bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychological distress in women with a familial risk of breast cancer
Authors: Valdimarsdottir Heiddis B. , Bovbjerg Dana H. , Kash Kathryn M. , Holland Jimmie C. , Osborne Michael P. , Miller Daniel G.
Published: February 2007

In the present study women at familial risk for breast cancer (N = 26, risk group) underwent psychological assessments on two occasions: immediately prior to mammography screening and a month after notification of their normal results. Assessments included standardized measures of: acute distress; non‐specific distress; intrusive thoughts; and avoidance about breast cancer. Normal risk women not undergoing mammography (N = 27, comparison group) completed the same measures, to provide an indication of concurrent levels of distress in women recruited from the same community. Results revealed that, prior to mammography, the risk group had high levels of acute distress, which were reduced to the level of the comparison group following notification of normal mammography results. On the other hand, despite notification of normal results, the risk group continued to have higher levels of non‐specific distress, avoidance and intrusive thoughts about breast cancer. These results confirm and extend previous reports of high levels of non‐specific distress and intrusive thoughts in women at familial risk for breast cancer. The findings highlight the need for further studies to determine the sources of this distress and its possible negative consequences for these individuals at risk for cancer.
Social support adequacy and depression in older patients with metastatic cancer
Authors: Hann Danette M. , Oxman Thomas E. , Ahles Tim A. , Furstenberg Charlotte T. , Stuke Therese A.
Published: February 2007

Although the highest proportion of cancer patients are over 55 years, the psychosocial aspects of cancer in this age group has received little systematic attention. Many older patients who report psychological distress, especially depressive symptoms, also report a perception of inadequate social support. The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived adequacy of social support and depression in a group of older patients with metastatic cancer. The association of social support network variables (e.g. number in household, etc.) with depression was also evaluated. A second study aim was to evaluate the reliability and validity of a measure of social support adequacy, that had been originally developed with college students, for its usefulness with a cancer population. The measure of perceived adequacy of social support used in this study was found to be a reliable and valid measure with older cancer patients. Total perceived adequacy and each of three subtypes (significant other, family and friends) were significantly associated with lower levels of depression. In a multiple regression procedure, both perceived adequacy and network characteristics were significantly associated with less depression. These findings suggest that older cancer patients who are depressed may be good candidates for psychosocial interventions aimed at improving social support and subsequently quality of life.
Quality of life and ethics: Opinions about chemotherapy among patients with advanced melanoma, next of kin and care‐providers
Authors: Sigurdardóytir Valgerdur , Bolund Christina , Nilson Bo
Published: February 2007

The treatment of generalized malignant melanoma is purely experimental and palliative. Despite rather pessimistic results from numerous clinical trials with aggressive combination chemotherapy clinical trials are still considered among the main options for making progress. During a period of three years, a longitudinal quality of life (QoL) study was performed in connection with one such clinical trial, part of the Swedish Melanoma Programme. Parallel to the QoL measures, questions concerning the value of treatment and communication about treatment toxicity were consecutively put to patients with advanced disease, their next‐of‐kin and nurses. During this period we followed professionals dealing with everyday medical, psychological and ethical aspects of aggressive chemotherapy in the context of palliation. In connection with the official closure of the QoL assessments, a questionnaire study addressing opinions on chemotherapy and ethical conflicts related to the current treatment was performed. All professional categories working at the Melanoma Unit of The Karolinska Hospital participated in this study. By combining these two sources of information, we have tried to give a broad picture of attitudes towards chemotherapy for palliation of metastatic melanoma. After 2–3 months of therapy half of the patients reported the treatment troublesome, 50% felt it had been helpful and very few had thought about stopping the treatment. The patients communicated mainly with their family about treatment toxicity, leaving the nurses with insufficient information to assess effects on an individual level. The relatives therefore seem to be more appropriate proxy raters than the nurses in the present palliative situation, at least concerning the value of treatment. The questionnaire study revealed fewer differences between staff members than expected. The staff had an overwhelmingly positive attitude to chemotherapy and found satisfaction in their work. They sought motivation in this meaningful work and the feeling of being really needed by patients. The environment, a university clinic with an active treatment tradition, undoubtedly modifies the personnel's attitudes and coping strategies. It seems reasonable to assume that the professional's view increases the patient's enthusiasm for chemotherapy.
Agreement between cancer patients and their physicians in the assessment of patient anxiety at follow‐up visits
Authors: Lampic Claudia , Nordin Karin , Sjödén Per‐Olow
Published: February 2007

Agreement between cancer patients and their physicians in assessing patient anxiety during a follow‐up visit was studied in two samples: one at the Department of Gynaecological Oncology (GYN, n = 60) and one at the Department of Surgery (SURG, n = 141). All were ambulatory cancer patients attending regular follow‐up visits. Physicians estimated patient anxiety immediately after the visit, while patients assessed this aspect at home later the same day or some days later. The results show that physicians were unable to adequately estimate patients, general anxiety during the visit. Physicians typically overrated the anxiety of not anxious or mildly anxious patients, and showed limited ability to estimate individual patients, anxiety in terms of rank. Physicians made gross misjudgements ( >4 points on a 0–10 scale) of patient anxiety in 20% of cases. Theoretical explanations for this lack of patient‐physician agreement are discussed.
Palliative care teaching, what can we learn?
Authors: Haines Ian E. , Lethborg Carrie , Schwarz Max A.
Published: February 2007

Lack of palliative care education is being identified by many universities as a deficiency in their undergraduate medical teaching programme which requires urgent implementation into the undergraduate curriculum.

