bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organization of the sex-ratio Meiotic Drive Region in Drosophila simulans
Authors: Montchamp-Moreau Catherine , Ogereau David , Chaminade Nicole , Colard Alexandre , Aulard Sylvie
Published: December 2005

Sex-ratio meiotic drive is the preferential transmission of the X chromosome by XY males, which occurs in several Drosophila species and results in female-biased progeny. Although the trait has long been known to exist, its molecular basis remains completely unknown. Here we report a fine-mapping experiment designed to characterize the major drive locus on a sex-ratio X chromosome of Drosophila simulans originating from the Seychelles (XSR6). This primary locus was found to contain two interacting elements at least, both of which are required for drive expression. One of them was genetically tracked to a tandem duplication containing six annotated genes (Trf2, CG32712, CG12125, CG1440, CG12123, org-1), and the other to a candidate region located ∼110 kb away and spanning seven annotated genes. RT–PCR showed that all but two of these genes were expressed in the testis of both sex-ratio and standard males. In situ hybridization to polytene chromosomes revealed a complete association of the duplication with the sex-ratio trait in random samples of X chromosomes from Madagascar and Reunion.
Positive Selection Can Create False Hotspots of Recombination
Authors: Reed Floyd A , Tishkoff Sarah A
Published: December 2005

Simulations of positive directional selection, under parameter values appropriate for approximating human genetic diversity and rates of recombination, reveal that the effects of strong selective sweeps on patterns of linkage disequilibrium (LD) mimic the pattern expected with recombinant hotspots.
FluG-Dependent Asexual Development in Aspergillus nidulans Occurs via Derepression
Authors: Seo Jeong-Ah , Guan Yajun , Yu Jae-Hyuk
Published: December 2005

The asexual spore is one of the most crucial factors contributing to the fecundity and fitness of filamentous fungi. Although the developmental activator FluG was shown to be necessary for activation of asexual sporulation (conidiation) and production of the carcinogenic mycotoxin sterigmatocystin (ST) in the model filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, the molecular mechanisms underlying the developmental switch have remained elusive. In this study, we report that the FluG-mediated conidiation in A. nidulans occurs via derepression. Suppressor analyses of fluG led to the identification of the sfgA gene encoding a novel protein with the Gal4-type Zn(II)2Cys6 binuclear cluster DNA-binding motif at the N terminus. Deletion (Δ) and 31 other loss-of-function sfgA mutations bypassed the need for fluG in conidiation and production of ST. Moreover, both ΔsfgA and ΔsfgA ΔfluG mutations resulted in identical phenotypes in growth, conidiation, and ST production, indicating that the primary role of FluG is to remove repressive effects imposed by SfgA. In accordance with the proposed regulatory role of SfgA, overexpression of sfgA inhibited conidiation and delayed/reduced expression of conidiation- and ST-specific genes. Genetic analyses demonstrated that SfgA functions downstream of FluG but upstream of transcriptional activators (FlbD, FlbC, FlbB, and BrlA) necessary for normal conidiation.
Genetic Analysis Connects SLX5 and SLX8 to the SUMO Pathway in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Wang Zheng , Jones Grace Marie , Prelich Gregory
Published: December 2005

MOT1 encodes an essential ATPase that functions as a general transcriptional regulator in vivo by modulating TATA-binding protein (TBP) DNA-binding activity. Although MOT1 was originally identified both biochemically and in several genetic screens as a transcriptional repressor, a combination of subsequent genetic, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and microarray analysis suggested that MOT1 might also have an additional role in vivo as a transcriptional activator. To better understand the role(s) of MOT1 in vivo, we selected for genomic suppressors of a mot1 temperature-sensitive mutation. This selection identified mutations in SPT15 (TBP) and BUR6, both of which are clearly linked with MOT1 at the functional level. The vast majority of the suppressor mutations, however, unexpectedly occurred in six genes that encode known components of the SUMO pathway and in two other genes with unknown functions, SLX5 and SLX8. Additional results presented here, including extensive synthetic lethality observed between slx5Δ and slx8Δ and SUMO pathway mutations, suggest that SLX5 and SLX8 are new components or regulators of the SUMO pathway and that SUMO modification might have a general role in transcriptional regulation as part of the TBP regulatory network.
Effects of Chromosome-Specific Introgression in Upland Cotton on Fiber and Agronomic Traits
Authors: Saha Sukumar , Jenkins Johnie N , Wu Jixiang , McCarty Jack C , Gutiérrez Osman A , Percy Richard G , Cantrell Roy G , Stelly David M
Published: December 2005

Interspecific chromosome substitution is among the most powerful means of introgression and steps toward quantitative trait locus (QTL) identification. By reducing the genetic “noise” from other chromosomes, it greatly empowers the detection of genetic effects by specific chromosomes on quantitative traits. Here, we report on such results for 14 cotton lines (CS-B) with specific chromosomes or chromosome arms from G. barbadense L. substituted into G. hirsutum and chromosome-specific F2 families. Boll size, lint percentage, micronaire, 2.5% span length, elongation, strength, and yield were measured by replicated field experiments in five diverse environments and analyzed under an additive–dominance (AD) genetic model with genotype and environment interaction. Additive effects were significant for all traits and dominance effects were significant for all traits except 2.5% span length. CS-B25 had additive effects increasing fiber strength and fiber length and decreasing micronaire. CS-B16 and CS-B18 had additive effects related to reduced yields. The results point toward specific chromosomes of G. barbadense 3-79 as the probable locations of the genes that significantly affect quantitative traits of importance. Our results provided a scope to analyze individual chromosomes of the genome in homozygous and heterozygous conditions and thus detected novel effects of alleles controlling important QTL.
Involvement of Drosophila Uncoupling Protein 5 in Metabolism and Aging
Authors: Sánchez-Blanco Adolfo , Fridell Yih-Woei C , Helfand Stephen L
Published: December 2005

