bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DNA methylation and immunohistochemical analysis of the S100A4 calcium binding protein in human prostate cancer
Authors: Rehman Ishtiaq , Goodarzi Amin , Cross Simon S. , Leiblich Aaron , Catto James W.F. , Phillips Joshua T. , Hamdy Freddie C.
Published: January 2007

BACKGROUND

The role of DNA methylation in the transcriptional regulation of S100A4 is unknown in human prostate cancer.

METHODS

Critical CpG sites within intron 1 of S100A4 were sequenced in DNA obtained from prostatic adenocarcinoma, non‐malignant epithelium, and prostate cancer cell lines. S100A4 protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.

RESULTS

Methylation was seen in all cases of cancer, non‐malignant epithelium, and in prostate cancer cell lines, but was absent in all cases of blood DNA. S100A4 immunoexpression was absent in all cases of malignant and non‐malignant epithelium, while strong–moderate expression was seen in the stroma and lymphocytes. Western blotting showed absent S100A4 expression in LNCaP and Du145 cells and low levels in PC‐3 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

S100A4 protein is not expressed in benign or malignant prostatic epithelium nor in LNCaP and Du145 cells. The mechanism underlying absent S100A4 expression in prostatic epithelium and cell lines may involve methylation. Prostate 67: 341–347, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prothrombotic effect of prostasomes of metastatic cell and seminal origin
Authors: Babiker Adil A. , Hamad Osama A. , Sanchez Javier , Ronquist Gunnar , Nilsson Bo , Ekdahl Kristina Nilsson
Published: January 2007

BACKGROUND

Prostasomes are secretory granules produced by the glandular epithelial cells of the prostate. Seminal prostasomes contain high amounts of Tissue Factor (TF) but no studies of TF on malignant cell prostasomes have been made. Here we compare the expression, phosphorylation, and function of TF on prostasomes of different origin.

METHODS

TF was detected on prostasomes isolated from seminal fluid and human prostate cancer cell lines (PC‐3, DU145, and LNCaP) using FACS and enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Incubation of prostasomes with radioactive ATP under conditions favoring protein kinase A activity led to phosphorylation of TF as detected by immunoprecipitation and SDS–PAGE. The prothrombotic effect of prostasomes was investigated in whole blood and recalcified plasma. Blocking experiments were performed using anti‐TF antibodies and corn trypsin inhibitor.

RESULTS

TF was expressed on all tested prostasome preparations with lowest values found for seminal ones. Prostasomal TF was the main endogenous substrate for prostasomal protein kinase A. All tested prostasome preparations greatly enhanced the rate of clot formation in a dose‐dependent fashion, that is, the clotting capability of prostasomes seemed to be related to the extent of their expression of TF. In addition, the density of the clot varied between different prostasome preparations. When incubated in whole blood, prostasomes were found to associate to WBC thereby inducing them to express and release TF.

CONCLUSIONS

These data show that TF is overexpressed and also subjected to phosphorylation by malignant cell prostasomes. This suggests major roles for prostasomes in thrombotic events that occur in some advanced cases of prostate cancer. Prostate 67: 378–388, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid, non‐destructive, cell‐based screening assays for agents that modulate growth, death, and androgen receptor activation in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Tavassoli Peyman , Snoek Rob , Ray Mira , Rao Leticia Gomez , Rennie Paul S.
Published: January 2007

BACKGROUND

We developed non‐invasive, cell‐based screening assays to rapidly and biologically assess factors that modulate prostate cancer growth and affect androgen receptor (AR) activity.

METHODS

LNCaP cells, which stably express enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) either constitutively or upon AR activation, were treated with a variety of agents, and then monitored by fluorescence and MTS assays for dose‐dependent changes in cell number and AR activity.

RESULTS

The assays were validated for rapid, fluorescence‐based, quantitative measurement for the presence of growth and AR modulators. Using these assays, we found that osteoblast conditioned media (CM) enhanced prostate cancer cell growth, but not AR activity. After priming with androgen (<1 nM R1881), forskolin or the pesticide dichlorvos enhanced AR activation, whereas interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) inhibited it.

CONCLUSION

These non‐destructive, cell‐based assays enable rapid systematic monitoring of the effects of drugs or complex mixtures on prostate cancer cell growth and/or AR activity. Prostate 67: 416–426, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gain of chromosome X in prostatic atrophy detected by CGH and FISH analyses
Authors: Yildiz‐Sezer Seval , Verdorfer Irmgard , Schäfer Georg , Rogatsch Hermann , Bartsch Georg , Mikuz Gregor
Published: January 2007

BACKGROUND

Focal atrophy is presumed to be an indirect forerunner of prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to examine genetic alterations in prostate epithelia deriving from atrophic areas and compare these findings with those of cells deriving from paired prostate cancer in the same patient.

METHODS

Formalin fixed paraffin wax‐embedded prostatectomy specimens from 20 prostate cancer patients were utilized in this study. Comparative Genomic Hybridization (CGH) was performed on atrophic areas. To validate the CGH results, Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization (FISH) analysis was performed on atrophic areas and paired cancer tissue.

RESULTS

Gain of the whole chromosome X was found as sole aberration in seven (70%) atrophic tissues by CGH. A gain of centromere X was observed in 13 (68.4%) atrophic areas and in 18 (90%) cancer tissues using FISH.

