bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of adjuvant radiotherapy at hospitals with and without on‐site radiation services
Authors: Wong Sandra L. , Wei Yongliang , Birkmeyer John D.
Published: January 2007

BACKGROUND.

In many areas of health care, whether patients receive specific medical interventions often is influenced heavily by the local availability of resources for delivering those services. However, relations between resource availability and utilization are relatively unexplored in cancer care, including perioperative adjuvant therapy.

METHODS.

The authors studied associations between the on‐site availability of radiation services and the use of adjuvant radiotherapy using the national, linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results‐Medicare database (from 1992 to 2002). They examined 1 cancer for which the effectiveness of adjuvant radiotherapy was well established in randomized clinical trials (rectal cancer) and another cancer for which it was not (pancreatic cancer) (N = 10,198). The availability of on‐site radiation services at the hospital where surgery was performed was assessed by using data from the American Hospital Association. In comparing rates of adjuvant radiotherapy, analyses were adjusted for both patient characteristics and other hospital attributes.

RESULTS.

For rectal cancer, the use of adjuvant radiotherapy was similar in patients who underwent surgery at centers with and without on‐site radiation services (29% vs 29%, respectively). Among patients with pancreatic cancer, however, those who underwent surgery at hospitals with on‐site radiation services were twice as likely to receive radiotherapy than patients who underwent surgery at hospitals without such services (43% vs 26%, respectively; adjusted odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.4–3.2). Adjusting for other factors, the groups had similar survival rates for each cancer.

CONCLUSIONS.

The availability of on‐site radiation services significantly increased the likelihood that patients would receive radiotherapy, at least for cancers for which the effectiveness of such therapy was not well established. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Fully automated segmentation and morphometrical analysis of muscle fiber images
Authors: Kim Yoo‐Jin , Brox Thomas , Feiden Wolfgang , Weickert Joachim
Published: January 2007

Background:

Measurement of muscle fiber size and determination of size distribution is important in the assessment of neuromuscular disease. Fiber size estimation by simple inspection is inaccurate and subjective. Manual segmentation and measurement are time‐consuming and tedious. We therefore propose an automated image analysis method for objective, reproducible, and time‐saving measurement of muscle fibers in routinely hematoxylin‐eosin stained cryostat sections.

Methods:

The proposed segmentation technique makes use of recent advances in level set based segmentation, where classical edge based active contours are extended by region based cues, such as color and texture. Segmentation and measurement are performed fully automatically. Multiple morphometric parameters, i.e., cross sectional area, lesser diameter, and perimeter are assessed in a single pass. The performance of the computed method was compared to results obtained by manual measurement by experts.

Results:

The correct classification rate of the computed method was high (98%). Segmentation and measurement results obtained manually or automatically did not reveal any significant differences.

Conclusions:

The presented region based active contour approach has been proven to accurately segment and measure muscle fibers. Complete automation minimizes user interaction, thus, batch processing, as well as objective and reproducible muscle fiber morphometry are provided. © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Differential effect of pioglitazone (PGZ) and rosiglitazone (RGZ) on postprandial glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a prospective, randomized crossover study
Authors: Chappuis Bernard , Braun Monika , Stettler Christoph , Allemann Sabine , Diem Peter , Lumb Peter J. , Wierzbicki Anthony S. , James Richard , Christ Emanuel R.
Published: January 2007

Background

Postprandial metabolism is impaired in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2Dm). Two thiazolidinediones pioglitazone (PGZ) and rosiglitazone (RGZ) have similar effects on glycaemic control but differ in their effects on fasting lipids. This study investigated the effects of RGZ and PGZ on postprandial metabolism in a prospective, randomized crossover trial.

Methods

Seventeen patients with T2Dm were randomized to RGZ or PGZ for 12 weeks, with an 8‐week wash‐out period. Fasting blood samples were taken for glucose (FPG), insulin, HbA1c, lipids, apolipoproteins (apo), lipoprotein (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL), and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) activity. A standardized breakfast was served and postprandial glucose, insulin, and lipid subfraction profiles were determined.

Results

RGZ and PGZ treatment resulted in a similar improvement in FPG, HbA1c and homeostasis model assessment. Fasting and postprandial triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly lower following PGZ therapy (fasting: −0.35 vs 0.44 mmol/L; p < 0.04; postprandial AUC‐TG: −195.6 vs 127.9 mmol/L/min; p < 0.02) associated with changes in VLDL‐2‐TG (−0.10 vs 0.21 mmol/L; p = 0.23) and VLDL‐3‐TG (0.0 vs 0.34 mmol/L; p < 0.04). Fasting cholesterol increased with RGZ compared to PGZ (0.06 vs 0.59 mmol/L; p < 0.04), particularly in VLDL‐2‐C (−0.30 vs 0.59 mmol/L; p < 0.03) and VLDL‐3‐C (−0.85 vs 2.11 mmol/L; p < 0.02). Postprandial VLDL lipid and protein content increased after RGZ and decreased after PGZ. Fasting apoB, apoA‐I, apoC‐II/C‐III‐ratio, and LPL activity did not differ. CETP activity decreased after RGZ and increased after PGZ (−6.2 vs 4.2 p/mol/mL/min; p < 0.002).

