bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi-Aperture CMOS Sun Sensor for Microsatellite Attitude Determination
Authors: Rufino Giancarlo , Grassi Michele
Published: June 2009

This paper describes the high precision digital sun sensor under development at the University of Naples. The sensor determines the sun line orientation in the sensor frame from the measurement of the sun position on the focal plane. It exploits CMOS technology and an original optical head design with multiple apertures. This allows simultaneous multiple acquisitions of the sun as spots on the focal plane. The sensor can be operated either with a fixed or a variable number of sun spots, depending on the required field of view and sun-line measurement precision. Multiple acquisitions are averaged by using techniques which minimize the computational load to extract the sun line orientation with high precision. Accuracy and computational efficiency are also improved thanks to an original design of the calibration function relying on neural networks. Extensive test campaigns are carried out using a laboratory test facility reproducing sun spectrum, apparent size and distance, and variable illumination directions. Test results validate the sensor concept, confirming the precision improvement achievable with multiple apertures, and sensor operation with a variable number of sun spots. Specifically, the sensor provides accuracy and precision in the order of 1 arcmin and 1 arcsec, respectively.
First report of Corynespora cassiicola on Codiaeum variegatum (croton) in Sri Lanka
Authors: Jayasuriya KE , Thennakoon BI
Published: June 2009

Corynespora cassiicola was a devastating pathogen attributed to heavy leaf fall in susceptible clones of rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), in the mid-eighties in Sri Lanka. It is known to have a wide host range. This is the first report of C. cassiicola as a leaf pathogen of croton, Codiaeum veriegatum, an ornamental plant. This report emphasizes the possibility of C. cassiicola infecting new hosts which could eventually lead to the development of new and virulent strains that are pathogenic to existing tolerant rubber clones. Key words: leaf disease, rubber, ornamental plants doi: 10.4038/cjsbs.v36i2.489 Cey. J. Sci. (Bio. Sci.) 36 (2): 138-141, 2007
Dual‐Tone Patterned Mesoporous Silicate Films Templated From Chemically Amplified Block Copolymers
Authors: Nagarajan Sivakumar , Russell Thomas P. , Watkins James J.
Published: June 2009

Directly patterned mesoporous silicate films are prepared using positive‐ and negative‐tone strategies by performing phase selective silica condensation within lithographically exposed poly(styrene‐b‐tert‐butyl acrylate) (PS‐b‐PtbA) templates containing photoacid generators. The use of supercritical fluid as a process medium enables rapid diffusion of the silicate precursor within the prepatterned block copolymer template film without disrupting its morphology. Template exposure through the mask triggers area selective generation of acid, which in turn both deprotects the poly(tert‐butyl acrylate) block to yield a poly(acrylic acid) block and provides a catalyst for silica precursor condensation yielding pattern formation at the device level. Because the acid generated in the UV exposed field preferentially segregates into hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid) domains of the phase segregated, deprotected block copolymer, precursor condensation is simultaneously controlled at nanoscopic length scales via templating by the underlying block copolymer morphology. The ability of PS‐b‐PtbA to undergo chemical transformation in two stages, deprotection followed by crosslinking, enables precise replications of the photomask in positive and negative tones. Detemplating via calcination yields patterned mesoporous silicate films without etching. Template formulations are optimized using infrared spectroscopic studies and the silicate films are characterized using electron microscopy and scanning force microscopy.
Ionically Conducting Two‐Dimensional Heterostructures
Authors: Guo Xiangxin , Maier Joachim
Published: June 2009

In the context of revealing interfacial effects on ion conduction, thin films are extremely worthwhile due to defined geometry. Of particular interest are heterostructures as they offer symmetric boundary conditions and a high density of hetero‐interfaces. The recent progress in this field is reviewed. Materials classes under concern include halides and oxides, and refer to various degrees of disorder and different mobilities. Even though in its infancy, the field of ionic heterostructures is already characterized by a variety of results of fundamental importance and of technological relevance.
UV‐grafted gradient surface polyurethane membrane
Authors: Zhao Peizhong , Hua Xingyan , Wang Yuansheng , Zhu Jinhua , Niu Fei
Published: June 2009

Gradient surfaces of polyurethane (PU) membranes were created by UV grafting approach in a graded temperature field. Acrylic acid was selected as grafting monomer to improve the hydrophilicity of the surfaces. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR) spectra and scanning electronic microscope (SEM) were used to characterize the gradient. The results showed that the graft yield increased gradually from the lower temperature end to the higher temperature end. As a result, the hydrophilicity of the gradient surfaces displayed a gradual change along the same direction. Water contact angle measurements also proved this point. The graft reaction rate was investigated as a function of positions along the PU membrane. The average grafting yield of PU membrane increased with the extending of UV light irradiation and increase of photo initiator dosage. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Development of a poloxamer analogs/bioadhesive polymers‐based in situ gelling ophthalmic delivery system for tiopronin
Authors: Jiang Tong‐Ying , Sun Chang‐Shan , Shen Xue , Wang Tian‐Yi , Wang Si‐Ling
Published: June 2009

