bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leech filamin and Tractin: Markers for muscle development and nerve formation
Authors: Venkitaramani Deepa V. , Wang Dong , Ji Yun , Xu Ying‐Zhi , Ponguta Liliana , Bock Katie , Zipser Birgit , Jellies John , Johansen Kristen M. , Johansen Jørgen 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe Lan3‐14 and Laz10‐1 monoclonal antibodies recognize a 400 kDa antigen that is specifically expressed by all muscle cells in leech. We show that the antigen recognized by both antibodies is a member of the filamin family of actin binding proteins. Leech filamin has two calponin homology domains and 35 filamin/ABP‐repeat domains. In addition, we used the Laz10‐1 antibody to characterize the development of the segmentally iterated dorsoventral flattener muscles. We demonstrate that the dorsoventral flattener muscle develops as three discrete bundles of myofibers and that CNS axons pioneering the DP nerve extend only along the middle bundle. Interestingly, the middle dorsoventral muscle anlage is associated with only non‐neuronal expression of the L1‐family cell adhesion molecule Tractin. This expression is transient and occurs at the precise developmental stages when DP nerve formation takes place. Based on these findings we propose that the middle dorsoventral muscle anlagen provides a substrate for early axonal outgrowth and nerve formation and that this function may be associated with differential expression of distinct cell adhesion molecules. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 60: 369–380, 2004
Bilateral song production in domestic canaries
Authors: Suthers Roderick A. , Vallet Eric , Tanvez Aurélie , Kreutzer Michel 
Published: June 2004

AbstractWe studied the mechanism of song production in the outbred common or domestic canary (Serinus canaria). The contribution that each side of the syrinx makes to song was investigated by observing the effect of unilaterally occluding the left or right primary bronchus, followed by section of the ipsilateral branch of the tracheosyringeal nerve. In other birds with a bilaterally intact vocal system we monitored airflow through each side of the syrinx, together with subsyringeal pressure, during spontaneous song. Song production by domestic canaries is not strongly lateralized as it is in the conspecific song‐bred waterslager strain. Some syllables are produced entirely on the left or right side of the syrinx, whereas others contain sequential contributions from each side. Low fundamental frequencies are produced with the left syrinx and high frequencies by the right syrinx, increasing the frequency range of domestic canary song compared to that of the waterslager strain. Midrange frequencies can be generated by either side. Syllables at repetition rates below about 25 s−1were accompanied by minibreaths, which were usually bilateral. Unilateral minibreaths were typically on the left side. At higher syllable repetition rates, minibreaths were replaced by a respiratory pattern of pulsatile expiration. Our data show that strong unilateral dominance in song production, present in the waterslager strain, is not a trait of the species as a whole and that the pattern of song lateralization can be altered by selective breeding for particular song characteristics. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 60: 381–393, 2004
Possible linkage between specific histological structures and aberrant reactivation of the Wnt pathway in adamantinomatous craniopharyngioma
Authors: Kato Keisuke , Nakatani Yukio , Kanno Hiroshi , Inayama Yoshiyuki , Ijiri Rieko , Nagahara Noriyuki , Miyake Tetsumi , Tanaka Mio , Ito Yumi , Aida Noriko , Tachibana Katsuhiko , Sekido Ken‐ichi , Tanaka Yukichi 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis study concerns the significance of nuclear/cytoplasmic expression of beta‐catenin and mutation of the beta‐catenin gene in craniopharyngiomas. Fourteen adamantinomatous type and one squamous papillary type craniopharyngiomas were studied. Histologically, 13 of 14 adamantinomatous type craniopharyngiomas showed typical features, ie mixtures of ‘palisading cells’, ‘stellate cells’, and ‘ghost cells’. In addition, ‘whorl‐like arrays’ of epithelial cells were frequently observed in the areas of stellate cells. On immunohistochemistry, all typical adamantinomatous type craniopharyngiomas showed nuclear/cytoplasmic expression of beta‐catenin predominantly in cohesive cells within the whorl‐like arrays and in cells transitional towards ghost cells, where immunoreactivity for Ki‐67 was almost absent. The cohesive cells in the whorl‐like arrays also demonstrated loss of cytokeratin isoform expression. Using direct sequencing of amplified nucleic acids, nine of the 13 typical adamantinomatous type craniopharyngiomas with nuclear beta‐catenin accumulation showed heterozygous one‐base substitution mutation of the beta‐catenin gene. The other unusual adamantinomatous type and squamous papillary type craniopharyngiomas showed no obvious nuclear/cytoplasmic beta‐catenin immunoreactivity and no mutation of the beta‐catenin gene, suggesting molecular heterogeneity. These findings suggest that the pathogenesis of typical adamantinomatous type craniopharyngioma is associated with abnormalities of Wnt signalling that act as a morphogenetic signal towards whorl‐like arrays and ghost cells rather than as simple proliferation stimuli. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Expression of E2F‐4 in invasive breast carcinomas is associated with poor prognosis
