1. |
- Schael, S, et al.
(author)
-
Precision electroweak measurements on the Z resonance
- 2006
-
In: Physics Reports. - : Elsevier BV. - 0370-1573 .- 1873-6270. ; 427:5-6, s. 257-454
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on the final electroweak measurements performed with data taken at the Z resonance by the experiments operating at the electron-positron colliders SLC and LEP. The data consist of 17 million Z decays accumulated by the ALEPH, DELPHI, L3 and OPAL experiments at LEP, and 600 thousand Z decays by the SLID experiment using a polarised beam at SLC. The measurements include cross-sections, forward-backward asymmetries and polarised asymmetries. The mass and width of the Z boson, m(Z) and Gamma(Z), and its couplings to fermions, for example the p parameter and the effective electroweak mixing angle for leptons, are precisely measured: m(Z) = 91.1875 +/- 0.0021 GeV, Gamma(Z) = 2.4952 +/- 0.0023 GeV, rho(l) = 1.0050 +/- 0.0010, sin(2)theta(eff)(lept) = 0.23153 +/- 0.00016. The number of light neutrino species is determined to be 2.9840 +/- 0.0082, in agreement with the three observed generations of fundamental fermions. The results are compared to the predictions of the Standard Model (SM). At the Z-pole, electroweak radiative corrections beyond the running of the QED and QCD coupling constants are observed with a significance of five standard deviations, and in agreement with the Standard Model. Of the many Z-pole measurements, the forward-backward asymmetry in b-quark production shows the largest difference with respect to its SM expectation, at the level of 2.8 standard deviations. Through radiative corrections evaluated in the framework of the Standard Model, the Z-pole data are also used to predict the mass of the top quark, m(t) = 173(+10)(+13) GeV, and the mass of the W boson, m(W) = 80.363 +/- 0.032 GeV. These indirect constraints are compared to the direct measurements, providing a stringent test of the SM. Using in addition the direct measurements of m(t) and m(W), the mass of the as yet unobserved SM Higgs boson is predicted with a relative uncertainty of about 50% and found to be less than 285 GeV at 95% confidence level. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
|
|
2. |
- Aamodt, K., et al.
(author)
-
The ALICE experiment at the CERN LHC
- 2008
-
In: Journal of Instrumentation. - 1748-0221. ; 3:S08002
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) is a general-purpose, heavy-ion detector at the CERN LHC which focuses on QCD, the strong-interaction sector of the Standard Model. It is designed to address the physics of strongly interacting matter and the quark-gluon plasma at extreme values of energy density and temperature in nucleus-nucleus collisions. Besides running with Pb ions, the physics programme includes collisions with lighter ions, lower energy running and dedicated proton-nucleus runs. ALICE will also take data with proton beams at the top LHC energy to collect reference data for the heavy-ion programme and to address several QCD topics for which ALICE is complementary to the other LHC detectors. The ALICE detector has been built by a collaboration including currently over 1000 physicists and engineers from 105 Institutes in 30 countries, Its overall dimensions are 16 x 16 x 26 m(3) with a total weight of approximately 10 000 t. The experiment consists of 18 different detector systems each with its own specific technology choice and design constraints, driven both by the physics requirements and the experimental conditions expected at LHC. The most stringent design constraint is to cope with the extreme particle multiplicity anticipated in central Pb-Pb collisions. The different subsystems were optimized to provide high-momentum resolution as well as excellent Particle Identification (PID) over a broad range in momentum, up to the highest multiplicities predicted for LHC. This will allow for comprehensive studies of hadrons, electrons, muons, and photons produced in the collision of heavy nuclei. Most detector systems are scheduled to be installed and ready for data taking by mid-2008 when the LHC is scheduled to start operation, with the exception of parts of the Photon Spectrometer (PHOS), Transition Radiation Detector (TRD) and Electro Magnetic Calorimeter (EMCal). These detectors will be completed for the high-luminosity ion run expected in 2010. This paper describes in detail the detector components as installed for the first data taking in the summer of 2008.
|
|
3. |
- Iacopetta, B, et al.
(author)
-
Functional categories of TP53 mutation in colorectal cancer: results of an International Collaborative Study.
- 2006
-
In: Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology / ESMO. - : Elsevier BV. - 0923-7534. ; 17:5, s. 842-7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Loss of TP53 function through gene mutation is a critical event in the development and progression of many tumour types including colorectal cancer (CRC). In vitro studies have found considerable heterogeneity amongst different TP53 mutants in terms of their transactivating abilities. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether TP53 mutations classified as functionally inactive (< or=20% of wildtype transactivation ability) had different prognostic and predictive values in CRC compared with mutations that retained significant activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: TP53 mutations within a large, international database of CRC (n = 3583) were classified according to functional status for transactivation. RESULTS: Inactive TP53 mutations were found in 29% of all CRCs and were more frequent in rectal (32%) than proximal colon (22%) tumours (P < 0.001). Higher frequencies of inactive TP53 mutations were also seen in advanced stage tumours (P = 0.0003) and in tumours with the poor prognostic features of vascular (P = 0.006) and lymphatic invasion (P = 0.002). Inactive TP53 mutations were associated with significantly worse outcome only in patients with Dukes' stage D tumours (RR = 1.71, 95%CI 1.25-2.33, P < 0.001). Patients with Dukes' C stage tumours appeared to gain a survival benefit from 5-fluorouracil-based chemotherapy regardless of TP53 functional status for transactivation ability. CONCLUSIONS: Mutations that inactivate the transactivational ability of TP53 are more frequent in advanced CRC and are associated with worse prognosis in this stage of disease.
|
|
4. |
- Qadri, F., et al.
