bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A haplotype‐linkage analysis method for estimating recombination rates using dense SNP trio data
Authors: Zhao Lue Ping , Li Shuying Sue , Shen Fumin
Published: January 2007

Meiotic recombination is an important evolution force in shaping human genomes and creating human diversity. Recent explorations suggest that meiotic recombination events tend to happen in certain regions of the genome, leading to the hypothesis of recombination hot spots. To identify such hot spots, we describe an empirical method for estimating the recombination rate, which reflects both historical and current meiotic events, using unphased genotypes from nuclear families, in particular, parents‐child trios. The key idea is that use of the haplotypic polymorphisms with multiple adjacent SNPs will increase the number of informative meioses and hence would improve the power of linkage analysis. Since haplotypes of individuals are not directly observed, e.g., in HapMap data, we infer the haplotypes simultaneously while estimating recombination rate. We refer this described method as haplotype‐linkage (HALIN) method. Our simulation results show that HALIN gives unbiased estimates of recombination rate. We apply HALIN to analyze the genotype data of chromosome 20 from HapMap data and compare the results to the results using two existing methods, Bayesian coalescent method described by McVean et al. [2004] science 304:581–584 and empirical method by Clarke and Cardon ([2005] Genetics). Results suggest that HALIN identified 75 hot spots on chromosome 20, and 85% of them are also identified by the method by McVean et al. ([2004] science 304:581–584), in addition to a few new hot spots. In comparison with Clarke and Cardon's result, estimated recombination rates (RRs) under these 75 hot spots are significantly greater than those outside of hot spots, which support the general consistency in discovering recombination hot spots between two methods. Genet. Epidemiol. 31:154–172, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An improved algorithm for analytical gradient evaluation in resolution‐of‐the‐identity second‐order Møller‐Plesset perturbation theory: Application to alanine tetrapeptide conformational analysis
Authors: Distasio Robert A. , Steele Ryan P. , Rhee Young Min , Shao Yihan , Head‐Gordon Martin
Published: January 2007

We present a new algorithm for analytical gradient evaluation in resolution‐of‐the‐identity second‐order Møller‐Plesset perturbation theory (RI‐MP2) and thoroughly assess its computational performance and chemical accuracy. This algorithm addresses the potential I/O bottlenecks associated with disk‐based storage and access of the RI‐MP2 t‐amplitudes by utilizing a semi‐direct batching approach and yields computational speed‐ups of approximately 2–3 over the best conventional MP2 analytical gradient algorithms. In addition, we attempt to provide a straightforward guide to performing reliable and cost‐efficient geometry optimizations at the RI‐MP2 level of theory. By computing relative atomization energies for the G3/99 set and optimizing a test set of 136 equilibrium molecular structures, we demonstrate that satisfactory relative accuracy and significant computational savings can be obtained using Pople‐style atomic orbital basis sets with the existing auxiliary basis expansions for RI‐MP2 computations. We also show that RI‐MP2 geometry optimizations reproduce molecular equilibrium structures with no significant deviations (>0.1 pm) from the predictions of conventional MP2 theory. As a chemical application, we computed the extended‐globular conformational energy gap in alanine tetrapeptide at the extrapolated RI‐MP2/cc‐pV(TQ)Z level as 2.884, 4.414, and 4.994 kcal/mol for structures optimized using the HF, DFT (B3LYP), and RI‐MP2 methodologies and the cc‐pVTZ basis set, respectively. These marked energetic discrepancies originate from differential intramolecular hydrogen bonding present in the globular conformation optimized at these levels of theory and clearly demonstrate the importance of long‐range correlation effects in polypeptide conformational analysis. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2007
Versican modulates gap junction intercellular communication
Authors: Sheng Wang , Dong Haiheng , Lee Daniel Y. , Lu Wei‐yang , Yang Burton B.
Published: January 2007

Versican is a large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan and belongs to the family of lecticans. Versican possesses two globular domains, G1 and G3 domain, separated by a CS‐attachment region. The CS‐attachment region present in the middle region is divided into two spliced domains named CSα and β. Alternative splicing of versican generates at least four versican isoforms named V0, V1, V2, and V3. We have successfully cloned the full‐length cDNA of chick versican isoforms V1 and V2 and found that versican isoform V1 induced mesenchymal‐epithelial transition in NIH3T3 cells. Mesenchymal‐epithelial transition induced by V1 in NIH3T3 cells is characterized by expression of E‐cadherin and occludin, two epithelial markers, and reduced expression of fibroblastic marker vimentin (Sheng et al., 2006, Mol Biol Cell. 17, 2009–2020). In the present studies, we found that versican V1 isoform not only induced cell transition, but also increased intercellular communication via gap junction channels composed of connexin proteins. Our results showed that V1 induces plasma membrane localization of connexin 43, resulting in increased cell communication. This was further confirmed by blocking assays. Gap junctions mediated the transfer of small cytoplasmic molecules and the diffusion of second messenger molecules between adjacent cells. The ability of versican in regulating gap junction implied a potential role of versican in coordinating functions. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 213–219, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activation of caspase‐8 and Erk‐1/2 in domes regulates cell death induced by confluence in MDCK cells
Authors: Chang Yung‐Heng , Lin Hsi‐Hui , Wang Yang‐Kao , Chiu Wen‐Tai , Su Hsiao‐Wen , Tang Ming‐Jer
Published: January 2007

