bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of pipeflow on hydrological process and its relation to landslide: a review of pipeflow studies in forested headwater catchments
Authors: Uchida Taro , Kosugi Ken'ichirou , Mizuyama Takahisa
Published: September 2002

Since the 1980s, several field studies of pipeflow hydrology have been conducted in forested, steep headwater catchments. However, adequate information is lacking with regard to questions as to how representative these previous studies are and how widespread the phenomena might be. Thus, the aim of this study is to review some studies of pipeflow hydrology on forested steep hillslopes. Several points were clarified. (1) The maximum discharge of pipeflow was mainly determined by the soil pipe diameter. When the condition of both the soil pipe diameter and the slope gradient in forest soil were similar to those in peaty podzol, the maximum discharge of pipeflow on forest slopes was slighter than that in peaty podzol. (2) Pipeflow was delivered from a variety of sources, and the contributing area of pipeflow extended as the soil layer became wetter. Therefore, the dominant contributor (new water and old water) was varied and the contribution of pipeflow to streamflow increased with the increase of rainfall magnitude. (3) The roles of pipeflow in the storm runoff generation processes demonstrated two roles: the concentration of water and the rapid drainage to downslopes. Thus, soil pipes can increase the peak discharge from the hillslope and decrease the peak lag time of the storm hydrograph, when compared to the unpiped hillslope. (4) The roles of pipeflow on hydrological process suggested that the soil pipes contribute to the slope stability by increasing the rate of soil drainage and limiting the development of perched groundwater conditions. However, if the rate of water concentration to the soil pipe network is in excess of the pipeflow transmission capacity, the cavity of the soil pipe could readily be filled with water during a rain event, increasing pore water pressure in the surrounding matrix. In this case, the soil pipe induced slope instability. (5) Moreover, pipe erosion has significant impact on the runoff characteristics of pipeflow, since pipe erosion contributed to a change in the limited drainage capacity of soil pipe. Thus, pipe erosion plays an important role in shallow landslide initiation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Somatic mutations of the lysyl oxidase gene on chromosome 5q23.1 in colorectal tumors
Authors: Csiszar Katalin , Fong Sheri F.T. , Ujfalusi Aniko , Krawetz Stephen A. , Salvati Eugene P. , Mackenzie James W. , Boyd Charles D.
Published: September 2002

Lysyl oxidase (LOX), a copper‐dependent amine oxidase, has been implicated in tumor suppression and cell growth regulation. The chromosomal locus of LOX, 5q23, is affected by loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in colon cancer, suggesting that the LOX gene could be affected by LOH and consequently, loss or reduction of LOX function contribute to the tumorigenic process. Identification of microsatellite markers within the LOX locus has allowed us to map the LOX gene within the 5q23.1 region. Analysis of this locus and flanking loci in matched tumor and blood DNA samples from a panel of colorectal cancer patients, demonstrated that 38% (16/42) of informative samples were affected by LOH or allelic imbalance. Furthermore, 75% (6/8) of these tumor samples were shown to have significantly reduced LOX mRNA levels. Similar reduction in LOX levels were detected in a panel of matched normal colon and colon tumor samples. Tumor samples demonstrating LOH by RFLP, were subject to mutational analysis, including RT‐PCR, exonic deletion detection by PCR, cDNA and genomic DNA sequencing, and were found to have a spectrum of alterations and mutations affecting the LOX gene. These results confirm that loss or reduction of LOX function during tumor development is a direct consequence of somatic mutations and is associated with colon tumor pathogenesis. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reevaluation of the cellular immune response in breast cancer patients vaccinated with MUC1
Authors: Musselli Cristina , Ragupathi Govindaswami , Gilewski Teresa , Panageas Katherine S. , Spinat Yael , Livingston Philip O.
Published: September 2002

Conjugation of antigens to a carrier protein like keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) has proven effective in clinical trials for inducing antibodies against selected tumor antigens. The impact of this approach on T‐cell immunity has not been previously tested. We utilized peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained at leukapheresis from 6 breast cancer patients vaccinated 4 times each with a 106‐amino acid‐long MUC1 peptide conjugated with KLH plus immune adjuvant QS‐21. Proliferation after 6 days of in vitro culture and an interferon gamma ELISPOT assay with and without 6 days of in vitro sensitization with the immunizing antigen were used. Parallel experiments employed the use of the cytokine IL2. Our results indicate that despite a high response to KLH in all patients with precursor frequencies as high as 1/120 peripheral blood lymphocytes and augmentation of proliferation in excess of 200‐fold after vaccination, the T‐cell response against MUC1 peptide was minimal and inconsistent. The strength and consistency of the vaccine‐induced T‐cell response against KLH in these patients excludes general immune incompetence and assay insensitivity or inconsistency as explanations for the weak and inconsistent response against MUC1. We conclude that for any report of augmented T‐cell responses against MUC1 to be convincing, one or more postimmunization blood samples will be needed to demonstrate augmented MUC1‐specific immunity consistently on multiple occasions. Assuming this criteria, convincing induction of T‐cell immunity against MUC1 by vaccination has yet to be described. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influence of the mucosal epithelium microenvironment on Langerhans cells: Implications for the development of squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix
Authors: Giannini Sandra L. , Hubert Pascale , Doyen Jean , Boniver Jacques , Delvenne Philippe
Published: September 2002