(author)
-
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Vibrio cholerae diarrhea, Bangladesh, 2004
- 2005
-
In: Emerg Infect Dis. ; 11:7, s. 1104-7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Flooding in Dhaka in July 2004 caused epidemics of diarrhea. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) was almost as prevalent as Vibrio cholerae O1 in diarrheal stools. ETEC that produced heat-stable enterotoxin alone was most prevalent, and 78% of strains had colonization factors. Like V. cholerae O1, ETEC can cause epidemic diarrhea.
|
|
5. |
|
|
6. |
- Cabrera, O, et al.
(author)
-
Automated, High-Throughput Assays for Evaluation of Human Pancreatic Islet Function
- 2007
-
In: Cell transplantation. - : SAGE Publications. - 1555-3892 .- 0963-6897. ; 16:10, s. 1039-1048
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- An important challenge in pancreatic islet transplantation in association with type 1 diabetes is to define automatic high-throughput assays for evaluation of human islet function. The physiological techniques presently used are amenable to small-scale experimental samples and produce descriptive results. The postgenomic era provides an opportunity to analyze biological processes on a larger scale, but the transition to high-throughput technologies is still a challenge. As a first step to implement high-throughput assays for the study of human islet function, we have developed two methodologies: multiple automated perifusion to determine islet hormone secretion and high-throughput kinetic imaging to examine islet cellular responses. Both technologies use fully automated devices that allow performing simultaneous experiments on multiple islet preparations. Our results illustrate that these technologies can be applied to study the functional status and explore the pharmacological profiles of islet cells. These methodologies will enable functional characterization of human islet preparations before transplantation and thereby provide the basis for the establishment of predictive tests for β-cell potency.
|
|
7. |
|
|
8. |
- Khan, Mohammad A. U., et al.
(author)
-
Endothelial Cell Image Enhancement using Non-subsampled Image Pyramid
- 2007
-
In: Information Technology Journal. - : Science Alert. - 1812-5638 .- 1812-5646. ; 6:7, s. 1057-1062
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A corneal endothelial cell image provides vast amount of information about a human eye. The cell density and cell shape parameters of a given endothelial cell image help opthamologists in making many vital clinical decisions. The acquired endothelial image is poor in contrast where cell boundaries are masked in the background. Previously, most of the work was based on morphological operations in spatial domain. However, if we think of cell structure as texture hidden in noisy background, we can get help from texture segmentation, a well studied area. In this work, we propose a non-subsampled Gaussian pyramid decomposition of lowpass region. At certain level of the pyramid, we start observing cleaner cell boundary structure which greatly facilitates its segmentation. Once segmented automatic cell counting can be used and simulation results have shown improvement in cell density count.
|
|
9. |
- Richards, Stephen, et al.
(author)
-
The genome of the model beetle and pest Tribolium castaneum.
- 2008
-
In: Nature. - 1476-4687. ; 452:7190, s. 949-55
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Tribolium castaneum is a representative of earth’s most numerous eukaryotic order, a powerful model organism for the study of generalized insect development, and also an important pest of stored agricultural products. We describe its genome sequence here. This omnivorous beetle has evolved an ability to interact with a diverse chemical environment as evidenced by large expansions in odorant and gustatory receptors, as well as p450 and other detoxification enzymes. Developmental patterns in Tribolium are more representative of other arthropods than those found in Drosophila, a fact represented in gene content and function. For one, Tribolium has retained more ancestral genes involved in cell-cell communication than Drosophila, and some are expressed in the growth zone crucial for axial elongation in short germ development. Systemic RNAi in T. castaneum appears to use mechanisms distinct from those found in C. elegans, but nevertheless offers similar power for the elucidation of gene function and identification of targets for selective insect control.
|
|
10. |
- Angelova, G., et al.
(author)
-
Observation of two-dimensional longitudinal-transverse correlations in an electron beam by laser-electron interactions
- 2008
-
In: Physical Review Special Topics - Accelerators and Beams. - 1098-4402. ; 11:7
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- During the preparatory work for the optical-replica synthesizer experiment in the free-electron laser FLASH at DESY, we were able to superimpose a short, approximately 200 fs long pulse from a frequencydoubled mode-locked erbium laser with titanium-sapphire amplifier and an approximately 20 ps long electron bunch in an undulator. This induces an energy modulation in a longitudinal slice of the electron bunch. A magnetic chicane downstream of the undulator converts the energy modulation into a density modulation within the slice that causes the emission of coherent optical transition radiation from a silver-coated silicon screen. Varying the relative timing between electron and laser, we use a camera to record two-dimensional images of the slices as a function of the longitudinal position within the electron bunch.
|
|
11. |
|
|
12. |
- Begum, Y. A., et al.
