bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zinc finger E‐box binding factor 1 plays a central role in regulating Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) latent‐lytic switch and acts as a therapeutic target in EBV‐associated gastric cancer
Authors: Zhao Junhong , Jin Hongchuan , Cheung Kin Fai , Tong Joanna H. M. , Zhang Sui , Go Minnie Y. Y. , Tian Linwei , Kang Wei , Leung Patrick P. S. , Zeng Zhirong , Li Xiaoxing , To Ka Fai , Sung Joseph J. Y. , Yu Jun
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

The role of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) infection in gastric carcinogenesis remains largely unknown. The authors studied the effects of zinc finger E‐box binding factor 1 (ZEB1) on latent‐lytic switch of EBV infection in gastric cancer and explored the importance of EBV in gastric carcinogenesis.

METHODS:

Loss or gain of ZEB1 function was obtained by ZEB1 small‐interfering RNA (siRNA) knock‐down or forced ZEB1 re‐expression. Cell growth was evaluated by cell viability and colony formation assays, and the cell cycle was assessed by flow cytometry. EBV was detected using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and in situ hybridization analyses.

RESULTS:

ZEB1 knock‐down in a latent EBV‐infected gastric cancer cell line (YCC10) increased lytic gene BamHI W leftward reading frame 1 (BZLF1) expression and decreased the expression of latent gene EB nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) concomitant with the inhibition of cell viability (P < .05) and S‐phase DNA synthesis (P < .01). ZEB1 depletion combined with ganciclovir revealed a further reduction in cell viability (P < .001). ZEB1 knock‐down induced cell apoptosis and the up‐regulation of caspase 3 and poly(adenosine diphosphate‐ribose) polymerase cleavage. Conversely, ectopic overexpression of ZEB1 in a lytic EBV‐infected gastric cancer cell line (AGS‐EBV) inhibited BZLF1 promoter (Zp) activity, BZLF1 expression, and apoptosis and promoted cell growth. EBV infection was detected in 11.3% (80 of 711) of gastric cancers. The presence of EBV was associated with age, men, and intestinal type cancer.

CONCLUSIONS:

ZEB1 was confirmed as a key mediator of the latent‐lytic switch of EBV‐associated gastric cancer, a distinct subtype with different clinicopathologic features. The current results indicated that inhibition of ZEB1 may be a potential target for EBV‐associated gastric cancer therapy. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Neoadjuvant gemcitabine and cisplatin chemotherapy for locally advanced urothelial cancer of the bladder
Authors: Scosyrev Emil , Messing Edward M. , van Wijngaarden Edwin , Peterson Derick R. , Sahasrabudhe Deepak , Golijanin Dragan , Fisher Susan G.
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) on pathologic down‐staging of patients with locally advanced urothelial cancer (UC) of the bladder.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC) for clinical stage cT2‐T4, N any, M0 bladder UC at Strong Memorial Hospital from 1999 to 2009. The primary exposure variable was use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (GC vs none). The primary outcome was stage pT0 at RC. Secondary outcomes included other down‐staging end points in the bladder (<pT1, <pT2, <pT3), nodal status, and surgical margins. Linear probability models were used to estimate the effect of neoadjuvant GC on tumor down‐staging with adjustment for clinical staging variables.

RESULTS:

A total of 160 eligible patients were identified, of whom 25 were treated with neoadjuvant GC before RC (GC + RC) and 135 without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (RC only). Stage pT0 at cystectomy was found in 20% of patients in the GC + RC group and in 5% of patients in the RC group (adjusted risk difference [aRD] = 16%, P = .03). For other down‐staging end points, the estimated treatment effect was as follows (all point estimates favoring chemotherapy): <pT1 aRD = 30% (P = .005); <pT2 aRD = 30% (P = .004); <pT3 aRD = 31% (P = .008); margins aRD = 8% (P = .41); nodes aRD = 4% (P = .74).

CONCLUSIONS:

Neoadjuvant GC was found to be capable of down‐staging UC in the bladder; however, no effect on disease in nodes was seen in this study. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Proteomic biomarkers in combination with CA 125 for detection of epithelial ovarian cancer using prediagnostic serum samples from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial
Authors: Moore Lee E. , Pfeiffer Ruth M. , Zhang Zhen , Lu Karen H. , Fung Eric T. , Bast Robert C.
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

When epithelial ovarian cancer is detected at an early stage (I‐II), the 5‐year survival rate is between 70% and 90%; whereas, when it is detected in late stages (III‐IV), the 5‐year survival rate slips to <30%. In a previous report, the authors observed that proteomic biomarkers and cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) exhibited a sensitivity of 84% at a specificity of 98% for identifying sera from patients who had stage I disease at the time of surgery, significantly improving the sensitivity of CA 125 alone. The challenge, however, is to detect ovarian cancer before clinical diagnosis. The current study was part of a large effort to compare different multimarker biomarker panels for the early detection of ovarian cancer. Several biomarkers were evaluated alone and in combination with CA 125 in prediagnostically collected sera from women in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial.

METHODS:

Proximal prediagnostic sera from 118 women with ovarian cancer (cases) and from 951 age‐matched women (controls) (8 controls per case, including 4 randomly selected from the general population, 2 with CA 125 levels ≥35 U/mL, and 2 with a positive family history of breast/ovarian cancer) were analyzed using the CA 125 immunoassay and surface‐enhanced laser desorption and ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry to measure 7 proteins (apolipoprotein A1, truncated transthyretin, transferrin, hepcidin, β‐2 microglobulin, connective tissue activating protein III), and interalpha‐trypsin inhibitor heavy‐chain 4). Data were analyzed by 2 statistical strategies that combined the 7 markers and CA 125 into 1 predictive score for disease classification.