Authors: Rakha Emad A , Pinder Sarah E , Paish E Claire , Robertson John F , Ellis Ian O 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe E2F family of transcription factors plays a key role in the control of cellular proliferation and apoptosis. Some family members act as oncogenes and others act as tumour suppressor genes (TSGs), behaviour which appears to be tissue‐specific. E2F‐4 is a member of the E2F family, located at chromosome band 16q22.1, that shows frequent deletion in breast cancer, suggesting that it may function as a TSG in breast carcinogenesis. In the present study, the expression of E2F‐4 was assessed immunohistochemically on paraffin wax sections from 265 breast carcinomas and expression was compared with both clinicopathological variables and disease outcome in an attempt to identify its possible role as a TSG and to assess its prognostic value, if any, in breast cancer. E2F‐4 protein expression was detected in the nuclei and in the cytoplasm of normal and malignant breast epithelial cells. In the malignant tissues, no significant loss or decrease of expression was seen in association with any specific tumour type. There was a correlation between increased nuclear expression of E2F‐4 and indicators of poor prognosis including larger tumour size (p = 0.000), grade 3 lesions (p = 0.033), lymph node stage (p = 0.037), and poorer Nottingham prognostic index group (p = 0.003). Increased immunoreactivity was also seen in association with the development of recurrent disease (p = 0.004), distant metastasis (p = 0.001), and poorer outcome including poorer overall survival time (p = 0.002) and shorter disease‐free interval (p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, E2F‐4 was of independent prognostic significance along with grade and lymph node stage. These results suggest that E2F‐4 may play a role in breast cancer progression and that increased nuclear expression is associated with more advanced tumours with poor outcomes. E2F‐4 appears to have an oncogenic role rather than a tumour suppressor role in breast carcinogenesis and, hence, it is not the gene targeted by 16q22.1 loss in breast carcinoma. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gastrokine 1 is abundantly and specifically expressed in superficial gastric epithelium, down‐regulated in gastric carcinoma, and shows high evolutionary conservation
Authors: Oien Karin A , McGregor Fiona , Butler Sharlene , Ferrier Rod K , Downie Ian , Bryce Steven , Burns Sharon , Keith W Nicol 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThrough previous large‐scale gene expression profiling we identified a transcript that was abundant in normal stomach and down‐regulated in gastric cancer. Genes expressed at similar levels included gastrin, MUC5 and pS2, which are important in gastric function. We aimed to characterise this candidate, gastrokine 1 (GKN1), at mRNA, DNA, protein and tissue levels. The gene was studied in human, mouse, rat and cow, and was highly conserved across these species. The mRNA transcripts averaged 750 bp in length. The human, mouse and rat genes all contained six exons spanning 6 kb, and were located on chromosomes 2, 6 and 4 respectively. The full‐length translation products were 183–185 amino acids long, reducing to the mature protein of 18 kDa following signal peptide cleavage; these predictions were confirmed by Western blotting. Tagged gastrokine 1 yielded granular cytoplasmic staining with perinuclear accentuation, representing the Golgi apparatus, in keeping with secretion or expression on the extracellular surface. Gene expression in tissues was profiled extensively by Northern blotting, in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry. Gastrokine 1 was highly expressed in normal stomach, where it was located in the superficial/foveolar gastric epithelium, but was absent from gastric carcinomas. Outwith the stomach, gastrokine 1 was found only in epithelia showing gastric metaplasia eg Barrett's oesophagus, the ulcer‐associated cell lineage and ovarian mucinous neoplasms. In conclusion, we have characterised gastrokine 1, previously known as CA11, AMP‐18 or foveolin. Its abundance in, and specificity for, native or metaplastic gastric epithelium, down‐regulation in gastric carcinoma and evolutionary conservation suggest that this gene is physiologically important in the stomach. The function of gastrokine 1 is unknown but a role in mucosal protection is postulated. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PCB research results derive from a false belief system: You've come the wrong way, baby!