We have addressed the notion that the initiation and progression of human papillomavirus associated cancer of the uterine cervix are associated with alterations of Langerhans cells (LC) within the mucosal squamous epithelium. Since the transformation zone (TZ) of the cervix is the site where the majority of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) are initiated, in contrast to the exocervix, we decided to investigate the influence of the local microenvironment within the TZ on the function and density of LC. We show that the TZ is associated with a significant reduction in the density of immature LC (CD1a/LAG) compared to the exocervix. In contrast, the development of SILs is attributed with a relative increased density of immature LC, compared to the TZ. Furthermore, we show that this variability in LC density is correlated with a differential expression of TNFα and MIP3α within the micro‐environment of the TZ and SILs. Both TZ and SIL epithelium‐derived LC, in the presence of allogeneic PBMC, induced lower levels of proliferation and IL2 production and higher levels of the immunosuppressive cytokine IL10 in comparison to the exocervix. Nevertheless, the epithelium‐derived LC in SILs exhibits a reduction in their functional activity, relative to the TZ. Together our studies suggest that the immunosurveillance within the epithelium of the TZ may be intrinsically perturbed due to the altered expression of chemokines/cytokines and the concomitant diminished density of LC. Furthermore, following HPV infection and the development of SILs, the function of LC may be further incapacitated by viral associated mechanisms. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of cell cycle progression and apoptosis by β‐carotene in undifferentiated and differentiated HL‐60 leukemia cells: Possible involvement of a redox mechanism
Authors: Palozza Paola , Serini Simona , Torsello Angela , Boninsegna Alma , Covacci Valeria , Maggiano Nicola , Ranelletti Franco O. , Wolf Federica I. , Calviello Gabriella
Published: September 2002

Although epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that a high intake of vegetables containing β‐carotene lowers the risk of cancer, recent intervention studies have revealed that β‐carotene supplementation to smokers resulted in a high incidence of lung cancer. We hypothesized that β‐carotene may act as a pro‐ or anticancerogenic agent by modulating pathways involved in cell growth and that such a modulation may involve a redox mechanism. To test this hypothesis, cell proliferation, apoptosis and redox status were evaluated in undifferentiated and dimethylsulfoxide‐differentiated HL‐60 cells exposed to β‐carotene. The carotenoid modified cell cycle progression and induced apoptosis in a dose‐dependent manner. These effects were more remarkable in undifferentiated cells than in differentiated cells. In accord with these findings, in undifferentiated cells, β‐carotene was more effective in decreasing cyclin A and Bcl‐2 expression and in increasing p21 and p27 expression. Neither Bcl‐xL nor Bax expression were significantly modified by the carotenoid. From a mechanistic point of view, the delay in cell growth by β‐carotene was highly coincident with the increased intracellular reactive oxygen species production and oxidized glutathione content induced by the carotenoid. Moreover, α‐tocopherol minimized the effects of β‐carotene on cell growth. These data provide evidence that β‐carotene modulates molecular pathways involved in cell cycle progression and apoptosis and support the hypothesis that a redox mechanism may be implicated. They also suggest that differentiated cells may be less susceptible to the carotenoid than highly neoplastic undifferentiated cells. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevention of chemotherapy‐related toxic side effects by infection with adeno‐associated virus type 2
Authors: Eisold Sven , Dihlmann Susanne , Linnebacher Michael , Ryschich Eduard , Aulmann Michael , Schmidt Jan , Schlehofer Joerg R. , Ridder Ruediger , von Knebel Doeberitz Magnus
Published: September 2002

Drug resistance and toxic side effects are major limiting factors in the clinical use of antineoplastic chemotherapy. Patients with pancreatic cancer generally do not benefit from chemotherapy. The nonpathogenic adeno‐associated virus type 2 (AAV‐2) has been shown to sensitize human tumor cells to γ irradiation and chemotherapeutic drugs. In the present study, we characterized the therapeutic role of AAV‐2 infection in combination with 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU)–based chemotherapy on pancreatic cancer cells in an animal model. In Lewis rats bearing s.c. implants of syngeneic DSL6A pancreatic cancer cells, intratumoral infection with AAV‐2 (MOI 10E8 i.u.) in combination with 5‐FU (5 or 50 mg/kg body weight) resulted in significantly reduced tumor growth and prolonged survival time compared with 5‐FU single therapy. Most surprisingly, AAV‐2‐infected rats remained in a much better physical condition compared to their noninfected counterparts. While rats treated with 5‐FU single therapy lost weight, were sluggish and died within 4 months after tumor implantation, animals infected with AAV showed much better vigilance, with body weight, leukocyte number and hemoglobin levels similar to healthy rats. In particular, 5‐FU‐related side effects like thrombocytopenia and leukopenia were significantly reduced in animals treated with the combination regimen. By in vitro analysis, human (Capan‐1 and DANG) pancreatic cancer cell lines were shown to be sensitized to 5‐FU chemotherapy to an extent similar to DSL6A cells. AAV‐2 infection enhanced 5‐FU‐induced apoptosis by a factor of 8 to 14 in both human and rat pancreatic cancer cell lines. The data suggest that infection with the nonpathogenic AAV‐2 significantly improves both chemotherapy efficacy and physical appearance and offers a novel strategy in cancer treatment. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic susceptibility and gastric cancer risk
Authors: González Carlos A. , Sala Núria , Capellá Gabriel
Published: September 2002