A novel uncoupling protein, UCP5, has recently been characterized as a functional mitochondrial uncoupler in Drosophila. Here we demonstrate that UCP5 knockout (UCP5KO) flies are highly sensitive to starvation stress, a phenotype that can be reversed by ectopic neuronal expression of UCP5. UCP5KO flies live longer than controls on low-calorie diets, have a decreased level of fertility, and gain less weight than controls on high-calorie diets. However, isolated mitochondria from UCP5KO flies display the same respiration patterns as controls. Furthermore, total ATP levels in both UCP5KO and control flies are comparable. UCP5KO flies have a lower body composition of sugars, and during starvation stress their triglyceride reserves are depleted more rapidly than controls. Taken together, these data indicate that UCP5 is important to maintain metabolic homeostasis in the fly. We hypothesize that UCP5 influences hormonal control of metabolism.
Predicting Chromosomal Locations of Genetically Mapped Loci in Maize Using the Morgan2McClintock Translator
Authors: Lawrence Carolyn J , Seigfried Trent E , Bass Hank W , Anderson Lorinda K
Published: December 2005

The Morgan2McClintock Translator permits prediction of meiotic pachytene chromosome map positions from recombination-based linkage data using recombination nodule frequency distributions. Its outputs permit estimation of DNA content between mapped loci and help to create an integrated overview of the maize nuclear genome structure.
Elephant ivory: A low thermal conductivity, high strength nanocomposite
Authors: Jakubinek Michael B. , Samarasekera Champika J. , White Mary Anne
Published: January 2006

There has been much recent interest in heat transport in nanostructures, and alsoin the structure, properties, and growth of biological materials. Here we present measurements of thermal properties of a nanostructured biomineral, ivory. The room-temperature thermal conductivity of ivory is anomalously low in comparison with its constituent components. Low-temperature (2–300 K) measurements ofthermal conductivity and heat capacity reveal a glass-like temperature dependenceof the thermal conductivity and phonon mean free path, consistent with increased phonon-boundary scattering associated with nanostructure. These results suggest that biomineral-like nanocomposite structures could be useful in the design of novel high-strength materials for low thermal conductivity applications.
Mechanochemical synthesis of nano-sized Bi2V0.9Cu0.1O5.35 powders
Authors: Zhang T.S. , Ma J. , Kong L.B.
Published: January 2006

Nano-sized Bi2V0.9Cu0.1O5.35 powders were synthesized via a mechanochemical route from the component oxide mixture. However, a ball-milling duration of over 30 h was needed to ensure a high phase purity. Otherwise, the milled samples had poor sinterability and low sintered density since expansion occurred during sintering.
Hard Palate Repair Timing and Facial Growth in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Liao Yu-Fang , Cole Timothy J. , Mars Michael
Published: December 2005

Objective:

To investigate whether timing of hard palate repair had a significant effect on facial growth in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

Design:

Retrospective longitudinal study.

Setting:

Sri Lankan Cleft Lip and Palate Project.

Patients:

A total of 104 patients with nonsyndromic UCLP who had hard palate repair by age 13 years, with their 290 cephalometric radiographs taken after lip and palate repair.

Main Outcome Measures:

Clinical notes were used to record surgical treatment histories. Cephalometry was used to determine facial morphology and growth rate.

Results:

Timing of hard palate repair had a significant effect on the length and protrusion of the alveolar maxilla (PMP-A and SNA, respectively) and the anteroposterior alveolar jaw relation (ANB) at age 20 years but not on their growth rates.

Conclusion:

Timing of hard palate repair significantly affects the growth of the maxilla in patients with UCLP. Late hard palate repair has a smaller adverse effect than does early hard palate repair on the growth of the maxilla. This timing effect primarily affects the anteroposterior development of the maxillary dentoalveolus and is attributed to the development being undisturbed before closure of the hard palate.
Impact of Land Disturbance on the Fate of Arsenical Pesticides
Authors: Renshaw Carl E. , Bostick Benjamin C. , Feng Xiahong , Wong Christine K. , Winston Elizabeth S. , Karimi Roxanne , Folt Carol L. , Chen Celia Y.
Published: January 2006

