bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insights from diploblasts; the evolution of mesoderm and muscle
Authors: Burton Patrick Michael 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe origin of both mesoderm and muscle are central questions in metazoan evolution. The majority of metazoan phyla are triploblasts, possessing three discrete germ layers. Attention has therefore been focused on two outgroups to triploblasts, Cnidaria and Ctenophora. Modern texts describe these taxa as diploblasts, lacking a mesodermal germ layer. However, some members of Medusozoa, one of two subphyla within Cnidaria, possess tissue independent of either the ectoderm or endoderm referred to as the entocodon. Furthermore, members of both Cnidaria and Ctenophora have been described as possessing striated muscle, a mesodermal derivative. While it is widely accepted that the ancestor of Eumetazoa was diploblastic, homology of the entocodon and mesoderm as well as striated muscle within Eumetazoa has been suggested. This implies a potential triploblastic ancestor of Eumetazoa possessing striated muscle. In the following review, I examine the evidence for homology of both muscle and mesoderm. Current data support a diploblastic ancestor of cnidarians, ctenophores, and triploblasts lacking striated muscle. J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 310B:5–14, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Favorable indications for hepatectomy in patients with liver metastasis from gastric cancer
Authors: Sakamoto Yoshihiro , Sano Takeshi , Shimada Kazuaki , Esaki Minoru , Saka Makoto , Fukagawa Takeo , Katai Hitoshi , Kosuge Tomoo , Sasako Mitsuru 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe prognosis of patients with liver metastasis from gastric cancer (LMGC) is dismal. The purpose of this study was to review our recent outcomes of hepatectomy for LMGC and to determine the suitable candidates for surgery.Study DesignThe outcomes of 37 patients with LMGC who underwent hepatectomy between 1990 and 2005 were assessed. No extrahepatic distant metastasis and feasibility of macroscopic curative resection were requisite indications for surgery. The prognostic values of clinicopathological factors were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses.ResultsThere was no in‐hospital mortality. The median survival time and overall 5‐year survival rate after hepatectomy of the patients with LMGC were 31 months and 11%, respectively. Intrahepatic recurrence following hepatectomy was found in 23 patients (62%). Variables independently associated with poor survival were bilobar metastasis (P = 0.002, CI = 1.9–16.3) and a maximum tumor diameter of ≥ 4 cm (P = 0.006, CI = 1.4–7.7). The depth of the primary tumor and the timing of metastasis were not associated with survival.ConclusionsSurgical resection for LMGC may be indicated in patients with unilobar metastasis and/or tumors less than 4 cm in diameter. Synchronous metastasis is not a contraindication for hepatectomy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;95:534–539. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical significance of the RT‐PCR positive sentinel node in melanoma
Authors: Temple C.L.F. , Snell L.J. , Power S.M. , Parfitt J.R. , Scilley C. , Engel C.J. , Shum D. , Chakrabarti S. , Joseph M.G. , Lohmann R.C. , Ainsworth P. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractBackgroundThe clinical relevance of RT‐PCR positivity for melanoma markers in the sentinel node remains controversial. Our purpose was to determine whether patients with a histologically negative but RT‐PCR positive node were at an increased risk for recurrence than their RT‐PCR negative counterparts.MethodsThirty‐nine adult patients underwent sentinel node biopsies for melanoma between 1998 and 2000. Each sentinel node was bivalved. Half was serially sectioned and examined by routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry (IHC; S100, HMB‐45, melanA, and tyrosinase). The other half was analyzed by a nested RT‐PCR assay for tyrosinase.ResultsPatients were followed for recurrence with a mean follow‐up of 71.1 months. The odds ratio of recurrence for RT‐PCR positive versus RT‐PCR negative patients was 1.39 (0.34, 5.62; p = 0.73). Within the histology negative subgroups, the risk of recurrence in the RT‐PCR positive group (26.7%) was not significantly different from the risk of recurrence in the RT‐PCR negative group (22.2%) (p = 0.33 chi‐squared). RT‐PCR of the sentinel node was not a predictor for recurrence on multivariate analysis (p = 0.65).ConclusionSentinel node RT‐PCR positivity did not risk stratify histologically negative melanoma patients beyond routine pathologic examination in this series. J. Surg. Oncol. 2007;95:546–554. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Concept of molecular design towards additive technology for advanced lubricants
