bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HLA‐G and its KIR ligands in cancer – another enigma yet to be solved?
Authors: Urosevic Mirjana , Trojan Andreas , Dummer Reinhard 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAlterations of antigen‐presenting human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules often occur in cancer and represent one of the mechanisms by which tumours evade host immunosurveillance. One such molecule, HLA‐G, was recently implicated in the same context. HLA‐G is thought to mediate the tolerance of the semi‐allogeneic fetus during pregnancy, by inhibiting maternal immune response through interaction with different HLA‐G‐recognizing killer‐cell inhibitory receptors (KIRs). A report in this issue of the journal demonstrates for the first time the expression of HLA‐G and its KIR ligand, ILT‐2 in human breast cancer. Apart from the up‐regulation on tumour cells, the authors describe HLA‐G induction on the macrophages and T cells infiltrating the breast cancer lesions. Moreover, a subset of infiltrating cells also expressed HLA‐G‐recognizing KIR, ILT‐2. This editorial discusses the induction of HLA‐G and related KIR molecules as another mechanism for tumours to escape immune recognition. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Loss of heterozygosity at 18q21 region in gastric cancer involves a number of cancer‐related genes and correlates with stage and histology, but lacks independent prognostic value
Authors: Candusso M. E. , Luinetti O. , Villani L. , Alberizzi P. , Klersy C. , Fiocca R. , Ranzani G. N. , Solcia E. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractSeveral studies support a role of 18q21 LOH, involving the DCC locus, in colorectal cancer progression; however, its contribution to the natural history of gastric cancer is less clear. Recently, a number of cancer‐related genes have been mapped in the 18q21 region, either centromeric or telomeric to DCC. This study searched for 18q21 LOH in 161 gastric cancers representative of all tumour stages and main histological types. To this purpose, seven highly polymorphic markers were used flanking the 18q21 band and spanning the entire region. Thirty‐four out of 147 (23.1%) informative cases showed LOH. In 27 of 34 cases (79%), LOH involved all the informative loci. The remaining seven cases showed LOH at more telomeric sites and retained heterozygosity at more centromeric markers, mostly those proximal to the DCC gene. A strong correlation between 18q21 LOH and level of gastric wall invasion, lymph node metastases, or stage was found in cohesive (glandular+solid) and mixed tumours, but not in diffuse cancers. Cox univariate and multivariate analysis showed that invasion level, lymph node metastases, distant metastases, TNM stage, and histology were effective predictors of survival, whereas 18q21 LOH did not show predictive power. The simultaneous deletion of a variety of cancer‐related genes with different and even opposite roles might explain why, apparently, 18q21 LOH does not per se contribute significantly to the natural history of gastric cancer, despite strong correlation with stage. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clonal T cell receptor γ‐chain gene rearrangement by PCR‐based GeneScan analysis in the skin and blood of patients with parapsoriasis and early‐stage mycosis fungoides
Authors: Klemke Claus‐Detlev , Dippel Edgar , Dembinski Antje , Pönitz Nina , Assaf Chalid , Hummel Michael , Stein Harald , Goerdt Sergij 
Published: October 2002

AbstractCutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) and reactive T cell skin diseases represent opposite ends of a spectrum of diseases ranging from overtly malignant to persistently benign. Within this spectrum, the parapsoriasis group is not clearly defined regarding malignant potential. In contrast to consistent findings in advanced‐stage CTCL, clonality analysis of parapsoriasis has produced conflicting results in previous studies. As T cell receptor γ‐chain polymerase chain reaction GeneScan analysis (TCR‐γ‐PCR‐GSA) stands out by its sensitivity, its accuracy in size determination of PCR products, its capacity to identify false positives by repeated analysis and its easy applicability, this approach was used to analyse the clonality status of 41 patients with borderline T cell lymphoproliferative skin diseases, including parapsoriasis (n=27) and early‐stage mycosis fungoides (MF) (n=14). A monoclonal T cell infiltrate was demonstrated by repeated TCR‐γ‐PCR‐GSA in lesional skin specimens in 19.2% of parapsoriasis patients and in 66.6% of early‐stage MF cases (p=0.013). In peripheral blood, a monoclonal T cell population was found in a similar percentage of parapsoriasis and of early‐stage MF patients (26.7% versus 12.5%; p=0.611). A detailed analysis of parapsoriasis subentities, namely small and large plaque parapsoriasis, and parapsoriasis lichenoides, revealed monoclonality in 2(6)/2(5), 3(14)/2(8) and 0(6)/0/(3) of the skin and peripheral blood specimens, respectively. The high detection rate of false positive cases by repeated analysis (20–37.5%) provides a corrected perspective for the high rates of dominant T cell clones found by others in the peripheral blood of such patients. From the results obtained, three major conclusions can be drawn: firstly, CTCL is clearly associated with detection of monoclonality, even in its early stages; secondly, monoclonality is not a prerequisite for potential CTCL precursor entities; and thirdly, recirculating malignant T cells identical to the skin clone are not readily detected in parapsoriasis or early‐stage MF, but may rather indicate disease progression. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Genetic and epigenetic alterations of the INK4a–ARF pathway in cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Tannapfel Andrea , Sommerer Florian , Benicke Markus , Weinans Lars , Katalinic Alexander , Geißler Felix , Uhlmann Dirk , Hauss Johann , Wittekind Christian 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe INK4a–ARF locus, located on chromosome 9p21, encodes two cell‐cycle regulatory proteins, p16INK4a and p14ARF, acting through the Rb–CDK4 and p53 pathways. To study the contribution of each pathway in the tumourigenesis of cholangiocarcinoma, the alterations of p14ARF, p16INK4a, p53, and pRb were analysed. After microdissection, DNAs from 51 cholangiocarcinomas were analysed by methylation‐specific PCR (MSP), restriction‐enzyme related polymerase chain reaction (RE‐PCR), microsatellite analysis, mRNA expression, and DNA sequencing. Immunohistochemistry of p14ARF, p16INK4a, p53, and pRb was also performed. Promoter methylation of p14ARF was found in 13/51 cases (25%) and p16INK4a showed aberrant promoter methylation in 39/51 cases (76%) which correlated with loss of mRNA transcription. Two tumours (4%) had homozygous deletion of the INK4a–ARF locus. Specific mutations of both exons were not detected. p14ARF inactivation appeared in the context of an unmethylated p16INK4a promoter in eight of 13 cases (61%) of the carcinomas methylated at p14ARF. Mutations of p53 were found in 19 of 51 tumours (37%), and four of them (21%) harboured p14ARF inactivation. The pRb protein was detected in 30/51 (59%) tumours examined. The absence of pRB protein did not correlate with any of the examined parameters. Alterations of the INK4a–ARF locus, pRB or p53 status could not be established as independent prognostic factors in these tumours. These findings indicate that the INK4a–ARF locus is frequently inactivated in cholangiocarcinoma of the liver and occurs independently of the status of p53 or pRb. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
p63 immunoreactivity in lung cancer: yet another player in the development of squamous cell carcinomas?
