bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expression and prognostic significance of placental growth factor in hepatocellular carcinoma and peritumoral liver tissue
Authors: Xu Hua‐Xiang , Zhu Xiao‐Dong , Zhuang Peng‐Yuan , Zhang Ju‐Bo , Zhang Wei , Kong Ling‐Qun , Wang Wen‐Quan , Liang Ying , Wu Wei‐Zhong , Wang Lu , Fan Jia , Tang Zhao‐You , Sun Hui‐Chuan
Published: June 2010

Vascular endothelial growth factor‐targeted therapy is a promising treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its clinical benefit is often accompanied by acquired resistance. In animal studies, antiplacental growth factor therapy is effective with less resistance. The role of placental growth factor (PlGF) in the progression of HCC is not clear. In our study, we used immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays to investigate PlGF expression in tumor and peritumoral liver tissues from 105 patients with HCC. Intratumoral and peritumoral PlGF mRNA expression was analyzed in another cohort of 37 patients. Peritumoral PlGF expression was significantly higher than intratumoral PlGF expression (p < 0.001). Intratumoral PlGF expression was not associated with patients' overall survival (OS) or time to recurrence (TTR). However, peritumoral PlGF expression, which was associated with tumor size, presence of intrahepatic metastasis, TNM stage and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage, was an independent risk factor for OS (p = 0.026) and TTR (p = 0.041). The prognostic value of peritumoral PlGF expression was further validated in a validation cohort (n = 394). We inferred that the elevation of PlGF in peritumoral liver might be induced by hypoxia. We found that peritumoral PlGF expression was associated with hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (p = 0.017). PlGF expression was elevated in L02, a hepatic cell line, under hypoxic conditions in vitro. These findings indicate that high peritumoral PlGF expression is associated with tumor recurrence and survival after resection of HCC. PlGF could be a target of adjuvant therapy and deserves further investigations.
Transforming growth factor‐beta‐induced protein secreted by peritoneal cells increases the metastatic potential of ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Ween Miranda P. , Lokman Noor A. , Hoffmann Peter , Rodgers Raymond J. , Ricciardelli Carmela , Oehler Martin K.
Published: June 2010

Ovarian cancer metastasis is characterized by the shedding of malignant cells from the surface of the ovary and their implantation onto the peritoneal surface, which lines the abdominal cavity. As the factors promoting this process are poorly understood, we investigated the ovarian cancer–peritoneal interaction by means of in vitro coculture experiments with ovarian cancer (OVCAR‐5 and SKOV‐3) and peritoneal (LP‐9) cells. One of the proteins differentially expressed in the coculture secretome was identified by MALDI‐TOF/TOF mass spectrometry as the extracellular matrix protein transforming growth factor‐beta‐induced protein (TGFBIp, also known as βig‐H3). Immunohistochemistry showed high TGFBIp levels in normal surface ovarian epithelial and peritoneal cells, whereas TGFBIp levels in primary serous ovarian carcinomas and matching metastatic implants was very low. In functional in vitro experiments, treatment with recombinant TGFBIp significantly increased the motility and invasiveness of OVCAR‐5 and SKOV‐3 cells and significantly increased ovarian cancer cell (OVCAR‐5, OVCAR‐3 and SKOV‐3) adhesion to LP‐9 cells. TGFBIp was found to be processed at both the N‐ and C‐terminus in the secretome of the ovarian cancer–peritoneal cell coculture. Plasmin inhibitors blocked TGFBIp processing and significantly reduced OVCAR‐5 cell adhesion to peritoneal cells. We conclude that TGFBIp expressed by peritoneal cells increases the metastatic potential of ovarian cancer cells. TGFBIp is therefore a potential novel therapeutic target against ovarian cancer.
Rural and Urban Streams: Anthropogenic Influences and Impacts on Water and Sediment Quality
Authors: Kühl Adelina Maria , Mello Sartori Cardoso da Rocha Carmen Lúcia , Gaeta Espíndola Evaldo Luiz , Lansac‐Tôha Fábio Amodêo
Published: June 2010

The Pirapó river watershed (Paraná State, Brazil) compounds a relatively industrialized and urbanized region, undergoing great pressure from the discharge of industrial, agricultural and domestic wastes. We evaluated the environmental quality of ten streams belonging to this watershed in April and June 2008 by performing acute and chronic toxicity tests with Daphnia similis and Ceriodaphnia silvestrii from water and sediment samples. We tested the hypothesis that the streams located in urban areas are more exposed to the influence of pollutants, than those outside the city limits. In addition, we obtained the measures of physical and chemical parameters, and identified the main polluted sources. Contrary to what was expected, the rural streams were more toxic than those located in urban area. These results demonstrate that the water bodies located in rural areas are being affected by the pollution of aquatic ecosystems as far as those found in urban areas, requiring the same attention of environmental managers in relation to its monitoring. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Differential Responses of Epiphytic and Planktonic Toxic Cyanobacteria to Allelopathic Substances of the Submerged Macrophyte Stratiotes aloides
Authors: Mohamed Zakaria A. , Al Shehri Abdulrahman M.
Published: June 2010

