bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ku70 predicts response and primary tumor recurrence after therapy in locally advanced head and neck cancer
Authors: Pavón Miguel Angel , Parreño Matilde , León Xavier , Sancho Francesc J. , Céspedes Maria Virtudes , Casanova Isolda , Lopez‐Pousa Antonio , Mangues Maria Antonia , Quer Miquel , Barnadas Agustí , Mangues Ramón
Published: June 2008

5‐Fluorouracil and cisplatin‐based induction chemotherapy (IC) is commonly used to treat locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The role of nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) genes (Ku70, Ku80 and DNA‐PKcs) in double‐strand break (DSB) repair, genomic instability and apoptosis suggest a possible impact on tumor response to radiotherapy, 5‐fluorouracil or cisplatin, as these agents are direct or indirect inductors of DSBs. We evaluated the relationship between Ku80, Ku70 or DNA PKcs mRNA expression in pretreatment tumor biopsies, and tumor response to IC or local recurrence, in 50 patients with HNSCC. Additionally, in an independent cohort of 75 patients with HNSCC, we evaluated the relationship between tumor Ku70 protein expression and the same clinical outcomes or patient survival. Tumors in the responder group had significantly higher mRNA levels for Ku70, Ku80 and DNA‐PKcs than those in the nonresponder group. Ku70 mRNA was the marker most significantly associated with response to IC. Moreover, high tumor Ku70 mRNA expression was associated with significantly longer local recurrence‐free survival (LRFS). Ku70 protein expression was also significantly related to response, and patients with higher percentage of tumor cells expressing Ku70 had longer LRFS. In addition, the percentage of Ku70 positive cells, tumor localization and node involvement were significantly associated with overall survival of patient. Therefore, Ku70 expression is a candidate predictive marker that could distinguish patients who are likely to benefit from chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy after the induction chemotherapy treatment, suggesting a contribution of the NHEJ system in HNSCC clinical outcome. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A three‐gene expression signature model to predict clinical outcome of clear cell renal carcinoma
Authors: Yao Masahiro , Huang Ying , Shioi Koichi , Hattori Keiko , Murakami Takayuki , Sano Futoshi , Baba Masaya , Kondo Keiichi , Nakaigawa Noboru , Kishida Takeshi , Nagashima Yoji , Yamada‐Okabe Hisafumi , Kubota Yoshinobu
Published: June 2008

Renal cell carcinomas (RCCs) are morphologically and genetically heterogeneous tumors and present diverse clinical courses. We developed a scoring system using levels of gene expression to predict the outcome for clear cell RCC patients. We selected differentially expressed genes from the DNA microarray data of 27 clear cell RCCs; 16 were metastasis phenotypes and 11 were not. We compared the selected gene set with previously published data and identified 33 overlapping genes closely associated with patient outcome. We selected the 12 top‐ranked genes and confirmed the level of expression using quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that 3 genes—vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1), endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB), and regulator of G‐protein signaling 5 (RGS5)—were the most tightly associated with cancer‐specific survival and that higher expression of the 3 genes correlated with better outcome. A formula for an outcome predictor was generated from integration of the measurements of the expression levels of the 3 genes. Multivariate Cox models combined with a split‐sample cross‐validation method in a cohort of 386 clear cell RCC patients demonstrated that the derived score for outcome prediction was an independent predictor in cancer‐specific survival tests. The accuracy of the prediction of cancer death after nephrectomy was improved by the inclusion of this score in receiver operating characteristic analysis from multivariate logistic regression models, suggesting that a scoring system based on the expression levels of these 3 genes is useful in the prediction of survival for patients with clear cell RCC. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Perinatal characteristics and risk of neuroblastoma
Authors: Johnson Kimberly J. , Puumala Susan E. , Soler John T. , Spector Logan G.
Published: June 2008

Neuroblastoma (NB), a tumor of the sympathetic nervous system, is the most common infant malignancy. The etiology of NB is largely unknown. We explored the association between birth record variables and subsequent NB development in a population‐based case‐cohort study in Minnesota by linking the birth and cancer registries. NB cases included 155 children born during 1976–2004 who were diagnosed from 28 days through 14 years of age. The comparison group included 8,752 individuals randomly sampled from the birth cohort of cases. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Controlling for birth year and sex, maternal history of one fetal loss (HR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.5), maternal prenatal drug‐use (recorded starting in 1992) (HR = 5.7, 95% CI 2.3–14) and child's small size for gestational age (HR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.1–4.0) were significantly associated with NB. Age group specific analyses indicated that maternal hypertension (HR = 3.0, 95% CI 1.3–7.2) and maternal age <20 years (HR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.1–6.1) increased risks for infant NB only. Our study provides evidence that a few perinatal exposures as recorded in birth records may play a role in NB etiology. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Trends in esophageal cancer incidence by histology, United States, 1998–2003
Authors: Trivers Katrina F. , Sabatino Susan A. , Stewart Sherri L.
Published: June 2008

