bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bombesin‐modified 6–14 C‐terminal fragments adsorption on silver surfaces: Influence of a surface substrate
Authors: Podstawka Edyta , Ozaki Yukihiro
Published: July 2008

Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has been applied to investigate the interaction with a silver colloidal surface of following seven 6–14 fragments of bombesin (BN) C‐terminus: cyclo[D‐Phe6,His7,Leu14]BN6–14, [D‐Phe6,Leu‐NHEt13,des‐Met14]BN6–14, [D‐Phe6,Leu13‐®‐p‐chloro‐Phe14]BN6–14, [D‐Phe6,β‐Ala11,Phe13,Nle14]BN6–14, [D‐Tyr6,β‐Ala11,Phe13,Nle14]BN6–14, [D‐Tyr6,β‐Phe11,Phe13,Nle14OH]BN6–14, and [D‐Cys6,Asn7,D‐Ala11,Cys14]BN6–14, potent r‐GRP‐R receptor antagonists used in chemotherapy and potential effective drugs in cancer treatment. The adsorption active sites and molecular orientations on the colloidal silver surface have been determined on the basis of SERS “surface selection rules” subsequent to a detailed SERS analysis. In addition, the similarities and differences of these spectra with the SERS spectra of the peptides immobilized on a roughened silver electrode surface have been examined. From the data, suggestion has been made about structural properties of these peptides on the colloidal surface. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 89: 941–950, 2008.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Confocal Raman microscopy on single living young and old erythrocytes
Authors: Kang Li‐Li , Huang Yao‐Xiong , Liu Wen‐Jing , Zheng Xin‐Jing , Wu Zheng‐Jie , Luo Man
Published: July 2008

Raman confocal microscopy, including the techniques of point Raman spectra, line mapping, 2D mapping, and time‐dependent spectrum monitoring performed with 514.5 nm excitation light, was used in a comparative study on the distribution and oxidation states of hemoglobin (Hb) in young and old mature erythrocytes. It is demonstrated that in contrast to the homogeneous distribution of the Hb in young cells, there are more Hb distribution around the cell membrane in old erythrocyte. The proteins exhibit some extent of aggregation and conformational change, present less ability of oxidation, and lower oxygenation speed than the Hb in young erythrocytes. Our results also provide the first direct evidence of some intermediate oxygenated states of Hb between the two fully oxygenated (R) and deoxygenated (T) states in living erythrocyte, and give detail information about the conformational change of the intracellular Hb with time during the reoxygenation process. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 89: 951–959, 2008.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Thermodynamics of single strand DNA base stacking
Authors: Ramprakash Jayanthi , Lang Brian , Schwarz Frederick P.
Published: July 2008

The thermodynamics of the stacking to unstacking transitions of 24 single‐stranded DNA sequences (ssDNA), 10–12 bases in length, in sodium phosphate buffer were determined from 10 to 95°C, using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). An additional 22 ssDNA sequences did not exhibit an S⇔︁U transition in this temperature range. The transition properties of the ssDNA sequences with ≤60% self‐complementarily in the reverse direction were independent of concentration with transition temperatures ranging from 15 to 70°C, van't Hoff transition enthalpies from 92 to 201 kJ mol−1 and transition enthalpies from 5 to 75% of the corresponding van't Hoff transition enthalpies. Since all the 16 doublets and 60 of the 64 triplets are present in both the transition and the non‐transition ssDNA sequences, it is unlikely that the nucleation subset initiating stacking of the sequence is a specific doublet or triplet subset. Of the 141 quadruplet subsets of the 46 sequences, each transition ssDNA sequence contained at least one or more quadruplets not found in the non‐transition ssDNA sequences. It could be concluded that the thermal stability of the stacked conformation was dependent on the presence of a possible nucleation quadruplet and the length of the ssDNA sequence and not on the G or C content of the ssDNA sequence, nor on the number of purine bases in the sequence. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 89: 969–979, 2008.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
STa peptide analogs for probing guanylyl cyclase C
Authors: Tian Xiaobing , Michal Allison M. , Li Peng , Wolfe Henry R. , Waldman Scott A. , Wickstrom Eric
Published: July 2008

Guanylyl cyclase C (GC‐C), universally overexpressed on primary and metastatic colorectal carcinoma cells, is activated by endogenous ligands, guanylin, and uroguanylin, and by exogenous 18‐residue heat‐stable enterotoxins (STa) produced by diarrheagenic bacteria. Two 12‐residue STa analogs with alternate combinations of two interlocked disulfide bonds, peptides3and6, were synthesized by orthogonal solid phase synthesis routes. Peptides3and6bound GC‐C with a rank order potency of STa > peptide3> peptide6. Peptides3and6behaved as agonists in stimulating cGMP production. The results reveal that the toxic domain of STa can be reduced to 12 amino acids. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 90: 713–723, 2008.

