classifying neoplasms occurring in children. Consequently, a classification scheme has been proposed that although based on the ICD‐O is tailored to the particular circumstances of adolescents and young adults with cancer.
For most large underdetermined systems of equations, the minimal 𝓁1‐norm near‐solution approximates the sparsest near‐solution
Authors: Donoho David L.
Published: March 2006

We consider inexact linear equationsy≈ Φxwhereyis a given vector in ℝn, Φ is a givenn×mmatrix, and we wish to findx0,ϵas sparse as possible while obeying ‖y− Φx0,ϵ‖2≤ ϵ. In general, this requires combinatorial optimization and so is considered intractable. On the other hand, the 𝓁1‐minimization problemis convex and is considered tractable. We show that for most Φ, if the optimally sparse approximationx0,ϵis sufficiently sparse, then the solutionx1,ϵof the 𝓁1‐minimization problem is a good approximation tox0,ϵ.

We suppose that the columns of Φ are normalized to the unit 𝓁2‐norm, and we place uniform measure on such Φ. We study theunderdeterminedcase wherem∼ τnand τ > 1, and prove the existence of ρ = ρ(τ) > 0 andC=C(ρ, τ) so that for largenand for all Φ's except a negligible fraction, the followingapproximate sparse solutionproperty of Φ holds:for every y having an approximation‖y− Φx0‖2≤ ϵby a coefficient vector x0∈ ℝmwith fewer than ρ · n nonzeros,

This has two implications. First, for most Φ, whenever the combinatorial optimization resultx0,ϵwould be very sparse,x1,ϵis a good approximation tox0,ϵ. Second, suppose we are given noisy data obeyingy= Φx0+zwhere the unknownx0is known to be sparse and the noise ‖z‖2≤ ϵ. For most Φ, noise‐tolerant 𝓁1‐minimization will stably recoverx0fromyin the presence of noisez.

We also study the barely determined casem=nand reach parallel conclusions by slightly different arguments.

Proof techniques include the use of almost‐spherical sections in Banach space theory and concentration of measure for eigenvalues of random matrices. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self‐presentation of beryllium by BAL CD4+ T cells: T cell–T cell interactions and their potential role in chronic beryllium disease
Authors: Fontenot Andrew P. , Edwards David M. , Chou Yuan K. , Mack Douglas G. , LaTocha Dorian , Vandenbark Arthur A. , Burrows Gregory G.
Published: March 2006

Chronic beryllium disease (CBD) is characterized pathologically by granulomatous inflammation in the lung, composed of a large core of epithelioid cells surrounded by a dense shell of CD4+ T cells. Using beryllium‐specific CD4+ T cell lines derived from the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of CBD patients, we show that purified CD4+ T cells produced significant amounts of IFN‐γ and TNF‐α upon exposure to beryllium in the absence of antigen‐presenting cells (APC). However, unlike BAL T cells stimulated by beryllium in the presence of APC, self‐presentation by BAL T cells did not induce detectable IL‐2 production, and in its absence these activated T cells die from programmed cell death. Resting BAL CD4+ T cells constitutively express high levels of HLA‐DP, lymphocyte function‐associated antigen 1 (LFA‐1) and ICAM‐3. When stimulated with beryllium/APC, the adhesion molecule ICAM‐1 was up‐regulated, as well as several costimulation molecules including CD28, OX‐40 (CD134), 4‐1‐BB (CD137) and B7‐1 (CD80). Notably, CD28 was not up‐regulated during self‐presentation by BAL T cells, and these cells do not express OX‐40L, suggesting that lack of appropriate costimulation was responsible for programmed cell death observed upon beryllium self‐presentation. Restricting anti‐MHC class II mAb completely eliminated beryllium‐induced T cell proliferation during self‐presentation and significantly reduced IFN‐γ and TNF‐α production. Our data demonstrate for the first time that self‐presentation by BAL T cells in response to beryllium can occur ex vivo, in the absence of professional APC, with a specific dependence on T cell‐expressed MHC class II molecules and exogenous IL‐2 for survival.
The ICOS‐ligand B7‐H2, expressed on human type II alveolar epithelial cells, plays a role in the pulmonary host defense system
Authors: Qian Xuesong , Agematsu Kazunaga , Freeman Gordon J. , Tagawa Yoh‐ichi , Sugane Kazuo , Hayashi Takuma
Published: March 2006

