bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tissue microarray analysis of multiple gene expression in intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and carcinoma of the stomach
Authors: Sun Y , Li J‐Y , He J‐S , Zhou L‐X , Chen K 
Published: April 2005

Aims : To study multiple gene expression patterns and their roles in the process of gastric carcinogenesis.Methods and results : Using a high‐throughput tissue microarray technique, 169 specimens from gastric carcinomas, precursor lesions and normal mucosa were immunostained on a series of tissue chips for p53, p21WAF1/CIP1 cyclin E, Bcl‐2, c‐met and mucin 5AC expression. The overexpression of p53 was observed in 10.7% of low‐grade dysplasia (LGD), 38.1% of high‐grade dysplasia (HGD) and 39.6% of intestinal type gastric carcinoma (IGC). Expression of p21WAF1/CIP1 was found in 47.6% of incomplete intestinal metaplasia (IM), 36.7% of dysplasia (Dys) and 29.5% of IGC. The overexpression of cyclin E was more frequently present in carcinomas than in Dys (P < 0.05); moreover, high‐level expression (>25% in extent) of cyclin E was observed only among IGC. Abnormal Bcl‐2 expression was present in 81.0% of incomplete IM, 69.4% of Dys and 22.9% of IGC. Along with progression of the lesion, the expression of c‐met increased; in contrast, mucin 5AC decreased gradually.Conclusions : The specific expression pattern in incomplete IM was mucin 5AC(+)/Bcl‐2(+)/p53(–)/cyclin E(–), while mucin 5AC(–)/cyclin E(+) was specific for IGC. p53 was useful for distinguishing LGD from HGD. High‐level expression of cyclin E might be an indicator for malignant transformation of dysplasia.
Overexpression of anti‐apoptotic Mcl‐1 in testicular germ cell tumours
Authors: Sano M , Nakanishi Y , Yagasaki H , Honma T , Oinuma T , Obana Y , Suzuki A , Nemoto N 
Published: April 2005

Aims:  To determine the expression of Mcl‐1 in testicular germ cell tumours in order to clarify the role of this anti‐apoptotic factor in these tumours. Various members of the Bcl‐2 family have been implicated in the apoptotic mechanisms regulating germ cell apoptosis. Mcl‐1 is an anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2 family member and has recently been reported to be related to the progression of malignancy; however, the involvement of Mcl‐1 in the development of germ cell tumours is still unknown.Methods and results:  Mcl‐1 expression in testicular germ cell tumours was investigated by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). By immunohistochemistry, overexpression of Mcl‐1 was present in all germ cell tumours that were studied, including embryonal carcinoma and yolk sac tumour, as well as choriocarcinoma and teratoma. In teratomas, Mcl‐1 was widely distributed in the epithelial, myogenic, neural and mesenchymal components. RT‐PCR analysis after microdissection revealed high levels of Mcl‐1 mRNA in all tumour variants compared with non‐neoplastic germ cells.Conclusion:  Overexpression of anti‐apoptotic Mcl‐1 may function to enhance the viability of testicular germ cells, thereby leading to tumorigenesis.
PDGFR expression in differential diagnosis between KIT‐negative gastrointestinal stromal tumours and other primary soft‐tissue tumours of the gastrointestinal tract
Authors: Rossi G , Valli R , Bertolini F , Marchioni A , Cavazza A , Mucciarini C , Migaldi M , Federico M , Trentini G P , Sgambato A 
Published: April 2005

