bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Central venous catheter and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacteremia in cancer patients
Authors: Boktour Maha , Hanna Hend , Ansari Shoaib , Bahna Boulos , Hachem Ray , Tarrand Jeffrey , Rolston Kenneth , Safdar Amar , Raad Issam
Published: March 2006

BACKGROUND

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bacteremia is frequently found in cancer patients. This study attempted to determine how often the catheters were the source of this infection and the risk factors associated with catheter‐related bacteremias.

METHODS

The microbiology records were retrospectively reviewed of all cancer patients having S. maltophilia bacteremia and indwelling central venous catheters seen between January 1998 and January 2004. In a multivariate analysis the patients' clinical characteristics, antimicrobial therapy, outcome, and source of bacteremia that were significantly associated with definite catheter‐related S. maltophilia bacteremia as opposed to secondary bacteremia were identified.

RESULTS

A total of 217 bacteremias were identified in 207 patients: 159 (73%) were primary catheter‐related (53 definite, 89 probable, and 17 possible), 11 (5%) were primary noncatheter‐related, and 47 (22%) were secondary. Multivariate analysis showed the following factors to be independently associated with definite catheter‐related bacteremias: 1) polymicrobial bacteremia (odds ratio [OR], 7.6; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.3–45.5); 2) no prior intensive care unit admission (OR, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.005–0.578); and 3) nonneutropenic status at onset (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.013–0.419). The response rate to appropriate antibiotics and catheter removal was 95% in the patients with definite catheter‐related bloodstream infections, compared with only 56% in the patients with secondary bacteremias (P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of the S. maltophilia bacteremias occurring in cancer patients with indwelling central venous catheters appear to be catheter‐related and are often polymicrobial. Catheter‐related S. maltophilia bacteremias occurred more frequently in noncritically ill, nonneutropenic patients, and prompt removal of the catheter was found to be associated with a better prognosis. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Differential expression of VEGF‐A and angiopoietins in cartilage tumors and regulation by interleukin‐1β
Authors: Kalinski Thomas , Krueger Sabine , Sel Saadettin , Werner Kerstin , Ropke Martin , Roessner Albert
Published: March 2006

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A and angiopoietin (Ang)‐1 and Ang‐2 are key factors in angiogenic signaling. In this study the expression of these factors was identified in cartilage tumors. As interleukin (IL)‐1β has been found to be an indispensable factor in angiogenic signaling, we further analyzed the effect of IL‐1β on the expression of VEGF‐A, Ang‐1, and Ang‐2 using a previously established cell culture model.

METHODS

Surgical specimens of enchondromas, conventional chondrosarcomas, and dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas were obtained from 72 patients. VEGF‐A, Ang‐1, and Ang‐2 mRNA expression was detected by conventional and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR). VEGF‐A expression was also detected by immunohistochemistry or Western blot.

RESULTS

Differential expression of VEGF‐A, Ang‐1, and Ang‐2 was clearly demonstrated in cartilage tumors. VEGF‐A expression was positively correlated with the tumor type. Higher VEGF‐A expression levels were detected in conventional chondrosarcomas Grades II and III (using a 3‐tier grading system) than in dedifferentiated chondrosarcomas (P < .05). A typical pattern of VEGF‐A isoforms was identified, including VEGF121, VEGF145, VEGF165, and VEGF189. Ang‐1 presented as a low‐level transcript with slightly elevated levels in chondrosarcomas (P < .05). Highly variable Ang‐2 expression levels were detected in solitary cases of conventional chondrosarcomas. IL‐1β regulated VEGF‐A and Ang‐1 expressions in a dose‐dependent manner. Whereas low IL‐1β concentrations increased VEGF‐A and Ang‐1 transcription, high IL‐1β concentrations had the opposite effect. IL‐1β did not activate Ang‐2 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

Angiogenic signaling in cartilage tumors is variable and at least partly regulable by IL‐1β. The findings are of therapeutic relevance, either as a desired effect or a side effect in medical treatment. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Complementary stripes of phospholipase Cβ3 and Cβ4 expression by Purkinje cell subsets in the mouse cerebellum
Authors: Sarna Justyna R. , Marzban Hassan , Watanabe Masahiko , Hawkes Richard
Published: March 2006

Transverse boundaries divide the cerebellar cortex into four transverse zones, and within each zone the cortex is further subdivided into a symmetrical array of parasagittal stripes. Several molecules believed to mediate long‐term depression at the parallel fiber–Purkinje cell synapse are known to be expressed in stripes. We have therefore explored the distributions of phospholipase Cβ3 and phospholipase Cβ4, key components in the transduction of type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor‐mediated responses. The data reveal that both phospholipase Cβ isotypes are expressed strongly in the mouse cerebellum in subsets of Purkinje cells. The two distributions are distinct and largely nonoverlapping. The pattern of phospholipase Cβ3 expression is unique, revealing stripes in three of the four transverse zones and a uniform distribution in the fourth. In contrast, phospholipase Cβ4 appears to be confined largely to the Purkinje cells that are phospholipase Cβ3‐negative. PLCβ3 is restricted to the zebrin II‐immunopositive Purkinje cell subset. Not all zebrin II‐immunoreactive Purkinje cells express PLCβ3: in lobules IX and X it is restricted to that zebrin II‐immunopositive subset that also expresses the small heat shock protein HSP25. PLCβ4 expression is restricted to, and coextensive with, the zebrin II‐immunonegative Purkinje cell subset. These nonoverlapping expression patterns suggest that long‐term depression may be manifested differently between cerebellar modules. J. Comp. Neurol. 496:303–313, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Projections of the second cervical dorsal root ganglion to the cochlear nucleus in rats
Authors: Zhan Xiping , Pongstaporn Tan , Ryugo David K.
Published: March 2006