Authors: Pelosi Giuseppe , Pasini Felice , Olsen Stenholm Catharina , Pastorino Ugo , Maisonneuve Patrick , Sonzogni Angelica , Maffini Fausto , Pruneri Giancarlo , Fraggetta Filippo , Cavallon Alessandra , Roz Elena , Iannucci Antonio , Bresaola Enrica , Viale Giuseppe 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe p63 protein, a member of the p53 family of nuclear transcription factors, is characterized by different capabilities of transactivating reporter genes, inducing apoptosis, and functioning as dominant‐negative agent. This study evaluated the prevalence and prognostic implications of p63 immunoreactivity in 221 patients with stage I non‐small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and in 57 patients with stage I–IV neuroendocrine tumours (NET). The results were correlated with the tumour proliferative fraction, the accumulation of p53 protein, and with patient survival. p63 immunoreactivity was seen in 109/118 squamous cell carcinomas, 15/95 adenocarcinomas, 2/2 adenosquamous carcinomas, 4/6 large cell carcinomas, 9/20 poorly differentiated NET, and 1/37 typical and atypical carcinoids (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the prevalence of p63‐immunoreactive cells increased progressively from pre‐neoplastic and pre‐invasive lesions to invasive squamous cell carcinomas. In these latter tumours, but not in adenocarcinomas, p63 immunoreactivity correlated directly with the tumour proliferative fraction (p = 0.028), and inversely with the tumour grade (p = 0.004). No relationship was found with p53 protein immunoreactivity or the other clinico‐pathological variables examined. Although p63 is likely to be involved in the development of pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma, it does not carry any prognostic implication for NSCLC patients. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adult stem cell plasticity
Authors: Poulsom Richard , Alison Malcolm R. , Forbes Stuart J. , Wright Nicholas A. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObservations made in the last few years support the existence of pathways, in adult humans and rodents, that allow adult stem cells to be surprisingly flexible in their differentiation repertoires. Termed plasticity, this property allows adult stem cells, assumed, until now, to be committed to generating a fixed range of progeny, to switch, when they have been relocated, to make other specialized sets of cells appropriate to their new niche. Reprogramming of some adult stem cells can occur in vivo; the stem cells normally resident in bone marrow appear particularly flexible and are able to contribute usefully to multiple recipient organs. This process produces cells with specialized structural and metabolic adaptations commensurate with their new locations. In a few examples, the degree of support is sufficient to assist or even rescue recipient mice from genetic defects. Some studies provide evidence for the expansion of the reprogrammed cells locally, but in most it remains possible that cells arrive and redifferentiate, but are no longer stem cells. Nevertheless, the fact that appropriately differentiated cells are delivered deep within organs simply by injection of bone marrow cells should make us think differently about the way that organs regenerate and repair. Migratory pathways for stem cells in adult organisms may exist that could be exploited to effect repairs using an individual's own stem cells, perhaps after gene therapy. Logical extensions of this concept are that a transplanted organ would become affected by the genetic susceptibilities of the recipient, alleles that re‐express themselves via marrow‐derived stem cells, and that plasticity after bone marrow transplantation would also transfer different phenotypes, affecting important parameters such as susceptibility to long‐term complications of diabetes, or the ability to metabolize drugs in the liver. This article reviews some of the evidence for stem cell plasticity in rodents and man. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of N‐myc amplification by FISH in immature areas of fixed neuroblastomas: more efficient than Southern blot/PCR
Authors: Sartelet Hervé , Grossi Laurence , Pasquier Dominique , Combaret Valérie , Bouvier Raymonde , Ranchère Dominique , Plantaz Dominique , Munzer Martine , Philip Thierry , Birembaut Philippe , Zahm Jean‐Marie , Bergeron Christophe , Gaillard Dominique , Pasquier Basile 
Published: October 2002

AbstractN‐myc amplification is a major prognostic factor in neuroblastomas and is systematically investigated by Southern blot or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A retrospective study of N ‐myc amplification has been carried out using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in 97 fixed neuroblastomas. For each tumour, FISH was performed on the area that contained the most immature neuroblasts. Among these 97 neuroblastomas, 16 were amplified and 12 were not interpretable. FISH was not interpretable in six cases. All neuroblastomas with N‐myc amplification detected by Southern blot/PCR were amplified with FISH, except three that were not interpretable. Four tumours that were not interpretable in Southern blot/PCR contained more than five copies of N‐myc by FISH: one was aneuploid and three were truly amplified, containing more than ten copies of N‐myc. Among these three patients, two died in a short time of their tumours. Ten cases were not amplified by Southern blot/PCR and showed more than five copies by FISH: four were aneuploid and two showed heterogeneous amplification, with a few cells clearly amplified whereas most were not. Four cases were amplified, of which two patients died of their tumours. This study confirms that when applied to the most immature areas of fixed neuroblastomas, FISH displayed a higher sensitivity than molecular techniques (p < 0.001) and could detect heterogeneous amplification. FISH could therefore become an important complementary procedure in assessing prognosis in neuroblastomas. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Invasive testing for the karyotyping of mid‐trimester intrauterine fetal death (IUFD): a pilot study