Conclusions

Both the glitazones had similar effects on glucose metabolism. The additional beneficial effect of PGZ on lipid metabolism may be related to its effects on insulin‐independent VLDL production and CETP activity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The oxidizing enzyme CYP26a1 tightly regulates the availability of retinoic acid in the gastrulating mouse embryo to ensure proper head development and vasculogenesis
Authors: Ribes Vanessa , Fraulob Valérie , Petkovich Martin , Dollé Pascal
Published: January 2007

Retinoic acid (RA) has been implicated as one of the signals providing a posterior character to the developing vertebrate central nervous system. Embryonic RA first appears in the posterior region of the gastrulating embryo up to the node level, where it may signal within the adjacent epiblast and/or newly induced neural plate to induce a hindbrain and spinal cord fate. Conversely, rostral head development requires forebrain‐inducing signals produced by the anterior visceral endoderm and/or prechordal mesoderm, and there is evidence that RA receptors must be in an unliganded state to ensure proper head development. As RA is a diffusible lipophilic molecule, some mechanism(s) must therefore have evolved to prevent activation of RA targets in anterior regions of the embryo. This might result from RA catabolism mediated by the CYP26A1 oxidizing enzyme, which is transiently expressed in anteriormost embryonic tissues; however, previous analysis of Cyp26a1−/− mouse mutants did not clearly support this hypothesis. Here we show that Cyp26a1−/− null mutants undergo head truncations when exposed to maternally‐derived RA, at doses that do not affect wild‐type head development. These anomalies are linked to a widespread ectopic RA signaling activity in rostral head tissues of CYP26A1‐deficient embryos. Thus, CYP26A1 is required in the anterior region of the gastrulating mouse embryo to prevent teratological effects that may result from RA signaling. We also report a novel role of CYP26A1 during early development of the intra‐ and extra‐embryonic vascular networks. Developmental Dynamics 236:644–653, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A study on robust beam‐forming algorithm for search operation in distributed array radar
Authors: Matsuda Shoji , Hashiguchi Hiroyuki , Fukao Shoichiro
Published: January 2007

A distributed array radar is a radar configuration to form a high‐gain receive beam suited to an equivalent large‐aperture antenna by arbitrarily distributing and positioning multiple small antennas and coherently synthesizing their received signals. When the placement intervals of the small antennas are sufficiently longer than the wavelength, the conventional beamformer generates many grating lobes and, therefore, ambiguity in the estimated direction of the target. This paper shows that robust Capon beamformer using the norm constraints is effective as a beamforming method that suppresses these grating lobes when using distributed array radar in search radar and prevents a decrease of the search efficiency caused by the reduction in beam width. In addition, an improvement based on diagonal loading is proposed for this algorithm in order to improve the search efficiency. Finally, we consider the parameter optimization and demonstrate the performance using numerical simulation examples. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 90(5): 33–47, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.20325
A method of direction finding for dispersive electromagnetic pulses
Authors: Tsutsui Minoru , Konagaya Shigeo , Kagawa Tadayoshi
Published: January 2007

A new measurement method which can determine the direction of arrival of a pulse electromagnetic wave with frequency dispersion characteristics has been developed. The direction of arrival is determined by conventional data analysis for an electric field component and two magnetic field components. The sensor system is composed of a vertical dipole antenna and two search coils oriented in perpendicular directions in the horizontal plane. The major part of the analysis of the detected signal is composed of the derivation of the spectrum with frequency dispersion from the pulse waveform and the calculation of the direction of arrival from the amplitude and the phase obtained for each frequency in the dispersion characteristics. By the proposed method, the direction of arrival can be determined even when a frequency‐dependent delay is produced in propagation (frequency dispersion). The method is applied to lightning discharge pulses, and it is shown that the direction of arrival can be determined with high accuracy. Thus, the method can be used for continuous observation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 90(5): 23–32, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.20327
A proposal for an efficient message‐flooding scheme using a link‐cut technique
Authors: Ohtsuka Kenji , Ishihara Taku , Shioda Shigeo
Published: January 2007

We propose an efficient message‐flooding scheme that aims to reduce the number of messages transmitted over the network. The proposed method involves the prior conversion of two‐way links into single‐way links (in this paper we refer to this as thelink‐cut technique); by avoiding message link collisions we aim to reduce the number of messages transmitted and by incorporating a time‐out transaction, we are able to realize a 50 percent reduction in the number of messages as compared to standard flooding methods while maintaining a delivery success rate of 100 percent. In addition, we show in simulations that by making use of information regarding the number of outgoing links for each node (the number of adjacent nodes), we are able to reduce the number of messages sent while constraining the growth in the message transmission times. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 90(5): 11–22, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.20351
A comparison of steady‐state characteristics of buck‐type DC‐DC converter using DSP
Authors: Kurokawa Fujio , Okamoto Wataru , Matsuo Hirofumi
Published: January 2007

In this paper, we describe the relationship between the control constants and the output voltage regulation characteristics of a buck DC/DC converter for a digital control system using P‐I‐D control, the minimum phase FIR filter, and the moving average constructed from digital signal processors. Furthermore, the digital control method and its control constants were studied comparatively from the perspective of suppressing the oscillations based on the limit cycle. We found that when an 8‐bit analog‐to‐digital (A‐D) converter having a quantization width of about 80 mV was used, we could obtain excellent results similar to the minimum phase FIR filter and the moving average, achieve an excellent output voltage regulation of less than 1.3% for fluctuations from a light load to the rated 2 A for the target 10 V, and suppress oscillations to less than 20 mV. In the P‐I‐D control method, adequate output voltage regulation characteristics were obtained, but oscillations could not be suppressed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 90(5): 1–10, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.20357
A New Chloro‐Bridged CuII Schiff Base Complex with Ferromagnetic Exchange Interaction
Authors: Ma Shu‐Lan , Sun Xu‐Xia , Gao Song , Qi Chuan‐Min , Huang Hai‐Bo , Zhu Wen‐Xiang
Published: January 2007

