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Kinds of Pin Terms modified by Pin Selected AbstractsElectrical characteristics of Al/polyindole Schottky barrier diodes.JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 5 2009Abstract In this study, the forward and reverse bias current,voltage (I,V), capacitance,voltage (C,V), and conductance,voltage (G/,,V) characteristics of Al/polyindole (Al/PIN) Schottky barrier diodes (SBDs) were studied over a wide temperature range of 140,400 K. Zero-bias barrier height ,B0(I,V), ideality factor (n), ac electrical conductivity (,ac), and activation energy (Ea), determined by using thermionic emission (TE) theory, were shown fairly large temperature dispersion especially at lower temperatures due to surface states and series resistance of Al/PIN SBD. I,V characteristics of the Al/PIN SBDs showed an almost rectification behavior, but the reverse bias saturation current (I0) and n were observed to be high. This high value of n has been attributed to the particular distribution of barrier heights due to barrier height inhomogeneities and interface states that present at the Al/PIN interface. The conductivity data obtained from G/,V measurements over a wide temperature range were fitted to the Arrhenius and Mott equations and observed linear behaviors for ,ac vs. 1/T and ln ,ac vs. 1/T1/4 graphs, respectively. The Mott parameters of T0 and K0 values were determined from the slope and intercept of the straight line as 3.8 × 107 and 1.08 × 107 Scm,1K1/2, respectively. Assuming a value of 6 × 1012 s,1 for ,0, the decay length ,,1 and the density states at the Fermi energy level, N(EF) are estimated to be 8.74 Å and 1.27 × 1020 eV,1cm,3, respectively. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009 [source] Biopsy of the posterior interosseous nerve: a low morbidity method for assessment of peripheral nerve disordersDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 1 2009N. O. B. Thomsen Abstract Aims The sural nerve is the commonest peripheral nerve biopsied to help in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of unknown cause. However, associated complications limit its use. The aim was, as an alternative, to asses biopsy of the terminal branch of the posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) in the forearm. Methods PIN pathology was morphometrically quantified in 10 male patients with Type 2 diabetes and compared with six PIN biopsy specimens taken post mortem from male cadavers with no history of neuropathy or trauma. Results The PIN biopsy procedure provides a long (approximately 3 cm) mono- or bifascicular nerve biopsy with generous epineurial tissue and adjacent vessels. Our results show a significantly lower myelinated fibre density in subjects with diabetes [5782 (3332,9060)/mm2] compared with autopsy control material [9256 (6593,12 935)/mm2, P < 0.007]. No postoperative discomfort or complications were encountered. Conclusions A reduction in myelinated fibre density has previously been shown to be a clinically meaningful measure of neuropathy in diabetic patients. We demonstrate similar findings using the PIN biopsy. The PIN biopsy procedure fulfils the criteria for nerve biopsy and was well tolerated by the patients. It may be a possible alternative to sural nerve biopsy to allow for diagnosis of neuropathy. [source] Cytology of the central zone of the prostateDIAGNOSTIC CYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 5 2003Lars Egevad M.D., Ph.D. Abstract The prostate has three anatomical regions: the peripheral, transition, and central zones (CZ). The CZ has distinct histological features, but its cytological morphology has not been described. This study was done on surgical specimens to ensure that samples were representative of the CZ, and that no prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) or cancer contaminated the smears. An incision was made in the CZ of 51 prostatectomy specimens, and cells were scraped from cut surfaces. After exclusion of samples contaminated by PIN or cancer or with poor cell yield, 39 Giemsa-stained smears remained for analysis. Large branching epithelial sheets with geographic architecture and crowded nuclei were seen in 97% of smears. Epithelial clusters with elongated palisaded nuclei were identified in 80% of cases, but were always a minor component. Visible nucleoli (97%), cytoplasmic vacuoles (97%), and smooth muscle cells in the background (95%) were common. Blue-green cytoplasmic granules resembling seminal vesicle pigment were seen in 97%. Magenta-colored cytoplasmic pigment, similar to granules seen in other regions of the prostate, was found in 74%. Recognition of CZ epithelium as a benign constituent of prostate cytology is important because elongated cells, crowded nuclei, and visible nucleoli may otherwise be misinterpreted as PIN or cancer. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2003;28:239,244. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Ribosome-inactivating proteins isolated from dietary bitter melon induce apoptosis and inhibit histone deacetylase-1 selectively in premalignant and malignant prostate cancer cellsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 4 2009Su Dao Xiong Abstract Epidemiologic evidence suggests that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer (PCa) development. Although several dietary compounds have been tested in preclinical PCa prevention models, no agents have been identified that either prevent the progression of premalignant lesions or treat advanced disease. Momordica charantia, known as bitter melon in English, is a plant that grows in tropical areas worldwide and is both eaten as a vegetable and used for medicinal purposes. We have isolated a protein, designated as MCP30, from bitter melon seeds. The purified fraction was verified by SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry to contain only 2 highly related single chain Type I ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIPs), ,-momorcharin and ,-momorcharin. MCP30 induces apoptosis in PIN and PCa cell lines in vitro and suppresses PC-3 growth in vivo with no effect on normal prostate cells. Mechanistically, MCP30 inhibits histone deacetylase-1 (HDAC-1) activity and promotes histone-3 and -4 protein acetylation. Treatment with MCP30 induces PTEN expression in a prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and PCa cell lines resulting in inhibition of Akt phosphorylation. In addition, MCP30 inhibits Wnt signaling activity through reduction of nuclear accumulation of ,-catenin and decreased levels of c- Myc and Cyclin-D1. Our data indicate that MCP30 selectively induces PIN and PCa apoptosis and inhibits HDAC-1 activity. These results suggest that Type I RIPs derived from plants are HDAC inhibitors that can be utilized in the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer. © 2009 UICC [source] Personal identification (PIN) numbers: a new cause of financial exclusion in older peopleINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY, Issue 5 2007Elizabeth L. Sampson No abstract is available for this article. [source] Molecular aspects of diagnostic nucleolar and nuclear envelope changes in prostate cancerJOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2004Andrew H. Fischer Abstract Prostate cancer is still diagnosed by pathologists based on subjective assessment of altered cell and tissue structure. The cellular-level structural changes diagnostic of some forms of cancer are known to be induced by cancer genes, but the relation between specific cellular-level structural features and cancer genes has not been explored in the prostate. Two important cell structural changes in prostate cancer,nucleolar enlargement and nuclear envelope (NE) irregularity,are discussed from the perspective that they should also relate to the function of the genes active in prostate cancer. Enlargement of the nucleolus is the key diagnostic feature of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), an early stage that appears to be the precursor to the majority of invasive prostate cancers. Nucleolar enlargement classically is associated with increased ribosome production, and production of new ribosomes appears essential for cell-cycle progression. Several cancer genes implicated in PIN are known (in other cell types) to augment ribosome production, including c-Myc, p27, retinoblastoma, p53, and growth factors that impact on ERK signaling. However, critical review of the available information suggests that increased ribosome production per se may be insufficient to explain nucleolar enlargement in PIN, and other newer functions of nucleoli may therefore need to be invoked. NE irregularity develops later in the clonal evolution of some prostate cancers, and it has adverse prognostic significance. Nuclear irregularity has recently been shown to develop dynamically during interphase following oncogene expression, without a requirement for post-mitotic NE reassembly. NE irregularity characteristic of some aggressive prostate cancers could reflect cytoskeletal forces exerted on the NE during active cell locomotion. NE irregularity could also promote chromosomal instability because it leads to chromosomal asymmetry in metaphase. Finally, NE irregularity could impact replication competence, transcriptional programming and nuclear pore function. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Interventions for treating the posterior interosseus nerve syndrome: a systematic review of observational studiesJOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 2 2006Bionka M. A. Huisstede Abstract For the posterior interosseus nerve syndrome (PINS), no randomised controlled trials or controlled clinical trials about the effectiveness of interventions are available; only case series can be found. Although the validity of case series is inferior to controlled trials, they may provide valuable data about the efficacy of treatment options. Therefore, we systematically reviewed all available observational studies on treatment of PINS. A literature search and additional reference checking was done. On the basis of previous checklists, we constructed a quality assessment and rating system to analyse the included case series. Studies with less than 50% of the maximum points on the methodological quality assessment were excluded from the analysis. The results are summarised according to a rating system for the strength of the scientific evidence. Six eligible case series for this review were found. After the data extraction and methodological quality assessment, two higher quality studies that evaluated the effectiveness of surgical decompression of the PIN were included in the final analysis. There is a tendency for the effectiveness of surgical decompression of the PIN in patients