Evidence for microsatellite instability in bilateral breast carcinomas

The molecular pathogenesis of various categories of breast cancer (BC) has been well described, but surprisingly few reports have appeared on analysis of somatic mutations in bilateral BC. We have performed a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-driven investigation of chromosomal regions showing common loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in 23 cases (46 rumors) from patients diagnosed with bilateral BC, LOH was observed in 15/46 (33%) informative tumors for chromosome 1p, 5/32 (16%) for 5q, 12/44 (27%) for 11q, 15/40 (38%) for 13q and 4/24 (17%) for 17p. These values are within the range of interlaboratory variations reported fur unilateral BC, There was no strong evidence for concordance of LOH within the same patient for any of the chromosomal loci tested. Atypical for breast carcinomas, 7/46 (15%) turners accumulated a high frequency (ranging from 11 to 29%) of shortened dinucleotide CA repeats, implying microsatellite instability (MI). Further analysis with the highly informative BAT-26 marker allowed for the classification of two of these tumors as having a replication error positive (RER+/MSI-H) phenotype, whereas the remaining five carcinomas harbored so-called borderline MI. Thus an involvement of both RER+ and borderline MI appears to be a distinct feature of bilateral breast carcinomas compared to unilateral lesions. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus: case of different cutoff values: A data mining approach

Objective: An estimation of cut-off points for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) based on individual risk factors. Methods: A subset of the 1991 Oman National Diabetes Survey is used, including all patients with a 2h post glucose load >= 200 mg/dl (278 subjects) and a control group of 286 subjects. All subjects previously diagnosed as diabetic and all subjects with missing data values were excluded. The data set was analyzed by use of the SPSS Clementine data mining system. Decision Tree Learners (C5 and CART) and a method for mining association rules (the GRI algorithm) are used. The fasting plasma glucose (FPG), age, sex, family history of diabetes and body mass index (BMI) are input risk factors (independent variables), while diabetes onset (the 2h post glucose load >= 200 mg/dl) is the output (dependent variable). All three techniques used were tested by use of crossvalidation (89.8%). Results: Rules produced for diabetes diagnosis are: A- GRI algorithm (1) FPG>=108.9 mg/dl, (2) FPG>=107.1 and age>39.5 years. B- CART decision trees: FPG >=110.7 mg/dl. C- The C5 decision tree learner: (1) FPG>=95.5 and 54, (2) FPG>=106 and 25.2 kg/m2. (3) FPG>=106 and =133 mg/dl. The three techniques produced rules which cover a significant number of cases (82%), with confidence between 74 and 100%. Conclusion: Our approach supports the suggestion that the present cut-off value of fasting plasma glucose (126 mg/dl) for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus needs revision, and the individual risk factors such as age and BMI should be considered in defining the new cut-off value.

Characterization and effects on cAMP accumulation of adrenomedullin and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptors in dissociated rat spinal cord cell culture

1 Adrenomedullin (AM) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) have structural similarities, interact with each others receptors (calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CLR)/receptor-activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs)) and show overlapping biological activities. AM and CGRP receptors are chiefly coupled to cAMP production. In this study, a method of primary dissociated cell culture was used to investigate the presence of AM and CGRP receptors and their effects on cAMP production in embryonic spinal cord cells. 2 Both neuronal and non-neuronal CLR immunopositive cells were present in our model. 3 High affinity, specific [ 125I]-AM binding sites (K(d) 79±9 pM and B(max) 571±34 fmol mg -1 protein) were more abundant than specific [ 125I]-CGRP binding sites (K(d) 12±0.7 pM and B(max) 32±2 fmol mg -1 protein) in embryonic spinal cord cells. 4 Specific [ 125I]-AM binding was competed by related molecules with a ligand selectivity profile of rAM>hAM(22-52)>rCGRPα>CGRP(8-37) ≫[r-(r*,s*)]-N-[2-[[5-amino-1-[[4-(4-pyridinyl)-1-piperazinyl] carbonyl]pentyl]amino]-1-[(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-2-oxoethyl]-4-(1, 4-dihydro-2-oxo-3(2H)-quinazolinyl)-,1-piperidinecarboxamide (BIBN4096BS). 5 Specific [ 125I]-CGRP binding was competed by rCGRPα>rAM≥ CGRP(8-37)≥BIBN4096BS>hAM(22-52). 6 Cellular levels of cAMP were increased by AM (pEC"5"0 10.2±0.2) and less potently by rCGRPα (pEC"5"0 8.9±0.4). rCGRPα-induced cAMP accumulation was effectively inhibited by CGRP(8-37) (pA"2 7.63±0.44) and hAM(22-52) (pA"2 6.18±0.21) while AM-stimulation of cAMP levels was inhibited by CGRP(8-37) (pA"2 7.41±0.15) and AM(22-52) (pA"2 7.26±0.18). BIBN4096BS only antagonized the effects of CGRP (pA"2 8.40±0.30) on cAMP accumulation. 7 These pharmacological profiles suggest that effects of CGRP are mediated by the CGRP"1 (CLR/RAMP1) receptor in our model while those of AM are related to the activation of the AM"1 (CLR/RAMP2) receptor subtype. © 2006 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved.