Aims : To investigate the value of platelet‐derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) by immunohistochemistry in discriminating KIT‐negative gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) from other soft‐tissue neoplasms of the digestive tract.Methods and results : One‐hundred and sixty‐seven primary gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumours (125 GISTs, 15 intra‐abdominal desmoids, 12 leiomyomas, eight leiomyosarcomas, three schwannomas, two solitary fibrous tumours, and one case each of inflammatory pseudotumour and fibroid polyp) were reclassified based on morphology and on the immunohistochemical panel recommended by the National Institutes of Health consensus on GIST. All cases were then tested with antibodies specific for PDGFR α and β. Of 125 GISTs, 117 were KIT‐positive (93.6%) and eight KIT‐negative (6.4%). All the KIT‐positive GISTs were negative for both PDGFRs, while all the eight KIT‐negative GISTs expressed PDGFR‐α, with two of them also coexpressing PDGFR‐β. Among the 42 non‐GIST tumours, only a small percentage (26.6%) of desmoids immunostained for PDGFR‐α, two of them coexpressing PDGFR‐β.Conclusions : Immunostaining with PDGFR‐α is a helpful marker in discriminating between KIT‐negative GISTs and other gastrointestinal mesenchymal lesions: all KIT‐negative GISTs were positive for PDFGR‐α, while none of the other gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumours analysed, except a small subset of desmoids, was reactive with anti‐PDGFRs. These preliminary data demonstrate the suitability of commercially available antibodies to detect immunohistochemically the mutually exclusive expression of KIT and PDGFR‐α previously reported in GISTs by molecular biological techniques. Since PDGFR exists in the form of a homodimer (αα, ββ) or heterodimer (αβ) and two of the KIT‐negative GISTs coexpressed both PDGFR isoforms, further investigations are required to elucidate the role of PDGFR‐β in GISTs.
COX‐2 expression in DCIS: correlation with VEGF, HER‐2/neu, prognostic molecular markers and clinicopathological features
Authors: Perrone G , Santini D , Vincenzi B , Zagami M , La Cesa A , Bianchi A , Altomare V , Primavera A , Battista C , Vetrani A , Tonini G , Rabitti C 
Published: April 2005

Aims : There is considerable evidence that links COX‐2 to the development of cancer. The aim of our study was to assess, by immunohistochemistry, COX‐2 expression in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and its possible correlation with HER‐2/neu, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and other common immunohistochemical parameters (p53, ER, PGR, Ki67).Methods and results : Tissue samples of 49 archival cases of DCIS without any invasive component were analysed for COX‐2, HER‐2/neu, VEGF, oestrogen and progesterone receptors, Ki67 and p53 by immunohistochemistry using specific antibodies. COX‐2 expression was detected in 43 (87.8%) tissue samples, of which 12 (24.5%) were graded as weak, 22 (44.9%) as moderate and nine (8.4%) as high expression. Only six (12.2%) lesions were negative for COX‐2 expression. VEGF expression was detected in 93.8% of samples; 66.7% of lesions were found to be positive for HER‐2/neu expression. Furthermore, COX‐2 expression was significantly correlated with VEGF expression (P = 0.003). A significant positive correlation was also observed between COX‐2 and HER‐2/neu expression (P < 0.0001).Conclusions : Our results suggest that COX‐2 is highly expressed in DCIS and takes part in the molecular pathway implicated in progression of breast cancer and may provide a rationale for targeting COX‐2 in preinvasive breast cancer therapy.
Nuclear expression of maspin is associated with a lower recurrence rate and a longer disease‐free interval after surgery for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
Authors: Marioni G , Blandamura S , Giacomelli L , Calgaro N , Segato P , Leo G , Fischetto D , Staffieri A , De Filippis C 
Published: April 2005