The purpose of this study was to develop a poloxamer analogs/bioadhesive polymers‐based in situ gelling ophthalmic delivery system aiming at enhancing bioavailability and anticataract effect. The effect of poloxamer 407 (P407), poloxamer 188 (P188), carbopol 934P (C934), and sodium hyaluronate (NaHA) concentration on the gelation temperature (GT) was examined. The GT of P407 based in situ gel increased with an increase in the P188 concentration. NaHA and C934 lowered the GT of poloxamer analogs based in situ gel. Correlation analysis demonstrated that in vitro drug release from in situ gel was controlled by gel dissolution and followed zero‐order kinetics. Tiopronin in vitro transcorneal transit accorded with zero‐order kinetics. Twenty‐two percent P407 and 6% P188 containing 0.2% NaHA based formulation can be chosen as in situ gel matrix of tiopronin because of proper GT and sustained releasing ability. In vivo study showed that the area under the aqueous humor–concentration time curve of tiopronin increased by 1.6 folds for in situ gel, compared with tiopronin aqueous solution. High‐dose tiopronin in situ gel and solution delayed the development of selenite cataract 6 d and 4 d, respectively. The results showed that tiopronin in situ gel exhibits higher bioavailability and therapeutical effect. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009
Parallel Synthesis of O‐Phenoxyethyl and O‐Adamantyl N‐acyl Thiocarbamates Endowed with Antiproliferative Activity
Authors: Spallarossa Andrea , Cesarini Sara , Schenone Silvia , Ranise Angelo
Published: June 2009

In order to further explore the antiproliferative properties of O‐phenoxyethyl and O‐adamantyl acylthiocarbamates (ATCs), a series of 14 derivatives was prepared by a parallel adaptation of a highly convergent one‐pot three‐step procedure. Ten acylthiocarbamates were selected by the National Cancer Institute drug evaluation program and screened against a panel of 55 to 58 cell lines derived from nine different types of human cancers. In general, the tested compounds showed a widespread micromolar activity with some specificity against leukemia, renal UO‐31, central nervous system (CNS) SNB‐75, and non‐small cell lung HOP‐92 cancer cell lines. Bioinformatic COMPARE analyses were carried out to identify possible mechanism(s) of action for acylthiocarbamate antiproliferative activity.
Ontologies in knowledge management support: A case study
Authors: Almeida Mauricio Barcellos , Barbosa Ricardo Rodrigues
Published: June 2009

Information and knowledge are true assets in modern organizations. In order to cope with the need to manage these assets, corporations have invested in a set of practices that are conventionally called knowledge management. This article presents a case study on the development and the evaluation of ontologies that was conducted within the scope of a knowledge management project undertaken by the second largest Brazilian energy utility. Ontologies have different applications and can be used in knowledge management, in information retrieval, and in information systems, to mention but a few. Within the information systems realm, ontologies are generally used as system models, but their usage has not been restricted to software development. We advocate that, once assessed as to its content, an ontology may provide benefits to corporate communication and, therefore, provide support to knowledge management initiatives. We expect to further contribute by describing possibilities for the application of ontologies within organizational environments.
Hilfsmittel für die Vorbemessung von Stahlbetonkonsolen
Authors: Schwitzke Marko
Published: June 2009

In diesem Beitrag werden Nomogramme für die Vorbemessung von Stahlbetonkonsolen vorgestellt. Basierend auf den entsprechenden Bemessungsvorschriften kann für eine gegebene Beanspruchung die erforderliche statische Höhe einer Stahlbetonkonsole bestimmt werden. Die Anwendung der Nomogramme wird anhand eines Beispiels erläutert.
Development and validation of a sensitive assay for the quantification of imatinib using LC/LC‐MS/MS in human whole blood and cell culture
Authors: Klawitter Jelena , Zhang Yan Ling , Klawitter Jost , Anderson Nora , Serkova Natalie J. , Christians Uwe
Published: June 2009

We developed and validated a semi‐automated LC/LC‐MS/MS assay for the quantification of imatinib in human whole blood and leukemia cells. After protein precipitation, samples were injected into the HPLC system and trapped onto the enrichment column (flow 5 mL/min); extracts were back‐flushed onto the analytical column. Ion transitions [M + H]+of imatinib (m/z = 494.3 → 394.3) and its internal standard trazodone (372.5 → 176.3) were monitored. The range of reliable response was 0.03–75 ng/mL. The inter‐day precisions were: 8.4% (0.03 ng/mL), 7.2% (0.1 ng/mL), 6.5% (1 ng/mL), 8.2% (10 ng/mL) and 4.3% (75 ng/mL) with no interference from ion suppression. Autosampler stability was 24 hs and samples were stable over three freeze–thaw cycles. This semi‐automated method is simple with only one manual step, uses a commercially available internal standard, and has proven to be robust in larger studies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous measurement of venlafaxine and O‐desmethylvenlafaxine in human plasma and its application in comparative bioavailability study
Authors: Rajasekhar D. , Kumar I. Jaswanth , Venkateswarlu P.
Published: June 2009