The present study investigates the allelopathic effects of Stratiotes aloides on the growth and antioxidative biomarkers of epiphytic and planktonic toxic cyanobacteria in a batch experiment over a 15‐day exposure to different concentrations of aqueous acetone extract of this macrophyte. The results showed that epiphytic and planktonic species of cyanobacteria showed differential responses to the allelopathic activity of this macrophyte. S. aloides extract reduced the growth, alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) and toxin production of the planktonic cyanobacterium, Anabaena variabilis, with an increase in lipid peroxidation, glutathione and activities of antioxidative enzymes of this cyanobacterium. Conversely, this extract did not affect the growth and increased the toxin production in epiphytic cyanobacteria, with no significant effect on lipid peroixdation or the activities of APA and antioxidative enzymes of these species. This study is the first to suggest that the macrophyte S. aloides supports the growth and toxin production of its epiphytic cyanobacteria. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The Environment of Lake Victoria (East Africa): Current Status and Historical Changes
Authors: Sitoki Lewis , Gichuki John , Ezekiel Charles , Wanda Fred , Mkumbo Oliva C. , Marshall Brian E.
Published: June 2010

Beginning in the mid‐1980s Lake Victoria experienced severe eutrophication and it was suggested that deteriorating water quality might lead to a collapse of its fisheries. A series of lake‐wide surveys carried out 1999–2001 and 2005–2009 revealed that the temperature of the lake had risen by > 1 °C since 1927, with more rapid warming of the deeper waters reducing the thermal gradient in the water column and thus weakening stratification and the extent and severity of deoxygenation. The chlorophyll a concentrations in open water decreased since the 1980s, while Secchi disc visibility increased, indicating a reduced severity of algal blooms. Chlorophyll a was higher and Secchi disc visibility lower in inshore waters but there has been no deterioration in these areas since the 1980s. The conductivity remained unchanged, although it was about 50% greater in the semi‐enclosed Nyanza Gulf than in the open lake. The water quality of the lake has therefore improved considerably despite the fact than concentrations of plant nutrients have not decreased and the reasons why this may be the case are discussed. (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A new amido phosphonate derivative of carboxymethylcellulose with an osteogenic activity and which is capable of interacting with any Ti surface
Authors: Barbucci Rolando , Arturoni Enrico , Panariello Giuseppe , Di Canio Clara
Published: June 2010

A new phosphonate derivative of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was recently synthesized (CMCAPh). The phosphonate polysaccharide was obtained by using a carbodiimide‐like activating agent for carboxylic groups and 2‐aminoethyl‐phosphonic acid to create an amide bond between the amine of the phosphonate agent and the carboxylic acids of CMC. The polymer was characterized by 31P NMR, FT‐IR, and potentiometric titration. CMCAPh showed different properties from CMC and its amidated derivative polymer CMCA. The behavior in solution of CMCAPh polymer towards normal human osteoblasts (NHOst) was studied in vitro, monitoring the cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and osteogenic activity and was then compared with the amidic derivative of carboxymethylcellulose (CMCA). Furthermore, CMCAPh was used to coat titania disks with the aim of increasing the osteogenic activity of implant surfaces. The polymer film on the titania surface was characterized by AFM and TOF‐SIMS analysis. An ATR FT‐IR study was carried out to evaluate the polymer bonding mode onto the titanium surface. Osteoblast morphology was evaluated by SEM. Adhesion analysis of NHOst demonstrated a better adhesion on the titanium surface coated with CMCAPh than on the bare titanium surface. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2010
Corrosion behavior of nitinol in blood serum and PBS containing amino acids
Authors: Pound Bruce G.
Published: June 2010

The susceptibility to localized corrosion of metallic, implant medical devices is typically evaluated in a simulated physiological solution, such as phosphate buffered saline (PBS). For implant devices in contact with blood, the underlying premise is that proteins and other components in blood do not significantly change the corrosion susceptibility. This study examined the corrosion behavior of nitinol in bovine serum and PBS containing amino acids (cysteine, glutamine, and tryptophan). Tests were performed on mechanically polished (MP) and black oxide (BO) nitinol wire using cyclic potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. They showed that the susceptibility to pitting corrosion of MP nitinol in PBS can be influenced by the presence of amino acids, depending on the type of amino acid. However, the pitting susceptibility of MP and BO nitinol did not differ significantly (based on a t‐test, with p < 0.05 being statistically significant) between serum and PBS, suggesting that the combination of proteins and amino acids in serum had little effect. The impedance spectra showed near‐capacitive behavior in serum and in PBS alone and with amino acids, and the data could be fitted by a parallel resistance–capacitance (as a constant phase element) circuit associated with the passive oxide film. The capacitance indicated that serum proteins were adsorbed on nitinol but that little, if any, adsorption of the three amino acids under study occurred at the corrosion potential. There did not appear to be a correlation between breakdown and the adsorption of organic compounds in serum. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2010.
Plasma filtration in the treatment of graves' ophthalmopathy: A randomized study
Authors: Cap J. , Ceeova V. , Skacha M. , Rezek P. , Vlcek P. , Blaha M.
Published: June 2010