CONCLUSIONS

Our investigation reconfirms the genetical instability of cells of the atrophic acini and attention of relevance of gain of chromosome X in atrophic areas. Prostate 67: 433–438, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Control of GaAs‐MESFET breakdown voltage by Shannon implantation
Authors: Kumar Y. , Sarkar S.
Published: January 2007

The dependence of GaAs‐MESFET gate‐drain breakdown voltage on gate‐Schottky barrier enhancement by Shannon‐implantation is analyzed. The analytical results show that the breakdown voltage can be increased by increasing the Shannon‐implant dose. However, the tolerable limit of hole accumulation under the gate does not allow the breakdown voltage to be increased beyond a certain limit. The breakdown voltage limit is higher for a channel of lighter doping. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Tunneling currents through lightly nitride silicon dioxide/oxide stacks
Authors: Mao L. F. , Wang Z. O.
Published: January 2007

Oxynitride has been used to decrease leakage current of thin film SiO2. Combining with the band structures obtained from first‐principles simulations, tunneling currents through SiO2/silicon oxynitride stacks were calculated. SiO2/silicon oxynitride stacks can reduce leakage current at low oxide field but will fail at higher field. The threshold oxide field, which means that SiO2/silicon oxynitride stacks can not reduce the tunneling current when oxide field is higher than it, decreases with increased nitrogen concentration while the effective oxide thickness remains constant. Direct tunneling and defect‐assisted tunneling will be dominant for lower and higher nitrogen atom concentrations, respectively. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermoluminescence dosimetric properties of LiAlSiO4 and LiAlSi10O22 synthesized by sol–gel method
Authors: Gómez‐Ros J. M. , Correcher V. , Sánchez‐Muñoz L. , García‐Guinea J. , Delgado A.
Published: January 2007

The present work reports a phenomenological description of the thermoluminescence (TL) emissions of both annealed and non‐annealed samples of synthetic LiAlSiO4 and LiAlSi10O22, measured in the UV‐blue region of the spectrum. A glow curve fitting programme based on general order kinetics has been used to characterise the TL glow curve structure and its dependence with the absorbed dose in the range from 0.5 to 5 Gy, both in prompt and high‐temperature annealed samples. A good reproducibility and nearly linear dose dependence have been found in the peaks of the analysed TL curves. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Electrical transport in Mn‐doped GaAs pn‐diodes
Authors: Holmberg H. , Lebedeva N. , Novikov S. , Kuivalainen P. , Malfait M. , Moshchalkov V. V.
Published: January 2007

We have studied the effect of magnetic ordering on the electrical transport in magnetic GaAs diodes. The fabricated pn‐junctions consist of Mn‐doped ferromagnetic layers on top of non‐magnetic semiconductor substrates. First the electrical and magnetic properties of the magnetic layers are investigated, which shows that the exchange interaction between the charge carriers and the localized magnetic moments of the Mn‐atoms dominates the charge transport at temperatures close to the Curie temperature. In the Gax Mn1–x As/GaAs‐p++n++‐junctions having heavily doped p‐ and n‐regions, the inter‐band tunnelling current shows large dependence on the magnetic ordering. The spin‐dependent tunnelling can be explained by a model, where the density of valence band states decreases due to the band splitting caused by the exchange interaction. From the measured decrease of the tunnelling current we estimated the value for the exchange parameter $ J^{\rm pd}_{\rm exch} $ = 2.9 eV. Various explanations for the absence of magnetoresistance in the magnetic diodes with lightly doped non‐magnetic regions are discussed. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Scintillation and luminescence properties of Ce3+ doped ternary cesium rare‐earth halides
Authors: Birowosuto M. D. , Dorenbos P. , van Eijk C. W. E. , Krämer K. W. , Güdel H. U.
Published: January 2007

The scintillation properties of Ce3+ doped ternary cesium rare‐earth halides are reported. We investigated Cs3Lu2I9:Ce3+, Cs3Gd2I9:Ce3+, Cs3LaBr6:Ce3+ and Cs3LuI6:Ce3+. Cs3Lu2I9:Ce3+ and Cs3LaBr6:Ce3+ exhibit the highest light yields under γ‐ray excitation of 22800 ± 2300 and 10400 ± 1000 photons per MeV of absorbed γ‐ray energy, respectively. Optical spectroscopy and scintillation decay time curves of these compounds are presented. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Hammett MSP and Taft DSP analysis of substituent effects on Mulliken charges of 1‐(arylmethylene)‐1H‐cyclopropanaphthalene
Authors: Hashem Essa Ali
Published: January 2007

Density functional theory (DFT) method is used to investigate the effects of a variety of substituents (N(CH3)2, OCH3, CH3,Br, H, F, CN, and NO2) on Mulliken charge (QM) for C‐α and C‐β of 1‐(Arylmethylene)‐1H‐cyclopropanaphthalene using Hammett's mono substituent parameter (MSP) and Taft's dual substituent parameter (DSP) models. The Hammett's model approach gave statistically more significant results than the Taft's model for both carbons atoms. For the C‐α atom a reverse substituent effect was observed and attributed to localized π‐polarization. On the other hand, the MSP and DSP for the C‐β atom showed normal substituent effect. The λ value at the C‐α, explain that the resonance effects more contribution than inductive effects. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Direct identification of proteins from T47D cells and murine brain tissue by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization post‐source decay/collision‐induced dissociation
Authors: Pevsner Paul H. , Naftolin Frederick , Hillman Dean E. , Miller Douglas C. , Fadiel Ahmed , Kogus Alexander , Stern Arnold , Samuels Herbert H.
Published: January 2007

