bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sclerosing poorly differentiated liposarcoma: clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular analysis of a distinct morphological subtype of lipomatous tumour of soft tissue
Authors: Suster S , Morrison C 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  To present eight cases of a distinctive morphological subtype of lipomatous tumour of soft tissue.Methods and results:  The clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular pathological features of these tumours were analysed. The tumours were characterized by dense stromal sclerosis containing singly scattered pleomorphic atypical cells with lipoblastic features. The tumours occurred in four women and four men, aged 39–90 years (mean = 63). They were located in the retroperitoneum, thigh, retropubic space, arm and spermatic cord. Four cases arose de novo and four cases presented as local recurrences of previously resected liposarcomas. MDM2 amplification and cyclophoshamide doxorubicin hydrochloride (adriamycin), vincristine and prednisolone (CHOP) translocation was studied in seven cases by fluorescence in situ hybridization. High‐level amplification of MDM2 at 12q13‐15 was observed in 4/7 cases. All cases were negative for the CHOP translocation; in one MDM2+ case, the CHOP gene showed amplification but no translocation. Three patients died from their tumours from 1 to 6 years after their last surgery with lung metastases.Conclusions:  The tumours described appear to represent an unusual morphological variant of poorly differentiated liposarcoma associated with aggressive behaviour, and may represent a common end‐stage pathway for various types of liposarcoma.
Chromogranin A expression correlates with tumour cell type and prognosis in signet ring cell carcinoma of the stomach
Authors: Fujiyoshi Y , Eimoto T 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  To investigate neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation in gastric signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) using chromogranin A (CgA) as an indicator of a well‐differentiated NE phenotype and to determine its relationship to cell type, stage and prognosis.Methods and results:  102 SRCCs were categorized into five subtypes according to the predominant cell type in the World Health Organization classification. 38 cases (37.3%) showed focal or diffuse CgA positivity. The positive cells were mostly histiocytoid and eosinophilic SRCC cells and some were classical SRCC cells. Small cell and anaplastic‐type SRCC cells were only rarely immunopositive. There was no significant relationship between CgA expression and the extent of invasion or presence of metastasis. However, a significant positive correlation existed between CgA positivity and favourable prognosis, with a tendency for greater positivity to be associated with better overall survival. Multivariate analysis showed expression of CgA to be an independent prognostic factor.Conclusion:  CgA expression is restricted to certain tumour cell types and may help to predict prognosis in gastric SRCCs.
Differential expression of neural‐cadherin in pulmonary epithelial tumours
Authors: Zynger D L , Dimov N D , Ho L C , Laskin W B , Yeldandi A V 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  Neural (N)‐cadherin belongs to a group of transmembrane molecules with a crucial role in tissue morphogenesis and maintenance of an epithelioid phenotype and increased N‐cadherin expression is implicated in tumour progression and dedifferentiation. The aim was to determine whether evaluation of N‐cadherin in pulmonary tumours might assist in identifying lesions with more aggressive potential.Methods and results:  One hundred and fifty‐five pulmonary lesions were analysed for N‐cadherin expression using immunohistochemistry, including neuroendocrine hyperplasia (n = 3), typical carcinoid (n = 59), atypical carcinoid (n = 12), small cell lung carcinoma (n = 11), large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (n = 12), adenocarcinoma (n = 35) and squamous cell carcinoma (n = 23). Lymph node status was correlated with immunohistochemical expression. N‐cadherin expression was demonstrated in all cases of neuroendocrine hyperplasia, 96% of typical carcinoids, 83% of atypical carcinoids, 63% of the small cell lung carcinomas and 32% of large cell neuroendocrine carcinomas. Over 90% of the adenocarcinomas and 100% of the squamous cell carcinomas were negative. Increased N‐cadherin expression in typical carcinoids was associated with negative lymph node status (P < 0.001).Discussion:  N‐cadherin is differentially expressed in pulmonary tumours and is predominantly observed in neuroendocrine lung lesions with high expression in typical and atypical pulmonary carcinoids. The level of expression of N‐cadherin between types of lung tumours does not appear to indicate malignant potential or aggressive behaviour.