Esophageal adenocarcinoma rates may be increasing, whereas, squamous cell carcinoma rates appear to be decreasing in the United States. Previous population‐based research on esophageal cancer has only covered up to 68% of the country. Additional, updated research on a larger percentage of the country is needed to describe racial, ethnic and regional trends in histologic subtypes of esophageal cancer. Invasive esophageal cancer cases diagnosed between 1998 and 2003 (n = 65,926), collected by the National Program of Cancer Registries or the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, were included. These data cover 83% of the US population. Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma incidence fell by 3.6%/year, whereas esophageal adenocarcinoma increased by 2.1%/year. Squamous cell carcinoma rates decreased among both sexes in most racial or ethnic groups, whereas adenocarcinoma rates increased primarily among white or non‐Hispanic men. Except for white or non‐Hispanic men, squamous cell carcinoma rates were similar to, or greater than, adenocarcinoma rates for men and women of all other races and ethnicities. The largest decrease in squamous cell carcinoma rates occurred in the West census region, which also exhibited no increase in adenocarcinoma rates. The rate of regional and distant‐staged adenocarcinomas increased, while rates for local‐staged adenocarcinoma remained stable. This is the first article to characterize esophageal cancer trends using data covering the majority of the US. Substantial racial, ethnic and regional variation in esophageal cancer is present in the US. Our work may inform interventions related to tobacco and alcohol use, and overweight/obesity prevention, and provide avenues for further research. Published 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zooplankton of Fishless Ponds of Northern Patagonia: Insights into Predation Effects of Mesostoma ehrenbergii
Authors: Trochine Carolina , Balseiro Esteban G. , Modenutti Beatriz E.
Published: June 2008

The turbellarian predator Mesostoma ehrenbergii, a common inhabitant of fishless ponds of northern Patagonia, can consume prey larger than 1 mm. Because the feeding strategy of M. ehrenbergii includes mucus trapping and external digestion, this predator may exploit a broad range of prey sizes. We hypothesize that M. ehrenbergii could exert a strong effect on zooplankton composition and body size spectra in Patagonian fishless ponds. We investigated this hypothesis by analyzing the crustacean zooplankton composition and size spectra in five fishless ponds of northern Patagonia, and we carried out experiments to assess predation rates of M. ehrenbergii on potential prey species from 0.8 mm to 6 mm. These ponds were colonized by macrophytes, which favored habitat heterogeneity, especially in the smaller ponds that had higher species richness. The surveyed ponds showed distinctive crustacean zooplankton assemblages and sizes, but all were dominated by calanoid copepods of the genus Boeckella. Our results indicated that M. ehrenbergii consumed the whole size range of offered prey, from ∼0.8 mm (Ceriodaphnia dubia) to ∼6 mm (Parabroteas sarsi). Predation rates were higher for intermediate‐bodied copepods (∼1.5 mm) and C. dubia (0.8 mm), but we did not find conclusive evidence that variations in size spectra of crustacean zooplankton are a result of M. ehrenbergii predation. We suggest that an interaction between prey body size and its evasion tactic might be important to determine the true effect Mesostoma on zooplankters. The structural complexity created by macrophytes in Patagonian fishless ponds may also help account for the lack of a strong predation effect of Mesostoma in the field survey. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ontogenetic Shifts in the Ability of the Cladoceran,Moina macrocopaStraus andCeriodaphnia cornutaSars to Utilize Ciliated Protists as Food Source
Authors: Kumar Ram , Hwang Jiang Shiou
Published: June 2008

The ontogenetic diet shifts and age specific ability of the two cladoceran speciesMoina macrocopaandCeriodaphnia cornutato derive energy from ciliated protists have been investigated in laboratory. The postembryonic developmental rates and life table demography (longevity, age and size at first reproduction, fecundity and intrinsic rate of natural increase) of the cladocerans have been elucidated on algae (Chlorella vulgaris) and the ciliated protists (Tetrahymena pyriformis,Colpoda(c.f.)steini) as food. For either of the cladoceran, the somatic growth rate and average body size at first reproduction were higher with algal diet. During initial stages of development (0–5 days), either cladoceran realized higher rate of somatic growth on algal diet, subsequently ciliated protists supported significantly higher growth rate than the alga. Algal and ciliate diets did not differ in maximum body size (C. cornuta: 539–554 μm;M. macrocopa: 1274.8–1309 μm) reached by either of the cladocerans. The maximum body sizes were larger than size at first reproduction with either of the ciliated protists, however, with algal diet the maximum body sizes did not differ from the size at first reproduction in each case. In case ofC. cornutathe generation time (20.5 ± 0.3 days on ciliate; 15.6 ± 0.17 days on algal diet), reproductive rates (net reproductive rate: 20.05 ± 3.2 on ciliate; 15.5 ± 1.2 on algal diet), and average life expectancy at hatching (27 ± 0.8 days on ciliate; 22.7 ± 0.71 days on alga) were higher, whereas the size at first reproduction (482 μm on ciliate; 521 μm on alga) was smaller with the ciliate than with an algal diet. The algal and the ciliate diets did not differ in survival (life expectancy at hatching: 9.2 ± 0.7 days) and fecundity (NRR: 23.6 ± 2.4) forM. macrocopa. The two ciliates used in the experiment did not differ in their performance as food source for either cladoceran species. Our results suggest that both the cladoceran species are able to utilize smaller ciliate (e.g.,T. pyriformis,C.(c.f.)steini) as food; however with differential ability to derive energy from the ciliate diet and this ability is size and age structured in both cases. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Factors and Criteria to Quantify Coastal Area Sensitivity/Vulnerability to Eutrophication: Presentation of a Sensitivity Index Based on Morphometrical Parameters
Authors: Håkanson Lars
Published: June 2008

