bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Composition of a Pyrolytic oil from Cupressus funebris Endl. of Vietnamese origin
Authors: Duquesnoy Emilie , Dinh Nguyen Huu , Castola Vincent , Casanova Joseph
Published: February 2006

A sample of pyrolytic oil of Vietnamese origin, extracted from Cupressus funbris Endl. was investigated by GC‐RI, GC‐MS and 13C‐NMR spectroscopy. In the pyrolytic oil, dominated by sesquiterpenes (76% of the total composition), 46 components were identified after repeated silica gel chromatography. The main components were: α‐cedrene (26.7%), cedrol (12.3%) and β‐cedrene (6.6%). The pyrolytic oil differed from the commercial Chinese cedarwood oil (C. funebris wood oil), on the one hand by the absence of thujopsene and conversely the presence of several bicyclo[4.4.0]decane hydrocarbons and alcohols (selinane and cadinane derivatives), and on the other hand by the presence, as minor components, of phenol derivatives. The composition of the pyrolytic oil was compared with that of a commercial sample of cerdarwood oil [53 components identified, thujopsene (25.9%), α‐cedrene (24.1%), cedrol (11.3%) and β‐cedrene (7.4%)]. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulation of shallow flows over variable topographies using unstructured grids
Authors: Mohammadian A. , Le Roux D. Y.
Published: February 2006

Simulation of shallow flows over variable topographies is a challenging case for most available shock‐capturing schemes. This problem arises because the source terms and flux gradients are not balanced in the numerical computations. Treatments for this problem generally work well on structured grids, but they are usually too expensive, and most of them are not directly applicable to unstructured grids. In this paper we propose two efficient methods to treat the source terms without upwinding and to satisfy the compatibility condition on unstructured grids. In the first method, the calculation of the bed slope source term is performed by employing a compatible approximation of water depth at the cell interfaces. In the second one, different components of the bed slope term are considered separately and a compatible discretization of the components is proposed. The present treatments are applicable for most schemes including the Roe's method without changing the performance of the original scheme for smooth topographies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discretization and parallel performance of an unstructured finite volume Navier–Stokes solver
Authors: Mohsen Karimian S. A. , Straatman Anthony G.
Published: February 2006

The discretization, parallelization and performance of an implicit, unstructured, time‐dependent Computational Fluid Dynamics code is described. A detailed description is provided of the improvements made on second‐order accurate tools for spatial interpolation and gradient calculation to discretize the Navier–Stokes equations in an unstructured framework. The main goal in the development of the discretization tools was to ensure a scalable and accurate parallel code. The performance of the discretization tools has been validated using standard bench‐mark problems for non‐uniform, non‐orthogonal grids. Parallelization of the code is done within the PETSc framework using a single‐program‐multiple‐data (SPMD) parallelization model. The resulting parallel code is shown to scale linearly within the limit of the available number of processors. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Leg length, cognitive impairment and cognitive decline in an African‐Caribbean population
Authors: Mak Zanete , Kim Jae‐Min , Stewart Robert
Published: February 2006

Background

Shorter leg length is associated with an adverse environment in early childhood and has been found to be associated with a variety of disorders occurring in mid‐ to late‐life, including dementia in a Korean population. In a community population of African‐Caribbean elders, in whom leg length had been measured, we sought to compare associations with cognitive impairment at baseline and cognitive decline over a three‐year follow‐up period.

Methods

Of 290 African‐Caribbean residents in south London recruited at baseline, 216 (74%) were re‐interviewed after a three‐year period and 203 had sufficient data for this analysis. Cognitive impairment was derived as a binary category from a battery of cognitive tests administered at baseline and cognitive decline was derived from change in performance on a subset of these tests. Leg length (iliac crest to lateral malleolus) was also measured.

Results

Shorter leg length was associated with female sex, lower occupational social class and reported hypertension and diabetes. Shorter leg length (lowest quartile) was significantly associated with cognitive impairment but there were no apparent associations with cognitive decline. The association with cognitive impairment was independent of age, sex and education. Social class appeared to be an important mediating factor.

Conclusions

Shorter leg length may be a marker of early life stressors which result in reduced cognitive reserve. Interestingly this association was mediated more strongly by social class (previous occupational status) than by education in this population. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of antidepressant use on admissions to hospital among elderly bipolar patients
Authors: Schaffer Ayal , Mamdani Muhammad , Levitt Anthony , Herrmann Nathan
Published: February 2006

Objective

The goal of this study was to examine the association between antidepressant use and hospitalization rate for mania or bipolar depression in a large, community‐based sample of elderly bipolar patients.

Method

Population‐based retrospective cohort design. Administrative healthcare databases were linked for all individuals aged 66 years or older in the Province of Ontario, Canada. Bipolar subjects who received a prescription for an antidepressant medication (n = 1,072) between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 2001 comprised the antidepressant cohort. The control group (n = 3,000) consisted of randomly selected subjects from the eligible bipolar population who did not receive a prescription for an antidepressant medication during the same surveillance period. Primary outcomes were admission to hospital for a manic/mixed or depressive episode.

Results

During a total of 5135 person‐years of follow up, 113 admissions for a manic/mixed episode and 28 admissions for a depressive episode were identified. Model based estimates adjusted for a number of covariates revealed that, as compared with the control group, the antidepressant cohort had significantly lower likelihood of admissions for manic/mixed (adjusted rate ratio [aRR] = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3–0.8) but not depressive episodes (aRR = 0.7, 95% CI = 0.2–2.2).