RESULTS:

CA 125 levels were elevated (≥35 U/mL) in 61.5% of 65 patients who had CA 125 data available from samples that were collected <12 months before cancer diagnosis; however, levels of the additional 7 biomarkers were not different between cases and the 3 control groups individually or combined. Two panels that combined CA 125 and the 7 biomarkers failed to improve the sensitivity of CA 125 alone.

CONCLUSIONS:

In contrast to earlier findings from analyzes of postdiagnostically collected sera, the addition of 7 biomarkers to CA 125 did not improve sensitivity for preclinical diagnosis beyond CA 125 alone. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
The Association of Robotic Surgical Technology and Hospital Prostatectomy volumes
Authors: Neuner Joan M. , See William A. , Pezzin Liliana E. , Tarima Sergey , Nattinger Ann B.
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

Despite limited and conflicting evidence for the efficacy of newly developed robotic technology for laparoscopic prostatectomy, this technology is spreading rapidly. Because the newer technology is more costly, reasons for this rapid adoption are unclear. The authors of this report sought to determine whether hospital acquisition of robotic technology was associated with volume of prostate cancer surgery.

METHODS:

The inpatient dataset of claims records from 2002 to 2008 and the acquisition dates of robotic technology were used to examine the rates of prostatectomy in Wisconsin hospitals. In analyses that accounted for hospital and referral region characteristics, changes in hospital prostatectomy volume were examined for their association with technology acquisition. Overall trends in the rate of prostatectomy also were examined over the study period.

RESULTS:

In total, 10,021 prostatectomies were performed in 52 hospitals in Wisconsin's 8 health referral regions during the study period. The mean quarterly prostatectomy volume in hospitals that did not acquire the technology was 4.5 in 2002 and 3.1 in 2007/2008. In contrast, the mean quarterly prostatectomy volume in hospitals that went on to acquire robotic technology was 16.5 in 2002 and 24.8 in 2007/2008. In adjusted models, the acquisition of a robot was associated with a 114% annual increase (95% confidence interval, 62%‐177% annual increase) in hospital prostatectomy volume. The average Wisconsin hospital prostatectomy volume was unchanged during 2002 through 2006 but increased by 25.6% in 2007.

CONCLUSIONS:

Robotic technology acquisition occurred rapidly in Wisconsin hospitals, and hospitals that acquired a robot had large increases in prostatectomy volume. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Primary radiotherapy versus radical prostatectomy for high‐risk prostate cancer
Authors: Parikh Ravi , Sher David J.
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

Two evidence‐based therapies exist for the treatment of high‐risk prostate cancer (PCA): external‐beam radiotherapy (RT) with hormone therapy (H) (RT + H) and radical prostatectomy (S) with adjuvant radiotherapy (S + RT). Each of these strategies is associated with different rates of local control, distant metastasis (DM), and toxicity. By using decision analysis, the authors of this report compared the quality‐adjusted life expectancy (QALE) between men with high‐risk PCA who received RT + H versus S + RT versus a hypothetical trimodality therapy (S + RT + H).

METHODS:

The authors developed a Markov model to describe lifetime health states after treatment for high‐risk PCA. Probabilities and utilities were extrapolated from the literature. Toxicities after radiotherapy were based on intensity‐modulated radiotherapy series, and patients were exposed to risks of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and fracture for 5 years after completing H. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to model uncertainty in outcome rates, toxicities, and utilities.

RESULTS:

RT + H resulted in a higher QALE compared with S + RT over a wide range of assumptions, nearly always resulting in an increase of >1 quality‐adjusted life year with outcomes highly sensitive to the risk of increased all‐cause mortality from H. S + RT + H typically was superior to RT + H, albeit by small margins (<0.5 quality‐adjusted life year), with results sensitive to assumptions about toxicity and radiotherapy efficacy.

CONCLUSIONS:

For men with high‐risk PCA, RT + H was superior to S + RT, and the result was sensitive to the risk of all‐cause mortality from H. Moreover, trimodality therapy may offer local and distant control benefits that lead to optimal outcomes in a meaningful population of men. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
The rapid uptake of robotic prostatectomy and its collateral effects
Authors: Lowrance William T. , Parekh Dipen J.
Published: June 2011

The shift in radical prostatectomy practice patterns toward robotic procedures has had substantial collateral effects, impacting the delivery, access, and cost of prostate cancer care in the United States. In this issue of Cancer, Stitzenberg and colleagues examine how the uptake of robotic surgery has influenced centralization of prostate cancer surgery and effected travel distances for patients seeking prostate cancer surgery. Undoubtedly, robotic surgery has changed the face of prostate cancer care in this country, but still more research is needed to further understand how delivery, access, and cost of health care are impacted by technological innovation.
Preclinical xenograft models of human sarcoma show nonrandom loss of aberrations
Authors: Kresse Stine H. , Meza‐Zepeda Leonardo A. , Machado Isidro , Llombart‐Bosch Antonio , Myklebost Ola
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

Human tumors transplanted into immunodeficient mice (xenografts) are good preclinical models, and it is important to identify possible systematic changes during establishment and passaging in mice.