A key role for transmembrane prolines in calcitonin receptor-like receptor agonist binding and signalling:implications for family B G-protein-coupled receptors

Calcitonin receptor like-receptor is a family B G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR). It requires receptor activity modifying protein (RAMP) 1 to give a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor. Little is known of how members of this receptor family function. Proline residues often form important kinks in alpha-helices. Therefore, all proline residues within the transmembrane helices of the receptor (Pro241, Pro244 in helix 4, Pro275 in helix 5, Pro321 and Pro331 in helix 6) were mutated to alanine. Pro241 Pro275, and Pro321 are highly conserved throughout all family B GPCRs. The binding of CGRP and its ability to stimulate cAMP production were investigated in mutant and wild-type receptors after transient transfection into COS-7 cells with RAMP1. The P321A mutation significantly decreased the pEC(50) for CGRP and reduced its affinity but did not change cell-surface expression. Antagonist binding [CGRP(8-37) and 1-piperidinecarboxamide N-[2-[[5amino-1-[[4-(4-pyridinyl)-1-piperazinyl]carbonyl]pentyl]amino]-1-[(3 5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)methyl]-2-oxoethyl]-4-(1,4-dihydro-2-oxo-3(2H)-quina zolinyl) (BIBN4096BS)] was little altered by the mutation. Adrenomedullin-mediated signaling was disrupted when P321A was coexpressed with RAMP1, RAMP2, or RAMP3. The P331A mutant produced a moderate reduction in CGRP binding and receptor activation. Mutation of the other residues had no effect on receptor function. Thus, Pro321 and Pro331 are required for agonist binding and receptor activation. Modeling suggested that Pro321 induces a bend in helix 6, bringing its C terminus near that of helix 3, as seen in many family A GPCRs. This is abolished in P321A. P321A-I325P predicted to restore this conformation, showed wild-type activation. Modeling can also rationalize the effects of transmembrane proline mutants previously reported for another family B GPCR, the VPAC(1) receptor.

Optically tunable fiber grating transmission filters

We propose and demonstrate single- and multiple-passband fiber grating transmission filters that are remotely tunable by exploitation of the optical pump-induced thermal effects in Er Yb-codoped fiber sections. A repeatable, wavelength-independent induced phase shift of 0.1p mW is obtained without hysteresis and anisotropic effects. A transmission extinction ratio of .23 dB with a 3-mW change in pump power is achieved.

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production in cardiomyoblasts during hypoxia and reoxygenation

