bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluorescence diagnosis of tumor cells in hemangioblastoma cysts with 5-aminolevulinic acid
Authors: Utsuki Satoshi , Oka Hidehiro , Sato Kimitoshi , Shimizu Satoru , Suzuki Sachio , Fujii Kiyotaka
Published: May 2009

Peritumoral hemangioblastoma cysts are usually composed of fibrous tissue without tumor cells. The authors describe the first case in which fluorescence with 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) was used to diagnose a hemangioblastoma tumor in a peritumoral cyst wall. A 27-year-old woman with a homogeneous, enhanced nodular lesion in the right hemisphere of the cerebellum underwent surgical treatment. After the nodular lesion was removed, the cyst region was observed with the aid of a semiconductor laser with a peak wavelength of 405 ± 1 nm, which was powered using a fiberoptic cable. The cyst region was visualized with strong fluorescence, which disappeared after tissue removal. The fluorescent cyst consisted of tumor cells. The authors conclude that fluorescence diagnosis performed using 5-ALA can inform the choice of removing hemangioblastoma cysts.
Removal of some hazardous materials from their solutions using active carbon‐filled poly vinyl alcohol/N‐vinyl pyrrolidone membrane subjected to freeze–thawing and gamma irradiation
Authors: Sokker H. H. , Gad Y. H. , Ismail S. A.
Published: May 2009

Carbon membrane consisting of a mixture of powdered activated carbon and poly vinyl alcohol/N‐vinyl pyrrolidone was made by single freezing and thawing followed by gamma‐ray irradiation. The prepared membrane was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and gel content. The membrane was applied for adsorption of some hazardous wastes (acid dye, basic dye, heavy metal ions such as Co and Ni, dichromate anion, and phenols) from their solutions. From the results, it was found that the prepared membrane possesses greater efficiency toward removal of heavy metal ions than powdered activated carbon, whereas their adsorption capacity toward dyes and phenol is almost the same as active carbon. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
The use of compatible blend of styrene‐vinylacetate copolymer/natural rubber latex in pressure‐sensitive adhesive applications by using irradiation and chemical initiation
Authors: Magida M. M. , Gad Y. H. , El‐Nahas H. H.
Published: May 2009

Thermoplastic elastomers from blends of styrene‐vinylacetate copolymer latex (S‐VAc) and natural rubber latex (NRL) as a hydrophilic/hydrophobic blend have been prepared by the solution‐casting technique. Compatibility between S‐VAc and NRL was confirmed at all ratios of the blend mixing through the measurements of water absorption, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscope. The prepared blend was studied for pressure‐sensitive adhesive (PSA) application. Nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) was used as a chemical tackifier to initiate a sticky property for S‐VAc. Also, electron beam irradiation was applied as a physical tackifying agent to promote stickiness for NRL at 12.5 Mrad or at 2.5 Mrad by addition of NPE tackifier. Peel strength, tensile strength, elongation at break, surface hardness, and aging time were investigated. Two types of double‐sided PSA were prepared: the first to be applied at room temperature; the second to be applied thermally at 80°C. The obtained PSA adhesive was suggested to be used for adhering the synthetic veneers to the particle wood panels. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Medical interpreter knowledge of cancer and cancer clinical trials
Authors: Donelan Karen , Hobrecker Karin , Schapira Lidia , Mailhot Johanna R. , Goulart Bernardo H. , Chabner Bruce A.
Published: May 2009

BACKGROUND:

Cancer patients with limited English proficiency may need specialized assistance to communicate with health professionals about cancer and clinical trials.

METHODS:

Medical interpreters working in several Boston‐area hospitals were invited to participate in training sessions about cancer and cancer clinical trials. We did a pre and post survey‐based assessment of knowledge of basic concepts in cancer and clinical trials, and post assessment of satisfaction, among 97 interpreters in cancer training and education sessions and 79 participants in clinical trial training and education sessions.

RESULTS:

Participants had a range of prior experience with interpretation in the context of cancer and clinical trials. Training increased mean accuracy from 49% to 72% in knowledge items about cancer, and from 72% to 78% in knowledge about clinical trials. Interpreters reported several areas of concern with respect to standards of practice.

CONCLUSIONS:

Pretest surveys of medical interpreters revealed several areas of important knowledge gaps about cancer and clinical trials. Posttest assessment showed that training can be useful to improving short‐term accuracy, but that more work is needed to develop curricula and testing measures to address these knowledge gaps. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Synergistic effect of rapamycin and cisplatin in endometrial cancer cells
Authors: Bae‐Jump Victoria L. , Zhou Chunxiao , Boggess John F. , Gehrig Paola A.
Published: May 2009

BACKGROUND:

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors modulate signaling pathways involved in cell cycle progression, and phase 2 trials for endometrial cancer are currently being conducted. Because rapamycin is known to enhance the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs, the authors' goal was to examine the effects of rapamycin and cisplatin in endometrial cancer cell lines.