Under normal culture conditions, cells adhere to culture dish, spread out, proliferate, and finally cover all areas and reach confluence. During the confluent stage, cell proliferation ceases and differentiation is enhanced. Meanwhile, cell death also appears as the monolayer confluence proceeds. To delineate the mechanism of cell death induced by the confluent process, we employed Madin‐Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. When approaching confluence, MDCK cells exhibited increase the levels of caspase‐2 and enhanced the activity of caspase‐8. Using various caspase inhibitors to block apoptosis, we found that only z‐VAD‐fmk and z‐IETD‐fmk can inhibit confluent cell death, indicating that confluent cell death is mediated by activation of caspase‐8. Overexpression of Bcl‐2 inhibited confluent cell death, suggesting the involvement of mitochondria‐dependent pathway in confluent cell death. Interestingly, the activity of phospho‐Erk (p‐Erk) was initially decreased before confluence, but markedly increased after confluence. Immunofluorescence staining studies showed that p‐Erk was expressed exclusively on dome‐forming cells that underwent apoptosis. Treatment of confluent MDCK cells with PD98059 and UO126, the inhibitors of MEK, enhanced apoptosis as well as activity of caspase‐8. These data indicate that elevation of p‐Erk activity during confluence may serve to suppress confluent cell death. Taken together, activation of caspase‐8 contributes to and results in confluent cell death, whereas elevated p‐Erk activity serves to prevent confluent cell death by regulating activation of caspase‐8. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 174–182, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Downregulation of TLR4‐dependent ATP production is critical for estrogen‐mediated immunoprotection in Kupffer cells following trauma‐hemorrhage
Authors: Hsieh Ya‐Ching , Frink Michael , Kawasaki Takashi , Thobe Bjoern M. , Choudhry Mashkoor A. , Schwacha Martin G. , Bland Kirby I. , Chaudry Irshad H.
Published: January 2007

Toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) mediates mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage and biogenic responses. Mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) is an essential regulator for mtDNA transcription and ATP production. Increased ATP levels were associated with normalization of immune function following trauma‐hemorrhage. Moreover, administration of 17β‐estradiol following trauma‐hemorrhage upregulates cardiac Tfam and ATP levels. We therefore hypothesized that the salutary effect of 17β‐estradiol on Kupffer cell function following trauma‐hemorrhage is mediated via negative regulation of TLR4, which downregulates iNOS, upregulates Tfam and mtDNA‐encoded gene cytochrome c oxidase I (mtCOI), and consequently increases cellular ATP levels. Male C3H/HeN, C3H/HeOuJ (intact TLR4), and C3H/HeJ (TLR4 mutant) mice were subjected to trauma‐hemorrhage (mean BP 35 ± 5 mmHg ∼90 min, then resuscitation) or sham operation. At the beginning of resuscitation, mice received 17β‐estradiol (25 µg/25 g) or vehicle intravenously and were sacrificed 2 h thereafter. Kupffer cell TLR4, iNOS, IL‐6 and TNF‐α production capacities were increased, and ATP, Tfam, and mtCOI levels were decreased following trauma‐hemorrhage. Administration of 17β‐estradiol following trauma‐hemorrhage prevented the increase in Kupffer cell TLR4, iNOS, and cytokine production. This was accompanied by normalized ATP, Tfam, and mtCOI levels. Furthermore, the decreased Kupffer cell ATP and mtCOI levels were not observed in TLR4 mutant mice following trauma‐hemorrhage. Taken together, these findings suggest that downregulation of TLR4‐dependent ATP production is critical to 17β‐estradiol‐mediated immunoprotection in Kupffer cells following trauma‐hemorrhage. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 364–370, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phylogeographic inferences from the mtDNA variation of the three‐toed skink, Chalcides chalcides (Reptilia: Scincidae)
Authors: Giovannotti Massimo , Cerioni Paola Nisi , Kalboussi Mohsen , Aprea Gennaro , Caputo Vincenzo
Published: January 2007

Genetic diversity was analyzed in Chalcides chalcides populations from peninsular Italy, Sardinia, Sicily and Tunisia by sequencing 400 bp at the 5′ end of the mitochondrial gene encoding cytochrome b (cyt b) and by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of two mitochondrial DNA segments (ND‐1/2 and ND‐3/4). The results of the phylogenetic analysis highlighted the presence of three main clades corresponding with three of the four main geographical areas (Tunisia, Sicily and the Italian peninsula), while Sardinia proved to be closely related to Tunisian haplotypes suggesting a colonization of this island from North Africa by human agency in historical times. On the contrary, the splitting times estimated on the basis of cyt b sequence data seem to indicate a more ancient colonization of Sicily and the Italian Peninsula, as a consequence of tectonic and climatic events that affected the Mediterranean Basin during the Pleistocene. Finally, the analysis of the genetic variability of C. chalcides populations showed a remarkable genetic homogeneity in Italian populations when compared to the Tunisian ones. This condition could be explained by a rapid post‐glacial expansion from refugial populations that implied serial bottlenecking with progressive loss of haplotypes, resulting in a low genetic diversity in the populations inhabiting the more recently colonized areas. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 308B:297–307, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Insights from diploblasts; the evolution of mesoderm and muscle
Authors: Burton Patrick Michael
Published: January 2007