The purpose of this study is to determine the feasibility of the direct matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) identification of proteins in fixed T47D breast cancer cells and murine brain tissues. The ability to identify proteins from cells and tissue may lead to biomarkers that effectively predict the onset of defined disease states, and their dynamic behavior could be an important hint for drug target discoveries. Direct tissue application of trypsin allows protein identification in cells and tissues, while maintaining spatial integrity and intracellular organization. Using a chemical printer, matrix was co‐registered on trypsinized human T47D breast cancer cells and cryo‐preserved sections of murine brain tissue, followed by MALDI post‐source decay (PSD) or MALDI collision‐induced dissociation (CID), respectively. Mass‐to‐charge (m/z) data from the cells and brain tissues were processed using Mascot© software interrogation of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. Histone H2B was identified from cultured T47D human breast cancer cells. Tubulin β2 was identified from mouse brain cortex following an induced stroke. These results suggest that MALDI PSD/CID, combined with bioinformatics, can be used for the direct identification of proteins from cells and tissues. Refinements in preparation techniques may improve this approach to provide a tool for quantitative proteomics and clinical analysis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Q‐Learning‐based method applied to stochastic resource constrained project scheduling with new project arrivals
Authors: Choi Jaein , Realff Matthew J. , Lee Jay H.
Published: January 2007

In many resource‐constrained project scheduling problems (RCPSP), the set of candidate projects is not fixed a priori but evolves with time. For example, while performing an initial set of projects according to a certain decision policy, a new promising project can emerge. To make an appropriate resource allocation decision for such a problem, project cancellation and resource idling decisions should complement the conventional scheduling decisions. In this study, the problem of stochastic RCPSP (sRCPSP) with dynamic project arrivals is addressed with the added flexibility of project cancellation and resource idling. To solve the problem, a Q‐Learning‐based approach is adopted. To use the approach, the problem is formulated as a Markov Decision Process with appropriate definitions of states, including information state and action variables. The Q‐Learning approach enables us to derive an empirical state transition rules from simulation data so that analytical calculations of potentially exorbitantly complicated state transition rules can be circumvented. To maximize the advantage of using the empirically learned state transition rules, special type of actions including project cancellation and resource idling, which are difficult to incorporate into heuristics, were randomly added in the simulation. The random actions are filtered during the Q‐Value iteration and properly utilized in the online decision making to maximize the total expected reward. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preoperative Chemotherapy and the Outcome of Liver Resection for Colorectal Metastases
Authors: Hewes J. C. , Dighe S. , Morris R. W. , Hutchins R. R. , Bhattacharya S. , Davidson B. R.
Published: January 2007

Background

Neoadjuvant systemic chemotherapy is being increasingly used prior to liver resection for colorectal metastases. Oxaliplatin has been implicated in causing structural changes to the liver parenchyma, and such changes may increase the morbidity and mortality of surgery.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective study was undertaken of 101 consecutive patients who had undergone liver resection for colorectal metastases in two HPB centers. Preoperative demographic and premorbid data were gathered along with liver function tests and tumor markers. A subjective assessment of the surgical procedure was noted, and in‐hospital morbidity and mortality were calculated. The effect of preoperative chemotherapy on short‐term and long‐term outcome was analyzed, and actuarial 1 and 3 year survival was determined.

Results

Patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy had a higher number of metastases (median 2, range 1–8 versus median 1, range 1–5; P = 0.019) and more had synchronous tumors (24 patients versus 8; P < 0.001). Overall morbidity was 37% and hospital mortality was 3.9%. Operative and in‐hospital outcome was not influenced by chemotherapy. Long‐term survival was worse in patients who had received preoperative chemotherapy (actuarial 3‐year survival 62% versus 80%; P = 0.04).

Conclusions

This study shows no evidence that neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and in particular oxaliplatin, increases the risk associated with liver resection for colorectal metastases. Long‐term outcome is reduced in patients receiving preoperative chemotherapy, although they have more advanced disease.
Impact of Obesity on Outcome and Changes in Quality of Life After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Järvinen Otso , Julkunen Juhani , Tarkka Matti R.
Published: January 2007

Background

An increasing proportion of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are obese and are thought to carry a higher mortality and morbidity in association with surgery, but data on whether health‐related quality of life (QOL) improves similarly after CABG in obese and non‐obese patients are limited. We assessed in detail the effect of obesity on changes in health‐related QOL (RAND‐36 Health Survey) during the first year following CABG.

Methods

Comprehensive data on 508 CABG patients were prospectively collected. One hundred patients (19.7%) were categorized as obese (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2). The RAND‐36 Health Survey was used as an indicator of quality of life. Assessments were made preoperatively and repeated 12 months later.