The aim of the present paper is to review and evaluate, in a comprehensive manner, the most recent published evidence on the contribution of genetic susceptibility to gastric cancer risk in humans. We have identified all studies available in MEDLINE published up to October 2001. Only studies carried out in humans and comparing gastric cancer cases with at least 1 standard control group were included in the analysis. We were able to find 31 articles based on 25 case‐control studies carried out in Caucasian, Asian and African populations. Most of the studies assess the effect of genes involved in detoxifying pathways (n = 12) and inflammatory responses (n = 7). The most widely studied is the GSTM1 null polymorphism. Only a very few studies have evaluated the risk of gastric cancer associated with genes acting on mucosa protection, oxidative damage and DNA repair. The most consistent results are the increased gastric cancer risk associated with IL1B and NAT1 variants, which may account for up to 48% of attributable risk of gastric cancer. Only polymorphisms at HLA‐DQ, TNF and CYP2E genes may confer some protective effect against gastric cancer. The most important limitations that preclude definitive conclusions are (i) the lack of appropriate control of potential sources of bias (only 5 population‐based studies have been published so far); (ii) the low number of cases analyzed (14 studies included fewer than 99 cases); and (iii) the low number of studies (n = 3) offering concomitant analysis of genetic susceptibility and exposure to relevant cofactors (Helicobacter pylori infection, diet and smoking). We conclude that the scientific data on the role of genetic factors in gastric cancer risk are promising. The lack of association reported so far should be considered with caution due to significant limitations in study design. Cohort studies taking into account simultaneously the different genetic and environmental factors potentially involved in gastric tumorigenesis are needed to ascertain not only the relative contribution of these factors to tumor development but also the contribution of their putative interactions. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Impairment of stimulation by estrogen of insulin‐activated nitric oxide synthase in human breast cancer
Authors: Guha Manti , Biswas Jaydip , Tirkey Jaya , Sinha A. Kumar
Published: September 2002

Nitric oxide (NO) is reported to have several important effects in the control of neoplasm. We have reported before the presence of an insulin‐activated constitutive form of membrane‐bound nitric oxide synthase (IANOS) in various cells. Since the insulin‐induced NO synthesis by IANOS could have important consequences on the pathophysiology of neoplastic cells, the role of estrogen on the activity of IANOS in malignant and nonmalignant breast tissue as well as in erythrocytes in breast cancer patients was determined. It was found that the IANOS activity of nonmalignant breast tissue was maximally stimulated by 4‐fold over the basal activity in the presence of physiologic amounts of estrogen (8–32 nM). The enzymic activity was, however, inhibited by estrogen both below and above this range when compared to appropriate controls. In contrast, both the basal IANOS activity and the stimulatory effect of estrogen was markedly impaired in malignant breast tissue and in erythrocytes in these patients. It was also noted that tamoxifen, a widely used nonsteroidal compound in breast cancer, mimicked estrogen both in the stimulation and in the inhibition of IANOS activity in both of the tissues. These results indicated the probable existence of a novel pathway for estrogen effect independent of nuclear receptor for the stimulation of IANOS activity that might have important consequences in breast cancer and suggested that some of the beneficial effects of tamoxifen could be related to its estrogen‐mimicking effect on IANOS independent of hormone‐responsive elements sequence in the DNA. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
p53 Codon 72 polymorphism in gastric cancer susceptibility in patients with Helicobacter pylori‐associated chronic gastritis
Authors: Hiyama Toru , Tanaka Shinji , Kitadai Yasuhiko , Ito Masanori , Sumii Masaharu , Yoshihara Masaharu , Shimamoto Fumio , Haruma Ken , Chayama Kazuaki
Published: September 2002

p53 codon 72, which produces variant proteins with an arginine (Arg) or proline (Pro), has been reported to be associated with cancers of the lung, esophagus and cervix. However, there have been no reports on the p53 codon 72 polymorphism in gastric cancer susceptibility in patients with Helicobacter pylori‐associated chronic gastritis (H. pylori‐CG). We, therefore, examined the polymorphism in 117 gastric cancer patients (72 intestinal type and 45 diffuse type) with H. pylori‐CG and 116 H. pylori‐CG patients without gastric cancer as controls. Polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) analysis was performed to analyze the p53 codon 72 polymorphism. The crude genotypic frequencies in the gastric cancer patients were similar to those of the controls. However, when gastric cancers were classified by histologic subtype, the Pro/Pro was more frequent in the patients with diffuse type gastric cancer than in the controls (22.2% of cases vs. 12.1% of controls). The Pro/Pro genotype was associated with a 2.98‐fold higher risk of diffuse‐type cancer compared to the Arg/Arg genotype (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07–8.32, p = 0.038). These results suggest that the Pro/Pro genotype at p53 codon 72 contributes to susceptibility for diffuse‐type gastric cancer in patients with H. pylori‐CG. The p53 codon 72 polymorphism may serve as the genetic marker for the risk assessment of the diffuse‐type gastric cancer development in patients with H. pylori‐CG. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Family history of breast cancer, age and benign breast disease
Authors: Webb Penelope M. , Byrne Celia , Schnitt Stuart J. , Connolly James L. , Jacobs Timothy , Peiro Gloria , Willett Walter , Colditz Graham A.
Published: September 2002

