bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface and phonological subtypes of adult developmental dyslexia
Authors: Zabell Claire , Everatt John
Published: October 2002

In order to assess the efficacy of phonological versus surface dyslexia subtyping within an adult dyslexic population, 45 adult dyslexics were assessed on the Castles and Coltheart (1993) irregular word and non‐word reading tasks. Based on the performance of a matched group of 28 non‐dyslexics, between 62 and 75% of the dyslexics were divided into phonological and surface subtypes. Phonological dyslexics were those individuals who presented evidence of relatively poor or inefficient non‐word reading, whereas the surface dyslexics were those who indicated relative difficulties with irregular word reading. The proportions of dyslexics within each subtype varied according to the use of accuracy‐based or latency‐based procedures, but were consistent with previous findings with children. Subsequent comparisons between the groups on measures of phonological processing, lexical access and word knowledge/recognition indicated few differences between the two subtypes and, in particular, no differences on measures of phonological ability. The lack of observed differences on such measures casts doubt on the efficacy of this procedure for explaining individual differences amongst adult dyslexics and as a practical procedure for diagnosis and intervention. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Data embedding into bilevel images using the error diffusion method
Authors: Ogihara Takeshi , Koide Shin'ya , Kaneda Yukio
Published: October 2002

Methods have been considered to embed text information related to images within image data and to embed secret data that cannot be distinguished from such images. Several methods have been proposed to embed information in pseudo‐shaded images and other bilevel images as well. Such methods result in severe degradation of image quality after embedding, however, and have a very high risk that the embedded information will be detected. In this paper the authors propose a method to embed separate information at the same time that bilevel conversion is performed when applying the error diffusion method to a contrast image. In the authors' method, the contrast information for the pixels adjacent to the area where embedding is to be performed is used, and degradation of image quality is limited by diffusing the errors resulting from bilevel conversion and performing embedding in the neighboring pixels. In addition, attention is given to the patterns which the human eye can readily discern in the noise generated by embedding, and controls are used to prevent such patterns from being generated. The authors' method is shown to be able to embed information in 1% to 2% of a photograph of scenery or other image without being detectable to the human eye. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 85(11): 36–44, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.1126
Environmental taxes and politics—the dispute over nitrogen taxes in agriculture
Authors: Vatn Arild , Krogh Erling , Gundersen Frode , Vedeld Paul
Published: October 2002

From the late 1980s we observe an increased interest in environmental taxes. Still, such taxes do not seem to be much used. The present paper offers some explanations for this. Its empirical basis is a debate over nitrogen fertilizer taxes in Norway. The study illustrates the difficulties involved when introducing the logic of economic efficiency into environmental policy. The problems seem to be an effect of the complexity of environmental issues, the character of the interests involved and the way decisions are instituted. Thus, we found disagreement across disciplines about the effects of a tax. In turn, this influenced the policy‐making process. Furthermore, we found that the way in which the decision‐making process was instituted and costs of taxing were distributed among agents distinctively influenced outcomes. Finally, our study demonstrates the vulnerability of environmental policy to confrontations across sectors of responsibility and how it is exposed to lack of institutionalized continuity. Our advice to experts working with policy instruments is to engage more deeply in understanding the institutional and distributional issues as they appear in specific cases. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Retroactive pessimism: a different kind of hindsight bias
Authors: Tykocinski Orit E. , Pick Dana , Kedmi Dana
Published: October 2002

In an attempt to regulate disappointments people may sometimes change their perceptions of the events leading to an undesirable outcome so that in retrospect this outcome seems almost inevitable. This retroactive pessimism effect was demonstrated in three studies. In the first, sports fans rated the likelihood of success for their team and its opponent before and after an important soccer match. Evidence for significant pre‐ and post‐game probability shifts was found for the fans of the defeated team but not for the supporters of the winning opponent. In the second and the third experiments participants responded to a scenario depicting a loss of stipend that was either large or small in value. Participants were expected to show more evidence of retroactive pessimism with greater disappointment. Indeed, estimates of the probability of a more favorable counterfactual outcome were sensitive to the magnitude of the loss with lower estimates of the probability that things could have turned out better in the large stipend condition. The effect was attenuated, however, when the loss was not personal but rather that of a friend (Experiment 2), or when the disappointment was mitigated (Experiment 3). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genotoxicity of 5‐aminolevulinic and 4,5‐dioxovaleric acids in the salmonella/microsuspension mutagenicity assay and SOS chromotest
Authors: Onuki Janice , Rech Célia Maria , Medeiros Marisa H.G. , de A. Umbuzeiro Gisela , Di Mascio Paolo
Published: October 2002