Increasing development of historic farmlands raises questions regarding the fate of pesticides applied when these land were in cultivation. We quantified As and Pb budgets in field soils in two orchards where arsenical pesticides were applied in the early 20th century and a third uncontaminated control field. Sequential extractions and X‐ray analyses also were used to determine mineral phases. In addition, we measured metal loads in drainages adjacent to the fields and in two common macroinvertebrate taxa within the wetland at the outlet of the drainages. We find that the applied As and Pb have undergone little vertical redistribution; concentrations of As and Pb in the top 25 cm of contaminated orchard soils are higher than in the uncontaminated control field. However, none of the applied lead arsenate (PbHAsO4) remains in its original mineral phase. Instead, the metals are now primarily adsorbed onto fine silt and clay‐sized amorphous oxides and organic matter. Further, physical erosion associated with tilling and replanting appears to have mobilized the fine‐particulate‐bound As and Pb in one orchard. The remobilized metals are found in sediments in the stream channel draining the tilled orchard. It is unclear if the As and Pb transported sediments are biologically active; average macroinvertebrate metal burdens in the wetland are not elevated above those observed elsewhere in the region. However, little of the mobilized metals may have reached the wetland. These results demonstrate that land use change can significantly impact the retention of arsenical pesticides.
Environmental Load ofCryptosporidium parvumOocysts from Cattle Manure in Feedlots from the Central and Western United States
Authors: Atwill Edward R. , Pereira Maria Das Gracas C. , Alonso L. Herrera , Elmi Cyrus , Epperson William B. , Smith Robert , Riggs Walter , Carpenter Linda V. , Dargatz David A. , Hoar Bruce
Published: January 2006

The first step in assessing the risk of water contamination byCryptosporidium parvumoocysts from feedlot cattle (Bos taurus) production systems is to quantify the number ofC. parvumoocysts present in the fecal material deposited by feedlot cattle. Our primary objective for this project was to estimate the daily environmental load ofC. parvumoocysts in fecal material deposited by feedlot cattle from across the central and western USA. Our secondary goal was to genotype isolates ofC. parvumfrom feedlot cattle to help facilitate proper identification of mammalian sources of waterborneC. parvumBased on 5274 fecal samples from 22 feedlots in seven states (California, Washington, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, and South Dakota), we estimated a point prevalence ofC. parvumof 0.99 to 1.08% in fecal material from feedlot pens from a wide range of climates and a diverse range of feedlot management systems. On average, fresh fecal material from throughout feedlot systems (recent arrivals to nearing slaughter) contained about 1.3 to 3.6 oocysts/g feces, which roughly translates to about 2.8 × 104to 1.4 × 105oocysts/animal perday.
Changing Technology Trends, Transition Dynamics, and Growth Accounting
Authors: Pakko Michael R.
Published: December 2005

The technology growth trends that underlie recent productivity patterns are investigated in a framework that incorporates investment-specific technological progress. Structural-break tests and regime-shifting models reveal the presence of a downward shift in total factor productivity growth in the late 1960s and an upward shift in investment-specific technology growth in the mid-1980s. In both cases, these breaks precede the generally recognized dates of labor productivity growth shifts. Simulations of technology growth shocks in a basic neoclassical model show that induced patterns of capital accumulation are generally consistent with the observed lags between technological advances and changes in productivity growth.
Political Variables as Instruments for the Minimum Wage
Authors: Lemos Sara
Published: December 2005

A number of recent empirical studies have found no evidence that the minimum wage adversely affects employment. Explanations for such non-negative estimates include new theoretical approaches, empirical identification and data issues. In this paper we examine the robustness of such estimates to concerns about bias arising from the simultaneous determination of employment and the minimum wage. We use a number of novel political variables as instruments to control for this source of endogeneity. We exploit the personal characteristics of the politicians voting on minimum wage bills, their voting behavior and their electoral process. Our main conclusion is that the weak relationship between minimum wages and employment does not appear to be driven by endogeneity.
Modeling of Chemical Vapor Deposition in a Fluidized Bed Reactor Based on Discrete Particle Simulation
Authors: Czok Gregor , Ye Mao , Kuipers J. A. M. Hans , Werther Joachim
Published: December 2005

For better understanding the process of particle coating by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in the fluidized bed, the simulation of the deposition process was combined with a discrete particle model (DPM). Based on the experimental results of the thermal decomposition of tri-isobutyl-aluminum (TIBA) to produce aluminum onto glass beads, mechanisms on the micro-scale were investigated by single particle tracking. Zones of excessive growth as well as zones of insufficient mixing were identified. In particular, the take-up of aluminum was traced for selected particles that exhibited a large mass of deposited aluminum what in turn provides insight into the homogeneity and quantity of the coating throughout the bed material.
Hydrogen from an Internally Circulating Fluidized Bed Membrane Reactor
Authors: Boyd Tony , Grace John , Lim C. Jim , Adris Alaa-Eldin M.
Published: December 2005

A novel fluidized bed membrane reactor has been developed for the production of high-purity hydrogen based on steam methane reforming (SMR). The reactor incorporates perm-selective membranes for in-situ removal of hydrogen from the reactor, thus shifting the thermodynamic equilibrium of the SMR reaction. The membranes also eliminate the need for downstream hydrogen purification.The endothermic reaction duty is provided either by external heating of the vessel wall or through direct air injection into the fluidized catalyst bed (autothermal reforming). The gas flow pattern within the fluidized bed induces internal circulation of catalyst particles between the central reaction (permeation) zone and outer heating zones. The circulating hot catalyst particles from the oxidation zone carry the required endothermic heat of reaction for the reforming while ensuring that the palladium membranes are not exposed to high temperatures or to oxygen. Another characteristic of the reactor configuration is that very little of the nitrogen present in the oxidation air reaches the reaction zone, thus maintaining the hydrogen driving force for the perm-selective membranes.The reactor concept was proven in a pilot reactor (0.13 m diameter, 2.3 m tall). A number of variables were studied, including steam-to-carbon ratio, temperature and pressure. The pilot reactor was operated with both external heating and direct air addition. Pure hydrogen (99.999+%) was obtained from the reactor and an equilibrium shift was demonstrated. The maximum pure hydrogen recovery obtained from the pilot reactor was 0.96 mol H2/mol CH4, limited by the installed membrane surface area for these tests.
Modeling of the Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) of Tarragon (Artemisia Dracunculus L.)
Authors: Arabhosseini Akbar , Huisman Willem , van Boxtel Anton , Müller Joachim
Published: December 2005

The equilibrium moisture content of tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus L. (stem and leaf separately) was determined by using the saturated salt solutions method at three temperatures (25, 50 and 70°C) within a range of 5 to 90% relative humidity. Both adsorption and desorption methods were used for stem and leaf of two varieties: Russian and French tarragon. Experimental curves of moisture sorption isotherms were fitted by modified Henderson, modified Halsey, modified Oswin, modified Chung-Pfost and GAB equations and evaluated by residual sum squares, standard error of estimate and mean relative deviation. The modified Halsey and GAB equations were found to be the most suitable for describing the relationship among equilibrium moisture content, relative humidity and temperature. There was no significant difference between the equilibrium moisture content of the Russian and French tarragon.
New temperature integral approximation for nonisothermal kinetics
Authors: Cai Junmeng , Yao Fusheng , Yi Weiming , He Fang
Published: January 2006

A new approximation for the temperature integral has been obtained by using Pattern Search method. The corresponding equation for the evaluation of kinetic parameters is presented, which can be put in the form

The validity of the new temperature integral approximation has been tested by numerical calculation. Its deviation from the values calculated by numerical integrating was discussed. Compared with several published approximate formulas, this new one is much superior to all other approximations, and is the most suitable solution for the evaluation of kinetic parameters from nonisothermal kinetic analysis. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Removal of moisture contamination from porous polymeric low‐k dielectric films
Authors: Iqbal Asad , Juneja Harpreet , Yao Junpin , Shadman Farhang
Published: January 2006

Ultra low‐k dielectrics are expected to replace SiO2 as the interlayer dielectric for the next‐generation microelectronic devices. A challenge facing the integration of these dielectrics in manufacturing is their interactions with gaseous contaminants, such as moisture, and the resulting change in their properties. The physical and chemical interactions of moisture with porous spin‐on dielectric material are investigated using temperature‐ and concentration‐programmed exposure and purge sequence together with trace moisture analysis, using atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry. The model compound in this study is methylsilsesquioxane, deposited and treated under typical manufacturing conditions. A process model is developed that provides information on the mechanism and kinetics of moisture uptake and release in thin porous films. The model elucidates the effect of film properties on the contamination uptake as well as outgassing; it also provides a valuable tool for designing an optimum process for contamination control and removal in porous films. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Prediction of electropolymerization mechanisms of two substituted phenylene: Poly‐3‐methoxy‐toluenes (P3mt1 and P3mt2)
Authors: Ayachi S. , Bouzakraoui S. , Hamidi M. , Bouachrine M. , Molinié P. , Alimi K.
Published: January 2006

P3mt1 and P3mt2 were electrochemically synthesized using two different electrolyte supports H2SO4 and TEABF4, respectively. First, it was deduced from density functional theory (DFT) calculations that the electronic and steric effects govern polymerization mechanism of the radical monomers. Second, DFT combined with experimental spectroscopic analyses (ESR, Infrared, Raman, and 13C NMR) demonstrate that H2SO4 or TEABF4 could generate a homogenous or heterogeneous coupling site, respectively. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 57–64, 2006
Dynamic expression of LIM cofactors in the developing mouse neural tube
Authors: Ostendorff Heather P. , Tursun Baris , Cornils Kerstin , Schlüter Anne , Drung Alexander , Güngör Cenap , Bach Ingolf
Published: January 2006

The developmental regulation of LIM homeodomain transcription factors (LIM‐HD) by the LIM domain‐binding cofactors CLIM/Ldb/NLI and RLIM has been demonstrated. Whereas CLIM cofactors are thought to be required for at least some of the in vivo functions of LIM‐HD proteins, the ubiquitin ligase RLIM functions as a negative regulator by its ability to target CLIM cofactors for proteasomal degradation. In this report, we have investigated and compared the protein expression of both factors in the developing mouse neural tube. We co‐localize both proteins in many tissues and, although widely expressed, we detect high levels of both cofactors in specific neural tube regions, e.g., in the ventral neural tube, where motor neurons reside. The mostly ubiquitous distribution of RLIM‐ and CLIM‐encoding mRNA differs from the more specific expression of both cofactors at the protein level, indicating post‐transcriptional regulation. Furthermore, we show that both cofactors not only co‐localize with each other but also with Isl and Lhx3 LIM‐HD proteins in developing ventral neural tube neurons. Our results demonstrate the dynamic expression of cofactors participating in the regulation of LIM‐HD proteins during the development of the neural tube in mice and suggest additional post‐transcriptional regulation in the nuclear LIM‐HD protein network. Developmental Dynamics 235:786–791, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mitochondrial toxicity in hearts of CD‐1 mice following perinatal exposure to AZT, 3TC, or AZT/3TC in combination
Authors: Chan Sherine S.L. , Santos Janine H. , Meyer Joel N. , Mandavilli Bhaskar S. , Cook Dennis L. , McCash Consuelo L. , Kissling Grace E. , Nyska Abraham , Foley Julie F. , van Houten Bennett , Copeland William C. , Walker Vernon E. , Witt Kristine L. , Bishop Jack B.
Published: January 2006

Antiretroviral therapies based on nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), like zidovudine (3′‐azido‐3′‐deoxythymidine; AZT) and lamivudine ((‐)2′,3′‐dideoxy‐3′‐thiacytidine; 3TC), markedly reduce mother‐to‐child transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, AZT induces damage in nuclear DNA of mice exposed in utero and postnatally, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage has been observed in both human and mouse neonates following perinatal exposure to AZT and AZT/3TC in combination. To provide animal data modeling the NRTI‐induced heart damage reported in human infants, we treated pregnant CD‐1 mice throughout gestation and treated their pups by direct gavage from postnatal day (PND) 4 through PND 28 with daily doses of 150 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day AZT, 75 mg/kg bw/day 3TC, 125/62.5 mg/kg bw/day AZT/3TC, or the vehicle control. Half the pups were euthanized on PND 28; the remainder received no further dosing, and were euthanized at week 10. Heart tissue was collected, total DNA was extracted, and mtDNA copy number relative to nuclear DNA copy number, mtDNA damage, and mtDNA mutation assays were performed using PCR‐based methods. Analyses revealed increases in mtDNA lesions in 4‐week‐old males and females treated with AZT or 3TC, but not in 10‐week‐old mice, suggesting that the damage resolved after treatment ceased. Interestingly, 10‐week‐old females treated with AZT/3TC had significant increases in mtDNA damage. Point mutations were elevated in 10‐week‐old females treated with AZT or AZT/3TC, but not 3TC; no increases in mutations were seen in either gender at 4 weeks of age. Our data suggest that AZT/3TC combination treatment produces greater mtDNA damage than either agent individually, and that female mice are more sensitive than males to AZT/3TC‐induced mtDNA damage. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genotoxicity of vesicular fluid and saline extract of Taenia solium metacestodes in somatic cells of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Silva Luciana Pereira , Costa‐Cruz Julia Maria , Spanó Mário Antônio , Graf Ulrich
Published: January 2006

Neurocysticercosis, the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system, is caused by cysticerci of the helminth Taenia solium, which is prevalent in developing countries and is reemerging in affluent societies. This helminth is associated with brain tumors and hematological malignancies in humans. In the present study, we analyzed the genotoxicity of vesicular fluid (VF) and a saline extract (SE) of T. solium metacestodes in the Drosophila melanogaster wing somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART). Third‐instar larvae derived from standard and high bioactivation crosses were treated for approximately 48 hr with 12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 μg/ml of VF and SE of T. solium metacestodes. Negative (phosphate buffered saline) and positive (10 mM urethane) controls were also included. The results showed that the two test compounds were genotoxic in both crosses of Drosophila. Nevertheless, further research is needed to determine the genotoxic potential of specific compounds present in VF and SE and their role in the development of cancer. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic alterations in K‐ras and p53 cancer genes in lung neoplasms from Swiss (CD‐1) male mice exposed transplacentally to AZT
Authors: Hong Hue‐Hua L. , Dunnick June , Herbert Ronald , Devereux Theodora R. , Kim Yongbaek , Sills Robert C.
Published: January 2006

A transplacental carcinogenicity study was conducted by exposing pregnant Swiss (CD‐1) mice to 0, 50, 100, 200, or 300 mg of 3′‐azido‐3′‐deoxythymidine (AZT)/kg bw/day, through a 18 to 19‐day gestation [National Toxicology Program, NIH Pub. No. 04‐4458, 2004]. The incidences of alveolar/bronchiolar adenomas and carcinomas, in the 200 and 300 mg/kg male treatment groups, were significantly greater than that of the controls. In the present study, we evaluated the benign and malignant lung neoplasms from this bioassay for point mutations, in the K‐ras and p53 cancer genes that are often mutated in human lung tumors. K‐ras and p53 mutations were detected by cycle sequencing of polymerase chain reaction‐amplified DNA, isolated from formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded neoplasms. K‐ras mutations were detected in 25 of 38 (66%) of the AZT‐induced lung tumors, and the predominant mutations were codon 12 G→T transversions. p53 mutations were detected in 32 of 38 (84%) of the AZT‐induced lung tumors, with the predominant mutations being exon 8, codon 285 A→T transversions, and exon 6, codon 198 T→A transversions. No K‐ras or p53 mutations were detected in five tumors, examined from control mice. The patterns of mutations identified in the lung tumors suggest that incorporation of AZT or its metabolites into DNA, oxidative stress, and genomic instability may be the contributing factors to the mutation profile and development of lung cancer in these mice. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2006. Published 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SPH computation of plunging waves using a 2‐D sub‐particle scale (SPS) turbulence model
Authors: Shao Songdong , Ji Changming
Published: January 2006