A comprehensive teaching programme in palliative care was devised and commenced at our institution at the beginning of 1991. This consists of seven one and half hour modules given to students in the last years of their course. The modules cover the broad range of aims of the course (as outlined) by using a diverse range of educational principles and methods and only a minimum of traditional non‐interactive didactic teaching.

Students complete anonymous evaluation form at the completion of the course and responses from the medical students have been overwhelmingly positive. 89 percent of students rated the course ‘very useful’ or ‘extremely useful’. The students' rating placed this course above all other components of their undergraduate teaching programme.

However, written comments from students have provided us with even more significant insights into the importance of the programme, such as ‘why weren't we taught this before’ and ‘I would like to see more space given to discussion on how to cope with the stress of the medical profession.’

The skills involved in palliative care are basic to good doctoring generally and we believe that this teaching programme could help form the basis for future medical undergraduate teaching programmes in palliative care.
FMR line shift for γ‐Fe2O3 magnetic nanoparticles embedded in a nonmagnetic matrix
Authors: Guskos N. , Typek J. , Maryniak M.
Published: February 2007

Temperature dependence of the ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) spectra of magnetic nanoparticles or agglomerates of γ‐Fe2O3 in nonmagnetic matrixes has been studied. Samples with two types of magnetic nanofillers have been studied: a solid powder and a suspension. Magnetic anisotropy present in the samples allowed analysis of the observed FMR spectrum in terms of two lines arising from the perpendicular (the more intense) and parallel (the weaker) components of the resulting dipolar field. It was observed that the temperature changes of the resonance lines have been effected by the presence of critical phenomena in polymer matrix, especially the freezing processes connected with the arrested movements of certain matrix fragments. A simple model has been put forward to explain partially the shift of the resonance field with the temperature change. It is proposed that an essential part (50%) of the temperature shift of the position of FMR resonance could be caused by change of an effective magnetic moment due to thermal expansion of the matrix. Application of low concentration of magnetic nanoparticles in the polymeric systems, especially possessing extraordinary physical properties, would allow studying them by the FMR method. This might be very helpful for understanding of the critical or exotic phenomena observed in certain materials. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Defect‐induced ferrimagnetism in the half‐metallic Co2CrAl and Co2CrSi compounds
Authors: Özdog̃an Kemal , Galanakis Iosif , Şaşıog̃lu Ersoy , Aktaş Bekir
Published: February 2007

Co2CrAl and Co2CrSi are amongst the most studied Heusler alloys due to their half‐metallic character. These compounds are also well‐known to present ferromagnetism with high Curie temperatures. We show using first‐principles calculations that the creation of Cr antisites (Cr atoms at the Co sites) induces ferrimagnetism in these compounds without destroying the half‐metallic character of these alloys. The reduction of the total spin moment causes lower external fields and thus smaller energy losses in realistic magnetoelectronic, also known as spintronic, devices. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
QSAR Modeling of Acute Toxicity for Nitrobenzene Derivatives Towards Rats: Comparative Analysis by MLRA and Optimal Descriptors
Authors: Toropov Andrey A. , Rasulev Bakhtiyor F. , Leszczynski Jerzy
Published: February 2007

Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationships (QSAR) have been developed for a set of 28 benzene derivatives. LD50 oral toxicity of these compounds towards rats has been modeled by Multiple Linear Regression Analysis (MLRA) based on descriptors generated by DRAGON software and by optimal descriptors approach. Twenty‐eight benzene derivatives have been split into training (n= 14) and test (n=14) sets. In the case of MLRA, a two‐variable model has the best predictive potential. Comparison of the quality of MLRA and optimal descriptor models showed that the predictive potential of a one‐variable model based on optimal descriptors is better than a two‐variable MLRA model.
To improve the quantification sensitivity of large molecular weight compounds – with ginsenosides as example
Authors: Ding Li , Luo Xubiao , Tang Fei‐Li , Nie Lihua , Yao Shouzhuo
Published: February 2007

High cone voltage was used to improve the quantification sensitivity of large molecular weight compounds in high‐performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI‐MS), with ginsenosides as example. Investigations on the effect of cone voltage showed that within a voltage range of 30–130 V, for all the ginsenosides tested, i.e., Rb1, Rb2, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf and Rg1, an increase in the applied cone voltage can significantly increase the sensitivity of the method. The maximum sensitivity in the determination decreases with the decreasing molecular weight of the ginsenosides in the order of Rb1 > Rb2 > Rc > Re > Rd > Rg1 > Rf. At the high cone voltage of 130 V, both molecular weight and structural information was obtained from a single mass spectrum. It can also be used for isomer differentiation and determination of O‐glycosidic linkages in ginsenosides. Linear relationships between the peak area response and concentration were observed in the range of 50–2 × 105 ng/mL, with the correlation coefficients >0.99. The limits of detection reached down to pg for ginsenosides. The method was successfully applied to the determination of ginsenosides in commercial ginseng samples. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometric characterization of the new functional oligo(ether‐ester)s structure
Authors: Korytkowska‐Wałach Anna , Gibas Mirosław , Neugebauer Dorota , Stolarzewicz Andrzej
Published: February 2007