5‐Aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is a heme precursor that accumulates in some porphyric disorders and in lead poisoning which can undergo metal‐catalyzed oxidation producing reactive oxygen species and the keto‐aldehyde, 4,5‐dioxovaleric acid (DOVA). Evidence in vitro of ALA‐induced DNA lesions suggests that ALA and DOVA have mutagenic potential that could possibly contribute to an increased frequency of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). In this study, we evaluated the genotoxic potential of ALA and DOVA. In the absence of exogenous metabolic activation, ALA and DOVA were mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium tester strain TA104. ALA was also mutagenic in S. typhimurium TA102, but not in TA98, TA100, or TA1535, indicating an oxidative mechanism. Removal of H2O2 with catalase gave only partial protection, suggesting generation of other mutagenic species. Both ALA and DOVA damaged the DNA of Escherichia coli PQ37, inducing the SOS response detected by an increase in β‐galactosidase activity. These results verified the potential mutagenic activity of ALA and DOVA and reinforce the hypothesis that DNA damage induced by ALA may be associated with the development of HCC in individuals suffering from AIP. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 40:63–70, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of direct numerical simulations of turbulent flames using compressible or low‐Mach number formulations
Authors: de Charentenay J. , Thévenin D. , Zamuner B.
Published: October 2002

Modelling turbulent flames with an acceptable accuracy remains an open problem. In order to progress in our understanding of turbulent combustion, direct numerical simulations have been extensively employed during the last decade. These direct simulations generally rely on a fully compressible formulation, leading to extremely small time‐steps associated with the propagation of acoustic waves. But, for many practical applications, acoustic phenomena are not essential. Using an incompressible approach while taking into account a dilatation term should then be much more efficient in terms of computing time. In this article we want to investigate this point by comparing results of direct simulations relying either on the compressible equations or on the low‐Mach number formulation. We employ in both cases detailed models to describe chemistry and transport, in order to obtain an accurate description of the reaction zones. Two test‐cases are considered for the evaluation of the low‐Mach number approximation. We first compute the evolution of homogeneous isotropic turbulence decaying with time, without chemical reactions. In the second case a turbulent premixed ozone flame is investigated. For both configurations the computing time associated with the low‐Mach number simulation is at least an order of magnitude shorter, while keeping a similar accuracy for the flame properties. This demonstrates that the low‐Mach number formulation is extremely efficient and suitable to investigate the detailed structure of turbulent flames when acoustic phenomena are not of primary interest. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The porcine SRY promoter is transactivated within a male genital ridge environment
Authors: Daneau Isabelle , Pilon Nicolas , Boyer Alexandre , Behdjani Ramin , Overbeek Paul A. , Viger Robert , Lussier Jacques , Silversides David W.
Published: October 2002

Summary: In mammals the SRY gene functions as a dominant genetic switch for testis determination (Gubbay et al.: Nature 346:1128–1135, 1990; Koopman et al.: Nature 351:117–121, 1991; Sinclair et al.: Nature 346:240–244, 1990). To study SRY transcriptional regulation within an evolutionary context, we have generated transgenic mice that express green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of 4.5 kb of pig SRY 5′ flanking sequences (pSRYp‐GFP). Autofluorescence was observed in the genital ridges of e11.5 male embryos (18–21 tail somites), and by e12.5 (27 tail somites) autofluorescence was observed within the testes cords. The expression of the transgene did not display the abrupt termination characteristic of endogenous mouse SRY, but rather showed a gradual reduction in expression characteristic of human, pig and sheep SRY. Surprisingly, no autofluorescence was observed in normal XX genital ridges, although more sensitive RT‐PCR analysis detected transgene transcription. When the transgene was bred into a constitutively male line of mice (Odsex; Bishop et al.: Nat Genet 26:490–494, 2000), autofluorescence was visible in genital ridges of XX animals, in the genetic absence of Sry protein. Via RT‐PCR analysis, purified autofluorescent cells from e12.5 gonadal ridges expressed mouse SRY but not Oct4 transcripts, whereas autofluorescent cells from e14.5 gonadal ridges expressed MIS but not Oct4 transcripts, in each case consistent with a pre‐Sertoli cell phenotype. In vitro expression studies performed in CV‐1 cells demonstrated that pig SOX9 cDNA transactivated the pig SRY promoter but that pig SRY cDNA did not. When a SOX9 potential binding site identified at −205 of the pig SRY 5′ flanking sequences was mutated, the SOX9 transactivation effect was reduced by 70%. This site is conserved in the 5′ flanking sequences of bovine and human SRY genes but not in the mouse gene. Gel retardation assays using this binding site showed specific binding to SOX9‐enriched nuclear extracts that was competed by excess unlabelled binding site but not by mutated binding site. We suggest that pig SRY gene is responsive to a testicular environment and propose a model of feedback amplification of pig SRY transcription by SOX9. genesis 33:170–180, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developmental behavior of gene expression for brown rice thickness under different environments
Authors: Shi C. H. , Wu J. G. , Wu P.
Published: October 2002

