bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mineralization of pentachlorophenol with enhanced degradation and power generation from air cathode microbial fuel cells
Authors: Huang Liping , Gan Linlin , Wang Ning , Quan Xie , Logan Bruce E. , Chen Guohua
Published: March 2012

The combined anaerobic–aerobic conditions in air‐cathode single‐chamber MFCs were used to completely mineralize pentachlorophenol (PCP; 5 mg/L), in the presence of acetate or glucose. Degradation rates of 0.140 ± 0.011 mg/L‐h (acetate) and 0.117 ± 0.009 mg/L‐h (glucose) were obtained with maximum power densities of 7.7 ± 1.1 W/m3 (264 ± 39 W/m2, acetate) and 5.1 ± 0.1 W/m3 (175 ± 5 W/m2, glucose). At a higher PCP concentration of 15 mg/L, PCP degradation rates increased to 0.171 ± 0.01 mg/L‐h (acetate) and 0.159 ± 0.011 mg/L‐h (glucose). However, power was inversely proportional to initial PCP concentration, with decreases of 0.255 W/mg PCP (acetate) and 0.184 W/mg PCP (glucose). High pH (9.0, acetate; 8.0, glucose) was beneficial to exoelectrogenic activities and power generation, whereas an acidic pH = 5.0 decreased power but increased PCP degradation rates (0.195 ± 0.002 mg/L‐h, acetate; 0.173 ± 0.005 mg/L‐h, glucose). Increasing temperature from 22 to 35°C enhanced power production by 37% (glucose) to 70% (acetate), and PCP degradation rates (0.188 ± 0.01 mg/L‐h, acetate; 0.172 ± 0.009 mg/L‐h, glucose). Dominant exoelectrogens of Pseudomonas (acetate) and Klebsiella (glucose) were identified in the biofilms. These results demonstrate that PCP degradation using air‐cathode single‐chamber MFCs may be a promising process for remediation of water contaminated with PCP as well as for power generation. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 2211–2221. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of dynamic changes in the proteome of a Bcl‐XL overexpressing Chinese hamster ovary cell culture during exponential and stationary phases
Authors: Carlage Tyler , Kshirsagar Rashmi , Zang Li , Janakiraman Vijay , Hincapie Marina , Lyubarskaya Yelena , Weiskopf Andy , Hancock William S.
Published: March 2012

Mammalian cell cultures used for biopharmaceutical production undergo various dynamic biological changes over time, including the transition of cells from an exponential growth phase to a stationary phase during cell culture. To better understand the dynamic aspects of cell culture, a quantitative proteomics approach was used to identify dynamic trends in protein expression over the course of a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture for the production of a recombinant monoclonal antibody and overexpressing the antiapoptotic gene Bcl‐xl. Samples were analyzed using a method incorporating iTRAQ labeling, two‐dimensional LC/MS, and linear regression calculations to identify significant dynamic trends in protein abundance. Using this approach, 59 proteins were identified with significant temporal changes in expression. Pathway analysis tools were used to identify a putative network of proteins associated with cell growth and apoptosis. Among the differentially expressed proteins were molecular chaperones and isomerases, such as GRP78 and PDI, and reported cell growth markers MCM2 and MCM5. In addition, two proteins with growth‐regulating properties, transglutaminase‐2 and clusterin, were identified. These proteins are associated with tumor proliferation and apoptosis and were observed to be expressed at relatively high levels during stationary phase, which was confirmed by western blotting. The proteomic methodology described here provides a dynamic view of protein expression throughout a CHO fed‐batch cell culture, which may be useful for further elucidating the biological processes driving mammalian cell culture performance. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Testing of a Ni‐Al2O3 Catalyst for Methane Steam Reforming Using Different Reaction Systems
Authors: de Miguel N. , Manzanedo J. , Arias P. L.
Published: March 2012

Ni‐Al2O3 catalyst activity was tested for methane steam reforming using two different reaction systems: a catalyst particle bed (0.42–0.5 mm catalyst particles diluted in SiC) with a surface area‐to‐volume ratio SA/V of 910 m–1 and a porosity ϵ of 52 % and a catalyst‐coated metal monolith with an SA/V of 3300 m–1 and an ϵ of 86 %. Under a steam‐to‐carbon ratio of 2.5 and at a temperature of 700 °C, the highest specific reaction rates were found for the catalyst‐coated monolith. The high SA/V and ϵ, together with the high rate of heat transfer of the metal monolith were found to be responsible of this optimum behavior. However, in both systems, the Ni‐Al2O3 catalyst suffered a catalyst deactivation during operation.
Effect of diethanolamine and triethanolamine on the properties of electroplated Zn–Ni alloy coatings from acid bath
Authors: Hammami Olfa , Dhouibi Leila , Berçot Patrice , Rezrazi El Mustafa , Triki Ezzeddine
Published: March 2012