A rapid high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for simultaneous measurement of venlafaxine and O‐desmethylvenlafaxine in human plasma using fluoxetine as an internal standard. In the liquid–liquid extraction method, compounds and internal standard were extracted from plasma using methyl tertiary butyl ether as an extraction solvent. The HPLC separation of the analytes was performed on a Zorbax SB‐C18, 50 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm column, using a isocratic elution program using a mobile phase consisting of HPLC‐grade methanol: 5 mm ammonium acetate (80:20 v/v) at a flow‐rate of 1.0 mL/min with a total runtime of 3.0 min. The proposed method has been validated with a linear range of 4–400 ng/mL for venlafaxine and 5–500 ng/mL for O‐desmethyl venlafaxine. The method was applied for a bio‐equivalence study of 75 mg tablets formulation in 32 Indian male healthy subjects under fasting conditions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of the constituents in rat plasma after oral administration of Shexiang Baoxin pill by HPLC‐ESI‐MS/MS
Authors: Jiang Peng , Liu Ruihui , Dou Shengshan , Liu Lei , Zhang Weidong , Chen Zhongliang , Xu Ruilin , Ding Jianmi
Published: June 2009

A valid method using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization (ESI) and ion trap mass spectrometry was established for the study of the absorbed components in rat plasma after oral administration of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Shexiang Baoxin pill. The plasma was deproteinated by adding methanol prior to liquid chromatography, in which separation was carried out on a Symmetry C18 column (5 µm, 250 × 4.6 mm). A linear gradient with 0.5% formic acid–water–acetonitrile was used as mobile phase. Mass spectra were acquired in both negative and positive modes. Twenty‐one components including 17 components from Shexiang Baoxin pill and four metabolites were observed from a comprehensive analysis of the chromatography of Shexiang Baoxin pill, controlled plasma and dosed plasma. All of the 17 prototype compounds and three of the metabolites were identified by comparing their retention behaviors and MS and MS/MS spectra with reference compounds and literature data. This study developed an integrated method for screening the bioactive constituents in plasma after oral adminstration of Chinese herbal medicine and provided helpful chemical information for further pharmacology and active mechanism research on TCM. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid and specific high‐performance liquid chromatography for the in vitro quantification of d‐Lys6–GnRH in a microemulsion‐type formulation in the presence of peptide oxidation products
Authors: Kafka Alexandra P. , Rades Thomas , McDowell Arlene
Published: June 2009

A high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for assay of d‐Lys6–GnRH contained in a microemulsion‐type formulation is described. The peptide is extracted from the microemulsion matrix and quantified using a two‐step gradient method. Separation from microemulsion compounds and potential peptide oxidation products was achieved on a Jupiter C18 column at 40°C, using a gradient of 10–35% CH3CN for peptide elution. The correlation of peak intensity measured at 220 nm and peptide concentration was linear over the range 2.5–60 µg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9997 and a y‐intercept not significantly different from zero (p > 0.05). Intraday and interday variability of the assay was less than 5% for multiple injections of samples containing 7.5, 30 and 60 µg/mL. The lower limit of quantitation was calculated to be 0.38 µg/mL, and the lower limit of detection was 0.13 µg/mL. The assay was applied to samples that were stressed under physiological conditions (37°C, pH 7.4) over 4 days. Three degradation peaks were well resolved from the parent peptide, demonstrating the selectivity of the assay. Off‐line MALDI TOF mass spectrometry was applied to identify these degradation species as oxidation products of the peptide. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of oxidation process of cholecystokinin octapeptide with reactive oxygen species by high‐performance liquid chromatography and subsequent electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Ichiba Hideaki , Nakamoto Mio , Yajima Takehiko , Takayama Mitsuo , Fukushima Takeshi
Published: June 2009

The C‐terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (CCK8) includes some easily oxidizable amino acids. The oxidation of CCK8 by reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxyl radicals (OH•) was investigated using reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC) and subsequent electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The mechanism of oxidation of CCK8 in the H2O2 system differed from that of CCK8 in the Fenton system, in which OH• are produced. In the H2O2 system, 28Met and 31Met were oxidized to methionine sulfoxide, and no further oxidation or degradation/hydrolysis occurred. On the other hand, in the Fenton system, 28Met and 31Met residues were oxidized to methionine sulfone via the formation of methionine sulfoxide. In addition, the oxidized product was observed at the Trp residue but not at the Tyr residue, and small peptide fragments from CCK8 were observed in the Fenton system. From these results, it was concluded that 28Met and 31Met residues of CCK8 are susceptible to oxidation by ROS. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
‘Give me a hug’: the effects of touch and autonomy on people's responses to embodied social agents
Authors: Cramer Henriette , Kemper Nicander , Amin Alia , Wielinga Bob , Evers Vanessa
Published: June 2009

