bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distribution of doublecortin expressing cells near the lateral ventricles in the adult mouse brain
Authors: Yang Helen K.C. , Sundholm‐Peters Nikki L. , Goings Gwendolyn E. , Walker Avery S. , Hyland Kenneth , Szele Francis G.
Published: April 2004

Doublecortin (Dcx) is a microtubule‐associated protein expressed by migrating neuroblasts in the embryo and in the adult subventricular zone (SVZ). The adult SVZ contains neuroblasts that migrate in the rostral migratory stream (RMS) to the olfactory bulbs. We have examined the distribution and phenotype of Dcx‐positive cells in the adult mouse SVZ and surrounding regions. Chains of Dcx‐positive cells in the SVZ were distributed in a tight dorsal population contiguous with the RMS, with a separate ventral population comprised of discontinuous chains. Unexpectedly, Dcx‐positive cells were also found outside of the SVZ: dorsally in the corpus callosum, and ventrally in the nucleus accumbens, ventromedial striatum, ventrolateral septum, and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. Dcx‐positive cells outside the SVZ had the morphology of migrating cells, occurred as individual cells or in chain‐like clusters, and were more numerous anteriorly. Of the Dcx‐positive cells found outside of the SVZ, 47% expressed the immature neuronal protein class III β‐tubulin, 8% expressed NeuN, a marker of mature neurons. Dcx‐positive cells did not express molecules found in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, or microglia. Structural and immunoelectron microscopy revealed that cells with the ultrastructural features of neuroblasts in the SVZ were Dcx+, and that clusters of neuroblasts emanated ventrally from the SVZ into the parenchyma. Our results suggest that the distribution of cells comprising the walls of the lateral ventricle are more heterogeneous than was thought previously, that SVZ cells may migrate dorsally and ventrally away from the SVZ, and that some emigrated cells express a neuronal phenotype. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exercise induces BDNF and synapsin I to specific hippocampal subfields
Authors: Vaynman Shoshanna , Ying Zhe , Gómez‐Pinilla Fernando
Published: April 2004

To assess the relationship between brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synapsin I in the hippocampus during exercise, we employed a novel microsphere injection method to block the action of BDNF through its tyrosine kinase (Trk) receptor and subsequently measure the mRNA levels of synapsin I, using real‐time TaqMan RT‐PCR for RNA quantification. After establishing a causal link between BDNF and exercise‐induced synapsin I mRNA levels, we studied the exercise‐induced distribution of BDNF and synapsin I in the rodent hippocampus. Quantitative immunohistochemical analysis revealed increases of BDNF and synapsin I in CA3 stratum lucidum and dentate gyrus, and synapsin I alone in CA1 stratum radiatum and stratum laconosum moleculare. These results indicate that exercise induces plasticity of select hippocampal transsynaptic circuitry, possibly comprising a spatial restriction on synapsin I regulation by BDNF. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Calcium modulates dopamine potentiation of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate Responses: Electrophysiological and imaging evidence
Authors: Liu J.C. , DeFazio R.A. , Espinosa‐Jeffrey A. , Cepeda C. , de Vellis J. , Levine M.S.
Published: April 2004

In the striatum, dopamine (DA) exerts a major modulatory influence on voltage‐ and ligand‐gated currents. Previously we have shown that DA modulates glutamatergic neurotransmission and that the direction of this modulation depends on, among other factors, the glutamate and DA receptor subtypes activated. These effects also involve DA‐induced alterations in voltage‐gated Ca2+ currents. In the present experiments, the effects of Ca2+ channel blockers on DA and D1 receptor‐dependent potentiation of N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) responses were examined in vitro in striatal slices using current clamp recording techniques. DA or D1 receptor agonists consistently enhanced NMDA responses. Cadmium and the more selective L‐type Ca2+ channel antagonists nifedipine and methoxyverapamil reduced the potentiation of NMDA responses by DA or D1 receptor activation. Furthermore, studies using Ca2+ imaging with Fluo‐3 in cultured cortical or dissociated striatal neurons demonstrated that DA and D1 agonists increased intracellular Ca2+ transients induced by NMDA. These as well as previous findings indicate that in striatal neurons at least two mechanisms contribute to the enhancement of NMDA responses by DA receptor activation, facilitation of voltage‐gated Ca2+ currents and D1 receptor activation of the cAMP‐protein kinase A cascade. The existence of multiple mechanisms leading to a similar outcome allows a certain degree of redundancy in the consequences of DA modulation. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Co‐clustering of galactosylceramide and membrane proteins in oligodendrocyte membranes on interaction with polyvalent carbohydrate and prevention by an intact cytoskeleton
Authors: Boggs Joan M. , Wang Huimin
Published: April 2004