The origin of both mesoderm and muscle are central questions in metazoan evolution. The majority of metazoan phyla are triploblasts, possessing three discrete germ layers. Attention has therefore been focused on two outgroups to triploblasts, Cnidaria and Ctenophora. Modern texts describe these taxa as diploblasts, lacking a mesodermal germ layer. However, some members of Medusozoa, one of two subphyla within Cnidaria, possess tissue independent of either the ectoderm or endoderm referred to as the entocodon. Furthermore, members of both Cnidaria and Ctenophora have been described as possessing striated muscle, a mesodermal derivative. While it is widely accepted that the ancestor of Eumetazoa was diploblastic, homology of the entocodon and mesoderm as well as striated muscle within Eumetazoa has been suggested. This implies a potential triploblastic ancestor of Eumetazoa possessing striated muscle. In the following review, I examine the evidence for homology of both muscle and mesoderm. Current data support a diploblastic ancestor of cnidarians, ctenophores, and triploblasts lacking striated muscle. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 310B:5–14, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Favorable indications for hepatectomy in patients with liver metastasis from gastric cancer
Authors: Sakamoto Yoshihiro , Sano Takeshi , Shimada Kazuaki , Esaki Minoru , Saka Makoto , Fukagawa Takeo , Katai Hitoshi , Kosuge Tomoo , Sasako Mitsuru
Published: January 2007

Background

The prognosis of patients with liver metastasis from gastric cancer (LMGC) is dismal. The purpose of this study was to review our recent outcomes of hepatectomy for LMGC and to determine the suitable candidates for surgery.

Study Design

The outcomes of 37 patients with LMGC who underwent hepatectomy between 1990 and 2005 were assessed. No extrahepatic distant metastasis and feasibility of macroscopic curative resection were requisite indications for surgery. The prognostic values of clinicopathological factors were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

There was no in‐hospital mortality. The median survival time and overall 5‐year survival rate after hepatectomy of the patients with LMGC were 31 months and 11%, respectively. Intrahepatic recurrence following hepatectomy was found in 23 patients (62%). Variables independently associated with poor survival were bilobar metastasis (P = 0.002, CI = 1.9–16.3) and a maximum tumor diameter of ≥ 4 cm (P = 0.006, CI = 1.4–7.7). The depth of the primary tumor and the timing of metastasis were not associated with survival.

Conclusions

Surgical resection for LMGC may be indicated in patients with unilobar metastasis and/or tumors less than 4 cm in diameter. Synchronous metastasis is not a contraindication for hepatectomy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;95:534–539. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical significance of the RT‐PCR positive sentinel node in melanoma
Authors: Temple C.L.F. , Snell L.J. , Power S.M. , Parfitt J.R. , Scilley C. , Engel C.J. , Shum D. , Chakrabarti S. , Joseph M.G. , Lohmann R.C. , Ainsworth P.
Published: January 2007

Background

The clinical relevance of RT‐PCR positivity for melanoma markers in the sentinel node remains controversial. Our purpose was to determine whether patients with a histologically negative but RT‐PCR positive node were at an increased risk for recurrence than their RT‐PCR negative counterparts.

Methods

Thirty‐nine adult patients underwent sentinel node biopsies for melanoma between 1998 and 2000. Each sentinel node was bivalved. Half was serially sectioned and examined by routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry (IHC; S100, HMB‐45, melanA, and tyrosinase). The other half was analyzed by a nested RT‐PCR assay for tyrosinase.

Results

Patients were followed for recurrence with a mean follow‐up of 71.1 months. The odds ratio of recurrence for RT‐PCR positive versus RT‐PCR negative patients was 1.39 (0.34, 5.62; p = 0.73). Within the histology negative subgroups, the risk of recurrence in the RT‐PCR positive group (26.7%) was not significantly different from the risk of recurrence in the RT‐PCR negative group (22.2%) (p = 0.33 chi‐squared). RT‐PCR of the sentinel node was not a predictor for recurrence on multivariate analysis (p = 0.65).

Conclusion

Sentinel node RT‐PCR positivity did not risk stratify histologically negative melanoma patients beyond routine pathologic examination in this series. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;95:546–554. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Concept of molecular design towards additive technology for advanced lubricants
Authors: Minami Ichiro , Mori Shigeyuki
Published: January 2007

A simple model to develop novel friction modifiers and anti‐wear agents for synthetic oils was studied. Our attention was focused on the construction of additive molecules to meet the requirement for synthetic oils, which possess a different polarity and solvency from mineral oils. The relation between the molecular structure of additives and their tribological properties were elucidated prior to the preparation of the substance and estimation of its tribological properties. Computer‐assisted chemistry was partly applied to predict the properties of the designed molecules.

The adsorptive activity of the conventional fatty acids is insufficient to reduce friction when they were dissolved in polar synthetic oils such as polyethers. Introduction of another carboxyl group into the fatty acid, especially at the carbon atom next to the original carboxyl group, makes the molecule polar; resulting in friction modifiers for polyethers. Conversion of the carboxyl groups into trimethylsilyl esters provides soluble friction modifiers for poly(dimethylsilicone)‐type synthetic oils. A unique lubrication mechanism based on in situ regeneration of the original molecule was proposed for synthetic oils with poor solvency.