Conclusion

Antidepressant use among elderly bipolar patients was associated with decreased rates of hospitalization for manic/mixed episodes. This finding requires confirmation with further data of antidepressant use among elderly bipolars. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Idiopathic myelofibrosis: pathogenesis to treatment
Authors: Reilly John T
Published: February 2006

Idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) is the least common of the chronic myeloproliferative disorders and carries the worst prognosis with a median survival of 4 years. It is a clonal haematopoietic stem‐cell disorder and, although the pathogenesis remains unclear, approximately 50% of cases are known to possess an activating JAK2 V617F mutation. In contrast, the characteristic stromal proliferation is a reactive, or secondary, event that results from the aberrant release of a variety of growth factors from megakaryocytes and monocytes. Treatment for most cases is supportive, although androgens, recombinant erythropoietin, steroids and thalidomide are effective modalities for the amelioration of anaemia. Myelosuppression, splenectomy and irradiation are valuable therapeutic modalities for specific clinical situations. Prognostic scores are available to aid the identification of cases for whom bone marrow transplantation should be considered. Recently, the use of reduced intensity conditioning has resulted in prolonged survival and lower transplant‐related mortality. This review summarises the recent advances in the disease's pathogenesis and discusses the role of the various therapeutic options. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Time trend analysis of the skin melanoma incidence of Finland from 1953 through 2003 including 16,414 cases
Authors: Stang Andreas , Pukkala Eero , Sankila Risto , Söderman Bengt , Hakulinen Timo
Published: February 2006

Site‐specific analyses of the skin melanoma incidence show marked differences between men and women by site and over time. The aim of our study was to analyze long‐term population‐based incidence time trends of skin melanoma in Finland over a period of more than 50 years, with special emphasis on sex‐ and subsite‐specific changes over time. We analyzed incidence data of the Finnish Cancer Registry from 1953 through 2003 including overall 16,414 cases. We calculated age‐standardized incidence rates per 100,000 person years using the European Standard Population. From 1953 through 2003, the incidence of skin melanoma increased from 1.5 to 12.8 per 100,000 among men and from 1.8 to 10.4 per 100,000 among women. Incidence rates showed a constant increase from 1953 through the mid of the 1980s. Thereafter, the rate of increase leveled off. The highest relative incidence increases occurred on the trunk among men and on the legs and hips among women. Within the skin area of the head, melanoma of the ear showed the highest relative increase among both men and women. Subsite‐specific sex differences in the early registration period tended to become more pronounced in the most recent period. The highest body surface adjusted incidence rates occurred on the head. Only skin melanoma of the head showed an exponential age‐specific incidence pattern and the aetiology of these skin melanomas may differ from skin melanoma on other subsites. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diet, lifestyle and risk of K‐ras mutation‐positive and ‐negative colorectal adenomas
Authors: Wark Petra A. , Van der Kuil Wieke , Ploemacher Janneke , Van Muijen Goos N.P. , Mulder Chris J.J. , Weijenberg Matty P. , Kok Frans J. , Kampman Ellen
Published: February 2006

K‐ras mutation‐positive (K‐ras+) and ‐negative (K‐ras−) colorectal adenomas may differ clinically and pathologically. As environmental compounds may cause mutations in the growth‐related K‐ras oncogene or affect clonal selection depending on mutational status, we evaluated whether the aetiology of K‐ras+ and K‐ras− adenomas differs. K‐ras mutations in codons 12 and 13 were assessed in colorectal adenoma tissue (K‐ras+: n = 81, K‐ras−: n = 453). Dietary and lifestyle data were collected through questionnaires that were also administered to 709 polyp‐free controls. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that intake of vitamin B2 and monounsaturated fat were differently associated with risk of K‐ras+ and K‐ras− adenomas; vitamin B2 was inversely associated with K‐ras− (highest vs. lowest tertile: odds ratio (OR) = 0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.50–0.97, p trend = 0.020), but not with K‐ras+ adenomas, and a positive association with monounsaturated fat was confined to K‐ras− adenomas (OR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.06–2.34, p trend = 0.029). Besides, potential, not statistically significant, differences in risk arose because red meat was distinctly positively associated with K‐ras+ adenomas (OR = 1.70, 95% CI = 0.94–3.09, p trend = 0.061); total dietary and polyunsaturated fat tended to be inversely associated with risk of K‐ras+ but not of K‐ras− adenomas; inverse associations with dairy products, calcium, protein and tea were confined to K‐ras− adenomas, and smoking was more markedly positively associated with K‐ras− adenomas. No differences in risk of K‐ras+ and K‐ras− adenomas could be detected for other factors. In conclusion, dietary and lifestyle factors may influence risk of K‐ras+ and K‐ras− adenomas differently. However, epidemiological literature on diet, lifestyle and colorectal K‐ras mutations is inconsistent. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of squamous carcinoma in mice with a vaccine enriched for cells that induce immunity to squamous carcinoma—A new vaccination strategy
Authors: Chopra Amla , Kim Tae Sung , O‐Sullivan InSug , Martinez Don , Cohen Edward P.
Published: February 2006

