bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Value of indocyanine green clearance of the future liver remnant in predicting outcome after resection for biliary cancer
Authors: Yokoyama Y , Nishio H , Ebata T , Igami T , Sugawara G , Nagino M
Published: April 2010

Background

It is difficult to predict hepatic functional reserve accurately before major hepatectomy. The aim of this study was to analyse the usefulness of the future liver remnant plasma clearance rate of indocyanine green (ICGK-F, calculated as plasma clearance rate of indocyanine green (ICGK) × proportion of the future liver remnant) in predicting death after major hepatectomy.

Methods

Data on ICGK and ICGK-F were collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively for 274 patients who underwent right hepatectomy, right trisectionectomy or left trisectionectomy for biliary cancer between 1991 and 2008. The mortality rate and incidence of postoperative complications were analysed. Patients were separated into two groups according to year of operation (85 patients operated on between 1991 and 2000; 189 from 2001 to 2008).

Results

In multiple logistic regression analyses, an ICGK-F less than 0·05 had the strongest impact on the incidence of postoperative mortality (odds ratio 8·06; P < 0·001). The postoperative mortality rate was significantly lower in the later period (P < 0·001). In patients with an ICGK-F value between 0·040 and 0·049, the mortality rate in the early period was 30 per cent, whereas it was only 8 per cent in the later period.

Conclusion

An ICGK-F of 0·05 is a useful cut-off value for predicting mortality and morbidity. With careful perioperative patient management in an experienced institution, this cut-off value can be lowered further.
A quantitative method to evaluate mesenchymal stem cell lipofection using real‐time PCR
Authors: Ribeiro S.C. , Mendes R. , Madeira C. , Monteiro G.A. , da Silva C.L. , Cabral J.M.S.
Published: April 2010

Genetic modification of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) is a powerful tool to improve the therapeutic utility of these cells and to increase the knowledge on their regulation mechanisms. In this context, strong efforts have been made recently to develop efficient nonviral gene delivery systems. Although several studies addressed this question most of them use the end product of a reporter gene instead of the DNA uptake quantification to test the transfection efficiency. In this study, we established a method based on quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR) to determine the intracellular plasmid DNA copy number in human MSC after lipofection. The procedure requires neither specific cell lysis nor DNA purification. The influence of cell number on the RT‐PCR sensitivity was evaluated. The method showed good reproducibility, high sensitivity, and a wide linear range of 75–2.5 × 106 plasmid DNA copies per cell. RT‐PCR results were then compared with the percentage of transfected cells assessed by flow cytometry analysis, which showed that flow cytometry‐based results are not always proportional to plasmid cellular uptake determined by RT‐PCR. This work contributed for the establishment of a rapid quantitative assay to determine intracellular plasmid DNA in stem cells, which will be extremely beneficial for the optimization of gene delivery strategies. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010
Pathoanatomy of posterior ankle impingement in ballet dancers
Authors: Russell Jeffrey A. , Kruse David W. , Koutedakis Yiannis , Mcewan Islay M. , Wyon Matthew A.
Published: April 2010

Dance is a high performance athletic activity that leads to great numbers of injuries, particularly in the ankle region. One reason for this is the extreme range of ankle motion required of dancers, especially females in classical ballet where the en pointe and demi‐pointe positions are common. These positions of maximal plantar flexion produce excessive force on the posterior ankle and may result in impingement, pain, and disability. Os trigonum and protruding lateral talar process are two common and well‐documented morphological variations associated with posterior ankle impingement in ballet dancers. Other less well‐known conditions, of both bony and soft tissue origins, can also elicit symptoms. This article reviews the anatomical causes of posterior ankle impingement that commonly affect ballet dancers with a view to equipping healthcare professionals for improved effectiveness in diagnosing and treating this pathology in a unique type of athlete. Clin. Anat. 23:613–621, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development of an industrial boiler virtual‐lab for control education using Modelica
Authors: Martin‐Villalba Carla , Urquia Alfonso , Dormido Sebastian
Published: April 2010

The use of the VirtualLabBuilder Modelica library and the Dymola modeling environment facilitates the implementation of virtual‐labs with elaborated user interfaces, and based on large and complex Modelica models. This implementation methodology is applied to develop an industrial boiler virtual‐lab for process control education. VirtualLabBuilder is freely available at www.euclides.dia.uned.es. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 21: 36–45, 2013
Disulfide chromophore and its optical activity
Authors: Maloň Petr , Bednárová Lucie , Straka Michal , Krejčí Lucie , Kumprecht Lukáš , Kraus Tomáš , Kubáňová Markéta , Baumruk Vladimír
Published: April 2010

The compounds I–IV derived from α‐D‐cyclodextrin moiety by bridging and/or interconnecting with various patterns of disulfide bonds were chosen as models for the spectroscopic study of conformation of the disulfide bridge. The energy gap between the disulfide and cyclodextrin's electronic transitions allows us to investigate absorption and electronic circular dichroism spectra without disturbing spectral overlaps with amides or aromatic amino acids in peptides or proteins. Raman optical activity (ROA) spectra were measured and the bands due to SS and CS stretching motion identified. Comparison with the quantum mechanical calculations of simple models indicates that sense of disulfide twist follows sign of the measured SS ROA band. Chirality 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electronic and vibrational signatures of peptide helical structures: A tribute to Anton Mario Tamburro
Authors: Formaggio Fernando , Toniolo Claudio
Published: April 2010

