bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystal Structure of the Bacterial Ribosomal Decoding Site Complexed with a Synthetic Doubly Functionalized Paromomycin Derivative: a New Specific Binding Mode to an A‐Minor Motif Enhances in vitro Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Kondo Jiro , Pachamuthu Kandasamy , François Boris , Szychowski Janek , Hanessian Stephen , Westhof Eric
Published: August 2007

The crystal structure of the complex between oligonucleotide containing the bacterial ribosomal decoding site (A site) and the synthetic paromomycin analogue 1, which contains the γ‐amino‐α‐hydroxybutyryl (L‐haba) group at position N1 of ring II (2‐DOS ring), and an ether chain with an O‐phenethylaminoethyl group at position C2′′ of ring III, is reported. Interestingly, next to the paromomycin analogue 1 specifically bound to the A site, a second molecule of 1 with a different conformation is observed at the crystal packing interface which mimics the A‐minor interaction between two bulged‐out adenines from the A site and the codon–anticodon stem of the mRNA–tRNA complex. Improved antibacterial activity supports the conclusion that analogue 1 might affect protein synthesis on the ribosome in two different ways: 1) specific binding to the A site forces maintenance of the “on” state with two bulged out adenines, and 2) a new binding mode of 1 to an A‐minor motif which stabilizes complex formation between the ribosome and the mRNA–tRNA complex regardless of whether the codon–anticodon stem is of the cognate or near‐cognate type.
The impact of hepatitis B viral load on recurrence after complete necrosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who receive transarterial chemolipiodolization
Authors: Jang Jeong Won , Choi Jong Young , Bae Si Hyun , Yoon Seung Kew , Woo Hyun Young , Chang U Im , Kim Chang Wook , Nam Soon Woo , Cho Se Hyun , Yang Jin Mo , Lee Chang Don
Published: August 2007

BACKGROUND.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a high tendency for recurrence after radical treatment. Apart from tumor and liver function parameters, little is known about the role of hepatitis B virus (HBV) factors in the recurrence of HCC. The objective of this study was to identify the potential relation between viral load and HCC recurrence in patients undergoing transarterial chemolipiodolization.

METHODS.

This was a cohort study of 62 consecutive patients who had HBV‐related HCC and achieved complete necrosis with transarterial chemolipiodolization. Risk factors, including viral load for posttreatment recurrence, were analyzed.

RESULTS.

Overall, 32 of 62 patients (51.6%) developed a recurrence during the study period (7.2–37.5 months). Multivariate analysis established Child‐Pugh Class B (P = .014), multiple tumors (P = .013), and high viral load (HBV DNA levels >105 copies/mL) at complete necrosis (P = .001) as independent risk factors for recurrence. On both univariate and multivariate analyses, high viral load at the time of complete necrosis was identified as the strongest factor for recurrence; moreover, its statistically significant effects still were observed even when conducting the analyses separately for both local recurrence (P = .018) and distant recurrence (P = .009).

CONCLUSIONS.

Among individuals who underwent transarterial chemolipiodolization, high HBV viral load at complete necrosis was among the most important risk factors for posttreatment recurrence, irrespective of the locational pattern of recurrence. The current findings underscored the need for future work that tests the applicability of antiviral therapy to reduce the risk of HCC recurrence in this setting. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Features at presentation predict children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at low risk for tumor lysis syndrome
Authors: Truong Tony H. , Beyene Joseph , Hitzler Johann , Abla Oussama , Maloney Anne Marie , Weitzman Sheila , Sung Lillian
Published: August 2007

BACKGROUND.

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a well‐recognized complication of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The ability to predict children at differing risk of TLS would be an early step toward risk‐based approaches. The objectives of the current study were 1) to describe the prevalence and predictors of TLS in childhood ALL and 2) to develop a sensitive prediction rule to identify patients at lower risk of TLS.

METHODS.

Health records of children aged ≤18 years who were diagnosed with ALL between 1998 and 2004 were reviewed. TLS was defined by the presence of ≥2 laboratory abnormalities occurring in the time frame of interest. Predictors of TLS were determined using univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS.

Among 328 patients, 23% met criteria for TLS. Factors predictive of TLS were male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.8; P = .041), age ≥10 years (OR, 4.5; P < .0001), splenomegaly (OR, 3.3; P < .0001), mediastinal mass (OR, 12.2; P < .0001), T‐cell phenotype (OR, 8.2; P < .0001), central nervous system involvement (OR, 2.8; P = .026), lactate dehydrogenase ≥2000 U/L (OR, 7.6; P < .0001), and white blood count (WBC) ≥20 × 109/L (OR, 4.7; P < .0001). Among variables that were available at presentation, multiple regression analysis identified age ≥10 years, splenomegaly, mediastinal mass, and initial WBC ≥20 × 109/L as independent predictors of TLS. When all 4 of those predictors were absent at presentation (n = 114 patients), the negative predictive value of developing TLS was 97%, with a sensitivity of 95%.

CONCLUSIONS.