Embodied social agents are programmed to display human‐like social behaviour to increase intuitiveness of interacting with these agents. It is yet unclear what the differences in peoples' responses are to different types of agents' social behaviours. One example is touch. Despite robots' physical embodiment and increasing autonomy, the effect of communicative touch has been a mostly overlooked aspect of human‐robot interaction. This video‐based, 2 × 2 between‐subject survey experiment (N = 119) found that the combination of touch and proactivity influenced whether people saw the robot as machine‐like and dependable. Furthermore, participants' attitude toward robots in general was found to influence perceived closeness between a human and a robot. Results show that communicative touch could be considered a more appropriate behaviour for proactive agents rather than reactive agents. Also, people that are generally more positive towards robots find robots that interact by touch less machine‐like. These effects illustrate that careful consideration is necessary when incorporating social behaviours in agents' physical interaction design. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extracellular Biosynthesis of Gold Nanoparticles using Aspergillus niger – its Characterization and Stability
Authors: Bhambure R. , Bule M. , Shaligram N. , Kamat M. , Singhal R.
Published: June 2009

The development of an eco‐friendly and reliable process for the synthesis of gold nanomaterials using microorganisms is gaining importance in the field of nanotechnology. In the present study, gold nanoparticles have been synthesized by reduction of aqueous gold ions using the culture supernatant of Aspergillus niger NCIM 616. The synthesis of the gold nanoparticles was monitored by UV‐visible spectroscopy. The particles thereby obtained were characterized by UV, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The stability of the synthesized gold nanoparticles was analyzed by zeta potential measurement. Treatment of the fungal supernatant with aqueous Au+ ions produced nanoparticles with an average particle size of 12.79 ± 5.61 nm. Different characterization studies showed that the extracellular enzyme secreted by Aspergillus niger NCIM 616 might be responsible for both formation and capping of the metal nanoparticles.
Nichtnewtonsche schäumende Flüssigkeiten in Rieselbettreaktoren – Hydrodynamische Charakterisierung und effiziente Schaumbegrenzung
Authors: Aydin B. , Schubert M. , Lange R. , Larachi F.
Published: June 2009

Hydrodynamische Studien in Rieselbettreaktoren unter erhöhten Drücken und Temperaturen beschäftigen sich hauptsächlich mit koaleszierenden, also nichtschäumenden, Systemen. Obwohl in zahlreichen industriellen Prozessen schäumende Flüssigkeiten eingesetzt werden, ist keine aussagekräftige Datenbasis vorhanden. Für die verlässliche Auslegung und den sicheren Betrieb von Reaktoren wurden die Effekte von Temperatur und Druck auf die hydrodynamischen Kenngrößen für newtonsche und nichtnewtonsche schaumbildende Systeme untersucht. Außerdem wurde eine neue operative Methode entwickelt, bei der der Rieselbettreaktor alternierend zyklisch betrieben wird und die ohne die Dosierung von chemischen Zusätzen effektiv zur Begrenzung der Schaumbildung eingesetzt werden kann.
Overall survival of newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients receiving carmustine wafers followed by radiation and concurrent temozolomide plus rotational multiagent chemotherapy
Authors: Affronti Mary Lou , Heery Christopher R. , Herndon James E. , Rich Jeremy N. , Reardon David A. , Desjardins Annick , Vredenburgh James J. , Friedman Allan H. , Bigner Darell D. , Friedman Henry S.
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND:

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most lethal type of brain tumor, has a 1‐year median survival. The effect of carmustine wafers on the survival of newly diagnosed GBM patients treated with radiotherapy (RT) and concurrent temozolomide (TMZ) plus RT plus rotational chemotherapy was investigated.

METHODS:

An institutional review board‐approved retrospective study was conducted in 85 newly diagnosed GBM patients who received surgical resection with and without carmustine wafers followed by RT and concurrent TMZ plus rotational chemotherapy. Treatment group comparisons were conducted using the log‐rank test. Survival experience of the Duke cohort was examined within specific patient subgroups defined by the original Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) recursive partition analysis (RPA) class and compared with the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (Stupp) and RTOG trial.

RESULTS:

Overall 1‐ and 2‐year survival for the noncarmustine wafer cohort were 69% and 29%, respectively, with a median survival of 72.7 weeks. One‐ and 2‐year survival for the carmustine wafer cohort were 81% and 47%, with median survival of 89.5 weeks. Carmustine wafer was not an independent predictor (P = .110) of survival after adjustment for RPA class. The proportion of patients in the carmustine wafer cohort who lived longer than predicted based upon Stupp regimen results was significantly greater than 0.5 (P<.006); similar results based upon the RTOG trial data were observed (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS:

Carmustine wafer with concurrent TMZ and radiation followed by rotational chemotherapy is a well tolerated, effective therapy, and has a survival benefit compared with radiation alone. Prospective randomized trials are needed to rigorously compare the carmustine wafer regimen to the Stupp and postradiation multimodality regimens. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Lung radiofrequency ablation in patients with pulmonary metastases from musculoskeletal sarcomas
Authors: Nakamura Tomoki , Matsumine Akihiko , Yamakado Koichiro , Matsubara Takao , Takaki Haruyuki , Nakatsuka Atsuhiro , Takeda Kan , Abo Daisuke , Shimizu Tadashi , Uchida Atsumasa
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND:

The authors retrospectively evaluated the impact of lung radiofrequency (RF) ablation on survival in patients with lung metastases from musculoskeletal sarcomas.

