bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bamboo tar‐based polyurethane wood coatings
Authors: Lu Kun‐Tsung , Hong Jin‐Liang
Published: February 2010

Bamboo tar is a natural resource of aromatic polyol obtained from a residue of by setting or distilling crude bamboo vinegar. In this study, the two‐packed polyurethane (PU) coatings were prepared by blending bamboo tar and castor oil varying with different weight ratios and polymeric toluene diisocyanate (PTDI) was used as a hardener at the NCO/OH molar ratio of 1.0. Six kinds of PU coatings were formulated and the viscosity, pot‐life, drying time, mechanical properties (hardness, tensile strength, impact resistance, adhesion, and abrasion resistance), gel content, durability, lightfastness, FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) were characterized. The results indicated that the bamboo tar containing PU film appearance is semitransparent yellow‐brown color and the wood texture could be kept after finishing. All PU films possessed excellent adhesion as well as durability. The increase in bamboo tar content led to shorten drying time of coatings and to increase in hardness, tensile strength, lightfastness, and thermal stability of films. From these results and due to a light smell flavor, it is suggested that the bamboo tar‐based PU coatings is suitable to be used as an exterior wood coatings. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Aurothiomalate inhibits cyclooxygenase 2, matrix metalloproteinase 3, and interleukin‐6 expression in chondrocytes by increasing MAPK phosphatase 1 expression and decreasing p38 phosphorylation: MAPK phosphatase 1 as a novel target for antirheumatic drugs
Authors: Nieminen Riina , Korhonen Riku , Moilanen Teemu , Clark Andrew R. , Moilanen Eeva
Published: February 2010

Objective

Aurothiomalate is a disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug that suppresses inflammation and retards cartilage degradation and bone erosion in arthritis. The molecular mechanisms of action of aurothiomalate are not known in detail. MAPK pathways are major signaling pathways in inflammation that regulate the production of many inflammatory and destructive factors in arthritis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of aurothiomalate on the activity of p38 MAPK and on the expression of MAPK phosphatase 1 (MKP‐1), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX‐2), matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP‐3), and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) in immortalized murine H4 chondrocytes and in intact human and murine cartilage.

Methods

Protein expression was examined by Western blotting or by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was examined by real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis. The mediator role of MKP‐1 was investigated by using small interfering RNA (siRNA) methods to down‐regulated MKP‐1 expression in chondrocytes in culture and by comparing the responses in intact cartilage from MKP‐1–deficient and wild‐type mice. The effects of aurothiomalate were also confirmed in human rheumatoid cartilage by using tissue samples obtained at the time of total knee replacement surgery.

Results

Aurothiomalate inhibited IL‐1β–induced COX‐2 expression and prostaglandin E2 production by destabilizing COX‐2 mRNA, as did the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580. Interestingly, aurothiomalate also increased the expression of MKP‐1 and reduced the IL‐1β–induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. Knockdown of MKP‐1 by siRNA significantly impaired the ability of aurothiomalate to inhibit the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and the expression of COX‐2, MMP‐3, and IL‐6. Likewise, aurothiomalate reduced COX‐2, MMP‐3, and IL‐6 expression in articular cartilage from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as in articular cartilage from wild‐type mice but not from MKP‐1–/– mice.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate a novel mechanism for the antiinflammatory and antierosive actions of aurothiomalate, through increased expression of MKP‐1, which leads to reduced activation of p38 MAPK and suppressed expression of COX‐2, MMP‐3, and IL‐6. The results suggest that manipulation of MKP‐1 levels is a promising new mechanism to be directed in the search and development of novel antiinflammatory and antierosive compounds that have the good efficacy of gold compounds but not their toxicity.
Variability among nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Massó González Elvira L. , Patrignani Paola , Tacconelli Stefania , Rodríguez Luis A. García
Published: February 2010

Objective

Traditional nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) increase the risk of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding/perforation, but the magnitude of this effect for coxibs in the general population and the degree of variability between individual NSAIDs is still under debate. This study was undertaken to assess the risk of upper GI bleeding/perforation among users of individual NSAIDs and to analyze the correlation between this risk and the degree of inhibition of whole blood cyclooxygenase 1 (COX‐1) and COX‐2 in vitro.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of observational studies on NSAIDs and upper GI bleeding/perforation published between 2000 and 2008. We calculated pooled relative risk (RR) estimates of upper GI bleeding/perforation for individual NSAIDs. Additionally, we verified whether the degree of inhibition of whole blood COX‐1 and COX‐2 in vitro by average circulating concentrations predicted the RR of upper GI bleeding/perforation.