The synthesis and characterization of the μ‐Cl‐bridged dinuclear complex [CuLCl]2 with the new Schiff‐base ligand HL, 2‐methyl‐6‐[(pyridine‐2‐ylmethylene)amino]phenol, is reported. The structural study shows the complex has the unusual distorted trigonal‐bipyramidal geometry. Variable temperature susceptibility measurements in the range of 2.0–300 K reveal a novel ferromagnetic coupling, 2J = 1.52 cm–1. A comparison for the magnetic coupling of [CuLCl]2 with other reported Cu(μ‐Cl)2Cu compounds with square‐pyramidal or trigonal‐bipyramidal geometry is discussed in detail. The complex may provide useful information for the magneto‐structural correlations of these compounds. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Synthesis of Tin(II) Phosphate Open Frameworks Using Isomers of 1,2‐Diaminocyclohexane as Template
Authors: Yuan Xuejun , Li Yi‐Zhi , Xu Yan , You Xiaozeng , Linhardt Robert J.
Published: January 2007

A novel layered framework of tin(II) phosphate, [Sn4(PO4)3(OH)]2–·[trans‐1,2‐C6H10(NH3)2]2+, has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions with tin(II) oxalate, phosphoric acid and a mixture of trans‐ and cis‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane (1,2‐DACH). The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n (No. 14). The channels of the trans‐1,2‐DACH are occluded by hydrogen bonding in the doubly protonated form, which is leached out from the framework. Reaction using only tran‐DACH gives the same compound. For comparison, when cis‐DACH is used as template under the same conditions instead of the mixture of trans and cis isomers, the neutral inorganic phosphate framework (Sn3O)2(Sn2O)2(PO4)4 is formed. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P$\bar {1}$ (No. 2). These results suggest that trans‐1,2‐DACH is selectively occluded in the framework [Sn4(PO4)3(OH)]2–·[trans‐1,2‐C6H10(NH3)2]2+. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
A Square‐Planar Nickel(II) Monoradical Complex with a Bis(salicylidene)diamine Ligand
Authors: Benisvy Laurent , Kannappan Ramu , Song Yu‐Fei , Milikisyants Sergey , Huber Martina , Mutikainen Ilpo , Turpeinen Urho , Gamez Patrick , Bernasconi Leonardo , Baerends Evert Jan , Hartl František , Reedijk Jan
Published: January 2007

The new square‐planar NiII–N2O2 complex [Ni(MeL)] (1Me), where MeL stands for the dianionic phenolato form of N,N′‐bis(3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐salicylidene)‐4,5‐dimethyl‐1,2‐phenylenediamine (MeLH2), has been synthesised and fully characterised. X‐ray crystallography was also used for the characterisation. The electrochemical one‐electron oxidation of 1Me produces the thermally stable (within the temperature range 10–295 K) cationic species (1Me)+. The UV/Vis and X‐band EPR experimental data, supported by DFT calculations, indicate that (1Me)+ is best described as a NiII monoradical complex and, thus, does NOT exist in a NiIII ground state, in contrast to its demethylated counterpart [Ni(HL)]+ (1H)+ below 170 K.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Investigating Organization of Molecules that Facilitates Intermolecular Acyl Transfer in Crystals: Reactivity and X‐ray Structures of O‐Benzoyl‐myo‐inositol 1,3,5‐Orthoesters
Authors: Murali Chebrolu , Shashidhar Mysore S. , Gonnade Rajesh G. , Bhadbhade Mohan M.
Published: January 2007

Crystal structure analysis of racemic 2,6‐di‐O‐benzoyl‐myo‐inositol 1,3,5‐orthobenzoate reveals helical organization of the molecules, remarkably similar to that observed earlier in crystals of racemic 2,6‐di‐O‐benzoyl‐myo‐inositol 1,3,5‐orthoformate. Both these dibenzoates are isostructural despite the bulkier phenyl substituent in place of hydrogen. Thelatter compound shows highly facile intermolecular benzoyl transfer reactivity in its crystals and as anticipated from the crystal structure, the orthobenzoate indeed exhibits facile benzoyl transfer reactivity in its crystals. 2‐O‐Benzoyl‐myo‐inositol 1,3,5‐orthoformate and the corresponding orthobenzoate also undergo transesterification in their crystals, but the specificity of acyl transfer is very low, and the reaction yields a mixture of products. The parameters of helical molecular assembly that facilitates acyl transfer in crystals have been investigated. A comparison of the molecular assemblies and lattice interactions in crystals of all the four compounds with the observed reactivity patterns show that facile acyl transfer reaction is brought about by a modular “reaction tunnel” formed by helical pre‐organization of molecules, favorable electrophile···nucleophile contacts and weak interactions that hold the acyl group in the “right” orientation for the attack by the nucleophile. Acyl transfer reaction in all the four derivatives was also carried out in solution for comparison.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
meso‐5‐Bromo‐10,15,20‐tri(p‐tolyl)‐21‐thiaporphyrin as a Precursor for the Synthesis of Novel Compounds
Authors: Punidha S. , Agarwal Neeraj , Gupta Iti , Ravikanth M.
Published: January 2007