There are major differences in sensitivity or vulnerability to anthropogenic loading of nutrients (eutrophication) among different coastal areas. The aim of this work is to discuss criteria for coastal area sensitivity and to present a sensitivity index (SI). This index is based on two morphometric parameters, which can be determined from simple bathymetric maps. (1) The topographical openness (or exposure) and (2) the dynamic ratio of the coastal area. The exposure is defined by the ratio between the section area of the coast and the enclosed coastal area. The boundaries of the coastal area should not be defined in an arbitrary manner but according to the topographical bottleneck method so that the exposure attains a minimum value. The exposure regulates the theoretical water retention time, which, in turn, regulates the effects of a given nutrient loading. The dynamic ratio is defined by the ratio between the square root of the coastal area and the mean depth. The dynamic ratio influences many fundamental internal transport processes. Coastal management should focus remedial actions on critical coastal areas which are at hand if the nutrient loading is high and/or the sensitivity is high. Testing the sensitivity index using a comprehensive data set including 478 coastal areas from the Baltic Sea. There were 2 (0.4%) extremely sensitive coastal areas (SI > 50), 50 (10.5%) very sensitive coastal areas (10 < SI < 50), 121 (25.3%) sensitive coastal areas (5 < SI < 10), 301 (63.0%) low sensitive coastal areas (1 < SI < 5) and 4 (0.8%) not sensitive coastal areas (SI < 1). (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Invertebrate Community Associated with the Macroalga Halimeda kanaloana Meadow in Maui, Hawaii
Authors: Fukunaga Atsuko
Published: June 2008

An expansive meadow of the native macroalga Halimeda kanaloana has been found in west Maui, Hawaii. This study examined the invertebrate community associated with the H. kanaloana meadow. Analyses of samples collected by SCUBA divers found that the meadow supports a diverse and unique benthic community. The meadow provides a suitable habitat for a variety of epibenthic and epifaunal invertebrates in the otherwise homogeneous sandy habitat. Infaunal polychaete abundances, species richness and Shannon‐Wiener diversity index were also higher inside the meadow. Abundances of epibenthic organisms, and dissimilarities of the polychaete assemblage, inside and outside the meadow were greater at deeper stations. This might be due to an effect of the Halimeda density rather than depth, suggesting that the macroalgal density might play an important role in shaping the benthic community. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Substrate‐induced phenotypical change of monocytes/macrophages into myofibroblast‐like cells: A new insight into the mechanism of in‐stent restenosis
Authors: Stewart H. J. S. , Guildford A. L. , Lawrence‐Watt D. J. , Santin M.
Published: June 2008

Stented coronary angioplasty is the procedure of choice to re‐establish patency in obstructed coronary arteries. However, the stent implantation procedure often leads to in‐stent restenosis, a process that is characterized by stent strut colonization by macrophages and smooth muscle cells and by neointima formation. The present in vitro study investigates the effect of stent materials on the phenotypical features of monocyte/macrophages. Human peripheral blood monocytes from healthy donors (n = 7) were cultured up to 7 days on substrates mimicking: (i) the stent surface (i.e., electropolished stainless steel), (ii) the de‐endothelialized vessel wall (collagen‐based extracellular matrix gel), and (iii) thrombus (i.e., fibrin gel). The cells were analyzed by immunocytochemistry for their ability to express α‐actin, a typical myofibroblast marker, by ELISA to determine PDGF‐BB and TGF‐β1 secretion and by PCR to evaluate hyaluronan synthase 1, 2, and 3 genes expression. Data were statistically analyzed by ANOVA (Dunnett's test) and data considered significantly different at p ≤ 0.05. The data demonstrated that mononuclear cells adhering to stainless steel acquire a phenotype capable of expressing α‐actin while secreting significantly higher levels of PDGF‐BB and TGF‐β. The expression of the three hyaluronan synthase isoforms was also altered by the metal substrate, where cells expressed genes only for the isoforms synthesizing high molecular weight hyaluronan. This study therefore suggests that mononuclear cells adhering on the stent metal surface undergo phenotypical transformation into myofibroblast‐like cells that are able to contribute to neointimal tissue synthesis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Development of water‐insoluble chitosan patch scaffold to repair traumatic tympanic membrane perforations
Authors: Kim Jang Ho , Bae Joon‐Ho , Lim Ki Taek , Choung Pill‐Hoon , Park Jung‐Sub , Choi Seong Jun , Im Ae Lee , Lee Eung Tae , Choung Yun‐Hoon , Chung Jong Hoon
Published: June 2008