Clinical and laboratory features at the time of presentation identified a group of children with ALL at low risk for TLS that may benefit from a risk‐stratified approach directed at reduced TLS monitoring and prophylaxis. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Differential expression of peroxisomal matrix and membrane proteins during postnatal development of mouse brain
Authors: Ahlemeyer Barbara , Neubert Inge , Kovacs Werner J. , Baumgart‐Vogt Eveline
Published: August 2007

In peroxisomal biogenesis disorders, serious neurological abnormalities can be observed in the patients and the respective knockout mouse models. As a prerequisite for a better understanding of the relationship between the absence of peroxisomes and the observed neuropathology, knowledge of the regional and cell‐type specific distribution of peroxisomal proteins in mouse brain is necessary. Therefore, we investigated the expression of distinct peroxins, peroxisomal membrane and matrix proteins (e.g. Pex5p, Pex14p, Pex13p, PMP70, catalase, peroxisomal thiolase, Acox1, “SKL”‐PTS1 proteins) by indirect immunofluorescence 1) in primary cultures of the medial neocortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum of newborn mice and 2) in paraffin sections of mouse brain of different ages (newborn–adult). Quantitative analysis revealed a comparable abundance (number/μm2) of peroxisomes in cultured neurons and astrocytes of all three brain regions. In contrast, catalase immunoreactivity was higher in cultured astrocytes than in neurons. In mouse brain tissue, the abundance of peroxisomes decreased by half during postnatal development, also exhibiting prominent differences between distinct brain regions and cell types. Catalase protein levels in neuronal peroxisomes, however, decreased much more strongly in the neocortex, CA1–3 areas of the hippocampus, dentate gyrus, cerebellar nuclei, and cerebellar cortex but remained high in Bergmann glia and other astrocytes, epithelial cells of the choroid plexus, and ependyma. Similar age‐dependent changes were found for thiolase and Acox1 protein levels. Developmental changes were confirmed by Western blot analysis using enriched peroxisomal and cytosolic fractions of the brain tissue as well as by measurement of catalase activity. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:1–17, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regenerating optic axons restore topography after incomplete optic nerve injury
Authors: Dunlop Sarah A. , Tee Lisa B.G. , Goossens Michel A.L. , Stirling R. Victoria , Hool Livia , Rodger Jenny , Beazley L.D.
Published: August 2007

Following complete optic nerve injury in a lizard, Ctenophorus ornatus, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons regenerate but fail to restore retinotectal topography unless animals are trained on a visual task (Beazley et al. [ 1997] J Comp Neurol 370:105–120, [2003] J Neurotrauma 20:1263–1270). Here we show that incomplete injury, which leaves some RGC axons intact, restores normal topography. Strict RGC axon topography allowed us to preserve RGC axons on one side of the nerve (projecting to medial tectum) while lesioning those on the other side (projecting to lateral tectum). Topography and response properties for both RGC axon populations were assessed electrophysiologically. The majority of intact RGC axons retained appropriate topography in medial tectum and had normal, consistently brisk, reliable responses. Regenerate RGC axons fell into two classes: those that projected topographically to lateral tectum with responses that tended to habituate and those that lacked topography, responded weakly, and habituated rapidly. Axon tracing by localized retinal application of carbocyanine dyes supported the electrophysiological data. RGC soma counts were normal in both intact and axotomized RGC populations, contrasting with the 30% RGC loss after complete injury. Unlike incomplete optic nerve injury in mammals, where RGC axon regeneration fails and secondary cell death removes many intact RGC somata, lizards experience a “win–win” situation: intact RGC axons favorably influence the functional outcome for regenerating ones and RGCs do not succumb to either primary or secondary cell death. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:46–57, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Metabolic and functional profiling of the normal rat retina
Authors: Sun Daniel , Vingrys Algis J. , Kalloniatis Michael
Published: August 2007

We established a metabolic and functional profile map of the normal rat retina, given the premise that: 1) amino acid neurochemistry reflects metabolic integrity and cellular identity, and 2) the permeation of a cation channel probe, agmatine (1‐amino‐4‐guanidobutane, AGB), reflects cation channel functionality. The purpose was to provide a unique method of simultaneously assessing the metabolic and functional characteristics of the normal retina, upon which a comparison can be made to disease models. Quantitative pattern recognition analysis of overlapping amino acid and AGB expression profiles was used to provide a statistically robust classification of all neural elements according to their metabolic and functional characteristics. This classification was spatially complete and with single‐cell resolution. The resulting classification demonstrated 28 statistically separable theme classes dominated by characteristic glutamate, GABA, glycine, and/or taurine profiles, with each of the neuronal theme classes containing further subtypes. The inclusion of a functional parameter (AGB mapping) in the classification process nearly doubled the number of neural elements that could be ascribed a neurochemical/cation profile, compared to when amino acid labeling was used alone. Strong endogenous glutamate gated AGB labeling was observed in horizontal cells, rod bipolar cells, cholinergic amacrine cells, and AII amacrine cells. The resulting amino acid and AGB profile matrix constitutes a nomogram for assessing cellular responses to experimental challenges in models of ocular disease. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:92–113, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Metabolic and functional profiling of the ischemic/reperfused rat retina
Authors: Sun Daniel , Vingrys Algis J. , Kalloniatis Michael
Published: August 2007