We have shown previously that addition of liposomes containing the two major glycosphingolipids of myelin, galactosylceramide (GalC) and cerebroside sulfate (CBS), to cultured oligodendrocytes (OLs) caused clustering of GalC on the extracellular surface and myelin basic protein (MBP) on the cytosolic surface to the same membrane domains. It also caused depolymerization of actin microfilaments and microtubules, indicating that interaction of the liposomes with the OL surface induces transmembrane signal transmission. We show that a multivalent form of galactose conjugated to bovine serum albumin has a similar effect as the multivalent GalC/CBS‐containing liposomes. Because GalC and CBS can interact with each other across apposed membranes and because anti‐GalC and anti‐CBS antibodies also cause redistribution of GalC/CBS and depolymerization of microtubules, we believe that the multivalent carbohydrate interacts with GalC and CBS in the OL membrane. Several myelin‐specific transmembrane proteins could be involved in this transmembrane signal transmission from GalC/CBS. We looked at co‐clustering of several myelin constituents by confocal microscopy to determine if they are located in or redistribute to GalC/MBP‐containing domains. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), proteolipid protein (PLP), MAPK, and some phosphotyrosine‐containing proteins were found to co‐cluster with GalC and MBP, but myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG) and phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐bisphosphate (PIP2) did not. These results suggest that MOG and PLP, but probably not MAG, are possible candidates for transmembrane transmission of the signal received by GalC/CBS. To determine if depolymerization of actin microfilaments was required for co‐clustering, or was secondary to clustering, we stabilized F‐actin with jasplakinolide. This also prevented depolymerization of the microtubules and prevented clustering of all constituents, including GalC. The prevention of clustering or redistribution of these glycolipids and proteins by an intact cytoskeleton is consistent with the picket fence model. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Study of wall‐painting pigments from Feng Hui Tomb by Raman spectroscopy and high‐resolution electron microscopy
Authors: Wang Xiaoqi , Wang Changsui , Yang Jinglong , Chen Lin , Feng Jian , Shi Mili
Published: April 2004

The structures and components of different pigments from the Feng Hui tomb situated in Bin County, Shaanxi Province, dated in the Five Dynasties (907–960 AD), were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy and high‐resolution electron microscopy (HREM). It is shown that the red, yellow and black samples are cinnabar, PbSO4–PbO and carbon black, respectively, and well preserved, which provide scientific data for later conservation. Moreover, the results indicate that HREM and Raman analysis are very effective for identifying ancient inorganic pigments at low concentrations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resonance Raman spectroscopic study of bis‐azo pigments
Authors: Dines Trevor J. , Onoh Henrietta
Published: April 2004

The IR, resonance Raman (RR) and electronic spectra of two bis‐azo pigments, Pigment Yellow 13 and Pigment Orange 34 were interpreted in terms of hydrogen‐bonded hydrazo structures. Assignments of the vibrational and electronic spectra were facilitated by ab initio calculations at the B3‐LYP/DZ level. A qualitative assessment of relative RR band intensities, in conjunction with band assignments, revealed the geometric changes which occur upon electronic excitation. These are in accordance with the nature of the electronic transitions predicted by time‐dependent B3‐LYP/DZ calculations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temperature‐dependent Raman and infrared spectra of nucleosides. IV—Deoxyadenosine
Authors: Lee S. A. , Schwenker M. , Anderson A. , Lettress L.
Published: April 2004

Raman and infrared spectra from 20 to 4000 cm−1 were recorded for crystalline deoxyadenosine samples at 300, 200, 100 and 10 K. The wavenumbers of most vibrational modes were found to increase as the temperature was lowered. No clear indication was found of any structural phase transitions in this temperature range. These data were compared with those from a previous Raman and infrared study of adenosine. New marker bands sensitive to the conformational identity of the ribose sugar ring are reported. Plausible assignments of all main spectral bands are suggested by comparison with assignments reported in the literature. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Theoretical treatment of the resonant hyper-Raman effect in a CdS crystal
Authors: Semenova L E , Prokhorov K A
Published: April 2004

A theoretical analysis for the resonant hyper-Raman
scattering (RHRS) of light in a CdS crystal is presented. The
different scattering mechanisms are considered and the cross
section of the RHRS by LO phonons are calculated as a function of
incident frequency.
Effect of low‐power He–Ne laser irradiation on rabbit articular chondrocytes in vitro
Authors: Jia Ya‐Li , Guo Zhou‐Yi
Published: April 2004

Background and Objectives

In the orthopaedic field, the repair of articular cartilage is still a difficult problem, because of the physiological characters of cartilaginous tissues and chondrocytes. To find an effective method of stimulating their regeneration, this in vitro study focuses on the biostimulation of rabbit articular chondrocytes by low‐power He–Ne laser.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

The articular chondrocytes isolated from the cartilage of the medial condyle of the femur of the rabbit were incubated in DMEM/HamF12 medium. The second passage culture were spread on 24 petri dishes and were irradiated with laser at power output of 2–12 mW for 6.5 minutes, corresponding to the energy density of 1–6 J/cm2. Laser treatment was performed three times at a 24‐hour interval. After lasering, incubation was continued for 24 hours. Non‐irradiated cells were kept under the same conditions as the irradiated ones. The cell proliferation activity was evaluated with a XTT colorimetric method and the cell secretion activity was analyzed by metachromasia and immunocytochemistry.

