bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In infertile women, cells from Chlamydia trachomatis infected site release higher levels of interferon-gamma, interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha upon heat shock protein stimulation than fertile women
Authors: Srivastava Pragya , Jha Rajneesh , Bas Sylvette , Salhan Sudha , Mittal Aruna
Published: June 2008

Background

The magnitude of reproductive morbidity associated with sexually transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis infection is enormous. Association of antibodies to chlamydial heat shock proteins (cHSP) 60 and 10 with various disease sequelae such as infertility or ectopic pregnancy has been reported. Cell-mediated immunity is essential in resolution and in protection to Chlamydia as well as is involved in the immunopathogenesis of chlamydial diseases. To date only peripheral cell mediated immune responses have been evaluated for cHSP60. These studies suggest cHSPs as important factors involved in immunopathological condition associated with infection. Hence study of specific cytokine responses of mononuclear cells from the infectious site to cHSP60 and cHSP10 may elucidate their actual role in the cause of immunopathogenesis and the disease outcome.

Methods

Female patients (n = 368) attending the gynecology out patient department of Safdarjung hospital, New Delhi were enrolled for the study and were clinically characterized into two groups; chlamydia positive fertile women (n = 63) and chlamydia positive infertile women (n = 70). Uninfected healthy women with no infertility problem were enrolled as controls (n = 39). cHSP60 and cHSP10 specific cytokine responses (Interferon (IFN)-gamma, Interleukin (IL)-10, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-alpha, IL-13 and IL-4) were assessed by ELISA in stimulated cervical mononuclear cell supernatants.

Results

cHSP60 and cHSP10 stimulation results in significant increase in IFN-gamma (P = 0.006 and P = 0.04 respectively) and IL-10 levels (P = 0.04) in infertile group as compared to fertile group. A significant cHSP60 specific increase in TNF-alpha levels (P = 0.0008) was observed in infertile group as compared to fertile group. cHSP60 and cHSP10 specific IFN-gamma and IL-10 levels were significantly correlated (P < 0.0001, r = 0.54 and P = 0.004, r = 0.33 respectively) in infertile group.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that exposure to chlamydial heat shock proteins (cHSP60 and cHSP10) could significantly affect mucosal immune function by increasing the release of IFN-gamma, IL-10 and TNF-alpha by cervical mononuclear cells.
Gastrojejunocolic fistula after gastrojejunostomy: a case series
Authors: Wu Jin-Ming , Wang Ming-Yang , Lee Po-Huang , Lin Ming-Tsan
Published: June 2008

Introduction

Gastrojejunocolic (GJC) fistulae represent a significant post-surgical cause of morbidity and mortality. GJC fistulae represent rare post-surgical complications, and most are associated with gastric surgery. In the past, this complication has been under-recognized because a fistula may form years after surgery.

Case presentation

We describe two cases of gastrojejunocolic fistula in men aged 67 and 60 who both initially presented with watery diarrhea and weight loss. Upper GI studies with small bowel follow-through or barium contrast enema studies allowed a conclusive diagnosis to be made. Both patients underwent one-stage en bloc resection, and their postoperative course was uneventful.

Conclusion

With surgery, this condition is entirely correctable. Pre-operative nutritional status should be evaluated in patients undergoing corrective surgery, and total parenteral nutrition plays a major role in the provision of bowel rest to allow recovery in malnourished patients.
A positive fluid balance is associated with a worse outcome in patients with acute renal failure
Authors: Payen Didier , de Pont Anne Cornélie , Sakr Yasser , Spies Claudia , Reinhart Konrad , Vincent Jean Louis
Published: June 2008

Introduction

Despite significant improvements in intensive care medicine, the prognosis of acute renal failure (ARF) remains poor, with mortality ranging from 40% to 65%. The aim of the present observational study was to analyze the influence of patient characteristics and fluid balance on the outcome of ARF in intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods

The data were extracted from the Sepsis Occurrence in Acutely Ill Patients (SOAP) study, a multicenter observational cohort study to which 198 ICUs from 24 European countries contributed. All adult patients admitted to a participating ICU between 1 and 15 May 2002, except those admitted for uncomplicated postoperative surveillance, were eligible for the study. For the purposes of this substudy, patients were divided into two groups according to whether they had ARF. The groups were compared with respect to patient characteristics, fluid balance, and outcome.

Results

Of the 3,147 patients included in the SOAP study, 1,120 (36%) had ARF at some point during their ICU stay. Sixty-day mortality rates were 36% in patients with ARF and 16% in patients without ARF (P < 0.01). Oliguric patients and patients treated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) had higher 60-day mortality rates than patients without oliguria or the need for RRT (41% versus 33% and 52% versus 32%, respectively; P < 0.01). Independent risk factors for 60-day mortality in the patients with ARF were age, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II), heart failure, liver cirrhosis, medical admission, mean fluid balance, and need for mechanical ventilation. Among patients treated with RRT, length of stay and mortality were lower when RRT was started early in the course of the ICU stay.

