bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spastin mutations in sporadic adult‐onset upper motor neuron syndromes
Authors: Brugman Frans , Wokke John H. J. , Scheffer Hans , Versteeg Martina H. A. , Sistermans Erik A. , van den Berg Leonard H.
Published: October 2005

Mutation of the spastin gene is the single most common cause of pure hereditary spastic paraparesis. In patients with an unexplained sporadic upper motor neuron (UMN) syndrome, clinical distinction between primary lateral sclerosis and sporadic hereditary spastic paraparesis may be problematic. To investigate whether spastin mutations are present in patients with primary lateral sclerosis and sporadic hereditary spastic paraparesis, we screened the spastin gene in 99 Dutch patients with an unexplained, apparently sporadic, adult‐onset UMN syndrome. We found 6 mutations, of which 4 were novel, in the subgroup of 47 patients with UMN symptoms restricted to the legs (13%). Another novel spastin mutation was found in a patient with a rapidly progressive spinal and bulbar UMN syndrome that progressed to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In the patients with arm or bulbar UMN symptoms and slow progression, no spastin mutations were found. Our study shows that spastin mutations are a frequent cause of apparently sporadic spastic paraparesis but not of primary lateral sclerosis. Ann Neurol 2005
Is obstructive sleep apnea syndrome a neurological disorder? A continuous positive airway pressure follow‐up study
Authors: Guilleminault Christian , Huang Yu‐Shu , Kirisoglu Ceyda , Chan Allison
Published: October 2005

Abnormal sensory responses have been found in the upper airway of obstructive sleep apnea patients, but no long‐term study has been published previously regarding the evolution of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and persistence of abnormal pharyngeal sensory evaluation in response to continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. Over 5 years, we managed healthy, nonobese subjects compliant with nasal CPAP. Only 47 subjects completed this prospective study, due to protocol requirements. They underwent regular clinical evaluation, subjective scales, four polysomnographies without nasal CPAP, recalibration of nasal CPAP with polysomnography, regular downloading of home data, and a palatal two‐point discrimination study. None of the subjects presented normal results at any checkpoint when they had been without CPAP for two or three nights. By the completion of the study, all subjects required an increase in nasal CPAP (1–7cm H2O) and demonstrated abnormal two‐point palatal discrimination compared with control subjects. Despite initial control of clinical symptoms with regular usage of nasal CPAP in subjects without weight change, abnormal sensory palatal evaluation was present at the conclusion of the study. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome involves abnormal upper airway sensory input, which may be responsible for the development of apneas and hypopneas. These neurological lesions are persistent despite nasal CPAP treatment. Ann Neurol 2006
In vivo imaging of dendritic spines during electrographic seizures
Authors: Rensing Nicholas , Ouyang Yannan , Yang Xiao‐Feng , Yamada Kelvin A. , Rothman Steven M. , Wong Michael
Published: October 2005

Epilepsy is associated with significant neurological morbidity, including learning disabilities, motor deficits, and behavioral problems. Although the causes of neurological dysfunction in epilepsy are multifactorial, accumulating evidence indicates that seizures in themselves may directly cause brain injury. Although it is clear that seizures can result in neuronal death, it is likely that under some circumstances seizures can induce more subtle functional or structural alterations in neurons. We induced focal neocortical seizures with 4‐aminopyridine in transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein in cortical neurons and sequentially imaged individual dendrites in living animals with two‐photon laser‐scanning microscopy to determine whether these seizures caused acute alterations in dendritic spine morphology. No dendritic alterations were observed in anesthetized animals during electrographic seizures over a 3‐hour period. Similarly, in unanesthetized mice, low‐stage, clinical electrographic seizures had minimal effect on dendritic spines. More severe, high‐stage seizures in unanesthetized mice were associated with a moderate loss of spines and dendritic swelling, but this effect may have been contingent on a synergistic action of phototoxicity from the imaging method itself. Overall, our results suggest that most neocortical seizures have minimal acute effects on dendrites over several hours, but may predispose to dendritic injury under extreme conditions. Ann Neurol 2005
Myoclonus‐dystonia due to genomic deletions in the epsilon‐sarcoglycan gene
Authors: Asmus Friedrich , Salih Farid , Hjermind Lena Elisabeth , Ostergaard Karen , Munz Marita , Kühn Andrea A. , Dupont Erik , Kupsch Andreas , Gasser Thomas
Published: October 2005

Direct genomic DNA sequencing fails to detect epsilon‐sarcoglycan (SGCE) mutations in up to 30% of familial myoclonus‐dystonia (M‐D) cases. We identified novel large heterozygous deletions of SGCE exon 5 or exon 6 in two M‐D pedigrees. Like nonsense mutations, exon rearrangements result in the generation of premature stop codons downstream of the deleted exon. SGCE exon dosage assays may identify additional families with SGCE mutation and thus reduce “genetic heterogeneity.” Ann Neurol 2005;58:792–797
Serum uric acid levels and the risk of Parkinson disease
Authors: de Lau Lonneke M. L. , Koudstaal Peter J. , Hofman Albert , Breteler Monique M. B.
Published: October 2005