Authors: Cicchetti Domenic V. , Kaufman Alan S. , Sparrow Sara S. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIn this paper we address the points raised by groups of scientists who were invited to respond to our initial critique of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) research in this special issue. In that article, we applied six objective criteria to more than two decades of published PCB research and concluded that much of the research was badly flawed. The PCB researchers responded to our criticisms by stating that our criteria are either irrelevant or require major revision to be applicable to health areas of research. In response, we know of no methodologic criteria or laws of probability that apply solely to toxicology research. Although we support strong environmental regulations, such should be based upon solid scientific evidence rather than upon methodologically flawed research and false belief systems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 715–723, 2004.
Prospective studies of exposure to an environmental contaminant: The challenge of hypothesis testing in a multivariate correlational context
Authors: Jacobson Joseph L. , Jacobson Sandra W. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIn this paper, we respond to the criticisms and concerns raised by D.V. Cicchetti, A.S. Kaufman, & S.S. Sparrow (this issue) in their review of the PCB literature, with particular attention to our own research in Michigan. We agree that multiple comparisons and functional significance are issues that would benefit from more discussion. However, because the effects associated with exposure to environmental contaminants are generally subtle, the risk of Type II error would be unacceptably high if researchers were to adopt the authors' recommendation to use a Bonferroni correction. We describe the hierarchical approach we have used to deal with the issue of multiple comparisons, which emphasizes the need to base interpretation on consistent patterns in the data and on replicated findings. The issue of confounding is one that has received considerable attention in the PCB studies and, given that one can never measure every possible confounder, the range of control variables that have been evaluated is impressive. We disagree with the authors' assertion that only standardized test scores are sufficiently reliable for use in these studies; behavioral teratogens often involve subtle effects, which can be identified most effectively by innovative, narrow‐band tests that have not yet been normed. Moreover, longitudinal statistical analysis is not necessarily the method of choice for the issues being addressed in this literature. One important new development that Cicchetti et al. fail to note is the emergence of evidence from both the Michigan and Dutch cohorts indicating that breast‐fed children are markedly less vulnerable. It is not yet clear to what degree this protective effect is attributable to nutrients in breast milk or to more optimal intellectual stimulation by nursing mothers, or both. However, the discovery of effect modifiers that can explain individual differences in vulnerability marks an important advance in our growing understanding of the teratogenic effects of exposure to environmental contaminants on child development. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 625–637, 2004.
Strong opinions are no substitute for balanced arguments: Comments on Cicchetti, Kaufman, and Sparrow's critical appraisal of PCB cohort studies
Authors: Winneke Gerhard , Walkowiak Jens , Krämer Ursula 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThis paper comments on a critical review of cohort studies on PCB‐related neurodevelopmental deficit in young children by D.V. Cicchetti, A.S. Kaufman, and S.S. Sparrow (CKS). Major points of criticism of CKS, namely alleged violation of statistical principles, presumed lack of clinical significance of findings, and alleged insufficient control of confounding are dealt with in appropriate detail. It is argued that much of this criticism is inappropriate and biased, and that, in particular, arguments dealing with basic rules of statistical inference rely too heavily on the narrow principles of Neyman‐Pearson testing which are discussed controversially in modern epidemiology. Other critical arguments concerning the presumed lack of validity of assessment instruments, the apparent lack of reliability checks in some studies, and the presumed inappropriate treatment of longitudinal data are also discussed as being poorly founded. It is finally concluded that, although there are inconsistencies and weaknesses both within and between individual PCB‐studies, the almost unconditional rejection of the full set of cohort studies by CKS is in no way supported by good reasoning. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 655–663, 2004.