Conclusion

In this large European multicenter study, a positive fluid balance was an important factor associated with increased 60-day mortality. Outcome among patients treated with RRT was better when RRT was started early in the course of the ICU stay.
Sialyl lewisx antigen-expressing human CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells as initial immune responders in memory phenotype subsets
Authors: Zhang Yue , Ohkuri Takayuki , Wakita Daiko , Narita Yoshinori , Chamoto Kenji , Kitamura Hidemitsu , Nishimura Takashi
Published: June 2008

Cytokine production by memory T cells in secondary immune responses has a critical role in host defenses. Previously, we had demonstrated that a unique antigen composed of sialyl lewisx (sLex) was expressed on CD45RO+ memory-phenotype subsets of human T cells. Here, we found that the sLex antigen was up-regulated on CD45RA+ naïve human CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells by TCR stimulation. In addition, sLex antigen-expressing CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells in human PBMCs were activated immediately by cytokine stimulations composed of IL-2 plus IL-12 or IL-15 in an antigen-independent manner. Moreover, the sLex-positive human CD8+ T cells significantly enhanced reverse antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity compared with a sLex-negative population. These findings clearly indicate that sLex antigen-expressing memory phenotype CD4+ T and CD8+ T cells contribute to early-stage immunity by providing a source of IFN-γ and cytotoxicity, suggesting that they would be a key immunomodulator in host defenses.
Differential association of Orc1 and Sir2 proteins to telomeric domains in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Mancio-Silva Liliana , Rojas-Meza Ana Paola , Vargas Miguel , Scherf Artur , Hernandez-Rivas Rosaura
Published: June 2008

Telomeres have the capacity to recruit proteins that facilitate the spreading of heterochromatin into subtelomeric DNA regions. In the human protozoan pathogen Plasmodium falciparum, the telomere-associated protein Sir2 has been shown to control the silencing of members of virulence genes at some, but not all, chromosome-end loci, indicating that additional proteins are involved in telomere position effect. Here, we identified, in P. falciparum, a novel telomere-associated protein that displays homology with the origin-of-recognition-complex 1 protein Orc1. Antibodies raised against this P. falciparum protein localized to telomeric clusters in the nuclear periphery and the nucleolus. It was found that, prior to DNA replication, P. falciparum Orc1 and Sir2 undergo drastic subcellular reorganization, such as dissociation from the telomere cluster and spreading into the nucleus and parasite cytoplasm. Relocation of Orc1 and Sir2 was also linked to the partial dissociation of telomere clusters. Super gel-shift and chromatin-immunoprecipitation experiments showed the physical association of Orc1 with telomere repeats but revealed a differential association with adjacent non-coding repeat DNA elements. Our data suggest that Plasmodium telomeres might fold back and that Orc1 cooperates with Sir2 in telomeric silencing.
Spiritual Arborescence: Trees in the Medieval Christian Imagination
Authors: Ritchey Sara
Published: June 2008

Trees abound in the manuscripts, visions and prayers, on the walls, altars and vestments of the
Middle Ages. Their presence indicates a spiritual arborescence, a profound proliferation of arboreal imagery constituent in Christian devotion. Spiritual arborescence is the process of conjuring Christ in the imagination through contemplation of trees. It is a practice that mediates the individual meditant’s relationship with the larger religious community and with Christ. The examples of medieval spiritual arborescence explored in this essay demonstrate profound concerns about accessing divinity in the material world.
Antagonism of central melanin-concentrating hormone 1 receptor alleviates steatohepatitis in mice
Authors: Ito Makoto , Gomori Akira , Suzuki Jun , Tsujioka Shigeharu , Sasaki Minoru , Matsuda Masao , Bednarek Maria A , Ito Masahiko , Ishihara Akane , Iwaasa Hisashi , MacNeil Douglas J , Kanatani Akio
Published: June 2008

Blockade of brain melanin-concentrating hormone 1 receptor (MCH1R) significantly ameliorates fatty liver as well as obesity. However, the mode of action of this effect is unknown. This study examined the effect of a MCH1R antagonist in murine steatohepatitis models with and without obesity and clarified whether these pharmacological effects were attributed to anti-obesity effects. Steatohepatitis with concomitant obese phenotypes was developed after 52-week exposure to a high-fat diet, and steatohepatitis with reduced body weight was developed by exposure to a methionine- and choline-deficient diet for 10 days. Chronic intracerebroventricular infusion of a peptidic MCH1R antagonist reduced hepatic triglyceride contents and ameliorated steatohepatitis on histological observations in both mice models. Improvement of steatohepatitis was concomitant with amelioration of obese phenotypes such as hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia in the case of the obese model, whereas body weight reduction was not associated with amelioration of steatohepatitis by the antagonist in the lean model. Reduction of hepatic gene expressions encoding cytochromes P450 4A was identified by treatment with the antagonist in both the obese and lean models. These results suggest that brain blockade of MCH1R could alleviate steatohepatitis independently from anti-obesity effects. In conclusion, MCH1R antagonist could have a new therapeutic potential for the treatment of human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
Effect of the Cryopreservation Process on the Activity and Immunolocalization of Antioxidant Enzymes in Ram Spermatozoa
Authors: Marti E. , Marti J. I. , Muiño‐Blanco T. , Cebrián‐Pérez J. A.
Published: June 2008