A major risk factor for breast cancer is having a first‐degree family history of the disease. Benign breast disease (BBD), particularly atypical hyperplasia, is also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. However, the relationship between family history of breast cancer and BBD is unclear. From 1989 through 1997, 80,995 participants in the Nurses' Health Study II were followed; 16,849 reported a first diagnosis of BBD. Pathology slides were reviewed for 1,465 women who reported having a tissue biopsy, and these were classified as nonproliferative BBD, proliferative BBD without atypia or atypical hyperplasia. Women with a family history of breast cancer were more likely to report a physician diagnosis of BBD [rate ratio (RR) = 1.38, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29–1.46]. The magnitude of this association declined with age from RR = 1.96 (95% CI 1.55–2.47) at 25–29 years to RR = 1.20 (95% CI 0.95–1.52) at age 45–50 years. Among women with proliferative disease, those with a family history of breast cancer were almost 3 times as likely to have atypia (prevalence odds ratio = 2.72, 95% CI 1.23–5.89) than those with no family history. In conclusion, women with a family history of breast cancer appear to be at increased risk of being diagnosed with BBD, in particular the high‐risk types of BBD associated with a greatly increased risk of breast cancer. This link adds weight to the belief that BBD with atypia is a precursor or marker lesion for breast cancer. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased incidence rate of colorectal tumors due to the intake of a soluble dietary fiber in rat chemical carcinogenesis can be suppressed by substituting partially an insoluble dietary fiber for the soluble one
Authors: Okazaki Hideki , Nishimune Takahiro , Matsuzaki Hiroshi , Miura Tsutomu , Morita Shigeru , Yanagimoto Yukio , Yamagishi Hiroyuki , Yamada Kazuhiko , Ikegami Sachie
Published: September 2002

In epidemiologic studies on human colorectal tumors, results on the relative protective effect of soluble and insoluble fibers are not consistent. We studied in this work the effect in rats of feeding guar gum or guar gum together with cellulose on the incidence of colorectal tumors induced by 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine. The results were as follows: (i) The enhancement of tumor formation by feeding solely guar gum (guar gum group) was suppressed completely when two‐thirds of the guar gum was replaced with cellulose (cellulose‐guar gum group). The odds ratio for tumor formation was 0.075 (95% CI 0.006–0.936, p = 0.044) for guar gum group vs. no fiber control and 0.833 (0.134–5.167, p = 0.83) for cellulose‐guar gum group vs. the control. (ii) In both groups, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels decreased significantly compared to the no fiber control group, and fecal excretion of total bile acids almost doubled. (iii) In guar gum group rats, the deconjugation activity (β‐glucuronidase, β‐glucosidase) was higher than the control or cellulose‐guar gum group rats. (iv) The amount of cecal short‐chain fatty acids was almost double in guar gum group rats compared to the cellulose‐guar gum group or the control rats, and pH of the cecal content of the guar gum group rats had a tendency to be lower. (v) The concentration of fecal secondary bile acids was extremely low in the younger rats of the guar gum group. From these results, it seemed significant to study the cancer preventive effect of the mixed feeding to experimental animals of water‐soluble and insoluble fibers instead of the singular feeding. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Broadened ligand responsiveness of androgen receptor mutants obtained by random amino acid substitution of H874 and mutation hot spot T877 in prostate cancer
Authors: Steketee Karine , Timmerman Leon , Ziel‐van der Made Angelique C.J. , Doesburg Paul , Brinkmann Albert O. , Trapman Jan
Published: September 2002

In a subset of endocrine therapy‐resistant prostate cancers, amino acid substitutions H874Y, T877A and T877S, which broaden ligand specificity of the ligand binding domain (LBD) of the androgen receptor (AR), have been detected. To increase our knowledge of the role of amino acid substitutions at these specific positions in prostate cancer, codons 874 and 877 were subjected to random mutagenesis. AR mutants were screened in a yeast readout system for responsiveness to 5α‐dihydrotestosterone, progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone. At position 874, only the histidine to tyrosine substitution could broaden AR ligand specificity. At position 877, 4 ligand specificity broadening substitutions were found: T877A, T877S, T877C and T877G. The latter 2 were not found in prostate cancer. The AR mutants were tested in mammalian (Hep3B) cells for responsiveness to 13 different ligands. All mutants displayed their own ligand specificity spectrum. Importantly, AR(H874Y) and AR(T877A) could be activated by cortisol. According to the 3‐dimensional structure of the AR LBD, T877 interacts directly with the 17β‐hydroxyl group of androgens. All amino acid substitutions identified at position 877 had smaller side chains than the threonine in the wild‐type receptor, indicating that increased space in the ligand binding pocket is important in broadened ligand specificity. Because H874 does not interact directly with the ligand, its substitution by a tyrosine is expected to change the ligand binding pocket conformation indirectly. For T877C and T877G substitutions, 2‐point mutations are required, and for H874Y, T877A and T877S substitutions, only a 1‐point mutation is sufficient. This most likely explains that the latter 3 have been found in prostate cancer. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HRAS1 variable number of tandem repeats polymorphism and risk of bladder cancer
Authors: van Gils Carla H. , Conway Kathleen , Li Yu , Taylor Jack A.
Published: September 2002