METHODS:

High‐resolution microarray‐based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) was used to investigate how well a series of sarcoma xenografts, including 9 patient/xenograft pairs and 8 early versus late xenograft passage pairs, represented the patient tumor from which they originated.

RESULTS:

In all analyses, the xenografts were more similar to their tumor of origin than other xenografts of the same type. Most changes in aberration patterns were toward a more normal genome complement, and the increased aberrations observed were mostly toward more loss. In general, the changes were scattered over the genome, but some changes were significant in osteosarcomas. These were rather focused and consistent with amplifications frequent in patient samples, involving the genes platelet‐derived growth factor receptor A (PDGFRA), cysteine‐rich hydrophobic domain 2 (CHIC2), FIP‐like 1 (FIP1L1), ligand of numb‐protein X1 (LNX1), RAS‐like family 11 member B (RASL11B), and sec1 family domain containing 2 (SCFD2), probably a sign of continued tumor progression. Some changes that disappeared may have been involved in host‐stroma interactions or chemotherapy resistance, possibly because of the absence of selection in the mouse.

CONCLUSIONS:

Direct xenografts reflected well the genomic patterns of their tumors of origin. The few significant aberrations that were lost during passaging in immune‐defective mice may have been caused by the lack of selection in the new host, whereas aberrations that were gained appeared to be the result of general tumor progression rather than model‐specific artifacts. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
A prospective phase 2 study of surgery followed by chemotherapy and radiation for superior sulcus tumors
Authors: Gomez Daniel R. , Cox James D. , Roth Jack A. , Allen Pamela K. , Wei Xiong , Mehran Reza J. , Kim Jae Y. , Swisher Stephen G. , Rice David C. , Komaki Ritsuko
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

The optimal treatment for locally advanced superior sulcus tumors is not clear. The authors report long‐term results of a trial examining the safety and efficacy of surgery followed by concurrent chemoradiation therapy for this disease.

METHODS:

Thirty‐two patients with resectable or marginally resectable superior sulcus tumors at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from 1994 to 2010 were enrolled in a prospective trial. Surgery involved segmentectomy or lobectomy with en bloc resection of the involved chest wall and complete nodal staging; radiation therapy (RT) began 14 to 42 days later to a dose of 60 grays (Gy) in 50 1.2‐Gy fractions if surgical margins were negative or 64.8 Gy in 54 1.2‐Gy fractions if margins were positive. Two cycles of etoposide (50 mg/m2) and cisplatin (50 mg/m2) were given during RT, and another 3 cycles were given after RT. Eleven patients underwent prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI).

RESULTS:

The protocol completion rate was 78%. Gross total resection was accomplished in all 32 patients; 28% underwent R1 resection. Operative mortality was 0%. The most common surgical complication was postoperative pneumonia (25%). At a median follow‐up time of 53.4 months (range, 2‐154 months), the 2‐year, 5‐year, and 10‐year rates of locoregional control were 84%, 76%, and 76%; distant metastasis‐free survival, 52%, 48%, and 48%; disease‐free survival, 49%, 45%, and 45%; and overall survival, 72%, 50%, and 45%, respectively. The brain was the most common site of distant failure (n = 5), but no patient who received PCI experienced brain metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS:

Surgery followed by postoperative chemoradiation is safe and effective for the treatment of marginally resectable superior sulcus tumors. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Better prognosis for patients with del(7q) than for patients with monosomy 7 in myelodysplastic syndrome
Authors: Cordoba Iris , González‐Porras José R. , Nomdedeu Benet , Luño Elisa , de Paz Raquel , Such Esperanza , Tormo Mar , Vallespi Teresa , Collado Rosa , Xicoy Blanca , Andreu Rafael , Muñoz Juan A. , Solé Francesc , Cervera Jose , del Cañizo Consuelo ,   On behalf of the Spanish Myelodysplastic Syndrome Registry
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

Abnormalities involving chromosome 7 are frequent in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and suggest a poor prognosis.

METHODS:

The authors examined the hypothesis that the clinical features and survival associated with isolated deletion (del) of part of the long arm of chromosome 7 (7q) in MDS are different from those associated with isolated monosomy 7 (complete loss of chromosome 7). In total, 133 patients with a diagnosis of de novo MDS (according to the World Health Organization [WHO] classification) and chromosome 7 abnormalities in the Spanish MDS Registry were evaluated retrospectively. Four karyotypic groups were identified: isolated del(7q) (n = 29), isolated monosomy 7 (n = 27), del(7q) with additional abnormalities (n = 24), and monosomy 7 with additional abnormalities (n = 53).

RESULTS:

Isolated del(7q) was more frequent in patients with less advanced MDS according to the WHO classification or the International Prognostic Scoring System. In addition, isolated del(7q) was associated with fewer blasts in bone marrow than other cytogenetics groups. Survival was significantly superior in patients with isolated del(7) than in those with isolated monosomy 7, del(7q) with additional abnormalities, or monosomy 7 with additional abnormalities. On multivariate analysis, age, the percentage of blasts in bone marrow, and other chromosome 7 abnormalities apart from isolated del(7q) were identified as independent risk factors for survival.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current results demonstrated that patients who had MDS with isolated del(7q) had some distinct clinical‐pathologic characteristics as well as better survival than patients who had MDS with isolated monosomy 7. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
What is the best way to treat high‐risk prostate cancer?
Authors: Klein Eric A.
Published: June 2011

No abtract.
Radiation therapy for ductal carcinoma in situ
Authors: Punglia Rinaa S. , Burstein Harold J. , Weeks Jane C.
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

The benefit of adding radiation therapy after excision of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is widely debated. Randomized clinical trials are underpowered to delineate long‐term outcomes after radiation.