ABSTRACT:In this study, certain enzymes in ram semen involved in reactive oxygen species elimination and their changes during the cryopreservation process were characterized in order to investigate the hypothesis that the antioxidant defense system is involved in the maintenance of frozen sperm quality. Glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were quantified in ram sperm samples subjected to cooling and freezing/thawing processes. In addition, their distribution on the sperm surface and the changes due to cryoinjury were determined by indirect immunofluorescence. SOD showed the highest antioxidant activity, which was also twice as high in fresh and cooled samples as in frozen/thawed ones. Enzymatic activity of GPx and GR showed no significant change throughout the freezing process. Seminal plasma proteins (SPPs) added alone or with other compounds showed a protective effect and accounted for an increase in the sperm quality parameters and enzyme activity levels not only in the fresh sample but also after cooling and freezing/thawing. These antioxidant enzymes were distributed over several sperm regions, and we were able to define several subpopulations according to the obtained sperm immunofluorescence patterns. The sperm membrane distribution of SOD, GPx, and GR changed considerably during cryopreservation, and the type and percentage of the immunofluorescence patterns found in fresh samples were severely modified. This remodeling was strongly affected by the use of different cryoprotectants. The mixture of SPPs, oleic/linoleic acids, and vitamin E was able to partly maintain and recover the fresh enzyme distribution, particularly of SOD.
An Information-theoretical Model for Breast Cancer Detection
Authors: Blokh D. , Zurgil N. , Stambler I. , Afrimzon E. , Shafran Y. , Korech E. , Sandbank J. , Deutsch M.
Published: June 2008

Objectives:
Formal diagnostic modeling is an important line of modern biological and medical research. The construction of a formal diagnostic model consists of two stages: first, the estimation of correlation between model parameters and the disease under consideration; and second, the construction of a diagnostic decision rule using these correlation estimates. A serious drawback of current diagnostic models is the absence of a unified mathematical methodological approach to implementing these two stages. The absence of aunified approach makesthe theoretical/biomedical substantiation of diagnostic rules difficult and reduces the efficacyofactual diagnostic model application.
Methods:
The present study constructs a formal model for breast cancer detection. The diagnostic model is based on information theory. Normalized mutual information is chosen as the measure of relevance between parameters and the patterns studied. The “nearest neighbor” rule is utilized for diagnosis, while the distance between elements is the weighted Hamming distance. The model concomitantly employs cellular fluorescence polarization as the quantitative input parameter and cell receptor expression as qualitative parameters.

Results:
Twenty-four healthy individuals and 34 patients (not including the subjects analyzed for the model construction) were tested by the model. Twenty-three healthy subjects and 34 patients were correctly diagnosed.

Conclusions:
The proposed diagnostic model is an open one,i.e.it can accommodate new additional parameters, which may increase its effectiveness.
Predictive Value of ICD-9-CM Codes Used in Vaccine Safety Research
Authors: Donahue J. G. , DeStefano F. , Baggs J. , Eriksen E. , Mullooly J. P. ,   for the VSD Data Quality Working Group
Published: June 2008

Objectives:
To assess how well selected ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes predict adverse events; to model bias and power loss when vaccine safety analyses rely on unverified codes.

Methods: We extracted chart verification data for ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes from six Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) publications and modeled biases and power losses using positive predictive value (PPV) estimates and ranges of code sensitivity.

Results:
Positive predictive values were high for type 1 diabetes (80%) in children, relative to WHO criteria, and intussusception (81%) in young children, relative to a standard published case definition. PPVs were moderate (65%) for inpatient and emergency department childhood seizures and low (21%) for outpatient childhood seizures, both relative to physician investigator judgment. Codes for incident central nervous system demyelinating disease in adults had high PPV for inpatient codes (80%) and low PPV for outpatient codes (42%) relative to physicians’ diagnoses. Modeled biases were modest, but large increases in frequencies of adverse events are required to achieve adequate power if unverified ICD-9-CM codes are used, especially when vaccine associations are weak.

Conclusions:
ICD-9-CM codes for type 1 diabetes in children, intussusception in young children, childhood seizures in inpatient and emergency care settings, and inpatient demyelinating disease in adults were sufficiently predictive for vaccine safety analyses to rely on unverified diagnosis codes. Adverse event misclassification should be accounted for in statistical power calculations.
Excess cohesive particulate matter removal at upflow settling conditions
Authors: Mazlum Nazire , Mazlum Süleyman , Alpaslan Mehmet Necdet
Published: June 2008

The magnitude of excess particulate matter separation from a flocculated suspension at upflow settling conditions was predicted from the concentration distribution of batch settling data. The settling data pairs were fitted to modified population‐growth model. Settling surfaces at upflow operation were increased by inlaying pipes into the column and inclining it for 50°, 60°, 70 and 80° coinciding with 0.5563, 0.7152, 1.0455 and 2.0594 mm/s decreased surface hydraulic loading rates, respectively. The respective removal ratios observed at the applied loadings were 0.878, 0.848, 0.756 and 0.520, while the corresponding predicted efficiencies by mean value method were 0.865, 0.831, 0.773 and 0.512, respectively. It was demonstrated that removal predictions obtained from the batch settling tests were quite compatible with the observed removals of actual upflow operation. The investigation also demonstrated that concentration distribution of batch settling data heads successfully to predict the excess particulate matter removal at upflow settling. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Retikuläre Chemie metall‐organischer Polyeder
Authors: Tranchemontagne David J. , Ni Zheng , O'Keeffe Michael , Yaghi Omar M.
Published: June 2008