The synthesis of eight novel compounds with meso‐5‐bromo‐10,15,20‐tri(p‐tolyl)‐21‐thiaporphyrin as a key synthon under mild Pd‐coupling conditions is reported. The title compound was prepared easily by treating the readily available 10,15,20‐tri(p‐tolyl)‐21‐thiaporphyrin with N‐bromosuccinimide at room temperature for 10 min. The use of the title compound was demonstrated by synthesizing 21‐thiaporphyrin‐based complex systems such as ethyne‐bridged N3S‐N3S dyad, phenylethyne‐bridged N3S‐N3O dyad, N3S‐N2S2 dyad, meso‐meso‐linked ZnN4‐N3S dyad and ZnN4‐N3S‐ZnN4 triad under mild Pd‐mediated coupling conditions. The steady‐state fluorescence studies indicated a possibility of an efficient energy transfer between the two porphyrin subunits in the dyads and triad. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Tocopherols by Hydride Reduction of Dialkylamino Derivatives
Authors: Netscher Thomas , Mazzini Francesco , Jestin Roselyne
Published: January 2007

Aminomethylation with Mannich reagents derived from secondary amines and paraformaldehyde under improved conditions has been used to convert non‐α‐tocopherol homologues into α‐tocopherol, the biologically most important vitamin E compound. Mono‐ and bis(aminomethylated) β‐, γ‐ and δ‐tocopherol were then subsequently transformed into the corresponding tocopherols (α‐ and β‐tocopherol) by reductive deamination. As an alternative to classical catalytic hydrogenation in the last step, efficient laboratory protocols using complex hydrides have been derived and applied to the preparation of labelled vitamin E compounds.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Bioactive Natural Products from the Endophytic Fungus Ascochyta sp. from Meliotus dentatus – Configurational Assignment by Solid‐State CD and TDDFT Calculations
Authors: Krohn Karsten , Kock Ines , Elsässer Brigitta , Flörke Ulrich , Schulz Barbara , Draeger Siegfried , Pescitelli Gennaro , Antus Sándor , Kurtán Tibor
Published: January 2007

Two new metabolites, (4S)‐(+)‐ascochin (1a) and (S,S)‐(+)‐ascodiketone (3), together with the known compounds (3R,4R)‐(–)‐4‐hydroxymellein (2), ent‐α‐cyperone (4) and (3S,4R)‐(–)‐dihydroxy‐(6S)‐undecyl‐α‐pyranone (5) were isolated from cultures of the of the endophytic fungus Ascochyta sp. The biologically active isocoumarin derivative, (4S)‐(+)‐ascochin (1a), has an unusual substitution pattern which was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. Its absolute configuration was determined by our solid‐state TDDFT CD methodology using the X‐ray coordinates as input for the calculation. By catalytic hydrogenation, (4S)‐(+)‐ascochin was converted into the corresponding (3S,4S)‐dihydroisocoumarin derivative 1b. The measured and TDDFT calculated CD spectra enabled studies on the correlation between absolute configuration and n‐π* transition Cotton effect. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Enhanced electrophoretic resolution of monosulfate glycosaminoglycan disaccharide isomers on poly(methyl methacrylate) chips
Authors: Zhang Yong , Ping Guichen , Zhu Bingmei , Kaji Noritada , Tokeshi Manabu , Baba Yoshinobu
Published: January 2007

To improve the separation of monosulfate glycosaminoglycan disaccharide isomers by microchip electrophoresis, we found that addition of 1,4‐dioxane (DO) dramatically improved analyte resolution, probably due to solvation effects. Methylcellulose (MC) was tested for the ability to suppress EOF and analyte adsorption to the chip. To improve analyte resolution, buffer pH, β‐CD, and DO were systematically investigated. Fast separation was achieved by increasing the electric field strength, and field‐amplified sample stacking occurred with increasing buffer concentrations. Therefore, based on our findings, we describe an efficient method for the separation of monosulfate and trisulfate unsaturated disaccharides (ΔDi‐UA2S, ΔDi‐4S, ΔDi‐6S, and ΔDi‐triS) derivatized with 2‐aminoacridone hydrochloride. A mixture of monosulfate disaccharide isomers (ΔDi‐UA2S, ΔDi‐4S, and ΔDi‐6S) was baseline‐separated within 75 s on a poly(methyl methacrylate) chip using a mixed buffer (DO/running buffer 57:43 v:v), 0.5% MC, pH 6.81, with an Esep of 558 V/cm. The theoretical plate was in the range of 5×105 to 1×106 m−1.
A non‐baseline algorithm for damage locating in flexural structures using dynamic distributed macro‐strain responses
Authors: Li S. Z. , Wu Z. S.
Published: January 2007

