bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of some methylbismuth (III) O,O‐alkylenedithiophosphates: convenient transformation of and to pure Bi2S3
Authors: Jain Amit K. , Bohra Rakesh
Published: May 2006

A series of methylbismuth(III)O,O‐alkylenedithiophosphates of the type [where G = CH2CH(CH3) (1), (CH2)4 (2), CH2CH2CH(CH3) (3), CH(CH3)CH(CH3) (4), CH2CHCH2CH3 (5), CH(CH3)CH2C(CH3)2 (6) and C(CH3)2C(CH3)2 (7)] have been isolated by the reaction of methylbismuth(III) dichloride with potassium salt of O,O‐alkylenedithiophosphoric acids in 1:2 molar ratio in anhydrous benzene. These newly synthesized derivatives were characterized by elemental analyses, FT IR and multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C and 31P) spectral studies. Thermogravimetric analysis of 6 has shown a single‐step decomposition of complex to Bi2S3 at 154.3 °C. Transformation of 2 and 6 to pure Bi2S3 was carried out successfully at refluxing xylene temperature (142 °C) as revealed by XRD and SEM analyses. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Silica dissolution as a route to octaanionic silsesquioxanes
Authors: Kang K. H. , Laine R. M.
Published: May 2006

The octaanion, [OSiO1.5]88− (OA) is a low cost, discrete nano silica particle that can be made directly from high surface area, amorphous silica reacted with Me4NOH in water alcohol mixtures. It would be ideal if Me4NOH could be formed in situ from, for example, Me4NCl and NaOH, as long known in the literature. This process would reduce costs and enable recycling of Me4NCl produced in the functionalization of OA with chlorosilanes, RMe2SiCl, to form [RMe2SiOSiO1.5]8 organic/inorganic hybrid nanobuilding blocks. Kinetic studies were conducted to assess base‐promoted dissolution of fumed silica (25 m2/g) as a function of concentrations, times, etc., to form the octaanion [OSiO1.5]88− using Me4NOH, NaOH and mixtures of NaOH/Me4NCl. Surprisingly, we find that small amounts of Me4NCl greatly inhibit the dissolution reaction for reasons that are as yet unknown. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of exogenous cysteine on inorganic and organic arsenicals‐induced cytolethality
Authors: Sakurai Teruaki , Kojima Chikara , Waalkes Michael P. , Himeno Seiichiro
Published: May 2006

Inorganic arsenicals are distinctly toxic and carcinogenic to humans. Inorganic arsenite (AsIII) and arsenate (AsV) are enzymatically methylated to monomethylarsonic acid (MMAsV) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAsV) in mammals. Recent reports indicate that cytotoxic trivalent methylated arsenicals are produced through methylation of inorganic arsenicals and are involved in arsenic poisoning. Some previous studies have suggested that a typical thiol reagent cysteine (Cys) can reduce pentavalent arsenicals to trivalent arsenicals and might be able to enhance arsenic cytolethality. However, not much is known concerning the effects of exogenous Cys on the cytolethality of arsenicals. In this study, we examined the effects of exogenous Cys on the cytolethality induced by inorganic and organic arsenicals using rat liver cells. Cys prevented inorganic AsIII‐induced cytolethality. In contrast, when more than 5 mM Cys was incubated with millimolar levels of MMAsV or DMAsV, MMAsV‐ and DMAsV‐induced cytolethality significantly increased; this cytolethality might have been caused by the generation of trivalent methylated arsenicals. However, Cys at a concentration of less than 5 mM decreased the MMAsV‐ and DMAsV‐induced cytolethality. These findings suggest that high concentrations of both arsenicals and Cys are required to form trivalent methylated arsenicals and to induce significant cytolethality. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic property of a two‐dimensional herringbone‐like network with praseodymium(III) nitrate and 1‐bromo‐ 3,5‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene (bib)
Authors: Meng Wen‐Li , Zhang Zheng‐Hua , Lv Yang , Kawaguchi Hiroyuki , Sun Wei‐Yin
Published: May 2006

A new complex [Pr(bib)2(NO3)3] (1) was synthesized by reaction of bidentate imidazole‐containing ligand 1‐bromo‐3,5‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene (bib) with Pr(NO3)·6H2O and characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Complex 1 has a two‐dimensional herringbone‐like structure with the ligand bib serving as a bridging ligand using its two imidazolyl nitrogen atoms. Ligand bib adopts cis and trans two different conformations, and the Pr(III) atoms are bridged by bib in two different ways. Thermogravimetric analysis for complex 1 was carried out and the result shows that the complex is stable up to 180 °C. Variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility of complex 1 was measured between 1.8 and 300 K and the result shows that the χMT value decreases continuously over the whole temperature range. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microanatomy and ultrastructure of the kidney of the African lungfish Protopterus dolloi
Authors: Ojeda José L. , Icardo José M. , Wong Wai P. , Ip Yuen K.
Published: May 2006

