bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of IKK and oscillatory NFκB kinetics in MMP‐9 gene expression and chemoresistance to 5‐fluorouracil in RKO colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Fukuyama Ryuichi , Ng Kwok Peng , Cicek Muzaffer , Kelleher Clare , Niculaita Roxana , Casey Graham , Sizemore Nywana
Published: December 2006

Nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) is a central participant in the metastasis and chemoresistance of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, it is not fully understood to what extent NFκB contributes to induction of the metastasis‐associated matrix metalloprotease‐9 (MMP‐9) gene and sensitivity to the commonly used chemotherapeutic 5‐fluorouracil (5‐Fu) in CRC. Using the RKO human CRC cell line and two NFκB signaling deficient RKO mutants, we investigated NFκB's role in the induction of MMP‐9 and 5‐Fu sensitivity in RKO CRC cells. NFκB plays a predominant role in MMP‐9 gene induction in RKO cells, as evidenced by the failure of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) to induce MMP‐9 in either of the NFκB signaling mutants. RKO cells exhibit a robust, oscillatory NFκB activity in response to TNFα not seen in either of the NFκB mutant cell lines, which instead demonstrate diminished, nonoscillatory NFκB activation. Analysis of TNFα‐induced phosphorylation and MMP‐9 promoter recruitment of the p65 NFκB subunit revealed a significant reduction in p65 phosphorylation as well as reduced and altered recruitment of p65 to the MMP‐9 gene promoter in the mutants compared to the parental RKO cell line. 5‐Fu only activated NFκB in the parental RKO cells through induction of IκB‐kinase (IKK) activity and increased sensitivity to 5‐Fu is observed in both NFκB mutant lines. Our results suggest that TNFα‐dependent induction of MMP‐9 gene expression is tightly regulated by oscillatory/cumulative activation of NFκB and that 5‐Fu stimulates NFκB and RKO CRC cell survival through induction of IKK activity. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Engineering zinc finger protein transcription factors to downregulate the epithelial glycoprotein‐2 promoter as a novel anti‐cancer treatment
Authors: Gommans Willemijn M. , McLaughlin Pamela M.J. , Lindhout Beatrice I. , Segal David J. , Wiegman D.J. , Haisma Hidde J. , van der Zaal Bert J. , Rots Marianne G.
Published: December 2006

Zinc finger protein transcription factors (ZFP‐TFs) are emerging as powerful novel tools for the treatment of many different diseases. ZFPs are DNA‐binding motifs and consist of modular zinc finger domains. Each domain can be engineered to recognize a specific DNA triplet, and stitching six domains together results in the recognition of a gene‐specific sequence. Inhibition of gene expression can be achieved by fusing a repressor domain to these DNA‐binding motifs. In this study, we engineered ZFP‐TFs to downregulate the activity of the epithelial glycoprotein‐2 (EGP‐2) promoter. The protein EGP‐2 is overexpressed in a wide variety of cancer types and EGP‐2 downregulation has been shown to result in a decreased oncogenic potential of tumor cells. Therefore, downregulation of EGP‐2 expression by ZFP‐TFs provides a novel anti‐cancer therapeutic. Using a straightforward strategy, we engineered a 3‐ZFP that could bind a 9 bp sequence within the EGP‐2 promoter. After the addition of a repressor domain, this 3‐ZFP‐TF could efficiently downregulate EGP‐2 promoter activity by 60%. To demonstrate the flexibility of this technology, we coupled an activation domain to the engineered ZFP, resulting in a nearly 200% increase in EGP‐2 promoter activity. To inhibit the endogenous EGP‐2 promoter, we engineered 6‐ZFP‐TFs. Although none of the constructed ZFP‐TFs could convincingly modulate the endogenous promoter, efficient and specific inhibition of the exogenous promoter was observed. Overall, ZFP‐TFs are versatile bi‐directional modulators of gene expression and downregulation of EGP‐2 promoter activity using ZFP‐TFs can ultimately result in a novel anti‐cancer treatment. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Four novel single nucleotide polymorphisms within the promoter region of p53 gene and their associations with uterine leiomyoma
Authors: Hsieh Yao‐Yuan , Wang Jui‐Ping , Lin Chich‐Sheng
Published: December 2006

Dysregulated p53 expression has been implicated as a major contributor to numerous tumorigenesis. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the functional consequence of the novel p53 promoter region remains obscure. Herein, we aimed to establish the extent of genetic variability within the promoter region of p53 gene as well as their association with leiomyoma susceptibility. Women were divided into two groups, leiomyoma (n = 160) and nonleiomyoma controls (n = 200). Total DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of subjects. The DNA fragment containing p53 promoter regions (+64 ∼ −404 bp) were obtained by amplification of polymerase chain reaction. The variations of DNA fragments were detected by DNA sequencing or restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Sequence alignment was used to identify sequence variations in p53 promoter regions. Genotypes were analyzed by method of RFLP. Genotypes/allelic frequencies in the leiomyoma and control groups were compared. A total of 15 sequence variations within p53 promoter region were identified, including −408 T/C, −382 A/G, −359 A/G, −325 T/C, −250 A/G, −216 T/C, −205 G/A, −198 G/A, −177 T/C, −103 A/G, −81 G/A, −71 G/A, −51 T/A, −33 A/G, and −17 T/C. Among these variations, four SNPs (−250 A/G, −216 T/C, −103 A/G, and −33 A/G) were established. Allele frequencies of −250*G/−216*C/−103*G/−33*G in the leiomyoma group and control group 6.9/5.0/5.9/3.8% and 3.8/1.8/2.3/4.0%, respectively. Two of them (−216*C and −103*G) are associated with higher leiomyoma susceptibility. We concluded that some sequence variations were observed within the promoter region of p53 gene. The SNPs of −216*C and −103*G among the identical sequence variations are associated with leiomyoma development. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 815–820, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A vasa‐like gene in the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii
Authors: Nakkrasae La‐Iad , Damrongphol Praneet
Published: December 2006