Results

The obese group fared significantly worse than the non‐obese group with regard to the likelihood of superficial wound infection (19.0% versus 7.1%, P < 0.001), impaired renal function (31.7% versus 14.4%, P = 0.01), and required on average 2 days longer in hospital (P < 0.05). The incidence of mediastinitis was not significantly higher among the obese patients (2.0% versus 1.2%, P = 0.55), and they less frequently needed postoperative red cell transfusions (29.0% versus 44.9%, P = 0.004). The obese improved significantly (P < 0.001) in 7, and the non‐obese (P < 0.001) in all 8 RAND‐36 dimensions. Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores on the RAND‐36 improved significantly (P < 0.001) in obese as well as in non‐obese patients.

Conclusions

Although obese patients differ from non‐obese patients in that they had inferior QOL before and in the year following CABG, they gain a similar improvement in QOL 1 year after surgery compared with non‐obese patients. Excluding superficial wound infection, transient impaired renal function, and slightly longer hospital stay, obesity does not significantly increase the risk of other adverse outcomes during the first year following CABG.
Critical Appraisal on the Role and Outcome of Emergency Colectomy for Uncomplicated Right‐sided Colonic Diverticulitis
Authors: Leung Wing‐Wa , Lee Janet FY , Liu Shirley YW , Mou Jennifer WC , Ng Simon SM , Yiu Raymond YC , Li Jimmy CM
Published: January 2007

Background

Emergency colectomy is well accepted for treating complicated right‐sided colonic diverticulitis. However, the role of colectomy for uncomplicated diverticulitis is not well defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short‐term and long‐term surgical outcome of uncomplicated right‐sided diverticulitis in our locality.

Patients and Methods

Retrospective chart review of patients operated for right‐sided diverticulitis over a 20‐year period was conducted. Recurrent attacks of right‐sided diverticulitis, re‐operation rate and re‐hospitalisation rate were the long‐term parameters of interest. An updated telephone interview was carried out for all surviving patients.

Results

Seventy‐four patients (35 males and 39 females), median age 35.5 (range 16–70) years, were operated for uncomplicated diverticulitis. Thirty patients underwent colectomy, whereas the others underwent appendectomy with diverticulectomy (n = 8) or appendectomy alone (n = 36). All short‐term parameters were less favourable for the colectomy group, including higher complication rate, slower return of gastrointestinal function, higher requirement of parenteral analgesic and longer hospital stay. Without colectomy, only 2 patients developed recurrent diverticulitis necessitating hospitalisation, both of whom resolved on conservative treatment. On the other hand, 1 patient required re‐operation after colectomy because of intestinal obstruction. The overall re‐hospitalisation rate was comparable between the colectomy and the non‐colectomy group (16.7% vs. 13.6%).

Conclusions

Emergency colectomy can eradicate suspicious lesions and eliminate risk of recurrent diverticulitis but at the expense of higher morbidity rates. As the natural course of uncomplicated right‐sided colonic diverticulitis is usually benign, conservative treatment with minimal surgery may be a better therapeutic option.
Clinical Significance of Large Tenascin‐C Spliced Variant as a Potential Biomarker for Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Takeda Akihiko , Otani Yoshihide , Iseki Hiroyoshi , Takeuchi Hideki , Aikawa Kimiyasu , Tabuchi Satoru , Shinozuka Nozomi , Saeki Toshiaki , Okazaki Yasushi , Koyama Isamu
Published: January 2007

Background

Tenascin‐C is an extracellular matrix protein forming various types of spliced variants. Low molecule variants are transiently present, but large spliced variants are predominantly overexpressed in proliferative processes or tumorigenesis in some varieties of cancer. However, the detection of the plasma level of large tenascin‐C spliced variant (L‐Tn‐CSV) in colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been clarified. This study was performed to validate elevated plasma L‐Tn‐CSV levels as a possible biomarker for CRC.

Materials and Methods

Plasma samples were obtained before resection and from time to time postoperatively and stored at −80°C until assay. Plasma L‐Tn‐CSV levels were evaluated in patients with primary (n = 162) and with recurrent (n = 20) CRC, including 48 healthy volunteers, measured by ELISA.

Results

The average plasma L‐Tn‐CSV concentrations of patients with primary CRC were 5,260 ± 3,243.3 pg/ml and of patients with recurrent CRC 4,106 ± 2,261.1 pg/ml, which were significantly elevated in comparison with those of healthy volunteers (2,364.3 ± 7,49.6). The sensitivity for detecting CRC using plasma L‐Tn‐CSV was 56.6%, based on the mean ± 2 SD of the concentrations of healthy controls (3,863.5), which was significantly higher than CEA (40.1%) and CA19‐9 (23.6%). No obvious associations were evident between plasma L‐Tn‐CSV status and values of CEA and CA19‐9 respectively. Statistically significant differences in plasma L‐Tn‐CSV were observed depending on tumor depth, lymph node metastasis, and TNM stage. Negative conversions of plasma L‐Tn‐CSV levels 6 months after resection were significantly higher in the completely curative resection group than in the non‐curative groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The plasma L‐Tn‐CSV may serve very well as a useful biomarker for tumor staging and postoperative monitoring of preoperatively positive CRC that is independent and exceeds conventional tumor markers.
Impact of Lymph Node Micrometastasis in Patients with Pancreatic Head Cancer
Authors: Kurahara Hiroshi , Takao Sonshin , Maemura Kousei , Shinchi Hiroyuki , Natsugoe Shoji , Aikou Takashi
Published: January 2007

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of nodal micrometastasis in patients who underwent a curative operation for pancreatic cancer.