METHODS:

Lung RF ablation was done under the real‐time computed tomography (CT) fluoroscopy. Safety, local tumor progression, and survival were evaluated in 2 institutions.

RESULTS:

Lung RF ablation was performed in 20 consecutive patients. The mean maximum tumor diameter was 14 ± 9 mm (range, 5‐40 mm) and the mean tumor number 7 ± 6 (range, 1‐18) per patient. Pneumothorax requiring chest tube placement developed in 24 of 63 RF sessions (38%). During the mean follow‐up period of 18 months (range, 7 months to 54 months), 9 of 20 patients died of lung tumor progression. The 1‐ and 3‐year survival rates from RF ablation were 58% (95% confidence interval [CI], 33.3‐82.6%) and 29% (95% CI, 0‐59.9%) with a median survival time of 12.9 months in all patients. Ablation of all lung tumors was the only significantly better prognostic factors in both the univariate analysis and the multivariate analyses. The 1‐ and 3‐year survival rates were 88.9% (95% CI, 69.3%‐100%) and 59.2% (95% CI, 10.2%‐100%) in 11 patients with complete tumor ablation.

CONCLUSIONS:

Lung RF ablation is a safe and useful therapeutic option for selected patients. (R#1) Prognostic factors identified in our study will help to stratify those patients who may benefit from lung RF ablation. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Comparing children and adults with synovial sarcoma in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program, 1983 to 2005
Authors: Sultan Iyad , Rodriguez‐Galindo Carlos , Saab Raya , Yasir Sameer , Casanova Michela , Ferrari Andrea
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND:

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a typical soft tissue sarcoma subtype crosswise between the pediatric and the adult age groups. Less satisfactory overall outcome has been recorded in adult series.

METHODS:

This study compares clinical features and outcomes of SS across the different age groups, by analyzing 1268 cases, 213 children/adolescents (≤18 years) and 1055 adults, registered in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 17 database from 1983 to 2005. Cancer‐specific survival estimates were compared with univariate and multivariate models.

RESULTS:

No major differences in stage distribution (localized, regional, and distant stage) were observed comparing the 2 age groups. The estimated 5‐year cancer‐specific survival was 83% for children/adolescents and 62% for adults (P < .001). Female sex, nonblack race, tumors located in the extremities, localized tumors, and tumors <5 cm in size were associated with better survival. In multivariate analysis, adult patients had significantly higher mortality rates than children after adjusting for other variables.

CONCLUSIONS:

Children and adults with SS have a similar clinical presentation but a dissimilar outcome, suggesting that factors other than unfavorable clinical features might be involved in the unsatisfactory outcome of adult SS patients. It remains to be ascertained whether this difference is related to biological variables or to historically different treatment approaches adopted in pediatric versus adult patients. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
MEKK3 expression correlates with nuclear factor κ B activity and with expression of antiapoptotic genes in serous ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Samanta Ajoy K. , Huang Helen J. , Le Xiao‐Feng , Mao Weiqun , Lu Karen H. , Bast Robert C. , Liao Warren S.‐L.
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND:

Constitutively activated nuclear factor κ B (NFκB) contributes to the development of cancer by regulating the expression of genes involved in cell survival, metastasis, and angiogenesis. The authors have demonstrated that MEKK3 plays a critical role in cytokine‐mediated NFκB activation, and that stable expression of MEKK3 in cultured cells leads to increased NFκB activity.

METHODS:

MEKK3 expression in ovarian cancer cells or tumors was assessed by Western blotting and real‐time polymerase chain reaction. NFκB activities were analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and luciferase reporter assays. Western blot analysis for the survival factors were also performed and correlated with MEKK3 and NFκB activities. Cell survival assays were used to determine the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to various chemotherapeutic agents.

RESULTS:

The authors found that 63% of the ovarian cancers had higher MEKK3 expression than the normal ovarian epithelial cells. Ovarian cancers with high MEKK3 showed correspondingly high IκB kinase and NFκB activity. Moreover, MEKK3 coimmunoprecipitated with Akt and cooperated with Akt to synergistically activate NFκB. Consistent with increased MEKK3 and NFκB activity in ovarian cancers, Bcl‐2, Bcl‐xL, survivin, and X‐linked inhibitor of apoptosis levels were increased, which correlated with increased resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. Knockdown of MEKK3 with small interfering RNA significantly increased cancer cell sensitivity to paclitaxel.

CONCLUSIONS:

MEKK3 may be aberrantly expressed in ovarian cancers and plays an important role in tumors with constitutively activated NFκB. Cancer 2009; 115:3897–3908. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Rational approach to implementation of prostate cancer antigen 3 into clinical care
Authors: Wang Rou , Chinnaiyan Arul M. , Dunn Rodney L. , Wojno Kirk J. , Wei John T.
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND:

Prostate cancer antigen 3 (PCA3) encodes a prostate‐specific messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) that serves as the target for a novel urinary molecular assay for prostate cancer detection. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the ability of PCA3, added to measurements of serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), to predict cancer detection by extended template biopsy.