In the present work, zinc–nickel alloy coatings have been produced under direct current conditions from an acid bath with different concentrations of diethanolamine (DEA) and triethanolamine (TEA). The produced coatings were analysed through chronopotentiometry, microhardness, X‐ray diffraction and MEB techniques. The compositional analysis of the films showed that the Zn–Ni electrodeposition is anomalous for all the systems. Ethanolamines augmented the anomalous behaviour. The hindering in the Ni (II) reduction will be more effective due to complexation of Ni (II) catalyst with ethanolamines. Electrochemical and structure analysis of deposits indicated the presence of γ and highly Zn‐enriched phases. The presence of these additives resulted also in coatings with finer grains. The behaviour of modified Zn–Ni alloy coatings in corrosion solution of 3% NaCl was investigated through potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It was found that the obtained Zn–Ni/3 mM TEA alloy exhibited better corrosion resistance compared to pure Zn–Ni alloy electrodeposited at similar conditions. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
A feedback glucose control strategy for type II diabetes mellitus based on fuzzy logic
Authors: Ekram F. , Sun L. , Vahidi O. , Kwok E. , Gopaluni R. B.
Published: March 2012

Most patients with severe Type II diabetes mellitus, characterised by both insulin resistance and β‐cell failure, eventually require insulin therapy. According to the nonlinear dynamics of homeostasis of blood glucose, proportional‐integral (PI) controller, modified by penalising the feedback error using a fuzzy inference system has been developed to maintain normoglycaemia in a simulated patient using a closed‐loop insulin infusion pump. The simulation employs a compartment model proposed by Vahidi et al. [Vahidi et al., Biochem. Eng. J. 2011, 55(1), 7–16]. The results demonstrate that the fuzzy‐based PI controller is superior to a conventional PI controller for the regulation of blood glucose by insulin infusion for Type II diabetic patients. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Trabectedin has promising antineoplastic activity in high‐grade meningioma
Authors: Preusser Matthias , Spiegl‐Kreinecker Sabine , Lötsch Daniela , Wöhrer Adelheid , Schmook Maria , Dieckmann Karin , Saringer Walter , Marosi Christine , Berger Walter
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND:

Meningiomas are common intracranial tumors arising from the meninges and usually are benign. However, a few meningiomas have aggressive behavior and, for such patients, effective treatment options are needed. Trabectedin is a novel, marine‐derived, antineoplastic agent that has been approved and is used routinely as therapy for advanced soft tissue sarcoma and ovarian cancer.

METHODS:

The authors investigated the in vitro effects of trabectedin alone and in combination with hydroxyurea, cisplatin, and doxorubicin in primary cell cultures of benign (n = 9), atypical (n = 6), and anaplastic (n = 4) meningiomas using chemosensitivity assays (3‐[4,5dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT]), Western blot analysis, cell cycle analysis, and immunofluorescent staining.

RESULTS:

Strong antimeningioma activity of trabectedin was observed and was characterized by distinct cell cycle arrest, down‐regulation of multiple cyclins, deregulated expression of cell death‐regulatory genes, and massive apoptosis induction. Cytotoxic activity was especially intense in higher grade meningiomas with a half‐maximal inhibitory concentration <10 nM. Combination with trabectedin synergistically enhanced the antimeningioma activity of hydroxyurea but also enhanced the activity of doxorubicin and cisplatin. On the basis of these findings, trabectedin was given to 1 patient who had heavily pretreated, anaplastic meningioma, and a favorable response was observed with radiologic disease stabilization, marked reductions in brain edema and requirement for corticosteroids, and improvement of clinical symptoms. However, treatment had to be discontinued after 5 cycles because of adverse drug effects.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results indicated that trabectedin may represent a promising new therapeutic option for patients with aggressive meningioma and should be evaluated in prospective clinical studies. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Patient advocates' role in clinical trials
Authors: Katz Mira L. , Archer Laura E. , Peppercorn Jeffrey M. , Kereakoglow Sandra , Collyar Deborah E. , Burstein Harold J. , Schilsky Richard L. , Partridge Ann H.
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND:

Patient advocates are increasingly involved in cooperative group trials, single‐institution cancer programs, and peer‐review of research applications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role and value of patient advocates from the perspective of Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) advocates and investigators.

METHODS:

An online survey was sent to current and past (within 5 years) patient advocates and investigators.

RESULTS.

Response rates were 72.7% (16 of 22) for advocates and 56.4% (102 of 181) for investigators. Patient advocates were more likely than investigators to report the following: the clinical trial process benefited from advocate involvement on committees (100% of advocates vs 72.1% of investigators; P < .05), advocates contribute to protocol development (92.8% vs 33.8%, respectively; P < .001), the cultural appropriateness of protocols (21.4% vs 10.4%, respectively; P < .05), advocates assist with patient accrual (78.6% vs 23.4%, respectively; P < .001), and advocates add value to concept development and protocol review (100% vs 63.2%, respectively; P < .001). Over half of advocates and investigators reported gaps in patient advocate knowledge and suggested that additional clinical trials training was needed. To improve clinical trials, advocates suggested their earlier involvement in protocol development and increased support from investigators. CALGB investigators recommended improving patient advocate selection and communication skills training:

CONCLUSIONS:

The majority of patient advocates and investigators perceived benefits from advocate involvement in the clinical trials process; patient advocates placed more value on their role than investigators. The current results indicated that strategies to improve advocacy training and advocate‐investigator communication may further enhance the role of patient advocates, and future studies that clarify the role of advocates in the prioritization and development of protocol, consent, and education materials, and on patient accrual, are warranted. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Leapfrog volume thresholds and perioperative complications after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Trinh Quoc‐Dien , Sun Maxine , Sammon Jesse , Tian Zhe , Bianchi Marco , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Jeong Wooju , Ghani Khurshid R. , Jeldres Claudio , Perrotte Paul , Agarwal Piyush K. , Rogers Craig G. , Peabody James O. , Menon Mani , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND:

The authors explored the effect of Leapfrog volume thresholds (LVTs) on 5 short‐term radical prostatectomy (RP) outcomes.