Perforated tympanic membranes (TM) and otitis media can be managed with a paper patch or tympanoplasty. However, a paper patch is not biocompatible and tympanoplasty requires complex aseptic surgical procedures. A novel biocompatible patch with a water‐insoluble chitosan as the main component was prepared. Optimal mechanical characteristics of a water‐insoluble chitosan patch scaffold (CPS) was ∼40 μm in thickness, 7 MPa in tensile strength, and 107% in percent elongation, even though the characteristics varied significantly depending on the concentrations of chitosan and glycerol. SEM of the CPSs showed a very smooth surface as compared with that of the paper patches. These CPSs showed no cytotoxicity and had a stimulating effect on the proliferation of TM cells in in vitro study. In in vivo study, 4 (21.1%) and 17 (89.5%) TMs out of 19 adult rats with CPSs showed no perforations at 1 and 2 weeks, respectively. However, left control TMs showed healing of 0 (0%) at 1 week and 18 (94.7%) at 2 weeks. TEM findings of regenerated eardrums using CPSs showed thinner, smoother, and more compact tissues than spontaneously healed eardrums. A CPS was more effective than spontaneous healing to repair traumatic TM perforations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Suppression of fluoride‐induced corrosion of titanium by albumin in oral modified environment
Authors: Takemoto Shinji , Hattori Masayuki , Yoshinari Masao , Kawada Eiji , Oda Yutaka
Published: June 2008

Although fluoride induces corrosion in titanium in an oral environment, the influence of protein on this corrosion remains to be clarified. The objective of this study was to investigate suppression of fluoride‐induced corrosion of titanium where albumin was either present in a solution or where albumin was preadsorbed on titanium. Titanium dissolution in titanium specimens and surface characterization of each specimen were determined. Dissolution in a saline solution containing both albumin and fluoride was less than that in only fluoride‐containing saline solution. The titanium specimen was covered in an albumin film. The morphology of the titanium in the fluoride‐containing saline solution revealed jagged edges, whereas titanium immersed in the saline solution containing albumin and fluoride showed a round and plate‐like morphology. When albumin‐adsorbed titanium was immersed in a fluoride‐containing solution, dissolution within 6 h was less than that in non albumin‐adsorbed titanium. Dissolution increased with desorption of adsorbed‐albumin from the titanium surface. The results suggest that albumin in a solution suppresses dissolution of titanium compounds, thus influencing their morphology. Albumin adsorbed on titanium reduces fluoride attack and suppresses dissolution. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Antibody‐bound cell microarray for immunophenotyping: Surface modification and lymphocyte subpopulations
Authors: Fujii Yasuo , Anderson James M. , Matsuda Takehisa
Published: June 2008

Antibody‐based cell microarrays may serve as a high‐throughput diagnostic tool that requires precise surface design providing high biological specificity, high reliability, and high validity. A fundamental study on the quantitative evaluation of immunophenotyping using a cell microarray on which antibodies specific to cluster of differentiation (CD) antigens of blood cells are fixed was performed. The microarray, which was prepared by photomicropatterning self‐assembled monolayers of alkanethiols, consisted of carboxyl group (3‐mercaptopropionic acid)‐packed domains regularly distributed in the methyl group (1‐dodecanethiol)‐packed matrix phase. This was verified by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and water wettability measurements. The patterned carboxylated domains of 1.0 mm or 0.2 mm diameter were covalently fixed with the anti‐CD4 or anti‐CD8 antibody by coupling reaction using a water‐soluble carbodiimide and hydroxysuccinimide. Precision antibody fixation at almost complete conversion was verified by confocal laser scanning microscopy coupled with a specific dye staining technique. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells expressing CD4 or CD8 antigen, respectively, adhered on the anti‐CD4 or anti‐CD8 antibody‐fixed domains of the microarray at a very high specificity, which was verified with flow cytometric analysis and an antibody‐coated magnetic‐bead‐based cell isolation technique. The CD4/CD8 subset ratios determined using the antibody‐fixed microarrays were very close to those obtained by flow cytometric analysis. These results indicate that microarrays, on which antibodies specific to cell surface antigens are covalently fixed, provide a solid basis of the high‐throughput quantitative evaluation of immunophenotyping in medical diagnosis. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Influence of the additional Er:YAG laser conditioning step on the microleakage of class V restorations
Authors: Esteves‐Oliveira Marcella , Carvalho Wendell L. , Eduardo Carlos de P. , Zezell Denise M.
Published: June 2008

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of an additional Er:YAG laser conditioning step after laser cavity preparations, on the microleakage of class V composite restorations. Forty‐eight bovine incisors were randomly divided into four groups: G1(control) cavities prepared with bur, G2‐ cavities prepared with laser (400 mJ/2 Hz), G3‐ cavities prepared and subsequently conditioned with Er:YAG laser (60 mJ/2 Hz); G4‐idem for G3, but the laser conditioning was carried out without water‐spray. All the cavities were restored using Clearfill SE Bond® and Z‐250® composite resin. The samples were thermal cycled for 700 cycles and then immersed in 50% silver nitrate solution. The sectioned restorations were exposed to a photoflood lamp to reveal silver nitrate penetration. The Kruskal‐Walis one‐way analyses of variance test and post hoc Wilcoxon pair‐wise comparison were used to compare microleakage degrees. At the gingival margin G2 showed a lower microleakage mean than the control bur‐prepared cavities (p = 0.0003). At occlusal margins there were no statistically significant differences between the groups (p = 0.28). It may be concluded that Er:YAG laser class V cavity preparations do not need to be followed by an additional laser conditioning step to result in levels of microleakage similar to or lower than those obtained after bur preparations. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Blending polysaccharides with biodegradable polymers. II. Structure and biological response of chitosan/polycaprolactone blends
Authors: García Cruz Dunia M. , Coutinho Daniela F. , Costa Martinez Elisa , Mano João F. , Gómez Ribelles José Luis , Salmerón Sánchez Manuel
Published: June 2008