The mechanism of immune defense against pathogens in the lung, has so far been poorly understood. Here, we show that human type II alveolar epithelial cells play a key role in defense via interactions between B7 homolog (B7h), also known as ICOS ligand, and its receptor ICOS expressed on activated T cells. The A549 alveolar type II cell line abundantly expresses B7‐H2, CD40 and B7‐1, but not B7‐2 or hGL50. TNF‐α significantly induced B7‐H2 and CD40 expression by A549 cells, but had no effect on B7‐1 or B7‐2 expression. TNF‐α‐deficient mice exhibited low B7‐H2 expression on alveolar epithelial cells in comparison with wild‐type mice. Co‐culture of TNF‐α pre‐stimulated A549 cells with CD4+ T cells promoted CD154 expression, CD4+ T cell proliferation and cytokine production, especially IFN‐γ. Monocyte‐derived TNF‐α in combination with IFN‐γ and LPS markedly induced B7‐H2 expression in A549 cells. This study thus identifies a unique costimulatory pathway via alveolar epithelial type II cells that preferentially affects T helper cell function, implying that alveolar epithelial type II cells play a crucial role in innate immunity in the lung by regulating IFN‐γ‐synthesis via B7‐H2/ICOS interactions.
ADAM17 activity during human neutrophil activation and apoptosis
Authors: Walcheck Bruce , Herrera Amy H. , Hill Catherine St. , Mattila Polly E. , Whitney Adeline R. , DeLeo Frank R.
Published: March 2006

Substrates of the metalloprotease ADAM17 (also known as TNF‐α converting enzyme or TACE) undergo ectodomain shedding and include various inflammatory modulators. Though polymorphonuclear leukocytes contribute significantly to inflammation, direct analyses of ADAM17 on human neutrophils are very limited. In addition, the current understanding of the processes regulating ADAM17 activity primarily relate to its rapid activation. Therefore, to extend insights into the mechanisms of ADAM17 activity, we examined its surface expression and the shedding of its substrates during extended periods of neutrophil activation and apoptosis. Contrary to studies with immortalized hematopoietic cell lines, we report that surface expression of ADAM17 is maintained by human neutrophils activated with formyl peptides or by FcR/complement receptor‐mediated phagocytosis. Interestingly, bacterial phagocytosis resulted in a significant increase in ADAM17 expression several hours after pathogen engulfment. We provide novel evidence that ADAM17 surface expression is also maintained during spontaneous and anti‐Fas‐induced neutrophil apoptosis. The well‐validated ADAM17 substrates L‐selectin and proTNF‐α were shed efficiently by neutrophils under each of the conditions tested. Our data thus indicate prolonged ADAM17 expression during neutrophil effector functions. The implications of this may be a role by ADAM17 in both the induction and down‐regulation of neutrophil activity.
A novel PKC regulates ERK activation and degranulation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes: Plasticity in PKC regulation of ERK
Authors: Puente Lawrence G. , He Jin‐Shu , Ostergaard Hanne L.
Published: March 2006

Stimulation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) degranulation with plate‐bound anti‐CD3 Ab leads to two phases of ERK activation: an early PKC‐independent phase followed by a later sustained PKC‐dependent phase. Herein, we show that a novel PKC (nPKC) mediates the late phase of ERK activation, upstream of Ras in murine T cells. In contrast, when CTL are activated with cross‐linked anti‐CD3 Ab, which does not trigger CTL degranulation, there is a requirement for conventional PKC (cPKC) for ERK activation. We detect increased novel PKCθ activation only when CTL are stimulated with plate‐bound Ab and not cross‐linked Ab. Interestingly, in T cells from mice lacking PKCθ, sustained ERK activation requires the activity of cPKC, implying that PKCθ is required for the nPKC pathway that normally mediates sustained ERK activation. CTL lines derived from PKCθ‐deficient mice degranulate and activate ERK normally, and exhibit altered expression of PKC isozymes, which may compensate for the loss of PKCθ. Taken together, these data demonstrate that normally an nPKC participates in the sustained activation of ERK. However, if the nPKC pathway is compromised, alternate PKC pathways can compensate, suggesting that considerable plasticity exists with respect to PKC regulation of ERK activation in T cells.
Rapid molecular dissection of viral and bacterial immunomes
Authors: Sahin Ugur , Türeci Özlem , Graf Claudine , Meyer Ralf G. , Lennerz Volker , Britten Cedrik M. , Dumrese Claudia , Scandella Elke , Wölfel Thomas , Ludewig Burkhard
Published: March 2006

