bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Large converse magnetoelectric coupling in FeCoV/lead zinc niobate-lead titanate heterostructure
Authors: Chen Yajie , Gao Jinsheng , Fitchorov Trifon , Cai Zhuhua , Ziemer K. S. , Vittoria Carmine , Harris V. G.
Published: February 2009

Multiferroic behavior was directly verified in a laminated ferroelectric-ferromagnetic heterostructure consisting of a FeCoV thick film (70 μm) and lead zinc niobate-lead titanate (PZN-PT) single crystal. This unique heterostructure demonstrates a significant converse magnetoelectric (CME) effect corresponding to a CME coupling constant of 31 Oe/kV cm−1. It derives from the soft magnetic and magnetostrictive properties (λ=60 ppm) of FeCoV alloy and the superior electromechanical properties (d32=−2800 pC/N) of PZN-PT crystal. The electric field controlled magnetic hysteresis is discussed in terms of a stress-induced anisotropy field model. The theoretical calculation is within 7% of the measured induced field of 240 Oe.
Observation of optical torsional stiffness in a high optical power cavity
Authors: Fan Yaohui , Merrill Lucienne , Zhao Chunnong , Ju Li , Blair David , Slagmolen Bram , Hosken David , Brooks Aidan , Veitch Peter , Mudge Damien , Munch Jesper
Published: February 2009

We have observed negative optical torsional rigidity in an 80 m suspended high optical power cavity that would induce the Sidles–Sigg instability as a result of sufficient circulating power. The magnitude of the negative optical spring constant per unit power is a few μN m/W as the result of the optical torsional stiffness in the yaw mode of a suspended mirror Fabry–Pérot cavity. It has been observed to depend on the g-factor of the cavity which is in agreement with the Sidles–Sigg theory.
Effect of the electrical boundary condition at the crack face on the mode I energy release rate in piezoelectric ceramics
Authors: Shindo Yasuhide , Narita Fumio , Hirama Mitsuru
Published: February 2009

This paper discusses the crack behavior of rectangular piezoelectric ceramics under electromechanical loading. A finite element analysis was employed to calculate the fracture mechanics parameters such as mode I energy release rate for the permeable, impermeable, and open crack models. Recently proposed nonlinear electrically discharging crack model was also considered. The effect of applied electric fields on the fracture mechanics parameters was then examined under various electrical boundary conditions at the crack face.
Low threshold current density of InAs quantum dash laser on InP (100) through optimizing double cap technique
Authors: Zhou D. , Piron R. , Dontabactouny M. , Dehaese O. , Grillot F. , Batte T. , Tavernier K. , Even J. , Loualiche S.
Published: February 2009

We report on the uniformity improvement of InAs quantum dashes (QDHs) grown by molecular beam epitaxy on InP (100) through optimizing double cap technique. Broad-area lasers were fabricated with an emission wavelength of 1.58 μm. A threshold current density of 360 A/cm2 was achieved for a five stack QDH structure and a cavity length of 1.2 mm. This results from a reduced inhomogeneous broadening (62 meV) and lower internal optical losses (7 cm−1). The achievement paves the way toward ultralow threshold semiconductor laser for telecommunications.
Strong coupling of magnetic and dielectric properties in the a-axis-oriented orthorhombic HoMnO3 films
Authors: Han T. C. , Lin J. G.
Published: February 2009

High quality orthorhombic (OT) HoMnO3 (HMO) thin films with a-axis perpendicular to the film surface are grown on SrTiO3(110) substrates with the method of pulsed laser deposition. The structural, magnetic, and dielectric properties of OT-HMO films are measured. The temperature-dependent magnetization clearly displays an antiferromagnetic ordering near 44 K. Following, the lock-in transition from incommensurate to commensurate antiferromagnetic state is observed at 26 K with the applied field parallel to a-axis. At the same temperature, the dielectric constant rises abruptly, prevailing a strong coupling between the magnetic structure and the electric polarization as predicted for the E-phase multiferroic compounds.
Infrared quantum counting by nondegenerate two photon conductivity in GaAs
Authors: Boitier Fabien , Dherbecourt Jean-Baptiste , Godard Antoine , Rosencher Emmanuel
Published: February 2009

We report on infrared quantum counting of photons at optical communication wavelengths based on nondegenerate two-photon absorption in a GaAs photomultiplier tube. The detected photon energy is lower than the GaAs band gap and the energy difference is complemented by a high intensity pump field. This detection setup is simple, compact, has a broad spectral bandwidth, and benefits from the intrinsic low noise and dark counts of large band gap semiconductor junctions.
Measurement of gain and losses of a midinfrared quantum cascade laser by wavelength chirping spectroscopy
Authors: Benveniste E. , Laurent S. , Vasanelli A. , Manquest C. , Sirtori C. , Teulon F. , Carras M. , Marcadet X.
Published: February 2009

We present an optimized technique for the measurement of gain and losses of semiconductor lasers. We optically inject the beam of a distributed feedback laser (DFB) inside the cavity of the lasers under study. The DFB laser operates in a pulsed mode and shifts its emission wavelength as a function of time. This frequency chirp creates the Fabry–Pérot fringes of the transmitted intensity that contains all the information on the cavity losses. The setup has been validated by a quantitative study of the losses as a function of the injected current, for a quantum cascade laser emitting at 7.6 μm.
The origin of the high diode-ideality factors in GaInN/GaN multiple quantum well light-emitting diodes
Authors: Zhu Di , Xu Jiuru , Noemaun Ahmed N. , Kim Jong Kyu , Schubert E. Fred , Crawford Mary H. , Koleske Daniel D.
Published: February 2009

