bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Frequency of CHEK2 mutations in a population based, case–control study of breast cancer in young women
Authors: Friedrichsen Danielle M , Malone Kathleen E , Doody David R , Daling Janet R , Ostrander Elaine A 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Introduction
The cell-cycle checkpoint kinase (CHEK)2 protein truncating mutation 1100delC has been associated with increased risk for breast or prostate cancer. Multiple studies have found an elevated frequency of the 1100delC variant in specific stratifications of breast cancer patients with a family history of the disease, including BRCA1/BRCA2 negative families and families with a history of bilateral disease or male breast cancer. However, the 1100delC mutation has only been investigated in a few population-based studies and none from North America.

Methods
We report here on the frequency of three CHEK2 variants that alter protein function – 1100delC, R145W, and I175T – in 506 cases and 459 controls from a population based, case–control study of breast cancer conducted in young women from western Washington.

Results
There was a suggestive enrichment in the 1100delC variant in the cases (1.2%) as compared with the controls (0.4%), but this was based on small numbers of carriers and the differences were not statistically significant. The 1100delC variant was more frequent in cases with a first-degree family history of breast cancer (4.3%; P = 0.02) and slightly enriched in cases with a family history of ovarian cancer (4.4%; P = 0.09).

Conclusion
The CHEK2 variants are rare in the western Washington population and, based on accumulated evidence across studies, are unlikely to be major breast cancer susceptibility genes. Thus, screening for the 1100delC variant may have limited usefulness in breast cancer prevention programs in the USA.
Measurement of the activated clotting time during cardiopulmonary bypass: differences between Hemotec® ACT and Hemochron® Jr apparatus
Authors: Svenmarker S , Appelblad M , Jansson E , Häggmark S 
Published: September 2004

Background: Measurement of the activated clotting time (ACT) represents a standard method for coagulatory assessments. The test employs specific agents to trigger the coagulation process. The present study aimed to compare kaolin (Hemotec®) versus a combination of silica, kaolin and phospholipid (Hemochron® Jr) ACTs. Methods: Hemotec® and Hemochron® Jr ACT monitors were compared by simultaneous measurement of paired arterial blood samples ( n-114) with respect to precision and bias during clinical conditions of cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB). The influence of haemodilution on the ACT was tested in an ex-vivo model. Results: The precision of Hemotec® and Hemochron®Jr ACT measurements attained 21±2.6 s versus 27.0±2.6 s( p= 0.126) during CPB and 2.5±2.2 s versus 9.4±6.9 s ( p= 0.000) after protamine administration, respectively. The Hemochron® Jr monitor was associated with a bias of −102±13.7 s compared to the Hemotec® ACT monitor ( p= 0.000) during CPB and −6.9±2.9 s after protamine ( p= 0.025). Linear regression analysis of ACT readings between monitors reached r- 0.526 ( p= 0.000). Hemochron® Jr ACT values correlated with the erythrocyte volume fraction r- 0.379 ( p= 0.000). Ex-vivo data indicated that the Hemotec® ACT monitor was associated with relatively higher ACT readings after haemodilution. Conclusion: The ACT is not a standardized measure. Test results are strongly associated with the specific compounds used to initiate the coagulation process.
Functional and Placental Expression Analysis of the Human NRF3 Transcription Factor
Authors: Chénais Benoı̂t , Derjuga Anna , Massrieh Wael , Red-Horse Kristy , Bellingard Valerie , Fisher Susan J. , Blank Volker 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Members of the Maf protooncogene and cap’n’ collar families of basic-leucine zipper transcription factors play important roles in development, differentiation, oncogenesis, and stress signaling. In this study, we performed an in vivo protein-protein interaction screen to search for novel partners of the small Maf proteins. Using full-length human MAFG protein as bait, we identified the human basic-leucine zipper protein NRF3 [NF-E2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2)-related factor 3] as an interaction partner. Transfection studies confirmed that NRF3 is able to dimerize with MAFG. The resulting NRF3/MAFG heterodimer recognizes nuclear factor-erythroid 2/Maf recognition element-type DNA-binding motifs. Functional analysis revealed the presence of a strong transcriptional activation domain in the center region of the NRF3 protein. We found that NRF3 transcripts are present in placental chorionic villi from at least week 12 of gestation on through term. In particular, NRF3 is highly expressed in primary placental cytotrophoblasts, but not in placental fibroblasts. The human choriocarcinoma cell lines BeWo and JAR, derived from trophoblastic tumors of the placenta, also strongly express NRF3 transcripts. We generated a NRF3-specific antiserum and identified NRF3 protein in placental choriocarcinoma cells. Furthermore, we showed that NRF3 transcript and protein levels are induced by TNF-α in JAR cells. Our functional studies suggest that human NRF3 is a potent transcriptional activator. Finally, our expression and induction analyses hint at a possible role of Nrf3 in placental gene expression and development.
The Orphan Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Ror2 Modulates Canonical Wnt Signaling in Osteoblastic Cells
Authors: Billiard Julia , Way Deana S. , Seestaller-Wehr Laura M. , Moran Robert A. , Mangine Annamarie , Bodine Peter V. N. 
Published: September 2004