The development of preventive or therapeutic recombinant vaccines and the generation of serodiagnostic assays for infectious diseases depend essentially on the availability of molecularly defined antigens. A major bottleneck for the identification of suitable target antigens for many pathogens is the isolation of sufficient amounts of material for subsequent genomic or proteomic screening. Applying a highly efficient expression cloning strategy to the human pathogens vaccinia virus (VV) and Chlamydia pneumoniae (CP), we demonstrate that sub‐nanogram amounts of isolated nucleic acids can be utilized to determine comprehensive sets of immunodominant antigens. Remarkably, the approach not only confirmed the immunogenicity of previously reported antigens but also disclosed novel vaccine candidates conserved in orthopoxviruses, including antigenic envelope proteins and immunodominant CTL epitopes. Moreover, as illustrated for CP infection, we show that a panel of novel antigens can be readily selected from the initially discovered pool to build up pathogen‐specific seroassays. The established approach is rapid, making it an attractive procedure for the comprehensive dissection of immunomes of known human pathogens and newly emerging infectious agents.
Coordination Dependence of Magnetic Properties within a Family of Related [FeII2] Complexes of a Triazine‐Based Ligand (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 7/2006)
Authors: Quesada Manuel , de Hoog Paul , Gamez Patrick , Roubeau Olivier , Aromí Guillem , Donnadieu Bruno , Massera Chiara , Lutz Martin , Spek Anthony L. , Reedijk Jan
Published: March 2006

The cover picture shows the crystal structures of three related iron(II) complexes obtained with a triazine‐based polypyridyl ligand, where minor structural changes result in very disparate magnetic properties, ranging from antiferromagnetic exchange through spin crossover to ferromagnetic coupling. These are clearly illustrated by the characteristic plots of the corresponding magnetic behaviours. The background map of Europe symbolizes the European collaboration responsible for the studies reported by P. Gamez, O. Roubeau, et al. on p. 1353 ff.
Antioxidative effect of the main sinapic acid derivatives from rapeseed and mustard oil by‐products
Authors: Thiyam Usha , Stöckmann Heiko , Zum Felde Thomas , Schwarz Karin
Published: March 2006

Amongst oilseeds, rapeseed and mustard are rich sources of phenolic compounds, which also prominent in the by‐products of their respective oil processing or in commercial rapeseed and mustard press cakes. These cakes are rich sources of sinapic acid derivatives, which could be extracted as free sinapic acid or sinapine, the choline ester of sinapic acid. Sinapic acid is a widely investigated antioxidative compound. However, the main compound in the press cakes is present as sinapine. Investigations on the free‐radical‐scavenging activity of sinapic acid and sinapine indicate that sinapine had a significant but lower activity as compared to sinapic acid. Apart from this, sinapic acid, sinapine and different tocopherols were compared as antioxidants for inhibition of the formation of lipid oxidation products in purified rapeseed oils. The oxidation at 40 °C was monitored by the formation of hydroperoxides and propanal. The experiments indicate that in contrast to tocopherol mixtures addition of sinapic acid causes increasing inhibition of hydroperoxide formation when enhancing the concentration from 50 to 500 μmol/kg oil. Sinapine was not able to inhibit the formation of hydroperoxides, compared to sinapic acid. This indicates that sinapic acid‐rich extracts, as compared to sinapine‐rich fractions, could better inhibit the lipid oxidation in bulk lipid systems.
Effect of the full refining process on rice bran oil composition and its heat stability
Authors: Mezouari Samia , Eichner Karl , Kochhar S. Parkash , Brühl Ludger , Schwarz Karin
Published: March 2006