We report on a significant decrease in the diode-ideality factor of GaInN/GaN multiple quantum well light-emitting diodes (LEDs), from 5.5 to 2.4, as Si-doping is applied to an increasing number of quantum barriers (QBs). The minimum ideality factor of 2.4 is obtained when all QBs are doped. It is shown that polarization-induced triangular band profiles of the undoped QBs are the major cause of the high ideality factors in GaInN/GaN LEDs. Numerical simulations show excellent agreement with the measured ideality factor value and its dependence on QB doping.
Effect of oxygen vacancies on the red emission of SrTiO3:Pr3+ phosphor films
Authors: Wang Wei , Jiang Chunge , Shen Mingrong , Fang Liang , Zheng Fengang , Wu Xinglong , Shen Jiancang
Published: February 2009

The red emission of the Pr3+ ions was very sensitive to the oxygen vacancies in the host of 300-nm-thick SrTiO3 films. Comparing with the air-annealed films, a significant enhancement of up to 400% was observed in the red photoluminescence intensity for the vacuum-annealed samples, and the valence state of the Pr ions was found to be changed little. Based on the fact of the obvious overlap between the excitation band of the Pr3+ ions and emission band of the oxygen vacancies, it was suggested that the oxygen vacancies act as a sensitizer for the effective energy transfer from SrTiO3 host to Pr3+ ions. This study demonstrated that the red emission from Pr3+ ions in SrTiO3 was closely related to the oxygen vacancies.
Tuning of Fermi level position at HfNx/SiO2 interface
Authors: Rothschild J. A. , Eizenberg M.
Published: February 2009

We demonstrate that the vacuum work function of HfNx, as measured in situ by Kelvin probe, can be tailored on the entire silicon band gap by changing the nitrogen content of the HfNx alloy. We observed an increase in the effective work function of HfNx on SiO2, extracted from capacitance-voltage measurements, only for x<1, and saturation is reached at a value of 4.6 eV for x>1. The measured value of the effective work function for pure Hf (4.1 eV) can be explained by the metal induced gap states model, while the HfNx behavior is explained by oxidation at the HfNx/SiO2 interface.
Subwavelength-resolved bidirectional imaging between two and three dimensions using a surface plasmon launching lens
Authors: Wang Jiayuan , Zhang Jiasen , Wu Xiaofei , Luo Hao , Gong Qihuang
Published: February 2009

We demonstrate subwavelength-resolved bidirectional conjugate imaging between three-dimensional far-field and two-dimensional surface plasmon (SP) by using a SP launching lens (SPLL), which consists of multiple groove zones that is designed according to the Fresnel zone on a gold film. Resolvable separations between two SP point sources of 704 and 668 nm were obtained for far-field to SP and the contrary, respectively, at λ=830 nm. The SPLL shows similar imaging properties to a traditional optical lens, which can be used to connect multiple channels between far-field and SP.
Growth and superconductivity of FeSex crystals
Authors: Patel U. , Hua J. , Yu S. H. , Avci S. , Xiao Z. L. , Claus H. , Schlueter J. , Vlasko-Vlasov V. V. , Welp U. , Kwok W. K.
Published: February 2009

Iron selenide (FeSex) crystals with lateral dimensions up to millimeters were grown via a vapor self-transport method. The crystals consist of the dominant α-phase with trace amounts of β-phase as identified by powder x-ray diffraction. With four-probe resistance measurements, we obtained a zero resistance critical temperature of 7.5 K and a superconducting onset transition temperature of up to 11.8 K in zero magnetic field as well as an anisotropy of 1.5±0.1 for the critical field. Magnetization measurements on individual crystals reveal the coexistence of superconductivity and ferromagnetism.
Unconscious effects of language-specific terminology on preattentive color perception
Authors: Thierry Guillaume , Athanasopoulos Panos , Wiggett Alison , Dering Benjamin , Kuipers Jan-Rouke
Published: February 2009

It is now established that native language affects one's perception of the world. However, it is unknown whether this effect is merely driven by conscious, language-based evaluation of the environment or whether it reflects fundamental differences in perceptual processing between individuals speaking different languages. Using brain potentials, we demonstrate that the existence in Greek of 2 color terms—ghalazio and ble—distinguishing light and dark blue leads to greater and faster perceptual discrimination of these colors in native speakers of Greek than in native speakers of English. The visual mismatch negativity, an index of automatic and preattentive change detection, was similar for blue and green deviant stimuli during a color oddball detection task in English participants, but it was significantly larger for blue than green deviant stimuli in native speakers of Greek. These findings establish an implicit effect of language-specific terminology on human color perception.
Overcoming systemic roadblocks to sustainability: The evolutionary redesign of worldviews, institutions, and technologies
Authors: Beddoe Rachael , Costanza Robert , Farley Joshua , Garza Eric , Kent Jennifer , Kubiszewski Ida , Martinez Luz , McCowen Tracy , Murphy Kathleen , Myers Norman , Ogden Zach , Stapleton Kevin , Woodward John
Published: February 2009