METHODS:

By using Ishikawa and ECC‐1 cells, cell proliferation was assessed after exposure to rapamycin, cisplatin, or both in combination. The combination index (CI) was calculated using the method of Chou and Talalay. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. Immunoblot analysis was performed to assess expression of S6 kinase 1 and the DNA mismatch repair proteins, MSH2 and MSH6. mTOR small interfering (siRNA) was transfected into the cell lines, and proliferation and apoptosis were assessed after exposure to cisplatin.

RESULTS:

Cisplatin inhibited growth in a dose‐dependent manner in both cell lines (median inhibition concentration of 8‐13 μM). Simultaneous exposure of cisplatin in combination with rapamycin resulted in a significant synergistic antiproliferative effect (CI < 1). Rapamycin increased cisplatin‐induced apoptosis and stimulated expression of MSH2 and MSH6 in the cisplatin‐treated cell lines. Cell growth was significantly decreased in cells transfected with mTOR siRNA and treated with cisplatin compared with either alone (CI < 1). Transfection of mTOR siRNA did not induce apoptosis, but combined treatment with cisplatin increased apoptosis over that of cisplatin alone.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of the current study provide evidence of a synergistic relation between rapamycin and cisplatin in both inhibition of cell growth and induction of apoptosis. This suggests that rapamycin and cisplatin may be a rational combination of a targeted therapy for endometrial cancer. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Comparison of the Salmonella/microsome microsuspension assay with the new microplate fluctuation protocol for testing the mutagenicity of environmental samples
Authors: Umbuzeiro Gisela de Aragão , Rech Célia Maria , Correia Simone , Bergamasco Ana Marcela , Cardenette Giselli Helena Lima , Flückiger‐Isler Sini , Kamber Markus
Published: May 2009

The objective of this study was to compare the responses of the Salmonella/microsome microsuspension assay with the new microplate fluctuation protocol (MPF) for the evaluation of the mutagenic activity of environmental samples. Organic extracts of total particulate atmospheric air samples, surface waters, and effluents were tested in dose–response experiments. The assays were performed with strain TA98 in the absence and presence of S9 mix. Both protocols produced similar results, despite the fact that the maximum score of the MPF is limited to 48 wells, whereas in the regular plate assay it is possible to count up to 1,500 colonies using an automatic counter. Similar sensitivities based on the lowest dose that resulted in a positive response were obtained for both assays. The MPF procedure is less laborious (e.g., all‐liquid format, use of multichannel pipettors) and allows for automation of the pipetting and dispensing steps, thus, reducing time of the analysis which is particularly important in environmental quality monitoring programs or in effect‐directed analysis. The results show that the MPF procedure is a promising tool to test environmental samples for mutagenic activity. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alteration of enhancer of polycomb 1 at 10p11.2 is one of the genetic events leading to development of adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma
Authors: Nakahata Shingo , Saito Yusuke , Hamasaki Makoto , Hidaka Tomonori , Arai Yasuhito , Taki Tomohiko , Taniwaki Masafumi , Morishita Kazuhiro
Published: May 2009

Adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a malignant tumor caused by latent human T‐lymphotropic virus 1 (HTLV‐1) infection. We previously identified a common breakpoint cluster region at 10p11.2 in acute‐type ATLL by spectral karyotyping. Single nucleotide polymorphism array comparative genomic hybridization analysis of the breakpoint region in three ATLL‐related cell lines and four patient samples revealed that the chromosomal breakpoints are localized within the enhancer of polycomb 1 (EPC1) gene locus in an ATLL‐derived cell line (SO4) and in one patient with acute‐type ATLL. EPC1 is a human homologue of the E(Pc) enhancer of polycomb gene of Drosophila. Inappropriate expression of the polycomb group gene family has been linked to the loss of normal gene silencing pathways, which can contribute to the loss of cell identity and malignant transformation in many kinds of cancers. In the case of the SO4 cell line, which carried a der(10)t(2;10)(p23;p11.2) translocation, EPC1 was fused with the additional sex combs‐like 2 (ASXL2) gene at 2p23.3 (EPC1/ASXL2). In the case with an acute‐type ATLL, who carried a der(10)del(10)(p11.2)del(10)(q22q24) translocation, a putative truncated EPC1 gene (EPC1tr) was identified. Overexpression of EPC1/ASXL2 enhanced cell growth in T‐leukemia cells, and a GAL4‐EPC1/ASXL2 fusion protein showed high transcriptional activity. Although a GAL4‐EPC1tr fusion protein did not activate transcription, overexpression of EPC1tr accelerated cell growth in leukemia cells, suggesting that the EPC1 structural abnormalities in the SO4 cell line and in the patient with acute‐type ATLL may contribute to leukemogenesis. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Longitudinal study of chronic depressive symptoms and regional cerebral blood flow in older men and women
Authors: Dotson Vonetta M. , Beason‐Held Lori , Kraut Michael A. , Resnick Susan M.
Published: May 2009

Objectives

Late‐life depression is associated with alterations in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and metabolism in a neural network that includes frontostriatal and limbic regions and the cerebellum. Prior studies suggest that clinical depression and subthreshold depressive symptoms (SDS) are associated with similar cognitive deficits and structural brain changes, but little is known about the relationship between SDS and patterns of brain activity. Additionally, the neural correlates of depression have not been fully explored in men and women separately. This study investigated cross‐sectional and longitudinal relationships between SDS and rCBF in older men and women.