The concept of distributed strain‐sensing techniques has been proposed in our recent research, which was dedicated to utilizing the strain distributions throughout the full or partial areas of structures to detect arbitrary and unforeseen damage. An algorithm not requiring a detailed analytical model is presented for damage locating in flexural structures through the direct use of dynamic responses recorded by distributed long‐gauge strain sensors. The modal macro‐strain vector (MMSV), which has been proven to have a mapping relation with displacement mode shape, can be extracted directly from macro‐strain time‐series data, from which a damage evaluating index can be derived and used as an indicator for locating damage. Numerical examples are simulated to verify the sensitivity and effectiveness of the index in different cases. Furthermore, experimental investigations on a cantilevered beam with various long‐gauge fibre optic sensors placements are carried out to examine the feasibility and applicability of the proposed method. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Type I error rates in association versus joint linkage/association tests in related individuals
Authors: Kent Jack W. , Dyer Thomas D. , Göring Harald H. H. , Blangero John
Published: January 2007

Positional gene discovery on pedigree data typically involves initial gross localization by linkage analysis with subsequent finer localization by association analysis in areas that show evidence of linkage. We examine the effect of including linkage information when testing for association in the context of variance‐components‐based pedigree analysis. We present simulation experiments showing that, at least in the extreme case of a rare private allele, failing to include the linkage variance component in the association model results in excessive Type I error that increases with allele copy number and/or quantitative trait locus (QTL) effect size. Joint estimation of the linkage variance component in the association model reduces Type I error to nominal expectations. This holds whether allele‐sharing probabilities are estimated from a polymorphic marker or from the very single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) being tested for association, although the latter provides much less power. These results support the idea that an appropriate association analysis must test both the random effect of shared marker alleles (linkage) and the mean effects of the marker genotypes (association). Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dual regulation of astrocyte gap junction hemichannels by growth factors and a pro‐inflammatory cytokine via the mitogen‐activated protein kinase cascade
Authors: Morita Mitsuhiro , Saruta Chihiro , Kozuka Nagisa , Okubo Yoshiumi , Itakura Makoto , Takahashi Masami , Kudo Yoshihisa
Published: January 2007

Evidence that glutamate and ATP release from astrocytes can occur via gap junction hemichannels (GJHCs) is accumulating. However, the GJHC is still only one possible release mechanism and has not been detected in some studies, although this may be because the levels were below those detectable by the system used. Because of these conflicting results, we hypothesized that release from astrocyte GJHCs might depend on different astrocyte states, and screened for factors affecting astrocyte GJHC activity by measuring fluorescent dye leakage via GJHCs using a conventional method for GJHC acivation, i.e. removal of extracellular divalent cations. Astrocytes cultured in Dulbecco's minimal essential medium containing 10% fetal calf serum, a medium widely used for astrocyte studies, did not show dye leakage, whereas those cultured in a defined medium showed substantial dye leakage, which was confirmed pharmacologically to be due to GJHCs and not to P2x7 receptors. EGF and bFGF inhibited the GJHC activity via the mitogen‐activated protein kinase cascade, and the effect of the growth factors was reversed by interleukin‐1β. These factors altered GJHC activity within 10 min, but did not affect connexin 43 expression. GJHC activity in hippocampal slice culture preparations was measured using the same methods and found to be regulated in a similar manner. These results indicate that astrocyte GJHC activity is regulated by brain environmental factors. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Suppressing phosphatidylcholine‐specific phospholipase C and elevating ROS level, NADPH oxidase activity and Rb level induced neuronal differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Wang Nan , Xie Kun , Huo Siwei , Zhao Jing , Zhang Shangli , Miao Junying
Published: January 2007

In the previous research, we found that D609 (tricyclodecan‐9‐yl‐xanthogenate) could induce human marrow stromal cell (hMSC) differentiation to neuron‐like cells. In this study, to understand the possible mechanism, we sequentially investigated the changes of phosphatidylcholine‐specific phospholipase C (PC‐PLC) activity, the expression of Rb, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, NADPH oxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities when D609 induced neuronal differentiation in rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The results showed that D609 obviously inhibited the activity of PC‐PLC when it induced neuronal differentiation in rat MSCs. Simultaneously, ROS level and the activity of NADPH oxidase increased significantly, but the MnSOD and Cu/ZnSOD activities were not altered. Furthermore, the level of Rb protein was evidently elevated. Our data suggested that PC‐PLC mediated neuronal differentiation of rat MSCs by elevating NADPH oxidase activity, ROS level, and up‐regulating the expression of Rb protein. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 1548–1557, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
TGF‐β1 calcium signaling in osteoblasts
Authors: Nesti Leon J. , Caterson E.J. , Li Wan‐Ju , Chang Richard , McCann Thane D. , Hoek Jan B. , Tuan Rocky S.
Published: January 2007

Transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) action is known to be initiated by its binding to multiple cell surface receptors containing serine/threonine kinase domains that act to stimulate a cascade of signaling events in a variety of cell types. We have previously shown that TGF‐β1 and BMP‐2 treatment of primary human osteoblasts (HOBs) enhances cell‐substrate adhesion. In this report, we demonstrate that TGF‐β1 elicits a rapid, transient, and oscillatory rise in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, that is necessary for enhancement of cell adhesion in HOBs but does not alter the phosphorylation state of Smad proteins. This rise in [Ca2+]i in HOB is not observed in the absence of extracellular calcium or when the cells are treated with the L‐type Ca2+ channel blocker, nifedipine, but is stimulated upon treatment with the L‐type Ca2+ channel agonist, Bay K 8644, or under high K+ conditions. The rise in [Ca2+]i is severely attenuated after treatment of the cells with thapsigargin, a selective endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor. TGF‐β1 enhancement of HOB adhesion to tissue culture polystyrene is also inhibited in cells treated with nifedipine. These data suggest that intracellular Ca2+ signaling is an important second messenger of the TGF‐β1 signal transduction pathway in osteoblast function. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 348–359, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oct‐4, Rex‐1, and Gata‐4 expression in human MSC increase the differentiation efficiency but not hTERT expression
Authors: Roche Stéphane , Richard Marie‐Jeanne , Favrot Marie‐Christine
Published: January 2007

