bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taxanes as primary chemotherapy for early breast cancer
Authors: Cuppone Federica , Bria Emilio , Carlini Paolo , Milella Michele , Felici Alessandra , Sperduti Isabella , Nisticò Cecilia , Terzoli Edmondo , Cognetti Francesco , Giannarelli Diana
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND.

In patients with locally advanced and operable breast cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been demonstrated to increase the chance of breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) when compared with adjuvant treatment; moreover, patients who achieve a pathologic complete response (pCR) have a better outcome. A literature‐based meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to ‘weigh’ how much taxanes add to anthracyclines as primary treatment over standard chemotherapy was conducted.

METHODS.

Event‐based relative risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were derived through both a fixed‐effect and a random‐effect model; a heterogeneity test was applied as well. Absolute differences (AD) and the number (of patients) needed to treat (NNT) were calculated. Primary endpoints were: 1) pCR rate and 2) BCS rate. A sensitivity analysis of 3 subgroups according to taxane strategies was conducted.

RESULTS.

Data for primary endpoints were available for 7 RCTs (2455 patients). The rate of BCS was significantly higher for patients receiving taxanes, with an AD of 3.4% (P = .012), which translates into 29 patients NNT, without significant heterogeneity. The rate of pCR was higher for patients receiving taxanes, although not statistically significant. In the sensitivity analysis, patients receiving taxanes as a sequential schedule had a significant higher probability to achieve pCR, with an AD of 2.4% (P = .013), which translates into 41 patients NNT, without significant heterogeneity. Patients receiving taxanes as a concomitant schedule had a significantly higher probability to achieve BCS, with an AD of 5.3% (P = .027), which translates into 19 patients NNT, without significant heterogeneity. The complete response rate was significantly higher in the taxane arms, regardless of the adopted strategy, with an AD ranging from 6.7% to 15.5%.

CONCLUSIONS.

The combination of taxanes and anthracyclines as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer improves the chance of achieving both higher BCS and pCR rates.Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Complete remission sustained 3 years from treatment initiation is a powerful surrogate for extended survival in multiple myeloma
Authors: Barlogie Bart , Anaissie Elias , Haessler Jeffrey , van Rhee Fritz , Pineda‐Roman Mauricio , Hollmig Klaus , Alsayed Yazan , Epstein Joshua , Shaughnessy John D. , Crowley John
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND.

Complete response (CR) has been considered a necessary although not sufficient early clinical endpoint for extended survival in multiple myeloma.

METHODS.

By using Total Therapy 2 (TT2) clinical outcome data in 668 patients, whether sustained CR (SUS‐CR) was potentially a superior surrogate for survival than attaining CR status per se was evaluated.

RESULTS.

Compared with not achieving CR (NON‐CR) and especially achieving and subsequently losing CR status (LOS‐CR) within a 3‐year landmark from treatment initiation, SUS‐CR was associated with highly superior postlandmark survival (P< .0001). These results were validated in 231 untreated patients enrolled in the predecessor trial, TT1 (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.54,P= .013) and in 1103 previously treated patients on other transplant protocols (HR = 0.49;P< .001).

CONCLUSIONS.

In all 3 trial settings the survival benefit of SUS‐CR was independent of metaphase abnormalities as a dominant adverse parameter. Given its bleak prognosis despite high CR rates, SUS‐CR should be evaluated as a primary trial endpoint in high‐risk myeloma. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Hypermethylation of the DNA mismatch repair gene hMLH1 and Its association with lymph node metastasis and T1799A BRAF mutation in patients with papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Guan Haixia , Ji Meiju , Hou Peng , Liu Zhi , Wang Cuifang , Shan Zhongyan , Teng Weiping , Xing Mingzhao
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND.

It remains to be investigated whether the aberrant methylation of DNA repair genes plays a pathogenic role in BRAF mutation‐promoted tumorigenesis of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC).

METHODS.

In the current study, the promoter methylation status of 23 DNA repair genes in relation to clinicopathologic characteristics and BRAF mutation was examined in PTC tumors using methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS.

Among the 38 PTC tumors examined, 3 of 23 DNA repair genes were hypermethylated, including the hMLH1 gene in 8 of 38 samples (21%), the PCNA gene in 5 of 38 samples (13%), and the OGG1 gene in 2 of 38 samples (5%). Methylation of these genes was also found in some thyroid cancer cell lines. Methylation of the hMLH1 gene in particular was found to be associated with lymph node metastasis of PTC (5 of 8 samples [63%] in the methylation group vs 3 of 30 samples [10%] in the nonmethylation group; P = .0049). Methylation of the hMLH1 gene was also found to be associated with the T1799A BRAF mutation in PTC (6 of 19 samples (32%) in the BRAF mutation‐positive group vs 2 of 19 samples (11%) in the BRAF mutation‐negative group; P = .042).

CONCLUSIONS.

The data from the current study suggest that, as shown previously in colon cancer, aberrant methylation of the hMLH1 gene may play a role in BRAF mutation‐promoted thyroid tumorigenesis. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Gene‐expression profiling in Chinese patients with colon cancer by coupling experimental and bioinformatic genomewide gene‐expression analyses
Authors: Fan Junwei , Peng Zhihai , Zhou Chongzhi , Qiu Guoqiang , Tang Huamei , Sun Yuhao , Wang Xiaoliang , Li Qiang , Le Xiangdong , Xie Keping
Published: May 2008

BACKGROUND.