Methods

Sixty‐one dementia‐free older adults (35 men, 26 women), 56 years of age and older at baseline, from the neuroimaging substudy of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging participated. Participants underwent resting‐state PET scans at baseline and at year 9 and completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale annually.

Results

At 8‐year follow‐up, both men and women showed cross‐sectional associations between mean depressive symptom scores and activity in primarily frontal and temporal regions and the cerebellum. Higher average depressive symptoms were associated with longitudinal rCBF decreases in frontal regions in both men and women, and in temporal regions in men.

Conclusion

Regions showing associations between activity and SDS were similar to those found in studies of clinical depression, providing support for the hypothesis that depressive syndromes exist on a continuum of severity. Sex differences in associations provide some evidence that the pathophysiology of depressive disorders differs between men and women. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Degree of cross-genotype reactivity of hepatitis C virus–specific CD8+ T cells directed against NS3 #
Authors: Giugliano Silvia , Oezkan Filiz , Bedrejowski Mathias , Kudla Markus , Reiser Markus , Viazov Sergei , Scherbaum Norbert , Roggendorf Michael , Timm Joerg
Published: May 2009

The inherent sequence diversity of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) with the existence of multiple genotypes that differ up to 20% at the amino acid level represents one of the major obstacles for immune control. Accordingly, immune control of a heterologous virus challenge, particularly across genotypes, is difficult to achieve; however, the overall role of genotype-specific sequence differences has not yet been defined at the epitope level. The aim of this study was to determine the role of genotype-specific sequence differences for the CD8+ T cell response against HCV. We analyzed a cohort of anti-HCV–positive injection drug users infected with HCV genotype 1 (n = 17) or genotype 3 (n = 22) or undetectable HCV-RNA (n = 14) with overlapping peptides covering consensus sequences of NS3 from both genotypes. Importantly, the majority of HCV-specific CD8 T cells were specific for one genotype only indicating that sequence differences between genotypes are relevant at the epitope level. Interestingly, T cells active against both genotypes were significantly more frequent in HCV-RNA–negative subjects. Of note, we identified five subjects with undetectable viremia and coexistence of two T cell populations—one for each genotype—suggesting immune control of two different genotypes. Conclusion: We systematically analyzed the degree of cross-genotype reactivity of HCV-specific T cells and have shown that CD8 responses targeting different HCV genotypes can be primed in the same individual and that such responses potentially characterize a subgroup among injection drug users being protected from chronic HCV infection. (Hepatology 2009.)
S100A8 and S100A9 Are Novel Nuclear Factor Kappa B Target Genes During Malignant Progression of Murine and Human Liver Carcinogenesis†
Authors: Németh Julia , Stein Ilan , Haag Daniel , Riehl Astrid , Longerich Thomas , Horwitz Elad , Breuhahn Kai , Gebhardt Christoffer , Schirmacher Peter , Hahn Meinhard , Ben-Neriah Yinon , Pikarsky Eli , Angel Peter , Hess Jochen
Published: May 2009

The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway has been recently shown to participate in inflammation-induced cancer progression. Here, we describe a detailed analysis of the NF-κB–dependent gene regulatory network in the well-established

Mdr2

knockout mouse model of inflammation-associated liver carcinogenesis. Expression profiling of NF-κB–deficient and NF-κB–proficient hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) revealed a comprehensive list of known and novel putative NF-κB target genes, including

S100a8

and

S100a9

. We detected increased co-expression of S100A8 and S100A9 proteins in mouse HCC cells, in human HCC tissue, and in the HCC cell line Hep3B on ectopic RelA expression. Finally, we found a synergistic function for S100A8 and S100A9 in Hep3B cells resulting in a significant induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), accompanied by enhanced cell survival.

Conclusion:

We identified

S100A8

and

S100A9

as novel NF-κB target genes in HCC cells during inflammation-associated liver carcinogenesis and provide experimental evidence that increased co-expression of both proteins supports malignant progression by activation of ROS-dependent signaling pathways and protection from cell death. (Hepatology 2009.)
Role of MicroRNA-155 at Early Stages of Hepatocarcinogenesis Induced by Choline-Deficient and Amino Acid–Defined Diet in C57BL/6 Mice†
Authors: Wang Bo , Majumder Sarmila , Nuovo Gerard , Kutay Huban , Volinia Stefano , Patel Tushar , Schmittgen Thomas D. , Croce Carlo , Ghoshal Kalpana , Jacob Samson T.
Published: May 2009

MicroRNAs (miRs) are conserved, small (20-25 nucleotide) noncoding RNAs that negatively regulate expression of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) at the posttranscriptional level. Aberrant expression of certain microRNAs plays a causal role in tumorigenesis. Here, we report identification of hepatic microRNAs that are dysregulated at early stages of feeding C57BL/6 mice choline-deficient and amino acid–defined (CDAA) diet that is known to promote nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis after 84 weeks. Microarray analysis identified 30 hepatic microRNAs that are significantly (

P

≤ 0.01) altered in mice fed CDAA diet for 6, 18, 32, and 65 weeks compared with those fed choline-sufficient and amino acid–defined (CSAA) diet. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis demonstrated up-regulation of oncogenic miR-155, miR-221/222, and miR-21 and down-regulation of the most abundant liver-specific miR-122 at early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis. Western blot analysis showed reduced expression of hepatic phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein beta (C/EBPβ), respective targets of miR-21 and miR-155, in these mice at early stages. DNA binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) that transactivates

miR-155

gene was significantly (

P

= 0.002) elevated in the liver nuclear extract of mice fed CDAA diet. Furthermore, the expression of miR-155, as measured by

in situ

hybridization and real-time RT-PCR, correlated with diet-induced histopathological changes in the liver. Ectopic expression of miR-155 promoted growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, whereas its depletion inhibited cell growth. Notably, miR-155 was significantly (

P

= 0.0004) up-regulated in primary human HCCs with a concomitant decrease (

P

= 0.02) in C/EBPβ level compared with matching liver tissues.

Conclusion:

Temporal changes in microRNA profile occur at early stages of CDAA diet-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Reciprocal regulation of specific oncomirs and their tumor suppressor targets implicate their role in NASH-induced hepatocarcinogenesis and suggest their use in the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of liver cancer. (Hepatology 2009.)
Assessment of hair and bone accumulation of beryllium by mice exposed to contaminated dusts
Authors: Drolet‐Vives Katherine , Zayed Joseph , Sauvé Sébastien
Published: May 2009

This study looks at the accumulation of Be in the hair and bones of mice to understand both the use of hair as a bioindicator of exposure to Be and accumulation in bones as a means to evaluate the translocation of Be. We exposed two groups of mice (C3H/HeJ) to 250 µg m−3 of two different particles sizes of Be metal (fine and intermediate; Be‐F and Be‐I) during 3 weeks of nose‐only inhalation exposure. A control group was exposed to HEPA‐filtered air. Mice were sacrificed either 1 or 3 weeks after the end of exposure. Mice were shaved and the bones were extracted. For washed hair, the results of mice sacrificed one week after the end of exposure were 8.3 ± 1.4 µg kg−1 hair for the control group, 114 ± 42 µg kg−1 hair for the Be‐I group, and 159 ± 65 µg kg−1 hair for the Be‐F group. Results for Be‐F mice sacrificed 3 weeks after the end of exposure showed an average Be concentration in washed hair of 419 ± 100 µg kg−1, thus suggesting that excretion of Be in hair increases with time. Be concentration in bones was 6 ± 3 µg kg−1 dry bone tissues for the control group, compared with 24 ± 7 µg kg−1 for Be‐I and 34 ± 6 or 43 ± 8 µg kg−1 for Be‐F in mice sacrificed 1 or 3 weeks after the end of exposure. These results demonstrate the potential of using hair and bone as bioindicators of Be exposure. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chondrocytes from patients with osteoarthritis express typical extracellular matrix molecules once grown onto a three‐dimensional hyaluronan‐based scaffold
Authors: Cavallo Carola , Desando Giovanna , Facchini Andrea , Grigolo Brunella
Published: May 2009

The opportunity to apply autologous chondrocyte transplantation in repairing cartilage lesions in osteoarthritis (OA) is of great interest. To this end, chondrocytes from cartilage of these patients and from healthy donors were used to evaluate the expression of some extracellular matrix molecules once these cells were grown onto a hyaluronan‐based scaffold already used in clinical practice. Constructs were analyzed by immunohistochemical and real‐time PCR analyses. Chondrocytes from control and patients with OA cartilages expressed the same extracellular matrix molecules even if at different amount. These differences, which were appreciable both at protein and molecular levels, were not evident once the cells were grown onto Hyaff®‐11 scaffold. In this experimental culture condition, the cells derived from control and patients with OA showed a significant increase of collagen type II, Sox‐9, and aggrecan and a decrease of collagen type I compared with chondrocytes grown in monolayer. On the other hand, MMPs were downregulated in both the cell types evaluated by the specific action of TIMP‐1 which was highly expressed at molecular and protein levels in the two groups. The growth of chondrocytes onto Hyaff®‐11 membrane seems to erase the differences between the cells derived from normal and OA cartilages. The cells seem to benefit of the “hyaluronan” presence which is able to create an ideal environment for the expression of cartilage genes even in absence of specific growth factors. This is of particular relevance hypothesizing the use of tissue engineering therapeutical approach also in patients with OA. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Early sonographic diagnosis of intrauterine device migration to the adnexa
Authors: Deshmukh Swati , Ghanouni Pejman , Jeffrey R. Brooke
Published: May 2009

Uterine perforation is an uncommon complication of intrauterine devices (IUDs). Perforating IUDs can migrate to various locations but paradoxically are rarely found in ovaries or broad ligament. We describe an unusual case of a 23‐year‐old woman 1‐month postpartum with an IUD translocation to the right adnexa. The IUD was inserted only 1 week prior to presentation, and she experienced pain on insertion. After visualization by ultrasound, the IUD was laparoscopically removed. We suggest early use of ultrasound in cases of potential IUD migration, particularly in high‐risk patients and when IUD insertion causes pain. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009
Electrospinning of heated gelatin‐sodium alginate‐water solutions
Authors: Moon SungCheal , Farris Richard J.
Published: May 2009

Most polymers that are electrospun are dissolved in a solvent and are spun at ambient temperature. Gelatin, a natural polymer, has excellent potential in medical applications as a biodegradable polymer, especially when combined with sodium alginate. Unfortunately, gelatin/water or gelatin/sodium alginate/water solutions cannot be electrospun at ambient temperature without the incorporation of substances that are considered potentially toxic to the human body, such as acetic acid. In this study, gelatin/water solutions with and without sodium alginate were successfully electrospun without the use of additional solvents by using heated water solutions. The effect of electrospinning parameters such as solution concentration and applied voltage on the nanofiber morphology of these solutions was studied. These nanofibers from heated gelatin/water solutions exhibited good morphology with an average size of 291 ± 67 nm at 18% concentration to 414 ± 52 nm at 20% concentration. Similar sizes were observed when sodium alginate was incorporated into the gelatin/water solutions, although the relationship was dependent upon the amount of sodium alginate in the solution as well as the total concentration. Typically, these nanofibers containing sodium alginate were produced at a lower gelatin concentration compared with the gelatin/water nanofibers because of the increase of viscosity and conductivity of the solutions due to the addition of the highly viscous and conductivity sodium alginate. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Optical properties of PMMA doped with erbium(III) and ytterbium(III) complexes
Authors: Prajzler Vaclav , Huttel Ivan , Lyutakov Oleksiy , Oswald Jiri , Machovic Vladimir , Jerabek Vitezslav
Published: May 2009

In this article, we report the fabrication and optical/spectroscopic properties of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) doped with rare earth (RE) (Er3+ and Er3+/Yb3+) ions. Infrared spectroscopy revealed only very weak OH stretching vibration peaks in the samples, which is important if satisfactory photoluminescence is to be observed at 1530 nm. Measurement of transmission spectra in the wavelength ranges from 300 to 700 nm for Er3+‐doped samples and from 900 to 1050 nm for Yb3+‐doped samples enabled us to observe the 4G11/2 (377 nm) and 2H11/2 (519 nm) transmission bands typical for Er3+‐doped samples, as well as the 2F5/2 (975 nm) band typical for Yb3+‐doped samples. Under excitation at 980 nm, at room temperature, the characteristic Er3+ emission at 1530 nm was also observed with improving trend when the higher RE concentrations were applied. The results indicate that the PMMA reveals very low tendency to the RE clustering, which together with low cost and easy fabrication make it a material with a great potential in the active photonics devices. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Joining of polymers and polymer–metal hybrid structures: Recent developments and trends
Authors: Amancio‐Filho S.T. , dos Santos J.F.
Published: May 2009

The development of new materials and fabrication techniques has become a matter of success for industrial sectors such as transportation. Polymers, polymeric composites, and polymer–metal structures are being increasingly employed in several products mainly due to the associated weight savings. The main joining methods for polymer and polymeric composites are mechanical fastening, adhesive bonding, and welding. On the other hand, polymer–metal structures are more difficult to join by traditional joining methods, mostly due to their strong dissimilar physical–chemical features. Constant efforts on developing improved alternative joining techniques for these hybrid structures, such as the FricRiveting and injection over molding, have contributed to the dissemination of such structures in industrial applications. This work shows that the field of joining of polymers, polymeric composites, and polymer–metal hybrid structures for industrial applications is still a growing research and development area. This is due to the increasing aspirations for more environmental‐friendly technologies and lightweight materials. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2009. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers
Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Expressing S-TRAIL as a Cellular Delivery Vehicle for Human Glioma Therapy
Authors: Menon Lata G. , Kelly Kathleen , Yang Hong Wei , Kim Seung-Ki , Black Peter M. , Carroll Rona S.
Published: May 2009

Glioblastoma is among the most aggressive and treatment resistant of all human cancers. Conventional therapeutic approaches are unsuccessful because of diffuse infiltrative invasion of glioma tumor cells into normal brain parenchyma. Stem cell-based therapies provide a promising approach for the treatment of malignant gliomas because of their migratory ability to invasive tumor cells. Our therapeutic strategy was to use human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) as a cellular vehicle for the targeted delivery and local production of the biologic agent tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) at the glioma tumor site. hMSCs were transduced with a lentivirus expressing secretable TRAIL (S-TRAIL) and mCherry (red fluorescent protein). Our results clearly demonstrate the retention of tumor tropic ability of hMSC S-TRAIL cells by in vitro and in vivo migration assays. In vitro assays confirmed the expression, release, and biological activity of S-TRAIL produced by hMSC S-TRAIL cells. For the in vivo assessment of therapeutic efficacy, hMSCs were injected ipsilateral to an established intracranial glioma tumor in a mouse xenograft model. Genetically engineered hMSC S-TRAIL cells were effective in inhibiting intracranial U87 glioma tumor growth (81.6%) in vivo and resulted in significantly longer animal survival. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated significant, eight fold greater tumor cell apoptosis in the hMSC S-TRAIL-treated group than in controls. Our study demonstrates the therapeutic efficacy of hMSC S-TRAIL cells and confirms that hMSCs can serve as a powerful cell-based delivery vehicle for the site-specific release of therapeutic proteins.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Assessing adolescents' anticipated behavioral and emotional responses to offers of alcohol and marijuana☆
Authors: Pristas Erica V. , Rosenberg Harold
Published: May 2009

The Adolescent Responses to Alcohol and Drug Offers Scale (ARADOS) is a self‐report questionnaire designed to assess a respondent's anticipated emotional reactions and intended use of cognitive‐behavioral refusal skills in response to an offer of alcohol or other drug. A sample of 267 students enrolled in the 11th and 12th grades of four public high schools located in northwest Ohio completed four versions of the ARADOS. Factor analyses of the 27 listed resistance responses suggested five clusters of items comprising internally consistent though inter‐correlated subscales (Inform others, Aggression, Verbal or nonverbal refusal, Deflection, Deception). Psychometric analyses revealed that ARADOS subscale scores often differed significantly as a function of drug type (alcohol or marijuana) and offerer (close friend or acquaintance), that resistance scores were generally consistent with participants' pre‐existing decision to accept or reject offers of alcohol or marijuana, and that anticipated use of resistance responses was significantly correlated with resistance responses used in the past. The ARADOS is a relatively short, easily‐scored, contextually‐sensitive, self‐administered questionnaire that could be used to evaluate education/prevention programs (and clinical interventions) designed to enhance adolescents' refusal of alcohol and drugs.
Toward a taxonomy of adolescents with chronic pain: Exploratory cluster and discriminant analyses of the bath adolescent pain questionnaire
Authors: Vowles Kevin E. , Jordan Abbie , Eccleston Christopher
Published: May 2009

Emerging evidence has indicated that adolescent chronic pain is a significant healthcare issue, the impact of which is determined by a complex interplay of biological, emotional, social, and familial factors. Recently, progress has been made in assessment of pain and functioning in adolescents with chronic pain. A next step is to evaluate whether discrete subgroups of patients exist and whether assessment measures can be used to determine subgroup membership for individual pain sufferers. The present study sought to address these two issues. A battery of questionnaires, including the bath adolescent pain questionnaire, was completed by 209 adolescents with chronic pain presenting for an assessment appointment. Results from cluster analyses indicated the presence of four distinct subgroups. Three clusters differed from one another along a single continuum of severity and the fourth was characterized by good family cohesion, moderate emotional difficulties, and significant difficulties with physical functioning. Follow‐up analyses indicated significant differences among the clusters across eight of nine measures of functioning including pain intensity, healthcare utilization, school attendance, amount of weekly exercise, depression, disability, social functioning, and catastrophic thinking. A discriminant analysis was able to correctly classify over 95% of participants into the correct cluster. These results provide strong support for the derived four cluster solution, which may be useful in both clinical and research settings, as it allows for individual adolescent pain sufferers to be classified into groupings according to the severity and type of difficulties being experienced.
Surgical management of an incidentally diagnosed true pleuroperitoneal hernia in a cat
Authors: Cariou Matthieu P.L. , Shihab Nadia , Kenny Patrick , Baines Stephen J.
Published: May 2009

Diaphragmatic defects in cats are common and most frequently occur as a result of trauma.1 Congenital diaphragmatic defects include peritoneopericardial hernias, hiatal hernias and, infrequently, true diaphragmatic, or pleuroperitoneal, hernias. Only three reports of feline pleuroperitoneal hernias could be found in the veterinary literature.2–4 All of these cats presented for evaluation of respiratory distress and two were managed successfully with surgery. This report describes the incidental diagnosis and successfully surgical treatment of a pleuroperitoneal hernia in a cat. It highlights the fact that pleuroperitoneal hernias may not always be symptomatic and that they may not be as rare as previously considered.
Thematization and Collective Positioning in Everyday Political Talk
Authors: White Jonathan
Published: May 2009

This piece outlines some of the findings of an exploratory research project into popular forms of identification in the contemporary European context and their implications for projects of transnational integration such as the European Union. Drawing on a series of group interviews conducted with taxi-drivers in Britain, Germany and the Czech Republic, it looks at how political problems are articulated in discussion, how speakers position themselves in relation to these problems, and how this differs according to the topics in question. It is suggested that these routinized discursive practices shape the way speakers make sense of the political world, and in turn the kinds of political association that make sense to them as citizens.
Cognitive behavioural therapy for major psychiatric disorder: does it really work? A meta-analytical review of well-controlled trials
Authors: Lynch D. , Laws K. R. , McKenna P. J.
Published: May 2009

Background

Although cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is claimed to be effective in schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder, there have been negative findings in well-conducted studies and meta-analyses have not fully considered the potential influence of blindness or the use of control interventions.