(author)
-
Comparison of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from surface water and diarrhoeal stool samples in Bangladesh
- 2007
-
In: Can J Microbiol. ; 53:1, s. 19-26
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a common cause of bacterial infection leading to acute watery diarrhea in infants and young children. Although the prevalence of ETEC is high in Bangladesh and infections can be spread through food and contaminated water, limited information is available about ETEC in the surface water. We carried out studies to isolate ETEC from surface water samples from ponds, rivers, and a lake from a site close to field areas known to have a high incidence of diarrhea in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Matlab, Bangladesh. ETEC strains isolated from the water sources were compared with ETEC strains isolated from patients with diarrhea at two hospitals in these areas. ETEC were isolated from 30% (45 of 150) of the samples from the surface water sources and 19% (518 of 2700) of the clinical specimens. One hundred ETEC strains isolated from patients with similar phenotypes as the environmental strains were compared for phenotypic and genotypic properties. The most common O serogroups on ETEC were O6, O25, O78, O115, and O126 in both types of strains. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analyses of the ETEC strains showed that multiple clones of ETEC were present within each colonization factor type and that some clones detected in the environment were also isolated from the stools of patients. The strains showed multiple and similar antibiotic resistance patterns. This study shows that ETEC is prevalent in surface water sources in Bangladesh suggesting a possible reason for the endemicity of this pathogen in Bangladesh.
|
|
13. |
- Fossati, L., et al.
(author)
-
Chemical evolution of A- and B-type stars in open clusters : observed abundances vs. diffusion models
- 2008
-
In: Contributions of the Astronomical Observatory Skalnaté Pleso. - 1335-1842. ; 38:2, s. 123-128
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We have decided to address the problem of how abundances and peculiarities change during main sequence evolution. We have setup a program to measure the atmospheric abundance patterns from tens of A-type star members of clusters of different ages, and compare the results with theory predictions. In this paper we present the overall project and we focus on the results obtained for a sample of Am stars of the Praesepe cluster (log t = 8.85 +/- 0.15; Gonzalez-Garcia et al., 2006). We have obtained spectra for eight Am stars, two normal A-type stars and one blue straggler, that are probable members of the Praesepe cluster. For all of these stars we have determined fundamental parameters and photospheric abundances for a large number of chemical elements. For seven stars we also obtained spectra in circular polarisation and applied the LSD technique to measure the mean longitudinal magnetic field. We have found good agreement between abundance predictions of diffusion models and measured abundances, except for Na and S. Li appears to be overabundant in three stars of our sample. No magnetic field was detected in any of the analysed stars.
|
|
14. |
- Kaladze, T D, et al.
(author)
-
Acoustic-gravity waves in the Earths ionosphere
- 2008
-
In: Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1364-6826 .- 1879-1824. ; 70:13, s. 1607-1616
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Taking into account the existence of charged particles in the Earths ionosphere the propagation of acoustic-gravity waves is investigated. The influence of the Coriolis force is also taken into account. The weakly ionized ionospheric D, E, and F-layers are considered. The existence of a cut-off frequency at 2 Omega(0) (Omega(0) is the value of the angular velocity of the Earths rotation) is noted. It is shown that the linear waves are damped because of the Pedersen conductivity. When the acoustic-gravity waves are excited by external events (volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, lightning strikes, etc.) their amplitudes grow until self-organization of these waves into nonlinear vortex solitary structures is admitted. Taking into account the interaction of the induced ionospheric current with the geomagnetic field the governing nonlinear equations are deduced. The formation of dipole vortex solitary structures of low-frequency internal gravity waves is shown for the stable stratified ionosphere. The dynamic energy equation for such nonlinear structures is obtained. It is shown that nonlinear solitary vortical structures damp due to joule losses.
|
|
15. |
- Khan, M.A.M., et al.
(author)
-
Prediction of water and soluble solids concentration during osmotic dehydration of mango
- 2008
-
In: Food and Bioproducts Processing. - : Elsevier BV. - 0960-3085 .- 1744-3571. ; 86:1, s. 42198-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The objective of this work was to develop a mathematical model to predict the kinetics of the change in water and soluble solids fractions in mango (cv. Haden) osmotically dehydrated in a sucrose solution. A full factorial design at three levels was used, varying temperature (T) and concentration of soluble solids in the osmotic solution (SSC). The models based on the Weibull distribution were built up in two steps: (i) primary models to determine the kinetic parameters at constant T and SSC, (ii) secondary models to further include the influence of T and SSC on the parameters of the primary model. The Weibull model can successfully describe both water and sugar fractions during osmotic dehydration (R2 = 0.98 and 0.96, respectively for water and sugar models). The time constant (?) for both models followed an Arrhenius-type relationship with temperature, with the reference time constant (?ref) at the average T and increasing linearly with SSC. The shape factor (?) was constant. The prediction accuracy of the models to predict water and sugar fraction was tested by cross validation and using a third set of experimental data, showing very good results with shrinkage values below 4.6% and errors on predictions lower than 1.6%. © 2007 The Institution of Chemical Engineers.
|
|
16. |
- Khan, N. K., et al.