The effects of the chemical refining process on the minor compounds of rice bran oil and its heat stability were investigated. After 8 h of heating, about 50% and 30% of total tocopherols remained in crude and refined rice bran oil, respectively. The individual tocopherols were differently affected by the refining process. The order of heat stability of tocopherols and tocotrienols in crude oil was found to be different from that in fully refined oil. A similar tendency was observed for sterols. After 8 h of heating, 65% and 72% of total sterols, and 14% and 46% of sterol esters, of crude or fully refined rice bran oil, respectively, disappeared. The heating process led to a 4% and 10.3% increase in polymer contents in crude and refined rice bran oil, respectively. Although refined rice bran oil showed good heat stability, when compared to crude oil its heat stability was decreased to some extent.
Editorial: A new team for the European Federation is in action
Authors: Potman Ron , Amoneit Frank
Published: March 2006

No abstracts.
Reactions of N‐, S‐ and O‐Nucleophiles with 3,4,6‐Tri‐O‐benzyl‐D‐glucal Mediated by Triphenylphosphane Hydrobromide versus Those with HY Zeolite
Authors: Rauter Amélia P. , Almeida Tânia , Vicente Ana I. , Ribeiro Verónica , Bordado João C. , Marques João P. , Ramôa Ribeiro Fernando , Ferreira Maria J. , Oliveira Conceição , Guisnet Michel
Published: March 2006

Direct C–N bond formation has been accomplished by reaction of 1,5‐anhydro‐3,4,6‐tri‐O‐benzyl‐2‐deoxy‐D‐arabino‐hex‐1‐enitol (3,4,6‐tri‐O‐benzyl‐D‐glucal) with N‐nucleophiles, using triphenylphosphane hydrobromide as catalyst in dichloromethane or THF. 2‐Deoxy‐S‐ and ‐O‐glycosides have also been prepared with thiols, sterols, flavonoids, alcohols and sugars as nucleophiles, with α‐stereoselectivity. Sterically demanding reagents such as sterols, flavonoids, sugars and an indole give only the α‐anomer in dichloromethane, while the purine nucleosides in THF were obtained as anomeric mixtures whilst maintaining the α‐stereoselectivity. This procedure has led to an easy and straightforward synthesis of a variety of biomolecules, in moderate to high yield, with the first use of triphenylphosphane hydrobromide for N‐ and S‐glycosylation. An alternative method for C–O and C–S bond formation uses HY zeolite to promote theFerrier rearrangement of 3,4,6‐tri‐O‐benzyl‐D‐glucal to give exclusively the corresponding 2,3‐unsaturated α‐O‐ and α‐S‐glycosides in moderate yields. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
A numerical approach for groundwater flow in unsaturated porous media
Authors: Quintana F. , Guarracino L. , Saliba R.
Published: March 2006

In this article, a computational tool to simulate groundwater flow in variably saturated non‐deformable fractured porous media is presented, which includes a conceptual model to obtain analytical expressions of water retention and hydraulic conductivity curves for fractured hard rocks and a numerical algorithm to solve the Richards equation. To calculate effective saturation and relative hydraulic conductivity curves we adopt the Brooks–Corey model assuming fractal laws for both aperture and number of fractures. A standard Galerkin formulation was employed to solve the Richards' equation together with a Crank–Nicholson scheme with Richardson extrapolation for the time discretization.

The main contribution of this paper is to group an analytical model of the authors with a robust numerical algorithm designed to solve adequately the highly non‐linear Richards' equation generating a tool for porous media engineering. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Near‐tetraploidy in childhood B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a highly specific feature of ETV6/RUNX1‐positive leukemic cases
Authors: Attarbaschi Andishe , Mann Georg , König Margit , Steiner Manuel , Dworzak Michael N. , Gadner Helmut , Haas Oskar A.
Published: March 2006