We quantitatively tracked the recovery in amino acid labeling and cation channel functionality within distinct retinal elements for up to 2 weeks after an ischemic insult. Pattern recognition analysis of multiple amino acid and agmatine (a cation channel probe; 1‐amino‐4‐guanidobutane; AGB) immunocytochemical patterns was used to classify all neural elements within the retina. This classification was spatially complete and with single‐cell resolution. By 48 hours of reperfusion the amino acid labeling pattern of virtually all cell populations had returned to near preischemic levels, with the exception of glutamine and alanine levels, which remained significantly higher in many cell populations. Classification resulted in a total of 18 statistically separable theme classes (including neurons, glia, and extraretinal classes), a reduction of 10 theme classes from the normal retina (Sun et al. [2007a,b] J Comp Neurol, this issue). In addition to the known selective losses of amacrine cell types within the inner nuclear layer, we now demonstrate a selective loss of theme classes representing cone bipolar cells within the bipolar cell population. While there was a recovery in the amino acid labeling pattern, there were persistent cation channel gating anomalies (as reflected by AGB labeling) within several theme classes, including the theme class representing all the remaining rod bipolar cells, suggesting aberrant neuronal function secondary to metabolic insult. J. Comp. Neurol. 505:114–130, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Translating immunological tolerance into therapy
Authors: Prakken Berent J. , Albani Salvatore , van Eden Willem
Published: August 2007

Thirty scientists from Japan, USA and Europe met from January 18th to 20th 2007 in a stormy Amsterdam for an expert meeting on translating immune tolerance into novel therapies. The meeting was held in the “Trippenhouse” a 16th century historical building, home of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, the host of the meeting.
Ceramide in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections
Authors: Riethmüller Joachim , Riehle Andrea , Grassmé Heike , Gulbins Erich
Published: August 2007

Cystic fibrosis (CF), the most common autosomal recessive disorder, at least in western countries, is caused by mutations of the cystic fibrosis transmembranous conductance regulator (CFTR) molecule and affects approximately 80,000 patients in Europe and the USA. Most, if not all, CF patients develop a chronic pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. At present it is unknown why CF patients are highly sensitive to P. aeruginosa infections, and most importantly, no curative treatment for CF is available. P. aeruginosa infection results in an activation of the enzyme acid sphingomyelinase which catalyzes the release of ceramide from sphingomyelin in the cell membrane. Ceramide forms large ceramide‐enriched membrane domains that are required for internalization of bacteria, induction of cell death in infected cells and a controlled release of cytokines from infected cells. Ceramide‐enriched membrane platforms seem to serve the reorganization of receptors and intracellular signaling molecules involved in the infection of mammalian cells with P. aeruginosa. The significance of the acid sphingomyelinase and ceramide for the infection of mammalian cells with P. aeruginosa was demonstrated on mice genetically deficient for the acid sphingomyelinase. Further studies with N. gonorrhoeae, S. aureus and rhinoviruses indicate that ceramide‐enriched membrane domains are also important for the infection of mammalian cells with other bacterial and viral pathogens, suggesting a general role of these membrane domains in infectious biology.
Lignan contents in sesame seeds and products
Authors: Moazzami Ali A. , Haese Stefanie L. , Kamal‐Eldin Afaf
Published: August 2007

Sesame seed (Sesamum indicum L.) is a rich source of furofuran lignans with a wide range of potential biological activities. The major lignans in sesame seeds are the oil‐soluble sesamin and sesamolin, as well as glucosides of sesaminol and sesamolinol that reside in the defatted sesame flour. Upon refining of sesame oil, acid‐catalyzed transformation of sesamin to episesamin and of sesamolin to epimeric sesaminols takes place, making the profile of refined sesame oils different from that of virgin oils. In this study, the total lignan content of 14 sesame seeds ranged between 405 and 1178 mg/100 g and the total lignan content in 14 different products, including tahini, ranged between 11 and 763 mg/100 g. The content of sesamin and sesamolin in ten commercial virgin and roasted sesame oils was in the range of 444–1601 mg/100 g oil. In five refined sesame oils, sesamin ranged between 118 and 401 mg/100 g seed, episesamin between 12 and 206 mg/100 g seed, and the total contents of sesaminol epimers between 5 and 35 mg/100 g seed, and no sesamolin was found. Thus, there is a great variation in the types and amounts of lignans in sesame seeds, seed products and oils. This knowledge is important for nutritionists working on resolving the connection between diet and health. Since the consumption of sesame seed products is increasing steadily in Europe and USA, it is important to include sesame seed lignans in databases and studies pertinent to the nutritional significance of antioxidants and phytoestrogens. It is also important to differentiate between virgin, roasted and refined sesame oils.
Coupling CE with atmospheric pressure photoionization MS for pharmaceutical basic compounds: Optimization of operating parameters
Authors: Schappler Julie , Guillarme Davy , Prat Josiane , Veuthey Jean‐Luc , Rudaz Serge
Published: August 2007