METHODS:

The authors of this report constructed a Markov decision model to simulate the clinical course of DCIS in a woman aged 60 years who received treatment with either of 2 breast‐conserving strategies: excision alone or excision plus radiation therapy. Sensitivity analyses were used to study the influence of risk of local recurrence, likelihood of invasive disease at recurrence, surgical choice at recurrence, and patient age at diagnosis on treatment outcomes.

RESULTS:

The addition of radiation therapy was associated with slight improvements in invasive disease‐free and overall survival. However, radiation therapy decreased the chance of having both breasts intact over a patient's lifetime. Radiation therapy improved survival by 2.1 months for women who were diagnosed with DCIS at age 60 years but decreased the chance of having both breasts by 8.6% relative to excision alone. The differences in outcomes between the treatment strategies became smaller with increasing age at diagnosis. Sensitivity analyses revealed a greater benefit for radiation with an increased likelihood of invasive recurrence. The decrement in breast preservation with radiation therapy was mitigated by an increased likelihood of mastectomy at the time of recurrence or new breast cancer diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS:

The current analysis quantified the benefits of radiation after excision of DCIS but also revealed that radiation therapy may increase the likelihood of eventual mastectomy. Therefore, the authors concluded that patient age and preferences should be considered when making the decision to add or forgo radiation for DCIS. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
The enigma of myxofibrosarcoma of the extremity
Authors: Mutter Robert W. , Singer Samuel , Zhang Zhigang , Brennan Murray F. , Alektiar Kaled M.
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

The reported high rate of local recurrence (LR) in myxofibrosarcoma raises the question of whether this sarcoma histology should be considered radioresistant. In this study, the authors compared rates and patterns of LR of high‐grade (HG) myxofibrosarcoma with rates and patterns of HG leiomyosarcoma, which was chosen because of the similarity in incidence and general treatment approach.

METHODS:

Two hundred two patients with primary, nonmetastatic extremity myxofibrosarcoma (n = 114) and leiomyosarcoma (n = 88) underwent limb‐sparing surgery and were followed prospectively. All 202 patients had HG tumors, and 138 patients (68%) received adjuvant radiation therapy.

RESULTS:

The groups were comparable in terms of age, sex, and receipt of chemotherapy. Compared with leiomyosarcoma, myxofibrosarcoma presented more frequently with tumors >5 cm (P < .001), deep location (P = .036), and upper extremity site (P = .015). In addition, rates of positive/close margins (P < .001) and the receipt of radiation therapy (P < .001) were significantly higher in the myxofibrosarcoma group. The 5‐year overall LR rate was not significantly different according to histology (14.6% for myxofibrosarcoma, 13.2% for leiomyosarcoma; P = .594). The only predictor of LR for the whole cohort of patients was positive/close margins (P = .01). Of 17 myxofibrosarcoma LRs, 8 (47%) occurred out of field, versus 1 of 12 (8%) leiomyosarcoma LRs (P = .04). Leiomyosarcoma more commonly recurred distantly (54.1% vs 24.3% at 5 years; P = .014).

CONCLUSIONS:

Despite more adverse clinical features, myxofibrosarcoma recurred distantly less often than leiomyosarcoma, whereas the LR rates were comparable between the 2 groups, suggesting that adjuvant radiation therapy is effective in myxofibrosarcoma. Myxofibrosarcoma LRs more commonly occurred out of field. Reduction in radiation field margins may not be advisable in patients with myxofibrosarcoma. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Bleeding in the patient with a malignancy
Authors: Escobar Miguel A.
Published: June 2011

Many different factors can account for hemorrhagic complications in patients with malignancies. Potential etiologies include disease‐ or treatment‐related impairment of bone marrow function, or trauma to highly friable and vascularized malignant tissues. Immune impairment may also occur in solid or hematologic malignancies, leading to spontaneous formation of inhibitory antibodies against coagulation factor VIII (FVIII). Because hemorrhage due to acquired FVIII inhibitors will not respond to conventional treatment algorithms for bleeding, failure to promptly recognize and diagnose this condition may result in undue morbidity and mortality. The persistence of FVIII autoantibodies in the patient with cancer may further complicate necessary invasive diagnostic or therapeutic procedures in the short term and lead to lethal bleeding in the long term. Oncologists must therefore maintain a high index of suspicion for this diagnosis as 1 of many potential causes of bleeding in patients with a malignancy. Cancer 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Axillary lymph node failure in patients treated with accelerated partial breast irradiation
Authors: Dekhne Nayana , Shah Chirag , Wilkinson J. Ben , Mitchell Christina , Chen Peter , Margolis Jeffrey , Vicini Frank
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

Data on the risk of axillary failure (AF) after accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) are limited. In this study, the authors determined the rate of AF and regional lymph node failure (RNF) in patients who received various forms of APBI and identified factors that were associated with its occurrence.

METHODS:

In total, 534 patients with early stage breast cancer were treated at William Beaumont Hospital with APBI, including 466 patients (87%) with invasive breast cancer and 68 patients (13%) with ductal carcinoma in situ. Clinical variables (patient age, tumor location), pathologic variables (tumor size, grade, estrogen receptor status, margin status, lymph node status), and treatment‐related variables (receipt of hormone and systemic chemotherapy) were analyzed to determine which factors were associated with AF and RNF. The median length of follow‐up was 63 months (range, 1‐201 months).