Physiological, anatomical, and clinical data have demonstrated interactions between somatosensory and auditory brainstem structures. Spinal nerve projections influence auditory responses, although the nature of the pathway(s) is not known. To address this issue, we injected biotinylated dextran amine into the cochlear nucleus or dorsal root ganglion (DRG) at the second cervical segment (C2). Cochlear nucleus injections retrogradely labeled small ganglion cells in C2 DRG. C2 DRG injections produced anterograde labeling in the external cuneate nucleus, cuneate nucleus, nucleus X, central cervical nucleus, dorsal horn of upper cervical spinal segments, and cochlear nucleus. The terminal field in the cochlear nucleus was concentrated in the subpeduncular corner and lamina of the granule cell domain, where endings of various size and shapes appeared. Examination under an electron microscope revealed that the C2 DRG terminals contained numerous round synaptic vesicles and formed asymmetric synapses, implying depolarizing influences on the target cell. Labeled endings synapsed with the stalk of the primary dendrite of unipolar brush cells, distal dendrites of presumptive granule cells, and endings containing pleomorphic synaptic vesicles. These primary somatosensory projections contribute to circuits that are hypothesized to mediate integrative functions of hearing. J. Comp. Neurol. 496:335–348, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Multiple olfactory receptor neurons and their axonal projections in the antennal lobe of the honeybee Apis mellifera
Authors: Kelber Christina , Rössler Wolfgang , Kleineidam Christoph Johannes
Published: March 2006

The poreplate sensilla of honeybees are equipped with multiple olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), which innervate glomeruli of the antennal lobe (AL). We investigated the axonal projection pattern in glomeruli of the AL (glomerular pattern), formed by the multiple ORNs of individual poreplate sensilla. We used the different glomerular patterns to draw conclusions about the equipment of poreplate sensilla with different ORN types. ORNs of single poreplate sensilla were stained and analyzed by laser‐scanning confocal microscopy and 3D software (AMIRA). In 13 specimens we found between 7 and 23 ORNs. This is in accordance with data found in the literature (5–35 ORNs) suggesting that all ORNs of the single poreplate sensilla were stained. The ORNs innervate the AL via all four sensory tracts (T1–T4), and glomeruli of the anterior part of the AL are more often innervated. Each ORN innervates a single glomerulus (uniglomerular), and all ORNs of one poreplate sensillum project to different glomeruli. Visual inspection and individual identification of glomeruli, based on the honeybee digital AL atlas, were used to evaluate mapping of glomeruli by a rigid transformation of the experimental ALs onto a reference AL. ORNs belonging to individual poreplate sensilla form variable glomerular patterns, and we did not find a common organization of glomerular patterns. We conclude that poreplate sensilla are equipped with different ORN types but that the same ORN types can be found in different poreplate sensilla. The equipment of poreplate sensilla with ORNs is overlapping. The mapping of glomeruli by rigid transformation is revealed to be a powerful tool for comparative neuroanatomy. J. Comp. Neurol. 496:395–405, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunolocalization of the Ca2+‐activated K+ channel Slo1 in axons and nerve terminals of mammalian brain and cultured neurons
Authors: Misonou Hiroaki , Menegola Milena , Buchwalder Lynn , Park Eunice W. , Meredith Andrea , Rhodes Kenneth J. , Aldrich Richard W. , Trimmer James S.
Published: March 2006

Ca2+‐activated voltage‐dependent K+ channels (Slo1, KCa1.1, Maxi‐K, or BK channel) play a crucial role in controlling neuronal signaling by coupling channel activity to both membrane depolarization and intracellular Ca2+ signaling. In mammalian brain, immunolabeling experiments have shown staining for Slo1 channels predominantly localized to axons and presynaptic terminals of neurons. We have developed anti‐Slo1 mouse monoclonal antibodies that have been extensively characterized for specificity of staining against recombinant Slo1 in heterologous cells, and native Slo1 in mammalian brain, and definitively by the lack of detectable immunoreactivity against brain samples from Slo1 knockout mice. Here we provide precise immunolocalization of Slo1 in rat brain with one of these monoclonal antibodies and show that Slo1 is accumulated in axons and synaptic terminal zones associated with glutamatergic synapses in hippocampus and GABAergic synapses in cerebellum. By using cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons as a model system, we show that heterologously expressed Slo1 is initially targeted to the axonal surface membrane, and with further development in culture, become localized in presynaptic terminals. These studies provide new insights into the polarized localization of Slo1 channels in mammalian central neurons and provide further evidence for a key role in regulating neurotransmitter release in glutamatergic and GABAergic terminals. J. Comp. Neurol. 496:289–302, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification, physiological actions, and distribution of VYRKPPFNGSIFamide (Val1‐SIFamide) in the stomatogastric nervous system of the American lobster Homarus americanus
Authors: Christie Andrew E. , Stemmler Elizabeth A. , Peguero Braulio , Messinger Daniel I. , Provencher Heather L. , Scheerlinck Pieter , Hsu Yun‐Wei A. , Guiney Maureen E. , de la Iglesia Horacio O. , Dickinson Patsy S.
Published: March 2006