The Dipnoi (lungfishes) have developed true lungs, having the ability to take oxygen from both the gills and the lungs. During the tropical dry season, many lungfish estivate on land, breathing only air. The estivation period is accompanied by profound functional modifications, including the suppression of urine. Thus, the lungfish kidney must be designed to cope with these dramatic cyclic changes in renal function. We study here the microanatomy and the structure of the kidney of the African lungfish Protopterus dolloi, maintained under controlled freshwater conditions. Chemical microdissection, light microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy have been used. The nephrons of P. dolloi are composed of a renal corpuscle (RC) and of a renal tubule that appears divided into five morphologically distinct segments: neck segment (NS), proximal tubule (PT), intermediate segment (IS), distal tubule (DT), and collecting tubule (CT). Paired CTs abut into a collecting duct, the latter emptying into an archinephric duct. The RCs lie in the mid‐zone of the kidney, between the PTs and the convoluted DTs. The spatial distribution of these elements allows recognition of a kidney zonation. The RCs group into clusters (3–4 RCs per cluster) that are supplied by a single arteriole surrounded by pericytes. Each cluster appears to represent a functional unit with a common hemodynamic regulatory mechanism. The major processes of the podocytes form flattened networks that appear to constitute an integrated system due to the presence of gap junctions. The existence of mesangial cells with large cell processes, and of mesangial cells with a dendritic appearance, suggests a complex functional role (contractile and phagocytic) for the mesangium. The NS and the IS are the narrowest nephron segments, formed only by multiciliated cells. The PT and the DT can be subdivided, based on the tubular morphology and on cell composition, into portions I and II: PTI is formed only by brush border (BB) cells, while PTII contains BB and multiciliated cells. The DTI is formed by segment‐specific cells, while the DTII contains segment‐specific and a small number of flask cells. The CT contains principal and flask cells in a 5:1 ratio. The flask cells adopt two different configurations (with a narrow canaliculus or with a large cavity). The main goal of this study was to disclose specific kidney features that could be related to function, phylogeny, and habitat. In addition, the present results constitute the basis for a study of the morphologic changes that should occur in the kidney of P. dolloi during estivation. Anat Rec Part A 288A:609–625, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Glucose transporter 8 (GLUT8) from the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Chen Mei‐Er , Holmes Steven P. , Pietrantonio Patricia V.
Published: May 2006

We have cloned the fire ant glucose transporter 8 (GLUT8) cDNA providing the first molecular characterization of a GLUT8 in insects. Glucose is a poly‐alcohol and, due to its high hydrophilicity, cannot move across cell membranes. GLUT8 is a putative facilitative transporter for the cellular import and export of glucose. The complete 2,974‐bp cDNA encodes a 501‐residue protein with a predicted molecular mass of 54.8 kDa. Transcripts were detected in the brain, midgut, hindgut, Malpighian tubule, fat body, ovary, and testis. The highest transcriptional expression was found in fat body. Northern blot analysis revealed different transcript sizes in mated queen brains, alate female ovaries, and male testes. We propose that four other sequences obtained from insect genome projects from the honey bee Apis mellifera (ENSAPMP00000006624), the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae (EAA11842), and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster (AAQ23604 and AAM52591) are likely the orthologues of the fire ant GLUT8. Phylogenetic relationships in insect glucose transporters are presented. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 62:55–72, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Silencing allatostatin expression using double‐stranded RNA targeted to preproallatostatin mRNA in the German cockroach
Authors: Maestro José L. , Bellés Xavier
Published: May 2006

YXFGL‐NH2 family allatostatins (ASTs) were isolated from cockroach brain extracts based on their capacity to inhibit juvenile hormone (JH) biosynthesis in corpora allata (CA) incubated in vitro. Subsequently, the inhibitory activity of synthetic ASTs was demonstrated experimentally, although these peptides were shown to be active as JH inhibitors only in cockroaches, crickets, and termites. Here, we sought to examine whether ASTs are true physiological regulators of JH synthesis. To this end, we used RNA interference methodologies and the cockroach Blattella germanica as a model. Treatments with double‐stranded RNA targeting the allatostatin gene in females of B. germanica produced a rapid and long‐lasting reduction in mRNA and peptide levels in both brain and midgut during the reproductive cycle. Nevertheless, while brain AST levels were reduced approximately 70–80%, JH synthesis did not increase in any of the age groups tested. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 62:73–79, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cloning and nucleotide sequencing of three heat shock protein genes (hsp90, hsc70, and hsp19.5) from the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) and their expression in relation to developmental stage and temperature
Authors: Sonoda Shoji , Ashfaq Muhammad , Tsumuki Hisaaki
Published: May 2006

Heat shock protein genes, hsp90, hsc70, and hsp19.5, were cloned and sequenced from the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.) by RT‐PCR and RACE method. The cDNA sequence analysis of hsp90 and hsp19.5 revealed open reading frames (ORFs) of 2,151 and 522 bp in length, which encode proteins with calculated molecular weights of 82.4 and 19.5 kDa, respectively. Analysis of cDNA from hsc70 revealed an ORF of 1,878 bp coding a protein with a calculated molecular weight of 69.3 kDa. Furthermore, the analysis of genomic DNA from hsc70 confirmed the presence of introns while no introns were apparent in hsp90 and hsp19.5. Southern blot analysis suggested the presence of multiple copies of each gene family in the DBM genome. Detectable expression of hsp19.5 was observed at the pupal stage while expression of hsp90 and hsc70 was detected at both pupal and adult stages. At adult stage, females showed a higher expression of hsp90 and hsc70 than males. An increased expression was observed in all three genes after exposure to a high temperature in both sexes. These results suggest that in addition to a heat shock response, these HSP genes might be involved in other functions during the course of development in DBM. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 62:80–90, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of corazonin and crustacean cardioactive peptide on heartbeat in the adult American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)
Authors: Sláma Karel , Sakai Tsubasa , Takeda Makio
Published: May 2006