Summary: The dynamic changes of genetic effects, including main effects, and genotype × environment (GE) interaction effects on brown rice thickness (BRT) across environments were investigated by using the developmental genetic models. Seven cytoplasmic male sterile lines of indica rice (Oryza sativa L.) as females and five restoring lines as males were used in a factorial design to produce grains of F1s and F2s in two environments (years) for developmental genetic analysis. The results indicate that genetic effects, especially GE interaction effects of triploid endosperm genes, cytoplasm genes, and diploid maternal plant genes were important to the performance of BRT at various filling stages of rice. The BRT was genetically controlled by the net genetic effects of genes expressed at the early and late filling stages (1–7 days and 15–21 days after flowering, respectively). The differences in net genetic effects under different environments for endosperm, cytoplasm, and maternal plant genes were found, and the net GE interaction effects were more important to BRT at the early filling and mature stages of rice. Some net genetic effects, especially for net cytoplasm effects spasmodically expressed, were detected among filling stages. Higher additive and cytoplasm main effects, along with their interaction effects, were found, which would be useful for selection for BRT in breeding programs. The predicated genetic effects at different filling stages show that the parents of V20 and Xieqingzao were better than others for improving BRT of progenies. genesis 33:185–190, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Attributions of physical symptoms in patients of an old age psychiatry service
Authors: Sheehan Bart , Philpot Michael , Banerjee Sube
Published: October 2002

Background

Somatization is a phenomenon found across all medical specialities and in all types of care. There has been little in the way of systematic investigation of the phenomenon in older people.

Objectives

The objective was to establish whether treatment for psychiatric illness would be accompanied by a fall in somatic attributions.

Method

Patients' attributions of physical symptoms were studied in a consecutive group of older people with functional disorders (mostly depression) referred to an old age psychiatry service. Depression, anxiety, physical illness and attributional style were measured soon after referral and seven months later.

Results

41 subjects were interviewed in the first leg. Anxiety was the chief association of abnormal attributional style. At follow up (n = 29) mean depression and anxiety scale scores and somatic attributions of symptoms had fallen significantly.

Conclusion

Abnormal focus on physical symptoms in depressed elderly patients may resolve with treatment. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The clinical phenotype of familial and sporadic late onset Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Holmes Clive , Lovestone Simon
Published: October 2002

Background

Familial factors are clearly associated with an increased risk of developing late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). However, there is emerging evidence to suggest that familial factors may also influence clinical phenotype. To date, most studies have focussed on familial influences upon age of onset or duration of illness and few studies have compared the frequency of non‐cognitive symptoms between familial and sporadic LOAD.

Objective

To describe the clinical phenotype, with an emphasis on non‐cognitive symptoms, of patients with LOAD and to explore familial differences.

Method

374 patients with LOAD were recruited from the community based Camberwell Dementia Case Register and a comparison made of the clinical phenotype of patients with and without a first degree family history of dementia.

Results

A first degree family history of dementia was found in 27% of fully ascertained cases. An earlier age of onset was found in familial cases (77.2 years compared to 78.3 years, p < 0.05). However, no other differences in clinical phenotype, including the rate of cognitive decline, duration or the frequency of non‐cognitive symptoms, were found between familial and sporadic cases.

Conclusions

Apart from an earlier age of onset, patients with familial LOAD, as a group, do not have major differences in their clinical phenotype compared to patients with sporadic LOAD. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Geriatric Mental State Examination in the 21st century
Authors: Copeland J. R. M. , Prince M. , Wilson K. C. M. , Dewey M. E. , Payne J. , Gurland B.
Published: October 2002

The Geriatric Mental State Examination (GMS) is now established as one of the most commonly used mental health assessments for older people. Its strengths lie in extensive validity studies, high inter‐rater reliability, accessibility to trained raters, irrespective of professional background and its continual evolution and adaptation. Its computerisation, association with supplementary instruments and support by a diagnostic algorithm provides a comprehensive diagnostic system and syndrome profile for each subject. The instrument has been validated against most major diagnostic systems and has been used as outcome measures in intervention studies. It has been translated into numerous languages and validated as a diagnostic instrument in various cultures. Such studies have exposed weaknesses, including the over diagnoses of organic states in populations with poorly developed education. On‐going studies continue to address these issues, providing a culture sensitive instrument enabling unique trans‐cultural research in a relatively under‐researched field. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is mental health economics important in geriatric psychiatry in developing countries?
Authors: Shah Ajit , Murthy Srinivasa , Suh Guh‐Kee
Published: October 2002

Background

Limited healthcare budgets and a seamless demand for resources suggests that a formula for allocating resources is needed. Economic evaluation can assist in developing this formula.

Method

Mental health economic studies (cost minimisation, cost‐effectiveness, cost‐utility, cost‐benefit and cost of illness analysis) in geriatric psychiatry from developed and developed countries were examined along with all mental health economic studies in developed countries.