We report a new vaccination strategy for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The vaccine was prepared by transfer of unfractionated DNA‐fragments (25 kb) from squamous carcinoma cells (KLN205, DBA/2 origin (H‐2d)) into LM mouse fibroblasts (C3H/He origin; H‐2k), a highly immunogenic cell line. To enhance their nonspecific immunogenic properties, the fibroblasts were modified before DNA transfer to secrete IL‐2 and to express additional allogeneic MHC class I determinants. As the transferred DNA integrates into the genome of the recipient cells, and is replicated as the cells divide, sufficient DNA to prepare the vaccine could be obtained from as few as 107 squamous carcinoma cells (4 mm tumor). Since only a small proportion of the transfected cell‐population was expected to have incorporated genes specifying antigens associated with the squamous carcinoma cells (TAA), we devised a novel approach to enrich the vaccine for cells that induce immunity to the SCC. Aliquots of the transfected population were divided into 10 small pools (initial inoculums = 1 × 103). We reasoned that if the starting inoculums were sufficiently small, then the distribution of highly immunogenic and weakly immunogenic cells in each pool would not be the same. Cells from individual pools were allowed to increase in number. A portion of the expanded cell populations were maintained frozen/viable for later recovery. The remaining portions were used to immunize naïve DBA/2 mice. Pools containing greater numbers of immunogenic cells were identified by 2 independent assays. Frozen aliquots of cells from the pool that stimulated immunity to the squamous carcinoma to the greatest extent were recovered and subdivided for additional rounds of immune selection. Enhanced immunity to squamous carcinoma mediated by CD8+ T cells was induced in tumor‐bearing mice treated solely by immunization with the enriched cell‐population. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An econometric model of nonlinear dynamics in the joint distribution of stock and bond returns
Authors: Guidolin Massimo , Timmermann Allan
Published: February 2006

This paper considers a variety of econometric models for the joint distribution of US stock and bond returns in the presence of regime switching dynamics. While simple two‐ or three‐state models capture the univariate dynamics in bond and stock returns, a more complicated four‐state model with regimes characterized as crash, slow growth, bull and recovery states is required to capture their joint distribution. The transition probability matrix of this model has a very particular form. Exits from the crash state are almost always to the recovery state and occur with close to 50% chance, suggesting a bounce‐back effect from the crash to the recovery state. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multivariate GARCH models: a survey
Authors: Bauwens Luc , Laurent Sébastien , Rombouts Jeroen V. K.
Published: February 2006

This paper surveys the most important developments in multivariate ARCH‐type modelling. It reviews the model specifications and inference methods, and identifies likely directions of future research. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controlling pension costs: Why is it so difficult?
Authors: Duchac Jon , Goldberg Stephen R.
Published: February 2006

Companies continue to struggle with the ballooning costs of defined pension benefit plans. The authors explain why this is such a tough task. And although regulatory reforms may be coming soon, they could have unanticipated consequences—making it even more difficult to manage costs. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Implementing the balanced scorecard
Authors: Souissi Mohsen , Itoh Kazunori
Published: February 2006

This article describes an implementation of the balanced scorecard (BSC) at NTT, a high‐tech Japanese company. It explores the conditions that set the stage, then highlights some of the obstacles to implementing the BSC and linking the objectives with employee compensation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Capacity cost measures and decisions: Two field studies
Authors: Hertenstein Julie H. , Polutnik Lidija , McNair C. J.
Published: February 2006

To control performance, a firm has to understand productive capacity and its use. This article reports a field study where two manufacturing firms examined the implications of using theoretical versus practical capacity—in particular, how managers interpreted and formulated plans to respond to the alternative ways of defining and measuring capacity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development and characterization of a synthetic promoter for selective expression in proliferating endothelial cells
Authors: Szymanski P. , Anwer K. , Sullivan S. M.
Published: February 2006

Background

Systemic administration of non‐viral gene therapy provides better access to tumors than local administration. Development of a promoter that restricts expression of cytotoxic proteins to the tumor vasculature will increase the safety of the system by minimizing expression in the non‐dividing endothelial cells of the vasculature of non‐target tissues.

Methods

Cell cycle promoters were tested for selective expression in dividing cells vs. non‐dividing cells in vitro and promoter strength was compared to the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Successful promoter candidates were tested in vivo using two proliferating endothelium mouse models. Ovarectomized mice were injected with estradiol prior to lipoplex administration and expression levels were measured in the lungs and uterus 4 days after administration. The second model was a subcutaneous tumor model and expression levels were measured in the lungs and tumors. For both animal models, expression levels from the proliferating endothelium promoter were compared to that obtained from a CMV promoter.

Results

The results showed that the Cdc6 promoter yielded higher expression in proliferating vs. non‐proliferating cells. Secondly, promoter strength could be selectively increased in endothelial cells by the addition of a multimerized endothelin enhancer (ET) to the Cdc6 promoter. Thirdly, comparison of expression levels in the lungs vs. uterus in the ovarectomized mouse model and lungs vs. tumor in the mouse tumor model showed expression was much higher in the uterus and the tumor than in the lungs for the ET/Cdc6 promoter, and expression levels were comparable to that of the CMV promoter in the hypervascularized tissues.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that the combination of the endothelin enhancer with the Cdc6 promoter yields selective expression in proliferating endothelium and can be used to express cytotoxic proteins to treat vascularized tumors. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Convergent evolution of sexual shape dimorphism in Diptera
Authors: Bonduriansky Russell
Published: February 2006