Changes in the frequency of cardiac pulsations have been monitored in the decapitated body of adult P. americana before and 5 h after the injections of [Arg7]‐corazonin and CCAP, using newly invented touch‐free, noninvasive optocardiographic methods. Relatively large dosages of these peptides (10–6 M concentrations in the body) had no effect on the rate of the heartbeat beyond the Ringer control limits. It has been concluded, therefore, that Corazonin and CCAP, which are currently cited in the literature as “the most potent cardiostimulating peptides” in insects, have no effect on the physiological regulation of cardiac functions in the living body. Arch Insect Biochem Physiol 62:91–103, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antiparacelsismus und Dreieinigkeit. Medizinischer Antitrinitarismus von Thomas Erastus (1524–1583) bis Ernst Soner (1572–1605)
Authors: Bröer Ralf
Published: May 2006

Antiparacelism and Trinity: Medical antitrinitarism from Thomas Erastus (1524–1583) to Ernst Soner (1572–1605). – There were close relationships between Renaissance medicine and antitrinitarianism in 16th and 17th century. Forming an important part of the radical reformation antitrinitarianism won many disciples in the Holy Roman Empire and proved its attraction for physicians. This paper centers on two public scandals in Heidelberg and Altdorf involving the reknown university professors and physicians Thomas Erastus and Ernst Soner. Michael Servetus' new concept of the blood flow through the lungs was discussed in Heidelberg. In Altdorf Caspar Hofmann, Soner's colleague, developed a special theory of the blood flow and corresponded with William Harvey. Erastus and Soner sharply critisized the hermectical and neoplatonical ideas of Paracelsus. Although sympathizing with antitrinitarianism they denounced the Paracelsians as heretics. The Polish antitrinitarians were called Socinians, from Faustus Socinus. Their doctrine tended to be Aristotelic and rationalistic. Soner combined a socinian theology with a heterodox Aristotelianism referring to Andrea Cesalpino. Again after Soner's death some of his pupils and other physicians advocated socinianism in Gdansk (Martin Ruar, Florian Krause, Daniel Zwicker,Valentin Baumgart).
Geschichte der Institutionalisierung der Antarktisforschung
Authors: Lüdecke Cornelia
Published: May 2006

Erster Workshop der Action Group ‚History of the Institutionalisation of Antarctic Research within SCAR’︁, 2./3. Oktober 2005, München
Quellen und Arbeiten zur Geschichte der Meteorologie
Authors: Lüdecke Cornelia
Published: May 2006

Bericht über die 5. Tagung des Fachausschusses Geschichte der Meteorologie, 11. und 12. Oktober 2005, Lindenberg
Competition between Nitrospira spp. and Nitrobacter spp. in nitrite‐oxidizing bioreactors
Authors: Nogueira Regina , Melo Luís F.
Published: May 2006

In this work the question was addressed if in nitrite‐oxidizing activated sludge systems the environmental competition between Nitrobacter spp. and Nitrospira spp., which only recently has been discovered to play a role in these systems, is affected by the nitrite concentrations. Two parallel chemostats were inoculated with nitrifying‐activated sludge containing Nitrospira and operated under identical conditions. After addition of Nitrobacter to both chemostats, the nitrite concentration in the influent of one of the chemostats was increased such that nitrite peaks in the bulk liquid of this reactor were detected. The other chemostat served as control reactor, which always had a constant nitrite influent concentration. The relative cellular area (RCA) of Nitrospira and Nitrobacter was determined by quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The nitrite perturbation stimulated the growth of Nitrobacter while in the undisturbed control chemostat Nitrospira dominated. Overall, the results of this experimental study support the hypothesis that Nitrobacter is a superior competitor when resources are abundant, while Nitrospira thrive under conditions of resource scarcity. Interestingly, the dominance of Nitrobacter over Nitrospira, caused by the elevated nitrite concentrations, could not be reverted by lowering the available nitrite concentration to the original level. One possible explanation for this result is that when Nitrobacter is present at a certain cell density it is able to inhibit the growth of Nitrospira. An alternative explanation would be that the length of the experimental period was not long enough to observe an increase of the Nitrospira population. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synthesis and Cytotoxicity of Enantiomerically Pure [1,2‐Diamino‐1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐3‐methylbutane]platinum(II) Complexes
Authors: Dullin Anja , Dufrasne Francois , Gelbcke Michael , Gust Ronald
Published: May 2006