Our efforts on the synthesis of peptides with well‐characterized secondary structures, combined with detailed spectroscopic investigations, most of them performed in collaboration with internationally recognized experts, have allowed us to publish the electronic (electronic circular dichroism) and vibrational (FTIR absorption, vibrational circular dichroism, Raman, and Raman optical activity) signatures of the poorly studied peptide 310‐helix (and the related β‐bend ribbon spiral conformation as well) in comparison with those already known for the classical α‐helix. Chirality 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Der Einfluss von Kupfer (II) und Zink (II) auf die Bildung technischer Carbonatinkrustationen („Kesselstein”︁)
Authors: Zeppenfeld K.
Published: April 2010

Der Einfluss von Cu2+‐ und Zn2+‐Ionen auf den Prozess der CaCO3‐Keimkristallbildung wurde in stark kalkhaltigem Wasser untersucht. Die Untersuchungen zeigen, dass Kupfer‐Ionen die Keimkristallbildung und die sich anschließende Kalkabscheidung wesentlich stärker verzögern als Zink‐Ionen. Wichtigster Grund hierfür ist die Bildung von ZnCO3‐Partikeln, die zu einer stark beschleunigten heterogenen CaCO3‐Keimkristallbildung führen.
Differences in disease presentation, management techniques, treatment outcome, and toxicities in African‐American women with early stage breast cancer treated with breast‐conserving therapy
Authors: Vicini Frank , Jones Pamela , Rivers Aeisha , Wallace Michelle , Mitchell Chris , Kestin Larry , Jaiyesimi Ishmael , Dekhne Nayana , Martinez Alvaro
Published: April 2010

BACKGROUND:

Data on patients who received breast‐conserving therapy (BCT) for early stage breast cancer were examined to detect differences in disease presentation, management techniques, long‐term treatment outcomes, and toxicities based on race.

METHODS:

Six hundred ninety‐nine women with breast cancer (39 African‐American [AA] women and 660 Caucasian [C] women) who received BCT were analyzed on race, clinical and pathologic characteristics at presentation, management techniques, treatment‐related toxicities, recurrence, and survival. The median follow‐up was 12.2 years.

RESULTS:

At diagnosis, AA women were younger (aged <50 years, 49% vs 29%; P = .002), had larger tumors (mean, 17.0 mm vs 13.9 mm; P = .032), had more estrogen receptor‐negative tumors (56% vs 18%; P < .001), and higher nuclear grade tumors (grade 3, 52% vs 29%; P = .006). Compared with C women, AA women more frequently received adjuvant chemotherapy (59% vs 19%; P < .001) and lymph node irradiation (26% vs 13%; P = .033). No other significant treatment differences were observed. After treatment, AA women experienced more breast pain (P = .001), more arm edema (P = .046), and less excellent cosmetic results (P = .008), but there were no statistically significant differences in local recurrence (P = .232), distant metastasis (P = .263), overall survival (P = .131), or cause‐specific survival (P = .092) based on race.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results suggested that AA women present with larger and more aggressive breast tumors and, as a result, more frequently received adjuvant chemotherapy and lymph node irradiation. Small differences in treatment‐related toxicities and cosmesis were observed, but no differences in efficacy were identified. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Acute and late onset cognitive dysfunction associated with chemotherapy in women with breast cancer
Authors: Wefel Jeffrey S. , Saleeba Angele K. , Buzdar Aman U. , Meyers Christina A.
Published: April 2010

BACKGROUND:

Growing evidence supports cognitive dysfunction associated with standard dose chemotherapy in breast cancer survivors. We determined the incidence, nature, and chronicity of cognitive dysfunction in a prospective longitudinal randomized phase 3 treatment trial for patients with T1‐3, N0‐1, M0 breast cancer receiving 5‐fluorouracil, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide with or without paclitaxel.

METHODS:

Forty‐two patients underwent a neuropsychological evaluation including measures of cognition, mood, and quality of life. Patients were scheduled to be assessed before chemotherapy, during and shortly after chemotherapy, and 1 year after completion of chemotherapy.

RESULTS:

Before chemotherapy, 21% (9 of 42) evidenced cognitive dysfunction. In the acute interval, 65% (24 of 37) demonstrated cognitive decline. At the long‐term evaluation, 61% (17 of 28) evidenced cognitive decline after cessation of treatment. Within this group of patients, 71% (12 of 17) evidenced continuous decline from the acute interval, and, notably, 29% (5 of 17) evidenced new delayed cognitive decline. Cognitive decline was most common in the domains of learning and memory, executive function, and processing speed. Cognitive decline was not associated with mood or other measured clinical or demographic characteristics, but late decline may be associated with baseline level of performance.

CONCLUSIONS:

Standard dose systemic chemotherapy is associated with decline in cognitive function during and shortly after completion of chemotherapy. In addition, delayed cognitive dysfunction occurred in a large proportion of patients. These findings are consistent with a developing body of translational animal research demonstrating both acute and delayed structural brain changes as well as functional changes associated with common chemotherapeutic agents such as 5‐flouorouracil. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Evaluation of an 8‐color flow cytometric reference method for white blood cell differential enumeration
Authors: Cherian Sindhu , Levin Greg , Lo Wing Yin , Mauck Megan , Kuhn Donald , Lee Crystol , Wood Brent L.
Published: April 2010

Background:

Manual microscopy is the current reference method for white blood cell (WBC) differential counts. However, manual counts are time and labor intensive, difficult in patients with low WBC counts, and can misclassify cells having difficult morphology. We investigated an 8‐color, single‐tube, lyse no‐wash flow cytometric method to perform an extended 8‐part differential as a potential replacement reference method for WBC differential enumeration.