Near‐tetraploidy (82–94 chromosomes) makes up fewer than 1% of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cases and has been reportedly associated with a possibly poorer prognosis compared with other ploidy groups. We analyzed 783 patients enrolled in the ALL‐BFM‐Austria 86, ‐90, ‐95, ‐99/2000 and Interfant‐Austria 99 trials in order to assess its incidence, biological characteristics, and prognostic relevance. Twelve of 783 patients (1.5%) had a near‐tetraploid ALL. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that eight of the nine B‐cell precursor (BCP) cases and none of the three T‐cell ALL cases had an ETV6/RUNX1 rearrangement. After a median follow‐up of 11.4 years, none of the patients has relapsed or died. Thus, near‐tetraploidy appears to be a specific feature of ETV6/RUNX1+ BCP ALL cases that in turn may explain its excellent outcome. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detectability assessment of interannual variations in terrestrial water storage from satellite gravimetry using an offline land surface model simulation
Authors: Nakaegawa Tosiyuki
Published: March 2006

The detectability of the interannual variations of terrestrial water storage in 70 river basins acquired by satellite gravimetry was investigated using the Japan Meteorological Agency–Simple Biosphere (JMA–SiB) model. Terrestrial water storages for the monthly, seasonal, and annual averaging periods were computed from the output of a 10 year integration performed by the JMA‐SiB model. The satellite specification was assumed to be the same as for the NASA Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE). The total errors in the satellite‐gravimetry‐derived terrestrial water storage (including the instrument error, atmospheric error, and error due to the postglacial rebound) were computed for each period at each basin. The standard deviation of the interannual variation with the total error for three different time scales, averaging monthly, seasonal and annual results, was compared precisely in the continental‐scale river basins. The error‐signal ratio (i.e. the ratio of the total error to the standard deviation) was used to assess the detectability. The results demonstrate that the gravity satellite missions can detect the interannual variations in large river basins in most years, but the gravity satellite missions can detect those in small river basins only with the probability of 1 year out of 3 years or more. These characteristics were found in all the three averaging time scales. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumor suppressive activity of a variant isoform of manganese superoxide dismutase released by a human liposarcoma cell line
Authors: Mancini Aldo , Borrelli Antonella , Schiattarella Antonella , Fasano Stefania , Occhiello Antonella , Pica Alessandra , Sehr Peter , Tommasino Massimo , Nüesch Jürg P.F. , Rommelaere Jean
Published: March 2006

A cell line derived from a pleiomorphic liposarcoma, named LSA, was previously reported to secrete (a) factor(s) exhibiting oncotoxic properties. The present article describes the isolation, purification and sequence analysis of a protein released by LSA cells into conditioned culture medium. This protein proved to be a variant isoform of manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), hence its designation as LSA‐type‐MnSOD. This LSA‐type‐SOD differed from conventional SODs in its secretion by producer cells, contrasting with the normal localization of SODs in the mitochondrial matrix. Interestingly, during the protein purification process, LSA‐type‐SOD cosegregated with a cytotoxic activity directed against a number of tumor cell lines, as determined under in vitro conditions. This cytopathic effect was most likely due to LSA‐type‐SOD, since it could be fully reproduced using recombinant SOD that was expressed from cDNA clones isolated from LSA cells mRNA preparations and henceforth designated L‐rSOD. In addition to its manifestation in cell lines kept in tissue culture, the oncotoxicity of LSA‐type‐SOD was further reflected in a remarkable capacity of this protein for suppression of mammary tumors in Balb‐C‐FRIII mice. Animals subcutaneously injected with L‐rSOD in the tumor area showed a complete disruption of established mammary carcinomas, as monitored by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) scanning. Moreover, metastatic spreading, which was readily detected in the control group, was suppressed in the treated animals. Altogether these data suggest that LSA‐type‐SOD interferes with survival and spreading of neoplastically transformed cells and deserves to be future validated as a therapeutic agent against cancer, either alone or in combination with conventional treatments. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trends in survival and excess risk of death after diagnosis of cancerin 1980–1996 in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Yu Xue Q. , O'Connell Dianne L. , Gibberd Robert W. , Coates Alan S. , Armstrong Bruce K.
Published: March 2006

