bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Suggestions for the Assessment of the Allergenic Potential of Genetically Modified Organisms
Authors: Spök Armin , Gaugitsch Helmut , Laffer Sylvia , Pauli Gabrielle , Saito Hirohisa , Sampson Hugh , Sibanda Elopy , Thomas Wayne , van Hage Marianne , Valenta Rudolf
Published: June 2005

The prevalence of allergic diseases has been increasing continuously and, accordingly, there is a great desire to evaluate the allergenic potential of components in our daily environment (e.g., food). Although there is almost no scientific evidence that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) exhibit increased allergenicity compared with the corresponding wild type significant concerns have been raised regarding this matter. In principle, it is possible that the allergenic potential of GMOs may be increased due to the introduction of potential foreign allergens, to potentially upregulated expression of allergenic components caused by the modification of the wild type organism or to different means of exposure. According to the current practice, the proteins to be introduced into a GMO are evaluated for their physiochemical properties, sequence homology with known allergens and occasionally regarding their allergenic activity. We discuss why these current rules and procedures cannot predict or exclude the allergenicity of a given GMO with certainty. As an alternative we suggest to improve the current evaluation by an experimental comparison of the wild-type organism with the whole GMO regarding their potential to elicit reactions in allergic individuals and to induce de novo sensitizations. We also recommend that the suggested assessment procedures be equally applied to GMOs as well as to natural cultivars in order to establish effective measures for allergy prevention.
Platelet, Not Endothelial, P-Selectin Is Required for Neointimal Formation After Vascular Injury
Authors: Wang Kai , Zhou Xiaorong , Zhou Zhongmin , Mal Niladri , Fan Liming , Zhang Ming , Lincoff A. Michael , Plow Edward F. , Topol Eric J. , Penn Marc S.
Published: June 2005

Background—P-selectin blockade significantly inhibits inflammation and neointimal formation after arterial injury; however, the independent roles of platelet and endothelial P-selectins in this process are unknown. In atherosclerosis, both platelet and endothelial cell P-selectins are important. This study was designed to determine whether P-selectin expression on platelet, endothelial, or both surfaces is critical to the inflammatory response and neointimal formation after arterial injury.

Methods and Results—Using wild-type (WT) and P-selectin–knockout (Psel−/−) mice, we performed bone marrow transplantation to generate chimeric mice that expressed either platelet P-selectin (Plt-Psel) or endothelial P-selectin (EC-Psel). Double injury of the carotid artery was performed in these mice as well as in WT and Psel−/−mice. Animals were euthanized 4 or 21 days after arterial injury. Morphometric data showed that there was more neointimal formation in the WT mouse group when compared with the Psel−/−mouse group (0.015±0.004 vs 0.004±0.004 mm2,P<0.001). Further comparison showed significantly less neointimal area in EC-Psel mice (0.006±0.004 mm2) compared with Plt-Psel mice (0.011±0.005 mm2,P=0.026) and WT mice (0.015±0.004 mm2,P=0.001). No significant differences were observed between WT and Plt-Psel mice or between Psel−/−and EC-Psel mice. Decreased neointimal formation was accompanied by a reduced inflammatory response, as evidenced by immunostaining of RANTES and MCP-1 4 days after injury.

Conclusions—Platelet P-selectin expression, but not endothelial P-selectin, plays a crucial role in the development of neointimal formation after arterial injury, and therapeutic strategies targeting leukocyte-platelet interactions could be effective in inhibiting restenosis.
Dose-Related Association of
MTHFR
677T Allele With Risk of Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Cronin Simon , Furie Karen L. , Kelly Peter J.
Published: June 2005

Background—

Data are conflicting concerning ischemic stroke risk associated with a common polymorphism in the gene encoding 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (
MTHFR
677C→T), which predisposes to hyperhomocystinemia in vivo.

Methods—

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of published relevant literature. We included cohort, case-control, or cross-sectional studies reporting the frequencies of heterozygous (CT) and homozygous (TT) genotypes in (a) all stroke/TIA (overall group) and (b) imaging-proven ischemic stroke (best-phenotyped group).

Results—

Among 14 870 subjects, the pooled estimated risk of stroke/TIA associated with the 677T allele increased in a dose-dependent manner (T allele pooled OR 1.17, 95%CI 1.09 to 1.26, TT genotype pooled OR 1.37, 95%CI 1.15 to 1.64). An almost-identical relationship was observed when the analysis was restricted to imaging-proven ischemic stroke (T allele pooled OR 1.18, 95%CI 1.09 to 1.29, TT genotype pooled OR 1.48, 95%CI 1.22 to 1.8).