Experimental Design

Fifty‐eight patients underwent a macroscopically curative resection with extended lymph node dissection for pancreatic cancer. The total number of resected lymph nodes was 1,058, and 944 histologically negative lymph nodes were subjected to immunohistochemical staining to detect occult micrometastases.

Results

Nodal micrometastases were detected immunohistochemically in 147 out of 944 resected histologically negative lymph nodes (15.6%). Forty‐four of all 58 patients (75.9%) and 13 of the 23 histologically node‐negative patients (56.5%) had nodal micrometastases. Nodal micrometastases existed in the N1 lymph node area most frequently, followed by the N2 and N3 lymph node areas. The distribution was similar to that of histologically metastatic lymph nodes. Ten out of 16 patients (62.5%) with histological N1, and 5 out of 16 patients (31.3%) with histological N2 had nodal micrometastases beyond the histological lymph node status. Three and 5‐year survival rates of pN0 patients without lymph node nodal micrometastases were both 60.0%, while those with nodal micrometastases were 19.2% and 0%, respectively. There was statistically significant difference between the both groups (P = 0.041).

Conclusions

Nodal micrometastasis in pancreatic cancer existed in wider and more distant areas than histological lymph node status, and it was an unfavorable predictive factor, even in N0 patients.
Clinicopathologic Features of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Compensated Cirrhosis Surviving More than 10 Years after Curative Hepatectomy
Authors: Fukuda Saburo , Itamoto Toshiyuki , Amano Hironobu , Kohashi Toshihiko , Ohdan Hideki , Tashiro Hirotaka , Asahara Toshimasa
Published: January 2007

Background

The aim of this study was to clarify the clinicopathologic features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with compensated cirrhosis surviving more than 10 years after initial hepatectomy.

Study Design

Among 250 patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC between 1987 and 1994 at our institute, 145 patients who had Child‐Pugh class A liver function and who underwent curative resection were included in this study. Clinicopathologic factors in 10‐year survivors and patients who died within 10 years (nonsurvivors) were compared, and the prognostic factors affecting survival were identified.

Results

There were 29 patients who survived for more than 10 years after initial hepatectomy, and 9 of those patients survived without cancer recurrence. The 3‐, 5‐, and 10‐year survival rates were 76.2%, 53.0%, and 26.9% respectively. The corresponding disease‐free survival rates were 43.1%, 25.7%, and 9.9% respectively. In multivariate analysis, liver fibrosis grade F0–2, female gender, ICG‐R15 value of less than 15%, and absence of microscopic vascular invasion were favorable independent factors associated with 10‐year survival. Disease‐free interval after initial hepatectomy in 10‐year survivors with recurrence was significantly longer than that in nonsurvivors with recurrence, 5.1 and 1.9 years respectively (P = 0.0004). The number of intrahepatic recurrent nodules in 10‐year survivors tended to be fewer than that in nonsurvivors.

Conclusions

Based on the results of our study, liver fibrosis grade F0–2, female gender, ICG‐R15 value of less than 15% and absence of microscopic vascular invasion at initial hepatectomy might be biologically favorable conditions for long‐term survival. Close follow‐up as well as multimodal treatment could contribute to prolongation of survival in such patients, even if HCC recurrence develops.
Mechanisms of Hepatic Regeneration Following Portal Vein Embolization and Partial Hepatectomy: A Review
Authors: Yokoyama Y. , Nagino M. , Nimura Y.
Published: January 2007

Background

Portal vein embolization (PVE) improves outcome following major hepatectomy, and basic studies have presented evidence related to the mechanisms responsible for hepatic regeneration. Hemodynamic changes following PVE are similar to, but slightly different from, those of partial hepatectomy (PH) because arterial flow to the embolized lobe is preserved. However, the process of hepatic regeneration is essentially the same after both PVE and PH. A number of mediators are involved in PVE or PH‐induced hepatic regeneration. These include inflammatory cytokines, vasoregulators, growth factors, eicosanoids, and various hormones. These mediators activate a complex network of signal transduction that promotes hepatic regeneration. A variety of conditions have been shown to modulate the function of these mediators and inhibit regeneration. These include biliary obstruction, diabetes, chronic ethanol consumption, malnutrition, gender, aging, and infection.