Importance of adsorptive activity of additive molecule was also pointed out in phosphate‐type anti‐wear additives for polar synthetic oils. We found that both the polarity of additives and that of base oils have to be taken into account in lubricant design. Too much adsorption activity of the molecule caused corrosive wear. Hydrolytic stable compounds reduces corrosive wear to a considerable extent. Introduction of a hydroxyl group into the alkyl moiety of the phosphate ester provides polar molecule with low acidity. The additives reduce wear in synthetic esters even at low concentrations of phosphorus. The lubrication mechanism was also discussed; the novel additives provide a thick boundary film composed of iron phosphate on rubbing surfaces. Moreover, an acceleration of the kinetics of the film formation by the hydroxyl group was observed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retinol decreases β‐catenin protein levels in retinoic acid‐resistant colon cancer cell lines
Authors: Dillard Alice C. , Lane Michelle A.
Published: January 2007

The β‐catenin signaling pathway is dysregulated in most cases of colon cancer resulting in an accumulation of nuclear β‐catenin and increased transcription of genes involved in tumor progression. This study examines the effect of retinol on β‐catenin protein levels in three all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA)‐resistant human colon cancer cell lines: HCT‐116, WiDr, and SW620. Each cell line was treated with increasing concentrations of retinol for 24 or 48 h. Retinol reduced β‐catenin protein levels and increased ubiquitinated β‐catenin in all cell lines. Treatment with the proteasomal inhibitor MG132 blocked the retinol‐induced decrease in β‐catenin indicating retinol decreases β‐catenin by increasing proteasomal degradation. Multiple pathways direct β‐catenin to the proteasome for degradation including a p53/Siah‐1/adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a Wnt/glycogen synthase kinase‐3β/APC, and a retinoid “X” receptor (RXR)‐mediated pathway. Due to mutations in β‐catenin (HCT‐116), APC (SW620), and p53 (WiDr), only the RXR‐mediated pathway remains functional in each cell line. To determine if RXRs facilitate β‐catenin degradation, cells were treated with the RXR pan‐antagonist, PA452, or transfected with RXRα small interfering RNA (siRNA). The RXR pan‐antagonist and RXRα siRNA reduced the ability of retinol to decrease β‐catenin protein levels. Nuclear β‐catenin induces gene transcription via interaction with T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) proteins. Retinol treatment decreased the transcription of a TOPFlash reporter construct and mRNA levels of the endogenous β‐catenin target genes, cyclin D1 and c‐myc. These results indicate that retinol may reduce colon cancer cell growth by increasing the proteasomal degradation of β‐catenin via a mechanism potentially involving RXR. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein kinase C δ enhances proliferation and survival of murine mammary cells
Authors: Grossoni Valeria C. , Falbo Karina B. , Kazanietz Marcelo G. , de Kier Joffé Elisa D. Bal , Urtreger Alejandro J.
Published: January 2007

Protein kinase C (PKC) δ, a member of the novel family of PKC serine‐threonine kinases, has been implicated in negative regulation of proliferation and apoptosis in a large number of cell types, including breast cancer cell lines, and postulated as a tumor suppressor gene. In this study we show that in murine NMuMG mammary cells PKCδ promotes a mitogenic response. Overexpression of PKCδ in NMuMG cells leads to a significant increase in [3H]‐tymidine incorporation and cell proliferation, as well as enhanced extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. Activation of PKCδ with a phorbol ester leads to elevated cyclin D1 expression and an hyperphosphorylated Rb state. Surprisingly, ectopic expression of PKCδ conferred anchorage‐independent growth capacity to NMuMG cells. PKCδ overexpressors showed enhanced resistance to apoptotic stimuli, such as serum deprivation or doxorubicin treatment, an effect that correlates with hyperactivation of the Akt survival pathway. Our results provide evidence for a role of PKCδ as a positive modulator of proliferative and survival signals in immortalized mammary cells. The fact that PKCδ exerts differential responses depending on the cell context not only highlights the necessity to carefully understand the signaling events controlled by this PKC in each cell type but also suggests that we should be cautious in considering this kinase a target for cancer therapy. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methods of evaluation of musician's dystonia: Critique of measurement tools
Authors: Spector June T. , Brandfonbrener Alice G.
Published: January 2007

Musician's dystonia is associated with significant morbidity. To assess treatment options, accurate and precise measurements of disease severity are critical. We describe current methods of quantitatively measuring musician's dystonia of the upper extremity including subjective, objective, and automated methods. The degree to which these methods satisfy rigorous measurement criteria, including their reliability, validity, responsiveness to treatment, and practicality, is examined. We report that most of these methods have not been properly evaluated. Therefore, treatment trials based on these methods are difficult to interpret. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Unilateral versus bilateral tasks in early asymmetric Parkinson's disease: Differential effects on bradykinesia
Authors: Kishore Asha , Espay Alberto J. , Marras Connie , Al‐Khairalla Thamer , Arenovich Tamara , Asante Abena , Miyasaki Janis , Lang Anthony E.
Published: January 2007