A molecular marker for germ cells of the giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, was studied. A vasa‐like gene, Mrvlg, from the ovary was isolated and characterized by a reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) method. A full‐length sequence was obtained by the rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) method. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence revealed that Mrvlg comprises 2,686 bps with an open reading frame of 2,130 bps encoding 710 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence contains four arginine–glycine–glycine motifs and eight conserved motifs belonging to the DEAD‐box protein family. The MrVLG sequence shows high similarity to Vasa homologue of zebrafish (73%). In the adult tissues, the Mrvlg transcripts were specifically detected in the germ cells. In situ hybridization analysis showed that Mrvlg RNA was detected in the cytoplasm of oogonia, previtellogenic, and vitellogenic oocytes and was also detected in the nucleoplasm of mature oocytes. In the testis, the Mrvlg transcript was detected in the cytoplasm of spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes but was detected in the nuclei of secondary spermatocytes and sperm. Sequence similarity and specific localization in the germ cells suggest that Mrvlg is the prawn vasa homologue of the Drosophila gene and can be used as a molecular marker for prawn germ cells. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 835–842, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reference values for sleep‐related respiratory variables in asymptomatic European children and adolescents
Authors: Verhulst S.L. , Schrauwen N. , Haentjens D. , Van Gaal L. , De Backer W.A. , Desager K.N.
Published: December 2006

Aim:

Only a limited number of studies, designed to establish normal values for sleep‐related respiratory variables in children, have been reported, and all are non‐European. The aim of this study was to expand the knowledge on normative data in children.

Methods:

Subjects ranging from 6 to 16 years were recruited and underwent full polysomnography. Only subjects without sleep disordered breathing or other sleep problems as assessed by clinical history were included.

Results:

Sixty subjects were studied (〈age〉 = 11.7 ± 2.6 years; 28 boys; 〈relBMI〉 = 118.8 ± 30.6%). 〈Central apnea index〉 was 0.85 ± 1.06 (range: 0.0–5.5). 〈Obstructive apnea index〉 was 0.06 ± 0.16 (range: 0.0–0.9); 11 patients had a total of 31 obstructive apneas. Only five obstructive hypopneas were detected with 〈obstructive apnea hypopnea index〉 = 0.08 ± 0.17 (range: 0.0–0.9). 〈Respiratory disturbance index〉 was 1.98 ± 1.39 (range: 0.1–7.2). 〈SaO2〉 was 97.0 ± 0.6% (range: 96.0–98.0); 〈SaO2nadir〉 was 91.8 ± 2.7% (range: 82.0–96.0); 〈% of total sleep time with SaO2 ≥ 95%〉 was 98.7 ± 2.1% (range: 90.8–100.0); 〈oxygen desaturation index〉 was 0.8 ± 0.9 (range: 0.0–4.9) and 〈arousal index〉 was 6.1 ± 1.8 (range: 2.7–10.9). Snoring was detected in 15 patients (4 overweight subjects), with no difference in patient characteristics and sleep‐related respiratory variables between snorers and non‐snorers. Subjects in the overweight group (n = 22) had a lower SaO2nadir (90.8 ± 2.7 vs. 92.4 ± 2.6; P = 0.01) and a higher ODI (1.3 ± 1.3 vs. 0.4 ± 0.4; P = 0.0002) than their normal weight peers.

Conclusion:

Our data are in agreement with other non‐European studies, designed to establish normal values in children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:159–167. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The mutations Lys 114 → Gln and Asp 126 → Asn disrupt an intersubunit salt bridge and convert Listeria innocua Dps into its natural mutant Listeria monocytogenes Dps. Effects on protein stability at Low pH
Authors: Bellapadrona Giuliano , Chiaraluce Roberta , Consalvi Valerio , Ilari Andrea , Stefanini Simonetta , Chiancone Emilia
Published: December 2006

The stability of the dodecameric Listeria monocytogenes Dps has been compared with that of the Listeria innocua protein. The two proteins differ only in two amino acid residues that form an intersubunit salt‐bridge in L. innocua Dps. This salt‐bridge is replaced by a hydrogen bonding network in L. monocytogenes Dps as revealed by the X‐ray crystal structure. The resistance to low pH and high temperature was assayed for both Dps proteins under equilibrium conditions and kinetically. Despite the identical equilibrium behavior, significant differences in the kinetic stability and activation energy of the unfolding process are apparent at pH 1.5. The higher stability of L. monocytogenes Dps has been accounted for in terms of the persistence of the hydrogen bonding network at this low pH value. In contrast, the salt‐bridge between Lys 114 and Asp 126 characteristic of L. innocua Dps is most likely abolished due to protonation of Asp 126. Proteins 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Locating missing water molecules in protein cavities by the three‐dimensional reference interaction site model theory of molecular solvation
Authors: Imai Takashi , Hiraoka Ryusuke , Kovalenko Andriy , Hirata Fumio
Published: December 2006