METHODS:

Between September 2006 and December 2007, whole urine samples were collected after attentive digital rectal examinations from 187 men before they underwent ultrasound‐guided, 12‐core prostate biopsy in a urology outpatient clinic. Urine PCA3/PSA mRNA ratio scores were measured within 1 month, and serum PSA was measured within 6 months prior to biopsy. Those measurements were related to cancer‐positive biopsies.

RESULTS:

Overall, 87 of 187 biopsies (46.5%) were positive for cancer. The sensitivity and specificity of a PCA3 score ≥35 for positive biopsy were 52.9% and 80%, respectively, and the positive and negative predictive values were 69.7% and 66.1%, respectively. By using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, PSA alone resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.63 for prostate cancer detection; whereas a combined PSA and PCA3 score resulted in an AUC of 0.71. The likelihood of prostate cancer detection rose with increasing PCA3 score ranges (P > .0001), providing possible PCA3 score parameters for stratification into groups at low risk, moderate risk, high risk, and very high risk for a positive biopsy.

CONCLUSIONS:

Adding PCA3 to serum PSA improved prostate cancer prediction. The use of PCA3 in a clinical setting may help to stratify patients according to their risk for biopsy and cancer detection, although a large‐scale validation study will be needed to address assay standardization, optimal cutoff values, and appropriate patient populations. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Glypican‐3 protein expression in primary and metastatic melanoma
Authors: Kandil Dina , Leiman Gladwyn , Allegretta Mark , Evans Mark
Published: June 2009

BACKGROUND:

The incidence of melanoma is increasing. Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) is critical in documenting recurrent/metastatic disease in established cases. The potential of metastatic melanoma (MM) to mimic epithelial tumors presents a diagnostic dilemma. In liver FNA, the distinction between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and MM is a frequent challenge. Glypican‐3 (GPC3), a heparan sulfate proteoglycan, is a highly sensitive and specific marker for HCC. Serum GPC3 was shown to be expressed in 40% of primary melanomas (PMs), but to the authors' knowledge no tissue studies to date have assessed GPC3 expression in MM. In this study, GPC3 protein expression was investigated in FNAs from MM, and in corresponding histologic sections from the primary tumors.

METHODS:

Sixty archival, direct FNA smears or CytoLyt‐fixed samples from 50 patients with MM were retrieved together with formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded specimens available from 17 corresponding PMs. All cases were stained with anti‐GPC3 antibody. FNA and core biopsy specimens from HCCs and benign liver were used as positive and negative controls. GPC3 expression was divided into 2 categories: negative (negative or weak cytoplasmic staining) and positive (moderate or strong cytoplasmic with membranous accentuation).

RESULTS:

All FNAs from MM cases were negative (0 of 60) for GPC3. The exact 95% Clopper‐Pearson confidence interval was 0.0% to 5.96%. Only 1 case of PM (1 of 17; 5.9%) demonstrated weak focal cytoplasmic staining (regarded as negative).

CONCLUSIONS:

In the current study, all MM and PM cases in archival FNAs and tissue sections were found to be negative for GPC3. These data suggest that GPC3 is not expressed in melanoma using the 1G12 clone. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Process‐oriented device driver development
Authors: Barnes F. R. M. , Ritson C. G.
Published: June 2009

Operating systems (OSs) are the core software component of many modern computer systems, ranging from small specialized embedded systems through to large distributed OSs. The demands placed upon these systems are increasingly complex, in particular, the need to handle concurrency in order to exploit increasingly parallel (multi‐core) hardware, to support increasing numbers of user and system processes and to take advantage of increasingly distributed and decentralized systems. The languages and designs that existing OSs employ provide little support for concurrency, leading to unmanageable programming complexities and ultimately errors in the resulting systems, which are hard to detect, hard to remove and hard to prove correct. This article presents the process‐oriented design of a universal serial bus device driver infrastructure for the Raw Metal occam eXperiment (RMoX) OS and its implementation in the occam‐pi multiprocessing language. We show how concurrency can be used for the benefit of such systems, simplifying design and implementation, providing freedom from race‐hazard and aliasing errors and the potential for guarantees of operating system scalability, reliability and efficiency. Copyright © 2007 F.R.M. Barnes & C.G. Ritson. [Correction made here after initial online publication]
Economic aspects of building software for service‐oriented architectures
Authors: Antos Dimitrios , Courcoubetis Costas , Stamoulis George D.
Published: June 2009

The concept of service‐oriented architectures (SOA) has recently emerged as a design principle for the next generation of IT solutions. The main idea behind SOA lies in treating software applications as composed of simpler, cooperating services, implemented by components that communicate over networks through open standards. Such a modular structure is expected to question the effectiveness of current business models for building and distributing software, which generate revenue through license fees. Under SOA, the license fee is replaced by more flexible schemes, whereby users are charged according to their actual usage of services and the corresponding hardware infrastructure. Our work constitutes a first step toward exploring the economic aspects of a market for software components, as well as the incentives of software manufacturers to support this trend. In particular, we examine the factors that affect profitability in an open market for services, we build simple models to predict and explain market growth and we also suggest ways to accelerate this growth, while also achieving a higher level of economic efficiency. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regulation of organ size: Insights from the Drosophila Hippo signaling pathway
Authors: Kango‐Singh Madhuri , Singh Amit
Published: June 2009