Blends of polycaprolactone (PCL) and chitosan (CHT) were prepared by casting from the mixture of solutions of both components in suitable solvents. PCL, and CHT, form phase separated blends with improved mechanical properties and increased water sorption ability with respect to pure PCL. The morphology of the system was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and confocal microscopy. Dispersed domains of CHT in the semicrystalline PCL matrix were found in samples with less than 20% CHT but cocontinuous phase morphologies are found in blends with 20% or more CHT. This feature was corroborated by the temperature dependence of the elastic modulus measured by dynamic mechanical properties as a function of temperature. It was observed that for those blends above 20 wt% CHT, the mechanical stability of the system was kept even after melting of the PCL phase. Primary human chondrocytes were cultured on the different substrates. Cell morphology was studied by SEM and the viability and proliferation was investigated by the colorimetric MTT assay. Different protein conformations were found by AFM on CHT and PCL samples which were related to the biological performance of the substrates. Hydrophilicty of the material is not directly related to the biological response and the sample with 20 wt% CHT shows better results than the other blends with respect to chondrocyte viability and proliferation. However, the results obtained in the blends are worse than in pure PCL. It seems to be correlated with the surface energy of the different blends rather than hydrophilicity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Corrosion of dental nickel–aluminum bronze with a minor gold content‐mechanism and biological impact
Authors: Ardlin Berit I. , Lindholm‐Sethson Britta , Dahl Jon E.
Published: June 2008

Objectives: To study corrosion and to evaluate biological effects in vitro of corrosion products of a copper‐aluminum‐nickel alloy with 2% gold. Methods: The alloy NPG™+2 with the nominal composition Cu:77.3; Al:7.8; Ni:4.3; Fe:3.0; Zn:2.7; Au:2.0; and Mn:1.7 was characterized. Static immersion in acidic saline, pH 2.2–2.4, was used to determine release of metallic elements in a milieu simulating the condition of plaque build‐up in interproximal areas of the tooth. Corrosion and surface reactions in saline and artificial saliva were studied by electrochemical techniques including registration of open‐circuit‐potentials, polarization curves and impedance spectra. Extracts were made in cell culture media and acidic saline and used for MTT test for cytotoxicity and HET‐CAM method for irritation. Results: The mean amount of elements released in the acidic saline were in μg cm−2 : Cu:632; Al:210; Ni:144; Fe:122; Zn:48; Mn:52. No protective film was formed on the surface of the alloy, as extensive corrosion was observed in both saline and artificial saliva. The corrosion rate was higher in saline than in artificial saliva. Acidic extracts of the alloy diluted up to 64 times reduced cell viability with 80% or more. The extract induced coagulation of the blood vessels of the CAM and was rated as moderate irritant solution. Significance: The nickel–aluminum bronze showed high corrosion rate caused by an inability to create a protective surface layer. High levels of toxic elements were found after static immersion testing, and the corrosion products had a distinct adverse effect on the biological activity. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Customizing the degradation and load‐bearing profile of 3D polycaprolactone‐tricalcium phosphate scaffolds under enzymatic and hydrolytic conditions
Authors: Yeo Alvin , Sju Ervi , Rai Bina , Teoh Swee Hin
Published: June 2008

The degradation of polycaprolactone‐20% tricalcium phosphate (PCL‐TCP) scaffolds was customized for dentoalveolar augmentation applications, where 5–6 months period is optimal. The scaffolds were treated with either 3M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) or 0.1% lipase solution for a total of 108 h. A greater degree of degradation and reduction in the physical properties of the scaffolds was observed in the lipase treated when compared with NaOH‐treated scaffolds. After 108 h, increases in weight loss and average porosity of the scaffolds in the lipase‐treated group measured 90.6% and 22.9%, respectively, when compared with 52.8% and 11.8% in the NaOH‐treated group. The mechanical testing results revealed a similar trend, with a complete loss of compressive strength and modulus measured as early as 60 h in the lipase‐treated group. The honeycomblike architecture was well preserved throughout the experiment only for the NaOH‐treated scaffolds in addition to a favorable surface roughness ideal for bone‐regeneration applications. In conclusion, pretreatment with NaOH demonstrates a simple approach for tailoring the physical properties and degradation rate of PCL‐TCP scaffolds for the potential use as biomaterials targeted for dentoalveolar bone‐regeneration procedures. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2008
Effect of 3D‐microstructure of bioabsorbable PGA:TMC scaffolds on the growth of chondrogenic cells
Authors: Mukherjee Debi P. , Smith Dollie F. , Rogers Shelia H. , Emmanual Janson E. , Jadin Kyle D. , Hayes Byron K.
Published: June 2008