Expression microarrays are widely used for investigating the nature and extent of global gene‐expression changes in human cancer. Accurate genomewide gene‐expression profiles have not been conducted in colon tumor and normal colon tissue specimens obtained from Chinese patients.

METHODS.

In the present study a pure population of colon cancer and normal colon cells was obtained and the global gene‐expression differences were compared in the 2 cell types using combined experimental and bioinformatic approaches. Various categories of genes that were differentially expressed in those 2 types of cells were identified, including a novel candidate tumor marker, IFITM3.

RESULTS.

Elevated IFITM3 expression in colon cancer cells was first confirmed using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. IFITM3 protein expression in human colon cancer specimens was further analyzed using both tissue microarray and standard tissue sections by immunostaining analyses. It was found that there was a significant IFITM3 increase in adenoma as compared with that in normal colon tissue.

CONCLUSIONS.

The data suggest that IFITM3 plays an important role in early colon cancer development. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.
Preparation of Ni‐Based Metal Monolithic Catalysts and a Study of Their Performance in Methane Reforming with CO2
Authors: Wang Kai , Li Xiujin , Ji Shengfu , Huang Bingyao , Li Chengyue
Published: May 2008

A series of Ni/SBA‐15/Al2O3/FeCrAl metal monolithic catalysts with Ni loadings varying between 3 % and 16 % were prepared, and their structure was characterized by various techniques. The catalytic activity of the catalyst for methane reforming with CO2 leading to synthesis gas was evaluated using a fixed‐bed reactor. The results indicate good catalytic activity of the Ni/SBA‐15/Al2O3/FeCrAl samples under the reaction conditions. The catalyst with a Ni loading of 8.0 % displays excellent activity and stability at 800 °C over 1400 h time on stream. After reaction, the hexagonal mesoporous structure of SBA‐15 is still present and the pore walls of SBA‐15 prevent the aggregation of nickel. Interactions between NiO, SBA‐15, and the Al2O3/FeCrAl support modify the redox properties of the Ni/SBA‐15/Al2O3/FeCrAl catalysts.
The influence of glycogen synthase kinase 3 in limiting cell addition in the mammalian ear
Authors: Lu Zhenjie , Corwin Jeffrey T.
Published: May 2008

In the vestibular organs of the inner ear, an early postnatal decline in the capacity for cell proliferation appears to be responsible for limits to hair cell regeneration that are unique to mammals. We have investigated the time course of that decline in cell proliferation and its potential regulation by glycogen synthase kinase‐3 (GSK3). Our immunoblots have revealed that inactive GSK3β decreases postnatally in the murine utricular epithelium, as E‐cadherin and the active forms of GSK3α and GSK3β each increase. In cultured utricular epithelia, pharmacological inhibition of GSK3 by LiCl and SB‐216763 increased cell proliferation across a range of postnatal ages. LiCl treatments also led to increased levels of β‐catenin and Snail and decreased expression of E‐cadherin. Transfection with a dominant‐negative GSK3β enhanced proliferation in these epithelia in a cell‐autonomous manner, while overexpression of wild‐type GSK3β markedly reduced it. The evidence from these measurements and experimental manipulations indicates that the balance of active and inactive forms of GSK3 helps to determine whether mammalian vestibular supporting cells will proliferate; permitting proliferation during early development when inactive GSK3 predominates and progressively inhibiting proliferation, and thereby limiting the capacity for hair cell regeneration as more GSK3 becomes active during the first week of postnatal maturation. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol, 2008.
Adaptive finite element meshing at each iterative calculation for electromagnetic field analysis of rotating machines
Authors: Yamazaki Katsumi , Watari Shinjiro , Saeki Toshihiro , Sugiura Yoshinori
Published: May 2008

In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm of the nonlinear time‐stepping finite element method for analyses of rotating machines. In the method, the adaptive finite element meshing is applied at each nonlinear and time‐stepping iterative calculation with the interpolate calculations of the potentials from the previous step. The primary finite element mesh at each time step is obtained from the final mesh of the previous time step with minor modification due to the movement of the rotor. The proposed method is applied to the characteristics calculations of a permanent magnet motor and an induction motor to verify the method's validity and its usefulness. It is clarified that the proposed method gives almost identical results to the conventional adaptive meshing method whereas the calculation time is reduced to less than 1/10 in most cases. As a result, the proposed method can reduce not only the time of making mesh manually but also the calculation time compared with the usual finite element method without adaptive meshing. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(3): 78–91, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20308
Increase of total fuel cost and line capacity for load demand under uncertainty
Authors: Banjo Daisuke , Hayashi Shigeo , Tamura Hiroyuki , Okauchi Taketoshi
Published: May 2008