Method

We pooled data from published trials of CBT in schizophrenia, major depression and bipolar disorder that used controls for non-specific effects of intervention. Trials of effectiveness against relapse were also pooled, including those that compared CBT to treatment as usual (TAU). Blinding was examined as a moderating factor.

Results

CBT was not effective in reducing symptoms in schizophrenia or in preventing relapse. CBT was effective in reducing symptoms in major depression, although the effect size was small, and in reducing relapse. CBT was ineffective in reducing relapse in bipolar disorder.

Conclusions

CBT is no better than non-specific control interventions in the treatment of schizophrenia and does not reduce relapse rates. It is effective in major depression but the size of the effect is small in treatment studies. On present evidence CBT is not an effective treatment strategy for prevention of relapse in bipolar disorder.
Effects of mesoscale eddy/wind interactions on biological new production and eddy kinetic energy
Authors: Eden Carsten , Dietze Heiner
Published: May 2009

Accounting for ocean currents in the bulk parameterization of the wind stress might represent a physically more plausible way to force an ocean model than ignoring their effect. We show in this study that using the air‐sea velocity difference instead of the atmospheric wind in the wind stress formulation dampens both the near‐surface eddy activity and the biotic carbon assimilation in a high‐resolution model of the North Atlantic. The former is significant, corresponding to a reduction down to 50% in the tropical Atlantic, while in higher latitudes (in agreement with previous results) the reduction of eddy activity is only around 10%. The effect on biotically mediated new production and air‐sea carbon fluxes is, on the other hand, minor. New production is reduced by less than 5% on a basin average, while simulated air‐sea CO2 fluxes are barely affected at all. The model results imply that eddy/wind interaction introduced by accounting for ocean currents in the wind stress formulation does not drive any additional (and hitherto unaccounted) nutrient fluxes to the sunlit surface of the subtropical gyre, as was recently proposed in the literature.
Numerical study of the bottom‐intensified tidal mixing using an “eikonal approach”
Authors: Iwamae Nobuyuki , Hibiya Toshiyuki , Watanabe Michio
Published: May 2009

Locally enhanced turbulent mixing above abyssal rough bottom bathymetry is one of the candidates that might make up for the lack of diapycnal diffusivity in maintaining the global overturning circulation. In the present study, we carry out a series of numerical experiments using an eikonal approach to examine the vertical distribution of energy dissipation rates caused by breaking of the semidiurnal internal tide. Special attention is directed to the physical parameters that control the magnitude and vertical decay scale of the bottom‐intensified mixing. It is shown that breaking of internal tides with horizontal scales much less than 1 km is responsible for bottom‐intensified mixing. There is an inevitable trade‐off between the magnitude and the vertical decay scale of bottom‐intensified mixing so that tidal interactions with abyssal rough bottom bathymetry are unlikely to create mixing hot spots intensive enough to affect the global overturning circulation.
Stress‐tolerance of baker's‐yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells: stress‐protective molecules and genes involved in stress tolerance
Authors: Shima Jun , Takagi Hiroshi
Published: May 2009

During the fermentation of dough and the production of baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), cells are exposed to numerous environmental stresses (baking‐associated stresses) such as freeze–thaw, high sugar concentrations, air‐drying and oxidative stresses. Cellular macromolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids and membranes, are seriously damaged under stress conditions, leading to the inhibition of cell growth, cell viability and fermentation. To avoid lethal damage, yeast cells need to acquire a variety of stress‐tolerant mechanisms, for example the induction of stress proteins, the accumulation of stress protectants, changes in membrane composition and repression of translation, and by regulating the corresponding gene expression via stress‐triggered signal‐transduction pathways. Trehalose and proline are considered to be critical stress protectants, as is glycerol. It is known that these molecules are effective for providing protection against various types of environmental stresses. Modifications of the metabolic pathways of trehalose and proline by self‐cloning methods have significantly increased tolerance to baking‐associated stresses. To clarify which genes are required for stress tolerance, both a comprehensive phenomics analysis and a functional genomics analysis were carried out under stress conditions that simulated those occuring during the commercial baking process. These analyses indicated that many genes are involved in stress tolerance in yeast. In particular, it was suggested that vacuolar H+‐ATPase plays important roles in yeast cells under stress conditions.
Mitochondrial‐morphology‐targeted breeding of industrial yeast strains for alcohol fermentation
Authors: Kitagaki Hiroshi
Published: May 2009