The HRAS1 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism, 1 kb downstream from the HRAS1 gene, has been reported to be associated with risk of various cancers. To examine whether individuals with rare HRAS1 VNTR alleles are at increased risk of bladder cancer we carried out a case control study with 230 bladder cancer cases and 203 hospital‐based controls frequency‐matched on ethnicity, gender and age. For genotyping we used a PCR‐based long‐gel electrophoretic assay that provides precise allele size discrimination. We did not find evidence of a strong overall effect of the HRAS1 VNTR on bladder cancer risk. Genotype data for whites and blacks were analyzed separately, but the number of black subjects was too small to estimate meaningful odds ratios. Compared to white subjects with 2 common alleles, the odds ratio (OR) for white subjects with 1 rare allele was 0.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.5–1.4) and for those with 2 rare alleles OR = 1.7 (95% CI = 0.6–5.4). HRAS1 genotype may be related to the prognosis of bladder cancer, however, because incident cases, i.e., newly diagnosed cases had a higher frequency of rare alleles than did prevalent cases, i.e., cases already existing at the time of recruitment. Repeating the analyses with incident cases only (n = 53), the OR for subjects with 1 rare allele was 1.2 (95% CI = 0.6–2.4) and for those with 2 rare alleles 3.2 (95% CI = 0.8–13.7). The number of incident cases was too small to draw firm conclusions on a possible association with a subgroup of tumors with a poor prognosis. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acceleration of invasive activity via matrix metalloproteinases by transfection of the estrogen receptor‐α gene in endometrial carcinoma cells
Authors: Mizumoto Hisanobu , Saito Tsuyoshi , Ashihara Koji , Nishimura Makoto , Tanaka Ryoichi , Kudo Ryuichi
Published: September 2002

It is well known that the functions of reproductive organs are regulated by sex steroids and their receptors and it is hypothesized that the progression of neoplasms that originate from the reproductive organs is influenced by them. However, the correlation between sex steroids and tumor progression, especially tumor invasion, is not well known in endometrial carcinoma. In our study, we focused on the influence of estrogen and its receptor in invasion and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are known to be important in tumor invasion, as well as on endometrial carcinoma cells. The growth of Ishikawa cells, to which an estrogen receptor‐α expressing vector was transfected, was accelerated by 17β‐estradiol as was the acceleration of the expression of cyclin D1. By invasion assay, in conditions with 17β‐estradiol, the invasiveness of Ishikawa cells was enhanced. Furthermore, according to the accelerated invasiveness, the expression of MMP‐1, ‐7 and ‐9 and Ets‐1 was enhanced. These results suggest that activation of ER‐α by estrogen results in tumor progression by stimulating cell growth and invasiveness via acceleration of the expression of MMPs. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Critical tumor‐suppressor gene regions on chromosome 3P in major human epithelial malignancies: Allelotyping and quantitative real‐time PCR
Authors: Braga Eleonora , Senchenko Vera , Bazov Igor , Loginov Witaly , Liu Jian , Ermilova Valeria , Kazubskaya Tatiana , Garkavtseva Raisa , Mazurenko Natalia , Kisseljov Fedor , Lerman Michael I. , Klein George , Kisselev Lev , Zabarovsky Eugene R.
Published: September 2002

To ascertain the involvement of human chromosome 3p and its established critical TSG regions in various epithelial malignancies, 21 polymorphic and 2 nonpolymorphic 3p markers were allelotyped in nonpapillary RCC, NSCLC, CC and BC from a total of 184 patients. LOH was observed with high frequency in all types of cancer studied: RCC (52/57, 91%), BC (41/51, 80%), NSCLC (30/40, 75%) and CC (27/36, 75%). Interstitial deletions, believed to signal TSG inactivation, were verified using the “L‐allele rule” and real‐time quantitative PCR. Significant correlation was observed between DNA copy numbers for 2 nonpolymorphic STS markers and LOH data for adjacent polymorphic loci. Interstitial deletions in 3p were demonstrated for all cancer types studied. However, the distribution of different types of deletion was characteristic for tumors from various locations. Large terminal deletions were predominantly seen in RCC and NSCLC (51% and 40%, respectively), correlating with clear cell RCC and squamous cell carcinomas of the lung. In addition to the LUCA region at 3p21.3 (centromeric), we found that the AP20 region (3p21.3, telomeric) was frequently affected in all 4 cancers, suggesting that this newly defined critical region contains multiple TSGs. Moreover, at least 3 candidate cancer‐specific loci were identified. The telomeric 3p26.1‐p25.3 region was predominantly deleted in RCC and NSCLC. The D3S1286 and D3S3047 markers (3p25.2‐p24.3) were deleted nonrandomly in NSCLC. High‐frequency LOH was detected in a segment mapped closely distal to the LUCA site (3p21.3), around the D3S2409 and D3S2456 markers. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of androgen receptor and nuclear receptor co‐regulator expression in human breast cancer cell lines exhibiting differential regulation of kallikreins 2 and 3
Authors: Magklara Angeliki , Brown Theodore J. , Diamandis Eleftherios P.
Published: September 2002