Conclusion—

A graded increase in ischemic stroke risk with increasing
MTHFR
677T allele dose was observed, suggesting an influence of this polymorphism as a genetic stroke risk factor and supporting other evidence indicating a causal relationship between elevated homocysteine and stroke.
Influence of Coadministration on the Pharmacokinetics of Azimilide Dihydrochloride and Digoxin
Authors: Toothaker Roger D. , Corey Alfred E. , Valentine Suzanne N. , Agnew Jeff R. , Parekh Nikhil , Moehrke Werner , Thompson Gary A. , Powell James H.
Published: June 2005

The influence of coadministration on digoxin and azimilide pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics was assessed in a randomized, 3‐way crossover study in 18 healthy men. Serial blood and urine samples were obtained for azimilide and digoxin quantitation. Treatment effects on pharmacokinetics were assessed using analysis of variance. The relationship between azimilide blood concentrations and QTc prolongation was characterized by an Emax model. Effects of coadministration on pharmacodynamics were assessed using a mechanistic‐based inhibition model. Azimilide pharmacokinetics was unaffected by digoxin, except for a 36% increase in CLr (P = .0325), with no change in CLo. Digoxin pharmacokinetics was unaffected by azimilide, except for a 21% increase in Cmax (P = .0176) and a 10% increase in AUCτ (P = .0121). Digoxin coadministration increased the apparent EC50 with no effect on Emax, consistent with competitive inhibition (Ki = 0.899 ng/mL). The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes observed upon coadministration were small and are not expected to be clinically important.
HIV-1 Rev oligomerization is not obligatory in the presence of an extra basic domain
Authors: Furnes Clemens , Arnesen Thomas , Askjaer Peter , Kjems Jørgen , Szilvay Anne Marie
Published: June 2005

Background

The HIV-1 Rev regulatory protein binds as an oligomeric complex to viral RNA mediating nuclear export of incompletely spliced and non-spliced viral mRNAs encoding the viral structural proteins. However, the biological significance of the obligatory complex formation of Rev upon the viral RNA is unclear.

Results

The activity of various fusion proteins based on the negative oligomerization-defect Rev mutant M4 was tested using Rev dependent reporter constructs. An artificial M4 mutant dimer and an M4 mutant containing an extra basic domain from the HTLV-I Rex protein exhibited nearly full activity when compared to wild type Rev.

Conclusion

Rev dimerization appears to be required to expose free basic domains whilst the Rev oligomeric complex remains bound to viral RNA via other basic domains.
Grothendieck polynomials and quiver formulas
Authors: Buch Anders S. , Kresch Andrew , Tamvakis Harry , Yong Alexander
Published: June 2005

Fulton's universal Schubert polynomials give cohomology formulas for a class of degeneracy loci, which generalize Schubert varieties. The K -theoretic quiver formula of Buch expresses the structure sheaves of these loci as integral linear combinations of products of stable Grothendieck polynomials. We prove an explicit combinatorial formula for the coefficients, which shows that they have alternating signs. Our result is applied to obtain new expansions for the Grothendieck polynomials of Lascoux and Schützenberger.
Victimcy, Girlfriending, Soldiering: Tactic Agency in a Young Woman's Social Navigation of the Liberian War Zone
Authors: Utas Mats
Published: June 2005

This study aims to collapse the often gendered opposition of agency and victimhood that typically characterizes the analysis of women's coping strategies in war zones. The term victimcy is proposed to describe the agency of self-staging as victim of war and explore how it is deployed as one tactic—amongst others—in one young Liberian woman's "social navigation" of war zones. Victimcy is thus revealed as a form of self-representation by which a certain form of tactic agency is effectively exercised under the trying, uncertain, and disempowering circumstances that confront actors in warscapes. However the story of Bintu also reveals the complexity of women's strategies, roles, and options as they confront conflicting challenges and opportunities in war zones. While in some circumstances women may take humanitarian aid, in others they may also take up arms. An ethnography of social tactics thus counters reductionist portrayals of women in war zones as merely the passive victims of conflict.
Transport processes and large deformation during baking of bread
Authors: Zhang J. , Datta A. K. , Mukherjee S.
Published: June 2005

A model of multiphase transport in a porous medium coupled with large deformation of the porous matrix is developed and applied to the process of bread baking. Transport‐governing equations are based on energy conservation and mass conservation of water, water vapor, and CO2 produced during baking. Deformation is caused by the pressure gradient from internal evaporation and CO2 generation. Temperature, moisture, and pressure changes in turn are affected by deformation. Bread is assumed to be viscoelastic, mechanical properties of which are functions of temperature. Geometric nonlinear effects are considered in the mechanics problem. Results are compared with those from baking experiments and literature data. Vapor pressure inside the matrix is likely to be lower than the equilibrium vapor pressure. Convective heat transfer is small compared to heat conduction and evaporation–condensation of water vapor promotes heat transfer to the inside. Rate of CO2 generation, mechanical properties of dough, and gravity together determine the final shape of the bread. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2005
A new and a reclassified ICF patient without mutations in DNMT3B and its interacting proteins SUMO‐1 and UBC9
Authors: Kloeckener‐Gruissem Barbara , Betts David R. , Zankl Andreas , Berger Wolfgang , Güngör Tayfun
Published: June 2005

