bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Templated Growth of Hybrid Structures at the Peptide–Peptide Interface
Authors: Ghosh Surajit , Verma Sandeep
Published: December 2007

This study describes the use of peptide vesicular platforms for the templated growth of fibrillar structures to craft hybrids that retain the gross morphological features of two discreet self‐assembled peptides. A synthetic triskelion peptide, which results in the rapid emergence of self‐assembled spherical structures, was employed as a template. Addition of either one of two different peptides, both of which form long filamentous structures when co‐incubated with the triskelion solution, affords hybrids that retain the gross morphology of both the spherical and filamentous structures. It is surmised that this process is aided by hydrogen bonding and the interdigitation of aromatic residues, which leads to the growth of hybrid structures. We believe that observations concerning the surface‐assisted growth of peptide fibrils and tubular structures from vesicular platforms may have ramifications for the design and development of peptide‐based hybrid materials with controlled hierarchical structures.
Tunable scheduling in a GridRPC framework
Authors: Amar A. , Bolze R. , Caniou Y. , Caron E. , Chis A. , Desprez F. , Depardon B. , Gay J.‐S. , Le Mahec G. , Loureiro D.
Published: December 2007

Among existing grid middleware approaches, one simple, powerful, and flexible approach consists of using servers available in different administrative domains through the classic client–server or remote procedure call paradigm. Network Enabled Servers (NES) implement this model, also called GridRPC. Clients submit computation requests to a scheduler, whose goal is to find a server available on the grid using some performance metric. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of a NES middleware developed in the GRAAL team called distributed interactive engineering toolbox (DIET) and to describe recent developments around plug‐in schedulers, workflow management, and tools. DIET is a hierarchical set of components used for the development of applications based on computational servers on the grid. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CFAR detection of weak target in clutter using chaos synchronization
Authors: He Di , Leung Henry
Published: December 2007

In this paper, a novel constant false alarm rate (CFAR) approach for detecting weak targets in sea clutter spectrum based on chaos synchronization is proposed. The weak target signal is detected when the synchronization between two identical chaotic systems is realized, even if the target spectrum lies inside the clutter spectrum. The threshold for the proposed CFAR detection is derived theoretically. The proposed chaos‐synchronization‐based CFAR technique is shown to be able to enhance the detectability of the target when the signal‐to‐clutter ratio and signal‐to‐noise ratio are low. Numerical experiments based on real radar sea clutter data confirm the effectiveness of the proposed chaos‐synchronization‐based CFAR detection method. The performance is superior to those of the standard autoregressive estimation‐based and the cell‐averaging CFAR detectors. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Losses of 3p14 and 9p21 as shown by fluorescence in situ hybridization are early events in tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma and already occur in simple keratosis
Authors: Schwarz Stephan , Bier Johannes , Driemel Oliver , Reichert Torsten E. , Hauke Sven , Hartmann Arndt , Brockhoff Gero
Published: December 2007

Tumorigenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been postulated to represent a multistep process driven by the accumulation of carcinogen‐induced genetic changes. Alterations of the 3p14 fragile site containing the fragile histidine triade gene and of the 9p21 tumor suppressor locus containing methylthioadenosine phosphorylase, p16 and p15 characteristically occur in oral leukoplakia, a known precursor of OSCC, and are at present considered to indicate the transition from simple keratosis (hyperplasia) to dysplasia. The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of losses of 3p14 and 9p21 and to evaluate polysomies 3 and 9 in leukoplakias using highly sensitive fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes. Examining 67 leukoplakias (24 hyperplasias, 33 dysplasias, 10 in situ carcinomas), control tissues of oral mucosa from infants and adults as well as invasive carcinomas and normal epithelia of tumor patients with locus specific FISH probes targeting 3p14 and 9p21, and centromeric probes for chromosomes 3 and 9 we could demonstrate that losses of these sites appeared very early in the tumorigenesis of OSCC and were already present in the great majority of simple keratoses. Polysomy 3 occurring more frequently than polysomy 9 was characteristic of dysplasia and in situ carcinomas and thus seems to follow losses of 3p14 and 9p21 during oral squamous cell carcinogenesis. © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology.
Toward quantitative fluorescence measurements with multicolor flow cytometry
Authors: Wang Lili , Gaigalas Adolfas K. , Marti Gerald , Abbasi Fatima , Hoffman Robert A.
Published: December 2007