The aim of this study was to perform a randomized study to evaluate the role of plasma filtration in the treatment of severe thyroid‐associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). 20 patients were enrolled, and all patients were treated with methylprednisolone IV pulses. 10 randomly chosen patients were also subjected to plasma filtration (twice weekly in Weeks 1, 2, 4, 7, and 10). The procedure proved to be safe. All immunoglobulin classes as well as autoantibodies directed against thyroglobulin, thyroid peroxidase, and TSH receptor exhibited statistically significantly decreases. Some markers of cell‐mediated immunity such as soluble antigen CD30 and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 decreased, but serum levels of other markers such as CD40 ligand and soluble protein Fas/Apo‐1 did not change significantly. The decrease of immunoglobulins was long lasting, whereas cytokine levels returned to basal values before the next apheresis. Although the clinical activity score (CAS) dropped in all patients, it occurred more rapidly in patients treated with plasma filtration. The CAS difference between the two groups was statistically significant (p = 0.027). The amplitude of visual evoked potentials improved after 3 months in the plasma filtration group. At the end of the study, there was no difference between patients treated with aphereses and the control group. Eye muscle width and proptosis measured by CT scan did not differ between the two groups. We conclude that apheresis can decrease disease activity more rapidly than standard high‐dose IV glucocorticoid therapy. Whether this superior treatment effect could potentially avoid surgical procedures remains to be determined. J. Clin. Apheresis 25:209–215, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epithelial stem cells: An epigenetic and wnt‐centric perspective
Authors: Gu Bingnan , Watanabe Kazuhide , Dai Xing
Published: June 2010

Epithelial stem cells, such as those present in mammalian skin, intestine, or mammary gland, are tissue stem cells capable of both long‐term self‐renewal and multi‐lineage differentiation. Here we review studies implicating epigenetic control mechanisms in mammalian epithelial stem cell development and homeostasis. We also provide an update of recent progresses in the involvement of canonical Wnt signaling and note an interesting link between the Wnt pathway and chromatin regulation in epithelial stem cells. We anticipate that epigenetic and epigenomic studies of these cells will increase exponentially in the near future. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 1279–1287, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Twist‐ing cell fate: Mechanistic insights into the role of twist in lineage specification/differentiation and tumorigenesis
Authors: Cakouros D. , Raices R. M. , Gronthos S. , Glackin C.A.
Published: June 2010

Bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), are multipotent cells that give rise to multiple lineages including osteoblasts, adipocytes, muscle, and fibroblasts. MSCs are useful for clinical applications such as cell therapy because they can be isolated from an individual and expanded for use in tissue repair, as well as other therapeutic applications, without immune rejection. However, one of the key problems in the use of MSCs for these applications is the efficiency of these cells to engraft and fully regenerate damaged tissues. Therefore, to optimize this process, a comprehensive understanding of the key regulators of MSCs self‐renewal and maintenance are critical to the success of future cell therapy as well as other clinical applications. The basic helix loop helix transcription factor, Twist, plays a master regulatory role in all of these processes and, therefore, a thorough understanding of the mechanistic insights in the role of Twist in lineage specification/differentiation and tumorigenesis is vital to the success of future clinical applications for the therapeutic use of MSCs. In this article, we highlight the basic mechanisms and signaling pathways that are important to MSC fate, maintenance, and differentiation, as well as the critical role that Twist plays in these processes. In addition, we review the known literature suggesting a critical role for Twist in the generation of cancer stem cells, as this information may contribute to a broader understanding of stem cell biology and stem‐cell‐based therapeutics. J. Cell. Biochem. 110: 1288–1298, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proliferative arrest of neural cells induces prion protein synthesis, nanotube formation, and cell‐to‐cell contacts
Authors: Miyazawa Kohtaro , Emmerling Kaitlin , Manuelidis Laura
Published: June 2010

Host prion protein (PrP) is most abundant in neurons where its functions are unclear. PrP mRNA transcripts accumulate at key developmental times linked to cell division arrest and terminal differentiation. We sought to find if proliferative arrest was sufficient to cause an increase in PrP in developing neurons. Rat neuronal precursor cells transduced with the temperature sensitive SV‐40 T antigen just before terminal differentiation (permissive at 33°C but not at 37.5°C) were analyzed. By 2 days, T antigen was decreased in all cells at 37.5°C, with few DNA synthesizing (BrdU+) cells. Proliferative arrest induced by 37.5°C yielded a fourfold PrP increase. When combined with reduced serum, a sevenfold increase was found. Within 2 days additional neuritic processes with abundant plasma membrane PrP connected many cells. PrP also concentrated between apposed stationary cells, and on extending growth cones and their filopodia. Stationary cells were maintained for 30 days in their original plate, and they reverted to a proliferating low PrP state at 33°C. Ultrastructural studies confirmed increased nanotubes and adherent junctions between high PrP cells. Additionally, some cells shared cytoplasm and these apparently open regions are likely conduits for the exchange of organelles and viruses that have been observed in living cells. Thus PrP is associated with dynamic recognition and contact functions, and may be involved in the transient formation of neural syncytia at key times in embryogenesis. This system can be used to identify drugs that inhibit the transport and spread of infectious CJD particles through the nervous system. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 239–247, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Using social network analysis to evaluate community capacity building of a regional Community Cancer Network
Authors: Luque John , Martinez Tyson Dinorah , Lee Ji‐Hyun , Gwede Clement , Vadaparampil Susan , Noel‐Thomas Shalewa , Meade Cathy
Published: June 2010

