Prognostic Significance of Wnt-1, β-catenin and E-cadherin Expression in Advanced Colorectal Carcinoma

Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays an important role in initiation and progression of colorectal oncogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine expression and localization of E-cadherin, β-catenin and Wnt-1 proteins in colorectal tumors. Expression of β-catenin, E-cadherin and Wnt-1 was determined by immunohistochemistry on advanced colorectal cancers. Abnormal expression of E-cadherin, β-catenin, Wnt-1 was observed. Additionally, we revealed correlations between levels of studied proteins and histoclinical data. In multivariate analysis nuclear β-catenin, higher carcinoembryonic antigen serum level before treatment, female sex and tumor localized in colon or rectum were independent unfavorable prognostic factors. These findings support the hypothesis that Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays an important role in advanced colorectal carcinoma

Dynamic optimization of multipass milling operations via geometric programming

This paper outlines the development of an optimization strategy to determine the optimum cutting parameters for multipass milling operations like plain milling and face milling. The developed strategy is based on the "maximum production rate" criterion and incorporates eight technological constraints. The optimum number of passes is determined via dynamic programming, and the optimal values of the cutting conditions are found based on the objective function developed for the typified criterion by using a non-linear programming technique called "geometric programming". This paper also underlies the importance of using optimization strategies rather than handbook recommendations as well as pointing out the superiority of the multipass over the single-pass optimization approach. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

OPPS-ROT: An optimised process planning system for rotational parts

This paper presents an optimised process planning system for rotational parts. The model of a part is drawn by using a CAD module prepared for this purpose. After the feature recognition module, machining operations are determined and the cutting tools are selected by using the knowledge base and machining topology. An optimum sequence of operations is found by minimising the number of tool changes and tool travelling distance to decrease the cost per operation. The optimum cutting conditions are determined and stored in a CAD/CAM data base, accordingly. The part programs are then automatically generated in standard ISO codes on the basis of specific CNC lathe controllers. The generated part programs as well as tool paths can also be verified by graphical simulation prior to actual machining. The system is intelligent and requires little manual intervention. It is implemented with C + + on a personal computer

levels of Turkish shallow lakes

Climate warming threatens the structure and function of shallow lakes, not least those in the Mediterranean climate. We used a space-for-time substitution approach to assess the response of trophic and community structures as well as the richness and evenness of multiple trophic levels to temperature, hydrological, and nutrient constraints. We selected 41 lakes covering wide climatic, hydrological, and nutrient gradients within a short distance for reducing the effect of biogeographical factors in the western Anatolian plateau of Turkey. Generalized linear model analyses revealed that temperature was overall the most important driving variable, followed by total nitrogen (TN) and salinity. The chlorophylla:total phosphorus ratio, the cyanobacteria:total phytoplankton biovolume ratio, the fish:zooplankton biomass ratio, the proportion of small fish, and fish richness increased with increasing temperature, whereas macrophyte plant volume inhabited (PVI, %), richness, and evenness decreased. Grazing pressure, macrophyte coverage, piscivore biomass, phytoplankton richness, and evenness decreased significantly with both increasing TN and temperature. Temperature and nutrients also separated the northern highland lakes from other lakes in a non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis. Additionally, salinity reduced richness and evenness of phytoplankton and zooplankton. Our results indicate major changes in lake structure and functioning with warming and eutrophication, and highlight the need for strict control of nutrients and water use.C1 [Beklioglu, Meryem; Bucak, Tuba; Levi, Eti E.; Erdogan, Seyda; Ozen, Arda; Filiz, Nur; Bezirci, Gizem; Cakiroglu, Ayse Idil; Tavsanoglu, U. Nihan; Ozkan, Korhan; Jeppesen, Erik] Middle East Tech Univ, Dept Biol Sci, Limnol Lab, Ankara, Turkey.[Gokce, Didem] Inonu Univ, Dept Biol, Malatya, Turkey.[Demir, Nilsun] Ankara Univ, Fac Agr, Dept Fisheries & Aquaculture, Ankara, Turkey.[Ozulug, Mufit] Istanbul Univ, Fac Sci, Dept Biol, Istanbul, Turkey.[Duran, Mustafa] Pamukkale Univ, Fac Arts & Sci, Hydrobiol Lab, Denizli, Turkey.[Brucet, Sandra] Univ Vic, Aquat Ecol Grp, Cent Univ Catalonia, Vic, Spain.[Brucet, Sandra] ICREA, Catalan Inst Res & Adv Studies, Barcelona, Spain.[Levi, Eti E.; Jeppesen, Erik] Aarhus Univ, Dept Biosci & Arctic Res Ctr ARC, Silkeborg, Denmark.[Jeppesen, Erik] Sino Danish Ctr Educ & Res SDC, Beijing, Peoples R China.[Beklioglu, Meryem; Filiz, Nur] Middle East Tech Univ, Ctr Ecosyst Res & Implementat, Ankara, Turkey.[Bucak, Tuba] Nat Conservat Ctr DKM, Ankara, Turkey.[Erdogan, Seyda] Yozgat Bozok Univ, Fac Sci & Art, Dept Biol, Yozgat, Turkey.[Ozen, Arda] Cankiri Karatekin Univ, Dept Forest Engn, Cankiri, Turkey.[Bezirci, Gizem] British Embassy Sch, Ankara, Turkey.[Tavsanoglu, U. Nihan] Cankiri Karatekin Univ, Eldivan Vocat Sch Hlth Serv, Dept Environm Hlth, Cankiri, Turkey.[Ozkan, Korhan] Middle East Tech Univ, Inst Marine Sci, Mersin, Turkey