bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of estramustine phosphate on prostatic cancer estimated by transrectal ultrasonotomography
Authors: Watanabe H. , Ohe H. , Ando K. , Sawamura Y. , Niijima T. , Nakamura S. , Orikasa S. , Tanahashi Y. , Imamura K. , Yoshida H.
Published: February 2007

Transrectal Ultrasonotomography was performed in 44 patients with prostatic cancer before, during, and after estramustine phosphate (Estracyt®) administration. In 75.7% of 37 previously untreated patients, the deformity of the horizontal section of the prostate with prostatic cancer was corrected considerably, while in 89.2%, prostatic weight was remarkably reduced. In 57.1% of seven previously treated patients, appreciable changes were also observed in the shape and weight of the prostate. We concluded that estramustine phosphate was effective not only for untreated prostatic cancer, but also, at least in some degree, for relapsed cases.
Cancer serum index: A useful nonspecific test as a parameter in multimodality screening and assessment of patients with cancer of the prostate
Authors: Kundin W. D. , Mechali P. , Hollinshead A. C. , Miller H. , Bensimon H.
Published: February 2007

A satisfactory, simple test for screening and monitoring of patients with prostatic cancer is still being sought. We suggest the use of a nonspecific test in combination with other tests. The ratio of two serum proteins (α1 acid glycoprotein [AGP] and prealbumin [PAB]), may be useful markers for a cancer serum index (CSI). By separating serum components by gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, staining and quantitating these proteins by scanning densitometry, and dividing the area of AGP by that of PAB, indices can be obtained.

In a test of sera from 450 patients with prostatic cancer, other urologic problems, and normal controls, CSIs of 360 sera presently decoded were found to be:

equation image

The CSI should prove highly valuable when used in combination with selected prostatic cancer tests.
The clinical relevance of in vitro markers
Authors: Jones Lawrence W. , Kaighn M. Edward
Published: February 2007

Non‐phosphatase antigens, chromosomes, steroid metabolities, and growth control marker systems may become clinically relevant for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of prostatic cancer.
Postnatal development of the ventral prostate gland in normal versus protein‐calorie malnourished rats
Authors: Weaker Frank J. , Herbert Damon C.
Published: February 2007

The ultrastructure of the postnatal development of the secretory cells within the ventral prostate gland was studied in the protein‐calorie malnourished rat. Twenty‐day‐old Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed either a low protein diet (LPD) containing % protein in the form of vitamin free casein or a standard laboratory diet (SLD) containing 27% protein. Animals maintained on the LPD and SLD were sacrificed every 7 days, beginning on Day 27 and ending on Day 55. The ventral prostate glands were perfused by whole body vascular perfusion via the left ventricle and processed for electron microscopy. The secretory cells of the prostates of the SLD‐fed rats demonstrated progressive development of the organelles involved in protein synthesis which included an increase in cisternal profiles of the rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER), an enlargement of the Golgi apparatus, and an increase in the number of mature secretory granules. On the other hand, the growth of the secretory cells of the animals fed the LPD was retarded. The cells had an overall reduction in RER, the elements of the Golgi complex and the size of the nuclei as compared to age‐matched controls. Additionally, they were characterized by an increase in various vacuole‐like structures along with a concomitant decrease in mature secretory granules. These morphological observations suggest that protein‐calorie malnutrition impedes both the development of the ventral prostate gland and the secretory activity of its epithelial cells.
Prostatic hyperplasia and neoplasia in aging F344 rats
Authors: Reznik Gerd , Hamlin Melvin H. , Ward Jerrold M. , Stinson Sherman F.
Published: February 2007

The prostates of 1775 (614 control and 1161 experimental) 2‐year‐old F344 rats from 12 different carcinogen bioassays conducted by the Bioassay Program of the NCI and the NTP were evaluated histologically. The incidence of prostatic lesions including (atypical) hyperplastic foci, adenomas, and carcinomas was 6.8%. There was no difference in the type or incidence of the lesions between treated and untreated animals. Adenomas or carcinomas were found in 71 (4.0%) of the rats, primarily as incidental findings. The number of tumors and hyperplastic foci varied from laboratory to laboratory depending on the anatomical localization of the plane of the section. Most of the neoplasms were found in the ventrolateral lobes of the prostate (ventral prostate). When adequate sections were prepared of the ventral lobe, 10–20% of the prostates had these proliferative lesions. The lesions were usually small and originated in the epithelium of the alveoli and small ducts and were not associated with the common inflammatory lesions of the rat prostate. Thin fibrous capsules were formed in a few of the larger tumors. Metastases were not observed but there was local invasion into alveoli, ducts and interstitial connective tissue. Evidence is presented that the atypical hyperplasias progress to adenoma and carcinoma. The F344 rat offers a potential model for the study of latent prostatic preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions.
Circadian aspects of serum prolactin and TSH lowering by bromocriptine in patients with prostatic hypertrophy
Authors: Tarquini Brunetto , Halberg Franz , Seal Ulysses S. , Benvenuti Maria , Cagnoni Mario
Published: February 2007

Bromocriptine mesylate lowers the serum concentration of prolactin and TSH in patients with prostatic hypertrophy as a function of drug administration time. The effect of a 2.5‐mg dose in lowering these two hormones in presumably similar patients is statistically highly significant and relatively large at unusual test times (in the evening); at other, conventional test or administration times (early morning or midday), it is smaller, questionable, or not demonstrable with the dose and conditions used. Dosing without timing may lead to reduced effect or lack of effect, ambiguity and controversy, and lack of timing may account for the circumstance that an effect of bromocriptine upon TSH in human serum was not previously established. Rigorous assessment of the effect of bromocriptine mesylate upon circulating TSH and prolactin requires consideration of the entire spectrum of rhythms, ultradian and infradian as well as circannual. The circadian approach here analyzed represents a step toward that goal and indicates that the circadian frequency is a critical determinant of this response. Manipulation of TSH concentration in serum, in turn, is of interest in view of the demonstrated alteration of the circannual TSH rhythm in patients with prostatic cancer.
A chemically defined medium for the propagation of rat prostate adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Chan Sham‐Yuen
Published: February 2007

A chemically defined medium (MB‐DF) has been developed for the propagation of the rat prostate adenocarcinoma cell line (PA‐III). The medium (MB‐DF) was supplemented with fetuin, insulin, transferrin, dexamethasone, and 5α‐dihydrotestosterone, but require no serum supplement. The adapted line, PA‐III,. has been grown in this serum‐free medium for 30 passages over a period of 12 months without losing the malignant or other characteristics of the parent line. When transplanted into syngeneic rats, the PA‐III, cells reconstituted the adenocarcinoma and metastasized spontaneously via ipsilateral lymphatic channels to the lungs. This cell line will be of use in further analyses of enzymes associated with biological properties of the tumor cells.
In vitro susceptibility of trichomonas vaginalis to zinc
Authors: Gardner William A. , O'Hara Caroline , Bailey Janice , Bennett Betsy D.
Published: February 2007

The prostate has long been considered to be a site of sequestration of Trichomonas vaginalis. From this reservoir, organisms are thought to be shed during intercourse and produce repeated infections in the female genitourinary tract. Bacteria known to cause prostatitis are inhibited by concentrations of zinc found in uninfected prostatic secretions. The present study demonstrates a similar inhibitory effect of zinc on the growth of T. vaginalis. This finding would suggest that, in otherwise healthy males, the prostate is not likely to be a reservoir for latent infection by these organisms.
A serologic approach to the definition of human prostatic carcinoma antigens
Authors: Webb Karen S. , Ware Joy L. , Parks Susane F. , Paulson David F.
Published: February 2007

We have used an immunoaffinity system whereby immunoglobulin from patients with prostatic carcinoma was coupled to solid phase protein A; the immobilized IgG was subsequently exposed to radiolabeled antigen from autochthonous or allogeneic primary tumor extracts or to radiolabeled antigen from a nude mouse‐supported prostatic carcinoma cell line. Material specifically bound by prostatic carcinoma patient immune IgG was quantitatively eluted from the immunoadsorbent and characterized with regard to molecular weight. Sequential adsorption analyses of patient sera with normal human tissue pools, normal prostatic tissue, prostatic carcinoma tissue, and tissue from other urogenital malignancies has allowed a definition of those antigenic specificities relevant in the immunobiology of prostatic carcinoma. The patient humoral response was observed to be directed primarily toward a complex array of antigens representing normal human tissue components; serorecognition of prostate tumor associated antigens was discernable from that of common tissue antigens only after rigorous adsorption analyses. Preliminary results indicate that the prostatic cancer patient humoral antibody response may be directed toward either altered histocompatibility complex antigens or toward antigens physically associated with histocompatibility complex antigens.
Transrectal fine‐needle aspiration biopsy for cytologic diagnosis and grading of prostatic carcinoma
Authors: Willems Jan‐Silvester , Löwhagen Torsten
Published: February 2007

In this article, the Karolinska experience of transrectal fine‐needle aspiration biopsy of prostatic carcinoma, which now extends over more than twenty years, is evaluated. The cytologic criteria for diagnosing prostatic carcinoma in aspirates are well defined. While accuracy of cytodiagnosis is similar to that of histopathologic diagnosis, fine‐needle aspiration is a less traumatic, cheaper procedure compared with histologic biopsy methods. Accuracy depends very much upon the skill of the examiner taking the cell samples and on the alertness of the cytopathologist for possible diagnostic pitfalls. Cytologic grading of prostatic carcinoma into well, moderately, and poorly differentiated types has been shown to be correlated significantly not only to histopathologic grading, but also to clinical stage, response to hormonal therapy and survival. The degree of tumor differentiation is well reproduced by independent observers. Cytochemical parameters, such as DNA measurement, constitute a potential refinement of cytologic grading, especially in moderately differentiated carcinomas. In medical centers with long experience of fine‐needle aspiration biopsy, the method has a central role in diagnosis and management of prostatic carcinoma, including posttherapy follow‐up.
Androgens and prostate‐specific acid phosphatase in whole tissue and in separated epithelium from human benign prostatic hypertrophic glands
Authors: Bolton Nicholas J. , Lahtonen Riitta , Vihko Pirkko , Kontturi Matti , Vihko Reijo
Published: February 2007

The concentrations of prostate‐specific acid phosphatase (PAP), testosterone, 5α‐dihydrotestosterone (5α‐DHT), 5α‐androstane‐3α, 17β‐diol, androstenedione, 5α‐androstanedione, and androsterone were measured by specific radioimmunoassays in whole pieces and in separated epithelium from human benign pro‐static hypertrophic (BPH) tissues. Significant correlations were noted between the concentrations of PAP and 5α‐DHT, and PAP and 5α‐androstane‐3α, 17β‐diol in the epithelium, and between PAP and androstenedione, and PAP and testosterone in the whole tissue. The results indicate that in the epithelium the synthesis of PAP is androgen dependent, particularly as regards 5α‐DHT, whereas 5α‐androstane‐3α, 17β‐diol may operate after conversion to 5α‐DHT. There is no obvious explanation for the correlations noted in whole tissue, but is suggested that circulating androgens, representing the androgen source for the prostate, primarily determine the production of PAP. The majority of the PAP in BPH tissues is located extracellularly.
Cadmium‐induced prostate metallothionein in the rabbit
Authors: Waalkes M. P. , Donovan M. P. , Thomas J. A.
Published: February 2007

Male rabbits injected with cadmium chloride (4 mg/kg) lead to the detection of a major metal‐containing peak in the prostate cytosol. Chromatographic profiles indicate the presence of metallothionein (MT). MT is associated with zinc ion. The rabbit prostate, like that of other species, contains zinc‐associated proteins, and this protein possesses many of the characteristics of metallothionein.
An anatomic and histologic study of the rat prostate
Authors: Jesik C. J. , Holland J. M. , Lee C.
Published: February 2007

Various morphologic features of the rat prostate complex were characterized by anatomic dissection and by light microscope histology. The prostate complex is viewed as a whole and it is related to the individual portions of the male reproductive system. The three lobes of the prostate are designated as ventral, lateral, and dorsal according to their relation to the urethra. These lobes are connected to the urethra by fascia and a series of ducts. Relations of the prostate to the seminal vesicles, coagulating glands, vas deferens and ampullary glands, urinary bladder, and ureters are described. Vascular supply is also reviewed. While the acinar pattern of each prostatic lobe is unique, the dorsal and lateral lobes more closely resemble each other than the ventral lobes.
Copenhagen rat prostatic tumor ornithine decarboxylase activity (ODC) and the effect of the ODC inhibitor alpha‐difluoromethylornithine
Authors: Heston W. D. W. , Kadmon D. , Lazan D. W. , Fair W. R.
Published: February 2007

The R3327MAT‐Lu tumor is a rapidly growing anaplastic derivative of the Dunning R3327 prostatic adenocarcinoma. We have found the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity of this tumor to be as sensitive to inhibition by alpha‐difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) as normal rat prostate. The same was true for all the other R3327 tumor derivatives we studied. The in vivo inhibition of ODC by DFMO allowed increased uptake of exogenously administered putrescine by the R3327 AT tumor. Further, DFMO was inhibitory to the growth of the R3327MAT‐Lu both in vitro and in vivo.
Responses to androgens of rat ventral prostate nuclear androgen‐binding sites sensitive and resistant to micrococcal nuclease
Authors: Davies P. , Thomas P. , Giles M. G.
Published: February 2007

Rat ventral prostate nuclei were separated into three major fractions by mild digestion with micrococcal nuclease and two fractions by extensive digestion. All fractions contained an‐drogen‐binding sites. Almost 50% of nuclear binding sites were resistant to enzymic digestion when only 5–15% of total DNA was resistant. Under milder digestion conditions, 21% of nuclear binding sites were associated with an intermediate fraction, representing 16% of total nuclear DNA, which was enriched in specific androgen‐regulated gene sequences. This fraction was rapidly degraded by more extensive digestion. The nuclease sensitivity of these particular genes was markedly influenced by castration and the administration of dihydro‐testosterone to castrated animals. The nuclear content of both nuclease‐resistant and ‐sensitive androgen‐binding sites was decreased by castration. Whereas the administration of an‐drogen to animals castrated 1 day previously preferentially replenished nuclease‐resistant sites, nuclease‐sensitive sites, including those associated with transcriptionally active regions, had apparent priority when androgen was supplied to animals castrated 7 days previously. The significance of these observations to the regulation of nuclear processes and the possible interrelationships of nuclease‐sensitive and ‐insensitive sites are discussed.
Plasminogen activator activity in human prostate and breast tumors: Relationship to steroid receptors
Authors: Rennie Paul S. , Bruchovsky Nicholas , Mo Shudon , De Jong Gary , Cheng Helen
Published: February 2007

