bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
‘A Practical Approach to Gender‐Based Violence: A Programme Guide for Health Care Providers and Managers’ developed by the UN Population Fund
Authors: Stevens L
Published: November 2002

Gender‐based violence (GBV) is a worldwide problem that can have serious physical and psychological consequences. Women need to be assessed for GBV and a logical place to do so would be where women go for health care, reproductive health facilities. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has developed ‘A Practical Approach to Gender‐Based Violence: A Program Guide for Health Care Providers and Managers’ to assist reproductive health facilities in integrating GBV into their programs. This article briefly describes the project options and the steps that need to be taken in order to implement such projects.
The role of FIGO in addressing violence against women
Authors: Benagiano G
Published: November 2002

FIGO's priority is to address the barriers of clinicians to respond to violence against women through the use of advocacy, training and services.
Pregnancy outcomes in urban teenagers
Authors: Chandra P.C. , Schiavello H.J. , Ravi B. , Weinstein A.G. , Hook F.B.
Published: November 2002

Objectives: To compare pregnancy outcomes for teenagers with those for older gravidas. Methods: A retrospective case control study was undertaken to compare teenagers who delivered between January 1996 and October 1999 at a public urban hospital with a group of older gravidas. Results: Young pregnant teenagers were more likely to be nulliparous. They weighed less and gained less in pregnancy. More teen pregnancies occurred among Hispanics than other ethnic groups. The younger the teenager, the more likely for her infant to be of low or very low birth weight or growth restricted. There were fewer postmature deliveries, macrosomic fetuses and cesarean deliveries in young gravidas. Perinatal mortality was unaffected by maternal age. Conclusions: This investigation demonstrates that, while pregnancy outcomes in teenagers have improved in recent years relative to historical patterns, teenagers face continuing problems requiring special attention by care givers.
cGMP-mediated signaling via cGKIα is required for the guidance and connectivity of sensory axons
Authors: Schmidt Hannes , Werner Matthias , Heppenstall Paul A. , Henning Mechthild , Moré Margret I. , Kühbandner Susanne , Lewin Gary R. , Hofmann Franz , Feil Robert , Rathjen Fritz G.
Published: November 2002

Previous in vitro studies using cGMP or cAMP revealed a cross-talk between signaling mechanisms activated by axonal guidance receptors. However, the molecular elements modulated by cyclic nucleotides in growth cones are not well understood. cGMP is a second messenger with several distinct targets including cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (cGKI). Our studies indicated that the α isoform of cGKI is predominantly expressed by sensory axons during developmental stages, whereas most spinal cord neurons are negative for cGKI. Analysis of the trajectories of axons within the spinal cord showed a longitudinal guidance defect of sensory axons within the developing dorsal root entry zone in the absence of cGKI. Consequently, in cGKI-deficient mice, fewer axons grow within the dorsal funiculus of the spinal cord, and lamina-specific innervation, especially by nociceptive sensory neurons, is strongly reduced as deduced from anti-trkA staining. These axon guidance defects in cGKI-deficient mice lead to a substantial impairment in nociceptive flexion reflexes, shown using electrophysiology. In vitro studies revealed that activation of cGKI in embryonic dorsal root ganglia counteracts semaphorin 3A–induced growth cone collapse. Our studies therefore reveal that cGMP signaling is important for axonal growth in vivo and in vitro.
Maize Leaves Turn Away from Neighbors
Authors: Maddonni Gustavo Angel , Otegui Marı́a Elena , Andrieu Bruno , Chelle Michael , Casal Jorge J.
Published: November 2002

In commercial crops, maize (Zea mays) plants are typically grown at a larger distance between rows (70 cm) than within the same row (16–23 cm). This rectangular arrangement creates a heterogeneous environment in which the plants receive higher red light (R) to far-red light (FR) ratios from the interrow spaces. In field crops, the hybrid Dekalb 696 (DK696) showed an increased proportion of leaves toward interrow spaces, whereas the experimental hybrid 980 (Exp980) retained random leaf orientation. Mirrors reflecting FR were placed close to isolated plants to simulate the presence of neighbors in the field. In addition, localized FR was applied to target leaves in a growth chamber. During their expansion, the leaves of DK696 turned away from the low R to FR ratio signals, whereas Exp980 leaves remained unaffected. On the contrary, tillering was reduced and plant height was increased by low R to FR ratios in Exp980 but not in DK696. Isolated plants preconditioned with low R/FR-simulating neighbors in a North-South row showed reduced mutual shading among leaves when the plants were actually grouped in North-South rows. These observations contradict the current view that phytochrome-mediated responses to low R/FR are a relic from wild conditions, detrimental for crop yield.
Regulation of the Distribution of Chlorophyll and Phycobilin-Absorbed Excitation Energy in Cyanobacteria. A Structure-Based Model for the Light State Transition
Authors: McConnell Michael D. , Koop Randy , Vasil'ev Sergej , Bruce Doug
Published: November 2002

