bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal Gelation of Previously Cooked Minced Meat from Jonah Crab (Cancer borealis)
Authors: Baxter S.R. , Skonberg D.I.
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT:  Crab processing typically involves picking meat from whole cooked product. Remaining meat can be recovered as mince and potentially processed into value‐added products. This study focused on gelation of commercially processed crab mince. Objectives of the research were to determine the effects of cryoprotectants, freezing, and various heat treatments on gel formation of washed mince from previously cooked crab. Previously frozen minced meat from thermally processed Jonah crab was washed to remove soluble components. Four different treatments were applied to the washed mince: (1) freezing with cryoprotectants, (2) freezing with no cryoprotectants, (3) no freezing with cryoprotectants, and (4) no freezing with no cryoprotectants. Unwashed mince was used as a control treatment. Sodium chloride (2.5%) was mixed into the mince prior to stuffing into sausage casings and heating at 35 °C/30 min, 90 °C/30 min, or 35 °C/30 min followed by 90 °C/30 min. Gels were tested for proximate composition, color, water‐holding capacity, and gel strength. All mince samples formed gels except for the unwashed control. Gels with no cryoprotectants had 10% to 20% greater water holding capacity, lower L* values, and greater gel strength than those with cryoprotectants. Freezing of washed mince resulted in lower water‐holding capacity of gels and higher a* values. A 2‐stage heating treatment resulted in gels with the greatest gel strength, whereas gels cooked at 35 °C had the greatest distance to fracture. Results indicate that protein gels can be formed using previously cooked crab meat, which may be useful in the development of value‐added products.
Descriptive Analysis of Cola and Lemon/Lime Carbonated Beverages
Authors: Kappes S.M. , Schmidt S.J. , Lee S.‐Y.
Published: October 2006

ABSTRACT:  Obesity trends have increased product development efforts to replace bulk sweeteners with alternative sweetening systems without changing the full calorie sensory experience. Sweetness and bitterness intensities and temporal properties of alternative sweetening systems have been investigated. However, mouthfeel characteristics of carbonated beverages sweetened with alternative sweetening systems compared with bulk sweeteners are not well defined. The objectives of this research were to (1) quantitatively characterize mouthfeel attributes in carbonated beverages, and (2) investigate the halo‐attribute dumping effect of rating mouthfeel attributes exclusively from other sensory attributes in the modalities of aroma, aroma‐by‐mouth, taste, and afterfeel. Twelve panelists completed a 2‐part training procedure to apply descriptive profiling to cola and lemon/lime carbonated beverages. In part 1, the training focused on describing mouthfeel attributes in 14 commercial carbonated beverages. Bite, burn, numbing, carbonation, astringent, body, and mouthcoating were identified as significant mouthfeel attributes. Diet cola‐flavored carbonated beverages were perceived as having significantly less astringent, body, and mouthcoating compared to regular carbonated beverages in contrast to diet and regular lemon/lime beverages. In part 2, the training focused on describing aroma, aroma‐by‐mouth, taste, and afterfeel modalities in addition to mouthfeel of 9 commercial carbonated beverages. Perceived bite, burn, carbonation, and mouthcoating increased when the beverages were rated for mouthfeel attributes alone compared to when beverages were rated for all attributes demonstrating a halo‐attribute dumping effect. These sensory results are also a critical 1st step in the process of determining the underlying physical/chemical property differences among carbonated beverages with different types of sweeteners.
Molecular characterization of ribosomal intergenic spacer in the tadpole shrimpTriops cancriformis(Crustacea, Branchiopoda, Notostraca)
Authors: Luchetti Andrea , Scanabissi Franca , Mantovani Barbara
Published: October 2006

Nuclear ribosomal DNA constitutes a multigene family, with tandemly arranged units linked by an intergenic spacer (IGS), which contains initiation/termination transcription signals and usually tandemly arranged subrepeats. The structure and variability of the IGS region are analyzed here in hermaphroditic and parthenogenetic populations of the "living fossil" Triops cancriformis (Branchiopoda, Notostraca). The results indicate the presence of concerted evolution at the population level for this G+C-rich IGS region as a whole, with the major amount of genetic variability found outside the subrepeat region. The subrepeats region is composed of 3 complete repeats (a, c, d) intermingled with 3 repeat fragments (b, e, f) and unrelated sequences. The most striking datum is the absolute identity of subrepeats (except type d) occupying the same position in different individuals/populations. A putative promoter sequence is present upstream of the 18S rRNA gene, but not in subrepeats, which is at variance with other arthropod IGSs. The absence of a promoter sequence in the subrepeats and subrepeat sequence conservation suggests that this region acts as an enhancer simply by its repetitive nature, as observed in some vertebrates. The putative external transcribed spacer (840 bp) shows hairpin structures, as in yeasts, protozoans, Drosophila, and vertebrates.Key words: concerted evolution, Crustacea, external transcribed spacer, intergenic spacer, ribosomal DNA, subrepeats, Triops cancriformis.
Exact word matches in rice pseudomolecules
Authors: Liu Shaolin , Tinker Nicholas A , Mather Diane E
Published: October 2006