Various biomaterial scaffolds have been investigated for cartilage tissue engineering, although little attention has been paid to the effect of scaffold microstructure on tissue growth. Non‐woven, fibrous, bioabsorbable scaffolds constructed from a copolymer of glycolide and trimethylene carbonate with varying levels of porosity and pore size were seeded with mesenchymal stroma cells with a chondrogenic lineage. Scaffolds and media were evaluated for both cell and extracellular matrix organization and content after up to 28 days of culture in a spinner flask. Analysis of DNA and glycosaminoglycan contents showed that the most porous of the three scaffold types, with a porosity of 81% and a porometry determined mean flow pore diameter of 54 μm, supported the most rapid proliferation of cells and accumulation of extracellular matrix. Analysis of the high porosity scaffold system, using Western Blot and immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of collagen type II and absence of collagen type I, and demonstrated cells with a chondrocyte morphology with aggrecan and collagen II accumulation attached to the scaffolds. It was concluded that the 3D‐microstructural characteristics of the scaffold (interconnecting porosity and pore size) play an important role in proliferation and phenotype of chondrogenic cells and accumulation of extracellular matrix molecules. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Internalization and degradation of heparin is not required for stimulus of heparan sulfate proteoglycan synthesis
Authors: Trindade Edvaldo S. , Bouças Rodrigo I. , Rocha Hugo A.O. , Dominato Juliana A. , Paredes‐Gamero Edgar J. , Franco Célia Regina C. , Oliver Constance , Jamur Maria C. , Dietrich Carl P. , Nader Helena B.
Published: June 2008

In vitro, heparin and antithrombotic drugs specifically stimulate the synthesis of an antithrombotic heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) produced by endothelial cells. The putative heparin binding site(s) that may be related to this phenomenon were investigated. In the preceding article, using various heparin probes, it was shown that the heparin does not bind to the endothelial cell surface, but only to the extracellular matrix. The present study demonstrated that, when the cells were exposed to heparin at 37°C, the heparin was internalized and with time was localized in lysosomes. However, endocytosis of heparin was not required for the stimulation of HSPG synthesis. The requirement for heparin degradation in the stimulus of HSPG synthesis was also investigated. When the cells were incubated with chloroquine, a lysosomotropic amine that raises the lysosomal pH thus inhibiting enzymatic degradation of internalized compounds, stimulation of HSPG synthesis was still observed. These combined results indicate that neither internalization nor degradation of heparin is required for stimulation of HSPG synthesis, and suggests that its binding to the extracellular matrix could be responsible for this effect. J. Cell. Physiol. 217: 360–366, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein purification using chromatography: selection of type, modelling and optimization of operating conditions
Authors: Asenjo J. A. , Andrews B. A.
Published: June 2008

To achieve a high level of purity in the purification of recombinant proteins for therapeutic or analytical application, it is necessary to use several chromatographic steps. There is a range of techniques available including anion and cation exchange, which can be carried out at different pHs, hydrophobic interaction chromatography, gel filtration and affinity chromatography. In the case of a complex mixture of partially unknown proteins or a clarified cell extract, there are many different routes one can take in order to choose the minimum and most efficient number of purification steps to achieve a desired level of purity (e.g. 98%, 99.5% or 99.9%).

This review shows how an initial 'proteomic' characterization of the complex mixture of target protein and protein contaminants can be used to select the most efficient chromatographic separation steps in order to achieve a specific level of purity with a minimum number of steps. The chosen methodology was implemented in a computer‐ based Expert System. Two algorithms were developed, the first algorithm was used to select the most efficient purification method to separate a protein from its contaminants based on the physicochemical properties of the protein product and the protein contaminants and the second algorithm was used to predict the number and concentration of contaminants after each separation as well as protein product purity.

The application of the Expert System approach was experimentally tested and validated with a mixture of four proteins and the experimental validation was also carried out with a supernatant of Bacillus subtilis producing a recombinant β‐1,3‐glucanase.

Once the type of chromatography is chosen, optimization of the operating conditions is essential. Chromatographic elution curves for a three‐protein mixture (α‐lactoalbumin, ovalbumin and β‐lactoglobulin), carried out under different flow rates and ionic strength conditions, were simulated using two different mathematical models. These models were the Plate Model and the more fundamentally based Rate Model. Simulated elution curves were compared with experimental data not used for parameter identification. Deviation between experimental data and the simulated curves using the Plate Model was less than 0.0189 (absorbance units); a slightly higher deviation [0.0252 (absorbance units)] was obtained when the Rate Model was used. In order to optimize operating conditions, a cost function was built that included the effect of the different production stages, namely fermentation, purification and concentration. This cost function was also successfully used for the determination of the fraction of product to be collected (peak cutting) in chromatography. It can be used for protein products with different characteristics and qualities, such as purity and yield, by choosing the appropriate parameters. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes of the composition in acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) fruit in relation to cultivar, growing region and maturity
Authors: Hanamura Takayuki , Uchida Eriko , Aoki Hitoshi
Published: June 2008

BACKGROUND: Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) has been known as a fruit rich in vitamin C. However, changes in composition of constituents in relation to cultivar, growing region and maturity have not been studied. We investigated the composition for five types of acerola fruits: three different cultivars (‘BOK’, ‘Flor Branca’ and ‘NRA309’) growing in Brazil, and one cultivar each in Vietnam (‘Vietnam’) and in Japan (‘Okinawa’). We also investigated the influence of fruit maturity on the compositional profiles.