Hypoxia is a stress condition in which tissues are deprived of an adequate O2 supply; this may trigger cell death with pathological consequences in cardiovascular or neurodegenerative disease. Reperfusion is the restoration of an oxygenated blood supply to hypoxic tissue and can cause more cell injury. The kinetics and consequences of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) production in cardiomyoblasts are poorly understood. The present study describes the systematic characterization of the kinetics of ROS/RNS production and their roles in cell survival and associated protection during hypoxia and hypoxia/reperfusion. H9C2 cells showed a significant loss of viability under 2% O2 for 30min hypoxia and cell death; associated with an increase in protein oxidation. After 4h, apoptosis induction under 2% O2 and 10% O2 was dependent on the production of mitochondrial superoxide (O2-•) and nitric oxide (•NO), partly from nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Both apoptotic and necrotic cell death during 2% O2 for 4h could be rescued by the mitochondrial complex I inhibitor; rotenone and NOS inhibitor; L-NAME. Both L-NAME and the NOX (NADPH oxidase) inhibitor; apocynin reduced apoptosis under 10% O2 for 4h hypoxia. The mitochondrial uncoupler; FCCP significantly reduced cell death via a O2-• dependent mechanism during 2% O2, 30min hypoxia. During hypoxia (2% O2, 4h)/ reperfusion (21% O2, 2h), metabolic activity was significantly reduced with increased production of O2-• and •NO, during hypoxia but, partially restored during reperfusion. O2-• generation during hypoxia/reperfusion was mitochondrial and NOX- dependent, whereas •NO generation depended on both NOS and non-enzymatic sources. Inhibition of NOS worsened metabolic activity during reperfusion, but did not effect this during sustained hypoxia. Nrf2 activation during 2% O2, a sustained hypoxia and reperfusion was O2-•/•NO dependent. Inhibition of NF-?B activation aggravated metabolic activity during 2% O2, 4h hypoxia. In conclusion, mitochondrial O2-•, but, not ATP depletion is the major cause of apoptotic and necrotic cell death in cardiomyoblasts under 2% O2, 4h hypoxia, whereas apoptotic cell death under 10% O2, 4h, is due to NOS-dependent •NO. The management of ROS/RNS rather than ATP is required for improved survival during hypoxia. O2-• production from mitochondria and NOS is cardiotoxic during hypoxia/reperfusion. NF-?B activation during hypoxia and NOS activation during reperfusion is cardiomyoblast protective.

A study of the scattering of fast neutrons in large samples

In the present work, the elastic scattering of fast neutrons from iron and concrete samples were studied at incident neutron energies of 14.0 and 14.4 Mev, using a neutron spectrometer based on the associated particle time-of-flight technique. These samples were chosen because of their importance in the design of fusion reactor shielding and construction. Using the S.A.M.E.S. accelerator and the 3 M v Dynamitron accelerator at the Radiation Centre, 14.0 and 14.4 Mev neutrons were produced by the T(d, n)4He reaction at incident deuteron energies of 140 keV and 900 keV mass III ions respectively. The time of origin of the neutron was determined by detecting the associated alpha particles. The samples used were extended flat plates of thicknesses up to 1.73 mean free paths for iron and 2.3 mean free paths for concrete. The associated alpha particles and fast neutrons were detected by means of a plastic scintillator mounted on a fast focused photomultiplier tube. The differential neutron elastic scattering cross-sections were measured for 14 Mev neutrons in various thicknesses of iron and concrete in the angular range from zero to 90°. In addition, the angular distributions of 14.4 Mev neutrons after passing through extended samples of iron were measured at several scattering angles in the same angular range. The measurements obtained for the thin sample of iron were compared with the results of Coon et al. The differential cross-sections for the thin iron sample were also analyzed on the optical model using the computer code RAROMP. For the concrete sample, the angular distribution of the thin sample was compared with the cross-sections calculated from the major constituent elements of concrete, and with the predicted values of the optical model for those elements. No published data could be found to compare with the results of the concrete differential cross-sections. In the case of thick samples of iron and concrete, the number of scattered neutrons were compared with a phenomological calculation based on the continuous slowing down model. The variation of measured cross-sections with sample thickness were found to follow the empirical relation σ = σ0 eαx. By using the universal constant "K", good fits were obtained to the experimental data. In parallel with the work at 14.0 and 14.4 Mev, an associated particle time-of-flight spectrometer was investigated which used the 2H(d,n)3He reaction for 3.02 Mev neutron energy at the incident deuteron energy of 1 Mev.