(author)
-
Prevalence of ECG abnormalities in an international survey of patients with suspected or confirmed heart failure at death or discharge
- 2007
-
In: European journal of heart failure. - : Wiley. - 1388-9842. ; 9:5, s. 491-501
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Most patients suspected of having heart failure (HF) will get a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) but its utility for excluding HF or assisting in its management has rarely been investigated. METHODS: The EuroHeart Failure survey identified 11,327 patients hospitalised with a suspected diagnosis of HF from 115 hospitals in 24 countries. ECGs were obtained from 9315 patients, of whom 5934 had cardiac imaging tests. The utility of the ECG was assessed for excluding or diagnosing major structural heart disease (MSHD) or major left ventricular systolic dysfunction (MLVSD) and for therapeutic decision making. FINDINGS: MSHD was present in 70% and MLVSD in 54% of patients overall but in only 21% and 5%, respectively, if the ECG was entirely normal. However, <2% of patients had a normal ECG. No single ECG characteristic identified a probability <25% of MSHD or <20% of MLVSD. Patients with QRS width >/=120 ms or anterior pathological Q-waves had a probability >80% of MSHD and >70% of MLVSD. Diagnostic models suggested that electrocardiographic criteria alone were not accurate for the diagnosis or exclusion of important heart disease in this population. However, 2468 patients (42%) had an electrocardiographic finding that should be used to guide the choice of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: A normal ECG is rare in patients with suspected HF but has limited diagnostic value in this setting. The ECG has an important role in guiding therapy.
|
|
17. |
- Lundholm, L, et al.
(author)
-
The estrogen receptor {alpha}-selective agonist propyl pyrazole triol improves glucose tolerance in ob/ob mice; potential molecular mechanisms
- 2008
-
In: Journal of Endocrinology. - 0022-0795 .- 1479-6805. ; 199:2, s. 275-286
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to validate the role of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) signaling in the regulation of glucose metabolism, and to compare the molecular events upon treatment with the ERalpha-selective agonist propyl pyrazole triol (PPT) or 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) in ob/ob mice. Female ob/ob mice were treated with PPT, E(2) or vehicle for 7 or 30 days. Intraperitoneal glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed, and insulin secretion was determined from isolated islets. Glucose uptake was assayed in isolated skeletal muscle and adipocytes. Gene expression profiling in the liver was performed using Affymetrix microarrays, and the expression of selected genes was studied by real-time PCR analysis. PPT and E(2) treatment improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Fasting blood glucose levels decreased after 30 days of PPT and E(2) treatment. However, PPT and E(2) had no effect on insulin secretion from isolated islets. Basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue were similar in PPT and vehicle-treated ob/ob mice. Hepatic lipid content was decreased after E(2) treatment. In the liver, treatment with E(2) and PPT increased and decreased the respective expression levels of the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, and of glucose-6-phosphatase. In summary, our data demonstrate that PPT exerts anti-diabetic effects, and these effects are mediated via ERalpha.
|
|
18. |
- Schut, J, et al.
(author)
-
Glass transition temperature prediction of polymers through the mass-per-flexible-bond principle
- 2007
-
In: Polymer. - : Elsevier BV. - 0032-3861 .- 1873-2291. ; 48:20, s. 6115-6124
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A semi-empirical method based on the mass-per-flexible-bond (M/f) principle was used to quantitatively explain the large range of glass transition temperatures (T-g) observed in a library of 132 L-tyrosine derived homo, co- and terpolymers containing different functional groups. Polymer class specific behavior was observed in T-g vs. M/f plots, and explained in terms of different densities, steric hindrances and intermolecular interactions of chemically distinct polymers. The method was found to be useful in the prediction of polymer T-g. The predictive accuracy was found to range from 6.4 to 3.7 K, depending on polymer class. This level of accuracy compares favorably with (more complicated) methods used in the literature. The proposed method can also be used for structure prediction of polymers to match a target T-g value, by keeping the thermal behavior of a terpolymer constant while independently choosing its chemistry. Both applications of the method are likely to have broad applications in polymer and (bio)material science.
|
|
19. |
|
|
20. |
|
|
21. |
|
|
22. |
- Awano, Tomoyuki, et al.
(author)
-
Genome-wide association analysis reveals a SOD1 mutation in canine degenerative myelopathy that resembles amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- 2009
-
In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 106:8, s. 2794-2799
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease prevalent in several dog breeds. Typically, the initial progressive upper motor neuron spastic and general proprioceptive ataxia in the pelvic limbs occurs at 8 years of age or older. If euthanasia is delayed, the clinical signs will ascend, causing flaccid tetraparesis and other lower motor neuron signs. DNA samples from 38 DM-affected Pembroke Welsh corgi cases and 17 related clinically normal controls were used for genome-wide association mapping, which produced the strongest associations with markers on CFA31 in a region containing the canine SOD1 gene. SOD1 was considered a regional candidate gene because mutations in human SOD1 can cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), an adult-onset fatal paralytic neurodegenerative disease with both upper and lower motor neuron involvement. The resequencing of SOD1 in normal and affected dogs revealed a G to A transition, resulting in an E40K missense mutation. Homozygosity for the A allele was associated with DM in 5 dog breeds: Pembroke Welsh corgi, Boxer, Rhodesian ridgeback, German Shepherd dog, and Chesapeake Bay retriever. Microscopic examination of spinal cords from affected dogs revealed myelin and axon loss affecting the lateral white matter and neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions that bind anti-superoxide dismutase 1 antibodies. These inclusions are similar to those seen in spinal cord sections from ALS patients with SOD1 mutations. Our findings identify canine DM to be the first recognized spontaneously occurring animal model for ALS.
|
|
23. |
- Azad, Abul Kalam, 1966, et al.
