bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differential incorporation of biotinylated polyamines by transglutaminase 2
Authors: Jeon Ju-Hong , Kim Chai-Wan , Shin Dong-Myung , Kim Kyu-il , Cho Sung-Yup , Kwon Joon-Cheol , Choi Kyung-Ho , Kang Heun-Soo , Kim In-Gyu
Published: January 2003

Polyamine incorporation or cross‐linking of proteins, post‐translational modifications mediated by transglutaminase 2 (TGase 2), have been implicated in a variety of physiological functions including cell adhesion, extracellular matrix formation and apoptosis. To better understand the intracellular regulation mechanism of TGase 2, the properties of biotinylated polyamines as substrates for determining in situ TGase activity were analyzed. We synthesized biotinylated spermine (BS), and compared the in vitro and in situ incorporation of BS with that of biotinylated pentylamine (BP), which is an artificial polyamine derivative. When measured in vitro, BP showed a significantly higher incorporation rate than BS. In contrast, in situ incorporation of both BS and BP was not detected even in TGase 2‐overexpressed 293 cells. Cells exposed to high calcium showed a marked increase of BP incorporation but not of BS. These data indicate that the in situ activity of TGase 2 gives different results with different substrates, and suggest the possibility of overrepresentation of in situ TGase 2 activity when assayed with BP. Therefore, careful interpretation or evaluation of in situ TGase 2 activity may be required.
Diversity of the human erythrocyte membrane sialic acids in relation with blood groups
Authors: Bulai Tatiana , Bratosin Daniela , Pons Alexandre , Montreuil Jean , Zanetta Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2003

The composition of the human erythrocyte membrane (RBC) glycoprotein‐ and glycolipid‐bound sialic acids of A, B, AB and O type donors was studied using a new method (Zanetta et al., Glycobiology 11 (2001) 663–676). In addition to Neu5Ac as the major compound, Kdn, Neu5,9Ac2, Neu5,7Ac2, Neu (de‐N‐acetylated‐Neu5Ac), Neu5Ac8Me, Neu5Ac9Lt, Neu4,5Ac2, Neu5,8Ac29Lt and Neu5Ac8S were characterised. Among these different compounds, Neu5Ac8Me, Neu5Ac9Lt, Neu4,5Ac2, Neu5,8Ac29Lt and Neu5Ac8S have never been described and quantitatively determined before in human tissues or cells. Neu5Gc and its O‐alkylated or O‐acylated derivatives were not detected.
Kinetic properties of an inulosucrase from Lactobacillus reuteri 121
Authors: van Hijum S.A.F.T , van der Maarel M.J.E.C , Dijkhuizen L
Published: January 2003

Inulosucrases catalyze transfer of a fructose moiety from sucrose to a water molecule (hydrolysis) or to an acceptor molecule (transferase), yielding inulin. Bacterial inulin production is rare and a biochemical analysis of inulosucrase enzymes has not been reported. Here we report biochemical characteristics of a purified recombinant inulosucrase enzyme from Lactobacillus reuteri. It displayed Michaelis–Menten type of kinetics with substrate inhibition for the hydrolysis reaction. Kinetics of the transferase reaction is best described by the Hill equation, not reported before for these enzymes. A C‐terminal deletion of 100 amino acids did not appear to affect enzyme activity or product formation. This truncated form of the enzyme was used for biochemical characterization.
Control mechanism of JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway
Authors: Yamada Satoshi , Shiono Satoru , Joo Akiko , Yoshimura Akihiko
Published: January 2003

Suppressor of cytokine signaling‐1 (SOCS1) was identified as the negative regulator of Janus kinase (JAK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signal transduction pathway. However, the kinetics and control mechanism of the pathway have not yet been fully understood. We have developed the computer simulation of the JAK/STAT pathway. Without nuclear phosphatase, SOCS1's binding to JAK did not cause the decrease in nuclear phosphorylated STAT1. However, without SH2 domain‐containing tyrosine phosphatase 2 (SHP‐2) or cytoplasmic phosphatase, it did. So nuclear phosphatase is considered to be the most important in this system. By changing parameters of the model, dynamical characteristics and control mechanism were investigated.
Identification of a MAP65 isoform involved in directional expansion of plant cells
Authors: Chan Jordi , Mao Guojie , Smertenko Andrei , Hussey Patrick J. , Naldrett Mike , Bottrill Andrew , Lloyd Clive W.
Published: January 2003