Results

There were no health economic studies in geriatric psychiatry from developing countries against a background of many such studies in developed countries. There were a greater number of health economic studies in other areas of psychiatry in developing countries. Several reasons for the paucity of such studies, the feasibility of undertaking these studies and their significance are discussed.

Conclusion

Mental health economic studies in geriatric psychiatry in developing countries are feasible, realistic and may well have an important part to play in the allocation of resources. Also, data sets necessary for such studies are emerging from many developing countries. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serological observations in patients suffering from acute manic episodes
Authors: Wadee Ahmed A. , Kuschke Reverie H. , Wood Lesley A. , Berk Michael , Ichim Liuvu , Maes Michael
Published: October 2002

Although abnormalities of the immune system have been described in depression, information on serological alteration in acutely manic patients has been scarce. The present study undertook to investigate the levels of C‐reactive proteins, circulating immune complexes, total immunoglobulins and immunoglobulin subclasses, complement proteins C3, C4, C6 and Factor B in the sera of 45 patients suffering from an acute manic episode. The findings were compared with assessments on the sera of 45 controls. The results demonstrate a number of significant differences between patients and controls. Whilst levels of immunoglobulin D were significantly lower, the levels of total immunoglobulin and immunoglobulin G1, complement proteins C3, C6 and Factor B were raised in the patient group when compared with the controls. Our results suggest a relationship between acute mania and immunological parameters associated with acute phase responses. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Relationship between cerebral pharmacokinetics and anxiolytic activity of diazepam and its active metabolites after a single intra‐peritoneal administration of diazepam in mice
Authors: Dailly E. , Hascoët M. , Colombel M. C. , Jolliet P. , Bourin M.
Published: October 2002

The relationship between the cerebral pharmacokinetics of diazepam and its active metabolites (desmethyldiazepam, oxazepam) and the anxiolytic effect evaluated by the four‐plates test and the light/dark test were investigated after a single intra‐peritoneal injection of diazepam (1 mg/kg or 1.5 mg/kg). For up to 30 min after administration, the sedative effect interfered with the anxiolytic effect, thus the results of the anxiolytic effect were not interpretable. From 30 min to 60 min after administration, this interference disappeared, the cerebral level of benzodiazepines was stable (the brain elimination of diazepam was compensated for by the appearance of desmethyldiazepam followed by oxazepam) but the anxiolytic effect decreased dramatically in all the tests with diazepam 1 mg/kg or 1.5 mg/kg. The acute tolerance to benzodiazepines and the difference of affinity for subtypes of GABA(A) receptors between diazepam, desmethyldiazepam, oxazepam could explain this result. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Composite suspended sediment particles and flocculation in glacial meltwaters: preliminary evidence from Alpine and Himalayan basins
Authors: Woodward J. C. , Porter P. R. , Lowe A. T. , Walling D. E. , Evans A. J.
Published: October 2002

Research over the last decade has shown that the suspended sediment loads of many rivers are dominated by composite particles. These particles are also known as aggregates or flocs, and are commonly made up of constituent mineral particles, which evidence a wide range of grain sizes, and organic matter. The resulting in situ or effective particle size characteristics of fluvial suspended sediment exert a major control on all processes of entrainment, transport and deposition. The significance of composite suspended sediment particles in glacial meltwater streams has, however, not been established. Existing data on the particle size characteristics of suspended sediment in glacial meltwaters relate to the dispersed mineral fraction (absolute particle size), which, for certain size fractions, may bear little relationship to the effective or in situ distribution. Existing understanding of composite particle formation within freshwater environments would suggest that in‐stream flocculation processes do not take place in glacial meltwater systems because of the absence of organic binding agents. However, we report preliminary scanning electron microscopy data for one Alpine and two Himalayan glaciers that show composite particles are present in the suspended sediment load of the meltwater system. The genesis and structure of these composite particles and their constituent grain size characteristics are discussed. We present evidence for the existence of both aggregates, or composite particles whose features are largely inherited from source materials, and flocs, which represent composite particles produced by in‐stream flocculation processes. In the absence of organic materials, the latter may result solely from electrochemical flocculation in the meltwater sediment system. This type of floc formation has not been reported previously in the freshwater fluvial environment. Further work is needed to test the wider significance of these data and to investigate the effective particle size characteristics of suspended sediment associated with high concentration outburst events. Such events make a major contribution to suspended sediment fluxes in meltwater streams and may provide conditions that are conducive to composite particle formation by flocculation. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Farnesyltransferase inhibitor, R115777, reverses the resistance of human glioma cell lines to ionizing radiation
Authors: Delmas Caroline , Heliez Christophe , Cohen‐Jonathan Elizabeth , End Dave , Bonnet Jacques , Favre Gilles , Toulas Christine
Published: October 2002