METHODS:

Within the Health Care Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), the authors focused on RPs performed within the 7 most contemporary years (2001‐2007). They tested rates of in‐hospital mortality, intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, and blood transfusions as well as the mean length of stay (LOS), stratified according to the number of LVTs that were met. Multivariable regression analyses were adjusted further for potential confounders.

RESULTS:

Overall, 36.2%, 17.3%, 14.9%, 15.7%, 12.9%, and 3% of RPs were performed at institutions that reached 0 LVT, 1 LVT, 2 LVTs, 3 LVTs, 4 LVTs, and 5 LVTs, respectively. Relative to patients who underwent RP at institutions that reached 0 LVTs, patients who underwent RP at institutions that reached 5 LVTs had fewer comorbidities, were younger, were more likely to hold private insurance, and were more likely to undergo concomitant pelvic lymphadenectomy (all P < .001). In multivariable analyses adjusted for hospital volume (HV), age, race, year of surgery, Charlson Comorbidity Index, hospital region and location, pelvic lymphadenectomy, and insurance status, LVT status was related inversely to LOS and the likelihood of receiving blood transfusions (both P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results indicated that LVTs can provide a highly accurate prediction of the probability of 2 important, detrimental, short‐term outcomes after RP, even after accounting for HV. The benefit at institutions that meet LVTs may exceed that at other institutions when short‐term RP outcomes are considered. This observation should be taken into consideration when treatment decisions are made, especially because most RPs were performed at institutions that did not meet any LVTs. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
A new practical interference mitigation scheme for interference cognitive radio networks
Authors: Ghavami Siavash , Abolhassani Bahman
Published: March 2012

In this paper, a new practical dirty paper coding scheme and its extension is proposed for interference mitigation of a single TV broadcast station in uplink and downlink of a cognitive radio network using both a single secondary user (SU) and multiple SU scenarios. In the single SU scenario, which is called interference cognitive radio channel, derived simulation results show that the transmission rate of the SU archives the capacity of an AWGN channel with the cost of a 2.5 dB extra signal‐to‐noise ratio. In the sequel, the proposed scheme is extended to a multiple SU scenario using direct sequence spread spectrum technique in both uplink and downlink considering a TV band. Derived simulation results show that the number of supportable SUs in our proposed scheme increases to a fully loaded scenario of the same multiuser direct sequence spread spectrum system. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High Active Hollow Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Microspheres for Oxygen Reduction in Alkaline Media
Authors: Yu Y. M. , Zhang J. H. , Xiao C. H. , Zhong J. D. , Zhang X. H. , Chen J. H.
Published: March 2012

Dopamine, a sustainable and cheap raw material, was selected as the carbon and nitrogen sources to synthesize hollow nitrogen‐doped carbon microspheres (HNCMS). The obtained HNCMS were used as a non‐noble‐metal electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction in alkaline solution and show high electrocatalytic activity, excellent long‐term stability, and tolerance to crossover effect of methanol.
In vitro evidence for the brain glutamate efflux hypothesis: Brain endothelial cells cocultured with astrocytes display a polarized brain‐to‐blood transport of glutamate
Authors: Helms Hans Christian , Madelung Rasmus , Waagepetersen Helle Sønderby , Nielsen Carsten Uhd , Brodin Birger
Published: March 2012

The concentration of the excitotoxic amino acid, L‐glutamate, in brain interstitial fluid is tightly regulated by uptake transporters and metabolism in astrocytes and neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of the blood‐brain barrier endothelium in brain L‐glutamate homeostasis. Transendothelial transport‐ and accumulation studies of 3H‐L‐glutamate, 3H‐L‐aspartate, and 3H‐D‐aspartate in an electrically tight bovine endothelial/rat astrocyte blood‐brain barrier coculture model were performed. After 6 days in culture, the endothelium displayed transendothelial resistance values of 1014 ± 70 Ω cm2, and 14C‐D‐mannitol permeability values of 0.88 ± 0.13 × 10−6 cm s−1. Unidirectional flux studies showed that L‐aspartate and L‐glutamate, but not D‐aspartate, displayed polarized transport in the brain‐to‐blood direction, however, all three amino acids accumulated in the cocultures when applied from the abluminal side. The transcellular transport kinetics were characterized with a Km of 69 ± 15 μM and a Jmax of 44 ± 3.1 pmol min−1 cm−2 for L‐aspartate and a Km of 138 ± 49 μM and Jmax of 28 ± 3.1 pmol min−1 cm−2 for L‐glutamate. The EAAT inhibitor, DL‐threo‐ß‐Benzyloxyaspartate, inhibited transendothelial brain‐to‐blood fluxes of L‐glutamate and L‐aspartate. Expression of EAAT‐1 (Slc1a3), −2 (Slc1a2), and −3 (Slc1a1) mRNA in the endothelial cells was confirmed by conventional PCR and localization of EAAT‐1 and −3 in endothelial cells was shown with immunofluorescence. Overall, the findings suggest that the blood‐brain barrier itself may participate in regulating brain L‐glutamate concentrations. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The health and social needs of older male prisoners
Authors: Hayes Adrian J , Burns Alistair , Turnbull Pauline , Shaw Jenny J
Published: March 2012

Objectives

This study aimed to quantify the health and social needs of older male prisoners in the North West of England, to determine whether their needs were being met, and to explore an age cut‐off for this group.