Results

Irradiation of 4–6 J/cm2 increased the cell numbers and revealed a considerably higher cell proliferation activity comparing to control cultures. Thereinto, the energy density of 4 and 5 J/cm2 remarkably increased cell growth, with positive effect on synthesis and secretion of extracellular matrix.

Conclusions

The present study showed that a particular laser irradiation stimulates articular chondrocytes proliferation and secretion. These findings might be clinically relevant, indicating that low‐power laser irradiation treatment is likely to achieve the repair of articular cartilage in clinic. Lasers Surg. Med. 34:323–328, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative and qualitative changes of the seminiferous epithelium induced by Ga. Al. As. (830 nm) laser radiation
Authors: Taha Masoumeh Fakhr , Valojerdi Mojtaba Rezazadeh
Published: April 2004

Background and Objectives

Low level laser radiation stimulates both nucleic acid synthesis and cellular proliferation in E. coli, Hela tumor cells, fibroblasts, lymphocytes, and thyroid cells. It has been introduced as a therapeutic modality; nevertheless few studies have been carried out to determine the effects of laser radiation on the testes or spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the quantitative and qualitative changes of the seminiferous epithelium after Ga. Al. As. (830 nm) laser radiation.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

The left testes of Sprague–Dawley rats were daily exposed to laser light for 15 days; so the cumulative doses used 28.05 and 46.80 J/cm2 in two experimental groups. Sampling carried out 24 hours after the last treatment and samples were processed for LM and TEM study.

Results

The number of germ cells specially the pachytene spermatocytes and elongated spermatids increased after 28.05 J/cm2 laser radiation. Ultrasturctural features of germ and Sertoli cells in this group were similar to that of control; while laser irradiation at 46.80 J/cm2 had a destructive effect on the seminiferous epithelium such as dissociation of immature spermatids and evident ultrastructural changes in them.

Conclusions

The findings confirmed the existence of a biostimulatory threshold of applied laser energy and the importance of determining it for clinical applications. Moreover, it was revealed that low doses of laser light have a biostimulatory effect on the spermatogenesis and may provide benefits to the patients with oligospermia and azoospermia. Lasers Surg. Med. 34:352–359, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new mathematical approach to the diffusion approximation theory for selective photothermolysis modeling and its implication in laser treatment of port‐wine stains
Authors: Shafirstein Gal , Bäumler Wolfgang , Lapidoth Moshe , Ferguson Scott , North Paula E. , Waner Milton
Published: April 2004

Background and Objectives

Monte Carlo (MC) simulations of light–tissue interactions and analytical solutions for the diffusion approximation theory have been used to determine the optimal laser wavelength and radiant exposure to treat port‐wine stains (PWS). Both approaches suggest that optimal parameters are a wavelength of 585 or 595‐nm with pulse times of 0.45–20 milliseconds. However, which parameters are optimal is still unclear. As differences in vessel size and in temperature distribution within vessels appeared to be the main reasons for the varied responses to the same laser treatments, we sought to develop a solution to the diffusion approximation in order to calculate temperature distribution and the resulting coagulation pattern within specific blood vessels.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

The light and heat diffusion equations were simultaneously solved with the finite element method (FEM). The latent heat of evaporation was included in the thermal analysis. The temperature and coagulation patterns across specific blood vessels, within a heterogeneous medium, were calculated for laser wavelengths of 585 and 595‐nm with clinical parameters.

Results

At 1.2 mm deep, the calculations predicted that vessels ranging from 50 to 100 μm in diameter would be coagulated from top to bottom, small vessels (10 μm) would be spared, and vessels larger than 150 μm would be partially coagulated. Coagulation across vessels was more uniform for the 595‐nm than for the 585‐nm wavelength. Maximal temperatures did not exceed 100°C because of the inclusion of latent heat in the thermal calculations.

Conclusions

To study laser treatments of PWS with the diffusion approximation, FEM is an effective method to calculate the coagulation patterns within specific blood vessels. To improve coagulation efficacy at 585 and 595‐nm wavelengths, the radiant exposure should be increased without increasing the irradiance. Lasers Surg. Med. 34:335–347, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crack Patterns in Thin Polymer Layers
Authors: Weh Lothar , Venthur Astrid
Published: April 2004

Summary: During the solidification of thin polymer layers different crack patterns can occur. There are several mechanisms of the development of regular crack defects and layer fractures. In case of self‐organization caused by Marangoni instability at the fluid layer surface the substrate can be periodically uncovered by spreading motions when dewetting hinders a back flow from the higher spots of the layer. Another type of crack patterns is generated from shrinkage processes and stress differences in the drying layer. Mostly these patterns are characterized by intersecting straight cracks. In this paper some examples of unusual shrinkage‐crack patterns in polymer layers are presented. Their propagation is independent on surface flow and surface deformations caused by the Marangoni effect, although the strength of polymer layers is impaired by the interfacial instability. Especially at layer edges or spots with thickness differences one can observe periodic wavy or circularly bend shrinkage‐crack structures. As a third type ramified surface defects are studied in thin layers. Often they only propagate at the layer surface.