RESULTS:

The 5‐year actuarial AF rate was 0.19%. Three patients (0.56%) developed RNF (all patients initially had invasive breast cancer) with a 5‐year actuarial rate of 0.37%. Two of the regional recurrences were in the supraclavicular fossa, and 1 was in the axilla. No variables were associated with AF. However, patient numbers were very small. The median survival after RNF was 0.8 years (range, 0.3‐1.7 years), and 2 of the 3 patients died of disease.

CONCLUSIONS:

The rate of AF and RNF after APBI was low and appeared to be similar to the rate observed with whole‐breast irradiation. No variables were associated with a higher rate of AF after APBI. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Profiling of Epstein‐Barr virus‐encoded microRNAs in nasopharyngeal carcinoma reveals potential biomarkers and oncomirs
Authors: Wong Alissa Michelle Go , Kong Kar Lok , Tsang Janice Wing Hang , Kwong Dora Lai Wan , Guan Xin‐Yuan
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) microRNAs are abundant in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) tumors. With recent advances in serum microRNA detection, the distinct presence of EBV microRNAs in serum could aid in screening endemic regions for NPC. A proposed network of genes targeted by these microRNAs could also shed light on EBV‐associated tumorigenesis.

METHODS:

MicroRNA microarray profiling of 5 paired NPC biopsies was followed by validation of 12 up‐regulated EBV microRNAs (BART1‐3p, 2‐5p, 5, 6‐5p, 6‐3p, 7, 8, 9, 14, 17‐5p, 18‐5p, 19‐3p) in 15 additional cases by real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Tumor (cellular) and serum microRNA copy numbers from the same 15 patients were correlated. Expression of the same microRNAs were also examined in EBV‐positive cell lines C666 and NP460hTERT+EBV. Bioinformatic tools helped predict cellular target genes, which were later confirmed by gene expression analysis.

RESULTS:

The authors' high‐throughput approach shows that EBV microRNAs are generally more up‐regulated than microRNAs of human origin. Twenty‐nine of 39 EBV microRNAs were significantly up‐regulated in tumor versus their nontumor biopsies (P < .05). Upon successfully validating 12 selected EBV microRNAs in 15 additional paired NPC cases, the authors found that their distinct presence in the serum of NPC patients positively correlated with cellular copy numbers of EBV microRNAs. Further investigation of potential EBV microRNA target genes revealed inhibition of tumor suppressor genes (eg, PTEN) and extensive deregulation of several pathways frequently involved in NPC (eg, Wnt signaling).

CONCLUSIONS:

Increasing knowledge of host‐virus interaction via microRNAs may provide feasible explanations underlying NPC tumorigenesis along with the development of biomarkers for screening high‐risk populations. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Comparison of clinical schemas and morphologic features in predicting Lynch syndrome in mutation‐positive patients with endometrial cancer encountered in the context of familial gastrointestinal cancer registries
Authors: Ryan Paul , Mulligan Anna Marie , Aronson Melyssa , Ferguson Sarah E. , Bapat Bharati , Semotiuk Kara , Holter Spring , Kwon Janice , Kalloger Steve E. , Gilks C. Blake , Gallinger Steven , Pollett Aaron , Clarke Blaise A.
Published: June 2011

BACKGROUND:

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common extraintestinal malignancy in Lynch syndrome (LS) and often is the sentinel malignancy, yet there is no consensus regarding LS‐EC detection algorithms. In this study, the authors determined the efficacy of family/personal history and tumor morphology in predicting LS in a cohort of patients with EC who had mutation‐proven LS.

METHODS:

Amsterdam II (AmII) criteria, revised Bethesda guidelines (rBG), and Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) clinical screening criteria were applied to the pedigrees of 76 patients with mutation‐proven LS who had pathology‐proven EC. When tumors were tested for microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotype status or mismatch‐repair protein‐immunohistochemical (MMR‐IHC) expression, those results also were reviewed, and LS‐associated histopathologic features were documented in 38 available patients.

RESULTS:

Of 76 patients, 36%, 58%, 71%, and 93% would have been selected for further testing for LS by pedigree screening at the time of EC diagnosis with rBG, AmII, SGO 20%‐to‐25%, and SGO 5%‐to‐10% criteria, respectively. Ninety percent (18 of 20 tumors) of tested ECs had high MSI, and 96% (22 of 23 tumors) had abnormal MMR‐IHC expression. At least 1 LS‐EC morphologic feature was present in 16 of 38 tumors (42%).

CONCLUSIONS:

Clinical screening criteria had variable efficacy for the identification of LS‐associated EC, and SGO 5%‐to‐10% criteria performed best. Characteristic pathologic features were present in a minority of patients. Although a high proportion of LS‐ECs had the MSI phenotype and were MMR deficient, the specificity of these tests and of clinical screening for LS in unselected patients with EC has been poorly described. Prospective studies to determine the optimal combination of these screening modalities are required. Cancer 2012;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Testing for human papillomavirus in cervical cancer screening
Authors: Nishino Ha Thanh , Tambouret Rosemary H. , Wilbur David C.
Published: June 2011