RESULTS: ‘BOK’ showed the highest vitamin C and malic acid contents whereas ‘Vietnam’ had the lowest vitamin C content. On the other hand, ‘NRA 309’ showed the highest level of total polyphenols. In the study of compositional changes during maturation, it was found that at immature stages proanthocyanidin was the major flavonoid, with high vitamin C content, but the levels of these constituents decreased as ripening progressed. At mature stages, anthocyanins appeared to be the major polyphenol in the ripe acerola fruit.

CONCLUSION: This study showed that composition of acerola fruit differed significantly according to cultivar, growing region and maturity. The information provided in this study may help consumers to make an appropriate selection of functional food. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Alternating Copolymer of Sulfonated Poly(ether ether ketone‐benzimidazole)s (SPEEK‐BI) Bearing Acid and Base Moieties
Authors: Wang Jianli , Song Yilin , Zhang Cheng , Ye Zhibin , Liu Hui , Lee Myong‐Hoon , Wang Dehai , Ji Jianbing
Published: June 2008

A novel alternating copolymer of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone‐benzimidazole)s (SPEEK‐BI) was synthesized by polycondensation of aromatic bisphenol containing benzimidazole and a mixture of sulfonated and non‐sulfonated difluorobenzophenones. By varying the amount of two difluorobenzophenones, the ratio of sulfonic acid unit to imidazole base was controlled straightforwardly. The polymer structure was characterized by 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy. Two different methods of ion exchange capacity measurement supported a strong inter‐ and intra‐molecular interaction between acid and base units, which resulted in an improved mechanical strength as well as avoiding phase separation. Tough membranes with good mechanical stability in hot water (80 °C) and alcohol were obtained by solution casting, which is potential for applications in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells and membranes for separation of liquids or gases.

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Consumer acceptance of online auctions: An extension and revision of the TAM
Authors: Stern Barbara B. , Royne Marla B. , Stafford Thomas F. , Bienstock Carol C.
Published: June 2008

The study extends and revises the original Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) by applying it in the context of online auctions and introducing three new consumer‐oriented variables: affinity with the computer, impulsiveness, and risk tolerance. It begins with an examination of eBay, the first and most successful online auction site, to show that its business is the technology that fuels growth and increased profits. The paper then addresses the original cognitive TAM variables, used mostly in business contexts, and then the revision designed to add emotional antecedents suitable to the consumer context. Hypotheses that incorporate all of the variables and the relationships among them are tested in a study of online auction consumer behavior, and support is found for the extended TAM. Findings thus reveal that the TAM is stable across contexts and that additional user variables help explain the acceptance of consumer technology use in personal scenarios. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Leveraging sponsorships on the Internet: Activation, congruence, and articulation
Authors: Weeks Clinton S. , Cornwell T. Bettina , Drennan Judy C.
Published: June 2008

This paper considers how the Internet can be used to leverage commercial sponsorships to enhance audience attitudes toward the sponsor. Definitions are offered that distinguish the terms leverage and activation with respect to sponsorship‐linked marketing; leveraging encompasses all marketing communications collateral to the sponsorship investment, whereas activation relates to those communications that encourage interaction with the sponsor. Although activation in many instances may be limited to the immediate event‐based audience, leveraging sponsorships via sponsors' Web sites enables activation at the mass‐media audience level. Results of a Web site navigation experiment demonstrate that activational sponsor Web sites promote more favorable attitudes than do nonactivational Web sites. It is also shown that sponsorsponsee congruence effects generalize to the online environment, and that the effects of sponsorship articulation on audience attitudes are moderated by the commerciality of the explanation for the sponsor‐sponsee relationship. Importantly, the study reveals that attitudinal effects associated with variations in leveraging, congruence, and orientation of articulation may be sustained across time. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Can consumers recognize misleading advertising content in a media rich online environment?
Authors: Mitra Anu , Raymond Mary Anne , Hopkins Christopher D.
Published: June 2008

The worldwide growth and acceptance of e‐commerce provides consumers with the opportunity to shop in computer‐mediated interactive environments that simulate direct product experience. However, the phenomenal growth in advertising on the Internet and marketers' ability to rapidly change the content of online ads also create concerns about consumers being exposed to a plethora of potentially misleading advertisements on the Internet. Relatively little research to date has focused on how consumer beliefs are shaped by online advertising claims or are affected by media richness. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Voluntary self‐disclosure of information on the Internet: A multimethod study of the motivations and consequences of disclosing information on blogs
Authors: Lee Doo‐Hee , Im Seunghee , Taylor Charles R.
Published: June 2008