Organ size control is a fundamental and core process of development of all multicellular organisms. One important facet of organ size control is the regulation of cell proliferation and cell death. Here we address the question, What are the developmental mechanisms that control intrinsic organ size? In several multicellular animals including humans and flies, organs develop according to an instructive model where proliferation is regulated by extracellular signals. However, the signals that regulate proliferation (and organ size) remain poorly understood. Recent data from flies have shed some light on the molecular mechanisms that regulate growth and size of organs. In this review, we will briefly discuss classic studies that revealed the mysteries of growth regulation. We will then focus on the recent findings from the Drosophila Hippo signaling pathway and its role in the regulation of organ size. Finally, we will discuss the mammalian Hippo pathway, and its implications in regulation of growth/proliferation during development and disease. Developmental Dynamics 238:1627–1637, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zebrafish ift57, ift88, and ift172 intraflagellar transport mutants disrupt cilia but do not affect hedgehog signaling
Authors: Lunt Shannon C. , Haynes Tony , Perkins Brian D.
Published: June 2009

Cilia formation requires intraflagellar transport (IFT) proteins. Recent studies indicate that mammalian Hedgehog (Hh) signaling requires cilia. It is unclear, however, if the requirement for cilia and IFT proteins in Hh signaling represents a general rule for all vertebrates. Here we examine zebrafish ift57, ift88, and ift172 mutants and morphants for defects in Hh signaling. Although ift57 and ift88 mutants and morphants contained residual maternal protein, the cilia were disrupted. In contrast to previous genetic studies in mouse, mutations in zebrafish IFT genes did not affect the expression of Hh target genes in the neural tube and forebrain and had no quantitative effect on Hh target gene expression. Zebrafish IFT mutants also exhibited no dramatic changes in the craniofacial skeleton, somite formation, or motor neuron patterning. Thus, our data indicate the requirement for cilia in the Hh signal transduction pathway may not represent a universal mechanism in vertebrates. Developmental Dynamics 238:1744–1759, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Promoter analysis of ventricular myosin heavy chain (vmhc) in zebrafish embryos
Authors: Jin Daqing , Ni Terri T. , Hou Jia , Rellinger Eric , Zhong Tao P.
Published: June 2009

In zebrafish, ventricular myosin heavy chain (vmhc) gene is initially expressed at the anterior lateral mesoderm and thereafter its expression is restricted to the cardiac ventricle. The transcriptional control mechanisms in regulating chamber‐specific expression of myosin heavy chains are not well defined. We isolated and analyzed zebrafish vmhc upstream region to examine the spatial and temporal regulation of vmhc using transgenic and transient expression techniques. Promoter deletion analyses defined a basal promoter region sufficient to drive vmhc expression in the ventricle and an upstream fragment necessary for repressing ectopic vmhc expression in the atrium. The transcriptional mechanism that prevents vmhc expression in the atrium is mediated through Nkx2.5 binding elements (NKE). We have further discovered that paired‐related homeobox transcriptional factor 2 (Prx2/S8)‐like binding elements are required for promoting vmhc expression, and Prrx1b, a Prx‐related homeobox protein, participates in the regulation of vmhc expression with other transcriptional factors. Developmental Dynamics 238:1760–1767, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Olfactory sensory axon growth and branching is influenced by sonic hedgehog
Authors: Gong Qizhi , Chen Huaiyang , Farbman Albert I.
Published: June 2009

Olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) axons extend from the olfactory epithelium to the olfactory bulb without branching until they reach their target region, the glomerulus. In this report, we present evidence to support the involvement of sonic hedgehog in promoting rat olfactory sensory axons to branch and to enter into the glomerulus. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) protein is detected in the glomeruli of the olfactory bulb, whereas its transcript is expressed in the mitral and tufted cells, suggesting that Shh in the glomeruli is produced by mitral and tufted cells. In primary OSN cultures, Shh‐N peptide promotes olfactory axon branching. When Shh function is neutralized in vivo by its antibody, growth of newly generated OSN axons into the glomeruli is vastly reduced. Developmental Dynamics 238:1768–1776, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of adenovirus for ectopic gene expression in Xenopus: Chicken dapper genes are versatile markers for mesodermal tissues, embryonic muscle stem cells, neural crest cells, and neurogenic placodes
Authors: Alvares Lúcia Elvira , Winterbottom Farrah Leigh , Sobreira Débora Rodrigues , Xavier‐Neto José , Schubert Frank Richard , Dietrich Susanne
Published: June 2009

COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Chicken embryo at HH9 of development, dorsal view, anterior to the top, displaying expression of the novel Dpr2 gene in cranial neural crest cells and the somites. See Alvares et al., Developmental Dynamics 238:1166–1178. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Summary of ‘Abstinence‐plus programs for HIV infection prevention in high‐income countries’, including tables of key findings and quality of included trials
Authors: Underhill Kristen , Montgomery Paul , Operario Don , Kremer L.C.M. , van Dalen E.C.
Published: June 2009