Authors: Howarth E. S. , Konje J. C. , Healey K. A. , Duckett D. P. , Scudamore I. W. , Taylor D. J. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractIntroductionAneuploidy remains a common cause of fetal loss after the first trimester. Conventional karyotyping from fetal solid tissues post‐delivery unfortunately has a poor success rate particularly where the fetus is macerated. To overcome this we obtained amniocentesis and/or chorionic villus samples from mid‐trimester intrauterine fetal deaths (IUFDs) prior to medical termination of pregnancy.SubjectsTen women with diagnosed IUFD between 12 and 24 weeks' gestation underwent amniocentesis and/or CVS performed after counselling.ResultsSuccessful karyotypes were obtained in all pregnancies. Five of the ten pregnancies were complicated by aneuploidy (two with trisomy 21, two with trisomy 18, and one with trisomy 13).ConclusionThe high rate of aneuploidy (50%) in this small cohort emphasises the need for karyotyping. A successful karyotype in all ten pregnancies demonstrates the value of offering these procedures before a termination of pregnancy. We would recommend the adoption of this approach in the management of IUFD occurring after the first trimester. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pilot study for the neonatal screening of fragile X syndrome
Authors: Rifé M. , Mallolas J. , Badenas C. , Tazón B. , Miguélez M. Rodríguez , Pàmpols T. , Sànchez A. , Milà M. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAn Erratum has been published for this article in Prenatal Diagnosis 23 (9), 2003, 771.
Fragile X syndrome (SFX) is the commonest form of inherited mental retardation. Due to the highly variable phenotype clinical diagnosis is complicated. In nearly all cases, the disorder is caused by expansion of a CGG‐repeat in the 5′‐untranslated region of the FMR1 (fragile X mental retardation‐1) gene. We have evaluated the feasibility, efficiency and costs of two methodologies in order to develop a simple test to screen large populations: PCR and fragile X mental retardation‐1 protein (FMRP) immunodetection. We studied 100 newborn males using PCR and immunodetection (26.91 Euro). All but one amplified the CGG repeat of the FMR1 gene within the normal size range. The sample that failed to amplify showed only 28% of FMRP expression by immunodetection study; both results indicated an affected male. A further 100 males were studied only by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (7.8 Euro); all of them amplified within the normal size range. Both methodologies, PCR and immunodetection, are feasible for screening large populations, PCR being the most suitable, economical and less time‐consuming. However, it is advisable to keep slides for immunodetection when PCR fails or the external control shows no amplification. Early detection of SFX‐affected individuals would represent a great benefit for their maximum social integration, due to appropriate treatment and early stimulation and would permit a cascade screening in their pedigree. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A non‐invasive frequent home blood glucose monitor
Authors: Lenzen H , Barrow BA , White S , Holman RR 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAttaining near‐normoglycaemia in patients with diabetes is essential if diabetes‐related complications are to be minimised. Attempts to optimise glycaemic control are often limited by the infrequent nature of current home blood glucose monitoring systems and fear of hypoglycaemia. We evaluated the potential benefit of the GlucoWatch® Biographer, a non‐invasive glucose monitoring device designed to give a frequent measure of blood glucose and provide early warning of hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia, in five subjects with type 1 diabetes over a three week period.Subjects found the device easy to use, obtaining 762 usable readings out of a possible 1168 (65%) although all experienced some degree of skin irritation. They felt that the device facilitated continuous blood glucose monitoring and thought that high and low glucose alarms were helpful. Subjects experienced between one and six hypoglycaemia alarms per day, usually 20 to 60 min before the appearance of clinical symptoms, and between zero and four hyperglycaemia alarms per day. The degree to which the device can improve glycaemic control remains to be evaluated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Self‐study material to prevent severe hypoglycaemia in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. A prospective intervention study