The oligomeric products obtained by the polymerization of monomethacrylates of oligoethylene glycols possessing up to four oxyethylene units were examined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). The oligomerization initiated by sodium and potassium hydrides proceeded via Michael‐type addition of hydroxyl groups to carboncarbon double bonds. Extended reaction time caused gelation, especially in the case of the more reactive potassium hydride. This study was focused on the structural assignments of the oligomeric products by use of ion trap multistage mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS2). Precise structural characterization of the individual oligomers was based on fragmentation data. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitation of lower levels of the DNA adduct of thymidylyl(3′‐5′)thymidine methyl phosphotriester by liquid chromatography/negative atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Fagen , Bartels Michael J. , Pottenger Lynn H. , Gollapudi B. Bhaskar , Schisler Melissa R.
Published: February 2007

A sensitive method has been developed for the direct quantitation of the methyl phosphotriester DNA adduct of thymidyl(3′‐5′)thymidine (dTp(Me)dT) from enzymatic DNA hydrolysates prepared from cultured cells treated with low levels of N‐methyl‐N‐nitrosourea (MNU) and methyl methane sulfonate (MMS), by rapid and selective liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC/APCI‐MS/MS). The lower limit of quantitation was 0.1 ng/mL (6.4 adducts per 108 nucleotides). Linearity of the calibration curve was greater than 0.999 from 0.1 to 50 ng/mL. Intra‐day precision for three levels of quality control samples ranged from 4.27 to 15.62%. Interday precision ranged from 2.46 to 11.95%. Using this method, the levels of dTp(Me)dT in DNA enzymatic hydrolysates obtained from a series of incubations of mouse lymphoma cells with low doses of MNU (50 µM) were quantified. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural determination of the novel fragmentation routes of zwitteronic morphine opiate antagonists naloxonazine and naloxone hydrochlorides using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Joly Nicolas , Vaillant Celine , Cohen Alejandro M. , Martin Patrick , Essassi Mokhtar El , Massoui Mohamed , Banoub Joseph
Published: February 2007

Electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight (ESI‐QqToF) mass spectra of the zwitteronic salts naloxonazine dihydrochloride 1 and naloxone hydrochloride 2, a common series of morphine opiate receptor antagonists, were recorded using different declustering potentials. The singly charged ion [M+H2HCl]+ at m/z 651.3170 and the doubly charged ion [M+2H2HCl]2+ at m/z 326.1700 were noted for naloxonazine dihydrochloride 1; and the singly charged ion [M+HHCl]+ at m/z 328.1541 was observed for naloxone hydrochloride 2. Low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry (CID‐MS/MS) experiments established the fragmentation routes of these compounds. In addition to the characteristic diagnostic product ions obtained, we noticed the formation of a series of radical product ions for the zwitteronic compounds 1 and 2, and also the formation of a distonic ion product formed from the singly charged ion [M+HHCl]+ of naloxone hydrochloride 2. Confirmation of the various established fragmentation routes was effected by conducting a series of ESI‐CID‐QqTof‐MS/MS product ion scans, which were initiated by CID in the atmospheric pressure/vacuum interface using a higher declustering potential. Deuterium labeling was also performed on the zwitteronic salts 1 and 2, in which the hydrogen atoms of the OH and NH groups were exchanged with deuterium atoms. Low‐energy CID‐QqTof‐MS/MS product ion scans of the singly charged and doubly charged deuteriated molecules confirmed the initial fragmentation patterns proposed for the protonated molecules. Precursor ion scan analyses were also performed with a conventional quadrupole‐hexapole‐quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer and allowed the confirmation of the genesis of some diagnostic ions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Formation of Bimetallic Ag–Au Nanowires by Metallization of Artificial DNA Duplexes
Authors: Fischler Monika , Simon Ulrich , Nir Hadar , Eichen Yoav , Burley Glenn A. , Gierlich Johannes , Gramlich Philipp M. E. , Carell Thomas
Published: February 2007

Uniform bimetallic nanowires, tunable in size, have been grown on artificial DNA templates via a two‐step metallization process. Alkyne‐modified cytosines were incorporated into 900‐base‐pair polymerase‐chain‐reaction fragments. The alkyne modifications serve as addressable metal‐binding sites after conversion to a sugar triazole derivative via click chemistry. Reaction of the Tollens reagent with these sugar‐coated DNA duplexes generates Ag0 metallization centers around the sugar modification sites of the DNA. After a subsequent enhancement step using gold, nanowires ≤10 nm in diameter with a homogeneous surface profile were obtained. Furthermore, the advantage of this two‐step procedure lies in the high selectivity of the process, due to the exact spatial control of modified DNA base incorporation and hence the confinement of metallization centers at addressable sites. Besides experiments on a membrane as a proof for the selectivity of the method, atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies of the wires produced on Si–SiO2 surfaces are discussed. Furthermore, we demonstrate time‐dependent metallization experiments, monitored by AFM.
Identification and functional characterization of phytosulfokine receptor using a ligand‐based approach
Authors: Matsubayashi Yoshikatsu , Shinohara Hidefumi , Ogawa Mari
Published: February 2007