The light state transition regulates the distribution of absorbed excitation energy between the two photosystems (PSs) of photosynthesis under varying environmental conditions and/or metabolic demands. In cyanobacteria, there is evidence for the redistribution of energy absorbed by both chlorophyll (Chl) and by phycobilin pigments, and proposed mechanisms differ in the relative involvement of the two pigment types. We assayed changes in the distribution of excitation energy with 77K fluorescence emission spectroscopy determined for excitation of Chl and phycobilin pigments, in both wild-type and state transition-impaired mutant strains ofSynechococcus sp. PCC 7002 andSynechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Action spectra for the redistribution of both Chl and phycobilin pigments were very similar in both wild-type cyanobacteria. Both state transition-impaired mutants showed no redistribution of phycobilin-absorbed excitation energy, but retained changes in Chl-absorbed excitation. Action spectra for the Chl-absorbed changes in excitation in the two mutants were similar to each other and to those observed in the two wild types. Our data show that the redistribution of excitation energy absorbed by Chl is independent of the redistribution of excitation energy absorbed by phycobilin pigments and that both changes are triggered by the same environmental light conditions. We present a model for the state transition in cyanobacteria based on the x-ray structures of PSII, PSI, and allophycocyanin consistent with these results.
The as-1 Promoter Element Is an Oxidative Stress-Responsive Element and Salicylic Acid Activates It via Oxidative Species
Authors: Garretón Virginia , Carpinelli Jorge , Jordana Xavier , Holuigue Loreto
Published: November 2002

The activation sequence-1(as-1)-like element found in the promoter of some glutathione S-transferase (GST) genes, has been previously described as a salicylic acid (SA)- and auxin-responsive element. In this paper, we tested the hypothesis that the activating effect of SA on the as-1 element is mediated by oxidative species. Supporting this hypothesis, our results show that the antioxidants dimethylthiourea (DMTU) and 3-t-butyl-4-hydroxy-anizole (BHA) inhibit the SA-induced transcription of genes controlled by as-1 elements in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) plants [i.e. GNT35gene coding for a GST and (as-1)4  /β-glucuronidase(GUS) reporter transgene]. DMTU and BHA also inhibit SA-activated as-1-binding activity in nuclear extracts. Further support for the hypothesis that the as-1 element is activated by oxidative species comes from our result showing that light potentiates the SA-induced activation of the as-1element. Furthermore, methyl viologen, a known oxidative stress inducer in plants, also activates the as-1 element. Increasing H2O2 levels by incubation with H2O2 or with the catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,5-triazole does not activate the (as-1)4  /GUS gene. On the contrary, 3-amino-1,2,5-triazole inhibits the activating effect of SA on the (as-1)4  /GUSgene. These results suggest that oxidative species other than H2O2 mediate the activation of theas-1 element by SA. Our results also suggest that even though the as-1 binding activity is stimulated by oxidative species, this is not sufficient for the transactivation of genes controlled by this element. The complex interplay between SA and reactive oxygen species in the transcriptional activation of defense genes is discussed.
Arabidopsis Brassinosteroid-Insensitivedwarf12Mutants Are Semidominant and Defective in a Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β-Like Kinase
Authors: Choe Sunghwa , Schmitz Robert J. , Fujioka Shozo , Takatsuto Suguru , Lee Mi-Ok , Yoshida Shigeo , Feldmann Kenneth A. , Tax Frans E.
Published: November 2002

Mutants defective in the biosynthesis or signaling of brassinosteroids (BRs), plant steroid hormones, display dwarfism. Loss-of-function mutants for the gene encoding the plasma membrane-located BR receptor BRI1 are resistant to exogenous application of BRs, and characterization of this protein has contributed significantly to the understanding of BR signaling. We have isolated two new BR-insensitive mutants (dwarf12-1D and dwf12-2D) after screening Arabidopsis ethyl methanesulfonate mutant populations.dwf12 mutants displayed the characteristic morphology of previously reported BR dwarfs including short stature, short round leaves, infertility, and abnormal de-etiolation. In addition,dwf12 mutants exhibited several unique phenotypes, including severe downward curling of the leaves. Genetic analysis indicates that the two mutations are semidominant in that heterozygous plants show a semidwarf phenotype whose height is intermediate between wild-type and homozygous mutant plants. Unlike BR biosynthetic mutants,dwf12 plants were not rescued by high doses of exogenously applied BRs. Like bri1 mutants,dwf12 plants accumulated castasterone and brassinolide, 43- and 15-fold higher, respectively, providing further evidence that DWF12 is a component of the BR signaling pathway that includes BRI1. Map-based cloning of the DWF12 gene revealed thatDWF12 belongs to a member of the glycogen synthase kinase 3β family. Unlike human glycogen synthase kinase 3β, DWF12 lacks the conserved serine-9 residue in the auto-inhibitory N terminus. In addition, dwf12-1D and dwf12-2D encode changes in consecutive glutamate residues in a highly conserved TREE domain. Together with previous reports that both bin2and ucu1 mutants contain mutations in this TREE domain, this provides evidence that the TREE domain is of critical importance for proper function of DWF12/BIN2/UCU1 in BR signal transduction pathways.
Peptide Synthesis with α-(Difluoromethyl)-Substituted α-Amino Acids
Authors: Michel Thomas , Koksch Beate , Osipov Sergei N. , Golubev Alexander S. , Sieler Joachim , Burger Klaus
Published: November 2002