A procedure is presented for calibrating the output of a multicolor flow cytometer in units of antibodies bound per cell (ABC). The procedure involves two steps. First, each of the fluorescence channels of the flow cytometer is calibrated using Ultra Rainbow beads with assigned values of equivalent number of reference fluorophores (ERF). The objective of this step is to establish a linear relation between the fluorescence signal in a given fluorescence channel of multicolor flow cytometers and the value of ERF. The second step involves a biological standard such as a lymphocyte with a known number of antibody binding sites (e.g., CD4 binding sites). The biological standard is incubated with antibodies labeled with one type of fluorophores for a particular fluorescence channel and serves to translate the ERF scale to an ABC scale. A significant part of the two‐step calibration procedure involves the assignment of ERF values to the different populations of Ultra Rainbow beads. The assignment of ERF values quantifies the relative amount of embedded fluorophore mixture in each bead population. It is crucial to insure that the fluorescence signal in a given range of fluorescence emission wavelengths is related linearly to the assigned values of ERF. The biological standard has to posses a known number of binding sites for a given antibody. In addition, this antibody has to be amenable to labeling with different types of fluorophores associated with various fluorescence channels. The present work suggests that all of the requirements for a successful calibration of a multicolor flow cytometer in terms of ABC values can be fulfilled. The calibration procedure is based on firm scientific foundations so that it is easy to envision future improvements in accuracy and ease of implementation. Published 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modification to the Lampariello approach to evaluate reactive oxygen species production by flow cytometry
Authors: Brescia Francesca , Sarti Maurizio
Published: December 2007

The aim of this article is to perform a statistical analysis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) cytometric data. It is demonstrated that the classical parametric and nonparametric statistical tests are not suitable to examine these data; the Kolmogorov‐Smirnov test and the modification proposed by Lampariello are shown to be too sensitive with respect to the experimental bias (due to procedure or to the instrument) and variability in the ROS production within the repeated samples. Several approaches are examined and discussed. Modifications of the Lampariello's procedure are proposed to include the variability within samples. The validity of the proposed approach is verified by analyzing repeated measurements of ROS formation in cultured human lymphocytes untreated or treated with ferrous sulfate. The proposed approach is successful in considering the “intersample” variability in the ROS data analysis and keeps a good level of validity. Nevertheless, this procedure is not user‐friendly and needs to be handled by an expert operator. © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology
An analytical workflow for investigating cytokine profiles
Authors: Siebert Janet C. , Inokuma Margaret , Waid Dan M. , Pennock Nathan D. , Vaitaitis Gisela M. , Disis Mary L. , Dunne John F. , Wagner David H. , Maecker Holden T.
Published: December 2007

Understanding cytokine profiles of disease states has provided researchers with great insight into immunologic signaling associated with disease onset and progression, affording opportunities for advancement in diagnostics and therapeutic intervention. Multiparameter flow cytometric assays support identification of specific cytokine secreting subpopulations. Bead‐based assays provide simultaneous measurement for the production of ever‐growing numbers of cytokines. These technologies demand appropriate analytical techniques to extract relevant information efficiently. We illustrate the power of an analytical workflow to reveal significant alterations in T‐cell cytokine expression patterns in type 1 diabetes (T1D) and breast cancer. This workflow consists of population‐level analysis, followed by donor‐level analysis, data transformation such as stratification or normalization, and a return to population‐level analysis. In the T1D study, T‐cell cytokine production was measured with a cytokine bead array. In the breast cancer study, intracellular cytokine staining measured T cell responses to stimulation with a variety of antigens. Summary statistics from each study were loaded into a relational database, together with associated experimental metadata and clinical parameters. Visual and statistical results were generated with custom Java software. In the T1D study, donor‐level analysis led to the stratification of donors based on unstimulated cytokine expression. The resulting cohorts showed statistically significant differences in poststimulation production of IL‐10, IL‐1β, IL‐8, and TNFβ. In the breast cancer study, the differing magnitude of cytokine responses required data normalization to support statistical comparisons. Once normalized, data showed a statistically significant decrease in the expression of IFNγ on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells when stimulated with tumor‐associated antigens (TAAs) when compared with an infectious disease antigen stimulus, and a statistically significant increase in expression of IL‐2 on CD8+ T cells. In conclusion, the analytical workflow described herein yielded statistically supported and biologically relevant findings that were otherwise unapparent. © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Histamine‐induced actin polymerization in human eosinophils: An imaging approach for histamine H4receptor
Authors: Barnard Ruth , Barnard Adrian , Salmon Gary , Liu Wai , Sreckovic Sasha
Published: December 2007

Image‐based screening, a new and flexible tool in the drug discovery cascade, is amenable to many different targets. This article describes a particular use of the Cellomics ArrayScan in developing a functional screen for histamine H4receptor (H4R) antagonists that have potential utility in inflammatory diseases of the airways such as asthma, with H4R being expressed on a wide variety of immune cells including eosinophils. Exposure to histamine causes eosinophils to migrate from the bloodstream into the tissue where they contribute to inflammation. Migration is manifested through rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton and phalloidin, a biological peptide, selectively binds F‐actin over G‐actin and can be used to detect these cytoskeletal changes mediating inflammatory function. A fluorescent conjugate of phalloidin was used to visualize histamine‐induced actin polymerization in human eosinophils on the Cellomics ArrayScan. Inhibition of this phenomenon by commercially available histamine receptor antagonists was measured. The selective H4R antagonist JNJ7777120 inhibited histamine‐induced actin polymerization in eosinophils most potently. This assay illustrates that this phenomenon is mediated through the H4R and that the image‐based format has enhanced screening utility for identifying selective H4R antagonists over traditional flow cytometry methods. © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology.
Automated classification of bacterial particles in flow by multiangle scatter measurement and support vector machine classifier
Authors: Rajwa Bartek , Venkatapathi Murugesan , Ragheb Kathy , Banada Padmapriya P. , Hirleman E. Daniel , Lary Todd , Robinson J. Paul
Published: December 2007