High‐risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV) testing has become an integral component of cervical cancer screening, given that persistent infection with hrHPV was recognized as a significant risk factor for most precancers and cancers of the cervix. Particularly, testing for hrHPV types (in conjunction with cervical cytology) has been approved for primary screening in women over 30 years of age and for cost‐effective triaging of equivocal cervical cytology results. HPV was a small double‐stranded DNA virus that cannot be cultured in vitro; so, different types of tests have been developed to detect its presence. Various molecular techniques were available for detecting the presence and/or quantity of hrHPV. In this review, the testing options for hrHPV and its surrogates, with an emphasis on those approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), were detailed. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Maximizing the yield of lymph node cytology
Authors: da Cunha Santos Gilda , Boerner Scott L. , Geddie William R.
Published: June 2011

The evaluation of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes for tissue diagnosis and staging of lung cancer is now commonly performed by minimally invasive, nonsurgical procedures such as computed tomography‐guided fine‐needle aspiration and endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial needle aspiration. Ensuring that a sufficient quantity of cellular material has been acquired to enable multiple studies has become a priority issue in the era of personalized medicine, especially for patients with lung cancer, and this can be accomplished by rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE). This commentary focuses on the use of ROSE in guided procedures, especially for hilar and mediastinal lymph node aspirates, and describes an algorithm for handling these specimens. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2011;. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
Timing of Sonic hedgehog and Gli1 expression segregates midbrain dopamine neurons
Authors: Hayes Lindsay , Zhang Zhiwei , Albert Paul , Zervas Mark , Ahn Sohyun
Published: June 2011

The ventral midbrain (vMb) is organized into distinct anatomical domains and contains cohorts of functionally distinct subtypes of midbrain dopamine (mDA) neurons. We tested the hypothesis that genetic history and timing of gene expression within mDA neuron progenitors impart spatial diversity. Using genetic inducible fate mapping to mark the Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and Gli1 lineages at varying embryonic stages, we performed a quantitative and qualitative comparison of the two lineages' contribution to the mDA neuron domains. Dynamic changes in Shh and Gli1 expression in the vMb primordia delineated their spatial contribution to the embryonic day 12.5 vMb: Both lineages first contributed to the medial domain, but subsequently the Gli1 lineage exclusively contributed to the lateral vMb while the Shh lineage expanded more broadly across the vMb. The contribution of both lineages to the differentiated mDA neuron domain was initially biased anteriorly and became more uniform across the anterior/posterior vMb throughout development. Our findings demonstrate that the early Shh and Gli1 lineages specify mDA neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta while the late Shh and Gli1 lineages maintain their progenitor state longer in the posterior vMb to extend the production of mDA neurons in the ventral tegmental area. Together, our study demonstrates that the timing of gene expression along with the genetic lineage (Shh or Gli1) within the neural progenitors segregate mDA neurons into distinct spatial domains. J. Comp. Neurol. 519:3001–3018, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electronic Properties of Interfaces between PCPDTBT and Prototypical Electrodes Studied by Photoemission Spectroscopy
Authors: Aygül Umut , Peisert Heiko , Frisch Johannes , Vollmer Antje , Koch Norbert , Chassé Thomas
Published: June 2011

We report on the electronic structure of poly[2,6‐(4,4‐bis‐ (2‐ethylhexyl)‐4H‐cyclopenta[2,1‐b;3,4‐b′]dithiophene)‐alt‐4,7(2,1,3‐benzothiadiazole)] (PCPDTBT), a promising low‐band‐gap donor material for efficient bulk heterojunction organic solar cells. Electronic properties of interfaces formed between PCPDTBT and prototypical electrodes [Au, indium‐tin‐oxide and poly(ethylene‐dioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate)], obtained from X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy, are evaluated. The formation of interface dipoles is observed, and their consequences for device performance are discussed. For the system PCPDTBT/Au chemical interactions occur, which may affect in particular the charge extraction at the corresponding interface.
Femtosecond Decay Dynamics of Intact Adenine and Thymine Base Pairs in a Supersonic Jet
Authors: Kim Nam Joon , Chang Jinyoung , Kim Hyung Min , Kang Hyuk , Ahn Tae Kyu , Heo Jiyoung , Kim Seong Keun
Published: June 2011

We investigated the decay dynamics of the DNA base pairs adenine–adenine (A2), adenine–thymine (AT), and thymine–thymine (T2) produced in a supersonic jet by femtosecond (fs) time‐resolved photoionization spectroscopy. The base pair was excited by a fs pump pulse at 267 nm and the population change of its excited state was monitored by non‐resonant three‐photon ionization using a fs probe pulse at 800 nm after a certain time delay. All of the transients recorded in the mass channel of the parent ion exhibited a tri‐exponential decay, with time constants ranging from 100 fs to longer than 100 ps. Most of these time constants coincide well with the previous values deduced indirectly from the transients of protonated adenine (AH+) and thymine (TH+), which were assumed to be produced by fragmentation of the base‐pair ions. Notably, for the transient of T2, we observed a new decay component with a time constant of 2.3 ps, which was absent in the transient of TH+. We suggest that the new decay component arises from the decay of stacked T2 dimers that are mostly ionized to T2+, whereas the decay signal recorded in the mass channel of TH+ is merely from the relaxation of hydrogen‐bonded T2 dimers. From the amplitude of the new decay component, the population of the stacked T2 dimers relative to the hydrogen‐bonded dimers was estimated to be ∼2 % in the supersonic jet, which is about fifteen times higher than the theoretical value.
A Pilot Investigation of Emotion‐Focused Two‐Chair Dialogue Intervention for Self‐Criticism
Authors: Shahar Ben , Carlin Erica R. , Engle David E. , Hegde Jayanta , Szepsenwol Ohad , Arkowitz Hal
Published: June 2011