The paper presents a 2‐D large eddy simulation (LES) modelling approach to investigate the properties of the plunging waves. The numerical model is based on the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method. SPH is a mesh‐free Lagrangian particle approach which is capable of tracking the free surfaces of large deformation in an easy and accurate way. The Smagorinsky model is used as the turbulence model due to its simplicity and effectiveness. The proposed 2‐D SPH–LES model is applied to a cnoidal wave breaking and plunging over a mild slope. The computations are in good agreement with the documented data. Especially the computed turbulence quantities under the breaking waves agree better with the experiments as compared with the numerical results obtained by using thek–ε model. The sensitivity analyses of the SPH–LES computations indicate that both the turbulence model and the spatial resolution play an important role in the model predictions and the contributions from the sub‐particle scale (SPS) turbulence decrease with the particle size refinement. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1, urokinase receptor and laminin γ‐2 chain is an early coordinated event in incipient oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lindberg Pia , Larsson Åke , Nielsen Boye Schnack
Published: January 2006

Cancer cell invasion is facilitated by extracellular matrix degrading proteases such as plasmin. We have studied the expression of plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1) and urokinase receptor (uPAR) together with the γ2‐chain of laminin‐5 (lam‐γ2) by immunohistochemistry in 20 cases with incipient oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). PAI‐1‐positive neoplastic cells located at the tip of the putative invasive front of grade 1 (incipient) carcinoma were seen in 16 of the 20 cases (75%), whereas adjacent normal and dysplastic epithelium was PAI‐1‐negative. Clusters of putative invasive neoplastic cells located in the lamina propria were PAI‐1‐positive in areas with grade 2 incipient carcinoma as were invasive cancer cells in areas of grade 3–4 invasive carcinoma. uPAR immunoreactivity was strongly expressed in numerous stromal cells in the carcinoma area in all 20 lesions, while a few uPAR‐positive stromal cells were found in areas with normal and dysplastic epithelium. uPAR‐positive neoplastic cell islands located at the front of the lesions were seen in 15 of the 20 cases. The expression pattern of lam‐γ2 was very similar to that of PAI‐1; however, lam‐γ2‐positive neoplastic cells were only detected in 11 of the 20 cases (55%) in areas of grade 1 incipient carcinoma. Direct comparison of the 3 components revealed colocalization in neoplastic cell islands in both incipient and invasive SCC. Our results suggest that PAI‐1 is a novel potential marker of initial invasion in oral SCC, and that the coordinated expression of PAI‐1 with uPAR and lam‐γ2 sustain the features of the early invasive cancer cells. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dietary administration with prenyloxycoumarins, auraptene and collinin, inhibits colitis‐related colon carcinogenesis in mice
Authors: Kohno Hiroyuki , Suzuki Rikako , Curini Massimo , Epifano Francesco , Maltese Federica , Gonzales Sylvia Prieto , Tanaka Takuji
Published: January 2006

We previously reported the chemopreventive ability of a prenyloxycoumarin auraptene in chemically induced carcinogenesis in digestive tract, liver and urinary bladder of rodents. The current study was designed to determine whether dietary feeding of auraptene and its related prenyloxycoumarin collinin can inhibit colitis‐related mouse colon carcinogenesis. The experimental diets, containing the compounds at 2 dose levels (0.01 and 0.05%), were fed for 17 weeks to male CD‐1 (ICR) mice that were initiated with a single intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane (AOM, 10 mg/kg body weight) and promoted by 1% (w/v) DSS in drinking water for 7 days. Their tumor inhibitory effects were assessed at week 20 by counting the incidence and multiplicity of colonic neoplasms and the immunohistochemical expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)‐labeling index, apoptotic index, cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2, inducible nitric oxide (iNOS) and nitrotyrosine in colonic epithelial malignancy. Feeding with auraptene or collinin, at both doses, significantly inhibited the occurrence of colonic adenocarcinoma. In addition, feeding with auraptene or collinin significantly lowered the positive rates of PCNA, COX‐2, iNOS and nitrotyrosine in adenocarcinomas, while the treatment increased the apoptotic index in colonic malignancies. Our findings may suggest that certain prenyloxycoumarins, such as auraptene and collinin, could serve as an effective agent against colitis‐related colon cancer development in rodents. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Familial characteristics of autoimmune and hematologic disorders in 8,406 multiple myeloma patients: A population‐based case‐control study
Authors: Landgren Ola , Linet Martha S. , McMaster Mary L. , Gridley Gloria , Hemminki Kari , Goldin Lynn R.
Published: January 2006

A population‐based case‐control study was conducted to evaluate risk of developing multiple myeloma (MM) associated with personal history of autoimmune diseases and occurrence of autoimmune and selected hematologic disorders in first‐degree relatives. Data were obtained for all (n = 8,406) MM cases diagnosed in Sweden (1958–1998), with linkable relatives, 16,543 matched controls and first‐degree relatives of cases (n = 22,490) and controls (n = 44,436). Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to quantify the risk of MM in relation to personal/family history of 32 autoimmune disorders. Familial aggregation of malignancies was evaluated in a marginal survival model using relatives as the cohort. The risk for MM was significantly elevated among subjects with a personal history of pernicious anemia (OR = 3.27; 2.22–4.83) and individuals with a family history of systemic lupus erythematosus (OR = 2.66; 1.12–6.32). Compared with controls, relative risk (RR) of MM was significantly increased (RR = 1.67; 1.02–2.73) in relatives of cases, particularly relatives of probands aged ≥65 at diagnosis (RR = 2.50; 1.19–5.27). Risks were nearly 4‐fold elevated among female relatives (RR = 3.97; 1.54–10.2) and among relatives of female probands (RR = 3.74; 1.58–8.83). MM cases had more cases of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) among their relatives than controls, but the numbers were too small to be conclusive. There was generally no increase in risk of MM in probands whose relatives had hematologic malignancies other than MM. These findings do not support a strong association between personal/familial autoimmune diseases and MM. However, MM itself shows significant familial aggregation, implicating the etiologic importance of this type of hematological neoplasm and perhaps MGUS in germ line genes. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CDKN2A common variant and multi‐organ cancer risk—a population‐based study
Authors: Dębniak Tadeusz , Scott Rodney J. , Huzarski Tomasz , Byrski Tomasz , Rozmiarek Andrzej , Dębniak Boguslaw , Górski Bohdan , Cybulski Cezary , Mędrek Krzysztof , Mierzejewski Marek , Masojc Bartłomiej , Matyjasik Joanna , Złowocka Elzbieta , Teodorczyk Urszula , Lener Marcin , Klujszo‐Grabowska Ewa , Nej‐Wołosiak Katarzyna , Jaworowska Ewa , Oszutowska Dorota , Szymańska Anna , Szymańska Jolanta , Castaneda Jennifer , van de Wetering Thierry , Suchy Janina , Kurzawski Grzegorz , Oszurek Oleg , Narod Steven , Lubinski Jan
Published: January 2006

The population frequencies of the CDKN2A common variants remain undetermined. In Poland, there is a common variant of the CDKN2A: an alanine to threonine substitution (A148T), which has been detected in other populations. We have recently showed that it is significantly overrepresented among Polish melanoma patients when compared to general population. Herein, we ascertained the prevalence of the A148T variant in 3,583 unselected cancer cases and 3,000 random control subjects from the same Polish population. We evaluated eleven different malignancies, representing the majority of all common cancer sites. Positive association with A148T variant was observed for lung cancer (OR, 2.0; p = 0.0052). A similar trend, although nonsignificant after the Bonferroni correction, was observed for colorectal cancer (OR, 1.5; p = 0.5499). These results suggest that A148T variant may be associated with a multi‐organ cancer risk in the Polish population. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cancer‐associated carbohydrate identification in Hodgkin's lymphoma by carbohydrate array profiling
Authors: Lawrie Charles H. , Marafioti Teresa , Hatton Christian S.R. , Dirnhofer Stephan , Roncador Giovanna , Went Philip , Tzankov Alexandar , Pileri Stefano A. , Pulford Karen , Banham Alison H.
Published: January 2006

Tumor‐associated carbohydrates have potential not only as diagnostic tools but also as specific therapeutic targets. Their identification, however, has been hampered by the lack of suitable technologies. We used carbohydrate array technology to compare serum antibody (IgG and IgM) levels against 37 different carbohydrates between classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (cHL) patients and age/sex‐matched healthy controls. Serum IgM levels measured by ELISA against 2 of the 5 carbohydrates identified using this technique, L‐α‐arabinose (L‐Araf) and α‐N‐acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc(α)), were higher (F values of 11.30 and 18.27, respectively) in a cohort of cHL patients (n = 16) than either diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma patients (n = 18) or control sera (n = 12). Higher anti‐L‐Araf IgM levels in cHL patients were associated with cytosine arabinoside treatment (p < 0.05). The GalNAc(α) glycotope, Tn, was found to be heterogeneously expressed in the Reed‐Sternberg cells of 9/20 (45%) cHL cases, but not in malignant cells of 25 cases of lymphocyte‐predominant HL or another 21 hematological disorders (291 cases) examined immunohistochemically. Tn was expressed in 41/238 (17%) classical HL cases present on a tissue microarray. Expression was associated with CD79a and LMP1 expression and negatively with p27KIP1 expression (p < 0.05). Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis revealed a trend towards improved relapse‐free survival with Tn expression although this was not statistically significant (p = 0.271). We suggest that this technique could provide a powerful tool for identifying novel carbohydrates in other cancers. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Valuations of glued near hexagons
Authors: De Bruyn Bart
Published: January 2006

Valuations of near polygons were introduced in [12] as an important tool for classifying dense near polygons. In the present article, we will introduce the class of the semi‐diagonal valuations. These valuations live in glued near hexagons. A glued near hexagon S can be coordinatized by a pair of admissible triples; such triples consist of a Steiner system ${\cal L}$, a group G, and a certain nice map $\Delta :{\cal L} \times {\cal L} \to G$. We will give a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of semi‐diagonal valuations in ${\cal S}$ in terms of these two admissible triples. For two classes of glued near hexagons, we will use this condition to determine all semi‐diagonal valuations. Each semi‐diagonal valuation will also give rise to a hyperplane of the glued near hexagon. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 15: 35–48, 2007
Expressing the equivalence of non‐isothermal and isothermal heat sterilization processes
Authors: Corradini Maria G , Normand Mark D , Peleg Micha
Published: January 2006