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
Cloning the bacterial bphC gene into Nicotiana tabacum to improve the efficiency of PCB phytoremediation
Authors: Novakova M. , Mackova M. , Chrastilova Z. , Viktorova J. , Szekeres M. , Demnerova K. , Macek T.
Published: July 2008

The aim of this work is to increase the efficiency of the biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by the introduction of bacterial genes into the plant genome. For this purpose, we selected the bphC gene encoding 2,3‐dihydroxybiphenyl‐1,2‐dioxygenase from Pseudomonas testosteroni B‐356 to be cloned into tobacco plants. The dihydroxybiphenyldioxygenase enzyme is the third enzyme in the biphenyl degradation pathway, and its unique function is the cleavage of biphenyl. Three different constructs were designed and prepared in E. coli: the bphC gene being fused with the β‐glucuronidase (GUS) gene, with the luciferase (LUC) gene, and with histidine tail in three separate plant cloning vectors. The GUS and LUC genes were chosen because they can be used as markers for the easy detection of transgenic plants, while histidine tail better enables the isolation of protein expressed in plant tissue. The prepared vectors were then introduced into cells of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The transient expression of the prepared genes was first studied in cells of Nicotiana tabacum. Once this ability had been established, model tobacco plants were transformed by agrobacterial infection with the bphC/GUS, bphC/LUC, and bphC/His genes. The transformed regenerants were selected on media using a selective antibiotic, and the presence of transgenes and mRNA was determined by PCR and RT‐PCR. The expression of the fused proteins BphC/GUS and BphC/LUC was confirmed histochemically by analysis of the expression of their detection markers. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the presence of the BphC/His protein immunochemically using a mouse anti‐His antibody. Growth and viability of transgenic plants in the presence of PCBs was compared with control plants. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 29–37. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Jigsaw classroom under test: No effect on intergroup relations evident
Authors: Bratt Christopher
Published: July 2008

Two quasi‐experiments with intervention and control classes investigated effects of the Jigsaw classroom on intergroup relations, with 11 years old in grade 6 (Study 1) and 13–15 years old in grades 8–10 (Study 2). Both studies investigated developments in majority members' outgroup attitudes, intergroup friendship and empathy. They also investigated attitudes towards school among all the students. Study 2 added assessments of common ingroup identity in the majority sample and considered outgroup attitudes in the minorities' sample. Particularly in Study 2, an effort was made to ensure an accurate implementation of Jigsaw. The studies could not confirm that Jigsaw had effects on intergroup relations. Study 2, using adolescents as participants and 11 Jigsaw classes, found no effects of Jigsaw. In Study 1, one of the two Jigsaw classes had a statistically significant, minor favourable development along outgroup attitudes. However, this development may have been an effect of having two teachers (and few students in the class); no similar development was uncovered in the second Jigsaw class (with one teacher). The data question the frequent optimism on behalf of the Jigsaw classroom as an effective means to counter prejudice. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Community psychology and injustice in the criminal justice system
Authors: Duckett Paul , Schinkel Marguerite
Published: July 2008

In this short paper, we consider the partnership between psychology and the criminal justice system in Western societies and critically reflect on the notion of criminal justice as expressed in such a system. Focusing on how the criminal justice system operates in the UK, and in particular in Scotland, we consider the way the system criminalizes those who previously have been socially and economically disadvantaged. We ask whether community psychology has become negligent in the attention it brings to such a pernicious form of victim blaming and as such has shown insufficient critical engagement with systems that create social harm, and whether it is paying enough attention to the impact of a criminal justice system that is contributing to the creation of a more punitive, fractured and unjust society. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effects of pre‐processing of image data on self‐modeling image analysis
Authors: Windig W. , Keenan M. R. , Wise B. M.
Published: July 2008

The use of chemical imaging of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) data for self‐modeling image analysis (SIA) has special challenges because of the following reasons: (a) At higher counting rates, the data are non‐linear. (b) The heteroscedastic nature of the noise causes structure in the data which gives rise to extra components. (c) There is a high amount of noise in SIMS data and outliers often cause problems. This paper will discuss an adaptation of a pre‐processing method to correct for heteroscedastic noise and a method to minimize the effect of outlying pixels. Examples will be given of the following: (a) Different mixtures of palmitic and stearic acid on aluminum foil. (b) A film coating of polyvinyl acetate (PVA) and polystyrene (PS). (c) A sample of copper and nickel and a fused layer. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trilinear analysis of images obtained with a hyperspectral imaging confocal microscope
Authors: Van Benthem Mark H. , Keenan Michael R. , Davis Ryan , Liu Ping , Jones Howland D. T. , Haaland David M. , Sinclair Michael B. , Brasier Allan R.
Published: July 2008

Hyperspectral imaging confocal microscopy (HSI‐CM) is a powerful tool for the analysis of cellular processes such as the immune response. HSI‐CM is a data rich technique that routinely generates two‐way data having a spectral domain and an image or concentration domain. Using a variety of modifications to the instrument or experimental protocols, one can readily produce three‐way data with HSI‐CM. These data are often amenable to trilinear analysis. For example we have used a time series of 18 images acquired during photobleaching of the fluorophores in an effort to identify fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The resulting images represent intensity as a function of concentration, wavelength and photodegradation in time, to which we apply our techniques of trilinear decomposition. We have successfully employed trilinear decomposition of photobleaching spectral image data from fixed A549 cells transfected with yellow and green fluorescent proteins (YFP and GFP) as molecular probes of cellular proteins involved in the cellular immune response. While useful in the interpretation biological processes, the size of the data generated with the HSI‐CM can be difficult to manage computationally. The 208 × 204 × 512 × 18 elements in the image data require careful processing and efficient analysis algorithms. Accordingly, we have implemented fast algorithms that can quickly perform the trilinear decomposition. In this paper we describe how three‐way data are produced and the methods we have used to process them. Specifically, we show that co‐adding spectra in a spatial neighborhood is a highly effective method for improving the performance of these algorithms without sacrificing resolution. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microsolvation Effects on the Optical Properties of Crystal Violet
Authors: Loison Claire , Antoine Rodolphe , Broyer Michel , Dugourd Philippe , Guthmuller Julien , Simon Daniel
Published: July 2008