AbstractRor2 is an orphan receptor tyrosine kinase that plays crucial roles in developmental morphogenesis, particularly of the skeleton. We have identified human Ror2 as a novel regulator of canonical Wnt signaling in osteoblastic (bone-forming) cells with selective activities, enhancing Wnt1 but antagonizing Wnt3. Immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated physical interactions between human Ror2 and mammalian Wnt1 and Wnt3. Functionally, Ror2 antagonized Wnt1- and Wnt3-mediated stabilization of cytosolic β-catenin in osteoblastic cells. However, Ror2 had opposing effects on a more distal step of canonical Wnt signaling: it potentiated Wnt1 activity but inhibited Wnt3 function as assessed by changes in Wnt-responsive reporter gene activity. Despite binding to Ror2, neither Wnt1 nor Wnt3 altered receptor activity as assessed by levels of Ror2 autophosphorylation. The ability of Ror2 to regulate canonical Wnt signaling in osteoblastic cells should have physiological consequences in bone, because Wnt signaling is known to modulate osteoblast survival and differentiation. Expression of Ror2 mRNA was highly regulated in a biphasic manner during human osteoblast differentiation, being virtually undetectable in pluripotent stem cells, increasing 300-fold in committed preosteoblasts, and disappearing again in osteocytes. Furthermore, Ror2 expression in osteoblasts was suppressed by the Wnt antagonist, secreted frizzled-related protein 1. The regulated expression of Ror2 during osteoblast differentiation, its inverse expression pattern with secreted frizzled-related protein 1, and its ability to modulate Wnt signaling in osteoblastic cells suggest that Ror2 may regulate bone formation.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Ten Second-Generation (Human) Tissue Transglutaminase Antibody Assays in Celiac Disease
Authors: Van Meensel Britta , Hiele Martin , Hoffman Ilse , Vermeire Severine , Rutgeerts Paul , Geboes Karel , Bossuyt Xavier 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background: Anti-tissue transglutaminase (tTG) assays that use human tTG as antigen have recently become available. We evaluated commercially available assays with human tTG antigen to estimate their diagnostic accuracies and to determine whether they agree sufficiently to be used interchangeably.
Methods: Ten commercially available second-generation anti-tTG assays were evaluated. The following populations were studied: celiac disease (CD) patients at the time of diagnosis without (n = 70) or with (n = 5) IgA deficiency; diseased controls (n = 70); and CD patients without (n = 28) or with (n = 2) IgA deficiency during follow-up. All individuals included in the study underwent intestinal biopsy. Technical performance (linearity, interference, precision, correlation, and agreement) and diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) were compared. Anti-gliadin and anti-endomysium antibodies were also measured.
Results: IgA anti-tTG results correlated well overall, but numerical values differed. Diagnostic sensitivity ranged between 91% and 97% and specificity between 96% and 100%. These were higher than the sensitivity and specificity of the IgA endomysium assay and the IgA gliadin assay. Generally, IgG anti-tTG was less sensitive but more specific than IgG anti-gliadin for the diagnosis of CD in the small group of IgA-deficient patients.
Conclusions: Overall diagnostic performance of IgA tTG assays is acceptable and comparable among the different assays, but numerical values differ. Standardization is needed.
Characterization of Immunochemically Nonreactive Urinary Albumin
Authors: Osicka Tanya M , Comper Wayne D 
Published: September 2004