Differential expression of glucocorticoid receptor in carcinomas of the human digestive system
Authors: Lien H‐C , Lu Y‐S , Shun C‐T , Yao Y‐T , Chang W‐C , Cheng A‐L 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  To investigate the in situ expression profile of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in normal and carcinomatous tissues of the human digestive system.Methods and results:  Specimens from 306 carcinomas of the human digestive tract were assayed for the expression of GR by immunohistochemistry. GR expression was strong in oesophageal squamous epithelia, pancreatic islet cells and hepatocytes, but generally weak or negative in non‐squamous epithelia. Consistently, GR expression was found in a high percentage of oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) (98.1%) and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) (92.9%), but rarely in gastric adenocarcinomas (7.4%) and not at all in colorectal adenocarcinomas (0%). Dexamethasone (DEX) was found to confer chemoresistance in oesophageal SCC and HCC cells, suggesting that GR expression may be biologically important in some GR‐expressing carcinomas.Conclusions:  Distribution of GR expression is markedly diverse among tissues of the human digestive system. The general lack of GR in adenocarcinomas contrasts with the high percentage of SCCs and HCCs expressing GR, and, along with the generation of chemoresistance by DEX, warrants prospective study of the effects of steroids on these cancers.
Lipoblastoma in adolescents and young adults: report of six cases with FISH analysis
Authors: De Saint Aubain Somerhausen N , Coindre J M , Debiec‐Rychter M , Delplace J , Sciot R 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  Lipoblastoma is a rare benign adipocytic neoplasm that occurs primarily in infancy and early childhood. Histologically, there is some morphological overlap with atypical lipomatous tumour and myxoid liposarcoma and the age at presentation is often regarded as a major diagnostic criterion. However, we recently encountered several cases of lipoblastoma occurring in adolescents and young adults. The aim was to document the occurrence of lipoblastoma in older patients, with cytogenetic confirmation.Methods and results:  Six cases of lipoblastoma in patients >12 years old were identified. The tumours occurred in four male and two female patients ranging from 14 to 24 years old. Our cases showed the classical histological features of lipoblastoma. Three tumours were composed predominantly of mature adipocytes and the three other cases showed an immature appearance, with a prominent myxoid matrix. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) demonstrated rearrangements of the PLAG1 region in two cases and polysomy for chromosome 8 in three other cases. None of the tumours had amplification of MDM2 or CDK4.Conclusions:  Lipoblastoma occurs rarely in young adults and should enter into the differential diagnosis of ‘atypical’ fatty tumours in adults. Our report underscores the diagnostic value of FISH analysis.
Independent prognostic value of the basal‐like phenotype of breast cancer and associations with EGFR and candidate stem cell marker BMI‐1
Authors: Arnes J B , Collett K , Akslen L A 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  To study the relationship between basal‐like breast cancers, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and candidate stem cell markers (BMI‐1, EZH2, Oct‐4) in a population‐based setting.Methods and results:  Immunohistochemistry was evaluated in a series of 190 breast cancers. Basal‐like phenotype (BLP) 1–5 was found in 4.3–14.3% of cases. EGFR was expressed in 9% of cases and associated with cytokeratin (CK) 5 and P‐cadherin positivity, but not with survival; 28% of CK5+ cases were EGFR+. On multivariate analysis, basal‐like differentiation and lymph node status were independent prognostic factors of comparable strength. BMI‐1 positivity (42.6%) was associated with absence of basal‐like features, oestrogen receptor positivity and low Ki67, but not related to survival. BMI was not associated with EZH2 expression, and these markers tended to show opposite associations with other variables, suggesting different roles in breast cancer. Oct‐4 expression was not detected in this series.Conclusions:  Basal‐like features and lymph node status were strong and independent prognostic factors in this population‐based series of breast cancer. Neither EGFR nor BMI‐1 had significant prognostic impact, whereas EZH2 expression was associated with decreased survival. BMI‐1 was inversely related to basal‐like factors, and a stem cell phenotype of the basal‐like subgroup could not be verified by this marker.