We present a joint experimental and theoretical study of the photoabsorption and photodissociation behavior of crystal violet, that is, the tris[p‐(dimethylamino)phenyl]methyl cation. The photodissociation spectra of isolated and microsolvated crystal violet have been measured. A single band is observed for the bare cation. This is in good agreement with the calculated vibronic absorption spectrum based on time‐dependent density functional theory calculations. The interaction of crystal violet with a single water molecule shifts and broadens the photodissociation spectrum, so that it approaches the spectrum obtained in solution. Theoretical calculations of the structure of the complex suggest that the shift in the absorption spectrum originates from a water molecule bonding with the central carbon atom of crystal violet.
Interfering with the Sugar Code: Design and Synthesis of Oligosaccharide Mimics
Authors: Bernardi Anna , Cheshev Pavel
Published: July 2008

Oligosaccharide determinants of cellular glycoconjugates interact with protein receptors triggering a variety of cellular responses within a wide range of physiological and pathological processes and with exquisitely tuned selectivity. This has led to the formulation of the hypothesis that a sugar code exists and that sugar‐binding proteins (lectins) act to decipher it and translate it into biological responses. Interference with these recognition events by functional mimics of carbohydrates could thus be used to modulate or alter signal transmission, or to prevent the onset of diseases. Attempts to design and prepare glycomimetic inhibitors of well‐known target lectins (cholera toxin, DC‐SIGN) are reviewed in this concept paper.
XAS and XMCD Investigation of Mn12 Monolayers on Gold
Authors: Mannini Matteo , Sainctavit Philippe , Sessoli Roberta , Cartier dit Moulin Christophe , Pineider Francesco , Arrio Marie‐Anne , Cornia Andrea , Gatteschi Dante
Published: July 2008

The deposition of Mn12 single molecule magnets on gold surfaces was studied for the first time using combined X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X‐ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) methods at low temperature. The ability of the proposed approach to probe the electronic structure and magnetism of Mn12 complexes without significant sample damage was successfully checked on bulk samples. Detailed information on the oxidation state and magnetic polarization of manganese ions in the adsorbates was obtained from XAS and XMCD spectra, respectively. Partial reduction of metal ions to MnII was clearly observed upon deposition on Au(111) of two different Mn12 derivatives bearing 16‐acetylthio‐hexadecanoate and 4‐(methylthio)benzoate ligands. The average oxidation state, as well as the relative proportions of MnII, MnIII and MnIV species, are strongly influenced by the deposition protocol. Furthermore, the local magnetic polarizations are significantly decreased as compared with bulk Mn12 samples. The results highlight an utmost redox instability of Mn12 complexes at gold surfaces, presumably accompanied by structural rearrangements, which cannot be easily revealed by standard surface analysis based on X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning tunnelling microscopy.
Solid‐Phase Synthesis of Transition‐Metal Complexes
Authors: Heinze Katja , Beckmann Manuela , Hempel Klaus
Published: July 2008

This overview highlights recent progress in the field of selective construction of linear, oligonuclear transition‐metal complexes by using solid‐phase synthesis procedures. Two general protocols have been identified: formation of coordinative bonds between metal centres and bridging ligands and formation of covalent bonds between preformed kinetically inert transition‐metal‐containing building blocks in the chain growth step. Currently available suitable building blocks for the second approach are based on ferrocene units, bis(terpyridine)–ruthenium(II) moieties or metal porphyrins.
Enabling Continuous‐Flow Chemistry in Microstructured Devices for Pharmaceutical and Fine‐Chemical Production
Authors: Kockmann Norbert , Gottsponer Michael , Zimmermann Bertin , Roberge Dominique M.
Published: July 2008

Microstructured devices offer unique transport capabilities for rapid mixing, enhanced heat and mass transfer and can handle small amounts of dangerous or unstable materials. The integration of reaction kinetics into fluid dynamics and transport phenomena is essential for successful application from process design in laboratory to chemical production. Strategies to implement production campaigns up to tons of pharmaceutical chemicals are discussed, based on Lonza projects.
Anion Binding and Luminescent Sensing using Cationic Ruthenium(II) Aminopyridine Complexes
Authors: Dickson Sara Jane , Paterson Martin J. , Willans Charlotte E. , Anderson Kirsty M. , Steed Jonathan W.
Published: July 2008