Wavy shrinkage‐cracks in a PMMA layer with longish surface elevations.

image

Wavy shrinkage‐cracks in a PMMA layer with longish surface elevations.
Proteins as biomarkers of oxidative/nitrosative stress in diseases: The contribution of redox proteomics
Authors: Dalle‐Donne Isabella , Scaloni Andrea , Giustarini Daniela , Cavarra Eleonora , Tell Gianluca , Lungarella Giuseppe , Colombo Roberto , Rossi Ranieri , Milzani Aldo
Published: April 2004

I.Introduction00 II.Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species00 III.Biological Markers of Oxidative/Nitrosative Stress00 IV.Oxidative/Nitrosative Stress and Protein Modifications00A.  Oxidative/Nitrosative Modification of Protein Thiols00B.  Oxidative/Nitrosative Modification of Tyrosine00C.  Oxidative Modification of Methionine00D.  Protein Carbonylation00E.  Oxidative Modification of Histidine and Tryptophan00  V.MS Approaches for the Molecular Characterization of Oxidatively/Nitrosatively Modified Proteins00A.  Analysis of Oxidized/Nitrosated Products of Protein Thiols00B.  Analysis of Oxidized/Nitrated Products of Tyrosine Residues00C.  Analysis of Oxidized Products of Methionine Residues00D.  Analysis of Protein Carbonylation Products00E.  Analysis of Oxidized Products of Tryptophan Residues00F.  Analysis of Oxidized Products of Histidine Residues00  VI.Proteomic Strategies for the Identification of ROS/RNS Targets in Complex Protein Mixtures00 VII.Selected Human Diseases Associated with Oxidative/Nitrosative Stress00A.  Acute (Adult) Respiratory Distress Syndrome00B.  Alzheimer's Disease00C.  Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis00D.  Asthma00E.  Atherosclerosis00F.  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases00G.  Diabetes Mellitus00H.  HIV Infection00I.  Preeclampsia00J.  Rheumatoid Arthritis00K.  Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies00 VIII.Oxidatively Modified Proteins in Human Diseases00  IX.Concluding Remarks and Future Perspectives00Acknowledgments00Abbreviations00References00

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) contribute to the pathogenesis and/or progression of several human diseases. Proteins are important molecular signposts of oxidative/nitrosative damage. However, it is generally unresolved whether the presence of oxidatively/nitrosatively modified proteins has a causal role or simply reflects secondary epiphenomena. Only direct identification and characterization of the modified protein(s) in a given pathophysiological condition can decipher the potential roles played by ROS/RNS‐induced protein modifications. During the last few years, mass spectrometry (MS)‐based technologies have contributed in a significant way to foster a better understanding of disease processes. The study of oxidative/nitrosative modifications, investigated by redox proteomics, is contributing to establish a relationship between pathological hallmarks of disease and protein structural and functional abnormalities. MS‐based technologies promise a contribution in a new era of molecular medicine, especially in the discovery of diagnostic biomarkers of oxidative/nitrosative stress, enabling early detection of diseases. Indeed, identification and characterization of oxidatively/nitrosatively modified proteins in human diseases has just begun. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev
Intelligent decision system for self‐assessment
Authors: Xu Dong‐Ling , Yang Jian‐Bo
Published: April 2004

Many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the UK use the beta (Business Excellence Through Action) approach to the EFQM Excellence Model to conduct business excellence self‐assessment, which is in essence a multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) problem. This paper introduces a decision support software package called Intelligent Decision System (IDS) to implement the beta approach. It is demonstrated in the paper that the IDS‐beta package can provide not only average scores but also the following numerical results and graphical displays on:

Distributed assessment results to demonstrate the diversity of company performances

The performance range to cater for incomplete assessment information

Comparisons

between current performances and past performances,

among different companies

among different action plans.

Strengths and weaknesses

The IDS‐beta package also provides a structured knowledge base to help assessors to make judgements more objectively. The knowledge base contains guidelines provided by the developers of the beta approach, best practices gathered from research on award winning organizations, evidence collected from companies being assessed and comments provided by assessors to record the reasons why a specific criterion is assessed to a certain grade for a company. Four small UK companies, the industry partners of the research project, have carried out the preliminary self‐assessment using the package. The results and experience of the application are discussed at the end of the paper. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multicriteria approval and SMAA‐O in natural resources decision analysis with both ordinal and cardinal criteria
Authors: Kangas Jyrki , Kangas Annika
Published: April 2004

Multicriteria approval (MA) and stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis with ordinal criteria (SMAA‐O) methods have been specially developed for making use of low‐quality information in multicriteria decision support. In this study, MA and SMAA‐O are applied to forestry decision support with both ordinal and cardinal criteria. On grounds of experiences gained, conclusions are given on the practical applicability of the methods.

MA favoured an alternative that obtained mediocre rankings in SMAA‐O analysis. On the other hand, the probability of this alternative having the worst ranks was negligible. Therefore, MA suits for managing situations with severely conflicting criteria or preferences. An additional benefit of MA is that it is intuitively easy to understand. SMAA‐O, in turn, favoured several distinctive alternatives each promoting some but usually not the same criterion or a group of criteria. SMAA‐O provides many‐sided analyses on the choice problem, but it is more complicated and harder to understand. Its characteristics are best utilized in analyses involving uncertainty and both cardinal and ordinal data. In cases of very‐low‐quality information involved, as is typical in participatory processes, for instance, MA may be a good approach.