Synthesis and characterization of triazolotriazines

The Dimroth rearrangement in ring-fused 1,2,4-triazoles has been reviewed in detail in Part I and the synthesis of all known triazolo-triazines is described in Part II. Experimental investigations concerned the establishinent of the skeletal arrangement of a variety of triazolotriazines formed by several synthetic routes. Interaction of 3-amino-5-hydrazino-12,4-triazole and benzilafforded 2-amino-6, 7-diphenyl-1, 2,4-triazolo[ 5, 1-c-]-1,2,4-triazine,whereas cyclization of 5,6-diphenyl-3-hydrazino-1,2,4-triazine withcyanogen bromide resulted in the isomeric 3-amino-6,7-diphenyl,-1,2,4-triazolo [4, 3-b]-1,2,4-triazine: both amines were deaminated with amyl nitrite in boiling tetrahydrofuran without rearrangement of the heterocyclic skeleton. 6,7-Diphenyl-1,2,4-triazolo[5,1-cJ-1,2.4-triazine, synthesized from 3-hydrazino-1,2,4-triazole and benzil, formed a covalent hydrate which could be detected spectroscopically in solution, and a covalemt methanolate and ethanolate which could be isolated. A new route to 3-amino-5-hydrazino-pyrazole is described and cyclization to 7-amino-3,4-diphenyl-pyrazolo[ 5,1-.c]-1,2,4-triazine was achieved with benzil. The diazonium nitrate of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole coupled with ethyl cyanoacetate to yield a mixture of two geometrical isomers of ethyl 2-(2H-1,2,4-triazol-3-ylhydrazono) cyanoacetate.Recrystallization of the crude coupling mixture from aqueous ethanol gave a single hydra-zone which cyclized predominantly to ethyl 7-amino-1,2,4-triazolo[5,1-c]-1,2,4-triazine-6-carboxylate in acid conditions and 6-cyano-1,2,4-triazolo[ 5,1-c]-1,2,4~triazin-7(4H)-one under basic conditions. The nature of the cyclizing medium also controlled the cyclization of .the (pyrazol-ylhydrazono) cyanoacetate hut the corresponding (tetrazol- ylhydrazono) cyanoacetate gave only ethyl 7-aminotetrazolo[ 5,1-cJ-1,2,4- -triazine-6-carboxylate. 2-( 2H-1,2,4-Triazol-3-:ylhydrazono) malonitrile cyclized unambiguously to 7-amino-6-cyano-1,2,4-triazolo-[ 5,1-c]-1,2,4- triazine. Drastic hydrolysis of ethyl 2-(2H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yllhydrazono)-cyanoacetate, ethyl 7-amino-1, 2,4-triazolo[ 5,1-c]-1,2,4-triazine-6-carboxylate, 6-cyano-1,2,4-triazolo[ 5,1-c]-1,2,4-triazin-7{ 4H)-one and 7-amino-6- cyano-1,2,4-triazolo[5,1-c]-1,2,4-triazine gave a hydrate of 1,2,4-triazo1o[5,1-c ]-1,2,4-triazin-7(4H)-one. Mass spectral fragmentations of 7-aminoazolo-[5,1-c]-1,2,4-triazinesconfirm that the azole ring is more stable than the 1,2,4-triazine ring on electron impact.