The synthesis of a series of ruthenium(II) based anion sensors of the type [Ru(η6‐C6H4MeCHMe2)Cl(L)2][BF4] (2) is reported in which ligand L represents a series of substituted pyridinylmethyl–amine derivatives. The carbazole based ligand L3 exhibits a fluorescent intraligand charge‐transfer (ILCT) state that is quenched by ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer (LMCT) upon coordination to ruthenium in the 1:1 complex [Ru(η6‐C6H4MeCHMe2)Cl2(L3)] (1 c). The 1:2 complex 2 c is fluorescent, however, and acts as a fluorescent anion sensor because of the mixing of an anion‐dependent charge‐transfer component into the excited state. The 1:2 complexes of type 2 all exhibit interesting low symmetry 1H NMR spectra that also are a useful handle on anion complexation. The electronic structures of L3, 1 c and 2 c have been probed by time‐dependent DFT calculations.
Hospital Laundry Wastewater Disinfection with Catalytic Photoozonation
Authors: Kist Lourdes Teresinha , Albrecht Caroline , Machado Ênio Leandro
Published: July 2008

Wastewater production in a hospital laundry and the treatment of the most critical wastewater stream, are assessed. Hospital laundry wastewaters are hazardous to the environment due to their high pollutant concentrations and the chemicals added during the clothes washing process. Heterogeneous photocatalysis with UV, O3 and TiO2 and their possible combinations were used for disinfection purposes. A ramp‐type reactor was used for TiO2 (P25 Degussa) fixation and for photochemical diffusion of the ozonized air. After assessing 5‐day biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, pH, turbidity, and surfactant content, and checking for the presence of thermotolerant coliforms and Escherichia coli, it was concluded that UV/O3/TiO2 was the best process/combination, yielding a 100% disinfection rate and a microbiological inactivation of 0.5070 min–1 for E. coli and of 0.5505 min–1 for thermotolerant coliforms.
Chromatographic Separation and Analytic Procedure for Priority Organic Pollutants in Urban Air
Authors: Ozcan Senar , Aydin Mehmet Emin , Tor Ali
Published: July 2008

A separation procedure was developed for analysis of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in urban air, while simultaneously eliminating the interfering compounds. This was carried out by optimization of a column chromatograph with regard to the eluent type (n‐hexane and n‐pentane), volume of eluent, type of sorbent material (silica gel and florisil) and activation level of the sorbent material. The determination of the level of PCBs and PAHs was carried out using gas chromatography (GC) equipped with a mass selective detector (MSD), while determination of the OCPs was carried out by GC equipped with an electron capture detector (μ‐ECD). The use of a silica gel column (10 g, 5% deactivated with H2O) with 70 mL of n‐hexane gave satisfactory separation of PCBs from PAHs and OCPs. After collecting the PCBs with 70 mL of n‐hexane, 3·20 mL of n‐hexane:ethyl acetate, (1:1, v:v) was adequate for elution of the PAHs and OCPs from the column. The primary aim of this study was to develop a multimethod for analyses of PCBs, PAHs, and OCPs in urban air as well as reducing solvent and sorbent consumption and analysis time during the clean‐up procedure compared to the US EPA standard methods (EPA methods TO‐13A for PAHs and TO‐4A for both PCBs and OCPs).
Effects of Hot Water Extraction on Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Wood Flakes
Authors: Sattler Clinton , Labbé Nicole , Harper David , Elder Thomas , Rials Timothy
Published: July 2008

Research has already shown that extraction of valuable hemicellulose‐rich streams is a viable option for revenue generation in the pulp and paper industries. Applying this value prior to pulping concept to the composite panel industry is a natural extension. If an extraction of hemicellulose is accomplished under the right conditions, a non‐trivial amount of chemicals can be generated while leaving the woody substrate structurally intact for production to traditional products, such as oriented strand board (OSB). This research studied the effects of hemicellulose removal by hot water extraction on softwood OSB wood flakes and focused on changes that occurred in the physical and chemical properties of the wood flakes and liquid hydrolysates during extraction. Three reaction temperatures (120, 140, 160°C) and three isothermal hold times (20, 40, 60 min) were investigated. Results indicated that the extraction of hemicellulose in quantifiable levels begins at 120°C and 40 min and cellulose extraction begins at 140°C, 40 min. The level of extraction of lignocellulosic materials, the decrease of wood flake thickness, and the acidity of the recovered hydrolysates all increase with increases in extraction severity. The most promising results in regards to industrial implementation of hemicellulose extraction occur at a temperature of 140°C.
Heavy Air Pollution in Beijing and Possible Impact on Olympic Athletes
Authors: Salthammer Tunga
Published: July 2008

In 2001 the Olympic Games were awarded to the city of Beijing, China's second‐largest industrial center after Shanghai. Although the extreme air pollution in Greater Beijing has already been examined for some time in the scientific literature, it only gained public interest recently. The article summarizes the scientific facts.
Tutorial on analytic theory for cross‐polarization in solid state NMR
Authors: Rovnyak David
Published: July 2008