The use of CE coupled with MS (CE‐MS) has evolved as a useful tool to analyze charged species in small sample volumes. Because of its sensitivity, versatility and ease of implementation, the ESI interface is currently the method of choice to hyphenate CE to MS. An alternative can be the atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) source, however, numerous parameters must be optimized for its coupling to CE. After evaluation of the sheath liquid composition and the CE capillary outlet position, an experimental design methodology was assessed for optimizing other ionization source parameters, such as sheath liquid flow rate, drying gas flow rate and temperature, nebulizing gas pressure, vaporizer temperature, and capillary voltage. For this purpose, a fractional factorial design (FFD) was selected as a screening procedure to identify factors which significantly influence sensitivity and efficiency. A face‐centered central composite design (CCD) was then used to predict and optimize sensitivity, taking into account the most relevant variables. Sensitivity was finally evaluated with the optimized conditions and height‐to‐noise ratios (H/N) around 10 were achieved for an injection of 200 ng/mL of each analyte.
Multi‐phase evolution of gnammas (weathering pits) in a Holocene deglacial granite landscape, Minnesota (USA)
Authors: Domínguez‐Villar David , Jennings Carrie E.
Published: August 2007

The morphometry of 85 gnammas (weathering pits) from Big Stone County in western Minnesota allows the assessment of the relative ages of the gnamma population. The ratio between maximum and minimum depths is independent of the initial size of the cavity and only depends on the weathering evolution. Therefore, the distribution of depth ratios can be used to assess the gnamma population age and the history of weathering. The asymmetrical distribution of depth ratios measured in Big Stone County forms three distinct populations. When these sets are analyzed independently, the correlation (r2) between maximum and minimum depths is greater than 0·95. Each single population has a normal distribution of depth ratios and the average depth ratios (δ‐value) for each population are δ1 = 1·60 ± 0·05, δ2 = 2·09 ± 0·04 and δ3 = 2·42 ± 0·08.

The initiation of gnamma formation followed the exhumation of the granite in the region. This granite was till and saprolite covered upon retreat of the ice from the Last Glacial Maximum. Nearby outcrops are striated, but the study site remained buried until it was exhumed by paleofloods issuing from a proglacial lake.

These Holocene‐aged gnammas in western Minnesota were compared with gnammas of other ages from around the world. Our new results are in accordance with the hypothesis that δ‐values represent the evolution of gnammas with time under temperate‐ to cold‐climate dynamics. Phases of the formation of new gnammas may result from changes in weathering processes related to climate changes. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
EWSR1‐CREB1 is the predominant gene fusion in angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma
Authors: Antonescu Cristina R. , Dal Cin Paola , Nafa Khedoudja , Teot Lisa A. , Surti Urvashi , Fletcher Christopher D. , Ladanyi Marc
Published: August 2007

The molecular hallmark of angiomatoid fibrous histiocytoma (AFH) is not well defined, with only six cases with specific gene fusions reported to date, consisting of either FUS‐ATF1 or EWSR1‐ATF1. To address this, we investigated the presence of FUS‐ATF1, EWSR1‐ATF1, and the highly related EWSR1‐CREB1 fusion in a group of nine AFHs. All cases were subjected to RT‐PCR for EWSR1‐ATF1 and EWSR1‐CREB1. FISH for EWSR1 and FUS rearrangements was performed in most cases. Transcriptional profiling was performed in three tumors and their gene expression was compared to five clear cell sarcomas expressing either the EWSR1‐ATF1 or EWSR1‐CREB1 fusion. By RT‐PCR, eight out of nine tumors showed the presence of the EWSR1‐CREB1 fusion, while one had an EWSR1‐ATF1 transcript. FISH showed evidence of EWSR1 rearrangement in seven out of eight cases. Karyotypic analysis performed in one tumor showed a t(2;22)(q33;q12). High transcript levels were noted for TFE3 in AFH tumors, while overexpression of genes involved in melanogenesis, such as MITF, GP100, and MET was noted in somatic clear cell sarcomas. We report for the first time the presence of EWSR1‐CREB1 in AFH, which now appears to be the most frequent gene fusion in this tumor. EWSR1‐CREB1 is a novel translocation recently described in clear cell sarcoma of the GI tract. EWSR1‐ATF1, identified in some AFH cases, is the most common genetic abnormality in soft tissue clear cell sarcoma. Thus, identical fusions involving ATF1 and CREB1 are found in two distinct sarcomas, which may be able to transform two different types of mesenchymal precursor cells, unlike most other sarcoma gene fusions. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stratigraphic and geochronological context of human habitation along the Galana River, Kenya
Authors: Wright David K. , Forman Steven L. , Kusimba Chapurukha M. , Pierson James , Gomez Jeaneth , Tattersfield Peter
Published: August 2007

Geoarchaeological investigations along the Galana River, eastern Kenya, document a pattern of channel aggradation and then degradation from the Middle to Late Holocene. Archaeological occupations at six sites in fluvial terraces along a ˜100 km stretch of the Galana River in Tsavo East National Park correspond with fluvial aggradation beginning ca. 6000 years ago. Artifact analyses indicate that the inhabitants of these sites utilized ceramics and stone tools similar to Pastoral Neolithic traditions detected at other penecontemporaneous archaeological sites in East Africa and possessed domesticated cattle from ca. 3700 years ago. The site occupations that occur during this period have dense artifact concentrations of predominantly locally procured items. The Galana River incised after ca. 900 years ago and there is a noticeable paucity of archaeological material, reflecting more peripatetic lifestyles. This shift in settlement pattern may reflect a decrease in reliance on riverine food sources during the Late Holocene, with diminished riparian environments associated with channel incision. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of lime plaster in prehistory using petrographic methods: A review and reconsideration of the data on the basis of experimental and case studies
Authors: Karkanas Panagiotis
Published: August 2007