Several patterns of sexual shape dimorphism, such as male body elongation, eye stalks, or extensions of the exoskeleton, have evolved repeatedly in the true flies (Diptera). Although these dimorphisms may have evolved in response to sexual selection on male body shape, conserved genetic factors may have contributed to this convergent evolution, resulting in stronger phenotypic convergence than might be expected from functional requirements alone. I compared phenotypic variation in body shape in two distantly related species exhibiting sexually dimorphic body elongation: Prochyliza xanthostoma (Piophilidae) and Telostylinus angusticollis (Neriidae). Although sexual selection appears to act differently on male body shape in these species, they exhibited strikingly similar patterns of sexual dimorphism. Likewise, patterns of within‐sex shape variation were similar in the two species, particularly in males: relative elongation of the male head capsule, antenna, and legs was associated with reduced head capsule width and wing length, but was nearly independent of variation in thorax length. However, the two species presented contrasting patterns of static allometry: male sexual traits exhibited elevated allometric slopes in T. angusticollis, but not in P. xanthostoma. These results suggest that a shared pattern of covariation among traits may have channeled the evolution of sexually dimorphic body elongation in these species. Nonetheless, static allometries may have been shaped by species‐specific selection pressures or genetic architectures. J. Morphol. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative morphology of the bursal nozzles in acoels (Acoela, Acoelomorpha)
Authors: Petrov Anatoly , Hooge Matthew , Tyler Seth
Published: February 2006

Systematics of the Acoela is particularly difficult because of the paucity of readily discernible morphological features. In other soft‐bodied worms, sclerotized structures, such as copulatory stylets, provide important characters that can be seen in whole mounts, but acoels generally lack such features. Among the few sclerotized structures in acoels are bursal nozzles—tubiform outlets on the seminal bursae that are believed to be conduits (spermatic ducts) through which allosperm are transported to the oocytes. Early classifications of the Acoela used features of the female reproductive system, including bursal nozzles, for distinguishing major groups, but the current system essentially ignores them as too plastic to provide higher‐level distinctions. We used confocal and electron microscopy to further characterize bursal nozzles in five acoel species, and found all composed of actin‐reinforced extensions of stacked, flat mesenchymal cells. In Notocelis gullmarensis, Aphanostoma bruscai, and Daku woorimensis, the nozzle is a stiffened region of the same cells forming the wall of the bursa. By contrast, in Wulguru cuspidata cells forming the nozzle are distinct from those of the bursa. The so‐called bursal cap of A. bruscai and D. woorimensis has small sclerotized disjunct units within it, also composed of stacked, flat, actin‐reinforced cells. The nozzle of W. cuspidata, prominent like that of other convolutid acoels, is relatively complex, its actin‐reinforced cells sandwiched with secretory cells and its base bearing a “sorting apparatus” of egg‐shaped cells that send narrow processes inside the spermatic duct. Cases of sperm inside the nozzle corroborate its assumed role in reproduction. Whereas most nozzles sit at the end of the bursa facing the ovary, in species of Pseudmecynostomum and purportedly in a few other acoels, they sit between the female pore and the bursa, constituting what we call a vaginal nozzle. All bursal nozzles of acoels show a common ground pattern indicating common ancestry, but certain features discerned through electron and confocal microscopy show promise of providing synapomorphies for grouping some species. J. Morphol. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunohistochemical study of the distribution of sodium‐dependent vitamin C transporters in adult rat brain
Authors: Mun Ga Hee , Kim Myeung Ju , Lee Ju Hyun , Kim Hyun Jun , Chung Yoon Hee , Chung Young Bae , Kang Jae Seung , Hwang Young Il , Oh Seung Ha , Kim Joong‐Gon , Hwang Douk Ho , Shin Dong Hoon , Lee Wang Jae
Published: February 2006

Sodium‐dependent vitamin C transporters (SVCTs) is known to transport the reduced form of ascorbic acid into the cell, whereas the oxidized form of vitamin C (VC) is moved through a facilitative sugar transporter, such as glucose transporter (GLUT). With regard to the distribution of SVCT1 and ‐2 within the various organs, they were reported to be expressed in different types of cells. Especially in the central nervous system, only SVCT2 mRNA was expressed mainly in neurons and some types of neuroglial cells. However, data on the expression of SVCT proteins in the brain are scant. Therefore, we tried to develop comprehensive data on the distribution of SVCT proteins in adult rat brain by using immunohistochemical techniques for the first time. In our study, SVCT2 immunoreactivities (IRs) were intensely localized in the neurons of cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and Purkinje cells of cerebellum, and much weaker SVCT2 IRs were found in the other brain regions. Judging from double‐immunohistochemical data, most of the cells expressing SVCT2 IRs were likely to be neurons or microglia, even though the cells in choroids plexus or ependymal cells around the ventricles also exhibited SVCT2 IRs. Complete mapping of the distribution of SVCT2 IRs was available by using a semiquantitative method. The subcellular localization of SVCT proteins is necessary for understanding the exact role of the protein, so the current overall mapping of SVCT IRs in the rat brain could be the basis for further studies on related subjects. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chronically injured corticospinal axons do not cross large spinal lesion gaps after a multifactorial transplantation strategy using olfactory ensheathing cell/olfactory nerve fibroblast‐biomatrix bridges
Authors: Deumens R. , Koopmans G.C. , Honig W.M.M. , Maquet V. , Jérôme R. , Steinbusch H.W.M. , Joosten E.A.J.
Published: February 2006