As marketing paradigms have shifted toward the need to build a relationship with consumers, marketers need to facilitate two‐way communications in order to better understand them. The ability of marketers to glean the types of detailed information needed often depends on the consumer's willingness to volunteer such information. Given consumer concern about privacy as well as skepticism about how marketers use data, it is important to understand how consumers make decisions with regard to self‐disclosure of information. In spite of the widespread concern about privacy, many consumers are willing to engage in significant disclosure of various aspects of their lives in an online context, most notably on blogs. The purpose of this study is to examine the psychological characteristics of consumers who engage in voluntary self‐disclosure. Through the use of the multimethod approach, we identify seven motivations individuals have for voluntary self‐disclosure, as well as three consequences of this behavior.We also examine the structural configurations of the relationship among motivations, voluntary self‐disclosure, and consequences. Results suggest that the motives identified help to explain why some individuals self‐disclose and that individuals perceive that there are three major consequences of self‐disclosure, two of which are positive. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cerebellar ataxia as a possible organ‐specific autoimmune disease
Authors: Hadjivassiliou Marios , Boscolo Sabrina , Tongiorgi Enrico , Grünewald Richard A. , Sharrack Basil , Sanders David S. , Woodroofe Nicola , Davies‐Jones G. Aelwyn B.
Published: June 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility that autoimmunity is responsible for some cases of sporadic idiopathic ataxia. We prospectively investigated 400 patients with progressive ataxia and identified a group of patients with idiopathic sporadic ataxia. A comparison of the prevalence of autoimmune diseases, the autoimmunity linked HLA DQ2, and serum anticerebellar antibodies was made between patients with idiopathic sporadic and those with genetically characterized ataxia. Ninety‐one of 400 (23%) patients with progressive ataxia had idiopathic sporadic ataxia. The prevalence of autoimmune diseases in this group was 47% as compared with 6% in the group of patients with genetic ataxias (P < 0.0001). The HLA DQ2 was found in 71% of patients with sporadic ataxia, in 34% in patients with genetic ataxia, and in 36% of healthy local population (P = 0.0005 by Chi squared test). Anticerebellar antibodies were detected in 12 out of 20 patients with idiopathic sporadic as opposed to one of 20 patients with genetic ataxia. The significantly higher prevalence of autoimmune diseases, HLA DQ2 and anti‐cerebellar antibodies in patients with idiopathic sporadic ataxia compared to genetic ataxia supports the notion that autoimmunity may account for some cases of idiopathic sporadic cerebellar ataxia. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Chronic pain in Parkinson's disease: The cross‐sectional French DoPaMiP survey
Authors: Nègre‐Pagès Laurence , Regragui Wafa , Bouhassira Didier , Grandjean Héléne , Rascol Olivier
Published: June 2008

Pain is a frequent, but poorly studied symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). DoPaMiP survey aimed to assess the prevalence of chronic pain in PD, to describe PD patients with chronic pain, and to record analgesic consumption. About 450 parkinsonian patients underwent structured standardized clinical examination and completed self‐reported questionnaires in a cross sectional survey. Pains related or unrelated to PD were identified according to predefined criteria. About 98 patients with other chronic disorders than PD were examined to assess if pain was more frequent in PD than in this population. Two thirds parkinsonian patients (278 of 450) had chronic pain. Twenty‐five patients with non‐chronic pain (<3‐month duration) were excluded from subsequent analysis. Twenty six percent (111 of 425) parkinsonian patients had pain unrelated to PD (“non‐PD‐pain”, caused mainly by osteoarthritis), while 39.3% (167 of 425) had chronic pain related to PD (“PD‐pain”). In this last group, PD was the sole cause of pain in 103 and indirectly aggravated pain of another origin (mainly osteoarthritis) in 64. Parkinsonian patients with “PD‐pain” were younger at PD onset, had more motor complications, more severe depressive symptoms than those without pain or with “non‐PD pain.” “PD‐pain” was more intense (P = 0.03), but was less frequently reported to doctors (P = 0.02), and was associated with less frequent analgesic consumption than “non‐PD‐pain.” Pain was twice more frequent in PD patients than in patients without PD after adjustment for osteo‐articular comorbidities (OR = 1.9; 95% CI 1.2–3.2). Chronic pain is frequent but underreported in PD. Awareness of this problem should be increased and the assessment of analgesic strategies improved. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society
Cut‐off score of the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale for screening dementia in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Llebaria Gisela , Pagonabarraga Javier , Kulisevsky Jaime , García‐Sánchez Carmen , Pascual‐Sedano Berta , Gironell Alexandre , Martínez‐Corral Mercè
Published: June 2008

The prevalence of dementia in Parkinson's disease (PD) is close to 30%, and its incidence is 4 to 6 times higher than in age‐matched general population. PD with dementia (PDD) is mainly characterized by a predominant and progressive frontal‐subcortical impairment. The Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS) is a commonly used screening test that sensitively measures the degree of frontal‐subcortical defects. Although the MDRS has been validated as a screening test of cognitive dysfunction in nondemented PD patients (PD‐ND), its utility for screening dementia in PD is unknown. In order to validate the MDRS for diagnosis of PDD it was prospectively administered to 92 PD patients (57 PD‐ND, 35 PDD) fulfilling UK‐PDSBB criteria. Dementia was diagnosed according to DSM‐IV‐TR and a Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale score ≥1. Univariate, logistic regression, and ROC curve analysis were carried out to measure the discriminative power of MDRS in PDD. Regression analysis showed MDRS total scores to independently differentiate PD‐ND from PDD (P < 0.001). Age and education did not predict the presence of dementia. ROC curve analysis showed a cut‐off score of ≤123 on the MDRS total scores to yield high sensitivity (92.65%), specificity (91.4%), positive and negative predictive values (PPV 83.3%, NPV 96.4%). A brief version of the MDRS obtained by the addition of the memory, initiation/perseveration, and conceptualization subscores yielded similar discriminant properties. The MDRS has an excellent discriminant ability to diagnose dementia in PD and provides an objective measure to distinguish PD‐ND from PDD. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society