Using pseudomolecules of assembled genomic sequence, we computed the frequencies of 6 to 24 bp oligonucleotide (oligo) "words" across the genome of rice (Oryza sativa L. subsp. japonica). All oligos of 10 or fewer basepairs were repeated at least 12 times in the genome. The percentage of unique (non-repeated) oligos ranged from 0.1% for 12 bp oligos to 76.0% for 24 bp oligos. For three 200 kb regions, we annotated each nucleotide position with the genome-wide frequency of the 18 bp oligo starting at that position. These frequencies formed landscapes consisting of high- and low-frequency zones. Low-frequency zones contained occasional high-frequency spikes; these may represent footprints of RIM2 transposon activity. BLASTn searches of high-frequency non-SSR (simple sequence repeat) 18 bp oligos returned few sequences from species other than rice. These results demonstrate that, in rice, words are not randomly used between different regions within the same genome, and indicate that words that are frequently repeated within the rice genome tend to be unique to rice.Key words: oligonucleotide, sequence repetition, word match frequency, rice.
Timing and rate of genome variation in triticale following allopolyploidization
Authors: Ma Xue-Feng , Gustafson J Perry
Published: October 2006

The timing and rate of genomic variation induced by allopolyploidization in the intergeneric wheat-rye (Triticum spp. – Secale cereale L.) hybrid triticale (× Triticosecale Wittmack) was studied using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analyses with 2 sets of primers, EcoRI–MseI (E–M) and PstI–MseI (P–M), which primarily amplify repetitive and low-copy sequences, respectively. The results showed that allopolyploidization induced genome sequence variation in triticale and that a great degree of the genome variation occurred immediately following wide hybridization. Specifically, about 46.3% and 36.2% of the wheat parental band loss and 74.5% and 68.4% of the rye parental band loss occurred in the F1hybrids (before chromosome doubling) for E–M and P–M primers, respectively. The sequence variation events that followed chromosome doubling consisted of continuous modifications that occurred at a very small rate compared with the rate of variation before chromosome doubling. However, the rate of sequence variation involving the rye parental genome was much higher in the first 5 generations following chromosome doubling than in any subsequent generation. Surprisingly, the highest rate of rye genomic variation occurring after chromosome doubling was in C3or later, but not in C1. The data suggested that the cytoplasm and the degree of the relationship between the parental genomes were the key factors in determining the direction, amount, timing, and rate of genomic sequence variation occurring during intergeneric allopolyploidization.Key words: genome evolution, sequence variation, allopolyploid, triticale, AFLP.
EXISTENCE AND STABILITY OF SOLITARY WAVES IN NON-LINEAR KLEIN–GORDON–MAXWELL EQUATIONS
Authors: LONG EAMONN
Published: October 2006

We prove the existence and stability of non-topological solitons in a class of weakly coupled non-linear Klein–Gordon–Maxwell equations. These equations arise from coupling non-linear Klein–Gordon equations to Maxwell's equations for electromagnetism.
TWO DISCRETIZATION SCHEMES FOR A TIME-DOMAIN DISSIPATIVE ACOUSTICS PROBLEM
Authors: BERMÚDEZ ALFREDO , RODRÍGUEZ RODOLFO , SANTAMARINA DUARTE
Published: October 2006

This paper deals with a time-domain mathematical model for dissipative acoustics and is organized as follows. First, the equations of this model are written in terms of displacement and temperature fields and an energy equation is obtained. The resulting initial-boundary value problem is written in a functional framework allowing us to prove the existence and uniqueness of solution. Next, two different time-discretization schemes are proposed, and stability and error estimates are proved for both. Finally, numerical results are reported which were obtained by combining these time-schemes with Lagrangian and Raviart–Thomas finite elements for temperature and displacement fields, respectively.
HOMOGENIZATION OF TWO-PHASE FLOW IN FRACTURED MEDIA
Authors: YEH LI-MING
Published: October 2006

In a fractured medium, there is an interconnected system of fracture planes dividing the porous rock into a collection of matrix blocks. The fracture planes, while very thin, form paths of high permeability. Most of the fluids reside in matrix blocks, where they move very slow. Let ε denote the size ratio of the matrix blocks to the whole medium and let the width of the fracture planes and the porous block diameter be in the same order. If permeability ratio of matrix blocks to fracture planes is of order ε2, microscopic models for two-phase, incompressible, immiscible flow in fractured media converge to a dual-porosity model as ε goes to 0. If the ratio is smaller than order ε2, the microscopic models approach a single-porosity model for fracture flow. If the ratio is greater than order ε2, then microscopic models tend to another type of single-porosity model. In this work, these results will be proved by a two-scale method.
BASIC THEORY FOR A CLASS OF MODELS OF HIERARCHICALLY STRUCTURED POPULATION DYNAMICS WITH DISTRIBUTED STATES IN THE RECRUITMENT
Authors: CALSINA ÀNGEL , SALDAÑA JOAN
Published: October 2006

In this paper we present a proof of existence and uniqueness of solution for a class of PDE models of size structured populations with distributed state-at-birth and having nonlinearities defined by an infinite-dimensional environment. The latter means that each member of the population experiences an environment according to a sort of average of the population size depending on the individual size, rank or any other variable structuring the population. The proof of the local existence and uniqueness of solution as well as the continuous dependence on initial continuous is based on the general theory of quasi-linear evolution equations in nonreflexive Banach spaces, while the global existence proof is based on the integration of the local solution along characteristic curves.
THRESHOLD ACCEPTING BASED FUZZY CLUSTERING ALGORITHMS
Authors: RAVI V. , BIN MA , RAVI KUMAR P.
Published: October 2006