The ICF syndrome (immunodeficiency, centromeric instability, facial anomalies) (OMIM#242860) is a rare autosomal, recessively inherited disorder. Another rare condition, ischiadic hypoplasia, renal dysgenesis, immunodeficiency, and polydactyly (IHRDIP, OMIM#243340), displays features that resemble those of the ICF syndrome. Due to the overlapping symptoms in both syndromes, we asked whether a shared underlying molecular defect exists. Two patients, each with the clinical characteristics of one of these syndromes, were subjected to conventional cytogenetic analysis and the determination of the methylation state of satellite II DNA. We found that both displayed the two hallmark features of the ICF syndrome, namely hypomethylation and centromeric instability of chromosomes 1 and 16. Therefore, we reclassified the patient previously diagnosed with the IHRDIP syndrome as an ICF patient. Since the majority of ICF patients are carriers of mutations in the methytransferase gene DNMT3B, we determined the sequence of its coding, splice site, and putative promoter region and analyzed its transcripts in both patients, without detecting any alterations. Similarly, the coding region of two DNMT3B‐interacting proteins, SUMO‐1 and UBC9, did not reveal mutations. With this study, the published number of patients that lack mutations in DNMT3B coding region increases to almost 40% of all ICF patients reported. It is, therefore, implied that a significant subset of ICF patients will have a yet unknown, alternative alteration, which may include the involvement of DNMT3B‐interacting factors or aberrations of an independent pathway. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Total truncation of the molybdopterin/dimerization domains of SUOX protein in an Arab family with isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency
Authors: Seidahmed M.Z. , Alyamani E.A. , Rashed M.S. , Saadallah A.A. , Abdelbasit O.B. , Shaheed M.M. , Rasheed A. , Hamid F.A. , Sabry M.A.
Published: June 2005

We ascertained a patient with the full‐blown phenotype of isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency in a consanguineous Arab family. The proband's phenotype included the presence of intractable seizures in the neonatal period, some dysmorphic features, neuroradiologic findings reminiscent of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and rapidly progressive brain destruction leading to severe neurodevelopmental impairment. Biochemically, the patient excreted a large amount of S‐sulfocysteine with normal amounts of xanthene and hypoxanthine and had normal plasma uric acid, which was consistent with isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency. We report the identification of the first Arab mutation in SUOX, the gene for sulfite oxidase enzyme, in the ascertained family. The newly identified Arab mutation in the SUOX gene (a single nucleotide deletion, del G1244) is predicted to cause a frame shift at amino acid 117 of the translated protein with the generation of a stop codon and total truncation of the molybdo‐pterin‐ and the dimerizing‐domain(s) of SUOX protein expressed from the mutant allele. The identification of this new Arab SUOX mutation should facilitate pre‐implantation genetic diagnosis and selection of unaffected embryos for future pregnancy in the ascertained family with the mutation and related families with the same mutation. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cover Picture: Cluster Disorder and Ordering Principles in Al‐Stabilized “LaI” (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 25/2005)
Authors: Oeckler Oliver , Weber Thomas , Kienle Lorenz , Mattausch Hansjürgen , Simon Arndt
Published: June 2005

Diffuse diffraction data from disordered compounds can be interpreted with new numerical algorithms; however, there are few examples of quantitative structure refinement against all data and not only Bragg reflections. In the Communication on page 3917 ff., the authors demonstrate the application of evolutionary algorithms to solve the structure of an aluminum‐stabilized lanthanum subiodide. The cover picture shows a diffraction pattern of the compound in the background and a section of the disordered structure model in the center.
Photopolymerization and properties of UV‐curable flame‐retardant resins with hexaacrylated cyclophosphazene compared with its cured powder
Authors: Ding Jun , Liang Hongbo , Shi Wenfang , Shen Xiaofeng
Published: June 2005

Hexaacrylated cyclophosphazene (HACP) and its cured powder were blended with a commercial epoxy acrylate, EB600, to obtain UV‐curable flame‐retardant resins. The flame retardancy and the thermal stability of their cured films at elevated temperature were found to be improved from the measurements of limiting oxygen index and thermogravimetric analysis. Photopolymerization kinetics study showed that the photopolymerization rate increased with increasing amounts of HACP in EB600, whereas the unsaturation conversion decreased conversely. Dynamic mechanical thermal and mechanical properties showed that the addition of HACP had no influence, whereas adding HACP powder to EB600 had a negative effect, thus limiting its application in UV formulations. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1776–1782, 2005
Graft copolymerization of an itaconic acid/acrylamide monomer mixture onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers with benzoyl peroxide
Authors: Coşkun R. , Saçak M. , Karakışla M.
Published: June 2005

A mixture of acrylamide (AAm) and itaconic acid (IA) was grafted onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers with benzoyl peroxide in aqueous media. The effects of polymerization conditions such as the temperature, polymerization time, initiator concentration, and monomer mixture ratio on grafting were investigated. The maximum graft yield was 76.1% with an AAm/IA mixture ratio of 90/10 (mol/mol). The graft yield was as low as 3% in the single grafting of IA, whereas the use of AAm as a comonomer increased the amount of IA that entered the fiber structure to 33.5%. An increase in the temperature from 65 to 85°C increased the grafting rate and saturation graft yield. However, an increase in the temperature above 85°C decreased the saturation graft yield. The graft yield increased up to an initiator concentration of 1.0 × 10−2 M and decreased afterwards. The grafting rate was 0.65th‐ and 0.74th‐order with respect to the initiator and AAm concentrations, respectively. The densities, diameters, and moisture‐regain values of the AAm/IA‐grafted PET fibers increased with the graft yield. Similarly, there was an increase in the dyeability of the AAm/IA‐grafted fibers with acidic and basic dyes. The grafted fibers were characterized with Fourier transform infrared and thermogravimetric analysis, and their morphologies were examined with scanning electron microscopy. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1795–1803, 2005
Effect of the vulcanization time and storage on the stability and physical properties of sulfur‐prevulcanized natural rubber latex
Authors: Sasidharan K. K. , Joseph Rani , Palaty Shiny , Gopalakrishnan K. S. , Rajammal G. , Pillai P. Viswanatha
Published: June 2005