Self‐criticism plays a key role in many psychological disorders and predicts poor outcome in psychotherapy. Yet, psychotherapy research directly targeting self‐critical processes is limited. In this pilot study, we examined the efficacy of an emotion‐focused intervention, the two‐chair dialogue task, on self‐criticism, self‐compassion and the ability to self‐reassure in times of stress, as well as on depressive and anxiety symptoms among nine self‐critical clients. Results showed that the intervention was associated with significant increases in self‐compassion and self‐reassuring, and significant reductions in self‐criticism, depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms. Effect sizes were medium to large, with most clients exhibiting low and non‐clinical levels of symptomatology at the end of therapy, and maintaining gains over a 6‐month follow‐up period. Although preliminary, these finding suggest that emotion‐focused chair work might be a promising intervention addressing self‐criticism. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Key Practitioner Message

Self‐criticism is an important process in a variety of clinical disorders and predicts poor outcome in brief therapy for depression. Yet, little is known about how self‐criticism can be effectively addressed in psychological treatment.

Practitioners can benefit from increasing their awareness of self‐critical processes in their clinical work, and from directly working with emotions in addressing self‐criticisim.

Emotion‐focused two‐chair dialogue intervention can be effective in reducing self‐criticism, increasing self‐compassion, and decreasing depressive and anxiety symptoms, and these improvements are largely maintained six months after therapy.
Micro‐contact printing of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) as a tool to improve orientation and ordering of the P3HT layer
Authors: Scavia G. , Porzio W. , Destri S.
Published: June 2011

The effect of the stamp stretching during micro‐contact printing (μCP) onto the corresponding printed poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) layer has been analysed both from morphological (AFM) and structural (XRD) points of view. Results show an orienting effect of the stretching towards the P3HT ultimate morphological units (i.e. fibrils) along with the stretching direction. Other μCP parameters leading to an overall P3HT crystallinity improvement such as μCP mechanical pressure extent, substrate polarity, and post‐annealing treatments are shown. Finally, preliminary results of μCP of double polymer layers (DL) of P3HT/PCBM, used as active layer in organic photovoltaic cells, are presented. μCP guarantees that each layer within the DL essentially maintains the morphological and structural features typical of the corresponding starting layer. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Ba2.2Ca0.8Mg4F14, a new “solid solution stabilized” matrix for an intense blue phosphor
Authors: Kubel F. , Pantazi M. , Hagemann H.
Published: June 2011

Barium calcium magnesium fluoride (Ba2(BaxCa1‐x)Mg4F14, x=0.19‐0.26) has been synthesized at 850 °C from precursors prepared by the solution precipitation method. Single crystals with composition of Ba2.200(2)Ca0.800(2)Mg4F14were obtained after prolonged heating. Lattice parameters from single crystal data are a = 12.4203(8) and c = 7.4365(5) Å [tetragonal, space group P42/mnm (No. 136)]. They increase with increasing barium concentration within a given stability window. The structure is built of a network of MgF6 octahedra forming a pyrochlore related channel system and isolated fluorine ions. Within the channels, heavy alkaline earth ions are located. The wide channel is filled with off‐center positioned barium ions. The channel with a narrow cross section hosts both ions, Ca2+and Ba2+. The structure is isotypic with Pb3Nb4O12F2 but has a different coordination around Ba/Ca and Pb, respectively. Doped with ∼1% Eu(II), the compound shows intense blue luminescence under UV activation. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Characterization and optical properties of ZnS nanorods branched out from ZnS film on Zn foil
Authors: Zhang Xinhua , Chen Yiqing , Guo Taibo , Liu Lizhu
Published: June 2011

Complex nanomaterial‐film‐metal substrate architectures, which are composed of ZnS nanorods, island‐like ZnS film and Zn foil, have been formed via a simple vapor deposition route. The growth of the complex nanostructures is initiated by the preferred formation of ZnS film, and ZnS nanorods branches out from ZnS film flows a liquid‐phase epitaxial growth mode. The ZnS nanorod is switched to an angle, which may be attributed to the sudden change of vapor pressure and temperature reduction by the end of vapor deposition process. The room‐temperature photoluminescence spectrum shows that complex ZnS nanostructures have a strong blue emission band centered at about 423 nm and a weak broad green emission band centered at about 515 nm. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The effect of oxidation temperature on the nano crystalline structure of ZrO2 films deposited on silicon and glass substrates
Authors: Larijani M. M. , Najafi D. , Eshghabadi M.
Published: June 2011

Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) films have been prepared by using ex situ thermal oxidation of sputtered Zr films on glass and silicon substrates. XRD patterns show that a highly monoclinic (111) preferential orientation of ZrO2 phase can be formed with increasing the oxidation temperature. According to XRD patterns in all thermal oxidized samples silicon oxide phase is present as interfacial layer at the Zr (ZrO2) / Si (glass) interface. In the case of silicon substrates, crystallite sizes obtained from ZrO2 peak with higher intensity reveal an increase with substrate temperature. AFM measurement shows on the whole a decrease of average surface roughness with oxidation temperature. The electrical property of the prepared films is investigated by means of four point probe measurement. An abrupt increase of sheet resistivity occurs when the crystallinity of ZrO2 phase enhances at higher temperature. (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Glycerol Hydrogenolysis Promoted by Supported Palladium Catalysts
Authors: Musolino Maria Grazia , Scarpino Luciano Antonio , Mauriello Francesco , Pietropaolo Rosario
Published: June 2011