Conclusion

Optimizing these factors, where possible, before PVE or PH, is essential to maximize hypertrophy of the liver. A fuller understanding of hepatic physiology and pathophysiology following PVE or PH may lead to greater functional capacity of the remaining liver and extend the indications for hepatectomy in patients who require large liver volume resection.
Safety and Efficacy of Surgical Management of Hyperthyroidism: 15‐year Experience from a Tertiary Care Center in a Developing Country
Authors: Pradeep P. V. , Agarwal Amit , Baxi Mukta , Agarwal Gaurav , Gupta Sushil Kumar , Mishra S. K.
Published: January 2007

Background

Ideal management of toxic goiter still remains elusive. Though surgical management of toxic multinodular goiter (MNG) is well accepted, surgical treatment of Graves’ disease (GD) is still controversial in view of the presumed increased incidence of complications. In this paper, we discuss the experience of the surgical management of hyperthyroidism at a specialized tertiary care endocrine center in a developing country, highlighting the minimal morbidity and satisfactory outcome in experienced hands.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively reviewed 325 consecutive patients with hyperthyroidism managed surgically from 1990 to 2005. The etiologic diagnoses were Graves’ disease (185), toxic MNG (105), and autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTN) (n = 35). The indications for surgery in Graves’ patients were large goiter, relapse after antithyroid drug therapy (ATD), Graves’ ophthalmopathy, and presence of nodule. The indications for surgery in toxic MNG were retrosternal extension (n = 15), compressive symptoms (n = 20), and large size (grade II). Among the AFTN nodule size, those greater than 4 cm (85%) formed the major indication for surgery. Subjects with GD and toxic MNG were subjected to subtotal thyroidectomy (n = 93 prior to 1995) or total thyroidectomy (n = 205 post‐1995). Hemithyroidectomy was the procedure of choice in patients with AFTN.

Results

Patients with Graves’ disease were younger in age, with shorter mean duration of goiter when compared with the other 2 groups. Eight percent of patients with Graves’ disease without a clinically palpable nodule and 25% of those with nodules had associated differentiated carcinoma, including papillary, follicular, and medullary thyroid cancer. Four percent of patients with toxic MNG had malignancy. Complications included temporary hypocalcemia (24%), permanent hypocalcemia (3%), and permanent vocal‐cord palsy (1%).

Conclusions

Surgery for hyperthyroidism has negligible mortality and acceptable morbidity in experienced hands. It is a definite option in selected cases. Immediate and permanent cure of hyperthyroidism is achieved, with no recurrences, after total thyroidectomy. The cosmetic outcome is good, with excellent patient satisfaction and acceptance.
Malignant Nonfunctioning Endocrine Tumors of the Pancreas: Predictive Factors for Survival after Surgical Treatment
Authors: Chung Jun Chul , Choi Dong Wook , Jo Sung Ho , Heo Jin Seok , Choi Seong Ho , Kim Yong Il
Published: January 2007

Background

There are scant studies that have analyzed the prognostic factors for malignant nonfunctioning endocrine tumors of the pancreas. We identified the predictive factors associated with long‐term survival after surgical resection for malignant nonfunctioning endocrine tumors.

Methods

Among the 25 patients seen at our hospital with a diagnosis of malignant nonfunctioning endocrine tumor, a review was performed on 22 of these patients who were surgically treated at our institution over the last 10 years. The following factors were evaluated for disease‐specific mortality: age, gender, tumor location, tumor size, histological differentiation, status of the resection margin, and status of lymph node involvement.

Results

Tumor recurrence was noted in 9 cases (40.9%) among the 22 operated patients. Of the 9 recurrent cases, 7 patients (77.8%) had liver metastases. The median follow‐up period was 24.8 (range: 3.7–121.4) months. The overall actuarial 1‐, 2‐ and 5‐year survival rates were 84.1%, 72.5%, and 52.8%, respectively. The factor shown to have a favorable independent prognostic significance was a negative resection margin (odds ratio = 19.44, 95% confidence interval = 1.22–310.54, P = 0.036).

Conclusions

Definitive surgical resection of the primary tumor was a predictor of long‐term survival after surgical resection for malignant nonfunctioning endocrine tumor.
Pyloroplasty with Fundoplication in the Treatment of Combined Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Bloating
Authors: Masqusi Suhair , Velanovich Vic
Published: January 2007

Background

Although gastroparesis does not influence gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or antireflux surgery, many patients with GERD will also suffer from gastroparesis‐related bloating as a distinct symptom different from GERD‐related symptoms. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a pyloroplasty with a fundoplication will improve bloating symptoms in these patients.

Methods

A prospectively gathered database of all patients undergoing antireflux surgery was reviewed. All patients underwent history, physical examination, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, esophageal manometry, 24‐hour esophageal pH monitoring, and, selectively, contrast upper gastrointestinal radiography. Patients with symptoms of bloating also underwent gastric emptying scintigraphy. All patients completed the GERD‐Health Related Quality of Life (HRQL) symptom severity questionnaire. One of the items of this instrument relates to bloating. The item is scored from 0 (asymptomatic) to 5 (incapacitating) based on descriptive anchors. Patients with symptomatic GERD and objective findings by physiologic testing were offered antireflux surgery. Those with delayed gastric emptying (defined as T1/2 > 120 minutes) were also offered a pyloroplasty. Operations performed included a laparoscopic or open Nissen or Toupet fundoplication with a Heineke–Mickulicz pyloroplasty. Postoperatively, patients completed the GERD‐HRQL and had a gastric emptying scintigraphy performed.