Authors: Nordfeldt S , Ludvigsson J 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate use of self‐study material in diabetes education aimed at prevention of severe hypoglycaemia. Targeted self‐study brochures (and video programs) regarding diabetes self‐care and prevention of severe hypoglycaemia were mailed to all patients in early 1997 (and in 1999): a geographic population of 122–139 intensively treated type 1 diabetes patients yearly, aged 1–18 years (mean 12.2, SD 4.3), between 1994 and 1999. Yearly mean HbA1c (1.15% below DCCT level) ranged from 4.1 to 11.6% (mean 6.6, SD 1.1), age at onset 0.5–17.4 years (mean 7.6, SD 4.0) and duration 0.1–16.6 years (mean 4.6, SD 3.7). Main outcomes were patient attitudes to the interventions, perceived benefit, level of use, severe hypoglycaemia, and HbA1c.Eighty‐six percent of responders stated that the video was valuable. Perceived benefit was higher for the hypoglycaemia prevention video than for the brochure (p = 0.016). Those with severe hypoglycaemia the preceding year indicated greater benefit from the hypoglycaemia prevention brochure than others (p = 0.039). Average yearly incidence of severe hypoglycaemia with unconsciousness decreased from 13% in 1994–1996 to 9% (ns) in 1997–1999. The per patient cost of the material was <Euro 10.Conclusion. Self‐study material can reach high dissemination at a low cost. It also seems to have contributed to a decrease in severe hypoglycaemia, but controlled studies are needed. There is a great need for good quality patient/consumer information materials dealing with aspects of general management and risk prevention in diabetes treatment.The findings may have implications for other topics, ages, and diagnosis groups. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development and validation of the preschool learning behaviors scale
Authors: McDermott Paul A. , Leigh Nanette M. , Perry Marlo A. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThis article presents the design, national standardization, and validation of the Preschool Learning Behaviors Scale (McDermott, Green, Francis, & Stott, 2000). A normative sample (N = 100) of 3‐ to 5–1/2‐year‐olds was configured to the U.S. Census, wherewith factor analyses yielded distinct and reliable dimensions of Competence Motivation, Attention/Persistence, and Attitude Toward Learning. The solution was invariant in an independent national sample (N = 170) and generalizable across child sex, age, ethnicity, and parent education level. Three‐week stability and interobserver agreement were supported with a local Head Start sample (N = 52). Bivariate and canonical correlations demonstrated validity convergence with indices of social skills, divergence from behavior problems, and substantial independence from cognitive ability. Implications and future research are considered. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhancing science performance in students with learning disabilities using cover, copy, and compare: A student shows the way
Authors: Smith Tawnya J. , Dittmer Karen I. , Skinner Christopher H. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractA student who participated in a previous study where he was trained to use a self‐managed academic intervention known as cover, copy, and compare (CCC) to enhance his mathematics performance developed the specific intervention used in the current study. Without prompting, this student adapted and employed this procedure to learn bone in the human body. In the current study a multiple baseline across tasks design was used to determine if CCC could be used to enhance accuracy in identifying parts of the human heart in three students with learning disabilities. Three students learned how to perform the self‐management procedures during one session that lasted less than 15 minutes. Results showed that immediately after implementing the CCC intervention students' accuracy improved. Following 11 brief sessions, students were able to identify 15 parts of a human heart with an overall accuracy of 80% over 2 consecutive days. Discussion focuses on limitations and implications of this study and school psychologists' and students' contributions to the development and empirical validation of academic interventions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Interrater agreement for discriminant classifications for the adjustment scales for children and adolescents
Authors: Canivez Gary L. , Watkins Marley W. , Schaefer Barbara A. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractInvestigation of interrater agreement for the Adjustment Scales for Children and Adolescents (ASCA) discriminant classifications is reported. Two teaching professionals or paraprofessionals working in the same classroom for a minimum of 1 hour per day provided independent ratings of the same child using the ASCA. A total of 119 students ranging in age from 7 to 18 years were independently rated on the ASCA. Results indicated significant and moderate to substantial interrater agreement for the discriminant classifications. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Creating school environments that deter antisocial behaviors in youth
Authors: Reinke Wendy M. , Herman Keith C. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractSchool violence has become of paramount concern in recent years, leaving many schools unprepared to deal with the varied problems students bring to the classroom. Conditions within the school can be readily identified that predict and contribute to problematic behavior. The success of preventive and intervention programs for youth violence hinges upon recognizing and modifying aspects of school climate, teacher/school personnel interactions with students, and school structure. Several of these aspects are identified in this article and suggestions for improving the educational environment to prevent the development of antisocial behaviors in youth are offered. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.