A series of leaving group derivatives of enantiomerically pure [1,2‐diamino‐1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐3‐methylbutane]platinum(II) complexes were synthesized and tested for cytotoxicity. The enantiomeric purity was determined by 1H NMR spectroscopy on the final diamines after derivation with (1R)‐myrtenal. For coordination to platinum, the diamines were reacted with K2PtI4. The treatment of diiodoplatinum(II) complexes (4F‐Ph/iProp‐PtI2) with Ag2SO4 resulted in the sulfatoplatinum(II) complexes (4F‐Ph/iProp‐PtSO4), which can be easily transformed to dichloroplatinum(II) complexes (4F‐Ph/iProp‐PtCl2) with 2 n HCl. The importance of the leaving groups and the configuration at the diamine ligand on the antiproliferative effects was evaluated on the hormone‐dependent MCF‐7 and the hormone‐independent MDA‐MB 231 breast cancer cell lines as well as the LNCaP/FGC prostate cancer cell line. (R,R)‐4F‐Ph/iProp‐PtCl2 was identified as the most active platinum(II) complex. The 3‐methyl group increased antiproliferative effects relative to the [1,2‐diamino‐1‐(4‐fluorophenyl)butane]platinum(II) complexes described in an earlier study.
The impact of tumor progesterone receptor status on optimal adjuvant endocrine therapy for postmenopausal patients with early‐stage breast cancer
Authors: Punglia Rinaa S. , Kuntz Karen M. , Winer Eric P. , Weeks Jane C. , Burstein Harold J.
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND

Emerging data suggest that treatment outcomes with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) and/or tamoxifen may differ for tumors that express both the estrogen receptor (ER) and the progesterone receptor (PR) (ER+/PR+) compared with those that lack PR expression (ER+/PR−). However, the optimal sequencing of AIs and tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy is not known and may differ for biologic subsets of cancers.

METHODS

Markov models were used to simulate disease‐free survival (DFS) separately among postmenopausal women with ER+/PR+ cancers and women with ER+/PR− cancers. By using risk estimates reported from randomized clinical trials, treatment with 5 years of an AI alone with sequential treatment consisting of tamoxifen with crossover to an AI at 2 years was compared.

RESULTS

For women with ER+/PR+ cancers, sequential therapy with tamoxifen followed by crossover to an AI at 2 years yielded modest improvements in 10‐year DFS estimates compared with planned AI monotherapy (84.3% vs. 82.2% and 68.8% vs. 64.8% for lymph node‐negative and lymph node‐positive patients, respectively). However, for women with ER+/PR− cancers, upfront treatment with an AI yielded improved outcomes with 10‐year DFS rates of 90.5% and 80.1% for the lymph node‐negative and node‐positive groups, respectively, compared with 88.2% and 76.1%, respectively, for sequential treatment with tamoxifen followed by an AI.

CONCLUSIONS

Modeling estimates suggested that the optimal endocrine treatment strategy may differ based on the biologic features of breast cancer tumors. Patients with ER+/PR+ tumors achieved optimal 10‐year DFS estimates with tamoxifen followed by a crossover to AI therapy, whereas patients with ER+/PR− tumors fared best when they initiated treatment with AI. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Trends in distribution and prognostic significance of Gleason grades on radical retropubic prostatectomy specimens between 1989 and 2001
Authors: Sengupta Shomik , Slezak Jeffrey M. , Blute Michael L. , Leibovich Bradley C. , Sebo Thomas J. , Myers Robert P. , Cheville John C. , Bergstralh Eric J. , Zincke Horst
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND

The objectives of the current study were to examine time trends in the prevalence of Gleason grades of prostate cancer on radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) specimens and to assess the resultant impact on prognosis.

METHODS

The authors examined the prevalence over time of each grade and Gleason score (GS) on RRP specimens from 8750 patients who were treated between 1989 and 2001. Biochemical recurrence‐free survival (BRFS), which was estimated by using Kaplan–Meier methodology, was examined in subgroups of patients defined by tumor grade and era of surgery.

RESULTS

The prevalence of Grade 3 prostate cancers increased (86% vs. 49% for primary Gleason grade and 71% vs. 47% for secondary Gleason grade; 1999–2001 vs. 1989–1990, respectively), whereas the prevalence of Grade 2 tumors decreased (0.4% vs. 38% for primary Gleason grade and 1.3% vs. 28% for secondary Gleason grade, respectively) over the study period, leading to fewer GS 4 and 5 tumors and more GS 6 and 7 tumors. BRFS improved over time for patients who had GS 5 tumors (hazards ratio [HR], 0.92 per year; P = .003) and GS 6 tumors (HR, 0.93; P<.001) but remained unchanged for GS 7 tumors (HR 0.99; P = .462) and GS 8–10 tumors (HR 1.02; P = .360). Patients who were treated in the recent era (1997–2001) had greater differentiation of BRFS based on GS or Gleason grade compared with patients who were treated earlier (1989–1991).

CONCLUSIONS

The current results confirmed that there were changes in the prevalence of Gleason grades on RRP specimens between 1989 and 2001. A chronological change in pathologic grading classification is suggested by evolving prognostic implications, which must be accounted for when comparing outcomes from different eras. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Evaluation of glutathione S‐transferase polymorphisms and mutagen sensitivity as risk factors for the development of second primary tumors in patients previously diagnosed with early‐stage head and neck cancer
Authors: Minard Charles G. , Spitz Margaret R. , Wu Xifeng , Hong Waun Ki , Etzel Carol J.
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of polymorphisms in 2 genes in the glutathione S‐transferase (GST) family and the mutagen‐sensitivity phenotype on the risk of second primary tumors (SPTs) in patients with previously diagnosed early‐stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Data were available for 303 patients who were enrolled in a placebo‐controlled chemoprevention trial of low‐dose 13‐cis‐retinoic acid to reduce the occurrence of SPTs.

METHODS

A Cox proportional hazards model and survival tree analysis were used to evaluate the association between specified genetic variations and the development of SPTs. The average number of bleomycin‐induced chromatid breaks per cell was used to quantify mutagen sensitivity as an individual patient's degree of sensitivity to genotoxicity.