(author)
-
Electron doping effect on structural and magnetic phase transitions in Sr2-xNdxFeMoO6 double perovskites
- 2006
-
In: Journal of Solid State Chemistry. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-4596 .- 1095-726X. ; 179:5, s. 1303-1311
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Polycrystalline Sr2−xNdxFeMoO6 (x=0.0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4) materials have been synthesized by a citrate co-precipitation method and studied by neutron powder diffraction (NPD) and magnetization measurements. Rietveld analysis of the temperature-dependent NPD data shows that the compounds (x=0.0, 0.1, 0.2) crystallize in the tetragonal symmetry in the range 10–400 K and converts to cubic symmetry above 450 K. The unit cell volume increases with increasing Nd3+ concentration, which is an electronic effect in order to change the valence state of the B-site cations. Antisite defects at the Fe–Mo sublattice increases with the Nd3+ doping. The Curie temperature was increased from 430 K for x=0 to 443 K for x=0.4. The magnetic moment of the Fe-site decreases while the Mo-site moment increases with electron doping. The antiferromagnetic arrangement causes the system to show a net ferrimagnetic moment.
|
|
24. |
|
|
25. |
- Britton, Julie A, et al.
(author)
-
Anthropometric characteristics and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).
- 2008
-
In: Haematologica. - : Ferrata Storti Foundation (Haematologica). - 0390-6078 .- 1592-8721. ; 93:11, s. 1666-1677
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND:The incidences of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma are increasing steadily. It has been hypothesized that this may be due, in part, to the parallel rising prevalence of obesity. It is biologically plausible that anthropometric characteristics can infuence the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma.DESIGN AND METHODS:In the context of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), anthropometric characteristics were assessed in 371,983 cancer-free individuals at baseline. During the 8.5 years of follow-up, 1,219 histologically confirmed incident cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma occurred in 609 men and 610 women. Gender-specific proportional hazards models were used to estimate relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of development of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma in relation to the anthropometric characteristics.RESULTS:Height was associated with overall non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma in women (RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.14-1.98) for highest versus lowest quartile; p-trend < 0.01) but not in men. Neither obesity (weight and body mass index) nor abdominal fat (waist-to-hip ratio, waist or hip circumference) measures were positively associated with overall non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Relative risks for highest versus lowest body mass index quartile were 1.09 (95% CI 0.85-1.38) and 0.92 (95% CI 0.71-1.19) for men and women, respectively. Women in the upper body mass index quartile were at greater risk of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (RR 2.18, 95% CI 1.05-4.53) and taller women had an elevated risk of follicular lymphoma (RR 1.25, 95% CI 0.59-2.62). Among men, height and body mass index were non-significantly, positively related to follicular lymphoma. Multiple myeloma risk alone was elevated for taller women (RR 2.34, 95% CI 1.29-4.21) and heavier men (RR 1.77, 95% CI 1.02-3.05).CONCLUSIONS:The EPIC analyses support an association between height and overall non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma among women and suggest heterogeneous subtype associations. This is one of the first prospective studies focusing on central adiposity and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma subtypes.
|
|
26. |
|
|
27. |
|
|
28. |
- Bryzgalova, G, et al.
(author)
-
Evidence that oestrogen receptor-alpha plays an important role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis in mice: insulin sensitivity in the liver
- 2006
-
In: Diabetologia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-0428 .- 0012-186X. ; 49:3, s. 588-597
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims/hypothesis: We used oestrogen receptor-alpha (ER alpha) knockout (ERKO) and receptor-beta (ER beta) knockout (BERKO) mice to investigate the mechanism(s) behind the effects of oestrogens on glucose homeostasis. Methods: Endogenous glucose production (EGP) was measured in ERKO mice using a euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp. Insulin secretion was determined from isolated islets. In isolated muscles, glucose uptake was assayed by using radiolabelled isotopes. Genome-wide expression profiles were analysed by high-density oligonucleotide microarray assay, and the expression of the genes encoding steroyl-CoA desaturase and the Leptin receptor (Scd1 and Lepr, respectively) was confirmed by RT-PCR. Results: ERKO mice had higher fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin levels and IGT. The plasma leptin level was increased, while the adiponectin concentration was decreased in ERKO mice. Levels of both glucose- and arginine-induced insulin secretion from isolated islets were similar in ERKO and wild-type mice. The euglycaemic-hyperinsulinaemic clamp revealed that suppression of EGP by increased insulin levels was blunted in ERKO mice, which suggests a pronounced hepatic insulin resistance. Microarray analysis revealed that in ERKO mice, the genes involved in hepatic lipid biosynthesis were upregulated, while genes involved in lipid transport were downregulated. Notably, hepatic Lepr expression was decreased in ERKO mice. In vitro studies showed a modest decrease in insulin-mediated glucose uptake in soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles of ERKO mice. BERKO mice demonstrated normal glucose tolerance and insulin release. Conclusions/interpretation: We conclude that oestrogens, acting via ER alpha, regulate glucose homeostasis mainly by modulating hepatic insulin sensitivity, which can be due to the upregulation of lipogenic genes via the suppression of Lepr expression.
|
|
29. |
- Bryzgalova, G, et al.