Metall‐organische Polyeder (MOPs) sind diskrete metall‐organische molekulare Anordnungen. Sie werden als Wirtmaterialien eingesetzt, und es besteht die Möglichkeit, die Hohlräume innerhalb der Struktur bezüglich Größe, Funktionalität und Art der aktiven Metallzentren gezielt einzustellen. Als Folge hiervon kommen MOPs für eine Vielzahl von Anwendungen in Frage, z. B. als hoch selektive Speichermaterialien für Gase und andere Gastmoleküle oder als nanoskalige Reaktionsumgebungen (“Nanoreaktoren”). Dieser Aufsatz stellt die neun wichtigsten Polyeder vor und beschreibt die Entwurfsprinzipien für die fünf Arten von Polyedern, die am ehesten aus der Anordnung sekundärer Baueinheiten resultieren. Beispiele solcher Polyederformen, von denen die metall‐organischen Kristalle bekannt sind, werden vorgestellt.
Synthesis and characterization of oil sorbers based on docosanyl acrylate and methacrylates copolymers
Authors: Farag Reem K. , El‐Saeed Shimaa M.
Published: June 2008

Docosanyl acrylate (DCA) monomer was copolymerized with different monomer feed ratios of cinnamoyloxy ethyl methacrylate (CEMA) or methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer to produce different compositions for DCA/CEMA or DCA/MMA copolymer with low conversions.1H NMR spectroscopy was used to confirm the copolymer structure. DCA was crosslinked with different mol % of CEMA or MMA using dibenzoyl peroxide as initiator and various weight percentages of either 1,1,1‐trimethylolpropane triacrylates or 1,1,1‐trimethylolpropane trimethacrylates crosslinkers. The effects of monomer feed composition, crosslinker concentration, and the hydrophobicity of the copolymer units on swelling properties of the crosslinked polymers were studied through the oil absorbency tests. The network parameters, such as polymer solvent interaction (χ), effective crosslink density (υe), equilibrium modulus of elasticity (GT), and average molecular weight between crosslinks (Mc), were determined and correlated with the structure of the synthesized copolymers. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008
Generation of baculovirus vectors for the high‐throughput production of proteins in insect cells
Authors: Possee Robert D. , Hitchman Richard B. , Richards Kevin S. , Mann Susan G. , Siaterli Evangelia , Nixon Clare P. , Irving Helen , Assenberg Rene , Alderton David , Owens Raymond J. , King Linda A.
Published: June 2008

The baculovirus expression system is one of the most popular methods used for the production of recombinant proteins but has several complex steps which have proved inherently difficult to adapt to a multi‐parallel process. We have developed a bacmid vector that does not require any form of selection pressure to separate recombinant virus from non‐recombinant parental virus. The method relies on homologous recombination in insect cells between a transfer vector containing a gene to be expressed and a replication‐deficient bacmid. The target gene replaces a bacterial replicon at the polyhedrin loci, simultaneously restoring a virus gene essential for replication. Therefore, only recombinant virus can replicate facilitating the rapid production of multiple recombinant viruses on automated platforms in a one‐step procedure. Using this vector allowed us to automate the generation of multiple recombinant viruses with a robotic liquid handler and then rapidly screen infected insect cell supernatant for the presence of secreted proteins. Biotechnol. Bioeng. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) surface‐grafted chitosan membranes as a new substrate for cell sheet engineering and manipulation
Authors: da Silva Ricardo M.P. , López‐Pérez Paula M. , Elvira Carlos , Mano João F. , Román Julio San , Reis Rui L.
Published: June 2008

The immobilization of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) on chitosan membranes was performed in order to render membranes with thermo‐responsive surface properties. The aim was to create membranes suitable for cell culture and in which confluent cell sheets can be recovered by simply lowering the temperature. The chitosan membranes were immersed in a solution of the monomer that was polymerized via radical initiation. The composition of the polymerization reaction solvent, which was a mixture of a chitosan non‐solvent (isopropanol) and a solvent (water), provided a tight control over the chitosan membranes swelling capability. The different swelling ratio, obtained at different solvent composition of the reaction mixture, drives simultaneously the monomer solubility and diffusion into the polymeric matrix, the polymerization reaction rate, as well as the eventual chain transfer to the side substituents of the pyranosyl groups of chitosan. A combined analysis of the modified membranes chemistry by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR), Fourier transform spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR‐ATR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that it was possible to control the chitosan modification yield and depth in the solvent composition range between 75% and 100% of isopropanol. Plasma treatment was also applied to the original chitosan membranes in order to improve cell adhesion and proliferation. Chitosan membranes, which had been previously subjected to oxygen plasma treatment, were then modified by means of the previously described methodology. A human fetal lung fibroblast cell line was cultured until confluence on the plasma‐treated thermo‐responsive chitosan membranes and cell sheets were harvested lowering the temperature. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2008;101: 1321–1331. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficient resource discovery in self‐organized unstructured peer‐to‐peer networks
Authors: Liu Lu , Antonopoulos Nick , Mackin Stephen , Xu Jie , Russell Duncan
Published: June 2008