We investigated for the first time the ability of farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTI) to radiosensitize human glioma. For this, human glioma cell lines were treated with the specific FTI, R115777, 48 hr prior to a 2Gy irradiation. The treatment with R115777 decreased by 45% the SF2 value of the more radioresistant glioma cell lines (SF763 and U87) without any significant effect on the radioresistance of the radiosensitive ones (SF767 and U251‐MG). This radiosensitizer effect was due to the induction of post‐mitotic necrotic cell death. We then tested the hypothesis that wild‐type Ras or RhoB, which has been proposed as potential FTI target, could control the glioma radioresistance. For this, we expressed inducible dominant negative forms of Ras (RasN17) and RhoB (RhoBN19) in radioresistant U87 glioma cell line and analyzed the survival after irradiation of the obtained clones. While blocking Ras pathways by expression of RasN17 did not affect the SF2 value of the U87 glioma cell line, the expression of RhoBN19 dramatically reduced the cell survival after irradiation of these cells. Taken together, these data demonstrated that RhoB, but not Ras, is implicated in glioma radioresistance. Furthermore, the R115777 differential radiosensitizer effect underlines the potential therapeutic interest of using this drug as a radiosensitizer of human glioma. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determinants of cervical cancer rates in developing countries
Authors: Drain Paul K. , Holmes King K. , Hughes James P. , Koutsky Laura A.
Published: October 2002

Although cervical cancer (CC) is a leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in developing countries, incidence rates vary considerably, ranging from 3 to 61 per 105 females. Identifying determinants of high vs. low rates may suggest population‐level prevention strategies. CC rates for 175 countries were obtained from the IARC. Country‐specific behavioral, health, economic and demographic measures were obtained from United Nations agencies and other international organizations. Regression analyses performed for 127 low or medium developed countries identified both geography and religion as independently associated with high CC rates. Among behavioral measures, high fertility rates, early age at birth of first child and high teenage birthrates were significantly associated with high CC rates. Countries with high CC rates had fewer doctors per capita, less immunization coverage, more HIV infections and shorter life expectancies. CC rates also tended to be higher in countries with more spending on health and younger, less educated populations. Patterns of CC rates suggest that programmatic approaches, such as promoting delayed childbearing and sexual monogamy, may be appropriate interventions. For countries with high CC rates and some flexibility in their health‐care budgets, a once‐in‐a‐lifetime screen of women 30–50 years of age, using Pap smears, direct visual inspection and/or HPV DNA testing, may be cost‐effective. Finally, relatively low immunization rates and a shortage of health‐care workers in countries with high CC rates suggest potential challenges for introducing prophylactic HPV vaccines. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression analysis of δ‐catenin and prostate‐specific membrane antigen: Their potential as diagnostic markers for prostate cancer
Authors: Burger Michelle Jane , Tebay Michelle Anne , Keith Patricia Anne , Samaratunga Hema Mali , Clements Judith , Lavin Martin Francis , Gardiner Robert Alexander
Published: October 2002

The current approach to prostate cancer diagnosis has major limitations including the inability of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) assays to accurately differentiate between prostate cancer and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and the imprecision of transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsy sampling. We have employed cDNA microarray screening to compare gene expression patterns in BPH and tumour samples to identify expression markers that may be useful in discriminating between these conditions. Screening of 3 individual cDNA arrays identified 8 genes with expression 3‐fold greater in 6 tumour tissues than in 1 nontumour sample and 1 BPH sample. Real‐time PCR was used to confirm the overexpression of these 8 genes and 12 genes selected from the literature against a panel of 17 tumours and 11 BPH samples. Two genes, δ‐catenin (delta‐catenin; CTNND2) and prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA; FOLH1), were significantly overexpressed in prostate cancer compared to BPH. Prostate epithelial cells stained positively for δ‐catenin and PSMA in our prostate cancer tissues, whereas the majority of our BPH tissues were negative for both markers. Thus we have identified δ‐catenin (not previously associated with prostatic adenocarcinoma) and confirmed the potential of PSMA as potential candidates for the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PTEN expression is associated with prognosis for patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma undergoing postoperative chemotherapy
Authors: Kanamori Yasunobu , Kigawa Junzo , Itamochi Hiroaki , Sultana Habiba , Suzuki Mitsuaki , Ohwada Michitaka , Kamura Toshiharu , Sugiyama Toru , Kikuchi Yoshihiro , Kita Tsunekazu , Fujiwara Keiichi , Terakawa Naoki
Published: October 2002