Results

The RR of upper GI bleeding/perforation was 4.50 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 3.82–5.31) for traditional NSAIDs and 1.88 (95% CI 0.96–3.71) for coxibs. RRs lower than that for NSAIDs overall were observed for ibuprofen (2.69 [95% CI 2.17–3.33]), rofecoxib (2.12 [95% CI 1.59–2.84]), aceclofenac (1.44 [95% CI 0.65–3.2]), and celecoxib (1.42 [95% CI 0.85–2.37]), while higher RRs were observed for ketorolac (14.54 [95% CI 5.87–36.04]) and piroxicam (9.94 [95% CI 5.99–16.50). Estimated RRs were 5.63 (95% CI 3.83–8.28) for naproxen, 5.57 (95% CI 3.94–7.87) for ketoprofen, 5.40 (95% CI 4.16–7.00) for indomethacin, 4.15 (95% CI 2.59–6.64) for meloxicam, and 3.98 (95% CI 3.36–4.72) for diclofenac. The degree of inhibition of whole blood COX‐1 did not significantly correlate with RR of upper GI bleeding/perforation associated with individual NSAIDs (r2= 0.34,P= 0.058), but a profound and coincident inhibition (>80%) of both COX isozymes was associated with higher risk. NSAIDs with a long plasma half‐life and with a slow‐release formulation were associated with a greater risk than NSAIDs with a short half‐life.

Conclusion

The results of our analysis demonstrate that risk of upper GI bleeding/perforation varies between individual NSAIDs at the doses commonly used in the general population. Drugs that have a long half‐life or slow‐release formulation and/or are associated with profound and coincident inhibition of both COX isozymes are associated with a greater risk of upper GI bleeding/perforation.
Risk factors for development of uveitis differ between girls and boys with juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Authors: Saurenmann R. K. , Levin A. V. , Feldman B. M. , Laxer R. M. , Schneider R. , Silverman E. D.
Published: February 2010

Objective

Uveitis is the most common extraarticular manifestation of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and is associated with considerable morbidity. The aim of this study was to examine the risk factors associated with uveitis in JIA.

Methods

We conducted a chart review of 1,047 patients with JIA from a single tertiary care pediatric rheumatology center for factors associated with the development of uveitis. Special emphasis was put on the following known risk factors: oligoarthritis, antinuclear antibody (ANA) status, sex, and age at the time of onset of JIA.

Results

The risk of uveitis developing was age dependent in girls but not in boys. Among girls, the risk was maximal (47%) in those who were ANA positive and were ages 1–2 years at the time of the onset of JIA; this risk decreased to <10% in those in whom the age at onset was >7 years. Only girls had an age‐dependent and ANA‐associated increased risk of uveitis. The time interval from the diagnosis of JIA to the diagnosis of uveitis was statistically significantly longer in patients in whom the onset of JIA occurred at a younger age (P = 0.04). This effect was even more pronounced in ANA‐positive patients (P = 0.004). The JIA subtype did not influence a patient's risk of the development of uveitis.

Conclusion

An age‐associated risk of uveitis was observed only in girls who were younger than 7 years of age at the time of the onset of JIA. The duration of time between the diagnosis of JIA and the onset of uveitis was longer in patients in whom JIA was diagnosed at a younger age, especially in those who were ANA positive. We suggest that our findings have implications for uveitis screening in patients with JIA.
Identification and prevention of antibody disulfide bond reduction during cell culture manufacturing
Authors: Trexler‐Schmidt Melody , Sargis Sandy , Chiu Jason , Sze‐Khoo Stefanie , Mun Melissa , Kao Yung‐Hsiang , Laird Michael W.
Published: February 2010

In the biopharmaceutical industry, therapeutic monoclonal antibodies are primarily produced in mammalian cell culture systems. During the scale‐up of a monoclonal antibody production process, we observed excessive mechanical cell shear as well as significant reduction of the antibody's interchain disulfide bonds during harvest operations. This antibody reduction event was catastrophic as the product failed to meet the drug substance specifications and the bulk product was lost. Subsequent laboratory studies have demonstrated that cells subjected to mechanical shear release cellular enzymes that contribute to this antibody reduction phenomenon (manuscript submitted; Kao et al., 2009). Several methods to prevent this antibody reduction event were developed using a lab‐scale model to reproduce the lysis and reduction events. These methods included modifications to the cell culture media with chemicals (e.g., cupric sulfate (CuSO4)), pre‐ and post‐harvest chemical additions to the cell culture fluid (CCF) (e.g., CuSO4, EDTA, L‐cystine), as well as lowering the pH and air sparging of the harvested CCF (HCCF). These methods were evaluated for their effectiveness in preventing disulfide bond reduction and their impact to product quality. Effective prevention methods, which yielded acceptable product quality were evaluated for their potential to be implemented at manufacturing‐scale. The work described here identifies numerous effective reduction prevention measures from lab‐scale studies; several of these methods were then successfully translated into manufacturing processes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010; 106: 452–461. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lipid analysis of Neochloris oleoabundans by liquid state NMR
Authors: Beal C.M. , Webber M.E. , Ruoff R.S. , Hebner R.E.
Published: February 2010