RESULTS

The GST‐M1 null genotype was associated with an increased risk for any SPTs (hazard ratio [HR], 1.99; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.11‐3.56) and for tobacco‐related SPTs (HR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.01‐4.62) after adjusting for covariates. The GST‐T1 null genotype and bleomycin‐induced chromatid breaks were not associated with a statistically significant increased risk for SPTs or tobacco‐related SPTs after similar adjustment. Simultaneous nonnull status for both GST genotypes was associated with a decreased risk for any SPTs (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.28‐0.96) and tobacco‐related SPTs (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.22‐1.11) compared with null status for GST‐M1 accompanied by nonnull status for GST‐T1.

CONCLUSIONS

An association was observed between the development of SPTs and the GST‐M1 null genotype after successful treatment for early‐stage head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The GST‐T1 null genotype and bleomycin‐induced chromatid breaks were not associated with an increased risk, and no significant interactions were identified. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as part of postremission therapy improves survival for adult patients with high‐risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Yanada Masamitsu , Matsuo Keitaro , Suzuki Takeshi , Naoe Tomoki
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND

The prognosis for adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains unsatisfactory primarily because of the high incidence of recurrence. Therefore, optimal postremission therapy is a matter of vital concern. In particular, the clinical efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) should be clarified.

METHODS

Rigorous criteria were used to select 7 studies of adult ALL that prospectively assessed overall survival (OS) using natural randomization based on donor availability combined with intention‐to‐treat analyses. The authors then performed a metaanalysis to evaluate the role of allogeneic HSCT.

RESULTS

Seven studies that included 1274 patients were selected. A metaanalysis demonstrated that patients in the donor groups had significantly better survival than patients in the no‐donor groups (hazard ratio [HR], 1.29; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.02–1.63 [P = .037]). When only high‐risk patients were included in the analysis, the superiority of the survival advantage was even greater (HR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.06–1.90 [P = .019]). A meta‐regression analysis revealed that compliance with allogeneic HSCT showed a significant and positive correlation with survival (coefficient, 0.022; P<.01), suggesting that the greater the proportion of patients who actually received allogeneic HSCT, the better the survival of the donor group. No beneficial effects of autologous HSCT were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings demonstrated that allogeneic HSCT improves the outcome of adult patients with high‐risk ALL. Although these analyses were based on abstracted data, the results indicated that allogeneic HSCT should be considered for such patients if a suitable donor is available. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
The influence of age and comorbidity on receiving radiotherapy as part of primary treatment for cancer in South Netherlands, 1995 to 2002
Authors: Vulto Ans J. C. M. , Lemmens Valery E. P. P. , Louwman Marieke W. J. , Janssen‐Heijnen Maryska L. G. , Poortmans Philip H. P. , Lybeert Marnix L. M. , Coebergh Jan Willem W.
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND

The objective of this study was to study the influence of age and comorbidity on receiving radiotherapy (RT) in primary treatment of cancer.

METHODS

In a population‐based setting, the authors calculated the proportion of irradiated patients within 6 months after they received a diagnosis of lung, rectal, breast, or prostate cancer or non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 33,369 patients) according to age and comorbidity between 1995 and 2002. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for age, comorbidity, gender, and stage.

RESULTS

Patients with localized nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) ages 65 years to ≥80 years or with comorbid conditions received RT alone significantly more often compared with younger patients (ages 65‐79 years: odds ratio [OR], 3.4; age ≥80: OR, 12.0) and patients without comorbidities (1 comorbid condition: OR, 2.1; ≥2 comorbid conditions: OR, 2.4). This also applied to patients with nonlocalized NSCLC ages 65 years to 79 years compared with younger patients (OR, 1.4). RT was administered significantly less often to elderly patients with resected rectal cancers (ages 65‐79 years: OR, 0.7; age ≥80 years: OR, 0.4), patients age ≥80 years with breast cancer after undergoing conserving surgery (OR, 0.1), and patients age ≥80 years with clinical T1‐T3,N0,M0 prostate cancer age (OR, 0.1) compared with younger patients. Patients with breast cancer who underwent breast‐conserving surgery received RT significantly less often in the presence of comorbidities (1 comorbid condition: OR, 0.6; ≥2 comorbid conditions: OR, 0.4). Older patients with aggressive non‐Hodgkin lymphoma received only RT as treatment significantly more often compared with younger patients (OR, 3.4).

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbidity and age did have influence over whether patients received RT, although, for most tumor types, age appeared to be a stronger predicting factor. Under treatment was observed among patients with breast cancer and rectal cancer. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Effects of the dual 5 α‐reductase inhibitor dutasteride on apoptosis in primary cultures of prostate cancer epithelial cells and cell lines
Authors: Maria McCrohan Ann , Morrissey Colm , O'Keane Conor , Mulligan Niall , Watson Chanel , Smith James , Fitzpatrick John M. , Watson R. William G.
Published: May 2006

BACKGROUND

The profound reduction in serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) observed with the dual 5 α‐reductase inhibitor (5ARI) dutasteride makes it an attractive agent for prostate cancer therapy. The objective of the current study was to determine whether dutasteride would induce apoptosis in a range of prostate epithelial cell lines and primary cultures.