Transplantation of mixed cultures containing olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) and olfactory nerve fibroblasts (ONF) has been shown to stimulate regrowth of both acutely and chronically injured corticospinal (CS) axons across small spinal cord lesion gaps. Here, we used a multifactorial transplantation strategy to stimulate regrowth of chronically injured CS axons across large spinal cord lesion gaps. This strategy combined the transplantation of aligned OEC/ONF‐biomatrix complexes, as described previously (Deumens et al. [2004] Neuroscience 125:591–604), within the lesion gap with additional OEC/ONF injections rostral and caudal to the lesion site. We show an enhanced presence of injured CS axons directly rostral to the lesion gap, with no effects on injured CS axons at or caudal to the lesion gap. Furthermore, injured CS axons did not penetrate the OEC/ONF‐biomatrix complex within the lesion gap. The enhanced presence of CS axons rostral to the lesion gap was not accompanied by any recovery of behavioral parameters assessed with the BBB locomotor rating scale or CatWalk gait analysis. We conclude that our multifactorial transplantation strategy should be optimized to create an OEC/ONF continuum in the injured spinal cord and thereby stimulate regrowth of injured CS axons across large spinal lesion gaps. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pro‐apoptotic role of c‐Jun in NMDA‐induced neurotoxicity in the rat retina
Authors: Munemasa Yasunari , Ohtani‐kaneko Ritsuko , Kitaoka Yasushi , Kumai Toshio , Kitaoka Yuka , Hayashi Yasuhiro , Watanabe Minoru , Takeda Hiroyuki , Hirata Kazuaki , Ueno Satoki
Published: February 2006

We examined the role of c‐Jun on N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA)‐induced neurotoxicity in the rat retina. An increase in c‐Jun mRNA, c‐Jun protein and phosphorylated c‐Jun (p‐c‐Jun) levels in the retina was detected 3 hr after intravitreal injection of NMDA (20 nmol). These levels peaked after 12 hr, and then returned to their control levels by 24 hr. c‐Jun and p‐c‐Jun immunoreactivities were observed in the retinal ganglion cell layer (RGCL), especially in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), and in the inner nuclear layer (INL) 12 hr after NMDA injection, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated nick‐end labeling (TUNEL)‐positive cells were immunopositive for c‐Jun and p‐c‐Jun. A c‐Jun antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS ODN), which was simultaneously injected with NMDA, penetrated the cells in the RGCL and the INL, suppressed the NMDA‐induced increase in c‐Jun and p‐c‐Jun protein levels and reduced the number of TUNEL‐positive cells in the RGCL 12 hr after the injection. The protective effect of c‐Jun AS ODN on the NMDA‐treated retina was also shown by the RGCL cell count and measurement of the IPL thickness, as well as by quantitative real‐time PCR analysis of Thy‐1 mRNA 7 days after the injection. These results suggest that c‐Jun synthesis and phosphorylation participate in NMDA‐induced neuronal cell death. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of functional CB1cannabinoid receptors in retinoic acid‐differentiated P19 embryonal carcinoma cells
Authors: Svensson Anna C. , Johansson Mattias , Persson Emma , Carchenilla Marta San Celestino , Jacobsson Stig O.P.
Published: February 2006

Although primary neuronal cell cultures, usually obtained from embryonic or early postnatal rodents, have been used in vitro to study the neural cannabinoid signalling system, development of cell lines with neural properties exhibiting native expression of cannabinoid receptors is desirable. This study was undertaken to investigate the expression of CB1and CB2cannabinoid receptors in neurons that develop from retinoic acid (RA)‐primed mouse P19 embryonal carcinoma cells. Both undifferentiated P19 cells and RA‐treated P19 neurons were positive, by using reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), for CB1(but not CB2) mRNA. Neuronal differentiation increased the CB1mRNA expression, and Western blotting with a CB1receptor antibody showed a strong immunoreactive band at approximately 62 kDa in membranes from P19‐derived neurons. The cannabinoid receptor agonists CP 55,940 and HU‐210 produced concentration‐dependent inhibition of forskolin‐induced (3 μM) cyclic AMP production in the P19‐derived neurons (29% at 1 μM CP 55,940 and 34% at 1 μM HU‐210), which could be blocked by the CB1‐selective receptor antagonist AM251, but not by the CB2‐selective antagonist AM630. Furthermore, glutamate (100 μM) induced a sustained increase in [Ca2+]iin P19‐derived neurons that could be concentration‐dependently blocked by the cannabinoid receptor agonists WIN 55,212‐2. Thus, the protocol used provides an in vitro model system expressing CB1cannabinoid receptors at the level of mRNA, protein, and AM251‐sensitive agonist‐induced inhibition of intracellular cyclic AMP accumulation, which may be useful to investigate the developmental regulation, expression and function of neuronal cannabinoid receptors. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activated protein C attenuates acute ischaemia reperfusion injury in skeletal muscle
Authors: Dillon J. P. , Laing A. J. , Cahill R. A. , O'Brien G. C. , Street J. T. , Wang J. H. , Mc Guinness A. , Redmond H. P.
Published: February 2006

The original article to which this Erratum refers was published in Journal of Orthopaedic Research 23:1454–1459,2005.
Could a high resectability rate improve the long‐term survival of patients with proximal bile duct cancer?
Authors: Veroux Massimiliano , Madia Carmelo , Fiamingo Pietro , Caglià Pietro , Valastro Maurizio , Amodeo Corrado , Veroux Pierfrancesco , Gagliano Massimiliano , Basso Stefano , D'Amico Davide Francesco
Published: February 2006

Background and Objectives

This retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate if high resectability rate could improve the long‐term outcome of patients with proximal bile duct cancer.