Authors: Minami Ichiro , Mori Shigeyuki 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA simple model to develop novel friction modifiers and anti‐wear agents for synthetic oils was studied. Our attention was focused on the construction of additive molecules to meet the requirement for synthetic oils, which possess a different polarity and solvency from mineral oils. The relation between the molecular structure of additives and their tribological properties were elucidated prior to the preparation of the substance and estimation of its tribological properties. Computer‐assisted chemistry was partly applied to predict the properties of the designed molecules.The adsorptive activity of the conventional fatty acids is insufficient to reduce friction when they were dissolved in polar synthetic oils such as polyethers. Introduction of another carboxyl group into the fatty acid, especially at the carbon atom next to the original carboxyl group, makes the molecule polar; resulting in friction modifiers for polyethers. Conversion of the carboxyl groups into trimethylsilyl esters provides soluble friction modifiers for poly(dimethylsilicone)‐type synthetic oils. A unique lubrication mechanism based on in situ regeneration of the original molecule was proposed for synthetic oils with poor solvency.Importance of adsorptive activity of additive molecule was also pointed out in phosphate‐type anti‐wear additives for polar synthetic oils. We found that both the polarity of additives and that of base oils have to be taken into account in lubricant design. Too much adsorption activity of the molecule caused corrosive wear. Hydrolytic stable compounds reduces corrosive wear to a considerable extent. Introduction of a hydroxyl group into the alkyl moiety of the phosphate ester provides polar molecule with low acidity. The additives reduce wear in synthetic esters even at low concentrations of phosphorus. The lubrication mechanism was also discussed; the novel additives provide a thick boundary film composed of iron phosphate on rubbing surfaces. Moreover, an acceleration of the kinetics of the film formation by the hydroxyl group was observed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Retinol decreases β‐catenin protein levels in retinoic acid‐resistant colon cancer cell lines
Authors: Dillard Alice C. , Lane Michelle A. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThe β‐catenin signaling pathway is dysregulated in most cases of colon cancer resulting in an accumulation of nuclear β‐catenin and increased transcription of genes involved in tumor progression. This study examines the effect of retinol on β‐catenin protein levels in three all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA)‐resistant human colon cancer cell lines: HCT‐116, WiDr, and SW620. Each cell line was treated with increasing concentrations of retinol for 24 or 48 h. Retinol reduced β‐catenin protein levels and increased ubiquitinated β‐catenin in all cell lines. Treatment with the proteasomal inhibitor MG132 blocked the retinol‐induced decrease in β‐catenin indicating retinol decreases β‐catenin by increasing proteasomal degradation. Multiple pathways direct β‐catenin to the proteasome for degradation including a p53/Siah‐1/adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), a Wnt/glycogen synthase kinase‐3β/APC, and a retinoid “X” receptor (RXR)‐mediated pathway. Due to mutations in β‐catenin (HCT‐116), APC (SW620), and p53 (WiDr), only the RXR‐mediated pathway remains functional in each cell line. To determine if RXRs facilitate β‐catenin degradation, cells were treated with the RXR pan‐antagonist, PA452, or transfected with RXRα small interfering RNA (siRNA). The RXR pan‐antagonist and RXRα siRNA reduced the ability of retinol to decrease β‐catenin protein levels. Nuclear β‐catenin induces gene transcription via interaction with T cell factor/lymphoid enhancer factor (TCF/LEF) proteins. Retinol treatment decreased the transcription of a TOPFlash reporter construct and mRNA levels of the endogenous β‐catenin target genes, cyclin D1 and c‐myc. These results indicate that retinol may reduce colon cancer cell growth by increasing the proteasomal degradation of β‐catenin via a mechanism potentially involving RXR. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Protein kinase C δ enhances proliferation and survival of murine mammary cells