Reply to Cicchetti, Kaufman, and Sparrow
Authors: Weisglas‐Kuperus Nynke , Vreugdenhil Hestien J. I. , Mulder Paul G. H. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe aim of the review of D.V. Cicchetti, A.S. Kaufman, and S.S. Sparrow (funded by the General Electric Company; this issue) is “to evaluate [the] literature relating the effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) upon neurobehavioral, health‐related, and cognitive deficits in neonates, developing infants, children, and adults” (p. 589) on the basis of data derived from seven cohorts. One of these cohorts is the Dutch PCB/dioxin study. The paper of Cicchetti et al. presents a long, winding exercise in criticizing aspects of the design of the seven studies. Here we will give a comment on their review, as far as it concerns our own work. We applied the six fundamental sets of scientific criteria as proposed by Cichetti et al. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 665–668, 2004.
Much ado about something: The weight of evidence for PCB effects on neuropsychological function
Authors: Schantz Susan L. , Gardiner Joseph C. , Gasior Donna M. , McCaffrey Robert J. , Sweeney Anne M. , Humphrey Harold E.B. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractD.V. Cicchetti, A.S. Kaufman, and S.S. Sparrow (this issue) use six criteria to evaluate the published findings from seven different studies of PCB exposure and neuropsychological function. They point out a number of weaknesses or flaws in each study and conclude that these weaknesses make the overall conclusion that PCB exposure negatively impacts neuropsychological function untenable. While we agree that all of the studies have weaknesses, we take issue with some of the specific criticisms Cicchetti and colleagues make including their comments on exposure assessment, statistical control of multiple comparisons, validity of test instruments and clinical relevance of the findings. We argue that—despite the weaknesses of each individual study—the consistency of effects across studies is remarkable, and we conclude that the weight of evidence for a negative association between PCB exposure and intellectual function in childhood is very strong. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 669–679, 2004.
Use of surface‐enhanced laser desorption/ionization ‐time of flight to explore bacterial proteomes
Authors: Barzaghi Dagania , Isbister Jenefir D. , Lauer Kimberly P. , Born Timothy L. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractSurface‐enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI)‐time of flight is a recent technology that allows proteomic analysis with limited material requirements. This characteristic makes it a valuable technique for microbiologists handling problematic samples, such as low cell number cultures. We compared three simple procedures for protein extraction from bacteria for compatibility with the ProteinChip Array; we also determined the amount of protein required for each analysis. The protocol for the SELDI analysis was evaluated by generating protein expression profiles of a Streptococcus pneumoniae strain grown in different conditions and those of different strains of the same species. The protocol also was successfully applied to a wide range of Gram positive and negative bacteria. The results of this study suggest the appropriateness of this technology for microorganism protein profiling as complementary or alternative to two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis.
Studies of the polymerization of diallyl compounds. XI. Polymerization of styrene in the presence of diallyl compounds
Authors: Matsumoto Akira , Oiwa Masayoshi 
Published: June 2004

AbstractRadical polymerization of styrene in the presence of various diallyl compounds was carried out at 60°C, with the use of 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The chain transfer constant Cs of the styryl radical to diallyl compounds was determined graphically by solving the Mayo equation. The Cs values of diallyl esters are quite small compared to those of diallyl acetals. The polymerization mechanism of styrene in the presence of diallyl compounds was also discussed in connection with the results obtained previously.