In this study, the peptide VYRKPPFNGSIFamide (Val1‐SIFamide) was identified in the stomatogastric nervous system (STNS) of the American lobster, Homarus americanus, using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐Fourier transform mass spectrometry (MALDI‐FTMS). When bath‐applied to the stomatogastric ganglion (STG), synthetic Val1‐SIFamide activated the pyloric motor pattern, increasing both burst amplitude and duration in the pyloric dilator (PD) neurons. To determine the distribution of this novel SIFamide isoform within the lobster STNS and neuroendocrine organs, a rabbit polyclonal antibody was generated against synthetic Val1‐SIFamide. Whole‐mount immunolabeling with this antibody showed that this peptide is widely distributed within the STNS, including extensive neuropil staining in the STG and commissural ganglia (CoGs) as well as immunopositive somata in the CoGs and the oesophageal ganglion. Labeling was also occasionally seen in the pericardial organ (PO), but not in the sinus gland. When present in the PO, labeling was restricted to fibers‐of‐passage and was never seen in release terminals. Adsorption of the antibody by either Val1‐SIFamide or Gly1‐SIFamide abolished all Val1‐SIFamide staining within the STNS, including the STG neuropil, whereas adsorption by other lobster neuropeptides had no effect on immunolabeling. These data strongly suggest that the staining we report is a true reflection of the distribution of this peptide in the STNS. Collectively, our mass spectrometric, physiological, and anatomical data are consistent with Val1‐SIFamide serving as a locally released neuromodulator in the lobster STG. Thus, our study provides the first direct demonstration of function for an SIFamide isoform in any species. J. Comp. Neurol. 496:406–421, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Architectonic organization of the inferior parietal convexity of the macaque monkey
Authors: Gregoriou Georgia G. , Borra Elena , Matelli Massimo , Luppino Giuseppe
Published: March 2006

The inferior parietal lobule (IPL) of the macaque monkey constitutes the largest part of Brodmann's area 7. Functional, connectional, and architectonic data have indicated that area 7 is comprised of several distinct sectors located in the lateral bank of the intraparietal sulcus and on the IPL cortical convexity. To date, however, attempts to parcellate the IPL based on architectonic criteria have been controversial, and correlation between anatomical and functional data has been inadequate. In the present study we aimed to determine the number and extent of cytoarchitectonically distinct areas occupying the IPL convexity. To this end, we studied the cytoarchitecture and myeloarchitecture of this region in 28 hemispheres of 17 macaque monkeys. Four distinct areas were identified at different rostrocaudal levels along the IPL convexity and were defined as PF, PFG, PG, and Opt, with area PF corresponding to the rostralmost area and area Opt to the caudalmost one. All areas extend dorsally up to the lateral bank of the intraparietal sulcus, for about 1–2 mm. Areas PF, PFG, and PG border ventrally on opercular areas, whereas area Opt extends ventrally into the dorsal bank of the superior temporal sulcus. Analysis of the distribution of SMI‐32 immunoreactivity confirmed the proposed parcellation scheme. Some additional connectional data showed that the four areas project in a differential way to the premotor cortex. The present data challenge the current widely used subdivision of the IPL convexity into two areas, confirming, but also extending the subdivision originally proposed by Pandya and Seltzer J. Comp. Neurol. 496:422–451, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis and synthesis of perturbed Duffing oscillators
Authors: Savov V. N. , Georgiev Zh. D. , Todorov T. G.
Published: March 2006

Analysis and synthesis of perturbed Duffing oscillators have been presented. The oscillations in such systems are regarded as limit cycles in perturbed Hamiltonian systems under polynomial perturbations of sixth degree and are analysed by using the Melnikov function. It has been proved that there exists a polynomial perturbation depending on the zeros of the Melnikov function so that the system considered can have either two simple limit cycles, or one limit cycle of multiplicity 2, or one simple limit cycle. A synthesis of such oscillators based on the Melnikov's theory has been proposed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Affect modulates appetite‐related brain activity to images of food
Authors: Killgore William D.S. , Yurgelun‐Todd Deborah A.
Published: March 2006

Objective:

We examined whether affect ratings predicted regional cerebral responses to high and low‐calorie foods.

Method:

Thirteen normal‐weight adult women viewed photographs of high and low‐calorie foods while undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Regression analysis was used to predict regional activation from positive and negative affect scores.

Results:

Positive and negative affect had different effects on several important appetite‐related regions depending on the calorie content of the food images. When viewing high‐calorie foods, positive affect was associated with increased activity in satiety‐related regions of the lateral orbitofrontal cortex, but when viewing low‐calorie foods, positive affect was associated with increased activity in hunger‐related regions including the medial orbitofrontal and insular cortex. The opposite pattern of activity was observed for negative affect.

Conclusion:

These findings suggest a neurobiologic substrate that may be involved in the commonly reported increase in cravings for calorie‐dense foods during heightened negative emotions. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
Do supplementary items on the eating disorder examination improve the assessment of adolescents with anorexia nervosa?
Authors: Couturier Jennifer L. , Lock James
Published: March 2006

Objective:

Given that adolescents with anorexia nervosa (AN) typically have lower scores on the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) than expected, the current study examined whether the inclusion of eight supplementary items developed by the authors of the EDE better captured the symptoms of adolescents with AN.

Method:

A dataset consisting of EDEs from 86 adolescents was examined by 3 primary methods: (1) baseline subscale scores were compared before and after the addition of the supplementary items, (2) the internal consistency of the EDE with the addition of these items was examined, and (3) each of these items was compared before and after treatment.