Most prehistoric plasters and mortars consist of very small amounts of burnt lime mixed with anthropogenic debris, soil, and sediment. To solve the problem of identification of such small amounts of lime in impure lime plasters, a series of experimental plasters were prepared and studied with petrographic methods. Samples of living floors from five prehistoric sites in Greece were also reanalyzed under the light of the experimental findings and compared with natural calcareous sediment. The most promising features for identifying lime are transitional textures of partially carbonized slaked lime that can be observed in the lime lumps and the binding matrix. They are usually in the form of ill‐crystallized portlandite and calcite mixtures or cryptocrystalline calcite. Well‐reacted calcitic groundmass, shrinkage fractures, and occasionally colloidal forms are also additional indications. The present experimental study shows that lime could be easily produced by heating porous, soft calcareous materials. This would probably account for the very frequent use (in small quantities) of lime in Greek prehistory. Plaster and mortars were made by mixing damp anthopogenic dirt as aggregate and fragments of quicklime, a technique known as “hot mixing.” © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Book reviews
Authors: Dixon E. James
Published: August 2007

The Settlement of the American Continents: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Human Biogeography. C. Michael Barton, Geoffrey A. Clark, David R. Yesner, and Georges A. Pearson (Editors), 2004. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, $75 (hardcover).
Book reviews
Authors: Carlson David L.
Published: August 2007

Laser Ablation‐ICP‐MS in Archaeological Research. Robert J. Speakman and Hector Neff (editors). 2005, University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, New Mexico, vii 200 pp., $75 (hardcover).
Book reviews
Authors: Deckers Katleen
Published: August 2007

Geoarchäologische, sedimentologische und Morphodynamische Untersuchungen im Mündungsgebiet des Büyük Menderes (Mäander), Westtürkei. Marc Müllenhoff, 2005, Selbstverlag der Marburger Geographischen Gesellschaft e.V., Marburg, xvi 282 pp. CD‐ROM, 18€.
An examination of organizations' frontline service employee development practices
Authors: Ellinger Alexander E. , Elmadağ Ayşe Banu , Ellinger Andrea D.
Published: August 2007

Firms with the ability to provide superior customer service can accrue significant competitive advantage and research suggests that frontline service employees' (FLSEs) actions have a considerable influence on the success of service operations. Yet, the high level of customer defections consistently attributed to poor and indifferent service suggests that many organizations are not placing sufficient emphasis on developing FLSEs to interact more effectively with customers. Although it is generally believed that human resource development enhances employee performance, relatively little is known about firms' approaches for developing and motivating FLSEs. We therefore examine the influence of service provider organizations' developmental practices on FLSE performance using data collected from 307 customer contact personnel. Our findings indicate that, in contrast to conventional wisdom, higher levels of employee development may not always yield the most beneficial outcomes.
Convergent and divergent validity of the learning transfer system inventory
Authors: Holton III Elwood F. , Bates Reid A. , Bookter Annette I. , Yamkovenko V. Bogdan
Published: August 2007

The Learning Transfer System Inventory (LTSI) was developed to identify a select set of factors with the potential to substantially enhance or inhibit transfer of learning to the work environment. It has undergone a variety of validation studies, including construct, criterion, and crosscultural studies. However, the convergent and divergent validity of the instrument has not been studied. Such a study is necessary to define the nomological network on the constructs. This study examines the convergent and divergent validity of the LTSI with twenty‐eight comparison measures. Results indicate mostly divergent relationships, further demonstrating the uniqueness of the LTSI constructs. By establishing the divergent relationship with other known constructs, the LTSI's usefulness for transfer research is enhanced.
The seminal foundation of the discipline of HRD: People, learning, and organizations
Authors: Chalofsky Neal
Published: August 2007

Human resource development (HRD) has long been considered a field with an interdisciplinary foundation. Unfortunately there has never been a consensus on the composition of the seminal disciplinary base of HRD. A description of the concept of an applied discipline is presented, and HRD, as represented by its academic association, the Academy of Human Resource Development, is compared to a set of criteria of a discipline that is set forth in the scholarly literature. A seminal foundation for a curriculum of the HRD discipline is presented around the framework of people, learning, and organizations.
Effects of acute paroxetine treatment on the consumption of cigarette smoking and caffeine in depressed patients
Authors: Miyamoto Kyoko , Yoshimura Reiji , Ueda Nobuhisa , Sugita Atsuko , Umene Wakako , Hori Hikaru , Mitoma Masae , Nakamura Jun
Published: August 2007