In this paper, the risk of coming across flow neck in electric power systems is considered, and a computational example on expenses required in order to control the risk is shown. Total fuel cost increases by setting a margin which controls the risk. This cost is the necessary cost for the risk hedge. The uncertainty of load demand is assumed to be normal distribution. Then charge of the line flow which is calculated from changes of each load demand is assumed by using sensitivity coefficient. The risk of arising uncertainty of load line flow is shown. In order to control this risk, a margin is introduced, and the relation between this margin and the incremental fuel cost is calculated. This calculation technique can estimate expenses required in order to control the risk arising from uncertainty of load. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(3): 42–49, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20480
Experimental and analytical studies on lightning surge characteristics of a buried bare wire
Authors: Motoyama Hideki
Published: May 2008

Lightning surge analysis is very important from the viewpoint of insulation design of transmission lines and substations. Lightning surge analysis has many parameters, which include lightning surge characteristics of transmission towers, back flashover phenomena at an arcing horn, characteristics of footing resistance, effects of corona wave deformation, characteristics of electromagnetic fields caused by lightning, and other parameters. This paper describes experimental and analytical studies on lightning surge characteristics of a buried bare wire. The measurement of the lightning surge characteristics of the buried bare wire is carried out under various experimental conditions. The experimental parameters controlled in these experiments include earth resistance, length of the buried bare wire, and waveform of the injected current. The measured results are compared with analytical results based on the theoretical study by Sunde. A comparison of the measured results with the analytical results shows good agreement. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(3): 35– 41, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20532
Mechanisms of concurrent SiO desorption with oxide layer formation at Si(001) surface
Authors: Teraoka Yuden , Yoshigoe Akitaka , Moritani Kousuke
Published: May 2008

Oxidation reactions at Si(001) surfaces have been studied via real‐time in situ photoemission spectroscopy with synchrotron radiation for chemical bonding states of Si and O atoms and mass spectrometry for desorption of SiO molecules with supersonic O2 molecular beams in a temperature region from 900 K to 1300 K. In our previous studies, the SiO desorption yield decreased with increasing incident energy in a temperature region from 900 K to 1000 K. In that case, the time evolutions of Si 2p photoemission spectra showed that SiO2 structure on the surface was easily formed by the action of larger incident energy and the increased SiO2 coverage correlated with the decreased SiO desorption yield. In this study, simultaneous measurements of Si 2p photoemission spectra and SiO desorption yield revealed that the decrease of SiO correlated with the increase of Si2+ component, and the SiO desorption was terminated at the oxide thickness of 0.22 nm. These facts suggest that the SiO desorption takes place at the topmost Si dimers and a precursor for SiO desorption is a so‐called T site, in which O atoms are bonding with the dangling bonds of the dimers. Consequently, M1 and M2 in the Dual‐Oxide‐Species (DOS) model have been clarified to be a T site and a Si2+ state, respectively. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(3): 60–68, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20678
On the method of investigating human exposure to nonuniform magnetic field
Authors: Yamazaki Kenichi , Kawamoto Tadashi , Fujinami Hideo , Shigemitsu Tsukasa
Published: May 2008

Regarding compliance testing with existing guidelines on human exposure to ELF (extremely low frequency) magnetic fields, the nonuniformity of the fields has been one of the major concerns since guideline‐level exposures are generally encountered in the direct vicinity of magnetic field sources such as electric power facilities and electric appliances. According to the guidelines, when the measured maximum magnetic fields exceed the specified field level, induced currents inside human bodies are to be investigated to check their conformity. However, this calculation still needs verification and requires massive computational resources, which are not readily applicable under practical exposure conditions. Therefore, a simple and relevant method of assessing nonuniform magnetic field exposure is highly desirable. In this paper, a method of obtaining an equivalent uniform magnetic field using a coefficient (the normalized induction factor) is investigated by a numerical calculation of induced current in anatomically correct human models. In addition, to assess the obtained coefficient easily, a simple method using a spherical model was proposed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(3): 1–11, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20691
Removal of adherent noise in images by using multiple cameras
Authors: Yamashita Atsushi , Kuramoto Masayuki , Kaneko Toru
Published: May 2008

In this paper, we propose a new method for removing view‐disturbing noise from images taken with multiple cameras. In outdoor environments, scenes taken by cameras are often hard to see because of adherent noise on the surface of the lens‐protecting glass. The proposed method analyzes multiple camera images describing the same scene, and synthesizes an image in which adherent noise is eliminated. We show the effectiveness of the proposed method through experimental results. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(3): 50–59, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20697
Expanding the Scope and Orthogonality of PNA Synthesis
Authors: Pothukanuri Srinivasu , Pianowski Zbigniew , Winssinger Nicolas
Published: May 2008

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) hybridize to natural oligonucleotides according to Watson and Crick base‐pairing rules. The robustness of PNA oligomers and ease of synthesis have made them an attractive platform to encode small or macromolecules for microarraying purposes and other applications based on programmable self assembly. A cornerstone of these endeavors is the orthogonality of PNA synthesis with other chemistries. Herein, we present a thorough investigation of six types of protecting groups for the terminal nitrogen atom (Alloc, Teoc, 4‐N3Cbz, Fmoc, 4‐OTBSCbz, and Azoc) and five protecting groups on the nucleobases (Cl‐Bhoc, F‐Bhoc, Teoc, 4‐OMeCbz, and Boc). (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
1‐Aryl‐3,3‐diisopropyltriazenes: An Easily Accessible and Particularly Stable Class of Triazenes Towards Strong Basic and Lewis Acid Conditions
Authors: Reingruber Rüdiger , Vanderheiden Sylvia , Wagner Alfred , Nieger Martin , Muller Thierry , Es‐Sayed Mazen , Bräse Stefan
Published: May 2008