Preparation of poly(vinyl chloride) at low temperature by a photochemical method
Authors: Manson John A. , Iobst Stanley A. , Acosta Rodrigo 
Published: June 2004

AbstractA convenient method has been developed for the polymerization of vinyl chloride at low temperatures (to at least −75°C) by using a tungsten–iodine rather than an ultraviolet lamp, and uranyl nitrate as sensitizer. The use of predominantly visible light minimizes degradation reactions sometimes encountered with ultraviolet light. Measurements of the fraction of racemic (or syndiotactic) diads and per cent crystallinity confirm that the products resemble polymers prepared by other techniques, such as polymerization initiated by a boron alkyl. It is concluded, therefore, that the method can provide a useful alternate to the more common, organometallic system. Measurements of torsional modulus as a function of temperature were also made. As the temperature of polymerization is lowered, the fraction of racemic diads and the per cent crystallinity are increased. The higher the per cent crystallinity, the higher the glass temperature, the broader the glass transition, and the higher the modulus in the rubbery state. Thus, the increased stereoregularity permits the development of a higher level of crystallinity which, in turn, restricts the mobility of the polymer chains.
Ionic organic/inorganic materials. II. New linear and crosslinked poly(ethylene oxide)‐based ionomers by quaternization with chloroalkyl‐functionalized siloxanes
Authors: Cazacu Maria , Ghimici Luminita , Dragan Ecaterina Stela 
Published: June 2004

AbstractSiloxane‐modified cationic polyelectrolytes were synthesized through the quaternization reaction of a poly(ethylene glycol)‐based polymer containing tertiary amine groups in the chain with chloroalkyl‐functionalized siloxanes. Linear or crosslinked structures were obtained, depending on the functionality of the siloxane: a chloroalkyl‐monofunctionalized or ‐polyfunctionalized siloxane was used. The reaction occurred in solution with n‐propanol as a solvent and NaI as a catalyst. All products were characterized with elemental analysis and IR and 1H NMR spectrometry. Viscometric measurements of the linear polymer in dilute aqueous solutions revealed typical polyelectrolyte behavior. The swelling capacities in various solvents of the crosslinked structures were determined. The thermal stability of the crosslinked cationic structures obtained with a polyfunctional siloxane as a quaternization agent was much higher than that of the parent polymer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 3720–3728, 2004
Relation of sweat chloride concentration to severity of lung disease in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Davis Pamela B. , Schluchter Mark D. , Konstan Michael W. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIn cystic fibrosis (CF), sweat chloride concentration has been proposed as an index of CFTR function for testing systemic drugs designed to activate mutant CFTR. This suggestion arises from the assumption that greater residual CFTR function should lead to a lower sweat chloride concentration, as well as protection against severe lung disease. This logic gives rise to the hypothesis that the lower the sweat chloride concentration, the less severe the lung disease. In order to test this hypothesis, we studied 230 patients homozygous for the ΔF508 allele, and 34 patients with at least one allele associated with pancreatic sufficiency, born since January 1, 1955, who have pulmonary function data and sweat chloride concentrations recorded in our CF center database, and no culture positive for B. cepacia. We calculated a severity index for pulmonary disease, using an approach which takes into account all available pulmonary function data as well as the patient's current age and survival status. Patients with alleles associated with pancreatic sufficiency had significantly better survival (P = 0.0083), lower sweat chloride concentration (81.4 ± 23.8 vs. 103.2 ± 14.2 mEq/l, P < 0.0001), slower rate of decline of FEV1 % predicted (−0.75 ± 0.34 vs. −2.34 ± 0.17% predicted per year), and a better severity index than patients homozygous for the ΔF508 allele (median 73rd percentile vs. median 55th percentile, P = 0.0004). However, the sweat chloride concentration did not correlate with the severity index, either in the population as a whole, or in the population of patients with alleles associated with pancreatic sufficiency, who are thought to have some residual CFTR function. These data suggest that, by itself, sweat chloride concentration does not necessarily predict a milder pulmonary course in patients with cystic fibrosis. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.