In the case planning problem, different forest plan alternatives proved to be ‘the best ones’ according to MA and SMAA‐O analyses, and the final choice was neither of them. However, after comprehensive interpretation of the results given by both methods the final choice was clear. Both methods gave valuable results and insights in the case problem, and they were complementary to each other. A conclusion is that applying them both together in the case planning process would have been recommendable. MA can serve as a tool to approach the problem in the first stage and to learn the very nature of the decision problem. After MA analyses, a sound basis is gained in the sense of both behavioural and technical aspects for more detailed and in‐depth analyses by SMAA‐O. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Increased risk of head tremor in women with essential tremor: Longitudinal data from the Rochester Epidemiology Project
Authors: Hardesty David E. , Maraganore Demetrius M. , Matsumoto Joseph Y. , Louis Elan D.
Published: April 2004

In one cross‐sectional study of a community in northern Manhattan, women with essential tremor (ET) were more likely to have head tremor than were men. In that study, patients were seen at one point in time, rather than followed longitudinally. Head tremor often develops after arm tremor, and its appearance in patients with ET may therefore be a function of duration of follow‐up. In a second epidemiological study utilizing the Rochester Epidemiology Project, in which ET subjects were followed from disease diagnosis to death, we determined whether there was an association between female gender and head tremor. We utilized the records‐linkage system of the Rochester Epidemiology Project to identify ET cases. Records were reviewed and clinical data abstracted by a neurologist specializing in movement disorders. A second neurologist reviewed a subsample of records. There were 107 ET cases (69 women, 38 men) followed for 10.1 ± 9.1 years from ET diagnosis to death. Head tremor was present in 37 (53.6%) women and 5 (13.2%) men (odds ratio [OR] = 7.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.7–21.9, P < 0.001). In a multivariate linear regression analysis, women remained at high risk for head tremor (OR = 6.5, 95% CI = 2.2–19.0, P = 0.001) independent of disease duration. We found in this longitudinal epidemiological study that women with ET were six times more likely to develop head tremor over the course of their illness than were men. The reason for the association between gender and head tremor, which has now been demonstrated in several studies, is not known, but it could reflect gender differences in the distribution of disease pathology within the brain. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Nitric oxide modulates presynaptic afferent depolarization of mechanosensory neurons
Authors: Schuppe Hansjürgen , Newland Philip L.
Published: April 2004

In crayfish, movement of the tailfan causes stimulation of exteroceptive sensory hairs located on its surface. Movement is monitored by a proprioceptor, the protopodite‐endopodite chordotonal organ within the tailfan. Proprioceptive afferents provide indirect presynaptic inhibitory inputs to sensory hair afferents in the form of primary afferent depolarizations (PADs). Bath application of nitric oxide (NO) substrates, donors and scavengers, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors had no effect on the responses of proprioceptive afferents during imposed movements of the chordotonal organ. In contrast, the amplitude of PADs in exteroceptive hair afferents was dependent on NO levels. NO levels were altered by bath‐application of the NO‐precursor L‐arginine, the NO donor SNAP, the NOS‐inhibitor L‐NAME, and the NO scavenger PTIO, while changes in PAD amplitude were measured. Application of L‐arginine or SNAP resulted in consistent decreases in PAD amplitude, whereas L‐NAME and PTIO induced increases in PAD amplitude. These results suggest that endogenous NO decreases inhibitory inputs to exteroceptive neurons, thus enhancing transmitter release at their output synapses. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 59: 331–342, 2004
Seasonal plasticity in the copulatory neuromuscular system of green anole lizards: A role for testosterone in muscle but not motoneuron morphology
Authors: Holmes Melissa M. , Wade Juli
Published: April 2004

The copulatory system of green anoles is highly sexually dimorphic. Males possess bilateral copulatory organs called hemipenes, each independently controlled by two muscles: the transversus penis (TPN) and retractor penis magnus (RPM). The TPN everts the hemipene through the cloaca and the RPM retracts it. Adult females do not possess hemipenes or either of these two muscles. The spinal nucleus projecting to the TPN and RPM contains more and larger motoneurons in males than females. Because anoles breed seasonally, two experiments were designed to test whether adult copulatory morphology varies with environmental condition, and if so, whether the effect is mediated by testicular androgens. Three groups of adult males were used in each experiment: males from breeding environmental conditions with reproductive testes (BS); males in breeding conditions with regressed testes (BS‐X); and males in nonbreeding conditions with regressed testes (NBS). Experiment 1 compared gonadally intact males and Experiment 2 compared castrated males treated with either testosterone (T) or an empty implant. In both experiments, copulatory and control motoneurons appeared smaller in NBS males, but T did not affect their size. In contrast, while hemipene and RPM muscle fiber size were not plastic across season in gonadally intact males, T in castrated males significantly increased both measures under BS and BS‐X, but not NBS, conditions. These results demonstrate that neuron soma size might change on a general level and environmental cues can mediate T‐induced changes in peripheral structures, suggesting that plasticity across copulatory system components is regulated by different mechanisms. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 60: 1–11, 2004
Markers of activity patterns in some populations of the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: al‐Oumaoui I. , Jiménez‐Brobeil S. , du Souich P.
Published: April 2004