This study is an evaluation of liquid state NMR as a tool for analyzing the lipid composition of algal cultures used for biodiesel production. To demonstrate the viability of this approach, 13C NMR was used to analyze the lipid composition of intact cells of the algal species, Neochloris oleoabundans (UTEX #1185). Two cultures were used in this study. One culture was “healthy” and grown in conventional media, whereas the other culture was “nitrogen‐starved” and grown in media that lacked nitrate. Triglyceride was determined to be present in both cultures by comparing the algal NMR spectra with published chemical shifts for a wide range of lipids and with a spectrum obtained from a triglyceride standard (glyceryl trioleate). In addition, it is shown that (1) the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the ∼29.5 ppm methylene peak is indicative of the lipid content and (2) the nitrogen‐starved culture contained a greater lipid content than the healthy culture, as expected. Furthermore, the nitrogen‐starved culture produced spectra that primarily contained the characteristic peaks of triglyceride (at ∼61.8 and ∼68.9 ppm), whereas the healthy culture produced spectra that contained several additional peaks in the glycerol region, likely resulting from the presence of monoglyceride and diglyceride. Finally, potential interferences are evaluated (including the analysis of phospholipids via 31P NMR) to assess the specificity of the acquired spectra to triglyceride. These results indicate that NMR is a useful diagnostic tool for selectively identifying lipids in algae, with particular relevance to biodiesel production. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010;106: 573–583. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Experimental evaluation of decrease in the activities of polyphosphate/glycogen‐accumulating organisms due to cell death and activity decay in activated sludge
Authors: Hao Xiaodi , Wang Qilin , Cao Yali , van Loosdrecht Mark C.M.
Published: February 2010

Decrease in bacterial activity (biomass decay) in activated sludge can result from cell death (reduction in the amount of active bacteria) and activity decay (reduction in the specific activity of active bacteria). The goal of this study was to experimentally differentiate between cell death and activity decay as the cause of decrease in bacterial activity. By means of measuring maximal anaerobic phosphate release rates, verifying membrane integrity by live/dead staining and verifying presence of 16S rRNA with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), the decay rates and death rates of polyphosphate‐accumulating organisms (PAOs) in a biological nutrient removal (BNR) system and a laboratory phosphate removing sequencing batch reactor (SBR) system were determined, respectively, under famine conditions. In addition, the decay rate and death rate of glycogen‐accumulating organisms (GAOs) in a SBR system with an enrichment culture of GAOs were also measured under famine conditions. Hereto the maximal anaerobic volatile fatty acid uptake rates, live/dead staining, and FISH were used. The experiments revealed that in the BNR and enriched PAO‐SBR systems, activity decay contributed 58% and 80% to the decreased activities of PAOs, and that cell death was responsible for 42% and 20% of decreases in their respective activities. In the enriched GAOs system, activity decay constituted a proportion of 74% of the decreased activity of GAOs, and cell death only accounted for 26% of the decrease of their activity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2010; 106: 399–407. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Laserfragmentierung von anorganischen und organischen Mikropartikel‐Suspensionen zu Nanopartikel‐Kolloiden
Authors: Schnoor A. , Petersen S. , Barcikowski S.
Published: February 2010

Es besteht ein hoher Bedarf an hochreinen, stabilen Nanopartikel‐Kolloiden für medizinische und technische Anwendungen. Das Potenzial des kontaminationsfreien Zerkleinerungsverfahrens des Laserfragmentierens von Mikropartikel‐Suspensionen im Batch‐ und im Durchfluss‐Laserfragmentierungsaggregat wird anhand von magnetischen (Eisenoxid), hartkeramischen (Bornitrid, Wolframcarbid) und bioaktiven (Vitamin C, Capsaicin) Nanopartikeln erstmals demonstriert. Eine erste Wertschöpfungsanalyse beschreibt wirtschaftliche Aspekte.
Anwendungen für Terahertz‐Systeme: Märkte und Perspektiven einer innovativen Technik
Authors: Wietzke S. , Jansen C. , Scheller M. , Krumbholz N. , Peters O. , Jördens C. , Hochrein T. , Jung T. , Chatterjee S. , Koch M.
Published: February 2010

Der Terahertz‐Frequenzbereich befindet sich zwischen den Mikrowellen und der Infrarotstrahlung. Damit überbrückt er die Lücke zwischen Elektronik und Optik. Aufgrund dieser exponierten Stellung im elektromagnetischen Spektrum existiert eine Fülle vielversprechender metrologischer Einsatzmöglichkeiten für zahlreiche industrielle Anwendungen. Neueste Fortschritte in der Systementwicklung deuten an, dass die Markteinführung dieser zerstörungsfreien und berührungslosen Messtechnik rasch näher rückt. Ziel dieses Beitrages ist es, einen Einblick in die Möglichkeiten und Perspektiven zu geben. Im Fokus stehen dabei Applikationen, bei denen vorhandene Messmethoden keine befriedigende Lösung liefern können: von der Kunststofftechnik über die Lebensmittelindustrie bis hin zur Sicherheit an Flughäfen oder der Züchtung und Bewässerung von Pflanzen.
Understanding Kinase Selectivity Through Energetic Analysis of Binding Site Waters
Authors: Robinson Daniel D. , Sherman Woody , Farid Ramy
Published: February 2010

Kinases remain an important drug target class within the pharmaceutical industry; however, the rational design of kinase inhibitors is plagued by the complexity of gaining selectivity for a small number of proteins within a family of more than 500 related enzymes. Herein we show how a computational method for identifying the location and thermodynamic properties of water molecules within a protein binding site can yield insight into previously inexplicable selectivity and structure–activity relationships. Four kinase systems (Src family, Abl/c‐Kit, Syk/ZAP‐70, and CDK2/4) were investigated, and differences in predicted water molecule locations and energetics were able to explain the experimentally observed binding selectivity profiles. The successful predictions across the range of kinases studied here suggest that this methodology could be generally applicable for predicting selectivity profiles in related targets.
Quantitative analysis of dynamic MRI data obtained with a hollow fibre module
Authors: Dimicoli Jean‐Luc
Published: February 2010