Authors: Grossoni Valeria C. , Falbo Karina B. , Kazanietz Marcelo G. , de Kier Joffé Elisa D. Bal , Urtreger Alejandro J. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractProtein kinase C (PKC) δ, a member of the novel family of PKC serine‐threonine kinases, has been implicated in negative regulation of proliferation and apoptosis in a large number of cell types, including breast cancer cell lines, and postulated as a tumor suppressor gene. In this study we show that in murine NMuMG mammary cells PKCδ promotes a mitogenic response. Overexpression of PKCδ in NMuMG cells leads to a significant increase in [3H]‐tymidine incorporation and cell proliferation, as well as enhanced extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK)‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation. Activation of PKCδ with a phorbol ester leads to elevated cyclin D1 expression and an hyperphosphorylated Rb state. Surprisingly, ectopic expression of PKCδ conferred anchorage‐independent growth capacity to NMuMG cells. PKCδ overexpressors showed enhanced resistance to apoptotic stimuli, such as serum deprivation or doxorubicin treatment, an effect that correlates with hyperactivation of the Akt survival pathway. Our results provide evidence for a role of PKCδ as a positive modulator of proliferative and survival signals in immortalized mammary cells. The fact that PKCδ exerts differential responses depending on the cell context not only highlights the necessity to carefully understand the signaling events controlled by this PKC in each cell type but also suggests that we should be cautious in considering this kinase a target for cancer therapy. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Methods of evaluation of musician's dystonia: Critique of measurement tools
Authors: Spector June T. , Brandfonbrener Alice G. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractMusician's dystonia is associated with significant morbidity. To assess treatment options, accurate and precise measurements of disease severity are critical. We describe current methods of quantitatively measuring musician's dystonia of the upper extremity including subjective, objective, and automated methods. The degree to which these methods satisfy rigorous measurement criteria, including their reliability, validity, responsiveness to treatment, and practicality, is examined. We report that most of these methods have not been properly evaluated. Therefore, treatment trials based on these methods are difficult to interpret. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Unilateral versus bilateral tasks in early asymmetric Parkinson's disease: Differential effects on bradykinesia
Authors: Kishore Asha , Espay Alberto J. , Marras Connie , Al‐Khairalla Thamer , Arenovich Tamara , Asante Abena , Miyasaki Janis , Lang Anthony E. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractPatients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have an impaired ability to perform two different simultaneous bimanual tasks. The differential effects of unilateral versus bilateral identical tasks on the bradykinesia scores of the more and less affected limbs in PD have not been examined. Twenty‐seven patients with early and asymmetric PD underwent blinded, videotaped assessment, independently for each limb, using the bradykinesia items of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Part III, Motor subscale (mUPDRS) and a Modified Bradykinesia Rating Scale (MBRS), which assessed amplitude, speed, and rhythm of movements. We found that the score for finger tapping in mUPDRS and MBRS, the score of amplitude of finger tapping in MBRS, and the lateralized scores of mUPDRS (sum of Items 23 to 25) of the most affected side significantly improved during the bimanual task. The improvement was associated with longer duration of illness, higher total scores in mUPDRS, and higher lateralized bradykinesia scores of the most affected side. There was a simultaneous deterioration of the lateralized bradykinesia scores in MBRS (sum of Items 23 to 25) and Item 25 of mUPDRS (rapid alternating movements) of the least affected side in bimanual tasks. In conclusion, identical bimanual tasks facilitate movement of the most affected side in early asymmetric PD at the cost of motor degradation in the least affected side. This observation also highlights the need to perform tasks of bradykinesia in one limb at a time for best accuracy. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Lower stimulation frequency can enhance tolerability and efficacy of pallidal deep brain stimulation for dystonia
Authors: Alterman Ron L. , Shils Jay L. , Miravite Joan , Tagliati Michele 
Published: January 2007

AbstractWe report the case of a patient with medically refractory primary dystonia who was treated with bilateral pallidal deep brain stimulation. Stimulation at 130 Hz or higher, by means of the more ventral contacts generated capsular side effects, which made their use impractical. Consequently, the patient was treated for 9 months at 130 to 185 Hz, by means of the more dorsal contacts, achieving modest results. By reducing the stimulation frequency to 80 Hz, we were able to activate the ventral contacts without inducing side effects. Within days, the patient experienced a dramatic improvement in function that has persisted for 1 year. A further reduction in stimulation frequency to 60 Hz resulted in a worsening of his symptoms. We conclude that chronic stimulation at frequencies of <100 Hz may be efficacious in dystonia and may enhance the tolerability of stimulation by means of contacts that are positioned posteroventrally within the internal globus pallidus, nearer the internal capsule. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Gait abnormalities in psychogenic movement disorders