Prevulcanized natural rubber latex was prepared by the heating of the latex compound at 55°C for different periods of time (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 h). The changes in the colloidal stability and physical properties were evaluated during the course of prevulcanization. The prevulcanized latex compounds were stored for 300 days, and the properties were monitored at different storage intervals (0, 20, 40, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 days). During prevulcanization, the mechanical stability time increased, and the viscosity remained almost constant. The tensile strength increased during storage for a period of 20 days. The degree of crosslinking, modulus, elongation at break, and chloroform number were varied with the time of storage. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1804–1811, 2005
All polymer PTC devices: Temperature‐conductivity characteristics of polyisothianaphthene and poly(3‐hexylthiophene) blends
Authors: Liu Chuanjun , Oshima Kenji , Shimomura Masato , Miyauchi Shinnosuke
Published: June 2005

The present article is concerned with the temperature‐conductivity characteristics of blends consisting of polyisothianaphthene (PITN) particles and a soluble poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT). PITN was synthesized by direct conversion of 1,3‐dihydroisothianaphthene (DHITN) monomer using N‐chlorosuccinimide (NCS) as an oxidation/dehydrogenation reagent. The high conductivity and thermal stability of the doped and dedoped PITN were confirmed. Microscopic investigation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the as‐prepared PITN exhibited diversified shapes and sizes, with large rectangular particles having an average size of 2 ∼ 5μm and fine round particles ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 μm. The PITN particles were blended with the chemically synthesized P3HT as a high conductivity component to improve the conductivity and simultaneously maintain the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) effect of the original P3HT near its melting point. The temperature‐conductivity characteristics for PITN‐P3HT blends with various PITN contents showed that a blend having both a high conductivity (nearly 3 ∼ 4 orders higher than that of the original P3HT) and a good PTC intensity could be obtained with a PITN content of 20 ∼ 25%. The different temperature‐conductivity behavior of P3HT blends filled with PITN as compared to other conducting particles, for example, carbon black, was explained by its unique dispersion structure due to a relatively higher adhesive interaction of PITN particles with the P3HT matrix during the precipitation process. The results from heating recycles revealed that the PTC effect of PITN‐P3HT blends was not just related to the conductivity decrease of the P3HT matrix, arising from the conformational change of the conjugated backbone during the melting, but also to the dilution effect of the conducting percolation network due to the mobility of PITN particles induced by the viscosity decrease of the P3HT matrix. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1848–1854, 2005
Chick chorioallantoic membrane as an in vivo model to study vasoreactivity: Characterization of development‐dependent hyperemia induced by epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs)
Authors: Dunn Laurel K. , Gruenloh Stephanie K. , Dunn Bruce E. , Reddy D. Sudarshan , Falck John R. , Jacobs Elizabeth R. , Medhora Meetha
Published: June 2005

Shell‐less culture of chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of developing chicken embryos is a useful model to evaluate the effects of vascular agents. We assessed the response of CAM vessels to epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), derivatives of the essential fatty acid arachidonic acid, that have a number of important biological functions, including dilation of microvessels in the coronary, cerebral, renal, and mesenteric circulations. Three of four regioisomers of EETs, 14,15‐, 11,12‐, and 8,9‐EET, induced a characteristic dose‐dependent acute hyperemia within 4 min after application on 10‐day‐old CAMs. This response was marked in early stages of development (between days 8 and 10), but the frequency and intensity of the response were reduced after 11 days of development. Histological examination demonstrated that the hyperemia was not due to extravasation of erythrocytes. However, many capillaries were distended and contained densely packed erythrocytes as compared to uniformly arranged vessels and erythrocytes in untreated CAMs. Transmission electron microscopy showed the basal laminae surrounding capillaries remained intact, similar to those in vehicle‐treated or untreated CAM tissue. The hyperemia was specific to EETs since we did not observe it to be induced by other vasodilators such as nitric oxide or prostacyclin. In conclusion, we report a novel vascular response to EETs using the CAM as an in vivo model. These lipids specifically distend a subset of capillaries in a dose‐ and development‐dependent manner. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐1 promotes migration and invasion in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines
Authors: Wey Jane S. , Fan Fan , Gray Michael J. , Bauer Todd W. , McCarty Marya F. , Somcio Ray , Liu Wenbiao , Evans Douglas B. , Wu Yan , Hicklin Daniel J. , Ellis Lee M.
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐1 (VEGFR‐1) is one of three receptor tyrosine kinases for VEGF, a key regulator of angiogenesis in cancer. Although VEGFRs initially were believed to be expressed exclusively on endothelial cells (ECs), recent studies have demonstrated the presence of VEGFR‐1 on non‐EC types. The authors hypothesized that VEGFR‐1 is present and functional in pancreatic carcinoma cells, contributing to the malignant phenotype.