This paper presents a model describing the diffusion of water and contrast agent (CA) in hollow fibre modules (HFM), which is able to calculate the contribution of water molecular exchange to the parameters resulting from dynamic R1 relaxation data. To acquire these data, the intra‐fibre volume of the HFM initially filled with pure water was perfused with a CA solution of constant concentration C0. The relaxation rate R1e(t) time course was measured assuming fast water molecular exchange, with a saturation–recovery multi‐gradient‐echo snapshot sequence. These data led to uncorrected (uc) water exchange estimations of the constant kCA_uc characterizing the CA R1e(t) kinetics and of the intra‐fibre volume fraction Vin_uc of the HFM. The model, which assumes diffusion‐controlled process and the absence of interaction of CA with the fibre membrane, led to the corresponding theoretical values for corrected water exchange kCA and Vin. kCA_uc was always slightly larger than kCA and independent of C0. Vin_uc was always much smaller than Vin and depended strongly on C0. Furthermore, Vin was found to be very similar to the real intra‐fibre volume fraction as determined directly from high‐resolution MRI and specifications given by the supplier, thus confirming the validity of our model. It is shown that kCA_uc characterizing every CA diffusing without interaction with the membrane depends linearly on its diffusion coefficient in water Ds_CA. The experimental results suggest that interactions of Dotarem® and P806 with the HFM membrane are not significant. This is also the case for the smaller and neutral molecule water, validating all the calculations involved in this work. For the largest CAs, experiments suggest that sterical effects dominate their permeability and that Ds_CA rather than their molecular weight defines HFM membrane cut‐off. However, if other interactions are also important, a multi‐parameter function rather than a single value is expected to define this cut‐off. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The association of menstrual and reproductive factors with upper gastrointestinal tract cancers in the NIH‐AARP cohort
Authors: Freedman Neal D. , Lacey James V. , Hollenbeck Albert R. , Leitzmann Michael F. , Schatzkin Arthur , Abnet Christian C.
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

In most populations, incidence rates of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract cancers (head and neck, esophagus, and stomach) are higher among men than among women. Established risk factors do not appear to explain these differences, suggesting a possible role for sex hormones.

METHODS:

201,506 women of the NIH‐AARP Diet and Health cohort completed a questionnaire in 1995‐1996. Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated from Cox proportional hazards models.

RESULTS:

During follow‐up through 2003, 162 incident adenocarcinomas (ACs; esophagus, N = 25, and stomach, N = 137) and 353 incident squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs; head and neck, n = 297, and esophagus, N = 56) occurred. Among examined exposures, older age at menopause was associated inversely with SCC (Ptrend across categories = .013) but not AC (Ptrend = .501). Use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) was significantly associated with lower risk of SCC (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.77, 0.62‐0.96) and nonsignificantly associated with lower risk of AC (HR = 0.81, 0.59‐1.12). A subset (N = 127,386) of the cohort completed a more detailed MHT questionnaire a year after baseline. In 74,372 women with intact uteri, ever use of estrogen‐progestin MHT conferred 0.47 (0.30‐0.75) times the risk for SCC and 0.52 (0.26‐1.07) times the risk for ACC. In 51,515 women with a hysterectomy before baseline, we found no associations between use of estrogen MHT and AC or SCC.

CONCLUSIONS:

Higher estrogen and progesterone levels may be related inversely to UGI cancers and in this way help explain lower incidence rates in women compared with men. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Immunoglobulin G is present in a wide variety of soft tissue tumors and correlates well with proliferation markers and tumor grades
Authors: Chen Zhengshan , Huang Xinrui , Ye Juxiang , Pan Peng , Cao Qi , Yang Baokai , Li Zhuo , Su Meng , Huang Chen , Gu Jiang
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

The traditional view that immunoglobulin (Ig) is produced only by B lymphocytes has been challenged, because it has been demonstrated that Ig genes and proteins are expressed in epithelial cancer cells. However, whether Ig expression in nonlymphoid cells is limited to epithelial cells is unclear. Because sarcomas differ distinctly from carcinomas in their biologic and clinical features, the authors investigated the question of nonlymphoid IgG expression in soft tissue lesions.

METHODS:

Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to demonstrate IgG expression in 80 soft tissue lesions. The correlation between Ig expression and proliferation markers (proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA], Ki‐67, and cyclin D1) in sarcomas was investigated by immunohistochemical and statistical analyses.