Micro‐environment seems to exert an important influence on human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation and proliferative capacity in bone marrow as well as in culture ex vivo. Oct‐4, Rex‐1, and TERT genes are well‐known for the maintenance of pluripotentiality differentiation and the proliferative capacity of embryonic stem cells. Some previous data report expression of these embryonic factors in selected clones from bone marrow adult stem cells. Our goal was to study expression of Oct‐4, Rex‐1, and TERT in primary cultured human MSC according to the serum concentration. In addition, we have studied the expression of Gata‐4 since this factor plays a key role in organogenesis. We hypothesized that low serum concentration with appropriate growth factors may induce an undifferentiated status with a re‐expression of embryonic factors and extend differentiation capacity. Thus, using a defined culture medium, we report on the increased expression of Oct‐4, Rex‐1, and Gata‐4 in human MSC. We have correlated this expression to an increase in differentiation efficiency towards osteogenic and adipogenic phenotypes. Our data suggest that the culture medium used permits the emergence of adult stem cells with a high differentiation capacity and expression of embryonic factors. These cells may have important implications for cell therapy. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 271–280, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fibrosis and cancer: Do myofibroblasts come also from epithelial cells via EMT?
Authors: Radisky Derek C. , Kenny Paraic A. , Bissell Mina J.
Published: January 2007

Myofibroblasts produce and modify the extracellular matrix (ECM), secrete angiogenic and pro‐inflammatory factors, and stimulate epithelial cell proliferation and invasion. Myofibroblasts are normally induced transiently during wound healing, but inappropriate induction of myofibroblasts causes organ fibrosis, which greatly enhances the risk of subsequent cancer development. As myofibroblasts are also found in the reactive tumor stroma, the processes involved in their development and activation are an area of active investigation. Emerging evidence suggests that a major source of fibrosis‐ and tumor‐associated myofibroblasts is through transdifferentiation from non‐malignant epithelial or epithelial‐derived carcinoma cells through epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). This review will focus on the role of EMT in fibrosis, considered in the context of recent studies showing that exposure of epithelial cells to matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can lead to increased levels of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) that stimulate transdifferentiation to myofibroblast‐like cells. As deregulated MMP expression and increased cellular ROS are characteristic of both fibrosis and malignancy, these studies suggest that increased MMP expression may stimulate fibrosis, tumorigenesis, and tumor progression by inducing a specialized EMT in which epithelial cells transdifferentiate into activated myofibroblasts. This connection provides a new perspective on the development of the fibrosis and tumor microenvironments. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 830–839, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functions and regulation of human artemis in double strand break repair
Authors: Dahm Kirsten
Published: January 2007

Cells, which lacked the activity of the nuclease Artemis, retained approximately 10% of unrepaired double strand breaks (DSBs) at later timepoints after ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation induced hyperphosphorylation of Artemis mainly by ATM and in ATM deficient cells to a minor extent by DNA PK. After induction of DSBs with modified ends by a high dose of calicheamicin γ1, Artemis was phosphorylated by DNA PK. The type of calicheamicin γ1‐induced DSBs is likely to represent a subclass of DSBs induced by ionizing radiation. DNA PK‐dependent phosphorylation of Artemis after treatment with DSB inducing agents increased the cellular retention of Artemis, maintained its interaction with DNA ends and activated its endonucleolytic activity. The following model is suggested: ATM‐dependent phosphorylation of Artemis after ionizing radiation could prevent DNA PK‐dependent phosphorylation and activation of undesired endonucleolytic activity at DSBs, which do not require endonucleolytic processing by Artemis. The Artemis:DNA PK complex could be involved in the repair of DSBs, which carry modified ends and are refractory to repair by otherwise lesion specific enzymes because of the presence of an inhibitory lesion in the opposite strand. J. Cell. Biochem. 100: 1346–1351, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fat‐loaded HepG2 spheroids exhibit enhanced protection from Pro‐oxidant and cytokine induced damage
Authors: Damelin Leonard H. , Coward Sam , Kirwan Michael , Collins Peter , Selden Clare , Hodgson Humphrey J. F.
Published: January 2007

The mechanisms by which steatosis renders hepatocytes susceptible to damage in non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are unclear although fat accumulation is believed to increase hepatocyte susceptibility to inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. We therefore investigated the susceptibility of steatotic, hepatocyte‐derived cells to TNFα and the pro‐oxidant, t‐butylhydroperoxide (TBH). HepG2 spheroids rendered steatotic by fat‐loading with 0.15 mM oleic or palmitic acid for 48 h and treated with TNFα or TBH for 18 h exhibited surprisingly lower levels of cytotoxicity, and increased anti‐oxidant activity (superoxide dismutase (SOD)) compared with non fat‐loaded controls. The protective effect of steatosis was significantly reversed by the inhibition of AMP‐activated kinase (AMPK) since spheroids transfected with a kinase‐dead AMPKα2 subunit, exhibited a significant increase in TBH‐induced cytotoxicity when fat‐loaded. In conclusion, our findings suggest that fat‐loaded hepatocyte‐derived cells are surprisingly less susceptible to cytokine and pro‐oxidant induced damage via an adaptive mechanism dependent, in part, on AMPK activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 723–734, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the existence of a rainbow 1‐factor in 1‐factorizations of K
Authors: El‐Zanati S.I. , Plantholt M.J. , Sissokho P.A. , Spence L.E.
Published: January 2007