(author)
-
Mechanisms of antidiabetogenic and body weight-lowering effects of estrogen in high-fat diet-fed mice
- 2008
-
In: American journal of physiology. Endocrinology and metabolism. - : American Physiological Society. - 0193-1849 .- 1522-1555. ; 295:4, s. E904-E912
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mouse is a model of obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance. The main objective of this study was to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the antidiabetogenic and weight-lowering effects of 17β-estradiol (E2) in this mouse model. C57BL/6 female mice (8 wk old) were fed on a HFD for 10 mo. E2, given daily (50 μg/kg sc) during the last month of feeding, decreased body weight and markedly improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Plasma levels of insulin, leptin, resistin, and adiponectin were decreased. We demonstrated that E2treatment decreased the expression of genes encoding resistin and leptin in white adipose tissue (WAT), whereas adiponectin expression was unchanged. Furthermore, in WAT we demonstrated decreased expression levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) and its lipogenic target genes, such as fatty acid synthase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1). In the liver, the expression levels of transcription factors such as liver X receptor α and SREBP1c were not changed by E2treatment, but the expression of the key lipogenic gene SCD1 was reduced. This was accompanied by decreased hepatic triglyceride content. Importantly, E2decreased the hepatic expression of glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase). We conclude that E2treatment exerts antidiabetic and antiobesity effects in HFD mice and suggest that this is related to decreased expression of lipogenic genes in WAT and liver and suppression of hepatic expression of G-6-Pase. Decreased plasma levels of resistin probably also play an important role in this context.
|
|
30. |
|
|
31. |
- Donovan, Michael J., et al.
(author)
-
Personalized prediction of tumor response and cancer progression on prostate needle biopsy
- 2009
-
In: Journal of Urology. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0022-5347 .- 1527-3792. ; 182:1, s. 125-132
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: To our knowledge in patients with prostate cancer there are no available tests except clinical variables to determine the likelihood of disease progression. We developed a patient specific, biology driven tool to predict outcome at diagnosis. We also investigated whether biopsy androgen receptor levels predict a durable response to therapy after secondary treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated paraffin embedded prostate needle biopsy tissue from 1,027 patients with cT1c-T3 prostate cancer treated with surgery and followed a median of 8 years. Machine learning was done to integrate clinical data with biopsy quantitative biometric features. Multivariate models were constructed to predict disease progression with the C index to estimate performance. RESULTS: In a training set of 686 patients (total of 87 progression events) 3 clinical and 3 biopsy tissue characteristics were identified to predict clinical progression within 8 years after prostatectomy with 78% sensitivity, 69% specificity, a C index of 0.74 and a HR of 5.12. Validation in an independent cohort of 341 patients (total of 44 progression events) yielded 76% sensitivity, 64% specificity, a C index of 0.73 and a HR of 3.47. Increased androgen receptor in tumor cells in the biopsy highly significantly predicted resistance to therapy, ie androgen ablation with or without salvage radiotherapy, and clinical failure (p <0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Morphometry reliably classifies Gleason pattern 3 tumors. When combined with biomarker data, it adds to the hematoxylin and eosin analysis, and prostate specific antigen values currently used to assess outcome at diagnosis. Biopsy androgen receptor levels predict the likelihood of a response to therapy after recurrence and may guide future treatment decisions.
|
|
32. |
- Fossati, L., et al.
(author)
-
Late stages of the evolution of A-type stars on the main sequence : Comparison between observed chemical abundances and diffusion models for 8 Am stars of the Praesepe cluster
- 2007
-
In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 476:2, s. 911-925
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims. We aim to provide observational constraints on diffusion models that predict peculiar chemical abundances in the atmospheres of Am stars. We also intend to check if chemical peculiarities and slow rotation can be explained by the presence of a weak magnetic field. Methods. We have obtained high resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio spectra of eight previously-classified Am stars, two normal A-type stars and one Blue Straggler, considered to be members of the Praesepe cluster. For all of these stars we have determined fundamental parameters and photospheric abundances for a large number of chemical elements, with a higher precision than was ever obtained before for this cluster. For seven of these stars we also obtained spectra in circular polarization and applied the LSD technique to constrain the longitudinal magnetic field. Results. No magnetic field was detected in any of the analysed stars. HD 73666, a Blue Straggler previously considered as an Ap (Si) star, turns out to have the abundances of a normal A-type star. Am classification is not confirmed for HD 72942. For HD 73709 we have also calculated synthetic Aa photometry that is in good agreement with the observations. There is a generally good agreement between abundance predictions of diffusion models and values that we have obtained for the remaining Am stars. However, the observed Na and S abundances deviate from the predictions by 0.6 dex and ≥0.25 dex respectively. Li appears to be overabundant in three stars of our sample.
|
|
33. |
|
|
34. |
|
|
35. |
|
|
36. |
- He, Mingyue, et al.