Methods

Data were collected by interview and case note review. Areas covered included physical health, mental health, personality disorder, cognitive impairment and social need.

Results

A total of 262 prisoners were included in the study. Over 90% had a physical health disorder, most commonly hypertension and osteoarthritis. A total of 61% had a mental disorder, most commonly major depressive disorder and alcohol misuse disorder. There were few differences within age bands for physical health problem or health/social need, but those aged 50–59 years had more mental disorder, including mental illness, substance misuse disorder and personality disorder.

Conclusions

Older prisoners have a high level of health need and a different profile to the rest of the prison population. Fifty appears to be a useful age over which to define this group, and service provision should reflect this in a national management strategy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stage level, volume and time‐frequency information content of Lake Tana using stochastic and wavelet analysis methods
Authors: Chebud Y. , Melesse A.
Published: March 2012

Lake Tana is the largest fresh water body situated in the north‐western highlands of Ethiopia. In addition to its ecological services, it serves for local transport, electric power generation, fishing, recreational purposes, and source of dry season irrigation water supply. Evidence shows that the lake has dried at least once at about 15,000–17,000 before present owing to a combination of high evaporation and low precipitation events. Past attempts to understand and simulate historical fluctuation of Lake Tana based on simplistic water balance approach of inflow, outflow, and storage have failed to capture well‐known events of drawdown and rise of the lake that have happened in the last 44 years. This study tested different stochastic methods of lake level and volume simulation for supporting Lake Tana operational planning decision support. Three stochastic methods (perturbations approach, Monte Carlo methods, and wavelet analysis) were employed for lake level and volume simulation, and the results were compared with the stage level measurements. Forty‐four years of daily, monthly, and mean annual lake level data have shown a Gaussian variation with goodness of fit at 0.01 significant levels of the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. The stochastic simulations predicted the lake stage level of the 1972, 1984, and 2002/2003 historical droughts 99% of the time. The information content (frequency) of fluctuation of Lake Tana for various periods was resolved using Wigner's Time‐Frequency Decomposition method. The wavelet analysis agreed with the perturbations and Monte Carlo simulations resolving the time (1970s, 1980s, and 2000s) in which low frequency and high spectral power fluctuation has occurred. The Monte Carlo method has shown its superiority for risk analysis over perturbation and deterministic method whereas wavelet analysis reconstructed historical record of lake stage level at daily and monthly time scales. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association of mammographic density with hormone receptors in invasive breast cancers: Results from a case‐only study
Authors: Heusinger Katharina , Jud Sebastian M. , Häberle Lothar , Hack Carolin C. , Adamietz Boris R. , Meier‐Meitinger Martina , Lux Michael P. , Wittenberg Thomas , Wagner Florian , Loehberg Christian R. , Uder Michael , Hartmann Arndt , Schulz‐Wendtland Rüdiger , Beckmann Matthias W. , Fasching Peter A.
Published: March 2012

For many breast cancer (BC) risk factors, there is growing evidence concerning molecular subtypes for which the risk factor is specific. With regard to mammographic density (MD), there are inconsistent data concerning its association with estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression. The aim of our study was to analyze the association between ER and PR expression and MD. In our case‐only study, data on BC risk factors, hormone receptor expression and MD were available for 2,410 patients with incident BC. MD was assessed as percent MD (PMD) using a semiautomated method by two readers for every patient. The association of ER/PR and PMD was studied with multifactorial analyses of covariance with PMD as the target variable and including well‐known factors that are also associated with MD, such as age, parity, use of hormone replacement therapy, and body mass index (BMI). In addition to the commonly known associations between PMD and age, parity, BMI and hormone replacement therapy, a significant inverse association was found between PMD and ER expression levels. Patients with ER‐negative tumors had an average PMD of 38%, whereas patients with high ER expression had a PMD of 35%. A statistical trend toward a positive association between PMD and PR expression was also seen. PMD appears to be inversely associated with ER expression and may correlate positively with PR expression. These effects were independent of other risk factors such as age, BMI, parity, and hormone replacement therapy, possibly suggesting other pathways that mediate this effect.
Variety in vegetable and fruit consumption and the risk of gastric and esophageal cancer in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition
Authors: Jeurnink S.M. , Büchner F.L. , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita H.B. , Siersema P.D. , Boshuizen H.C. , Numans M.E. , Dahm C.C. , Overvad K. , Tjønneland A. , Roswall N. , Clavel‐Chapelon F. , Boutron‐Ruault M.C. , Morois S. , Kaaks R. , Teucher B. , Boeing H. , Buijsse B. , Trichopoulou A. , Benetou V. , Zylis D. , Palli D. , Sieri S. , Vineis P. , Tumino R. , Panico S. , Ocké M.C. , Peeters P.H.M. , Skeie G. , Brustad M. , Lund E. , Sánchez‐Cantalejo E. , Navarro C. , Amiano P. , Ardanaz E. , Ramón Quirós J. , Hallmans G. , Johansson I. , Lindkvist B. , Regnér S. , Khaw K.T. , Wareham N. , Key T.J. , Slimani N. , Norat T. , Vergnaud A.C. , Romaguera D. , Gonzalez C.A.
Published: March 2012