RESULTS:

Igκ was identified in 97.4% of sarcomas and in 31.7% of benign lesions by immunohistochemistry. The difference was statistically significant (P < .01). Messenger RNA from the IgG1 heavy‐chain constant region was also detected by in situ hybridization. Variable‐diversity‐joining recombination sequences of both heavy and light chains were obtained by PCR and sequencing. Moreover, the labeling index of PCNA, Ki‐67, and cyclin D1 was much higher in sarcomas with high Igκ expression than in sarcomas with low Igκ expression (P < .01 for PCNA and cyclin D1; P < .001 for Ki‐67). There were more grade 3 sarcomas with high Igκ expression compared with grade 1 and 2 sarcomas (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS:

IgG was identified in a wide variety of soft tissue tumors and correlated well with proliferation markers and tumor grades. IgG may be a useful marker for cell proliferation in sarcomas. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Pulmonary dysfunction in survivors of childhood hematologic malignancies after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Inaba Hiroto , Yang Jie , Pan Jianmin , Stokes Dennis C. , Krasin Matthew J. , Srinivasan Ashok , Hartford Christine M. , Pui Ching‐Hon , Leung Wing
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

The number of long‐term survivors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT) is increasing; however, few studies have addressed their long‐term pulmonary function.

METHODS:

The authors examined 660 baseline and follow‐up pulmonary function tests in 89 long‐term survivors of pediatric hematologic malignancies and allo‐HSCT.

RESULTS:

At least 1 abnormal lung parameter was seen in 40.4% of baseline tests and developed in 64% of post–allo‐HSCT tests (median follow‐up: 8.9 years). Abnormal baseline values in ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC), FEV1, residual volume (RV), functional residual capacity (FRC), and FVC were associated with abnormal post–allo‐HSCT values. The following pulmonary function values declined significantly with time: FEV1/FVC, forced mid‐expiratory flow (FEF25%‐75%), total lung capacity (TLC), diffusion capacity corrected for hemoglobin (DLCOcorr), RV, FRC, and RV/TLC. Older age at the time of allo‐HSCT was associated with lower FEV1/FVC, FEF25%‐75%, and DLCOcorr and higher RV/TLC. Patients who experienced respiratory events within 1 year post–allo‐HSCT had lower FEV1 and FVC values and higher RV/TLC from their baseline pulmonary function tests. Female patients had reduced FVC, TLC, and RV values but higher FEV1/FVC. Pulmonary dysfunction was also associated with high‐risk hematological malignancies and peripheral blood HSC product.

CONCLUSIONS:

Abnormal pulmonary functions in allo‐HSCT survivors are prevalent, which underscore the need for risk‐adapted continual monitoring and improved preventive and management strategies. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Intra‐arterial chemotherapy for head and neck cancer
Authors: Robbins K. Thomas , Howell Stephen B. , Williams James Scott
Published: February 2010

Although it would appear that there is no difference in outcomes for intra‐arterial (IA) versus intravenous cisplatin chemoradiotherapy, one must consider the technique by which the tumors were infused. The authors used the less effective method of bilateral infusion in 58% of patients compared to <5% by us. This large difference could have affected the outcome thus leaving the value of IA cisplatin infusion in question.
Effect of a minimum lymph node policy in radical cystectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy on lymph node yields, lymph node positivity rates, lymph node density, and survivorship in patients with bladder cancer
Authors: Fang Andrea C. , Ahmad Ardalan E. , Whitson Jared M. , Ferrell Linda D. , Carroll Peter R. , Konety Badrinath R.
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

Extended pelvic lymphadenectomy (PLND) during radical cystectomy (RC) reportedly improves bladder cancer‐specific survival. Lymph node counts are often a proxy for the extensiveness of a dissection. In the current study, the impact of an institutional policy requiring a minimum number of lymph nodes was assessed.

METHODS:

Patients undergoing RC and PLND for invasive bladder cancer between March 2000 and February 2008 were retrospectively reviewed at the study institution. Beginning March 1, 2004, a policy was established that at least 16 lymph nodes had to be examined. Specimens with <16 lymph nodes were resubmitted (including any fat) to detect additional lymph nodes. Lymph node yields, lymph node positivity, lymph node density (LND), and survivorship before and after policy implementation were compared.

RESULTS:

A total of 147 patients underwent surgery 4 years before policy implementation and 202 underwent surgery 4 years after. The median number of lymph nodes increased from 15 to 20. Percentage of cases with ≥16 lymph nodes increased from 42.9% to 69.3% (P<.01). The lymph node positivity rates did not change significantly, but the proportion of patients with LND <20% increased from 43.9% to 65.5% (P= .04). Overall survival increased from 41.5% to 72.3% (P<.01). Univariate and multivariate regression demonstrated that policy implementation, and subsequent increase in median lymph node yield, decreased mortality risk by 30% (hazards ratio [HR], 0.70;P= .04) and 48% (HR, 0.52;P= .01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Thorough evaluation of PLND specimens obtained at RC can be influenced by an institutional policy mandating a minimum number of lymph nodes. This could lead to greater confidence in pathologic staging and reliability of LND as a predictor of prognosis. Survival can improve due to increased awareness to perform a more thorough PLND. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Comparison of human papillomavirus in situ hybridization and p16 immunohistochemistry in the detection of human papillomavirus‐associated head and neck cancer based on a prospective clinical experience
Authors: Singhi Aatur D. , Westra William H.
Published: February 2010

BACKGROUND:

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a causative agent in a subset of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). These HPV‐related cancers have a clinicopathologic profile that diverges from HPV‐negative HNSCCs. Accordingly, HPV testing may soon become integrated into standard pathologic assessment of HNSCCs.