with PINS. The effectiveness of a conservative treatment for PINS is unknown because no higher quality studies are available. Additional high-quality controlled studies are needed to assess the level of ,conclusive evidence' for surgical treatment. There is also a need for high-quality controlled trials into the effectiveness of conservative treatments for PINS. [source] Mutation analysis of 12 candidate genes for distal hereditary motor neuropathy type II (distal HMN II) linked to 12q24.3JOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 2 2002Joy Irobi Abstract Distal hereditary motor neuropathies (distal HMNs) are characterized by degeneration of anterior horn cells of the spinal cord resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy. Distal HMN type II is genetically linked to chromosome 12q24.3 and located within a 13 cM region flanked by D12S86 and D12S340. We previously excluded 5 positional and functional candidate genes for distal HMN II. Here, we report the exclusion of 12 additional candidate genes localized within the distal HMN II region; the genes include musashi (Drosophila) homolog 1 (MSI1), protein inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (PIN), peripherin (PRPH), tubulin alpha ubiquitous (K-ALPHA-1), tubulin alpha 3 (TUBA3), tubulin alpha 6 (TUBA6), splicing factor arginine/serine-rich 9 (SFRS9), U5 snRNP 100 kd (U5-100K), putative chemokine receptor, GTP-binding protein (HM74), MondoA, cut (Drosophila)-like homeobox 2 (CUX2) and ADP-ribosylation factor 3 (ARF3). [source] Physical activity reduces prostate carcinogenesis in a transgenic modelTHE PROSTATE, Issue 13 2009Karyn A. Esser Abstract BACKGROUND Several epidemiological studies have reported an inverse association between physical activity and the risk of prostate cancer. To date, there are few animal studies looking at physical activity and cancer incidence, although the results are consistent with the epidemiological evidence. In general, as exercise intensity increased in the rats/mice, the likelihood that physical activity inhibited carcinogenesis increased. METHODS The present study used voluntary wheel running with C3(1)Tag mice that are predisposed to prostate cancer due to the directed expression of SV40 oncogenes. After 10 weeks, the prostates were collected from run and non-run mice and histopathology performed for the presence or absence of low grade or high grade PINS. RESULTS We found that for those mice that ran >5Km/group, 83% of the dorsolateral prostates were classified as within normal levels vs. 43% for the <5 km/day group (p,=,0.16). In addition, there was a relationship between average distance run and pathologic progression to high-grade PIN and local invasion, considered to be an early event in the formation of prostate adenocarcinoma. Forty three percent of dorsalateral prostates from mice that ran less than 5 km/day were classified with advanced pathology as compared to none (0) in mice that ran more than 5.0 km/day (p,=,0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results presented herein indicate that prostatic cancer progression is likely delayed or diminished by wheel running activity in a dose dependent manner in transgenic mice. These findings provide further evidence that exercise acts to decrease the progression of prostate cancer and they establish a transgenic animal model for future studies to define mechanism(s). Prostate 69: 1372,1377, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Interspecies comparison of prostate cancer gene-expression profiles reveals genes associated with aggressive tumorsTHE PROSTATE, Issue 10 2009Itai Kela Abstract Prostate cancer (PC) is a heterogeneous disease whose aggressive phenotype is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men. The identification of key molecules and pathways that play a pivotal role in PC progression towards an aggressive form is crucial. A major effort towards this end has been taken by global analyses of gene expression profiles. However, the large body of data did not provide a definitive idea about the genes which are associated with the aggressive growth of PC. In order to identify such genes, we performed an interspecies comparison between several human data sets and high quality microarray data that we generated from the transgenic adenocarcinoma of mouse prostate (TRAMP) strain. The TRAMP PC mimics the histological and pathological appearance as well as the aggressive phenotype of human PC (huPC). Analysis of the microarray data, derived from microdissected TRAMP specimens removed at different stages of the disease yielded genetic signatures delineating the TRAMP PC development and progression. Comparison of the TRAMP data with a set of genes representing the core expression signature of huPC yielded a limited set genes. Some of these genes are known predictors of poor prognosis in huPC. Interestingly, the modulation of genes responsible for the invasive phenotype of huPC occurs in TRAMP already during the transition to prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and onwards to localized tumors. We therefore suggest that critical oncogenic events leading to an aggressive phenotype of huPC can be studied in the PIN stage of TRAMP. Prostate 69:1034,1044, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in human prostate carcinoma and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia-association with