Formulation of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents

Reversed-pahse high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) methods were developed for the assay of indomethacin, its decomposition products, ibuprofen and its (tetrahydro-2-furanyl)methyl-, (tetrahydro-2-(2H)pyranyl)methyl- and cyclohexylmethyl esters. The development and application of these HPLC systems were studied. A number of physico-chemical parameters that affect percutaneous absorption were investigated. The pKa values of indomethacin and ibuprofen were determined using the solubility method. Potentiometric titration and the Taft equation were also used for ibuprofen. The incorporation of ethanol or propylene glycol in the solvent resulted in an improvement in the aqueous solubility of these compounds. The partition coefficients were evaluated in order to establish the affinity of these drugs towards the stratum corneum. The stability of indomethacin and of ibuprofen esters were investigated and the effect of temperature and pH on the decomposition rates were studied. The effect of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide on the alkaline degradation of indomethacin was also followed. In the presence of alcohol, indomethacin alcoholysis was observed and the kinetics of decomposition were subjected to non-linear regression analysis and the rate constants for the various pathways were quantified. The non-isothermal, sufactant non-isoconcentration and non-isopH degradation of indomethacin were investigated. The analysis of the data was undertaken using NONISO, a BASIC computer program. The degradation profiles obtained from both non-iso and iso-kinetic studies show that there is close concordance in the results. The metabolic biotransformation of ibuprofen esters was followed using esterases from hog liver and rat skin homogenates. The results showed that the esters were very labile under these conditions. The presence of propylene glycol affected the rates of enzymic hydrolysis of the ester. The hydrolysis is modelled using an equation involving the dielectric constant of the medium. The percutaneous absorption of indomethacin and of ibuprofen and its esters was followed from solutions using an in vitro excised human skin model. The absorption profiles followed first order kinetics. The diffusion process was related to their solubility and to the human skin/solvent partition coefficient. The percutaneous absorption of two ibuprofen esters from suspensions in 20% propylene glycol-water were also followed through rat skin with only ibuprofen being detected in the receiver phase. The sensitivity of ibuprofen esters to enzymic hydrolysis compared to the chemical hydrolysis may prove valuable in the formulation of topical delivery systems.

Phosphorus catalysis in the pyrolysis behaviour of biomass

Phosphorus is a key plant nutrient and as such, is incorporated into growing biomass in small amounts. This paper examines the influence of phosphorus, present in either acid (HPO) or salt ((NH)PO) form, on the pyrolysis behaviour of both Miscanthus × giganteus, and its cell wall components, cellulose, hemicellulose (xylan) and lignin (Organosolv). Pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (PY-GC-MS) is used to examine the pyrolysis products during thermal degradation, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is used to examine the distribution of char and volatiles. Phosphorus salts are seen to catalyse the pyrolysis and modify the yields of products, resulting in a large increase in char yield for all samples, but particularly for cellulose and Miscanthus. The thermal degradation processes of cellulose, xylan and Miscanthus samples occur in one step and the main pyrolysis step is shifted to lower temperature in the presence of phosphorus. A small impact of phosphorus was observed in the case of lignin char yields and the types of pyrolysis decomposition products produced. Levoglucosan is a major component produced in fast pyrolysis of cellulose. Furfural and levoglucosenone become more dominant products upon P-impregnation pointing to new rearrangement and dehydration routes. The P-catalysed xylan decomposition route leads to a much simpler mixture of products, which are dominated by furfural, 3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one and one other unconfirmed product, possibly 3,4-dihydro-2-methoxy-2H-pyran or 4-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-(2H)-pyran-2-one. Phosphorus-catalysed lignin decomposition also leads to a modified mixture of tar components and desaspidinol as well as other higher molecular weight component become more dominant relative to the methoxyphenyl phenols, dimethoxy phenols and triethoxy benzene. Comparison of the results for Miscanthus lead to the conclusion that the understanding of the fast pyrolysis of biomass can, for the most part, be gained through the study of the individual cell wall components, provided consideration is given to the presence of catalytic components such as phosphorus.

Nrf2 activation supports cell survival during hypoxia and hypoxia/reoxygenation in cardiomyoblasts; the roles of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species

Adaptive mechanisms involving upregulation of cytoprotective genes under the control of transcription factors such as Nrf2 exist to protect cells from permanent damage and dysfunction under stress conditions. Here we explore of the hypothesis that Nrf2 activation by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species modulates cytotoxicity during hypoxia (H) with and without reoxygenation (H/R) in H9C2 cardiomyoblasts. Using MnTBap as a cell permeable superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetic and peroxynitrite scavenger and L-NAME as an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), we have shown that MnTBap inhibited the cytotoxic effects of hypoxic stress with and without reoxygenation. However, L-NAME only afforded protection during H. Under reoxygenation, conditions, cytotoxicity was increased by the presence of L-NAME. Nrf2 activation was inhibited independently by MnTBap and L-NAME under H and H/R. The increased cytotoxicity and inhibition of Nrf2 activation by the presence of L-NAME during reoxygenation suggests that NOS activity plays an important role in cell survival at least in part via Nrf2-independent pathways. In contrast, O2 -• scavenging by MnTBap prevented both toxicity and Nrf2 activation during H and H/R implying that toxicity is largely dependent on O2 -.To confirm the importance of Nrf2 for myoblast metabolism, Nrf2 knockdown with siRNA reduced cell survival by 50% during 4h hypoxia with and without 2h of reoxygenation and although cellular glutathione (GSH) was depleted during H and H/R, GSH loss was not exacerbated by Nrf2 knockdown. These data support distinctive roles for ROS and RNS during H and H/R for Nrf2 induction which are important for survival independently of GSH salvage. © 2013 The Authors.