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have an impaired ability to perform two different simultaneous bimanual tasks. The differential effects of unilateral versus bilateral identical tasks on the bradykinesia scores of the more and less affected limbs in PD have not been examined. Twenty‐seven patients with early and asymmetric PD underwent blinded, videotaped assessment, independently for each limb, using the bradykinesia items of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Part III, Motor subscale (mUPDRS) and a Modified Bradykinesia Rating Scale (MBRS), which assessed amplitude, speed, and rhythm of movements. We found that the score for finger tapping in mUPDRS and MBRS, the score of amplitude of finger tapping in MBRS, and the lateralized scores of mUPDRS (sum of Items 23 to 25) of the most affected side significantly improved during the bimanual task. The improvement was associated with longer duration of illness, higher total scores in mUPDRS, and higher lateralized bradykinesia scores of the most affected side. There was a simultaneous deterioration of the lateralized bradykinesia scores in MBRS (sum of Items 23 to 25) and Item 25 of mUPDRS (rapid alternating movements) of the least affected side in bimanual tasks. In conclusion, identical bimanual tasks facilitate movement of the most affected side in early asymmetric PD at the cost of motor degradation in the least affected side. This observation also highlights the need to perform tasks of bradykinesia in one limb at a time for best accuracy. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Lower stimulation frequency can enhance tolerability and efficacy of pallidal deep brain stimulation for dystonia
Authors: Alterman Ron L. , Shils Jay L. , Miravite Joan , Tagliati Michele
Published: January 2007

We report the case of a patient with medically refractory primary dystonia who was treated with bilateral pallidal deep brain stimulation. Stimulation at 130 Hz or higher, by means of the more ventral contacts generated capsular side effects, which made their use impractical. Consequently, the patient was treated for 9 months at 130 to 185 Hz, by means of the more dorsal contacts, achieving modest results. By reducing the stimulation frequency to 80 Hz, we were able to activate the ventral contacts without inducing side effects. Within days, the patient experienced a dramatic improvement in function that has persisted for 1 year. A further reduction in stimulation frequency to 60 Hz resulted in a worsening of his symptoms. We conclude that chronic stimulation at frequencies of <100 Hz may be efficacious in dystonia and may enhance the tolerability of stimulation by means of contacts that are positioned posteroventrally within the internal globus pallidus, nearer the internal capsule. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Gait abnormalities in psychogenic movement disorders
Authors: Baik Jong Sam , Lang Anthony E.
Published: January 2007

An abnormal gait is not uncommon in patients with medically unexplained neurological symptoms, including those with other psychogenic movement disorders (PMDs). Previous studies have not evaluated the gait characteristics of patients with a variety of PMDs and there are no reports comparing PMDs with and without gait disturbances. We were interested in determining how those with and without additional involvement of gait differed and how PMD patients differed from those with a pure psychogenic gait disorder (PGD) in the absence of another PMD. We investigated gait features in a large series of patients with PMD (n = 279), dividing them into two groups (Group I with a normal gait and Group II with an abnormal gait). Group I included those with PMD with a normal gait and no change in the PMD while walking (I‐1), and those with a change in PMD while walking, but not affecting gait (I‐2). Group II was divided into those with PMD with additional abnormal gait (II‐1) and those with pure psychogenic gait disorder without other abnormal movements (II‐2). Excessive slowing of movement was more common in PMD patients with an abnormal gait (Group II) compared to those without (Group I). Slowness of gait was the most common feature in patients with PMD combined with a PGD (II‐1) and buckling of the knee pattern was the most common type of pure PGD (II‐2), followed by astasia–abasia. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Carbidopa/levodopa–responsive myoclonus
Authors: FitzGerald David B. , Drago Valeria , Sutherland Dean , Heilman Kenneth M.
Published: January 2007

A 64‐year‐old right‐handed woman's right hand and arm developed spontaneous jerks that eventually involved her trunk. As she had some features of parkinsonism, she was treated with carbidopa/levodopa and her myoclonus dramatically improved. The mechanism accounting for this improvement is unknown. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Suppression of connexin 43 and E‐cadherin transcripts in in vitro derived bovine embryos following culture in vitro or in vivo in the homologous bovine oviduct
Authors: Tesfaye Dawit , Lonergan Patrick , Hoelker Michael , Rings Franca , Nganvongpanit Korakot , Havlicek Vitezslav , Besenfelder Urban , Jennen Danyel , Tholen Ernst , Schellander Karl
Published: January 2007

In this study, a combination of RNAi and endoscopic transfer to the oviduct of synchronized heifers has been used to investigate the effect of suppression of Cx43 and E‐cadherin on the development, mRNA and protein expression of bovine blastocysts cultured in vitro or in vivo. In vitro matured and fertilized bovine zygotes were randomly assigned to one of four groups namely: Connexin43 dsRNA‐injected (n = 790), E‐cadherin dsRNA‐injected (n = 775), water‐injected (n = 774), and noninjected controls (n = 652). Following 2 days in vitro culture, 4‐ and 8‐cell stage embryos from each treatment group were used for culture in vitro or in vivo. About half of the 4–8‐cell stage embryos from each treatment group were transferred to the oviduct of synchronized heifers, while the remainder were further cultured in vitro. Embryos from in vivo culture were flushed from recipients on the fourth day post transfer (= Day 7 post insemination). Blastocyst stage embryos from both culture systems were used for mRNA and protein expression analysis. Irrespective of treatment or culture conditions, microinjection resulted in a decline in the proportion of embryos reaching the blastocyst stage. Significantly, lower blastocyst development was observed in E‐cadherin and water‐injected embryos following in vivo culture compared to the noninjected controls, while intermediate results were obtained following injection with Cx43 dsRNA. Both mRNA and protein products of the target genes were suppressed but the efficiency of suppression of the target genes varied depending on the initial level of transcript abundance, which is known to be greatly affected by the culture environment. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 978–988, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bounds on history‐dependent or independent local quantities in viscoelasticity problems solved by approximate methods
Authors: Chamoin L. , Ladevèze P.
Published: January 2007

This paper introduces new strict error bounds of outputs of interest for linear viscoelasticity structural problems involving internal state variables and calculated by the finite element method. Using extraction techniques and the concept of dissipation error, we show that we can get both strict and effective bounds by using convexity properties and by taking effects of error accumulation into account. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The PV‐FIBRE concentrator: a system for indoor operation of 1000X MJ solar cells
Authors: Antón I. , Silva D. , Sala G. , Bett A.W. , Siefer G. , Luque‐Heredia I. , Trebst T.
Published: January 2007

This paper describes the overall design and experimental results obtained with the PV‐FIBRE concentrator system (CPV). This system uses a parabolic dish to collect and concentrate the sunlight which is then further guided by a transparent rod and finally by individual short fibres. Eventually, the individual fibres are connected to single cells which are located indoors. Dual‐junction III‐V‐based solar cells with an efficiency of 30% and operating at 1000× are applied in the PV‐FIBRE system. This new system approach allows a suitable optical and electrical interconnection in order to reduce the losses and the indoor operation of the cell receiver. All elements of the CPV system (collector, tracker, transmission rod, cells, fibre bundles, and cooling circuit) have been manufactured according to main design requirements and have been evaluated separately. Finally, the PV‐FIBRE CPV system has been installed in Madrid and tested under real operation conditions. The system has demonstrated an optical efficiency of 62% is feasible, providing homogeneous illumination to the cells. Therefore, this concept can lead to overall efficiencies exceeding 20% when combined with MJ solar cells. In this paper we report on the main achievements, identified problems as well as lessons learned and future research lines to improve the system performance. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic behavior of water wells coupled to PV pumping systems
Authors: Fraidenraich N. , Vilela O. C.
Published: January 2007

Evaluation of a water supply system requires an overall analysis of its behavior, including the well performance and drawdown characteristics. The response of the water well is usually characterized by a single relationship between water level and water flow, representing its quasi‐equilibrium behavior. However, for days with large and rapid variations of irradiance this relationship does not correspond to the well‐equilibrium curve. In order to simulate the well behavior it has been developed a model that takes into account the variation of water level, pressure at the entrance of the well and static pressure of the aquifer, all of them related to the water flow. The model also considers the energy conservation equation of the system through the relationship among hydraulic load, water flow, and collected irradiance. Results of simulations show that, for days with large variations in solar irradiance, the static and dynamic analysis exhibit large differences in the instantaneous water head. The dynamic analysis shows that the water well tends to attenuate the fluctuations of the water head through a negative feedback mechanism. The model helps to understand some facts observed in the field. For example, the dispersion of points in the flow rate versus solar irradiance curves. The maximum drawdown obtained with the dynamic model is considerably smaller than the one predicted with the quasi‐equilibrium analysis. That difference can represent some savings in terms of water well hardware (drilling, wiring, and piping) for programs involving the installation of a large number of systems. The slowdown of water column variations, shown by the dynamic model, signifies that the motor‐pump system is not so intensively demanded as the quasi‐equilibrium analysis would suggest, resulting in longer lifetime prospects. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Passive coping and psychological distress in women adhering to regular breast cancer surveillance
Authors: Pieterse K. , van Dooren S. , Seynaeve C. , Bartels C.C.M. , Rijnsburger A.J. , de Koning H.J. , Klijn J.G.M. , van Elderen T. , Tibben A. , Duivenvoorden H.J.
Published: January 2007

Since 2000 the MRISC study evaluates the psychological consequences of regular breast cancer surveillance for women at increased risk for hereditary breast cancer. Coping style may influence these psychological consequences. In a cohort of 357 women at increased risk for hereditary breast cancer, the impact of coping styles on the course, divided into level and trend of psychological distress (general and breast cancer specific) was examined, around two consecutive surveillance appointments.

With structural equation modelling we found passive coping to be associated with higher levels of both general and breast cancer specific distress. Seeking social support, expression of emotions and thinking comforting thoughts were associated with lower levels of psychological distress. Coping style was not associated with the trend of psychological distress around the two surveillance appointments. It is recommendable to take coping styles into account when counselling these high‐risk women. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous metabolic labeling of cells with multiple amino acids: Localization and dynamics of histone acetylation and methylation
Authors: Ren Chen , Liu Shujun , Ghoshal Kalpana , Hsu Pang‐Hung , Jacob Samson T. , Marcucci Guido , Freitas Michael A.
Published: January 2007

Simultaneous metabolic labeling of cells with multiple amino acids combined with acetic acid urea‐PAGE and MS was used to characterize histones in Kasumi‐1 cells treated with the histone deacetylase inhibitor depsipeptide (DDP). The approach allowed for rapid targeting, identification, and subsequent characterization of peptides containing sites of acetylation or methylation. Multiple methylation sites were determined for histone H3 including: di‐ and tri‐methylation of K9 and K27; mono‐ and di‐methylation of K36 and K79; and mono‐methylation of K37. The acetylation patterns for histones H4 and H3 were established. Quantitative analysis of the modification change after treatment with DDP was also performed and the dynamics of H4 acetylation determined. Functional analysis by RT‐PCR showed that DDP unregulated p21 expression with a maximum after 18‐h exposure. Chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that DDP treatment caused an accumulation of hyperacetylated histone H4 and H3 isoforms and a decrease in K9 di‐methylation of H3 on the p21 promoter.
Characterization of human prostate and breast cancer cell lines for experimental T cell‐based immunotherapy
Authors: Carlsson Björn , Forsberg Ole , Bengtsson Mats , Tötterman Thomas H. , Essand Magnus
Published: January 2007

BACKGROUND

In order to develop experimental immunotherapy for prostate and breast cancer it is of outmost importance to have representative target cell lines that through human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules present relevant levels of peptides from tumor‐associated antigens for cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) recognition.

METHODS

We sequenced the HLA‐A and HLA‐B loci of eight commonly used prostate and breast cancer cell lines and analyzed the surface expression of HLA‐ABC, HLA‐DR, CD40, CD80, CD86, and CD54 by flow cytometry. We also analyzed the cell lines for mRNA expression from 25 genes reported to be specifically or preferentially expressed by prostate cells.

RESULTS

Among the analyzed cell lines we found that LNCaP, PC‐346C and MCF‐7 are HLA‐A*0201 positive. However, the HLA‐A2 expression level is low and only MCF‐7 upregulates HLA‐A2 in response to IFN‐γ stimulation. MCF‐7 also expresses high levels of CD54, which further improve its value as a CTL target cell line. On the other hand, LNCaP and PC‐346C express 25 and 23 out of 25 prostate‐related genes, respectively, while MCF‐7 expresses 16 out of 25 genes.

CONCLUSIONS

None of the analyzed prostate cancer cell lines are optimal CTL target cells. However, MCF‐7 could in many cases be used as a complement to HLA‐A*0201 positive prostate cancer cells. The LNCaP and PC‐346C cell lines are rich sources of prostate‐related antigens that may be valuable for cancer vaccine development. Prostate 67: 389–395, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ten‐year survival and cardiovascular mortality in patients with advanced prostate cancer primarily treated by intramuscular polyestradiol phosphate or orchiectomy
Authors: Mikkola Arto , Aro Jussi , Rannikko Sakari , Ruutu Mirja
Published: January 2007

BACKROUND

The aim of the study was to evaluate overall and prostate cancer (PCa) specific survival with special attention to cardiovascular (CV) mortality in patients primarily treated by parenteral polyestradiol phosphate (PEP) 240 mg/month or with orchiectomy (OE), taking into account the effect of pretreatment diseases and medication, and later PCa therapies.

METHODS

The present Finnprostate 6 study (10‐year follow‐up) consisted of 244 patients with locally advanced PCa (T3‐4 M0) and 200 patients with metastatic PCa (T1‐4 M1). Patients were randomized to OE or PEP therapy. The T3‐4 M0 and T1‐4 M1 patients were analyzed separately.

RESULTS

There was no difference in overall or PCa specific survival between the primary therapy groups in T3‐4 M0 or T1‐4 M1 patients. In the T3‐4 M0 patients the primary treatment (PEP vs. OE) was statistically significantly associated with a risk of CV deaths (P = 0.001). Such an association was not found in the T1‐4 M1 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The primary PEP and OE therapies are equal in terms of overall and PCa specific survival in patients with T3‐4 M0 or T1‐4 M1 disease. In T3‐4 M0 patients PEP increases the risk of CV deaths compared to OE but not in T1‐4 M1 patients. Prostate 67: 447–455, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Thermal characterization of ceramic tapes using photoacoustic effect
Authors: K Annieta Philip , Joseph Lyjo K. , Irimpan Litty M. , Krishnan Bindu , Radhakrishnan P. , Nampoori V. P. N. , Natarajan Raghu
Published: January 2007

Thermal characterization of alumina–zirconia and zirconia ceramic tapes using a photoacoustic technique is presented. A transmission‐mode geometry is employed for the measurement of thermal diffusivity while a reflection‐mode geometry is used for the measurement of thermal effusivity. In both these geometries, the same open photoacoustic cell is used. From the measured values of thermal diffusivity and thermal effusivity, the thermal conductivity value has also been evaluated. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Red luminescence from freestanding GaN grown on LiAlO2 substrate by hydride vapor phase epitaxy
Authors: Wang Lijun , Richter E. , Weyers M.
Published: January 2007

Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy was used to study the red luminescence band from freestanding GaN grown on LiAlO2 substrate by hydride vapor phase epitaxy. The red luminescence band was observed with its peak at 1.78 eV and 1.85 eV at 10 K and 300 K, respectively. Temperature‐dependent PL data show that the 1.78 eV red band is due to a donor‐acceptor pair (DAP) transition. Excitation‐intensity‐dependent PL measurements at 10 K and 300 K reveal that the 1.85 eV band at 300 K is the overlap of the DAP band and the electron‐to‐acceptor (e, A0) transition band. Ion‐implantation experiments confirmed that both carbon and oxygen impurities are involved in the red luminescence transition. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Analysis on binary responses with ordered covariates and missing data
Authors: Taylor Jeremy M. G. , Wang Lu , Li Zhiguo
Published: January 2007