METHODS:

Data were prospectively collected for all patients with head and neck carcinomas who had undergone HPV testing at the Johns Hopkins Hospital as part of clinical care during a 57‐month period. HPV testing consisted of concurrent HPV16 in situ hybridization (ISH) and p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC). Wide spectrum HPV ISH was reserved for p16‐positive cases that were HPV‐16 negative.

RESULTS:

HPV analysis was performed on 256 head and neck carcinomas in an effort to predict clinical outcomes (56%), localize primary tumor origin (21%), establish tumor classification (9%), determine patient eligibility for vaccine trials (8%), or satisfy patient curiosity (5%). A total of 182 (71%) tumors were HPV positive. HPV positivity correlated with oropharyngeal site (82% vs 9%) and male sex (77% vs 48%). p16 positivity was present in all 176 HPV16‐positive cases, and in 19 of 80 (24%) cases that were HPV‐16 negative. In 6 (32%) discordant cases, p16 expression was because of the presence of another HPV type.

CONCLUSIONS

A feasible strategy that incorporates p16 IHC and HPV ISH is able to detect HPV in a high percentage of oropharyngeal carcinomas. HPV status is frequently requested by the oncologist to estimate clinical outcome, and used by pathologists to establish tumor classification and determine site of tumor origin. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
The Electrochemical Promotion of Ethylene Oxidation at a Pt/YSZ Catalyst
Authors: Toghan Arafat , Rösken Liz M. , Imbihl Ronald
Published: February 2010

The electrochemical promotion of the C2H4+O2 reaction to form CO2 and H2O is studied in the 10−5 and 10−4 mbar range with a Pt catalyst interfaced as working electrode to yttrium‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) was used as spatially resolving method. Under open‐circuit conditions, that is, without an external voltage applied, the CO2 production exhibits a pronounced hysteresis upon cyclic variation of p(C2H4). The hysteresis is attributed to the build‐up of a carbonaceous CHx layer inhibiting O2 adsorption and hence poisoning the reaction. It is shown that the application of a positive potential of 1 V triggers a transition from the unreactive branch of the reaction to an active branch. The large non‐Faradayicity reported in the literature for this reaction system is explained as an ignition effect caused by the partial removal of the inhibiting carbonaceaous layer.
Advanced Materials from Natural Materials: Synthesis of Aligned Carbon Nanotubes on Wollastonites
Authors: Zhao Meng‐Qiang , Zhang Qiang , Huang Jia‐Qi , Nie Jing‐Qi , Wei Fei
Published: February 2010

The growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on natural materials is a low‐cost, environmentally benign, and materials‐saving method for the large‐scale production of CNTs. Directly building 3D CNT architectures on natural materials is a key issue for obtaining advanced materials with high added value. We report the fabrication of aligned CNT arrays on fibrous natural wollastonite. Strongly dispersed iron particles with small sizes were produced on a planar surface of soaked fibrous wollastonite by a reduction process. These particles then catalyzed the decomposition of ethylene, leading to the synchronous growth of CNTs to form leaf‐ and brush‐like wollastonite/CNT hybrids. The as‐obtained hybrids could be further transformed into porous SiO2/CNT hybrids by reaction with hydrochloric acid. Further treatment with hydrofluoric acid resulted in aligned CNT arrays, with purities as high as 98.7 %. The presented work is very promising for the fabrication of advanced materials with unique structures and properties that can be used as fillers, catalyst supports, or energy‐absorbing materials.
A spectrum‐efficient integer frequency offset estimator of mobile OFDM system in double selective channels
Authors: Hua J. Y. , Xu Z. J. , Meng L. M. , Li G.
Published: February 2010

We put forward a novel frequency offset estimator for burstorthogonal frequency division multiplexing(OFDM) systems under double selective fading channels. With the help of pilot bits and channel estimates in frequency domain, we calculate thedelay power spectrum(DPS) of multi‐path channels and estimate the integercarrier frequency offset(CFO), in which the FFT‐realized (Fast Fourier Transform) algorithm is computation effective. Additionally, thepseudo noise(PN) sequence is proposed to act as a pilot signal to extend the estimation range. Yet the algorithm uses pilots instead of preambles, resulting in higher spectrum efficiency than conventional methods. Simulations show high accuracy and robustness in a wide range of terminal velocities (time‐selectivity) andsignal‐to‐noise ratios(SNRs). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel CDNF/MANF family of neurotrophic factors
Authors: Lindholm Päivi , Saarma Mart
Published: February 2010

Current therapeutic interventions for neurodegenerative diseases alleviate only disease symptoms, while treatments that could stop or reverse actual degenerative processes are not available. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a movement disorder with characteristic degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. Few neurotrophic factors (NTFs) that promote survival, maintenance, and differentiation of affected brain neurons are considered as potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, it is important to search and study new NTFs that could also be used in therapy. In this review, we discuss novel evolutionary conserved family of NTFs consisting of two members in the vertebrates, cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) and mesencephalic astrocyte‐derived neurotrophic factor (MANF). Invertebrates, including Drosophila and Caenorhabditis have a single protein homologous to vertebrate CDNF/MANF. Characteristic feature of these proteins is eight structurally conserved cysteine residues, which determine the protein fold. The crystal structure analysis revealed that CDNF and MANF consist of two domains; an amino‐terminal saposin‐like domain that may interact with lipids or membranes, and a presumably unfolded carboxy‐terminal domain that may protect cells against endoplasmic reticulum stress. CDNF and MANF protect midbrain dopaminergic neurons and restore motor function in 6‐hydroxydopamine rat model of PD in vivo. In line, Drosophila MANF is needed for the maintenance of dopaminergic neurites and dopamine levels in the fly, suggesting that the function of CDNF/MANF proteins is evolutionary conserved. Future studies will reveal the receptors and mode of action of these novel factors, which are potential therapeutic proteins for the treatment of PD. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2010
Postsynaptic BDNF‐TrkB signaling in synapse maturation, plasticity, and disease
Authors: Yoshii Akira , Constantine‐Paton Martha
Published: February 2010

Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a prototypic neurotrophin that regulates diverse developmental events from the selection of neural progenitors to the terminal dendritic differentiation and connectivity of neurons. We focus here on activity‐dependent synaptic regulation by BDNF and its receptor, full length TrkB. BDNF‐TrkB signaling is involved in transcription, translation, and trafficking of proteins during various phases of synaptic development and has been implicated in several forms of synaptic plasticity. These functions are carried out by a combination of the three signaling cascades triggered when BDNF binds TrkB: The mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), the phospholipase Cγ (PLC PLCγ), and the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) pathways. MAPK and PI3K play crucial roles in both translation and/or trafficking of proteins induced by synaptic activity, whereas PLCγ regulates intracellular Ca2+ that can drive transcription via cyclic AMP and a protein kinase C. Conversely, the abnormal regulation of BDNF is implicated in various developmental and neurodegenerative diseases that perturb neural development and function. We will discuss the current state of understanding BDNF signaling in the context of synaptic development and plasticity with a focus on the postsynaptic cell and close with the evidence that basic mechanisms of BDNF function still need to be understood to effectively treat genetic disruptions of these pathways that cause devastating neurodevelopmental diseases. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2010
On the death Trk
Authors: Harel Liraz , Costa Barbara , Fainzilber Mike
Published: February 2010

The trk family of receptor tyrosine kinases supports survival and differentiation in the nervous system. Paradoxically it has also been shown that members of the trk family can induce cell death in pediatric tumor cells of neuronal origin. Moreover, TrkA and TrkC serve as good prognostic indicators in neuroblastoma and medulloblatoma, respectively. Although the possible linkage between these observations was intriguing, until recently there was limited insight on the mechanisms involved. Recent findings suggest that TrkA might influence neuronal cell death through stimulation of p75 cleavage. An alternative p75‐independent mechanism was suggested by a newly discovered interaction between TrkA and CCM2 (the protein product of the gene cerebral cavernous malformation 2). Coexpression of CCM2 with TrkA induces cell death in medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma cells, and CCM2 expression levels correlate with those of TrkA and with good prognosis in neuroblastoma patients. Thus, mechanistic clues to the enigma of trk‐induced cell death have begun to emerge. Detailed elucidation of these mechanisms and theirin vivophysiological significance will be of keen interest for future research. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2010
Toward a comprehensive neurobiology of IGF‐I
Authors: Torres‐Aleman Ignacio
Published: February 2010

Insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) belongs to an ancient family of hormones already present in early invertebrates. The insulin family is well characterized in mammals, although new members have been described recently. Since its characterization over 50 years ago, IGF‐I has been considered a peptide mostly involved in the control of body growth and tissue remodeling. Currently, its most prominent recognized role is as a quasi‐universal cytoprotectant. This role connects IGF‐I with regulation of lifespan and with cancer, two areas of very active research in relation to this peptide. In the brain, IGF‐I was formerly considered a neurotrophic factor involved in brain growth, as many other neurotrophic factors. Other aspects of the neurobiology of IGF‐I are gradually emerging and suggest that this growth factor has a prominent role in brain function as a whole. During development IGF‐I is abundantly expressed in many areas, whereas once the brain is formed its expression is restricted to a few regions and in very low quantities. However, the adult brain appears to have an external input from serum IGF‐I, where this anabolic peptide is abundant. Thus, serum IGF‐I has been proven to be an important modulator of brain activity, including higher functions such as cognition. Many of these functions can be ascribed to its tissue‐remodeling activity as IGF‐I modulates adult neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Other activities are cytoprotective; indeed, IGF‐I can be considered a key neuroprotective peptide. Still others pertain to the functional characteristics of brain cells, such as cell excitability. Through modulation of membrane channels and neurotransmission, IGF‐I impinges directly on neuronal plasticity, the cellular substrate of cognition. However, to fully understand the role of IGF‐I in the brain, we have to sum the actions of locally produced IGF‐I to those of serum IGF‐I, and this is still pending. Thus, an integrated view of the role played by IGF‐I in the brain is not yet possible. An operational approach to overcome this limitation would be to consider IGF‐I as a signal coupling environmental influences on body metabolism with brain function. Or in a more colloquial way, we may say that IGF‐I links body “fitness” with brain fitness, providing a mechanism to the roman saying “mens sana in corpore sano.” © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2010
Neurotrophic factor control of adult SVZ neurogenesis
Authors: Bath Kevin G. , Lee Francis S.
Published: February 2010