Methods:

Whole blood was stained using a panel of antibodies including CD45APC‐Cy7, CD16+CD19FITC, CD33+CD64PE‐Cy5, CD123PE, HLA‐DRPE‐Cy7, CD34+CD117APC, and CD38A594 with the membrane permeant DNA binding dye Hoechst 34580 to generate an 8‐part differential (lymphocytes, granulocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, immature granulocytes, blasts, and nucleated RBCs) using TruCount beads to generate absolute counts for all populations. Manual and instrument differentials were generated for 300 blood samples ranging from normal to complex. Results were compared with the flow cytometric differential.

Results:

The flow cytometric WBC and differential correlated well with the Sysmex XE2100 hematology analyzer and gave comparable results to the manual differential. Areas of greatest discordance included enumeration of populations present at low numbers and misclassification of cells with unusual morphology by the manual method. This study describes a novel single‐tube flow cytometric method for performing a WBC count and 8‐part differential that performs well with both normal and difficult patient samples. These findings confirm the results of prior studies supporting the use of a flow cytometric differential as an improved reference method for the WBC differential and extend prior efforts by allowing positive identification of most cell populations. © 2010 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 activates DC and prevents house dust mite allergy through a TLR4‐dependent pathway
Authors: Adam Emmanuelle , Delbrassinne Laurence , Bouillot Céline , Reynders Virginie , Mailleux Anne‐Catherine , Muraille Eric , Jacquet Alain
Published: April 2010

Experimental animal and human studies have demonstrated that probiotic strains have beneficial effects on allergy. Here we report that the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 strain (EcN) is able to activate DC, as shown by important cytokine synthesis together with up‐regulation of membrane expression of CD40, CD80 and CD86. This EcN‐induced DC activation was strictly dependent on the TLR4 signaling pathway and was also associated with stimulation of NF‐κB and MAPK. We next investigated the prophylactic potential of i.n. co‐administration of EcN with a recombinant form of Der p 1 (ProDer p 1) in a murine model of mite allergy. I.n. vaccinations with EcN plus ProDer p 1 prevented the subsequent allergic response following Der p 1 sensitization and airway challenge with aerosolized mite extracts through the induction of an allergen‐specific IgG2a response, the prevention of specific IgE production and a strong reduction of IL‐5 secretion by allergen‐restimulated splenocytes. EcN alone or in combination with ProDer p 1 inhibited the development of airway eosinophilia and neutrophilia. This in vivo protective effect of EcN was, in part, mediated by TLR4 signaling. Our results suggest that EcN represents an efficient adjuvant to prevent allergic responses.
Generation of robust CD8+ T‐cell responses against subdominant epitopes in conserved regions of HIV‐1 by repertoire mining with mimotopes
Authors: Schaubert Keri L. , Price David A. , Salkowitz Janelle R. , Sewell Andrew K. , Sidney John , Asher Tedi E. , Blondelle Sylvie E. , Adams Sharon , Marincola Francesco M. , Joseph Aviva , Sette Alessandro , Douek Daniel C. , Ayyavoo Velpandi , Storkus Walter , Leung Ming‐Ying , Ng Hwee L. , Yang Otto O. , Goldstein Harris , Wilson Darcy B. , Kan‐Mitchell June
Published: April 2010

HLA‐A*0201‐restricted virus‐specific CD8+ CTL do not appear to control HIV effectively in vivo. To enhance the immunogenicity of a highly conserved subdominant epitope, TV9 (TLNAWVKVV, p24 Gag19–27), mimotopes were designed by screening a large combinatorial nonapeptide library with TV9‐specific CTL primed in vitro from healthy donors. A mimic peptide with a low binding affinity to HLA‐A*0201, TV9p6 (KINAWIKVV), was studied further. Parallel cultures of in vitro‐primed CTL showed that TV9p6 consistently activated cross‐reactive and equally functional CTL as measured by cytotoxicity, cytokine production and suppression of HIV replication in vitro. Comparison of TCRB gene usage between CTL primed from the same donors with TV9 or TV9p6 revealed a degree of clonal overlap in some cases and an example of a conserved TCRB sequence encoded distinctly at the nucleotide level between individuals (a “public” TCR); however, in the main, distinct clonotypes were recruited by each peptide antigen. These findings indicate that mimotopes can mobilize functional cross‐reactive clonotypes that are less readily recruited from the naïve T‐cell pool by the corresponding WT epitope. Mimotope‐induced repertoire diversification could potentially override subdominance under certain circumstances and enhance vaccine‐induced responses to conserved but poorly immunogenic determinants within the HIV proteome.
Multiple roles of ERCC1‐XPF in mammalian interstrand crosslink repair
Authors: Rahn Jennifer J. , Adair Gerald M. , Nairn Rodney S.
Published: April 2010