Abstract
Background: Conventional immunoassays underestimate the urinary albumin concentration because intact albumin in urine exists in two forms, immunoreactive and immunochemically nonreactive.
Methods: Urinary albumin concentration measured by HPLC (which measures total albumin, i.e., the sum of immunoreactive albumin + immunochemically nonreactive albumin) or RIA was compared with densitometric analysis of albumin bands in diabetic urine samples separated by either native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) or reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-PAGE. Immunochemically nonreactive albumin was also isolated from diabetic urine (relative amount detected, 70–80% of the expected) and was tested for contamination by common urinary proteins by native PAGE, ELISA, and capillary electrophoresis.
Results: Urinary albumin concentrations measured by native PAGE and HPLC were better correlated (r2 = 0.83) than concentrations measured by native PAGE and RIA (r2 = 0.62) because under native conditions both native PAGE and HPLC detect total albumin and not only the immunoreactive albumin alone that is measured by RIA. Urinary albumin concentrations measured by reducing SDS-PAGE and RIA were better correlated (r2 = 0.84) than concentrations measured by reducing SDS-PAGE and HPLC (r2 = 0.65) because under reducing conditions immunochemically nonreactive albumin is unstable and fragments into many smaller peptides. The partially purified preparation was found to contain &lt;1% contamination by common urinary proteins and is stable to freezing and frequent freeze/thaw cycles.
Conclusions: The results are consistent with the interpretation that immunochemically nonreactive albumin has a limited number of polypeptide chain scissions and is held together by noncovalent intrachain bonding and disulfide bonds. Detection of this molecule is likely to be of clinical importance in diagnosing kidney disease as well as cardiovascular disease.
Reaction Characteristics on the Green Surface of Moso Bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel) Treated with Chromated Phosphate
Authors: Chang Shang-Tzen , Yeh Ting-Feng , Wu Jyh-Horng , Hon David N.-S. 
Published: September 2004

Summary
Standing moso bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel) culm is attractive to many people for its green color, but it fades readily if it is not chemically treated. Chromated phosphate (CP)has beensuccessfully used to protect the green color of bamboo. In order to understand the mechanisms of such protection withCP, this study was performed using various surface analytical methods (FTIR,ESCA, and ESR) to examine the characteristic structures on the CP treated bamboo surface. The results revealed that pigments remaining in the bamboo epidermis did not affect the color of bamboo during subsequent green-color-protection treatment. After CP treatment, chromium and phosphorous from CP were located in the epidermisand cortical parenchymaofbamboo epidermaltissue. CPoxidized the chemical components on the bamboo surface and consequently generated a largenumber of carbonyl groups and radicals. Meanwhile, the valence states of Cr were reduced from Cr(VI) to Cr(V) and then to Cr(III).
Quantitative Analyses of Morphological Variation of Cross-Sectional Tracheids of Hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) Near Knot by Image Processing
Authors: Liu J. , Diao X. M. , Furuno T. 
Published: September 2004

Summary
Eight transverse sections of hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa Endl.) were analyzed along the grain near a
knot by circularity index (CI), aspect ratio and equivalent diameter. The specimens were divided into
two groups, one above and one below the knot, and their distances from the knot were 0 mm (the
nearest), 12 mm, 24 mm, and 36 mm, respectively. Another sample was also selected from knot-free
wood for reference along the same grain. A gradual decrease in the aspect ratio of tracheids demonstrated
that both boundaries and lumina tended to have small differences in length and width as they
approached the knot along the grain. CIs of lumina nearest to the knot indicated astonishingly high
values with a narrow range from hexagon to ellipse, compared with the others ranging from rectangle,
via hexagon, to ellipse. In other words, lumina showed a tendency to become round near the knot. In
addition, the equivalent diameters of lumina tended to decrease when approaching the knot, implying
that cell wall thickening of tracheids occur near the knot. It should be noted that the above variations in
tracheids accompanied changes in grain orientation and annual ring width, especially the sharp
transformation nearest to the knot.
Steam Explosion of Aspen Wood. Characterisation of Reaction Products
Authors: Josefsson T. , Lennholm H. , Gellerstedt G. 
Published: September 2004