Let ${\cal F}$ be a 1‐factorization of the complete uniform hypergraph ${\cal G}={K_{rn}^{(r)}}$ with $r \geq 2$ and $n\geq 3$. We show that there exists a 1‐factor of ${\cal G}$ whose edges belong to n different 1‐factors in ${\cal F}$. Such a 1‐factor is called a “rainbow” 1‐factor or an “orthogonal” 1‐factor. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 15: 487–490, 2007
Simple 3‐designs of PSL(2, 2n) with block size 7
Authors: Li Weixia , Shen Hao
Published: January 2007

In this paper, we determine the number of the orbits of 7‐subsets of $X= {\rm GF}(2^n)\cup\{\infty\}$ with a fixed orbit length under the action of PSL(2, 2n). As a consequence, we determine the distribution of λ for which there exists a simple 3‐(2n + 1, 7, λ) design with PSL(2, 2n) as an automorphism group. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Combin Designs 16: 1–17, 2008
Young adults' ideas of cure prior to psychoanalytic psychotherapy
Authors: Philips Björn , Werbart Andrzej , Wennberg Peter , Schubert Johan
Published: January 2007

The study aims to explore systematically the ideas of cure among young adults prior to psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Forty‐six individuals aged 18 to 25 years who applied for psychotherapy underwent the Private Theories Interview (PTI). Twenty distinct categories of ideas of cure were identified. Based on these categories, a theoretical model was constructed with the dimensions, Approaching–Distancing and Doing–Receiving. Individuals were classified into types using “ideal type analysis.” Seven ideal types were formed: Processing and Understanding, Mastering Through Own Will and Action, Talking, Discordant Ideas, Incoherent Ideas, Getting It Out, and Avoiding or Placing the Solution onto Others.
New hypotheses emerged concerning ideas of cure as an important factor for psychotherapy matching, thus potentially predicting premature termination, alliance, and outcome. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 63: 213–232, 2007.
Administration time estimates for Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children‐IV subtests, composites, and short forms
Authors: Ryan Joseph J. , Glass Laura A. , Brown Cassandra N.
Published: January 2007

The administration times for Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children‐IV (WISC‐IV) subtests, indexes, and the Full Scale IQ were recorded for 57 school children. Also determined were administration times for eight short forms and the General Ability Index (GAI). All eight short forms reduced testing time by >50%, but the GAI required approximately 56 minutes. The time to administer the 10 core subtests that yield the Full Scale IQ and index scores averaged 72 minutes (range = 42 to 100), but 31% of the administrations required 80 minutes or longer. These results indicate that administration times are quite variable and that D. Wechsler's (2003) guideline of 65 to 80 minutes can be misleading for certain settings and for specific examinees. The present research found administration time to be positively correlated with examinee age, grade placement, and Full Scale IQ. In addition, the extent of examiner experience is known to be positively related to administration speed. In the present research, as in many settings, the examiners were competent, but not highly experienced. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 63: 309–318, 2007.
Seeking help from a mental health professional: The influence of one's social network
Authors: Vogel David L. , Wade Nathaniel G. , Wester Stephen R. , Larson Lisa , Hackler Ashley H.
Published: January 2007

The decision to seek psychological help may be hindered or facilitated by many factors. Two potential factors that might facilitate help seeking are having a relationship with someone (a) who recommends seeking help or (b) who themselves have sought help. In two studies (N= 780,N= 746), we explored the relationship between these factors and intentions to seek mental health services. In Study 1, being prompted to seek help and knowing someone who had sought help were both related to positive expectations about mental health services. In Study 2, being prompted to seek help and knowing someone who had sought help were related to more positive attitudes toward help seeking. Also, knowing someone who had sought help was related to the intention to seek help. Of those who sought psychological help, approximately 75% had someone recommend that they seek help and about 94% knew someone who had sought help. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 63: 233–245, 2007.
Interpersonal profiles in major depressive disorder
Authors: Barrett Marna S. , Barber Jacques P.
Published: January 2007

Although patients with mood disorders report interpersonal difficulties in addition to depression or anxiety, few studies have examined interpersonal patterns in those patients. Here the authors' goals were to (a) identify the interpersonal pattern in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), (b) determine interpersonal differences between subgroups of MDD patients, and (c) examine the interpersonal patterns of comorbid MDD patients. One‐ hundred forty‐one MDD adults participated in an ongoing randomized clinical trial of treatments for depression. Interpersonal profiles revealed that MDD patients were significantly more distressed by interpersonal problems than normative samples. Furthermore, MDD patients with depressive personality disorder reported more interpersonal distress than MDD‐only patients report and were more likely to have interpersonal problems related to dominance and control than submissiveness. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol 63: 247–266, 2007.
Fatty acid‐induced defects in insulin signalling, in myotubes derived from children, are related to ceramide production from palmitate rather than the accumulation of intramyocellular lipid
Authors: Sabin Matthew A. , Stewart Claire E.H. , Crowne Elizabeth C. , Turner Stephen J. , Hunt Linda P. , Welsh Gavin I. , Grohmann Malcolm J. , Holly Jeff M.P. , Shield Julian P.H.
Published: January 2007