In this paper, two new fuzzy clustering algorithms are proposed based on the global optimization metaheuristic, Threshold Accepting. Their effectiveness is demonstrated in the case of five well-known medium sized data sets viz. Iris, Wine, Glass, E.Coli and Olive oil and a large data set Thyroid. In terms of the least objective functions value, these algorithms named TAFC-1 (Threshold Accepting based Fuzzy Clustering) and TAFC-2 outperformed the well-known Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) algorithm in the case of 4 data sets and in the remaining two data sets, FCM marginally outperformed the TAFC. Xie-Beni cluster validity index is used in arriving at the 'optimal' number of clusters for all the algorithms. Here a novel strategy is proposed whereby the FCM is invoked to find alternative decision vectors whenever the neighbourhood search fails in its pursuit. This hybrid scheme has worked well. In conclusion, these new algorithms can be used as viable and efficient alternatives to the FCM algorithm.
Intravenous bilirubin provides incomplete protection against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in vivo
Authors: Kirkby Kristin , Baylis Chris , Agarwal Anupam , Croker Byron , Archer Linda , Adin Christopher
Published: October 2006

Exogenous bilirubin (BR) substitutes for the protective effects of heme oxygenase (HO) in several organ systems. Our objective was to investigate the effects of exogenous BR in an in vivo model of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in the rat kidney. Four groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized using isoflurane in oxygen and treated with 1) 5 mg/kg intravenous (iv) BR, 1 h before ischemia and 6-h reperfusion; 2) vehicle 1 h before ischemia and 6-h reperfusion; 3) 20 mg/kg iv BR, 1 h before and during ischemia; and 4) vehicle 1 h before and during ischemia. Bilateral renal clamping (30 min) was followed by 6-h reperfusion. Infusion of 5 mg/kg iv BR achieved target levels in the serum at 6 h postischemia (31 ± 9 μmol/l). Infusion of 20 mg/kg BR reached 50 ± 22 μmol/l at the end of ischemia, and a significant improvement was seen in serum creatinine at 6 h (1.07 ± 28 vs. 1.38 ± 0.18 mg/dl, P = 0.043). Glomerular filtration rate, estimated renal plasma flow, fractional excretion of electrolytes, and renal vascular resistance were not significantly improved in BR-treated groups. Histological grading demonstrated a trend toward preservation of cortical proximal tubules in rats receiving 20 mg/kg iv BR compared with control; however, neither BR dose provided protection against injury to the renal medulla. At the doses administered, iv BR did not provide complete protection against IRI in vivo. Combined supplementation of both BR and carbon monoxide may be required to preserve renal blood flow and adequately substitute for the protective effects of HO in vivo.
Proximal tubule microvilli remodeling and albuminuria in the Ren2 transgenic rat
Authors: Hayden Melvin R. , Chowdhury Nazif A. , Cooper Shawna A. , Whaley-Connell Adam , Habibi Javad , Witte Lauren , Wiedmeyer Charles , Manrique Camila Margarita , Lastra Guido , Ferrario Carlos , Stump Craig , Sowers James R.
Published: October 2006

TG(mRen2)27 (Ren2) transgenic rats overexpress the mouse renin gene, with subsequent elevated tissue ANG II, hypertension, and nephropathy. The proximal tubule cell (PTC) is responsible for the reabsorption of 5–8 g of glomerular filtered albumin each day. Excess filtered albumin may contribute to PTC damage and tubulointerstitial disease. This investigation examined the role of ANG II-induced oxidative stress in PTC structural remodeling: whether such changes could be modified with in vivo treatment with ANG type 1 receptor (AT1R) blockade (valsartan) or SOD/catalase mimetic (tempol). Male Ren2 (6–7 wk old) and age-matched Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with valsartan (30 mg/kg), tempol (1 mmol/l), or placebo for 3 wk. Systolic blood pressure, albuminuria, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase, and kidney tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured, and ×60,000 transmission electron microscopy images were used to assess PTC microvilli structure. There were significant differences in systolic blood pressure, albuminuria, lipid peroxidation (MDA and nitrotyrosine staining), and PTC structure in Ren2 vs. Sprague-Dawley rats (each P < 0.05). Increased mean diameter of PTC microvilli in the placebo-treated Ren2 rats ( P < 0.05) correlated strongly with albuminuria ( r2 = 0.83) and moderately with MDA ( r2 = 0.49), and there was an increase in the ratio of abnormal forms of microvilli in placebo-treated Ren2 rats compared with Sprague-Dawley control rats ( P < 0.05). AT1R blockade, but not tempol treatment, abrogated albuminuria and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase; both therapies corrected abnormalities in oxidative stress and PTC microvilli remodeling. These data indicate that PTC structural damage in the Ren2 rat is related to the oxidative stress response to ANG II and/or albuminuria.
Regulation of renal glucose transporters during severe inflammation
Authors: Schmidt Christoph , Höcherl Klaus , Bucher Michael
Published: October 2006