In the present study, we examined the effects of acute treatment with paroxetine on the consumption of cigarette smoking and caffeine in 65 patients who met the DSM‐IV criteria for major depressive disorder (M/F: 28/37, age: 48 ± 15 years). Plasma levels of cotinine or caffeine were analysed using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The amount of cigarette smoking and plasma levels of cotinine, but not caffeine, decreased 4 weeks after paroxetine treatment. There was no difference between smokers and nonsmokers with respect to their response to paroxetine treatment. In addition, plasma 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) levels in responders to paroxetine treatment was higher than those in nonresponders, and there was a negative correlation between the changes in plasma MHPG levels and the changes in Hamilton rating scale for depression (Ham‐D) scores before and 4 weeks after paroxetine administration. These results suggest that paroxetine has the potential to reduce the amount of cigarette smoking in depressed smokers, and we reconfirmed our previous results that depressed patients with higher plasma MHPG levels had better response to paroxetine treatment than those with lower plasma MHPG levels using larger depressed samples. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
No evidence for an association between G protein β3 subunit gene C825T polymorphism and tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenia
Authors: Lee Heon‐Jeong , Kang Seung‐Gul , Paik Jong‐Woo , Lee Moon‐Soo , Cho Bang‐Hyun , Park Young‐Min , Kim Won , Choi Jung‐Eun , Jung In‐Kwa , Kim Leen , Lee Min‐Soo
Published: August 2007

Objective

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a long‐term adverse effect of antipsychotic. We evaluated candidate functional polymorphism of the G protein β3 subunit (GNB3) gene for association with drug‐induced TD in the Korean schizophrenic patients.

Methods

We investigated whether the C825T polymorphism of the GNB3 gene is associated with the TD in a Korean sample of schizophrenic patients with (n = 83) and without TD (n = 126), matched for antipsychotic drug exposure and other relevant variables.

Results

The distribution of genotypes and allele frequencies of GNB3 were not different between schizophrenic patients with TD and without TD (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Within the limitations imposed by the size of the clinical sample, these findings suggest that the GNB3 825 C/T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) does not contribute significantly to risk for TD. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Child sleep arrangements and family life: perspectives from mothers and fathers
Authors: Germo Gary R. , Chang Esther S. , Keller Meret A. , Goldberg Wendy A.
Published: August 2007

This study examined solitary sleeping and co‐sleeping arrangements in families with a young child. Data were obtained from questionnaires completed by two independent samples, one of mothers (N=100) and one of fathers (N=38) of preschool‐aged children. Types of family sleep arrangements included children who slept in their own room from infancy, children who shared the parental bed from infancy, and children who returned to bedsharing following a period of solitary sleeping. Mothers and fathers described reasons for family sleep arrangements, attitudes towards sleep arrangements, satisfaction with sleep arrangements, and perceptions of children's sleep‐related problems. Survey questions also addressed marital relations, parenting, and well‐being. Results indicated that mothers and fathers endorsed similar reasons for their families' sleep arrangements, although reasons differed by the type of sleep arrangement. Satisfaction with sleep arrangements was more likely for mothers and fathers whose attitudes coincided with their actual sleep practices. Parents who experienced more problems with their child's sleep behaviours also reported disharmony in marital and parenting domains. Thus, ‘nighttime parenting’ was found to be associated with other important domains of family life for both mothers and fathers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sleeping with baby: an internet‐based sampling of parental experiences, choices, perceptions, and interpretations in a western industrialized context
Authors: McKenna J. J. , Volpe L. E.
Published: August 2007

Mothers and infants sleeping within proximity to each other (co‐sleeping) represents normal, healthy, and expectable human behaviour, especially if mothers breastfeed. Yet, western health officials generally recommend against particularly one form of co‐sleeping known as bedsharing. This study explores these issues and especially highlights parental accounts of their sleep practices, interpretations, and reflections based on detailed narratives or ‘ethnohistories.’ The sample involves a self‐selected sub‐group of over 200 mostly middle‐class mothers from Canada, the United States, Australia, and Great Britain. Mothers report how and why they adopted co‐sleeping practices, how satisfied they are (or were) with their decisions, and what benefits they think they or their infants derived from their co‐sleeping practices. Also included in the reports are a surprisingly high number of parents who think they may have saved their infant's life by bedsharing, data heretofore never reported in the literature. The formulation of medical policies, we suggest, ultimately must be informed by a full understanding of how parents actually think about and subsequently structure their infant's sleep, what their goals and expectations are, and by an awareness of the emotional factors motivating parents to choose certain sleeping arrangements over others. The results reveal that many factors coalesce, often in unique ways, under unique circumstances, family by family, to determine where babies sleep and why. We conclude that sleeping arrangements are not solely determined by medically based recommendations, but also by the method of feeding, the particular needs of a particular infant, and the needs of mothers and fathers to get more sleep. While baby sleep locations and sleep patterns change in the first year of life, nighttime sleeping arrangements almost always reflect the nature of family values and the quality of social relationships at any given time. We conclude that these factors, alongside widely known independent SIDS risk factors, must also be acknowledged and respected if we are ever to achieve an effective and inclusive public health approach to the question of creating safe sleep environments for infants and children. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Circulating human papillomavirus type 16 specific T‐cells are associated with HLA Class I expression on tumor cells, but not related to the amount of viral oncogene transcripts
Authors: de Boer Marjon A. , Jordanova Ekaterina S. , van Poelgeest Mariëtte I.E. , van den Akker Brendy E. , van der Burg Sjoerd H. , Kenter Gemma G. , Fleuren Gert Jan
Published: August 2007