This tutorial aims to be a self‐contained and explicit analysis of the basic cross polarization (CP) solid‐state NMR experiment (SSNMR) in the isolated spin‐pair approximation using standard quantum mechanical arguments. The general result of obtaining coherence transfer between two dipolar coupled spin‐active nuclei while applying radio frequency fields to both nuclei is described, with emphasis on the origin of the well known Hartmann‐Hahn matching conditions. No new theory is presented; rather several common analytical methods in SSNMR are demonstrated in the context of cross‐polarization under static and magic‐angle spinning (MAS) conditions. A background in NMR and quantum mechanics is assumed, however this work attempts to minimize the need for excursions into the literature. This article was written to aid a reader in advancing into more detailed descriptions of CP and dipolar recoupling in general. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 254–276, 2008.
Molecular oxygen as a paramagnetic NMR probe of protein solvent exposure and topology
Authors: Bezsonova Irina , Forman‐Kay Julie , Prosser R. Scott
Published: July 2008

This review focuses on the applications of dissolved oxygen in NMR studies of protein topology. A brief discussion is given to explain the origin of O2‐induced paramagnetic shifts and relaxation rate enhancements, which are seen for a variety of nuclei of biological interest—in particular 13C, 19F, and 1H. We also give examples of applications of paramagnetic effects from dissolved O2, which include studies of solvent exposure, hydrophobicity, transient contacts or local clustering in intrinsically disordered proteins, immersion depth in membranous systems, and topology of membrane proteins. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 32A: 239–253, 2008.
Combining a symptoms index with CA 125 to improve detection of ovarian cancer
Authors: Andersen M. Robyn , Goff Barbara A. , Lowe Kimberly A. , Scholler Nathalie , Bergan Lindsay , Dresher Charles W. , Paley Pamela , Urban Nicole
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND.

The current study sought to examine whether an index based on the specific pattern of symptoms commonly reported by women with ovarian cancer could be used in combination with CA 125 to improve the sensitivity or specificity of experimental methods of screening for ovarian cancer.

METHODS.

A prospective case‐control study design was used. Participants included 254 healthy women at high risk for disease because of family history, and 75 women with ovarian cancer. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine whether the symptom index predicted cancer.

RESULTS.

Symptom index information was found to make a significant independent contribution to the prediction of ovarian cancer after controlling for CA 125 levels (P<.05). The combination of CA 125 and the symptom index identified 89.3% of the women with cancer, 80.6% of the early‒stage cancers, and 95.1% of the late‐stage cancers. The symptom index identified cancer in 50% of the affected women who did not have elevated CA 125 levels. Unfortunately, 11.8% of the high‐risk women without cancer also received a positive symptom index score.

CONCLUSIONS.

The addition of a symptom index to CA 125 created a composite index with a greater sensitivity for the detection of ovarian cancer than CA 125 alone and identified >80% of women with early‐stage disease. A composite marker such as this could serve as a first screen in a multistep screening program in which false‐positive findings are identified via transvaginal sonography before referral for surgery, leading to an adequate positive predictive value for the multistep program. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
The power of prediction
Authors: Burke Harry B.
Published: July 2008

Medical prediction has the power to chart patients' futures and to change their fate. It is extremely difficult to make predictions explicit, but it is important to do so in order to determine the best treatment for an individual patient. The challenge is to discover, model, and validate biological factors in order to capture the disease process represented by the factors, and to use the power of the disease to predict its outcome. Chen et al added bone mineral density to the Gail model and achieved an ROC of 0.62. Their research highlights how difficult it is to create clinically useful risk models.
Temozolomide for recurrent low‐grade spinal cord gliomas in adults
Authors: Chamberlain Marc C.
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND.

There is no standard therapy for surgery‐ and radiotherapy‐resistant, recurrent, low‐grade spinal cord gliomas. Therefore, a retrospective study of temozolomide (TMZ) in adults with recurrent low‐grade spinal cord gliomas with a primary objective of determining progression‐free survival (PFS) was performed.

METHODS.

Twenty‐two patients (11 men and 11 women) aged 20 years to 55 years (median, 35 years) with recurrent spinal cord gliomas (World Health Organization grade 2 astrocytoma in 19 patients and oligoastrocytoma in 3 patients) were treated. All had previously been treated with surgery and involved‐field radiotherapy. Thirteen patients underwent repeat surgery. All patients were chemotherapy–naive. TMZ was administered at a dose of 150‐200 mg/m2/day for 5 consecutive days every 4 weeks (operationally defined as a single cycle). Neurologic and neuroradiographic evaluations were performed every 8 weeks.

RESULTS.

All patients were evaluable for toxicity and response. A total of 266 cycles of TMZ (median, 14 cycles; range, 2 cycles‐24 cycles) was administered. TMZ‐related toxicity included constipation (9 patients, 1 with grade 3), lymphopenia (9 patients, 1 with grade 3), fatigue (7 patients, 1 with grade 3), neutropenia (6 patients, 2 with grade 3), and thrombocytopenia (6 patients, 2 with grade 3). Four (18%) patients demonstrated a partial radiographic response, 12 (55%) demonstrated stable disease, and 6 (27%) had progressive disease after 2 cycles of TMZ. Time to tumor progression ranged from 2 months to 28 months (median, 14.5 months). Survival ranged from 4 months to 39 months (median, 23 months). PFS at 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months was 64%, 64%, 41%, and 27%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS.

TMZ demonstrated modest efficacy with acceptable toxicity in this cohort of adult patients with recurrent low‐grade spinal cord gliomas. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Increased expression of transketolase‐like‐1 in papillary thyroid carcinomas smaller than 1.5 cm in diameter is associated with lymph‐node metastases
Authors: Zerilli Monica , Amato Marco C. , Martorana Anna , Cabibi Daniela , Coy Johannes F. , Cappello Francesco , Pompei Giancarlo , Russo Antonio , Giordano Carla , Rodolico Vito
Published: July 2008

BACKGROUND.

