bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoelectrochemical Immunosensor Array Based on Thioglycolic Acid Capped CdS Quantum Dots for Multiplexed Detection of Veterinary Drug Residues
Authors: Xiao Fei , Lai Yanjun , Zhang Ningdan , Bai Jing , Xian Yuezhong , Jin Litong
Published: April 2012

A photoelectrochemical immunosensor based on multi‐electrode array was developed for simultaneous and sensitive determination of veterinary drug residues. In this system, poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (PDDA), Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) and thioglycolic acid (TGA)‐capped CdS quantum dots (QDs) were layer‐by‐layer assembled onto the home‐made Au electrode array. The assembling process of the (CdS/PDDA/Au NPs/PDDA)n multilayer was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. And then the antibodies for clenbuterol (CB), ractopamine (RAC) and chloramphenicol (CAP) were covalently immobilized onto the Au electrode array by 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) coupling reaction, respectively. The concentrations of CB, RAC and CAP were measured based on the photoelectrochemical effects of CdS QDs. Under the optimal conditions, the limits of detection (LOD) for CB, RAC and CAP were 25, 50 and 2.2 pg/mL (3Δ), respectively, with acceptable recovery over the range of 95.40%–105.5% in pig liver samples. All results indicate that the immunosensor array system has potential application for practical, effective and high throughput analysis of veterinary drugs residues.
Soluble and Green‐light‐emitting Oligo(9‐fluorenylideneacetic acid): Electrosynthesis and Characterization
Authors: Lu Baoyang , Chen Shuai , Wang Jiong , Xu Jingkun , Duan Xuemin , Pei Meishan
Published: April 2012

A novel semiconducting oligo(9‐fluorenylideneacetic acid) (OFYA) with good redox activity and stability was successfully electrosynthesized by direct anodic oxidation of 9‐fluorenylideneacetic acid (FYA) in CH2Cl2 containing boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (BFEE) as the supporting electrolyte. The as‐formed OFYA film was readily soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide and tetrahydrofuran, and partly soluble in water, alcohol, acetonitrile and acetone. FT‐IR and 1H NMR spectra, together with computational results proved that FYA was probably polymerized through the coupling at C(2) and C(7) positions. Further, OFYA was a typical green light‐emitter with maximal emission at 555 nm and its fluorescence quantum yield was distinctly improved in comparison with that of the monomer. The oligomer was also studied by UV‐vis spectroscopy, MALDL‐TOF mass spectrometry, and thermal analysis, respectively.
Individual neurons in the rat lateral habenular complex project mostly to the dopaminergic ventral tegmental area or to the serotonergic raphe nuclei
Authors: Bernard René , Veh Rüdiger W.
Published: April 2012

The lateral habenular complex (LHb) is a bilateral epithalamic brain structure involved in the modulation of ascending monoamine systems in response to afferents from limbic regions and basal ganglia. The LHb is implicated in various biological functions, such as reward, sleep–wake cycle, feeding, pain processing, and memory formation. The modulatory role of the LHb is partially assumed by putative spontaneously active LHb neurons projecting to the dopaminergic ventral tegmental area (VTA) and to the serotonergic median (MnR) and dorsal raphe nuclei (DR). All four nuclei form a complex and coordinated network to evoke appropriate responses to reward‐related stimuli. At present it is not known whether individual LHb neurons project to only one or to more than one monoaminergic nucleus. To answer this question, we made dual injections of two different retrograde tracers into the rat VTA and either DR or MnR. Tracers were visualized by immunohistochemistry. In coronal sections, the different retrogradly labeled habenular neurons were quantified and assigned to the corresponding habenular subnuclei. Our results show that 1) the distribution of neurons in the LHb projecting to the three monoamine nuclei is similar and exhibits a great overlap, 2) the vast majority of LHb projection neurons target one monoaminergic nucleus only, and 3) very few, heterogeneously distributed LHb neurons project to both dopaminergic and serotonergic nuclei. These results imply that the LHb forms both separate and interconnected circuits with each monoaminergic nucleus, permitting the LHb to modulate its output to different monoamine systems either independently or jointly. J. Comp. Neurol. 520:2545–2558, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Mechanics of Virtue: Lessons on Public Participation from Implementing the Water Framework Directive in the Netherlands
Authors: van der Heijden Jeroen , ten Heuvelhof Ernst
Published: April 2012

Public participation is often presented as a virtue (a normative good), but the strategy comes with its own mechanical flaws. Policy debates and the literature have for a long time been dominated by this idea of public participation as a virtue, but recently the literature has become more critical, addressing the instrumental and substantive aspects of public participation. This article engages with and adds to the literature by presenting the use of public participation in implementing the European Water Framework Directive in the Netherlands. The study traces and discusses a number of mechanistic issues related to public participation. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Phosphatidylcholine functional foods and nutraceuticals: A potential approach to prevent non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Duric Maida , Sivanesan Sugas , Bakovic Marica
Published: April 2012