Activation of ERK1/2, JNK and PKB by hydrogen peroxide in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells:role of ERK1/2 in H2O2-induced cell death

Reactive oxygen species including H2O2 activate an array of intracellular signalling cascades that are closely associated with cell death and cell survival pathways. The human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line is widely used as model cell system for studying neuronal cell death induced by oxidative stress. However, at present very little is known about the signalling pathways activated by H2O2 in SH-SY5Y cells. Therefore, in this study we have investigated the effect of H2(O2 on extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and protein kinase B (PKB) activation in undifferentiated and differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. H2O2 stimulated time and concentration increases in ERK1/2, JNK and PKB phosphorylation in undifferentiated and differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. No increases in p38 MAPK phosphorylation were observed following H2O2 treatment. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) inhibitors wortmannin and LY 294002 ((2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one) inhibited H2O2-induced increases in ERK1/2 and PKB phosphorylation. Furthermore, H2O2-mediated increases in ERK1/2 activation were sensitive to the MAPK kinase 1 (MEK1) inhibitor PD 98059 (2'-amino-3'-methoxyflavone), whereas JNK responses were blocked by the JNK inhibitor SP 600125 (anthra[1-9-cd]pyrazol-6(2H)-one). Treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with H2O2 (1 mM; 16 h) significantly increased the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) into the culture medium indicative of a decrease in cell viability. Pre-treatment with wortmannin, SP 600125 or SB 203580 (4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)1H-imidazole; p38 MAPK inhibitor) had no effect on H2O2-induced LDH release from undifferentiated or differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. In contrast, PD 98059 and LY 294002 significantly decreased H2O2-induced cell death in both undifferentiated and differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. In conclusion, we have shown that H2O2 stimulates robust increases in ERK1/2, JNK and PKB in undifferentiated and differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, the data presented clearly suggest that inhibition of the ERK1/2 pathway protects SH-SY5Y cells from H2O2-induced cell death.

Comparative Analysis: A Feasible Software Engineering Method

The reasonable choice is a critical success factor for decision- making in the field of software engineering (SE). A case-driven comparative analysis has been introduced and a procedure for its systematic application has been suggested. The paper describes how the proposed method can be built in a general framework for SE activities. Some examples of experimental versions of the framework are brie y presented.

Solving Ratio-Dependent Predator-Prey System with Constant Effort Harvesting using Variational Iteration Method

Due to wide range of interest in use of bio-economic models to gain insight into the scientific management of renewable resources like fisheries and forestry,variational iteration method (VIM) is employed to approximate the solution of the ratio-dependent predator-prey system with constant effort prey harvesting.The results are compared with the results obtained by Adomian decomposition method and reveal that VIM is very effective and convenient for solving nonlinear differential equations.

Pushing the Quality Level in Networked News Business: Semantic-Based Content Retrieval and Composition in International News Publishing

Electronic publishing exploits numerous possibilities to present or exchange information and to communicate via most current media like the Internet. By utilizing modern Web technologies like Web Services, loosely coupled services, and peer-to-peer networks we describe the integration of an intelligent business news presentation and distribution network. Employing semantics technologies enables the coupling of multinational and multilingual business news data on a scalable international level and thus introduce a service quality that is not achieved by alternative technologies in the news distribution area so far. Architecturally, we identified the loose coupling of existing services as the most feasible way to address multinational and multilingual news presentation and distribution networks. Furthermore we semantically enrich multinational news contents by relating them using AI techniques like the Vector Space Model. Summarizing our experiences we describe the technical integration of semantics and communication technologies in order to create a modern international news network.