bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cycloaddition Reactions of 3-Dimethylamino-1-methyl-1,2,4-triazinium-5-olates With Dimethyl Acetylenedicarboxylate
Authors: Musgrave RP , Jacobsen NW , Bourne G , Kennard CHL , Smith G , Mak TCW
Published: November 2006

The cycloaddition reactions of some 3-dimethylamino-1-methyl-1,2,4-triazinium-5-olates (1) with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate ( dmad ) were studied. The products in all cases were found tobe dimethyl 4-dimethylamino-1-methyl-6-oxo-1,3a,6,6a-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole-3,3a-dicarboxylate derivatives (2). The structure determinations were carried out by 1H and 13C n.m.r. and mass spectrometry, and for one derivative by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry. The mechanism of the reaction is also discussed.
Self Assembled Alkanethiolate Monolayers as Thin Insulating Films
Authors: Baker MV , Landau J
Published: November 2006

Simple devices that contain alkanethiolate monolayers sandwiched between conducting films were prepared by fixing a gold film to the surface of an alkanethiolate monolayer (on a gold substrate) with silver paint. These devices, and similar devices that did not contain alkanethiolate monolayers, were tested as resistors in d.c . circuits. The devices that contained octadecanethiolate monolayers had resistances of approximately 1012 Ω, 10 orders of magnitude higher than the resistance of devices that contained no monolayers. Sulfur- terminated alkanethiolate monolayers were prepared by treatment of carboxylic acid-terminated monolayers with vapours of thionyl chloride followed by vapours of hexane-1,6-dithiol. Attempts to use the sulfur-containing groups at the surface of this monolayer as 'molecular glue' to attach a flexible gold film to the surface of the monolayer were unsuccessful.
Chemical Speciation in the Copper (I)-Ammonia-Chloride System
Authors: Solis JS , Hefter G , May PM
Published: November 2006

Chemical speciation in the system CuI/NH3/Cl- which may be represented by the general equilibrium pCuI(aq)+qNH3(aq)+rCl-(aq)↔ Cup(NH3)qClr(p-r)+(aq) has been studied by glass electrode potentiometry at 25.0°C and an ionic strength of 1.00 M (NaClO4). A number of binary and ternary complexes were detected with formation constants, βpqr: logβ120 = 11.381�0.077, logβ111 = 8.920�0.045, logβ112 = 8.82�0.18 and logβ121 = 11.33�0.24. The ionization constant of water (pKw) and the protonation constant of ammonia (pKa) obtained by the same procedures were 13.7462�0.0012 and 9.4613�0.0010 at I = 1 (NaClO4), and 13.7165�0.0010 and 9.4521�0.0007 at I = 1 (NaCl) respectively.
The Crystal Structure of Bis(2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)nickel(II) Perchlorate Hydrate
Authors: Baker AT , Craig DC , Rae AD
Published: November 2006

The crystal structure of bis (2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine)nickel(II) bis (perchlorate) hydrate has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffractometry . The compound is monoclinic, space group P21, with two molecules in a unit cell of dimensions a 8.827(4), b 8.910(2), c 20.148(9) Ǻ, β 98.71(2)°. The structure was refined by least-squares to a residual of 0.065 for 2184 observed reflections. The compound is found to be isomorphic with the iron(II) analogue previously reported: the cation has approximate D2d symmetry, with the main distortion from octahedral symmetry being an axial compression. Both the solid state reflectance and solution spectra have been measured and some significant differences are noted.
The Synthesis and Attempted Ring Closure of Ethyl 3-(Aminomethyl)-7,8,12,13,17,18-hexaethylporphyrin-2-carboxylate
Authors: Brown RFC , Perlmutter P , Tope HK
Published: November 2006

A synthesis of the porphyrin amino ester derivative (4) is described. All attempts to convert (4) into a fused pyrroloporphyrin were unsuccessful, with the corresponding 2-formylporphyrin (5) being formed instead.
Allowance for Force Constant Changes in the Theory of Electron Transfer at the Metal-Redox Electrolyte Interface
Authors: Matthews D
Published: November 2006

The Gurney-Gerischer-Marcus (GGM) model for electron transfer1 is used to investigate the effects of force constant changes between initial and final states for electron transfer at the interface between a metal and a redox electrolyte. The effects on the symmetry factor, β, and on the determination of the redox electrolyte distribution of states are investigated and compared to the predictions of the GGM model using no change in force constant. Comparisons are also made between the Marcus2,3 and GGM models. The GGM model with non-identical parabolas for the potential energy-nuclear configuration diagrams is used to numerically calculate the distribution of states in the redox electrolyte from which data the rate constant distribution for reduction is obtained from the overlap between occupied states of the metal and the unoccupied states of the redox electrolyte. Numerical integration of the rate constant distribution gives the rate constant which is calculated as a function of the electrode potential. The calculated Tafel plots are found to be non-linear but do not go through a maximum. The Marcus and GGM models predict markedly different dependences of the symmetry factor on potential. Differentiation of the calculated rate constant with respect to potential gives the distribution of states for the redox electrolyte except for a small deviation which is due to the weak dependence on energy of the distribution of states in the metal. Anomalous results reported in the literature are shown to be qualitatively consistent with a difference in force constant between initial and final states for electron transfer.
A Synthetic Approach to (+)-Dioncophylline C
Authors: Gable RW , Martin RL , Rizzacasa MA
Published: November 2006

In a synthetic approach to (+)-dioncophylline C (1), a coupling between the chiral oxazoline (3) and the Grignard reagent obtained from bromide (4) gave the major biaryl (5) and the minor biaryl (12) in good yield and high diastereoselectivity (yield 70%; ratio 91:9). The stereochemistry of the major biaryl (5) was confirmed by X-ray structure analysis of the derived crystalline iodide salt (13).
Zerumbone, a bioactive sesquiterpene, induces G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells via a Fas‐ and mitochondria‐mediated pathway
Authors: Xian Mingji , Ito Keisuke , Nakazato Tomonori , Shimizu Takatsune , Chen Chien‐Kang , Yamato Kenji , Murakami Akira , Ohigashi Hajime , Ikeda Yasuo , Kizaki Masahiro
Published: November 2006

We demonstrated here for the first time that zerumbone (ZER), a natural cyclic sesquiterpene, significantly suppressed the proliferation of promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cells among several leukemia cell lines, but not human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis with 10 µM of IC50. Treatment of NB4 cells with growth‐suppressive concentrations of ZER resulted in G2/M cell cycle arrest that was associated with a decline of Cyclin B1 protein, but with the phosphorylation of ATM/Chk1/Chk2. In addition, ZER induced the phosphorylation of Cdc25C at the Thr48 residue and Cdc2 at the Thr14/Tyr15 residues. Furthermore, ZER‐induced apoptosis in NB4 cells was initiated by the expression of Fas (CD95)/Fas Ligand (CD95L), concomitant with the activation of caspase‐8. ZER was also found to induce the cleavage of Bid, a mediator that is known to connect the Fas/CD95 cell death receptor to the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. ZER also induced the cleavage of Bax and Mcl‐1 proteins, but not Bcl‐2 or Bcl‐XL. ZER‐induced apoptosis took place in association with a loss of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential as well as the activation of caspase‐3 and ‐9, resulting in the degradation of the proteolytic poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP). ZER also triggered a release of cytochrome c into the cytoplasm. Both antagonistic anti‐Fas antibody ZB4 and pan‐caspase inhibitor Z‐VAD inhibited ZER‐induced apoptosis in NB4 cells. Taken together, ZER is an inducer of apoptosis in leukemic cells that specifically triggers the Fas/CD95‐ and mitochondria‐mediated apoptotic signaling pathway. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 118–126)
Validation study of the prediction system for clinical response of M‐VAC neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Takata Ryo , Katagiri Toyomasa , Kanehira Mitsugu , Shuin Taro , Miki Tsuneharu , Namiki Mikio , Kohri Kenjiro , Tsunoda Tatsuhiko , Fujioka Tomoaki , Nakamura Yusuke
Published: November 2006

To predict the efficacy of the M‐VAC neoadjuvant chemotherapy for invasive bladder cancers, we previously established the method to calculate the prediction score on the basis of expression profiles of 14 predictive genes. This scoring system had clearly distinguished the responder group from the non‐responder group. To further validate the clinical significance of the system, we applied it to 22 additional cases of bladder cancer patients and found that the scoring system correctly predicted clinical response for 19 of the 22 test cases. The group of patients with positive predictive scores had significantly longer survival than that with negative scores. When we compared our results with a previous report describing the prognosis of the patients with cystectomy alone, the results imply that patients with positive scores are likely to benefit from M‐VAC neoadjuvant chemotherapy, but that the chemotherapy would shorten the lives of patients with negative scores. We are confident that our prediction system to M‐VAC therapy should provide opportunities for achieving better prognosis and improving the quality of life of patients. Taken together, our data suggest that the goal of ‘personalized medicine’, prescribing the appropriate treatment regimen for each patient, may be achievable by selecting specific sets of genes for their predictive values according to the approach shown here. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 113–117)
Children with Down syndrome: oral development and morphology after use of palatal plates between 6 and 48 months of age
Authors: BÄCKMAN BIRGITTA , GREVÉR‐SJÖLANDER ANN‐CHRISTIN , BENGTSSON KARIN , PERSSON JENNY , JOHANSSON IRÉNE
Published: November 2006

Objective.  The aim of this study was to describe the number of erupted teeth, sucking habits, tongue morphology, facial expression and speech in children with Down syndrome (DS) aged 48 ± 6 months and treated from 6 months of age with palatal plates in combination with speech and language therapy.

Methods.  The research took the form of a multicentre, multidisciplinary, longitudinal study of children with DS followed from the age of 6 months. A total of 37 children with DS were included. One child could not cooperate at all and was excluded from the evaluations. In combination with speech and language intervention provided by speech and language therapists, the children used palatal plates provided by dentists from 6 months of age. In the evaluation, the children in the sample (n = 36) were compared with two similarly aged control groups: one group of children with DS who never had used palatal plates (n = 31) and one group of children with normal development (n = 36). The evaluation of oral parameters was performed by dentists after calibration. Registration of facial expression and speech was done by a speech and language therapist, and the evaluation was done by two speech and language therapists and one phonetician who were calibrated in joint discussions.

Results.  In contrast to the children with DS in the control group, the subjects in the study were found to have as many erupted teeth as the children with normal development. The prevalence of sucking habits did not differ between the three groups. Only children with DS sucked their tongue, a toy or other things in addition to a thumb or dummy. The prevalence of tongue diastase in the study group with DS was of the same magnitude as in the evaluation at the age of 18 ± 3 months. The palatal plates were used by 57–65% of the children without any larger problems. In the study sample, the possible beneficial effects of palatal plate therapy were a lower prevalence of posterior cross‐bite, a higher prevalence of frontal cusp‐to‐cusp relation and a lower prevalence of frontal open bite. Evaluation of facial expression and speech showed a higher score for facial expression and a better communicative capacity in the children in the study group than in the control children with DS.

Conclusions.  In children with DS, palatal plate therapy between 6 and 48 months of age in connection with speech and language intervention had a positive effect on occlusion, oral motor function, facial expression and speech. No harmful effects were observed. Although this is a valuable method, however, it must be emphasized that palatal plate therapy puts additional demands on already burdened children and their caretakers.
Murine Dendritic Cells Modified with CXCL10 Gene and Tumour Cell Lysate Mediate Potent Antitumour Immune Responses in Mice
Authors: Li B. , Li Q. , Zhao Q.‐L. , Wei X.‐B. , Zhang X.‐H. , Wu C.‐Q. , Zhong C.‐P.
Published: November 2006

The aim of our present study was to estimate the effect of a therapeutic vaccine against tumour based on dendritic cells (DC) vaccine modified with tumour cell lysate and chemokine CXCL10 gene. In this study, mouse bone marrow DC were pulsed with tumour cell (RM‐1) lysate and then transfected with a plasmid vector expressing CXCL10 cDNA by DOTAP liposome. The protective and therapeutic effects of the DC vaccine in RM‐1 tumour model were assessed (divided into CXCL10/Lysate‐DC, CXCL10/DC, pcDNA/Lysate‐DC, Lysate‐DC, pcDNA‐DC, DC and PBS). The DC transfected with CXCL10 gene were capable of synthesizing and secreting CXCL10 chemokine. The highest CTL activity against RM‐1 cells was induced in mice immunized with DC vaccine that was modified with RM‐1 lysate and CXCL10 gene (CXCL10/Lysate‐DC) when compared with its counterpart in mice. The CXCL10/Lysate‐DC immunized mice also exhibited resistance to tumour challenge most effectively. In the RM‐1 tumour model, immunization of CXCL10/Lysate‐DC inhibited the tumour growth most significantly when compared with other groups and the survival time of the mice treated with CXCL10/Lysate‐DC was greatly extended. These findings provide a potential strategy to improve the efficacy of DC‐based tumour vaccine.
Understanding the oestrogen action in experimental and clinical atherosclerosis
Authors: Arnal J.F. , Douin‐Echinard V. , Brouchet L. , Tremollières F. , Laurell H. , Lenfant F. , Gadeau A.P. , Guery J.C. , Gourdy P.
Published: November 2006

Whereas hormone replacement/menopause therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women increases the coronary artery risk, epidemiological studies (protection in premenopaused women) suggest and experimental studies (prevention of the development of fatty streaks in animals) demonstrate a major atheroprotective action of oestradiol (E2). The understanding of the deleterious and beneficial effects of oestrogens is thus required. The immuno‐inflammatory system plays a key role in the development of fatty streak deposit as well as in the rupture of the atherosclerotic plaque. Whereas E2 favours an anti‐inflammatory effect in vitro (cultured cells), it rather elicits in vivo a proinflammation at the level of several subpopulations of the immuno‐inflammatory system, which could contribute to plaque destabilization. Endothelium is another important target for E2, as it potentiates endothelial NO and prostacyclin production, thus promoting the beneficial effects as vasorelaxation and inhibition of platelet aggregation. Prostacyclin, but not NO, appears to be involved in the atheroprotective effect of E2. E2 also accelerates endothelial regrowth, thus favouring vascular healing. Finally, most of these effects of E2 are mediated by oestrogen receptor α, and are independent of oestrogen receptor β. In summary, a better understanding of the mechanisms of oestrogen action not only on the normal and atheromatous arteries, but also on innate and adaptive immune responses is required and should help to optimize the prevention of cardiovascular disease after menopause. These mouse models should help to screen existing and future selective oestrogen receptor modulators.
Domestic sacral space in the Florentine Renaissance palace*
Authors: Mattox Philip
Published: November 2006

Among the many reasons that domestic sacral space in Florence invites scholarly attention is the existence in that city of the chapel in Palazzo Medici, one of the most famous of the Italian Renaissance. The fortuitous survival of this splendid chapel is due, in all likelihood, to its meeting the Council of Trent's requirement of 1562 that laymen's domestic chapels be closeable and in the form of a chapel, in forma oratorii.

The successful enforcement of Tridentine regulations on domestic chapels and the rare survival of the one in Palazzo Medici have fostered misperceptions about the appearance, frequency and use of lay, or private, chapels. Chief among these is that sacral space in the Quattrocento and earlier resembled what later ensued in conformity with Tridentine guidelines, which were aimed at standardizing and controlling the renovation and construction of domestic chapels and the practices therein.

This article employs archival and canon law sources to provide a glimpse of sacral space as it existed in quattrocento Florence. The chapels selected for this article belonged to individuals of different profiles but all were from the governing elite. Together, these chapels illustrate the remarkable flexibility and variety allowed in the creation, furnishing and use of domestic sacral space in the Florentine Renaissance palace prior to the religious upheavals of the sixteenth century.
Spousal Abuse Among Immigrants From Ethiopia in Israel
Authors: Kacen Lea
Published: November 2006

This ethnographic study obtains first‐hand information on spousal abuse from Ethiopian immigrants in Israel. Data include 23 interviews with male and female immigrants of various ages and 10 professionals who worked with this community as well as observations and documents. The findings, verified by participants, show that during cultural transition, the immigrants’ code of honor, traditional conflict‐solving institutions, and family role distribution disintegrate. This situation, exacerbated by economic distress, proved conducive to women’s abuse. Lack of cultural sensitivity displayed by social services actually encouraged women to behave abusively toward their husbands and destroy their families. Discussion focuses on communication failures in spousal‐abuse discourse between immigrants from Ethiopia and absorbing society, originating in differences in values, behavior, social representations, and insensitive culture theories.
DNA polymerase ε associates with the elongating form of RNA polymerase II and nascent transcripts
Authors: Rytkönen Anna K. , Hillukkala Tomi , Vaara Markku , Sokka Miiko , Jokela Maarit , Sormunen Raija , Nasheuer Heinz‐Peter , Nethanel Tamar , Kaufmann Gabriel , Pospiech Helmut , Syväoja Juhani E.
Published: November 2006

DNA polymerase ε co‐operates with polymerases α and δ in the replicative DNA synthesis of eukaryotic cells. We describe here a specific physical interaction between DNA polymerase ε and RNA polymerase II, evidenced by reciprocal immunoprecipitation experiments. The interacting RNA polymerase II was the hyperphosphorylated IIO form implicated in transcriptional elongation, as inferred from (a) its reduced electrophoretic mobility that was lost upon phosphatase treatment, (b) correlation of the interaction with phosphorylation of Ser5 of the C‐terminal domain heptapeptide repeat, and (c) the ability of C‐terminal domain kinase inhibitors to abolish it. Polymerase ε was also shown to UV crosslink specifically α‐amanitin‐sensitive transcripts, unlike DNA polymerase α that crosslinked only to RNA‐primed nascent DNA. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed partial colocalization of RNA polymerase IIO and DNA polymerase ε, and immunoelectron microscopy revealed RNA polymerase IIO and DNA polymerase ε in defined nuclear clusters at various cell cycle stages. The RNA polymerase IIO–DNA polymerase ε complex did not relocalize to specific sites of DNA damage after focal UV damage. Their interaction was also independent of active DNA synthesis or defined cell cycle stage.
Characterization of a membrane‐bound aminopeptidase purified from Acyrthosiphon pisum midgut cells
Authors: Cristofoletti Plinio T. , Mendonça de Sousa Flavia A. , Rahbé Yvan , Terra Walter R.
Published: November 2006

A single membrane‐bound aminopeptidase N (APN) occurs in the pea aphid (Acyrthosiphon pisum Harris) midgut, with a pH optimum of 7.0, pI of 8.1 and molecular mass of 130 kDa. This enzyme accounts for more than 15.6% of the total gut proteins. After being solubilized in detergent, APN was purified to homogeneity. The enzyme is a glycoprotein rich in mannose residues, which binds the entomotoxic lectins of the concanavalin family. The internal sequence of APN is homologous with a conservative domain in APNs, and degenerated primers of highly conserved APN motifs were used to screen a gut cDNA library. The complete sequence of APN has standard residues involved in zinc co‐ordination and catalysis and a glycosyl‐phosphatidylinositol anchor, as in APNs from Lepidoptera. APN has a broad specificity towards N‐terminal amino acids, but does not hydrolyze acidic aminoacyl‐peptides, thus resembling the mammalian enzyme (EC 3.4.11.2). The kcat/Km ratios for different di‐, tri‐, tetra‐, and penta‐peptides suggest a preference for tripeptides, and that subsites S1, S2′ and S3′ are pockets able to bind bulky aminoacyl residues. Bestatin and amastatin bound APN in a rapidly reversible mode, with Ki values of 1.8 µm and 0.6 µm, respectively. EDTA inactivates this APN (kobs 0.14 m−1·s−1, reaction order of 0.44) at a rate that is reduced by competitive inhibitors. In addition to oligopeptide digestion, APN is proposed to be associated with amino‐acid‐absorption processes which, in contrast with aminopeptidase activity, may be hampered on lectin binding.
Characterization of SCP‐2 from Euphorbia lagascae reveals that a single Leu/Met exchange enhances sterol transfer activity
Authors: Viitanen Lenita , Nylund Matts , Eklund D. Magnus , Alm Christina , Eriksson Ann‐Katrin , Tuuf Jessica , Salminen Tiina A. , Mattjus Peter , Edqvist Johan
Published: November 2006

Sterol carrier protein‐2 (SCP‐2) is a small intracellular basic protein domain implicated in peroxisomal β‐oxidation. We extend our knowledge of plant SCP‐2 by characterizing SCP‐2 from Euphorbia lagascae. This protein consists of 122 amino acids including a PTS1 peroxisomal targeting signal. It has a molecular mass of 13.6 kDa and a pI of 9.5. It shares 67% identity and 84% similarity with SCP‐2 from Arabidopsis thaliana. Proteomic analysis revealed that E. lagascae SCP‐2 accumulates in the endosperm during seed germination. It showed in vitro transfer activity of BODIPY‐phosphatidylcholine (BODIPY‐PC). The transfer of BODIPY‐PC was almost completely inhibited after addition of phosphatidylinositol, palmitic acid, stearoyl‐CoA and vernolic acid, whereas sterols only had a very marginal inhibitory effect. We used protein modelling and site‐directed mutagenesis to investigate why the BODIPY‐PC transfer mediated by E. lagascae SCP‐2 is not sensitive to sterols, whereas the transfer mediated by A. thaliana SCP‐2 shows sterol sensitivity. Protein modelling suggested that the ligand‐binding cavity of A. thaliana SCP‐2 has four methionines (Met12, 14, 15 and 100), which are replaced by leucines (Leu11, 13, 14 and 99) in E. lagascae SCP‐2. Changing Leu99 to Met99 was sufficient to convert E. lagascae SCP‐2 into a sterol‐sensitive BODIPY‐PC‐transfer protein, and correspondingly, changing Met100 to Leu100 abolished the sterol sensitivity of A. thaliana SCP‐2.
COMMENTARY: IN NEW ORLEANS, WORKERS ARE STILL BATTERED BY THE FLOOD
Authors: Slaughter Jane
Published: November 2006

In New Orleans, as corporate profiteers scramble to benefit from the aftermath of the flood, the history of Black‐Brown relations has been compressed into a volatile six months. As contractors welcome Latino immigrants, displaced Black New Orleanians find they neither have jobs nor homes to return to. Unions and grassroots groups, using different methods, are trying to build unity as they fight for a voice for workers in the city's rebuilding.
The Challenges of Meeting the Standards: A Perspective from the Test Publishing Community
Authors: Harris William G.
Published: November 2006

Some of the challenges that test publishers face in constructing educational assessments that meet high technical quality as prescribed in the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (AERA, APA, NCME, 1999) are examined. Federal educational initiatives are used to illustrate demands on technical quality that challenge the efforts of test publishers to adhere to the Standards. Possible pitfalls to avoid when updating the Standards are also discussed.
Following the Standards: Is it Time for Another Revision?
Authors: Linn Robert L.
Published: November 2006

The question of what it means to follow the Standards is discussed. It is argued that the Standards consists of statements of general principles, and that interpretation for specific applications requires professional judgment. As a result, disagreements among professionals on the applicability of particular standards to specific situations are inevitable. Consequently, effective monitoring or enforcement is problematic. The need for a revision of the Standards is considered. It is concluded that while some modifications may be desirable, they might be accomplished by the creation of an addendum rather than a complete revision. It is suggested that the effort and required resources for a complete revision might be better spent on the development and adoption of a companion set of standards dealing with the use of aggregate test results in accountability systems and/or a casebook that would illustrate the application of the Standards to specific situations.
The Legitimacy of Global Governance Institutions
Authors: Buchanan Allen , Keohane Robert O.
Published: November 2006

We articulate a global public standard for the normative legitimacy of global governance institutions. This standard can provide the basis for principled criticism of global governance institutions and guide reform efforts in circumstances in which people disagree deeply about the demands of global justice and the role that global governance institutions should play in meeting them. We stake out a middle ground between an increasingly discredited conception of legitimacy that conflates legitimacy with international legality understood as state consent, on the one hand, and the unrealistic view that legitimacy for these institutions requires the same democratic standards that are now applied to states, on the other.
Vimentin and laminin expression is associated with basal-like phenotype in both sporadic andBRCA1-associated breast carcinomas
Authors: Rodríguez-Pinilla Socorro María , Sarrió David , Honrado Emiliano , Moreno-Bueno Gema , Hardisson David , Calero Francisco , Benítez Javier , Palacios José
Published: November 2006

Aims:To determine whether basal-like phenotype and vimentin and/or laminin are related in both sporadic/familial (BRCA1orBRCA2mutated) tumours.

Methods:230 non-familial and 28 hereditary node-negative invasive breast carcinomas were immunohistochemically analysed for oestrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6), epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFR), Ki67, p53, vimentin and laminin, using tissue microarrays. Tumours were considered to have basal-like phenotype if they were ER negative and HER2 negative, but positive for CK5/6 and/or EGFR.

Results:In sporadic tumours, vimentin expression was found in 77.8% cases with basal-like phenotype and 15.5% of non-basal cases (p<0.001). In familial cases, vimentin was expressed in 83.3% basal-like cancers and 16.7% of non-basal tumours (p<0.001). Vimentin expression was more frequent inBRCA1thanBRCA2mutation carriers. Vimentin expressing tumours were associated with poor prognosis (p = 0.012) among patients not receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and showed a trend for local recurrence or visceral but not bone metastasis (p = 0.021). Laminin expression was also related to basal-like phenotype in both sporadic/familial cases (p<0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively), but neither with prognosis nor recurrence pattern in sporadic cancers.

Conclusions:Vimentin and laminin expression is associated with basal-like phenotype in breast cancer. Expression of vimentin and laminin is characteristic ofBRCA1associated tumours. Since vimentin and laminin staining is widely used by pathologists for diagnostic purposes, thus demonstrating the robustness of their specific antibodies, the immunohistochemical evaluation of these two molecules could be used in identification of basal-like breast tumours in both sporadic/familial cases.
NORMAL AUTOMORPHISMS OF FREE BURNSIDE GROUPS OF LARGE ODD EXPONENTS
Authors: CHEREPANOV E. A.
Published: November 2006

Let [Formula: see text] be a free Burnside group of a sufficiently large odd exponent n with a basis [Formula: see text] of cardinality at least 2. We prove that every normal automorphism of [Formula: see text] is inner.

We also prove that a free Burnside group of large odd exponent n can be normally embedded into group of exponent n only as a direct factor.
Staff and student perceptions of computer-assisted assessment for physiology practical classes
Authors: Sheader Elizabeth , Gouldsborough Ingrid , Grady Ruth
Published: November 2006

Effective assessment of laboratory practicals is a challenge for large-size classes. To reduce the administrative burden of staff members without compromising the student learning experience, we utilized dedicated computer software for short-answer question assessment for nearly 300 students and compared it with the more traditional, paper-based method of assessment of the same student cohort. Students were generally favorably disposed toward computer-assisted assessment (CAA): 75% of the students responded that for future assignments, they either had no preference for the method of assessment or would prefer CAA. Advantages were perceived to be remote access to the questions and ease of submission. The most common disadvantage cited was lack of internet access. Various advantages of CAA were mentioned by staff members: notably, the reduction in marking time and reduction of paperwork as well as the potential for the software to detect plagiarism and to administer anonymous marking. Disadvantages to CAA were the need to tailor questions to the technology, having to adapt to reading answers and marking onscreen, and the quality of feedback to students. All of the disadvantages could be overcome by training and improved versions of CAA software, currently under development. The use of CAA has proved to be a welcome addition to the tools available to staff members for the assessment of practical classes, and future improved versions of the software will increase the utility of this assessment method.
Effect of chronic contractile activity on SS and IMF mitochondrial apoptotic susceptibility in skeletal muscle
Authors: Adhihetty Peter J. , Ljubicic Vladimir , Hood David A.
Published: November 2006

Chronic contractile activity of skeletal muscle induces an increase in mitochondria located in proximity to the sarcolemma [subsarcolemmal (SS)] and in mitochondria interspersed between the myofibrils [intermyofibrillar (IMF)]. These are energetically favorable metabolic adaptations, but because mitochondria are also involved in apoptosis, we investigated the effect of chronic contractile activity on mitochondrially mediated apoptotic signaling in muscle. We hypothesized that chronic contractile activity would provide protection against mitochondrially mediated apoptosis despite an elevation in the expression of proapoptotic proteins. To induce mitochondrial biogenesis, we chronically stimulated (10 Hz; 3 h/day) rat muscle for 7 days. Chronic contractile activity did not alter the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, an index of apoptotic susceptibility, and did not affect manganese superoxide dismutase levels. However, contractile activity increased antiapoptotic 70-kDa heat shock protein and apoptosis repressor with a caspase recruitment domain by 1.3- and 1.4-fold ( P < 0.05), respectively. Contractile activity elevated SS mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production 1.4- and 1.9-fold ( P < 0.05) during states IV and III respiration, respectively, whereas IMF mitochondrial state IV ROS production was suppressed by 28% ( P < 0.05) and was unaffected during state III respiration. Following stimulation, exogenous ROS treatment produced less cytochrome c release (25–40%) from SS and IMF mitochondria, and also reduced apoptosis-inducing factor release (≈30%) from IMF mitochondria, despite higher inherent cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor expression. Chronic contractile activity did not alter mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mtPTP) components in either subfraction. However, SS mitochondria exhibited a significant increase in the time to Vmax of mtPTP opening. Thus, chronic contractile activity induces predominantly antiapoptotic adaptations in both mitochondrial subfractions. Our data suggest the possibility that chronic contractile activity can exert a protective effect on mitochondrially mediated apoptosis in muscle.
Genetic model for the chronic activation of skeletal muscle AMP-activated protein kinase leads to glycogen accumulation
Authors: Barré Laura , Richardson Christine , Hirshman Michael F. , Brozinick Joseph , Fiering Steven , Kemp Bruce E. , Goodyear Laurie J. , Witters Lee A.
Published: November 2006

The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important metabolic sensor/effector that coordinates many of the changes in mammalian tissues during variations in energy availability. We have sought to create an in vivo genetic model of chronic AMPK activation, selecting murine skeletal muscle as a representative tissue where AMPK plays important roles. Muscle-selective expression of a mutant noncatalytic γ1 subunit (R70Qγ) of AMPK activates AMPK and increases muscle glycogen content. The increase in glycogen content requires the presence of the endogenous AMPK catalytic α-subunit, since the offspring of cross-breeding of these mice with mice expressing a dominant negative AMPKα subunit have normal glycogen content. In R70Qγ1-expressing mice, there is a small, but significant, increase in muscle glycogen synthase (GSY) activity associated with an increase in the muscle expression of the liver isoform GSY2. The increase in glycogen content is accompanied, as might be expected, by an increase in exercise capacity. Transgene expression of this mutant AMPKγ1 subunit may provide a useful model for the chronic activation of AMPK in other tissues to clarify its multiple roles in the regulation of metabolism and other physiological processes.
The promoter for the gene encoding the catalytic subunit of rat glucose-6-phosphatase contains two distinct glucose-responsive regions
Authors: Pedersen Kim B. , Zhang Pili , Doumen Chris , Charbonnet Marcel , Lu Danhong , Newgard Christopher B. , Haycock John W. , Lange Alex J. , Scott Donald K.
Published: November 2006

Glucose homeostasis requires the proper expression and regulation of the catalytic subunit of glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6- Pase), which hydrolyzes glucose 6-phosphate to glucose in glucose-producing tissues. Glucose induces the expression of G-6- Pase at the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels by unknown mechanisms. To better understand this metabolic regulation, we mapped the cis-regulatory elements conferring glucose responsiveness to the rat G-6- Pase gene promoter in glucose-responsive cell lines. The full-length (−4078/+64) promoter conferred a moderate glucose response to a reporter construct in HL1C rat hepatoma cells, which was dependent on coexpression of glucokinase. The same construct provided a robust glucose response in 832/13 INS-1 rat insulinoma cells, which are not glucogenic. Glucose also strongly increased endogenous G-6- Pase mRNA levels in 832/13 cells and in rat pancreatic islets, although the induced levels from islets were still markedly lower than in untreated primary hepatocytes. A distal promoter region was glucose responsive in 832/13 cells and contained a carbohydrate response element with two E-boxes separated by five base pairs. Carbohydrate response element-binding protein bound this region in a glucose-dependent manner in situ. A second, proximal promoter region was glucose responsive in both 832/13 and HL1C cells, with a hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 binding site and two cAMP response elements required for glucose responsiveness. Expression of dominant-negative versions of both cAMP response element-binding protein and CAAT/enhancer-binding protein blocked the glucose response of the proximal region in a dose-dependent manner. We conclude that multiple, distinct cis-regulatory promoter elements are involved in the glucose response of the rat G-6- Pase gene.
Discovery and profiling of bovine microRNAs from immune-related and embryonic tissues
Authors: Coutinho Luiz L. , Matukumalli Lakshmi K. , Sonstegard Tad S. , Van Tassell Curtis P. , Gasbarre Louis C. , Capuco Anthony V. , Smith Timothy P. L.
Published: November 2006

MicroRNAs are small ∼22 nucleotide-long noncoding RNAs capable of controlling gene expression by inhibiting translation. Alignment of human microRNA stem-loop sequences (mir) against a recent draft sequence assembly of the bovine genome resulted in identification of 334 predicted bovine mir. We sequenced five tissue-specific cDNA libraries derived from the small RNA fractions of bovine embryo, thymus, small intestine, and lymph node to validate these predictions and identify new mir. This strategy combined with comparative sequence analysis identified 129 sequences that corresponded to mature microRNAs (miR). A total of 107 sequences aligned to known human mir, and 100 of these matched expressed miR. The other seven sequences represented novel miR expressed from the complementary strand of previously characterized human mir. The 22 sequences without matches displayed characteristic mir secondary structures when folded in silico, and 10 of these retained sequence conservation with other vertebrate species. Expression analysis based on sequence identity counts revealed that some miR were preferentially expressed in certain tissues, while bta-miR-26a and bta-miR-103 were prevalent in all tissues examined. These results support the premise that species differences in regulation of gene expression by miR occur primarily at the level of expression and processing.
Using different ELECTRE methods in strategic planning in the presence of human behavioral resistance
Authors: Milani A. S. , Shanian A. , El-Lahham C.
Published: November 2006

In the multicriteria strategic planning of an organization, management should often be aware of employees' resistance to change before making new decisions; otherwise, a chosen strategy, though technologically acceptable, may not be efficient in the long term. This paper, using a sample case study within an organization, shows how different versions of ELECTRE methods can be used in choosing efficient strategies that account for both human behavioral resistance and technical elements. The effect of resistance from each subsystem of the organization is studied to ensure the reliability of the chosen strategy. The comparison of results from a select number of compensatory and noncompensatory models (ELECTRE I, III, IV, IS; TOPSIS; SAW; MaxMin) suggests that when employee resistance is a decision factor in the multicriteria strategic planning problem, the models can yield low-resistance strategies; however, ELECTRE seems to show more reasonable sensitivity.
Fundamental solutions to Kolmogorov equations via reduction to canonical form
Authors: Goard Joanna
Published: November 2006

This paper finds fundamental solutions to the backward Kolmogorov
equations, usually interpretable as transition density functions
for variables x that follow certain stochastic processes of the
form dx=A(x,t)dt+cxydX and dx=A(x,t)dt+α1+α2x+α3x2dX. This is achieved by first reducing the relevant PDEs
that the density functions satisfy to their canonical form. These
stochastic processes have direct realistic applications in the
modeling of financial assets.
Rothe time‐discretization method for the semilinear heat equation subject to a nonlocal boundary condition
Authors: Merazga Nabil , Bouziani Abdelfatah
Published: November 2006

This paper is devoted to prove, in a nonclassical function space, the weak
solvability of a mixed problem which combines a Neumann condition and an integral
boundary condition for the semilinear one‐dimensional heat equation. The
investigation is made by means of approximation by the Rothe method which is
based on a semidiscretization of the given problem with respect to the time variable.
Representations of isotropic Gaussian random fields with homogeneous increments
Authors: Dzhaparidze Kacha , van Zanten Harry , Zareba Pawel
Published: November 2006

We present series expansions and moving average representations
of isotropic Gaussian random fields with homogeneous increments,
making use of concepts of the theory of vibrating strings. We
illustrate our results using the example of Lévy′s
fractional Brownian motion on ℝN.
Generalized BSDE driven by a Lévy process
Authors: El Otmani Mohamed
Published: November 2006

We study the solution of one‐dimensional generalized backward stochastic differential
equation driven by Teugels martingales and an independent Brownian motion. We prove existence and uniqueness of the solution when the coefficient verifies some conditions of Lipschitz. If the coefficient is left continuous, increasing,
and bounded, we prove the existence of a solution.
An iterative algorithm for solution of contact problems of beams, plates and shells
Authors: Awrejcewicz Jan , Krysko Anton V.
Published: November 2006

An iterative algorithm to solve efficiently one‐sided interaction between two rectangular plates within the Kirchhoff hypothesis is proposed. Then a proof of convergence of this algorithm is given. The formulated theorem, proof, and five remarks exhibit advantages of our proposed novel approach.
Inflammatory Cell Phenotyping of the Pulmonary Interstitium in Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia
Authors: Parra Edwin Roger , Kairalla Ronaldo Adib , Ribeiro de Carvalho Carlos Roberto , Eher Esmeralda , Capelozzi Vera Luiza
Published: November 2006

Background: Several studies have implicated the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of lung damage in idiopathic interstitial pneumonias (IIPs). Investigations of inflammatory cells in IIP have show that eosinophils, neutrophils and T cells may be associated with a poorer prognosis. Objectives: The aim of our study was to map, by quantitative analysis, the number of inflammatory cells in the lung tissue of patients with non-specific interstitial pneumonia/non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP/NSIP), acute interstitial pneumonia/diffuse alveolar damage (AIP/DAD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis/usual interstitial pneumonia (IPF/UIP) and to correlate them with lung function tests and survival. Methods: After immunohistochemical staining, we quantified the content of inflammatory cells [macrophages, neutrophils (elastase+), plasma cells, and CD3, CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes (TLs)] in 20 NSIP, 20 DAD and 20 UIP surgical lung biopsies. Results: The total density of inflammatory cells was significantly increased in DAD and NSIP when compared to UIP (p = 0.04). TLs were increased in DAD and NSIP when compared to UlP lungs (p < 0.05). The density of inflammatory cells in UIP showed significant differences in normal, intervening and dense fibrosis areas (p < 0.05). The most numerous cells infiltrating the mural fibrosis and honeycombing areas were plasma cells, neutrophils (elastase+), CD20+, CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ (p < 0.05). In UIP, CD3+ TLs were directly correlated with forced expiratory volume in 1 s/forced vital capacity ratio × 100 (p = 0.05). CD68+ cells presented a significant positive correlation with the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (p = 0.04); neutrophil (elastase+) cells significantly correlated with residual volume (p = 0.02), residual volume/total lung capacity (p = 0.04) and carbon monoxide transfer factor (p = 0.03). The most important predictor of survival in UIP was CD3+ TLs (p = 0.05). Conclusion: The total density of inflammatory cells and lymphocytes presents a different distribution within the pulmonary parenchyma in AIP/DAD, NSIP/NSIP and IPF/UIP evolutionary adapted responses to injury. There is a localized distribution of inflammation in the normal, intervening and dense fibrosis areas of UIP for CD3+, associated with a lethal deterioration of the pulmonary function and poor survival. Our findings provide further evidence of the importance of inflammation in the pathophysiology of IIPs.
Hannibal, the Rhone and the 'Island': Some Philological and Metrological Notes
Authors: Schrier Omert
Published: November 2006

Hannibal's march on Italy has been the subject of much discussion. This article focuses on two aspects: the localisation of the Rhone crossing, 'about four days marching for an army from the sea' (Polybius 3.42.1), and the identification of the river that, together with the Rhone and a mountain range, formed the sides of 'the so-called Island' (Polybius 3.49.5-6, Livy 21.31.4). The first subject entails an inquiry into the norms for days' marches and consequently into the length of Herodotus' and Polybius' stades and Roman miles. The second problem proves to have been solved already in the seventeenth century.
Social Narratives Surrounding Dolphins: Q Method Study
Authors: Sickler Jessica , Lemcke Katherine , Gruber Sarah , Fraser John , Webler Thomas , Reiss Diana , Lyn Heidi , Boyle Paul
Published: November 2006

In preparation for development of an exhibit on the cognitive abilities of dolphins, the Wildlife Conservation Society sought to determine potential visitor's social perspectives about dolphin intelligence, and how these beliefs might influence acceptance of scientific information. The study reported here used Q methodology to identify these underlying social perspectives. The study of adults and the study of children each revealed three distinct perspectives. While consensus emerged among adults on points about dolphins' high intelligence and communication abilities, the three perspectives differed in their acceptance of the extent of self-awareness, learning capacity, and affinity for humans shown by dolphins. Among children, consensus emerged about dolphins' physical abilities, but analysis found differences in belief regarding instinctive versus intentional behavior, mystical connections, and dolphins' relationship to humans. Agreement among all of these perspectives, particularly on the topic of communication, suggests powerful common ways to begin thinking about dolphin cognition. Conversely, the unique attributes of each perspective, and the potential for interaction between individuals with differing perspectives in an exhibit setting, provide opportunities to engage visitors in discussion about animal intelligence.