The elevation of free fatty acids (FFAs), observed in childhood obesity results in intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) accumulation with consequent insulin resistance. Using in vitro differentiated myotubes from normal weight pre‐pubertal children (n = 8), we examined the effects of saturated (palmitate) and unsaturated (oleate) FFAs on insulin‐stimulated AKT phosphorylation (pAKT) and IMCL accumulation. Palmitate decreased pAKT (Mean [SEM] % change pAKT with palmitate 750 µM vs. control; pThr308 site −50.5% [28.7] and pSer473 site −38.7% [11.7]; P < 0.001) with no effect on IMCL formation. Equimolar bromopalmitate did not effect pAKT and blocking ceramide production abolished the palmitate‐induced reduction in signalling, suggesting that ceramide synthesis is critical for palmitate's actions. Oleate did not effect pAKT (1,000 µM oleate; pSer473 site −3.4% [11.4]; P = NS) but increased IMCL accumulation (+32.3% [7.1%]; P < 0.001). Co‐administration of oleate diminished the reduction in pAKT seen with palmitate (+36.4% [23.6] vs. −13.3% [13.6]; P = 0.28), with similar IMCL levels to oleate alone. Co‐administration also caused a significant reduction in 14C‐ceramide synthesis from 14C‐palmitate (101.6 [21.6] vs. 371.5 [122.4] DPM/mg protein; P < 0.001). In summary, palmitate appears to cause insulin resistance in children's myotubes via its metabolism to ceramide, and this process appears unrelated to IMCL formation and is ameliorated by oleate. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 244–252, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Amelioration of inflammation, angiogenesis and CTGF expression in an arthritis model by a TSP1‐derived peptide treatment
Authors: Rico Mario C. , Castaneda Julian L. , Manns Joanne M. , Uknis Audrey B. , Sainz Irma M. , Safadi Fayez F. , Popoff Steve N. , DeLa Cadena Raul A.
Published: January 2007

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a thrombospondin 1 (TSP1)‐derived peptide on inflammation and angiogenesis in an animal model of erosive arthritis and to assess the relationship between TSP1 and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Erosive arthritis in Lewis rats was induced by peptidoglycan‐polysaccharide (PG‐PS). Animals were divided into four groups: (1) negative control and groups receiving, (2) no treatment, (3) treatment with a TSP1‐derived peptide, and (4) treatment with a scrambled peptide. Samples obtained from ankle joint, spleen and liver were studied using histology, histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry and RT‐PCR. Results: Histological data indicated that the TSP1‐derived peptide treatment decreased neovascularization, leukocyte infiltration and thickening of the synovial lining of the joint, and reduced granuloma formation in the spleen and liver when compared to control groups. Higher concentrations of CTGF and TSP1 proteins were observed in the affected areas of animals which did not receive TSP1‐derived peptide treatment. Also, immunofluorescence and RT‐PCR analyses showed an increase in CTGF protein expression and regulation, respectively, in the tissues of untreated animals when compared to the TSP1‐derived peptide treated animals. By immunofluorescence, TSP1 expression was decreased in the TSP1‐derived peptide treated animals. Moreover, macrophage/monocyte‐specific staining revealed a decrease in cell infiltration in the articular tissue of the TSP1‐derived peptide treated animals. Conclusion: Both inflammation and angiogenesis were decreased after TSP1‐derived peptide treatment indicating a potential pathway by which TSP1 interaction with neutrophils induces CTGF in RA affected tissues. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 504–512, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ClassicalXenopus laevisprogesterone receptor associates to the plasma membrane through its ligand‐binding domain
Authors: Martinez Silvana , Pastén Pamela , Suarez Karina , García Andrea , Nualart Francisco , Montecino Martín , Hinrichs María Victoria , Olate Juan
Published: January 2007

During the last decade, considerable evidence is accumulating that supports the view that the classic progesterone receptor (xPR‐1) is mediatingXenopuslaevisoocyte maturation through a non‐genomic mechanism. Overexpression and depletion of oocyte xPR‐1 have been shown to accelerate and to block progesterone‐induced oocyte maturation, respectively. In addition, rapid inhibition of plasma membrane adenylyl cyclase (AC) by the steroid hormone, supports the idea that xPR‐1 should be localized at the oocyte plasma membrane. To test this hypothesis, we transiently transfected xPR‐1 cDNA into Cos‐7 cells and analyzed its subcellular distribution. Through Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis, we were able to detect xPR‐1 associated to the plasma membrane of transfected Cos‐7 cells. Additionally, using Progesterone‐BSA‐FITC, we identified specific progesterone‐binding sites at the cell surface of xPR‐1 expressing cells. Finally, we found that the receptor ligand‐binding domain displayed membrane localization, in contrast to the N‐terminal domain, which expressed in similar levels, remained cytosolic. Overall, these results indicate that a fraction of xPR‐1 expressed in Cos‐7 cells, associates to the plasma membrane through its LBD. J. Cell. Physiol. 211: 560–567, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.