Almost all plant cells, even when fully differentiated, can dedifferentiate and proliferate in vitro to form a callus, in which they can then differentiate to form various organs. These sequential processes can be promoted by exposing the cells to a conditioned medium in which either the same or other cells have previously been grown, indicating the involvement of cell‐to‐cell communication mediated by a chemical factor. This factor was purified from the conditioned medium and identified as a 5‐amino‐acid sulfated peptide. The addition of this peptide, named phytosulfokine (PSK), to the culture medium, even at nanomolar concentrations, significantly promotes cellular proliferation and/or cellular differentiation. We purified a membrane receptor for PSK (PSKR1) by ligand‐based affinity chromatography and identified it as a member of leucine‐rich repeat receptor kinases. The PSK‐binding domain of PSKR1 was further identified by ligand photoaffinity labeling using a novel “on‐column photoaffinity labeling” methodology that allows repeated incorporation of the photoaffinity label. Analysis of loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function mutants of the Arabidopsis PSKR1 revealed that PSK signaling affects cellular longevity and potential for growth without interfering with basic plant morphogenesis. These results suggest that PSK represents a new class of hormones that affect the potential for cellular growth and longevity of individual cells via binding to PSKR1, thereby exerting a pleiotropic effect on individual cells in response to environmental conditions. © 2007 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 6: 356–364; 2006: Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI 10.1002/tcr.20090
Preface to a special issue centered on “ligand receptor interactions”
Authors: Nakanishi Koji
Published: February 2007

Starting with this issue, the Chemical Record will publish one or two special issues annually centered on special topics. As chemistry becomes increasingly interdisciplinary, bioorganic studies dealing with bioactive ligands necessarily result in accounting for their mode of action or more molecular biological aspects. The articles in this issue are from leading research groups addressing the dynamic aspects of bioactive compounds. Such studies, central in advancing our understanding of Nature, would not have been possible until recent years.
End‐to‐End Compression Anastomosis of The Rectum: A Pig Model
Authors: Kopelman Doron , Lelcuk Shlomo , Sayfan Joel , Matter Ibrahim , Willenz Ehud P. , Zaidenstein Luis , Hatoum Ossama A. , Kimmel Boaz , Szold Amir
Published: February 2007

Background

Generations of investigators have attempted to achieve compression bowel anastomosis by a sutureless device, providing temporary support to the tissue and facilitating the natural healing process. The biocompatibility of nickel–titanium alloy has made it attractive for use in medical implants and devices, and several studies have described the creation of a side‐to‐side compression anastomosis in colon surgery with a nickel–titanium clip. We evaluated the feasibility and safety of a newly designed gun for applying a nickel–titanium compression anastomosis ring (CAR) to create an end‐to‐end colorectal anastomosis in a porcine model.

Materials and methods

A segment of the proximal rectum was resected in 25 pigs. The bowel ends were anastomosed transanally by an end‐to‐end CAR device. The animals’ follow‐up continued for up to 8 weeks, and included general health status, weight gain, blood tests, and abdominal X‐ray. They were then sacrificed. The anastomoses were studied for burst pressure, anastomotic index, and histopathology.

Results

One pig died due to iatrogenic bowel injury unrelated to the CAR device. There was no other morbidity/mortality. The other animals recovered and gained weight. Burst pressure studies demonstrated a minimum pressure of 160 mmHg at time point 0 that escalated quickly to >300 mmHg. The mean anastomotic index after 8 weeks was 0.81. Histologic evaluation revealed minimal inflammation and minimal fibrosis at the anastomosis site.

Conclusion

The principles of compression anastomosis are better executed with the use of memory shape alloys. The promising results of this novel technique should encourage further studies of this technology.
Surgical and Interventional Visceral Revascularization for the Treatment of Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia—When to Prefer Which?
Authors: Biebl Matthias , Oldenburg W. Andrew , Paz‐Fumagalli Ricardo , McKinney J. Mark , Hakaim Albert G.
Published: February 2007

Background

The purpose of the present study was to compare surgical and endovascular revascularization for chronic mesenteric ischemia (CMI).

Methods

Forty‐nine patients underwent surgical (SG) or endovascular (EG) treatment. Relief of symptoms was considered the primary endpoint; patency, morbidity, and mortality were secondary endpoints. For statistical analysis, significance was assumed if P values ≤ 0.05.