Authors: Baik Jong Sam , Lang Anthony E. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractAn abnormal gait is not uncommon in patients with medically unexplained neurological symptoms, including those with other psychogenic movement disorders (PMDs). Previous studies have not evaluated the gait characteristics of patients with a variety of PMDs and there are no reports comparing PMDs with and without gait disturbances. We were interested in determining how those with and without additional involvement of gait differed and how PMD patients differed from those with a pure psychogenic gait disorder (PGD) in the absence of another PMD. We investigated gait features in a large series of patients with PMD (n = 279), dividing them into two groups (Group I with a normal gait and Group II with an abnormal gait). Group I included those with PMD with a normal gait and no change in the PMD while walking (I‐1), and those with a change in PMD while walking, but not affecting gait (I‐2). Group II was divided into those with PMD with additional abnormal gait (II‐1) and those with pure psychogenic gait disorder without other abnormal movements (II‐2). Excessive slowing of movement was more common in PMD patients with an abnormal gait (Group II) compared to those without (Group I). Slowness of gait was the most common feature in patients with PMD combined with a PGD (II‐1) and buckling of the knee pattern was the most common type of pure PGD (II‐2), followed by astasia–abasia. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Carbidopa/levodopa–responsive myoclonus
Authors: FitzGerald David B. , Drago Valeria , Sutherland Dean , Heilman Kenneth M. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractA 64‐year‐old right‐handed woman's right hand and arm developed spontaneous jerks that eventually involved her trunk. As she had some features of parkinsonism, she was treated with carbidopa/levodopa and her myoclonus dramatically improved. The mechanism accounting for this improvement is unknown. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Suppression of connexin 43 and E‐cadherin transcripts in in vitro derived bovine embryos following culture in vitro or in vivo in the homologous bovine oviduct
Authors: Tesfaye Dawit , Lonergan Patrick , Hoelker Michael , Rings Franca , Nganvongpanit Korakot , Havlicek Vitezslav , Besenfelder Urban , Jennen Danyel , Tholen Ernst , Schellander Karl 
Published: January 2007

AbstractIn this study, a combination of RNAi and endoscopic transfer to the oviduct of synchronized heifers has been used to investigate the effect of suppression of Cx43 and E‐cadherin on the development, mRNA and protein expression of bovine blastocysts cultured in vitro or in vivo. In vitro matured and fertilized bovine zygotes were randomly assigned to one of four groups namely: Connexin43 dsRNA‐injected (n = 790), E‐cadherin dsRNA‐injected (n = 775), water‐injected (n = 774), and noninjected controls (n = 652). Following 2 days in vitro culture, 4‐ and 8‐cell stage embryos from each treatment group were used for culture in vitro or in vivo. About half of the 4–8‐cell stage embryos from each treatment group were transferred to the oviduct of synchronized heifers, while the remainder were further cultured in vitro. Embryos from in vivo culture were flushed from recipients on the fourth day post transfer (= Day 7 post insemination). Blastocyst stage embryos from both culture systems were used for mRNA and protein expression analysis. Irrespective of treatment or culture conditions, microinjection resulted in a decline in the proportion of embryos reaching the blastocyst stage. Significantly, lower blastocyst development was observed in E‐cadherin and water‐injected embryos following in vivo culture compared to the noninjected controls, while intermediate results were obtained following injection with Cx43 dsRNA. Both mRNA and protein products of the target genes were suppressed but the efficiency of suppression of the target genes varied depending on the initial level of transcript abundance, which is known to be greatly affected by the culture environment. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 978–988, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bounds on history‐dependent or independent local quantities in viscoelasticity problems solved by approximate methods
Authors: Chamoin L. , Ladevèze P. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThis paper introduces new strict error bounds of outputs of interest for linear viscoelasticity structural problems involving internal state variables and calculated by the finite element method. Using extraction techniques and the concept of dissipation error, we show that we can get both strict and effective bounds by using convexity properties and by taking effects of error accumulation into account. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The PV‐FIBRE concentrator: a system for indoor operation of 1000X MJ solar cells