Results

Three‐hundred and sixty‐nine patients underwent antireflux surgery; of these, 35 patients also had a pyloroplasty. Twenty‐eight (80%) of these patients reported significant symptomatic improvement. The median preoperative bloating score improved from 4 to 1 postoperatively (P < 0.05), and the median gastric emptying scintigraphy T1/2 improved from 244 to 112 minutes (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Although gastroparesis may not contribute to symptoms of GERD, it can contribute to symptoms of bloating. Bloating symptoms improved in 80% of patients with the addition of a pyloroplasty. Therefore, addition of pyloroplasty to a fundoplication in patients with gastroparesis‐related bloating can improve bloating symptoms.
Oily Grime Formed on Hard Surfaces of Kitchen Appliances: Chemical Composition and Oxidation Mechanism
Authors: Tsutsui Takuya , Natsuhara Masahiko , Yamada Kaoru , Tanizawa Yoshiaki
Published: January 2007

The cooking of oil‐containing food products at high temperatures results in an insoluble, unsightly, greasy layer of grime on appliance surfaces in residential and commercial kitchens. Over time, adsorbed grime becomes difficult to remove using normal dishwashing detergents. A number of studies have focused on the deterioration and oxidation of oils and the harmful effects that volatile compounds associated with such processes have on human health. Little attention, however, has been paid to kitchen grime. The present study examined grime obtained from the surfaces of appliances such as sirocco fans, filters, and range hoods in residential kitchens in Tokyo. The grime was characterized by X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), thermal hydrolysis methylation–gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (THM–GCMS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. The chemical composition and structure of the grime differed from those of the edible oils. The grime consisted mainly of polymerized and oxidized triacylglycerols. Bridging between unsaturated acyl groups of triglycerols occurred through thermal oxidation and aging in air, yielding their dimers, trimers, and highly polymerized products while also transforming unsaturated acyl groups into saturated ones. Cross‐linking reactions involving dibasic acids also caused polymerization. Those polymerized products strongly adhered to the hard surfaces of the appliances. Small amounts of cellulose fibers from air or towel may also play a role in mechanically stabilizing the dirt structure.
The modification and analysis of vegetable oil for cheese making
Authors: Yu Liangping , Hammond Earl G.
Published: January 2007

Objectives of this study were (i) to incorporate short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) in vegetable oils to obtain a bland product that could be used as a milk fat substitute in cheese making and (ii) to improve the methods for fatty acid analysis of vegetable oils modified with SCFA. Short‐chain triglycerides (SCTG) were synthesized by esterifying SCFA with glycerol, and using a toluene azeotrope to remove the water of esterification. SCFA from two sources were used: (i) commercial acids and (ii) acids isolated by double distillation of milk fat methyl esters. The SCTG had a bitter, unacceptable flavor, but after interesterification with high‐oleic sunflower oil (HOSO) and deodorization, the flavor was quite acceptable. SCTG were incorporated into HOSO at 100 and 120% of the levels found in the milk fat, by sodium methoxide‐catalyzed interesterification. For fatty acid analysis, milk fat and simulated milk fat were converted to their decyl ester derivatives and analyzed by gas chromatography without further purification. The method was accurate and rapid for fatty acid analysis of fats containing a wide range of fatty acid chain lengths. All modified HOSO gave bland and acceptable flavors and had a SCFA composition close to that of milk fat. Results from using the modified HOSO in cheese making are reported in a later paper.
Rosmariquinone interactions in autoxidation and light‐sensitized oxidation of stripped soybean oil
Authors: Hall Clifford A. , Cuppett Susan L.
Published: January 2007

Two studies were conducted, using a stripped soybean oil model system, to evaluate the antioxidant interaction(s) between rosmariquinone (RQ) and oil components, including chlorophyll (CHL), β‐carotene (CAR), and tocopherol(s) (TOCO), under both autoxidation and light‐sensitized oxidation. In autoxidation, CHL alone had no effect on the level of oxidation, whereas CAR alone showed prooxidant (P<0.05) activity. RQ and RQ+CHL or RQ+CAR were significantly (P<0.05) better in controlling autoxidation. RQ appeared to be responsible for the activity in the test combinations. However, among the treatments containing TOCO, RQ, and RQ+TOCO, RQ+TOCO gave a level (P<0.05) of inhibition that indicated a possible synergistic relationship. When tested in a light‐sensitized oxidative system, CHL and CAR had no effect on oxidation relative to the control and, again, RQ alone or in combination with CHL or CAR was responsible for the greatest (P<0.05) inhibition of oxidation. RQ+TOCO had better (P<0.05) inhibitory activity than the individual compounds. In the second study, the interaction between RQ and TOCO was studied. TOCO, added at levels found in the nonstripped soybean oil, and RQ, added at two levels (100 and 200 ppm), were tested alone or in combination in both autoxidation and light‐sensitized oxidation. In autoxidation, the combination of RQ at 200 ppm and TOCO was synergistic; however, in light‐sensitized oxidation, this combination was not synergistic. Monitoring the loss of both RQ and TOCO suggested that during autoxidation RQ acted as a secondary antioxidant relative to TOCO.
Synergies between plant antioxidant blends in preventing peroxidation reactions in model and food oil systems
Authors: Irwandi J. , Che Man Y. B. , Kitts D. D. , Bakar J. , Jinap S.
Published: January 2007