Methodology for the incorporation of α-(difluoromethyl)-substituted α-amino acids into N- and C-terminal positions of dipeptides as well as into position 2 of tri- and tetrapeptides is described.
How quickly do children forget events? A systematic study of children's event reports as a function of delay
Authors: Jones Carolyn H. , Pipe Margaret‐Ellen
Published: November 2002

Sixty‐six children aged between 5 and 7 years participated in the event, ‘Visiting the Pirate’, and were interviewed about it at one of five delays, namely, no delay (immediate interview), or at a 1‐week, 1‐day, 1‐month or 6‐month delay. For open‐ended recall, a significant decrease in the amount of information reported was detected only at the 6‐month delay, although forgetting functions indicated forgetting was most rapid at the shorter delays. Accuracy of open‐ended recall was maintained over all delays. In contrast, in response to specific, leading and misleading questions, accuracy had decreased significantly by the 6‐month delay. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings regarding the effects of delays on children's event reports are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating national populations: cross‐cultural differences and availability effects
Authors: Brown Norman R. , Cui Xinjie , Gordon Robert D.
Published: November 2002

Estimates of national population were studied in two experiments. In Experiment 1, Canadian and Chinese undergraduates rated their knowledge of 112 countries and then estimated the population of each. In Experiment 2, Canadians rated their knowledge of 52 countries and then provided population estimates for these primed countries and for a comparable set of 52 unprimed countries. In Experiment 1, participants from both nations produced estimates that resembled those obtained from Americans in prior studies (Brown and Siegler, 1992, 1993, 1996, 2001). However, there were several reliable cross‐national differences in performance which appear to reflect cross‐cultural differences in task‐relevant naive domain knowledge. In addition, both experiments produced findings consistent with the claim that availability‐based intuitions play an important role in this task. In Experiment 1, cross‐national differences in rated knowledge predicted cross‐national differences in estimated population; in Experiment 2, primed country names elicited larger population estimates than unprimed country names. We conclude by arguing for the general utility of this hybrid approach to real‐world estimation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some limitations of functional analyses: Treatment of problem behavior based on the study of alternative responses
Authors: Holden Børge
Published: November 2002

Functional analyses is a viable approach to understanding important causes of problem behavior and to designing interventions. However, functions are not always possible to identify, and results of a functional analysis are sometimes hard to utilize: even when functions are detected, we do not necessarily know exactly how reinforcement of alternative behaviors must be arranged in order to be effective. Consequently, interventions must sometimes be based on additional tools. Research on alternate responses is concerned with variables that influence individual choices among responses, both aberrant and appropriate, and may provide such a tool, but to what extent? Basic and applied research on choice responding are reviewed, and implications for treatment are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The complex dynamics of technological innovation: a comparison of models using cellular automata
Authors: Leydesdorff Loet
Published: November 2002

Arthur's (1988, 1989) model of the ‘lock‐in’ predicates the dominance of a single technology, while Kauffman's (1993, 1995) NK‐model investigates the existence of different suboptima in a ‘rugged fitness landscape’. Can the two mechanisms also be offset against each other? Under what conditions can one expect a technological monopoly or an oligopoly to prevail? What can serve as a discursive ground for making comparisons among the results of these sophisticated models? In this study, the two models are first reconstructed using a common language for the coding. The results of the simulations are made visual on the screen by means of a cellular automaton that represents the diffusion of different technologies in terms of different colours. By using a single platform for the interpretation, one can specify the conditions under which the models compete for the explanation. Second, I address the question of how one model interacts with the other. The reduction of the complexity in the coding enables us to focus on the theoretical assumptions. The introduction of a Schumpeterian dynamics of ‘creative destruction’, for example, can be shown to introduce variation in ‘rugged fitness landscapes’. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Domain unfolding in neurofilament sidearms: effects of phosphorylation and ATP
Authors: Aranda-Espinoza Helim , Carl Philippe , Leterrier Jean-François , Janmey Paul , Discher Dennis E
Published: November 2002

Lateral projections of neurofilaments (NF) called sidearms (SA) affect axon stability and caliber. SA phosphorylation is thought to modulate inter‐NF distance and interactions between NF and other subcellular organelles. SA were probed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) as a function of phosphorylation and ATP content. DLS shows SA are larger when phosphorylated, and AFM shows four unfoldable domains in SA regardless of phosphorylation state or the presence of ATP. However, the native phosphorylated SA requires three‐fold higher force to unfold by AFM than dephosphorylated SA, suggesting a less pliant as well as larger structure when phosphorylated.
Mandibular bone invasion by gingival carcinoma on dental CT images as an indicator of cervical lymph node metastasis.
Authors: Ogura I , Kurabayashi T , Amagasa T , Okada N , Sasaki T
Published: November 2002

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the significance of mandibular bone invasion by gingival carcinoma revealed by reformatted dental CT images as a prognostic indicator of cervical metastasis.