increased expression of polo-like kinase-1THE PROSTATE, Issue 4 2007Carsten Denkert Abstract BACKGROUND Cyclooxygenases (COX) as well as Polo-like kinases (PLK) are involved in proliferation and cell cycle regulation and have been suggested for preventive and therapeutic approaches in prostate carcinoma. METHODS In this study, we studied expression and prognostic impact of COX-2 in invasive prostate carcinoma, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), atrophic glands, and normal prostatic glands, and investigated the association between COX-2 and PLK-1. RESULTS We observed a positivity for COX-2 in 72.1% of PIN and in 44.7% of prostate carcinomas with an overexpression of COX-2 in prostate cancer and PIN compared to benign prostatic tissue (P,<,0.0005). Furthermore, we observed a strong correlation between expression of PLK-1 and COX-2 (P,<,0.0005). CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report of a correlation between COX-2 and PLK-1 in a malignant tumor. COX-2 and PLK-1 may be interesting targets for new molecular therapies in prostate cancer. Prostate 67: 361,369, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Expression of prothymosin alpha is correlated with development and progression in human prostate cancersTHE PROSTATE, Issue 5 2006Shugo Suzuki Abstract BACKGROUND Our previous study clearly demonstrated that decreased expression of prothymosin alpha (PTMA) was associated with inhibition of rat prostate carcinogenesis by isoflavones. The purpose of the present investigation was to provide a better understanding of the role of PTMA in human prostate cancers. METHODS AND RESULTS PTMA expression in 68 prostate cancer cases and in prostate cancer cell lines was examined by immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting, and its levels were increased with progression from normal epithelium, through prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) to carcinomas, correlating with the Gleason's pattern. All cell lines studied (LNCaP, 22Rv1, DU145, and PC3) showed high PTMA expression compared with prostate epithelial cells (PrEC). Knockdown of PTMA expression in PC3 cells by RNAi resulted in the inhibition of both cell growth and invasion in vitro. CONCLUSIONS The present study clearly demonstrated that PTMA expression is intimately involved in the differentiation and progression of human prostate cancers, and could be a target for therapy and diagnostic purposes. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Aurora-A over-expression in high-grade PIN lesions and prostate cancer,THE PROSTATE, Issue 4 2005Holly McKlveen Buschhorn Abstract BACKGROUND Over-expression of Aurora-A (Aurora 2 kinase, STK-15), a protein found in centrosomes thought to be associated with genetic instability, has been previously documented in prostate cancer [Pihan et al.: Cancer Res 61(5):2212,2219, 2001]. It is unknown if this protein is also over-expressed in high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) lesions. METHODS PIN lesions were examined for increased Aurora-A using immunohistochemical staining on archival paraffin embedded prostatectomy tissue. Aurora-A expression was scored using size, number, and staining intensity. Protein expression was examined and compared between stromal cells, normal glands, high-grade PIN lesions, and invasive cancer. RESULTS Immunohistochemistry shows an increased expression of Aurora-A in 96% of high-grade PIN cases, and 98% in cancer lesions. Twenty-nine percent of cases of normal glands from cancerous prostates also showed increased Aurora-A expression. CONCLUSIONS Over-expression of Aurora-A is present in some normal and the majority of high-grade PIN lesions indicating that this may be an early event that leads to the genetic instability seen in prostate carcinogenesis. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Immunohistochemical analysis of RNA-induced silencing complex-related proteins AGO2 and TNRC6A in prostate and esophageal cancersAPMIS, Issue 4 2010NAM JIN YOO Yoo NJ, Hur SY, Kim MS, Lee JY, Lee SH. Immunohistochemical analysis of RNA-induced silencing complex-related proteins AGO2 and TNRC6A in prostate and esophageal cancers. APMIS 2010; 118: 271,6. Evidence exists that microRNA (miRNA), which regulates gene expression, is frequently deregulated in cancers. A mature miRNA directs a RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to its target messenger RNA, and causes inhibition of gene transcription. Ago proteins and TNRC proteins are main components of the RISC and participate in miRNA-induced gene silencing. However, expression status of Ago and TNRC proteins has not yet been studied in human cancer tissues. In this study, we attempted to explore whether expressions of Ago2 and TNRC6A are altered in prostate carcinomas (PCA) and esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC). We analyzed the expression of Ago2 and TNRC6A in 107 PCA and 58 ESCC tissues by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray (TMA) method. In the prostate, Ago2 was not expressed in normal glandular cells, while it was expressed in 50.0% of prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and 57.0% of the PCA. TNRC6A was not expressed in normal prostate cells, while it was expressed in 55.0% of the PIN and 63.6% of the PCA in cytoplasm and nucleus. In the esophagus, neither Ago2 nor TNRC6A was expressed in normal squamous