We consider the situation of two ordered categorical variables and a binary outcome variable, where one or both of the categorical variables may have missing values. The goal is to estimate the probability of response of the outcome variable for each cell of the contingency table of categorical variables while incorporating the fact that the categorical variables are ordered. The probability of response is assumed to change monotonically as each of the categorical variables changes level. A probability model is used in which the response is binomial with parameterspijfor each cell (i,j) and the number of observations in each cell is multinomial. Estimation approaches that incorporate Gibbs sampling with order restrictions onpijinducedviaa prior distribution, two‐dimensional isotonic regression and multiple imputation to handle missing values are considered. The methods are compared in a simulation study. Using a fully Bayesian approach with a strong prior distribution to induce ordering can lead to large gains in efficiency, but can also induce bias. Utilizing isotonic regression can lead to modest gains in efficiency, while minimizing bias and guaranteeing that the order constraints are satisfied. A hybrid of isotonic regression and Gibbs sampling appears to work well across a variety of scenarios. The methods are applied to a pancreatic cancer case–control study with two biomarkers. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Data exploration in meta‐analysis with smooth latent distributions
Authors: Eilers Paul H. C.
Published: January 2007

Meta‐analysis with discrete outcomes is interpreted as the estimation (in one or two dimensions) of a non‐parametric smooth latent distribution of event probabilities (or rates). A simple but efficient EM algorithm is presented. A fine grid is used and fast smoothing is done by penalized least squares. Data exploration is the primary goal, but the estimated distribution can also be used to compute useful statistics of treatment effects. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First‐trimester uterine artery Doppler and spontaneous preterm delivery
Authors: Soares S. C. , Fratelli N. , Prefumo F. , Bhide A. , Thilaganathan B.
Published: January 2007

Objectives

To assess the relationship between first‐trimester uterine artery Doppler measurements and spontaneous preterm delivery.

Methods

This was a retrospective analysis of uterine artery Doppler findings at 11–14 weeks in 73 singleton pregnancies with spontaneous preterm labor and 2417 pregnancies delivered at term.

Results

The uterine artery mean resistance index (RI) was 0.68 (coefficient of variation 19%) and 0.69 (17%) in the preterm and term delivery groups, respectively (P = 0.35). The mean pulsatility index (PI) was 1.42 (39%) and 1.42 (46%) in the term and preterm delivery groups, respectively (P = 0.95). Bilateral diastolic notches were present in 34% of preterm deliveries and 33% of controls (P = 0.84). Restricting the analysis to the 19 pregnancies with preterm delivery before 34 weeks of gestation, no significant difference from controls was observed for RI (mean 0.71, coefficient of variation 11%, P = 0.41), PI (mean 1.56, coefficient of variation 29%, P = 0.27) or the number of bilateral notches (42%, P = 0.41).

Conclusions

Despite pathological evidence suggesting that defective placentation is associated with spontaneous preterm delivery, first trimester uterine artery resistance, as assessed by Doppler ultrasound investigation, is not different in pregnancies subsequently complicated by preterm labor compared to pregnancies delivered at term. This finding may be explained by a late failure of trophoblast development in cases destined to deliver preterm. Copyright © 2007 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Renal and Perinephric Abscesses: Analysis of 65 Consecutive Cases
Authors: Coelho Rafael Ferreira , Schneider‐Monteiro Edison D. , Mesquita José Luís Borges , Mazzucchi Eduardo , Marmo Lucon Antonio , Srougi Miguel
Published: January 2007

Objective

The objective was to describe the last 10 years’ experience of the diagnosis and treatment of renal, perinephric, and mixed abscesses in an academic reference center.

Patients and Methods

The medical records of 65 patients with renal, perinephric, and mixed abscesses treated at our hospital from January 1992 to December 2002 were reviewed. The data collected included predisposing factors, symptoms, physical examination, initial diagnosis, laboratory and radiologic evaluation, treatment, and clinical outcome.

Results

Perinephric abscesses were found in 33 (50.8%) patients, renal abscesses were found in 16 (24.6%), and 16 (24.6%) had mixed abscesses. Urolithiasis (28%) and diabetes mellitus (28%) were the most common predisposing conditions. The duration of symptoms before hospital admission ranged from 2 to 180 days (mean 20 days). Urine culture was positive in 43% of patients and blood culture was positive in 40% of patients. Most of the perinephric abscesses received an interventional treatment: surgical drainage (24%), percutaneous drainage (42%) or nephrectomy (24%). Most patients were cured (73.3%) on discharge from hospital. Mixed (renal and perinephric) abscess treatment was similar: percutaneous drainage (37.5%), surgical drainage (18.75%) or nephrectomy (37.5%). Most patients were cured (60%) on discharge from hospital. Renal abscesses, however, were treated medically in 69% of patients and 73% were cured on discharge from hospital.

Conclusions

Perinephric and mixed abscesses are successfully managed by interventional treatment. Renal abscesses can be managed by medical treatment only, reserving interventional treatment for large collections or patients with clinical impairment. Early diagnosis is an important factor in the outcome of renal and perinephric abscesses.