Summary
The steam explosion process was used to separate the components of aspen wood. The main goal was to
obtain a material with a molecular weight distribution similar to that of dissolving pulp. To achieve
variations in fibre structure and molecular weight, two series of steam explosions were made in which
the time and temperature were varied according to factorial designs. The resulting pulps were very dark
and were therefore bleached with hydrogen peroxide. The bleaching was sufficient to increase the
brightness of the exploded material significantly. The resulting lignocellulosic materials as well as the
washing water were characterised by carbohydrate analysis, lignin analysis and size-exclusion chromatography.
A large variation in the pulp composition as well as in cellulose and hemicellulose
molecular weight was obtained merely by varying the time and temperature of the explosions. The
results showed that pulps with properties ranging from a high xylan content (7%) and high molecular
weight cellulose (900 000) to a low xylose content (< 1%)and low molecular weight cellulose (<40 000)
were produced. The exploded material consisted mainly of cellulose, hemicellulose and degraded
polysaccharides. The degraded polysaccharides showed up as lignin in the Klason lignin analysis and in
measurements of kappa number.
UF/pMDI Wood Adhesives: Networks Blend versus Copolymerization
Authors: Simon C. , George B. , Pizzi A. 
Published: September 2004

Summary
Kinetic evidence from thermomechanical analysis experiments and 13C NMR evidence were used to
show that the strength of a joint bonded with UF/pMDI glue-mixtures is improved by coreaction
between pMDI and UF resin methylol groups forming methylene cross-links. These are predominant, as
opposed to the formation of urethane bridges which still appear to form, but are in great minority. The
coreaction occurs in the presence of water and under the predominantly acidic hardening conditions
characteristic of aminoplastic resins (in presence of a hardener). Coreaction occurs to a much lesser
extent under alkaline conditions (without UF resins hardeners). The predominant reaction is therefore
different in UF/pMDI and PF/pMDI adhesive systems. The same reaction observed for the UF/pMDI
system at higher temperatures was also observed in PF/pMDI systems, but only at lower temperatures.
The water introduced into the UF/pMDI mixture by addition of the UF resin solution was shown not to
react with pMDI to increase the strength of the hardened adhesive to a significant degree.
The Effect of HS- Ions in 1-mol/l NaOH Solutions on the Ion Diffusion in Wood Calculated as the Steady State Diffusion and the Drift Speed
Authors: Törnqvist M. , Hurme T. , Rosenholm J. B. 
Published: September 2004

Summary
Diffusion tests in pine, birch and spruce were done with different Na2S fractions of 1-mol/l NaOH solutions. The steady state diffusion was found to be dependent on the original moisture content present in the wood samples and the concentration of the electrolyte, but not the HS− ions. The drift speed was dependent on the mobility of the HS− ions, reducing the flux as compared to the OH− flux in pure NaOH solutions. The moisture content originally present inside the wood samples affected the migration, especially in the longitudinal direction due to structural effects.
Study on Gypsum-Bonded Particleboard Reinforced with Jute Fibres
Authors: Deng Y. , Furuno T. 
Published: September 2004

Summary
This paper deals with the influence of length and content (based on a percentage of wood particles) of jute fibers on the physical and mechanical properties of gypsum-bonded particleboard (GPB). The length and amount of jute fibers had a significant effect on the internal bond strength (IB) and the modulus of rupture (MOR) of GPB. The addition of jute fibers did not obviously influence the modulus of elasticity (MOE), the thickness swelling (TS) or water absorption (WA). The values of IB were prominently high at the 3 mm length and 9–12% contents of jute fibers. The highest value of MOR was attained when the board was made with fibers 12 mm in length and a fiber content of 15%. The optimal amount of jute fibers reinforced the mechanical properties of GPB to achieve high performance. However, too much jute fiber reduced the IB, MOR (except for 12 mm length), and MOE of GPB. The values of TS and WA decreased gradually with an increase in the fiber content for all fiber lengths. In addition, the GPB gave very low weight loss on exposure to wood-decaying fungi of both Tyromyces palustris (TYP) and Coriolus versicolor (COV) as compared with untreated wood. It was concluded that the combination of 3 mm length and 9–12% content or 12 mm length and 15% content of jute fibers was the optimum for producing good performance of
Structure of Thermally Modified Wood Studied by Liquid State NMR Measurements
Authors: Hietala S. , Maunu S. L. , Sundholm F. , Jämsä S. , Viitaniemi P. 
Published: September 2004