Aims : Maspin, a protein belonging to the serpin superfamily, is the product of a tumour suppressor gene. Tissue distribution studies have shown maspin expression in normal mammary epithelial cells, in the placenta, prostate, thymus, testis, oral cavity, small intestine, skin, and cornea. Maspin is expressed but down‐regulated in human breast, prostatic, and colonic cancers but apparently up‐regulated in pancreatic, ovarian, and gastric cancers. Only two studies concerning maspin expression in head and neck carcinomas are available. The present study is the first attempt to determine maspin expression in laryngeal carcinoma.Methods and results : Maspin expression was evaluated in 21 cases of laryngeal carcinoma consecutively treated with an exclusively surgical approach with a follow‐up period longer than 24 months. The expression of p53, p27 and MIB‐1 was also studied. Two patterns of distribution of maspin in laryngeal neoplastic cells were found. Cytoplasmic expression of maspin was identified in 47.6% of the cases. Nuclear maspin positivity was determined in 47.6% of the cases. A statistically significant difference in nuclear maspin expression between the group of patients without carcinoma recurrence and the group with evidence of recurrence was demonstrated (P = 0.039). Log rank test analysis showed a statistically significant direct correlation between nuclear maspin expression and disease‐free intervals after surgical treatment calculated in months (P = 0.028). A significant inverse correlation was disclosed between nuclear maspin staining and MIB‐1 (P = 0.028). A trend of increasing p27 expression was noted in cases with positive nuclear maspin expression. Nuclear maspin expression was not statistically correlated with p53 expression. A trend towards direct correlation between cytoplasmic maspin expression and squamous cell carcinoma histological grade (G) was apparent. Cytoplasmic maspin expression did not correlate with p53, MIB‐1 or p27 expression.Conclusions : These preliminary results suggest that nuclear location of maspin is a good prognostic factor in laryngeal carcinoma.
Rubisco specificity factor tends to be larger in plant species from drier habitats and in species with persistent leaves
Authors: GALMÉS JERONI , FLEXAS JAUME , KEYS ALFRED J. , CIFRE JOSEP , MITCHELL ROWAN A. C. , MADGWICK PIPPA J. , HASLAM RICHARD P. , MEDRANO HIPÓLITO , PARRY MARTIN A. J. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTThe specificity factor of Rubisco is a measure of the relative capacities of the enzyme to catalyse carboxylation and oxygenation of ribulose 1,5‐bisphosphate and hence to control the relative rates of photosynthetic carbon assimilation and photorespiration. Specificity factors of purified Rubisco from 24 species of C3 plants found in diverse habitats with a wide range of environmental growth limitations by both water availability and temperature in the Balearic Islands were measured at 25 °C. The results suggest that specificity factors are more dependent on environmental pressure than on phylogenetic factors. Irrespective of phylogenetic relationships, higher specificity factors were found in species characteristically growing in dryer environments and in species that are hemideciduous or evergreen. Effects of temperature on specificity factor of the purified enzyme from 14 species were consistent with the concept that higher specificity factors were associated with an increase in the activation energy for oxygenation compared to carboxylation of the 2,3‐enediolate of RuBP to the respective transition state intermediates. The results are discussed in terms of selection pressures leading to the differences in specificity factors and the value of the observations for identifying useful genetic manipulation to change Rubisco polypeptide subunits.
Biochemical and ecological characterization of two peroxidase isoenzymes from the mangrove, Rhizophora mangle
Authors: PEARSE IAN S. , HEATH KATY D. , CHEESEMAN JOHN M. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTThis study examines phenolic peroxidase (POX) in Rhizophora mangle L. leaves in order to assess its role in phenolic manipulation and H2O2 scavenging. Sun‐exposed and understorey leaves experiencing varying degrees of nutrient stress were analysed from an oligotrophic cay off the coast of Belize. POX activity was unaffected by growth environment, but increased throughout leaf development and persisted through senescence and after abscission. Histochemical analyses indicated POX activity throughout leaf tissues, especially in the apoplast. Phenolics were similarly broadly distributed. Two isoenzymes of POX were partially characterized with pIs of 4.1 and 6.3 and masses of 65.5 and 54.3 kDa, respectively. The larger, more acidic isoenzyme showed especially high heat stability, showing no reduced activity after 24 h at 60 °C. Rhizophora mangle POX oxidized quercetin preferentially, and, to a lesser extent, coniferyl alcohol, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, and p‐coumaric acid. It did not oxidize ascorbate, but ascorbate could act as a secondary electron donor in the presence of a phenolic substrate and H2O2. However, because quercetin and other aglycones were not present in R. mangle leaves, and because POX showed no activity with the most abundant leaf flavonoid, rutin, it was concluded that detoxification of H2O2 is secondary to the other roles of POX in manipulation of phenolics.
Effects of stand age and tree species on canopy transpiration and average stomatal conductance of boreal forests
Authors: EWERS B. E. , GOWER S. T. , BOND‐LAMBERTY B. , WANG C. K. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTWe quantified the effect of stand age and tree species composition on canopy transpiration (EC) by analysing transpiration per unit leaf area (EL) and canopy stomatal conductance (GS) for boreal trees comprising a five stand wildfire chronosequence. A total of 196 sap flux sensors were used on 90 trees consisting of Betula papyrifera Marsh (paper birch; present in the youngest stand), Populus tremuloides Michx (quaking aspen), Pinus banksiana Lamb. (jack pine), and Picea mariana (Mill.) (black spruce). While fine roots were positively correlated with stand EC; leaf area index, basal area, and sapwood area were not. Stands less than 70 years old were dominated by Populus tremuloides and Pinus banksiana and stands greater than 70 years old were composed almost entirely of Picea mariana. As Populus tremuloides and Pinus banksiana increased in size and age, they displayed an increasing sapwood to leaf area ratio (AS : AL), a constant minimum leaf water potential (ΨL), and a constant proportionality between GS at low vapour pressure deficit (Dj GSref) and the sensitivity of GS to D (–δ). In contrast, AS : AL, minimum ΨL, and the proportionally between –δ and GSref decreased with height and age in Picea mariana. A GS model that included the effects of D, AS : AL, tree height, and for Picea mariana an increasing soil to leaf water potential gradient with stand age, was able to capture the effects of contrasting hydraulic properties of Picea mariana, Populus tremuloides and Pinus banksiana during stand development after wildfire.
A gibberellin‐regulated protein phosphorylated by a putative Ca2+‐dependent protein kinase is G‐protein mediated in rice root
Authors: KHAN M. M. K. , YANG S. , IWASAKI Y. , FUJISAWA Y. , FUKUDA H. , KOMATSU S. 
Published: April 2005