Accumulating evidence indicates that androgens and the androgen receptor modulate the development and progression of breast adenocarcinoma; however, the precise role and actions remain poorly defined. We examined previously the steroid hormone regulation of 2 known androgen‐regulated kallikreins, KLK3 (encoding PSA) and KLK2 (encoding human kallikrein 2 or hK2) in BT‐474, T‐47D, ZR75‐1, MCF‐7, MFM‐223 and BT‐20 human breast cancer cells and found that they were differentially regulated, with the cells showing variable responses to androgen. To determine if this variable response was reflected by differences in androgen receptor, we characterized the expression of androgen receptor in these cells by Western blot analysis and saturation binding analysis. In addition, we sequenced androgen receptor cDNA from each of these cell lines to check whether any androgen receptor mutations were present. The expression of 11 nuclear receptor co‐regulatory factors (SRC‐1, AIB1, ARA24, ARA54, ARA55, ARA70, ARA160, FHL2, PDEF, NCoR1, SMRT) was compared in these cell lines by semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR to determine if the pattern of receptor co‐activators or ‐repressors expressed in these cells might explain the differential regulation of KLK2 and KLK3. The levels of androgen receptor varied among the cell lines, but did not correlate with hK2 and PSA secretion determined previously. No mutations within the coding regions of the receptor were detected. With the exception of receptor expressed by MCF‐7 cells, the polymorphic CAG repeat length was in the normal range. Every breast cancer cell line exhibited a distinct expression pattern of the nuclear receptor co‐regulators examined raising the possibility that the relative levels of these co‐activators/‐repressors might differentially modulate androgen receptor transcriptional activity within the promoter/enhancer region of KLK2 and KLK3 of these cells. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Soluble HLA‐DR is a potent predictive indicator of disease progression in serum from early‐stage melanoma patients
Authors: Rebmann Vera , Ugurel Selma , Tilgen Wolfgang , Reinhold Uwe , Grosse‐Wilde Hans
Published: September 2002

Despite numerous therapeutic options, the prognosis of malignant melanoma, once metastasized, is still poor. Thus, the search for reliable methods to identify patients with high risk of disease progression as early as possible is of major importance. In our study, we analyzed the predictive value of soluble HLA‐DR (sHLA‐DR) in comparison to S100‐β in serum from 183 melanoma patients of different stages of disease and with or without current therapy using immunosorbent assays. sHLA‐DR serum levels of 121 healthy individuals served as controls. We found significantly (p< 0.0005) reduced sHLA‐DR serum levels in melanoma patients (0.70 ± 0.08 SEM μg/ml) compared to controls (1.49 ± 0.10 SEM μg/ml). Reduced sHLA‐DR and increased S100‐β levels were associated with advanced disease stages and tumor load. S100‐β was increased under cytostatic therapy (p< 0.0005), whereas sHLA‐DR was not influenced by therapy modalities. Univariate analysis showed an association of sHLA‐DR < 0.3 μg/ml and S100‐β > 0.12 μg/l with poor overall (p= 0.021 andp= 0.0009) and progression‐free survival (p< 0.0005 andp= 0.0025). Multivariate analysis revealed disease stage (p= 0.0093) and tumor burden (p< 0.0005) as independent predictive factors for overall survival, and sHLA‐DR (p= 0.0007) and tumor burden (p= 0.0015) for progression‐free survival. In contrast to S100‐β, sHLA‐DR serum concentrations < 0.3 μg/ml were strongly associated (p= 0.0001) with poor progression‐free survival in a subgroup of 60 nonmetastasized patients. In conclusion, our results suggest sHLA‐DR as a potent prognostic serum marker in melanoma patients superior to S100‐β in helping to identify early‐stage patients at high risk of disease progression. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Polymorphisms of DNA repair genes XRCC1 and XPD and their associations with risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a Chinese population
Authors: Xing Deyin , Qi Jun , Miao Xiaoping , Lu Wenfu , Tan Wen , Lin Dongxin
Published: September 2002

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), which is prevalent in China, is believed to be induced by environmental carcinogens. Accumulating evidence has shown that individual variation in DNA repair capacity resulting from genetic polymorphism influences risk of environmental carcinogenesis. We therefore investigated the associations between genetic polymorphisms in the DNA repair genes XRCC1 (Arg194Trp and Arg399Gln) and XPD (Asp312Asn and Lys751Gln) and risk of ESCC in an at‐risk Chinese population. Genotypes were determined by a PCR‐based approach in 433 patients with ESCC and 524 frequency‐matched normal controls. We found that individuals with Trp/Trp genotype at XRCC1 Arg194Trp site had a 2‐fold increased risk of this disease compared to Arg/Arg genotype (adjusted OR = 1.98; 95% CI 1.26–3.12). Furthermore, when compared to Arg/Arg and Arg/Trp genotype combined, homozygote for Trp/Trp genotype significantly increased the risk of developing ESCC, with the adjusted OR being 2.07 (95% CI 1.34–3.20). However, the XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism was not significantly associated with risk of ESCC, with the adjusted OR being 0.87 (95% CI 0.55–1.37). Neither Asp312Asn nor Lys751Gln polymorphisms in the XPD gene influenced risk of ESCC in our study. These findings suggest that DNA repair gene XRCC1 but not XPD might play a role in esophageal carcinogenesis and might represent a genetic determinant in the development of the cancer. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
‘Are pastures greener?’ Residential consequences of migration
Authors: Lu Max
Published: September 2002