The prognostic significance of PTEN expression in endometrial carcinoma has not been clear. We conducted the present study to clarify the relationship between PTEN expression and prognosis in advanced endometrial carcinoma. Of 784 patients with endometrial carcinoma who underwent primary treatment between 1985 and 2000 at 5 institutions, 98 pure endometrioid carcinomas with retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis were provided for our study. PTEN expression was determined by immunohistochemic staining. Negative or mixed PTEN staining was observed in 64 (65.3%) patients. The survival rate for PTEN‐positive patients was significantly higher than that for PTEN‐negative or ‐mixed patients. PTEN‐staining status was not associated with patient age, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, myometrial invasion or histologic grade. Of the 98 patients, 87 received radiation therapy (n = 25) or chemotherapy (n = 62) after surgery. PTEN expression did not relate to survival for patients receiving radiation therapy. In contrast, the survival rate for PTEN‐positive cases was significantly higher than that for PTEN‐negative or ‐mixed cases when patients underwent chemotherapy (62.4% vs. 11.8%). Subsequent multivariate analysis revealed that PTEN staining was an independent prognostic factor for patients undergoing chemotherapy. PTEN‐positive staining was a significant prognostic indicator of favorable survival for patients with advanced endometrial carcinoma who underwent postoperative chemotherapy. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flow properties of liquid calcium alginate polymer injected through medical microcatheters for endovascular embolization
Authors: Becker Timothy A. , Kipke Daryl R.
Published: October 2002

The flow properties of liquid calcium alginate injections were investigated for application in endovascular embolization. Alginate shear properties were assessed with a rheometer and a controlled injection system. The experimental results were used to model the flow properties and predict alginate's flow characteristics within various medical microcatheter delivery systems. The results suggest that alginates undergo shear‐thinning effects with increasing shear. A flow comparison of 2.0 wt % alginate and a Newtonian fluid (82 cP) injected from the same microcatheter had similar flow rates at low injection pressure (100 kPa). However, at high injection pressure (2100 kPa), the alginate was injectable at a flow rate 100% higher than was the Newtonian fluid. Further analysis of injections through microcatheters resulted in a flow model for predicting viscosity changes, flow rates, and injection pressures of liquid alginate at medium‐to‐high shear rates. The predicted injection pressures and flow rates had an average variance of less than 15% from that of the experimental flow data. This study indicates that calcium alginate has the requisite flow properties for successful delivery to vascular lesions via endovascular injection. Possible uses of alginates include treating arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), aneurysms, blood flow to tumors, and vascular hemorrhages. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 61: 533–540, 2002
Different cellular localization, translocation, and insulin‐induced phosphorylation of PKBα in HepG2 cells and hepatocytes
Authors: Syed Noor Afshan , Horner Kyla Nadine , Misra Vikram , Khandelwal Ramji Lal
Published: October 2002

Protein kinase B (PKB), a serine/threonine protein kinase, prevents apoptosis and promotes cellular transformation. PKB activity is stimulated by insulin. In this report, we examined the relative amounts of expression, location, and translocation upon insulin stimulation of PKBα in normal primary hepatocytes and carcinoma cells, HepG2 cells. Non‐phosphorylated PKBα was present in both types of unstimulated cells. The phosphorylated form of the enzyme was present in the nucleus of unstimulated HepG2 cells but not in normal hepatocytes. In the cytoplasm, PKBα was found in greater abundance in the hepatocytes as compared in HepG2 cells. Insulin induced the translocation of phosphorylated PKBα from the nucleus to the nuclear membrane in HepG2 cells. In contrast, insulin caused translocation and phosphorylation of PKBα from the cytosol to the plasma membrane in normal hepatocytes. In addition, there is a higher expression of PKBα in the HepG2 cells as compared to normal primary hepatocytes. These findings provide an important distinction between hepatocellular HepG2 cells and normal liver cells and suggest that the presence of constitutively active nuclear PKB in the transformed cells might be an important contributor in cell transformation and immortality of hepatoma cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 118–127, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunocytochemical studies on lipid droplet‐surface proteins in adrenal cells
Authors: Fong Tsorng‐Harn , Yang Chi‐Chou , Greenberg Andrew S. , Wang Seu‐Mei
Published: October 2002

Perilipin and ADRP, located on the surface of intracellular lipid droplets, are proposed to be involved in adipocyte lipid metabolism. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of PKA and PKC activities on the distribution of perilipin and ADRP in primary cultured adrenal cells, and the role of ERK in PMA‐ and calphostin C‐induced steroidogenesis. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that in addition to p160, a capsular protein of steroidogenic lipid droplets, perilipin and ADRP were localized on the lipid droplet surface. Stimuli such as activation of PKA by db cAMP or inhibition of PKC by calphostin C, which increase corticosterone synthesis in various magnitudes, caused detachment of p160 and perilipin, but not ADRP, from the lipid droplet surface. Activation of PKC by PMA induced increase in corticosterone synthesis, however, it did not affect the distribution of perilipin, p160, or ADRP on the lipid droplet surface, suggesting the presence of mechanisms for promoting sterodiogensis other than causing detachment of lipid droplet surface proteins. We further demonstrated that ERK pathway was involved in PMA‐induced steroidogenesis, since PD98059, specific inhibitor of MEK, blocked the increases in steroidogenesis and phosphorylation of ERK caused by PMA, but not by cAMP‐PKA. These data indicate that p160, perilipin, and ADRP were all located on the lipid droplet surface in rat adrenal cells. On the basis of its non‐responsiveness to lipolytic stimulation, ADRP may be a structural protein of the lipid droplet surface, whereas their immediate response to lipolytic stimuli suggest that perilipin and p160 are functional proteins. PKC regulates adrenal steroidogenesis through ERK cascade, whereas PKA pathway does not involve ERK. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 432–439, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of endogenous regucalcin in transgenic rats: Suppression of kidney cortex cytosolic protein phosphatase activity and enhancement of heart muscle microsomal Ca2+‐ATPase activity
Authors: Yamaguchi Masayoshi , Morooka Yoshiko , Misawa Hiroyuki , Tsurusaki Yoshinori , Nakajima Rie
Published: October 2002