Methods

Between 1985 and 2001, 50 patients (34 male and 16 female) with proximal bile duct cancer were treated. Thirty‐six patients (72%) were considered suitable for surgery, while 14 underwent nonsurgical palliative procedures. Twenty patients had bile duct resection only. Ten patients had Roux‐en‐Y cholangiojejunostomy with two or three divided segmental hepatic ducts; in 10 patients, the cholangiojejunostomy was performed with four or five divided segmental hepatic ducts. Three patients were treated by palliative transtumoral intubation with Kehr tube. Thirteen patients had bile duct resection plus hepatectomy. Despite the curative intention of the operation, only in 19 (52.7%) patients did the histopathological examination reveal tumor‐free margins.

Results

There was no operative mortality. Postoperative morbidity was 25%. Overall 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year survival of the entire surgical group was 61%, 22.5%, and 9%, respectively. In the 19 patients treated with curative intent the survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 63.1%, 31.5%, and 15.8%, respectively, while in the group that had palliative treatment it was 45%, 15%, and 0%, respectively.

Conclusions

Only margins free from tumor can guarantee an improvement in long‐term outcome. Increasing resectability improves survival and could offer a chance of better long‐term survival. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;93: 199–205. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calcium phosphate cement in musculoskeletal tumor surgery
Authors: Matsumine Akihiko , Kusuzaki Katsuyuki , Matsubara Takao , Okamura Atsushi , Okuyama Noritaka , Miyazaki Shinichi , Shintani Ken , Uchida Atsumasa
Published: February 2006

Background and Objectives

Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is an injectable biocompatible bone substitute that has been used for various applications in orthopedic surgery. However, no extensive clinical studies of the use of CPC to fill bone cavities after curettage of musculoskeletal tumors have been reported. The present study reviewed the results for 56 musculoskeletal tumors treated by curettage and CPC implantation.

Methods

Assessment was based on clinical examination and radiographic findings. Variables for clinical assessment included pain, limb function, and complications. Median follow‐up was 18.5 months (range 6–47 months).

Results

One patient experienced post‐operative fractures. Three patients displayed local recurrence. One patient developed post‐operative superficial wound infection, and two patients with large bony defect exhibited non‐infectious serous discharge. No serious adverse effects such as deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism were encountered. In all cases, CPC was radiographically well adapted to the surrounding host bone as of final follow‐up.

Conclusions

CPC appears to offer a useful bone substitute for the treatment of musculoskeletal tumors. As the follow‐up period for this study was short, further long‐term follow‐up studies are needed. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;93: 212–220. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mainz II and double folded rectosigmoid pouches. Experience with 95 patients
Authors: Hammouda H. , Shalaby M. , Adelelateef A. , Elakkad M.
Published: February 2006

Objectives

We report a clinical case series for construction of Mainz II or double folded rectosigmoid pouch with suitable antireflux uretero‐intestinal anastomosis.

Materials and Methods

Ninety‐five patients with invasive bladder carcinoma were treated by radical cystectomy and supravesical urinary shunt in form of either Mainz II {56 (58.9%)} or double folded {39 (41.1%)} rectosigmoid pouch. Antireflux techniques for uretero‐intestinal anastomosis were subserosal extramural and submucosal tunnels for 122/190 (64.2%) dilated and 68/190 (45.8%) normal caliber ureters. All patients were kept on prophylactic alkalization. Evaluation included clinical, radiological, laboratory, and urodynamic evaluations. Mean follow‐up was 40 months.

Results

Early postoperative complications were reported in seven (7.4%) cases that were treated conservatively. All patients were continent day and night. Reflux was reported in 2/122 (1.6%) renal units (RU) with dilated ureters and in 1/68 (1.5%) RU with normal caliber ureter, that was managed conservatively. Stenosis at uretero‐intestinal anastomosis was reported in 10 (5.3%) RU. Laboratory investigations were within normal. Pouchometry results were comparable in both Mainz II and double folded rectosigmoid pouches. Both were low‐pressure good capacity reservoirs.

Conclusions

Mainz II pouch is indicated in cases of normal caliber, unilateral dilated, and some cases of bilateral dilated ureters, while double folded rectosigmoid pouch is optional in case of bilateral dilated ureters. Both have comparable low‐pressure urodynamic features. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;93: 228–232. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of PTEN in the progression of cervical neoplasia and its relation to tumor behavior and angiogenesis in invasive squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lee Ji Shin , Choi Yoo Duk , Lee Jae Hyuk , Nam Jong Hee , Choi Chan , Lee Min Cheol , Park Chang Soo , Kim Hyung Seok , Min Kyung Whan
Published: February 2006

Background and Objectives

Loss of PTEN expression has been associated with tumor progression and adverse patient outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate PTEN expression in the successive steps of progression in cervical neoplasia and to determine its correlation with tumor angiogenesis and clinicopathologic features in squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.

Methods

Immunohistochemical staining with anti‐PTEN antibody was performed in a total of 160 patients with 12 normal cervical epithelium, 63 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (33 CIN I, 30 CIN III), and 85 cervical squamous cell carcinomas. Microvessels were immunohistochemically labeled with an antibody for CD34. Computerized image analysis was used to evaluate microvessel density (MVD).