Residential consequences of migration are important factors influencing households' future moving decisions. Intra‐urban mobility may result in better housing and neighbourhoods for households because such moves are usually motivated by housing adjustment. The same may be true of interregional migration because relocation provides an opportunity for housing improvements. The empirical analysis based on data from the American Housing Survey (AHS) shows that over half of intra‐urban movers and close to half of interregional migrants ended up in more desirable housing following a move, and a smaller but still substantial proportion of the movers in each group also resided in a better neighbourhood. Most of the movers were successful in improving both their housing and neighbourhood. But ‘greener pastures’ are far from being a given. Large proportions of both intra‐urban and interregional migrants failed to improve their residential conditions and many fared worse. Changes in housing and household statuses, particularly tenure shift, appear to be the most salient variable affecting households' judgement on their new residential conditions relative to their previous residence. Changes in geographical surroundings had significant effects on residential outcomes of intra‐urban mobility whereby the general preference for a suburban environment is borne out, but they did not seem to matter to interregional migrants. Most socioeconomic variables did not affect residential outcomes either, over and above their influence on tenure shift. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A sceptical view of climate change and water resources planning
Authors: Kite Geoff
Published: September 2002

Journals, both academic and otherwise, are full of papers describing in detail the impacts of climate change, and a presumed causal link to man's activities, especially the contribution of “greenhouse gases”. Despite the abundance of funding to study the hypothesised anthropogenic link, it has yet to be demonstrated, while evidence to the contrary can readily be derived from available data. This brief paper summarises some information that may give cause for thought and suggests that environmental degradation should be of more concern than an imaginary climate change. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulation‐based irrigation scheduling as a water management tool in developing countries
Authors: Endale Dinku M. , Fipps Guy
Published: September 2002

An Irrigation District Decision Support System (IRDDESS) is described and applied to a large irrigation scheme in the Middle Awash Valley of Ethiopia. Crop yields are simulated over a 12‐year period in order to determine which of 12 separate irrigation schedules in use meet certain specified objectives. IRDDESS is a crop growth and irrigation district simulation model capable of predicting biomass development and yields for fields varying in soil type and irrigation management scenarios. IRDDESS also tracks water demand in the distribution system. Results show which of the 12 schedules will meet specific objectives of maximizing yields or minimizing water use and illustrate the potential of such decision support system in evaluation and management of large irrigation schemes. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of treated sewage irrigation on paddy rice culture and its soil
Authors: Yoon Chun G. , Kwun Soon K. , Ham Jong H.
Published: September 2002

A pilot study was performed in an experimental field at Konkuk University in Seoul, Korea, to examine the effect of treated sewage irrigation on paddy rice culture and its soil characteristics. Treated sewage irrigation did not adversely affect the growth or yield of rice; instead it resulted in about 10% (with dilution) or 50% (without dilution) greater yield than in controls. The strength of treated sewage was not a limiting factor and no lodging was observed in the rice culture even with a relatively high nitrogen concentration (up to 160 mg l−1). The paddy soil also was not generally affected, although there was an indication of salt accumulation in the field irrigated with the highest strength of treated sewage. Overall, the treated sewage irrigation to paddy rice culture was thought to be an acceptable process for final sewage disposal as long as it is adequately treated and used as a supplemental source of irrigation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spatially varied flow in non‐prismatic channels. II: numerical solution and experimental verification
Authors: Kouchakzadeh S. , Kholghi M. K. , Vatankhah Mohammad‐Abadi A. R.
Published: September 2002

A new governing equation was proposed for the spatially varied flows with increasing discharge, which affects the position and the depth of the control section as well as the entire water surface profile within the channel. This paper presents the use of the Newton‐Raphson method in the solution process. The results of the computational model were compared with experimental data and with the output of the traditional equation. It was indicated that because of incorporating the expansion factor of the non‐prismatic channels, the proposed equation is able to represent the experimental data very well and hence is superior to the traditional equation for design purposes. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uniformity of N‐fertiliser spreading and risk of ground water contamination
Authors: Tissot S. , Miserque O. , Mostade O. , Huyghebaert B. , Destain J. P.
Published: September 2002

The uniformity of fertiliser spreading mainly depends on the evenness of the transversal distribution. During the last few years, more than 300 fertiliser spreaders have been tested on farms. The results have shown big differences between machines (coefficient of variation, CV, between 5 and more than 50%). The spreading homogeneity is linked to spreader features, fertiliser characteristics and user skills.