ABSTRACTThe GA‐signal transduction pathways downstream to the Gα protein in rice seedling root were investigated using in‐gel kinase assay and in vitro protein phosphorylation techniques with a Gα protein defective mutant, d1. A 50‐kDa protein kinase was detected downstream to Gα protein in the membrane fraction of rice seedling roots using an in‐gel kinase assay with histone III‐S as a substrate. The activity of a 50‐kDa protein kinase increased in the wild‐type rice by gibberellin (GA3) treatment, but did not change in the d1 mutant. This protein kinase activity was inhibited by the Ca2+ chelator ethyleneglycol‐bis‐(beta‐aminoethylether)‐N,N,N 1,N 1‐tetraacetic acid (EGTA), protein kinase inhibitors, staurosporine and H7, and calmodulin antagonist, trifluoperazine, suggesting that the 50‐kDa protein kinase is a putative plant Ca2+‐dependent protein kinase (CDPK). The activity of the 50‐kDa putative CDPK reached its highest level at 3 h after GA3 treatment and then gradually declined with time. In order to identify the endogenous substrate for 50‐kDa putative CDPK, two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by in vitro protein phosphorylation was carried out. The phosphorylation activity of an endogenous protein PP30, identified as an unknown protein having molecular weight 30 kDa and isoelectric point 5.8 was increased in the wild‐type rice by GA3 treatment, compared with the d1 mutant. The addition of GA3 treated membrane fraction, which predominantly represent a 50‐kDa putative CDPK further increased the phosphorylation of PP30. Almost similar to GA3 treatment, phosphorylation activity of PP30 was also increased by the treatment with cholera toxin in the wild‐type rice but not in d1 mutant. These results suggest that the 50‐kDa putative CDPK and an unknown protein, PP30 promoted by GA3 treatment are G‐protein mediated in rice seedling roots.
Random amplified polymorphic DNA markers reveal low genetic variation and a single dominant genotype in Eichhornia crassipes populations throughout China
Authors: REN M‐X , ZHANG Q‐G , ZHANG D‐Y 
Published: April 2005

SummaryGenetic variation within and between 34 populations of Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth) in China was surveyed using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. A total of 1009 individuals were analysed, for which 12 RAPD primers amplified 69 reproducible bands, with 22 (32%) being polymorphic. The percentage of polymorphic loci (p) within a population ranged from 4.4% to 17.4%, and the mean Nei's gene diversity (He) was 0.046 ± 0.0145, indicating a low genetic diversity of E. crassipes in China. Each population contained at least four RAPD phenotypes (genotypes), and the same particular genotype was invariably dominant in all the populations sampled. The mean proportion of distinguishable genotypes was 0.29. Analysis of molecular variance revealed a large proportion of genetic variation (83.9%) residing within populations and a slightly larger proportion (88.1%) within localities, indicating a low genetic differentiation of E. crassipes populations, both locally and regionally. Human‐mediated dispersal, vigorous clonal growth, and a generally low level of sexual reproduction were thought to be responsible for such a pattern of genetic structure.
A single polymerase chain reaction‐based assay for simultaneous detection of two mutations conferring resistance to tubulin‐binding herbicides in Setaria viridis
Authors: DÉLYE C , MENCHARI Y , MICHEL S 
Published: April 2005