Authors: Antón I. , Silva D. , Sala G. , Bett A.W. , Siefer G. , Luque‐Heredia I. , Trebst T. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractThis paper describes the overall design and experimental results obtained with the PV‐FIBRE concentrator system (CPV). This system uses a parabolic dish to collect and concentrate the sunlight which is then further guided by a transparent rod and finally by individual short fibres. Eventually, the individual fibres are connected to single cells which are located indoors. Dual‐junction III‐V‐based solar cells with an efficiency of 30% and operating at 1000× are applied in the PV‐FIBRE system. This new system approach allows a suitable optical and electrical interconnection in order to reduce the losses and the indoor operation of the cell receiver. All elements of the CPV system (collector, tracker, transmission rod, cells, fibre bundles, and cooling circuit) have been manufactured according to main design requirements and have been evaluated separately. Finally, the PV‐FIBRE CPV system has been installed in Madrid and tested under real operation conditions. The system has demonstrated an optical efficiency of 62% is feasible, providing homogeneous illumination to the cells. Therefore, this concept can lead to overall efficiencies exceeding 20% when combined with MJ solar cells. In this paper we report on the main achievements, identified problems as well as lessons learned and future research lines to improve the system performance. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamic behavior of water wells coupled to PV pumping systems
Authors: Fraidenraich N. , Vilela O. C. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractEvaluation of a water supply system requires an overall analysis of its behavior, including the well performance and drawdown characteristics. The response of the water well is usually characterized by a single relationship between water level and water flow, representing its quasi‐equilibrium behavior. However, for days with large and rapid variations of irradiance this relationship does not correspond to the well‐equilibrium curve. In order to simulate the well behavior it has been developed a model that takes into account the variation of water level, pressure at the entrance of the well and static pressure of the aquifer, all of them related to the water flow. The model also considers the energy conservation equation of the system through the relationship among hydraulic load, water flow, and collected irradiance. Results of simulations show that, for days with large variations in solar irradiance, the static and dynamic analysis exhibit large differences in the instantaneous water head. The dynamic analysis shows that the water well tends to attenuate the fluctuations of the water head through a negative feedback mechanism. The model helps to understand some facts observed in the field. For example, the dispersion of points in the flow rate versus solar irradiance curves. The maximum drawdown obtained with the dynamic model is considerably smaller than the one predicted with the quasi‐equilibrium analysis. That difference can represent some savings in terms of water well hardware (drilling, wiring, and piping) for programs involving the installation of a large number of systems. The slowdown of water column variations, shown by the dynamic model, signifies that the motor‐pump system is not so intensively demanded as the quasi‐equilibrium analysis would suggest, resulting in longer lifetime prospects. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Passive coping and psychological distress in women adhering to regular breast cancer surveillance
Authors: Pieterse K. , van Dooren S. , Seynaeve C. , Bartels C.C.M. , Rijnsburger A.J. , de Koning H.J. , Klijn J.G.M. , van Elderen T. , Tibben A. , Duivenvoorden H.J. 
Published: January 2007

AbstractSince 2000 the MRISC study evaluates the psychological consequences of regular breast cancer surveillance for women at increased risk for hereditary breast cancer. Coping style may influence these psychological consequences. In a cohort of 357 women at increased risk for hereditary breast cancer, the impact of coping styles on the course, divided into level and trend of psychological distress (general and breast cancer specific) was examined, around two consecutive surveillance appointments.With structural equation modelling we found passive coping to be associated with higher levels of both general and breast cancer specific distress. Seeking social support, expression of emotions and thinking comforting thoughts were associated with lower levels of psychological distress. Coping style was not associated with the trend of psychological distress around the two surveillance appointments. It is recommendable to take coping styles into account when counselling these high‐risk women. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.