Diets high in vegetables and fruits have been suggested to be inversely associated with risk of gastric cancer. However, the evidence of the effect of variety of consumption is limited. We therefore investigated whether consumption of a variety of vegetables and fruit is associated with gastric and esophageal cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition study. Data on food consumption and follow‐up on cancer incidence were available for 452,269 participants from 10 European countries. After a mean follow‐up of 8.4 years, 475 cases of gastric and esophageal adenocarcinomas (180 noncardia, 185 cardia, gastric esophageal junction and esophagus, 110 not specified) and 98 esophageal squamous cell carcinomas were observed. Diet Diversity Scores were used to quantify the variety in vegetable and fruit consumption. We used multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to calculate risk ratios. Independent from quantity of consumption, variety in the consumption of vegetables and fruit combined and of fruit consumption alone were statistically significantly inversely associated with the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (continuous hazard ratio per 2 products increment 0.88; 95% CI 0.79–0.97 and 0.76; 95% CI 0.62–0.94, respectively) with the latter particularly seen in ever smokers. Variety in vegetable and/or fruit consumption was not associated with risk of gastric and esophageal adenocarcinomas. Independent from quantity of consumption, more variety in vegetable and fruit consumption combined and in fruit consumption alone may decrease the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, residual confounding by lifestyle factors cannot be excluded.
CD99 is a novel prognostic stromal marker in non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Edlund Karolina , Lindskog Cecilia , Saito Akira , Berglund Anders , Pontén Fredrik , Göransson‐Kultima Hanna , Isaksson Anders , Jirström Karin , Planck Maria , Johansson Leif , Lambe Mats , Holmberg Lars , Nyberg Fredrik , Ekman Simon , Bergqvist Michael , Landelius Per , Lamberg Kristina , Botling Johan , Östman Arne , Micke Patrick
Published: March 2012

The complex interaction between cancer cells and the microenvironment plays an essential role in all stages of tumourigenesis. Despite the significance of this interplay, alterations in protein composition underlying tumour–stroma interactions are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to identify stromal proteins with clinical relevance in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A list encompassing 203 stromal candidate genes was compiled based on gene expression array data and available literature. The protein expression of these genes in human NSCLC was screened using the Human Protein Atlas. Twelve proteins were selected that showed a differential stromal staining pattern (BGN, CD99, DCN, EMILIN1, FBN1, PDGFRB, PDLIM5, POSTN, SPARC, TAGLN, TNC and VCAN). The corresponding antibodies were applied on tissue microarrays, including 190 NSCLC samples, and stromal staining was correlated with clinical parameters. Higher stromal expression of CD99 was associated with better prognosis in the univariate (p = 0.037) and multivariate (p = 0.039) analysis. The association was independent from the proportion of tumour stroma, the fraction of inflammatory cells and clinical and pathological parameters like stage, performance status and tumour histology. The prognostic impact of stromal CD99 protein expression was confirmed in an independent cohort of 240 NSCLC patients (p = 0.008). Furthermore, double‐staining confocal fluorescence microscopy showed that CD99 was expressed in stromal lymphocytes as well as in cancer‐associated fibroblasts. Based on a comprehensive screening strategy the membrane protein CD99 was identified as a novel stromal factor with clinical relevance. The results support the concept that stromal properties have an important impact on tumour progression.
Regulation of the DLG tumor suppressor by β‐catenin
Authors: Subbaiah Vanitha Krishna , Narayan Nisha , Massimi Paola , Banks Lawrence
Published: March 2012

The discs‐large (DLG) tumor suppressor plays essential roles in regulating cell polarity and proliferation. It localizes at sites of cell–cell contact where it acts as a scaffold for multiple protein interactions, including with the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor, which in turn regulates β‐catenin. Furthermore, many tumor types including breast and colon have increased levels of β‐catenin activity with correspondingly low levels of DLG expression. Here we provide evidence of a direct functional link between these apparently separate phenomena. We show that overexpressed β‐catenin can enhance the turnover of DLG in a proteosome dependent manner. This effect is specific to DLG and is not seen with two other PDZ domain‐containing targets of β‐catenin, MAGI‐1 and Scribble. Furthermore, siRNA‐mediated ablation of endogenous β‐catenin expression also enhances DLG stability. β‐catenin‐induced degradation of DLG appears to be a consequence of a direct association between the two proteins and requires β‐catenin PDZ binding potential. In contrast, the enhanced turnover of DLG requires the unique N‐terminal sequences and its PDZ domains. Finally, we also show that the capacity of DLG to inhibit transformed cell growth in an oncogene cooperation assay is inhibited by β‐catenin. Taken together these studies suggest that one mechanism by which deregulated β‐catenin can contribute to tumorigenesis is through enhancing DLG degradation.
Indiscriminate behavior observed in the strange situation among institutionalized toddlers: Relations to caregiver report and to early family risk
Authors: Oliveira Paula S. , Soares Isabel , Martins Carla , Silva Joana R. , Marques Sofia , Baptista Joana , Lyons‐Ruth Karlen
Published: March 2012