Results

Reduced PTEN expression progressively increased along the continuum from normal epithelium to squamous cell carcinoma (P < 0.01). There was no significant correlation between PTEN expression and MVD. On univariate analysis, stage and reduced PTEN expression were significant prognostic factors for both disease‐free and overall survival. However, stage was the only independent prognostic factor by multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that tumor progression in the cervical epithelium is accompanied by loss of PTEN protein expression. Reduced PTEN expression is not associated with tumor angiogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;93: 233–240. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Specific features of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in patients over 70 years of age
Authors: Biliotti G.C. , Martini F. , Vezzosi V. , Seghi P. , Tozzi F. , Castagnoli A. , Basili G. , Peri A.
Published: February 2006

Background and Objectives

Among the geriatric population, there is a lower incidence of thyroid carcinoma (TC), but it accounts for 30% of all thyroid disorders compared to 6–8% in younger subjects. Prognosis, moreover, is worse in the elderly, as demonstrated by the fact that 81% of deaths related to these tumors occur in patients over 55. The aim of this retrospective study was to identify the characteristics of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) peculiar to the elderly.

Methods

Of 638 patients who underwent surgery for DTC over a period of 30 years, 46 were more than 70 years old. All the elderly patients had undergone radioioidine and TSH‐suppression therapy following surgical resection.

Results and Conclusions

Despite these measures, the rate of recurrence was 26.5% at 5 years and 63.6% at 10 years. The 5‐ and 10‐year disease‐specific survival rates were 87.8% and 63.6%, respectively. On an average, survival was 55.1 months when death was disease‐related, and with regard to histological type, it was longer in papillary carcinoma than in the follicular variant, and longest of all in occult sclerosing carcinoma. Survival was greatest in patients with tumors less than 2 cm in diameter, characterized by the absence of extraglandular spread and by lymph node metastasis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;93: 194–198. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of stage‐specific outcome of breast cancer based on 5th and 6th AJCC staging system
Authors: Kim Seung Il , Park Byeong Woo , Lee Kyong Sik
Published: February 2006

Background and Objectives

To investigate the appropriateness of the new staging system (AJCC 6th edition) for breast carcinoma.

Methods

We reviewed the clinicopathologic data of 1,768 breast cancer patients, and their disease stages were re‐categorized by the new system. The overall survival (OS) and distant relapse free survival (DRFS) rates were compared between those patients whose stages by the old system (AJCC 5th edition) remained the same (the remainders) and those patients whose stages moved up (the upstaged cases) as well as between the subgroups in the new system.

Results

The 10‐year DRFS rates of the upstaged cases in each stage were poorer than those of the remainders, and statistical significance was demonstrated for stage IIB and stage IIIA. The 10‐year OS rates were also poorer in the upstaged cases, and statistical significance was demonstrated for stage IIIA. Subgroup analysis within the new system between the node‐negative versus node‐positive subgroups in stages IIA and IIB showed a significant OS difference. The DRFS difference was also shown between the subgroups in stage IIA.

Conclusions

The new staging system seems to more accurately reflect disease outcome, however, a re‐evaluation might be required to reflect the impact of nodal involvement upon the new staging system. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;93: 221–227. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ordering Behavior of Layered Silicate Nanocomposites with a Cylindrical Triblock Copolymer
Authors: Lee Chung Ho , Kim Hee Bong , Lim Sung Taek , Kim Hyun Seok , Kwon Yong Ku , Choi Hyoung Jin
Published: February 2006

Summary: The ordering behavior of the nanocomposites of organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) with a cylindrical triblock copolymer of polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene‐co‐butylene)‐block‐polystyrene (SEBS) has been investigated by temperature‐resolved small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) and rheometry. X‐Ray diffraction (XRD) confirms that the polymer chains are successfully intercalated with the interlayer gallery of the silicates. The data obtained from the SAXS and rheological measurements show that the addition of OMMT leads to a change in the microphase separation behavior of SEBS in the nanocomposites. The molecular interaction between OMMT and the polystyrene (PS) chains of SEBS decreases the structural perfection of the self‐assembling, phase‐separated domain structure of the nanocomposites. Rheological data exhibit that the order‐order (TOOT) and order‐disorder transitions (TODT) of the SEBS/OMMT nanocomposites decrease with the addition of OMMT. The highest elongation at break is obtained at approximately 2% OMMT and its further addition to the mixture leads to decreases in tensile strength and elongation.

The change in the storage modulus (G′) of a) SEBS, b) S98M2, c) S95M5, and d) S90M10, as a function of temperature in the range of 150 ≤ T (°C) ≤ 260.