Biological microparticles, including bacteria, scatter light in all directions when illuminated. The complex scatter pattern is dependent on particle size, shape, refraction index, density, and morphology. Commercial flow cytometers allow measurement of scattered light intensity at forward and perpendicular (side) angles (2° ≤ θ1 ≤ 20° and 70° ≤ θ2 ≤ 110°, respectively) with a speed varying from 10 to 10,000 particles per second. The choice of angle is dictated by the fact that scattered light in the forward region is primarily dependent on cell size and refractive index, whereas side‐scatter intensity is dependent on the granularity of cellular structures. However, these two‐parameter measurements cannot be used to separate populations of cells of similar shape, size, or structure. Hence, there have been several attempts in flow cytometry to measure the entire scatter patterns. The published concepts require the use of unique custom‐built flow cytometers and cannot be applied to existing instruments. It was also not clear how much information about patterns is really necessary to separate various populations of cells present in a given sample. The presented work demonstrates application of pattern‐recognition techniques to classify particles on the basis of their discrete scatter patterns collected at just five different angles, and accompanied by the measurement of axial light loss. The proposed approach can be potentially used with existing instruments because it requires only the addition of a compact enhanced scatter detector. An analytical model of scatter of laser beams by individual bacterial cells suspended in a fluid was used to determine the location of scatter sensors. Experimental results were used to train the support vector machine‐based pattern recognition system. It has been shown that information provided just by five angles of scatter and axial light loss can be sufficient to recognize various bacteria with 68–99% success rate. © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Some new faces of membrane microdomains: A complex confocal fluorescence, differential polarization, and FCS imaging study on live immune cells
Authors: Gombos Imre , Steinbach Gábor , Pomozi István , Balogh Andrea , Vámosi György , Gansen Alexander , László Glória , Garab Győző , Matkó János
Published: December 2007

Lipid rafts are cholesterol‐ and glycosphingolipid‐rich plasma membrane microdomains, which control signal transduction, cellular contacts, pathogen recognition, and internalization processes. Their stability/lifetime, heterogeneity remained still controversial, mostly due to the high diversity of raft markers and cellular models. The correspondence of the rafts of living cells to liquid ordered (Lo) domains of model membranes and the effect of modulating rafts on the structural dynamics of their bulk membrane environment are also yet unresolved questions. Spatial overlap of various lipid and protein raft markers on live cells was studied by confocal laser scanning microscopy, while fluorescence polarization of DiIC18(3) and Bodipy‐phosphatidylcholine was imaged with differential polarization CLSM (DP‐CLSM). Mobility of the diI probe under different conditions was assessed by fluorescence correlation spectroscopic (FCS). GM1 gangliosides highly colocalized with GPI‐linked protein markers of rafts and a new anti‐cholesterol antibody (AC8) in various immune cells. On the same cells, albeit not fully excluded from rafts, diI colocalized much less with raft markers of both lipid and protein nature, suggesting the Lo membrane regions are not equivalents to lipid rafts. The DP‐CLSM technique was capable of imaging probe orientation and heterogeneity of polarization in the plasma membrane of live cells, reflecting differences in lipid order/packing. This property—in accordance with diI mobility assessed by FCS—was sensitive to modulation of rafts either through their lipids or proteins. Our complex imaging analysis demonstrated that two lipid probes—GM1 and a new anti‐cholesterol antibody—equivocally label the membrane rafts on a variety of cell types, while some raft‐associated proteins (MHC‐II, CD48, CD59, or CD90) do not colocalize with each other. This indicates the compositional heterogeneity of rafts. Usefulness of the DP‐CLSM technique in imaging immune cell surface, in terms of lipid order/packing heterogeneities, was also shown together with its sensitivity to monitor biological modulation of lipid rafts. © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Imaging fluorescence detected linear dichroism of plant cell walls in laser scanning confocal microscope
Authors: Steinbach Gábor , Pomozi István , Zsiros Ottó , Páy Anikó , Horváth Gábor V. , Garab Győző
Published: December 2007