Results

Twenty‐six patients (53%) underwent surgical revascularization; 23 patients (47%), endovascular repair. Mean follow‐up was 25 ± 21 months (SG) versus 10 ± 10 (EG) months (P = 0.07). Except for body mass indices (SG 18.9 ± 2.7 versus EG 23.6 ± 4.8; P = 0.001), preoperative data were comparable. Freedom from symptoms was 100% (SG) versus 90% (EG) after intervention (P = 0.194), and 89% (SG) versus 75% (EG) at the end of follow‐up. Reocclusion or re‐stenosis occurred in 8% (SG) versus 25% (EG) (log‐rank test: P = 0.003), and mesenteric ischemia developed in 0% (SG) versus 9% (EG) (P = 0.04). Reintervention for CMI was required in 0% (SG) versus 13% (EG) (P = 0.01). Surgical patients experienced more early complications (42% versus EG 4%; P = 0.02) and longer hospital stays (11.6 ± 10.9 days versus EG 1.3 ± 0.5 days; P < 0.001). Overall mortality at the end of follow‐up was 31% (SG) versus 4% (EG) (log‐rank test: P = 0.08), including all patients with combined open mesenteric and aortic reconstruction (P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Surgical treatment has superior long‐term patency and requires fewer reinterventions, but it is also more invasive with greater morbidity and mortality compared to endovascular treatment. Endovascular techniques may be preferable in patients with significant co‐morbidities, concomitant aortic disease, or indeterminate symptoms.
Codon Y791F Mutations in a Large Kindred: Is Prophylactic Thyroidectomy Always Indicated?
Authors: Vestergaard Peter , Vestergaard Else Marie , Brockstedt Helle , Christiansen Peer
Published: February 2007

Background

RET proto‐oncogene mutations are associated with medullary thyroid carcinomas usually requiring preventive thyroidectomy in gene carriers. We present a large kindred with the Y791F mutation in the RET proto‐oncogene that did not have medullary thyroid carcinomas.

Patients and methods

Eight members of a Danish family with the Y791F mutation participated. All gene carriers underwent pentagastrin testing, and measurements of serum calcitonin. In the index person, exons 10, 11, and 13–16 of the RET proto‐oncogene were screened. In the rest of the individuals only exon 13 was analysed. Mutation analysis was done by direct bidirectional sequencing of PCR products on an ABI 3100 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA).

Results

The index person was screened genetically due to goitre at a young age. A total of 27 members of the family underwent genetic testing. Twelve (44.4%, 95% CI: 25.5–64.7%) had the mutation (age range 13–84 years). None of these had abnormal pentagastrin tests (0%, 95% CI: 0–26.5%). We found no significant differences in basal serum calcitonin concentrations between gene carriers (mean ± SD: 0.16 ± 0.54 pmol/l, n = 11) and non‐gene carriers (0.55 ± 0.86 pmol/l, n = 6, 2 P = 0.29). None showed signs of primary hyperparathyroidism or phaeochromocytoma.

Conclusions

The Y791F RET proto‐oncogene mutation may have a low penetrance. In selected cases, prophylactic thyroidectomy may be replaced by watchful waiting with repeated pentagastrin testing, provided careful evaluation of risks and benefits is performed.
TNM Classification of Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Shaha Ashok R.
Published: February 2007

Background

The understanding of biology of well‐differentiated thyroid cancer has improved in the last two decades with the detailed understanding of prognostic factors and risk group stratification. The risk groups are crucial in the management of thyroid cancer and overall prognosis.

TNM Staging System

The TNM staging system has been used in all human cancers, and it adheres to the biology of tumors. The data in thyroid cancer comes from retrospective studies, as there are no prospective randomized trials. The most recent TNM staging system was revised and published (6th edition) in 2002. The major attributes of the staging system include: age as the most important prognostic factor, and age is included in the staging system, below and above the age of 45; T1 tumors are considered to be those below 2 cm; T3 tumors include minor extrathyroidal extension invading the strap muscles; T4 tumors includes T4a and T4b, T4a being operable tumors; all anaplastic cancers are T4, although operable anaplastic thyroid cancers are considered to be T4a.

Conclusion

These changes in the TNM system are consistent with our current philosophy in the overall management of thyroid cancer and adjuvant therapy. The N staging system includes N1a and N1b—N1a being level VI lymph nodes, while N1b includes level IV and superior mediastinal and contralateral neck nodes. The TNM staging system helps reporting our data and comparing results in different parts of the world. However, there is no level I evidence in thyroid cancer.
Social outcome in adults with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD)
Authors: Simon E. , Schwarz M. , Wendel U.
Published: February 2007