A study was conducted to investigate the oxidative behavior of various mixtures of rosemary, sage, and citric acid in a linoleic acid model system by oxygen consumption measurement and in a palm olein system by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the use of the mixtures. Results showed that rosemary and sage were two important factors for the protective index (PI). The two antioxidants were highly significantly (P<0.001) in influencing PI values. There was a significant (P<0.01) synergistic effect between rosemary and sage on PI values. Citric acid was also found to be significant (P<0.05) for PI. With respect to onset time (To), all three antioxidants were significant (P<0.05). However, no significant interaction among antioxidants was found for To. Mathematical models for both PI and To could be developed with confidence. The R2 values for PI and To were 0.992 and 0.926, respectively. A combination of 0.078% rosemary, 0.067% sage and 0.037% citric acid was the optimal combination for PI, whereas a combination of 0.068% rosemary, 0.075% sage, and 0.039% citric acid was required to reach the optimal To value.
Antioxidative activity of purple peril (Perilla frutescens L.), moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.), and roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis L.) extracts in rapeseed oil
Authors: Povilaityee V. , Venskutonis P. R.
Published: January 2007

The antioxidant acticities (AA) of acetone oleoresins (AO) and deodorized acetone extracts (DAE) of Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis L.), purple peril (Perilla frutescens L.), and Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) were tested in refined, bleached, and deodorized rapeseed oil by the Schaal oven test at 50°C. The addition of 1,000 ppm of AO and DAE of moldavian dragonhead and Roman chamomile significantly stabilized rapeseed oil. Their AA at the used concentration were higher than AA of a synthetic antioxidant, butylated hydroxytoluene (200 ppm), in reducing the rate of peroxide value increase to 20 meq/kg. AA of AO of purple peril was not significant, while DAE of this plant increased autoxidation induction period by 22%. It is also worthy of notice that AA of DAE from all investigated plants was slightly higher than AA of AO obtained from the same plants.
Influence of pH and protei thermal treatment on the rheology of pea protein‐stabilized oil‐in‐water emulsions
Authors: Franco J. M. , Partal P. , Ruiz‐M rquez D. , Conde B. , Gallegos C.
Published: January 2007

The influence of emulsion pH and previous thermal treatment of the protein on the rheological behavior of pea protein‐stabilized emulsions has been studied. Oil‐in‐water emulsions with 65% weight oil and 6% weight pea protein isolate were prepared. Emulsion pH was varied between 3.5 and 7.0. In addition to this, the protein aqueous phase was submitted to different previous thermal treatments by modifying temperature from 25 to 90°C and heating time from 20 to 60 min. To study the influence of the above‐mentioned variables, droplet size distribution and steady‐state flow curves were determined, and linear viscoelastic measurements were carried out. An increase in the pH of the emulsion initially leads to an increase in emulsion viscosity and viscoelastic functions, as well as to a decrease in the mean droplet size, up to an emulsion pH close to the protein isoelectric point, where a singular rheological behavior is found. An increase in temperature or heating time on the protein aqueous phase yields higher values of steady‐state viscosity and linear viscoelasticity functions, up to a complete denaturation of the protein.
Determination of phosphorus in edible oils by inductively coupled plasma—Atomic emission spectrometry and oil‐in‐water emulsion of sample introduction
Authors: Benzo Z. , Murillo M. , Marcano E. , Gomez C. , Garaboto A. , Espinoza A.
Published: January 2007

The determination of phosphous was carried out using emulsion sample preparation followed by analysis by inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry. The optimal oil‐in‐water (o/w) emulsion and surfactant concentrations were found by applying response surface methodology. Two phosphorus emission lines were tested. Ethoxynonylphenol was a good choice for the emulsion preparation. The optimal concentration for the oil in the o/w emulsion and the surfactant concentrations were ca. 8.0–37% w/w and ca. 1.0–10% w/w ethoxynonylphenol, respectively, for the 213.620 nm line; and an oil phase emulsion concentration between ca. 18–32% w/w and ca. 3–8% w/w ethoxynonylphenol for the 214.911 nm emission line. Good agreement was found between calibration curves for emulsified aqueous standards solutions and o/w emulsions. The use of aqueous standards for calibration purposes is a good addition in the analysis of this type of oil sample where certified standards are not available. Recoveries ranged from 98 to 105% and from 102 to 116% for the 213 and 214 nm lines, respectively with relative standard deviations lower than 7%.
Brief report: How do adolescents perceive the risks related to cell‐phone use?
Authors: Martha Cécile , Griffet Jean
Published: January 2007

Besides the social risks of incivility and impoliteness (I‐incivility), cell‐phone use is classically associated with two types of physical risk: microwave radiation (LIMRadiation) and decreased attention while driving (CPUWDriving). As the literature has showed that adolescents’ risky behavior was consistent with their risk perception, we ran a self‐report survey to evaluate 1/how French adolescents perceived physical risks related to CPUWDriving, exposure to LIMRadiation, and social risks related to I‐incivility; and 2/the factors underlying these risk perceptions.

Results showed that adolescents have an acute perception of the risks associated with CPUWDriving and appeared to be concerned, as a whole, with social risks related to I‐Incivility. They do not appear particularly concerned by the risks related to LIMRadiation, which may reflect societal confusion about risks still considered as hypothetical and/or based on equivocal evidence. Gender, ethnicity, and age were not predictive for perceived risks. Level of schooling had a positive influence on perceived risks related to CPUWDriving and I‐Incivility, and cell‐phone ownership had an inverse relationship with perceived risks related to I‐Incivility.