DNA interstrand crosslinks (ICLs) are among the most deleterious cytotoxic lesions encountered by cells, mainly due to the covalent linkage these lesions create between the two strands of DNA which effectively blocks replication and transcription. Although ICL repair in mammalian cells is not fully understood, processing of these lesions is thought to begin by “unhooking” at the site of the damaged base accompanied by the generation of a double strand break and ultimately repair through translesion synthesis and homologous recombination. A key player in this repair process is the heterodimeric protein complex ERCC1‐XPF. Although some models of ICL repair restrict ERCC1‐XPF activity to the unhooking step, recent data suggest that this protein complex acts in additional downstream steps. Here, we review the evidence implicating ERCC1‐XPF in multiple steps of ICL repair. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Numerical modelling of aeolian erosion over rough surfaces
Authors: Turpin C. , Badr T. , Harion J.‐L.
Published: April 2010

The presence of non‐erodible roughness elements on erodible surfaces has the effect of absorbing part of the wind shear stress and thus protecting the erodible surface from wind erosion. This paper examines the shear stress distribution over roughness arrays of varying density, representing the progress of erosion on a bed of erodible and non‐erodible particles. Three‐dimensional numerical simulations, simulating wind flow over a bed of particles covered by roughness elements, were conducted in order to investigate the effect of roughness elements on the shear stress near the surface. The results of these simulations confirm that the erosion of soil by wind is strongly attenuated by the presence of roughness elements on the surface and depends on the geometric properties of the roughness elements. Based on the new numerical results obtained, a refinement of existing theoretical approaches is developed to describe the dependence of the friction velocity upon roughness frontal area and real exposed cover rate. The new formulation proposed will allow a more accurate evaluation of shear stress partitioning as a function of topographic changes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantifying large‐scale historical formation of accommodation in the Mississippi Delta
Authors: Morton Robert A. , Bernier Julie C. , Kelso Kyle W. , Barras John A.
Published: April 2010

Large volumes of new accommodation have formed within the Mississippi Delta plain since the mid‐1950s in association with rapid conversion of coastal wetlands to open water. The three‐dimensional aspects and processes responsible for accommodation formation were quantified by comparing surface elevations, water depths, and vertical displacements of stratigraphic contacts that were correlated between short sediment cores. Integration of data from remotely sensed images, sediment cores, and water‐depth surveys at 10 geologically diverse areas in the delta plain provided a basis for estimating the total volume of accommodation formed by interior‐wetland subsidence and subsequent erosion. Results indicate that at most of the study areas subsidence was a greater contributor than erosion to the formation of accommodation associated with wetland loss. Tens of millions of cubic meters of accommodation formed rapidly at each of the large open‐water bodies that were formerly continuous interior delta‐plain marsh. Together the individual study areas account for more than 440 × 106 × m3 of new accommodation that formed as holes in the Mississippi River delta‐plain fabric between 1956 and 2004. This large volume provides an estimate of the new sediment that would be needed just at the study areas to restore the delta‐plain wetlands to their pre‐1956 areal extent and elevations. Published 2010. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Burial and turbulent transport by bioturbation: a 27‐year experiment in southeast Australia
Authors: Richards Paul J. , Humphreys Geoff S.
Published: April 2010

In order to assess the net effect and relative importance of geomorphic processes at two natural woodland sites in southeast Australia, 100 small tiles were placed on the soil surface in 1979 and their movement was monitored over the course of nearly three decades. Rates of tile burial and other tile displacement were considerable but also markedly random, being largely inconsistent with expected patterns of displacement by orthodox creep and rainwash processes. This included substantial upslope displacement and burial depths that ranged from zero to 5 cm. We suggest that such turbulent transport in the topsoil has mostly been caused by the direct and indirect transfer of soil and clasts by animals and plants (i.e. bioturbation). In addition to direct evidence of biota interacting with tiles, the effectiveness of bioturbation at our sites has been well established and the overall tile burial rate of 0·25 to 0·4 mm yr−1 is comparable to rates of surface mounding. Patterns of tile movement are generally consistent with soils‐geomorphic theory regarding the biomantle and bioturbation‐driven stonelayer formation, and provide further evidence that soil transfer and slope movement, in many situations, are markedly random and complex processes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Elements of a Computational Framework for Coupled Simulations
Authors: Matthies Hermann G. , Niekamp Rainer , Hautefeuille Martin , Jürgens Dominik , Kassiotis Christophe , Srisupattarawanit Tarin , Colliat Jean‐Baptiste , Ibrahimbegović Adnan
Published: April 2010

Coupled problems arise because certain aspects of some systems have previously been modelled separately, assuming (implicitly) an uncoupled behaviour. More often then not, computational approaches and mature software have been developed for each of these aspects in isolation. If one has to consider now the coupled problem, it would be advantageous if this previous work could be put to good use. This, in particular, concerns the developed software. In this presentation we will analyse the requirements for this to be achieved, and outline some of the possible solutions. Several tasks have to be accomplished: Non‐matching spatial grids and geometric representations have to be joined, fulfilling certain consistency requirements. Similarly non‐matching time‐stepping schemes have tobe combined. After outlining a possible mathematical formulation for the coupling, the joining of the software will be considered. We view the original software which is modelling some aspect as a software‐engineering component, and we describe a component‐based approach to achieve a consistently coupled and (if so desired) distributed computational simulation (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Thermo‐mechanically coupled modeling and simulation of hot metal‐forming processes using adaptive remeshing method
Authors: Parvizian F. , Schneidt A. , Svendsen B. , Mahnken R.
Published: April 2010