Background: In MSUD, dietary treatment aims at the protection of the brain from functional disturbances and structural damage by keeping the branched‐chain amino acids in plasma permanently in the near‐normal range. Unfortunately, delay in effective treatment of the neonatal manifestation and poor long‐term metabolic control are common in MSUD patients, leading to impaired cognitive outcome. Some studies have analysed cognitive capacity but only few data are available on social status (educational qualification, interpersonal relationships, lifestyle) in adult patients, which is one measure for the success of treatment. Aim: In this study we analysed sociodemographic data of 22 adult patients suffering from classic or very severe variant MSUD in comparison with data on an age‐matched control collective of the population of Germany. Results: The analysis revealed low educational and professional levels with a low rate of participation in the labour force by adult MSUD patients. The educational level in patients of migrant origin was lower than the educational qualifications in the native patient group. A large number of patients did not live a normal adult life. Patients could not live autonomously, did not have a steady partnership and had no children. Conclusion: Despite substantial improvement in the treatment of MSUD in recent years, unimpaired outcome of patients with classic or very severe variant MSUD remains a rare finding. Care must be further optimized in order to improve intellectual and, thereby, social outcome. Particular care must be exercised in the treatment of migrant patients who offer special problems due to cultural peculiarities and language difficulties.
Secondary alteration of the transferrin isoelectric focusing pattern in a case of bacterial meningitis
Authors: Quintana E. , Gala S. , García‐Cazorla A. , Montero R. , Muñoz‐Almagro C. , Vilaseca M. A. , Briones P. , Artuch R.
Published: February 2007

Congenital disorders of glycosylation (CDG) are a group of inherited defects in the synthesis and processing of the linked glycans of glycoproteins and other glycoconjugates. The phenotypic spectrum presents wide variability, and clinical diagnosis is not reliable in most cases. Isoelectric focusing (IEF) of serum transferrin is widely used as a tool to detect CDG. We describe a paediatric patient presenting an altered serum transferrin pattern due to a secondary disorder of glycosylation caused by pneumococcal meningitis (Streptococcus pneumoniae, serotype 19A). During admission, brain CT scan and MRI showed acute ischaemic lesions in brain frontotemporal parenchyma, and enlarged subarachnoidal spaces in the frontal area resembling a chronic injury. This led us to screen for inborn errors of metabolism potentially associated with these findings (homocystinuria, glutaric aciduria, CDG syndromes). Biochemical studies for the screening of these inborn errors of metabolism were normal except for sialotransferrin isoelectric focusing, which showed a type 2 pattern. However, 16 days later, together with the remission of the meningitis process, the sialotransferrin pattern had normalized. The apolipoprotein C‐III (an O‐glycoprotein) profile was normal in all samples analysed. In conclusion, infectious events should be ruled out in the differential diagnosis of CDG syndromes. Furthermore, our findings highlight the possibility that the type 2 IEF pattern of serum sialotransferrin detected in some patients with neonatal death due to organ failure and septic events might be secondary to the infectious process.
Severe infantile type of carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT II) deficiency due to homozygous R503C mutation
Authors: Spiegel R. , Shaag A. , Gutman A. , Korman S. H. , Saada A. , Elpeleg O. , Shalev S. A.
Published: February 2007

We report a patient with severe infantile carnitine palmitoyltransferase II (CPT II) deficiency who died at the age of 3 months. Genetic analysis of the CPT2 gene revealed that the patient was homozygous, and her parents were heterozygous, for a R503C missense mutation. Heterozygosity for R503C, without a second mutation, has previously been reported in symptomatic patients from two families, one with the mild adult myopathic form and one with malignant hyperthermia. In contrast, the R503C heterozygous parents of the patient were entirely asymptomatic, suggesting that additional genetic and/or environmental factors must have contributed to the occurrence of symptoms in previously reported carriers. Our findings indicate that the mutation R503C should be added to the handful of mutations associated with the severe phenotype when present in the homozygous state or combined with another severe mutation.
Probability Biases in Genetic Problem Solving: A Comparison of Undergraduates, Genetic Counseling Graduate Students, and Genetic Counselors
Authors: Dewhurst Margaret E. , Veach Patricia McCarthy , Lampman Claudia , Petraitis John , Kao Juihsien , LeRoy Bonnie
Published: February 2007

Heuristics are mental shortcuts that aid people in everyday problem‐solving and decision‐making. Although numerous studies have demonstrated their use in contexts ranging from consumers’ shopping decisions to experts’ estimations of experimental validity, virtually no published research has addressed heuristics use in problems involving genetic conditions and associated risk probabilities. The present research consists of two studies. In the first study, 220 undergraduates attempted to solve four genetic problems—two common heuristic problems modified to focus on genetic likelihood, and two created to study heuristics and probability rule application. Results revealed that the vast majority of undergraduates used heuristics and also demonstrated a complete misuse of probability rules. In the second study, 156 practicing genetic counselors and 89 genetic counseling students solved slightly modified versions of the genetic problems used in Study 1. Results indicated that a large percentage of both genetic counselors and students used heuristics, but the counselors demonstrated superior problem‐solving performance compared to both the genetic counseling students and the undergraduates from Study 1. Research, training, and practice recommendations are presented.
Oct‐1 is involved in the transcriptional repression of the p15INK4b gene
Authors: Hitomi Toshiaki , Matsuzaki Youichirou , Yasuda Shusuke , Kawanaka Mayumi , Yogosawa Shingo , Koyama Makoto , Tantin Dean , Sakai Toshiyuki
Published: February 2007