Patients with small papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) may have a high incidence of regional lymph‐node (LN) metastases at presentation, and these are considered to be an independent risk factor for tumor recurrence. A mutated transketolase transcript (TKTL1) has been found up‐regulated in different human malignancies, and strong TKTL1 protein expression has been associated with aggressiveness and poor patient survival in several epithelial cancers.

METHODS.

TKTL1 protein expression was analyzed in 256 consecutive cases of PTCs ≤1.5 cm by immunohistochemistry with a specific anti‐TKTL1 antibody. RNA analysis was performed by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in all cases for which frozen material was available, which resulted in 55 fragments of PTC.

RESULTS.

Increased levels of TKTL1 transcript were detected in 50 of 55 analyzed tumors compared with their corresponding normal tissues. Significant differences in TKTL1 transcript levels were found between cases of PTC with and without LN metastases. In primary tumors, immunoreactivity for TKTL1 was detected in the majority of cases, ranging from 0% to 95.0% (mean, 50.11% ± 27.75%). A significant association was found between TKTL1 protein expression and the presence of multifocality, bilaterality, extrathyroidal extension, vascular invasion, sclerosis, and LN metastases. In cases with LN metastases, a positive correlation was found between the TKTL1 protein expression in primary tumors and the number of metastatic LNs as well as the diameter of the largest metastatic area in LNs.

CONCLUSIONS.

These findings suggest that TKTL1 overexpression in PTC ≤1.5 cm may be considered a factor that facilitates tumor growth and progression. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Advanced bladder cancer: So many drugs, so little progress
Authors: Dreicer Robert
Published: July 2008

Accrual to bladder cancer trials in the US has hampered the ability to advance beyond cisplatin‐based chemotherapy for advanced disease. Progress in the management of advanced disease will require new agents and new approaches.
A dual system of intercellular calcium signaling in glial nets associated with lanceolate sensory endings in rat vibrissae
Authors: Takahashi‐Iwanaga Hiromi , Nio‐Kobayashi Junko , Habara Yoshiaki , Furuya Kishio
Published: July 2008

The lanceolate sensory endings that form palisades around the hair follicle associate with networks of branched Schwann cells. To define the properties of these glial networks as possible conduits of Ca2+ signals, lanceolate endings isolated from rat vibrissae were observed by confocal microscopy while the signaling was locally activated by mechanical stimulation. Intercellular coupling by gap junctions was also assessed by a technique employing fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results showed that the glial Ca2+ signals can spread among the arrays of lanceolates in two forms: rapid signals that originate in individual Schwann processes covering the lanceolate axon terminals around the locus of mechanical stimulation, and delayed ones that travel from the stimulation locus through cytoplasmic arborization of the primarily activated cell to the adjacent cell processes. The former signaling was suppressed by the antipurinergic agents suramin and apyrase, whereas the latter was sensitive to the gap junction blocker carbenoxolon. FRAP experiments and TEM observations corroborated the presence of gap junction communications between the Schwann processes of different cell origins. These findings show that, in the Schwann networks, purinergically induced Ca2+ signals and those dependent on gap junctions are propagated in their own spatiotemporal patterns to constitute two distinct forms of communication among the mechanoreceptor palisades. J. Comp. Neurol. 510:68–78, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultrastructural examination of diffuse and specific tectopulvinar projections in the tree shrew
Authors: Chomsung Ranida D. , Petry Heywood M. , Bickford Martha E.
Published: July 2008

Two pathways from the superior colliculus (SC) to the tree shrew pulvinar nucleus have been described, one in which the axons terminate in dense (or specific) patches and one in which the axon arbors are more diffusely organized (Luppino et al. [1988] J. Comp. Neurol. 273:67–86). As predicted by Lyon et al. ([2003] J. Comp. Neurol. 467:593–606), we found that anterograde labeling of the diffuse tectopulvinar pathway terminated in the acetylcholinesterase (AChE)‐rich dorsal pulvinar (Pd), whereas the specific pathway terminated in the AChE‐poor central pulvinar (Pc). Injections of retrograde tracers in Pd labeled non‐γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)‐ergic wide‐field vertical cells located in the lower stratum griseum superficiale and stratum opticum of the medial SC, whereas injections in Pc labeled similar cells in more lateral regions. At the ultrastructural level, we found that tectopulvinar terminals in both Pd and Pc contact primarily non‐GABAergic dendrites. When present, however, synaptic contacts on GABAergic profiles were observed more frequently in Pc (31% of all contacts) compared with Pd (16%). Terminals stained for the type 2 vesicular glutamate transporter, a potential marker of tectopulvinar terminals, also contacted more GABAergic profiles in Pc (19%) compared with Pd (4%). These results provide strong evidence for the division of the tree shrew pulvinar into two distinct tectorecipient zones. The potential functions of these pathways are discussed. J. Comp. Neurol. 510:24–46, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression and adhesion profiles of SynCAM molecules indicate distinct neuronal functions
Authors: Thomas Lisa A. , Akins Michael R. , Biederer Thomas
Published: July 2008