The Tampa Bay Community Cancer Network (TBCCN) is one of 25 Community Network Programs funded by the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities with the objectives to create a collaborative infrastructure of academic and community based organizations and to develop effective and sustainable interventions to reduce cancer health disparities. In order to describe the network characteristics of the TBCCN as part of our ongoing evaluation efforts, we conducted social network analysis surveys with our community partners in 2007 and 2008. One key finding showed that the mean trust value for the 20 community partners in the study increased from 1.8 to 2.1 (p<0.01), suggesting a trend toward increased trust in the network. These preliminary results suggest that TBCCN has led to greater collaboration among the community partners that were formed through its capacity‐building and evidence‐based dissemination activities for impacting cancer health disparities at the community level. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Advanced oxidation protein products inhibit differentiation and activate inflammation in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes
Authors: Zhou Qiu Gen , Peng Xin , Hu Li Li , Xie Di , Zhou Min , Hou Fan Fan
Published: June 2010

Accumulation of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) is prevalent in metabolic syndromes, a condition with impaired preadipocytes differentiation. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that AOPPs disturb preadipocyte differentiation. Exposure of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes to increased levels of AOPPs inhibited accumulation of intracellular triglyceride and decreased the expression of the essential markers of matured adipocytes, such as adipocyte fatty‐acid‐binding protein (aP2), CAAT/enhancer‐binding protein (C/EBP)‐α, and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR)‐γ, in response to standard adipogenic induction. Inhibitory effects of AOPPs on preadipocytes differentiation was time sensitive, which occurred at the early stage of differentiation. In the presence of AOPPs, induction of preadipocytes differentiation resulted in upregulated expression of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and CUG‐Triplet repeat‐binding protein (CUGBP), two important inhibitors of preadipocytes differentiation. In addition, treatment with AOPPs increased abundance of C/EBP‐β‐liver enriched inhibitory protein (C/EBP‐β‐LIP), a truncated C/EBP‐β isoform without adipogenic activity. Moreover, AOPPs‐treated preadipocytes expressed a macrophage marker F4/80 and overexpressed tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6 via nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB)‐dependent pathway. However, blocking inflammation with NF‐κB inhibitor failed to improve AOPPs‐induced inhibition of preadipocytes differentiation. These data suggest that accumulation of AOPPs may inhibit differentiation of preadipocytes and activate inflammation in these cells. This information might have implication for understanding the impairment of preadipocytes differentiation and fat inflammation seen in metabolic syndrome. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 42–51, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Control of carbohydrate metabolism in an anoxia‐tolerant nervous system
Authors: de Fraga Luciano Stürmer , da Silva Roselis Silveira Martins , Zancan Denise Maria
Published: June 2010

Anoxia‐tolerant animal models are crucial to understand protective mechanisms during low oxygen excursions. As glycogen is the main fermentable fuel supporting energy production during oxygen tension reduction, understanding glycogen metabolism can provide important insights about processes involved in anoxia survival. In this report we studied carbohydrate metabolism regulation in the central nervous system (CNS) of an anoxia‐tolerant land snail during experimental anoxia exposure and subsequent reoxygenation. Glucose uptake, glycogen synthesis from glucose, and the key enzymes of glycogen metabolism, glycogen synthase (GS) and glycogen phosphorylase (GP), were analyzed. When exposed to anoxia, the nervous ganglia of the snail achieved a sustained glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis levels, which seems important to maintain neural homeostasis. However, the activities of GS and GP were reduced, indicating a possible metabolic depression in the CNS. During the aerobic recovery period, the enzyme activities returned to basal values. The possible strategies used byMegalobulimus abbreviatusCNS to survive anoxia are discussed.J. Exp. Zool. 313A:539–547, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carrier cell‐mediated cell lysis of squamous cell carcinoma cells by squamous cell carcinoma antigen 1 promoter‐driven oncolytic adenovirus
Authors: Hamada Katsuyuki , Zhang Ting , Desaki Junzo , Nakashiro Koh‐ichi , Itoh Hiroshi , Tani Kenzaburo , Koyama Yoshiyuki , Hamakawa Hiroyuki
Published: June 2010

Background

The squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) serves as a serological marker for squamous cell carcinomas. Molecular cloning of the SCCA genomic region has revealed the presence of two tandemly arrayed genes: SCCA1 and SCCA2. SCCA1 gene is up‐regulated in squamous cell carcinoma cells. We analyzed the proximal region of the SCCA1 promoter and the antitumor effect of oncolytic adenovirus driven by the SCCA1 promoter in squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Methods

The SCCA1 promoter was analyzed by dual luciferase assay and substituted with the E1A promoter to construct the oncolytic adenovirus to determine the squamous cell carcinoma‐specific cell lysis.