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a necessary factor in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer. Circulating HPV‐specific T‐cells responding to the E6 and E7 HPV proteins can be detected only in half of cervical cancer patients. Potential explanations for the absence of this response are lack of sufficient amounts of antigen to activate the immune response or local immune escape mechanisms. We studied the relationship between HPV 16 E6/E7 oncogene mRNA expression, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) expression on tumor cells and the presence of circulating E6‐ and E7‐specific T‐cell responses in cervical cancer patients. The amount of antigen was assessed by HPV E6/E7 mRNA expression levels measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. HLA Class I and Class II expression on tumor cells was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. A proliferative HPV‐specific T‐cell response was detected in 15/29 patients. The amount of HPV E6/E7 mRNA was not related to the presence of immune response. HLA Class I expression was downregulated in 19 patients and completely lost in 7 patients. HLA Class II expression was upregulated in 18 patients. HLA Class I expression on tumor cells showed a strong correlation with immunity (p = 0.001). Explicitly, all patients with complete HLA loss lacked HPV specific T‐cell responses. The presence of circulating HPV‐specific T‐cells might reflect ongoing antitumor response that is sustained by CD8+ T‐cells killing HLA Class I positive cancer cells. We hypothesize that HLA Class I expression status on tumor cells might as well influence the response to HPV E6/E7 directed immunotherapy. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and validation of the general module of the system of quality of life instruments for cancer patients
Authors: Wan Chonghua , Yang Zheng , Meng Qiong , Feng Changyong , Wang Hongyue , Tang Xuelang , Zhang Caizhen , Lu Yubo , Luo Jionghong , Zhang Xiaqing
Published: August 2007

Based on World Health Organization (WHO)'s definition of Quality of Life (QOL) and programmed decision procedures, we developed a general module of the System of Quality of Life Instruments for Cancer Patients (QLICP‐GM) utilizing focus group discussions, pilot tests of 448 cases and field tests of 600 cases of 5 different cancer patients. The number of items in the final version was reduced to 32 from a 78‐item pool. The psychometric properties of the scale were evaluated by indicators such as validity and reliability coefficients, SRM, and statistical methods of correlational analysis, t tests, and structural equation modeling. Correlational and structural equation model analyses indicate good construct validity with RMSEA 0.086, NNFI 0.947 and CFI 0.961. Good criterion‐related validity was found when FACT‐G was used as the criterion. The test‐retest reliability for all domains and the overall scale is above 0.85; the internal consistency α for each domain is higher than 0.70 except of the social function; α and the split‐half reliability of the overall scale is 0.88 and 0.93, respectively. The pre–post changes of QOL scores are of statistical significances in 3 domains of physical function, psychological function, common symptoms and side effects, and the overall instrument, with standardized response mean ranging from 0.16 to 0.67. Equivalence tests showed nonequivalence on quality of life score changes of these domains and the overall instrument. Our study shows that the QLICP‐GM has good validity, reliability, responsiveness, and can be used as the general module for cancer patients in China. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Early detection of cervical neoplasia by Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Jess Philip R.T. , Smith Daniel D.W. , Mazilu Michael , Dholakia Kishan , Riches Andrew C. , Herrington C. Simon
Published: August 2007

Early detection of malignant tumours, or their precursor lesions, improves patient outcome. High risk human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV16, infection can lead to the development of uterine cervical neoplasia, and therefore, the identification in clinical samples of the effects of HPV infection may have clinical value. In this report, we apply Raman microspectroscopy to live and fixed cultured cells to discriminate between defined cell types. Raman spectra were acquired from primary human keratinocytes (PHK), PHK expressing the E7 gene of HPV 16 (PHK E7) and CaSki cells, an HPV16‐containing cervical carcinoma‐derived cell line. Averaged Raman spectra showed variations, mostly in peaks originating from DNA and proteins, consistent with HPV gene expression and cellular changes associated with neoplasia, in both live and fixed cells. Principal component analysis produced good discrimination between the cell types, with sensitivities of up to 100% for the comparison of fixed PHK and CaSki. These results demonstrate the ability of Raman spectroscopy to discriminate between cell types representing different stages of cervical neoplasia. More specifically, this technique was able to identify cells expressing the HPV 16 E7 gene accurately and objectively, suggesting that this approach may be of value in diagnosis. Moreover, the ability to detect the effects of the virus in fixed samples also demonstrates the compatibility of Raman spectroscopy with current cervical screening methods. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combining adenoviral oncolysis with temozolomide improves cell killing of melanoma cells
Authors: Quirin Christina , Mainka Astrid , Hesse Andrea , Nettelbeck Dirk M.
Published: August 2007