METHODS

Thirty-two patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lower gingiva were examined by dental CT. Cervical metastases and survival rates of these patients were analysed in relation to their clinical characteristics, histologic grading based on gingival biopsy, and mandibular bone invasion using reformatted dental CT imaging diagnoses prior to surgery. The dental CT images were classified into four types: Class I, no bone invasion; Class II, invasion confined to the alveolus; Class III, invasion extending between the alveolus and the mandibular canal; and Class IV, invasion beyond the mandibular canal.

RESULTS

Logistic multivariate regression analysis showed that bony invasion identified on dental CT images was a significant prognostic factor in cervical metastases (P=0.028). The 5-year overall survival rates of Classes I, II, III, and IV were 100% (n=9), 76.2% (n=9), 71.4% (n=7), and 28.6% (n=7), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The evaluation of mandibular bone invasion using dental CT images is useful as a prognostic indicator of cervical metastasis for patients with gingival carcinoma.
Global Changes in Gene Expression in Response to High Light in Arabidopsis,
Authors: Rossel Jan Bart , Wilson Iain W. , Pogson Barry J.
Published: November 2002

A range of environmental conditions can lead to oxidative stress; thus, a prompt and effective response to oxidative stress is crucial for the survival of plants. Microarray and northern-blot analyses were performed toward the identification of the factors and signaling pathways that enable plants to limit oxidative damage caused by exposure to high light (HL). Arabidopsis plants grown under moderate light (100 μmol m−2 s−1) were exposed to HL (1,000 μmol m−2 s−1) for 1 h. The microarray analyses revealed that exposure of Arabidopsis to HL caused an increase in known antioxidant genes, as well as several unknown genes. Some of these unknown genes had homologies to possible regulatory genes and metabolic enzymes. Furthermore, it was found that a range of chaperones were up-regulated in the HL treatment and that this induction was specifically due to the HL stress. The temporal expression under HL and different oxidative stress conditions of a subset of HL-responsive genes was confirmed via northern-blot analysis. Results from the arrays were also compared with publicly available microarray data sets from a range of different stress conditions at the Arabidopsis Functional Genomics Consortium. This cross comparison enabled the identification of genes that may be induced by changes in redox poise. Finally, to determine if the genes that were differentially expressed by HL stress were under similar transcriptional control, we analyzed the promoter sequences for the presence of common motifs.
Microarray Analysis of Brassinosteroid-Regulated Genes in Arabidopsis
Authors: Goda Hideki , Shimada Yukihisa , Asami Tadao , Fujioka Shozo , Yoshida Shigeo
Published: November 2002

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are steroidal plant hormones that are essential for growth and development. Although insights into the functions of BRs have been provided by recent studies of biosynthesis and sensitivity mutants, the mode of action of BRs is poorly understood. With the use of DNA microarray analysis, we identified BR-regulated genes in the wild type (WT; Columbia) of Arabidopsis and in the BR-deficient mutant, det2. BR-regulated genes generally responded more potently in the det2 mutant than in the WT, and they showed only limited response in a BR-insensitive mutant, bri1. A small group of genes showed stronger responses in the WT than in the det2. Exposure of plants to brassinolide and brassinazole, which is a specific inhibitor of BR biosynthesis, elicited opposite effects on gene expression of the identified genes. The list of BR-regulated genes is constituted of transcription factor genes including the phytochrome-interacting factor 3, auxin-related genes, P450 genes, and genes implicated in cell elongation and cell wall organization. The results presented here provide comprehensive view of the physiological functions of BRs using BR-regulated genes as molecular markers. The list of BR-regulated genes will be useful in the characterization of new mutants and new growth-regulating compounds that are associated with BR function.
Fluorination of Methyl 3-Oxopentanoate (MOP) Using Difluorobis(fluoroxy)methane, BDM
Authors: Bailey III Wade H. , Casteel William J. , Syvret Robert G.
Published: November 2002

Difluorobis(fluoroxy)methane, BDM, is an electrophilic fluorinating agent that is capable of affecting selective monofluorination of 1,3-dicarbonyls such as diketones and ketoesters with very high regioselectivity. For example, in highly acidic anhydrous HF (AHF) solvent, fluorination of methyl 3-oxopentanoate (MOP) with BDM provides methyl 2-fluoro-3-oxopentanoate (MFOP) with 100% conversion and 95% selectivity. In mixtures of HF and methanol, fluorination conversions and selectivity are markedly lower. In comparison, direct fluorination of MOP with dilute F2 typically affords a fluorinated product that is less pure, being contaminated with radical fluorination byproducts that are difficult to separate. Fluorination of MOP with dilute mixtures of BDM and F2 is generally more selective than using dilute F2 alone.
Reactions of N-(Pentafluorophenyl)carbonimidoyl Dichloride with Fluorinated Benzenes in the Presence of AlCl3
Authors: Petrova Tamara D. , Platonov Vyacheslav E. , Pokrovskii Leonid M. , Rybalova Tatyana V. , Gatilov Yurii V.
Published: November 2002