Results

Deletion analysis of SCCA1 promoter identified a 175‐bp core promoter region and an enhancer region at −525 to −475 bp upstream of the transcription start site. The transcriptional activity of the SCCA1 promoter was up‐regulated in squamous cell carcinoma cells. Five tandem repeats of enhancer increased SCCA1 promoter activity by four‐fold. Oncolytic adenovirus driven by this SCCA1 enhancer‐promoter complex specifically killed squamous cell carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. A549 carrier cells infected with the oncolytic adenovirus induced complete regression of syngeneic squamous cell carcinoma cell tumor by overcoming immunogenicity and adenovirus‐mGM‐CSF augmented the antitumor effect of carrier cells.

Conclusions

SCCA1 was up‐regulated in squamous cell carcinoma cells and oncolytic adenovirus driven by SCCA1 promoter specifically killed these cells. These findings suggest that SCCA1 promoter is a potential target of gene therapy for squamous cell carcinoma. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Change of the favored routes of EI MS fragmentation when proceeding from N1, N1‐dimethyl‐N2‐arylformamidines to 1,1,3,3‐tetraalkyl‐2‐arylguanidines: substituent effects
Authors: Raczyńska Ewa D. , Makowski Mariusz , Gal Jean‐François , Maria Pierre‐Charles
Published: June 2010

Although series of N1, N1‐dimethyl‐N2‐arylformamidines and of 1,1,3,3‐tetraalkyl‐2‐arylguanidines are structurally analogous and similar electron‐ionization mass spectral fragmentation may be expected, they display important differences in the favored routes of fragmentation and consequently in substituent effects on ion abundances. In the case of formamidines, the cyclization‐elimination process (initiated by nucleophilic attack of the N‐amino atom on the 2‐position of the phenyl ring) and formation of the cyclic benzimidazolium [M‐H]+ ions dominates, whereas the loss of the NR2 group is more favored for guanidines. In order to gain information on the most probable structures of the principal fragments, quantum‐chemical calculations were performed on a selected set. A good linear relation between log{I[M‐H]+I [M]+•} and σR+ constants of substituent at para position in the phenyl ring occurs solely for formamidines (r = 0.989). In the case of guanidines, this relation is not significant (r = 0.659). A good linear relation is found between log{I[M‐NMe2]+/I [M]+•} and σp+ constants (r = 0.993). Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two Tweedie distributions that are near‐optimal for modelling monthly rainfall in Australia
Authors: Hasan Md Masud , Dunn Peter K.
Published: June 2010

Statistical models for total monthly rainfall used for forecasting, risk management and agricultural simulations are usually based on gamma distributions and variations. In this study, we examine a family of distributions (called the Tweedie family of distributions) to determine if the choice of the gamma distribution is optimal within the family. We restrict ourselves to the exponential family of distributions as they are the response distributions used for generalized linear models (GLMs), which has numerous advantages. Further, we restrict ourselves to distributions where the variance is proportional to some power of the mean, as these distributions also have desirable properties. Under these restrictions, an infinite number of distributions exist for modelling positive continuous data and include the gamma distribution as a special case. Results show that for positive monthly rainfall totals in the data history for a particular station, monthly rainfall is optimally or near‐optimally modelled using the gamma distribution by varying the parameters of the gamma distribution; using different distributions for each month cannot improve on this approach. In addition, under the same model restrictions, monthly rainfall totals that include zeros are also well modelled by the same family of distributions. Hence monthly rainfall can be suitably modelled using one of two Tweedie distributions depending on whether exact zeros appear in the rainfall history. We propose a slight variation of the gamma distribution for use in practice. This model fits the data almost as well as the gamma distribution but admits the possibility that future months may have zero rainfall. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Areal analysis of oscillations in 500‐hPa temperature field: a pseudo‐2D wavelet transform approach
Authors: Pisoft Petr , Miksovsky Jiri , Kalvova Jaroslava , Raidl Ales , Zak Michal
Published: June 2010

This article introduces areal analysis of regular changes in 500‐hPa temperature fields with pseudo‐2D wavelet transform (p2D‐WT). p2D‐WT is a new technique, a practical approach based on the 1D continuous wavelet transform (CWT), designed to describe frequency characteristics of studied datasets in terms of their evolution in both time and space. The algorithm transforms datasets defined in a grid into a multidimensional object, which is subsequently interpreted by time and frequency slices. In this study, we describe the transformation fundamentals and application of the transform on the 500‐hPa temperature field. Two types of reanalysis data are studied: time series from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (denoted as ERA‐40) and datasets from National Centers for Environmental Prediction and National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR). The analysis of the climatological data shows the presence of various periodicities among which the most distinct are the annual cycle (AC), semi‐annual cycle, quasi‐quadrennial oscillation (QQO) and quasi‐decadal oscillation (QDO). The article also provides a comparison of frequency characteristics of the NCEP/NCAR and ERA‐40 reanalysis datasets; it shows that the frequency patterns found in the particular reanalysis datasets differ only in limited areas. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Projected changes in thermal seasons and the growing season in Finland
Authors: Ruosteenoja Kimmo , Räisänen Jouni , Pirinen Pentti
Published: June 2010

The durations of the thermal seasons and the growing season till the end of this century are inferred from projected monthly mean temperatures, separately for the SRES A2 and B1 scenarios. For the baseline period 1971‐2000, we use a high‐resolution observational data set covering Finland, and an average of the temperature responses simulated by 19 global climate models (GCMs) is added to the observed temperatures to obtain projections for the future. Daily climatological temperatures, needed for the determination of the onset and end dates of the seasons and the effective temperature sum, are derived from the monthly means employing a Fourier algorithm that can reproduce monthly mean temperatures perfectly.

Under baseline conditions, there are four thermal seasons everywhere in Finland apart from the elevated area in north‐western Lapland. Under the A2 scenario, thermal winter will disappear in the South‐western part of the country by the period 2070‐2099. Elsewhere winter shortens by 2‐4 months. Summer lengthens by slightly over 1 month. Intermediate seasons become longer everywhere except in northernmost Lapland. The thermal growing season lengthens in inland areas by 40‐50 days, on the south‐western coast even more. The effective temperature sum doubles in the north and increases 1.5‐fold in the south. Conditions in Lapland would thus resemble those currently prevailing in southern Finland. Under the B1 scenario the change is smaller, especially in the second half of the century.

The robustness of the findings was assessed by considering the differences between the temperature change projections of the various models. The uncertainty in the onset and termination dates was typically of the order of ±2 weeks. Regional downscaling based on regional climate model (RCM) data did not alter the main conclusions. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Identification of periodicity in the relationship between PDO, El Niño and peak monsoon rainfall in India using S‐transform analysis
Authors: Sen Roy Shouraseni
Published: June 2010

Peak monsoon rainfall (PMR) data have been examined 135 years for five rainfall regions of the Indian subcontinent. S‐transform analysis was used to analyse the non‐stationarity in the periodicity of rainfall patterns over the study period. The results of the analyses revealed the presence of a 2–3 year cycle corresponding to the El Niño cycle, with periodic strengthening at the decadal scale across most of the regions as well as at the all India level. Further examination revealed that the 2–3 year cycle usually strengthened a few years before the beginning of the cold phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and this cycle continued through most of the cold phase. This 2–3 year cycle, however, was almost negligible during the subsequent warm phase of PDO for all regions except the central northeast region. Such a periodic strengthening of the periodicity in PMR during the cool phase of PDO is possibly caused by the differences in temperatures in different parts of the Pacific Ocean. Copyright © 2010 Royal Meteorological Society
Interaction of periosteal explants with articular chondrocytes alters expression profile of matrix metalloproteinases
Authors: Rickert Matthias , Dreier Rita , Radons Jürgen , Opolka Alfred , Grifka Joachim , Anders Sven , Grässel Susanne
Published: June 2010

Periosteal tissue is a source of growth factors and of osteochondral progenitor cells which makes it suitable for implantation in chondral defects as known in autologous chondrocyte implantation. The aim of this study was to determine the interaction between periosteal tissue and articular chondrocytes with respect to catabolic effectors such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and IL‐6. Human articular chondrocytes were cultured for up to 28 days as micromass pellets in coculture either with physical contact to periosteal explants or allowing paracrine interactions only. Expression, secretion, and activation of MMPs and IL‐6 were analyzed in chondrocytes, periosteum, and culture supernatants. Both coculture conditions influence gene expression levels of MMPs and IL‐6 in a time‐, culture‐, and tissue‐dependent manner. Coculturing of periosteum with chondrocytes promotes gene expression and secretion of IL‐6. In periosteum, physical contact inhibits MMP‐2 and MMP‐13 gene expression while paracrine coculture induces expression of IL‐6, MMP‐2, ‐7, and ‐13. Pro‐MMP‐2, ‐7, and ‐13 were detected in supernatants of all culture regimens whereas pro‐MMP‐9 was secreted from periosteum only. As a balanced amount of MMP activity is likely required to achieve sufficient integration of the regenerate tissue with the surrounding healthy cartilage, an exceeding expression of proteinases might result in degradation, hypertrophy or rejection of the graft. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 28:1576–1585, 2010
Bile cultures: A guide to infectious complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Augenstein Vedra A. , Reuter Nathan P. , Bower Matthew R. , McMasters Kelly M. , Scoggins Charles R. , Martin Robert C.G.
Published: June 2010

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the utility of intraoperative bile cultures on the outcome of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Study Design

A review of a hepato‐pancreato‐biliary database was performed to identify all patients who had a pancreaticoduodenectomy from 1/1998 to 8/2008.

Results

Two hundred twenty‐eight patients were evaluated, with preoperative biliary stenting performed in 129 out of 229 patients (57%), with 63/129(49%) had bile cultures taken intraoperatively, 39/129(30%) having positive bile cultures. Neither preoperative biliary stenting (incidence of complication: 54% with stent vs. 51% without, P = 0.9) nor positive bile culture (incidence of complication: 54% with positive bile culture vs. 53% without, P = 0.9) were predictors of overall complications. Length of operating time, length of hospital stay, blood loss, blood transfusion, and severity of complications were similar in the group with and without stent. There were 19 different organisms identified with not a single species was a statistically significant predictor of neither severity of complication nor increased length of stay.

Conclusions

Preoperative biliary stenting correlates with similar rate of biliary infections, however, intraoperative bile culture allows for early appropriate antibiotic use, which maintains a similar morbidity and infectious incidence as in patients without stents. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:478–481. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intratumoral macrophage counts correlate with tumor progression in colorectal cancer
Authors: Kang Jung‐Cheng , Chen Jin‐Shuen , Lee Chien‐Hsing , Chang Jao‐Jen , Shieh Yi‐Shing
Published: June 2010

Background

The role of intratumoral tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is not clear. We aim to examine the relationships of TAMs and the clinicopathologic features of CRC and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)‐2 and MMP‐9.

Methods

Immunohistochemical staining of CD68, MMP‐2, and MMP‐9 was determined in tissue samples from CRC patients. To test the biological effect of macrophages on tumor cells, cancer cells were cocultured with macrophages and function change of cancer cells were examined.

Results

Intratumoral TAM count correlated with depth of invasion (P = 0.048), lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0001), and staging (P < 0.0001) of CRC. MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 expression was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis and staging. A significant association between intratumoral TAM counts and MMP‐2 (P < 0.0001) and MMP‐9 (P < 0.0001) expression was noted. When cocultured with macrophages, cancer cells increased their invasiveness and migration and elevated MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 secretion.

Conclusions

Intratumoral TAMs cause cancer cells to have a more aggressive behavior, and this may be due to an upregulation of tumor cell‐derived MMP‐2 and MMP‐9. Examination of intratumoral TAMs can serve as a progressive marker for CRC patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:242–248. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surgical resection with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination
Authors: Li Chen , Yan Min , Chen Jun , Xiang Min , Zhu Zheng Gang , Yin Hao Ran , Lin Yan Zheng
Published: June 2010

Background

The prognosis for gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination is very poor. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival benefit from gastrectomy with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination.

Methods

From 1992 to 2002, 128 gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination underwent surgery at the Department of Surgery, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai, China. The clinicopathological characteristics and survival were compared between the resection and the non‐resection groups, and between the resection alone and the resection with HIPEC groups.

Results

The 5‐year survival rates were 5.5% for patients in the resection group and 0% for patients in the non‐resection group (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed surgical resection was significantly associated with better prognosis in gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination. In the patients who underwent resection, the survival difference between the resection alone and the resection with HIPEC groups was significant (P = 0.025), and HIPEC was an independent prognostic factor by multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

The HIPEC procedure was an independent prognostic factor after resection for patients with peritoneal dissemination. Therefore, gastrectomy with HIPEC may be an option for those patients. The survival benefit of this strategy should be validated by large cohort prospective clinical trials. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:361–365. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A 20‐year retrospective study of small‐cell carcinomas in Taiwan
Authors: Li Anna Fen‐Yau , Hsu Han‐Shui , Hsu Chih‐Yi , Li Alice Chia‐Heng , Li Win‐Yin , Liang Wen‐Yih , Chen Jeou‐Yuan
Published: June 2010

Background and Objectives

Small‐cell carcinomas (SCC) develop most commonly in the lung (small‐cell lung carcinoma, SCLC) and only small percentages are present at extra‐pulmonary sites. This study aimed to examine the distribution, treatment, and survival of SCCs.

Methods

The records for 922 SCC cases of various origins between January 1989 and December 2008 were retrieved and analyzed.

Results

The lung (89.2%) was the most common location, followed by the esophagus (1.8%), urinary bladder (1.6%), uterine cervix (1.5%), colorectum (1.4%), skin (1.0%), stomach (0.9%), head and neck (0.7%), prostate (0.3%), and small intestine (0.1%). Limited disease (LD) SCLC patients underwent surgery and chemotherapy had significantly higher survival rates than those who received chemotherapy alone, those who underwent combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and those who were administered supportive treatment. Actuarial 1‐, 2‐, and 3‐year survival rate was 28.9%, 9.4%, and 4.8% for total SCLC cases, 41.3%, 17.5%, and 9.6% for LD‐SCLC patients, and 21.9%, 4.2%, and 1.8% for extensive disease (ED)‐SCLC patients (P < 0.001). The survival rates for lung and stomach SCC patients with LD were significantly better than for patients with ED; cervical SCC stages I and IIa patients had better survival rates than patients with stage IIb and above (P = 0.034).