Anisotropy carries important information on the molecular organization of biological samples. Its determination requires a combination of microscopy and polarization spectroscopy tools. The authors constructed differential polarization (DP) attachments to a laser scanning microscope in order to determine physical quantities related to the anisotropic distribution of molecules in microscopic samples; here the authors focus on fluorescence‐detected linear dichroism (FDLD). By modulating the linear polarization of the laser beam between two orthogonally polarized states and by using a demodulation circuit, the authors determine the associated transmitted and fluorescence intensity‐difference signals, which serve the basis for LD (linear dichroism) and FDLD, respectively. The authors demonstrate on sections of Convallaria majalis root tissue stained with Acridin Orange that while (nonconfocal) LD images remain smeared and weak, FDLD images recorded in confocal mode reveal strong anisotropy of the cell wall. FDLD imaging is suitable for mapping the anisotropic distribution of transition dipoles in 3 dimensions. A mathematical model is proposed to account for the fiber‐laminate ultrastructure of the cell wall and for the intercalation of the dye molecules in complex, highly anisotropic architecture. © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology
Cytometry‐acquired calcium‐flux data analysis in activated lymphocytes
Authors: Kaposi A. S. , Veress G. , Vásárhelyi B. , Macardle P. , Bailey S. , Tulassay T. , Treszl A.
Published: December 2007

Flow cytometry enables the sequential determination of calcium levels in millions of stimulated lymphocytes over a short period of time. Current algorithms available are not suitable for the statistical analysis of this large amount of data. The authors aimed to develop a robust algorithm that fits a function to median values of measured data and provides an opportunity for statistical comparison between different calcium‐flux measurements. The alteration of calcium signal was monitored in CD4+ cells loaded with calcium binding fluorescent dyes and stimulated with phytohemagglutinin; the alteration of calcium signal was monitored for 10 minutes. The authors also reanalyzed published calcium‐flux data of CD3+ cells and Jurkat cells stimulated with different concentrations of anti‐CD3 and thapsigargin. The authors fitted different functions to the medians of data per time unit and identified hormesis function as the best fitting one. On the basis of the optimally fitting function, the authors calculated the most relevant biological descriptors such as starting value, peak, time to reach the maximum, and time to reach 50% of maximum before and after the peak. Statistically significant differences in cell activation kinetics at different stimulatory concentrations were also demonstrated. This approach enables us to characterize the kinetics and distribution of calcium‐flux data derived by flow cytometry and may be a reliable tool for the characterization of lymphocyte activation (for details see: http://calciumflux.intralab.eu). © 2007 International Society for Analytical Cytology
IPv6 delay and loss performance evolution
Authors: Zhou Xiaoming , Jacobsson Martin , Uijterwaal Henk , Van Mieghem Piet
Published: December 2007

Although packet delay and loss are two important parameters of the Internet performance, to the best of our knowledge, the evolution of large‐scale IPv6 delay and loss performance has previously not been studied. In this paper, we analyze more than 600 end‐to‐end IPv6 paths between about 26 testboxes of RIPE Network Coordination Centre over two years, and compare the delay and loss performance over time with their IPv4 counterparts. We present and discuss the measurement methodologies and show that IPv6 paths have a higher delay and loss than their IPv4 counterparts. The main reason for the worse performance stems from IPv6‐in‐IPv4 tunnels rather than from native IPv6 paths and such tunnels are still widely used today. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Linear time‐invariant/time‐varying equalization of MIMO channels
Authors: El Asmi Sadok
Published: December 2007

In this paper, the problem of equalization of linear multi‐input multi‐output (MIMO) channels is addressed. Using an algebraic approach, we propose a unifying formalism for the linear time‐invariant/time‐varying channel equalization problem. A new definition called algebraic equalization is presented. This allows us to derive the necessary and sufficient condition on the existence of equalizer. We describe the received signals in terms of Kalman model. This then provides us with a test of channel equalization, which may be performed formally in terms of ranks of some related matrices. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sample size requirements for indirect association studies of gene–environment interactions (G × E)
Authors: Hein Rebecca , Beckmann Lars , Chang‐Claude Jenny
Published: December 2007

Association studies accounting for gene–environment interactions (G × E) may be useful for detecting genetic effects. Although current technology enables very dense marker spacing in genetic association studies, the true disease variants may not be genotyped. Thus, causal genes are searched for by indirect association using genetic markers in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the true disease variants. Sample sizes needed to detect G × E effects in indirect case–control association studies depend on the true genetic main effects, disease allele frequencies, whether marker and disease allele frequencies match, LD between loci, main effects and prevalence of environmental exposures, and the magnitude of interactions. We explored variables influencing sample sizes needed to detect G × E, compared these sample sizes with those required to detect genetic marginal effects, and provide an algorithm for power and sample size estimations. Required sample sizes may be heavily inflated if LD between marker and disease loci decreases. More than 10,000 case–control pairs may be required to detect G × E. However, given weak true genetic main effects, moderate prevalence of environmental exposures, as well as strong interactions, G × E effects may be detected with smaller sample sizes than those needed for the detection of genetic marginal effects. Moreover, in this scenario, rare disease variants may only be detectable when G × E is included in the analyses. Thus, the analysis of G × E appears to be an attractive option for the detection of weak genetic main effects of rare variants that may not be detectable in the analysis of genetic marginal effects only. Genet. Epidemiol. 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Geological factors controlling Early Carboniferous carbonate platform development in the Netherlands
Authors: van Hulten F. F. N. , Poty E.
Published: December 2007