p15INK4b functions as a tumor suppressor and implicated in cellular senescence. Here, we show that the Oct‐1 binding site in the human p15INK4b gene promoter functions as a silencer. Oct‐1 specifically interacts with this binding site in vitro and in vivo and SMRT and HDAC1 are present in the p15INK4b proximal promoter region. Moreover, mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) lacking Oct‐1 have shown significantly increased levels of p15INK4b protein compared to their normal counterparts. Treatment with a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor has activated the expression of p15INK4b in wild‐type MEFs but has no effect in MEFs lacking Oct‐1, suggesting that Oct‐1 represses p15INK4b gene expression in an HDAC‐dependent manner. Finally, we show that the expression of Oct‐1 protein significantly decreases, whereas p15INK4b protein significantly increases with the cellular aging process. Taken together, these results suggest that Oct‐1 is an important transcriptional repressor for p15INK4b gene and the transcriptional repression of the p15INK4b gene by Oct‐1 may be one of the regulatory mechanisms of cellular senescence.
Coordinated and selective recruitment of eIF4E and eIF4G factors for potyvirus infection in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Nicaise Valérie , Gallois Jean-Luc , Chafiai Faccila , Allen Leah M. , Schurdi-Levraud Valérie , Browning Karen S. , Candresse Thierry , Caranta Carole , Le Gall Olivier , German-Retana Sylvie
Published: February 2007

The translation initiation factors eIF4E and eIF(iso)4E play a key role during virus infection in plants. During mRNA translation, eIF4E provides the cap‐binding function and is associated with the protein eIF4G to form the eIF4F complex. Susceptibility analyses of Arabidopsis mutants knocked‐out for At‐eIF4G genes showed that eIF4G factors are indispensable for potyvirus infection. The colonization pattern by a viral recombinant carrying GFP indicated that eIF4G is involved at a very early infection step. Like eIF4E, eIF4G isoforms are selectively recruited for infection. Moreover, the eIF4G selective involvement parallels eIF4E recruitment. This is the first report of a coordinated and selective recruitment of eIF4E and eIF4G factors, suggesting the whole eIF4F recruitment.
Microscale fibre alignment by a three-dimensional sessile drop on a wettable pad
Authors: REZNIK S. N. , SALALHA W. , YARIN A. L. , ZUSSMAN E.
Published: February 2007

Fluidic assembly provides solutions for assembling particles with sizes from nanometres to centimetres. Fluidic techniques based on patterned shapes of monolayers and capillary forces are widely used to assemble microfabrication devices. Usually, for self-assembly, the precondition is that the components must be mobile in a fluidic environment. In the present work, a shape-directed fluidic self-assembly of rod-like microstructures, such as an optical fibre on a wettable pad is demonstrated experimentally with submicrometre positioning precision. A model of the process is proposed, which accounts for the following two stages of the orientation of a fibre submerged in a sessile drop: (i) the drop melting and spreading over a wettable pad; (ii) fibre reorientation related to the surface-tension-driven shrinkage of the drop surface area. At the end of stage (ii), the fibre is oriented along the pad. The experimental results for the optical-fibre assembly by a solder joint have been compared to the modelling results, and a reasonable agreement has been found. The major outcome of the experiments and modelling is that surface tension forces on the fibre piercing a drop align the fibre rather than the flow owing to the spreading of the drop over the horizontal pad, i.e. stage (ii) mostly contributes to the alignment.
Warm discharges in cold fresh water. Part 1. Line plumes in a uniform ambient
Authors: KAY ANTHONY
Published: February 2007

Turbulent buoyant plumes in cold fresh water are analysed, assuming a quadratic dependence of density on temperature. The model is based on the assumption that entrainment velocity is proportional to vertical velocity in the plume. Numerical and asymptotic solutions are obtained for both rising and descending plumes from virtual sources with all possible combinations of buoyancy, volume and momentum fluxes. Physical sources can be identified as points on trajectories of plumes from virtual sources.

The zero-buoyancy condition, at which the plume and the ambient have equal densities but their temperatures are on opposite sides of the temperature of maximum density, is of particular importance. If an upwardly buoyant plume rising through a body of water reaches the surface before passing through its zero-buoyancy level, it will form a surface gravity current; otherwise, the plume water will return to the source as a fountain. The height at which zero buoyancy is attained generally decreases as the source momentum flux increases: greater plume velocity produces greater entrainment and hence more rapid temperature change. Descending plumes, if ejected downwards against upward buoyancy, may be classified as strongly or weakly forced according to whether they reach the zero-buoyancy condition before being brought to rest. If they do, they continue to descend with favourable buoyancy; otherwise, they may form an inverted fountain. Once a descending plume has attained downward buoyancy, it can continue to descend indefinitely, ultimately behaving like a plume in a fluid with a linear equation of state. In contrast, a rising plume will eventually come to rest, however large its initial upward buoyancy and momentum fluxes are.
Forced dewetting on porous media
Authors: DEVAUCHELLE OLIVIER , JOSSERAND CHRISTOPHE , ZALESKI STEPHANE
Published: February 2007