The purpose of this work is to model and simulate hot metal forming processes in which material undergoes large deformations with help of the Finite Element (FE) software ABAQUS using Lagrangian formulation. Extrusion of aluminum alloys and forging of steels as two examples are taken into account in this work. To this end, a material model based on thermoelastic viscoplasticity is formulated for each case. The microstructural evolution is modeled effectively with the help of internal state variables. Element distortion and contact during the simulation of large deformation processes is controlled with the help of a custom adaptive remeshing system based on Python scripting and utilizable in commercial programs such as Abaqus. Simulation results for the microstructural development during extrusion as a func‐tion of process conditions demonstrate the sensitivity of microstructure development to these conditions. Comparison of the simulation results for the microstructure evolution with corresponding experimental results show good qualitative agreement (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The relationship between oxygen and adenosine in astrocytic cultures
Authors: Kulik Tobias B. , Aronhime Shimon N. , Echeverry German , Beylin Alex , Winn H. Richard
Published: April 2010

Brain tissue oxygenation affects cerebral function and blood flow (CBF). Adenosine (Ado), a purine nucleoside, moderates neuronal activity, and arterial diameter. The cellular source of Ado in brain remains elusive; however, astrocytes are a logical site of production. Using astrocytic cultures, we tested the hypothesis that astrocytic derived Ado reflects cerebral oxygenation. We found that during alterations in pO2, extracellular levels of Ado [Ado]e changed rapidly. Graded reductions of oxygen tension revealed that[Ado]e reached 10−7 M to 10−6 M with a pO2 of 30–10mmHg, comparable with [Ado]e and oxygen levels found in brain tissue during normoxemia. Higher O2 levels were associated with a depression of [Ado]e. Under conditions of low pO2 (pO2 ≤ 3 mmHg), inhibition of extracellular catabolism of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) prevented an increase of [Ado]e and resulted in a rise in [AMP]e. The rise in [AMP]e preceded the increase in [Ado]e. In the presence of nucleoside transporter inhibitors, accumulation of [Ado]e persisted. On the basis of our studies in culture we conclude that astrocytes are a significant source of Ado and that during hypoxia, the changes in [Ado]e are in a range to affect both neuronal activity as well as CBF. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An essential role for Dicer in adipocyte differentiation
Authors: Mudhasani Rajini , Imbalzano Anthony N. , Jones Stephen N.
Published: April 2010

Dicer is a cellular enzyme required for the processing of pre‐miRNA molecules into mature miRNA, and Dicer and miRNA biogenesis have been found to play important roles in a variety of physiologic processes. Recently, reports of alterations in miRNA expression levels in cultured pre‐adipogenic cell lines during differentiation and findings of differences between the miRNA expression signatures of white and brown adipose have suggested that miRNA molecules might regulate adipocyte differentiation and the formation of adipose tissue. However, direct evidence that miRNAs regulate adipogenesis is lacking. To determine if Dicer and mature miRNA govern adipocyte differentiation, we utilized primary cells isolated from mice bearing Dicer‐conditional alleles to study adipogenesis in the presence or absence of miRNA biogenesis. Our results reveal that Dicer is required for adipogenic differentiation of mouse embryonic fibroblasts and primary cultures of pre‐adipocytes. Furthermore, the requirement for Dicer in adipocyte differentiation is not due to miRNA‐mediated alterations in cell proliferation, as deletion of the Ink4a locus and the prevention of premature cellular senescence normally induced in primary cells upon Dicer ablation fails to rescue adipogenic differentiation in fibroblasts and pre‐adipocytes. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 812–816, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neural stem cells modified to express BDNF antagonize trimethyltin‐induced neurotoxicity through PI3K/Akt and MAP kinase pathways
Authors: Casalbore Patrizia , Barone Ilaria , Felsani Armando , D'Agnano Igea , Michetti Fabrizio , Maira Giulio , Cenciarelli Carlo
Published: April 2010

In vitro expansion of neural stem cells (NSC) lentivirally transduced with human BDNF may serve as better cellular source for replacing degenerating neurons in disease, trauma and toxic insults. In this study, we evaluate the functional role of forced BDNF expression by means of NSC (M3GFP‐BDNF) obtained from cerebral cortex of 1‐day‐old mice respect to NSC‐control (M3GFP). We find that M3GFP‐BDNF induced to differentiate significantly accumulate BDNF and undergone to high potassium‐mediated depolarization, show rapid BDNF recycle and activation of Trk receptors signaling. Differentiated M3GFP‐BDNF exhibit neurons and oligodendrocytes with extended processes although quantitative analyses of NSC‐derived cell lineages show none statistical significance between both cell populations. Moreover, those cells show a significant induction of neuronal and oligodendroglial markers by RT‐PCR and Western blot respect to M3GFP, such as βIII‐Tubulin, microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2), neurofilaments heavy (NF‐H), oligodendroglial myelin glycoprotein (OMG) and some molecules involved in glutamatergic synapse maturation, such as receptors tyrosine kinases (TRKs), post‐synaptic density (PSD‐95) and N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors 2 A/B (NMDA2A/B). After treatment with the neurotoxicant trimethyltin (TMT), differentiated M3GFP‐BDNF exhibit an attenuation of cellular damage which correlates with a significant activation of MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling and delayed activation of death signals, while on M3GFP, TMT induces a significant reduction of cell survival, neuronal differentiation and concomitant earlier activation of cleaved caspase‐3. We demonstrate that overexpression of BDNF firmly regulate cell survival and differentiation of NSC and protects differentiated NSC against TMT‐induced neurotoxicity through the PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 710–721, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Src is a major signaling component for CTGF induction by TGF‐β1 in osteoblasts
Authors: Zhang X. , Arnott J.A. , Rehman S. , DeLong W.G. , Sanjay A. , Safadi F.F. , Popoff S.N.
Published: April 2010