Survival from almost all cancers has improved during the last 30 years. There is debate over the reasons for the improvement. We examined trends in survival for 28 cancers from 1980 to 1996 in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, with adjustment for disease spread at diagnosis. NSW Central Cancer Registry data were used to estimate 5‐year relative survival and relative excess risk of death for patients diagnosed in 1980–84, 1985–88, 1989–92 and 1993–96. Statistical significance of variation in excess deaths between periods of diagnosis was assessed using Poisson regression, with adjustment for age, sex, duration of follow‐up, histology and spread of disease at diagnosis. There were statistically significant falls in excess deaths for 20 of the cancers with a 25% fall for all cancers combined. Cancers of the prostate, liver, thyroid, breast, gallbladder, body of uterus, rectum, cervix and ovary had falls of >30%. The falls varied by spread of disease; the largest being in localised and regionally spread tumours. Overall survival, when unadjusted for spread of cancer, generally fell in parallel with that in the specific categories of spread, which implies that stage migration did not contribute importantly to survival trends. While acknowledging the limitations of incomplete data on stage of cancer at diagnosis, we conclude that falls in excess deaths in NSW from 1980 to 1996 are unlikely, for many cancers, to be attributed to earlier diagnosis or stage migration; thus advances in cancer treatment have almost certainly contributed to them. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cathepsin S expression: An independent prognostic factor in glioblastoma tumours—a pilot study
Authors: Flannery Thomas , McQuaid Stephen , McGoohan Caroline , McConnell Robert S. , McGregor Gordon , Mirakhur Meenakshi , Hamilton Peter , Diamond James , Cran Gordon , Walker Brian , Scott Christopher , Martin Lorraine , Ellison David , Patel Chirag , Nicholson Clare , Mendelow David , McCormick Derek , Johnston Patrick G.
Published: March 2006

Cysteine proteinases have been implicated in astrocytoma invasion. We recently demonstrated that cathepsin S (CatS) expression is up‐regulated in astrocytomas and provided evidence for a potential role in astrocytoma invasion (Flannery et al., Am J Path 2003;163(1):175–82). We aimed to evaluate the significance of CatS in human astrocytoma progression and as a prognostic marker. Frozen tissue homogenates from 71 patients with astrocytomas and 3 normal brain specimens were subjected to ELISA analyses. Immunohistochemical analysis of CatS expression was performed on 126 paraffin‐embedded tumour samples. Fifty‐one astrocytoma cases were suitable for both frozen tissue and paraffin tissue analysis. ELISA revealed minimal expression of CatS in normal brain homogenates. CatS expression was increased in grade IV tumours whereas astrocytoma grades I–III exhibited lower values. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a similar pattern of expression. Moreover, high‐CatS immunohistochemical scores in glioblastomas were associated with significantly shorter survival (10 vs. 5 months, p = 0.014). With forced inclusion of patient age, radiation dose and Karnofsky score in the Cox multivariate model, CatS score was found to be an independent predictor of survival. CatS expression in astrocytomas is associated with tumour progression and poor outcome in glioblastomas. CatS may serve as a useful prognostic indicator and potential target for anti‐invasive therapy. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Processed meat consumption, dietary nitrosamines and stomach cancer risk in a cohort of Swedish women
Authors: Larsson Susanna C. , Bergkvist Leif , Wolk Alicja
Published: March 2006

Processed meat consumption has been associated with an increased risk of stomach cancer in some epidemiological studies (mainly case–control). Nitrosamines may be responsible for this association, but few studies have directly examined nitrosamine intake in relation to stomach cancer risk. We prospectively investigated the associations between intakes of processed meat, other meats and N‐nitrosodimethylamine (the most frequently occurring nitrosamine in foods) with risk of stomach cancer among 61,433 women who were enrolled in the population‐based Swedish Mammography Cohort. Information on diet was collected at baseline (between 1987 and 1990) and updated in 1997. During 18 years of follow‐up, 156 incident cases of stomach cancer were ascertained. High consumption of processed meat, but not of other meats (i.e., red meat, fish and poultry), was associated with a statistically significant increased risk of stomach cancer. After adjustment for potential confounders, the hazard ratios for the highest compared with the lowest category of intake were 1.66 (95% CI = 1.13–2.45) for all processed meats, 1.55 (95% CI = 1.00–2.41) for bacon or side pork, 1.50 (95% CI = 0.93–2.41) for sausage or hotdogs and 1.48 (95% CI= 0.99–2.22) for ham or salami. Stomach cancer risk was 2‐fold higher among women in the top quintile of N‐nitrosodimethylamine intake when compared with those in the bottom quintile (hazard ratio = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.08–3.58). Our findings suggest that high consumption of processed meat may increase the risk of stomach cancer. Dietary nitrosamines might be responsible for the positive association. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
24,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 binds to catalase
Authors: Larsson Dennis , Anderson Deryk , Smith Nathan M. , Nemere Ilka
Published: March 2006