In unstructured peer‐to‐peer (P2P) networks, two autonomous peer nodes can be connected if users in those nodes are interested in each other's data. Owing to the similarity between P2P networks and social networks, where peer nodes can be regarded as people and connections can be regarded as relationships, social strategies are useful for improving the performance of resource discovery by self‐organizing autonomous peers on unstructured P2P networks. In this paper, we present an efficient social‐like peer‐to‐peer (ESLP) method for resource discovery by mimicking different human behaviours in social networks. ESLP has been simulated in a dynamic environment with a growing number of peer nodes. From the simulation results and analysis, ESLP achieved better performance than current methods. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The utility of Pax‐2 as an immunohistochemical marker for renal cell carcinoma in cytopathology
Authors: Gokden Neriman , Kemp Susan A. , Gokden Murat
Published: June 2008

Pax‐2 is a homeogene expressed during kidney development. Its expression in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has been previously evaluated in histologic samples with a high sensitivity and specificity. Here, we investigated the utility of Pax‐2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) for RCC in cytologic material, in comparison with a variety of other neoplasms. Pax‐2 IHC was performed on cell block sections of 33 RCCs (14 primary, 19 metastatic) and 35 non‐RCC malignancies, including 26 carcinomas, five mesenchymal tumors, one neuroblastoma, two melanomas, and one lymphoma, from fine‐needle aspirations and body fluids. The presence or absence of nuclear staining and its intensity and distribution in positive cases were evaluated. Of 33 RCCs, Pax‐2 was positive in 20 (61%) and negative in 13 (39%). All staining was nuclear, with an admixture of weakly or strongly staining nuclei. Only an endometrial adenocarcinoma was positive in the non‐RCC group. The sensitivity and specificity of Pax‐2 IHC for RCC were 61 and 97%, respectively. Pax‐2 is a moderately sensitive and highly specific marker for RCC in cytologic material, with a lower sensitivity compared with tissue sections, likely due to a patchy expression pattern, and should be included in the immunohistochemical work‐up of malignancies. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:473–477. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fine‐needle aspiration cytology in the follow‐up of Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Zeppa Pio , Picardi Marco , Cozzolino Immacolata , Troncone Giancarlo , Lucariello Antonio , De Renzo Amalia , Pane Fabrizio , Rotoli Bruno , Vetrani Antonio , Palombini Lucio
Published: June 2008

Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is characterized by long survival and risk of relapse and second neoplasm. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of improving the accuracy of fine‐needle cytology (FNC) in HL follow‐up using Power Doppler ultrasound (US) assistance and immediate microscopic evaluation (ICE).

The study was performed in two consecutive groups of 200 FNC in HL patients. In the first group FNC of palpable lymph‐nodes or extra lymph‐nodal masses were performed without US assistance except for impalpable and/or deep located masses (nonassisted group); In the second group, all the FNC were performed under Power Doppler US assistance with ICE and immediately repeated in inadequate cases (assisted group). Cytological diagnoses were controlled by histology (61) or clinical follow‐up (69); sensitivity and specificity were calculated in the two groups and to evaluate the effect of Power Doppler alone, adequate cases were compared with the total number of FNC in each of the two groups.

FNC identified 90 negative cases, 3 false negatives, 70 HL relapse, 16 inadequate and 14 suspicious; second neoplasia were diagnosed in 12 cases and all histologically confirmed. Sensitivity and specificity were 64 and 84% in the nonassisted group and 86 and 94% in the assisted group and there were significant differences between the number of adequate cases v.s. the total number of FNC in each of the two groups.

Sensitivity and specificity in assisted FNC are higher than in nonassisted ones. The main advantage of assisted FNC in the follow‐up of HL is to produce accurate diagnoses avoiding invasive biopsies. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2008;36:467–472. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Shared psychopathology in obese subjects with and without binge‐eating disorder
Authors: Ramacciotti Carla E. , Coli Elisabetta , Bondi Emi , Burgalassi Annalisa , Massimetti Gabriele , Dell'Osso Liliana
Published: June 2008

Objective:

To investigate obese people with/without binge‐eating Disorder (BED) in terms of shared psychopathological features pertaining to spectrum of eating disorders.

Method:

One‐hundred obese adult patients with a BMI > 30 kg/m2 referred to an Eating Disorder Unit and/or hospital weight‐loss programs were administered the BED Clinical Interview, the Eating Disorder Inventory, and the Structured Clinical Interview for Anorexic‐Bulimic Spectrum, Self‐Report.

Results:

Twenty‐seven subjects satisfied DSM‐IV research criteria for current BED; compared to nonbingeing obese subjects, BED ones were characterized by greater weight‐shape concerns influencing self‐esteem (p = .05), overall impairment due to the overweight condition (p < .005), psychological distress leading to professional help (p < .001), dichotomous reasoning (p = .01) and secondary social phobia due to the overweight condition (p < .005). Compared to the other group, BED obese subjects scored higher at the following EDI subscales: bulimia (p < .0001), ineffectiveness (p < .01), interoceptive awareness and social insecurity (p < .05).

Conclusion:

The results of this study highlight the role of cognitive mechanisms such as dichotomous reasoning and weight‐shape concerns unduly influencing self‐esteem as a hallmark of BED in obese patients, and the importance of investigating eating disorder psychopathology by adopting a dimensional perspective, rather than strictly focusing on categories when dealing with obese patients. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2008
Males assessed by a specialized adult eating disorders service: Patterns over time and comparisons with females
Authors: Button Eric , Aldridge Sarah , Palmer Robert
Published: June 2008

Objective:

In view of previous inconsistencies and the limited literature on males with eating disorders, we aimed to examine changes in presentation rates over time and any differences between males and females.

Method:

In a cohort of 2,554 new patients assessed by a specialized service for adults over a 21‐year period, we examined rates by gender over time. We also carried out a detailed comparison of selected clinical and demographic variables on a series of 65 males and females matched by diagnosis and date of assessment.

Results:

Approximately 5% of patients were male and there was no evidence of a change in presentation rate by gender over time. Males were more likely to be diagnosed as not having a clinical eating disorder and less likely to abuse laxatives, but otherwise there was little difference in clinical presentation.

Conclusion:

Eating disorders continue to present predominantly in females and the proportion of males remains broadly stable. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2008
High risk of osteoporosis in male patients with eating disorders
Authors: Mehler Philip S. , Sabel Allison L. , Watson Tureka , Andersen Arnold E.
Published: June 2008

Objective:

Osteoporosis has traditionally been considered a female problem. This study's purpose is to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in males with eating disorders.

Method:

Charts of 70 consecutive males admitted to an eating disorder program were reviewed. Females admitted during the same time period were used for comparison. BMD was measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.

Results:

Thirty‐six percent (19/53) had osteopenia and 26% (14/53) had osteoporosis at the lumbar spine. A disproportionate number of males with anorexia restricting or binge/purge subtype (ANR/ANB) had osteoporosis, as well as those of older age, lower weights, and longer illness duration. BMD for ANR and ANB males was significantly lower than females (p = .02 and p = .03, respectively). In multivariate stepwise linear and logistic regression, lowest BMI and illness duration predicted lumbar Z‐scores.

Conclusion:

Males with ANR/ANB often have severe bone disease, which is worse than females, and is best predicted by a patient's lowest BMI and illness duration. © 2008 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2008
Solvent Effect in the Synthesis of Sialosyl α(2–6) Galactosides: Is Acetonitrile the only Choice?
Authors: De Meo Cristina , Farris Michael , Ginder Nathan , Gulley Bonnie , Priyadarshani Uvege , Woods Matthew
Published: June 2008

In spite of notable achievements for the synthesis of α‐sialosides that have been made in the past decades, sialylation reactions often require low temperatures (–40 to –78 °C) and the use of acetonitrile as a solvent. Herein we report that a C‐5 oxazolidinone sialosyl donor gives high yields andstereoselectivities in the presence of dichloromethane and/or tetrahydrofuran at 0 °C. Surprisingly, high stereoselectivities and yields are obtained even at ambient temperature in tetrahydrofuran.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Influence of species and rain event characteristics on stemflow volume in a temperate mixed oak–beech stand
Authors: André Frédéric , Jonard Mathieu , Ponette Quentin
Published: June 2008

This study aimed at analysing the effects of biological and meteorological factors on stemflow generation in a temperate mixed oak (Quercus petraea Liebl.) and beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) stand. A statistical model was developed to predict single‐event individual stemflow volume from trunk circumference and rainfall depth allowing mechanistic stemflow parameters to be deduced from the model, namely stemflow rates (SFrate), storage of water on tree organs (St) and rainfall thresholds for stemflow (RFmin). SFrate and St increased with increasing trunk circumference while RFmin was not significantly influenced by tree size. RFmin and, for a given tree size, St were higher for oak than for beech, and inversely for SFrate. For each species, RFmin was higher for the leaved season than for the leafless period, while the opposite was found for SFrate, and St was not significantly affected by the season. Increasing wind speed during rain increased SFrate, lowered RFmin and did not influence St. In contrast, St and RFmin tended, respectively, to decrease and to increase with increasing values of the ratio between the cumulated potential evaporation during the dry period preceding the rain event and the volume of the preceding rainfall (Eva pADP/Rprevious). Stemflow volume, which results from the combined effects of the previous parameters, was higher for beech than for oak and also higher during the leafless period than during the leaved period; these differences were large for the smallest events but decreased rapidly as rainfall depth increased. In addition, an enhancing and a depressing effect on stemflow volume were shown for the average wind speed during rain and for the ratio Eva pADP/Rprevious, respectively. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Arginase 2 is expressed by human lung cancer, but it neither induces immune suppression, nor affects disease progression
Authors: Rotondo Rita , Mastracci Luca , Piazza Tiziana , Barisione Gaia , Fabbi Marina , Cassanello Michela , Costa Roberta , Morandi Barbara , Astigiano Simonetta , Cesario Alfredo , Sormani Maria P. , Ferlazzo Guido , Grossi Francesco , Ratto Giovanni B. , Ferrini Silvano , Frumento Guido
Published: June 2008

In human prostate cancer, Arginase 2 (ARG2) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) are concomitantly expressed by tumor cells, and induce tumor immune escape via peroxynitrite‐dependent Tyrosine nitrosylation. Since there were no data regarding this immune suppressive mechanism in other tumor types, and an evaluation of its clinical relevance in human tumors had still to be provided, we have investigated presence and clinical relevance of ARG2 and NOS expression in lung cancer. No evidence of NOS expression was found, no significant NOS enzymatic activity was detected. Instead, ARG2 protein was expressed by tumor cells. In a cohort of 120 patients, the amount of ARG2‐positive tumor cells was significantly higher in small cell lung cancers (SCLC) than in non‐small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Large cell undifferentiated carcinomas had twice ARG2 than the other NSCLC subtypes. ARG2 expression was increased in Grade 3 tumors, as compared to Grades 1 and 2. However, no relationship was found with tumor size and stage, and with patient survival. Indeed, the enzyme was active, since the Arginine catabolite Ornithine was produced, but Arginine depletion was not attained. In addition, nitrotyrosine was not found in tumor tissue. Accordingly, when tumor cells isolated from lung cancer were incubated with activated autologous T cells, no inhibition of proliferation was detected. Our results indicate that ARG2 is expressed in lung cancer, but it does not induce tumor immune escape and does not affect disease progression, most probably due to the lack of concomitant NOS expression. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chlamydophila psittaciis viable and infectious in the conjunctiva and peripheral blood of patients with ocular adnexal lymphoma: Results of a single‐center prospective case–control study
Authors: Ferreri Andrés J.M. , Dolcetti Riccardo , Dognini Giuseppina P. , Malabarba Lucia , Vicari Nadia , Pasini Elisa , Ponzoni Maurilio , Cangi Maria Giulia , Pecciarini Lorenza , Resti Antonio Giordano , Doglioni Claudio , Rossini Silvano , Magnino Simone
Published: June 2008

Ocular adnexal MALT lymphoma (OAML) is linked toChlamydophila psittaci (Cp) infection. Viability and infectivity ofCp, demonstrated by growth in culture, has not been yet investigated in these patients. We conducted a single‐center prospective case–control study to assess the prevalence, viability and infectivity ofCpin 20 OAML patients and 42 blood donors registered in a 6‐month period. The presence ofCpin conjunctival swabs and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of patients and donors was assessed by TETR‐PCR andin vitrocultures. From an epidemiological point of view, OAML patients often resided in rural areas, and reported a history of chronic conjunctivitis and prolonged contact with household animals (85%vs. 38% of donors;p= 0.00001).Cpwas detected in lymphoma tissue in 15 (75%) patients.CpDNA was detected in conjunctival swabs and/or PBMC from 10 (50%) patients and in PBMC from 1 (2%) donor (p= 0.01). Viability and infectivity ofCp, demonstrated by growth in culture, were confirmed in conjunctival swabs and/or PBMC from 5 (25%) patients, but not in donors (p= 0.002). This prospective study demonstrates, for the first time, thatCppresent in the conjunctiva and PBMC of OAML patients is capable to grow and be isolated in cell cultures.Cpinfection is common in OAML patients and exceptional in blood donors. Epidemiological data of OAML patients (prolonged contact with household animals and chronic conjunctivitis) are consistent withCpexposure risk. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HMG‐CoA reductase expression in breast cancer is associated with a less aggressive phenotype and influenced by anthropometric factors
Authors: Borgquist Signe , Djerbi Soraya , Pontén Fredrik , Anagnostaki Lola , Goldman Malin , Gaber Alexander , Manjer Jonas , Landberg Göran , Jirström Karin
Published: June 2008

Although several studies have reported on the anti‐tumoural properties exerted by 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase (HMG‐CoAR) inhibitors (statins), the in vivo expression of HMG‐CoAR in human cancer has been considerably less investigated. In our study, we examined the immunohistochemical expression of HMG‐CoAR in 511 incident breast cancers within the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study in order to explore its relationship to established clinicopathological and tumour biological parameters. Furthermore, the potential influence of estrogen exposure on HMG‐CoAR expression was assessed by performing Cox's proportional hazards analyses of the relationship between the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), obesity (waist circumference) and tumour‐cell specific HMG‐CoAR expression. We found that HMG‐CoAR was present in various fractions and intensities in the cytoplasm, sometimes with a membranous pattern, but not in the tumour cell nuclei. The expression of HMG‐CoAR was associated with a smaller tumour size (p = 0.02), low histological grade (p = 0.001), low Ki67 index (p = 0.004), ERα+ (p = 0.02), ERβ+ (p = 0.005), and high p27 expression (p = <0.001). The incidence of tumours with a high HMG‐CoAR‐expression was increased among HRT‐users, although this was not statistically significant in a heterogeneity analysis. Obesity was significantly associated with a high HMG‐CoAR expression assessed both as a high (>50%) fraction of positive cells (relative risk: 2.06; 95% confidence interval: 1.20–3.51), and a strong staining intensity (2.33: 1.08–5.02). In summary, we demonstrate that HMG‐CoAR is differentially expressed in breast cancer and that a high expression is associated with prognostically favourable tumour parameters. Moreover, estrogen related life‐style and anthropometric factors might indeed regulate HMG‐CoAR expression. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Angiotensin II‐dependent loss of cardiac function: Mechanisms and pharmacological targets attenuating this effect
Authors: Mufti Solaiman , Wenzel Sibylle , Euler Gerhild , Piper Hans Michael , Schlüter Klaus‐Dieter
Published: June 2008