(author)
-
Printing protein arrays from DNA arrays
- 2008
-
In: Nature Methods. - 1548-7091 .- 1548-7105. ; 5:2, s. 175-177
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We describe a method, DNA array to protein array (DAPA), which allows the 'printing' of replicate protein arrays directly from a DNA array template using cell-free protein synthesis. At least 20 copies of a protein array can be obtained from a single DNA array. DAPA eliminates the need for separate protein expression, purification and spotting, and also overcomes the problem of long-term functional storage of surface-bound proteins.
|
|
37. |
- Islam, M. N., et al.
(author)
-
Developing an extensible framework for content based searching in super peer P2P network
- 2007
-
In: 2007 10th International Conference on Computer and Information Technology, ICCIT. - : IEEE. - 1424415519 - 9781424415519 ; , s. 4579381-
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Searching is an important factor in p2p network for content retrieval. Most of the searches in p2p system are title-based with their limited functionality. Without knowing the unique filename we can't retrieve the content of the file in title based search. Here super peer p2p network is designed that supports content-based search for relevant documents. At the beginning, a general and extensible framework is proposed which is based on hierarchical summary structure for searching similar documents in p2p network. The summary structure is formed by Vector Space Model (VSM), Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) and Singular Value Decomposition (SVD) techniques. Than an effective document searching is developed by summarizing and maintaining all documents within the network with different factors. Finally at the end, the experimental result is verified on a real p2p prototype and large scale network. The results show the effectiveness, efficiency and scalability of the proposed system.
|
|
38. |
|
|
39. |
- Khan, A., et al.
(author)
-
Holographic recording in cross-linked polymeric matrices through photoacid generation
- 2008
-
In: Chemistry of Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0897-4756 .- 1520-5002. ; 20:11, s. 3669-3674
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report a novel strategy for writing volume holograms by photoacid generation and subsequent acid-catalyzed degradation leading to increased free volume/refractive index modulation in the exposed regions of a cross-linked rigid polymeric matrix. This strategy offers nondestructive read out and high diffraction efficiency and allows optical-quality, millimeter thick films to be fabricated that possess excellent thermal and dimensional stability. A key feature of this approach is the efficient acid-catalyzed degradation of functional groups in the cross-linked matrix leading to release of volatile products which diffuse readily out of the thick films. Furthermore, the reported data storage material is lightweight and inexpensive and can be easily processed into different shapes, making it an attractive candidate for data storage applications.
|
|
40. |
- Khan, F, et al.
(author)
-
Negative reciprocity between angiotensin II type 1 and dopamine D1 receptors in rat renal proximal tubule cells
- 2008
-
In: American journal of physiology. Renal physiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 1931-857X .- 1522-1466. ; 295:4, s. F1110-F1116
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sodium excretion is bidirectionally regulated by dopamine, acting on D1-like receptors (D1R) and angiotensin II, acting on AT1 receptors (AT1R). Since sodium excretion has to be regulated with great precision within a short frame of time, we tested the short-term effects of agonist binding on the function of the reciprocal receptor within the D1R-AT1R complex in renal proximal tubule cells. Exposure of rat renal proximal tubule cells to a D1 agonist was found to result in a rapid partial internalization of AT1R and complete abolishment of AT1R signaling. Similarly, exposure of rat proximal tubule cells and renal tissue to angiotensin II resulted in a rapid partial internalization of D1R and abolishment of D1R signaling. D1R and AT1R were, by use of coimmunoprecipitation studies and glutathione- S-transferase pull-down assays, shown to be partners in a multiprotein complex. Na+-K+-ATPase, the target for both receptors, was included in this complex, and a region in the COOH-terminal tail of D1R (residues 397-416) was found to interact with both AT1R and Na+-K+-ATPase. Results indicate that AT1R and D1R function as a unit of opposites, which should provide a highly versatile and sensitive system for short-term regulation of sodium excretion.
|
|
41. |
- Khan, Muhammad Gufran, et al.
(author)
-
Measurements and Analysis of UWB Channels in Industrial Environments
- 2005
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Communication in industrial environments is an important scenario for ultra wideband (UWB) systems. The characteristics of this environment differ considerably from office environments, where most of the channel measurements reported in the literature are performed. In this paper, we present the results and analysis of UWB channel measurements in an industrial environment. We investigate both peer-to-peer non-line-of-sight (P-P NLOS) and base station NLOS (BS NLOS) scenarios. The measurements are performed in the frequency range 3.1 to 8 GHz, at distances 2-16 m, using a vector network analyzer in conjunction with virtual antenna arrays. From these measurements, we extract channel model parameters such as power delay profiles, pathloss exponents, rms delay spread and the percentage of energy captured by RAKE receivers with a finite number of fingers. In addition, Saleh- Valenzuela parameters such as ray and cluster power decay constants and distribution of cluster interarrival times are extracted.
|
|
42. |
- Khan, Md Razib Hayat, et al.
