bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of Mesoscale Convective Systems and its Relationship with the Madden-Julian Oscillation in the Indo-Pacific Region
Authors: Salahuddin Ahmed , Curtis Scott
Published: June 2009

In this study we investigated the influence of sea surface temperature (SST) and Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) on the organization, strength, and distribution of Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs) over the Indo-Pacific region for understanding El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The study is based on the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission’s (TRMM) precipitation features dataset during boreal winters of 2001-02 to 2006-07. The results of time series of hot spot analyses show that MCSs are predominantly clustered in the Maritime Continent and West Pacific Regions, and are preferentially observed over ocean compared to land. The largest quantity of MCSs were observed to the south of the equator in January 2002, and the distribution of MCSs as a function of SST for these months peaked between 29-30° Celsius. MJO explains 11% to nearly 30% of the characteristics of MCSs in the Indo-Pacific. The percentage of MCSs over the ocean in January is larger when the MJO is in the active phase than the passive phase from the Indian Ocean to
the West Pacific Region. The warm waters under the MCSs may be related to the coupled MJO process that convectively generate and maintain the storms. The effect of the MJO is strongest when it is located within the Maritime Continent region. The MJO analysis indicates that MCSs are more likely accompanied by westerly winds during the eastward propagation of the MJO and the westerly wind bursts have been linked to the onset of El Nino in the Pacific.
Effect of Dry Zone Formation around Underground Power Cables on Their Ratings
Authors: Gouda Ossama E , El Dein Adel Z. , Amer Ghada M
Published: June 2009

As it is known, there are many factors affecting underground power distribution cables' loadings such as ambient temperature, cable depth laying, number of cable parallel circuits and thermal resistivity of the soil. One important factor usually ignored is the formation of dry zones around the underground power cables due to cable loading. Dry zones usually form around underground power cables under loading condition due to the migration of soil moisture content. In this paper the effect of dry zone formation on the underground power cables ampacity is investigated. De-rating factor for the formation of dry zone around underground power cables is suggested and calculated for different types of natural backfill soils. IEC 60287-1-3 is taken as reference. Experimental work is done to study the dry zone phenomena of each type of soil.
Power Flow Analysis of HVAC and HVDC Transmission Systems for Offshore Wind Parks
Authors: da Silva Filipe Faria , Castro Rui
Published: June 2009

As the onshore wind resource is running shorter, wind power promoters are paying attention to the offshore resources. As in most cases there is no load offshore, wind power must be transmitted to the main land. To do so, two options are available: HVAC and HVDC transmission systems. In this paper, the two options are analysed from a power flow point of view. The influence in the voltage regulation of the onshore connection busbar is investigated in a 57 bus test power system. The simulation results obtained for each one of the above mentioned transmission system configurations allow the conclusion that HVAC solution is limited by the distance to shore and by the wind transmitted power. HVDC options do not show these limitations, but are more expensive and more delicate to deal with, because there is a lack of operational experience, so far.
Interactions between canthaxanthin and lipid membranes — possible mechanisms of canthaxanthin toxicity
Authors: Sujak Agnieszka
Published: June 2009

Canthaxanthin (β, β-carotene 4, 4′ dione) is used widely as a drug or as a food and cosmetic colorant, but it may have some undesirable effects on human health, mainly caused by the formation of crystals in the macula lutea membranes of the retina. This condition is called canthaxanthin retinopathy. It has been shown that this type of dysfunction of the eye is strongly connected with damage to the blood vessels around the place of crystal deposition. This paper is a review of the experimental data supporting the hypothesis that the interactions of canthaxanthin with the lipid membranes and the aggregation of this pigment may be the factors enhancing canthaxanthin toxicity towards the macula vascular system. All the results of the experiments that have been done on model systems such as monolayers of pure canthaxanthin and mixtures of canthaxanthin and lipids, oriented bilayers or liposomes indicate a very strong effect of canthaxanthin on the physical properties of lipid membranes, which may explain its toxic action, which leads to the further development of canthaxanthin retinopathy.
Physical Therapists’ Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practice Approaches Regarding People Who Are Obese
Authors: Sack Suzanne , Radler Dianne Rigassio , Mairella Kathleen K. , Touger-Decker Riva , Khan Hafiz
Published: June 2009

Background

Little is known about physical therapists’ attitudes, knowledge, and practice approaches regarding people who are obese.

Objective

The objectives of this study were to determine physical therapists’ attitudes, knowledge, and practice approaches regarding obesity and to explore the relationships between attitudes and knowledge.

Design

A prospective paper mail survey was designed to obtain demographic characteristics, attitudes, knowledge, and practice approaches regarding obesity. Participants were randomly selected members of the American Physical Therapy Association.

Methods

Descriptive statistics were used to explore physical therapists’ attitudes, knowledge, and practice approaches regarding obesity. Pearson product moment and Spearman rank correlations were used to test the relationships between attitudes and knowledge. The a priori alpha value was set at .05.