A study was undertaken of musculoskeletal stress markers in the human remains of several ancient populations of the Iberian Peninsula. Frequencies by age group, sex, and side were recorded and compared among the different populations. Results of the study coincide with the available historical and archeological data. The differences observed among these populations are probably due to ecological and socio‐cultural factors. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase expression in human breast cancer: TIMP‐3 is associated with adjuvant endocrine therapy success
Authors: Span Paul N , Lindberg Raija LP , Manders Peggy , Tjan‐Heijnen Vivianne CG , Heuvel Joop JTM , Beex Louk VAM , Sweep CGJ (Fred)
Published: April 2004

Tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMPs) may be involved in tumour growth, apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion, and the development of metastases. This study has evaluated the association of the expression levels of the TIMP forms 1, 2, 3, and 4, measured by quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR, with classical clinicopathological characteristics, ie age, menopausal status, tumour size, histological grade, number of involved lymph nodes, and steroid hormone receptor status, and with disease progression and treatment sensitivity in 273 breast cancer patients. The mRNA levels of TIMP‐1 and TIMP‐2 were not associated with any known clinicopathological tumour feature. TIMP‐3 and TIMP‐4 levels were significantly higher in steroid hormone receptor‐positive samples, although the levels of TIMP‐4 were much lower than those of the other TIMPs. Only TIMP‐3 predicted relapse‐free survival (RFS) time differently depending on post‐surgical treatment as, in particular, the interaction of TIMP‐3 with endocrine therapy (p= 0.008, HR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.09–0.69) contributed significantly to RFS in multivariate Cox regression analysis. In subgroup analyses, the 107 patients treated with tamoxifen differed greatly in prognosis after dichotomization by the median TIMP‐3 level (p= 0.0003). Thus, high tumour levels of the matrix metalloproteinases inhibitor and pro‐apoptotic factor TIMP‐3 are associated with successful tamoxifen treatment of patients with breast cancer. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of the morphological and biochemical changes in normal human lung fibroblasts and fibroblasts derived from lungs of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis during FasL‐induced apoptosis
Authors: Moodley Yuben P , Caterina Paul , Scaffidi Amelia K , Misso Neil L , Papadimitriou John M , McAnulty Robin J , Laurent Geoffrey J , Thompson Philip J , Knight Darryl A
Published: April 2004

It is increasingly recognized that the morphological changes of apoptosis vary between cell types. This heterogeneity reflects the wide range of cellular proteins and enzymes involved in apoptotic pathways. Fibroblast apoptosis is crucial to the regression of scars and the restitution of healthy tissue during wound repair and may be aberrant in diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The biochemical and morphological changes characterizing fibroblast apoptosis are unknown and may provide insights into the specific enzymatic mediators activated in these cells. This study aimed to examine the morphological changes of fibroblast apoptosis in both primary normal lung fibroblasts (normal‐Fb) and fibroblasts obtained from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF‐Fb) and to correlate these changes with conventional biochemical markers. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and video time‐lapse microscopy demonstrated no difference in the duration of fibroblast apoptosis in response to FasL (6 ± 0.3 h in normal‐Fb and 6.4 ± 0.2 h in IPF‐Fb). However, IPF‐Fb were more resistant to FasL‐induced apoptosis compared with normal‐Fb. Although the majority of morphological changes of normal‐Fb and IPF‐Fb were similar, the formation of filopodia and condensation of the cytoskeletal bundles in IPF‐Fb, and more prominent vacuolation in normal‐Fb, were the significant differences between these cell subtypes. Loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential occurred prior to caspase‐3 activation, while phosphatidylserine expression, cytokeratin‐18 cleavage, and DNA fragmentation commenced after caspase‐3 activation. These observations not only suggest that specific enzymatic effectors may be preferentially activated during fibroblast apoptosis, but also provide potential insights into the pathogenesis of IPF. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyclin D1 overexpression in thyroid tumours from a radio‐contaminated area and its correlation with Pin1 and aberrant β‐catenin expression
Authors: Nakashima Masahiro , Meirmanov Serik , Naruke Yuki , Kondo Hisayoshi , Saenko Vladimir , Rogounovitch Tatiana , Shimizu‐Yoshida Yuki , Takamura Noboru , Namba Hiroyuki , Ito Masahiro , Abrosimov Aleksander , Lushnikov Eugeny , Roumiantsev Pavel , Tsyb Anatoly , Yamashita Shunichi , Sekine Ichiro
Published: April 2004