Results:

After the addition of the supplementary items, the Eating Concern and Weight Concern subscales were significantly increased, whereas the Restraint subscale was significantly decreased, and the Shape Concern subscale was unchanged. Internal consistency was improved on the Eating Concern, Weight Concern, and Shape Concern subscales, and was decreased on the Restraint subscale. Three of eight items showed a significant decrease with treatment.

Conclusion:

Although the addition of some of these eight supplementary items better captured the psychopathology of adolescents with AN, scores were still substantially below expected, indicating that the exploration of other methods of assessment is needed. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
5‐Substituted 4,5‐Dihydro‐1,2,4‐triazin‐3(2H)‐ones from the Unprecedented Reaction between α‐N‐Protected Amino Acid Hydrazides and NaBH4
Authors: Verardo Giancarlo , Geatti Paola , Merli Marcello , Strazzolini Paolo
Published: March 2006

α‐N‐Protected amino acid hydrazides (1) readily reacted with NaBH4 to afford 5‐substituted 4,5‐dihydro‐1,2,4‐triazin‐3(2H)‐one derivatives 2 in good yields. Unfortunately, the reaction caused partial racemization at the α‐amino acidic carbon atom of the starting hydrazide. A mechanism, supported by experimental evidence, has been proposed in an attempt to explain this to date unprecedented reaction. The structure of compounds 2 was confirmed by X‐ray structural analysis. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Oxidoreductases and Hydroxynitrilase Lyases: Complementary Enzymatic Technologies for Chiral Alcohols
Authors: Daußmann T. , Rosen T. C. , Dünkelmann P.
Published: March 2006

Biocatalytic processes are useful methods for the production of chiral intermediates. As an example, alcohol dehydrogenases are applied for the production of chiral alcohols by asymmetric reduction of prochiral ketones. From this class of enzymes alcohol dehydrogenase from Lactobacillus brevis will be described with respect to its industrial application. The process for the production of methyl (R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate using this enzyme is discussed in more detail. The application of alcohol dehydrogenases can be limited by the commercial availability of the starting material as, for instance, in the case of the synthesis of chiral α‐hydroxy acids. For these products asymmetric addition of hydrocyanic acid to aldehydes catalyzed by hydroxynitrile lyases such as (S)‐oxynitrilase from Manihot esculenta is a complementary approach. Also, this enzyme will be characterized in more detail with respect to its industrial production and application.
The nuances of being “non”: Evaluating nonformal education programs and settings
Authors: Norland Emma
Published: March 2006

Evaluation in nonformal education programs and settings must be framed within its special context—one that demands elasticity, transformation, and collaboration on the part of evaluators.
I need a bigger suitcase: The evaluator role in nonformal education
Authors: Wiltz L. Kate
Published: March 2006

This chapter details the wide variety of roles that an evaluator may need to play when evaluating nonformal education programs.
Evaluation of the Wonders in Nature–Wonders in Neighborhoods conservation education program: Stakeholders gone wild!
Authors: Somers Cindy
Published: March 2006

This chapter reviews the development of an evaluation system by focusing on the varied and intensive roles that stakeholders played throughout the creation of an entire evaluation process.
Evaluators as educators: Articulating program theory and building evaluation capacity
Authors: Monroe Martha C. , Fleming M. Lynette , Bowman Ruth A. , Zimmer Jeanne F. , Marcinkowski Tom , Washburn Julia , Mitchell Nora J.
Published: March 2006

This chapter recommends an educational role for evaluators in nonformal settings, including the development of program theory and long‐term evaluation capacity building.
Creative data collection in nonformal settings
Authors: Christensen Laurene , Nielsen Julie E. , Rogers Christopher M. , Volkov Boris
Published: March 2006

This chapter discusses four creative methods for addressing the special methodological challenges of nonformal education programs.
HBM functional imaging analysis contest data analysis in wavelet space
Authors: Aston John A.D. , Turkheimer Federico E. , Brett Matthew
Published: March 2006

An analysis of the Functional Imaging Analysis Contest (FIAC) data is presented using spatial wavelet processing. This technique allows the image to be filtered adaptively according to the data itself, rather than relying on a predetermined filter. This adaptive filtering leads to better estimation of the parameters and contrasts in terms of mean squared error. It will be shown that by introducing a slight bias into the estimation, a large reduction in the variance can be achieved, leading to better overall mean squared error estimates. As no single filter needs to be preselected, results containing many scales of information can be found. In the FIAC data, it is shown that both small‐scale and large‐scale (smoother, more dispersed) effects occur. The combination of small‐ and large‐scale effects detected in the FIAC data would be easy to miss using conventional single filter analysis. Hum Brain Mapp, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The effect of distance to provider on employee response to changes in mental health benefits
Authors: Lindrooth Richard C. , Lo Sasso Anthony T. , Lurie Ithai Z.
Published: March 2006

We assess whether distance to provider moderates the effect of a change in mental health benefits on treatment initiation of employees of a large US‐based company for psychiatric disorders. Mental health treatment administrative claims data plus eligibility information provided by a Fortune 50 company for the years 1995–1998 are used for the analysis. The effect of distance is measured using the relative effect of the initiative on residents living far from providers compared to those living close to providers. We model the probability of treatment initiation using a random effects logit specification. We find that the effect of distance to provider has the potential to over‐shadow other incentives to initiate treatment, especially at distances greater than 4 miles. These results lend further support to the notion that geographic dispersion of providers should be an important consideration when forming a selective contracting network. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New Monofunctionalized Fluorescein Derivatives for the Efficient High‐Throughput Screening of Lipases and Esterases in Aqueous Media
Authors: Yang Yongzheng , Babiak Peter , Reymond Jean‐Louis
Published: March 2006