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The change in the storage modulus (G′) of a) SEBS, b) S98M2, c) S95M5, and d) S90M10, as a function of temperature in the range of 150 ≤ T (°C) ≤ 260.
Effect of Inorganic and Organic Salts on the Thermogelling Behavior of Poly(organophosphazenes)
Authors: Cho Yong Woo , An Sung Won , Song Soo‐Chang
Published: February 2006

Summary: The effect of various inorganic (NaCl, KCl, NaBr, LiCl and NaI) and organic (Et4NBr, n‐Pr4NBr and n‐Bu4NBr) salts on the thermogelling behavior of poly(organophosphazenes) with α‐amino‐ω‐methoxy‐poly(ethylene glycol) (AMPEG) and amino acid ester side groups was studied. The salting‐out or salting‐in effects of inorganic salts were in good agreement with the so‐called “Hofmeister series”. In the presence of inorganic salts other than NaI, the association temperature (Tass) and the temperature at the maximum viscosity (Tmax) shifted to lower temperatures. This indicates that the inorganic salts facilitated the thermosensitive gelation of the poly(organophosphazenes). The viscosity (Vmax) at Tmax was greatly augmented by the addition of inorganic salts, implying an increase in the number of hydrophobic association points. In contrast, NaI and organic salts dramatically suppressed the thermosensitive gelation of poly(organophosphazenes). The addition of these salts increased both Tass and Tmax, and decreased Vmax. In the inorganic salt systems, both the radius and the charge density of the anion seem to be the main decisive factors with regard to salting‐out and salting‐in effects. In the organic salt systems, the suppression of thermosensitive gelation may be attributed to the ionization of the hydrophobic side groups of the poly(organophosphazenes) upon binding of the large cations of the organic salts through hydrophobic interactions.

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Cover Picture: Macromol. Chem. Phys. 4/2006
Authors: Klimke Katja , Parkinson Matthew , Piel Christian , Kaminsky Walter , Spiess Hans Wolfgang , Wilhelm Manfred
Published: February 2006

Cover: Time‐efficient quantification of very low branch content in polyethylene using optimised melt‐state 13C NMR under magic‐angle spinning. Concentrations of 7‐8 branches per 100 000 CH2 groups were determined in only 13 h. Further details can be found in the article by K. Klimke, M. Parkinson, C. Piel, W. Kaminsky, H. W. Spiess, and M. Wilhelm* on page 382.
Effect of Molecular Weight on Photoinduced Birefringence in a Chiral Liquid Crystalline Azodye Polymer
Authors: Kozlovsky Mikhail , Lazarev Vladimir V.
Published: February 2006

Summary: The evolution of the photoinduced birefringence in thin films of narrow polymer fractions is studied and compared with the behavior of the non‐fractionated polymer. The Δnind value decreases by increasing the degree of polymerization ($\overline {DP}$) within the oligomeric range but becomes independent of molecular weight starting from a $\overline {DP}$ of ≈70. Thermal pretreatment of the films results in higher photoinduced birefringence. The films show good stability of the photorecording.

Birefringence induced after 10 min, Δnind(600) and its growth rate at the same moment versus molecular weight.

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Birefringence induced after 10 min, Δnind(600) and its growth rate at the same moment versus molecular weight.
Preparation of Size Controllable Polypyrrole Sub‐Microcapsules Using SEBS Copolymer as the Building Block
Authors: Chen Shuangjun , Chen Wei , Si Zhihuai , Zhou Dongshan , Xue Gi
Published: February 2006

Summary: SEBS is used as building blocks to fabricate size controllable polypyrrole (PPy) capsules. Polypyrrole shells grow on the surfaces of the size controllable oxidant sub‐microparticles dispersed in the solution cast film of a SEBS copolymer by vapor phase polymerization. After washing in ethanol, PPy sub‐microcapsules dispersed in a SEBS matrix are obtained. This technique shows advantages of lower cost and less pollution, as compared with the gold‐template method reported in the literature.

A TEM image of polypyrrole sub‐microcapsules dispersed in a SEBS matrix.

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A TEM image of polypyrrole sub‐microcapsules dispersed in a SEBS matrix.
Dewetting and Phase Behaviors for Ultrathin Films of Polymer Blend
Authors: Liao Yonggui , Su Zhaohui , Sun Zhaoyan , Shi Tongfei , An Lijia
Published: February 2006

Summary: Dynamics of dewetting and phase separation in ultrathin films (thickness is ca. one radius of gyration, ≈1 Rg) of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(styrene‐ran‐acrylonitrile) (SAN) blends on Si substrate has been studied by in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM). In the miscible region, a “spinodal‐like” dewetting driven by a composition fluctuation recently predicted by Wensink and Jérôme (Langmuir 2002, 18, 413) occurs. In the two‐phase region, the dewetting of the whole film is followed by phase separation in the droplets, coupling with the wetting of the substrate by the PMMA extracted by the strong attractive interaction between them.

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Fabrication of Self‐Assembled PEDOT/PSS‐ZnO Nanocables with Diverse Inner Core Sizes Facilitated by Vacuum Conditions
Authors: Qi Yingqun , Chen Ping , Wang Tiejun , Hu Xiujie , Zhou Shuyun
Published: February 2006

Summary: In this paper, PEDOT/PSS‐ZnO coaxial nanocables with diverse inner core sizes are prepared by a new and facile method that involves two‐steps: the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles through a sol‐gel process, followed by dewetting‐controlled self‐assembly of the nanoparticles and charged polymers to generate a cable‐like nanostructure with the aid of a vacuum. The nanocables have an outer diameter of ca. 100 nm with a polycrystalline ZnO inner core of 7–25 nm in diameter. The length and morphology of the nanocables are determined by external vacuum conditions as well as the ZnO concentration in the composite. A photoluminescence study shows an enhanced green light emission arising from ZnO with a size‐dependence feature.

TEM image of a PEDOT/PSS‐ZnO nanocable at high magnification.

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TEM image of a PEDOT/PSS‐ZnO nanocable at high magnification.