Socially disinhibited or indiscriminate behavior (IB) has traditionally been investigated using caregiver reports. More recently, an observational measure based on the Strange Situation Procedure (M. Ainsworth, M. Blehar, E. Waters, & S. Wall, 1978), the Rating of Infant and Stranger Engagement (RISE; C. Riley, A. Atlas‐Corbett, & K. Lyons‐Ruth, 2005), was validated in home‐reared at‐risk children. The present study aimed to validate the RISE in an institutionally reared sample using the caregiver report, to assess whether IB assessed with the RISE was elevated among the institutionalized children, and to explore potential risk factors associated with IB. The study was conducted among 74 institutionalized toddlers aged 11 to 30 months. Sociodemographic questionnaires were used to assess pre‐admission experiences, and aspects of institutional placement were coded from the children's files in the institution and staff's report. Institutionalized children displayed high frequencies of IB as assessed on the RISE, and this instrument was validated against caregiver report. Pre‐admission experiences of the institutionalized children in their biological families—namely, prenatal risk and maternal emotional neglect risk—predicted IB. Results suggest that the RISE is adequate to use among institutionally reared toddlers and point to aspects of the early familial environment that may be implicated in IB.
Regulatory disorders in early childhood: Correlates in child behavior, parent–child relationship, and parental mental health
Authors: Postert Christian , Averbeck‐Holocher Marlies , Achtergarde Sandra , Müller Jörg Michael , Furniss Tilman
Published: March 2012

According to the guidelines published by the German Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy (2007), regulatory disorders of early childhood are characterized by a symptom triad, including (a) behavioral symptoms such as excessive crying, sleeping, or feeding problems; (b) a disturbed parent–child relationship; and (c) parental psychopathology. On the basis of a clinic–referred sample of 162 children, we examined whether children with and without regulatory symptoms differed in the quality of parent–child relationship and parental mental health, and how often the criteria of the symptom triad were fulfilled in the group of children with regulatory symptoms. In addition, emotional and behavior problems were compared in children with and without regulatory symptoms. Children with regulatory symptoms and children with other psychiatric symptoms did not differ with respect to child–parent relationship quality. However, parents of children with regulatory symptoms scored higher on the Symptom Checklist 90 Items‐Revised (G.H. Franke, 2002) than did the other parents. On the Child Behavior Checklist (T.M. Achenbach & L.A. Rescorla, 2000), children with regulatory symptoms tended to show more somatic problems, but they showed significantly less withdrawn behavior than did the other children. Of the 67 children with regulatory symptoms, only 11 (16.4%) fulfilled all three criteria of a regulatory disorder.
FORMULATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES TO DEAL WITH GROUNDWATER OVERUSE IN MOROCCO: WHICH SUPPORTING COALITIONS?
Authors: Faysse Nicolas , EL Amrani Mohamed , EL Aydi Soufiane , Lahlou Ahmed
Published: March 2012

The Moroccan administration is showing increasing interest in designing policies to tackle groundwater overuse. In particular, it aims to set up aquifer management contracts for the main overused aquifers, which should bring together broad coalitions of actors around coordinated supply and demand policies. This article analyses to what extent the actors involved in groundwater use and management are coming together for the definition and implementation of policies to deal with groundwater overuse in four regions. A broad coalition has been built around the design of an aquifer management contract only in the Souss. Catchment management agencies and the Ministry of the Interior collaborate to control the drilling of boreholes in the Saiss, Souss and Berrchid regions. Large‐scale farmers in the Souss support the Ministry of Agriculture and the Souss Massa catchment management agency in developing more water resources. Small‐scale farmers were involved in none of these coalitions. The depth of the aquifer, the importance of the groundwater economy in each region, and the motivation and capacities of actors help explain the diversity in the coalitions that were created. While such elements help define the way coalition building may be supported in each case, in all cases particular human resources and skills will be needed to catalyse such coalitions, as will innovative ways to include small‐scale farmers. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular and pharmacological evidence for a facilitatory functional role of pre‐synaptic GLUK2/3 kainate receptors on GABA release in rat trigeminal caudal nucleus
Authors: Samengo I. , Currò D. , Navarra P. , Barrese V. , Taglialatela M. , Martire M.
Published: March 2012

Background

Gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate (GLU) are involved in nociceptive signals processing in the trigeminal system. In this study, we investigated the influence of excitatory transmission on GABA release in nerve terminals isolated from the rat trigeminal caudal nucleus (TCN).

Methods

We utilize biochemical (superfused synaptosomes loaded with [3H]GABA) and morphological (immunofluorescence experiments with specific antibody) techniques.

Results

Our results show that GLU potentiates the release of [3H]GABA evoked by 9, 15 and 30 mM [K+]e; 15 mM [K+]e‐evoked [3H]GABA release was also reinforced by domoate and kainate (KA), two naturally occurring GLU‐receptor agonists. The enhancement of 15 mM [K+]e‐evoked [3H]GABA release produced by 100 μM KA was abolished by NBQX, a mixed AMPA/KA receptor antagonist, but was not affected by GYKI52466, a selective AMPA receptor antagonist. ATPA, a selective agonist for KA receptors containing the GLUK1 subunit, had no effect on depolarization‐induced [3H]GABA release, and UBP310, which selectively antagonizes these same receptors, failed to reverse the KA‐induced potentiation of 15 mM [K+]e‐evoked [3H]GABA release. The KA‐induced potentiation was also unaffected by concanavalin A (10 μM), a positive allosteric modulator of GLUK1‐ and GLUK2‐containing KA receptors.