cells, while Ago2 and TNRC6A were expressed in 58.6% and 62.1% of the ESCC, respectively. However, neither the expression of Ago2 or TNRC6A was associated with pathologic characteristics of the cancers, including age, sex, Gleason score (PCA) and stage. The increased expressions of Ago2 and TNRC6A in both PCA and ESCC compared with their normal cells suggested that over-expression of these proteins may be related to miRNA functions and might play a role in tumorigenesis of PCA and ESCC. [source] Immunohistochemical analysis of NF-,B signaling proteins IKK,, p50/p105, p52/p100 and RelA in prostate cancersAPMIS, Issue 8 2009SEONG IL SEO Seo SI, Song SY, Kang MR, Kim MS, Oh JE, Kim YR, Lee JY, Yoo NJ, Lee SH. Immunohistochemical analysis of NF-,B signaling proteins IKK,, p50/p105, p52/p100 and RelA in prostate cancers. APMIS 2009; 117:623,8. Activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-,B) signaling is considered an important mechanism in the development of prostate cancers. A recent study revealed that I,B kinase epsilon (IKK,), an activator of NF-,B, was overexpressed in breast cancers and acted as an oncogene. Expression of NF-,B members has been reported in prostate cancer tissues, but expression of IKK, has not yet been studied in prostate cancers. In this study, we attempted to explore as to whether expressions of IKK, and NF-,B members p50/105, p52/p100 and RelA are altered in prostate cancers. We analyzed the expression of IKK,, p50/105, p52/p100 and RelA in 107 prostate adenocarcinoma tissues by immunohistochemistry using a tissue microarray (TMA) method. In the TMA, IKK, is expressed in basal cells, but not in alveolar cells in normal prostate glands. IKK, is expressed in 60.0% of prostate intraepithelial neoplasm (PIN) and 70.1% of the prostate cancers in the cytoplasm. Nuclear immunostainings of NF-,B members p50/105, p52/p100 and RelA, which are considered activation of NF-,B signaling, were observed respectively in 28.0%, 18.7% and 37.4% of the cancers. Nuclear staining was detected neither in normal alveolar cells nor in PIN. However, none of the expression of p50/105 nor p52/p100 nor RelA nor IKK, was associated with pathologic characteristics, including size of the cancers, age, Gleason score and stage. The increased cytoplasmic expression of IKK, as well as the increased nuclear expressions of p50/105, p52/p100 and RelA in the prostate cancers compared to normal alveolar cells suggested that overexpression of these proteins may be related to activation of the NF-,B pathway and might play a role in tumorigenesis of prostate cancers. [source] Snail1 is over-expressed in prostate cancerAPMIS, Issue 3 2009SARA HEEBØLL Transcription factor Snail1 is a mediator of cell migration and survival, and expression is elevated in several cancer types. The Snail1 gene is reportedly amplified in prostate cancer (PC), and we investigated Snail1 expression in PC. Immunohistochemical Snail1 staining was determined on a tissue microarray which includes 327 specimens of PC, 30 specimens from patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), benign tissue from 30 PC patients and 15 high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (high-grade PIN) specimens. Clinicopathological and follow-up data were available for all patients. No BPH specimen and only 21% of benign tissue from PC patients showed high expression of Snail1. Only 7% of high-grade PIN patients expressed a high level of Snail1. In contrast, approximately 50% of PC tissue from patients with PC showed marked nuclear immunostaining. Snail1 immunostaining was significantly associated with Gleason score (p<0.05). Snail1 expression was not correlated to T stage, metastasis at time of diagnosis, risk of or time to recurrence. Snail1 expression was significantly increased in PC with a positive correlation to dedifferentiation, but not to cancer progression or prognosis. The presented data indicate that Snail1 expression is upregulated from the early stages of PC. [source] Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the PIN domain of human EST1AACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F (ELECTRONIC), Issue 7 2006Shuhei Zenno Human EST1A (ever shorter telomeres 1A) is associated with most or all active telomerase in cell extracts and is involved either directly or indirectly in telomere elongation and telomere capping. The C-terminal region of EST1A contains the PIN (PilT N-terminus) domain, a putative nuclease domain. The PIN domain of human EST1A was expressed, purified and crystallized by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals belonged to space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 107.3, b = 51.6, c = 100.5,Å, , = 119.3°, and diffracted X-rays to 1.8,Å resolution. The asymmetric unit contained two molecules of the PIN domain and the solvent content was 57%. [source] Trends in PSA, age and prostate cancer detection among black and white men from 1990-2006 at a tertiary care centerCANCER, Issue 16 2010Jeannette M. Potts MD Abstract BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in men in the United States, with even higher prevalence and death rates among black men. The authors sought to compare trends in prostate-specific antigen (PSA), age, and prostate-cancer detection among black and white men in our region during a 16-year period. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patient archives between 1990 through 2006. Data collection was accomplished by examining patients' charts and electronic medical records. Data from 5570 patients, of whom 911 were black, were analyzed statistically by testing and comparing parameters over time. RESULTS: During this 16-year period, mean age at the time of initial diagnostic prostate biopsy did not change in either group, despite what we had believed about the effects of patient education and screening campaigns. However, prostate-cancer detection rates did decrease during the time period studied. Over time, the authors also observed significant decreases in the sensitivity and specificity of PSA as a screening tool. Indeed, analysis of more recent cases demonstrated a positive predictive value comparable to a coin toss. While Gleason scores remained relatively stable over time, reporting of prostate intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and inflammation increased. CONCLUSIONS: Using lower PSA thresholds, promoting younger screening age, and increasing efforts to educate the public have not seemed to influence age at time of diagnostic testing, which may reflect other factors such as usefulness of screening, physician referral patterns, patient compliance, and other sociodemographic issues. The usefulness of PSA as a screening tool appears to be diminishing. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society. [source] TAKING OUT THE PINS: ECONOMICS AS ALIVE AND LIVING IN THE HISTORY OF ECONOMIC THOUGHTECONOMIC PAPERS: A JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECONOMICS AND POLICY, Issue 2 2005William Coleman The paper seeks to vindicate the value of the study of the history of economic thought (HET). It argues against the complaint that the study is antiquarian. It contends that, although HET does not confer operational and objective skills, it does provide insight into economic ideas, and sharpens our acumen in responding to them. [source] Interventions for treating the posterior interosseus nerve syndrome: a systematic review of observational studiesJOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 2 2006Bionka M. A. Huisstede Abstract For the posterior interosseus nerve syndrome (PINS), no randomised controlled trials or controlled clinical trials about the effectiveness of interventions are available; only case series can be found. Although the validity of case series is inferior to controlled trials, they may provide valuable data about the efficacy of treatment options. Therefore, we systematically reviewed all available observational studies on treatment of PINS. A literature search and additional reference checking was done. On the basis of previous checklists, we constructed a quality assessment and rating system to analyse the included case series. Studies with less than 50% of the maximum points on the methodological quality assessment were excluded from the analysis. The results are summarised according to a rating system for the strength of the scientific evidence. Six eligible case series for this review were found. After the data extraction and methodological quality assessment, two higher quality studies that evaluated the effectiveness of surgical decompression of the PIN were included in the final analysis. There is a tendency for the effectiveness of surgical decompression of the PIN in patients with PINS. The effectiveness of a conservative treatment for PINS is unknown because no higher quality studies are available. Additional high-quality controlled studies are needed to assess the level of ,conclusive evidence' for surgical treatment. There is also a need for high-quality controlled trials into the effectiveness of conservative treatments for PINS. [source] Physical activity reduces prostate carcinogenesis in a transgenic modelTHE PROSTATE, Issue 13 2009Karyn A. Esser Abstract BACKGROUND Several epidemiological studies have reported an inverse association between physical activity and the risk of prostate cancer. To date, there are few animal studies looking at physical activity and cancer incidence, although the results are consistent with the epidemiological evidence. In general, as exercise intensity increased in the rats/mice, the likelihood that physical activity inhibited carcinogenesis increased. METHODS The present study used voluntary wheel running with C3(1)Tag mice that are predisposed to prostate cancer due to the directed expression of SV40 oncogenes. After 10 weeks, the prostates were collected from run and non-run mice and histopathology performed for the presence or absence of low grade or high grade PINS. RESULTS We found that for those mice that ran >5Km/group, 83% of the dorsolateral prostates were classified as within normal levels vs. 43% for the <5 km/day group (p,=,0.16). In addition, there was a relationship between average distance run and pathologic progression to high-grade PIN and local invasion, considered to be an early event in the formation of prostate adenocarcinoma. Forty three percent of dorsalateral prostates from mice that ran less than 5 km/day were classified with advanced pathology as compared to none (0) in mice that ran more than 5.0 km/day (p,=,0.05). CONCLUSIONS The results presented herein indicate that prostatic cancer progression is likely delayed or diminished by wheel running activity in a dose dependent manner in transgenic mice. These findings provide further evidence