SummaryA simple method based upon polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was developed to detect mutant alleles of the gene encoding α2‐tubulin, which confers recessive resistance to tubulin‐binding herbicides in Setaria viridis. Multiplex, bidirectional allele‐specific PCR (Mbi‐PASA) was shown to specifically and reliably detect the presence of all sensitive (Leu136, Thr239) and resistant (Phe136, Ile239) α2‐tubulin alleles in a single reaction. Double‐blind analysis of 2000 S. viridis seedlings using seed bioassay and Mbi‐PASA confirmed that the presence of two mutant α2‐tubulin alleles in a seedling was always associated with cross‐resistance to dinitroaniline and benzoic acid herbicides, sensitivity to a benzamide herbicide, and hypersensitivity to carbamate herbicides. No other resistance mechanism was detected in the S. viridis populations screened. Successful Mbi‐PASA genotyping was achieved with fresh and dried plant fragments from the field. Compared with bioassays, Mbi‐PASA is faster and more robust, removing the need for live plant material. It is the only way of detecting recessive resistance before resistant plants occur in a field. Mbi‐PASA can be performed with basic molecular biology laboratory equipment, and is suitable for high‐throughput genotyping adaptation. It is the tool of choice for resistance diagnosis in such cases where only a few recessive, target‐derived, genes control resistance to herbicides.
Comparison of sampling methodologies for site‐specific management ofAvena sterilis
Authors: BARROSO J , RUIZ D , FERNANDEZ‐QUINTANILLA C , LEGUIZAMON E S , HERNAIZ P , RIBEIRO A , DIAZ B , MAXWELL B D , REW L J 
Published: April 2005

SummaryThe ability to manage weed infestations in a spatially precise manner requires efficient and accurate methods of mapping weed distributions. A study was conducted to compare four different ground‐based methods for collecting georeferenced information on infestations ofAvena sterilisin winter wheat and barley. Sampling was performed at harvest by scoring panicle density, either from the ground or from a combine, by counting the number of panicle contacts with a stick moved horizontally over the crop canopy by an observer walking through the field, and by samplingA. sterilisseed rain on the ground. No significant differences were observed among the populations estimated by the four methods. A partial budget analysis of the in‐season costs and benefits of spraying patches using these methods showed that visual scoring from the combine was the most appropriate method for the creation of weed management maps to be used for patch spraying in the following season. As a large variety of spatial patterns may be found in fields, the recommended sampling method might be field‐specific and optimality should be verified for general use.
Economics and Health‐based Environmental Standards
Authors: Portney Paul R. , Harrington Winston 
Published: April 2005

Many federal laws dealing with environment, safety, and health contain language directing that certain kinds of standards be set on the basis of health evidence alone. That is, economic considerations are not to be taken into account in setting these standards. This paper presents arguments in defense of this position and then suggests why these arguments are not convincing. In other words, it makes the case that regulators should strive to balance economic, health, and other considerations for sensible policymaking.
“…wisdom requires balancing the good against the bad to determine whether the overall result is positive or negative.”Albert Gore, Earth in the Balance (p.188)
Environmental Health Policy in Ukraine After the Chernobyl Accident
Authors: Page G. William , Bobyleva Olga Alexandrovna , Naboka Marina Vasilievna , Shestopalov Viacheslav Mikhailovich 
Published: April 2005

The 1986 accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine produced severe environmental health problems. This paper reports on the environmental health conditions in Ukraine after the accident and the health policy approaches employed to respond to the environmental conditions and health problems.Crisis conditions and a period of rapid change in Ukraine contributed to the difficulties of developing and implementing policy to address serious environmental health problems. Despite these difficulties, Ukraine is taking effective action. The paper describes the primary environmental health problem areas and the efforts taken to solve them. The effect of intense public fear of radiation on policymaking is described. The paper discusses the ability of public fear to distort health policy towards certain problems, leaving problems of greater importance with fewer resources.
The Politics and Administration of Privatization
Authors: Daley Dennis 
Published: April 2005

Privatization grows out of the theoretic constructs of public choice theory. Through the nurturing efforts of those such as E. S. Savas, privatization has been transplanted from the academic greenhouse to the fields of practical government Against the field of fads–empowerment, total quality management, reengineering, strategic planning, and benchmarking–privatization stands out.Privatization has endured and spread. To many, privatization restores the dynamic balance of government and individual freedom. To others, privatization, like kudzu (initially a solution to soil erosion in the South), threatens to crowd out all other forms of “public” service delivery.