Summary
Thermal modification is a technique to produce wood with increased dimensional stability and
lower equilibrium moisture content. 2H NMR relaxation measurements and pulsed field gradient
(PFG-NMR) methods are non-invasive spectroscopic techniques that can be used to measure the
response of liquid confined in porous materials and yield information on the size and distribution
of the pores. These methods were used to study the structure and changes in structure of thermally
modified Scots pine wood. The 2H longitudinal relaxation measurements of wood samples at different
moisture contents showed different relaxation times and relaxation time distribution in the
thermally treated samples. The effect of the thermal treatments on the cell size in wood samples
was studied by PFG-NMR measurements with different dwell times. The PFG-NMR measurements
showed no clear change in the cell dimensions of the thermally modified samples compared
with control samples taken from the same log.
Seasonal Variation of Oleoresin Terpenoids from Pinus halepensis and Pinus pinea and Host Selection of the Scale Insect Marchalina hellenica (Homoptera, Coccoidea, Margarodidae, Coelostonidiinae)
Authors: Mita E. , Tsitsimpikou C. , Tsiveleka L. , Petrakis P. V. , Ortiz A. , Vagias C. , Roussis V. 
Published: September 2004

Summary
Seasonal variation of the volatile terpenoids of Pinus pinea Ten and Pinus halepensis Mill, infested
and uninfested by the caterpillar Marchalina hellenica, was followed by GC and GC-MS analyses
of the pines cortical oleoresin. α-Pinene was found to be the dominant monoterpene in P. halepensis,
while in P. pinea limonene was the most abundant compound. A significant decrease in the
number of identified volatiles from winter to summer was observed and was more pronounced in
the minor metabolites. Variation of the terpenoids according to the depth of the draining (drilling)
holes in the trees was also determined. In addition, terpenoids were correlated with the results of
cross feeding experiments designed for the study of the host preference of M. hellenica. All results
revealed the dependence of M. hellenica on the secondary chemistry of the host. P. pinea, having a
high content of limonene, appears to be more resistant to the caterpillar. Canonical discriminant
analysis, in the discriminant space of the relative contribution of the ten major terpenes, separated
P. pinea from P. halepensis, and infested from uninfested P. halepensis trees.
Formation of 13C-Enriched Cell-Wall DHP Using Isolated Soft Xylem from Picea abies
Authors: Hafrén J. , Westermark U. , Lennholm H. , Terashima N. 
Published: September 2004

Summary
Cell-wall dehydrogenation polymers (CW-DHP) were prepared by incubating a mixture of soft
xylem (differentiating xylem) from Picea abies, coniferin 13C-enriched at the side-chain β-carbon
and unenriched coniferin, both with and without the addition of β-glucosidase and glucose oxidase,
which causes an in situ polymerisation of the coniferyl alcohol in the cell wall. From difference
solid state 13C-NMR spectra between 13C-enriched CW-DHP and unenriched CW-DHP, the
bond frequencies involving specifically 13C-enriched carbon can be quantitatively determined. The
sub-structures in CW-DHP prepared without the addition of β-glucosidase and glucose oxidase
showed more similarity to protolignin than CW-DHP prepared with the addition of extraneous
enzymes. The CW-DHP obtained without the addition of enzymes contained 36% β-O-4-derived
sub-structures, 44% combined β-β, β-5 and β-1 sub-structures and 20% coniferyl alcohol/coniferaldehyd
end groups. After acetone/water extraction of the CW-DHP, the content of β-β, β-5 and β-1 structures decreased by 4%, and the β-O-4 dominating peak increased by 4%. The 13C-enriched
CW-DHP material can be used to study lignin reactions in a solid wood matrix, and is also a powerful
system for detailed studies on in vivo lignification mechanisms and the effects on lignification
conditions on lignin structure.
Methylation Analysis as a Tool for Structural Analysis of Wood Polysaccharides
Authors: Laine C. , Tamminen T. , Vikkula A. , Vuorinen T. 
Published: September 2004

Summary
In modern structural analysis of complex mixtures of wood polysaccharides, methylation analysis
is still a valuable and powerful tool for linkage analysis. In this paper, methylation analysis is described
for the procedure methylation, methanolysis, silylation and GC/MS. The retention time indexes
for the partly methylated methyl glycosides of the relevant wood polysaccharides are listed
together with the ratios of the isomers of the different structural units. A calculation model for relative
molar response factors is suggested based on a published model for FID detection and on experimental
data. Tested for oligosaccharides of known structure including xylotetraose, mannotriose
and 63, 64-α-D-galactosyl-mannopentaose, the model gives reproducible and sufficiently
correct results. The fate of xylose units substituted with 4-O-methyl glucuronic acid at position 2 is
investigated with a model compound.