Severe sepsis is accompanied by acute renal failure (ARF) with renal tubular dysfunction and glucosuria. In this study, we aimed to determine the regulation of renal tubular glucose transporters during severe experimental inflammation. Male C57BL/6J mice were injected with LPS or proinflammatory cytokines, and renal perfusion, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), fractional glucose excretion, and expression of tubular glucose transporters were determined. We found a decreased plasma glucose concentration with impaired renal tissue perfusion and GFR and increased fractional glucose excretion associated with decreased expression of SGLT2, SGLT3, and GLUT2 after LPS injection. Similar alterations were observed after application of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, or IFN-γ. To clarify the role of proinflammatory cytokines, we performed LPS injections in knockout mice with deficiencies for TNF-α, IL-1 receptor type 1, IFN-γ, or IL-6 as well as LPS injections in glucocorticoid-treated wild-type mice. LPS-induced alterations of glucose transporters also were present in single-cytokine knockout mice. In contrast, glucocorticoid treatment clearly attenuated LPS-induced changes in renal glucose transporter expression and improved GFR and fractional glucose excretion. LPS-induced decrease of renal perfusion was not improved by glucocorticoids, indicating a minor role of ischemia in the development of septic renal dysfunction. Our results demonstrate modifications of tubular glucose transporters during severe inflammation that are probably mediated by proinflammatory cytokines and account for the development of ARF with increased fractional glucose excretion. In addition, our findings provide an explanation why single anti-cytokine strategies fail in the therapy of septic patients and contribute to an understanding of the beneficial effects of glucocorticoids on septic renal dysfunction.
Statin-sensitive endocytosis of albumin by glomerular podocytes
Authors: Eyre Jeanette , Ioannou Kyriakos , Grubb Blair D. , Saleem Moin A. , Mathieson Peter W. , Brunskill Nigel J. , Christensen Erik I. , Topham Peter S.
Published: October 2006

Glomerular podocytes are critical regulators of glomerular permeability via the slit diaphragm and may play a role in cleaning the glomerular filter. Whether podocytes are able to endocytose proteins is uncertain. We studied protein endocytosis in conditionally immortalized mouse and human podocytes using FITC-albumin by direct quantitative assay and by fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy in mouse podocytes. Furthermore, in vivo uptake was studied in human, rat, and mouse podocytes. Both mouse and human podocytes displayed specific one-site binding for FITC-albumin with Kdof 0.91 or 0.44 mg/ml and Bmaxof 3.15 or 0.81 μg/mg cell protein, respectively. In addition, they showed avid endocytosis of FITC-albumin with Kmof 9.48 or 4.5 mg/ml and Vmaxof 474.3 or 97.4 μg·mg cell protein−1·h−1, respectively. Immunoglobulin and transferrin were inefficient competitors of this process, indicating some specificity for albumin. Accumulation of endocytosed albumin could be demonstrated in intracellular vesicles by fluorescence confocal microscopy and electron microscopy. Endocytosis was sensitive to pretreatment with simvastatin. In vivo accumulation of albumin was found in all three species but was most pronounced in the rat. We conclude that podocytes are able to endocytose protein in a statin-sensitive manner. This function is likely to be highly significant in health and disease. In addition, protein endocytosis by podocytes may represent a useful, measurable phenotypic characteristic against which potentially injurious or beneficial interventions can be assessed.
Measuring Perceptions of Breast Cancer Risk
Authors: Gurmankin Levy Andrea , Shea Judy , Williams Sankey V. , Quistberg Alex , Armstrong Katrina
Published: October 2006

Background: Accurate measurement of people's risk perceptions is important for numerous bodies of research and in clinical practice, but there is no consensus about the best measure.

Objective: This study evaluated three measures of women's breast cancer risk perception by assessing their psychometric and test characteristics.

Design: A cross-sectional mailed survey to women from a primary care population asked participants to rate their chance of developing breast cancer in their lifetime on a 0% to 100% numerical scale and a verbal scale with five descriptive categories, and to compare their risk to others (seven categories). Six hundred three of 956 women returned the survey (63.1%), and we analyzed surveys from the 566 women without a self-reported personal history of breast or ovarian cancer.

Results: Scores on the numeric, verbal, and comparative measures were correlated with each other (r > 0.50), worry (r > 0.51), the Gail estimate (r > 0.26), and family history (r > 0.25). The numerical scale had the strongest correlation with annual mammogram (r = 0.19), and its correlation with the Gail estimate was unassociated with participants' sociodemographics. The numerical and comparative measures had the highest sensitivity (0.89-0.90) and specificity (0.99) for identifying women with very high risk perception. The numerical and comparative scale also did well in identifying women with very low risk perception, although the numerical scale had the highest specificity (0.96), whereas the comparative scale had the highest sensitivity (0.89).

Conclusion: Different measures of women's perceptions about breast cancer risk have different strengths and weaknesses. Although the numerical measure did best overall, the optimal measure depends on the goals of the measure (i.e., avoidance of false positives or false negatives). (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1893–8)
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Subsite-Specific Colorectal Cancer Incidence in the Iowa Women's Health Study
Authors: Mahipal Amit , Anderson Kristin E. , Limburg Paul J. , Folsom Aaron R.
Published: October 2006

Background: Previous epidemiologic studies have shown that regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with decreased colorectal cancer risk. However, few studies have examined associations between NSAID use and subsite-specific colorectal cancer risks. Because tumors of the proximal and distal colon differ with respect to their genetic alterations, clinicopathologic features, and demographic distribution, further investigation of subsite-specific colorectal cancer risks may be rewarding.

Methods: Data about aspirin and nonaspirin-NSAID use were recorded by self-report in 1992 among the initially cancer-free cohort of postmenopausal women in the Iowa Women's Health Study (n = 27,160). In total, 637 women developed colorectal cancer during the 11 years of follow-up, including 365 proximal colon, 132 distal colon, and 120 rectal cancer cases (11 overlapping and 9 not specified).