Cell‐cell interactions through adhesion molecules play key roles in the development of the nervous system. Synaptic cell adhesion molecules (SynCAMs) comprise a group of four immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily members that mediate adhesion and are prominently expressed in the brain. Although SynCAMs have been implicated in the differentiation of neurons, there has been no comprehensive analysis of their expression patterns. Here we examine the spatiotemporal expression patterns of SynCAMs by using reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction, in situ hybridization, and immunohistological techniques. SynCAMs 1–4 are widely expressed throughout the developing and adult central nervous system. They are prominently expressed in neurons throughout the brain and are present in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Investigation of different brain regions in the developing and mature mouse brain indicates that each SynCAM exhibits a distinct spatiotemporal expression pattern. This is observed in all regions analyzed and is particularly notable in the cerebellum, where SynCAMs display highly distinct expression in cerebellar granule and Purkinje cells. These unique expression profiles are complemented by specific heterophilic adhesion patterns of SynCAM family members, as shown by cell overlay experiments. Three prominent interactions are observed, mediated by the extracellular domains of SynCAMs 1/2, 2/4, and 3/4. These expression and adhesion profiles of SynCAMs together with their previously reported functions in synapse organization indicate that SynCAM proteins contribute importantly to the synaptic circuitry of the central nervous system. J. Comp. Neurol. 510:47–67, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contralateral corticothalamic projections from MI whisker cortex: Potential route for modulating hemispheric interactions
Authors: Alloway Kevin D. , Olson Michelle L. , Smith Jared B.
Published: July 2008

Rat whisking behavior is characterized by high amounts of bilateral coordination in which whisker movements on both sides of the face are linked. To elucidate the neural substrate that might mediate this bilateral coordination, neuronal tracers were used to characterize the bilateral distribution of corticothalamic projections from primary motor (MI) cortex. Some rats received tracers in the MI whisker region, whereas others received tracers in the MI forepaw region. The MI whisker region projects bilaterally to the anteromedial (AM), ventromedial (VM), and ventrolateral (VL) nuclei, and to parts of the intralaminar nuclei. By contrast, the MI forepaw region sends virtually no projections to the contralateral thalamus. Consistent with these findings, bilateral injections of different tracers into the MI whisker region of each hemisphere produced tracer overlap on both sides of the thalamus. Furthermore, MI whisker projections to the contralateral thalamus terminate in close proximity to the thalamocortical neurons that project to the MI whisker region of that contralateral hemisphere. The terminal endings of the contralateral corticothalamic projections contain small synaptic varicosities and other features that resemble the modulator pathways described for other corticothalamic projection systems. In addition, tracer injections into AM, VM, and VL revealed dense clusters of labeled neurons in layer VI of the medial agranular (Agm) zone, which corresponds to the MI whisker region. These results suggest that projections from the MI whisker region to the contralateral thalamus may modulate the callosal interactions that are presumed to play a role in coordinating bilateral whisking behavior. J. Comp. Neurol. 510:100–116, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chronically increased ciliary neurotrophic factor and fibroblast growth factor‐2 expression after spinal contusion in rats
Authors: Tripathi Richa B. , McTigue Dana M.
Published: July 2008

Demyelination and oligodendrocyte loss following spinal cord injury (SCI) are well documented. Recently, we showed oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) accumulation and robust oligodendrocyte genesis occurring along SCI lesion borders. We have since begun investigating potential mechanisms for this endogenous repair response. Here, we examined ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) expression, because both factors alter progenitor proliferation and differentiation and are increased in several CNS disorders. We hypothesized that CNTF and FGF‐2 would increase after SCI, especially in regions of enhanced oligogenesis. First, CNTF protein was quantified using Western blots, which revealed that CNTF protein continually rose through 28 days post injury (dpi). Next, by using immunohistochemistry, we examined the spatiotemporal expression of CNTF in cross‐sections spanning the injury site. CNTF immunoreactivity was observed on astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in naïve and contused spinal cords. Significantly increased CNTF was detected in spared white and gray matter between 5 and 28 dpi compared with uninjured controls. By 28 dpi, CNTF expression was significantly higher along lesion borders compared with outlying spared tissue; a similar distribution of phosphorylated STAT3, a transcription factor up‐regulated by CNTF and to a lesser extent FGF‐2, was also detected. Because CNTF can potentiate FGF‐2 expression, we examined the distribution of FGF‐2+ cells. Significantly more FGF‐2+ cells were noted along lesion borders at 7 and 28 dpi. Thus, both CNTF and FGF‐2 are present in regions of elevated OPC proliferation and oligodendrocyte generation after SCI and therefore may play a role in injury‐induced gliogenesis. J. Comp. Neurol. 510:129–144, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparative quantitative analysis of cytoarchitecture and minicolumnar organization in Broca's area in humans and great apes
Authors: Schenker Natalie M. , Buxhoeveden Daniel P. , Blackmon William L. , Amunts Katrin , Zilles Karl , Semendeferi Katerina
Published: July 2008

Broca's area was identified in the inferior frontal gyrus of chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, and orangutan brains through direct cytoarchitectonic comparison with human brains. Across species, Broca's area comprises Brodmann's areas 44 and 45. We found that these areas exhibited similar cytoarchitectonic characteristics in all species examined. We analyzed the minicolumnar organization of cells in layer III of Broca's area in 11 human and 9 great ape specimens. A semiautomated method was used to analyze digitized images of histological sections stained for Nissl substance. Horizontal spacing distance and gray level index (GLI; or the area fraction occupied by cells) were quantified in all images. In contrast to area Tpt, the only cortical area for which comparative minicolumnar data have been published previously for humans and one of the great apes, we found no population‐level asymmetry, for either horizontal spacing distance or GLI. Only human females exhibited a leftward asymmetry in GLI. GLI was lower in humans than in great apes (P < 0.001), allowing more space for connectivity in layer III. In humans, horizontal spacing distance was greater than in great apes but smaller relative to brain size. J. Comp. Neurol. 510:117–128, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Participation of μ‐opioid, GABAB, and NK1 receptors of major pain control medullary areas in pathways targeting the rat spinal cord: Implications for descending modulation of nociceptive transmission
Authors: Pinto Marta , Sousa Marta , Lima Deolinda , Tavares Isaura
Published: July 2008

Several brain areas modulate pain transmission through direct projections to the spinal cord. The descending modulation is exerted by neurotransmitters acting both at spinally projecting neurons and at interneurons that target the projection neurons. We analyzed the expression of μ‐opioid (MOR), γ‐aminobutyric acid GABAB, and NK1 receptors in spinally projecting neurons of major medullary pain control areas of the rat: rostroventromedial medulla (RVM), dorsal reticular nucleus (DRt), nucleus of the solitary tract, ventral reticular nucleus, and lateralmost part of the caudal ventrolateral medulla. The retrograde tracer cholera toxin subunit B (CTb) was injected into the spinal dorsal horn, and medullary sections were processed by double immunocytochemistry for CTb and each receptor. The RVM contained the majority of double‐labeled neurons followed by the DRt. In general, high percentages of MOR‐ and NK1‐expressing neurons were retrogradely labeled, whereas GABAB receptors were mainly expressed in neurons that were not labeled from the cord. The results suggest that MOR and NK1 receptors play an important role in direct and indirect control of descending modulation. The co‐localization of MOR and GABAB in DRt neurons also demonstrated by the present study suggests that the pronociceptive effects of this nucleus may be controlled by local opoidergic and GABAergic inhibition of the pronociception increased during chronic pain. J. Comp. Neurol. 510:175–187, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reversible Self‐Assembly of Carboxylated Peptide‐Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles Driven by Metal‐Ion Coordination
Authors: Si Satyabrata , Raula Manoj , Paira Tapas K. , Mandal Tarun K.
Published: July 2008

Carboxylated peptide‐functionalized gold nanoparticles (peptide‐GNPs) self‐assemble into two‐ and three‐dimensional nanostructures in the presence of various heavy metal ions (i.e. Pb2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) in aqueous solution. The assembly process is monitored by following the changes in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band of gold nanoparticles in a UV/Vis spectrophotometer, which shows the development of a new SPR band in the higher‐wavelength region. The extent of assembly is dependent on the amount of metal ions present in the medium and also the time of assembly. TEM analysis clearly shows formation of two‐ and three‐dimensional nanostructures. The assembly process is completely reversible by addition of alkaline ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution. The driving force for the assembly of peptide‐GNPs is mainly metal ion/carboxylate coordination. The color and spectral changes due to this assembly can be used for detection of these heavy‐metal ions in solution.
Photo‐Induced Hydrogen Exchange Reaction between Methanol and Glyoxal: Formation of Hydroxyketene
Authors: Mielke Zofia , Mucha Małgorzata , Bil Andrzej , Golec Barbara , Coussan Stephane , Roubin Pascale
Published: July 2008

We study the structure and photochemistry of the glyoxal–methanol system (G–MeOH) by means of FTIR matrix isolation spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. The FTIR spectra show that the non‐hydrogen‐bonded complex, G–MeOH‐1, is present in an inert environment of solid argon. MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ calculations indicate that G–MeOH‐1 is the most stable complex among the five optimized structures. The interaction energy partitioned according to the symmetry‐adapted perturbation theory (SAPT) scheme demonstrates that the dispersion energy gives a larger contribution to the stabilization of a non‐hydrogen‐bonded G–MeOH‐1 complex than compared to the hydrogen‐bonded ones. The irradiation of G–MeOH‐1 with the filtered output of a mercury lamp (λ>370 nm) leads to its photo‐conversion into the hydroxyketene–methanol complex HK–MeOH‐1. The identity of HK–MeOH‐1 is confirmed by both FTIR spectroscopy and MP2/aug‐cc‐pVDZ calculations. An experiment with deuterated methanol (CH3OD) evidences that hydroxyketene is formed in a photo‐induced hydrogen exchange reaction between glyoxal and methanol. The pathway for the photo‐conversion of G–MeOH‐1 to HK–MeOH‐1 is studied by a coupled‐cluster method [CR–CC(2,3)]. The calculations confirm our experimental findings that the reaction proceeds via hydrogen atom exchange between the OH group of methanol and CH group of glyoxal.