N-(Pentafluorophenyl)carbonimidoyl dichloride (1) reacts, in the presence of excess AlCl3, with fluorinated benzenes containing 1-5 fluorine atoms in the molecule. With fluoro- and 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene the reaction gives the corresponding imidoyl chlorides and azomethines; at elevated temperatures, azomethines are formed in increased amounts. With 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene and pentafluorobenzene, intramolecular cyclization, leading to polyfluorinated 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinazoline-2,4-diones 9 is preferred. The side reactions are fluorine substitution with chlorine and formation of 1,3-bis(pentafluorophenyl)urea (10).
Covalent Analogues of DNA Base-Pairs and Triplets V. Synthesis of Purine-Purine and Purine-Pyrimidine Conjugates Connected by Diverse Types of Acyclic Carbon Linkages
Authors: Hocek Michal , Dvořáková Hana , Císařová Ivana
Published: November 2002

The title 1,2-bis(purin-6-yl)acetylenes, -diacetylenes, -ethylenes and -ethanes were prepared as covalent base-pair analogues starting from 6-ethynylpurines and 6-iodopurines by the Sonogashira cross-coupling or oxidative alkyne-dimerization reactions followed by hydrogenations. 6-[(1,3-Dimethyluracil-5-yl)ethynyl]purine (11) was prepared analogously and hydrogenated to the corresponding purine-pyrimidine conjugates linked via vinylene and ethylene linkers. Unlike the cytostatic bis(purin-6-yl)acetylenes and -diacetylenes, the purine-pyrimidine conjugates were inactive. Crystal structures of bis(purin-6-yl)acetylene 6a, -diacetylene 8a and -ethane 5a were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
Benefits of adding precision teaching to behavioral interventions for students with autism
Authors: Kubina Richard M. , Morrison Rebecca , Lee David L.
Published: November 2002

Students with autism have a variety of learning characteristics that can provide challenges to teachers. Precision Teaching, a method providing frequent assessment of performance, facilitation of curricular decisions, and techniques for developing fluency, can help teachers enhance educational outcomes for students with autism. Teachers can use the techniques found in Precision Teaching to augment their current instructional methods. This article purposes to examine the potential benefits of adding Precision Teaching to behavioral interventions for children with autism. This paper will define Precision Teaching, and review its guidelines within the context of a hypothetical case study. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Overview of international human rights standards and other agreements and responses of the judicial system to violence against women
Authors: Carrillo R
Published: November 2002

This paper describes how violence against women has become part of the United Nations agenda. It focuses on violence as a human rights issue, analyzing the mechanisms and agreements relevant to addressing it. It also looks at implementation at a national level, focusing on national legislation and responses of the judicial system.
Women's crisis centers and shelters in Italy: working with battered women and with health care providers
Authors: Livi‐Bacci N
Published: November 2002

Results of working with battered women stress the necessity to develop practical innovations and create a supportive non‐judgmental environment for female victims of violence.
Dynamic 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate-Synthase and -Oxidase Transcript Accumulation Patterns during Pollen Tube Growth in Tobacco Styles
Authors: Weterings Koen , Pezzotti Mario , Cornelissen Marc , Mariani Celestina
Published: November 2002

In flowering plants, pollination of the stigma sets off a cascade of responses in the distal flower organs. Ethylene and its biosynthetic precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) play an important role in regulating these responses. Because exogenous application of ethylene or ACC does not invoke the full postpollination syndrome, the pollination signal probably consists of a more complex set of stimuli. We set out to study how and when the pollination signal moves through the style of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) by analyzing the expression patterns of pistil-expressed ACC-synthase and -oxidase genes. Results from this analysis showed that pollination induces high ACC-oxidase transcript levels in all cells of the transmitting tissue. ACC-synthase mRNA accumulated only in a subset of transmitting tract cells and to lower levels as compared with ACC-oxidase. More significantly, we found that although ACC-oxidase transcripts accumulate to uniform high levels, the ACC-synthase transcripts accumulate in a wave-like pattern in which the peak coincides with the front of the ingrowing pollen tube tips. This wave of ACC-synthase expression can also be induced by incongruous pollination and (partially) by wounding. This indicates that wounding-like features of pollen tube invasion might be part of the stimuli evoking the postpollination response and that these stimuli are interpreted differently by the regulatory mechanisms of the ACC-synthase and -oxidase genes.
Mutations Affecting Light Regulation of Nuclear Genes Encoding Chloroplast Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase in Arabidopsis
Authors: Chan Chui Sien , Peng Hsiao-Ping , Shih Ming-Che
Published: November 2002