Rats were generated by pronuclear injection of the transgene with a cDNA construct encoding rat regucalcin that is a regulatory protein of Ca2+ signaling. Transgenic (TG) founders were fertile, transmitted the transgene at the expected frequency, and bred to homozygote. Western analysis of the cytosol prepared from the tissue of TG female rats (5‐week‐old) showed a remarkable expression of regucalcin (3.3 kDa) protein in the liver, kidney cortex, heart, lung, stomach, brain, spleen, muscle, colon, and duodenum. Regucalcin expression of TG male rats was seen in the liver, kidney cortex, heart, and lung. In wild‐type (wt) male and female rats, regucalcin was mainly present in the liver and kidney cortex. Regucalcin inhibited protein phosphatase activity in rat kidney cortex cytosol and activated Ca2+‐ATPase activity in rat heart muscle microsomes. The suppressive effect of regucalcin on protein phosphatase activity was significantly enhanced in the cytosol of kidney cortex of TG male and female rats as compared with those of wt rats. Likewise, heart muscle microsomal Ca2+‐ATPase activity was significantly enhanced in TG rats. The changes in their enzyme's activities in TG rats were completely abolished in the presence of anti‐regucalcin monoclonal antibody (100 ng/ml) in the enzyme reaction mixture. Moreover, the body weight of TG female rats was significantly lowered as compared with that of wt rats. Serum inorganic phosphorus concentration was significantly increased in TG male and female rats, while serum calcium, glucose, triglyceride, free cholesterol, albumin, and urea nitrogen concentrations were not significantly altered in TG rats. Regucalcin TG rats should be a useful model to define a regulatory role of endogenous regucalcin in the tissues in vivo. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 520–529, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flow cytometric detection of total and serine 473 phosphorylated Akt
Authors: Tazzari Pier Luigi , Cappellini Alessandra , Bortul Roberta , Ricci Francesca , Billi Anna Maria , Tabellini Giovanna , Conte Roberto , Martelli Alberto M.
Published: October 2002

The evaluation of regulatory proteins is important for biological studies and is also established as a prognostic marker for cancer diagnosis. Very recently, it has been highlighted that the serine/threonine kinase Akt plays a fundamental role in survival pathways and is also involved in the onset of resistance to anti‐neoplastic drugs and ionizing radiation in cell lines derived from solid tumors. For its full activation Akt needs to be phosphorylated on Serine 473 residue. Molecules that are fundamental in determining resistance to therapeutic treatments might serve in the future as clinical markers to tailor therapy and/or predict treatment response. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether or not flow cytometric analysis of total Akt and of its form phosphorylated on Serine 473 could be related to standard techniques such as Western blotting with phosphospecific antibodies and in vitro kinase assay. To this end, we employed as experimental models HL‐60 and PC‐12 lines in which there is an enhancement of Akt activity. Our results showed that flow cytometry analysis, performed on fixed and permeabilized cells, correlated well with the results provided by in vitro activity assays and Western blots. Therefore, our findings might indicate that flow cytometric study of Akt (both total and phosphorylated) content may be applied in routine work for phenotyping of hematological and non‐hematological neoplasias, and allow for its use as a useful marker for the classification and the prognosis of neoplastic diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 704–715, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oleic acid‐induced PKC isozyme translocation in RAW 264.7 macrophages
Authors: Chen Jin‐Shan , Greenberg Andrew S. , Wang Seu‐Mei
Published: October 2002

Fatty acids are important second messengers that mediate various cellular functions, but their role in the formation of macrophage foam cells is not known. High plasma levels of oleic acid (OA) in obese patients are often associated with a high risk for atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the protein kinase C (PKC) isozymes involved in OA‐induced lipid accumulation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The results show that OA induces translocation of PKC α, β1, and δ from the cytosol to the cell membrane 5 min after the treatment. After 16 h incubation with OA, PKC δ was found to be colocalized with adipose differentiation‐related protein (ADRP) on the surface of lipid droplets, but immunoprecipitation experiments showed that PKC δ was not biochemically associated with ADRP. After 16 h incubation with OA plus phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA), PKC δ staining on the lipid droplet surface was not seen, whereas the accumulation of lipid droplets was unaffected. Furthermore, downregulation of PKC δ was confirmed by immunoblotting. These results demonstrate possible involvement of specific PKC isozymes in the early phase of lipid accumulation, possibly during the uptake of OA. J. Cell. Biochem. 86: 784–791, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A new program for optimizing periodic boundary models of solvated biomolecules (PBCAID)
Authors: Qian Xiaoliang , Strahs Daniel , Schlick Tamar
Published: October 2002