Since mitochondrial genes are repressed under high glucose and low O2, and these conditions correspond to the conditions in which yeast cells are exposed during alcohol fermentation, the existence and structure of yeast mitochondria during alcohol fermentation have not been elucidated. Yeast mitochondria can be observed throughout brewing of sake (Japanese rice wine) and fragment during brewing. Furthermore, it has been revealed that Fis1 [fission 1 (mitochondrial outer membrane) homologue (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)], which is a transmembrane protein with its C‐terminal anchor embedded in the outer membrane of mitochondria, is required for fragmentation of yeast mitochondria during sake brewing. By utilizing this knowledge, a fis1 disruptant of a sake yeast strain has been generated that has a networked mitochondrial structure throughout sake brewing. It transpired that this strain produces a high content of malate, which imparts a crisp acidic taste, during sake brewing. This strategy is a useful and a completely novel strategy towards developing a new yeast strain which produces a high content of malate in sake, and mitochondrial morphology has now emerged as a promising target for the breeding of practical industrial strains.
Helicobacter pylori UreE, a urease accessory protein: specific Ni2+- and Zn2+-binding properties and interaction with its cognate UreG
Authors: Bellucci Matteo , Zambelli Barbara , Musiani Francesco , Turano Paola , Ciurli Stefano
Published: May 2009

The persistence of Helicobacter pylori in the hostile environment of the human stomach is ensured by the activity of urease. The essentiality of Ni2+ for this enzyme demands proper intracellular trafficking of this metal ion. The metallo-chaperone UreE promotes Ni2+ insertion into the apo-enzyme in the last step of urease maturation while facilitating concomitant GTP hydrolysis. The present study focuses on the metal-binding properties of HpUreE (Helicobacter pylori UreE) and its interaction with the related accessory protein HpUreG, a GTPase involved in the assembly of the urease active site. ITC (isothermal titration calorimetry) showed that HpUreE binds one equivalent of Ni2+ (Kd=0.15 μM) or Zn2+ (Kd=0.49 μM) per dimer, without modification of the protein oligomeric state, as indicated by light scattering. Different ligand environments for Zn2+ and Ni2+, which involve crucial histidine residues, were revealed by site-directed mutagenesis, suggesting a mechanism for discriminating metal-ion-specific binding. The formation of a HpUreE–HpUreG protein complex was revealed by NMR spectroscopy, and the thermodynamics of this interaction were established using ITC. A role for Zn2+, and not for Ni2+, in the stabilization of this complex was demonstrated using size-exclusion chromatography, light scattering, and ITC experiments. A calculated viable structure for the complex suggested the presence of a novel binding site for Zn2+, actually detected using ITC and site-directed mutagenesis. The results are discussed in relation to available evidence of a UreE–UreG functional interaction in vivo. A possible role for Zn2+ in the Ni2+-dependent urease system is envisaged.
Direct simulations for wall modeling of multicomponent reacting compressible turbulent flows
Authors: Cabrit Olivier , Nicoud Franck
Published: May 2009

A study of multicomponent reacting channel flows with significant heat transfer and low Mach number has been performed using a set of direct and wall-resolved large-eddy simulations (LES). The Reynolds number based on the channel half-height and the mean friction velocity is Reτ=300 for DNS and Reτ=1000 for wall-resolved LES. Two temperature ratios based on the mean centerline temperature Tc and the temperature at the wall, Tw, are investigated: Tc/Tw=1.1 for DNS and Tc/Tw=3 for wall-resolved LES. The mass/momentum/energy balances are investigated, specially showing the changes induced by multicomponent terms of the Navier–Stokes equations. Concerning the flow dynamics, the data support the validity of the Van Driest transformation for compressible reacting flows. Concerning heat transfer, two multicomponent terms arise in the energy conservation balance: the laminar species diffusion which appears to be negligible in the turbulent core and the turbulent flux of chemical enthalpy which cannot be neglected. The data also show that the mean composition of the mixture is at equilibrium state; a model for the turbulent flux of chemical enthalpy is then proposed and validated. Finally, models for the total shear stress and the total heat flux are formulated and integrated in the wall normal direction to retrieve an analytical law of the wall. This wall model is tested favorably against the simulation database.
Compression of a crystalline ZnO nanotube: An experimental exploration of the B4 to B1 transition mechanism
Authors: Hou Dongbin , Ma Yanzhang , Gao Chunxiao , Chaudhuri Jharna , Lee Rac G. , Yang Haibin
Published: May 2009

The high-pressure behavior of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanotube has been investigated to 38.7 GPa by in situ synchrotron x-ray diffraction in a diamond anvil cell at room temperature. The transformation from the hexagonal wurtzite (B4) to the cubic rocksalt (B1) phase started at 10.5 GPa and completed at 18.4 GPa. The initial transition pressure of nanotube is found identical to that in bulk crystal but lower than in nanodots, while the completion pressure of nanotube is identical to that in nanodots but higher than in bulk crystal. This indicates that the c-direction of hexagonal ZnO crystal plays a more important role in the initiation of the phase transition, and the a-direction controls its completion. These prove that the B4-B1 transition undergoes a hexagonal path. It is also found that the c/a ratio of the B4 phase decreases slightly before the phase transition and tends to increase during the phase transition, which is also consistent with the theoretical hexagonal-path model. The bulk moduli of B4 and B1 phases were, respectively, 152 and 242 GPa, indicating higher energy is required to compress ZnO nanotube than ZnO bulk crystal only in the B1 phase.