Immunofluorescence experiments revealed that GABAergic nerve terminals in the TCN differentially expressed GLUK subunits, with GLUK2/3‐positive terminals being twice more abundant than GLUK1‐containing synaptosomes.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that pre‐synaptic KA receptors facilitating GABA release from TCN nerve terminals mainly express GLUK2/GLUK3 subunits, supporting the notion that different types of KA receptors are involved in the various stages of pain transmission.
Engaging Preservice Teachers in Disciplinary Literacy Learning Through Writing
Authors: Pytash Kristine E.
Published: March 2012

The field of content area literacy instruction is shifting from a general understanding of literacy towards disciplinary literacy. Much of the work in the field of disciplinary literacy has focused on reading, while writing has often been overlooked. This article summarizes the findings of a qualitative case study of two preservice teachers as they experienced a unit of study during a Reading in the Content Areas course. Described in the article is how the unit of study as a writing assignment encompasses three aspects of disciplinary literacy: (1) discourses and practices in disciplinary learning and literacy, (2) identities and identifications in disciplinary learning and literacy, and (3) knowledge in disciplinary learning and literacy. Results found the unit of study enhanced preservice teachers’ knowledge of their discipline and writing instruction. The unit of study approach to writing instruction may offer literacy educators a way to engage preservice teachers in writing specific to their discipline.
Building Bridges for Boys: Graphic Novels in the Content Classroom
Authors: Brozo William G.
Published: March 2012

Spark features a quick, classroom‐tested idea to put to use immediately.
NONPARAMETRIC ESTIMATION OF ENTRY COST IN FIRST‐PRICE PROCUREMENT AUCTIONS
Authors: Xu Pai
Published: March 2012

In this paper, I investigate Samuelson's low‐price auction model with entry costs. The model's equilibrium implies that the distribution of bids is truncated at the threshold for participation. I use the model to estimate the cost of participation in Michigan highway procurement auctions. The null hypothesis of zero entry costs is rejected. Using my empirical results, I then construct an estimate of the optimal auction, which employs regular policy tools such as entry fees. Finally, I demonstrate the savings that the Michigan government could have made on payments if optimal auctions had been employed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tamoxifen‐loaded thiolated alginate‐albumin nanoparticles as antitumoral drug delivery systems
Authors: Martínez A. , Benito‐Miguel M. , Iglesias I. , Teijón J. M. , Blanco M. D.
Published: March 2012

Nanoparticles based on disulfide bond reduced bovine serum albumin and thiolated alginate (alginate‐cysteine conjugate) have been prepared by coacervation method and have been loaded with tamoxifen (TMX). The TMX load into the nanoparticles was optimized (4–6 μg/mg NP) by freeze‐drying the systems before the loading procedure. Maximum TMX release (45–52%) took place between 2 and 25 h. Cytotoxicity of unloaded nanoparticles in MCF‐7 and HeLa cells was not observed, although a small decrease in viability took place at very high concentration. Cell uptake of nanoparticles occurred in both cell types and the presence of polysaccharide in the nanoparticle composition allowed a better interaction with cells. The administration of 10 μM TMX by TMX‐nanoparticles was effective in both cellular lines, and the effect of the drug‐loaded systems on MCF‐7 cell cycle showed the efficacy of the TMX‐loaded nanoparticles. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Surface characteristics and primary bone marrow stromal cell response of a nanostructured strontium‐containing oxide layer produced on a microrough titanium surface
Authors: Park Jin‐Woo , Kim Youn‐Jeong , Jang Je‐Hee , Suh Jo‐Young
Published: March 2012

Strontium (Sr) has been successfully used for the treatment of osteoporotic bone, increasing new bone formation while reducing bone resorption by stimulating proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic cells and inhibiting osteoclast function. In this study, Sr‐incorporated Ti oxide layer was produced on clinically relevant osteoconductive implant surface, that is, a grit‐blasted microrough Ti surface, by a simple hydrothermal treatment with the expectation of utilizing the osteoblast response enhancement effect of Sr for the future applications as a more osteoconductive surface of the permanent load‐bearing endosseous implants, without altering the original microrough surface features of grit‐blasted Ti at the micron‐scale. This surface exhibits a hierarchical structure (i.e., a nanoscale surface architecture of the Sr‐incorporated Ti oxide layer (SrTiO3) imposed on micron‐scale rough Ti structure) and Sr ion release into physiological solution. In vitro experiments using primary mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) revealed that the hydrothermally produced SrTiO3 coating promotes both the early and late cell response of BMSCs grown on a microrough Ti surface, with notably enhanced attachment, spreading, focal adhesion, alkaline phosphatase activity, and expression of critical integrins and osteoblastic phenotype genes. These results indicate that a hydrothermally produced SrTiO3 coating improves the osteoconductivity of the microrough Ti surface by enhancing both the early and late cell response of BMSCs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Reversal effects of pantoprazole on multidrug resistance in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells by down‐regulating the V‐ATPases/mTOR/HIF‐1α/P‐gp and MRP1 signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Chen Min , Huang Shu‐Ling , Zhang Xiao‐Qi , Zhang Bin , Zhu Hao , Yang Vincent W. , Zou Xiao‐Ping
Published: March 2012