Water molecules confined in protein cavities are of great importance in understanding the protein structure and functions. However, it is a nontrivial task to locate such water molecules in protein by the ordinary molecular simulation and modeling techniques as well as experimental methods. The present study proves that the three‐dimensional reference interaction site model (3D‐RISM) theory, a recently developed statistical–mechanical theory of molecular solvation, has an outstanding advantage in locating such water molecules. In this paper, we demonstrate that the 3D‐RISM theory is able to reproduce the structure and the number of water molecules in cavities of hen egg‐white lysozyme observed commonly in the X‐ray structures of different resolutions and conditions. Furthermore, we show that the theory successfully identified a water molecule in a cavity, the existence of which has been ambiguous even from the X‐ray results. In contrast, we confirmed that molecular dynamics simulation is helpless at present to find such water molecules because the results substantially depend on the initial coordinates of water molecules. Possible applications of the theory to problems in the fields of biochemistry and biophysics are also discussed. Proteins 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modifications in the bradykinin main chain are not necessary for antagonistic activity in rat blood pressure assay
Authors: Prahl Adam
Published: December 2006

Previous studies demonstrated that the presence of a bulky acyl substituent at the N‐terminus of B2 antagonists significantly influenced the interaction of the peptide with B2 receptors, thus increasing potency in the blood pressure test. Reported results also suggested that even minor changes in the structure of analogues might be of importance in designing more potent B2 antagonists. On the other hand, it was learned that the effects of acylation might vary substantially with the chemical character of the acyl group. It seemed that either the positive or the negative charge on the N‐terminal acyl group influenced the activity of the analogues because a suppressed antagonistic potency due to these modifications was observed.

Bearing all these findings in mind, it was decided to check how N‐terminal acylation would affect the pharmacological activity of bradykinin. Of the many acylating agents tested previously on B2 antagonists, it was decided to use acridin‐9‐ylacetic acid (Ana) and anthracen‐9‐ylacetic acid (Ata). The potencies of the analogues were assessed by their ability to inhibit vasodepressor response of exogenous BK in conscious rats and by their ability to inhibit the contractions of isolated rat uterus evoked by BK. Copyright © 2006 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antibacterial activity of flavonoids and phenylpropanoids from Marrubium globosum ssp. libanoticum
Authors: Rigano Daniela , Formisano Carmen , Basile Adriana , Lavitola Alfredo , Senatore Felice , Rosselli Sergio , Bruno Maurizio
Published: December 2006

Marrubium globosum Montbr. et Auch. ex Benth. ssp. libanoticum Boiss. (Lamiaceae) is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, asthma, coughs and other pulmonary and urinary problems. The goal of our study was to assess the biological activity of M. globosum testing the methanol extract of aerial parts for its antibacterial activity against bacteria known to cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, skin and urinary disorders; the extract showed antibacterial effects against all the strains of bacteria used. A purification of this active extract showed the presence, as main constituents, of verbascoside, isorhamnetin 3‐O‐β‐d‐rutinoside, quercetin 3‐O‐β‐d‐rutinoside, naringenin 7‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside, kaempferol 3‐O‐β‐d‐rutinoside, isorhamnetin 3‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside, quercetin 3‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside, apigenin 7‐O‐(3″‐p‐coumaryl)‐glucoside, p‐methoxy‐cinnamic acid, kaempferol 3‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside and apigenin 7‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside. The pure compounds were tested for their antibacterial activity; quercetin 3‐O‐β‐d‐rutinoside, verbascoside and naringenin 7‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside showed the greatest activity. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel antitumor activities of Kushen flavonoids In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Sun Mingyu , Han Jun , Duan Jifeng , Cui Yumin , Wang Tao , Zhang Weihan , Liu Wei , Hong Jianrong , Yao Minghui , Xiong Sidong , Yan Xiaoqiang
Published: December 2006

Kushen (KS), the dried roots of Sophora flavescens Aiton, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory diseases and cancer. Kushen alkaloids (KS‐As) and Kushen flavonoids (KS‐Fs) are the well characterized components in KS. KS‐As have been considered biologically active and developed in China as anticancer drugs. In an effort to screen novel antitumor agents from botanicals, more potent antitumor activities were identified in KS‐Fs than in KS‐As. KS‐Fs were able to inhibit the growth of a panel of tumor cell lines and enhanced the antitumor activities of Taxol in vitro. The antitumor activities of KS‐Fs and Kur, a single KS‐Fs compound, were demonstrated in murine and xenograft human tumor models. Further, it was shown that KS‐Fs and Kur were able to enhance the effect of Taxol to inhibit the growth of H460 and Eca‐109 xenograft tumors. In addition, peripheral blood cell counts were not significantly affected in normal mice treated with KS‐Fs at 200 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks. These results suggest that KS‐Fs may be developed as novel antitumor agents and that the currently marketed KS‐As drugs in China may have missed the major antitumor activities in Kushen. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling of short‐term frequency scaling for rain attenuation using ITALSAT data
Authors: Bertorelli S. , Paraboni A.
Published: December 2006

In this article we describe a statistical model for the assessment of the short‐term frequency scaling ratio between rain attenuations at cm and mm wavelengths, taking into consideration the fluctuations arising from the type of rain (mainly the raindrop size distribution). The model has been derived from measured data, using the large attenuation database collected in Spino d'Adda, Italy, during the ITALSAT 8‐years experiment at 18.7, 39.6 and 49.5 GHz, but can be applied to any pair of frequencies. By applying the model it is possible to generate, by means of a generator of random Gaussian numbers, samples of the up‐link attenuation, for a given down link attenuation, to be employed in the simulation of up‐link power control (ULPC) slant path channels. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Implementing the electron backscattering factor in quantitative sputter depth profiling using AES
Authors: Hofmann Siegfried , Wang Jiang Yong
Published: December 2006

Sputter depth profiling using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) is influenced by the electron backscattering contribution to the AES intensity. When approaching an interface between two components having a different backscattering factor, the shape of the profile is characteristically distorted. This distortion is taken into account in a modified version of the mixing‐roughness‐information depth (MRI) model. The modification is based on the simplified assumption that the influence of the backscattering effect of the component below the interface increases exponentially with decreasing distance of the actual surface to the interface. Application of the modified MRI model is shown to yield excellent results of profile calculation for AES depth profiling of Si/W, C/Ta, C/Ti, and Au/TiO2 interfaces, with backscattering factor ratios close to those predicted by the Ichimura–Shimizu relation. A simple correction of the backscattering influence is proposed and discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monte Carlo simulation of spatial distribution of X rays in multifilm targets. III: optimum design as applied to W/Al‐film targets
Authors: Yamaguchi Yoshikazu , Shimizu Ryuichi
Published: December 2006

The brightness of the X‐ray source in a W/Al‐film target used for X‐ray projection microscopy was studied by an approach using the Monte Carlo simulation. Since continuous X rays generated in a thin film have a specific angular distribution of emission, the brightness of the continuous X‐ray source cannot simply be estimated on the assumption that the angular distribution is homogeneous.

The newly developed approach using the Monte Carlo simulation enables the evaluation of the effective source size, angular distribution, and brightness of a continuous X‐ray source with sufficient accuracy that it leads to the optimum design of a high‐brightness X‐ray source for uses such as X‐ray projection microscopy.

The Monte Carlo calculations were performed for W(Δz)/Al (200 µm)‐film targets with different thicknesses of W film, Δz, under bombardment of 60 kV electrons. The results have suggested an optimum design consisting of a W (2 µm)/Al (200 µm)‐film target as most promising for providing an X‐ray source of higher brightness than the W (5 µm)/Al (200 µm)‐film target, which has already been in practice for X‐ray projection microscopy. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of regression trees, logistic regression, generalized additive models, and multivariate adaptive regression splines for predicting AMI mortality
Authors: Austin Peter C.
Published: December 2006

Clinicians and health service researchers are frequently interested in predicting patient‐specific probabilities of adverse events (e.g. death, disease recurrence, post‐operative complications, hospital readmission). There is an increasing interest in the use of classification and regression trees (CART) for predicting outcomes in clinical studies. We compared the predictive accuracy of logistic regression with that of regression trees for predicting mortality after hospitalization with an acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We also examined the predictive ability of two other types of data‐driven models: generalized additive models (GAMs) and multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS). We used data on 9484 patients admitted to hospital with an AMI in Ontario. We used repeated split‐sample validation: the data were randomly divided into derivation and validation samples. Predictive models were estimated using the derivation sample and the predictive accuracy of the resultant model was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve in the validation sample. This process was repeated 1000 times—the initial data set was randomly divided into derivation and validation samples 1000 times, and the predictive accuracy of each method was assessed each time. The mean ROC curve area for the regression tree models in the 1000 derivation samples was 0.762, while the mean ROC curve area of a simple logistic regression model was 0.845. The mean ROC curve areas for the other methods ranged from a low of 0.831 to a high of 0.851. Our study shows that regression trees do not perform as well as logistic regression for predicting mortality following AMI. However, the logistic regression model had performance comparable to that of more flexible, data‐driven models such as GAMs and MARS. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Student affect and conceptual understanding in learning chemistry
Authors: Nieswandt Martina
Published: December 2006

This study explores the relationship between affective and cognitive variables in grade 9 chemistry students (n = 73). In particular, it explores how students' situational interest, their attitudes toward chemistry, and their chemistry‐specific self‐concept influence their understanding of chemistry concepts over the course of a school year. All affective variables were assessed at two time points: at the middle of the first semester of grade 9, and at the end of the second semester of grade 9, and then related to students' postinstructional understanding of chemical concepts. Results reveal that none of the affective variables measured at the earliest time point have a significant direct effect on postinstructional conceptual understanding. Looking at the different affective variables as intermediary constructs, however, reveals a pattern in which self‐concept and situational interest measured at the middle of grade 9 contribute to self‐concept measured at the end of grade 9, which in turn, has a positive, significant effect on students' postinstructional conceptual understanding. These results reveal the importance of a strong and positive self‐concept, the feeling of doing well in the chemistry class, for developing a meaningful understanding of scientific concepts. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 44: 908–937, 2007
Social compatibility in a newly formed all‐male group of white crowned mangabeys (Cercocebus atys lunulatus)
Authors: Fàbregas María , Guillén‐Salazar Federico
Published: December 2006

Surplus males in primate captive populations are a common problem for zoos. Some captive breeding programs promote all‐male groups as an adequate option to house surplus males, but there have been few attempts to assess the feasibility of this management technique across primate species. The present study provides preliminary data regarding social compatibility within a newly formed all‐male group of four white crowned mangabeys (Cercocebus atys lunulatus). The study was conducted at the Valencia Zoo (Spain), where data on social behavior were collected over 6 months using continuous focal animal sampling for a total of 87 hr of observation. Results show that low intensity aggressive behaviors (facial threats) were expressed at high rates, whereas physical aggression (fights) rarely occurred. Aggression was more frequent among individuals belonging to the same age–gender class. Regarding affiliative behaviors, every individual actively sought proximity to all other group members through positive approaches, and although not all males carried out social grooming, every male was groomed by at least one group member. Our results suggest that the group was compatible socially because social relationships among the individuals were not neutral, and physical aggression occurred at low rates. The present study provides preliminary data supporting the feasibility of all‐male groups as a management option for surplus males in captive populations of white crowned mangabeys. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to be able to generalize both within and across species. Zoo Biol 0:1–7, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinicopathological Study of Gastric Metastases
Authors: Wu Ming‐Hsun , Lin Ming‐Tsan , Lee Po‐Huang
Published: December 2006

Objective

The stomach is an uncommon site for metastasis, and most of the reported examples would appear to have been caused by direct invasion from primary malignancies. Metastases to the stomach are extremely rare, and few cases have been reported in the literature. This study was intended to evaluate the character of and the prognosis for metastasized tumors of the stomach.

Method

We evaluated the medical records of patients who had presented at the National Taiwan University Hospital over a period of 10 years prior to writing who had malignancies and had developed metastasis to the stomach. We evaluated the histology, initial presentations, imaging findings, lesion locations, treatment courses, and overall patient survival.

Result

From October 1995 to October 2004 inclusively, only 18 patients featuring known malignancies with metastases to the stomach were found. The male to female ratio was 10:8. The initial symptom for 13 study patients was bleeding from the metastasis tumors, and the remaining 5 experienced a variety of other symptoms. The site of the metastasis was the gastric body for 9 patients, the gastric antrum for 6, the cardia or fundus for 2, and the entire stomach for 1. The time period elapsing between the emergence of the primary malignancy and the gastric metastasis was less than 2 years for 3 patients and about 5–6 years for another 2 patients. The mean time elapsing from the diagnosis of gastric metastasis to patient death was quite short, namely, about 6 months.

Conclusion

Carcinomas featuring gastric metastasis are typically very rare and reveal a rather poor prognosis. The results of this preliminary study suggest that most treatment for these patients seemed to provide only symptomatic relief but did not prove helpful for long‐term survival.
Importance of natural licks for the mammals in Bornean inland tropical rain forests
Authors: Matsubayashi Hisashi , Lagan Peter , Majalap Noreen , Tangah Joseph , Sukor Jum Rafiah Abd. , Kitayama Kanehiro
Published: December 2006

An intensive camera‐trapping study and a nutrient analysis were carried out to understand how natural licks are important for mammals in inland tropical rain forests where soil cations are usually depleted. Using camera traps, we investigated the fauna, food habits, and the frequency of visitation by species at five natural licks in the Deramakot forest reserve, Sabah, Malaysia. All food‐habit types of mammals (carnivore, herbivore‐frugivore, insectivore, and omnivore), which included 29 (78.4%) of 37 species known in Deramakot, were recorded at the natural licks. The sambar deer, followed by the bearded pig, the lesser mouse‐deer, the Malay badger, and the orangutan were the most commonly recorded species and represented 77.5% in terms of the frequency of appearance in all photographs taken throughout the year. These results indicated that, although the proportion of species recorded at the natural licks relative to the whole mammalian fauna of the forest was high, the frequency of visitation greatly varied among the species, and only a few species dominated. The frequency of visitation seemed to reflect both the density of species and the demand for the minerals, because some endangered, low‐density species were more frequently recorded by cameras than expected—for example, the orangutan which was one of the top five species among natural‐lick users. The natural licks with greater concentrations of minerals in seepage soil water were significantly preferred by the sambar deer and the bearded pig than those with lower concentrations of minerals. This result suggests that the chemical properties of soil water in natural licks determine the frequency of visitation of these herbivorous species that have strong demand for minerals.
MRI Evaluation of Isolated Arthroscopic Partial Meniscectomy Patients at a Minimum Five-Year Follow-up
Authors: Williams Riley J. , Warner Kristin K. , Petrigliano Frank A. , Potter Hollis G. , Hatch Joshua , Cordasco Frank A.
Published: December 2006

Background

The risk of radiographic knee degeneration after partial or total meniscectomy is well documented, but no prior study has employed cartilage-sensitive MRI technology to assess degenerative changes after meniscectomy.

Hypothesis

Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy results in early articular cartilage wear and subchondral bony degeneration, even in the absence of clinical symptoms, and these findings can be evaluated with cartilage-sensitive MRI.

Study design

Retrospective cohort.

Methods

Twenty-nine patients (ages: 15–40) who had undergone isolated arthroscopic partial medial or lateral meniscectomy with at least 5-year follow-up were evaluated. All patients had arthroscopically normal articular cartilage at the time of initial meniscectomy. Seventeen patients (18 knees) underwent partial medial meniscectomy (MM) and 12 patients underwent partial lateral meniscectomy (LM) with mean follow-up of 8.4 and 7.1 years, respectively. Follow-up evaluation included physical examination, outcome questionnaires, and cartilage-sensitive MRI examination with modified Outerbridge grading of articular surfaces.

Results

Outerbridge grades II–IV were noted in 64% of medial compartment joint surfaces in group MM knees versus 33% of lateral compartment joint surfaces in group LM knees. Abnormal cartilage surfaces (grades II–IV), subchondral sclerosis, and condylar squaring were all significantly more frequent after medial meniscectomy ( p < 0.05). Groups MM and LM had no significant differences among outcome scores, which remained excellent in both groups. A significant negative correlation was found between the severity of cartilage wear and functional scoring in the MM group, suggesting that functional disability lags behind early MRI evidence of degeneration.

Conclusions

Despite optimal preoperative prognostic factors and excellent functional outcomes, MRI evidence of early articular cartilage degeneration was present in both partial medial and lateral meniscectomy patients at a minimum 5-year follow-up. Results support the use of cartilage-sensitive MRI as a noninvasive screening technique to evaluate cartilage changes after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and may help to counsel the high-risk patient in regard to postoperative activity.
Effects of Linalyl Oleate on Soybean Oil Flavor and Quality in a Frying Application
Authors: Onal‐Ulusoy Baran , White Pamela , Hammond Earl
Published: December 2006

Bread pieces were fried at 180 °C in soybean oil (SBO) containing no additives (control), 0.1% linalyl oleate (LO), or 10 ppm methyl silicone (MS). After 2 h of heating, the MS‐containing oil was the most stable, followed by the oil with LO and the control, based on conjugated dienoic acid percentage (CD) and the ratio of linoleate%/palmitate%. Oil extracted from the fresh fried bread showed similar, but not significant, trends for CD and PV. Fresh and stored (60 °C, 2 days) bread fried in LO‐containing oil had less hexanal than the other two treatments, and the stored LO bread had less t,c‐ and t,t‐2,4‐heptadienal than the control. Fresh bread fried in LO‐containing oil had a less rancid flavor than did the other two treatments, and the LO treatment had less fishy flavor than the control. In stored bread, the MS treatment was less rancid than the control. In oil extracted from the stored bread, the amounts of t,c‐2,4‐heptadienal and 2‐decenal correlated (p ≤ 0.05) with the amounts of individual unsaturated fatty acids and with CD, but only t,c‐2,4‐heptadienal correlated with the PV. The t,c‐2,4‐heptadienal correlated with individual Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in freshly fried bread. In general, oil and fried bread had improved flavor quality and/or oil stability when they contained MS or LO.
Regularity criteria for the generalized viscous MHD equations
Authors: Zhou Yong
Published: December 2006

In this paper, we consider regularity criteria for solutions to the 3D generalized MHD equations with fractional dissipative term

−(−\mathrm{\Delta })^{\alpha }u

for the velocity field and

−(−\mathrm{\Delta })^{\beta }b

for the magnetic field. For the case

\alpha = \beta

, it is proved that if the velocity field belongs to

L^{p,q}

with

2\alpha / p + 3/ q⩽2\alpha −1

or the gradient of velocity field belongs to

L^{p,q}

with

2\alpha / p + 3/ q⩽3\alpha −1

on

[0,T]

, then the solution remains smooth on

[0,T]

. The significance is that there is no restriction on the magnetic field. Moreover, the norms

\|u\|_{L^{p,q}}

and

\|\Lambda ^{\alpha }u\|_{L^{p,q}}

are scaling dimension zero for

2\alpha / p + 3/ q = 2\alpha −1

and

2\alpha / p + 3/ q = 3\alpha −1

respectively. For

1⩽\beta ⩽\alpha

, we find that the minimum sum of

α

and

β

to guarantee the global existence of smooth solutions is

{5}/{2}

. Furthermore, we show that the weak solution actually is strong if the corresponding vorticity field

\omega = \mathrm{∇} \times u

satisfies certain condition in the high vorticity region.

Dans ce papier nous considérons des critères de régularité pour les solutions des équations MHD en 3D généralisées avec un terme de dissipation fractionnel

−(−\mathrm{\Delta })^{\alpha }u

pour le champ de vitesse et un terme

−(−\mathrm{\Delta })^{\beta }b

pour le champ magnétique. Pour le cas

\alpha = \beta

, il est démontré que si le champ de vitesse est dans

L^{p,q}

avec

2\alpha / p + 3/ q⩽2\alpha −1

ou le gradient de la vitesse est dans

L^{p,q}

avec

2\alpha / p + 3/ q⩽3\alpha −1

sur

[0,T]

, alors la solution reste régulière sur

[0,T]

. Il est important de noter qu'il n'y a pas de restriction sur le champ magnétique. En plus, les normes

\|u\|_{L^{p,q}}

et

\|\Lambda ^{\alpha }u\|_{L^{p,q}}

ont une dimension sous changement d'échelle égale à zéro pour

2\alpha / p + 3/ q = 2\alpha −1

et pour

2\alpha / p + 3/ q = 3\alpha −1

respectivement. Pour

1⩽\beta ⩽\alpha

, nous trouvons que la somme minimale de

α

et

β

qui garantit l'existence globale de solutions régulières est

{5}/{2}

. En plus nous montrons que les solutions faibles sont des solutions fortes si le champ de vorticité correspondant

\omega = \mathrm{∇} \times u

satisfait une certaine condition dans la région de vorticité.
Qualitative properties of a continuum theory for thin films
Authors: Schmidt Bernd
Published: December 2006

We discuss qualitative aspects of a continuum theory for thin films rigorously derived in [B. Schmidt, On the passage from atomic to continuum theory for thin films, preprint 82/2005, Max-Planck Institut für Mathematik in den Naturwissenschaften, Leipzig]. The stored energy density is examined for convexity properties and limiting behavior under large and small strains. A study of the dependence of the theory on relaxation parameters leads to the result that the scale of convergence used in [B. Schmidt, On the passage from atomic to continuum theory for thin films, preprint 82/2005, Max-Planck Institut für Mathematik in den Naturwissenschaften, Leipzig] is the only scale for which a limiting theory that also accounts for atomic relaxation effects is non-trivial.

Nous discutons des aspects qualitatifs d'une théorie de continuum pour des couches minces, dérivée rigoureusement dans [B. Schmidt, On the passage from atomic to continuum theory for thin films, preprint 82/2005, Max-Planck Institut für Mathematik in den Naturwissenschaften, Leipzig]. La densité d'énergie emmagasinée est examinée pour des propriétés de convexité et comportement en limite sous des distorsions grandes et petites. Une recherche de la dépendance de la théorie à l'égard des paramètres de relaxation mène au résultat que l'échelle de la convergence employée dans [B. Schmidt, On the passage from atomic to continuum theory for thin films, preprint 82/2005, Max-Planck Institut für Mathematik in den Naturwissenschaften, Leipzig] est la seule échelle pour laquelle une théorie limite qui inclut également des effets de la relaxation atomique est non-triviale.
Intravenous ketoprofen as an adjunct to patient‐controlled analgesia morphine in adolescents with thoracic surgery: A placebo controlled double‐blinded study
Authors: Rugytė Danguolė , Kokki Hannu
Published: December 2006

Background: Surgery to correct pectus deformities entail substantial destruction of the thoracic skeleton and thus may cause significant postoperative pain.

Aims: To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous ketoprofen, a NSAID, as an adjunct to PCA morphine in pain treatment in children having pectus surgery.

Methods: Thirty‐one children aged 10–15 years completed the study according to protocol. Children (n = 14) in the ketoprofen‐group received ketoprofen 1 mg/kg i.v. at the skin closure, and at 8 and 16 h after surgery, while children (n = 17) in the placebo‐group received normal saline, respectively. For rescue analgesia the patient had an access to PCA‐morphine. The children expressed their pain by a coloured VAS.

Results: Mean cumulative 24 h morphine dose used was less in the ketoprofen‐group (mean ± SD: 490 ± 240 μg/kg) than in the placebo‐group (670 ± 200 μg/kg) (mean difference 180 μg/kg, 95% CI for diff: 15–340 μg/kg, P = 0.03). The area under the pain intensity–time‐curve was lower in the ketorpofen‐group (49 ± 26 score hour) than in the placebo‐group (68 ± 24 score hour) (mean difference 21 score hour, 95% CI for diff: 3–40 score hour, P = 0.026). There was no difference between the two groups in adverse events, 4/14 in the ketoprofen group and 8/17 in the placebo‐group developed oxygen desaturation, and one patient in the ketoprofen‐group developed bleeding at 5 h after surgery.

Conclusions: Intravenous ketoprofen in adjunct to PCA morphine provided a significant opioid sparing effect and improved analgesia in children having chest wall correction surgery.
Induction of tyrosine hydroxylase expression by the transcription factor Pitx3
Authors: Messmer Kirsten , Remington Mary P. , Skidmore Frank , Fishman Paul S.
Published: December 2006

Transcription factors are fate determining regulatory factors in dopaminergic neuronal development and differentiation. Among them, Nurr1 is the most extensively studied, but the importance of Pitx3 has recently been appreciated. Over‐expression of both factors has been utilized to enhance the dopaminergic differentiation of stem cells for transplantation into models of Parkinson's disease. Previous studies however have seen conflicting results regarding the induction of tyrosine hydroxylase expression and dopaminergic differentiation induced by over‐expression of Pitx3. Here we show that over‐expression of Pitx3 and Nurr1 induced endogenous tyrosine hydroxylase expression as well as a tyrosine hydroxylase promoter–reporter construct in a human non‐neuronal and mouse embryonic stem cell lines. Combined simultaneous expression of Nurr1 and Pitx3 however did not lead to enhancement of tyrosine hydroxylase expression over that of either factor alone in either of the cell lines or with either method. These results suggest that other regulatory elements may also be involved in regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase expression. There was also a lack of a correlation between the expression levels of tyrosine hydroxylase with that of the transcription factor constructs. To yield a robust dopaminergic differentiation a combinatorial or successive treatment with different transcription factors may be more effective.
Changes in microtubule‐associated protein‐2 (MAP2) expression during development and after status epilepticus in the immature rat hippocampus
Authors: Jalava Niina S. , Lopez‐Picon Francisco R. , Kukko‐Lukjanov Tiina‐Kaisa , Holopainen Irma E.
Published: December 2006