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF/CCN2) is induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) where it acts as a downstream mediator of TGF‐β1 induced matrix production in osteoblasts. We have shown the requirement of Src, Erk, and Smad signaling for CTGF induction by TGF‐β1 in osteoblasts; however, the potential interaction among these signaling pathways remains undetermined. In this study we demonstrate that TGF‐β1 activates Src kinase in ROS17/2.8 cells and that treatment with the Src family kinase inhibitor PP2 prevents Src activation and CTGF induction by TGF‐β1. Additionally, inhibiting Src activation prevented Erk activation, Smads 2 and 3 activation and nuclear translocation by TGF‐β1, demonstrating that Src is an essential upstream signaling partner of both Erk and Smads in osteoblasts. MAPKs such as Erk can modulate the Smad pathway directly by mediating the phosphorylation of Smads or indirectly through activation/inactivation of required nuclear co‐activators that mediate Smad DNA binding. When we treated cells with the Erk inhibitor, PD98059, it inhibited TGF‐β1‐induced CTGF protein expression but had no effect on Src activation, Smad activation or Smad nuclear translocation. However PD98059 impaired transcriptional complex formation on the Smad binding element (SBE) of the CTGF promoter, demonstrating that Erk activation was required for SBE transactivation. These data demonstrate that Src is an essential upstream signaling transducer of Erk and Smad signaling with respect to TGF‐β1 in osteoblasts and that Smads and Erk function independently but are both essential for forming a transcriptionally active complex on the CTGF promoter in osteoblasts. J. Cell. Physiol. 224: 691–701, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Embryonic development of Ampheres leucopheus and Iporangaia pustulosa (Arachnida: Opiliones: Gonyleptidae)
Authors: Gnaspini Pedro , Lerche Cristiano Frederico
Published: April 2010

The first studies concerning the embryonic development of harvestmen started in the late 19th century, and focused mostly on holarctic species, and only three species of the suborder Laniatores (the largest, among the four suborders considered presently) were studied. Moreover, the last studies on embryology of harvestmen were made during the late 1970s. This study focused on the embryonic development of Ampheres leucopheus (Gonyleptidae, Caelopyginae) and Iporangaia pustulosa (Gonyleptidae, Progonyleptoidellinae). The embryonic development was followed in the field, by taking daily photographs of different eggs during about 2 months. When laid, eggs of A. leucopheus and I. pustulosa have approximately 1.13 and 1.30 mm in diameter, respectively, and the second is embedded in a large amount of mucus. The eggs grow, mainly due to water absorption at the beginning of the process, and they reach a diameter of about 1.35 and 1.59 mm, respectively, close to hatching. It took, respectively, 29–56 days and 35–66 days from egg laying to hatching. For the description of the embryonic development, we use photographs from the field, SEM micrographs, and histological analysis. This allowed us, for instance, to document the progression of structures and pigmentation directly from live embryos in the field, and to record microstructures, such as the presence of perforations in the cuticle of the embryo in the place where eyes are developing. Yet, contrary to what was expected in the literature, we record an egg tooth in one of the studied laniatoreans. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 314B:489–502, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased expression of urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor in the frontal cortex of patients with intractable frontal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Liu Bei , Zhang Bin , Wang Tao , Liang Qin‐Chuan , Jing Xiao‐Rong , Zheng Jun , Wang Chao , Meng Qiang , Wang Liang , Wang Wei , Guo Heng , You Yu , Zhang Hua , Gao Guo‐Dong
Published: April 2010

Urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol‐anchored protein involved in cell adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, migration, invasion, and tissue repair and remodeling. Our aim was to investigate uPAR expression in the frontal cortex of patients with intractable frontal lobe epilepsy and to explore the possible role of uPAR in intractable epilepsy. Tissue samples were obtained from the frontal cortex of 25 patients who had undergone surgery for intractable epilepsy and 15 histologically normal frontal cortex tissues from patients with orbital frontal lobe severe contusion (the control group). The frontal cortex expression of uPAR was studied by Western blot and immnohistochemistry. Double immunofluorescence was used to determine the expression of uPAR in astrocytes, microglia, and neurons. The normal frontal cortex uPAR protein level was shown to be low. In the brain tissue of patients with intractable epilepsy, the expression of uPAR protein increased dramatically. Based on the results of double immunofluorescence, many uPAR‐positive cells are colocalized with the cell soma of NeuN‐positive neurons, whereas only a few GFAP‐ and CD11b‐positive cells colocalized with uPAR staining. These findings provide new information pertaining to the epileptogenesis of intractable epilepsy and suggest that increased expression of uPAR in human brain may be associated with human intractable epilepsy. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of mucinous gastric carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Ming , Zhu Guan‐yu , Zhang Hong‐feng , Gao Hong‐yu , Han Xiao‐feng , Xue Ying‐wei
Published: April 2010

Background and Objectives

Reports of clinicopathological features and prognosis in patients with mucinous gastric carcinoma (MGC) are conflicting. The aim was to describe the clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with MGC in comparison with nonmucinous gastric carcinoma (NMGC).

Methods

We reviewed the records of 1,278 consecutive patients diagnosed with gastric carcinoma who were resected surgically from 1993 to 2003. Among them, 48 patients (3.8%) with MGC were compared to 1,230 patients with NMGC.

Results

There were significant differences in tumor location, stage of disease, lymphatic invasion, and vascular invasion between the patients with MGC and NMGC. The overall 5‐year survival of patients with MGC was 27.2% as compared with 42.8% for patients with NMGC (P = 0.031). For the patients with the same stage, there was no significant difference between MGC and NMGC. With respect to patients with MGC, multivariate analysis showed that lymph node metastasis and curative resection were significant factors affecting survival.

Conclusions

MGC is rare and detected mostly in an advanced stage. Mucinous histology type itself is not an independent prognostic factor. J. Surg. Oncol. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:64–67. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Perioperative quality metrics for one step breast cancer surgery: A patient‐centered approach
Authors: Smith Travis J. , Landercasper Jeffrey , Gundrum Jacob D. , De Maiffe Brooke M. , Andersen Jeremiah J. , Johnson Jeanne M. , Haller Pamela J.
Published: April 2010

Background and Objectives

Patient‐centered care is recommended by the Institute of Medicine to build a better healthcare system. The aim of this study was to audit patient‐centered quality measures (QM) to create a breast center report card that could be provided to patients for education and informed consent.

Methods

An IRB approved retrospective review of 695 patients undergoing sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer was conducted to audit the components of one step surgery and other QM.

Results

The intraoperative sensitivity to detect node positive patients was 25% (2/8), 27% (9/34), and 87% (68/78) for pN0(i+), pN1mi, pN1 patients, respectively. The re‐excision lumpectomy rate was 15% (72/471) and the one step surgery success rate, which included lumpectomy and mastectomy patients, was 86% (598/695). Patient self‐assessment of “very good to excellent” cosmesis and pain control were 77% (103/134) and 83% (60/72). Local recurrence rate was 2% (12/695) at a mean 3.1‐year follow‐up.

Conclusions

The components of care that contribute to a patient‐centered assessment of breast cancer surgery are measurable. “Bundling” of QM creates a perioperative report card that aids patients' informed consent and provides a framework for future comparative effectiveness studies. J. Surg. Oncol. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:34–38. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Management of gastric cancer in Ontario
Authors: Coburn Natalie G. , Lourenco Laercio G. , Rossi Seana E. , Gunraj Nadia , Mahar Alyson L. , Helyer Lucy K. , Law Calvin , Rabeneck Linda , Paszat Lawrence
Published: April 2010

Objective

To describe the processes of care for gastric cancer in Ontario and identify areas in which care and possibly survival can be improved.

Summary Background Data

Survival in North America is poor for patients with gastric cancer, with stage‐matched survival markedly worse than is seen in Asian and European series. Few Western studies have examined processes of care associated with gastric cancer.

Methods

We identified all cases of gastric cancer in Ontario, Canada from April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2005, and describe the demographics of patients, staging of the cancer, treatment, and survival.

Results

In this series of 3,666 patients, 81% of cases had a CT scan performed prior to resection and 90% of cases received an upper endoscopy. We found that 55% of patients were treated palliatively and only 1,645 patients underwent a curative‐intent resection. Among patients who did not receive a resection over 50% of the cases appeared to have had a diagnostic laparoscopy rather than a laparotomy. Survival was related to the type of resection performed, likely reflecting the extent of disease. Higher institution volume and age were related to improved survival for curative‐intent cases.

Conclusion

In this population‐based analysis, we found evidence of under‐utilization of pre‐operative radiology and endoscopy. Many patients were treated palliatively, reflecting presentation of the cancer at an advanced stage. For curative patients, survival was associated with age, surgical type, and resection in a higher volume institution. J. Surg. Oncol. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:54–63. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Limb salvage surgery for calcaneal malignancy
Authors: Li Jing , Guo Zheng , Pei Guo‐Xian , Wang Zhen , Chen Guo‐jing , Wu Zhi‐Gang
Published: April 2010

Background

Advances in oncologic treatment modalities and wide resection have made limb salvage procedures in calcaneal malignancy increasingly possible. However, reconstructions of the calcaneal remain a major surgical challenge because of the rarity and specific anatomy of this condition.

Methods

we retrospectively reviewed five patients who had primary calcaneal malignancy and underwent total calcanectomy and reconstructions with the distally pedicled osteocutaneous folded fibular flap between 2001 and 2007. The diagnoses included chondrosarcoma in 2, Ewing's sarcoma in 2 and osteosarcoma in 1. Three tumors were classified as stage‐II B lesions, one as I A and one as II A. Wide resection margins were achieved in all patients. The patients were followed up for a mean of 50.4 months (range, 32–76 months). Patients were examined clinically and radiographically and were assessed functionally with Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score.

Results

Four patients had no evidence of disease, and lung metastasis was found in one patient who was alive with disease. No local recurrence occurred in this series. At latest evaluation four patients had no evident limp or limitation of daily activities and one patient had mild limp. The average MSTS 93 score and AOFAS score were 83.2% and 86.4% at the last follow‐up, respectively. All fibular flaps survived and bone unions achieved successfully. Fibula hypertrophies were seen in three patients. The overall mean time for bone union was 6.2 months. The mean time to full weight‐bearing was 8.6 months. The average two‐point discrimination was 2.3 cm at the time of final follow‐up. Two patients had surgery‐related complications including hematoma in 1 and skin margin necrosis in 1.

Conclusions

Following the wide resection of calcaneal malignancy, biological reconstruction using distally pedicled osteocutaneous fibular has proven to be a successful limb salvage procedure, offering satisfactory local tumor control and functional restoration of the lower extremity function. J. Surg. Oncol. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:48–53. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prospects for the Diode Laser Market
Authors: Bonati Guido
Published: April 2010

After 15 years of research and development diode lasers have made their way from an enthusiastic approach to a workhorse of modern laser‐based manufacturing. The first devices have been unable to operate at much more than some milliwatts even far below room temperature. Significant funding, continuous research and, finally, industry‐driven improvements caused by the increasing needs of applications show the expected effects. this article provides an outlook on developments in the diode laser market.
High‐Speed Laser Processing in Thin‐Film Module Manufacturing
Authors: Hueske Marc
Published: April 2010

The key in thin‐film module production is reduced costs per Wattpeak (Wp). This can be achieved by cost‐effective production steps, shorter cycle times and enhanced module efficiency. Module efficiency depends on the weakest cell and active module area. That is the reason why high precision scribing is gaining in importance. Reducing cycle time is feasible by process parallelization and increasing process speed. This paper presents a summary of current laser processes in thin‐film module production.
Validation of a current definition of early allograft dysfunction in liver transplant recipients and analysis of risk factors
Authors: Olthoff Kim M. , Kulik Laura , Samstein Benjamin , Kaminski Mary , Abecassis Michael , Emond Jean , Shaked Abraham , Christie Jason D.
Published: April 2010

Translational studies in liver transplantation often require an endpoint of graft function or dysfunction beyond graft loss. Prior definitions of early allograft dysfunction (EAD) vary, and none have been validated in a large multicenter population in the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) era. We examined an updated definition of EAD to validate previously used criteria, and correlated this definition with graft and patient outcome. We performed a cohort study of 300 deceased donor liver transplants at 3 U.S. programs. EAD was defined as the presence of one or more of the following previously defined postoperative laboratory analyses reflective of liver injury and function: bilirubin ≥10mg/dL on day 7, international normalized ratio ≥1.6 on day 7, and alanine or aspartate aminotransferases >2000 IU/L within the first 7 days. To assess predictive validity, the EAD definition was tested for association with graft and patient survival. Risk factors for EAD were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Overall incidence of EAD was 23.2%. Most grafts met the definition with increased bilirubin at day 7 or high levels of aminotransferases. Of recipients meeting the EAD definition, 18.8% died, as opposed to 1.8% of recipients without EAD (relative risk = 10.7 [95% confidence interval: 3.6, 31.9] P < 0.0001). More recipients with EAD lost their grafts (26.1%) than recipients with no EAD (3.5%) (relative risk = 7.4 [95% confidence interval: 3.4, 16.3] P < 0.0001). Donor age and MELD score were significant EAD risk factors in a multivariate model. In summary a simple definition of EAD using objective posttransplant criteria identified a 23% incidence, and was highly associated with graft loss and patient mortality, validating previously published criteria. This definition can be used as an endpoint in translational studies aiming to identify mechanistic pathways leading to a subgroup of liver grafts with clinical expression of suboptimal function. Liver Transpl 16:943-949, 2010. © 2010 AASLD.
Rigidity of the critical point equation
Authors: Hwang Seungsu , Chang Jeongwook , Yun Gabjin
Published: April 2010

On a compact n ‐dimensional manifold M, it was shown that a critical point metric g of the total scalar curvature functional, restricted to the space of metrics with constant scalar curvature of volume 1, satisfies the critical point equation ([5], p. 3222). In 1987 Besse proposed a conjecture in his book [1], p. 128, that a solution of the critical point equation is Einstein (Conjecture A, hereafter). Since then, number of mathematicians have contributed for the proof of Conjecture A and obtained many geometric consequences as its partial proofs. However, none has given its complete proof yet.

The purpose of the present paper is to prove Theorem 1, stating that a compact 3‐dimensional manifold M is isometric to the round 3‐sphere S3 if ker s′*g ≠ 0 and its second homology vanishes. Note that this theorem implies that M is Einstein and hence that Conjecture A holds on a 3‐dimensional compact manifold under certain topological conditions (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On the existence of bounded noncontinuable solutions
Authors: Bartušek Miroslav
Published: April 2010

This paper presents necessary and sufficient conditions for an n ‐th order differential equation to have a non‐continuable solution with finite limits of its derivatives up to the order l at the right‐hand end point of the interval of its definition, l ≤ n – 2 (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)