METHODS

The authors assessed the expression of VEGFR‐1 and its ligands in 11 pancreatic carcinoma cell lines by reverse‐transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and/or Western blot analysis. The function of VEGFR‐1 was evaluated by treating two representative cell lines with VEGF‐B, a selective ligand for VEGFR‐1, and/or a specific anti‐VEGFR‐1 antibody and assessing the effects on signaling, migration, invasion, and proliferation.

RESULTS

All 11 pancreatic carcinoma cell lines expressed VEGFR‐1 mRNA and protein, as well as the VEGFR‐1 ligands VEGF‐A and VEGF‐B. Two representative cell lines (L3.6 and Panc‐1) exhibited VEGF‐B‐induced mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling. A VEGFR‐1 neutralizing antibody abrogated signaling, confirming that the ligand effect was mediated through VEGFR‐1. VEGFR‐1 stimulation by VEGF‐A or VEGF‐B was found to promote migration in both cell lines. Panc‐1 cells also demonstrated enhanced Matrigel invasion after VEGFR‐1 stimulation. VEGFR‐1‐dependent migration and invasion were blocked by the VEGFR‐1 neutralizing antibody. VEGFR‐1 activation did not appear to enhance cell proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

VEGFR‐1 appears to be expressed ubiquitously in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines, in which it induces signaling and promotes migration and invasion. Overexpression of VEGF in tumors may activate tumor cells bearing VEGFR‐1 via an autocrine pathway. Agents targeting VEGF or its receptors may have a dual inhibitory effect on tumor growth by suppressing both angiogenesis and tumor cell function. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Addition of an aminopeptidase N‐binding sequence to human endostatin improves inhibition of ovarian carcinoma growth
Authors: Yokoyama Yumi , Ramakrishnan Sundaram
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND

Blood vessels in tumors express higher level of aminopeptidase N (APN) compared with normal tissues. It has been reported that peptides that contain asparagine‐glycine‐arginine (NGR) sequence home to APN in tumor vasculature. Increased expression of APN in tumor vascular endothelium, therefore, offers an opportunity to target NGR peptide‐linked therapeutic reagents to tumors.

METHODS

To determine whether an additional NGR sequence could improve endothelial homing and biologic activity, human endostatin was modified genetically to introduce an NGR motif (NGR‐endostatin) and was expressed in yeast. In vitro biologic activity of NGR‐endostatin was compared with the native protein in endothelial cell proliferation and migration. NGR‐modified endostatin was used in tumor localization studies. Finally, the effects of endostatin and NGR‐endostatin on tumor growth were determined in two model systems.

RESULTS

Human endostatin has an internal NGR sequence, which is not accessible to bind APN. However, the addition of an NGR‐sequence at the amino terminus resulted in strong binding and inhibition of endothelial cell APN. NGR‐endostatin showed increased binding to endothelial cells compared with the native protein. Increased binding of endostatin also coincided with improved antiangiogenic properties of endostatin. NGR modification improved tumor localization and, as a consequence, effectively inhibited ovarian carcinoma growth in athymic nude mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies demonstrated that human endostatin can be modified genetically to improve its ability to inhibit tumor growth. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Loss of carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 1 expression is an adverse prognostic factor in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Cruz Pauldion V. , Wakai Toshifumi , Shirai Yoshio , Yokoyama Naoyuki , Hatakeyama Katsuyoshi
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND

Carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) is a negative regulator of tumor cell growth, and may function as a tumor suppressor. CEACAM1 expression is down‐regulated with increasing histologic grade in a number of malignancies. The authors hypothesized that loss of CEACAM1 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells may function as an adverse prognostic factor.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted of 139 consecutive patients who underwent resection for HCC, with a median follow‐up period of 83 months. Immunohistochemistry of the resected specimens was conducted using a monoclonal anti‐CEACAM1 antibody. CEACAM1 expression in HCC was classified into two categories: diffuse expression, characterized by positive staining throughout the tumor specimen, or loss of expression, in which there were distinct areas of negative staining within the tumor specimen.

RESULTS

Of the 139 patients, 113 were classified as having tumors with diffuse expression and 26 had loss‐of‐expression tumors. Loss of CEACAM1 expression was more frequent in tumor specimens with Edmondson–Steiner Grades III or IV (21 of 32 [66%]) than in tumor specimens with Grades I or II (5 of 107 [5%]; P < 0.001) and was always seen in areas with the highest histologic grade. Loss of CEACAM1 expression was significantly associated with large tumor size, multiplicity of the tumor, portal vein invasion, and satellite nodules and affected survival adversely, according to univariate (P < 0.0001) and multivariate analyses (relative risk, 5.737; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Loss of CEACAM1 expression reflects aggressive tumor biology and thus indicates a poor prognosis for patients with HCC. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Microarray versus conventional prediction of lymph node metastasis in colorectal carcinoma
Authors: Croner Roland S. , Peters Andrea , Brueckl Wolfgang M. , Matzel Klaus E. , Klein‐Hitpass Ludger , Brabletz Thomas , Papadopoulos Thomas , Hohenberger Werner , Reingruber Bertram , Lausen Berthold
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND

The authors investigated whether microarray‐based gene expression analysis of primary tumor biopsy material could be used to predict lymph node status in patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Lymphatic metastasis strongly determines treatment algorithms in CRC. Currently, postoperative histology results are needed to determine lymph node status. Reliable preoperative information would be useful to advance treatment strategies.

METHODS

In specimens from 66 patients with CRC from the Erlangen Registry of Colorectal Cancer, 41 shock‐frozen samples of International Union Against Cancer (UICC) Stage I–II CRC and 25 samples of UICC Stage III CRC were microdissected manually, RNA was isolated, and gene chips (HG‐U133A; Affymetrix) were hybridized. Prediction rates for lymphatic metastasis were calculated using conventional clinicopathologic parameters, gene expression data, and a combination of both. Prediction error, specificity, and sensitivity were analyzed using six different statistical classifiers.

RESULTS

Analysis of conventional parameters produced a positive prediction rate that ranged between 53% and 61%, sensitivity of 42%, and specificity of 72%. Microarray prediction rates were between 62% and 67% for lymphatic metastasis. Specificity was between 76% and 83%, and sensitivity was between 38% and 48%, depending on the statistical procedure. The conventional estimates were improved by 9–12% when array data were added.

CONCLUSIONS

Current data show that the prediction of lymphatic metastasis can be improved by gene expression profiling of the primary tumor biopsy, alone or in combination with conventional parameters. Gene expression profiling may become valuable increasingly in planning treatment for patients with CRC. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Periconceptional vitamin use and leukemia risk in children with Down syndrome
Authors: Ross Julie A. , Blair Cindy K. , Olshan Andrew F. , Robison Leslie L. , Smith Franklin O. , Heerema Nyla A. , Roesler Michelle
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND

Periconceptional vitamin supplementation reduces the risk of neural tube defects, and possibly may reduce the risk of certain childhood malignancies, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Because children with Down syndrome (DS) experience a 20‐fold higher risk of leukemia than the general population, the authors evaluated whether periconceptional vitamin supplementation reduced the risk of leukemia in children with DS.

METHODS

From 1997 to 2002, 158 children ages birth–18 years with DS and acute leukemia (n = 61 children with acute myeloid leukemia [AML] and n = 97 children with ALL) were enrolled through the Children's Oncology Group in North America. Children with DS alone (n = 173) were identified through the cases' pediatric clinics and frequency matched to cases on age. Mothers of cases and controls completed a telephone interview that included questions regarding vitamin supplement use in the periconceptional period and after knowledge of pregnancy.

RESULTS

A decreased risk of leukemia was observed with vitamin supplementation in the periconceptional period (odds ratio [OR] = 0.63; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.39–1.00). When stratified by leukemia type, the reduced risk was observed for ALL (OR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.30–0.89), but not for AML (OR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.48–1.76). Compared with vitamin use in the periconceptional period, use only after knowledge of pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of leukemia (OR = 1.61; 95% CI, 1.00–2.58). This was observed for both ALL and AML.

CONCLUSIONS

These data added to a growing body of evidence that suggests that periconceptional vitamin use may be protective in the development of certain childhood cancers. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Hearing preservation after gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery of vestibular schwannoma
Authors: Paek Sun Ha , Chung Hyun‐Tai , Jeong Sang Soon , Park Chul‐Kee , Kim Chae‐Yong , Kim Jeong Eun , Kim Dong Gyu , Jung Hee‐Won
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the hearing preservation rate and to determine its prognostic factors after gamma knife (GK) stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in patients with vestibular schwannoma, the authors used a prospective study design to analyze these patients.

METHODS

Between December 1997 and January 2002, 25 patients with vestibular schwannoma with serviceable hearing were enrolled in the current study. The median tumor volume was 3.0 cc (0.16–9.1 cc). The prescription dose was 12.0 ± 0.7 gray at an isodose line of 49.8 ± 1.1%. The tumor control rate and complications were evaluated by focusing on hearing preservation and its prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Based on radiologic study, the tumor control rate was 92% during the median follow‐up period of 45 months. The trigeminal and facial nerve preservation rates were 95% and 100%, respectively. Thirteen (52%) of the 25 patients preserved serviceable hearing and 9 (36%) patients retained their pre‐GK G‐R grade levels after GK SRS. However, 16 patients showed hearing deterioration > 20 dB within 3–6 months and this trend continued for 24 months after the treatment. The maximum radiotherapy dose delivered to the cochlear nucleus was the single, significant prognostic factor of hearing deterioration.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors concluded that a more sophisticated strategy to prevent hearing deterioration during the first 6 months post‐GK SRS is necessary to improve long‐term hearing preservation. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Proliferation and progesterone receptor status in benign meningiomas are not age dependent
Authors: Roser Florian , Nakamura Makoto , Ritz Rainer , Bellinzona Mattia , Dietz Klaus , Samii Madjid , Tatagiba Marcos S.
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND

Some authors have suggested that the biology of meningiomas differs according to a patient's age. Proliferation, vascularity, and hormonal status in meningiomas can be used to describe changes during aging. In the current study, proliferation activity with the Ki‐67/MIB‐1 antibody was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in meningioma tissue specimens from young and elderly patients.

METHODS

Over the past 25 years, tissue samples from 1766 patients with meningiomas were evaluated. Of these, 588 tumor specimens from 554 patients who underwent surgery between 1990 and 2000 were evaluated immunohistochemically. The proliferation index (LI) and progesterone receptor (PR) in meningiomas were quantitatively estimated in elderly (age ≥ 70 years) and young patients (age < 70 years). Patients' charts including surgical records, discharge letters, pathology reports, and imaging studies were reviewed. Correlations with histologic subtype, disease recurrence‐free survival, resection grade, location, size, vascularity, and tumor calcification were calculated as well. Only patients with a well documented follow‐up were included in the statistical evaluation (n = 385).

RESULTS

Compared with the young group of 344 patients with meningioma (age < 70 years; mean age, 51.9 years; range, 18–69 years), the elderly population (age ≥ 70 years; n = 41; mean age, 74.9 years; range, 70–88 years) showed a male‐to‐female ratio of 3.2: 1. Both groups had an identical median Ki‐67 LI of 3.0% and a PR status of 56.1% versus 58.4 %. No statistically significant differences in disease recurrence‐free survival could be found in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Proliferation rates and PR status in benign intracranial meningiomas did not appear to be age dependent. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Propagation characteristics in an underground shopping area for 5‐GHz‐band wireless access systems
Authors: Itokawa Kiyohiko , Kita Naoki , Sato Akio , Matsue Hideaki , Mori Daisuke , Watanabe Hironobu
Published: June 2005

5‐GHz‐band wireless access systems, such as the RLAN (Radio Local Area Network) system of IEEE 802.11a, HiperLAN/2, HiSWANa, and AWA, are deployed for indoor use at transmission rates over 20 Mbps. These 5‐GHz access systems are expected to extend service areas from the office to the so‐called “hot spots” in public areas. Underground shopping malls are one type of service area where the application of such nomadic wireless access service can be expected. In order to design radio zone configurations, it is necessary to know broadband propagation characteristics of an underground mall environment even if results obtained by previous measurements in the narrow band are available.

This paper presents results of an experimental study on the propagation characteristics for broadband wireless access systems in an underground mall environment. First, broadband propagation path losses are measured and formulated considering the shadowing by human body. A ray trace simulation is used to clarify the basic propagation mechanism in such a closed environment. Next, it was determined that values of the delay spread at different distances during rush hour periods did not exceed 65 ns, which is lower than the permitted maximum value of the present 5‐GHz systems. The final conclusion is that the above propagation characteristics corroborate results of transmission tests carried out by using the AWA equipment. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 152(3): 55–64, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20059
A multiagent approach to distribution system restoration
Authors: Nagata Takeshi , Tao Yasuhiro , Sasaki Hiroshi , Fujita Hideki
Published: June 2005

This paper proposes a multiagent approach to decentralized power system restoration for a distribution system network. The proposed method consists of several feeder agents (FAGs) and load agents (LAGs). LAG corresponds to the customer load, while a FAG is developed to act as a manager for the decision process. From the simulation results, the proposed multiagent system was able to reach the right solution by making use of only local information. This means that the proposed multiagent restoration system is a promising approach to more large‐scale distribution networks. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 152(3): 21–28, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20065
Fast magnetic reconnection with the current sheet ejection in the TS‐3 merging experiment
Authors: Hirota Daisuke , Ono Yasushi , Arimoto Katsuyuki
Published: June 2005

The current sheet ejection phenomenon, which causes enhancement of the magnetic reconnection rate, was investigated in the TS‐3 merging experiment at the University of Tokyo. The current sheet was ejected when two coaxial torus plasmas were compressed rapidly by the external force under high‐intensity toroidal field (about 500 G). The magnetic reconnection rate γ increased sharply from 0.14/µs to 0.33/µs right after the ejection out of the X‐point region, while the reconnection rate is low in an initial pileup phase. The current sheet was separated and ejected from the diffusion region by the Lorentz force, jt×Bz. We made a new simple current sheet model on the basis of the mass conservation law, and the theoretical curve of the inflow velocity increment u accorded with the experimental one generally. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 152(3): 1–7, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20067
Pulse current regenerative resonant snubber‐assisted two‐switch flyback‐type ZVS PWM DC‐DC converter
Authors: Inaba Claudio Y. , Konishi Yoshihiro , Nakaoka Mutsuo
Published: June 2005

In this paper, a two‐switch high‐frequency flyback transformer‐type zero voltage soft‐switching PWM DC‐DC converter using IGBTs is proposed. Effective applications for this power converter can be found in auxiliary power supplies of rolling stock transportation and electric vehicles. This power converter is basically composed of two active power switches and a flyback high‐frequency transformer. In addition to these, two passive lossless snubbers with power regeneration loops for energy recovery, consisting of a three‐winding auxiliary high‐frequency transformer, auxiliary capacitors and diodes are introduced to achieve zero voltage soft switching from light to full load conditions. Furthermore, this power converter has some advantages such as low cost circuit configuration, simple control scheme, and high efficiency.