We study the dewetting of a porous plate withdrawn from a liquid bath. The contact angle is fixed to zero and the flow is assumed to be almost parallel to the plate (lubrication approximation). The ordinary differential equation involving the position of the water surface is analysed in phase space by means of numerical integration. We show the existence of a stationary moving contact line with zero contact angle below a critical value of the capillary number η U/γ. Above this value, no stationary contact line can exist. An analytical model, based on asymptotic matching is developed, which reproduces the dependence of the critical capillary number on the angle of the plate with respect to the horizontal (3/2 power law), provided the capillary length is much larger than the square root of the porous-medium permeability. In addition, it is shown that the classical lubrication equation leads not only to the well-known Landau–Levich–Derjaguin films, but also to a family of films for which thickness is not imposed by the problem parameters.
A note on the propagation speed of a weakly dissipative gravity current
Authors: ERMANYUK EUGENY V. , GAVRILOV NIKOLAI V.
Published: February 2007

This paper presents an experimental study on the propagation speed of gravity currents at moderate values of a gravity Reynolds number. Two cases are considered: gravity currents propagating along a rigid boundary and intrusive gravity currents. For the first case, a semi-empirical formula for the front propagation speed derived from simple energy arguments is shown to capture well the effect of flow deceleration because of viscous dissipation. In the second case, the propagation speed is shown to agree with the one predicted for energy-conserving virtually inviscid flows (Shin, Dalziel & Linden, J. Fluid Mech. vol. 521, 2004, p. 1), which implies that the losses due to vorticity generation and mixing at the liquid–liquid interface play only a minor role in the total balance of energy.
An experimental investigation on Lagrangian correlations of small-scale turbulence at low Reynolds number
Authors: GUALA MICHELE , LIBERZON ALEXANDER , TSINOBER ARKADY , KINZELBACH WOLFGANG
Published: February 2007

Lagrangian auto- and cross-correlation functions of the rate of strains2, enstrophy ω2, their respective production terms −sijsjkskiand ωiωjsij, and material derivatives, Ds2/Dtand Dω2/Dtare estimated using experimental results obtained through three-dimensional particle tracking velocimetry (three-dimensional-PTV) in homogeneous turbulence atReλ=50. The autocorrelation functions are used to estimate the Lagrangian time scales of different quantities, while the cross-correlation functions are used to clarify some aspects of the interaction mechanisms between vorticity ω and the rate of strain tensorsij, that are responsible for the statistically stationary, in the Eulerian sense, levels of enstrophy and rate of strain in homogeneous turbulent flow. Results show that at the Reynolds number of the experiment these quantities exhibit different time scales, varying from the relatively long time scale of ω2to the relatively shorter time scales ofs2, ωiωjsijand −sijsjkski. Cross-correlation functions suggest that the dynamics of enstrophy and strain, in this flow, is driven by a set of different-time-scale processes that depend on the local magnitudes ofs2and ω2. In particular, there are indications that, in a statistical sense, (i) strain production anticipates enstrophy production in low-strain–low-enstrophy regions (ii) strain production and enstrophy production display high correlation in high-strain–high-enstrophy regions, (iii) vorticity dampening in high-enstrophy regions is associated with weak correlations between −sijsjkskiands2and between −sijsjkskiand Ds2/Dt, in addition to a marked anti-correlation between ωiωjsijand Ds2/Dt. Vorticity dampening in high-enstrophy regions is thus related to the decay ofs2and its production term, −sijsjkski.
Turbulent transport in the outer region of rough-wall open-channel flows: the contribution of large coherent shear stress structures (LC3S)
Authors: HURTHER D. , LEMMIN U. , TERRAY E. A.
Published: February 2007

Acoustic Doppler velocity profiler (ADVP) measurements of instantaneous three-dimensional velocity profiles over the entire turbulent boundary layer height, δ, of rough-bed open-channel flows at moderate Reynolds numbers show the presence of large scale coherent shear stress structures (called LC3S herein) in the zones of uniformly retarded streamwise momentum. LC3S events over streamwise distances of several boundary layer thicknesses dominate the mean shear dynamics. Polymodal histograms of short streamwise velocity samples confirm the subdivision of uniform streamwise momentum into three zones also observed by Adrian et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 422, 2000, p. 1). The mean streamwise dimension of the zones varies between 1δ and 2.5δ. In the intermediate region (0.2<z/δ<0.75), the contribution of conditionally sampled u'w' events to the mean vertical turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) flux as a function of threshold level H is found to be generated by LC3S events above a critical threshold level Hmax for which the ascendant net momentum flux between LC3S of ejection and sweep types is maximal. The vertical profile of Hmax is nearly constant over the intermediate region, with a value of 5 independent of the flow conditions. Very good agreement is found for all flow conditions including the free-stream shear flows studied in Adrian et al. (2000). If normalized by the squared bed friction velocity, the ascendant net momentum flux containing 90% of the mean TKE flux is equal to 20% of the shear stress due to bed friction. In the intermediate region this value is nearly constant for all flow conditions investigated herein. It can be deduced that free-surface turbulence in open-channel flows originates from processes driven by LC3S, associated with the zonal organization of streamwise momentum. The good agreement with mean quadrant distribution results in the literature implies that LC3S identified in this study are common features in the outer region of shear flows.