METHODS

Both human prostate androgen‐sensitive cell lines (PwR‐1E, PNT‐2, LNCaP, and PC3[AR2]) and an androgen‐independent cell line (PC‐3) were grown to confluence. Primary epithelial cells extracted from fresh prostate cancer radical prostatectomy specimens also were grown to confluence under optimal conditions. Total cellular protein was extracted to confirm cytokeratin 18 and antihuman α‐methylacyl‐CoA racemase (AMACR) expression of the primary cells. Apoptosis was assessed by propidium iodide DNA staining and flow cytometry after 24 hours of culture in from 0 μM to 10 μM of dutasteride.

RESULTS

Dutasteride induced a dose‐dependent increase in apoptosis in the androgen‐sensitive prostate cell lines PwR‐1E, PNT‐2, and LNCaP and in the androgen receptor‐expressing PC3(AR2) cell line. However, there was no significant apoptosis noted in the parental PC‐3 cells. Of 16 primary epithelial cultures that were treated, 7 cultures were induced to undergo apoptosis, and 9 cultures were unresponsive. All primary cultures were positive for cytokeratin 18 expression, confirming their epithelial phenotype. Responder epithelial cells were positive for AMACR expression.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study confirmed that dutasteride differentially induced apoptosis in a subset of prostate cell lines and primary prostate epithelial cells. Understanding the cellular phenotype may indicate susceptible cells. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Hartree–Fock Energy Partitioning in Terms of Hirshfeld Atoms
Authors: Mandado Marcos , Van Alsenoy Christian , Geerlings Paul , De Proft Frank , Mosquera Ricardo A.
Published: May 2006

A Hirshfeld decomposition scheme of the Hartree–Fock total molecular energy into atomic energies is presented. The calculations are performed by direct numerical integration and the results are compared for a set of 28 molecules containing different kinds of atoms. The calculated atomic energies show a strong dependency on changes of atomic electron population and hybridization. Linear correlations are found between the energy and the population for H, these being related to the electronegativity of this atom and to the external potential created by the remaining atoms. The proposed energy partitioning scheme appears to be useful for studies such as proton acidity, the anomeric effect and group transferability, and allows atomic virial ratios to be obtained. Finally, the atomic potential energies are found to mimic trends based on exact expressions as well as trends displayed by molecular quantities, thus lending credibility to the partitioning scheme used.
Car–Parrinello Molecular Dynamics Study of the Blue‐Shifted F3CH⋅⋅⋅FCD3System in Liquid N2
Authors: Rodziewicz Pawel , Rutkowski Konstanty S. , Melikova Sonia M. , Koll Aleksander , Buda Francesco
Published: May 2006

Fluoroform, as confirmed by both experimental and theoretical studies, can participate in improper H‐bond formation, which is characterized by a noticeable increase in the fundamental stretching frequencyν(CH) (so‐called blue frequency shift), an irregular change of its integral intensity, and a CH bond contraction. A Car–Parrinello molecular dynamics simulation was performed for a complex formed by fluoroform (F3CH) and deuterated methyl fluoride (FCD3) in liquid nitrogen. Vibrational analysis based on the Fourier transform of the dipole moment autocorrelation function reproduces the blue shift of the fundamental stretching frequencyν(CH) and the decrease in the integral intensity. The dynamic contraction of the CH bond is also predicted. The stoichiometry of the solvated, blue‐shifted complexes and their residence times are examined.
Normal embryonic development and cardiac morphogenesis in mice with Wnt1‐Cre‐mediated deletion of connexin43
Authors: Kretz M. , Eckardt D. , Krüger O. , Kim J.S. , Maurer J. , Theis M. , van Rijen H.V. , Schorle H. , Willecke K.
Published: May 2006

Mice harboring a null mutation in the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) die shortly after birth due to an obstruction of the right ventricular outflow tract of the heart. These hearts exhibit prominent pouches at the base of the pulmonary outlet, i.e., morphological abnormalities that were ascribed to Cx43‐deficiency in neural crest cells. In order to examine the Cx43 expression pattern in neural crest cells and derived tissues and to test whether neural crest‐specific deletion of Cx43 leads to the conotruncal defects seen in Cx43null mice, we ablated Cx43 using a Wnt1‐Cre transgene. Deletion of Cx43 was complete and occurred in neural crest cells as well as in neural crest‐derived tissues. Nevertheless, hearts of mice lacking Cx43 specifically in neural crest cells were indistinguishable from controls. Thus, the morphological heart abnormalities of Cx43 null mice are most likely not caused by lack of Cx43 in neural crest cells. genesis 44:269–276, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Histamine modulates mast cell degranulation through an indirect mechanism in a model IgE‐mediated reaction
Authors: Carlos Daniela , Sá‐Nunes Anderson , de Paula Lúcia , Matias‐Peres Camila , Jamur Maria Célia , Oliver Constance , Serra Magda Fraguas , Martins Marco Aurélio , Faccioli Lúcia Helena
Published: May 2006