(author)
-
MC-CDMA : An alternative multiple access technique in 3G wireless architecture
- 2008
-
In: CISIS 2008. - LOS ALAMITOS : IEEE COMPUTER SOC. ; , s. 573-578
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Future wireless systems such as 3G and beyond 3G cellular need flexibility to provide subscribers with a variety of services such as voice, data images, and video. CDM4 (Code Division Multiple Access) has proved very successful for large scale cellular voice systems, as well as has been considered to be a candidate system to support multimedia services in mobile communications. So it could be assumed that, future wireless communication systems should be an extension of CDMA. Here, in this paper we exploit the advantages of the novel MC-CDMA (Multicarrier CDMA) scheme as a promising alternative of multiple access technique in 3G wireless architecture.
|
|
43. |
|
|
44. |
- L'Huillier, A., et al.
(author)
-
Atomic physics with attosecond pulses
- 2006
-
In: International Conference on Ultrafast Phenomena, UP 2006. - 1557528101 - 9781557528100
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)
|
|
45. |
|
|
46. |
|
|
47. |
|
|
48. |
- Nokhbeh, M. Reza, et al.
(author)
-
Enterovirus 70 binds to different glycoconjugates containing alpha 2,3-linked sialic acid on different cell lines
- 2005
-
In: Journal of Virology. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 0022-538X .- 1098-5514. ; 79:11, s. 7087-7094
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Enterovirus 70 (EV70), the causative agent of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, exhibits a restricted tropism for conjunctival and corneal cells in vivo but infects a wide spectrum of mammalian cells in culture. Previously, we demonstrated that human CD55 is a receptor for EV70 on HeLa cells but that EV70 also binds to sialic acid-containing receptors on a variety of other human cell lines. Virus recognition of sialic acid attached to underlying glycans by a particular glycosidic linkage may contribute to host range, tissue tropism, and pathogenesis. Therefore, we tested the possibility that EV70 binds to andalpha; 2,3-linked sialic acid, like other viruses associated with ocular infections. Through the use of linkage-specific sialidases, sialyltransferases, and lectins, we show that EV70 recognizes andalpha; 2,3-linked sialic acid on human corneal epithelial cells and on U-937 cells. Virus attachment to both cell lines is CD55 independent and sensitive to benzyl N-acetyl-andalpha;-D-galactosaminide, an inhibitor of O-linked glycosylation. Virus binding to corneal cells, but not U-937 cells, is inhibited by proteinase K, but not by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C treatment. These results are consistent with the idea that a major EV70 receptor on corneal epithelial cells is an O-glycosylated, non-glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane glycoprotein containing andalpha; 2,3-linked sialic acid, while sialylated receptors on U-937 cells are not proteinaceous.
|
|
49. |
- Sibley, C. G., et al.
(author)
-
Your sexism predicts my sexism : Perceptions of men's (but not women's) sexism affects one's own sexism over time
- 2009
-
In: Sex Roles. - : Springer. - 0360-0025 .- 1573-2762. ; 60:9-10, s. 682-693
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The effects of perceived normative (societal) levels of benevolent (BS) and hostile sexism (HS) on one's own sexist attitudes were examined over a four-month period in an undergraduate New Zealand sample (76 women, 26 men). Perceptions of normative levels of men's BS produced longitudinal change in one's own BS, and this effect was invariant across gender. However, contrary to previous research suggesting that women endorse BS when men are high in HS for its protective benefits, women instead expressed subjectively positive paternalistic attitudes toward their gender to the extent that they perceived BS as normative in men. The transmission of patriarchical-defined ideologies is tempered by the degree to which such ideologies espouse benevolent versus more overtly hostile attitudes toward women.
|
|
50. |
- Smedmark, Jenny E. E., et al.
(author)
-
A Phylogeny of Urophylleae (Rubiaceae) based on rps16 intron data
- 2008
-
In: Taxon. - 0040-0262. ; 57:1, s. 24-32
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This is the first study of phylogenetic relationships within the pantropical group Urophylleae. Previous studies have included few representatives from this group and little is known about its phylogeny. Here we use sequence data from the rps16 intron to address the question of where the four genera Temnopteryx, Pentaloncha, Pleiocarpidia, and Poecilocalyx, which have sometimes been classified in this group belong. By using different outgroups we show that there is conflict regarding the resolution among lineages in Rubioideae, which partly affects the support for relationships within Urophylleae. Urophylleae is shown to consist of two sister groups, one larger consisting only of Old World taxa and one smaller including the New World genera Amphidasya and Raritebe, and as sister of these two groups the African monotypic genus Temnopteryx. Pentaloncha, Pleiocarpidia, and Poecilocalyx all belong in the large Old World clade, which only comprises taxa included in the original circumscription of Urophylleae. Relationships within this group are not completely resolved, but Poecilocalyx is found to be the sister of Stelechantha and Pleiocarpidia to be the sister of Urophyllum leucophleum. Urophyllum is paraphyletic, as it seems to include Maschalocorymbus, Pleiocarpidia, Praravinia, and Pravinaria. It is not clear from the present analysis whether Pauridiantha is monophyletic or not.
|
|