Results: For colon cancer, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR) for women reporting use of aspirin two to five times and six or more times weekly (compared with nonusers of aspirin) were 0.79 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.59-1.04] and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.58-1.00), respectively. The corresponding HRs for nonaspirin NSAIDs were 0.63 (95% CI, 0.41-0.96) and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.63-1.15), respectively. For proximal colon cancer, the multivariable-adjusted HRs for women reporting use of aspirin or nonaspirin NSAIDs two or more times weekly (compared with nonusers of each) were 0.67 (95% CI, 0.51-0.87) and 0.71 (95% CI, 0.52-0.97), respectively. No statistically significant association was found between either distal colon or rectal cancer and aspirin or nonaspirin NSAID use.

Discussion: Our study is consistent with a limited number of prior reports that have observed stronger associations between NSAID use and proximal versus distal colorectal cancer. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1785–90)
Comparison of Polymorphisms in Genes Involved in Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolism with Urinary Phenanthrene Metabolite Ratios in Smokers
Authors: Hecht Stephen S. , Carmella Steven G. , Yoder Andrea , Chen Menglan , Li Zhong-ze , Le Chap , Dayton Rachel , Jensen Joni , Hatsukami Dorothy K.
Published: October 2006

The hypothesis that interindividual differences among smokers in the metabolism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are related to lung cancer risk has been extensively investigated in the literature. These studies have compared lung cancer risk in groups of smokers with or without polymorphisms in genes involved in PAH metabolism. We believe that carcinogen metabolite phenotyping, involving the actual measurement of PAH metabolites, would be a better way to investigate differences in lung cancer risk. With this goal in mind, we have developed methods for quantifying phenanthrene metabolites in urine. Phenanthrene is the simplest PAH with a bay region, a feature closely associated with carcinogenicity. The urinary metabolite r-1,t-2,3,c-4-tetrahydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrophenanthrene (PheT) is a measure of metabolic activation, whereas phenanthrols (HOPhe) are a measure of detoxification. In this study, we quantified urinary PheT/HOPhe ratios in 346 smokers who were also genotyped for 11 polymorphisms in genes involved in PAH metabolism: CYP1A1MspI, CYP1A1I462V, CYP1B1R48G, CYP1B1A119S, CYP1B1L432V, CYP1B1N453S, EPHX1Y113H, EPHX1H139R, GSTP1I105V, GSTP1A114V, and GSTM1 null. The geometric mean molar PheT/3-HOPhe ratio was 4.08 (95% confidence interval, 3.79-4.39). Ten percent of the smokers had PheT/3-HOPhe ratios of ≥9.90. We found a significant association between the presence of the CYP1A1I462V polymorphism and high PheT/3-HOPhe ratios (P = 0.02). This effect was particularly strong in females and in combination with the GSTM1 null polymorphism. In contrast, the CYP1B1R48G and CYP1B1A119S polymorphisms were associated with significantly lower PheT/3-HOPhe ratios, particularly in Blacks. There were no consistent significant effects of any of the other polymorphisms on PheT/3-HOPhe ratios. The highest 10% of PheT/3-HOPhe ratios could not be predicted by the presence of any of the 11 polymorphisms individually or by certain combinations. The effects of the CYP1A1I462 polymorphism observed here, particularly in combination with GSTM1 null, are quite consistent with reports in the literature. However, the results of this study indicate that genotyping is not an effective way to predict PAH metabolism at least as represented by PheT/HOPhe ratios. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1805–11)
The Risk of Cancer following Hospitalization for Infection in Infancy: A Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Paltiel Ora , Laniado David E. , Yanetz Rivlca , Deutsch Lisa , Calderon-Margalit Ronit , Harlap Susan , Friedlander Yehiel
Published: October 2006

Background: The relation between infections in infancy and subsequent cancer risk in children and young adults is controversial. Our aim was to examine this association in the Jerusalem Perinatal Study, a population-based cohort comprising all offspring from western Jerusalem and surroundings born from 1964 to 1976.

Methods: Identity numbers of nonmalformed singletons with recorded data about hospital admission in the 1st year of life (n = 24,554) were linked to the Population and Cancer Registries. Person-year incidence rates were calculated for the exposed (admitted for infection) and nonexposed (not admitted for infection) groups from birth to date of cancer diagnosis, death, or December 31, 2004. We used Cox proportional hazards models to adjust for covariates associated with hospitalization.

Results: The median follow-up was 36 years. Cancer developed in 283 individuals. Hospitalization for infection was not associated with overall cancer risk [risk ratio (RR), 0.88; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.56-1.37]. The incidence rate for non–Hodgkin's lymphoma was higher in the exposed compared with the nonexposed group (RR, 3.46; 95% CI, 1.38-8.68), remaining unchanged after controlling for birth weight, gender, and maternal education. Leukemia risk was not significantly associated (RR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.06-3.24) with hospitalization for infection.