Expression of nuclear genes that encode the A and B subunits of chloroplast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPA and GAPB) of Arabidopsis is known to be regulated by light. We used a negative selection approach to isolate mutants that were defective in light-regulated expression of the GAPA gene. Two dominant mutants belonging to the same complementation group, uga1-1 anduga1-2, were then characterized. These two mutants showed a dramatic reduction in GAPA mRNA level in both mature plants and seedlings. Surprisingly, mutations inuga1-1 and uga1-2 had no effect on the expression of GAPB and several other light-regulated genes. In addition, we found that the chloroplast glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme activity of the mutants was only slightly lower than that of the wild type. Western-blot analysis showed that the GAPA protein level was nearly indistinguishable between the wild-type and the ugamutants. These results suggested that posttranscriptional control was involved in the up-regulation of the GAPA protein in the mutants. Theuga1-1 mutation was mapped to the bottom arm of chromosome V of the Arabidopsis genome.
Rapid Induction of Regulatory and Transporter Genes in Response to Phosphorus, Potassium, and Iron Deficiencies in Tomato Roots. Evidence for Cross Talk and Root/Rhizosphere-Mediated Signals
Authors: Wang Yi-Hong , Garvin David F. , Kochian Leon V.
Published: November 2002

Mineral nutrient deficiencies constitute major limitations for plant growth on agricultural soils around the world. To identify genes that possibly play roles in plant mineral nutrition, we recently generated a high-density array consisting of 1,280 genes from tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) roots for expression profiling in nitrogen (N) nutrition. In the current study, we used the same array to search for genes induced by phosphorus (P), potassium (K+), and iron (Fe) deficiencies. RNA gel-blot analysis was conducted to study the time-dependent kinetics for expression of these genes in response to withholding P, K, or Fe. Genes previously not associated with P, K, and Fe nutrition were identified, such as transcription factor, mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, MAP kinase kinase, and 14-3-3 proteins. Many of these genes were induced within 1 h after withholding the specific nutrient from roots of intact plants; thus, RNA gel-blot analysis was repeated for specific genes (transcription factor and MAP kinase) in roots of decapitated plants to investigate the tissue-specific location of the signal triggering gene induction. Both genes were induced just as rapidly in decapitated plants, suggesting that the rapid response to the absence of P, K, or Fe in the root-bathing medium is triggered either by a root-localized signal or because of root sensing of the mineral environment surrounding the roots. We also show that expression of Pi, K, and Fe transporter genes were up-regulated by all three treatments, suggesting coordination and coregulation of the uptake of these three essential mineral nutrients.
Endophytic Fungal β-1,6-Glucanase Expression in the Infected Host Grass
Authors: Moy Melinda , Li Huaijun Michael , Sullivan Ray , White James F. , Belanger Faith C.
Published: November 2002

Mutualistic fungal endophytes infect many grass species and often confer benefits to the hosts such as reduced herbivory by insects and animals. The physiological interactions between the endophytes and their hosts have not been well characterized. Fungal-secreted proteins are likely to be important components of the interaction. In the interaction between Poa ampla and the endophyteNeotyphodium sp., a fungal β-1,6-glucanase is secreted into the apoplast, and activity of the enzyme is detectable in endophyte-infected plants. Sequence analysis indicates the β-1,6-glucanase is homologous to enzymes secreted by the mycoparasitic fungi Trichoderma harzianum andTrichoderma virens. DNA gel-blot analysis indicated the β-1,6-glucanase was encoded by a single gene. As a secreted protein, the β-1,6-glucanase may have a nutritional role for the fungus. In culture, β-1,6-glucanase activity was induced in the presence of β-1,6-glucans. From RNA gel blots, similar β-1,6-glucanases were expressed in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and Chewings fescue (Festuca rubra L. subsp.fallax [Thuill] Nyman) infected with the endophyte species Neotyphodium coenophialum andEpichloë festucae, respectively.
Race, socioeconomic status, and breast carcinoma in the U.S.
Authors: Cross Chaundré K. , Harris Jay , Recht Abram
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Whether African‐American women have biologically more aggressive breast carcinoma compared with white women and whether race acts as a significant independent prognostic factor for survival have not been determined. Alternatively, race merely may be a surrogate for socioeconomic status (SES).

METHODS

A literature review was performed of clinical trials and retrospective studies in the U.S. that compared survival between white women and black women with breast carcinoma after adjustment for known prognostic factors (patient age, disease stage, lymph node status, and estrogen receptor status) to assess the impact of race and SES.

RESULTS

Single institutional and clinical studies suggest that, when black patients are treated appropriately and other prognostic variables are controlled, their survival is similar to the survival of white patients. Twelve retrospective studies and 1 analysis of a clinical trial included SES and race as variables for survival. Only three of those studies revealed race as a significant prognostic factor for survival after adjusting for SES.