Oncolytic Adenoviruses are emerging agents for treatment of cancer by tumor‐restricted virus replication, cell lysis and virus spread. Clinical studies with first generation oncolytic adenoviruses have revealed that an increased potency is warranted in order to achieve therapeutic efficacy. One approach towards this end is to combine adenoviral oncolysis with chemotherapy. Here, a fundamental requirement is that chemotherapy does not interfere with adenovirus replication in cancer cells. We have previously developed a melanoma‐targeted oncolytic adenovirus, Ad5/3.2xTyr, which features tyrosinase promoter regulated replication and enhanced cell entry into melanoma cells. In this study, we investigated a combination treatment of melanoma cells with Ad5/3.2xTyr and temozolomide (TMZ), which produces the same active metabolite as Dacarbazine/DTIC, the standard chemotherapy for advanced melanoma. We report that TMZ does not inhibit adenovirus replication in melanoma cells. Additive or synergistic cell killing of melanoma cells, dependent on the cell line used, was observed. Enhanced cell binding was not responsible for synergism of adenoviral oncolysis and TMZ treatment. We rather observed that higher numbers of virus genomes are produced in TMZ‐treated cells, which also showed a cell cycle arrest in the G2 phase. Our results have important implications for the clinical implementation of adenoviral oncolysis for treatment of malignant melanoma. It suggests that such studies are feasible in the presence of TMZ or DTIC chemotherapy and recommends the investigation of a viro‐chemo combination therapy. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of new technologies in cervical cancer screening: Results of the recruitment phase of a large randomised controlled trial from a public health perspective
Authors: Giorgi‐Rossi Paolo , Segnan Nereo , Zappa Marco , Naldoni Carlo , Zorzi Manuel , Confortini Massimo , Merito Monica , Cuzick Jack , Ronco Guglielmo
Published: August 2007

The decision to introduce liquid‐based cytology (LBC) and HPV as screening tests involves criteria based on resource consumption. We used cross‐sectional data at recruitment from the NTCC trial [ISRCTN81678807] on 28,000 women aged 35–60, randomised to receive a conventional Pap test or LBC plus HPV. We computed the resources employed to detect a CIN2+ with different screening strategies. In order to result in the same overall cost per CIN2+ detected as screening by conventional cytology, the unit cost of LBC used alone should be less than that of a conventional Pap while its unit cost may be up to 20% higher if HPV‐triage for Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance is applied together. With the same criterion the unit cost of HPV used alone may be about 20% higher than that of a Pap‐test using a 1 pg/ml cut‐off and over 40% higher using a 10 pg/ml cut‐off. If HPV testing is applied with cytology‐triage, a single HPV test may cost 20–30% more than a conventional Pap to result in the same overall cost per CIN2+ detected. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stem cell based tissue engineering for meniscus repair
Authors: Angele Peter , Johnstone Brian , Kujat Richard , Zellner Johannes , Nerlich Michael , Goldberg Victor , Yoo Jung
Published: August 2007

Defects of the meniscus greatly alter knee function and predispose the joint to degenerative changes. The purpose of this study was to test a recently developed cell‐scaffold combination for the repair of a critical‐size defect of the rabbit medial meniscus. A bilateral, complete resection of the pars intermedia of the medial meniscus was performed in 18 New Zealand White rabbits. A hyaluronan/gelatin composite scaffold was implanted into the defect of one knee of 6 rabbits and the contralateral defect was left untreated. Scaffolds loaded with autologous marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells and cultured in a chondrogenic medium for 14 days were implanted in a second series of 12 rabbits. Empty scaffolds were implanted in the contralateral knees. Meniscii were harvested at 12 weeks. Untreated defects had a muted fibrous healing response. Defects treated with cell‐free implants showed also predominantly fibrous tissue whereas fibrocartilage was present in some scaffolds. The cross‐sectional width of the repair tissue after treatment with cell‐free scaffolds was significantly greater than controls (p < 0.05). Pre‐cultured implants integrated with the host tissue and 8 of 11 contained meniscus‐like fibrocartilage, compared with 2 of 11 controls (p < 0.03). The mean cross‐sectional width of the pre‐cultured implant repair tissue was greater than controls (p < 0.004). This study demonstrates the repair of a critical size meniscal defect with a stem cell and scaffold based tissue engineering approach. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2008
Rapid‐prototyped and salt‐leached PLGA scaffolds condition cell morpho‐functional behavior
Authors: Mattioli‐Belmonte M. , Vozzi G. , Kyriakidou K. , Pulieri E. , Lucarini G. , Vinci B. , Pugnaloni A. , Biagini G. , Ahluwalia A.
Published: August 2007

Three dimensional scaffolds microfabricated using pressure‐assisted microsyringe (PAM) with controlled geometry and porous membranes obtained using salt leaching were both tested with three different cell types to identify an optimal microstructural architecture for tissue engineering. MG63 (osteoblast‐like cells) were used as models of mesenchymal bone tissue and human endothelial cells and NCTC2544 (keratinocytes) represented two epithelial tissues. Both porosity and stiffness of PLGA structures were measured, and cell morphology and cytoskeletal organization analyzed using SEM and actin labeling. The results show that overall the PAM scaffolds, which have a repeated and regular microstructure, are more biocompatible than the random pore salt‐leached membranes, and that surface morphology as well as substrate stiffness modulates cell behavior. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2008