Conclusions: Hospital admission in the 1st year of life due to infection is associated with an increased risk of non–Hodgkin's lymphoma. This is consistent with observations that mild immunodeficiencies predispose to lymphoma. Survival of infants with subtle immune defects, who may have previously succumbed to their infection, may contribute to the increased incidence of non–Hodgkin's lymphoma observed over the last 50 years. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1964–8)
Haplotype-Based Association Studies of IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 with Prostate and Breast Cancer Risk: The Multiethnic Cohort
Authors: Cheng Iona , Penney Kathryn L. , Stram Daniel O. , Le Marchand Loic , Giorgi Elena , Haiman Christopher A. , Kolonel Laurence N. , Pike Malcolm , Hirschhorn Joel , Henderson Brian E. , Freedman Matthew L.
Published: October 2006

Collective evidence suggests that the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays a role in prostate and breast cancer risk. IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) are the principal regulatory molecules that modulate IGF-I bioavailability in the circulation and tissues. To examine whether inherited differences in the IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 genes influence prostate and breast cancer susceptibility, we conducted two large population-based association studies of African Americans, Native Hawaiians, Japanese Americans, Latinos, and Whites. To thoroughly assess the genetic variation across the two loci, we (a) sequenced the IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 exons in 95 aggressive prostate and 95 advanced breast cancer cases to ensure that we had identified all common missense variants and (b) characterized the linkage disequilibrium patterns and common haplotypes by genotyping 36 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) spanning 71 kb across the loci (∼20 kb upstream and ∼40 kb downstream, respectively) in a panel of 349 control subjects of the five racial/ethnic groups. No new missense SNPs were found. We identified three regions of strong linkage disequilibrium and selected a subset of 23 tagging SNPs that could accurately predict both the common IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 haplotypes and the remaining 13 SNPs. We tested the association between IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 genotypes and haplotypes for their associations with prostate and breast cancer risk in two large case-control studies nested within the Multiethnic Cohort [prostate cases/controls = 2,320/2,290; breast cases (largely postmenopausal)/controls = 1,615/1,962]. We observed no strong associations between IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 genotypes or haplotypes with either prostate or breast cancer risk. Our results suggest that common genetic variation in the IGFBP1 and IGFBP3 genes do not substantially influence prostate and breast cancer susceptibility. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1993–7)
Validity of Self-reported Smoking Status among Participants in a Lung Cancer Screening Trial
Authors: Studts Jamie L. , Ghate Sameer R. , Gill Jaime L. , Studts Christina R. , Barnes Christopher N. , LaJoie A. Scott , Andrykowski Michael A. , LaRocca Renato V.
Published: October 2006

Lung cancer remains a devastating disease associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Recent research has suggested that lung cancer screening with spiral computed tomography scans might reduce lung cancer mortality. Studies of lung cancer screening have also suggested that significant numbers of participants quit smoking after screening. However, most have relied solely on self-reported smoking behavior, which may be less accurate among participants in lung cancer screening. To assess the validity of self-reported smoking status among participants in a lung cancer screening trial, this study compared self-reported smoking status against urinary cotinine levels. The sample included 55 consecutive participants enrolled in a randomized clinical trial comparing annual spiral computed tomography and chest X-ray for lung cancer screening. Participants were a mean of 59 years of age and predominantly Caucasian (96%) and male (55%). Self-reported smoking status was assessed before and after participants learned of the purpose of the biochemical verification study. Using urinary cotinine as the “gold standard,” the sensitivity and specificity of self-reported smoking status were 91% and 95%, respectively (κ = 0.85, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval = 0.71-0.99). Total misclassification rate was 7%. However, three of the four misclassified participants reported concurrent use of nicotine replacement strategies. Eliminating these cases from the analysis revealed sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 95% (κ = 0.96, P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval = 0.88-1.00). In conclusion, self-reported smoking status among participants in a lung cancer screening trial was highly consistent with urinary cotinine test results. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(10):1825–8)
Building the New African Eco-Industrial Economy: Circulating Brains and Recycling Materials
Authors: Patterson Rubin
Published: October 2006

This paper develops an original proposition for debate in the fields of African studies, transnationalism, environmental studies, and technology studies. Essentially, the paper posits that, for a few key reasons, Sub-Saharan Africa will not likely have an opportunity to experience industrialization with the reigning "destructo-industrial" technologies pioneered by Europeans and Americans. An industrial experience appears achievable for Sub-Saharan Africans only in the context of a new ecological economy. Not only are there no unassailable national frontrunners in this future area, but Sub-Saharan Africans have a credible opportunity of being among the leaders in the future. The process would commence with "brain circulation," the movement of Africans into rich, technologically advanced countries to have their human, economic, and social capital enhanced, some of which to be reinvested in their respective homelands, particularly in ecological industrial areas.
Targeting mitochondrial factor Smac/DIABLO as therapy for multiple myeloma (MM)
Authors: Chauhan Dharminder , Neri Paola , Velankar Mugdha , Podar Klaus , Hideshima Teru , Fulciniti Mariateresa , Tassone Pierfrancesco , Raje Noopur , Mitsiades Constantine , Mitsiades Nicholas , Richardson Paul , Zawel Leigh , Tran Mary , Munshi Nikhil , Anderson Kenneth C.
Published: October 2006

Second mitochondria–derived activator of caspases (Smac) promotes apoptosis via activation of caspases. Here we show that a low-molecular-weight Smac mimetic LBW242 induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma (MM) cells resistant to conventional and bortezomib therapies. Examination of purified patient MM cells demonstrated similar results, without significant cytotoxicity against normal lymphocytes and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Importantly, LBW242 abrogates paracrine MM cell growth triggered by their adherence to BMSCs and overcomes MM cell growth and drug-resistance conferred by interleukin-6 or insulinlike growth factor-1. Overexpression of Bcl-2 similarly does not affect LBW242-induced cytotoxicity. Mechanistic studies show that LBW242-induced apoptosis in MM cells is associated with activation of caspase-8, caspase-9, and caspase-3, followed by PARP cleavage. In human MM xenograft mouse models, LBW242 is well tolerated, inhibits tumor growth, and prolongs survival. Importantly, combining LBW242 with novel agents, including tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) or the proteasome inhibitors bortezomib and NPI-0052, as well as with the conventional anti-MM agent melphalan, induces additive/synergistic anti-MM activity. Our study therefore provides the rationale for clinical protocols evaluating LBW242, alone and together with other anti-MM agents, to improve patient outcome in MM.
GOLEM: an interactive graph-based gene-ontology navigation and analysis tool
Authors: Sealfon Rachel SG , Hibbs Matthew A , Huttenhower Curtis , Myers Chad L , Troyanskaya Olga G
Published: October 2006