Conclusion

The lung was the most common location of SCCs, with 9.3% of cases being extra‐pulmonary in origin. The need for combined surgery and chemotherapy in LD‐SCLC patients deserves further evaluation. J. Surg. Oncol. 2010;102:497–502. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aggressive and unsafe driving in male veterans receiving residential treatment for PTSD
Authors: Kuhn Eric , Drescher Kent , Ruzek Josef , Rosen Craig
Published: June 2010

Aggressive and unsafe driving was examined in 474 male veterans receiving Veterans Affairs residential treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Specifically, the authors evaluated if PTSD was associated with aggressive and unsafe driving and if Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans were at higher risk than other war veterans. Approximately two thirds of the sample reported lifetime aggressive driving and one third reported current aggressive driving. Posttraumatic stress disorder severity was associated with aggressive driving, but not other forms of unsafe driving. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans endorsed higher rates of and more frequent aggressive driving than did other veterans. After accounting for PTSD severity, age, income, and marital status being an Iraq and Afghanistan War veteran predicted aggressive driving frequency and infrequent seatbelt use.
Inferior retrotympanum revisited: An endoscopic anatomic study
Authors: Marchioni Daniele , Alicandri‐Ciufelli Matteo , Piccinini Alessia , Genovese Elisabetta , Presutti Livio
Published: June 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To describe the inferior retrotympanic anatomy from an endoscopic perspective.

Study Design:

This was an anatomic study on a retrospective case series.

Methods:

During November 2009 and December 2009, videos from endoscopic middle ear procedures carried out between June 2007 and November 2009 and stored in our database were retrospectively reviewed. Surgeries in which the inferior retrotympanic region was visualized were included in the study. Accurate descriptions of the anatomic findings were made for each ear included in the study group.

Results:

The final study group consisted of 25 videos from 25 ear procedures. In 14/25 subjects, a bony ridge connecting the inferior portion of the styloid prominence to the anterior and inferior lip of the round window niche (Proctor's sustentaculum promontory) was identified and renamed the finiculus (from the Latin finis, ‐is: borderline), representing the ideal limit between the inferior retrotympanum and hypotympanum. In 14/25 patients, a complete sinus subtympanicus could be identified, lying between the subiculum and finiculus.

Conclusions:

Endoscopic exploration of the middle ear might guarantee a very good exposure of the inferior retrotympanum, allowing detailed anatomic descriptions of this hidden area. Improvement in our knowledge of its anatomy might decrease the possibility of residual disease during cholesteatoma surgery. Laryngoscope, 2010
Use of acoustic doppler sonography to ascertain the feasibility of the pedicled nasoseptal flap after prior bilateral sphenoidotomy
Authors: Pinheiro‐Neto Carlos D. , Carrau Ricardo L. , Prevedello Daniel M. , Fernandez‐Miranda Juan C. , Snyderman Carl S. , Gardner Paul A. , Kassam Amin B.
Published: June 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Blood supply to the Hadad‐Bassagasteguy pedicled nasoseptal flap may be interrupted by surgery of the pterygopalatine fossa, posterior septectomy, or large sphenoidotomies. This would preclude its use for reconstruction of skull base defects after expanded endonasal approaches (EEA). We present a novel method to ascertain the patency of the nasoseptal artery after prior surgery, and consequently the availability of the nasoseptal flap, using acoustic Doppler sonography.

Study Design:

Retrospective clinical review.

Methods:

Four patients who underwent EEAs were evaluated intraoperatively with acoustic Doppler sonography. The mucosa that covers the inferior aspect of the rostrum of the sphenoid sinus was scanned with the tip of the probe. Reflection of sound waves representing intravascular blood flow was assessed.

Results:

In three patients, the artery was identified in at least one side. One remaining patient showed no acoustic signal suggesting loss of the nasoseptal artery bilaterally, therefore necessitating the use of a fat graft for the reconstruction.

Conclusions:

Acoustic Doppler sonography seems to be a feasible and effective way to ascertain the availability of the nasoseptal artery. It is a relatively inexpensive and simple technique that can be performed by any endoscopic surgeon. Laryngoscope, 2010
Combinatorial treatments enhance recovery following facial nerve crush
Authors: Sharma Nijee , Moeller Carl W. , Marzo Sam J. , Jones Kathryn J. , Foecking Eileen M.
Published: June 2010

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To investigate the effects of various combinatorial treatments, consisting of a tapering dose of prednisone (P), a brief period of nerve electrical stimulation (ES), and systemic testosterone propionate (TP) on improving functional recovery following an intratemporal facial nerve crush injury.

Study Design:

Prospective, controlled animal study.

Methods:

After a right intratemporal facial nerve crush, adult male Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into the following eight treatment groups: 1) no treatment, 2) P only, 3) ES only, 4) ES + P, 5) TP only, 6) TP + P, 7) ES + TP, and 8) ES + TP + P. For each group n = 4–8. Recovery of the eyeblink reflex and vibrissae orientation and movement were assessed. Changes in peak amplitude and latency of evoked response, in response to facial nerve stimulation, was also recorded weekly.

Results:

Brief ES of the proximal nerve stump most effectively accelerated the initiation of functional recovery. Also, ES or TP treatments enhanced recovery of some functional parameters more than P treatment. When administered alone, none of the three treatments improved recovery of complete facial function. Only the combinatorial treatment of ES + TP, regardless of the presence of P, accelerated complete functional recovery and return of normal motor nerve conduction.

Conclusions:

Our findings suggest that a combinatorial treatment strategy of using brief ES and TP together promises to be an effective therapeutic intervention for promoting regeneration following facial nerve injury. Administration of P neither augments nor hinders recovery. Laryngoscope, 2010