Its operating principle is described and to determine circuit parameters, some practical design considerations are discussed. The effectiveness of the proposed power converter is evaluated and compared with the hard switching PWM DC‐DC converter from an experimental point of view, and the comparative electromagnetic conduction and radiation noise characteristics of both DC‐DC power converter circuits are also depicted. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 152(3): 74–81, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20081
Detection of moving object by mobile stereo omnidirectional system (SOS)
Authors: Shimizu Sanae , Yamamoto Kazuhiko , Wang Caihau , Satoh Yutaka , Tanahashi Hideki , Niwa Yoshinori
Published: June 2005

Moving object detection with a mobile image sensor is an important task in robotics and computer vision, when considering the practical use of robotics in human environments. In this paper, we propose a robust method that detects moving objects in the environment using the omnidirectional depth information obtained by a mobile Stereo Omnidirectional System (SOS). In order to detect only the moving objects within the depth image that are obtained by a sensor in motion, we first estimate the ego‐motion of the sensor, and generate a predicted depth image for the current time from the depth obtained at the previous time by only considering the ego‐motion of the sensor. Then the predicted depth image is compared with the actual one obtained at the current time, and the inconsistent regions are detected as moving objects. When the sensor moves, occlusions will occur in the scene and they will cause false detections. However, these false detections can be suppressed by estimating the occlusion regions using the ego‐motion parameters of the sensor and the jump edges in the depth image. The effectiveness of the method is shown with experimental results for a real environment. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 152(3): 29–38, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20155
Electrophoresis in gel channels
Authors: Hagedorn Rolf , Schnelle Thomas , Müller Torsten , Scholz Ingo , Lange Kristian , Reh Maila
Published: June 2005

We describe a novel approach to generate dynamic pH gradients suited to fractionate or purify samples of biomolecules or particles such as proteins and viruses in tiny volumes. The method combines diffusion and electromigration between micro‐scaled channels embedded in hydrogel. For the used geometry and in accordance with numerical calculations the gel‐channel system reaches a tuneable, steady‐state pH gradient after a few minutes. For quantification of experimentally generated pH‐profiles, the concentration independent extinction ratio of phenol red at two wavelengths is used. The proposed electrophoretic flow‐cell is simple and flexible since no Immobilines are required to establish the pH gradient.
Laser‐induced fluorescence detection schemes for the analysis of proteins and peptides using capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Lacroix Marlene , Poinsot Véréna , Fournier Clara , Couderc François
Published: June 2005

Over the past few years, a large number of studies have been prepared that describe the analysis of peptides and proteins using capillary electrophoresis (CE) and laser‐induced fluorescence (LIF). These studies have focused on two general goals: (i) development of automatic, selective and quick separation and detection of mixtures of peptides or proteins; (ii) generation of new methods of quantitation for very low concentrations (nm and subnanomolar) of peptides. These two goals are attained with the use of covalent labelling reactions using a variety of dyes that can be readily excited by the radiation from a commonly available laser or via the use of noncovalent labelling (immunoassay using a labelled antibody or antigen or noncovalent dye interactions). In this review article, we summarize the works which were performed for protein and peptide analysis via CE‐LIF.
BRAF mutation detection and identification by cycling temperature capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Hinselwood David C. , Abrahamsen Torveig W. , Ekstrøm Per O.
Published: June 2005

BRAF mutations are found in many human tumors, namely melanomas (∼70%) and colon carcinomas (∼15%). This paper presents a method for identification of exon 15 BRAF mutations by denaturant capillary electrophoresis (CE), an analysis method that is sensitive, cost‐effective (involving only polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and electrophoresis) and capable of high‐throughput screening. In total, we found 21 (70%) out of 30 melanoma cell lines with BRAF mutations in exon 15: two of which were the p.Val600Asp (c.1799–800TG≶AT) mutation, one cell line contained the p.Val600Arg (c.1798–99GT≶AG) mutation, and 18 cell lines contained the p.Val600Glu (c.1799T≶A) mutation. Of the nine cell lines that did not contain a BRAF mutation, five contained an NRAS mutation at exon 2, and no mutations were detected in NRAS exon 1. There was no overlap of NRAS and BRAF mutations in the same cell line. In addition, we looked at 221 colon biopsy samples and identified one further BRAF mutation, the p.Asp594Gly (c.1781A≶G) mutation, in seven samples. The p.Val600Glu mutation was identified in 11 of the colon biopsy samples. Using the four mutations of BRAF exon 15, we then constructed a denaturing CE standard capable of distinguishing between each of the mutations; therefore, sequencing does not need to be performed to confirm the mutation. In conclusion, this sensitive, cost‐effective mutation assay for BRAF (and RAS) will provide the opportunity to detect and determine mutations without the need to purify samples for sequencing. Future large‐scale studies will provide the clinical usefulness of such mutations.