Histamine is released in inflammatory reactions and exerts an immunoregulatory function on cells present in the microenvironment. In this study, we compared the effect of histamine on degranulation of mast cells derived from animals bearing a parasitic infection with those from uninfected animals. Peritoneal mast cells (PMC) were obtained 24 days after infection of Wistar rats withToxocara canis. The degree of degranulation was assessed either morphologically or by measuring the release of β‐hexosaminidase and TNF‐α. Non‐purified PMC or mast cells immunomagnetically purified with mAb AA4 were used. An increase in degranulation of non‐purified mast cells from infected animals was observed after incubation with histaminein vitroor when histamine was injected into the peritoneal cavity. When a purified mast cell population was used, this effect was no longer observed. Supernatants from spleen cells stimulated with histamine induced degranulation of purified mast cells, and again, this was potentiated with PMC from infected animals. However, when supernatants from peritoneal macrophages similarly stimulated were used, a reduction in the degranulation of PMC from infected animals was observed. Our results suggest that histamine may act as a regulator of mast cell degranulation, thus modulating inflammatory responses due to infection with certain parasites.
Sustained B7/CD28 interactions and resultant phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase activity maintain G1→S phase transitions at an optimal rate
Authors: Bonnevier Jody L. , Yarke Cory A. , Mueller Daniel L.
Published: May 2006

Twenty‐four hours of TCR engagement and CD28 costimulation was found sufficient to elicit an optimal rate of cell division over a 72‐h period only when a high concentration of IL‐2 was produced in the culture and remained readily available to the CD4+ T cells. The cell division response could be aborted following 24 h of stimulation by the simultaneous abrogation of IL‐2R signaling and the blockade of CD28 or TCR ligands. Biochemical and pharmacologic studies indicated that a phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐Akt signaling cascade costimulated by the TCR and CD28 maintained the blasting cell division rate at a maximal level beyond 24 h even when IL‐2 was withdrawn, neutralized, or exhausted. These data show that CD4+ T cells remain sensitive to antigens (Ag) and costimulatory signals throughout the clonal expansion response. Furthermore, only those T cells that perceive the presence of a continued threat in the form of Ag/MHC complexes and B7 costimulatory ligands or a high concentration of a growth factor are directed to remain in cell cycle.
Revisiting the specificity of the MHC class II transactivator CIITA in vivo
Authors: Otten Luc A. , LeibundGut‐Landmann Salomé , Huarte Joachim , Kos‐Braun Isabelle C. , Lavanchy Christine , Barras Emmanuèle , Borisch Bettina , Steimle Viktor , Acha‐Orbea Hans , Reith Walter
Published: May 2006

CIITA is a master regulatory factor for the expression of MHC class II (MHC‐II) and accessory genes involved in Ag presentation. It has recently been suggested that CIITA also regulates numerous other genes having diverse functions within and outside the immune system. To determine whether these genes are indeed relevant targets of CIITA in vivo, we studied their expression in CIITA‐transgenic and CIITA‐deficient mice. In contrast to the decisive control of MHC‐II and related genes by CIITA, nine putative non‐MHC target genes (Eif3s2, Kpna6, Tap1, Yars, Col1a2, Ctse, Ptprr, Tnfsf6 and Plxna1) were found to be CIITA independent in all cell types examined. Two other target genes, encoding IL‐4 and IFN‐γ, were indeed found to be up‐ and down‐regulated, respectively, in CIITA‐transgenic CD4+ T cells. However, there was no correlation between MHC‐II expression and this Th2 bias at the level of individual transgenic T cells, indicating an indirect control by CIITA. These results show that MHC‐II‐restricted Ag presentation, and its indirect influences on T cells, remains the only pathway under direct control by CIITA in vivo. They also imply that precisely regulated MHC‐II expression is essential for maintaining a proper Th1‐Th2 balance.
Macrophages require distinct arginine catabolism and transport systems for proliferation and for activation
Authors: Yeramian Andrée , Martin Lorena , Arpa Luis , Bertran Joan , Soler Concepció , McLeod Carol , Modolell Manuel , Palacín Manuel , Lloberas Jorge , Celada Antonio
Published: May 2006

In murine macrophages, as a result of arginine catabolism during activation, citruline is produced under the effect of IFN‐γ and LPS, and ornithine and polyamines by IL‐4 and IL‐10. For proliferation, arginine is required from the extracellular medium and is used for protein synthesis. During activation, most arginine (>95% in 6 h) was metabolized, while under proliferation only half was incorporated into proteins. Under basal conditions, this amino acid was preferentially transported by y+L activity. During activation, arginine transport increased drastically (4–5‐fold) through y+ cationic amino acid transporter (CAT) activity. By contrast, M‐CSF induced only a modest increase in uptake (0.5‐fold). The increase in arginine transport during activation, but not proliferation, was mediated by the SLC7A2/Cat2 gene. SLC7A1/Cat1 is constitutively expressed, and is not modified by proliferating or activating agents. M‐CSF‐dependent proliferation was not affected in the macrophages of SLC7A2 knockout mice; however, these cells showed a drastic reduction in the production of citruline or ornithine and polyamines during activation. The data show that a large increase in a specific transport system (CAT2) is necessary for activation‐induced arginine metabolism, while arginine is in excess for the requirements of proliferation and a modest increase in transport occurs.
An absence of reactive oxygen species improves the resolution of lung influenza infection
Authors: Snelgrove Robert J. , Edwards Lorna , Rae Aaron J. , Hussell Tracy
Published: May 2006