Currently, the sterility of heat‐processed food and pharmaceuticals is assessed in terms of an F0 value, based on the equivalence of the heat treatment to an isothermal process at a reference temperature. This F0 value, however, has a meaning if, and only if, the inactivation kinetics of the targeted spores (or cells) follow a first‐order relationship and the temperature dependence of the D value, the reciprocal of the rate constant, is log‐linear. There is growing evidence that these conditions are not satisfied by many spores, including those of Clostridium botulinum and vegetative cells. Consequently, a replacement for the F0 value is proposed in the form of a momentary equivalent time at the reference temperature based on the actual survival pattern of the spores, which need not be log‐linear. This equivalent time can be calculated together with the theoretical survival ratio in real time, thus enabling an operator to monitor the lethality of ongoing industrial heat processes. The concept is demonstrated with published survival data of C. botulinum, for which the Weibullian and log‐logistic models served as primary and secondary models, respectively. The safety factor according to the proposed method is in the number of added minutes of processing, beyond the theoretical time needed to reduce the survival ratio of the targeted spores or cells to a level that would produce practical (or commercial) sterility. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Response of growing Japanese quails to dietary concentration of L‐threonine
Authors: Mandal Asit B , Kaur Sarabmeet , Johri Anurag K , Elangovan Arumbackam V , Deo Chandra , Shrivastava Harendra P
Published: January 2006

The influence of dietary levels of L‐threonine (Thr) on growth and immune response was investigated in growing (0–5 weeks of age) Japanese quails (n = 288). Three dietary treatments were formulated using three levels of Thr [9.6, 10.2 and 11.2 kg−1 diet dry matter (DM)] at a fixed protein level of 233 g kg−1 and an energy level of 12.15 MJ (2900 kcal) metabolizable energy (ME) kg−1 feed dry matter. A metabolism trial with a 3‐day collection period was conducted at the third week of age employing all the birds. The cell‐mediated (using PHA‐P) and humoral (SRBC response) immune responses were measured at the fourth week of age. Carcass traits were assessed at the end of fifth week of age. Body weight gain was lower (P < 0.01) in birds received 9.6 g Thr kg−1 DM than in groups fed 10.2 g or 11.2 g kg−1 DM in the diet, but there was no significant difference in gain between the groups fed 10.2 or 11.2 g Thr kg−1 DM in the diet. Feed intake differed significantly owing to Thr levels being lowest (P < 0.05) at 9.6 g Thr kg−1 DM in the diet. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency and energy efficiency improved at the 11.2 g kg−1 level from 0 to 3 weeks of age; however, from 3 to 5 weeks of age, better FCR emanated from a diet with 9.6 g Thr kg−1 DM. The nitrogen balance did not differ (P > 0.05) with Thr level. Carcass traits, relative weight of immune organs and cell‐mediated (PHA‐P) and humoral (SRBC response) immune responses did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) as a result of the dietary treatments. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Variation across environments in patterns of water uptake and endosperm modification in barley varieties and variety mixtures
Authors: Swanston J Stuart , Newton Adrian C , Hoad Stephen P , Spoor William
Published: January 2006

The malting barley varieties Chalice, Chariot, Optic and Prisma and all four three‐component mixtures derived from them were grown at three sites in eastern Scotland in 2000. Following harvest, malting samples were obtained for each trial entry from grain retained by a 2.5 mm sieve. Water uptake during the steeping phase of malting was determined on all samples at two of the sites. Of the varieties, Chariot was shown to have more extensive and also, at one site, more even hydration than the other varieties, whereas the mixtures were generally similar to the other three varieties in water uptake. Malt samples were tested for cell wall modification using a fluorescence method that assessed individual grains, so enabling both homogeneity and extent of modification to be calculated. There were significant differences between genotypes and between sites, with Chariot and Chalice showing poor modification at one site, which led to reduced levels of hot water extract. The variety Prisma had a lower level of predicted spirit yield at another site, possibly owing to over‐modification, and Optic was the only variety to give consistently high spirit yield at all three sites, despite considerable variations in levels of modification. The mixtures had better consistency in their malting results than the varieties, with the exception of Optic, and also performed well at sites where modification was sub‐optimal. Differences in spirit yield were greater between sites than between varieties, indicating that genotypic constitution may not always be a reliable predictor of phenotypic expression of malting quality. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparative treatment of small diameter (≤400 µm) vascular lesions using extended pulse dye lasers
Authors: Goldberg David J. , Marmur Ellen S. , Amin Snehal , Hussain Mussarat
Published: January 2006

Background and Objectives

Extended‐pulse dye lasers (EPDL) are commonly used to treat a variety of vascular lesions. This study evaluated whether differences in pulse formats and cooling methods might affect outcome in the treatment of small facial telangictasia.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Ten subjects presenting with symmetric, bilateral facial telangiectasia were studied. Each side of the face was treated with either the V‐Star™ smart‐cool air cooling (Cynosure, Inc.) (VS) or V‐beam DCD cooling (Candela, Inc.) (VB) EPDL treatments with both systems were undertaken with a 10‐milliseconds pulse duration, 1 J/cm2 below the purpuric threshold, with up to three passes.

Results

Treatment clearance with the VS EPDL occurred with a lower fluence, using fewer passes than with the VB EPDL (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Although both the currently popular EPDL systems are highly effective in the treatment of small facial telangiectasia, clinical differences can be seen between these two systems. Lasers Surg. Med. 38:106–111, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.