Clinical role of flow cytometry in redefining bone marrow involvement in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) – a new perspective
Authors: Talaulikar D , Shadbolt B , Bell J , Khan K , Dahlstrom J E , McDonald A , Pidcock M , Broomfield A 
Published: February 2008

Aims:  The clinical role of flow cytometry in staging bone marrow in diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), especially its impact on outcome, remains uncertain. The aim was to determine the contribution of flow cytometry to conventional staging, and to study the impact of this revised staging on survival.Methods and results:  One hundred and thirteen cases of DLBCL diagnosed at The Canberra Hospital from 1996 to 2005 were identified. Blinded analysis of bone marrow (BM) morphology and flow cytometric data showed involvement on morphology (M) in 25 (22.1%) cases, on flow cytometry (F) in 21 (18.6%) cases and overall (M + F) in 32 cases (28.3%); discordance was noted in 16 cases (16.1%). Cases with and without marrow involvement on conventional staging alone (M) had no significant difference in survival (P = NS). However, when BM involvement was defined as positivity on morphology and/or flow cytometry (M + F), the median survival of patients with involvement was significantly worse than patients without involvement (P = 0.026).Conclusions:  Flow cytometry‐positive cases should be included with those positive on morphology in a summative model to define BM involvement in DLBCL, as it may have a potential impact on predicting outcome.
From generative fit to generative capacity: exploring an emerging dimension of information systems design and task performance
Authors: Avital Michel , Te'eni Dov 
Published: February 2008

AbstractInformation systems (IS) research has been long concerned with improving task‐related performance. The concept of fit is often used to explain how system design can improve performance and overall value. So far, the literature has focused mainly on performance evaluation criteria that are based on measures of task efficiency, accuracy, or productivity. However, nowadays, productivity gain is no longer the single evaluation criterion. In many instances, computer systems are expected to enhance our creativity, reveal opportunities and open new vistas of uncharted frontiers.To address this void, we introduce the concept of generativity in the context of IS design and develop two corresponding design considerations –‘generative capacity’ that refers to one's ability to produce something ingenious or at least new in a particular context, and ‘generative fit’ that refers to the extent to which an IT artefact is conducive to evoking and enhancing that generative capacity. We offer an extended view of the concept of fit and realign the prevailing approaches to human–computer interaction design with current leading‐edge applications and users' expectations. Our findings guide systems designers who aim to enhance creative work, unstructured syntheses, serendipitous discoveries, and any other form of computer‐aided tasks that involve unexplored outcomes or aim to enhance our ability to go boldly where no one has gone before.In this paper, we explore the underpinnings of ‘generative capacity’ and argue that it should be included in the evaluation of task‐related performance. Then, we briefly explore the role of fit in IS research, position ‘generative fit’ in that context, explain its role and impact on performance, and provide key design considerations that enhance generative fit. Finally, we demonstrate our thesis with an illustrative vignette of good generative fit, and conclude with ideas for further research.
Antecedents of flow in online shopping: a test of alternative models
Authors: Guo Yi Maggie , Poole Marshall Scott 
Published: February 2008

AbstractFlow is an optimal state of experience that has been studied in various situations, including online environments. In such environments, it has been found to be positively related to exploratory behaviour, revisit and purchase intention, and positive attitude towards web sites. Based on flow theory, this study tests the complete structure of the flow model as it was originally formulated in an online shopping context. The role of the preconditions of flow is elaborated and the effect of web site complexity, an important interface design variable, on flow is examined. Results show that web site complexity affects flow through the mediating effects of the three preconditions of flow. Theoretical and practical implications of this finding are discussed.