Simulations of solvated macromolecules often use periodic lattices to account for long‐range electrostatics and to approximate the surface effects of bulk solvent. The large percentage of solvent molecules in such models (compared to macromolecular atoms) makes these procedures computationally expensive. The cost can be reduced by using periodic cells containing an optimized number of solvent molecules (subject to a minimal distance between the solute and the periodic images). We introduce an easy‐to‐use program “PBCAID” to initialize and optimize a periodic lattice specified as one of several known space‐filling polyhedra. PBCAID reduces the volume of the periodic cell by finding the solute rotation that yields the smallest periodic cell dimensions. The algorithm examines rotations by using only a subset of surface atoms to measure solute/image distances, and by optimizing the distance between the solute and the periodic cell surface. Once the cell dimension is optimized, PBCAID incorporates a procedure for solvating the domain with water by filling the cell with a water lattice derived from an ice structure scaled to the bulk density of water. Results show that PBCAID can optimize system volumes by 20 to 70% and lead to computational savings in the nonbonded computations from reduced solvent sizes. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1843–1850, 2001
Service providers' views of psychiatric mutual support groups
Authors: Chinman Matthew , Kloos Bret , O'Connell Maria , Davidson Larry
Published: October 2002

Despite evidence that mutual support groups can be beneficial for those with serious mental illnesses, professionals have been reluctant to utilize this resource. We surveyed over 400 providers across several disciplines and settings within the state of Connecticut's public mental health system to assess their attitudes and practices regarding the use of mutual support groups for their patients. We found that being a rehabilitation worker and possessing more advanced training, greater numbers of years in their setting and discipline, and personal experience with psychiatric disorders or mutual support were associated with more favorable attitudes and behaviors toward mutual support. In addition, traditional 12‐step groups (e.g., Alcoholics Anonymous) were viewed more favorably than psychiatric mutual support groups. Implications for educational efforts about the benefits of mutual support for those with serious mental illnesses are discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ethnic identity in urban African American youth: Exploring links with self‐worth, aggression, and other psychosocial variables
Authors: McMahon Susan D. , Watts Roderick J.
Published: October 2002

This study represents an attempt to examine the relative influences of ethnic identity and global self‐worth on aggression, coping, and adjustment among urban African American adolescents. Findings suggest that ethnic identity was associated with a range of positive feelings about oneself and health‐related outcomes. When taking into account global self‐worth, youth with a greater sense of ethnic/racial identity reported more active coping strategies, fewer beliefs supporting aggression, and fewer aggressive behaviors. A strong positive sense of global self‐worth was significantly related to lower levels of anxiety and depression, and greater beliefs supporting aggressive behavior, when taking into account ethnic identity. Examining these constructs in combination can yield insight into the processes involved in competence and adjustment among at‐risk youth. This study suggests that ethnic identity is an important component of development, and that we should consider examining and strengthening ethnoracial and political consciousness among youth in preventive interventions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Continuous exposure of airway epithelial cells to hydrogen peroxide: Protection by KGF
Authors: Chapman Kenneth E. , Waters Christopher M. , Miller William M.
Published: October 2002

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase permeability in the airway epithelium. Extended periods of oxidant exposure may be experienced by those suffering from chronic inflammation of the lungs, receiving supplemental oxygen, or living in areas with high levels of air pollution. We studied the effects of long‐term, continuous exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) on the trans‐epithelial electrical resistance (TER) across cultured monolayers of a transformed cell line of human bronchial epithelial cells, 16HBE14o− (16HBE). A TER perfusion system was employed to continuously monitor the TER without disturbing the tissue model. The TER decreased in a dose‐dependent manner with increasing concentrations of H2O2 (0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mM), regardless of pre‐incubation conditions. Cell cultures pre‐treated with 50 ng/ml keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) showed a significant delay in oxidant‐induced TER decreases caused by 0.1 mM H2O2. Exposure to 0.1 mM H2O2 for 350 min led to disruption of tight junction proteins, ZO‐1 and occludin, but KGF treatment prevented this damage. The recovery of epithelial barrier function after exposure to oxidants was also studied. Tissue models exposed to 0.5 mM H2O2 for 25 min showed complete recovery of TER after 20 h, independent of culture pre‐treatment. In contrast, KGF pre‐incubation enhanced the recovery of 16HBE cultures exposed for 50 min to 0.5 mM H2O2. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.