Cyclin D1 is a target molecule transcriptionally activated by aberrant β‐catenin in Wnt signalling, while prolyl isomerase Pin1 promotes cyclin D1 overexpression directly or through accumulation of β‐catenin in cancer cells. This study aimed to elucidate whether Pin1 was involved in cyclin D1 overexpression and aberrant β‐catenin in thyroid tumourigenesis by examining 14 follicular adenomas (FAa) and 14 papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). All PTCs displayed cyclin D1 overexpression and strong cytoplasmic β‐catenin and/or decreased membrane β‐catenin expression by immunohistochemistry. Overexpression of cyclin D1 mRNA was observed in 45.5% of FAs and 54.5% of PTCs by TaqMan real‐time PCR. Pin1 expression was observed in PTC by immunostaining and was confirmed by reverse transcriptase‐PCR. There was a strong correlation between cyclin D1 and Pin1/cytoplasmic/membrane β‐catenin expression (p < 0.001), and between Pin1 and cytoplasmic (p < 0.001)/membrane (p = 0.002) β‐catenin expression in thyroid tumours. Mutation of the β‐catenin gene could not be detected in PTC. Western blot analysis demonstrated high levels of cyclin D1 and β‐catenin as well as Pin1 expression in a human PTC cell line possessing wild‐type β‐catenin and APC genes. This study suggests that both cyclin D1 overexpression and aberrant β‐catenin expression are of significance in thyroid tumours. Pin1 expression appears to correlate closely with the level of cyclin D1 and aberrant β‐catenin expression in thyroid tumours such as FA and PTC. Pin1 may be an important factor in regulating cyclin D1 and β‐catenin expression during thyroid carcinogenesis. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiparameter DNA flow‐sorting demonstrates diploidy and SDHD wild‐type gene retention in the sustentacular cell compartment of head and neck paragangliomas: chief cells are the only neoplastic component
Authors: Douwes Dekker Pieter B , Corver Willem E , Hogendoorn Pancras CW , van der Mey Andel GL , Cornelisse Cees J
Published: April 2004

Head and neck paragangliomas are considered to be biphasic tumours, composed of two distinct cell types: chief cells and sustentacular cells. A substantial number of these tumours show mutations in the SDHD gene located at chromosome 11q23. Although there is general agreement that paragangliomas are a neoplastic proliferation of chief cells, the nature of sustentacular cells is still a matter of debate. To clarify the nature of sustentacular cells further, multiparameter DNA flow cytometry was performed utilizing S‐100 labelling as a selective marker of the sustentacular fraction simultaneously with DNA content measurement in six head and neck paragangliomas. S‐100‐positive fractions and other tumour‐cell populations were flow‐sorted and restriction digestion analysis of SDHD mutations was performed on each fraction. Flow cytometry demonstrated that the S‐100 labelled cells were diploid. Restriction digestion analysis in informative cases revealed retention of the wild‐type SDHD allele in S‐100‐positive fractions and loss of the wild‐type allele in S‐100‐negative fractions. These data strongly suggest that sustentacular cells should be regarded as a non‐neoplastic cell population that may be induced as a tumour‐specific stromal component by chief cells. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fertility in women treated with cranial radiotherapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Byrne Julianne , Fears Thomas R. , Mills James L. , Zeltzer Lonnie K. , Sklar Charles , Nicholson H. Stacy , Haupt Riccardo , Reaman Gregory H. , Meadows Anna T. , Robison Leslie L.
Published: April 2004

Background

Fertility impairments among women treated during childhood for cancer are known to occur after some, but not all, types of anticancer therapy. Although leukemia is the most common cancer of childhood, until now fertility in survivors has not been comprehensively assessed.

Procedure

We investigated functional impairment of fertility in women who were long‐term survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with a retrospective cohort study. Proven fertility (defined as ever pregnant) was evaluated by self‐report among 182 females treated on protocols of the Children's Cancer Group (age at interview, 22.6 years on average) and 170 controls drawn from among the survivors' female siblings (23.4 years). The interview included psychosocial inventories designed to detect mood problems.

Results

Significant fertility deficits were noted in female survivors treated with cranial radiotherapy (CRT) at any dose around the time of menarche (relative fertility (RF)) = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.09, 0.82,P = 0.03). Controlling for marital status, mood at interview, and many fertility‐related situations did not change the association.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence for fertility deficits after treatment for ALL with CRT, and, in addition, for the first time, suggests that girls treated around the time of menarche are especially at risk. Clinical confirmation of these results is needed. If gonadal damage occurs in women receiving these treatments, their risk for further sequelae, such as osteoporosis and heart disease, may be significantly raised, requiring active management and intervention. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of data mining methodologies using Japanese spontaneous reports
Authors: Kubota Kiyoshi , Koide Daisuke , Hirai Toshiki
Published: April 2004

Purpose

Five data mining methodologies for detecting a possible signal from spontaneous reports on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were compared.

Methods

The five methodologies, the Bayesian method using the Gamma Poissson Shrinker (GPS), the method employed in the UK Medicines Control Agency (MCA), the Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN), the method using the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the reporting odds ratio (RORCI) and that using the 95% CI of the proportional reporting ratio (PRRCI) were compared using Japanese data obtained between 1998 and 2000.