Catalytic hydrogenolysis, with high conversion and selectivity, promoted by supported palladium substrates in isopropanol and dioxane at a low H2 pressure (0.5 MPa), is reported for the first time. The catalysts, characterized by using BET isotherms, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), temperature‐programmed reduction (TPR), powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), were obtained by coprecipitation and impregnation techniques. The coprecipitation method allows catalysts with a metal–metal or a metal–support interaction to be obtained, which enhances the catalytic performance for both the conversion of glycerol and the selectivity to 1,2‐propanediol. Analogous reactions carried out with catalysts prepared by using impregnation are less efficient. A study of the solvent and temperature effect is also presented. The obtained results allow the hydrogenolysis mechanism to be inferred; this involves both the direct replacement of the carbon‐bonded OH group by an incoming hydrogen or the formation of hydroxyacetone as an intermediate, which subsequently undergoes a hydrogenation process to give 1,2‐propanediol. Finally, catalytic tests on a large‐scale reaction at a higher H2 pressure and recycling of the samples were carried out with the better performing catalysts (Pd/CoO and Pd/Fe2O3 prepared by using coprecipitation) to verify possible industrial achievements.
Ionic Liquid Catalysed Synthesis of β‐Hydroxy Ketones
Authors: Karmee Sanjib Kumar , Hanefeld Ulf
Published: June 2011

Different acidic ionic liquids (ILs; namely, 1‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1‐methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone hydrogen sulfate, N,N,N‐trioctyl‐n‐butanesulfonic acid ammonium hydrogen sulfate, 1‐methyl‐3‐(3‐sulfobutyl)imidazolium hydrogen sulfate) and basic ILs (namely, 1,1,3,3‐tetramethylguanidinium lactate and choline hydroxide) were tested as catalysts for the aldol reaction. The choline hydroxide catalysed reaction gave high yield (94.3 %) and selectivity of the 4‐hydroxy‐4‐phenylbutan‐2‐one after a short reaction time (15 min) at 0 °C. This article demonstrates the potential of choline hydroxide, which is a derivative of choline and a naturally occurring water‐soluble essential nutrient, as a highly active and selective green catalyst.
CD133 positive progenitor endothelial cell lines from human cord blood
Authors: Paprocka Maria , Krawczenko Agnieszka , Dus Danuta , Kantor Aneta , Carreau Aude , Grillon Catherine , Kieda Claudine
Published: June 2011

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) modulate postnatal vascularization and contribute to vessel regeneration in adults. Stem cells and progenitor cells were found in umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, and mobilized peripheral blood cells, from where they were isolated and cultured. However, the yield of progenitor cells is usually not sufficient for clinical application and the quality of progenitor cells varies. The aim of the study was the immortalization of early progenitor cells with high proliferative potential, capable to differentiate to EPCs and, further, toward endothelial cells. Two cell lines, namely HEPC‐CB.1 and HEPC‐CB.2 (human endothelial progenitor cells—cord blood) were isolated. As assessed by specific antibody labeling and flow cytometric analysis, they express a panel of stem cell markers: CD133, CD13, CD271, CD90 and also endothelial cell markers: CD202b, CD309 (VEGFR2), CD146, CD105, and CD143 but they do not present markers of finally differentiated endothelial cells: CD31, vWf, nor CD45 which is a specific hematopoietic cell marker. Using the multiplex Cytometric Bead Assay, the simultaneous production of proangiogenic cytokines IL8, angiogenin, and VEGF was demonstrated in normoxia and was shown to be increased by hypoxia. Both cell lines, similarly as mature endothelial cells, underwent in vitro pre‐angiogenic process, formed pseudovessel structures and present an accelerated angiogenesis in hypoxic conditions. To date, these are the first CD133 positive established cell lines from human cord blood cells. © 2011 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Fine‐needle aspiration diagnosis of metastatic intestinal‐type sinonasal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Singh Charanjeet , Jessurun Jose , Gulbahce H. Evin , Pambuccian Stefan E.
Published: June 2011

Fine‐needle aspiration biopsy is a reliable and accurate method for the diagnosis of nodal metastases of head and neck cancers. We report the cytopathologic findings of a case of metastatic sinonasal intestinal type adenocarcinoma (ITAC) in a 58‐year‐old man who presented with enlarged cervical lymph nodes on a follow‐up imaging study, 5 months after resection of a sinonasal ITAC. Ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration of the station 2B lymph node yielded moderately cellular smears with abundant background mucin pools, numerous naked, atypical nuclei, and rare cells with signet ring cell morphology. Rare mitoses, apoptotic bodies, and necrotic debris were also present. Occasional clusters of signet ring cells were also seen in the cell block sections. Immunoperoxidase stains showed these cells to be positive for CK20 and villin. The differential diagnosis included a metastatic signet ring cell adenocarcinoma from the gastrointestinal tract and a metastatic sinonasal ITAC. Review of the previously resected sinonasal ITAC revealed a similar morphology with signet ring cells and abundant extracellular mucin production; the immunostaining results were also similar to those obtained on previously resected sinonasal ITAC. This case emphasizes the importance of considering primary head and neck tumors with intestinal phenotype and immunophenotype in the differential diagnoses of cervical lymph node metastases with signet ring cell morphology. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc