bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electronic Properties and Thermal Stability of Soluble Redox Proteins from a Thermophilic Purple Sulfur Photosynthetic Bacterium, Thermochromatium tepidum
Authors: Kobayashi Masayuki , Saito Takayuki , Takahashi Kiyomichi , Wang Zheng-Yu , Nozawa Tsunenori
Published: December 2005

The electronic properties of soluble redox proteins from a thermophilic purple sulfur photosynthetic bacterium Thermochromatium (T.) tepidum have been studied in terms of electronic absorption, magnetic CD, midpoint redox potential, and electron-transfer behavior. T. tepidum possesses one high potential iron–sulfur protein (HiPIP), one cytochrome c’, and two low potential cytochrome c-552’s. The two low potential cytochrome c-552’s can be separated further into a higher and a lower potential species. The HiPIP has a midpoint redox potential of +340 mV at pH 7. From electron-transfer ability shown by flash experiments, the HiPIP was confirmed to be the possible electron-transfer protein to the reaction center under physiological conditions. The HiPIP is thermally stable up to 60 °C, which is much higher than that of the mesophilic photosynthetic bacterium, Allochromatium (A.) vinosum. Cytochrome c’ has a high-spin protoheme with a redox midpoint potential of +100 mV at pH 7, similar to those of many other photosynthetic bacteria. The molecular weight was determined to be 14147 Da by MALDI-TOF/MS experiments. The higher potential cytochrome c-552’s have hemes c’s with midpoint redox potentials of −15 and +85 mV, and the lower one of −15 mV. The molecular weights for the higher potential cytochrome c-552 and the lower potential c-552 were found to be 20702 and 47757 Da, respectively. The higher potential cytochrome c-552 has an attached flavoprotein with a molecular mass of 42000 Da. The lower potential cytochrome c-552 has been found for the first time in T. tepidum.
Synthesis of Cyclic Ethers from 3- and 4-Hydroxyalkylphosphonium Salts
Authors: Okuma Kentaro , Sakai Osami , Hayano Tetsuji , Shioji Kosei , Matsuyama Haruo
Published: December 2005

The reaction of 6-methylene-1,3-dioxepanes derived from 3-hydroxyalkyltriphenylphosphonium salts and paraformaldehyde with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate in the presence of N,N-diisopropylethylamine yielded novel 4-formyltetrahydropyrans. 3-Methylenetetrahydropyrans were synthesized by the reaction of 4-hydroxyalkyltriphenylphosphonium iodides with DBU and paraformaldehyde. 2,3-Dihydro-3-methylenebenzofuran was also obtained by the reaction of 2-hydroxybenzyltriphenylphosphonium bromide with butyllithium, followed by the addition of paraformaldehyde.
Employment of 31P MAS NMR for the Identification of Amorphous Precipitation Products Obtained from the MAP Process
Authors: Sugiyama Shigeru , Fujisawa Masayoshi , Yokoyama Masahiko , Sotowa Ken-ichiro , Tomida Tahei , Shigemoto Naoya
Published: December 2005

In order to recover aqueous ammonium (NH4+) and phosphate (PO43−) from wastewater, these ions were immobilized with MgO and MgCl2 into an insoluble solid. Analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the insoluble solid was a single phase of ammonium magnesium phosphate (Mg(NH4)PO4·6H2O: MAP). Therefore, the present process has been commonly known as the MAP process. However, analysis by the solid-state 31P magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (31P MAS NMR) of the insoluble solid revealed that the solid contained various phosphate compounds together with crystalline MAP. The results indicated that the solids obtained from the MAP process should be carefully identified, since they are considered to be utilized as a slow-acting fertilizer.
7,7-Dipyridyl-2,6-di-tert-butyl-p-quinone Methides: Synthesis, Complexation with Silver(I) Ion, and Oxidation to Their Pyridine N-Oxide
Authors: Matsumoto Kouzou , Ikeda Junya , Kurata Hiroyuki , Kawase Takeshi , Oda Masaji
Published: December 2005

A series of 7,7-dipyridyl-p-quinone methides are prepared from the corresponding dipyridylketones with 4-lithio-2,6-di-tert-butylphenoxide followed by dehydration. 7,7-Bis(2-pyridyl)-p-quinone methide formed the binuclear Ag(I) complex in which the quinone methide rings are deformed to the boat form. Oxidation of 7,7-dipyridyl-p-quinone methides gave the corresponding bis(pyridine N-oxide)s.
The First Atomic-scale Observation of a Ni2P(0001) Single Crystal Surface
Authors: Moula Md Golam , Suzuki Shushi , Chun Wang-Jae , Otani Shigeki , Oyama Shigeo Ted , Asakura Kiyotaka
Published: December 2005

The first clear atomic-scale images of a Ni2P(0001) surface have been obtained by means of a scanning tunneling (STM) microscope. The STM image shows an ordered hexagonal symmetry of the (0001) face, which can be assigned to phosphorus atoms on Ni3P1- and Ni3P2-terminated surface. The high temperature annealing is crucial to get a well-ordered atomic structure.
Expression of Tandem P Domain K+Channel, TREK-1, in the Rat Carotid Body
Authors: Yamamoto Y. , Taniguchi K.
Published: December 2005

TREK-1 is one of the important potassium channels for regulating membrane excitability. To examine the distribution of TREK-1 in the rat carotid body, we performed RT-PCR for mRNA expression and in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry for tissue distribution of TREK-1. RT-PCR detected mRNA expression of TREK-1 in the carotid body. Furthermore, in situ hybridization revealed the localization of TREK-1 mRNA in the glomus cells. TREK-1 immunoreactivity was mainly distributed in the glomus cells and nerve fibers in the carotid body. TREK-1 may modulate potassium current of glomus cells and/or afferent nerve endings in the rat carotid body.
Youth Solar Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure, Concurrent Activities and Sun‐protective Practices: A Review
Authors: Wright C. Y. , Reeder A. I.
Published: December 2005

To assist standardization of procedures, facilitate comparisons, and help guide research efforts to optimally inform development of appropriately targeted interventions, there is a need to review methods used to quantify child and adolescent solar ultraviolet radiation (UV) exposure, related outdoor activities and sun‐protective practices. This holistic approach is essential for comprehensive research that will provide all‐inclusive, informative and meaningful messages for preventive measures of harmful UV exposure. Two databases were searched and 29 studies were retrieved, and these studies report measurement or assessment techniques documenting UV exposure patterns and related outdoor activities. Polysulfone film badges were the main measurement instrument used in 10 studies, with questionnaire, survey data, observation, a model, electronic dosimeters, biological dosimeters, colorimeter and UV colouring labels used in the remaining studies. Methods used to record activities included self‐report, parental report, a logbook and observation. Measurement duration and unit of UV exposure varied in most studies, but a method common to 15 studies was measured UV exposure as a percentage of ambient UV. The studies reviewed do not provide sufficient information for the development and evaluation of targeted youth sun protection programs. Studies are required which document precise UV exposure, concurrent activities and sun protection usage for children and adolescents.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenases: Measurement of Activities and Protein Levels
Authors: Sreerama Lakshmaiah , Sládek Norman E.
Published: December 2005

Seventeen enzymes are currently viewed as belonging to the human aldehyde dehydrogenase superfamily, and all of them catalyze the pyridine nucleotide–dependent oxidation of aldehydes to acids. Depending on the specific aldehyde dehydrogenase, lack of sufficient catalytic activity (1) results in a gross pathological phenotype in the absence of any insult, or (2) is ordinarily of no consequence with respect to gross phenotype, but is of consequence when the organism is subjected to a relevant insult. Described in this unit are eight assays that can be used to (semi)quantify various in vitro aldehyde dehydrogenase protein and/or catalytic activity levels, and two that can be used to semiquantify various in situ aldehyde dehydrogenase protein and/or catalytic activity levels. Aldehyde dehydrogenases also catalyze the hydrolysis of esters; this unit includes an assay that can be used to quantify that catalytic activity as well. Preparation of test materials and of antibodies to the aldehyde dehydrogenases are described in three support protocols.
Misincorporation Proton‐Alkyl Exchange (MPAX): Engineering Cysteine Probes into Proteins
Authors: Burguete Alondra Schweizer , Harbury Pehr B. , Pfeffer Suzanne R.
Published: December 2005

This unit describes a rapid and efficient method to screen a polypeptide for amino acid residues that contribute to protein‐protein interaction interfaces. Cysteine residues are introduced as positional probes in a protein at random by co‐expression in bacteria with specific cysteine misincorporator tRNAs. The protein is then purified as an ensemble of polypeptides containing cysteine at low frequency, at different positions in each molecule. The ability of the native protein structure to protect different cysteine residues from chemical modification by iodoacetamide is determined to obtain a protein surface map that reveals candidate surface residues that are likely to be important for protein‐protein interaction. Cysteine mutants with altered ligand binding can also be selected simultaneously by affinity chromatography.
Health of the non‐elites at Tombos: Nutritional and disease stress in New Kingdom Nubia
Authors: Buzon Michele R.
Published: December 2005

During the New Kingdom period, Egypt succeeded in occupying most of Nubia. Colonial towns were built, which served as centers of government and redistribution. This paper uses a bioarchaeological approach to address the effects of this cultural contact on non‐elites. Skeletal remains from the site of Tombos (N = 100), a cemetery in Upper Nubia dating to this important time, are analyzed, in addition to 1,082 individuals from contemporaneous Egyptian and Nubian sites, in order to shed light on the social, political, and economic processes at play and to determine how the people at Tombos were affected during this transitional period. In many ways, the Tombos population appears to have been affected by similar stressors as the other populations under study. However, a few small differences in the subadult frequencies of pathological lesions, especially remodeling rates, are significant in the overall picture of health at Tombos. These analyses suggest that, although the people of Tombos may have been integrated into the Egyptian colonial network, the additional resources they may have obtained could not protect them from nutritional and disease stress. A lower childhood survival through bouts of ill health at Tombos is suggested. While status may have played a role in the differences seen in the comparative populations, it is likely that parasites and/or other infections led to childhood illness and death. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid Synthesis of Aryl Azides from Aryl Halides under Mild Conditions.
Authors: Andersen Jacob , Madsen Ulf , Bjoerkling Fredrik , Liang Xifu
Published: December 2005

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.
Histologic subtypes as determinants of outcome in esophageal carcinoma patients with pathologic complete response after preoperative chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Rohatgi Pooja R. , Swisher Stephen G. , Correa Arlene M. , Wu Tsung T. , Liao Zhongxing , Komaki Ritsuko , Walsh Garrett L. , Vaporciyan Ara A. , Rice David C. , Bresalier Robert S. , Roth Jack A. , Ajani Jaffer A.
Published: December 2005

BACKGROUND

The current study tested the hypothesis that the clinical outcome of patients with localized esophageal carcinoma after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CTRT) depends on histology.

METHODS

The authors stratified patients by adenocarcinoma (ACA) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and compared the overall survival (OS) and patterns of failure among patients achieving pathologic complete response (pathCR) and < pathCR after preoperative CTRT. A correlation between baseline clinical stage and posttherapy pathologic response was made for ACA and SCC.

RESULTS

Of the 235 patients who underwent preoperative CTRT, 42 (18%) had SCC and 193 (82%) had ACA. In the ACA group, 56 patients (29%) achieved a pathCR and in the SCC group 13 patients (31%) achieved a pathCR. In the ACA group, a larger proportion of pathCR patients (n = 44; 79%) than < pathCR patients (n = 82; 60%) were alive at the time of last follow‐up (P = 0.01) and pathCR patients had a longer OS than < pathCR patients (P = 0.0006). However, in the SCC group OS or proportion alive did not differ significantly between pathCR and < pathCR patients (P ≥ 0.05). In the ACA group, a greater portion of < pathCR patients (32%) than pathCR patients (16%) had distant metastases (P = 0.02) and the distant metastases‐free survival of pathCR patients was longer than that of < pathCR patients (P = 0.0012). In the SCC group, the proportion or time to distant‐metastases did not differ significantly. Pretreatment clinical stage did not correlate with pathologic response for either histology.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study suggest that the clinical biology of SCC and ACA is different after CTRT. An investigation of molecular and patient genetics is needed to improve therapy. Cancer 2006. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Does a delay between diagnosis and radical prostatectomy increase the risk of disease recurrence?
Authors: Vickers Andrew J. , Bianco Fernando J. , Boorjian Stephen , Scardino Peter T. , Eastham James A.
Published: December 2005

BACKGROUND

Men diagnosed with clinically localized prostate carcinoma have several treatment options. The investigation of these options may delay the initiation of definitive therapy. In the current study, the authors evaluated whether time from biopsy to radical prostatectomy (RP) was predictive of postoperative biochemical disease recurrence (BCR).

METHODS

A total of 3149 consecutive patients who underwent RP as their initial treatment for prostate carcinoma within a year of diagnosis were identified. The time between diagnosis and RP was entered as a predictor in a multivariate logistic regression model predicting BCR at 3 years, 5 years, 8 years, and 10 years. The year surgery was performed and the nomogram‐predicted probability of recurrence, which incorporates stage of disease, Gleason grade, and prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level, were used as covariates.

RESULTS

The authors found no clear evidence of a significant effect of delay to diagnosis on BCR. For those patients treated within 6 months (96% of the total sample) the odds ratio for each additional month of delay was 1.04, 1.07, 1.08, and 1.02, respectively, for 3‐year, 5‐year, 8‐year, and 10‐year BCR‐free survival (P > 0.2 for all analyses). However, the 95% confidence intervals were wide and included the possibility that even a minor delay in surgery might have a large impact on the probability of BCR.

CONCLUSIONS

The time between biopsy and surgery does not appear to have a large effect on the risk of disease recurrence. Counseling patients on the importance of avoiding undue delay to surgery must be based on clinical judgment, particularly with respect to modifying advice based on the patient's risk. Cancer 2006. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Application of hierarchical matrices to the simulation of wave propagation in fluids
Authors: Lehmann L. , Rüberg T.
Published: December 2005

This paper deals with a coupled finite element/scaled boundary finite element method (FE/SBFEM) and its application to wave propagation problems in fluids in the time domain. This method is already well established and has proven to be an efficient technique for treating radiation problems. In its application to time domain problems, convolution integrals arise. For each time step ti, i matrix–vector multiplications have to be performed, where the involved influence matrix—due to the non‐locality in space—is fully populated. This numerical evaluation becomes a significant, time‐consuming task for long time calculations, thus decreasing the attractiveness of the method. In this paper, the application of hierarchical matrices (ℋ︁‐matrices) is to overcome this drawback. ℋ︁‐Matrices represent an octree‐based clustered low‐rank approximation of the original, fully populated matrix and allow a considerable increase in efficiency for matrix–vector products encountered, e.g. in convolution integrals. The application of ℋ︁‐matrices to this method results in an increase in efficiency without noticeable loss in accuracy. Since convolution integrals arise in various large‐scale engineering computations the application of ℋ︁‐matrix techniques might turn out to be a highly promising way to pursue. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An effective spectral collocation method for the direct solution of high‐order ODEs
Authors: Mai‐Duy N.
Published: December 2005

This paper reports a new Chebyshev spectral collocation method for directly solving high‐order ordinary differential equations (ODEs). The construction of the Chebyshev approximations is based on integration rather than conventional differentiation. This use of integration allows the multiple boundary conditions to be incorporated more efficiently. Numerical results show that the proposed formulation significantly improves the conditioning of the system and yields more accurate results and faster convergence rates than conventional formulations. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
User tools and languages for graph‐based Grid workflows
Authors: Hoheisel Andreas
Published: December 2005

This article presents a graph‐based Grid workflow language that is based on the formalism of Petri nets and the corresponding workflow enactment machine, developed by the author within the Fraunhofer Resource Grid in Germany. The workflow enactment machine supports dynamic refinement of workflows during runtime and automatic mapping of abstract jobs onto concrete Grid resources, which are accessed by means of the Globus Toolkit. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Grid‐Flow: a Grid‐enabled scientific workflow system with a Petri‐net‐based interface
Authors: Guan Zhijie , Hernandez Francisco , Bangalore Purushotham , Gray Jeff , Skjellum Anthony , Velusamy Vijay , Liu Yin
Published: December 2005

Advances in computer technologies have enabled scientists to explore research issues in their respective domains at scales greater and finer than ever before. The availability of efficient data collection and analysis tools presents researchers with vast opportunities to process heterogeneous data within a distributed environment. To support the opportunities enabled by massive computation, a suitable scientific workflow system is needed to help the users to manage data and programs, and to design reusable procedures of scientific experimental tasks. In this paper, the design and prototype implementation of a scientific workflow infrastructure, called Grid‐Flow, is presented. Grid‐Flow assists researchers in specifying scientific experiments using a Petri‐net‐based interface. The Grid‐Flow infrastructure is designed as a Service Oriented Architecture with multi‐layer component models. The contributions of Grid‐Flow are as follows: (1) a new, lightweight, programmable Grid workflow language, Grid‐Flow Description Language, is provided to describe the workflow process in a Grid environment; (2) a Petri‐net‐based user interface, based on the Generic Modeling Environment, is demonstrated to help the user design the workflow process with a Petri‐net model; and (3) a program integration component of the Grid‐Flow system is presented to integrate all possible programs into the system. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GAUGE: Grid Automation and Generative Environment
Authors: Hernández Francisco , Bangalore Purushotham , Gray Jeff , Guan Zhijie , Reilly Kevin
Published: December 2005

The Grid has proven to be a successful paradigm for distributed computing. However, constructing applications that exploit all the benefits that the Grid offers is still not optimal for both inexperienced and experienced users. Recent approaches to solving this problem employ a high‐level abstract layer to ease the construction of applications for different Grid environments. These approaches help facilitate construction of Grid applications, but they are still tied to specific programming languages or platforms. A new approach is presented in this paper that uses concepts of domain‐specific modeling (DSM) to build a high‐level abstract layer. With this DSM‐based abstract layer, the users are able to create Grid applications without knowledge of specific programming languages or being bound to specific Grid platforms. An additional benefit of DSM provides the capability to generate software artifacts for various Grid environments. This paper presents the Grid Automation and Generative Environment (GAUGE). The goal of GAUGE is to automate the generation of Grid applications to allow inexperienced users to exploit the Grid fully. At the same time, GAUGE provides an open framework in which experienced users can build upon and extend to tailor their applications to particular Grid environments or specific platforms. GAUGE employs domain‐specific modeling techniques to accomplish this challenging task. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Grid workflow infrastructure
Authors: Cybok Dieter
Published: December 2005

In this paper we propose a Grid workflow infrastructure, which serves as the base for specifying and executing collaborative interactive workflows within computational Grids. The infrastructure is based on the Open Grid Services Architecture (OGSA) and leverages the concepts of the Business Process Execution Language for Web Services (BPEL4WS). Using OGSA enables the exploitation of advanced Grid features such as factories, lifecycle management and notifications. Leveraging BPEL4WS to a Grid enabled workflow language has the advantage that basic workflow functionalities, which are similar for Grid and Web services, do not have to be developed again. The result is a state‐of‐the‐art Grid workflow infrastructure that was developed within a relatively short period. The main building blocks of the infrastructure are the specification of the Grid Workflow Execution Language (GWEL) notation and the implementation of a Grid workflow execution engine, using Globus Toolkit 3 (GT3) technology, for processing e‐Science specific workflows specified in GWEL documents. The workflow engine itself is a high‐level Grid service, hence automatically Grid aware, which can be used within any GT3 environment. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Workflow applications in GridLab and PROGRESS projects
Authors: Kosiedowski Michal , Kurowski Krzysztof , Mazurek Cezary , Nabrzyski Jarek , Pukacki Juliusz
Published: December 2005

In this paper we present our motivations and ideas for workflow management based on our experiences gained in two projects: GridLab and PROGRESS. In these projects we have been dealing with real use cases and end users' requirements for workflow management. Therefore, we were able to define and implement functional workflow extensions to the Grid(Lab) Resource Management System (GRMS). GRMS is a resource management system with a workflow engine that executes and manages jobs on remote Grid resources. One can submit to GRMS workflow experiments based on an XML workflow schema, defining flexible mechanisms for dynamic workflow control, including various types of precedence constraints, different locations of the final data products and executables, etc. All of these features allow end users to speed up remote workflow calculations and improve data management mechanisms. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Concave 1,10‐Phenanthrolines as Tailored Ligands for Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Diastereoselective Cyclopropanations
Authors: Lüning Ulrich , Fahrenkrug Frank
Published: December 2005

Alkenyloxy‐substituted aryl bridgeheads have been connected to 2,9‐dichloro‐1,10‐phenanthroline (11) either by Suzuki coupling or by nucleophilic aromatic substitution. The resulting di‐ or tetraalkenes 12 or 17 have been cyclized by ring‐closing metathesis to give concave 1,10‐phenanthrolines 14 and 19, differing from other concave 1,10‐phenanthrolines 1 in their geometries. The influence of the shapes of these ligands and those of the related concave 1,10‐phenanthrolines 1a–f and 2 on the stereochemistry of the copper(I)‐catalyzed cyclopropanation of indene (3) and styrene (4) has been investigated, identifying factors that favour the formation of thermodynamically less stable syn‐cyclopropanes 6 and 7. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
A functional polymorphism in the matrix metalloproteinase‐1 gene promoter is associated with susceptibility and aggressiveness of head and neck cancer
Authors: O‐charoenrat Pornchai , Leksrisakul Piyavadee , Sangruchi Supatra
Published: December 2005

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in several steps of cancer development. A single guanine insertion polymorphism (2G) in the MMP1 promoter sequence at −1,607 creates an Ets binding site and thus results in enhancing transcriptional activity. This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of this 2G polymorphism on susceptibility and aggressiveness of HNSCC. A panel of HNSCC cell lines and peritumoral fibroblasts were examined for the MMP1 genotypes and expression levels. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood of 300 patients with newly diagnosed HNSCC and from 300 age‐ and gender‐matched cancer‐free controls. Genotyping was carried out using a PCR‐RFLP assay. The levels of MMP1 mRNA expression were evaluated by the quantitative RT‐PCR and a correlation with different genotype was determined. Odds ratio (OR) for cancer risk were calculated using multivariate logistic regression. In addition, a correlation between the 2G/2G genotype and clinicopathological parameters was examined. Eleven out of 18 HNSCC cell lines showed the 2G/2G genotype (61%) and only 1 cell line had the 1G/1G genotype (5.6%). Cell lines with the 2G/2G genotype expressed significantly higher mean MMP1 mRNA level than those with other genotypes. In clinical model, subjects carrying the homozygous 2G/2G genotype had a higher risk of head and neck cancer compared with subjects with other genotypes (adjusted OR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.58–3.27), controlling for major confounders. A correlation between promoter polymorphisms and the levels of MMP1 expression in cancer tissues was found, and this 2G/2G genotype was correlated with the adverse clinicopathological parameters. Finally, the highest level of MMP1 enhancement was demonstrated in the coculture of tumor cells and peritumoral fibroblasts of 2G homozygotes. These findings suggest that the presence of 2G polymorphism at the MMP1 promoter is associated with the development and progression of HNSCC. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enhancing effects of simultaneous treatment with sodium nitrite on 2‐amino‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline‐induced rat liver, colon and Zymbal's gland carcinogenesis after initiation with diethylnitrosamine and 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine
Authors: Kitamura Yasuki , Umemura Takashi , Okazaki Kazushi , Kanki Keita , Imazawa Takayoshi , Masegi Toshiaki , Nishikawa Akiyoshi , Hirose Masao
Published: December 2005

Combined effects of sodium nitrite (NaNO2) and 2‐amino‐3‐methylimidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline (IQ) on liver, colon and Zymbal's gland carcinogenesis were assessed using a rat two‐stage carcinogenesis model, with a focus on involvement of oxidative stress. Male 6‐week‐old F344 rats were given a single intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg of diethylnitrosamine and 4 subcutaneous injections of 40 mg/kg of 1,2‐dimethylhydrazine for initiation. Then, they were administered 0 or 300 ppm IQ in the diet or 0, 0.1 or 0.2% NaNO2 in their drinking water for 27 weeks. The treatment with NaNO2 + IQ significantly enhanced colon and Zymbal's gland carcinogenesis and tended to enhance hepatocarcinogenesis. The incidence of lung tumors in the IQ‐treated groups was significantly increased as compared with the initiation alone group. In a second experiment, male rats were given IQ or NaNO2 under the same conditions as before for 1 week, and at sacrifice, their liver and colon tissue or mucosa were collected for analysis of 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8‐OHdG), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), acrolein‐modified protein and the bromodeoxyuridine‐labeling index (BrdU‐LI) (in the colon). In the colon, 8‐OHdG, acrolein‐modified protein levels and BrdU‐LI were significantly increased by the combined treatment. These results indicate that the treatment with NaNO2 enhances IQ‐induced colon and Zymbal's gland carcinogenesis in rats and that oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation may partly be involved, especially in the colon. In addition, this experiment showed that IQ can act as a potent lung carcinogen in rats. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Celecoxib induces anoikis in human colon carcinoma cells associated with the deregulation of focal adhesions and nuclear translocation of p130Cas
Authors: Casanova Isolda , Parreño Matilde , Farré Lourdes , Guerrero Sílvia , Céspedes M. Virtudes , Pavon Miguel Angel , Sancho Francesc J. , Marcuello Eugenio , Trias Manuel , Mangues Ramon
Published: December 2005

Celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) inhibitor, is effective as chemopreventive against colon cancer and it is the only nonsteoroidal antiinflammatory drug approved by the FDA for adjuvant therapy in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis. It is also being evaluated, within Phase II and III clinical trials, in combination with standard chemotherapy to treat sporadic colorectal cancer. Nevertheless, its antitumor mechanism of action is still not fully understood. In this study, we have evaluated thein vitrogrowth inhibitory effect of celecoxib in colon carcinoma cells and analyzed its mechanism of action. We report that the deregulation of the focal adhesion assembly protein Crk‐associated substrate 130 kDa (p130Cas) by celecoxib plays a relevant role in the cytotoxic effect of this drug. Thus, celecoxib induces the proteolysis of p130Cas and the nuclear translocation of the 31 kDa generated fragment leading to apoptosis. Furthermore, overexpression of wild‐type p130Cas reverts, in part, the growth inhibitory effect of celecoxib. In contrast, FAK and AKT do not appear to be involved in this activity. Our data suggest, for the first time, that the antitumor mechanism of action of celecoxib includes the induction of anoikis, an effect that is not related to COX‐2 inhibition. Besides providing new insights into the antitumor effect of celecoxib, this novel mechanism of action holds potential relevance in drug development. Indeed, our results open the possibility to develop new celecoxib derivatives that induce anoikis without COX‐2 inhibition so as to avoid the cardiovascular toxicity recently described for the COX‐2 inhibitors. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Enhancement of human papilloma virus type 16 E7 specific T cell responses by local invasive procedures in patients with (pre)malignant cervical neoplasia
Authors: Visser Jeroen , van Baarle Debbie , Hoogeboom Baukje Nynke , Reesink Nathalie , Klip Harry , Schuuring Ed , Nijhuis Esther , Pawlita Michael , Bungener Laura , de Vries‐Idema Jacqueline , Nijman Hans , Miedema Frank , Daemen Toos , van der Zee Ate
Published: December 2005

It has been suggested that local invasive procedures may alter the natural course of (pre)malignant cervical disease. This could be due to partial excision of the lesions, or via induction of cellular immunity against human papillomavirus (HPV) by the local invasive procedures. We studied the influence of local invasive procedures on HPV‐16 E7 specific immune responses in patients with different grades of cervical intra‐epithelial neoplasia (CIN) and different stages of cervical cancer. Blood was obtained at intake and after invasive procedures from patients with CIN or cervical cancer. Antigen specific T‐cell responses were measured by IFN‐γ ELISPOT analysis, after stimulation with recombinant HPV‐16 E7 protein. As expected, HPV‐16 E7 specific IFN‐γ T cell responses were more frequent in HPV‐16 DNA positive patients compared with that in HPV‐16 DNA negative patients (39/50 vs. 16/36, (p = 0.006, χ2 test). After invasive procedures, a small number of HPV‐16 DNA positive CIN patients, but a considerable proportion of HPV‐16 DNA positive cervical cancer patients, showed an enhancement of T cell responses against HPV‐16 E7. Induction of T cell reactivity was most pronounced in cervical cancer patients who had undergone previous invasive procedures. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells showed E7 specific IFN‐γ production upon in‐vitro stimulation. Our study shows that invasive procedures may enhance HPV‐specific cell‐mediated immunity in a considerable number of patients with cervical cancer, but in only a minority of CIN patients. Our data indicate that invasive procedures should be considered as possible confounding factors when analyzing the effectiveness of therapeutic immunization studies, especially, when induction of HPV‐specific immune responses is used as intermediate end‐point. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combination of a monoclonal anti‐phosphatidylserine antibody with gemcitabine strongly inhibits the growth and metastasis of orthotopic pancreatic tumors in mice
Authors: Beck Adam W. , Luster Troy A. , Miller Andrew F. , Holloway Shane E. , Conner Chris R. , Barnett Carlton C. , Thorpe Philip E. , Fleming Jason B. , Brekken Rolf A.
Published: December 2005

Pancreatic cancer continues to have a dismal prognosis and novel therapy is needed. In this study, we evaluate a promising new target for therapy, phosphatidylserine (PS). PS is an anionic phospholipid located normally on the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane in mammalian cells. In the tumor microenvironment, PS becomes externalized on vascular endothelium. The monoclonal antibody 3G4 binds PS and promotes an inflammatory response against tumor blood vessels, resulting in reduction of tumor growth. Mice with orthotopic pancreatic tumors were treated with 3G4, gemcitabine or a combination of both drugs. Tumor burden including pancreas weight and metastatic lesions (liver, lymph node and peritoneal) were reduced 3‐ to 5‐fold by the combination therapy as compared with 1.5‐ to 2‐fold with 3G4 and gemcitabine alone, respectively. Treatment of tumor‐bearing animals with the combination therapy increased macrophage infiltration into the tumor mass 10‐fold and reduced microvessel density in the tumor by 2.5‐fold compared with tumors from untreated animals. Gemcitabine alone and 3G4 alone were less effective than the combination of the 2 agents together. The additive therapeutic effect of both agents appears to be because chemotherapy increases PS exposure on tumor vascular endothelium and amplifies the target for attack by 3G4. In conclusion, 3G4 enhanced the anti‐tumor and anti‐metastatic activity of gemcitabine without contributing to toxicity. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sonography of the first dorsal metatarsal artery of the foot
Authors: Zhu Jiaan , Hu Bing
Published: December 2005

Purpose

To describe the gray‐scale and Doppler sonographic examination technique and appearances of the first dorsal metatarsal artery (FDMA) of the foot and discuss its clinical significance.

Methods

The dorsal arteries of foot—including the FDMA and the first plantar metatarsal artery—of 374 feet were studied using gray‐scale and color Doppler sonography. Due to the difficulty of detecting the FDMA, a majority of them were identified by studying the web area just distal to the intermetatarsal space. The interosseous muscle was identified to determine the classification of the anatomic type of the FDMA. The sonographic results of 152 feet were compared with surgical findings.

Results

The average caliber of the FDMA was 1.0 ± 0.5 mm. The FDMA was classified into 3 groups of variants based on its relationship with the first dorsal interosseous muscle. The groups were identified as the superficial artery (54.5%), intramuscular artery (39.6%), and submuscular artery (9%) variants. The rates of visualization of the distal and proximal portions of the FDMA were 86.6% and 47%, respectively. In the first intermetatarsal space, there were anastomoses between the FDMA and the first plantar metatarsal arteries in 87.6% of the feet.

Conclusions

The FDMA varies greatly; however, sonography can clearly show its morphologic characteristics, such as caliber and location. Sonography also provides valuable preoperative information in microsurgery of the foot. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 34:1–4, 2006
Unusually asymmetric venous engorgement of the breast after long‐term hemodialysis
Authors: Kim Min Jung , Kim Eun‐Kyung , Oh Ki Keun
Published: December 2005

Venous engorgement of the breast demonstrated on mammography is usually considered a minor sign of malignancy. We report the sonographic and mammographic findings in an unusual case of asymmetric enlargement of the mammary veins in a middle‐aged patient as a complication of long‐term hemodialysis. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 34:27–29, 2006
Differentiation of diiodothyronines using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhang Yuntao , Conrad Abigail H. , Thoma Rudy , Conrad Gary W.
Published: December 2005

Diiodothyronines 3,5‐diiodothyronine (3,5‐T2), 3′,5′‐diiodothyronine (3′,5′‐T2), and 3,3′‐diiodothyronine (3,3′‐T2) are important metabolites of 3,5,3′‐triiodothyronine (T3) and 3,3′,5′‐triiodothyronine (rT3; reverse T3). In this paper, a novel and rapid method for identifying and quantifying 3,5‐T2, 3′,5′‐T2 and 3,3′‐T2 has been introduced using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS/MS). Fragmentation patterns were proposed on the basis of our data obtained by ESI‐MS/MS. MS2 spectra in either negative ionization mode or positive ionization mode can be used to differentiate 3,5‐T2, 3′,5′‐T2 and 3,3′‐T2. On the basis of the relative abundance of fragment ions in MS2 spectra under the positive ionization mode, quantification of the 3,5‐T2, 3′,5′‐T2 and 3,3′‐T2 isomers in mixtures is also achieved without prior separation. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isolated tumor cells in lymph nodes are not a prognostic marker for patients with stage I and stage II colorectal cancer
Authors: Lee Min Ro , Hong Chang Won , Yoon Sang Nam , Lim Seok‐Byung , Park Kyu Joo , Lee Min Jin , Kim Woo Ho , Park Jae‐Gahb
Published: December 2005

Background and Objectives

Lymph node metastasis is an important prognostic factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). The relationship between isolated tumor cells (ITC) in lymph nodes and the prognosis is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prognostic importance of ITC in lymph nodes from patients with stage I and II CRC.

Methods

We examined all the lymph nodes obtained during surgery from 121 consecutive patients with stage I and II CRC after a curative resection in 1999 by using monoclonal antibody against cytokeratin (MNF116). Clinicopathologic data and follow‐up information were obtained from all patients. The mean follow up duration was 57 months.

Results

ITC were found in 50% (60/121) of the patients. The mean number of examined lymph node was 19.3 ± 9.4. The presence of ITC was not related to clinicopathologic factors such as age, sex, location of tumor, tumor size, tumor depth, differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, and the preoperative CEA level, except for the tumor gross type (P = 0.002). There were no statistically significant differences for the recurrence rate (10/60 = 16.7% and 9/61 = 14.8%, respectively), and disease‐free survival (P = 0.809) between the ITC positive group and ITC negative group.

Conclusions

The presence of ITC detected by immunohistochemical staining does not have an influence on the prognosis of patients with stage I and II CRC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;93:13–18. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new laparoscopic‐assisted hepatectomy (LAH) utilizing radiofrequency ablation and high‐frequency electrocautery
Authors: Miyazawa Mitsuo , Torii Takahiro , Toshimitsu Yasuko , Okada Katsuya , Ogawa Nobuji , Shinozuka Nozomi , Koyama Isamu
Published: December 2005

Compared to tumors located at the edge of the liver, tumors located directly on the liver surface are often difficult to resect, especially when the organ is cirrhotic. To remove tumors at this location, our group has developed a round high‐frequency electrosurgical knife that allows hemispherical resection of the liver tissue. This study describes a new laparoscopic‐assisted hepatectomy utilizing radiofrequency ablation of the tissue surrounding the tumor and high‐frequency electrocautery. When compared with the laparoscopic hepatectomy, this new procedure seems to offer a safer, more effective, and less time‐consuming means of resecting tumors on the liver surface. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;93:68–71. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The trans‐metastasis hepatectomy (through metastases previously ablated with radiofrequency): Results of a 13‐case study of colorectal cancer
Authors: Elias Dominique , Manganas Dimitri , Benizri Emmanuel , Dufour Fanny , Menegon Paola , El Harroudi Tijani , de Baere Thierry
Published: December 2005

Background

Curative trans‐metastasis liver resection immediately following radiofrequency (RF) destruction is a new technique that enables the proposition of a curative approach to patients with bilateral, unresectable liver metastases (LM), when the only possible future hepatectomy plane passes through a LM. Firstly, the ill‐sited LM, which is located in the only feasible future hepatectomy plane, is ablated using RF; the hepatectomy is then performed through this ablated LM.

Aim

The aim of this study is to report the feasibility and efficacy of this new approach, known as post‐RF‐trans‐metastasis‐hepatectomy (PRFTMH).

Materials and Methods

Thirteen patients with colorectal primary cancer were treated with PRFTMPH between January 2000 and May 2004. The mean number of LMs per patient was 10.7. Preoperative hypertrophy of the future remaining liver was achieved by selective portal vein embolization in eight patients.

Results

The mortality rate was 7.6% (one death), and morbidity was 24%. No local recurrence was observed at the PRTMPH site after a mean follow‐up of 19.4 months (range: 47–10), demonstrating the efficacy of this technique. All patients, except those who died postoperatively, are currently alive; the median survival has not yet been attained after a mean follow‐up of 19.4 months.

Conclusion

TMPRFH is a new and safe technique, combining RF ablation and trans‐RF‐hepatectomy, which makes it possible to propose a curative approach in certain patients with non‐resectable bilateral LMs. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;93:8–12. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of chymase‐positive cells in gastric cancer and its correlation with the angiogenesis
Authors: Kondo Keisaku , Muramatsu Michiko , Okamoto Yukiko , Jin Denan , Takai Shinji , Tanigawa Nobuhiko , Miyazaki Mizuo
Published: December 2005

Background and Objectives

Chymase is expressed in mast cells and induces angiogenesis via activation of angiotensin II and matrix metalloproteinase‐9. However, it has been unclear whether chymase is involved in the pathophysiology of angiogenesis in gastric cancer. To clarify the contribution of chymase to angiogenesis in gastric cancer, we assessed the relationship between chymase‐positive cells and tumor angiogenesis.

Methods

We evaluated chymase‐positive cells and microvessels using anti‐human chymase and anti‐CD34 antibodies in 168 cases of gastric cancer, respectively.

Results

Chymase‐positive cells in gastric tumor region were significantly higher than the cells in normal region. The number of chymase‐positive cells in the undifferentiated type of gastric tumor region was significantly higher than the one in the differentiated type. Specimens from patients with advanced histological stages of disease had more chymase‐positive cells than those with early‐stage disease. There was a significant positive correlation between chymase‐positive cells and microvessels in gastric cancer specimens. Postoperative survival curves revealed that patients with a high number of chymase‐positive cells had a poor prognosis.

Conclusions

These results suggest that accumulation of chymase‐positive cells in gastric cancer may lead to an increase of tumor angiogenesis, and may contribute to tumor growth and progression. J. Surg. Oncol. 2006;93:36–42. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combination of NIR, Raman, Ultrasonic and Dielectric Spectroscopy for In‐Line Monitoring of the Extrusion Process
Authors: Alig Ingo , Fischer Dieter , Lellinger Dirk , Steinhoff Bernd
Published: December 2005

Determination of melt composition and/or morphology by fast, reliable and accurate in‐line methods is highly desired in polymer industry. In‐line spectroscopic methods like near infrared (NIR), Raman or ultrasonic spectroscopy are such reliable methods for process control without time consuming sampling and off‐line analytics. As the number of in‐line techniques available is increasing, it becomes increasingly difficult for manufacturers and plastic processors to choose the right method or combination of methods for their needs and to keep track of the growing amount of information. Therefore, we combined different in‐line techniques in one slit die in order to compare their potential for various systems such as composites and blends. One installation consists of a combination of NIR and Raman spectroscopy, rheometry and ultrasonic measurements. Another installation bases on a slit die developed for rheology which was equipped with dielectric and ultrasonic sensors. The results of the applied in‐line methods are compared and the specific advantages and drawbacks are discussed.
Mechanistic investigations of antimony‐catalyzed polycondensation in the synthesis of poly(ethylene terephthalate)
Authors: El‐Toufaili Faissal‐Ali , Feix Gunter , Reichert Karl‐Heinz
Published: December 2005

The chemical aspects of poly(ethylene terephthalate) synthesis via the antimony‐catalyzed polycondensation of hydroxy ethylene terephthalate end groups were studied to elucidate its mechanism. A polycondensation mechanism was proposed in which activation occurs by the formation of a chelate ligand on antimony composed of the hydroxyl end group and alcoholic oxygen of the ester of the same end group. The rate‐determining step of the polycondensation reaction was concluded to be the coordination of a second chain end to antimony. The low activity of antimony at a high concentration of hydroxyl end groups was proposed to result from the competition between hydroxyl end groups and the chelate structure leading to the transition state. The high selectivity of antimony is probably due to its relatively low Lewis acidity. Moreover, antimony was found to stabilize hydroxyl end groups against degradation by preventing their complexation to carbonyl functionalities. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1049‐1059, 2006