Ectopic AtCBF1 over‐expression enhances freezing tolerance and induces cold acclimation‐associated physiological modifications in potato
Authors: PINO MARÍA‐TERESA , SKINNER JEFFREY S. , JEKNIĆ ZORAN , HAYES PATRICK M. , SOELDNER ALFRED H. , THOMASHOW MICHAEL F. , CHEN TONY H. H. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTWe studied the effect of ectopic AtCBF over‐expression on physiological alterations that occur during cold exposure in frost‐sensitive Solanum tuberosum and frost‐tolerant Solanum commersonii. Relative to wild‐type plants, ectopic AtCBF1 over‐expression induced expression of COR genes without a cold stimulus in both species, and imparted a significant freezing tolerance gain in both species: 2 °C in S. tuberosum and up to 4 °C in S. commersonii. Transgenic S. commersonii displayed improved cold acclimation potential, whereas transgenic S. tuberosum was still incapable of cold acclimation. During cold treatment, leaves of wild‐type S. commersonii showed significant thickening resulting from palisade cell lengthening and intercellular space enlargement, whereas those of S. tuberosum did not. Ectopic AtCBF1 activity induced these same leaf alterations in the absence of cold in both species. In transgenic S. commersonii, AtCBF1 activity also mimicked cold treatment by increasing proline and total sugar contents in the absence of cold. Relative to wild type, transgenic S. commersonii leaves were darker green, had higher chlorophyll and lower anthocyanin levels, greater stomatal numbers, and displayed greater photosynthetic capacity, suggesting higher productivity potential. These results suggest an endogenous CBFpathway is involved in many of the structural, biochemical and physiological alterations associated with cold acclimation in these Solanum species.
Diel leaf growth cycles in Clusia spp. are related to changes between C3 photosynthesis and crassulacean acid metabolism during development and during water stress
Authors: WALTER ACHIM , CHRIST MAJA M. , RASCHER UWE , SCHURR ULRICH , OSMOND BARRY 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTThis study reports evidence that the timing of leaf growth responds to developmental and environmental constraints in Clusia spp. We monitored diel patterns of leaf growth in the facultative C3‐crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) species Clusia minor and in the supposedly obligate CAM species Clusia alata using imaging methods and followed diel patterns of CO2 exchange and acidification. Developing leaves of well‐watered C. minor showed a C3‐like diel pattern of gas exchange and growth, with maximum relative growth rate (RGR) in the early night period. Growth slowed when water was withheld, accompanied by nocturnal CO2 exchange and the diel acid change characteristic of CAM. Maximum leaf RGR shifted from early night to early in the day when water was withheld. In well‐watered C. alata, similar changes in the diel pattern of leaf growth occurred with the development of CAM during leaf ontogeny. We hypothesize that the shift in leaf growth cycle that accompanies the switch from C3 photosynthesis to CAM is mainly caused by the primary demand of CAM for substrates for nocturnal CO2 fixation and acid synthesis, thus reducing the availability of carbohydrates for leaf growth at night. Although the shift to leaf growth early in the light is presumably associated with the availability of carbohydrates, source–sink relationships and sustained diurnal acid levels in young leaves of Clusia spp. need further evaluation in relation to growth processes.
Peroxisome proliferation, wound‐activated responses and expression of peroxisome‐associated genes are cross‐regulated but uncoupled in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: CASTILLO MARI CRUZ , SANDALIO LUISA MARÍA , DEL RÍO LUÍS ALFONSO , LEÓN JOSÉ 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTPlant peroxisomes are multifunctional organelles that show plasticity in number, size, morphology, cellular location and metabolic functions. Many of these changes occur in response to environmental factors and are decisive for the development and defence of the plant. Among them, peroxisomal β‐oxidation‐mediated synthesis of jasmonic acid (JA) is a key process in regulating development as well as wound‐ or pathogen‐triggered defence responses. This work seeks for the connection between wound, JA and the proliferation of peroxisomes in Arabidopsis thaliana. The hypolipidemic drug clofibrate (CFB) induced the proliferation of peroxisomes and the expression of the β‐oxidation 3‐ketoacyl‐CoA thiolase 2 (KAT2) gene, coding for a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of JA, among other wound‐ and JA‐responsive gene transcripts in Arabidopsis leaves. The CFB‐activated expression of wound‐responsive genes was not dependent on JA synthesis or perception and those responsive to JA required the function of the F‐box protein COI1. In turn, wounding neither triggered peroxisome proliferation nor required peroxisome integrity to activate gene expression. Interestingly, cells from JA‐treated leaves contained fewer but larger peroxisomes than cells from untreated leaves. The proliferation of peroxisomes, the synthesis of JA and the activation of wound‐responsive genes by CFB, although functionally connected, were uncoupled in Arabidopsis.