A high and sustainable quality of life is a central goal for humanity. Our current socio-ecological regime and its set of interconnected worldviews, institutions, and technologies all support the goal of unlimited growth of material production and consumption as a proxy for quality of life. However, abundant evidence shows that, beyond a certain threshold, further material growth no longer significantly contributes to improvement in quality of life. Not only does further material growth not meet humanity's central goal, there is mounting evidence that it creates significant roadblocks to sustainability through increasing resource constraints (i.e., peak oil, water limitations) and sink constraints (i.e., climate disruption). Overcoming these roadblocks and creating a sustainable and desirable future will require an integrated, systems level redesign of our socio-ecological regime focused explicitly and directly on the goal of sustainable quality of life rather than the proxy of unlimited material growth. This transition, like all cultural transitions, will occur through an evolutionary process, but one that we, to a certain extent, can control and direct. We suggest an integrated set of worldviews, institutions, and technologies to stimulate and seed this evolutionary redesign of the current socio-ecological regime to achieve global sustainability.
Impaired maturation of dendritic spines without disorganization of cortical cell layers in mice lacking NRG1/ErbB signaling in the central nervous system
Authors: Barros Claudia S. , Calabrese Barbara , Chamero Pablo , Roberts Amanda J. , Korzus Ed , Lloyd Kent , Stowers Lisa , Mayford Mark , Halpain Shelley , Müller Ulrich
Published: February 2009

Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and its ErbB2/B4 receptors are encoded by candidate susceptibility genes for schizophrenia, yet the essential functions of NRG1 signaling in the CNS are still unclear. Using CRE/LOX technology, we have inactivated ErbB2/B4-mediated NRG1 signaling specifically in the CNS. In contrast to expectations, cell layers in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum develop normally in the mutant mice. Instead, loss of ErbB2/B4 impairs dendritic spine maturation and perturbs interactions of postsynaptic scaffold proteins with glutamate receptors. Conversely, increased NRG1 levels promote spine maturation.
ErbB2/B4
-deficient mice show increased aggression and reduced prepulse inhibition. Treatment with the antipsychotic drug clozapine reverses the behavioral and spine defects. We conclude that ErbB2/B4-mediated NRG1 signaling modulates dendritic spine maturation, and that defects at glutamatergic synapses likely contribute to the behavioral abnormalities in
ErbB2
/
B4
-deficient mice.
Coronary artery calcium distribution and interscan measurement variability in end-stage renal and coronary heart disease patients
Authors: Serafin Z. , Laskowska K. , Marzec M. , Sinjab T. A. , Lasek W. , Włodarczyk Z.
Published: February 2009

Background: Coronary heart disease patients and end-stage renal disease patients have been documented to have an increased amount of coronary artery calcifications (CAC).

Purpose: To evaluate the distribution of CAC and its influence on interscan variability of measurement in end-stage renal disease and coronary heart disease patients, proven to have calcifications.

Material and Methods: 69 patients having CAC, including 34 with coronary heart disease and 35 with end-stage renal disease, were scanned twice with multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT). Amount of CAC was determined as the number of calcified lesions (CN), total calcium score (CS), calcium volume (CV), and calcium mass (CM). Distribution of CAC was evaluated on a per-patient basis as the median CS and CM of a single lesion. Density of the calcifications was calculated as the patient's CM divided by CV.

Results: The overall median CS was 457.2, and the median CM was 75.6 mg. There were no significant differences in the number of calcified lesions, CS, or CM between the two groups. Both CS and CM of a single lesion, as well as the mean calcium density were lower in renal disease patients ( P<0.05) than in coronary heart disease subjects. The relative interscan variability of coronary calcium measurement was higher in the renal disease group ( P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between the calcium concentration and the relative interscan variability.

Conclusion: The results indicate that the coronary calcium distribution influences the measurement interscan reproducibility, and the distribution may differ between end-stage renal disease patients and coronary heart disease patients, reflecting the dissimilar nature of coronary calcifications in those groups.
Are there any specific ultrasound findings of nodular hyperplasia (“leave me alone” lesion) to differentiate it from follicular adenoma?
Authors: Moon Won-Jin , Kwag Hyon Joo , Na Dong-Gyu
Published: February 2009

Background: Among benign thyroid nodules, nodular hyperplasia (NH) is the most common and represents a “leave me alone” lesion with no requirement for further treatment, while follicular adenoma (FA) is a lesion that should potentially be removed due to the difficulty of differentiation from a carcinoma on a biopsy alone.

Purpose: To evaluate whether there are specific ultrasound (US) findings for an NH to distinguish it from an FA.

Material and Methods: Pathologically proven cases of benign thyroid nodules (95 cases: 53 NH, 42 FA) were reviewed retrospectively. The number of associated nodules, the nodule size, internal content, shape, margin, echogenicity, presence of peripheral halo, and calcification were analyzed using grayscale ultrasonography.

Results: NHs were predominantly solid in 40 cases (75.5%) and predominantly cystic in 13 cases (24.5%), while FAs were predominantly solid in all cases ( n=42, 100%) ( P<0.001). A spongiform appearance was present exclusively in NH (9/53, 17.0%). For NH, 83.0% of the lesions (44/53) showed an isoechoic pattern. For FA, the lesions showed a variable echoic pattern, including a marked hypoechoic pattern (5/42, 11.9%), a hypoechoic pattern (22/42, 52.4%), and an isoechoic pattern (15/42, 35.7%) ( P<0.001). The nodule size, shape, margin, presence of peripheral halo, and calcification did not show any difference between FA and NH.