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver condition in the developed world and may progress to more severe forms of disease such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. Thus, steps taken to reduce its prevalence through preventative nutritional approaches such as functional foods and nutraceuticals (FFN) should be pursued. It is well known that certain lipotropic nutrients such as choline and metabolites betaine and phosphatidylcholine (PC; lecithin) could prevent or alleviate fatty liver through a variety of mechanisms, including increased hepatic VLDL secretion. Animal and human studies have demonstrated clear protective effects of choline, betaine and PC for NAFLD as well as possible roles in CVD prevention from epidemiological data. Currently, choline consumption is below dietary recommendations due in large part to a general lack of understanding regarding the importance of this nutrient for human health. As lecithin is commonly added (in small amounts) in many processed foods due to its functional capabilities, it is projected that increasing its abundance in the food supply and increasing consumer education and acceptance of lecithin‐based functional foods and nutraceuticals may represent a progressive step towards preventing liver and whole‐body metabolic pathologies in many areas of the world.
Development of a soup powder enriched with microencapsulated linseed oil as a source of omega‐3 fatty acids
Authors: Rubilar Mónica , Morales Eduardo , Contreras Karla , Ceballos Carolina , Acevedo Francisca , Villarroel Mario , Shene Carolina
Published: April 2012

The main objective of this study was to develop an optimized formulation of soup powder enriched with omega‐3 fatty acids. For this purpose, the process conditions for optimizing the microencapsulation efficiency (ME) of linseed oil by spray drying were determined using the Taguchi methodology with an orthogonal array L4(23). The effect of the variables on the ME, such as wall material concentration (25 and 30%), linseed oil concentration (14 and 20%), and wall material type (gum arabic GA; and a mixture maltodextrin/GA), was evaluated. The oxidative stability of the microcapsules obtained were determined by the Rancimat method, and a morphological and size characterization of microcapsules was performed by scanning electronic microscopy, confocal microscopy, and laser diffraction. The optimization of the soup formulation was reached by means of RSM, using the central composite design, two control factors (salty taste and consistency), and 11 design points. The hedonic test was applied to measure the acceptability of the optimized formulation. Chemical characterization of optimized soup and its oxidative stability were also evaluated. This study resulted in a healthy soup enriched with omega‐3 which was highly acceptable to consumers.

Practical applications: Linseed oil is a healthy and nutritive oil, very rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as omega‐3. In addition to protecting the oil against oxidative damage, the microencapsulation of oils in a polymeric matrix (mainly polysaccharides and proteins) also offers the possibility of controlled release of the lipophilic functional ingredient and can be useful for the supplementation of foods with PUFA. The soup powder enriched with microencapsulated linseed oil as a source of omega‐3 formulated in this study will contribute to the development of foods according to the functionality requirements of current consumers and markets.
Fish‐meal diet enriched with omega‐3 PUFA and treatment of canine chronic enteropathies
Authors: Ferguson Lynnette R.
Published: April 2012

Watching to see whether their pet has another explosive episode of bloody diarrhea, and the detailed characteristics of those episodes, must be every pet‐owner's nightmare. Until now, the standard method of differentiating the two most common forms of chronic enteropathy in dogs, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and food‐responsive diarrhea, has been to watch their response to various treatments, including an elimination diet. The manuscript by Ontsouka et al. in this issue of the European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology [p. 412–422], is of particular interest for several reasons. Firstly, it relates changes in duodenal gene expression profiles to a longer term reduction in diarrhea. This is important not only in providing a mechanism for this effect, but also implying a potential biomarker that might predict a reduction in the symptoms of chronic enteropathies, without having to wait for the disease process to occur. This thereby adds to a growing literature base endorsing genomic technologies in supporting health claims for pet foods. In addition, the study gives credibility to a fish‐meal‐ and potato protein‐based diet, enriched in omega‐3 PUFA, in reducing the symptoms of spontaneous diarrhea lasting at least 6 wk. Consequent opportunities and challenges, for pets, other animals and humans, are discussed in the present commentary.

See accompanying article http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ejlt.201100343
The Asymmetric Formal Hetero‐Diels–Alder Reaction of Methyl (E)‐4‐Aryl‐2‐oxo‐3‐butenoates Catalyzed by [Sc(OTf)3/pybox] Complexes
Authors: Desimoni Giovanni , Faita Giuseppe , Livieri Alessandro , Mella Mariella , Ponta Laura , Boiocchi Massimo
Published: April 2012

The complex between scandium triflate and pybox is a good enantioselective catalyst for the reaction between methyl (E)‐4‐aryl‐2‐oxo‐3‐butenoates (1) and enol silyl ethers (2). The main products with (4′S)‐isopropyl‐, (4′S)‐phenyl‐, and (4′S,5′S)‐4‐TIPS‐pybox are methyl (4S,4aS,8aS)‐4‐aryl‐8a‐trialkylsiloxy‐hexahydro‐4H‐chromen‐2‐carboxylates (7), which are obtained in good yield and enantioselectivities of more than 95 % ee. Because the reaction gives products with a trans ring junction that cannot derive from a conventional concerted hetero‐Diels–Alder pathway, the mechanism involved in the enantioselective catalytic cycle and the origin of the stereoinduction were investigated. The structures of two desilylated products, 8b and 9b, were determined by X‐ray crystal analysis. Their absolute configuration was then related to that of 7 by stereospecific isomerization and/or desilylation reactions. If aryl‐butenoates 1 are coordinated to the catalyst, forming reacting complexes characterized by the five‐membered structure 11, these rigid reacting intermediates give a face discrimination that is determined by the configuration of the pybox 4′‐substituent. The resulting face‐selective attack of enol silyl ethers to coordinated 1 gives an enantioselective tandem Mukaiyama–Michael addition/intramolecular ring closure reaction, which is an enantioselective formal hetero‐Diels–Alder reaction, which rationalizes the absolute configuration of the reaction products.
Indenofluorene‐Based Blue Fluorescent Compounds and Their Application in Highly Efficient Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Lee Kum Hee , Kim Seul Ong , Kang Sunwoo , Lee Jin Yong , Yook Kyoung Soo , Lee Jun Yeob , Yoon Seung Soo
Published: April 2012

Blue fluorescent compounds based on indenofluorene derivatives incorporating the (diphenylamino)arylvinyl group and di‐tert‐butylphenyl blocking units have been synthesized by Suzuki coupling and the Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons reaction. Their electroluminescence in multilayered OLEDs was examined; the devices have the structures ITO/DNTPD/NPB/MADN:blue dopant/Alq3/LiF/Al. A device with 7 % 2‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐8‐(9,9‐diethyl‐2‐(diphenylamino)fluoren‐7‐ylethenyl)‐6,6,12,12‐tetraethylindeno[1,2‐b]fluorene (3) as blue dopant showed a luminous efficiency of 12.2 cd A–1, a power efficiency of 6.08 lm W–1, and an external quantum efficiency of 7.84 % at 20 mA cm–1 with CIE (Commission Internationale d'Énclairage) (x, y) coordinates of (0.148, 0.241) at 8.5 V. A deep‐blue OLED with CIE (x, y) coordinates of (0.153, 0.128) doped with 2‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐8‐[9‐(3,5‐di‐tert‐butylphenyl)carbazol‐3‐ylethenyl]‐6,6,12,12‐tetraethylindeno[1,2‐b]fluorene (4) exhibited a luminous efficiency of 3.25 cd A–1, a power efficiency of 1.74 lm W–1, and an external quantum efficiency of 2.93 % at 20 mA cm–1.
Interlaboratory assessment of mitotic index by flow cytometry confirms superior reproducibility relative to microscopic scoring
Authors: Roberts D. J. , Spellman R. A. , Sanok K. , Chen H. , Chan M. , Yurt P. , Thakur A. K. , DeVito G. L. , Murli H. , Stankowski L. F.
Published: April 2012

A flow cytometric procedure for determining mitotic index (MI) as part of the metaphase chromosome aberrations assay, developed and utilized routinely at Pfizer as part of their standard assay design, has been adopted successfully by Covance laboratories. This method, using antibodies against phosphorylated histone tails (H3PS10) and nucleic acid stain, has been evaluated by the two independent test sites and compared to manual scoring. Primary human lymphocytes were treated with cyclophosphamide, mitomycin C, benzo(a)pyrene, and etoposide at concentrations inducing dose‐dependent cytotoxicity. Deming regression analysis indicates that the results generated via flow cytometry (FCM) were more consistent between sites than those generated via microscopy. Further analysis using the Bland–Altman modification of the Tukey mean difference method supports this finding, as the standard deviations (SDs) of differences in MI generated by FCM were less than half of those generated manually. Decreases in scoring variability owing to the objective nature of FCM, and the greater number of cells analyzed, make FCM a superior method for MI determination. In addition, the FCM method has proven to be transferable and easily integrated into standard genetic toxicology laboratory operations. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Descriptive epidemiology of skin cancer in the Swiss Canton of Vaud
Authors: Levi Fabio , La Vecchia Carlo , Te Van‐Cong , Mezzanotte Guerrino
Published: April 2012

Incidence registration and survival data for non‐melanocytic skin neoplasms and cutaneous melanoma have been abstracted from the population‐based system of the Cancer Registry of the Swiss Canton of Vaud, which has been operating in a particularly favourable environment, since the large majority of cutaneous lesions resected in the area are examined by a pathologist. Among the 5,712 cases registered, 66.7% were basal‐cell carcinomas, 20.6% squamous‐cell cancers, 9.3% cutaneous melanomas and 3.4% other miscellaneous histological types. The distribution by histological type did not differ appreciably in the 2 sexes, but there were marked inter‐sex differences as regards anatomical site. In both sexes, head and neck was by far the commonest localization for non‐melanomatous neoplasms (69 to 81% of all incident cases), followed by trunk for basal‐cell cancers (18% in males, 15% in females) and upper limb for squamous‐cell (10% in males, 17% in females). The distribution of skin melanomas differed considerably between the 2 sexes, by far the commonest site being the trunk for males (45% of cases) and lower limbs for females (40%), followed by head and neck (22% in both sexes). Incidence rates for both basal‐ and squamous‐cell cancers increased with age, and rates were higher in males for each localization except the lower limb. In contrast, incidence for melanoma was higher in females, and incidence rates did not increase with age above 55 years for all sites except head and neck. This can be interpreted in terms of cohort effect, since mortality from melanoma has substantially increased in Switzerland across subsequent birth cohorts. Although this study is essentially descriptive, accurate inspection of these data provides some support for the major aetiological hypotheses of skin carcinogenesis, i.e., the observation that the large majority of basal‐ and squamous‐cell cancers arise on the head and neck confirms the importance of long‐term ultraviolet exposure; the relative excess of squamous‐cell as compared to basal‐cell neoplasms on the upper limb may suggest the role of exposure to other (chemical) carcinogens; and the proportional excess of melanomas on the trunk in males and lower limb in females further indicates that intermittent exposure to sunlight is probably the relevant aetiologic factor for melanocytic skin neoplasms.
The Danish case‐control study of cutaneous malignant melanoma. IV. No association with nutritional factors, alcohol, smoking or hair dyes
Authors: Østerlind A. , Tucker M.A. , Stone B.J. , Jensen O.M.
Published: April 2012

In a population‐based case‐control study from East Denmark including 474 cases with cutaneous malignant melanoma and 926 controls we evaluated the influence of diet, alcohol, smoking, bathing habits and hair dyes on the risk of this cancer. Patients with lentigo maligna melanoma were not included. We observed no effect of dietary factors on risk of melanoma. No association was found between risk of melanoma and alcohol intake, tobacco smoking, bathing habits or hair dye use.
Influence of non‐contraceptive exogenous and endogenous sex hormones on breast cancer risk in Denmark
Authors: Ewertz Marianne
Published: April 2012

In order to evaluate the influence of sex hormones on breast cancer risk, a population‐based case‐control study was conducted in Denmark, including 1,486 cases diagnosed over a one‐year period. These were identified from the files of the nation‐wide clinical trial of the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group and the Danish Cancer Registry. The control group was an age‐stratified random sample of 1,336 women from the general population. Data on risk factors were collected by self‐administered (mailed) questionnaires. The major findings included a trend (p = 0.001) toward decreasing risk with increasing age at menarche in pre‐menopausal women, trends toward increasing risk with continued menstrual cycles after the age of 50 in pre‐ and post‐menopausal women (p‐values of 0.01 and 0.002 respectively), and a trend (p = 0.002) toward increasing risk with increasing duration of non‐contraceptive sex hormone usage in post‐menopausal women. Information on brand names made it possible to examine types of hormones used, which showed an RR of 1.36 (95% CI 0.98–1.87) for sequential therapy with oestrogen and progestagen and RR = 2.31 (95% CI 1.37–3.88) for combined oestrogen‐androgen treatment. These results should be interpreted with caution, however, needing verification from other studies. No significant association was observed between breast cancer and self‐reported height and weight.
Serum vitamin E, serum selenium and the risk of gastrointestinal cancer
Authors: Knekt Paul , Aromaa Arpo , Maatela Jouni , Alfthan Georg , Aaran Ritva‐Kaarina , Teppo Lyly , Hakama Matti
Published: April 2012

The association between levels of α‐tocopherol and selenium in serum and subsequent risk of gastrointestinal cancer was investigated in a longitudinal study based on 36,265 Finnish men and women, aged 15–99 and initially free of cancer. Serum α‐tocopherol and serum selenium levels at entry into the study were measured from stored serum samples of 150 incident gastrointestinal cancer cases diagnosed during a follow‐up of 6–10 years and for 276 controls who were matched for sex, age and place of residence. Subjects with a low level of α‐tocopherol or selenium had an elevated subsequent risk of cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract. This association persisted among men after adjustment for various confounding factors and after the exclusion of those with cancer diagnosed during the first 2 years of follow‐up. The relative risk of cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract among men who fell in the lowest quintile of serum selenium was 3.3 (95% confidence limits, 1.3 and 9.1) while among those who fell in the 3 lowest quintiles of α‐tocopherol it was 2.2 (95% confidence limits 0.9 and 5.6) compared with those in the higher quintiles. Serum levels of selenium or α‐tocopherol in general were not inversely associated with colorectal cancer risk. These findings indicate that high selenium intake and possibly also high vitamin E intake, especially among men, may provide protection against cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract but not against colorectal cancer.
Proportion of lung cancers in males, due to occupation, in different areas of the USA
Authors: Vineis Paolo , Thomas Terry , Hayes Richard B. , Blot William J. , Mason Thomas J. , Pickle Linda Williams , Correa Pelayo , Fontham Elizabeth T.H. , Schoenberg Janet
Published: April 2012

Occupational data from 5 case‐control studies in the United States involving 2,973 male cases and 3,210 controls were analyzed to estimate the percentage of lung cancer attributable to well‐known and suspected lung carcinogens. The studies were conducted in areas heterogeneous in terms of industrial activities. The percentage of lung cancers attributable to occupations entailing potential exposure to well‐recognized carcinogens ranged, by study area, from 3 to 17%. The further inclusion of occupational groups with suspect carcinogenic exposures changed these estimates very little. Exclusion of data derived from next‐of‐kin interviews influenced the estimates of attributable risks, but not in a systematic fashion. The estimates also varied according to ethnic group, smoking status and birth cohort, with higher values in non‐whites, non‐smokers and among members of more recent birth cohorts. Possible errors in exposure classification, which may make these estimates conservative, are discussed.
Different karyotypic features characterize different clinicopathologic subgroups of benign lipogenic tumors
Authors: Heim S. , Mandahl N. , Rydholm A. , Willén H. , Mitelman F.
Published: April 2012

On the basis of the cytogenetic analysis of tumor cells from a total of 50 lipomas, we conclude that 4 main cytogenetic subtypes may be recognized: (1) tumors with normal karyotype (18 cases); (2) tumors with rearrangements of 12q13–14 (18 cases); (3) tumors with ring chromosomes (6 cases); (4) tumors with other clonal changes (8 cases). This karyotypic heterogeneity parallels other disease characteristics in the following manner: all 6 tumors containing ring marker chromosomes were histopathologically classified as atypical lipomas (6 of the 50 tumors were diagnosed as atypical) or (in 2 cases) lipomas with foci of atypia. In only one single solitary lipoma with focal atypia were no ring chromosomes detected in the tumor cells. This contrasts strongly with the findings in typical solitary lipomas, where rings were found in only 2 of 37 tumors, or, if the 3 tumors with focal atypia are excluded, in none of 34. Furthermore, all 7 multiple lipomas were karyotypically normal, whereas among solitary tumors the corresponding proportion was 11 of 43. We conclude that ring marker chromosomes may be a distinguishing cytogenetic feature of atypical lipomas, and that multiple lipomas, in contrast to their solitary counterparts, are karyotypically normal. These findings emphasize that different tumorigenic pathways are likely to be involved in different groups of benign lipogenic neoplasms.
Flow cytometric analysis of DNA ploidy pattern from deparaffinized formalin‐fixed gastric cancer tissue
Authors: Tosi Piero , Leoncini Lorenzo , Cintorino Marcella , Vindigni Carla , Minacci Chiara , Nuti Sandra , Pinto Enrico , de Stefano Alfonso , Cevenini Gabriele
Published: April 2012

Histologically processed tissue from gastric cancers has been analyzed by flow cytometry in an attempt to correlate DNA ploidy pattern and behavior of the tumor. Of the mucosal and submucosal cancers (so‐called early, all stage I in the present series), 62.7% show a diploid DNA pattern and 37.3% show a single aneuploid pattern. Of the deeply infiltrating (beyond the submucosa) cancers (stage II and III), 52.1% are single aneuploid and 47.9% are multiploid. While stage‐I patients are all alive at the end of the follow‐up period (6 years), in stage II and III cases Cox's regression model shows that the hazard function depends on DNA pattern: survival is negatively influenced by multiploidy. On this basis, it may be assumed that the DNA pattern is a useful prognostic indicator of gastric cancer. As expected, in Cox's regression model an even more important negative correlation exists between survival and stage: single aneuploid cases in stage II have a better prognosis than those in stage III. Instead, no correlation is found between histological cancer subtype (Laurén and WHO classifications), grade and DNA pattern.
Risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma in Northern Italy
Authors: La Vecchia Carlo , Negri Eva , Decarli Adriano , D'Avanzo Barbara , Franceschi Silvia
Published: April 2012

The role of socio‐demographic factors, lifestyle habits and selected dietary factors on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma was evaluated in a hospital‐based case‐control study conducted in Northern Italy on 151 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and 1,051 controls in hospital for acute, nonneoplastic or digestive conditions, unrelated to any of the known or potential risk factors for primary liver cancer. There were significant inverse relationships with levels of education and social class (relative risk, RR = 1.9 and 2.4 for lower vs. upper categories), and positive associations with clinical history of hepatitis (RR = 3.5, 95% confidence interval = 2.0–6.0) or liver cirrhosis (RR = 15.6, 95% CI = 8.3–29.4). The relative risk was not elevated in smokers and light or moderate alcohol drinkers, but the point estimate was above unity among heavy drinkers (RR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.0–2.4). Among 14 food items considered, including important sources of vitamin A, protein and fats in the Italian diet, 5 were inversely and significantly related to liver cancer risk. This suggests that a diet deficient in several aspects may be related to hepatocellular carcinoma.
Specificity of the immune response leading to protection or enhancement by regressive and progressive variants of a rat colon carcinoma
Authors: Caignard A. , Pelletier H. , Martin F.
Published: April 2012

Two cell clones, K12/TRb (PROb) and K12/TSb (REGb), have been isolated from the same serially transplantable tumor, DHD, established from a colon carcinoma chemically induced in the rat. Inoculation of REGb cells gives a tumor which regresses within 4 to 8 weeks and generates immune protection against subsequent injection of the progressive tumor cells, PROb. Inoculation of PROb cells gives a progressive tumor and generates tolerance allowing progressive growth of contralaterally injected REGb cells. Inoculation of REGb cells fully protects the host against growth of a DHD tumor graft, the tumor from which REGb and PROb cells were originally obtained. On the other hand, inoculation of REGb cells does not confer any protection against growth of 4 other syngeneic tumor grafts, DHA, DHB, DHC and DHE. These tumors were obtained from other colonic tumors induced as DHD by 1.2 dimethylhydrazine (DMH). Progressive growth of the tumor induced by inoculation of REGb cells is observed in animals bearing a contralateral DHD tumor, but not in animals bearing tumor from other transplantable lines, DHA, DHB, DHC and DHE. Our results show that immune enhancement of a regressive tumor and the immune protection that it confers constitute specific responses to a tumor‐specific transplantation antigen present on a single transplantable colon tumor.
Autocrine secretion of a colorectum‐derived growth factor by HT‐29 human colon carcinoma cell line
Authors: Culouscou Jean‐Michel , Garrouste Françoise , Remacle‐Bonnet Maryse , Bettetini Dominique , Marvaldi Jacques , Pommier Gilbert
Published: April 2012

The human colon cancer cell line HT‐29 produces a growth factor (CRDGF; Mr = 25,000) which inhibits EGF binding to a wide variety of different normal and tumoral cell types in culture. Scatchard analysis of EGF binding shows that CRDGF induces a decrease in EGF receptor affinity. In contrast, EGF binding to any of the human colorectal cancer cell lines tested, i.e., HT‐29, HT‐29 (clone D4), HRT‐18 or CAL‐14, remains unaltered in the presence of exogenous CRDGF. However, the inhibitory effect of CRDGF becomes apparent on HT‐29 cells after overnight exposure of these to suramin (at 37°C). A short exposure to suramin (1 hr at 4°C) or a mild acid washing of HT‐29 cells can partially restore the inhibitory activity of CRDGF. These observations suggest that the action of suramin results in an unmasking of substantial levels of CRDGF receptors on HT‐29 cells. Scatchard analysis of EGF binding on suramin‐treated HT‐29 cells shows that CRDGF inhibits EGF binding by decreasing EGF receptor affinity, as previously observed with the non‐colonic cell types. A similar unmasking of CRDGF receptors is observed when the other colorectal cell lines are exposed to suramin. These results provide evidence for a model in which the colorectal cell lines have the property of secreting a unique growth factor that binds to its receptor by an autocrine mechanism.
Regulation of growth and epidermal growth factor receptor levels of LNCaP prostate tumor cells by different steroids
Authors: Schuurmans Alex L.G. , Bolt Joan , Voorhorst Marleen M. , Blankenstein Rien A. , Mulder Eppo
Published: April 2012

The growth of LNCaP cells, derived from a lymph‐node carcinoma of the human prostate, was stimulated by different hormones. Optimal growth (3‐ to 4‐fold increase in DNA content per culture versus controls) was observed at 0.1 nm R1881 (a synthetic androgen), 1 nm progesterone or 10 nm estradiol. Triamcinolone acetonide had no effect. Dihydrotestosterone maximally stimulated cell growth at 10 nM. When the culture medium was changed 4 times in 6 days instead of twice, optimal growth was observed at 1 nm dihydrotestosterone. This indicates that a rapid metabolism of dihydrotestosterone influenced growth response. LNCaP cells contained considerable amounts of androgen receptors (920 fmol/mg cytosol protein) while progestagen, estrogen and glucocorticoid receptors were absent. The affinity of steroids for the androgen receptor decreased in the order of: R1881 (relative binding affinity: 100.0) > dihydrotestosterone (67.7) > progesterone (29.4) > testosterone (23.8) > estradiol (4.3) > triamcinolone acetonide (< 0.1). Effects on cell growth of these steroids paralleled their affinity for the androgen receptor. The number of EGF receptors per cell increased in a dose‐dependent manner upon treatment with various hormones. Again the amount of steroid needed for maximal effects reflected the affinity of the steroid for the androgen receptor. An approximately 2‐fold increase in EGF receptor number was observed within 24 hr and before an increase in growth could be detected. Actinomycin‐D and cycloheximide inhibited the hormonally induced increase in EGF receptor numbers.
Conditional immortalization and/or transformation of rat cells carrying v‐abl or EJras oncogene in the presence or absence of glucocorticoid hormone
Authors: Yamashita Toshiharu , Kato Hidenori , Fujinaga Kei
Published: April 2012

Early‐passaged rat chondroblasts (RX cells) and embryonal fibroblasts (RE cells) are hardly transformed by transfection of activated human H‐ras (EJras) or by Abelson murine leukemia virus v‐abl oncogene. However, these cells were transformed by v‐abl or EJras gene when dexamethasone (DX) was added in the culture medium as well as when co‐transfected with retrovirus LTR‐linked mouse c‐myc gene. RX cell lines carrying v‐abl (RXabl), RE cell lines carrying v‐abl (REabl) and RX cell lines carrying EJras (RXEJ) were established from transformed colonies in the DX‐added soft agar. In the absence and in the presence of DX, RXabl cells showed mortal and immortalized, REabl cells showed mortal and transformed, and RXEJ cells showed immortalized and transformed phenotypes, respectively. Especially, immortalization and transformation of REab11 and REab13 lines were switched on and off by addition and depletion of DX. v‐abl or EJras mRNA levels in tested REabl, RXabl and RXEJ lines cultured without DX was not decreased compared to those cultured with the hormone. The above suggests that, like myc gene, glucocorticoid collaborates with v‐abl or activated ras oncogene to transform unestablished rat cells and that the transformation phenotypes were determined not only by the introduced oncogene but by the cellular condition including their tissue origin. Transformation of senescent REabl cells in the absence of DX was tested by transfecting different oncogenes. Among nuclear oncogenes tested, only adenovirus 12 E1A gene could induce transformation of G0‐arrested REabl cells in a cooperative fashion with the integrated v‐abl gene.
Potentiation of adoptive immunotherapy by cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum(II), but not by doxorubicin, on a disseminated mouse lymphoma and its association with reduction of tumor burden
Authors: Formelli Franca , Rossi Cinzia , Sensi Maria Luisa , Parmiani Giorgio
Published: April 2012

The therapeutic effect of a combination therapy employing syngeneic anti‐tumor immune T lymphocytes and either doxorubicin (DX) or cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum II (DDP) was tested on BALB/c mice bearing a disseminated, weakly immunogenic lymphoma (YC8) which metastasizes mainly to the liver. Therapy with specific tumor‐immune lymphocytes alone cured 80–100% mice bearing 3‐day established tumors. The same effector cells, however, were less effective in mice at a more advanced stage of the disease (day 5) and ineffective when treatment was further delayed (day 7). Chemotherapeutic treatment alone with DX or DDP given i.p. at the maximal tolerated doses was less effective than immune lymphocytes on 3‐day tumors since cures were very seldom observed, but both drugs prolonged survival time even when administered on day 7. While DX did not enhance the antitumor effect of immune lymphocytes on 5‐day tumors, the association of DDP with immunotherapy by giving the 2 modalities sequentially according to the two sequences (i.e., chemotherapy before immunotherapy and vice versa) with a 2‐day interval, was significantly more effective than each treatment alone. Like mice cured by immunotherapy alone, most of the animals cured by chemo‐immunotherapy developed a systemic transplantation immunity to the tumor as revealed by the specific rejection of a second lethal tumor challenge 90 days after the first tumor inoculum. The higher activity of DDP compared with DX in potentiating the effect of immunotherapy was shown to be associated with a greater reduction of tumor burden in the liver, whereas the 2 drugs gave a similar reduction of tumor burden in other organs, as determined from bioassay of tumor‐bearing organs of chemotherapy‐treated mice. These results indicate that combination of chemotherapy with immunotherapy may improve the effects of each treatment alone, and that the synergistic effect is associated with the reduction of the tumor load in the main organ (liver) of tumor dissemination.
DO CORPORATE PROFIT FORECASTER HERD?—EVIDENCE FROM CANADA, UK AND THE UNITED STATES
Authors: Rülke Jan‐Christoph
Published: April 2012

Using more than 25 000 corporate profit forecasts for Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, we find strong evidence of an anti‐herding behaviour. Apparently, corporate profit forecaster intentionally scatter their forecasts around the consensus forecast. We also document that the cross‐sectional heterogeneity of forecasts with regard to anti‐herding translates into cross‐sectional heterogeneity with regard to forecast accuracy. Forecasters who anti‐herd have a substantially higher forecast accuracy that may help to explain the rational bias in macroeconomic forecasting. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IMMIGRANT HOUSEHOLD INVESTMENT BEHAVIOR AND COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: A STUDY OF IMMIGRANTS TO THE UNITED STATES
Authors: Seto Sayako , Bogan Vicki L.
Published: April 2012

Previous literature concerning immigrant financial market participation has typically treated the immigrant population as a homogeneous collective. However, the immigrant population in the United States is incredibly diverse, particularly in regards to country of origin. Using panel data, we test the hypothesis that differing information costs generate differences in U.S. immigrant asset market participation rates. We find significant variations (by country of origin) in the immigrant rates of holding stock, mutual funds, U.S. Savings Bonds, and other fixed income securities do exist. Our results provide support for the theory that information costs drive these differences. (JEL: G11)Keywords: Household investment decision making; immigrants ©2010. All rights reserved. Work in progress. All errors are our own. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acupuncture points are large fields: The fuzziness of acupuncture point localization by doctors in practice
Authors: Molsberger A.F. , Manickavasagan J. , Abholz H.H. , Maixner W.B. , Endres H.G.
Published: April 2012

Background

Acupuncture textbooks, schools, practitioners and clinical researchers designing randomized controlled trials on acupuncture all assume that acupuncture points are small and must be located precisely.

Method

Seventy‐one medical doctors with ≥200 h acupuncture training and ≥2 years of clinical experience independently identified 23 commonly used acupuncture points on a male volunteer, using sticky transparent films with an X/Y grid placed asymmetrically around acupuncture points.

Results

For each acupuncture point, the field covering 95% (68%) of all point locations varied from 2.7 (0.7) cm2 for PC‐6 up to 41.4 (10.2) cm2 for ST‐38. Commonly‐used acupuncture points showed unexpectedly large variance in location: 95% (or 68%) areas were SP‐6: 12.2 cm2 (3.0 cm2), ST‐36: 20.7 cm2 (5.1 cm2), LI‐15: 18.7 cm2 (4.6 cm2), BL‐23: 22.4 cm2 (5.6 cm2) and BL‐54: 22.5 cm2 (5.6 cm2). Points close to anatomical landmarks (forearm, ankle, poplitea; BL‐60, BL‐40, TW‐5, PC‐6) were located with less variance. Precision of point location was independent of length of acupuncture experience, kind of training or medical specialty.

Conclusions

In respect to the high degree of variation in the localization of acupuncture points, we suggest that the term ‘acupuncture field’ is more appropriate than ‘acupuncture points’ to describe the clinical reality; for the design of sham‐controlled acupuncture trials, we recommend a minimum distance of 6 cm between verum and sham points on face, hands and feet, and up to 12 cm for all other parts of the body.
Argon‐based atmospheric pressure plasma enhances early bone response to rough titanium surfaces
Authors: Coelho Paulo G. , Giro Gabriela , Teixeira Hellen S. , Marin Charles , Witek Lukas , Thompson Van P. , Tovar Nick , Silva Nelson R. F. A.
Published: April 2012

This study investigated the effect of an Argon‐based atmospheric pressure plasma (APP) surface treatment operated chairside at atmospheric pressure conditions applied immediately prior to dental implant placement in a canine model. Surfaces investigated comprised: rough titanium surface (Ti) and rough titanium surface + Argon‐based APP (Ti‐Plasma). Surface energy was characterized by the Owens‐Wendt‐Rabel‐Kaelble method and chemistry by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Six adult beagles dogs received two plateau‐root form implants (n = 1 each surface) in each radii, providing implants that remained 1 and 3 weeks in vivo. Histometric parameters assessed were bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO). Statistical analysis was performed by Kruskall‐Wallis (95% level of significance) and Dunn's post‐hoc test. The XPS analysis showed peaks of Ti, C, and O for the Ti and Ti‐ Plasma surfaces. Both surfaces presented carbon primarily as hydrocarbon (CC, CH) with lower levels of oxidized carbon forms. The Ti‐Plasma presented large increase in the Ti (+11%) and O (+16%) elements for the Ti‐ Plasma group along with a decrease of 23% in surface‐adsorbed C content. At 1 week no difference was found in histometric parameters between groups. At 3 weeks significantly higher BIC (>300%) and mean BAFO (>30%) were observed for Ti‐Plasma treated surfaces. From a morphologic standpoint, improved interaction between connective tissue was observed at 1 week, likely leading to more uniform and higher bone formation at 3 weeks for the Ti‐Plasma treated implants was observed. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A 2012.
Mechanical properties of biodegradable small‐diameter chitosan artificial vascular prosthesis
Authors: Kong Xiaoying , Han Baoqin , Wang Haixia , Li Hui , Xu Wenhua , Liu Wanshun
Published: April 2012

Initial clinical feasibility with the small‐diameter chitosan artificial vascular prosthesis has been reported previously. Here, we present the results of mechanical properties of artificial vascular prosthesis with 2, 3, and 4 mm inner diameter (ID) and compare some of the properties with the native blood vessel of dog femoral artery. Thickness wall measurement demonstrated the average wall thickness of the artificial vascular prosthesis with 2, 3, and 4 mm ID and the native blood vessel of the dog femoral artery with 3 mm ID were 0.54 ± 0.022 mm, 0.71 ± 0.032 mm, 0.79 ± 0.026 mm, and 0.67 ± 0.22 mm (n = 20). Water absorption rate of 226.02% ± 8.17%, 216.13% ± 4.86%, and 205.69% ± 4.34% were obtained from 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐mm‐diameter artificial vascular prosthesis (n = 12), respectively. Water osmotic pressure of the 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐mm‐diameter artificial vascular prosthesis was 39.25 ± 3.35 mmHg, 34.2 ± 4.54 mmHg, and 28.00 ± 2.72 mmHg (n = 20), respectively. Water osmotic amount of the 2‐, 3‐, and 4‐cm‐diameter artificial vascular prosthesis (n = 20) was 4.90 ± 0.47 mL/(min cm2), 5.51 ± 0.21 mL/(min cm2), and 6.24 ± 0.71 mL/(min cm2), respectively. The ruptured stretching rate of the artificial vascular prosthesis (n = 20) with 2, 3, and 4 mm ID and the native blood vessel was 1.59% ± 0.14%, 1.99% ± 0.24%, 2.52% ± 0.21%, and 32.16% ± 2.15%, respectively. The longitudinal tensile strength of the artificial vascular prosthesis (n = 20) with 2, 3, and 4 mm ID and the native blood vessel was 8.58 ± 1.98 N, 19.75 ± 4.07 N, 22.92 ± 3.85 N, and 18.76 ± 2.05 N, respectively. The suture retention of the artificial vascular prosthesis (n = 20) with 2, 3, and 4 mm ID and the native blood vessel in dry condition is 5.80 ± 0.51 N, 7.01 ± 0.32 N, 8.49 ± 0.56 N, and 7.92 ± 0.39 N, respectively. The suture retention of the artificial vascular prosthesis (n = 20) with 2, 3, and 4 mm ID in wet condition is 3.87 ± 0.43 N, 4.73 ± 0.37 N, 5.63 ± 0.36 N, and 7.92 ± 0.39 N, respectively. The compliance of the artificial vascular prosthesis with 2, 3, and 4 mm ID and the native blood vessel was 6.5% ± 2.6%/100 mmHg, 5.2% ± 1.5%/100 mmHg, 4.7% ± 1.3%/100 mmHg, and 10.3% ± 2.3%/100 mmHg, respectively. The data reported here fulfill the quality requirement of clinical use of this kind of biodegradable small diameter artificial vascular prosthesis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A 2012.
The potential of electron beam radiation for simultaneous surface modification and bioresorption control of PLLA
Authors: Cairns Marie‐Louise , Dickson Glenn R. , Orr John F. , Farrar David , Hardacre Christopher , Sa Jacinto , Lemoine Patrick , Mughal Muhammad Zeeshan , Buchanan Fraser J.
Published: April 2012

Bioresorbable polymers have been widely investigated as materials exhibiting significant potential for successful application in the fields of tissue engineering and drug delivery. Further to the ability to control degradation, surface engineering of polymers has been highlighted as a key method central to their development. Previous work has demonstrated the ability of electron beam (e‐beam) technology to control the degradation profiles and bioresorption of a number of commercially relevant bioresorbable polymers (poly‐l‐lactic acid (PLLA), L‐lactide/DL‐lactide co‐polymer (PLDL) and poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid (PLGA)). This work investigates the further potential of e‐beam technology to impart added biofunctionality through the manipulation of polymer (PLLA) surface properties. PLLA samples were subjected to e‐beam treatments in air, with varying beam energies and doses. Surface characterization was then performed using contact angle analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Results demonstrated a significant increase in surface wettability post e‐beam treatment. In correlation with this, XPS data showed the introduction of oxygen‐containing functional groups to the surface of PLLA. Raman spectroscopy indicated chain scission in the near surface region of PLLA (as predicted). However, e‐beam effects on surface properties were not shown to be dependent on beam energy or dose. E‐beam irradiation did not seem to affect the surface roughness of PLLA as a direct consequence of the treatment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 100A: 2223–2229, 2012.