Three influenza virus pandemics occurred in the last century, in 1918 killing 40–50 million people. In the absence of strain‐specific vaccines, with potential resistance to antivirals and the threat of an imminent pandemic, strategies that alleviate symptoms are a priority. Reactive oxygen species are potent antimicrobial agents but cause immunopathology when produced in excess. Mice lacking a functional phagocyte NADPH oxidase (Cybb tm1 mice) or treated with the metalloporphyrin antioxidant manganese (III) tetrakis (N‐ethyl pyridinium‐2‐yl) porpyhrin (MnTE‐2‐PyP) show heightened inflammatory infiltrates in their airways in response to pulmonary influenza infection, with augmented macrophage populations and a Th1‐skewed T cell infiltrate. Underlying this exuberant macrophage response was a significant reduction in apoptosis and down‐regulation of the myeloid inhibitory molecule CD200. Both, Cybb tm1 and MnTE‐2‐PyP‐treated mice exhibited a reduced influenza titer in the lung parenchyma. Inflammatory infiltrate into the lung parenchyma was markedly reduced and lung function significantly improved. Manipulation of the homeostatic control of myeloid cells by inflammatory mediators therefore represents a novel therapeutic strategy in the treatment of influenza virus infection.
TLR4, TLR9 and MyD88 are not requiredfor the positive selection of autoreactive B cells intothe primary repertoire
Authors: Silver Karlee , Ferry Helen , Crockford Tanya , Cornall Richard J.
Published: May 2006

Toll‐like receptors (TLR) have been shown to play an essential role in the generation of autoantibodies in mouse models of autoimmunity, but the timing and context of these effects are poorly understood. One hypothesis is that TLR ligands assist in the positive selection of self‐reactive B cells into the primary repertoire and, in this way, distinguish between immunogenic and tolerogenic forms of self‐antigen. To explore this idea we generated hen egg lysozyme‐specific immunoglobulin (IgHEL) and isotype class‐switching anti‐HEL mice deficient in MyD88, TLR4 or TLR9 signalling and studied B cell development and autoantibody secretion in the presence or absence of an intracellular form of self‐antigen HEL that positively selects B1 cells. Our findings show that TLR4, TLR9 and MyD88 are not required for the positive selection of autoreactive B cells in the primary B cell repertoire, nor is MyD88 required for the generation of isotype‐switched antibodies in the absence of antigen. These results suggest that the significant effects of TLR on autoimmunity occur in the established repertoire and not during B cell development.
Spatial‐temporal model for ambient air pollutants in the state of Kuwait
Authors: Al‐Awadhi Fahimah A. , Al‐Awadhi Shafiqah A.
Published: May 2006

In this paper we consider dynamic Bayesian models for four different pollutants: nitric oxide(NO), carbon monoxide(CO), sulphur dioxide(SO2) and non‐methane hydrocarbon (NCH4) recorded daily in six different stations in Kuwait from 1999 to 2002. The structure of the models depends on time, space and pollutants dependencies. The approach strives to incorporate the uncertainty of the covariance structure into simulated models and final inference; therefore, hierarchical Bayesian model is applied. Association between level of pollutants and different meteorological variables, such as wind speed, wind directions, temperature and humidity are considered. The models will decompose into two main components: a deterministic part to represent the observed components term and a stochastic term to represent the unobservable components. Our analysis will start with basic model and gradually increase its complexity. At each stage the efficiency of the model will be measured. The resulting models subsequently are tested by comparing the output terms and by comparing and the predictions with the real observations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The evolution of electrical communications
Authors: Bargellini Pier L.
Published: May 2006

After a historical outline the paper emphasizes the transition from the empirical approach dominant during the first century of electrical communications to the mathematical analyses which caused their ultimate advances. It focuses upon the major achievements of the past 50 years of electrical communications systems and offers concluding remarks. Copyright © 2006 AEIT
BglII‐based panhandle and reverse panhandle PCR approaches increase capability for cloning der(II) and der(other) genomic breakpoint junctions of MLL translocations
Authors: Robinson Blaine W. , Slater Diana J. , Felix Carolyn A.
Published: May 2006

Panhandle PCR techniques to amplify known sequence flanked by unknown sequence have been useful for MLL genomic breakpoint junctions and fusion transcripts because MLL has a large number of partner genes. However, genomic panhandle PCR approaches are impeded when the restriction fragment that contains the breakpoint junction is too large to amplify. We devised new panhandle PCR approaches for MLL genomic breakpoint junctions that create the template from BglII restriction fragments by attaching MLL sequence to a BglII site in the partner gene. This leads to the annealing of MLL and its complement in the handle and creates an intrastrand loop containing the breakpoint junction sequence for amplification with primers all from MLL. BglII panhandle PCR for der(11) breakpoint junctions was accomplished by ligating a phosphorylated oligonucleotide containing a BglII overhang and sequence complementary to MLL exon 7 to the 3′ ends of BglII digested DNA, and forming the template from the sense strand of DNA. In BglII reverse panhandle PCR for der(other) breakpoint junctions, a phosphorylated oligonucleotide containing a BglII overhang and the complement of antisense sequence in MLL exon 10 was ligated to the 3′ ends of BglII digested DNA, and the template was formed from the antisense strand of DNA. These approaches amplified 5′‐MLL‐MLLT4‐3′ and 5′‐AFF1‐MLL‐3′ breakpoint junctions. The former is significant because few t(6;11) genomic breakpoint junctions have been sequenced. BglII panhandle PCR approaches increase the possibilities for cloning MLL genomic breakpoint junctions where there is heterogeneity in partner genes and breakpoint locations. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.