The stability of various substituted aryl‐3,3‐dialkyltriazenes, valuable synthetic intermediates, under several reaction conditions has been evaluated. To do so, anthranilonitrile and 2‐amino‐6‐(trifluoromethyl)benzonitrile have been reacted in the presence of different secondary amines to the corresponding 1‐(2‐R‐phenyl)‐3,3‐dialkyltriazenes. These compounds have been submitted to a series of different reaction conditions with special emphasis on strong basic and metal/acid reductive conditions in order to test the stability of the triazene moiety under these circumstances. Generally, triazenes are unstable in metal/acid reducing conditions. A lot of 1‐aryl‐3,3‐dialkyltriazenes are known to undergo deprotonation in α‐position of N‐3 in the presence of strong bases, thus limiting the scope of action of this class of compounds. Among the tested substances, most triazenes were stable in the presence of titanium isopropoxide and/or strong nucleophiles. 1‐(2‐R‐phenyl)‐3,3‐diisopropyltriazenes turned out to be particularly stable under strong basic conditions. 1,2‐addition reactions in the presence of Grignard reagents or lithiated compounds, showed in most cases no side products resulting from a degradation of the triazene function. The same was true for the titanium‐catalyzed Kulinkovich–de Meijere cyclopropanation or for reductive amination. In both cases, no triazene degradation products could be detected. 1‐(2‐R‐phenyl)‐3,3‐diisopropyltriazenes were even stable in the presence of strong Lewis acids like trimethylaluminium. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Reactions of Nitrosoarenes with Nitrogen Monoxide (Nitric Oxide) and Nitrogen Dioxide: Formation of Diarylnitroxides
Authors: Astolfi Paola , Carloni Patricia , Damiani Elisabetta , Greci Lucedio , Marini Milvia , Rizzoli Corrado , Stipa Pierluigi
Published: May 2008

Nitrosoarenes react with nitrogen monoxide (nitric oxide) at room temperature and in aprotic media to afford the corresponding diarylnitroxides by the intermediate formation of N‐nitrosoarylnitroxides. However, these latter spin adducts, in contrast with literature reports, have never been detected by us. N‐nitrosophenylnitroxide is obtained only in the oxidation of the ammonium salt of N‐nitrosophenylhydroxylamine (cupferron) with trace amounts of lead tetraacetate. However, it evolves with time to diphenylnitroxide, as demonstrated by following the reaction course in the ESR cavity. On a macroscale level, the reaction between nitrosobenzene and nitric oxide leads to the formation of N‐nitrosodiphenylamine, 4‐nitro‐N‐nitrosodiphenylamine, 4‐nitrodiphenylamine and 4,4′‐dinitrodiphenylamine, in addition to diphenylnitroxide. Diarylnitroxides are also obtained when nitrosoarenes react with small amounts of nitrogen dioxide; the mechanism of this reaction is proposed and discussed. The structure of 4‐nitro‐N‐nitrosodiphenylamine was determined by X‐ray analysis.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Reactions of Carbenes with Ethers: The Role of Noncovalent Interactions
Authors: Mieusset Jean‐Luc , Brinker Udo H.
Published: May 2008

The influence of ethers upon carbenes has been investigated computationally by the B3LYP, MP2, and MPWB1K methods. Ylide formation is only obtained with reactive‐electrophilic carbenes like cyclopentadienylidene, whereas more nucleophilic carbenes like cyclopent‐2‐enylidene associate by interactions of lone pairs of carbon and oxygen atoms with C–H bonds. Between the stabilized‐electrophilic dichlorocarbene and the oxygen lone pairs, only weak complexes are formed. Furthermore, the mechanism of the C–H insertion of dichlorocarbene into bicyclic ethers containing a three‐membered ring has been explored. The experimental data confirm the computational results. The insertion occurs easily into the α‐position of the oxygen atom in secondary ethers but not into the methyl group of methyl ethers. In all cases, insertion into the α‐position of a cyclopropane ring is not competitive.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Microwave‐Assisted Rhodium‐Complex‐Catalyzed Cascade Decarbonylation and Asymmetric Pauson–Khand‐Type Cycli­zations
Authors: Lee Hang Wai , Lee Lai Na , Chan Albert S. C. , Kwong Fuk Yee
Published: May 2008

Microwave‐assisted Rh–diphosphane‐complex‐catalyzed dual catalysis is reported. This cooperative process provides [2+2+1] cycloadducts by sequential decarbonylation of aldehyde or formate and carbonylation of enynes within a short period of time. Various O‐, N‐, and C‐tethered enynes were transformed into the corresponding products in good yields. The first enantioselective version of this microwave‐accelerated cascade cyclization was realized. In the presence of chiral Rh‐(S)‐bisbenzodioxanPhos complex, the cyclopentenone products were achieved with ee values up to 90 %. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Evaluation of the measured seismic response of the Mexico City Cathedral
Authors: Rivera Darío , Meli Roberto , Sánchez Roberto , Orozco Bernardo
Published: May 2008

The seismic response of the Mexico City Cathedral built of very soft soil deposits is evaluated by using motions recorded in various parts of the structure during several moderate earthquakes. This unique set of records provides significant insight into the seismic response of this and other similar historic stone masonry structures.