Results

The response rate was 34.5%. Physical therapists indicated that physical inactivity (92.8%, n=320) and overeating (78.5%, n=270) are the most important causes of obesity and that diet modifications and exercise are the most effective treatments. Respondents frequently recommended exercising more (87.4%, n=263) but rarely recommended changes in nutritional habits or referred clients to other health care disciplines. Attitude scores regarding obesity were neutral. The mean knowledge score was 6.7 (of 10). A significant correlation (r=.133, P=.043) was found between the respondents’ knowledge scores and attitudes regarding statements about obesity. Inverse correlations were seen between the respondents’ age and knowledge scores (r=−.195, P<.0005) and between years in practice and knowledge scores (r= −.216, P<.0005).

Limitations

The descriptive nature of this study did not allow for further investigation. The survey questionnaire was adapted from a nonvalidated tool.

Conclusions

The results suggested that physical therapists have neutral attitudes toward people who are obese. Physical therapists appropriately indicated that lack of physical activity and poor nutritional habits contribute to obesity. Younger respondents, who had recently entered the work force, had higher knowledge scores than respondents who were older and had worked longer. Improvements in physical therapists’ referral patterns may assist in the health care team approach to the treatment of obesity. Education to enhance physical therapists’ knowledge about obesity should be emphasized.
Assessment of the Quality of Cost Analysis Literature in Physical Therapy
Authors: Peterson Laura E. , Goodman Clifford , Karnes Erin K. , Chen Charlene J. , Schwartz J. Amanda
Published: June 2009

Background

Policy makers, payers, and other stakeholders increasingly call for greater evidence of the cost-effectiveness of health care interventions.

Objective

The purposes of this study were to identify and rate the quality of cost analysis literature in physical therapy and to report summary information on the findings from the reviewed studies.

Design

This study was a targeted literature review and rating of relevant studies published in the last decade using a quality evaluation tool for economic studies.

Measurements

The Quality of Health Economic Studies (QHES) instrument was used to obtain quality scores.

Results

Ninety-five in-scope studies were identified and rated using the QHES instrument. The average quality score was 82.2 (SD=15.8), and 81 of the studies received a score of 70 or higher, placing them in the “good” to “excellent” quality range. Investigators in nearly two thirds of the studies found the physical therapy intervention under investigation to be cost-effective.

Limitations

The small number of studies meeting the inclusion criteria was a limitation of the study.

Conclusions

The quality of the literature regarding the cost-effectiveness of physical therapy is very good, although the magnitude of this body of literature is small. Greater awareness of the strengths and limitations of cost analyses in physical therapy should provide guidance for conducting high-quality cost-effectiveness studies as demand increases for demonstrations of the value of physical therapy.
Insulation discontinuity in a vagus nerve stimulator lead: a treatable cause of intolerable stimulation-related symptoms
Authors: Spitz Mark C. , Winston Ken R. , Maa Edward H. , Ojemann Steven G.
Published: June 2009

Discontinuity in the silicone insulation over an electrode of a left vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) allowed the aberrant leak of current to the phrenic nerve and other structures. This resulted in ipsilateral diaphragmatic dysfunction, inability to vocalize, and severe radiating pain into the jaw and upper incisor for the duration of each stimulation. The device was explanted and a new device was implanted. All stimulation-related symptoms ceased immediately.

A similar discontinuity in the silicone insulation is the likely explanation for several prior reports of poorly understood pains and phrenic nerve stimulation in patients with VNSs. The findings and analysis of this case establish a rationale for consideration of replacement of the VNS lead in all similarly symptomatic patients.
Trigeminal neuralgia in the presence of ectatic basilar artery and basilar invagination: treatment by foramen magnum decompression
Authors: Goel Atul , Shah Abhidha
Published: June 2009

This 65-year-old woman presented with a 7-year history of classic trigeminal neuralgia. After a conservative therapeutic approach and because the pain had become unbearable, she was subjected to surgical treatment. Examinations revealed an ectatic basilar artery that indented deeply into the region of the root entry zone of cranial nerve V. Additionally, severe basilar invagination, the fusion of multiple cervical vertebrae, and partial agenesis of the clivus were observed. Foramen magnum decompression resulted in lasting relief from the pain. The authors discuss the pathogenesis of trigeminal neuralgia in a relatively rare clinical situation.
From the Other Shore: Russian Comment on Diaghilev's Ballets Russes
Authors: Rabinowitz Stanley J.
Published: June 2009

Among the many and varied critical responses to Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, two Russian voices have not been heard in the West – Akim Volynskii's (on the right) and Anatolii Lunacharskii's (on the left). The former, Petersburg-based ballet critic from 1911 to 1925, followed the Russian Seasons with anxious dismay as so many stars of the Mariinskii Theatre departed for Paris; the latter, Soviet Russia's Commissar for Enlightenment between 1917 and 1929, witnessed Diaghilev's enterprise first-hand – both before World War I and after – and wrote about it with a mixture of admiration and class-conscious disapproval. These critics’ observations are offered in English translation for the first time.
The Triumph of the Veiled Dance: The Influence of Oscar Wilde and Aubrey Beardsley on Serge Diaghilev's Creation of the Ballets Russes
Authors: Rutherford Annabel
Published: June 2009

The tremendous impact that Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes made on twentieth-century western arts has been well documented by scholars. Rarely has a theatre art made such an impact on society. And this influence spread beyond theatre directors, composers, costume designers, artists and performers to literature. Diaghilev caught the attention of such writers as Marcel Proust, James Joyce, Jean Cocteau, the Sitwells, Leonard Woolf, indeed, the Bloomsbury group in general, T. S. Eliot, Rupert Brooke, E. M. Forster, and, of course, D. H. Lawrence, too. While this has all been noted in biographies and memoirs, few scholars have considered the possible reasons behind the company's creation. Why would a man who had aligned himself with sumptuous and highly successful art exhibitions and demonstrated such strong passion for opera turn to ballet?

Any attempt to answer such a question requires an exploration of the events in Diaghilev's life from his St. Petersburg years to the Paris years and early seasons of the Ballets Russes (1895–1913). Two names recur throughout these years: Oscar Wilde and Aubrey Beardsley – in person, in writing, and in spirit. A review of Diaghilev's career between 1895 and 1913 together with a textual study of some early ballets suggest that Wilde and Beardsley may have had a stronger influence on Diaghilev and the creation of the Ballets Russes than has previously been noticed.
Diseño y análisis de dos tipologías estructurales para su utilización como estructuras auxiliares en el diseño de jardines
Authors: López J. A. , Mellado P. , Callejón A. J. , Vargas J. M.
Published: June 2009

En jardinería en general y más en particular en el diseño de jardines y parques urbanos, se plantea la necesidad de introducir estructuras auxiliares útiles para el cobijo de sus usuarios frente a la radiación solar en determinados momentos del día. Durante mucho tiempo, se han reproducido conjuntos apergolados clásicos en todas nuestras zonas ajardinadas, que en caso contrario se han revelado como elementos excesivamente caros y poco funcionales. En el presente artículo se pretende exponer la posibilidad de ejecutar conjuntos vanguardistas y funcionales con un coste mínimo y un periodo de ejecución breve. Se ha analizado un conjunto de pérgolas diseñado para ser construido dentro del Campus de la Universidad de Almería, con la intención de demostrar que respetando la normativa sobre edifi cación se pueden conseguir soluciones novedosas en las que se integren usos diversos, a menudo no compatibles bajo otras concepciones, con un coste contenido. Dentro de este conjunto se distinguen dos módulos, uno, de corte más clásico, rectangular, con una confi guración que permite un funcionamiento estructural equilibrado que se traduce en la utilización de perfi les metálicos de no mucha envergadura; y otro, más novedoso, octogonal, pero que bajo las mismas premisas anteriores, se ha resuelto a través de un profundo análisis para establecer la geometría más adecuada, determinar su comportamiento, cálculo, dimensionado y resolución de los problemas de ejecución y montaje.
Establecimiento de indicadores de sostenibilidad para entornos degradados: el Valle minero de Laciana (León, España)
Authors: García Navarro J. , Maestro Martínez L. , Huete Fuertes R. , García Martínez A.
Published: June 2009

La interacción entre los edificios, el medio ambiente y su entorno socioeconómico, así como los impactos que resultan de la misma es algo tan complejo como el propio proceso constructivo. Un análisis riguroso de las afecciones producidas por la actividad edificatoria debe tener en cuenta el ciclo de vida completo, tanto del edificio como de sus productos y componentes. En cada fase, el impacto se produce en todos los niveles; desde un nivel local, como por ejemplo la huella que produce una cantera, a un nivel global, como las emisiones de dióxido de carbono producido por el consumo de combustible para el acondicionamiento de los recintos. Por ello, para un mismo impacto, se trabaja con diferentes escalas. El establecimiento de un sistema de indicadores se ha configurado en los últimos años como un método de evaluación común de un producto, proceso o actividad. No obstante, el proceso constructivo presenta singularidades que es necesario considerar. En el marco del proyecto de investigación del Plan Nacional I+D+i 2004-2007 “Modelo de construcción sostenible para la recuperación y protección de zonas medioambientalmente degradadas o frágiles: el Valle de Laciana” (BIA 2004-7654), se ha desarrollado un modelo de intervención para construcciones, infraestructuras y su entorno, desde criterios de sostenibilidad. En este artículo, se exponen los resultados alcanzados sobre la aplicabilidad de indicadores y las consideraciones a tener en cuenta en su selección para la evaluación de elementos en general, y de edificios en particular.
Experiments in Associative Urbanism
Authors: Verebes Tom
Published: June 2009

‘There has never been a more crucial time to challenge, reassess and propose alternatives to conventional urban masterplanning and its associated conventions, types and standards.’ Tom Verebes describes how the Design Research Laboratory (DRL) at the Architectural Association in London has employed a parametric approach to urbanism that investigates how associative design systems can control local dynamic information flows through interactive systems, spaces and interfaces. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hyperhabitat: Reprogramming the World
Authors: Leach Neil
Published: June 2009

What are the possibilities and implications of global connectivity? Could individual living spaces be wired up to large‐scale structures and networks? Neil Leach describes how Vicente Guallart's Hyperhabitat installation for the 2008 Venice Biennale engaged with these themes. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seawater Greenhouses and the Sahara Forest Project
Authors: Yeang Ken , Pawlyn Michael
Published: June 2009

In this issue, Ken Yeang joins forces with Michael Pawlyn of Exploration Architecture Ltd to investigate how seawater, when combined with the biological know‐how of a beetle, might hold the key for creating fresh water in desert environments. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mortality among sheet metal workers participating in a medical screening program
Authors: Dement John , Welch Laura , Haile Elizabeth , Myers Douglas
Published: June 2009

Background

The Sheet Metal Occupational Health Institute Trust (SMOHIT) was formed in 1985 to examine the health hazards of the sheet metal industry in the U.S. and Canada through an asbestos disease screening program. A study of mortality patterns among screening program participants was undertaken.

Methods

A cohort of 17,345 individuals with 20 or more years in the trade and who participated in the asbestos disease screening program were followed for vital status and causes of death between 1986 and 2004. Data from the screening program included chest X‐ray results by International Labour Office (ILO) criteria and smoking history. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) by cause were generated using U.S. death rates and Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate lung cancer risk relative to chest X‐ray changes while controlling for smoking.

Results

A significantly reduced SMR of 0.83 (95% CI = 0.80–0.85) was observed for all causes combined. Statistically significant excess mortality was observed for pleural cancers, mesothelioma, and asbestosis in the SMR analyses. Both lung cancer and COPD SMRs increased consistently and strongly with increasing ILO profusion score. In Cox models, which controlled for smoking, increased lung cancer risk was observed among workers with ILO scores of 0/1 (RR = 1.17, 95% CI = 0.89–1.54), with a strong trend for increasing lung cancer risk with increasing ILO profusion score >0/0.

Conclusions

Sheet metal workers are at increased risk for asbestos‐related diseases. This study contributes to the literature demonstrating asbestos‐related diseases among workers with largely indirect exposures and supports an increased lung cancer risk among workers with low ILO profusion scores. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:603–613, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis, characterization and oxygen‐sensing properties of a novel luminescent Cu(I) complex
Authors: Shi Linfang , Li Bin , Lu Shaozhe , Zhu Dongxia , Li Wenlian
Published: June 2009

A novel luminescent copper(I) complex with formula [Cu(PPh3)2(PIP)]BF4 (PPh3 = triphenyl phosphine, PIP = 2‐phenyl‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline) has been synthesized and characterized by 1H NMR, IR, elemental analysis and X‐ray crystal structure analysis. In solid state, it displays broad band emission upon excitation at λ = 420 nm with the emission maximum locates at 551 nm. Its excited‐state lifetime is in the microsecond time scale (3.02 µs); as a result, its emission intensity is sensitive to oxygen concentration and shows oxygen‐sensing properties after being encapsulated into mesoporous silica MCM‐41. For the system with 60 mg/g loading level, a sensitivity (I0/I) of 4.35, a fluorescence quenching time (tQ) of 5 s and a recovery time (tR) of 36 s were achieved. Even after aging for 5 months, the sensitivities of the three loading level systems can be retained, ignoring the measurement error, which indicates that they possess long‐term stability. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
International collaboration does not have greater epistemic authority
Authors: He Zi‐Lin
Published: June 2009

The consistent finding that internationally coauthored papers are more heavily cited has led to a tacit agreement among politicians and scientists that international collaboration in scientific research should be particularly promoted. However, existing studies of research collaboration suffer from a major weakness in that the Thomson Reuters Web of Science until recently did not link author names with affiliation addresses. The general approach has been to hierarchically code papers into international paper, national paper, or local paper based on the address information. This hierarchical coding scheme severely understates the level and contribution of local or national collaboration on an internationally coauthored paper. In this research, I code collaboration variables by hand checking each paper in the sample, use two measures of a paper's impact, and try several regression models. I find that both international collaboration and local collaboration are positively and significantly associated with a paper's impact, but international collaboration does not have more epistemic authority than local collaboration. This result suggests that previous findings based on hierarchical coding might be misleading.
A novel electrospinning target to improve the yield of uniaxially aligned fibers
Authors: Secasanu Virgil P. , Giardina Christopher K. , Wang Yadong
Published: June 2009

Electrospinning is a useful technique that can generate micro and nanometer‐sized fibers. Modification of the electrospinning parameters, such as deposition target geometry, can generate uniaxially aligned fibers for use in diverse applications ranging from tissue engineering to material fabrication. For example, meshes of fibers have been shown to mimic the extracellular matrix networks for use in smooth muscle cell proliferation. Further, aligned fibers can guide neurites to grow along the direction of the fibers. Here we present a novel electrospinning deposition target that combines the benefits of two previously reported electrodes: the standard parallel electrodes and the spinning wheel with a sharpened edge. This new target design significantly improves aligned fiber yield. Specifically, the target consists of two parallel aluminum plates with sharpened edges containing a bifurcating angle of 26°. Electric field computations show a larger probable area of aligned electric field vectors. This new deposition target allows fibers to deposit on a larger cross‐sectional area relative to the existing parallel electrode and at least doubles the yield of uniaxially aligned fibers. Further, fiber alignment and morphology are preserved after collection from the deposition target. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009
Magnetic force microscopy of iron oxide nanoparticles and their cellular uptake
Authors: Zhang Yu , Yang Mo , Ozkan Mihrimah , Ozkan Cengiz S.
Published: June 2009

Magnetic force microscopy has the capability to detect magnetic domains from a close distance, which can provide the magnetic force gradient image of the scanned samples and also simultaneously obtain atomic force microscope (AFM) topography image as well as AFM phase image. In this work, we demonstrate the use of magnetic force microscopy together with AFM topography and phase imaging for the characterization of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and their cellular uptake behavior with the MCF7 carcinoma breast epithelial cells. This method can provide useful information such as the magnetic responses of nanoparticles, nanoparticle spatial localization, cell morphology, and cell surface domains at the same time for better understanding magnetic nanoparticle‐cell interaction. It would help to design magnetic‐related new imaging, diagnostic and therapeutic methods. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009
Discovery of Ligands for the Human Intestinal Di‐/Tripeptide Transporter (hPEPT1) Using a QSAR‐Assisted Virtual Screening Strategy
Authors: Larsen Simon Birksø , Omkvist Diana Højmark , Brodin Birger , Nielsen Carsten Uhd , Steffansen Bente , Olsen Lars , Jørgensen Flemming Steen
Published: June 2009

The discovery of novel ligands for the hPEPT1 transporter is reported. By exploiting a fast and rigorously validated QSAR model in combination with the distance in activity‐centered chemical space (DACCS) approach, a database of commercially available compounds (Sigma–Aldrich) was screened for virtual hits. Twelve compounds were then purchased and characterized in an apical [14C]Gly‐Sar uptake competition assay. Four compounds displayed affinity in the medium‐to‐high range. A simple benzophenone derivative displayed high affinity with a sub‐millimolar binding constant (Ki=0.24 mM). The results of this study will serve as starting points for future projects, including the design and synthesis of compound libraries that seek to systematically explore the fundamental requirements for binding and transport by hPEPT1.
A comprehensive geriatric assessment is more effective than clinical judgment to identify elderly diffuse large cell lymphoma patients who benefit from aggressive therapy
Authors: Tucci Alessandra , Ferrari Samantha , Bottelli Chiara , Borlenghi Erika , Drera Monica , Rossi Giuseppe
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND:

The authors set out to analyze if a simple comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) could objectively identify elderly patients with diffuse large cell lymphoma (DLCL) who can be effectively treated with anthracycline‐containing immunochemotherapy.

METHODS:

CGA was performed in 84 consecutive patients with DLCL aged >65 years and diagnosed at a single institution. Treatment with curative versus palliative intent was chosen according to clinical judgment. Cyclophosphamide, hydroxydaunomycin, Oncovin (vincristine), and prednisone (CHOP) or CHOP‐like regimens were given to 62 (74%) patients. The outcome of patients was analyzed according to both the treatment received and the results of CGA.

RESULTS:

According to CGA, 42 (50%) patients were classified as “fit.” They were younger (P < .0001) and had less frequent systemic symptoms (P = .03). These patients received curative treatment by clinical judgment. Their response rate (92.5% vs 48.8%; P < .0001) and median survival (not reached vs 8 months; P < .0001) were significantly better than those of 42 patients considered “unfit” by CGA. Among unfit patients, 20 had actually received curative and 22 palliative therapy. These subgroups did not differ in any geriatric or lymphoma‐related characteristic. Their outcome was similar irrespectively of the type of treatment received (median survival, 8 vs 7 months; P = nonsignificant). Lymphoma rather than toxicity was the main cause of failure/death also among unfit patients treated aggressively.

CONCLUSIONS:

CGA is an efficient method to identify elderly DLCL patients who can benefit from a curative approach with anthracycline‐containing immunochemotherapy. Further study is needed to discern why unfit patients seem to have poor outcomes because of poor tolerance but also because of lymphoma refractoriness to intensive therapy. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Wnt antagonist gene polymorphisms and renal cancer
Authors: Hirata Hiroshi , Hinoda Yuji , Nakajima Koichi , Kikuno Nobuyuki , Yamamura Soichiro , Kawakami Kazumori , Suehiro Yutaka , Tabatabai Z. Laura , Ishii Nobuhisa , Dahiya Rajvir
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND:

Epigenetic silencing of several wingless‐type mouse mammary tumor virus integration site (Wnt) pathway‐related genes has been reported in renal cancer. Except for the T‐cell factor 4 gene TCF4, there are no reports regarding Wnt pathway gene polymorphisms in renal cancer. Therefore, the authors of this report hypothesized that the polymorphisms in Wnt signaling genes may be risk factors for renal cancer.

METHODS:

In total, 210 patients (145 men and 65 women) with pathologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and 200 age‐matched and sex‐matched control individuals were enrolled in this study. We genotyped 14 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 6 genes. including Dickkopf 2 (DKK2) (reference SNP identification number 17037102 [rs17037102], rs419558, and rs447372), DKK3 (rs3206824, rs11022095, rs1472189, rs7396187, and rs2291599), DKK4 (rs2073664), secreted frizzled‐related protein 4 (sFRP4) (rs1802073 and rs1802074), mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) family member 7 or SMAD7 (rs12953717), and disheveled associated activator of morphogenesis 2 or DAAM2 (rs6937133 and rs2504106) using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and direct sequencing in the patients with RCC and in the healthy, age‐matched control group. The relations also were tested between these polymorphisms and clinicopathologic data, including sex, tumor grade, tumor stage, lymph node involvement, distant metastasis, and overall survival.

RESULTS:

A significant decrease in the frequency of the guanine/adenine (G/A) + A/A genotypes in the DKK3 codon 335 rs3206824 was observed in the patients with RCC compared with the control group. The frequency of the rs3206824 (G/A) A‐rs7396187 (guanine/cytosine [G/C]) C haplotype was significantly lower in patients with RCC compared with other haplotypes. In addition, DKK3 rs1472189 cytosine/thymine (C/T) was associated with distant metastasis, and, DKK2 rs17037102 G‐homozygous patients had a decreased risk for death in multivariate Cox regression analysis.

CONCLUSIONS:

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report documenting that DKK3 polymorphisms are associated with RCC and that the DKK2 rs17037102 polymorphism may be a predictor for survival in patients with RCC after radical nephrectomy. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Liquid‐based preparation for endometrial cytology—Usefulness for predicting the prognosis of endometrial carcinoma preoperatively
Authors: Watanabe Jun , Nishimura Yukari , Tsunoda Shinpei , Kawaguchi Miwa , Okayasu Isao , Kuramoto Hiroyuki
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND:

The authors evaluated the applicability and usefulness of immunocytochemical staining for cyclin A, p53, estrogen receptor α (ER‐α), and progesterone receptor B (PR‐B) as a preoperative prognostic indicators for endometrial carcinoma using endometrial cytology with the liquid‐based cytology (LBC) method.

METHODS:

Cytologic specimens from 44 patients who had endometrial carcinoma were prepared with the LBC method. The results of immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical staining for cyclin A, p53, ER‐α, and PR‐B were compared with clinicopathologic parameters and prognosis.

RESULTS:

Patients who had positive results for cyclin A and p53 and negative results for ER‐α and PR‐B appeared to have unfavorable clinicopathologic characteristics, such as high‐grade histology, advanced clinical stage, lymphovascular space involvement (LVSI), and deeper myometrial invasion (MI), and had a poor prognosis. In contrast, patients who had positive results for ER‐α and PR‐B, and negative results for cyclin A and p53 had favorable characteristics, such well differentiated tumor, early clinical stage, negative LVSI, and less MI, and had a good prognosis. Immunostaining results from cytologic specimens obtained in the clinic and at surgery and from histologic specimens obtained at surgery were correlated positively.

CONCLUSIONS:

Consistent specimens that were prepared using the LBC method facilitated multiple immunocytochemical analyses. Endometrial cytology with the LBC method was useful for predicting the prognosis of patients with endometrial carcinoma before therapy. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Non‐word repetition and literacy in Dutch children at‐risk of dyslexia and children with SLI: results of the follow‐up study
Authors: de Bree Elise , Wijnen Frank , Gerrits Ellen
Published: June 2009

This study related the non‐word repetition (NWR) abilities of 4‐year‐old children at‐risk of dyslexia and children with specific language impairment (SLI) to their reading abilities at age eight. The results show that the SLI group obtained the lowest NWR score and the at‐risk group performed in‐between the control and SLI group. Approximately half of the at‐risk and SLI group showed reading difficulties. Literacy and NWR abilities were correlated for the at‐risk group, but not for the SLI group. The findings point toward differences between the groups and suggest that dyslexia and SLI should not be treated as a similar disorder. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Centrosome amplification induced by the antiretroviral nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors lamivudine, stavudine, and didanosine
Authors: Yu Mia , Ward Yvona , Poirier Miriam C. , Olivero Ofelia A.
Published: June 2009

In cultured cells, exposure to the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) zidovudine (AZT) induces genomic instability, cell cycle arrest, micronuclei, sister chromatid exchanges, and shortened telomeres. In previous studies, we demonstrated AZT‐induced centrosome amplification (>2 centrosomes/cell). Here, we investigate centrosome amplification in cells exposed to other commonly used NRTIs. Experiments were performed using Chinese Hamster ovary (CHO) cells, and two normal human mammary epithelial cell (NHMEC) strains: M99005 and M98040, which are high and low incorporators of AZT into DNA, respectively. Cells were exposed for 24 hr to lamivudine (3TC), stavudine (d4T), didanosine (ddI), and thymidine, and stained with anti‐pericentrin antibody. Dose response curves were performed to determine cytotoxicity and a lower concentration at near plasma levels and a 10 fold higher concentration were chosen for the experiments. In CHO cells, there was a concentration‐dependent, significant (P< 0.05) increase in centrosome amplification for each of the NRTIs. In NHMEC strain M99005, an NRTI‐induced increase (P< 0.05) in centrosome amplification was observed for the high concentrations of each NRTI and the low doses of 3TC and ddI. In NHMEC strain M98040, the high doses of ddI and d4T showed significant increases in centrosome amplification. Functional viability of amplified centrosomes was assessed by arresting microtubule nucleation with nocodazole. In cells with more than two centrosomes, the ability to recover microtubule nucleation was similar to that of unexposed cells. We conclude that centrosome amplification is a consequence of exposure to NRTIs and that cells with centrosome amplification are able to accomplish cell division. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Volatiles from leaves of field‐grown plants and shoot cultures of Gynura bicolor DC
Authors: Shimizu Yasuhiro , Imayoshi Yuriko , Kato Mika , Maeda Kazuhiro , Iwabuchi Hisakatsu , Shimomura Koichiro
Published: June 2009

Systematic investigations of the volatiles of field‐grown plants and shoot cultures of Gynura bicolor have been conducted to obtain indispensable plant physiological information for propagating plants of consistent quality. Volatiles obtained by solvent‐assisted flavour evaporation (SAFE) of solvent extracts from leaves of commercial cultivars, shoot cultures and their regenerates were analysed using gas chromatography (GC), GC–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and GC–olfactometry (GC–O). It was revealed for the first time that this plant had the following chemical characteristics: field‐grown plants, i.e. those plants commercially cultivated in three different regions of Japan and 7 month‐old regenerates of shoot cultures had almost the same GC profiles; their major components were (E)‐caryophyllene, α‐humulene and bicyclogermacrene; in contrast, the major components of the shoot cultures were (Z,E)‐α‐farnesene, (E)‐caryophyllene and α‐copaene. The biosynthetic pathways for the sesquiterpenes found in these materials were presumed from the analytical results. Aroma evaluations using GC–O revealed that 1‐octen‐3‐one, (Z)‐1,5‐octadien‐3‐one and trans‐4,5‐epoxy‐(E)‐2‐decenal were aroma‐impact compounds contributing to the characteristic metallic, green aroma, especially in the shoot cultures. In addition to these results, it was found that 2‐isopropyl‐ and 2‐isobutyl‐3‐methoxypyrazines were additional compounds related to the green, earthy aroma in the regenerates. These aroma‐impact compounds were detected only because of the GC–O analysis. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The detection of earnings manipulation: the three‐phase cutting plane algorithm using mathematical programming
Authors: Dikmen Burcu , Küçükkocaoğlu Güray
Published: June 2009

The primary goal of this study was to propose an algorithm using mathematical programming to detect earnings management practices. In order to evaluate the ability of this proposed algorithm, the traditional statistical models are used as a benchmark vis‐à‐vis their time series counterparts. As emerging techniques in the area of mathematical programming yield better results, application of suitable models is expected to result in highly performed forecasts. The motivation behind this paper is to develop an algorithm which will succeed in detecting companies that appeal to financial manipulation. The methodology is based on cutting plane formulation using mathematical programming. A sample of 126 Turkish manufacturing firms described over 10 financial ratios and indexes are used for detecting factors associated with false financial statements. The results indicate that the proposed three‐phase cutting plane algorithm outperforms the traditional statistical techniques which are widely used for false financial statement detections. Furthermore, the results indicate that the investigation of financial information can be helpful towards the identification of false financial statements and highlight the importance of financial ratios/indexes such as Days' Sales in Receivables Index (DSRI), Gross Margin Index (GMI), Working Capital Accruals to Total Assets (TATA) and Days to Inventory Index (DINV). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro response of monocyte‐derived macrophages to a decellularized pericardial biomaterial
Authors: Ariganello Marianne B. , Labow Rosalind S. , Lee J. Michael
Published: June 2009

Decellularized tissue‐derived heart valves are an example of biomaterials derived from natural scaffolds. These types of implants are increasing in popularity although their in vivo performance is still only poorly understood and has, at times, been catastrophic. It is apparent that better understanding is required before these biomaterials can be used safely. In this study, the human monocyte‐derived macrophage (MDM) response to decellularized bovine pericardium (DBP) was used as a model to predict the biological performance of these materials on implantation. Human monocytes differentiated on tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) for 14 days were trypsinized and reseeded onto DBP, TCPS, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for 48 h. The MDMs on DBP contained less intracellular and extracellular esterase activity compared with MDMs on TCPS and PDMS, as well as less acid phosphatase activity than on TCPS. As well, morphologically, MDMs on DBP were less spread, less multinucleated and did not display many lamellipodia. Taken together, these data represent the first evidence of the MDM response to intact, native extracellular matrix, demonstrating that these cells reacted with an altered, possibly reduced foreign body response on this natural scaffold compared with the two control surfaces. This in vitro MDM cell model may provide a novel method for predicting and elucidating the biological performance of tissue‐derived biomaterials, thereby directing a more rational design of biomaterials for tissue regeneration purposes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2010
Matrin 3: Chromosomal distribution and protein interactions
Authors: Zeitz Michael J. , Malyavantham Kishore S. , Seifert Brandon , Berezney Ronald
Published: June 2009

Matrin 3 (matr3), an abundant protein of the internal nuclear matrix, has been linked to a variety of functional events. As a step toward defining its multifunctional nature, we have studied the association of matr3 with chromosome territories and identified potential interacting proteins. A similar staining pattern of matr3 was observed in fixed WI38 fibroblast cells and in live HeLa cells using a matr3‐GFP construct. Matr3 was detected throughout autosomal and the active X chromosome territories. Conversely, matr3 was strikingly excluded from the inactive X chromosome as well as within both the perinuclear and perinucleolar heterochromatin. Yeast two hybrid analysis identified matr3 interactions with 33 unique nuclear localized proteins and also revealed its propensity for self association. A majority of these proteins are involved in RNA metabolism and chromatin remodeling while others function in protein translation, DNA replication/repair and apoptosis. Further analysis of a selection of these proteins and scaffold attachment factor A (SAFA) by co‐localization and co‐immunoprecipitation experiments using HeLa cells confirmed their interactions with matr3. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 125–133, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the road to understanding of the osteoblast adhesion: Cytoskeleton organization is rearranged by distinct signaling pathways
Authors: Zambuzzi Willian Fernando , Bruni‐Cardoso Alexandre , Granjeiro José Mauro , Peppelenbosch Maikel Petrus , de Carvalho Hernandes Faustino , Aoyama Hiroshi , Ferreira Carmen Veríssima
Published: June 2009

Pre‐osteoblast adhesion attracts increasing interest in both medicine and dentistry. However, how this physiological event alters osteoblast phenotype is poorly understood. We therefore attempted to address this question by investigating key biochemical mechanism that governs pre‐osteoblast adhesion on polystyrene surface. Importantly, we found that cofilin activity was strongly modulated by PP2A (Ser/Thr phosphatase), while cell‐cycle was arrested. Accordingly, we observed that the profile of cofilin phosphorylation (at Ser03) was similar to phospho‐PP2A (at Tyr307). Also, it is plausible to suggest during pre‐osteoblast adhesion that PP2A phosphorylation at Y307 was executed by phospho‐Src (Y416). In addition, it was observed that MAPKp38, but not MAPK‐erk, played a key role on pre‐osteoblast adhesion by phosphorylating MAPKAPK‐2 and ATF‐2 (also called CRE‐BP1). Also, the up‐modulation of RhoA reported here suggests its involvement at the beginning of osteoblast attachment, while Akt remained active during all periods. Altogether, our results clearly showed that osteoblast adhesion is under an intricate network of signaling molecules, which are responsible to guide their interaction with substrate mainly via cytoskeleton rearrangement. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 134–144, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
NF‐kappa B is required for the development of tumor spheroids
Authors: Gallardo‐Pérez J.C. , Espinosa M. , Ceballos‐Cancino G. , Daniel A. , Rodríguez‐Enríquez S. , Aviles A. , Moreno‐Sánchez R. , Melendez‐Zajgla J. , Maldonado V.
Published: June 2009

Tumor cells cultured in three‐dimensional models provide a more realistic and biologically meaningful analysis of the initial phases of cancer development and drug resistance. Several studies have demonstrated that culture of cancer cells in three dimensions induces cellular resistance to a variety of anti‐neoplastic drugs by poorly understood mechanisms. The role of the transcription factor NF‐κB and inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) in the onset and development of drug resistance during tumor spheroid growth has not been established. In this work, we found a significant increase in the activity and expression of NF‐κB and its downstream target XIAP (X‐linked IAP) in cancer cells grown as multi‐cellular tumor spheroids. Blocking XIAP expression with RNA interference markedly increased the sensitivity of cancer tumor spheroid cells toward anti‐neoplastic drugs, indicating a role for IAPs in establishing drug resistance. In turn, inhibition of NF‐κB by negative dominants suppressed spheroid formation, whereas overexpression of the upstream kinase IκBKβ increased their growth and resistance. The present data suggested that NF‐κB and its downstream target XIAP were essential for the growth and drug resistance of small avascular tumor. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 169–180, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PA‐MSHA inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis through the up‐regulation and activation of caspases in the human breast cancer cell lines
Authors: Liu Zhe‐Bin , Hou Yi‐Feng , Min‐Dong  , Di Gen‐Hong , Wu Jiong , Shen Zhen‐Zhou , Shao Zhi‐Ming
Published: June 2009

To investigate the effects of PA‐MSHA (Pseudomonas aeruginosa‐mannose sensitive hemagglutinin) on inhibiting proliferation of breast cancer cell lines and to explore its mechanisms of action in human breast cancer cells. MCF‐10A, MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐468, and MDA‐MB‐231HM cells were treated with PA‐MSHA or PA (Heat‐killed P. aeruginosa) at different concentrations and different times. Changes of cell super‐microstructure were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induced by PA‐MSHA were measured by flow cytometry (FCM) with PI staining, ANNEXIN V‐FITC staining and Hoechst33258 staining under fluorescence microscopy. Western blot was used to evaluate the expression level of apoptosis‐related molecules. A time‐dependent and concentration‐dependent cytotoxic effect of PA‐MSHA was observed in MDA‐MB‐468 and MDA‐MB‐231HM cells but not in MCF‐10A or MCF‐7 cells. The advent of PA‐MSHA changed cell morphology, that is to say, increases in autophagosomes, and vacuoles in the cytoplasm could also be observed. FCM with PI staining, ANNEXIN V‐FITC and Hoechst33258 staining showed that the different concentrations of PA‐MSHA could all induce the apoptosis and G0–G1 cell cycle arrest of breast cancer cells. Cleaved caspase 3, 8, 9, and Fas protein expression levels were strongly associated with an increase in apoptosis of the breast cancer cells. There was a direct relationship with increased concentrations of PA‐MSHA but not of PA. Completely different from PA, PA‐MSHA may impart antiproliferative effects against breast cancer cells by inducing apoptosis mediated by at least a death receptor‐related cell apoptosis signal pathway, and affecting the cell cycle regulation machinery. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 195–206, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.