This is a summary, including tables of key findings and quality of included trials, of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Underhill K, Montgomery P, Operario D. Abstinence‐plus programs for HIV infection prevention in high‐income countries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD007006. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007006.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Commentary. Copyright © 2009 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
Summary of ‘Hand washing for preventing diarrhoea’, including tables of key findings and quality of included trials
Authors: Ejemot Regina I. , Ehiri John E. , Meremikwu Martin M. , Critchley Julia A. , Kremer L.C.M. , van Dalen E.C.
Published: June 2009

This is a summary, including tables of key findings and quality of included trials, of a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Ejemot RI, Ehiri JE, Meremikwu MM, Critchley JA. Hand washing for preventing diarrhoea. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004265. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004265.pub2.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Commentary. Copyright © 2009 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
Synthesis and Hormonal Activity of the (25S)‐Cholesten‐26‐oic Acids – Potent Ligands for the DAF‐12 Receptor in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Martin René , Entchev Eugeni V. , Däbritz Frank , Kurzchalia Teymuras V. , Knölker Hans‐Joachim
Published: June 2009

Using a highly stereoselective Evans aldol reaction for the introduction of the stereogenic center at C‐25, we describe an efficient synthesis of the orthogonally diprotected (25S)‐26‐hydroxycholesterol 11. In a few synthetic steps, this crucial intermediate 11 has been converted into the four (25S)‐cholesten‐26‐oic acids 1–4, which have been obtained in 12–15 steps and 19–53 % overall yield based on commercially available 3β‐hydroxychol‐5‐en‐24‐oic acid (5). Our biological studies of the compounds 1–4 reveal that (25S)‐Δ7‐dafachronic acid (1) represents the most active steroidal ligand for the hormonal receptor DAF‐12 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Moreover, the saturated (25S)‐dafachronic acid (3) represents a new ligand for this receptor and the (25S)‐steroidal acids are more active as compared to their corresponding (25R)‐counterparts.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)
Amperometric Sensor for Detection of the Reduced Form of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Using a Poly(pyronin B) Film Modified Electrode
Authors: Ashok Kumar S. , Chen Szu‐Ling , Chen Shen‐Ming
Published: June 2009

An electrochemical method for the preparation of poly(pyronin B) film was proposed in this paper. A poly(pyronin B) (poly(PyB)) film modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) has been fabricated via an electrochemical oxidation procedure and applied to the electrocatalytic oxidation of reduced form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH). The poly(PyB) film modified electrode surface has been characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), UV‐visible absorption spectrophotometry (UV‐vis) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). These studies have been used to investigate the poly(PyB) film, which demonstrates the formation of the polymer film and the excellent electroactivity of poly(PyB) in neutral and even in alkaline media. Due to its potent catalytic effects towards the electrooxidation of NADH at lower potential (0.0 V), poly(PyB) film modified electrode can be used for the selective determination of NADH in real samples because of dopamine, ascorbic acid and uric acid oxidation can be avoided at this potential. The catalytic peak currents are linearly dependent on the concentrations of NADH in the range of 1.0×10−6 to 5.0×10−4 mol/L with correlation coefficients of 0.999. The detection limits for NADH is 0.5×10−6 mol/L. Poly(PyB) modified electrode also shows good stability and reproducibility due to the irreversible attachment of polymer film at GCE surface.
Metal On‐Line Voltammetric Analyzer for On‐Site Monitoring of Iron Speciation in Acid Mine Drainage Waters: Development and Characterization
Authors: Hezard T. , Durand G. , Rakib M. , Viers Ph. , Roy S. , Guigues N. , Brach M. , Heitzmann J‐P. , Eberlé P. , Bellouard F.
Published: June 2009

The development of a simple, low cost, portable metal on‐line voltammetric analyzer (MOVA) for the iron analysis, as well as other species, in mining effluents is presented. It consists of a voltammetric cell based on an impinging jet flow configuration, a fluidic system controlled by gravity and electronics. Laboratory tests were performed to optimize the system as well as the analytical conditions for Fe speciation measurements. MOVA was then tested in the laboratory, in samples of both mining effluents. The results showed that iron in both mining effluents, as well as copper and arsenic, can be measured in oxygenated samples.
Silver Nanograins Incorporated PEDOT Modified Electrode for Electrocatalytic Sensing of Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Balamurugan A. , Chen Shen‐Ming
Published: June 2009

A silver nanograins (AgNGs) incorporated poly[3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene] (PEDOT) modified electrode was prepared by a simple electrochemical method without using any stabilizer or reducing agent. The surface morphology and thickness of the resulting modified electrode was characterized by using AFM. It was found that the size of the silver particles in the PEDOT modified electrode was smaller than that in the bare electrode. AFM studies also revealed that AgNGs were uniformly distributed in the PEDOT modified electrode and the thickness of the film was found to be 35 nm. The AgNGs incorporated PEDOT modified electrode exhibited good electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of hydrogen peroxide without an enzyme or mediator immobilized in the electrode. It has shown good amperometric response to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with a detection limit of 7 μM and a response time of 5 s.