A deep pre‐Silesian carbonate play has recently come into focus in the Netherlands and poses some real opportunities and challenges to the explorationist. Underneath the very thick cover of Westphalian and Namurian clastic sediments, which cover almost the entire Netherlands, a yet undiscovered petroleum system may be present in Dinantian carbonates. However, lack of well control and the significant depth involved has caused pre‐Silesian formations to be under‐explored. Furthermore, seismic definition below the widespread Permian Zechstein evaporites is often very poor. Nevertheless, recent discoveries in the Caspian Sea area have shown that during the Lower Carboniferous very thick carbonate bioherms can develop. These giant reservoirs related to large build‐ups can provide the required size for deep pre‐Silesian prospects in the southern North Sea area and Dutch onshore. From the sparse well control and extrapolation of limited geological data in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium and Germany, it is suggested that thick Dinantian platform carbonates may be present at the northern fringe of the London‐Brabant Massif. For realistic reservoir models of these platforms, areas outside the Netherlands have to be studied, for example the UK Midlands, and south of the London‐Brabant Massif, in eastern and southern Belgium. Although, the latter area has been affected by the Variscan Orogeny, the Dinantian‐aged rocks at outcrop provide a good model for the understanding of the frequency of the major depositional cycles, solution collapse, erosion and dolomitization processes.

Dolomitization may be one of the most important processes that can provide good reservoir quality, and primary porosity related to reef growth, the second important process. Reservoir studies show, that significant reef growth, with associated grainstone facies on the windward side, is an important factor, to understand Dinantian‐aged reservoirs in the Caspian Sea area. Similarly, a dominant east to west wind direction may explain, the development of build‐ups and grainstone facies as an eastern fringe to the Dutch Dinantian platforms, but not on the leeward‐side of the London‐Brabant Massif in southern Belgium. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microtubule acetylation and stability may explain alcohol-induced alterations in hepatic protein trafficking
Authors: Joseph Rohan A. , Shepard Blythe D. , Kannarkat George T. , Rutledge Tara M. , Tuma Dean J. , Tuma Pamela L.
Published: December 2007

We have been using polarized hepatic WIF-B cells to examine ethanol-induced liver injury. Previously, we determined microtubules were more highly acetylated and more stable in ethanol-treated WIF-B cells. We proposed that the ethanol-induced alterations in microtubule dynamics may explain the ethanol-induced defects in membrane trafficking that have been previously documented. To test this, we compared the trafficking of selected proteins in control cells and cells treated with ethanol or with the histone deacetylase 6 inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA). We determined that exposure to 50 nM TSA for 30 minutes induced microtubule acetylation (˜3-fold increase) and stability to the same extent as did ethanol. As shown previously

in situ

, the endocytic trafficking of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) was impaired in ethanol-treated WIF-B cells. This impairment required ethanol metabolism and was likely mediated by acetaldehyde. TSA also impaired ASGP-R endocytic trafficking, but to a lesser extent. Similarly, both ethanol and TSA impaired transcytosis of the single-spanning apical resident aminopeptidase N (APN). For both ASGP-R and APN and for both treatments, the block in trafficking was internalization from the basolateral membrane. Interestingly, no changes in transcytosis of the glycophosphatidylinositol-anchored protein, 5′-nucleotidase, were observed, suggesting that increased microtubule acetylation and stability differentially regulate internalization. We further determined that albumin secretion was impaired in both ethanol-treated and TSA-treated cells, indicating that increased microtubule acetylation and stability also disrupted this transport step.

Conclusion:

These results indicate that altered microtubule dynamics explain in part alcohol-induced defects in membrane trafficking.
Thirteen Steps to Improve Financial and Operational Performance While Improving Customer and Employee Loyalty
Authors: Higgins Brian , Young S. Mark
Published: December 2007

Even during times of economic prosperity, organizations strive to improve financial and operational performance to enhance their viability and competitiveness in the marketplace. Given the plethora of methods available today to improve performance, the challenge is to identify the most comprehensive and comprehensible approach that holds the most promise of generating significant improvements. This article outlines a well‐tested approach from which 12 steps have been extracted that managers can follow that will result in dramatic improvements in bottom‐line performance, as well as improved competitiveness, customer loyalty, and employee commitment. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Killer Takeover Bidding Strategies
Authors: Croft Elizabeth , Donker Han
Published: December 2007

Let's face it: hostile takeovers can be exciting. Sometimes they are like a war between companies. But what is a good strategy for bidders to follow before the big battle so they can be the victors? What are the consequences of pursuing different strategies? And how can bidders avoid the dreaded winner's curse and other disasters? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Doing the Right Deals
Authors: Martin Dale R. , Wathen Michael M. , Klee John J.
Published: December 2007

Executing a merger and acquisition (M&A) deal in today's economy, with tighter credit markets and increasing concerns about the impact of the subprime lending crisis, requires an effective strategy that will ensure you do the right deal at the right price. The authors reveal what makes a successful deal strategy today. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Financial Regulation: What Should Be Done?
Authors: Sagner James S.
Published: December 2007

The 2007 credit crisis is making us take a second look at regulating the financial sector. Has regulation failed? And what will be the impact on future merger and acquisition activity? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mezzanine Financing: Is It for You?
Authors: Bean LuAnn
Published: December 2007

Companies that want to finance a leveraged buyout (LBO) should consider mezzanine financing. This can fill the gap between low‐risk collateralized debt, obtained from traditional lenders, and higher‐risk equity interests. But what are the pros and cons of this kind of financing? Is it a good option for your company? The author reveals what you should know before committing to this financial arrangement. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New Rules Affect Post‐M&A Controls
Authors: Woodlock Peter D.
Published: December 2007

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has issued a new standard for auditing internal controls and financial statements. What does this mean for companies contemplating mergers or acquisitions? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Managing Foreign Exchange Risk
Authors: Goldberg Stephen R. , Drogt Emily L.
Published: December 2007

As the world continues to globalize, companies are increasingly exposed to consequences of changing exchange rates. What are the best ways to manage this risk? © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sucrose octasulfate regulates fibroblast growth factor‐2 binding, transport, and activity: Potential for regulation of tumor growth
Authors: Fannon Michael , Forsten‐Williams Kimberly , Nugent Matthew A. , Gregory Kalvin J. , Chu Chia Lin , Goerges‐Wildt Adrienne L , Panigrahy Dipak , Kaipainen Arja , Barnes Carmen , Lapp Cathy , Shing Yuen
Published: December 2007

The antithrombotic activity of heparin has largely been credited with the success found in some cancer treatment by heparin. There are, however, many potent growth factors involved in tumor and blood vessel growth that bind to heparin with high affinity and their regulation by heparin may play a role in heparin's efficacy. We therefore chose to study the activity of a heparin analog, sucrose octasulfate (SOS), which has been similarly shown to interact with heparin‐binding growth factors. Using mouse melanoma and lung carcinoma models, we demonstrate in vivo inhibition of tumor growth by SOS. SOS, however, showed little effect in coagulation assays indicating that this activity was not a primary mechanism of action for this molecule. Studies were then performed to assess the effect of SOS on basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF‐2) activity, a growth factor which promotes tumor and blood vessel growth and is produced by B16 melanoma cells. SOS potently inhibited FGF‐2 binding to endothelial cells and stripped pre‐bound FGF‐2 from cells. SOS also regulated FGF‐2 stimulated proliferation. Further, SOS facilitated FGF‐2 diffusion through Descemet's membrane, a heparan sulfate‐rich basement membrane from the cornea, suggesting a possible role in FGF‐2 clearance. Our results suggest that molecules such as SOS have the potential to remove growth factors from tumor microenvironments and the approach offers an attractive area for further study. J. Cell. Physiol. 215: 434–441, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oxidative stress induces GLUT4 translocation by activation of PI3‐K/Akt and dual AMPK kinase in cardiac myocytes
Authors: Horie Takahiro , Ono Koh , Nagao Kazuya , Nishi Hitoo , Kinoshita Minako , Kawamura Teruhisa , Wada Hiromichi , Shimatsu Akira , Kita Toru , Hasegawa Koji
Published: December 2007

In response to metabolic stress, GLUT4, the most abundant glucose transporter, translocates from intracellular vesicles to the plasma membrane. This appears to play an important role in protecting cardiac myocytes from ischemic injury. To investigate the precise mechanisms of GLUT4 translocation in cardiomyocytes, we have established a method for quantifying the relative proportion of sarcolemmal GLUT4 to total GLUT4 in these cells. Stimulation with H2O2 resulted in a concentration‐dependent increase in GLUT4 translocation, which peaked at 15 min after stimulation. The dominant‐negative form (DN) of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) α2 inhibited the H2O2‐induced translocation of GLUT4. We further examined the role of two known AMPK kinases (AMPKKs), calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK)β and LKB1. The DN of CaMKKβ or LKB1 alone inhibited H2O2‐induced GLUT4 translocation only partially compared to the inhibition produced by the DN of AMPKα2. However, the combination of DN‐LKB1 and DN‐CaMKKβ inhibited translocation to an extent similar to with DN‐AMPKα2. Stimulation with H2O2 also activated Akt and the inhibition of PI3‐K/Akt prevented GLUT4 translocation to the same extent as with AMPK inhibition. When the DN of AMPKα2 was applied with DN‐PI3‐K, there was a complete reduction in the GLUT4 membrane level similar to that seen at the 0 time‐point. These results demonstrate that AMPK and PI3‐K/Akt have an additive effect on oxidative stress‐mediated GLUT4 translocation. J. Cell. Physiol. 215: 733–742, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Features that determine telomere homolog oligonucleotide‐induced therapeutic DNA damage‐like responses in cancer cells
Authors: Ohashi Norio , Yaar Mina , Eller Mark S. , Truzzi Francesca , Gilchrest Barbara A.
Published: December 2007

The article to which this erratum refers was published in J Cell Physiol (2007) 210:582–595. J. Cell. Physiol. 215: 285, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Distinct functions of H‐Ras and K‐Ras in proliferation and survival of primary hepatocytes due to selective activation of ERK and PI3K
Authors: Rosseland Carola M. , Wierød Lene , Flinder Liv I. , Oksvold Morten P. , Skarpen Ellen , Huitfeldt Henrik S.
Published: December 2007

Ras proteins mediate signals both via extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK), and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K). These signals are key events in cell protection and compensatory cell growth after exposure to cell damaging and pro‐apoptotic stimuli, thus maintaining homeostasis. By transfection techniques, we found that both H‐Ras and K‐Ras were expressed and appeared functionally active in primary hepatocytes. We compared the ability of H‐Ras and K‐Ras homologues to preferentially activate one of the two pathways, thereby differentially controlling cell survival and growth. We found that ectopic expression of dominant negative (DN) H‐RasN17, but not DN K‐RasN17, efficiently inhibited both phosphorylation and translocation of ERK to the nuclear compartment, which are prerequisites for cell cycle progression. Furthermore, ectopic expression of constitutive active (CA) H‐RasV12, but not CA K‐RasV12, potentiated EGF‐induced proliferation. We also found that expression of CA mutants of either H‐Ras or K‐Ras protected hepatocytes from transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1)‐induced apoptosis. However, H‐Ras‐induced survival was mediated by ERK/RSK as well as by PI3K, whereas K‐Ras‐induced survival was mediated by PI3K only. In conclusion, H‐Ras and K‐Ras had differential functions in proliferation and survival of primary hepatocytes. H‐Ras was the major mediator of ERK‐induced proliferation and survival, whereas H‐Ras and K‐Ras both mediated PI3K‐induced survival. J. Cell. Physiol. 215: 818–826, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decorin enhances the proliferation and differentiation of myogenic cells through suppressing myostatin activity
Authors: Kishioka Yasuhiro , Thomas Mark , Wakamatsu Jun‐ichi , Hattori Akihito , Sharma Mridula , Kambadur Ravi , Nishimura Takanori
Published: December 2007

Decorin, a small leucine‐rich proteoglycan, plays an important role in the regulation of cell growth. Our recent study has shown that immobilized decorin in the collagen matrix sequesters myostatin into the extracellular matrix and prevents its inhibitory action to myoblast proliferation in vitro. However, it still remains unclear whether free decorin could affect the proliferation and differentiation of myogenic cells by regulating myostatin activity. In the present study, we generated stable clonal C2C12 myoblasts that were over‐expressing decorin, and showed that decorin over‐expressing cells had an increased rate of proliferation as compared to control cells. Decorin over‐expressing cells formed multi‐giant hypertrophic myotubes with an elongated morphology and larger size as compared to control cells, although the initiation of differentiation in decorin over‐expressing cells was somewhat delayed as compared to control cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated that MyoD expression in decorin over‐expressing cells was lower than that in control cells until 12 h after induction to differentiate. At 48‐h differentiation, the expressions of MyoD, p21 and myogenin were dramatically increased in cells that over‐expressed decorin. Furthermore, we revealed that over‐expression of decorin suppressed the activity of myostatin endogenously synthesized in C2C12 myoblasts and attenuated the signaling of exogenous myostatin. Consistent with these results, knock‐down of decorin impairs C2C12 myoblast growth by increasing the sensitivity to exogenous myostatin. These results clearly show that decorin enhances the proliferation and differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts through suppressing myostatin activity. J. Cell. Physiol. 215: 856–867, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene using recombinant Pseudomonas strain
Authors: Meesala Lavanya , Balomajumder Chandrajeet , Chatterjee Shamba , Roy Partha
Published: December 2007

BACKGROUND: The sulfur content in crude oil available from various sources ranges from 0.03 to values as high as 8.0 wt%. These high quantities of sulfur must be removed before the crude oil is processed because combustion of this oil would result in severe environmental pollution, such as acid rain. Due to high utility and operating costs, the conventional hydrodesulfurization process (HDS) is considered to be uneconomic. The biotechnological option, biodesulfurization (BDS) seems an attractive low cost, environmentally benign technology.

RESULTS: This paper reports the development of a recombinant strain of bacteria designed by introducing desulfurizing, dsz genes containing plasmid pSAD 225‐32, which was isolated from Rhodococcus erythropolis IGTS8 into a gram negative solvent‐tolerant bacterium, Pseudomonas putida (MTCC 1194). This recombinant bacterium can desulfurize the dibenzothiophene (DBT) in the sulfur selective 4S‐pathway. It has been observed that for the same concentration of DBT, the recombinant strain's growth rate is greater than that of the parent strain. Increasing the concentration of DBT resulted in an increase of lag phase as well as decreased growth rate, which shows that the bacteria is following substrate inhibition type kinetics. This genetically modified bacterium can desulfurize 73.1% of 1.2 mmol L−1 DBT (dissolved in ethanol) in 67 h of cultivation time using growing cells.

CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that further research in this area of biodesulfurization using genetically modified organisms may remove the bottlenecks presently in the way of commercialization of the BDS process. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry
Prognostic significance of depth of invasion, vascular invasion and numbers of lymph node retrievals in combination for patients with stage II colorectal cancer undergoing radical resection
Authors: Tsai Hsiang‐Lin , Cheng Kuang‐I , Lu Chien‐Yu , Kuo Chao‐Hung , Ma Cheng‐Jen , Wu Jeng‐Yih , Chai Chee‐Yin , Hsieh Jan‐Sing , Wang Jaw‐Yuan
Published: December 2007

Background and Objectives

To determine which aspects of tumor histology influenced the postoperative relapse and overall survival rates after radical resection of UICC stage II colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

Data were collected on 259 patients with stage II CRC who underwent radical resection in Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital between January 2002 and December 2005.

Results

A univariate analysis identified that the depth of invasion, the presence of vascular invasion, the presence of perineural invasion, and the number of examined lymph nodes were significant prognostic factors for postoperative relapse. A combination of depth, vascular invasion, and numbers of lymph node retrieval as predictors of postoperative relapse showed that the more predictors that are involved, the higher chance that postoperative relapse would occur. Furthermore, T4 depth of tumor invasion, the presence of vascular invasion, and the number of examined lymph nodes <12 were considerably correlated to the poorer overall survival rates by survival analyses.

Conclusions

This study has revealed that the depth of invasion, the presence of vascular invasion, and number of examined lymph nodes, may prominently affect the prognosis of stage II CRC patients after radical resection. The increasing risk of postoperative relapse is proportionate to numbers of these three parameters. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;97:383–387. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway and enhanced activity of NF‐κB in gastric carcinoma
Authors: Wu Lingfei , Pu Zejin , Feng Jialin , Li Guoping , Zheng Zhichao , Shen Wenlv
Published: December 2007

Background and Objectives

NF‐κB, ubiquitin and proteasome have been shown be important factors in oncogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether NF‐κB could be a sensitive biomarker for gastric carcinoma.

Methods

Tumor and adjacent mucosal tissue specimens in 92 patients with gastric carcinoma were studied. The expression of NF‐κB was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The expression of IκBα, ubiquitin in cytoplasm and NF‐κB in nucleoplasm was assayed by Western blot. DNA binding‐activity of NF‐κB was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Fluorogenic technique was performed to measure the 26S proteasome activity.

Results

NF‐κB positive expression in tumor tissues (82.4%) was significant higher than that in adjacent mucosal tissues (32.7%, P < 0.05). The increase of NF‐κB activation was accompanied by the increases of ubiqutin, 26S proteasome activation and a degradation of IκBα but not the ubiquitin‐conjugated IκBα/NF‐κB complex in gastric carcinoma. NF‐κB expression was significantly increased in patients with lymph node metastasis, TNM stage III/IV or with the habit of high intake of pickled vegetables.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the constitutive activation of NF‐κB is likely due to the activation of ubiquitin‐proteasome pathway and NF‐κB can be used as a prognostic biomarker. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;97:439–444. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Outcome after surgical treatment of suspected gastrointestinal stromal tumors involving the duodenum: Is limited resection appropriate?
Authors: Goh Brian K.P. , Chow Pierce K.H. , Kesavan Sittampalam , Yap Wai‐Ming , Wong Wai‐Keong
Published: December 2007

Introduction

Present surgical opinion is divided regarding the optimal method for the treatment of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) with some supporting the selective use of limited resection (LR) versus others who prefer pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods

A retrospective review of 22 patients who underwent surgery for suspected GIST involving the duodenum.

Results

There were 15 GISTs, 1 leiomyosarcoma and 6 other non‐GIST benign submucosal tumors. Seven patients underwent LR and seven underwent PD for GIST. The median follow‐up was 42 (range, 2–174) months. Patients who underwent LR versus PD had similar mean disease‐specific survival [144 (95% CI, 92–196) vs. 130 (95% CI, 82–127) months, P = 0.808] and recurrence rates (14% vs. 29%, P = 0.515). All recurrences occurred at distant sites. Comparison between LR versus PD demonstrated that LR was associated with a significantly shorter operation time [125 (range, 50–305) vs. 350 (range, 210–465) min., P = 0.001] but similar morbidity rate (23% vs. 43%, P = 0.357). Comparison between GIST and other benign tumors demonstrated that size was the only statistically significant distinguishing factor [8.5 (range, 2.5–18.0) vs. 2.5 (range, 1.5–8.0) cm, P = 0.014].

Conclusion

Benign non‐GIST tumors may be distinguished from duodenal GIST as they are smaller in size. LR is a viable treatment option for suspected GIST involving the duodenum. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;97:388–391. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.