Conclusion: The ratio of solid to cystic content, spongiform appearance, and echogenicity is a combination of US findings that may be helpful in distinguishing an NH from an FA, and may thereby help to avoid unnecessary fine-needle aspirations for “leave me alone” lesions.
Hospital-Associated Clostridium difficile Infection: Is It Necessary to Track Community-Onset Disease?
Authors: Dubberke Erik R. , McMullen Kathleen M. , Mayfield Jennie L. , Reske Kimberly A. , Georgantopoulos Peter , Warren David K. , Fraser Victoria J.
Published: February 2009

Objectives.

To compare Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) rates determined with use of a traditional definition (ie, with healthcare-onset CDI defined as diagnosis of CDI more than 48 hours after hospital admission) with rates determined with use of expanded definitions, including both healthcare-onset CDI and community-onset CDI, diagnosed within 48 hours after hospital admission in patients who were hospitalized in the previous 30 or 60 days, and to determine whether differences exist between patients with CDI onset in the community and those with CDI onset in a healthcare setting.

Design.

Prospective cohort

Setting.

Tertiary acute care facility.

Patients.

General medicine patients who received a diagnosis of CDI during the period January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2005.

Methods.

CDI was classified as healthcare-onset CDI, healthcare facility–associated CDI after hospitalization within the previous 30 days, and/or healthcare facility-associated CDI after hospitalization within the previous 60 days. Patient demographic characteristics and medication exposures were obtained. The CDI incidence with use of each definition, CDI rate variability, patient demographic characteristics, and medication exposures were compared.

Results.

The healthcare-onset CDI rate (1.6 cases per 1,000 patient-days) was significantly lower than the 30-day healthcare facility–associated CDI rate (2.4 cases per 1,000 patient-days; P<.01) and the 60-day healthcare facility–associated CDI rate (2.6 cases per 1,000 patient-days; P<.01). There was good correlation between the healthcare-onset CDI rate and both the 30-day (correlation, 0.69; P<.01) and 60-day (correlation, 0.70; P<.01) healthcare facility–associated CDI rates. There were no months in which the CDI rate was more than 3 standard deviations from the mean. Compared with patients with healthcare-onset CDI, patients with community-onset CDI were less likely to have received a fourth-generation cephalosporin (P = .02) or intravenous vancomycin (P = .01) during hospitalization.

Conclusions.

Compared with the traditional definition, expanded definitions identify more patients with CDI. There is good correlation between traditional and expanded CDI definitions; therefore, it is unclear whether expanded surveillance is necessary to identify an abnormal change in CDI rates. Cases that met the expanded definitions were less likely to have occurred in patients with fourth-generation cephalosporin and vancomycin exposure.
Oocyte development in captive Atlantic horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus
Authors: Ndjaula Hilkka O. N. , Hansen Tom , Krüger-Johnsen Maria , Kjesbu Olav Sigurd
Published: February 2009

Ndjaula, H. O. N., Hansen, T., Krüger-Johnsen, M., and Kjesbu, O. S. 2009. Oocyte development in captive Atlantic horse mackerel Trachurus trachurus. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 66: 623–630. This 13-month experimental study focused on developing oocyte production in 101 adult female Atlantic horse mackerel. In addition, proxies of energy patterns in relation to oocyte development were investigated. The fish were captured off western Norway and fed to satiation from October 2005 to November 2006 in two replicate adjacent circular tanks. Monthly histological examination of the ovaries indicated that vitellogenic oocytes were present at all times throughout the study period, but that oocyte development did not progress past the incipient migratory nucleus stage. The oocyte diameter (OD) threshold between pre-vitellogenic and vitellogenic oocytes and the mean OD of the leading cohort were investigated, and no hiatus was observed within the OD size distribution around the 185-µm pre-vitellogenic and vitellogenic threshold. Variation in gonadosomatic index, hepatosomatic index, condition factor, and fat content (as measured by the use of a Distell Fish Fatmeter) increased with oocyte development. The observed development of oocyte recruitment and the absence of a hiatus in the oocyte distribution are characteristics of an asynchronous spawner. The species seems to have a prolonged spawning season, judging from the advanced and variety of maturity stages throughout the study period.
Zebrafish miR-1 and miR-133 shape muscle gene expression and regulate sarcomeric actin organization
Authors: Mishima Yuichiro , Abreu-Goodger Cei , Staton Alison A. , Stahlhut Carlos , Shou Chong , Cheng Chao , Gerstein Mark , Enright Anton J. , Giraldez Antonio J.
Published: February 2009

microRNAs (miRNAs) represent ∼4% of the genes in vertebrates, where they regulate deadenylation, translation, and decay of the target messenger RNAs (mRNAs). The integrated role of miRNAs to regulate gene expression and cell function remains largely unknown. Therefore, to identify the targets coordinately regulated by muscle miRNAs in vivo, we performed gene expression arrays on muscle cells sorted from wild type,dicermutants, and single miRNA knockdown embryos. Our analysis reveals that two particular miRNAs, miR-1 and miR-133, influence gene expression patterns in the zebrafish embryo where they account for >54% of the miRNA-mediated regulation in the muscle. We also found that muscle miRNA targets (1) tend to be expressed at low levels in wild-type muscle but are more highly expressed indicermutant muscle, and (2) are enriched for actin-related and actin-binding proteins. Loss ofdicerfunction or down-regulation of miR-1 and miR-133 alters muscle gene expression and disrupts actin organization during sarcomere assembly. These results suggest that miR-1 and miR-133 actively shape gene expression patterns in muscle tissue, where they regulate sarcomeric actin organization.
The Cytosolic Protein Response as a Subcomponent of the Wider Heat Shock Response inArabidopsis
Authors: Sugio Akiko , Dreos René , Aparicio Frederic , Maule Andrew J.
Published: February 2009

In common with a range of environmental and biological stresses, heat shock results in the accumulation of misfolded proteins and a collection of downstream consequences for cellular homeostasis and growth. Within this complex array of responses, the sensing of and responses to misfolded proteins in specific subcellular compartments involves specific chaperones, transcriptional regulators, and expression profiles. Using biological (ectopic protein expression and virus infection) and chemical triggers for misfolded protein accumulation, we have profiled the transcriptional features of the response to misfolded protein accumulation in the cytosol (i.e., the cytoplasmic protein response [CPR]) and identified the effects as a subcomponent of the wider effects induced by heat shock. The CPR in Arabidopsis thaliana is associated with the heat shock promoter element and the involvement of specific heat shock factors (HSFs), notably HSFA2, which appears to be regulated by alternative splicing and non-sense-mediated decay. Characterization of Arabidopsis HSFA2 knockout and overexpression lines showed that HSFA2 is one of the regulatory components of the CPR.
Estrogen receptor α gene ESR1 amplification may predict endocrine therapy responsiveness in breast cancer patients
Authors: Tomita Saori , Zhang Zhenhuan , Nakano Masahiro , Ibusuki Mutsuko , Kawazoe Teru , Yamamoto Yutaka , Iwase Hirotaka
Published: February 2009

Estrogen receptor (ER) α plays a crucial role in normal breast development and has also been linked to mammary carcinogenesis and clinical outcome in breast cancer patients. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling the expression of ERα are as yet not fully understood. Gene amplification is one of the important factors regulating protein expression. Recent studies on the amplification of the ESR1 gene, which encodes ERα, have presented conflicting data. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization and real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, we examined the ESR1 status in a series of breast cancer tissues and analyzed its clinical importance. ESR1 gene amplification and gain were found in 22.6 and 11.3% of samples, respectively, as determined by three‐dimensional fluorescence in situ hybridization assay. Moreover, ESR1 amplification and amplification plus gain were significantly negatively correlated with tumor size, number of positive lymph nodes, negative ERα, and positive human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 status. It has also been shown that ESR1 amplification strongly correlates with higher expression levels of ER protein and that patients with ESR1 amplification in their tumors apparently experience longer disease‐free survival than those without. Our data suggest that ESR1 amplification might prove to be helpful in selecting patients who may potentially benefit from endocrine therapy. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1012–1017)
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 expression in pelvic lymph nodes predicts the risk of cancer progression after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Fujita Kazutoshi , Nakayama Masashi , Nakai Yasutomo , Takayama Hitoshi , Nishimura Kazuo , Ujike Takeshi , Nishimura Kensaku , Aozasa Katsuyuki , Okuyama Akihiko , Nonomura Norio
Published: February 2009

Recent studies suggest that vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 1‐positive hematopoietic progenitor cells precede the arrival of tumor cells and form clusters that may portend sites of future metastatic disease. The aim of the present study was to clarify whether VEGFR1 expression in pelvic lymph nodes predicts the risk of prostate cancer progression after radical prostatectomy. VEGFR1 expression in pelvic lymph nodes was examined by immunohistochemistry in 95 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. A cluster of VEGFR1‐positive cells was considered positive. Expression of VEGFR1 in pelvic lymph nodes and biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy were examined by univariate survival analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Thirty‐seven of 79 lymph node‐negative patients (46.8%) were found to have VEGFR1‐positive cells in their pelvic lymph nodes, whereas 16 of 16 lymph node metastasis‐positive patients (100%) had VEGFR1 clusters. There was a significant correlation between pathological stage and VEGFR1 staining (P = 0.002). Univariate analysis showed that pathological stage ≥pT3 and VEGFR1 expression in pelvic lymph nodes were each significantly associated with biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Multivariate analysis showed VEGFR1 expression to be an independent predictor of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy (risk ratio = 5.715, P = 0.010), as was preoperative prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level ≥10 ng/mL. Although larger validation studies are required, our results suggest that VEGFR1 expression in pelvic lymph nodes predicts the risk of biochemical PSA recurrence after radical prostatectomy. (Cancer Sci 2009; 100: 1047–1050)
Role of protein kinase C‐iota in transformed non‐malignant RWPE‐1 cells and androgen‐independent prostate carcinoma DU‐145 cells
Authors: Win H. Y. , Acevedo‐Duncan M.
Published: February 2009

Prostate cancer is one of the leading causes of death among men in the USA.

Objective:  In this study, we investigated the role of atypical protein kinase C‐iota (PKC‐ι) in androgen‐independent prostate DU‐145 carcinoma cells compared to transformed non‐malignant prostate RWPE‐1 cells.

Materials and methods:  Western blotting and immunoprecipitations demonstrated that PKC‐ι is associated with cyclin‐dependent kinase activating kinase (CAK/Cdk7) in RWPE‐1 cells, but not in DU‐145 cells.

Results:  Treatment of prostate RWPE‐1 cells with PKC‐ι silencing RNA (siRNA) decreased cell viability, cell‐cycle accumulation at G2/M phase, and phosphorylation of Cdk7 and Cdk2. In addition, PKC‐ι siRNA treatment caused less phosphorylation of Bad at ser‐155, ser‐136, and greater Bad/Bcl‐xL heterodimerization, leading to apoptosis. In DU‐145 cells, PKC‐ι was anti‐apoptotic and was required for cell survival. Treatment with PKC‐ι siRNA blocked increase in cell number, and inhibited G1/S transition by accumulation of cells in G0/G1 phase. In addition to cell‐cycle arrest, both RWPE‐1 and DU‐145 cells underwent apoptosis due to mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis cascades, such as release of cytochrome c, activation of caspase‐7, and poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage.

Conclusion:  Our results suggest that PKC‐ι is required for cell survival in both transformed non‐malignant prostate RWPE‐1 cells and androgen‐independent malignant prostate DU‐145 cells, whereas suppressing PKC‐ι lead to apoptosis in DU‐145 prostate cells.
Carbohydrate complexity and proportion of serum FSH isoforms reflect pituitary–ovarian activity in perimenopausal women and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate users
Authors: Loreti Nazareth , Ambao Verónica , Juliato Cassia Teatin , Machado Cecilia , Bahamondes Luis , Campo Stella
Published: February 2009

Background  FSH is synthesized and secreted in multiple glycosylation variants with different oligosaccharide structures; the endocrine milieu regulates the composition of FSH carbohydrate moiety.

Objectives  To characterize serum FSH isoforms according to their sialic acid content and oligosaccharide complexity in regularly menstruating women and in depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) users during the menopausal transition.

Subjects and methods  Ten regularly menstruating perimenopausal women aged 45–52, with mid‐follicular phase FSH levels ≤10 IU/l and 10 regularly menstruating women, aged 20–39, were included. Blood samples were collected on the ninth day of the menstrual cycle. Twenty DMPA users were divided into two groups (n = 10) according to age: DMPA1, age range 20–39 and DMPA2, age range 45–52. Blood samples were collected 90 ± 5 days after the last injection of DMPA. Oestradiol (E2), inhibin B (Inh B), Pro‐αC levels and the relative abundance of FSH isoforms on the basis of charge (preparative isoelectric focusing) and carbohydrate complexity (Concanavalin A chromatography) were determined.

Results  Decreased Inh B and moderately elevated E2 levels were observed in perimenopausal women associated with an increase in FSH sialylation and a decrease in its oligosaccharide complexity. DMPA induced changes in the hormonal profile and FSH molecular microheterogeneity; the secreted hormone was more heterogeneous and its oligosaccharides were less complex under this condition.

Conclusion  Serum FSH glycoforms with increased sialylation and decreased oligosaccharide complexity reflect the decline of the gonadal activity induced either by age or by the use of a DMPA as a contraceptive.
Reassessing fecundity in women with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH): normal pregnancy rate but reduced fertility rate
Authors: Casteràs Anna , De Silva Purnami , Rumsby Gillian , Conway Gerard S.
Published: February 2009

Objective  Fertility in women with classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) has been reported low; however, the true pregnancy rate for women trying to conceive with this condition is unknown. Our aim was to calculate pregnancy rate for women with CAH calculated as a proportion of those who had attempted conception. Fertility expressed as live birth rate is also calculated.

Patients  One hundred and six women with classical CAH followed in a multidisciplinary service [81 salt‐losing (SL) and 25 nonsalt‐losing (NSL) form].

Results  Twenty‐five (23·6%) women with CAH women considered motherhood, 23 had actively tried conception of whom 21 (91·3%) achieved 34 pregnancies. Pregnancy rate is no different from that in the normal population (95%). Pregnancy rates were similar in the SL (88·9%) and NSL (92·9%) subgroups but those with NSL‐CAH were more likely to seek motherhood than those with SL‐CAH (16/25 vs. 9/81). Optimized glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid regimes during fertility monitoring resulted spontaneous conception in nearly all recent cases. Fertility rate was 0·25 live births per woman compared with 1·8 in the UK population (P < 0·001).

Conclusion  We report a normal pregnancy rate (91·3%) for women with classical CAH, similar in SL and NSL subgroups. Fertility rate, however, remains much lower than in general population.
Amphotericin B up‐regulates angiogenic genes in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines
Authors: Lin Z. Y. , Chuang W. L. , Chuang Y. H.
Published: February 2009

Background Amphotericin B (AmB) has a discordant influence on epirubicin (4′‐epidoxorubicin) cytotoxicity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This indicates that the cellular function of HCC may be significantly influenced by AmB. Whether the influence of AmB on HCC has any possibility to influence cancer growth has not been studied. This study was to try and clarify this issue.

Materials and methods Two HCC cell lines including one without augmentation of the epirubicin cytotoxicity by AmB (cell line A; HCC24/KMUH) and one with this effect (cell line B; HCC38/KMUH) were studied by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and whole human genome microarray (experimental group: 2·5 µg mL−1AmB).

Results Differential expressions of genes induced by AmB in two cell lines had no influence on cell proliferation as determined by MTT assay. Only cell line B showed up‐regulation of genes related to oxidative stress, acute phase reaction, cytokine‐cytokine receptor interaction and complement and coagulation cascades. Among the chemokine genes up‐regulated by AmB, five genes (CCL2, CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL6, IL8) were angiogenic. Cell line B also showed up‐regulation of one angiogenic C10orf10 gene and down‐regulation of one angiostatic chemokine gene (CXCL10). Up‐ or down‐regulation of other genes in cell line A and B did not show any evidence to promote angiogenesis.

Conclusion AmB has the capacity to concomitantly up‐regulate angiogenic genes in HCC cells susceptible to AmB‐induced oxidative stress.
A diet enriched with mackerel (Scomber scombrus)–derived products improves the endothelial function in a senior population (Prevención de las Enfermedades Cardiovasculares: Estudio Santoña – PECES project)
Authors: De Berrazueta J. R. , Gómez de Berrazueta J. M. , Amado Señarís J. A. , Peña Sarabia N. , Fernández Viadero C. , García‐Unzueta M. T. , Sáez de Adana M. , Sanchez Ovejero C. J. , LLorca J.
Published: February 2009

Background Regular consumption of fish reduces cardiovascular risks. Here, we investigate if the consumption of products with mackerel (Scomber scombrus) with 8·82 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) + docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content per 100 g of product improves parameters of endothelial function in a controlled population.

Materials and methods Subjects maintained a 12‐week diet with products with mackerel. The population consisted of 58 senior subjects (12 withdrawals, 25 women), aged 82·08 ± 8·13 years (Group A). Twenty‐three senior subjects (13 women) on a regular diet were used as the control group (Group B).

Subjects of Group A received 57 portions throughout 12 weeks (four to five portions a week of products with a mean EPA + DHA content of 2·5 g a day). A continuous follow‐up and a final evaluation were performed to determine the level of consumption. Plasma samples were stored at –70 °C for a biochemical study. Endothelial function was analysed by reactive hyperemia with a mercury strain gauge plethysmography with measurement of blood flow in the forearm, both baseline and at the end of the 12‐week diet.

Results Endothelium‐dependent vasodilatation significantly increased in Group A subjects (P < 0·001). No changes were found in Group B. The subgroup analyses showed that improvements were produced in Group A subjects without cardiovascular disease (P < 0·001). Nitrites/nitrates and von Willebrand factor plasma concentrations were higher in participants after the 12‐week diet.

Conclusions The consumption of mackerel meat products improves endothelium‐dependent, flow‐mediated vasodilatation in a senior population. This finding might explain some of the cardioprotective effects of fish consumption.
Clinical screening and diagnosis of diabetic polyneuropathy: the North Catalonia Diabetes Study
Authors: Jurado J. , Ybarra J. , Romeo J. H. , Pou J. M.
Published: February 2009

Background  To evaluate the prevalence of diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) and develop a simple and accurate method for the evaluation of DPN risk in primary care settings.

Materials and methods  Cross‐sectional descriptive study in a random sample (N = 307) of type 2 diabetes mellitus participants. DPN was diagnosed by both clinical neurological examination and simplified DPN Selection Method in each patient. Correlation between the two methods was obtained

Results  Prevalence of DPN was 23·13% (confidence interval,18·38–27·87) according to clinical neurological examination. Noteworthy, clinical neurological evaluation scores were related to nerve conduction studies (r = 0·882; P < 0·0005). DPN presence was positively related to age, metabolic control (HbA1c levels), known duration of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy, cardiovascular disease, peripheral ischemia and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but was negatively related to current high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels (P < 0·0001). The sensitivity and specificity of our DPN Selection Method (using four clinical parameters: age, retinopathy, HbA1c and HDL‐C plasma levels) for diagnosis of DPN was 74·20% and 74·90%, respectively.

Conclusions  The expected prevalence of DPN was observed. The sensitivity of the DPN Selection Method correlated well with formal clinical neurological exam in detection of the condition. We therefore conclude the DPN Selection Method is a useful tool in primary care settings in the evaluation and diagnosis of DPN.
Peritoneal fluid adipokines: ready for prime time?
Authors: Wiest R. , Leidl F. , Kopp A. , Weigert J. , Neumeier M. , Buechler C. , Schoelmerich J. , Schäffler A.
Published: February 2009

Background  Visceral adipose tissues secret a variety of adipokines; however, it is not known whether they are present in the peritoneal fluid. It was the aim of this study to investigate peritoneal fluid concentrations of novel (cartonectin, omentin) and classical adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin, visfatin) in patients with ascites.

Material and methods  Ninety‐six patients (71 men and 25 women) undergoing paracentesis were included. Of these, 76 suffered from liver cirrhosis. Adipokines were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay or Western blot.

Results  Each adipokine was detected in ascites with a broad range. Serum–ascites ratios (SAR) correlated with clinical and laboratory parameters. The main variables influencing peritoneal fluid adipokine concentrations were body mass index (BMI), local inflammation, systemic inflammation and serum adipokine concentrations. Resistin was significantly higher in patients with peritonitis and showed a positive correlation with peripheral leucocytes (white blood cell count). Leptin was correlated with the underlying disease. Visfatin correlated with peripheral white blood cell and C‐reactive protein levels. Omentin expression was correlated with ascitic leucocyte count, ascitic albumin concentration and low albumin SAR. BMI was correlated positively with ascitic leptin levels and cartonectin protein levels.

Conclusions  Peritoneal fluid adipokine concentrations are characterized by individual SARs, depend on the presence of peritonitis, and correlate with underlying disease, BMI and systemic inflammation. The data open a new field of research on the role of the peritoneum and visceral adipokines in gastrointestinal diseases.
The bone marker plot: an innovative method to assess bone turnover in women
Authors: Bieglmayer C. , Kudlacek S.
Published: February 2009

Background  Biochemical markers of bone turnover reflect the resorptive and reconstructive effects that act on the skeleton. Although elevated markers are commonly interpreted as a sign of an increased turnover rate, the balance between bone resorption and formation is mostly neglected. We introduce a graphic report combining both complementary processes.

Materials and methods  Bone turnover markers were measured in 599 women (aged 25–74 years). To set up reference ranges, 269 from 599 women were selected because of having T‐scores > –1 and inconspicuous basic laboratory data. Concentrations of resorption and formation markers were mathematically transformed to build up plots with four fields, symbolizing fast and slow resorption and fast and slow formation processes. The reference data of bone turnover were represented by a 95% confidence ellipse. For individual marker plots, we converted data of bone turnover markers from therapy follow‐up profiles of patients in a similar manner.

Results  In pre‐, peri‐ and postmenopausal women (n= 190, 39 ± 6 years; n= 35, 51 ± 6 years; n= 44, 55 ± 5 years, respectively), the medians of the bone resorption marker CrossLaps and of the bone formation markers osteocalcin and aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen were 0·13/0·16/0·22 ng mL−1, 21/21/25 ng mL−1 and 36/35/45 ng mL−1, respectively. In postmenopausal women, the marker plots revealed a shift towards accelerated bone resorption. A discrimination from osteopenic women (n= 138) failed.

Conclusion  The proposed marker plot facilitates the intuitive perception of bone turnover in individual patients as well as in patient groups by a synopsis of the balance between bone formation and resorption with the rate of these processes.
Challenges and opportunities in soil organic matter research
Authors: Lal R.
Published: February 2009

Soil organic matter (SOM) can be a source or sink for atmospheric CO2depending on land use, and management of soil, vegetation and water resources. SOM is a source of atmospheric CO2, with the use of extractive farming practices that lead to a negative nutrient balance and exacerbate soil degradation. The historic loss of C from the SOM pool between the 1850s and 2000 is estimated at 78 ± 12 Gt compared with the emission of 270 ± 30 Gt from fossil fuel combustion. Despite its numerous direct and ancillary benefits, enhancing the SOM pool is a major challenge, especially in impoverished and depleted soils in harsh tropical climates. In addition to biophysical factors, there are also numerous social, economic and political constraints that limit increase in SOM pools. Conversion of plough‐tillage to no‐till farming, an important practice to enhance the SOM pool, is constrained by the limited access to herbicides and seed drill, and the competing uses of crop residues. Yet, enhancing the SOM pool is essential to restoring degraded soils, advancing food security and improving the environment. Important subjects among researchable topics include: assessing the rate of SOM accretion for a wide range of land use and management practices with reference to a baseline; evaluating the importance of biochar; measuring and predicting SOM at landscape and extrapolation to regional scale; establishing relationships between SOM and soil quality and agronomic productivity; determining on‐ and off‐site effects of crop residues removal for ethanol/biofuel production; determining the fate of C in SOM translocated by erosional processes; evaluating nutrient requirements for increasing SOM in croplands; validating predictive models in tropical environments; and developing methodology for trading C credits.
DNA‐based analysis of planktonic methanotrophs in a stratified lake
Authors: KOJIMA HISAYA , IWATA TOMOYA , FUKUI MANABU
Published: February 2009

1. The assemblage of planktonic methanotrophs in a stratified freshwater lake was investigated. Vertical patterns were analysed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, using the primer pair specific for 16S rRNA genes of type I methanotrophs.

2. The resulting banding patterns could be divided into three distinct groups, and sequenced bands were all related to the Methylobacter species. No amplicon was obtained with the primer pair specific for type II methanotrophs.

3. Cloning analysis of the pmoA gene was performed using samples from three water depths (epilimnion, metalimnion and hypolimnion). The compositions of the clone libraries from the three depths were distinct from each other but all three libraries were dominated by clones related to Methylobacter species.
Gas hazard assessment at the Monticchio crater lakes of Mt. Vulture, a volcano in Southern Italy
Authors: Caracausi Antonio , Nuccio P. Mario , Favara Rocco , Nicolosi Marco , Paternoster Michele
Published: February 2009

Geochemical investigations have shown that there is a considerable inflow of gas into both crater lakes of Monticchio, Southern Italy. These lakes are located in two maars that formed 140 000 years ago during Mt. Vulture volcano’s last eruptive activity. Isotopic analyses suggest that CO2 and helium are of magmatic origin; the latter displays 3He/4He isotope ratios similar to those measured in olivines of the maar ejecta. In spite of the fact that the amount of dissolved gases in the water is less than that found in Lake Nyos (Cameroon), both the results obtained and the historical reports studied indicate that these crater lakes could be highly hazardous sites, even though they are located in a region currently considered inactive. This could be of special significance in very popular tourist areas such as the Monticchio lakes, which are visited by about 30 000 people throughout the summer, for the most part on Sundays.