that exercise acts to decrease the progression of prostate cancer and they establish a transgenic animal model for future studies to define mechanism(s). Prostate 69: 1372,1377, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Preparation of novel polyindene/polyoxymethylene blends and investigation of their propertiesJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2010Tenzile Zilhan Cabuk Abstract In this study, the conducting homopolymer of indene was synthesized by a chemical polymerization method in a nonaqueous medium, and polyindene (PIn)/polyoxymethylene (POM) blends were prepared. The physical, chemical, thermal, and spectral properties of the synthesized homopolymer and their blends were investigated. The conductivities of PIn and the PIn/POM blends were measured with a four-probe technique. The conductivity of PIn was determined as 1.16 × 10,5 S/cm, whereas the conductivities of the PIn/POM blends were determined to be in the range 3.16 × 10,6 to 9.8 × 10,6 S/cm. From Gouy scale magnetic susceptibility measurements, we found that PIn and the PIn/POM blends had polaron natures. The amount of Fe (milligrams per gram) in the PIn and PIn/POM structures were determined by inductively coupled plasma,optic emission spectrometry. Fourier transform infrared spectra were taken to analyze the structural properties of PIn and the PIn/POM blends. The thermal properties of PIn and PIn/POM blends were investigated with thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry analyses, and we found that they showed adequate thermal stability. According to the initial decomposition temperature among the blends, the blend including 16% PIn had the highest decomposition temperature with 244°C. The morphological structures of the PIn, POM, and blends were clarified with scanning electron microscopy. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Effects of phosphate supply and elevated CO2 on root acid phosphatase activity in Pinus densiflora seedlingsJOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2006Mariko Norisada Abstract The exudation of root acid phosphatase (APase) is a plant response mechanism to phosphorus (P) deficiency. Under conditions of elevated CO2, P demand increases and possibly further enhances APase activity. We examined the activity of APase in 1-year-old ectomycorrhizal Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. seedlings grown in potted sand in the greenhouse under ambient (400 ,mol mol,1) and elevated (700 ,mol mol,1) CO2 with three modes of P supply: inorganic (NaH2PO4; Pin), organic (inositol hexaphosphate dodecasodium salt; Porg), and no phosphate (P0) for 78 d. Phosphorus limitations decreased P content in leaves and roots with lowest P content in P0 treatments, irrespective of CO2 conditions. However, P limitations decreased plant biomass at elevated CO2 levels, but not at ambient CO2 levels. The content in leaves of nutrients other than P was mostly unaffected by P supply, but decreased under elevated CO2. This observation was attributed to starch accumulation in leaves at elevated CO2, especially in the P0 treatment. The photosynthetic activity (expressed per unit of chlorophyll) was unaffected by P supply, but tended to be less at elevated CO2. There was no increase in root APase activity of Pinus densifolia in response to the P shortage caused by elevated CO2. [source] Fine-Scale Spatial Genetic Structure of the Distylous Primula veris in Fragmented HabitatsPLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2007F. van Rossum Abstract: In Flanders (northern Belgium), the distylous self-incompatible perennial herb Primula veris is common, but mainly occurs in fragmented habitats. Distyly, which favours disassortative mating, is characterized in P. veris by two genetically determined floral morph types (pin or thrum). Using 18 polymorphic loci, we investigated fine-scale spatial genetic structure (SGS) and spatial distribution of the morphs within four populations from two regions that differ in degree of habitat fragmentation. We studied the contributions made by sexual reproduction and clonal propagation and compared the SGS patterns between pin and thrum morph types. Clonal growth was very restricted to a few individuals and to short distances. One population showed a non-random spatial distribution of the morphs. Pin and thrum individuals differed in SGS patterns at a small scale, suggesting intrapin biparental inbreeding, also related to high plant densities. This may be explained by partial self-compatibility of the pin morph combined with restricted seed dispersal and pollinator behaviour. There is an indication of more pronounced SGS when populations occur in highly fragmented habitats. From our findings, we may hypothesize disruption of the gene flow processes if these large populations evolve into patchworks of small remnants, but also a possible risk for long-term population survival if higher intrapin biparental inbreeding leads to inbreeding depression. Our study emphasizes the need for investigating the interactions between the heterostylous breeding system, population demographic and genetic structure for understanding population dynamics in fragmented habitats and for developing sustainable conservation strategies. [source] Superhydrophobic Coatings: The Salvinia Paradox: Superhydrophobic Surfaces with Hydrophilic Pins for Air Retention Under Water (Adv. Mater.ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 21 201021/2010) The cover shows the sophisticated surface design of the floating water fern Salvinia. The unique surface architecture is composed of complex hydrophobic eggbeater-shaped hairs with hydrophilic terminal cells. The evenly distributed hydrophilic patches stabilize the air layer by pinning the air/water interface in place. The paradox combination of hydrophilic patches on superhydrophobic surfaces (the "Salvinia Effect") provides an innovative concept for smart biomimetic surfaces in maritime coatings and underwater applications, as reported by Wilhelm Barthlott, Thomas Schimmel, and co-workers on p. 2325. [source] The Salvinia Paradox: Superhydrophobic Surfaces with Hydrophilic Pins for Air Retention Under WaterADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 21 2010Wilhelm Barthlott A novel mechanism for long-term air retention under water is found in the sophisticated surface design of the water fern Salvinia. Its floating leaves are evenly covered with complex hydrophobic hairs retaining a layer of air when submerged under water. Surprisingly the terminal cells of the hairs are hydrophilic. These hydrophilic patches stabilize the air layer by pinning the air,water interface. This "Salvinia Effect" provides an innovative concept to develop biomimetic surfaces with long-term air-retention capabilities for under water applications. [source] John Gay, Magnetism and the Spectacle of Natural Philosophy: Scriblerian Pins and NeedlesJOURNAL FOR EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY STUDIES, Issue 3 2007Gregory Lynall First page of article [source] Genetic diversity and population structure of an insular tree, Santalum austrocaledonicum in New Caledonian archipelagoMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 7 2005L. BOTTIN Abstract We present a study of the genetic diversity and structure of a tropical tree in an insular system. Santalum austrocaledonicum is endemic to the archipelago of New Caledonia and is exploited for oil extraction from heartwood. A total of 431 individuals over 17 populations were analysed for eight polymorphic microsatellite loci. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 to 33 and the observed heterozygosity per population ranged from 0.01 in Maré to 0.74 in Ile des Pins. The genetic diversity was lowest in the most recent islands, the Loyautés, and highest in the oldest island, Grande Terre, as well as the nearby small Ile des Pins. Significant departures from panmixia were observed for some loci,population combinations (per population FIS = 0,0.03 on Grande-Terre and Ile des Pins, and 0,0.67 on Loyautés). A strong genetic differentiation among all islands was observed (FST = 0.22), and the amount of differentiation increased with geographic distance in Iles Loyauté and in Grande Terre. At both population and island levels, island age and isolation seem to be the main factors influencing the amount of genetic diversity. In particular, populations from recent islands had large average FIS that could not be entirely explained by null alleles or a Wahlund effect. This result suggests that, at least in some populations, selfing occurred extensively. Conclusively, our results indicate a strong influence of insularity on the genetic diversity and structure of Santalum austrocaledonicum. [source] Seed-specific expression of the wheat puroindoline genes improves maize wet milling yieldsPLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 8 2009Jinrui Zhang Summary The texture of maize (Zea mays L.) seeds is important to seed processing properties, and soft dent maize is preferred for both wet-milling and livestock feed applications. The puroindoline genes (Pina and Pinb) are the functional components of the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Hardness locus and together function to create soft grain texture in wheat. The PINs (PINA and PINB) are believed to act by binding to lipids on the surface of starch granules, preventing tight adhesion between starch granules and the surrounding protein matrix during seed maturation. Here, maize kernel structure and wet milling properties were successfully modified by the endosperm-specific expression of wheat Pins (Pina and Pinb). Pins were introduced into maize under the control of a maize ,- Zein promoter. Three Pina/Pinb expression positive transgenic lines were evaluated over two growing seasons. Textural analysis of the maize seeds indicated that the expression of PINs decreased adhesion between starch and protein matrix and reduced maize grain hardness significantly. Reduction in pressure required to fracture kernels ranged from 15.65% to 36.86% compared with control seeds. Further, the PINs transgenic maize seeds had increased levels of extractable starch as characterized by a small scale wet milling method. Starch yield was increased by 4.86% on average without negatively impacting starch purity. The development of softer maize hybrids with higher starch extractability would be of value to maize processors. [source] EDITORIAL: Birth of Online Early for The Journal of Sexual Medicine: From Pins and Needles to Pregnant Pause; Reflections on Premature Ejaculation and Persistent Sexual Arousal SyndromeTHE JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE, Issue 3 2005Irwin Goldstein MD Editor-in-chief [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||