Results

There were all in all 38 731 drug–ADR combinations. The count of drug–ADR pairs was equal to 1 or 2 for 31 230 combinations and none of them were identified as a possible signal with the MCA or BCPNN. Similarly, the GPS detected a possible signal in none of the combinations where the count was equal to 1 but in 7.5% of the combinations where the count was equal to 2. The RORCI and PRRCI detected a possible signal in more than half of the combinations where the count was equal to 1 or 2. When the pairwise agreement on whether or not a drug–ADR combination satisfied the criteria for a possible signal was assessed for the 38 731 combinations, the concordance measure kappa was greater than 0.9 between the MCA and BCPNN and between the RORCI and PRRCI. Kappa was around 0.6 between the GPS and MCA and between the GPS and BCPNN. Otherwise, kappa was smaller than 0.2.

Conclusions

The drug–ADR combinations detected as a possible signal vary between different methodologies. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alkaline‐solution‐induced crystallization in poly(butylene terephthalate)
Authors: Zhang Jialiang
Published: April 2004

Subtle crystalline structure changes of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) specimens treated with an alkali solution at room temperature were investigated with the grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction (GIXRD) analysis method. A new phenomenon was found: the aqueous alkali solution induced the crystallization of the PBT polymer. Under the GIXRD analysis condition of an incidence angle of 1°, the penetration depth of the X‐ray in PBT was less than 80 μm, and this agreed well with the rough theoretical estimation. The alkali solution adopted in this study was an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, which had a concentration of 2.5 N. Dissolved quantities of the surface layers during the alkaline treatment were found to be small. No appreciable intrinsic viscosity change due to the alkaline treatment was detected. Possible factors that might contribute to the crystallization, such as water absorption and a chemical reagent effect, were examined, and a plausible explanation for the phenomenon was developed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1938–1948, 2004
Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline/graphite conducting nanocomposites
Authors: Du X. S. , Xiao M. , Meng Y. Z.
Published: April 2004

A new method for the synthesis of exfoliated graphite and polyaniline (PANI)/graphite nanocomposites was developed. Exfoliated graphite nanosheets were prepared through the microwave irradiation and sonication of synthesized expandable graphite. The nanocomposites were fabricated via the in situ polymerization of the monomer at the presence of graphite nanosheets. The as‐synthesized graphite nanosheets and PANI/graphite nanocomposite materials were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The conductivity of the PANI/graphite nanocomposites was dramatically increased over that of pure PANI. TGA indicated that the incorporation of graphite greatly improved the thermal stability of PANI. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1972–1978, 2004
Tree and spline based association analysis of gene–gene interaction models for ischemic stroke
Authors: Cook Nancy R. , Zee Robert Y. L. , Ridker Paul M.
Published: April 2004

In the biology of complex disorders, such as atherothrombosis, interactions among genetic factors may play an important role, and theoretical considerations suggest that gene–gene interactions are quite common in such diseases. We used a nested case‐control sample from the Physicians' Health Study, a randomized trial assessing the effects of aspirin and beta‐carotene on cardiovascular disease and cancer among 22071 US male physicians, to examine these relationships for ischemic stroke. Data were available on 92 polymorphisms from 56 candidate genes related to inflammation, thrombosis and lipid metabolism, assessed in 319 incident cases of ischemic stroke and 2090 disease‐free controls. We used classification and regression trees (CART) and multivariate adaptive regression spline (MARS) models to explore the presence of genetic interactions in these data. These models offer advantages over typical logistic regression methods in that they may uncover interactions among genes that do not exhibit strong marginal effects. Final models were selected using either the Bayes Information Criterion or cross‐validation. Model fit was assessed using 10‐fold cross‐validation of the entire selection process. Both the CART and two‐way MARS‐logit models identified an interaction between two polymorphisms linked to inflammation, the P‐selectin (val640leu) and interleukin‐4 (C(582) T) genes. Internal validation of these models, however, suggested that effects of these polymorphisms are additive. Although further external validation of these models is necessary, these methods may be valuable in exploring and identifying potential gene–gene as well as gene–environment interactions in association studies. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A tree based lack‐of‐fit test for multiple logistic regression
Authors: Moons E. , Aerts M. , Wets G.
Published: April 2004

Several omnibus tests have been developed to assess the fit of a regression model. But many of these lack‐of‐fit tests focus on the simple regression setting. Here, we focus on multiple logistic regression. Pearson's well‐known chi‐square test statistic and the deviance statistic are no longer valid in the case that the model contains one or more continuous covariates. To overcome this difficulty, Hosmer and Lemeshow proposed a Pearson type statistic based on groups defined by the so‐called deciles of risk. We propose a test statistic that is similar in approach to the Hosmer and Lemeshow statistic in that the observations are classified into distinct groups. In the procedure proposed here however, the grouping is not according to probabilities fitted under the null model. We use a recursive partitioning algorithm to divide the sample space into different groups. This generally allows for a more powerful assessment of the model fit. Simulations are carried out to compare the results of the proposed test to that of Hosmer and Lemeshow. Three data examples illustrate the performance of the tree based lack‐of‐fit test, in comparison to several other tests. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.