In this study, we analyzed the spatiotemporal expression patterns of the high‐molecular weight (MAP2a and b) and low‐molecular weight (MAP2c and d) cytoskeletal microtubule‐associated protein‐2 (MAP2) isoforms with Western blotting, and the cellular localization of the high‐molecular weight MAP2 isoforms with immunocytochemistry in the hippocampi of 1‐ to 21‐day‐old rats. Moreover, the temporal profile (from 30 min to 1 week) of MAP2 isoform reactivity to kainic acid‐induced status epilepticus was studied in P9 rats. During development, the expression of the high‐molecular weight MAP2 isoforms significantly increased, while the low‐molecular weight isoforms decreased, the most prominent changes occurring during the second postnatal week. This developmental increase in the high‐molecular weight MAP2 expression was also confirmed with immunocytochemistry, which showed increased immunoreactivity, particularly in the molecular layers of the dentate gyrus, and in CA1 and CA3 stratum radiatum. In 9‐day‐old rats, status epilepticus resulted in a rapid transient increase (about 210%) in the high‐molecular weight MAP2 expression, without any effect on the low‐molecular weight MAP2. Moreover, disturbed dendritic structure in the CA1 and CA3 stratum radiatum was manifested as formation of varicosities 3 h after the kainic acid treatment. The strictly developmentally regulated MAP2 isoform expression suggests different functional roles for these proteins during the postnatal development in the rat hippocampus. Moreover, high‐molecular weight MAP2s may play a role in nerve cell survival during cell stress.
210Pb chronology and trace metal geochemistry at Los Tuxtlas, Mexico, as evidenced by a sedimentary record from the Lago Verde crater lake
Authors: Carolina Ruiz-Fernández Ana , Hillaire-Marcel Claude , Páez-Osuna Federico , Ghaleb Bassam , Caballero Margarita
Published: December 2006

Lago Verde is a fresh-water maar found on the lower slopes of San Martin volcano, at the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas, Mexico, currently the northernmost remnant of the tropical rain forest in America. 210Pb and 137Cs analyzed in a sediment core were used to reconstruct the historical fluxes of Ag, Cd, Cu, Pb, Hg and Zn to the site during the last ∼ 150 yr. The 210Pbxs-derived sediment accumulation rates, the magnetic susceptibility, C/N ratios and δ13C data evidenced background conditions at the lake until 1960s, when enhanced erosion related to the clearing of large forested areas at Los Tuxtlas promoted higher accumulation rates of a heavier and more magnetic sedimentary material. Recent sediments from Lago Verde were found enriched by Pb (26-fold natural concentration level [NCLs]) and moderately enriched by Cd>Cu>Zn and Hg (6-, 5-, 4- and 4-fold corresponding NCLs, respectively). The fluxes of Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn have significantly increased since 1940s, with peak ratios of total modern to pre-industrial fluxes of 11, 11, 19 and 49, respectively. The lake occupies a relatively pristine, non-industrialized basin, and therefore the increased metal fluxes might be related to long-distance aeolian transport of trace metals.
Introduction
Authors: Braude Ann
Published: December 2006

In 2005–2006 Harvard Divinity School observed the fiftieth anniversary of the admission of women to the school, and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Women's Studies in Religion Program. This special issue of the Harvard Theological Review extends the celebration of these two anniversaries by gathering highlights of their intellectual fruit. The year-long celebration began with a convocation at which Harvard President Lawrence Summers joined Divinity School Dean William Graham and the faculty, staff and students in marking the historic anniversary. The convocation address, “A Short Half-Century: Fifty Years of Women at Harvard Divinity School,” is included as the first entry in this issue. Throughout the year, distinguished alumnae delivered prestigious named lectures, and panels recalled particularly salient outcomes of women's presence. The year concluded with a session at which the first women students who entered in 1955 returned to HDS to reflect on their experiences and careers.
Acute Melancholia
Authors: Hollywood Amy
Published: December 2006

Before melancholy, gratitude. First to Elizabeth and Ernest Monrad, for their countless gifts to Harvard University and, today in particular, to the Divinity School. It is a great honor to hold the Elizabeth H. Monrad Chair in Christian Studies and I hope I can do so in ways that at least partially reflect the grace and generosity of the chair's namesake and of its donors. My gratitude to Bill Graham, Dean of the Divinity School, is enormous, both for his professional confidence in me and for his persistent and inspiring vision of what Harvard Divinity School is and can be. It is wonderful to be here and for that I thank my colleagues—the faculty, administration, staff, and students of HDS. And finally, for helping me think through this particular bit of work, special thanks to Constance Furey, Stephanie Paulsell, and Melissa Zeiger.
Encountering the “Other” in a World of Difference and Danger
Authors: Russell Letty M.
Published: December 2006

Paul Tillich and I arrived at Harvard Divinity School in the fall of 1955. It is the 50th anniversary of Tillich's inaugural year (1955–1956) as University Professor at Harvard University and my 50th anniversary as one of the first women students to attend the Harvard Divinity School. It is no accident that we came at the same time, for I chose to come to Harvard for my ministerial studies just so I could be part of its renewal, and study with professors such as Paul Tillich.
The Selfe Undone: Individualism and Relationality in John Donne and Aemilia Lanyer
Authors: Furey Constance
Published: December 2006

There is something right about the hoary old claim that Protestantism spawned individualism. It has been challengedfrom all sides: by those who argue the reverse, by historians of religion who point out that introspective piety was not unique to the early modern period, and by scholars who demonstrate that early Protestants were deeply invested in ecclesiology and communal rituals. Yet this claim—even though clunky and inadequate—remains important, not least because it highlights an enduring link between the way we interpret early Protestant texts and the way we understand individualism today. Consider John Donne's famous denial of isolation, written nearly four hundred years ago: “No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe.” This statement compels us because it refutes what often feels irrefutable: that each person is, essentially, a solitary being, and that, while this existential state may be ameliorated, it is an unavoidable fact of life.