The contamination of ground water by nitrogen depends on the locally applied quantity of fertiliser. Using farm spreading patterns, a simulation of the risk of contamination has been established, based on the increase of typical spreading errors. The risk of ground water contamination is assessed by using curves of residual nitrogen observed under field conditions in Belgium. It is thus possible to determine an acceptable level of fertiliser spreading heterogeneity. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increasing water productivity through deficit irrigation: evidence from the Indus plains of Pakistan
Authors: Sarwar Asad , Perry Chris
Published: September 2002

Water shortage shifts attention from the traditional concept of crop yield—production per unit of land—to the productivity of water—production per unit of water. Whether this parameter is best increased through responsive, sophisticated irrigation scheduling or through predetermined schedules, providing limited water, has been a contentious issue for some years. This paper brings together modelling studies from Pakistan that address this issue, as well as raising the question of whether deficit irrigation threatens sustainability through the build‐up of salts in the soil profile.

It is shown that under conditions of plentiful water, highest productivity is achieved when irrigation is precisely scheduled to meet crop needs. However, when water is short its productivity is substantially increased (by almost 50%) by deficit irrigation. No salt problem occurs as long as amount of water applied through irrigation is sufficient to meet 80% of the total crop evapotranspiration. Under limited water conditions, the productivity achieved is little affected by setting predetermined irrigation schedules, allowing the operating agency to concentrate on reliability of service. Finally, it is also shown that the salt build‐up is independent of irrigation scheduling. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clusters of attributes and well‐being in the USA
Authors: Hirschberg Joseph G. , Maasoumi Esfandiar , Slottje Daniel J.
Published: September 2002

Using ARIMA models and entropy, the dynamic evolution of several functions of aggregate income and other attributes of well‐being is analysed for statistical ‘similarity’ in order to determine potentially distinct dimensions in multidimensional analysis of welfare and quality of life in the USA. The entropy metric compares entire distributions and is more general than principal components and other correlation‐based techniques for clustering. To help macroeconomic policy makers, we compare the distribution of several composite measures of well‐being which include income, with the distribution of some common measures of aggregate income over the period 1915–1995. Per capita disposable income and growth in GNP are statistically distinct dimensions of well‐being. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Small‐system modelling of real wages, inflation, unemployment and output per capita in Italy 1970–1994
Authors: Marcellino Massimiliano , Mizon Grayham E.
Published: September 2002

The relationships between real wages, output per capita, inflation and unemployment in Italy between 1970 and 1994 are modelled using a cointegrated vector autoregression. There is evidence of a change in the underlying equilibria and in the dynamic evolution of the variables, probably associated with the substantial changes in many sectors of the Italian economy after 1979. Alternative ways to model structural change in the Italian labour market are considered. In adopting a split‐sample approach the results favour an hysteresis interpretation of unemployment. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
This is what the leading indicators lead
Authors: Camacho Maximo , Perez‐Quiros Gabriel
Published: September 2002

We propose an optimal filter to transform the Conference Board Composite Leading Index (CLI) into recession probabilities in the US economy. We also analyse the CLI's accuracy at anticipating US output growth. We compare the predictive performance of linear, VAR extensions of smooth transition regression and switching regimes, probit, non‐parametric models and conclude that a combination of the switching regimes and non‐parametric forecasts is the best strategy at predicting both the NBER business cycle schedule and GDP growth. This confirms the usefulness of CLI, even in a real‐time analysis. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Osteoblast culture on polished titanium disks modified with phosphonic acids
Authors: Viornery Carine , Guenther Harald L. , Aronsson Björn‐Owe , Péchy Péter , Descouts Pierre , Grätzel Michael
Published: September 2002

Titanium is widely used in dental implants due to its suitable physical properties and its good biocompatibility. However, it is integrated into bone only passively, and the resulting fixation in the bone, which is necessary for the function, is mainly mechanical in nature. With the objective of increasing the chemical interaction between the implant and the bone tissue, several phosphonic acids were synthesized and grafted onto titanium disks. Here we report on the proliferation, differentiation, and protein production of rat osteoblastic cells (CRP10/30) on phosphonic‐acid‐modified titanium surfaces studied in vitro. No statistical differences were found in osteoblast proliferation among the phosphonic‐acid‐modified titanium, unmodified titanium, and tissue culture plastic (used as a positive control), indicating that the phosphonic acids used were not cytotoxic to the osteoblasts used. For all surfaces (modified or not), the alkaline phosphatase activity was at least as good as it was on tissue culture plastic. However, the total amount of protein, and especially the collagen type I synthesis, was sensitive to surface modification. On titanium modified with ethane‐1,1,2‐triphosphonic acid, the total amount of synthesized protein was significantly higher than it was on unmodified titanium surfaces. A significant increase (up to 16%) of collagen type I production was observed on titanium surfaces modified with this acid or with methylenediphosphonic acid compared to unmodified titanium surfaces. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 62: 149–155, 2002
Mineralization followup with the use of NMR spectroscopy and others
Authors: Legrand André P. , Bresson Bruno , Guidoin Robert , Famery Roger
Published: September 2002

High‐resolution solid state NMR spectroscopy appears to be a powerful method for a better understanding of bone structures and bone substitutes and implants. It is particularly efficient to estimate osteoformation via bioceramic bone colonization. Pathological calcification occurring in bioprosthetic heart valves and breast prostheses can be characterized as a complement to X‐ray spectrometry. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 63: 390–395, 2002