Neurogenesis is the process by which cells divide, migrate, and subsequently differentiate into a neuronal phenotype. Significant rates of neurogenesis persist into adulthood in two brain regions, the subgranular zone (SGZ) of the dentate gyrus and the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricles. Cells of the SVZ divide and migrate via the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulb (OB) where they differentiate into granule and periglomerular cells. With the discovery of large‐scale neurogenesis in the adult brain, there have been significant efforts to identify the mechanisms that control this process as well as the role of these cells in neuronal functioning. Neurotrophic factors are a family of molecules that serve critical roles in the survival and differentiation of neurons during development, as well as contribute to continued plasticity throughout life. Several members of the neurotrophin family have been implicated in the control of adult postnatal SVZ neurogenesis. In this review we will address what is currently known regarding neurotrophic factor‐dependent control of SVZ neurogenesis and place these findings in the context of what is known regarding other growth factors. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2010
Motivation for palatable food despite consequences in an animal model of binge eating
Authors: Oswald Kimberly D. , Murdaugh Donna L. , King Vinetra L. , Boggiano Mary M.
Published: February 2010

Objective:

Binge eating involves an abnormal motivation for highly palatable food in that these foods are repeatedly consumed despite their binge‐triggering effects and life‐affecting consequences associated with binge eating. We determined if rats identified as binge‐eating prone (BEP) similarly display abnormal motivation for palatable food.

Method:

Food‐sated BEP and binge‐eating resistant (BER) rats were given voluntary access to palatable food paired with increasing intensity of footshock. Later, they were exposed to a period of cyclic caloric restriction–refeeding.

Results:

BEPs consumed significantly more and tolerated higher levels of footshock for palatable food than BERs. Cyclic restriction–refeeding increased BERs' tolerance of shock for palatable food.

Discussion:

Previously observed parallels of the rat BEP model to human binge eating can now be extended to include an abnormal motivation for palatable food. This model should prove useful in identifying specific genes that interact with the nutritional environment to mediate binge eating and may point to novel physiological targets to treat compulsive overeating. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2011; 44:203–211)
Body schema and self‐representation in patients with bulimia nervosa
Authors: Urgesi Cosimo , Fornasari Livia , De Faccio Sara , Perini Laura , Mattiussi Elisa , Ciano Rossana , Balestrieri Matteo , Fabbro Franco , Brambilla Paolo
Published: February 2010

Objective:

Neuroimaging evidences in eating disorder (ED) patients document dysfunctional neural activity of the posterior parietal cortex, which is engaged in the representation of body schema. Yet a full neuropsychological investigation of body schema representation in ED patients is lacking. We examined mental imagery and body schema representation in patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED).

Method:

Consecutive samples of 15 BN patients and 15 BED patients were compared with two groups of 15 age‐matched controls in tasks requiring body or object mental transformation.

Results:

BN, but not BED patients, were selectively impaired in the mental transformation of their own body, although this deficit was not correlated with measures of body dissatisfaction. In contrast, no patient group was impaired in the mental transformation of external objects.

Discussion:

Results showed altered self‐body representation in BN, but not BED patients, as the neuropsychological consequences of posterior parietal cortex dysfunctions. © 2010 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2011; 44:238–248)
An extraction method of time‐series numerical data from press releases by using co‐occurrence conditions of numbers and time stamps related to target business keywords
Authors: Samejima Masaki , Gen Mayu , Nakazaki Takeshi , Akiyoshi Masanori , Komoda Norihisa
Published: February 2010

A method of extracting time series data on specific business matters from press releases of a company is proposed. In such press releases, numerical data on specific matters often co‐occur with specific words. From this viewpoint, when keywords are input, the proposed system extracts a set of numerical data and a time stamp that co‐occurs with them. The proposed system extracts numerical data placed close to keywords by using the word distance, and time stamps are extracted in the same manner. The representation of the extracted data is unified for visualization. The results of the application of this method to press releases consisting of several kinds of documents confirm that the accuracy of the extracted numerical data is sufficient to support business analysis. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 93(3): 61–69, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10011
Object detection using straight line matching in θ‐ρ space
Authors: Okuzono Taisei , Wakizako Hitoshi
Published: February 2010

The contours of many industrial parts contain straight lines and the positions of the lines are therefore useful information for object detection. This paper presents a matching technique for straight lines. The method consists of θ‐matching, ρ‐matching, and pose estimation. Any lines in 2D space are represented with parameters θ and ρ by the Hough transform. In order to find the corresponding lines in a model and a scene, the θ and ρ values are evaluated in θ‐matching and ρ‐matching. When an object is translated and rotated, the contour lines of the object are also transferred and the θ values of the lines are merely shifted by the rotation angle in the θ‐ρ space. Thus, the relative positions of the θ values are invariant. In θ‐matching, the corresponding lines of the model and the scene are selected so that the relative θ values of the corresponding lines are nearly equal. In ρ‐matching, the corresponding lines are evaluated further by computing the deviations of their ρ values. Finally, the transfer parameters of the selected pairs are estimated in pose estimation. The experiments show that this technique is robust to rotation, occlusion, and scaling of the objects. We also discuss the computation time, in which the preprocess such as edge detection and the Hough transform takes much of the time. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 93(3): 34–41, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10176