Metabolic flux maps comparing the effect of temperature on protein and oil biosynthesis in developing soybean cotyledons
Authors: IYER VIDYA V. , SRIRAM GANESH , FULTON D. BRUCE , ZHOU RUILIAN , WESTGATE MARK E. , SHANKS JACQUELINE. V. 
Published: February 2008

ABSTRACTMetabolic flux maps developed from 13C metabolic flux analysis (13C MFA) are effective tools for assessing the response of biological systems to genetic or environmental perturbations, and for identifying possible metabolic engineering targets. Experimental treatments were designed to distinguish between temperature effects prior to, and during incubation in vitro, on primary metabolism in developing soybeans. Biomass accumulation increased with temperature as did carbon partitioning into lipids. The flux through the plastidic oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (pglP) relative to sucrose intake remained fairly constant [∼56% (±24%)] when cotyledons were transferred from an optimum growth temperature to varying temperatures in in vitro culture, signifying a rigid node under these conditions. However, pglP flux ranged from 57 to 77% of sucrose intake when growth temperature in planta varied and were cultured in vitro at the same temperature (as the plant), indicating a flexible node for this case. The carbon flux through the anaplerotic reactions catalysed by plastidic malic enzyme (meP), cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase and the malate (Mal) transporter from the cytosol to mitochondrion varied dramatically with temperature and had a direct influence on the carbon partitioning into protein and oil from the plastidic pyruvate (Pyr) pool. These results of the in vitro culture indicate that temperature during early stages of development has a dominant effect on establishing capacity for flux through certain components of central carbon metabolism.
An international collaborative study to establish the 2nd World Health Organization International Standard for hepatitis B virus DNA nucleic acid amplification technology‐based assays
Authors: Baylis S. A. , Heath A. B. , Chudy M. , Pisani G. , Klotz A. , Kerby S. , Gerlich W. 
Published: February 2008

Background and Objectives  The aim of this study was to replace the 1st World Health Organization International Standard for hepatitis B virus DNA for nucleic acid amplification technique (NAT)‐based assays (code 97/746) with a new International Standard. Two lyophilized preparations freeze dried from the same bulk were evaluated in the original collaborative study (coded 97/746 and 97/750, and termed AA and BB, respectively, in the original study). This present study re‐evaluates these two preparations in terms of potency and real‐time stability.Materials and Methods  The 1st International Standard (97/746) and the second lyophilized preparation (97/750) were coded Samples 1 and 2, respectively, in the present study. The samples were distributed to six laboratories and assayed on four separate occasions. Accelerated thermal degradation samples of the two preparations were examined after long‐term storage at 4 °C and 20 °C for more than 51 months.Results  Data were returned from a total of nine different NAT‐based assays, five in qualitative format and four in quantitative format. The results of this study confirm the results of the original collaborative study, with no significant differences being found in estimated international units (IU)/ml or polymerase chain reaction‐detectable units/ml for the 1st International Standard (Sample 1 in this study) and the proposed replacement preparation, Sample 2 (97/750). Real‐time and accelerated degradation studies indicate that both samples are very stable. Storage of both preparations at 20 °C for more than 51 months resulted in no detectable degradation.Conclusions  On the basis of the data presented in this collaborative study, Sample 2 (code 97/750) was established as the 2nd International Standard for hepatitis B virus DNA for NAT‐based assays with a potency of 106 IU/ml (500 000 IU/vial).