To investigate reversal effects of pantoprazole (PPZ) on multidrug resistance (MDR) in human gastric adenocarcinoma cells in vivo and in vitro. Human gastric adenocarcinoma cell SGC7901 was cultured in RPMI‐1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and antibiotics in a humidified 5% CO2 atmosphere at 37°C. Adriamycin (ADR)‐resistant cells were cultured with addition of 0.8 µg/ml of ADR maintaining MDR phenotype. ADR was used to calculate ADR releasing index; CCK‐8 Assay was performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of anti‐tumor drugs; BCECF‐AM pH‐sensitive fluorescent probe was used to measure intracellular pH (pHi) value of cells, whereas pH value of medium was considered as extracellular pH (pHe) value; Western blotting and immunofluorescent staining analyses were employed to determine protein expressions and intracellular distributions of vacuolar H+‐ATPases (V‐ATPases), mTOR, HIF‐1α, P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), and multidrug resistant protein 1 (MRP1); SGC7901 and SGC7901/ADR cells were inoculated in athymic nude mice. Thereafter, effects of ADR with or without PPZ pretreatment were compared by determining the tumor size and weight, apoptotic cells in tumor tissues were detected by TUNEL assay. At concentrations greater than 20 µg/ml, PPZ pretreatment reduced ADR releasing index and significantly enhanced intracellular ADR concentration of SGC7901 (P < 0.01). Similarly, PPZ pretreatment significantly decreased ADR releasing index of SGC7901/ADR dose‐dependently (P < 0.01). PPZ pretreatment also decreased cell viabilities of SGG7901 and SGC7901/ADR dose‐dependently. After 24‐h PPZ pretreatment, administration of chemotherapeutic agents demonstrated maximal cytotoxic effects on SGC7901 and SGC7901/ADR cells (P < 0.05). The resistance index in PPZ pretreatment group was significantly lower than that in non‐PPZ pretreatment group (3.71 vs. 14.80). PPZ at concentration >10 µg/ml significantly decreased pHi in SGC7901 and SGC7901/ADR cells and diminished or reversed transmembrane pH gradient (P < 0.05). PPZ pretreatment also significantly inhibited protein expressions of V‐ATPases, mTOR, HIF‐1α, P‐gp, and MRP1, and alter intracellular expressions in parent and ADR‐resistant cells (P < 0.05). In vivo experiments further confirmed that PPZ pretreatment could enhance anti‐tumor effects of ADR on xenografted tumor of nude mice and also improve the apoptotic index in xenografted tumor tissues. PPZ pretreatment enhances the cytotoxic effects of anti‐tumor drugs on SGC7901 and reverse MDR of SGC7901/ADR by downregulating the V‐ATPases/mTOR/HIF‐1α/P‐gp and MRP1 signaling pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2474–2487, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Artemisinic acid is a regulator of adipocyte differentiation and C/EBP δ expression
Authors: Lee Jongsung , Kim Moo‐Han , Lee Jin‐Hyuck , Jung Eunsun , Yoo Eun‐Sook , Park Deokhoon
Published: March 2012

Adipocyte dysfunction is associated with the development of obesity. In this study, artemisinic acid, which was isolated from Artemisia annua L., inhibited adipogenic differentiation of human adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) and its mechanism of action was determined. The mRNA levels of peroxidase proliferation‐activated receptor (PPAR) γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) α, late adipogenic factors, were reduced by artemisinic acid. Moreover, the mRNA levels of the PPAR γ target genes lipoprotein lipase, CD36, adipocyte protein, and liver X receptor were down‐regulated by artemisinic acid. Artemisinic acid reduced expression of the C/EBP δ gene without impacting C/EBP β. In addition, attempts to elucidate a possible mechanism underlying the artemisinic acid‐mediated effects revealed that reduced expression of the C/EBP δ gene was mediated by inhibiting Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK). Additionally, artemisinic acid also reduced the expression of the adipogenesis‐associated genes glucose transporter‐4 and vascular endothelial growth factor. In addition to the interference of artemisinic acid with adipogenesis, artemisinic acid significantly attenuated tumor necrosis factor‐α‐induced secretion of interleukin‐6 by undifferentiated hAMSCs, thus influencing insulin resistance and the inflammatory state characterizing obesity. Taken together, these findings indicate that inhibiting adipogenic differentiation of hAMSCs by artemisinic acid occurs primarily through reduced expression of C/EBP δ, which is mediated by the inhibition of JNK and suggest that aremisinic acid may be used as a complementary treatment option for obesity associated with metabolic syndrome. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2488–2499, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Morphology Dependence of Photocatalytic Activity of TiO2 Nanostructure Prepared through Microwave Hydrothermal Process
Authors: Lin Kai‐Lun , Mai Fu‐Der , Chan You‐Cheng , Chung Jen‐Chieh , Lin Kou‐Min , Yu Chung‐Chin , Liao Ming‐Yuan , Li Feng‐Yin
Published: March 2012

Five different morphologies selectively synthesized through a microwave hydrothermal route in order to determine the dependence of degradation efficiency on TiO2 morphologies. These five morphologies include nanosphere, nanotube, hollow sphere, nanorod and granule‐like particle. Scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Brunauer‐Emment‐Teller methods were used to characterize the morphologies, crystalline structures, and specific surface area of these nanostructured TiO2. Oxidants were used as sacrificial electron acceptor to accelerate the degradation. The degradation mechanism of oxalic acid on the surface of TiO2 influenced by oxidants was discussed.