Free‐field ground motions are carefully compared in time and frequency domains with motions recorded at building basement. The dynamic characteristics of the structure are inferred from the earthquake records by using system identification techniques. Variation of seismic response for different seismic intensities is discussed. It is shown that, due to the soil–structure interaction, due to large differences between dominant frequencies of earthquake ground motions at the site and modal frequencies of vibration of the structure, and due to a particularly high viscous damping, seismic amplifications of ground motion in this and similar historic buildings erected on soft soil deposits are much smaller than that induced in most modern constructions. Nevertheless, earthquake records and analytical results show that several components of the structure such as its central dome and the bell towers may be subjected to local vibrations that significantly amplify ground motions. Overall, results indicate that in its present state the structure has an acceptable level of seismic safety. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A new family of generalized‐α time integration algorithms without overshoot for structural dynamics
Authors: KaiPing Yu
Published: May 2008

A new family of generalized‐α (G‐α) algorithm without overshoot is presented by introducing seven free parameters into the single‐step three‐stage formulation for solution of structural dynamic problems. It is proved through finite difference analysis that these algorithms are unconditionally stable, second‐order accurate and numerical dissipation controllable. The comparison of the new G‐α algorithms with the commonly used G‐α algorithms shows that the newly developed algorithms have the advantage of eliminating the overshooting characteristics exhibited by the commonly used algorithms while their excellent property of dissipation is preserved. The numerical simulation results obtained using a single‐degree‐of‐freedom system and a two‐degree‐of‐freedom system to represent the character of typical large systems coincide well with the results of theoretical analyses. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation of a combustible material in the fire of Hengyang merchant's building
Authors: Zong Ruowen , Zhang Xiaoqin , Li Songyang , Zeng Wenru , Liao Guangxuan
Published: May 2008

Agaric, a kind of important combustible material in the fire of Hengyang merchant's building, was investigated using different experiment equipments. Its degradation and pyrolysis behavior were studied by means of thermogravimetric and kinetic analysis and pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy analysis. External radiation heat and internal heat were used to ignite the agaric. For external radiation ignition, a series of bench‐scale fire tests were done in cone calorimeter in accordance with ISO 5660. As for the internal heat ignition, a fire test was carried out in a full‐scale room in accordance with ISO 9705. Multi‐parameter measurement, including heat release rate (HRR), mass loss rate (MLR), temperature field and species concentration, has been accomplished. Meanwhile, the process of a full‐scale fire test was numerically simulated. The computational results were consistent with experiment data, which will lay down a good foundation for further study in fire reconstruction of the whole fire. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secreted by adipose tissue induces direct lipid accumulation in hepatocytes
Authors: Clément Sophie , Juge-Aubry Cristiana , Sgroi Antonino , Conzelmann Stéphanie , Pazienza Valerio , Pittet-Cuenod Brigitte , Meier Christoph A. , Negro Francesco
Published: May 2008

For many years, adipose tissue has been mainly considered as an inert reservoir for storing triglycerides. Since the discovery that adipocytes may secrete a variety of bioactive molecules (hormones, chemokines, and cytokines), an endocrine and paracrine role for white adipose tissue (WAT) in the regulation of energy balance and other physiological processes has been established, particularly with regard to brain and muscle. In contrast, little is known about the interactions of WAT with liver. Hence, we examined the effect of the secretory products of WAT on hepatocytes. Conditioned medium of human WAT explants induced significant steatosis in hepatocyte cell lines. Factor(s) responsible for the conditioned medium-induced steatosis were screened by a battery of blocking antibodies against different cytokines/chemokines shown to be secreted by WAT. In contrast to interleukin-8 and interleukin-6, the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 was capable of inducing steatosis in hepatocytes in a time-dependent manner at concentrations similar to those found in conditioned medium. Incubation of conditioned medium with antimonocyte chemoattractant protein-1 antibodies prevented triglyceride accumulation. Investigation of the mechanism leading to the triglyceride accumulation showed that both a diminution of apolipoprotein B secretion and an increase in phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase messenger RNA may be involved.

Conclusion:

The monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 secreted by adipose tissue may induce steatosis not only recruiting macrophages but also acting directly on hepatocytes. (Hepatology 2008.)
Significant gene expression differences in histologically “Normal” liver biopsies: Implications for control tissue
Authors: Asselah Tarik , Bièche Ivan , Laurendeau Ingrid , Martinot-Peignoux Michelle , Paradis Valerie , Vidaud Dominique , Valla Dominique-Charles , Bedossa Pierre , Marcellin Patrick , Vidaud Michel
Published: May 2008

Gene expression technologies allow the analysis of gene networks whose expression is associated with specific pathological conditions compared with normal tissue. We hypothesized that histologically normal tissue obtained in different ways (percutaneous or surgical liver biopsies), usually used as normal controls in gene expression studies, could have different gene expression patterns. Group A comprised percutaneous liver biopsies in 14 patients with mildly elevated alanine aminotransferase in whom all causes of liver disease had been ruled out. Group B comprised 14 surgical liver biopsies of nontumoral livers. All 28 specimens were histologically normal. Real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to compare the messenger RNA expression of 240 selected genes in these two groups. Expression of 26 of the 240 genes was significantly different between groups A and B; 23 genes were up-regulated in group A, while three were down-regulated in group B. The most notable changes occurred in the inflammatory response family genes. Eight genes discriminated perfectly between groups A and B: seven up-regulated genes (

PAI1, THBS1, IL8, PTGS2, CXCR4, JUN

, and

FOS

), and one down-regulated gene (

IHH

). In chronic hepatitis C liver samples, a lower or higher expression of a

IL8

was found depending on whether the controls were obtained percutaneously or surgically.

Conclusion:

Our study demonstrates that histologically normal liver tissue obtained in two different ways (percutaneous or surgical) has different gene expression patterns emphasizing the importance of an adequate selection of histologically normal controls to prevent discordant results in gene expression studies. (Hepatology 2008.)
Mortality at 120 days after prostatic biopsy: A population‐based study of 22,175 men
Authors: Gallina Andrea , Suardi Nazareno , Montorsi Francesco , Capitanio Umberto , Jeldres Claudio , Saad Fred , Graefen Markus , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Widmer Hugues , Arjane Philippe , Péloquin François , Perrotte Paul , Karakiewicz Pierre I.
Published: May 2008

Trans‐rectal ultrasound guided biopsy of the prostate represents the diagnostic standard for prostate cancer, but its mortality rate has never been examined. We performed a population‐based study of 120‐day mortality after prostate biopsy in 22,175 patients, who underwent prostate biopsy between 1989 and 2000. The control group consisted of 1,778 men aged 65–85 years (median 69.5), who did not undergo a biopsy. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed in 11,087 of 22,175 (50%) men subjected to prostate biopsy, to identify predictors of 120‐day mortality. Variables were age at biopsy, baseline Charlson comorbidity index and cumulative number of biopsy procedures. We externally validated the model's predictors in the remaining 50% of men. Overall 120‐day mortality after biopsy was 1.3% versus 0.3% (p < 0.001) in the control group. Of men aged ≤60 years, 0.2% died within 120 days versus 2.5% aged 76–80. Zero Charlson comorbidity score yielded 0.7% mortality versus 2.2%, if 3–4. First ever biopsy procedures carried a higher mortality risk than subsequent procedures (1.4 vs. 0.8 vs. 0.6%). In the multivariable model, first ever biopsy, increasing age and comorbidity predicted higher mortality. Overall, the model's variables were 79% accurate in predicting the probability of 120‐day mortality after biopsy. In conclusion, our data suggest that prostate biopsy might predispose to higher mortality rate. The certainty of this association remains to be proven. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Uncertain pathogenicity of MSH2 variants N127S and G322D challenges their classification
Authors: Ollila Saara , Bebek Denis Dermadi , Greenblatt Marc , Nyström Minna
Published: May 2008

Hereditary non‐polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is associated with germline mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Inherited missense mutations, however, complicate the diagnostics because they do not always cause unambiguous predisposition to cancer. This leads to variable and contradictory interpretations of their pathogenicity. Here, we establish evidence for the functionality of the 2 frequently reported variations, MSH2 N127S and G322D, which have been described both as pathogenic and non‐pathogenic in literature and databases. We report the results of 3 different functional analyses characterizing the biochemical properties of these protein variants in vitro. We applied an immunoprecipitation assay to assess the MSH2–MSH6 interaction, a bandshift assay to study mismatch recognition and binding, and a MMR assay for repair efficiency. None of the experiments provided evidence on reduced functionality of these proteins as compared to wild‐type MSH2. Our data demonstrate that MSH2 N127S and G322D per se are not sufficient to trigger MMR deficiency. This together with variable clinical phenotypes in the mutation carriers suggest no or only low cancer risk in vivo. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hirudin versus heparin for use in whole blood in vitro biocompatibility models
Authors: Bexborn Fredrik , Engberg Anna E. , Sandholm Kerstin , Mollnes Tom Eirik , Hong Jaan , Nilsson Ekdahl Kristina
Published: May 2008

Heparin has traditionally been a widely used anticoagulant in blood research, but has been shown to be inappropriate for work with the complement system because of its complement‐interacting properties. In this work, we have compared the effects of heparin with those of the specific thrombin inhibitor hirudin on complement and blood cells in vitro. Whole blood collected in the presence of hirudin (50 μg/mL) or heparin (1 IU/mL) was incubated in the slide chamber model. The plasma was analyzed for complement activation markers C3a and sC5b‐9, and the polyvinylchloride test slides were stained for adhering cells. The integrity of the complement system was tested by incubating serum and hirudin‐treated plasma in the presence of various activating agents. In contrast to heparin, the addition of hirudin generally preserved the complement reactivity, and complement activation in hirudin plasma closely resembled that in normal serum. Importantly, immunochemical staining of surface‐bound cells demonstrated the inducible expression of tissue factor on bound monocytes from hirudin‐treated blood, an effect that was completely abolished in heparin‐treated blood. Our results indicate that hirudin as an anticoagulant produces more physiological conditions than heparin, making hirudin well‐suited for in vitro studies, especially those addressing the regulation of cellular processes. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Chitosan‐based rechargeable long‐term antimicrobial and biofilm‐controlling systems
Authors: Cao Zhengbing , Sun Yuyu
Published: May 2008

Chitosan, a natural cationic polymer, strongly binds anionic antibiotics (e.g., rifampin) through the formation of ionic complexes. The new system shows sustained rifampin release, leading to potent antimicrobial and biofilm‐controlling functions against gram‐positive bacteria including Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus, which are responsible for a wide range of medical device‐related infections, for longer than 30 days. Moreover, the released drugs can be recharged to further extend antimicrobial durations. Drug release mechanisms and potential applications of the new system are also discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2009
Micro‐Raman spectroscopy (MRS) and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) on organic colourants in archaeological pigments
Authors: Van Elslande Elsa , Lecomte Sophie , Le Hô Anne‐Solenn
Published: May 2008

Direct identification of organic colourants in heterogeneous matrices of cultural heritage objects with very little or no sampling remains a challenging analytical task.

A Raman procedure was investigated for the direct identification of archaeological organic‐coloured pigments found in works of art, without solvent extraction. Conventional micro‐Raman spectroscopy (MRS) using different excitations and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) were tested on microscopic samples of paints and cosmetics containing dyes from different sources (animal or vegetal). A tiny lump of purple pigment discovered during excavations in the ancient Minoan city of Akrotiri, on the Santorini Island in Greece (1650 B.C.) and Greco–Roman pink cosmetics were studied. In some cases the results were compared with a range of lake pigments made in the laboratory following historical recipes. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Accelerator mass spectrometry
Authors: Hellborg Ragnar , Skog Göran
Published: May 2008

In this overview the technique of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) and its use are described. AMS is a highly sensitive method of counting atoms. It is used to detect very low concentrations of natural isotopic abundances (typically in the range between 10−12 and 10−16) of both radionuclides and stable nuclides. The main advantages of AMS compared to conventional radiometric methods are the use of smaller samples (mg and even sub‐mg size) and shorter measuring times (less than 1 hr). The equipment used for AMS is almost exclusively based on the electrostatic tandem accelerator, although some of the newest systems are based on a slightly different principle. Dedicated accelerators as well as older “nuclear physics machines” can be found in the 80 or so AMS laboratories in existence today. The most widely used isotope studied with AMS is 14C. Besides radiocarbon dating this isotope is used in climate studies, biomedicine applications and many other fields. More than 100,000 14C samples are measured per year. Other isotopes studied include 10Be, 26Al, 36Cl, 41Ca, 59Ni, 129I, U, and Pu. Although these measurements are important, the number of samples of these other isotopes measured each year is estimated to be less than 10% of the number of 14C samples. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 27: 398–427, 2008
Seasonality and diurnal pattern of very low clouds in a deeply incised valley of the eastern tropical Andes (South Ecuador) as observed by a cost‐effective WebCam system
Authors: Bendix Jörg , Rollenbeck Rütger , Göttlicher Dietrich , Nauß Thomas , Fabian Peter
Published: May 2008

To date, the annual and diurnal pattern of low clouds touching the ground in tropical mountains is widely unknown. This holds true for the valley of the Rio San Francisco in southern Ecuador, and is mainly due to a lack of routine cloud observations, which is symptomatic for remote areas in tropical high mountains. A method to use a simple and cost‐effective WebCam system for a quantitative analysis of cloud frequency as a proxy for the occurrence of low‐cloud bases touching the ground is introduced. An interactive classification tool is developed, which is applied to a comprehensive dataset of 32 452 images (during the years 2002–2004) archived at 5 min intervals. The results point to a rapid increase of cloud frequency at altitudes > 2600 m asl both during the day and the year, mainly caused by advective clouds veiling the crests of the Cordillera del Consuelo. Even if the formation of radiation fog directly at the valley bottom is nearly negligible with regard to the whole dataset, scatterometer measurements suggest that valley fog formation on the slopes is a regular process during the night, causing a clear drop in the cloud base around sunrise. The interaction of low‐radiative and high‐advective clouds is supposed to be the driving factor for a rainfall maximum at the valley bottom around sunrise. Higher values of cloud frequency still exist at the crest level around noon: these originate from well‐developed upslope‐breeze systems. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Deuterium isotope effects on 13C chemical shifts of nitromalonamide
Authors: Hansen Poul Erik
Published: May 2008

The OH chemical shift of the enol form of nitromalonamide is found at 18.9 ppm both in DMSO‐d6 and in DMF‐d7 indicating a very strong hydrogen bond. The OH chemical shift is insensitive to temperature changes. Contrary to the large OH chemical shift, a small two‐bond deuterium isotope effect of 0.135 ppm due to deuteration at the OH position is found at the enolic carbon. This is confirmed by density functional theory calculations. The observed effects are interpreted as due to an equilibrium between identical enolic forms. These show a strong OH·O hydrogen bond as well as a NH·ONO hydrogen bond. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure elucidation and complete NMR spectral assignments of four new diterpenoids from Smallantus sonchifolius
Authors: Dou De‐Qiang , Tian Fang , Qiu Ying‐Kun , Kang Ting‐Guo , Dong Feng
Published: May 2008