Pharmacological inhibition of components of the renin‐angiotensin‐system is one of the major therapeutically options to treat patients with heart failure. This study hypothesized that angiotensin II (Ang II) directly depresses contractile function (cell shortening) by activation of transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1). Moreover, we hypothesized that an inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3‐βGSK will compensate for this depressive effect by increasing SERCA2 expression. Isolated adult ventricular rat cardiomyocytes were used and cultured in the presence of Ang II (100 nM) for 24 h. Cell shortening and contractile dynamics were recorded at 2 Hz. Immunoblot techniques and gel mobility shift assays were used to demonstrate NFAT activation caused by inhibition of GSK and to demonstrate increases in the expression of SERCA2. Ang‐II caused a nearly 20% decrease in cell shortening. This Ang II‐dependent effect was mimicked by TGF‐β1 (10 ng/ml), attenuated by addition of aprotinin, that was used to block the proteolytic activation of TGF‐β1, or by application of a neutralizing antibody directed against TGF‐β1. Inhibition of GSK activated NFAT, increased SERCA2 expression and improved cell function. In conclusion, the study identified a paracrine mechanism for the Ang II‐dependent loss of cardiac function that occurs independently of hemodynamic changes. Furthermore, it characterized the differences between Ang II and α‐adrenoceptor stimulation with respect to the maintenance of cellular function explaining cellular events contributing to the difference between adaptive (physiological) and mal‐adaptive (patho‐physiological) hypertrophy. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 242–249, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surface modification of titanium dioxide nanoparticles by polyaniline via an in situ method
Authors: Li Xueyan , Wang Desong , Luo Qingzhi , An Jing , Wang Yanhong , Cheng Guoxiang
Published: June 2008

BACKGROUND: Nanoparticulate titanium dioxide (TiO2) has the advantages of high chemical stability, high photocatalytic activity to oxidise pollutants in air and water, relatively low price and non‐toxicity. However, its high surface energy leads to the aggregation of nanoparticles. In addition, the wide band gap of TiO2 (3.2 eV) only allows it to absorb ultraviolet (UV) light (<387 nm), which represents just a small fraction (3–5%) of the solar photons. These factors have limited its use in many fields. In this study, nanoparticulate TiO2 was modified by polyaniline (PANI) in order to enhance its photoactivity under UV light and sunlight illumination.

RESULTS: TiO2 nanoparticles were modified by PANI via a chemical oxidative method. The introduction of small amounts of PANI enhanced the dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles and improved the photocatalytic activity under UV light. In addition, the band gap energies of all PANI/TiO2 nanocomposites were lower than that of neat TiO2 nanoparticles, so the PANI/TiO2 nanocomposites can be excited to produce more electron–hole pairs under sunlight, which could result in higher photocatalytic activities.

CONCLUSION: The modification of nanoparticulate TiO2 by PANI can increase its photoactivity in the process of phenol degradation under UV light and sunlight illumination. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
A new austenitic alumina forming alloy: an aluminium‐coated FeNi32Cr20
Authors: Hattendorf H. , Hojda R. , Naumenko D. , Kolb‐Telieps A.
Published: June 2008

The FeCrAl alloys owe their low oxidation rate to the formation of a slow growing α‐aluminium oxide scale. Therefore they are used, for example, as a substrate material in metal‐supported automotive catalytic converters. Increasing exhaust gas temperatures mean that, in addition to the oxidation properties, high temperature mechanical properties should also be improved. Compared to the ferritic FeCrAl alloys, austenitic alloys possess the required high mechanical strength at higher temperatures. However for most commercially available materials the oxidation resistance is not sufficient due to a low aluminium content. High aluminium contents are avoided in austenitic alloys, since they cause severe workability problems, even at aluminium contents, which are below the necessary amount to get a pure alumina scale. The newly developed material Nicrofer 3220 PAl (coated FeNiCrAl) consists of an austenitic FeNi32Cr20 alloy coated with aluminium on both sides. It combines the outstanding oxidation resistance of an alumina forming FeCrAl alloy with the advantage of the high temperature strength of an austenitic alloy. Additionally the oxidation is even lower than the oxidation of the commercial grade Aluchrom YHf (FeCr20Al6)—conventional homogenous FeCrAl. Aluminium coated FeNiCrAl can easily be formed into its final shape. Prior to service, an in situ heat treatment is recommended in order to optimize the properties.
Effect of manufacturing related parameters on oxidation properties of MCrAlY‐bondcoats
Authors: Subanovic M. , Sebold D. , Vassen R. , Wessel E. , Naumenko D. , Singheiser L. , Quadakkers W. J.
Published: June 2008

The effect of MCrAlY‐bondcoat manufacturing parameters prior to TBC deposition on the bondcoat oxidation behavior and TBC lifetime was studied. The studied material was a NiCoCrAl(Y/Hf) free‐standing coating. It was found that variation of oxygen partial pressure during vacuum plasma spraying and the vacuum heat treatment procedure significantly affects the yttrium and hafnium distribution in the coating. In coatings sprayed at high pO2, yttrium and hafnium were mainly tied up into oxide precipitates. This effect is apparently responsible for an early alumina scale spallation and failure of the initially studied TBC system during cyclic oxidation. In contrast, the coating sprayed at low pO2 revealed an overdoping effect, i.e. extensive yttrium and hafnium incorporation into the scale resulting in an accelerated scale growth rate and internal oxidation. It was shown that by variation of the vacuum heat treatment parameters the yttrium and hafnium distribution in the near‐surface regions of the low oxygen coating can be modified. The latter result demonstrates the potential of minimizing the negative overdoping effect on the scale growth in the thermal‐sprayed MCrAlY coatings with low oxygen and/or high reactive element contents by optimization of the vacuum heat treatment procedure.