In a prospective population‐based cohort study among 4,695 participants aged 55 years and older, with repeated in‐person examination and on average 9.4 years of follow‐up, we observed that higher serum levels of uric acid were associated with a significantly decreased risk of Parkinson disease (adjusted hazard ratio per standard deviation increase 0.71 [95% confidence interval 0.51–0.98]), with evidence for a dose–effect relationship (p value for trend over quartiles 0.040). Our findings support the hypothesis that oxidative stress contributes to the risk of Parkinson disease and suggest a potential protective effect of the natural antioxidant and free radical scavenger uric acid. Ann Neurol 2005;58:797–800
Novel mutation in the ALS2 gene in juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Kress Julia A. , Kühnlein Peter , Winter Pia , Ludolph Albert C. , Kassubek Jan , Müller Ulrich , Sperfeld Anne‐Dorte
Published: October 2005

We present a 32‐year‐old Turkish male with juvenile amyotrophic lateral sclerosis 2 and a previously unrecognized homozygous deletion in exon 4 of the ALS2 gene (553delA). Disease progression is more rapid than in the ALS2 phenotype cases described to date. The patient's consanguineous parents carry the mutation in the heterozygous state as do his two unaffected brothers. Ann Neurol 2005;58:800–803
Reduced expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 2mRNA in T cells of ALS patients
Authors: Poulopoulou Cornelia , Davaki Panagiota , Koliaraki Vassiliki , Kolovou Dimitra , Markakis Ioannis , Vassilopoulos Dimitrios
Published: October 2005

Metabotropic glutamate receptors alter the vulnerability of neurons to excitotoxic damage and are reported to display abnormal expression in the central nervous system of ALS patients. Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, we investigated the mRNA expression of specific metabotropic glutamate receptor subtypes in T lymphocytes of 20 patients with sporadic ALS, compared with healthy age‐matched control subjects and patients with other neurological disorders. The levels of metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 mRNA were markedly reduced, whereas the expression of other subtypes (1b, 3, 8) was similar to control levels. Our findings may provide a reliable peripheral marker of the glutamatergic dysfunction that characterizes ALS. Ann Neurol 2006
Cardiac pathology in status epilepticus
Authors: Manno Edward M. , Pfeifer Eric A. , Cascino Gregory D. , Noe Katherine H. , Wijdicks Eelco F. M.
Published: October 2005

Massive catecholamine release resulting in the formation of cardiac contraction bands may represent the cause of death in status epilepticus (SE). We reviewed the cardiac pathology of patients who died during SE to asses for contraction bands. Eight of 11 patients who died during SE had identifiable myocardial contraction bands compared with 5 of 22 control patients (p < 0.05, Fisher's exact t test). These findings delineate a pathological substrate and provide compelling evidence that excessive catecholamine release is the mechanism responsible for death in SE. Ann Neurol 2005
Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use and the risk for Parkinson's disease
Authors: Chen Honglei , Jacobs Eric , Schwarzschild Michael A. , McCullough Marjorie L. , Calle Eugenia E. , Thun Michael J. , Ascherio Alberto
Published: October 2005

We investigated whether nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use was associated with a lower risk for Parkinson's disease (PD) in a large cohort of US men and women. PD risk was lower among ibuprofen users than nonusers. Compared with nonusers, the relative risks were 0.73 for users of fewer than 2 tablets/week, 0.72 for 2 to 6.9 tablets/week, and 0.62 for 1 or more tablets/day (p trend = 0.03). No association was found between the use of aspirin, other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, or acetaminophen and PD risk. The results suggest that ibuprofen use may delay or prevent the onset of PD. Ann Neurol 2005
Altered plasticity of the human motor cortex in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Ueki Yoshino , Mima Tatsuya , Ali Kotb Mamdouh , Sawada Hideyuki , Saiki Hidemoto , Ikeda Akio , Begum Tahamina , Reza Faruque , Nagamine Takashi , Fukuyama Hidenao
Published: October 2005

Interventional paired associative stimulation (IPAS) to the contralateral peripheral nerve and cerebral cortex can enhance the primary motor cortex (M1) excitability with two synchronously arriving inputs. This study investigated whether dopamine contributed to the associative long‐term potentiation–like effect in the M1 in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Eighteen right‐handed PD patients and 11 right‐handed age‐matched healthy volunteers were studied. All patients were studied after 12 hours off medication with levodopa replacement (PD‐off). Ten patients were also evaluated after medication (PD‐on). The IPAS comprised a single electric stimulus to the right median nerve at the wrist and subsequent transcranial magnetic stimulation of the left M1 with an interstimulus interval of 25 milliseconds (240 paired stimuli every 5 seconds for 20 minutes). The motor‐evoked potential amplitude in the right abductor pollicis brevis muscle was increased by IPAS in healthy volunteers, but not in PD patients. IPAS did not affect the motor‐evoked potential amplitude in the left abductor pollicis brevis. The ratio of the motor‐evoked potential amplitude before and after IPAS in PD‐off patients increased after dopamine replacement. Thus, dopamine might modulate cortical plasticity in the human M1, which could be related to higher order motor control, including motor learning. Ann Neurol 2006
Complexation with chondroitin sulfate C and Polybrene rapidly purifies retrovirus from inhibitors of transduction and substantially enhances gene transfer
Authors: Landázuri Natalia , Le Doux Joseph M.
Published: October 2005

Using amphotropic retrovirus stocks produced by TELCeB6‐A cells that encode the Escherichia coli lacZ gene, we found that complexation with chondroitin sulfate C (CSC) and Polybrene (PB) is an effective means to purify retrovirus. Virus stocks contained high levels of inhibitory activity that blocked amphotropic, but not ecotropic, retrovirus transduction. When virus stocks were brought to 80 µg/mL each of CSC and PB, complexes of CSC and PB formed. These complexes incorporated more than 70% of the virus particles but less than 0.4% of all other proteins and no detectable inhibitory activity. Purified virus transduced NIH 3T3 murine fibroblasts 21 to 186‐fold more efficiently than virus that was not purified. In addition, virus purification significantly altered the dose response of transduction. When virus that had not been purified was used to transduce cells, the relationship between transduction and virus concentration was highly non‐linear. In contrast, when purified virus was used, transduction increased monotonically and was linearly proportional to virus concentration, except when high doses of virus were used. Interestingly, when high doses of virus were used gene transfer reached a maximum plateau level, most likely because particle‐associated amphotropic envelope proteins had saturated the cellular receptors for the virus. Our findings illustrate that retrovirus purification increases the maximum number of genes that can be transferred, reduces the amount of virus required to achieve a given level of gene transfer, and reduces uncertainties about the relationship between the amount of virus used and the number of genes transferred. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, inc.
Randomized clinical trial of multimodal optimization of surgical care in patients undergoing major colonic resection
Authors: Gatt M , Anderson A D G , Reddy B S , Hayward-Sampson P , Tring I C , MacFie J
Published: October 2005

Background

The aim of this trial was to compare multimodal optimization with conventional perioperative management in a consecutive series of patients undergoing a wide range of colorectal procedures.

Methods

Thirty-nine patients undergoing major elective colonic resection were recruited prospectively. Patients were randomized to receive a ten-point multimodal optimization package or conventional perioperative care. All patients were administered epidural analgesia and opiates were avoided. Outcome measures recorded related to length of hospital stay, physical and mental function, and gut function.

Results

Optimization was associated with a significantly shorter median (interquartile range) hospital stay compared with conventional care (5 (4–9) versus 7·5 (6–10) days; P = 0·027). Duration of catheterization (P = 0·022) and duration of intravenous infusion (P = 0·007) were also less. Optimization was associated with a quicker recovery of gut function (P = 0·042). Grip strength was maintained in the postoperative period in the optimized group (P = 0·241) but not in the control group (P = 0·049). There were no differences in morbidity or mortality between the groups.

Conclusion

Optimization is safe and results in a significant reduction in postoperative stay along with other improved endpoints. This cannot be directly attributed to improvement in any single outcome measure or to the use of epidural analgesia. Improvements are more likely to be multifactorial and may relate to an earlier return of gut function.
Treatment of advanced endocrine gastroenteropancreatic tumours using radiolabelled somatostatin analogues
Authors: Van Eijck C H J
Published: October 2005

Magic bullets
Randomized trial of traditional dissection with electrocautery versus ultrasonic fundus-first dissection in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Br J Surg 2005; 92: 810-813)
Authors: Decadt B
Published: October 2005

The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in the Journal. Responses can be sent electronically via the BJS website (www.bjs.co.uk) or by post. All letters will be reviewed and, if approved, appear on the website. A selection of these will be edited and published in the Journal. Letters must be no more than 250 words in length. Letters submitted by post should be typed on A4-sized paper in double spacing and should be accompanied by a disk.
Low‐Pressure Pyrolysis oftBu2SO: Synthesis and IR Spectroscopic Detection of HSOH
Authors: Beckers Helmut , Esser Simone , Metzroth Thorsten , Behnke Markus , Willner Helge , Gauss Jürgen , Hahn Josef
Published: October 2005

Sulfenic acid (HSOH,1) has been synthesized in the gas‐phase by low‐pressure high‐temperature (1150 °C) pyrolysis of di‐tert‐butyl sulfoxide (tBu2SO,2) and characterized by means of matrix isolation and gas‐phase IR spectroscopy. High‐level coupled‐cluster (CC) calculations (CCSD(T)/cc‐pVTZ and CCSD(T)/cc‐pVQZ) support the first identification of the gas‐phase IR spectrum of1and enable its spectral characterization. Five of the six vibrational fundamentals of matrix‐isolated1have been assigned, and its rotational‐resolved gas‐phase IR spectrum provides additional information on the O–H and S–H stretching fundamentals. Investigations of the pyrolysis reaction by mass spectrometry, matrix isolation, and gas‐phase FT‐IR spectroscopy reveal that, up to 500 °C,2decomposes selectively intotert‐butylsulfenic acid, (tBuSOH,3), and 2‐methylpropene. The formation of the isomeric sulfoxide (tBu(H)SO,3 a) has been excluded. Transient3has been characterized by a comprehensive matrix and gas‐phase vibrational IR study guided by the predicted vibrational spectrum calculated at the density functional theory (DFT) level (B3LYP/6‐311+G(2d,p)). At higher temperatures, the intramolecular decomposition of3, monitored by matrix IR spectroscopy, yields short‐lived1along with 2‐methylpropene, but also H2O, and most probably sulfur atoms. In addition, HSSOH (6), H2, and S2O are found among the final pyrolysis products observed at 1150 °C in the gas phase owing to competing intra‐ and intermolecular decomposition routes of3. The decomposition routes of the starting compound2and of the primary intermediate3are discussed on the basis of experimental results and a computational study performed at the B3LYP/6‐311G* and second‐order Møller–Plesset (MP2/6‐311G* and RI‐MP2/QZVPP) levels of theory.
Amplification of Bifunctional Ligands for Calmodulin from a Dynamic Combinatorial Library
Authors: Milanesi Lilia , Hunter Christopher A. , Sedelnikova Svetlana E. , Waltho Jonathan P.
Published: October 2005

A well known strategy to prepare high affinity ligands for a biological receptor is to link together low affinity ligands. DCC (dynamic combinatorial chemistry) was used to select bifunctional protein ligands with high affinity relative to the corresponding monofunctional ligands. Thiol to disulfide linkage generated a small dynamic library of bifunctional ligands in the presence of calmodulin, a protein with two independently mobile domains. The binding constant of the bifunctional ligand (disulfide) most amplified by the presence of calmodulin is nearly two orders of magnitude higher than that of the corresponding monofunctional ligand (thiol).
Assembly of a Tetrathiafulvalene–Anthracene Dyad on the Surfaces of Gold Nanoparticles: Tuning the Excited‐State Properties of the Anthracene Unit in the Dyad
Authors: Zhang Guanxin , Zhang Deqing , Zhao Xiaohui , Ai Xicheng , Zhang Jianping , Zhu Daoben
Published: October 2005

Due to the unique features of the tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) unit, such as the electron‐donating ability and presence of methylthio groups, dyad 1 can be assembled on the surfaces of gold nanoparticles, as indicated by absorption, electrochemical, and fluorescent‐spectral studies. Dyad 1 can also be disassembled by the addition of thiols. Assembly of dyad 1 on the surfaces of gold nanoparticles leads to the formation of a triad (A1‐D‐A2), which in turn modulates the photoinduced electron‐transfer process within dyad 1. Accordingly, the fluorescence intensity of dyad 1, after assembly with gold nanoparticles, increases, and the fluorescence lifetime is prolonged. Furthermore, the assembly of dyad 1 on gold nanoparticles facilitates photodimerization of the anthracene units of dyad 1. Both fluorescence and photodimerization are associated with the excited‐state behavior of the anthracene unit, thus it may be concluded that the excited‐state properties of the anthracene unit can be tuned upon complexation with gold nanoparticles.
ShanghaiGrid: an Information Service Grid
Authors: Li Minglu , Wu Min‐You , Li Ying , Cao Jian , Huang Linpeng , Deng Qianni , Lin Xinhua , Jiang Changjun , Tong Weiqin , Gui Yadong , Zhou Aoying , Wu Xinhong , Jiang Shui
Published: October 2005

The goal of the ShanghaiGrid is to provide information services to the people. It aims to construct a metropolitan‐area information service infrastructure and establish an open standard for widespread upper‐layer applications from both communities and the government. The Information Service Grid Toolkit and a typical application called the Traffic Information Grid are discussed in detail. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
JAC: declarative Java concurrency
Authors: Haustein Max , Löhr Klaus‐Peter
Published: October 2005

The Java programming language has a low‐level concurrency model which is hard to use and does not blend well with inheritance. JACis an extension of Java that introduces a higher level of concurrency, hiding threads and separating thread synchronization from application logic in a declarative fashion. The emphasis is on limiting the differences between sequential and concurrent code, thus furthering code reuse, and on avoiding inheritance anomalies. This is achieved by taking a middle road between concurrent code on the one hand and complete separation of sequential application logic from concurrency mechanisms on the other. An extensive comparison with related approaches is given for motivating our design decisions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Applying fuzzy logic and genetic algorithms to enhance the efficacy of the PID controller in buffer overflow elimination for better channel response timeliness over the Internet
Authors: Lin Wilfred W. K. , Wong Allan K. Y. , Wu Richard S. L.
Published: October 2005

In this paper two novel intelligent buffer overflow controllers: thefuzzy logic controller(FLC) and thegenetic algorithm controller(GAC) are proposed. In the FLC the extant algorithmic PID controller (PIDC) model, which combines theproportional(P),derivative(D) andintegral(I) control elements, is augmented with fuzzy logic for higher control precision. The fuzzy logic divides the PIDC control domain into finer control regions. Every region is then defined either by a fuzzy rule or a ‘don't care’ state. The GAC combines the PIDC model with the genetic algorithm, which manipulates the parametric values of the PIDC as genes in a chromosome. The FLC and GAC operations are based on the objective function$\{0,\Delta\}^2$. The principle is that the controller should adaptively maintain the safety margin$\Delta$around the chosen reference point (represent by the ‘0’ of$\{0,\Delta\}^2$) at runtime. The preliminary experimental results for the FLC and GAC prototypes indicate that they are both more effective and precise than the PIDC. After repeated timing analyses with theIntel's VTune Performer Analyzer, it was confirmed that the FLC can better support real‐time computing than the GAC because of its shorter execution time and faster convergence without any buffer overflow. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluorescence in situ hybridization, comparative genomic hybridization, and other molecular biology techniques in the analysis of effusions
Authors: Reis‐Filho Jorge Sérgio , de Landér Schmitt Fernando Carlos
Published: October 2005

Over the last 20 yr, the introduction of immunocytochemistry as a diagnostic tool has dramatically revolutionized diagnostic pathology. With the introduction of molecular methods as part of the diagnostic armamentarium, the practicing pathologist is facing the new challenge of grasping novel concepts of the molecular cytogenetics era. Herein, we review the diagnostic contribution of ancillary molecular techniques, including fluorescent and chromogenic in situ hybridization, telomerase assays, loss of heterozygosity, comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and microarray‐based CGH, for the practicing cytopathologists and discuss how these techniques will help pathologists in decision‐making. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;33:294–299. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Malignant effusions are sources of fibronectin and other promigratory and proinvasive components
Authors: Kohn E.C. , Travers L.A. , Kassis J. , Broome U. , Klominek J.
Published: October 2005

Metastatic dissemination is the primary cause of death in ovarian cancer (OvCa) patients, and dissemination to pleural and peritoneal effusions is a common clinical event. Effusion samples were collected from 15 OvCa patients. Twenty‐six samples were collected prospectively, two were archival, and eight were taken from patients with other malignancies. Twenty‐nine samples were from malignant ascites, and seven specimens were pleural fluids. In addition, six ascites and two pleural fluids from noncancer patients were studied as effusion controls. Effusion supernatants were tested for migration‐stimulation activity, using A2058 human melanoma cells as the index responder cell. Malignant samples induced a 400–1200% increase in migration. Sixty percent of the migration was inhibited by incubation of the malignant fluid with antifibronectin (FN) antibody, in contrast to 75% inhibition of control fluid‐stimulated migration (P = 0.017). Gelatin zymography and Western blot analyses showed that latent and activated MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 collagenases, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase‐2 (TIMP‐2) were present in all malignant fluids. Serial samples were taken from several patients, and a trend for correlation between MMPs and clinical behavior of the tumors was shown. Free TIMP‐2 correlated with CA‐125 levels in two patients for whom serial samples were available. The demonstration of promigratory and proinvasive activity in malignant effusions is consistent with their association with other metastatic disease in OvCa patients and their function as a haven for metastatic cells. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;33:300–308. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The expression pattern of β‐catenin in mesothelial proliferative lesions and its diagnostic utilities
Authors: Dai Yiran , Bedrossian Carlos W.M. , Michael Claire W.
Published: October 2005

β‐Catenin is a component of the E‐cadherin‐catenin cell adhesion complex. It plays an important role in the Wnt/wg pathway, which conveys critical signals for cell proliferation and transformation. The β‐catenin mutation is an important event in the progression of a number of malignancies. In this study, we evaluated the immunohistochemical (IHC) pattern of β‐catenin in a spectrum of mesothelial lesions. Sixty‐five formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded blocks from 54 serous effusions and 11 pleural biopsies were examined. These cases consisted of 33 invasive mesotheliomas, 9 early mesotheliomas (with negative radiologic finding), so‐called mesotheliomas in situ, and 23 reactive mesothelial proliferations. A distinct membranous and/or submembranous staining pattern was seen in 23 cases with normal and reactive mesothelium. In contrast, reduced membranous and/or submembranous antibody staining and markedly increased ectopic cytoplasmic and nuclear staining was seen in 26 cases of 33 mesotheliomas. Seven of 9 early mesotheliomas showed increased ectopic cytoplasmic and/or nuclear stain. On the basis of our findings, identification of β‐catenin staining pattern offers a useful marker in the diagnosis of mesothelial lesions and may help identify neoplastic change. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;33:320–324. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative analysis of integrin expression in effusions using flow cytometric immunophenotyping
Authors: Sigstad Eva , Dong Hiep Phuc , Nielsen Søren , Berner Aasmund , Davidson Ben , Risberg Björn
Published: October 2005

We have previously shown that flow cytometric (FCM) immunophenotyping is a useful adjunct to morphology, in the diagnosis of serous effusions. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the possible application of FCM to quantitative analysis of adhesion molecule expression in this clinical setting. Fresh frozen cells from 67 effusions underwent quantitative analysis of αV, α6, β1, and β3 integrin subunit expression, using FCM. Specimens were diagnosed as carcinoma (n = 48), reactive (n = 12), or malignant mesothelioma (MM; n = 7) using morphology and, in selected cases, immunocytochemistry prior to FCM analysis. Antibodies against established epithelial, lymphoid, and mesothelial cell epitopes (Ber‐EP4, anti‐epithelial membrane antigen; (EMA), anti‐CD45, anti‐CD14, and anti‐CD15) completed the panel. Results (percentage of cells expressing the antigen) were analyzed for relationship with the morphologic diagnosis. Frequent expression of the αV, α6, and β1 subunits was seen in all diagnostic groups, with significantly higher expression of the α6 subunit in MM (P = 0.029, Kruskal‐Wallis H test). The β3 integrin subunit was not detected in any of the specimens. Ber‐EP4 and CD15 expression was significantly higher in carcinomas compared with reactive effusions and MM (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, Kruskal‐Wallis H test), and EMA expression was higher in carcinomas and MM, compared with reactive specimens (P < 0.001, Kruskal‐Wallis H test). In conclusion, FCM is an efficient tool for quantitative analysis of adhesion molecules in effusions. The high α6 integrin subunit expression in MM suggests involvement of this receptor in tumor attachment to laminin. The frequent expression of the αV and β1 subunits support attachment to fibronectin and vitronectin as the major ECM ligands in body cavities. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;33:325–331. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cost‐effectiveness of liquid‐based cytology with or without hybrid‐capture II HPV test compared with conventional Pap smears: A study by the French society of clinical cytology
Authors: Cochand‐Priollet Béatrix , Cartier Isabelle , de Cremoux Patricia , Le Galès Catherine , Ziol Marianne , Molinié Vincent , Petitjean Alain , Dosda Anne , Merea Estelle , Biaggi Annonciade , Gouget Isabelle , Arkwright Sylviane , Vacher‐Lavenu Marie‐Cécile , Vielh Philippe , Coste Joël
Published: October 2005

Many articles concerning conventional Pap smears, ThinPrep® liquid‐based cytology (LBC) and Hybrid‐Capture II HPV test (HC II) have been published. This study, carried out by the French Society of Clinical Cytology, may be conspicuous for several reasons: it was financially independent; it compared the efficiency of the conventional Pap smear and LBC, of the conventional Pap smear and HC II, and included an economic study based on real costs; for all the women, a “gold standard” reference method, colposcopy, was available and biopsies were performed whenever a lesion was detected; The conventional Pap smear, the LBC (split‐sample technique), the colposcopy, and the biopsies were done at the same time. This study included 2,585 women shared into two groups: a group A of a high‐risk population, a group B of a screening population. The statistical analysis of the results showed that conventional Pap smears consistently had superior or equivalent sensitivity and specificity than LBC for the lesions at threshold CIN‐I (Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia) or CIN‐II or higher. It underlined the low specificity of the HC II. Finally, the LBC mean cost was never covered by the Social Security tariff. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;33:338–343. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Terms without borders: An international approach to terminology
Authors: Herbert Dr. Amanda
Published: October 2005

This article describes the similarities between different terminological systems for reporting the spectrum of abnormalities that comprise pre‐cancerous, malignant and equivocal cellular changes in epithelial cells of the uterine cervix. In particular, the new terminology proposed by the British Society for Clinical Cytology (BSCC) is closely aligned with the Bethesda system (TBS) as modified in 2001. Both make a clear distinction between high‐grade and low‐grade intraepithelial abnormalities and identify certain categories of atypical or borderline changes that are suspicious for high‐grade abnormalities. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;33:352–355. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential expression of the 67 kilodalton laminin receptor in epithelioid malignant mesothelioma and carcinomas that spread to serosal cavities
Authors: Reich Reuven , Vintman Lina , Nielsen Søren , Kærn Janne , Bedrossian Carlos , Berner Aasmund , Davidson Ben
Published: October 2005

Expression of the 67‐kd laminin receptor (67‐kd LR) has been reported in a wide range of carcinomas, in many of which it correlated with poor differentiation, metastasis, disease progression, and poor survival. Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a locally aggressive and highly lethal tumor of serosal cavities that is rarely associated with clinically detectable metastasis to distant organs. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of the 67‐kd LR in epithelioid MM and carcinomas in effusions. Effusions from patients diagnosed with ovarian (=24) and breast (=38) adenocarcinomas and MM (=24) (total = 86) were analyzed for 67‐kd LR protein expression, using immunocytochemistry. The 67‐kd LR mRNA expression was additionally analyzed in 21 MM effusions using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). Protein expression of the 67‐kd LR was frequently detected in carcinomas (19/24 ovarian tumors, 79%; 15/38 breast tumors, 39%), but was rare in MM (2/24 cases, 8%), despite the presence of mRNA transcripts for the receptor in all 21 specimens studied using RT‐PCR. Nine benign effusions that were additionally studied for protein expression were uniformly negative, as were all reactive mesothelial cells in malignant effusions. Our results suggest that the 67‐kd LR may aid in the differential diagnosis between metastatic carcinoma, mainly of ovarian origin, and MM. They additionally suggest that the failure of MM to express the 67‐kd LR protein, as opposed to the frequent expression in carcinomas with proven metastatic capacity, may be one of the factors contributing to the reduced ability of the former tumor to metastasize to distant organs. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;33:332–337. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis, Structure and Characterisation of a New Trinuclear Di‐μ‐phenolato‐μ‐carboxylato MnIIIMnIIMnIII Complex with a Bulky Pentadentate Ligand: Chemical Access to Mononuclear MnIV–OH Entities
Authors: Hureau Christelle , Anxolabéhère‐Mallart Elodie , Blondin Geneviève , Rivière Eric , Nierlich Martine
Published: October 2005

A new trinuclear MnIIIMnIIMnIII complex has been isolated and X‐ray characterised, namely [(py‐salpn)MnIII(μ‐OAc)MnII(μ‐OAc)MnIII(py‐salpn)]2+ (1), where H2py‐salpn is the new bulky [N3O2] ligand derived from the H2salpn Schiff base by the addition of one pyridine arm and the reduction of the imine function. The crystal structure reveals that the complex has a strictly 180° MnIII···MnII···MnIII angle, the MnII ion being located at an inversion centre. The complex is valence‐trapped, with the terminal MnIII ions showing a Jahn–Teller elongation along the pyridine–MnIII–acetate axis. The MnII···MnIII separation is 3.1224(13) Å. The EPR spectra recorded on solid and frozen solutions are consistent with an MnIIIMnIIMnIII species. The electrochemical response of complex 1 in acetonitrile solution exhibits two, one‐electron reduction waves at E1/2 = 0.140 and –0.075 V vs. SCE.Phenolato and acetato→MnIII ligand‐to‐metal charge‐transfer transitions are detected by UV/Visible spectroscopy at 359 and 587 nm, respectively. Chemical oxidation of an acetonitrile solution with tert‐butyl hydroperoxide leads to mononuclear MnIV–hydroxo species, as evidenced by UV/Visible and EPR spectroscopy as well as ESI mass spectrometry.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Asymmetric Michael Reactions on Polymeric Support: Auxiliary Immobilization and Stereoselective Construction of Quaternary Stereocenters
Authors: Kreidler Burkard , Baro Angelika , Christoffers Jens
Published: October 2005

Several strategies for the immobilization of a L‐valine‐derived auxiliary on a Merrifield resin and on poly(ethylene glycol) are reported. The latter is shown to work excellently in asymmetric copper(II)‐catalyzed Michael reactions of cyclic β‐oxo esters 2 with methyl vinyl ketone (4), yielding the corresponding addition products 5 with quaternary stereocenter in selectivities of 97–99 % ee. The PEG‐supported auxiliary 1d can be precipitated from diethyl ether solutions and reused. A sulfur‐containing β‐oxo ester 2c was prepared in 92 % yield by a DMAP‐catalyzed transesterification method in order to detect enamine formation on solid support. The sulfur content can be used as an additional parameter in combustion analysis and therefore, may act as a diagnostic probe for enamine formation. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Fluorine‐Flanked Congested Sites: Minimal, Though Perceptible Buttressing Effects on the Proton Mobility of Arenes
Authors: Heiss Christophe , Leroux Frédéric , Schlosser Manfred
Published: October 2005

(2,6‐Difluorophenyl)trimethylsilane, ‐triethylsilane and ‐triisopropylsilane undergo sec‐butyllithium‐mediated metalation at the 3‐ and 4‐position (ortho and meta relative to the halogen) in ratios of 99.6:0.4, 98:2 and 95:5, respectively. The steric pressure transmitted by the fluorine atoms can be increased if the trialkylsilyl group is locked up on the other side by a relatively voluminous substituent. Whereas (2,6‐difluorophenyl)triethylsilane is attacked by lithium 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidide under deprotonation of the 4‐ and 5‐position in a ratio of 99.4:0.6, the proportion of “ortho”/“meta” metalation changes to 84:16 when (2‐bromo‐6‐fluorophenyl)triethylsilane acts as the substrate. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Dynamic Combinatorial Thiolester Libraries for EfficientCatalytic Self‐Screening of Hydrolase Substrates
Authors: Larsson Rikard , Ramström Olof
Published: October 2005

Dynamic combinatorial thiolester libraries were efficiently generated from pools of thiols and acyl functionalities through reversible transthiolesterification in aqueous media at neutral pH. The dynamic features of the library generation were investigated, and the libraries were screened against acetylcholinesterase, clearly demonstrating the catalytic self‐screening of its substrates from the constituents. Acetyl‐ and propionylthiocholine were easily identified as the best substrates for the enzyme, whereas other constituents showed lower efficiency or were inactive. A range of hydrolases was furthermore screened for rapid substrate identification, clearly demonstrating the differences in selectivity. The results show that transthiolesterification is a useful method to generate dynamic libraries, and that the catalytic self‐screening concept is highly valuable for substrate identification. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Slippage in futures markets: Evidence from the Sydney Futures Exchange
Authors: Frino Alex , Oetomo Teddy
Published: October 2005

This article examines the market‐impact cost of trades executed in futures markets, which is commonly referred to as slippage. With the use of a unique data set provided by the Sydney Futures Exchange, this article documents that slippage costs incurred in executing packages of trades in stock‐index and interest‐rate futures markets are significantly smaller than market‐impact costs documented previously for equity markets. Furthermore, in contrast to research based on equity markets, there is little evidence that trade packages executed in futures markets convey information, or that purchases and sales behave differently. In fact, the evidence presented in this article implies that slippage in futures markets is entirely a liquidity cost, and symmetrical for purchases and sales. This is consistent with previous work, which conjectures that there is an absence of private information in stock‐index and interest‐rate futures markets. Finally, analogously to previous research, there is some evidence that trade size and the identity of traders are determinants of slippage; however, these variables explain less than 10% of the total variation in slippage. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 25:1129–1146, 2005
Structurally sound dynamic index futures hedging
Authors: Kofman Paul , McGlenchy Patrick
Published: October 2005

Portfolio managers use index futures for a variety of reasons. Regardless of their motivation, they will keep a close eye on the relation between the index futures returns and their stock‐portfolio returns. Whenever this relation is perceived to have changed, the manager will decide whether it is worthwhile to rebalance the index futures—portfolio mix accordingly. Exact measures as to when and how much rebalancing should occur have not yet been established. This article proposes a dynamic hedging algorithm based on a reverse order CUSUM‐squared (ROC) testing procedure, first discussed in M. H. Pesaran and A. Timmermann (2002). A comparison with standard alternatives (naïve, expanding, EWLS, and rolling estimation windows) finds limited improvements in hedging performance, both in‐ and out‐of‐sample. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 25:1173–1202, 2005
Information flows and option bid/ask spreads
Authors: Berchtold Fredrik , Nordén Lars
Published: October 2005

This study analyzes two types of information flows in financial markets. The first type represents return information, where informed investors know whether the stock price will increase or decrease. The second type is labeled volatility information, where the direction of the stock price is unknown, but informed investors know that the stock price either will increase or decrease. Both information flows are estimated within the GARCH framework, approximated with the use of Swedish OMX stockindex and options strangle return shocks, respectively. The results show significant conditional stock‐index and options strangle variance, although with notable differences. Stock‐index return shocks exhibit a high level of variance persistence and an asymmetric initial impact to the variance. Option strangle shocks have a relatively low persistence level, but a higher and more symmetric initial impact. A time‐series regression of call and put option bid/ask spreads is performed, relating the spreads to the information flows and other explanatory variables. The results show that call and put option bid/ask spreads are related to stock‐index and options strangle return shocks, as well as the conditional stock‐index variance. This is consistent with the view that market makers alter option spreads in response to return and volatility information flows, as well as the conditional stock‐index variance.© 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 25:1147–1172, 2005
Recovering market expectations of FOMC rate changes with options on federal funds futures
Authors: Carlson John B. , Craig Ben R. , Melick William R.
Published: October 2005

This article demonstrates how options on federal funds futures, which began trading in March 2003, can be used to recover the implied probability density function (PDF) for future Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) interest‐rate outcomes. The discrete nature of the choices made by the FOMC allows for a very straightforward recovery of the implied PDF using ordinary‐least‐squares (OLS) estimation. This simple recovery method stands in contrast to the relatively complicated PDF recovery techniques developed for options written on assets such as equities, foreign exchange, or commodity futures, where the underlying prices are most appropriately modeled as being drawn from continuous distributions. The OLS estimation is used to recover PDFs for single FOMC meetings as well as PDFs for joint estimation of multiple FOMC meetings, and allows for the imposition of restrictions on the recovered probabilities, both within and across FOMC meetings. Finally, recovered probabilities are used to assess the impact of data releases and Fed communication on the perceived likelihood of actual policy outcomes. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 25:1203–1242, 2005
Importance of tumor thickness and depth of invasion in nodal involvement and prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma: A review of the literature
Authors: Pentenero Monica , Gandolfo Sergio , Carrozzo Marco
Published: October 2005

Background.

Oral mucosa squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has locoregional evolution, with frequent neck involvement (the most important parameter for prognosis). There are still many doubts concerning the best way to approach N0 neck disease in early‐stage lesions (T1 and T2). Many parameters have been studied to identify N0 patients with a high likelihood of harboring occult node metastases or of having them develop.

Methods.

A review of the studies analyzing “tumor thickness”/“depth of invasion” in predicting regional metastases and survival was undertaken.

Results.

The literature suggests that “tumor thickness”/“depth of invasion” is a reliable parameter for predicting regional nodal involvement and survival in OSCC.

Conclusions.

Authors are in substantial agreement regarding the reliability of tumor thickness. The lack of comparable study groups, measurement techniques, and cut‐off values points to the need for further studies so as to reach a consensus and to develop therapy protocols that include tumor thickness. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 27: XXX–XXX, 2005
The effect of nimesulide, a selective cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitor, on Ets‐1 and Ets‐2 expression in head and neck cancer cell lines
Authors: Lamm Wolfgang , Vormittag Laurenz , Turhani Dritan , Erovic Boban M. , Czembirek Cornelia , Eder‐Czembirek Christina , Thurnher Dietmar
Published: October 2005

Background.

The protooncogenes Ets‐1 and Ets‐2 are involved in carcinogenesis of different tumors. Nimesulide, a selective cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitor, has antiproliferative effects on tumor cells. The question arises whether nimesulide influences Ets‐1 and Ets‐2 synthesis in head and neck tumors.

Methods.

Expression of Ets‐1 and Ets‐2 was analyzed in tumor tissues by immunohistochemistry. The influence of nimesulide and an extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor on cell proliferation of two head and neck cancer cell lines and Ets‐1 and Ets‐2 expression was determined by automated cell counting and Western blotting, respectively.

Results.

Immunohistochemistry showed a high expression of Ets‐1 and Ets‐2 in tumor tissues. In both cell lines, Ets‐1 and Ets‐2 expression were reduced after 24 and 48 hours by nimesulide.

Conclusion.

Both Ets‐1 and Ets‐2 are overexpressed in head and neck cancer specimens. Inhibition of Ets‐1 and Ets‐2 expression in head and neck cancer cell lines by nimesulide might explain the proapoptotic property of this COX‐2 inhibitor. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 27: XXX–XXX, 2005
c‐kit expression in adenoid cystic carcinoma does not have an impact on local or distant tumor recurrence
Authors: Aslan Deniz L. , Oprea Gabriela M. , Jagush Shanna M. , Gulbahce H. Evin , Adams George L. , Gaffney Patrick M. , Savik Kay , Pambuccian Stefan E.
Published: October 2005

Background.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a neoplasm with unpredictable behavior with frequent late relapses that lacks good prognostic indicators. c‐kit tyrosine kinase oncogene has recently been found to be expressed in ACC. The aim of this study is to correlate the expression of c‐kit in ACC with clinical follow‐up.

Methods.

Paraffin sections of 45 cases of ACC diagnosed during a 15‐year period were immunostained for c‐kit.

Results.

Seventy‐eight percent of tumors stained positive for c‐kit. Mean follow‐up time was 6 years. No degree/pattern of c‐kit expression correlated to local or distant tumor recurrence. However, there was a significant association between surgical margin involvement by tumor and cell membrane expression of c‐kit. Staining quality was not affected by storage time.

Conclusions.

Our results suggest that expression of c‐kit may not serve as a useful marker for predicting outcome in ACC, although they need to be confirmed in a larger patient population with longer clinical follow‐up. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 27: XXX–XXX, 2005