Using a fluorometric assay based on the activation of human plasminogen, plasminogen activator (PA) activity was measured in cytosolic and lysosomal extracts prepared from normal, benign hyperplastic (BPH), and carcinomatous human prostates. In all three types of prostatic tissue, the lysosomal extracts had much higher concentrations of PA activity than did the cytosolic extracts. The mean PA activity in lysosomal extracts of the carcinomatous prostates was 170% and 85% higher than that measured in normal and BPH prostates, respectively (Student's t‐test, p < .05). With prostatic carcinoma and BPH specimens there was an inverse (negative) relationship between lysosomal PA activity and the nuclear concentration of androgen‐receptors (correlation coefficient, −0.84). By comparison in specimens of human breast tumors, there were weakly positive correlations between PA activity and either estrogen (ER) or progestin (PR) receptors (correlation coefficients of +0.23 and +0.54, respectively). While as a group ER+, PR+ breast tumors had higher PA activity that ER+, PR‐ or ER‐, PR‐ tumors, the differences were not statistically significant (Student's t‐test, p > .05). Thus in breast tumors, it is uncertain whether high levels of PA activity are indicative of hormonal dependence. However, our findings with prostatic tumors infer that in contrast, high concentrations of this enzyme may reflect a malignant phenotype characterized by a decrease in both androgen responsiveness and differentiation.
Induction of prostate adenocarcinomas in Lobund Wistar rats by testosterone
Authors: Pollard Morris , Luckert Phyllis H. , Schmidt Marjorie A.
Published: February 2007

Prostate adenocarcinomas were induced in Lobund Wistar rats following subcutaneous implants of silastic chambers containing testosterone propionate. The tumors resembled those that developed spontaneously in the Lobund Wistar rats. Tumors were not induced in ACI rats by the same treatment schedule.
Combined long‐term treatment with an LHRH agonist and a pure antiandrogen blocks androgenic influence in the rat
Authors: Lefebvre F. A. , Séguin C. , Bélanger A. , Caron S. , Sairam M. R. , Raynaud J. P. , Labrie F.
Published: February 2007

Daily administration for 5 months of the potent LHRH agonist (D‐Ser(TBU)6, des‐Gly‐NH210) LHRH ethylamide (250 ng) in combination with the pure antiandrogen RU23908 (5 mg) to adult male rats causes a marked inhibition of ventral prostate and seminal vesicle weight to 9% and 15% of control, respectively. At the doses used, owing to readjustments of the pituitary‐testicular axis, neither treatment alone has an effect on prostate weight and exerts only minimal inhibitory effects on seminal vesicle weight. Whereas treatment with the LHRH agonist alone markedly inhibits testicular LH and PRL receptor levels, the antiandrogen alone stimulates the concentration of the two receptors and reverses the inhibitory effect of the LHRH agonist treatment on LH receptors. Treatment with the LHRH agonist decreases plasma PRL levels, whereas the antiandrogen increases the concentration of circulating LH and FSH by 250%. Treatment with the LHRH agonist decreases the concentration of testosterone and its precursors of the Δ4‐pathway while stimulating 5α‐reductase activity in both the absence and presence of simultaneous treatment with the antiandrogen. The present data show that blockage of the Δ4‐steroidogenic pathway induced by treatment with an LHRH agonist prevents the escape phenomenon observed during long‐term treatment with a pure antiandrogen, and permits maximal inhibitory effects of the two treatments on secondary sex organ weight. Such combined treatment with an LHRH agonist (to block androgen formation) and an antiandrogen (to neutralize remaining androgens of testicular and adrenal origin) should be the hormonal therapy of choice in prostatic carcinoma.
A comparative clinical trial of adriamycin and 5‐fluorouracil in advanced prostatic cancer: Prognostic factors and response
Authors: Dewys William D. , Begg Colin B. , Brodovsky Harvey , Creech Richard , Khandekar Janardan
Published: February 2007

In patients with metastatic hormone‐relapsed adenocarcinoma of the prostate, adriarnycin was compared to 5‐fluorouracil in a randomized trial in 99 patients and adriamycin alone was studied in an open trial in 48 patients. Response to adriamycin was superior as judged by response of measurable disease (25 vs 8%; P <0.05) and survival (median 29 vs 24 weeks; Cox analysis, P <0.03), but comparable as judged by acid phosphatase response. Ambulatory status and site of metastases influenced rate of response to chemotherapy. Activity level, site of metastases, weight loss, and the symptom of protein aversion were prognostic factors for survival. Hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity were frequent but were tolerated satisfactorily. Adriamycin therapy may be beneficial in patients with prostatic cancer after hormone therapy.
Fibroadenoma‐like foci in human prostatic nodular hyperplasia
Authors: Kafandari P. M. , Polyzonis M. B.
Published: February 2007

A morphologically distinctive lesion similar to fibroadenomas in female breast was found in 12 cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia out of 1356 prostatic specimens examined. All of them were from patients older than 60 years of age, and none from either normal or carcinomatous prostates. A possible pathogenetic interrelationship between the prostatic lesion and the fibroadenomas of female breast is discussed.
Provisional “Normograms” for identifying adenocarcinomas of the prostate or colon and hepatocellular carcinoma derived from their distribution of proteins separated by two‐dimensional electrophoresis
Authors: Anderson K. M. , Baranowski J. , Bonomi Philip , Economou S. G.
Published: February 2007

The distribution of proteins in samples from 8 prostate and 4 colon adenocarcinomas and 1 hepatoma was analyzed by 2‐dimensional protein electrophoresis. Composite “normograms” based upon their distribution of proteins were developed from these patterns. Particular attention was paid to acidic proteins between pI 3.5 and 5.9. Of 161 proteins enumerated, 23 of the first 135 were present in prostate cancers, compared with 68 in colon cancer and 85 in the hepatoma. The 26 proteins denoted from nos. 135 to 161 were prostate associated, and none was evident in the colon or hepatoma samples. Twenty‐seven prostate, 20 colon, and 48 liver cancer proteins were “unique” to each of the 3 cancers, respectively. The patterns of protein associated with each type of cancer were so dissimilar that with this technique no difficulty should be experienced in distinguishing these carcinomas orginating from 3 different types of “stem” cells without obligatory recourse to microscopy.
Endobronchial metastasis from prostate carcinoma
Authors: Scherz Hal , Schmidt Joseph D.
Published: February 2007

Metastasis from the prostate to the lungs is common; however, endobronchial metastasis from the prostate has been reported only twice. We report a patient with endobronchial metastases from the prostate in the absence of bony metastases. Clinical and roentgeno‐graphic findings of pulmonary metastases from prostate cancer are described, and therapeutic considerations are discussed.
Accounting for ligand‐bound metal ions in docking small molecules on adenylyl cyclase toxins
Authors: Chen Deliang , Menche Gerd , Power Trevor D. , Sower Laurie , Peterson Johnny W. , Schein Catherine H.
Published: February 2007

The adenylyl cyclase toxins produced by bacteria (such as the edema factor (EF) of Bacillus anthracis and CyaA of Bordetella pertussis) are important virulence factors in anthrax and whooping cough. Co‐crystal structures of these proteins differ in the number and positioning of metal ions in the active site. Metal ions bound only to the ligands in the crystal structures are not included during the docking. To determine what effect these “missing” metals have on docking results, the AutoDock, LigandFit/Cerius2, and FlexX programs were compared for their ability to correctly place substrate analogues and inhibitors into the active sites of the crystal structures of EF, CyaA, and mammalian adenylate cyclase. Protonating the phosphates of substrate analogues improved the accuracy of docking into the active site of CyaA, where the grid did not account for one of the three Mg2+ ions in the crystal structure. The AutoDock ranking (based on docking energies) of a test group of compounds was relatively unaffected by protonation of carboxyl groups. However, the ranking by FlexX‐ChemScore varied significantly, especially for docking to CyaA, suggesting that alternate protonation states should be tested when screening compound libraries with this program. When the charges on the bound metal were set correctly, AutoDock was the most reliable program of the three tested with respect to positioning substrate analogues and ranking compounds according to their experimentally determined ability to inhibit EF. Proteins 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nonparametric empirical Bayes method for comparison of treatment effects with application to stress urinary incontinence data
Authors: Liu Chaofeng , Shen Wei , Xie Jun
Published: February 2007

Hierarchical models are widely used in medical research to structure complicated models and produce statistical inferences. In a hierarchical model, observations are sampled conditional on some parameters and these parameters are sampled from a common prior distribution. Bayes and empirical Bayes (EB) methods have been effectively applied in analyzing these models. Despite many successes, parametric Bayes and EB methods may be sensitive to misspecification of prior distributions. In this paper, without specific restriction on the form of the prior distribution, we propose a nonparametric EB method to estimate the treatment effect of each group and develop a testing procedure to compare between‐group differences. Simulation studies demonstrate that the proposed EB method was more efficient than some standard procedures. An illustrative example is provided with data from a clinical trial evaluating a new treatment for patients with stress urinary incontinence. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative Aggregation–Activity Relationship (QAAR): Supermolecular View, Dimer as the Simplest Aggregation State and Monomolecule
Authors: Fan Feng , Li Zhong , Xu Xiaoyong , Qian Xuhong
Published: February 2007

Aggregation state of bioactive compounds plays a key role in its bio‐interactive procedure. In this paper, based on the structural information of dimers, the simplest model of aggregation state, classical QSAR, was used for the investigation of the relationship between aggregation state and bioactivity. Aided by the template of crystal structure of Teflubenzuron, two dimer descriptors of ΔE and ΔRg which could describe parts of the aggregation state characters were used to establish the models. QSAR research implicates that the bioactivity may strongly depend on the molecular aggregation state.
Calculated spectral properties of perylene orange, perylene red, and their complex with sodium azide
Authors: Aldongarov Anuar , Barashkov Nikolay N. , Irgibaeva Irina S.
Published: February 2007

Using the method of density functional theory in approximating B3LYP with the basis set 6‐31G(d) the computations of structures of the following dyes 2,2′‐N‐N′‐di(1,3‐diisopropylbenzene)‐diimide 3,4,9,10‐perylenetethracarbon acid (Perylene Orange‐PO) and 1,6,7,12‐tethraphenyl ether 2,2′‐N,N′‐di(1,3‐diisopropylbenzene)‐diimide 3,4,9,10‐perylenetethracarbon acid (Perylene Red‐PR) were performed. It was revealed that PO and PR have nonplanar structures. On the basis of the predicted geometrical structures and molecular orbitals of S0 ground state their theoretical UV‐vis spectra, which are in good agreement with experiment, were obtained by applying time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) method. In addition, the calculations of complex [PR … NaN3] and its UV‐vis spectrum, which was compared with the observed electron spectrum of PR ethanol solution in the presence of NaN3 under the laser irradiation at 532 nm, were carried out. By using DFT method at B3LYP level the calculations of the assumed complex were made where the reaction coordinate was the distance between Na+ and carbonyl group O atom. It was suggested that [PR … NaN3] complex formation involves transition of PR to the triplet state which brings about formation of PR anion. New peak at 793 nm in UV‐vis spectrum of this solution under the laser irradiation at 532 nm is supposed to be a PR anion band. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007
Electron transfer dissociation of N‐glycopeptides: loss of the entire N‐glycosylated asparagine side chain
Authors: Catalina M. Isabel , Koeleman Carolien A. M. , Deelder André M. , Wuhrer Manfred
Published: February 2007

The recently introduced electron transfer dissociation (ETD) technique opens new possibilities for the structural characterization of glycoproteins at the glycopeptide level. In this report, we investigate the ETD mass spectra of tryptic N‐glycopeptides of the model glycoprotein horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Multiply protonated N‐glycopeptides obtained by electrospray ionization were subjected to ETD. Fragment ions obtained by ETD were further analyzed by collision‐induced dissociation (CID) (MS3) for their unambiguous structural assignment. The following fragmentation features were revealed: (1) c‐ and z‐type peptide backbone cleavages were observed with retention of the intact glycan moiety revealing peptide sequence, glycan attachment site, and glycan mass; (2) to a lesser extent, glycosidic bond cleavages were registered with retention of the intact peptide sequence; and (3) a range of amino acid side chain losses did occur. Remarkably, the loss of the complete N‐glycosylated asparagine side chain was observed. This loss of the glycan‐modified side chain helps with the structural characterization of glycopeptides by allowing the facile deduction and verification of the glycan mass and the nature of the amino acid residue at the glycan attachment site. Importantly, informative ETD spectra were obtained in this study by reversed‐phase nano‐liquid chromatography (LC) coupled online to a radio‐frequency (rf) quadrupole ion trap (QIT) mass spectrometer with alternating acquisition of CID and ETD mass spectra from an automatically selected set of precursors (data‐dependent mode). Thus, our study brings nano‐LC/QIT‐MSn with CID and ETD to the fore as a powerful technique for glycoproteomics at the glycopeptide level. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical inference for P(X<Y)
Authors: Zhou Wang
Published: February 2007

Let X and Y be two independent continuous random variables. We make statistical inference about θ=P(X<Y), the so‐called stress–strength model, through the Edgeworth expansions and the bootstrap approximations of the Studentized Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney statistics. Finite‐sample accuracy of the confidence intervals is assessed through a simulation study. Two real data sets are analysed to illustrate our methods. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymorphic transitions of cocoa butter affected by high hydrostatic pressure and sucrose polyesters
Authors: Oh Jun‐Hyun , Swanson Barry G.
Published: February 2007

Form V to Form VI transitions of cocoa butter (CB) were investigated by varying the temperature between 28 and 21°C during storage. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatments of CB melt at 60 or 21°C did not affect the rate of Form V to Form VI transitions in CB crystallized in Form V during temperature fluctuations. The HHP treatments with 100, 300, or 600 MPa of CB crystallized in Form V crystals did not alter the rate of Form V to Form VI transitions of CB. The addition of sucrose polyesters to CB melts altered the rate of Form V to Form VI transitions of CB and was dependent on the FA chain lengths and hydrophilelipophile balance (HLB) values of the SPE. The addition of most SPE to CB melts promoted the polymorphic transitions; however, sucrose polyester S‐170 containing FA of chain length similar to CB with small HLB values inhibited Form V to Form VI transitions of CB for 10 temperature fluctuation cycles. Therefore, HHP treatments can be applied to foods containing high fat with little effect on the polymorphic transitions, and selected SPE may be used to retard adverse polymorphic transitions.
Preparation and surface‐active properties of hydroxy and epoxy fatty acid‐containing soy phospholipids
Authors: Das Soma , Bhattacharyya D. K.
Published: February 2007

This paper deals with the ester‐ester interchange reaction using an immobilized lipase (Lipozyme TL IM) as biocatalyst and sodium methoxide as a chemical catalyst for incorporating oxygenated FA such as 12‐hydroxyoleic, 12‐hydroxystearic, and 12‐epoxyoleic in soy phospholipids. As much as 65% hydroxyoleic acid, 57% hydroxystearic acid, and 43% epoxyoleic acid were incorporated in soy phospholipid with lipase. The corresponding incorporations of these acids were 51, 49, and 35%, respectively, by using the chemical catalyst. Interface properties such as critical micelle concentration (CMC), effectiveness of interfacial tension reduction (γCMC), maximum surface excess concentration (Γmax), and minimum area/molecule at the interface (Amin) of the modified products were measured and found to be different from those of the original soy phospholipids.
Effect of some terpenyl oleates on soybean oil oxidation at 180°C
Authors: Onal‐Ulusoy Baran , Hammond Earl , White Pamela
Published: February 2007

The ability of linalyl oleate (LO) to act as an autoxidation inhibitor in soybean oil at 180±5°C was compared with the oleates of geraniol (GeO), menthol (MenO), perillyl alcohol (PeO), farnesol (Fa)), phytol (PhO), and cholesterol (ChO) at levels of 0.1% by weight in the oil. Changes in FA composition and conjugated dienes were monitored. Logarithmic plots of the decreasing ratios of linoleate/palmitate and linolenate/palmitate vs. time were linear for soybean oil controls, but plots for LO, GeO, MenO, PeO, FaO, and ChO had inflection points (IP) at times between 5 and 11.4 h. These terpenyl oleates had smaller rate constants before the IP than the control oil. Thus, these esters all exhibited autoxidation inhibition, which was confirmed by conjugated diene values. Plots for PhO had no IP and very limited inhibitory effect relative to the controls. LO originally was chosen for study because it has a double bound structure similar to that of the side chain of avenasterol, which also shows an ability to inhibit oxidation. The ability of terpenyl oleates having widely different structures to inhibit autoxidation suggests that LO's double bound structure is not the cause of its inhibitory activity.
Aspicilia uxoris, an epiphytic species from Algeria, Morocco and Spain
Authors: RICO Víctor J. , ARAGÓN Gregorio , ESNAULT Joël
Published: February 2007

Aspicilia uxoris is proposed as a new combination for a species known from Algeria, Morocco and Spain. It grows on bark and lignum of Cedrus atlantica, Juniperus spp. and Pinus halepensis in the western Mediterranean Region. It is characterized by spore and conidia sizes, granular epihymenium on the surface of paraphyses and a typical apothecial structure and development. The ecology and distribution of the species and a comparison with other epiphytic taxa of the genus are discussed. Notes on the identity of Aspicilia lignicola are provided. Lectotypes for Aspicilia cinerea var. vulgaris f. lignicola, Lecanora lignicola and Lecanora uxoris are designated.
Effect of a pilot community intervention on fruit and vegetable intakes: use of FACET (Five-a-day Community Evaluation Tool)
Authors: Ashfield-Watt PAL , Welch AA , Godward S , Bingham SA
Published: February 2007

Background

In 2001 the UK Department of Health funded pilot community-based interventions to improve fruit and vegetable intakes in five economically deprived areas of England. The effectiveness of the programme and the use of a brief tool for evaluating community interventions are reported here.

Methods

Data on intakes of and beliefs about fruit and vegetables were collected by a short postal questionnaire (FACET – Five-a-day Community Evaluation Tool) simultaneously from 810 individuals living in the pilot communities and 270 individuals who were participating in an unrelated observational study (controls). Data were collected before and after a 12-month intervention period. Quantitative dietary data derived from 7-day food diaries available for control subjects were used to assess the ability of the FACET questionnaire to estimate fruit and vegetable intakes.

Results

Compared with controls, the intervention group significantly increased their knowledge of the 5-a-day optimum (P < 0.01) and reported increased access to fruits and vegetables (P < 0.001). Overall, the intervention had no demonstrable effect on total fruit and vegetable intakes as measured by FACET. However, smoking habit strongly predicted change in fruit and vegetable intakes (P < 0.01) in the intervention group. Opposite trends were observed in the two groups, with ‘smokers’ and ‘non-smokers’ in the intervention and control groups respectively reducing their fruit and vegetable intakes. The FACET questionnaire agreed with food diary estimates of fruit and vegetable intakes in 56% of cases.

Conclusions

Community-based interventions can produce important changes in knowledge of and access to fruit and vegetables. However, in this study change in fruit and vegetable intakes was strongly influenced by smoking habit. This bias needs to be considered in planning future intervention and evaluation programmes. The FACET questionnaire provides acceptable estimates of fruit and vegetable intakes which may be used for grading intake in large community-based projects.
Fruit and vegetable availability: a micro environmental mediating variable?
Authors: Jago Russell , Baranowski Tom , Baranowski Janice C
Published: February 2007

Objectives

To examine the association between fruit and vegetable (F&V) availability and consumption, the possible influences on this association, research gaps, and implications for developing strategies to increase F&V consumption.

Design

Systematic review of studies that have examined associations between F&V availability and consumption.

Results

Qualitative studies conducted among children and adults indicated that greater availability was associated with greater consumption. This finding was supported by cross-sectional studies among children. Availability was associated with dietary psychosocial variables such as preferences, and it appears that availability may moderate the relationship between these psychosocial variables and consumption. Intervention studies attempting to increase availability have resulted in increased consumption, and availability has predicted change in consumption over an 18-month period.

Discussion

Availability appears to be a key proximal determinant of consumption, especially of F&V, and thereby provides a target for change. However, the mechanisms that relate these variables are unclear and there is a need to clarify the direction of causality. We suggest that the possible causal mechanisms may include: (1) availability simply facilitates increased consumption; (2) the visual cues of available food may stimulate consumption; and (3) available food exposure may increase preference, which leads to increased consumption. Each of these possibilities requires close examination, as do policy-level interventions.

Conclusion

F&V availability is associated with increased consumption. Research that elucidates the mechanisms between availability and intake, and tests policy-level interventions, is needed to advance increased availability as a public health procedure.
Simultaneous observations of sporadic Fe and Na layers by two closely colocated resonance fluorescence lidars at Wuhan (30.5°N, 114.4°E), China
Authors: Yi Fan , Zhang Shaodong , Yu Changming , He Yujin , Yue Xianchang , Huang Chunming , Zhou Jun
Published: February 2007

The focus of this paper is to study the relationship between sporadic Fe (Fes) and Na (Nas) layers through simultaneous and common volume Fe and Na lidar observations. A total of 37 sporadic layering events were identified from one year (195 hours) of observations at Wuhan (30.5°N, 114.4°E), China. Out of the 37 events, 23 (62%) are characterized by the simultaneous formation of Fes and Nas layers. The most prominent feature for each of the 23 events is that the Fes and Nas layers occurred in overlapping altitude ranges and moved following almost the same track. On occasion the Fes and Nas layers exactly simultaneously reached their maximum peak densities at nearly the same altitude. These observational results strongly suggest that Fes and Nas layers are formed via the same or very similar mechanisms. This conclusion contradicts the previous suggestion based on those independent observations of Fes and Nas layers, that the Fes and Nas layers may be formed via different mechanisms. Out of the 37 events, 14 (38%) belong to single‐species sporadic layering events. It is noticed that the formation of each single‐species sporadic atom layer was usually accompanied by a weak density enhancement in the other metal atom. This supports the suggestion that Fes and Nas layers are formed via the same or very similar mechanisms. Both the Fes and Nas layers over Wuhan showed a tendency to strengthen with decreasing occurrence altitude. This tendency is consistent with the earlier Nas layer observations at high and low latitudes. Moreover, it is noticed by comparing the currently available Fes and Nas layer characteristics, which came from the observations at five different locations (including Wuhan) during different periods, that a lower average altitude could link to a higher average peak density and vice versa. The statistics‐based link might perhaps represent a universal feature of sporadic layers. From our simultaneous Fe and Na density data we have found that the undersides of the normal Fe and Na layers follow nearly the exact movements and occur at nearly the same altitude. The normal Fe layer tended to be narrower than the corresponding Na layer nearly at all times, and this difference was generally reflected in the extent of the upper edge of the layer. The nearly persistent underside overlap strongly suggests that on the undersides of these meteoric metal layers there exist some sink mechanisms leading to the concurrent removal of different sorts of free neutral metal atoms.
Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 8 millennial variability stratigraphically identical to MIS 3
Authors: Siddall Mark , Stocker Thomas F. , Blunier Thomas , Spahni Renato , Schwander Jakob , Barnola Jean‐Marc , Chappellaz Jérôme
Published: February 2007

The Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 stratigraphy is highly robust and was reproduced during another period: MIS 8.6 global ice volume was similar during MIS 8.6 to MIS 3 (60 to 90 m sea level equivalent), but the Milankovitch insolation forcing was different, implying that Earth's predisposition to millennial internal variability is controlled by the configuration of the major ice sheets. The involvement of additional factors cannot be ruled out but by identifying several such periods using new deep ice cores from Dome Concordia and Dome Fuji (Antarctica) as well as the marine record we may isolate the factors predisposing Earth to these highly significant modes of climate variability.
Intensity‐duration‐frequency curves from scaling representations of rainfall
Authors: Langousis Andreas , Veneziano Daniele
Published: February 2007

We develop methods to estimate the intensity‐duration‐frequency (IDF) curves for three rainfall models with local multifractal behavior and varying complexity. The models use the classical notion of exterior and interior process, respectively, for the variation of rainfall intensity at (approximately) storm and substorm scales. The exterior process is nonscaling and differs in the three models, whereas the interior process is stationary multifractal in all cases. The model‐based IDF curves are robust, against outliers, and can be obtained from only very few years of rainfall data. In an application to a 24‐year rainfall record from Florence, Italy, the models closely reproduce the empirical IDF curves and make similar extrapolations for return periods longer than the historical record.
Pulmonary epithelial cells are a source of interferon‐γ in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
Authors: Sharma Monika , Sharma Sadhna , Roy Sugata , Varma Saurabh , Bose Mridula
Published: February 2007

Recent report from our laboratory showed that A549 cells representing alveolar epithelial cells produce chemokine interleukin‐8 and nitric oxide (NO) when challenged with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) played a critical role in priming these cells to generate NO in vitro. In the present study, we report that M. tuberculosis‐infected A549 cells are capable of elaborating IFN‐γ as shown by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and intracellular staining for IFN‐γ. Secretion profile indicated that M. tuberculosis‐infected A549 released significantly high concentration of IFN‐γ at 48 and 72 h post‐infection. Low level of IFN‐γ release was also seen to be induced by γ‐irradiated M. tuberculosis and subcellular components of M. tuberculosis. Cell surface receptor analysis showed that the M. tuberculosis‐infected A549 cells expressed enhanced levels of IFN‐γ receptors. This observation suggests that the endogenously produced IFN‐γ in response to M. tuberculosis infection plays a role in intracellular regulation of innate immunity against intracellular pathogen such as M. tuberculosis. This observation is further strengthened by the fact that infected A549 cells expressed signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), an important mediator for IFN‐γ signaling pathway, leading to expression of inducible NO synthase and subsequent release of NO in sufficient concentration to be mycobactericidal. Our results show that production of IFN‐γ and enhanced expression of IFN‐γ receptors by infected A549 cells is a local phenomenon occurring as de novo intracellular activity, in response to M. tuberculosis infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to show that A549 cells interact actively with M. tuberculosis to produce IFN‐γ that might play an important role in innate immunity against tuberculosis.