Monoalkylation or acylation of fluorescein (1) with various acyloxymethyl or acyl halides afforded, respectively, a series of ether‐ (2) and ester‐functionalized (3) fluorogenic probes. The highly reactive and water‐soluble substrates release fluorescein (1) upon reaction with lipases and esterases within seconds or minutes, both under fully aqueous conditions or in the presence of DMSO (20%) as a co‐solvent. The most‐reactive substrates in the two series were the octanoic acid derivatives 2f (= 2‐{6‐[(octanoyloxy)methoxy]‐3‐oxo‐3H‐xanthen‐9‐yl}benzoic acid) and 3a (= 2‐[6‐(octanoyloxy)‐3‐oxo‐3H‐xanthen‐9‐yl]benzoic acid). Esterases were found to generally react faster under aqueous conditions, while lipases were more reactive in the presence of DMSO as a co‐solvent.
Temperature Influence on the Morphology and Roughness of Silver Deposit Formed by Cementation
Authors: Sulka Grzegorz D. , Jaskuła Marian
Published: March 2006

The morphology and surface roughness of silver deposits formed by cementation in 0.5M H2SO4 solution containing 0.5M CuSO4 was investigated at various temperatures. The influence of O2 on the morphology of deposited Ag on the Cu surface was studied in solutions containing 20 or 100 mg/dm3 initial Ag+. Surface‐height‐distribution diagrams were calculated from scanning‐electron‐microscopic (SEM) images. For the lower Ag+ concentration, the formation of granular deposits occurred in the presence of O2. In contrast, under anaerobic conditions, rather flat deposits with tiny Ag crystals were observed. For the higher Ag+ concentration, the presence of O2 did not significantly affect the morphology of the Ag deposit, but increasing temperature resulted in more‐compact and denser dendrites. Differences in the Ag‐deposit morphology and surface roughness were attributed to a different mechanism in the absence of O2. Under anaerobic conditions, a competitive reaction between Ag+ and Cu+ occurs in bulk solution, which consumes additional Ag+ ions. The SEM images and, especially, distribution diagrams of the surface height provided useful information on the formation and expansion of anodic sites on the Cu surface at various temperatures.
Regio‐ and Stereoselectivity in the Lewis Acid‐ and NaH‐Induced Reactions of Thiocamphor with (R)‐2‐Vinyloxirane
Authors: Fedorov Alexey , Fu Changchun , Heimgartner Heinz
Published: March 2006

The reaction of the enolizable thioketone (1R,4R)‐thiocamphor (= (1R,4R)‐1,7,7‐trimethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptane‐2‐thione; 1) with (R)‐2‐vinyloxirane (2) in the presence of a Lewis acid such as SnCl4 or SiO2 in anhydrous CH2Cl2 gave the spirocyclic 1,3‐oxathiolane 3 with the vinyl group at C(4′), as well as the isomeric enesulfanyl alcohol 4. In the case of SnCl4, an allylic alcohol 5 was obtained in low yield in addition to 3 and 4 (Scheme 2). Repetition of the reaction in the presence of ZnCl2 yielded two diastereoisomeric 4‐vinyl‐1,3‐oxathiolanes 3 and 7 together with an alcohol 4, and a ‘1 : 2 adduct’ 8 (Scheme 3). The reaction of 1 and 2 in the presence of NaH afforded regioselectively two enesulfanyl alcohols 4 and 9, which, in CDCl3, cyclized smoothly to give the corresponding spirocyclic 1,3‐oxathiolanes 3, 10, and 11, respectively (Scheme 4). In the presence of HCl, epimerization of 3 and 10 occurred to yield the corresponding epimers 7 and 11, respectively (Scheme 5). The thio‐Claisen rearrangement of 4 in boiling mesitylene led to the allylic alcohol 12, and the analogous [3,3]‐sigmatropic rearrangement of the intermediate xanthate 13, which was formed by treatment of the allylic alcohol 9 with CS2 and MeI under basic conditions, occurred already at room temperature to give the dithiocarbonate 14 (Schemes 6 and 7). The presented results show that the Lewis acid‐catalyzed as well as the NaH‐induced addition of (R)‐vinyloxirane (2) to the enolizable thiocamphor (1) proceeds stereoselectively via an SN2‐type mechanism, but with different regioselectivity.
Triterpenoid Saponins from Schefflera arboricola
Authors: Guo Fu‐Jiang , Chen Pin , Peng Shu‐Ying , Li Yuan‐Chao
Published: March 2006

Four new triterpenoid saponins, named scheffarboside A – D (1–4), along with five known saponins were isolated from the stems of Schefflera arboricola. The structures of the four new saponins were determined as 3‐O‐(O‐β‐glucuronopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐O‐α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐arabinopyranosyl)oleanolic acid (1), 3‐O‐(O‐α‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐O‐α‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐O‐α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐arabinopyranosyl)oleanolic acid (2), 3‐O‐(O‐α‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐O‐α‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐O‐α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐arabinopyranosyl)hederagenin (3), 3‐O‐(O‐α‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐O‐α‐arabinopyranosyl‐(1 → 3)‐O‐α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 2)‐α‐arabinopyranosyl)oleanolic acid O‐α‐rhamnopyranosyl‐(1 → 4)‐O‐β‐glucopyranosyl‐(1 → 6)‐β‐glucopyranosylester (4), respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical degradation methods.
Synthesis of Optically Active, Cyclic α‐Hydroxy Ketones and 1,2‐Diketones from Verbenone Epoxide
Authors: Il'ina Irina V. , Volcho Konstantin P. , Korchagina Dina V. , Barkhash Vladimir A. , Salakhutdinov Nariman F.
Published: March 2006

The reactivity of verbenone epoxide (5), a terpenoid from the pinane series, towards different aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes in the presence of natural montmorillonite (askanite–bentonite) clay has been studied. A series of mechanistically different transformations afforded a number of new, optically active, polyfunctional compounds (7, 8, 10–14, 16). These products are potentially interesting synthons in asymmetric synthesis.
Three New Indole Alkaloids from the Leaves of Kopsia officinalis
Authors: Zhou Hua , He Hong‐Ping , Kong Ning‐Chuan , Wang Yue‐Hu , Liu Xiang‐Dong , Hao Xiao‐Jiang
Published: March 2006

Three new indole alkaloids, 11,12‐de(methylenedioxy)danuphylline (1), methyl (2β,11β,12β,19α)‐6,7‐didehydro‐8,21‐dioxo‐11,21‐cycloaspidospermidine‐2‐carboxylate (2), and (2β,5β)‐aspidofractinin‐16‐ol (3) were isolated from Kopsia officinalis, together with 16 known compounds. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. The isolated known compound (−)‐12‐methoxykopsinaline displayed antimanic effects in Drosophila, with an IC50 value of 12.5 μg/ml.
Practical Stereo‐ and Regioselective, Copper(I)‐Promoted Strecker Synthesis of Sugar‐Modified α,β‐Unsaturated Imines
Authors: Zhou Guobin , Zheng Weixin , Wang Dong , Zhang Pengfei , Pan Yuanjiang
Published: March 2006

The regio‐ and stereoselective, Lewis acid catalyzed Strecker reaction between Me3SiCN and different aldimines incorporating a 2,3,4,6‐tetrakis‐O‐pivaloyl‐D‐glucopyranosyl (Piv4Glc) chiral auxiliary has been worked out. Depending on the conditions used, high yields (up to 95%) and good diastereoselectivities (de > 86%) were achieved under mild conditions (Table 1), especially with CuBr ⋅ Me2S as catalyst. Our protocol allows the ready preparation of asymmetric β,γ‐unsaturated α‐amino acids such as (R)‐2‐amino‐4‐phenylbut‐3‐enoic acid (13; Scheme 2) and congeners thereof.
Three New Polyketide Metabolites from the Endophytic Fungal Strain Cladosporium tenuissimum LR463 of Maytenus hookeri
Authors: Dai Huan‐Qin , Kang Qian‐Jin , Li Guo‐Hong , Shen Yue‐Mao
Published: March 2006

Three new polyketide metabolites, the twelve‐membered macrolides (6R,12S)‐6‐hydroxy‐12‐methyloxacyclodoecane‐2,5‐dione (1), (10S,12S)‐10‐hydroxy‐12‐methyloxacyclododecane‐2,5‐dione (2), and 4,5‐dihydroxy‐12‐methyloxacyclododecan‐2‐one (3), were isolated from the endophytic fungal strain Cladosporium tenuissimum LR463 of Maytenus hookeri, together with three known compounds, cladospolide A, cladospolide B, and isocladospolide B. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments, and the absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were determined by the Mosher ester method.
Terpenoids from Eupatorium fortuneiTurcz
Authors: Jiang Hai‐Xia , Li Ya , Pan Jing , Gao Kun
Published: March 2006

Four new terpenoids, namely, rel‐(1R,2S,3R,4R,6S)‐p‐menthane‐1,2,3,6‐tetrol (1), rel‐(1R,2R,3R,4S,6S)‐p‐menthane‐1,2,3,6‐tetrol (2), 9‐hydroxythymol 3‐O‐angelate (3), and (3β,20R)‐20‐hydroxylanost‐25‐en‐3‐yl palmitate (4), together with fourteen known compounds, were isolated from the AcOEt part of the MeOH extracts of Eupatorium fortunei. In addition, two other monoterpenoids, ‘acetone thymol‐8,9‐diyl ketal’ (19) and 8‐methoxy‐9‐hydroxythymol 3‐O‐angelate (20) were also obtained which were probably artifacts but have never been reported in the literature. The structures of the new compounds, including their relative configurations, were established by an extensive study of their spectral data, especially 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR. The cytotoxic activity of the new compounds against human hepatoma (SMMC‐7721), human leukemia (HL‐60), and human hepatocyte (LO2) cells was investigated.
ALDH2 genotype‐associated differences in the acute effects of alcohol on P300, psychomotor performance, and subjective response in healthy young Korean men: a double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover study
Authors: Shin Hee‐Young , Shin Il‐Seon , Yoon Jin‐Sang
Published: March 2006

Background

This study investigated the acute effects of alcohol on neurophysiological and psychomotor functions and the subjective response in healthy young Korean men according to the mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) genotype.

Method

A total of 24 males, half with ALDH2*1/*1 (active form) and the rest with ALDH2*1/*2 (inactive form), were selected through genotyping. In a double‐blind placebo‐controlled crossover design, each subject consumed either a 0.5 g/kg dose of alcohol or a placebo on two separate occasions, 1 week apart. The blood alcohol concentrations (BACs), P300 of event‐related potential, psychomotor performance, and perceived feelings were assessed.

Results

Although the BACs were similar between the two groups, the effects of alcohol on P300 were greater overall in subjects with ALDH2*1/*2 than in subjects with ALDH2*1/*1. Psychomotor performance was more impaired after alcohol ingestion in subjects with ALDH2*1/*2 than in subjects with ALDH2*1/*1. The subjective response after alcohol ingestion was more negative in subjects with ALDH2*1/*2, compared to subjects with ALDH2*1/*1.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the ALDH2 polymorphism is an important factor in determining the effects of alcohol on various psychobehavioral functions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyclooxygenase‐2 (cox‐2) expression is an independent predictor of prostate cancer recurrence
Authors: Cohen Brian L. , Gomez Pablo , Omori Yohei , Duncan Robert C. , Civantos Francisco , Soloway Mark S. , Lokeshwar Vinata B. , Lokeshwar Bal L.
Published: March 2006

Lack of reliable prognostic markers hinders accurate prediction of disease progression in prostate cancer. The inducible proinflammatory enzyme cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) is implicated in prostate carcinogenesis, but its role in cancer progression is less clear. We examined whether COX‐2 expression evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in radical prostatectomy (RP) specimens can predict biochemical recurrence. Archival prostate cancer specimens (n = 60) were obtained from patients who underwent RP, but had not received neoadjuvant hormonal therapy. Twenty‐three patients had biochemical or clinical recurrence (mean time of recurrence: 38.2 months), and 37 patients were recurrence free (mean follow‐up: 95 months). COX‐2 expression was determined by IHC, using an anti‐COX‐2 antibody. Three individuals scored the staining independently, as high‐ or low‐expression. COX‐2 was expressed in prostate cancer cells, in adjacent normal glands and in specimens from patients who later progressed. At 62‐months follow‐up, COX‐2 staining predicted progression with 82.4% sensitivity and 81.3% specificity. Sensitivity (86.4%) and specificity (86.7%) improved at ≥ 100‐months follow‐up. In univariate analysis, Gleason score, preoperative PSA, extraprostatic extension, margin, seminal vesicle invasion, and high COX‐2 expression were significant predictors of biochemical recurrence (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, preoperative PSA (hazard ratio/unit PSA change 1.080; p = 0.0036) and COX‐2 expression (hazard ratio 16.442; p < 0.0001) were independent prognostic indicators. Patients with PSA > 7 ng/ml and high COX‐2 expression had the highest probability of recurrence (Kaplan‐Meier analysis). COX‐2 expression is an independent predictor of prostate cancer progression following RP and underscores the significance of inflammatory factors in this process. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression profiling correlates with treatment response in women with advanced serous epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Newton Tanya R. , Parsons Peter G. , Lincoln Douglas J. , Cummings Margaret C. , Wyld David K. , Webb Penelope M. , Green Adele C. , Boyle Glen M.
Published: March 2006

The majority of epithelial ovarian carcinomas are of serous subtype, with most women presenting at an advanced stage. Approximately 70% respond to initial chemotherapy but eventually relapse. We aimed to find markers of treatment response that might be suitable for routine use, using the gene expression profile of tumor tissue. Thirty one women with histologically‐confirmed late‐stage serous ovarian cancer were classified into 3 groups based on response to treatment (nonresponders, responders with relapse less than 12 months and responders with no relapse within 12 months). Gene expression profiles of these specimens were analyzed with respect to treatment response and survival (minimum 36 months follow‐up). Patients' clinical features did not correlate with prognosis, or with specific gene expression patterns of their tumors. However women who did not respond to treatment could be distinguished from those who responded with no relapse within 12 months based on 34 gene transcripts (p < 0.02). Poor prognosis was associated with high expression of inhibitor of differentiation‐2 (ID2) (p = 0.001). High expression of decorin (DCN) and ID2 together was strongly associated with reduced survival (p = 0.003), with an estimated 7‐fold increased risk of dying (95% CI 1.9–29.6; 14 months survival) compared with low expression (44 months). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed both nuclear and cytoplasmic distribution of ID2 in ovarian tumors. High percentage of nuclear staining was associated with poor survival, although not statistically significantly. In conclusion, elevated expression of ID2 and DCN was significantly associated with poor prognosis in a homogeneous group of ovarian cancer patients for whom survival could not be predicted from clinical factors. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alteration of subcellular and cellular expression patterns of cyclin B1 in renal cell carcinoma is significantly related to clinical progression and survival of patients
Authors: Ikuerowo Stephen O. , Kuczyk Markus A. , Mengel Michael , van der Heyde Eyck , Shittu Olayiwola B. , Vaske Bernhard , Jonas Udo , Machtens Stefan , Serth Jürgen
Published: March 2006

Cyclin B1, identified as a regulator of late cell cycle, is involved in the development and progression of a variety of human malignancies. To clarify the role of cyclin B1 in the pathogenesis and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), protein expression was compared with clinicopathological characteristics of patients as well as the long‐term survival after surgical therapy. Expression analysis was carried out by immunohistochemistry and tissue microarray analysis. The microarrays that represented the primary tumors, their invasion front and normal peritumoral renal parenchyma contained 753 tissue cores obtained from 251 randomly selected nephrectomy specimens. Immunopositivity within the primary tumors was significantly associated with tumor stage (pT) (p < 0.01), lymph node status (pN) (p < 0.01) as well as the presence of systemic metastatic disease (p = 0.01). Subcellular expression in the cytoplasm of tumor cells significantly correlated with pT (p = 0.02) and pN (p = 0.03). When peritumoral tissue samples exhibited a relative amount of <10% of positively reacting epithelial cells, cyclin B positivity was identified to predict long‐term survival of patients in univariate analysis (p < 0.01) whereas borderline significance was observed in multivariate statistical analysis (p = 0.05). Increased intratumoral cyclin B1 positivity and aberrant localization of signals within the cytoplasm of tumor cells is positively correlated with the tendency towards tumor progression, indicating the significant role of cyclin B1 in the development and pathogenesis of RCC. The result of uni‐ and multivariate statistical analysis suggests the prognostic value of cyclin B1 for RCC patients. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aflatoxin‐B exposure does not lead to p53 mutations but results in enhanced liver cancer of Hupki (human p53 knock‐in) mice
Authors: Tong Wei‐Min , Lee Ming‐Kei , Galendo Dominique , Wang Zhao‐Qi , Sabapathy Kanaga
Published: March 2006

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common human malignancy that is often associated with risk factors such as aflatoxin‐B1 (AFB1) exposure and Hepatitis‐B virus infection in developing countries. There is a strong correlation between these risk factors and mutation of the tumor‐suppressor gene p53 at codon 249. In vitro experiments have also shown that treatment of human liver cells with AFB1 results in p53 mutations. A tumor‐promoting role for mutant p53 was demonstrated using transgenic mice models, in which HCC development was accelerated upon AFB1‐exposure. However, wild‐type mice in which AFB1 alone was used to induce liver cancers have failed to recapitulate p53 mutations, raising the possibility that mouse DNA context may not be appropriate for the generation of AFB1‐induced p53 mutations. We have now tested this hypothesis using the Hupki mice (human p53 knock‐in) in which the mouse DNA‐binding domain has been replaced by the homologous human p53 segment. Mice were followed for 80 weeks after AFB1 injection for survival and HCC formation. Hupki mice were found to be more susceptible to AFB1 than wild‐type mice. Moreover, only 19% of wild‐type mice developed HCCs compared to 44% in Hupki mice. However, none of the liver tumors and normal tissues from Hupki mice contained any mutations in the DNA‐binding domain of p53. These findings suggest that the human DNA context of the p53 gene alone may not be the sole determinant of AFB1‐induced mutagenesis. Furthermore, humanized p53 appears not to be as effective as murine p53 in the mouse cellular environment in preventing malignant transformation. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sex differences in risk of lung cancer: Expression of genes in the PAH bioactivation pathway in relation to smoking and bulky DNA adducts
Authors: Mollerup Steen , Berge Gisle , Bæra Rita , Skaug Vidar , Hewer Alan , Phillips David H. , Stangeland Lodve , Haugen Aage
Published: March 2006

It is controversial whether women have a higher lung cancer susceptibility compared to men. We previously reported higher levels of smoking‐related bulky DNA adducts in female lungs. In a pilot study (27 cases), we also found a higher level of female lung cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) gene expression. In the present extended study we report on the pulmonary expression of several genes involved in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon bioactivation in relation to sex, smoking and DNA adducts. CYP1A1, CYP1B1, aryl hydrocarbon receptor and microsomal epoxide hydrolase gene expression was measured by quantitative real‐time reverse transcriptase‐PCR in 121 normal lung tissue samples. The expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 was significantly higher among current smokers compared to ex‐smokers and never‐smokers. Among current smokers, females had a 3.9‐fold higher median level of CYP1A1 compared to males (p = 0.011). CYP1B1 expression was not related to sex. Lung DNA adducts (measured by 32P‐postlabeling) were highly significantly related to CYP1A1 (p < 0.0001) irrespective of smoking‐status. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that CYP1A1 plays a significant role in lung DNA adduct formation and support a higher susceptibility to lung cancer among females. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flaxseed attenuates the tumor growth stimulating effect of soy protein in ovariectomized athymic mice with MCF‐7 human breast cancer xenografts
Authors: Saarinen Niina M. , Power Krista , Chen Jianmin , Thompson Lilian U.
Published: March 2006

In several epidemiological studies, a phytoestrogen‐rich diet containing lignans and isoflavones is associated with reduced breast cancer risk, but experimental findings are controversial. In postmenopausal mammary cancer xenograft model, flaxseed (FS), a rich source of plant lignans, reduced breast cancer growth, while soy protein (SP), a rich source of isoflavones, enhanced it. The intake of phytoestrogens is increasing particularly among postmenopausal women, emphasizing the importance of elucidating their interactive effects on breast cancer. Our study determined the effect of FS and SP diets, alone and in combination, on the established human breast cancer MCF‐7 tumor growth in ovariectomized athymic nude mice. Tumor bearing mice were divided into 4 groups and fed for 25 weeks either the basal diet (BD), or BD supplemented with 10% FS, 20% SP or 10% FS and 20% SP. After estrogen deprivation, FS regressed the tumor size similar to that of control. SP initially regressed the tumors but starting at week 13, the tumors regressed significantly less than in control and 43% of the tumors were regrowing until the end of the experiment and were significantly larger in size than in control. The combination of SP with FS reduced the tumor growth similar to that of control, as suggested also by the reduced tumor cell proliferation index. In conclusion, dietary FS did not stimulate the growth of estrogen responsive MCF‐7 cancers in ovariectomized mice, while long‐term consumption of SP did. Furthermore, FS reduced the tumor growth stimulating effect of SP to the same level as control, suggesting tumor growth attenuating effect of FS. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.