There is increasing evidence that the vitamin D metabolite, 24,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 (24,25(OH)2D3) has endocrine actions. In the current work, we report that an endogenous binding protein for 24,25(OH)2D3 is catalase, based on sequence analysis of the isolated protein. An antibody (Ab 365) generated against equivalent protein recognized bovine catalase and a 64 kDa band in subcellular fractions of chick intestine. A commercially available anti‐catalase antibody reduced specific [3H]24,25(OH)2D3 binding in subcellular fractions of chick intestine by greater than 65%, relative to the same fractions treated with an unrelated antibody (Ab 099). The same commercially available anti‐catalase was able to block the inhibitory actions of 24,25(OH)2D3 on 32P uptake in isolated intestinal epithelial cell suspensions. We subsequently characterized binding of steroid to commercially available catalase, and found that between 0 and 5 nM of enzyme added to subcellular fraction P2 (20,000g, 10‐min post‐nuclear pellet) resulted in a linear increase in the amount of [3H]24,25(OH)2D3 specifically bound. Additional studies indicated that 25(OH)D3 was an effective competitor for binding, whereas 1,25(OH)2D3 only poorly displaced [3H]24,25(OH)2D3. Saturation analyses with added catalase yielded a physiologically relevant affinity constant (KD = 5.6 ± 2.7 nM) and a Bmax = 209 ± 34 fmols/mg protein, comparable to previous studies using purified basal lateral membranes or vesicular fractions. Moreover, in a study on subcellular fractions isolated from chickens of varying ages, we found that in females, both specific [3H]24,25(OH)2D3 binding and catalase activity increased from 7‐ to 58‐week‐old birds, whereas in males, elevated levels of both parameters were expressed in preparations of 7‐ and 58‐week‐old birds. The data suggest that signal transduction may occur through modulation of hydrogen peroxide production. J. Cell. Biochem. 97: 1259–1266, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Positive correlation between the expression of X‐chromosome RBM genes (RBMX, RBM3, RBM10) and the proapoptotic Bax gene in human breast cancer
Authors: Martínez‐Arribas Fernando , Agudo David , Pollán Marina , Gómez‐Esquer Francisco , Díaz‐Gil Gema , Lucas Raul , Schneider José
Published: March 2006

In a recent report, it has been postulated that the ubiquitous RBM proteins might constitute a novel family of apoptosis modulators. We measured the expression of the X‐chromosome RBM genes (RBMX, RBM3, and RBM10) in 122 breast cancers by means of differential RT‐PCR. Using the same method, we also studied the expression of the apoptosis‐related genes Bcl‐2 and Bax. Markers of hormone dependence (estrogen and progesterone receptors), proliferation (Ki67 and DNA‐ploidy), angiogenesis (VEGF and CD105), as well as oncogene (c‐erb‐B2), and tumor suppressor gene (p53) expression were also analyzed. The expression of all X‐chromosome RBM genes was significantly associated with the expression of the proapoptotic Bax gene (RBMX, P = 0.039; RBM3, P < 0.001; RBM10 large variant, P < 0.001; RBM10 small variant, P < 0.001). Furthermore, the expression of both RBM10 variants was significantly associated with the expression of the VEGF gene (large variant, P = 0.004; small variant, P = 0.003). We also found an association of borderline significance (P = 0.05) between the expression of RBM3, the large variant of RBM10 and wild‐type p53. Expression of the small RBM10 variant, finally, was associated with high proliferation of the tumors (Ki67 ≥ 20%; P = 0.037). The expression of both RBM10 variants seems to be interdependent to a significant degree (r = 0.26, P = 0.006). From these results, it seems that the X‐chromosome, through its RBM genes, plays a formerly unknown role in the regulation of programmed cell death (apoptosis) in breast cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. 97: 1275–1282, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.