Background

The Gene Ontology has become an extremely useful tool for the analysis of genomic data and structuring of biological knowledge. Several excellent software tools for navigating the gene ontology have been developed. However, no existing system provides an interactively expandable graph-based view of the gene ontology hierarchy. Furthermore, most existing tools are web-based or require an Internet connection, will not load local annotations files, and provide either analysis or visualization functionality, but not both.

Results

To address the above limitations, we have developed GOLEM (Gene Ontology Local Exploration Map), a visualization and analysis tool for focused exploration of the gene ontology graph. GOLEM allows the user to dynamically expand and focus the local graph structure of the gene ontology hierarchy in the neighborhood of any chosen term. It also supports rapid analysis of an input list of genes to find enriched gene ontology terms. The GOLEM application permits the user either to utilize local gene ontology and annotations files in the absence of an Internet connection, or to access the most recent ontology and annotation information from the gene ontology webpage. GOLEM supports global and organism-specific searches by gene ontology term name, gene ontology id and gene name.

Conclusion

GOLEM is a useful software tool for biologists interested in visualizing the local directed acyclic graph structure of the gene ontology hierarchy and searching for gene ontology terms enriched in genes of interest. It is freely available both as an application and as an applet at http://function.princeton.edu/GOLEM.
Analysis of the dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum expressed sequence tags
Authors: Wang Lingling , Ma Li , Leng Wenchuan , Liu Tao , Yu Lu , Yang Jian , Yang Li , Zhang Wenliang , Zhang Qian , Dong Jie , Xue Ying , Zhu Yafang , Xu Xingye , Wan Zhe , Ding Guohui , Yu Fudong , Tu Kang , Li Yixue , Li Ruoyu , Shen Yan , Jin Qi
Published: October 2006

Background

Dermatophytes are the primary causative agent of dermatophytoses, a disease that affects billions of individuals worldwide. Trichophyton rubrum is the most common of the superficial fungi. Although T. rubrum is a recognized pathogen for humans, little is known about how its transcriptional pattern is related to development of the fungus and establishment of disease. It is therefore necessary to identify genes whose expression is relevant to growth, metabolism and virulence of T. rubrum.

Results

We generated 10 cDNA libraries covering nearly the entire growth phase and used them to isolate 11,085 unique expressed sequence tags (ESTs), including 3,816 contigs and 7,269 singletons. Comparisons with the GenBank non-redundant (NR) protein database revealed putative functions or matched homologs from other organisms for 7,764 (70%) of the ESTs. The remaining 3,321 (30%) of ESTs were only weakly similar or not similar to known sequences, suggesting that these ESTs represent novel genes.

Conclusion

The present data provide a comprehensive view of fungal physiological processes including metabolism, sexual and asexual growth cycles, signal transduction and pathogenic mechanisms.
Phase III Trial Comparing Three Doses of Docetaxel for Second-Line Treatment of Advanced Breast Cancer
Authors: Harvey Vernon , Mouridsen Henning , Semiglazov Vladimir , Jakobsen Erik , Voznyi Edouard , Robinson Bridget A. , Groult Vanina , Murawsky Michael , Cold Soeren
Published: October 2006

Purpose

To evaluate whether a relationship exists between docetaxel dose and clinical response in the treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer.

Patients and Methods

Patients whose cancer had progressed after one prior chemotherapy regimen for advanced breast cancer or had recurred during or within 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy were randomly assigned to docetaxel 60, 75, or 100 mg/m2 intravenously every 3 weeks.

Results

Five hundred twenty-seven patients were randomly assigned (intent to treat [ITT]), and 524 were assessable for toxicity. In the population assessable for efficacy (n = 407), logistic regression analysis showed that increasing docetaxel dose was significantly associated with higher response rate (P = .007) and improved time to progression (TTP; P = .014). In the ITT analysis, a significant dose-response relationship was observed for tumor response (P = .026) but not for TTP (P = .067). The incidences of most hematologic and nonhematologic toxicities were related to increasing dose, with grade 3 to 4 neutropenia occurring in 76.4%, 83.7%, and 93.4% and febrile neutropenia occurring in 4.7%, 7.4%, and 14.1% of patients administered the 60, 75, and 100 mg/m2 doses, respectively. One death was considered treatment related.

Conclusion

A relationship between increasing dose of docetaxel and increased tumor response was observed across the dose range of 60 to 100 mg/m2 every 3 weeks. Toxicities were related to increasing dose. Depending on the therapy goal, any of the doses studied may be appropriate for second-line treatment of advanced breast cancer.
Thyroid Hormone Increases mRNA and Protein Expression of Na+-K+-ATPase α2 and β1 Subunits in Human Skeletal Muscles
Authors: Phakdeekitcharoen Bunyong , Phudhichareonrat Suchart , Pookarnjanamorakot Chathchai , Kijkunasathian Chusak , Tubtong Nattha , Kittikanokrat Wassana , Radinahamed Piyanuch
Published: October 2006

Context: Thyroid hormone regulates specific Na+-K+-ATPase isoforms in rodent skeletal muscles. No study has examined this relationship in human tissues.

Objective: This study investigated the effect of hyperthyroid status on the expression of the α- and β-subunits of the Na+-K+-ATPase.

Design: The vastus lateralis muscles from eight hyperthyroid patients were biopsied before and after treatment. Ten age-matched euthyroid subjects served as controls.

Results: In hyperthyroid patients, the average T3 level was three times higher in pretreatment compared with posttreatment (262 ± 75 vs. 86 ± 21 ng/dl, P = 0.001). The relative mRNA expression of the α2, but not α1 or α3, subunit was increased approximately 3-fold in pretreatment (2.98 ± 0.52 vs. 0.95 ± 0.40, P < 0.01), whereas that of β1, not β2 or β3, subunit was increased approximately 2.8-fold in pretreatment (2.83 ± 0.38 vs. 1.10 ± 0.27, P < 0.01). The relative mRNA expression of the α2 and β1 subunits was positively correlated with the serum T3 (r = 0.75, P = 0.001 and r = 0.66, P = 0.003, respectively). Immunohistochemistry studies revealed an increase in protein abundance of the α2 and β1, but not α1 or β2, subunits in the plasma membrane of muscle fibers of hyperthyroid patients, which decreased after treatment.

Conclusions: This provides the first evidence that, in human skeletal muscles, thyroid hormone up-regulates the Na+-K+-ATPase protein expression at least, in part, at mRNA level, and the α2 and β1 subunits play the important role in this regulation.
The Ghrelin Response to Exercise before and after Growth Hormone Administration
Authors: Vestergaard E. T. , Dall R. , Lange K. H. W. , Kjaer M. , Christiansen J. S. , Jorgensen J. O. L.
Published: October 2006

Context: We have previously shown that exercise-induced GH release is not mediated by ghrelin, but it remains to be studied whether the increase in GH may suppress postexercise ghrelin levels.

Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize systemic ghrelin levels after exercise with and without concomitant GH administration.

Design, Participants, and Intervention: Group A: Twenty-nine elite athletes (age, 18–37 yr) were studied after a maximal exercise test. Group B: In a double blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study, 32 healthy subjects (age, 18–33 yr) were randomized to placebo, GH 0.1 IU/kg per day, or GH 0.2 IU/kg per day for 4 wk. These subjects performed a multistage fitness test to assess maximum oxygen uptake at baseline and after 4 wk. We measured total circulating ghrelin levels before and immediately after exercise and at 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after exercise.

Results: Group A: Serum ghrelin levels after exercise decreased significantly (P < 0.01). Group B: Exercise at baseline was associated with a significant lowering of ghrelin levels after exercise (P < 0.0001). In addition, 4 wk of high-dose GH were followed by a further approximately 20% reduction in basal and after exercise serum ghrelin (micrograms per liter): 0.78 (range 0.52–1.17) vs. 0.63 (range 0.50–0.91), P < 0.05.

Conclusions: 1) Ghrelin levels decrease significantly after exercise in elite athletes and healthy subjects. 2) High-dose GH suppresses ghrelin levels. 3) These data support the hypothesis that GH feedback inhibits ghrelin secretion.
RacGAP50C is sufficient to signal cleavage furrow formation during cytokinesis
Authors: D'Avino Pier Paolo , Savoian Matthew S. , Capalbo Luisa , Glover David M.
Published: October 2006

Several studies indicate that spindle microtubules determine the position of the cleavage plane at the end of cell division, but their exact role in triggering the formation and ingression of the cleavage furrow is still unclear. Here we show that in Drosophila depletion of either the GAP (GTPase-activating protein) or the kinesin-like subunit of the evolutionary conserved centralspindlin complex prevents furrowing without affecting the association of astral microtubules with the cell cortex. Moreover, time-lapse imaging indicates that astral microtubules serve to deliver the centralspindlin complex to the equatorial cortex just before furrow formation. However, when the GAP-signaling component was mislocalized around the entire cortex using a membrane-tethering motif, this caused ectopic furrowing even in the absence of its motor partner. Thus, the GAP component of centralspindlin is both necessary and sufficient for furrow formation and ingression and astral microtubules provide a route for its delivery to the cleavage site.
Subperiosteal orbital abscess in children: Diagnosis, microbiology, and management
Authors: Skedros Demetrios G. , Bluestone Charles D. , Curtin Hugh D. , Haddad Joseph
Published: October 2006

A chart review was undertaken of 30 patients who were presented to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh from 1983 to 1990 and underwent surgical management for suspected subperiosteal abscess of the orbit (SPA). All patients had preoperative computerized tomography (CT) scans. Twenty‐seven of 30 CT scans were reevaluated, of which 20 (74%) demonstrated findings consistent with or suggestive of SPA. Opacified sinuses were seen in 100% of this study group. Abscess collections were found in 21 patients (70%). Predominant organisms included: Streptococcus pneumoniae (38%), Streptococcus pyogenes (33%), and Haemophilus influenzae (14%); Moraxella catarrhalis was not isolated and anaerobic bacteria were isolated from only one patient. CT scans were found to be accurate predictors of SPA in 16 (80%) of 20 patients. All patients did well following surgical intervention without visual or central nervous system sequelae. We conclude from this study that CT scans should be obtained when SPA is suspected, and antimicrobial therapy should be directed toward the bacteria isolated from these abscesses.