Four new diterpenoids, named smaditerpenic acid A–D, together with five known compounds, were isolated from the H2O extract of the leaves of Smallantus sonchifolius (yacon) cultivated in Liaoning, China and their structures were elucidated on the basis of one‐ and two‐dimensional NMR (including 1H, 13C‐NMR, 1H1H COSY, HSQC, TOCSY, HMBC, and ROESY), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), and chemical methods. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temperature dependence of nonequivalent potential wells for pyridinium ion reorientation in pyridinium tetrachloroiodate(III), PyHICl4, studied by 1H14N nuclear quadrupole double resonance
Authors: Seliger J. , Žagar V. , Asaji T. , Konnai A.
Published: May 2008

The reorientation of a pyridinium ion in the paraelectric and antiferroelectric phase of PyHICl4 is investigated using 1H14N nuclear quadrupole double resonance (NQDR). The 14N nuclear quadrupole resonance frequencies are measured. The temperature variations of the principal values of the time‐averaged electric‐field‐gradient (EFG) tensor at the nitrogen position are used to determine the occupation probabilities of the six orientations of a pyridinium ion in both crystallographic phases. The energy difference between various orientations is determined. The molar transition entropy associated with the reorientation of the pyridinium ions is calculated and compared to the experimental value. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
1H and 13C assignments of five cembrenes from guggul
Authors: Bai Shi , Jain Mahendra
Published: May 2008

Chemical shift assignments of 1H and 13C of five cembrene compounds isolated from the hexane extract of guggul, the resin of Commiphora mukul, are reported. Using 1H, 13C, and 2D NMR methods their structures were determined as cembrene (1‐isopropyl‐4,8,12‐trimethyl‐cyclotetradeca‐2,4,7,11‐tetraene), cembrene A (1‐isopropenyl‐4,8,12‐trimethyl‐cyclotetradeca‐4,8,12‐triene), cembrenol (1‐isopropyl‐4,8,12‐trimethyl‐cyclotetradeca‐3,7,11‐trienol), mukulol (1‐isopropyl‐4,8,12‐trimethyl‐ cyclotetradeca‐3,7,11‐trienol), and verticillol (4,8,12,15,15‐pentamethyl‐bicyclo[9.3.1]pentadeca‐3,7‐dien‐12‐ol). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nucleolar re‐activation is delayed in mouse embryos cloned from two different cell lines
Authors: Svarcova O. , Dinnyes A. , Polgar Z. , Bodo S. , Adorjan M. , Meng Q. , Maddox‐Hyttel P.
Published: May 2008

Aim of this study was to evaluate and compare embryonic genome activation (EGA) in mouse embryos of different origin using nucleolus as a marker. Early and late 2‐cell and late 4‐cell stage embryos, prepared by in vitro fertilization (IVF), parthenogenetic activation (PG), and nuclear transfer of mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) and mouse HM1 embryonic stem cells (HM1), were processed for autoradiography following 3H‐uridine incubation (transcriptional activity), transmission electron microscopy (ultrastructure) and immunofluorescence (nucleolar proteins; upstream binding factor, UBF and nucleophosmin, B23). All early 2‐cell embryos showed transcriptional activity only in nucleoplasm, not over nucleolar precursor bodies (NPBs). UBF was diffusely localized to cytoplasm and B23 to cytoplasm and nucleoplasm. Late 2‐cell IVF and PG embryos displayed transcription over nucleoplasm and NPBs. Ultrastructurally, the latter were developing into functional nucleoli. NT‐MEF and NT‐HM1 embryos displayed transcription over nucleoplasm, but not over NPBs. Development of NPBs into nucleoli was lacking. UBF was in both groups localized to nucleoplasm or distinctly to presumptive NPBs. B23 was distinctly localized to NPBs. All 4‐cell embryos presented nucleoplasmic transcription and developing fibrillo‐granular nucleoli. UBF and B23 were distinctly localized to nucleoli. However, whereas fully transformed reticulated fibrillo‐granular nucleoli were found in IVF and PG embryos, NT‐MEF and ‐HM1 embryos displayed early NPBs transformation. In conclusion, despite normal onset of EGA in cloned embryos, activation of functional nucleoli was one cell cycle delayed in NT embryos. NT‐MEF embryos displayed normal targeting but delayed activation of nucleolar proteins. Contrary, in NT‐HM1 embryos, both of these processes were delayed. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 76: 132–141, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cross‐linked polybenzimidazole membranes for high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells with dichloromethyl phosphinic acid as a cross‐linker
Authors: Noyé Pernille , Li Qingfeng , Pan Chao , Bjerrum Niels J.
Published: May 2008

Phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes have been covalently cross‐linked with dichloromethyl phosphinic acid (DCMP). FT‐IR measurements showed new bands originating from bonds between the hydrogen bearing nitrogen in the imidazole group of PBI and the CH2 group in DCMP. The produced cross‐linked membranes show increased mechanical strength, making it possible to achieve higher phosphoric acid doping levels and therefore higher proton conductivity. Oxidative stability is significantly improved and thermal stability is sufficient in a temperature range of up to 250°C, i.e. within the temperature range of operation of PBI‐based fuel cells. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.