CONCLUSIONS

SES replaces race as a predictor of worse outcome after women are diagnosed with breast carcinoma in many studies. However, black women present with more advanced disease that appear more aggressive biologically, and they present at a younger age compared with white women. Further research should be conducted concerning the precise elements of SES that account for the incidence of breast carcinoma, age at diagnosis, hormone receptor status, and survival to devise better strategies to improve outcome. Cancer 2002;95:1988–99. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10830
Selective aromatase inhibition for patients with androgen‐independent prostate carcinoma
Authors: Smith Matthew R. , Kaufman Donald , George Daniel , Oh William K. , Kazanis Maryanne , Manola Judith , Kantoff Philip W.
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

First and second‐generation aromatase inhibitors have shown activity in patients with androgen‐independent prostate carcinoma. These early‐generation aromatase inhibitors are nonselective, however, and inhibition of other steroidogenic enzymes may contribute to their reported clinical activity. The authors conducted a Phase II clinical study of letrozole to determine the safety and efficacy of a potent and selective third‐generation aromatase inhibitor in men with androgen‐independent prostate carcinoma.

METHODS

Forty‐three men with androgen‐independent prostate carcinoma were treated with oral letrozole (2.5 mg daily). Treatment was continued until progressive disease or Grade 3 toxicity developed. Response and progressive disease were defined according to recommendations of the Prostate Specific Antigen Working Group.

RESULTS

In total, 380 weeks of treatment were administered to the 43 study patients. The median duration of treatment was 8 weeks. Forty men discontinued treatment due to progressive disease. Only one patient responded to treatment with a sustained decrease > 50% in serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. Three other patients experienced transient minor decreases (< 50%) in serum PSA levels. There were no serious treatment‐related adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

Selective aromatase inhibition with letrozole is not active in men with androgen‐independent prostate carcinoma. Cancer 2002;95:1864–8. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10844
Tumor necrosis factor α induces three‐dimensional cytomorphologic differentiation of human anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells through activation of nuclear factor κB
Authors: Wang Chih‐Yuan , Zhong Wen‐Bin , Chang Tien‐Chun , Lai Shu‐Mei , Tsai Yuan‐Feen
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is almost uniformly fatal. Microvilli are an important three‐dimensional (3‐D) cytomorphologic feature of thyrocyte differentiation, because fewer microvilli are seen in less differentiated tumors. Differentiation therapies, such as retinoic acid and somatostatin, have been tested previously in experimental models of differentiated thyroid carcinoma but not in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. The objective of this study was to determine whether tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) is capable of inducing 3‐D cytomorphologic differentiation of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells, and, if so, to investigate the mechanism involved.

METHODS

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells were treated with TNF‐α and examined for evidence of cytomorphologic differentiation using electron microscopy. To study the mechanism of differentiation, immunoblotting was used to analyze inhibitory κB (I‐κB) proteins and electrophoretic mobility shift assays to analyze nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) activation. The effect of NF‐κB SN50, a NF‐κB translocation inhibitor, on cytomorphologic changes induced in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells by TNF‐α also was studied. In addition, levels of thyroglobulin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secreted into the culture medium were measured.

RESULTS

The results showed that TNF‐α can induce activation of NF‐κB and that the activation and translocation of NF‐κB into the nucleus is responsible for promoting the 3‐D cytomorphologic differentiation of anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells, which was inhibited by the NF‐κB translocation inhibitor, NF‐κB SN50. TNF‐α also induced increased thyroglobulin secretion and reduced VEGF secretion by anaplastic tumor cells.

CONCLUSIONS

The current data suggest that TNF‐α can induce thyrocyte differentiation in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells through NF‐κB and that it merits investigation as differentiation therapy for the treatment of patients with anaplastic thyroid carcinoma. The authors also found that microvilli were useful markers for studying thyrocyte differentiation in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells. Cancer 2002;95:1827–33. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10857
Immunohistochemical expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, matrix metalloproteinase 2, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 in cutaneous melanocytic lesions
Authors: Simonetti Oriana , Lucarini Guendalina , Brancorsini Donatella , Nita Petronela , Bernardini Maria Luisa , Biagini Graziella , Offidani Annamaria
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial cell mitogen, plays a hierarchical role in regulating physiologic and pathologic angiogenesis. Moreover, the transformation from noninvasive to invasive carcinomas is accompanied by focal disruption and discontinuity of the basement membrane. Several groups of proteases have been implicated in tumor cell invasion, including the 72‐kDa gelatinase A/Type IV collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase 2 [MMP‐2]) and the 92‐kDa gelatinase B/Type IV collagenase (MMP‐9).

METHODS

The authors assessed the immunohistochemical expression of VEGF and metalloproteinases MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 in paraffin embedded biopsy specimens of malignant melanomas (18 invasive melanomas and 10 in situ melanomas); dysplastic nevi with architectural disorder and cytologic atypia of melanocytes; Spitz nevi; and compound or predominantly intradermal, ordinary, benign melanocytic nevi.

RESULTS

Strong cytoplasmic staining for VEGF was observed in melanoma cells in as many as 77% of primary invasive melanomas, whereas only 25% of the in situ melanomas exhibited a detectable immunoreactivity for VEGF. It is interesting to note that no immunoreactivity was shown by any nevi; Spitz nevi, in particular, showed negative immunoreactivity to VEGF. Invasive melanomas and in situ melanomas displayed coexpression of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9, although to a variable extent. In particular, high MMP‐2 staining was observed in 14 of 18 invasive melanomas; moreover, strong MMP‐2 expression also was observed in 60% of in situ melanomas, whereas the residual 40% of those melanomas showed a moderate level of positivity.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the current data showing that malignant melanocytic tumors displayed strong VEGF expression, whereas benign melanocytic proliferations showed no immunoreactivity for VEGF, VEGF also may be used as a discriminating factor to distinguish malignant melanoma from lesions of uncertain histology. Cancer 2002;95:1963–70. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10888
Delirium in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Fann Jesse R. , Roth‐Roemer Sari , Burington Bart E. , Katon Wayne J. , Syrjala Karen L.
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Delirium is common in patients with malignant disease and is associated with significant morbidity. Studies have not examined the epidemiology of delirium in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence, incidence, severity, and duration of delirium in the acute phase of HSCT and to determine the pretransplantation risk factors for the occurrence and severity of delirium during this period.

METHODS

Ninety adult patients with malignancies who were admitted to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center for their first HSCT were assessed prospectively from 1 week pretransplantation to 30 days posttransplantation. Delirium occurrence using the Delirium Rating Scale (DRS) and severity using the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale (MDAS) were assessed three times per week. Pretransplantation risk factors were assessed by patient self‐report, charts, and computerized records.

RESULTS

The cumulative posttransplantation incidence of delirium events (DRS score > 12) was 66 (73%), and the incidence of delirium episodes (DRS score > 12 for 2 of 3 consecutive assessments) was 45 (50%). The mean ± standard deviation duration of delirium episodes was 4.8 ± 2.8 assessments (approximately 10 days). Pretransplantation risk factors for having a delirium episode were lower cognitive functioning (Trailmaking B test [a standardized test of visual conceptual and visuomotor tracking and cognitive flexibility]; P = 0.0008), higher blood urea nitrogen (P = 0.002), higher alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.008), lower physical functioning (SF‐12 [self report questionnaire that is a general measure of functioning]; P = 0.03), and higher magnesium (P = 0.03). Pretransplantation risk factors for higher delirium severity scores were higher creatinine (P < 0.0001), the presence of total body irradiation (P = 0.0001), higher magnesium (P = 0.0003), lower Mini‐Mental State Examination score (P = 0.002), malignancy diagnosis category (P = 0.002), female gender (P = 0.008), higher alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.02), older age (P = 0.03), and prior alcohol or drug abuse (P = 0.046).

CONCLUSIONS

Half of patients who undergo HSCT experience a delirium episode during the 4 weeks posttransplantation. Pretransplantation risk factors can assist in identifying patients who are more likely to develop delirium posttransplantation. Cancer 2002;95:1971–81. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10889
Relations between fatigue, neuropsychological functioning, and physical activity after treatment for breast carcinoma
Authors: Servaes Petra , Verhagen Constans A. H. H. V. M. , Bleijenberg Gijs
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND

Previous research indicates that disease free breast carcinoma survivors who experienced severe fatigue also had many problems with regard to neuropsychological functioning and physical activity, measured with general self‐report questionnaires. Both neuropsychological functioning and physical activity can be measured with daily self‐report measures in addition to measures of objective behavior. The main objective of this study was to examine the relations between 1) fatigue and 2) daily self‐reported and objective measures of neuropsychological functioning and physical activity.

METHODS

Disease free breast carcinoma survivors and age‐matched women with no history of breast carcinoma filled out a daily self‐observation list and wore an actometer during a period of 12 days. Furthermore, they performed two standardized tests to assess neuropsychological functioning.

RESULTS

No differences were found between severely fatigued disease free breast carcinoma survivors, nonseverely fatigued disease free breast carcinoma survivors, and women in a control group with regard to daily self‐reported and objective physical activity. The severely fatigued disease free patients reported more impairment in neuropsychological functioning on daily questionnaires compared with nonseverely fatigued disease free patients and women in the control group. However, no differences were found between these three groups on a standardized concentration task. On a standardized reaction time task, no significant differences were found between the two groups of disease free breast carcinoma survivors: However, women in the severely fatigued group had a significantly longer reaction time compared with women in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Fatigue is correlated strongly with daily self‐reported neuropsychological functioning, but not with objective neuropsychological functioning, in a laboratory setting. In the current study, fatigue was not correlated with daily self‐reported and objective physical activity. Cancer 2002;95:2017–26. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10891