MAP65 comprises a multigene family specific to plants. To see which isoform is utilised for the unique mechanism of cell expansion, uncomplicated by division structures, carrot cells were deprived of auxin whereupon they stopped dividing and elongated instead. During elongation, a MAP65 protein triplet reduced to a single band. Mass spectrometric analysis demonstrated that this corresponded to a single carrot cDNA; it also corresponded to the major protein previously shown to form filamentous cross‐bridges between microtubules in vitro. This MAP65 isoform is concluded to have a major role in establishing the parallel microtubule arrays characteristic of cells undergoing directional expansion.
Maternal and perinatal outcome in rheumatic heart disease
Authors: Sawhney H. , Aggarwal N. , Suri V. , Vasishta K. , Sharma Y. , Grover A.
Published: January 2003

Objectives: To study the maternal and perinatal outcome of pregnancies complicated by rheumatic heart disease. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in the cardio‐obstetric clinic of the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh (India) over a period of 13 years (1987–1999) involving 486 pregnant patients with rheumatic heart disease. Maternal and perinatal outcome was reviewed. Results: Three hundred and four patients (63.3%) had single valve involvement and mitral stenosis was the most predominant lesion (89.2%). One hundred and seventy one (38.6%) patients had undergone surgical correction prior to the onset of pregnancy. One hundred and thirteen patients (22.6%) were identified as NYHA class III–IV. Mitral valvotomy was performed during pregnancy in 48 patients. The incidence of preterm birth and small for gestational age newborns was 12% and 18.2%, respectively. There were 10 maternal deaths, of which eight patients were NYHA III and IV. Conclusions: Rheumatic heart disease in pregnancy is associated with significant maternal and perinatal morbidity in NYHA class III–IV patients.
Birthweight‐specific neonatal mortality in developing countries and obstetric practices
Authors: Straughn H.K. , Goldenberg R.L. , Tolosa J.E. , Daly S. , de Codes J. , Festin M.R. , Limpongsanurak S. , Lumbiganon P. , Paul V.K. , Peedicayil A. , Purwar M. , Sabogal J.C. , Shenoy S.
Published: January 2003

Objectives: To evaluate birthweight‐specific neonatal mortality and perinatal interventions in major medical centers in developed and developing countries. Methods: A survey was developed and electronically mailed to 13 medical centers participating in the Global Network for Perinatal and Reproductive Health (GNPRH). The ability of a center to provide requested data was assessed. The mortality rates and use of specific perinatal interventions in centers in developing countries were compared with developed countries. Results: Nine centers in developing countries responded to the survey, and three centers in developed countries were used for comparison. Data collection was highly variable. Most developing country centers were able to provide data by birthweight but not by gestational age. The differences in mortality rates between developing and developed countries were more pronounced at lower gestational ages and birthweights. A difference was found in perinatal interventions between developing and developed countries. In the former, viability was generally considered 28 weeks, and the gestational age at which cesarean sections were usually performed for the sake of the fetus at preterm gestations varied from 26 to 37 weeks. Most centers did not routinely induce for pPROM; only five out of nine centers used antibiotics to prolong latency. Most centers used tocolysis beginning at 26–28 weeks through 32–37 weeks, and a variety of tocolytic agents were used. Most centers routinely used corticosteroids for preterm infants, and all centers employed repeat weekly steroid dosing if undelivered. Conclusions: Despite the fact that the GNPRH centers included in this study represent some of the best health care available in these countries, they lag far behind centers in developed countries in neonatal mortality rates and their use of various obstetric practices. Furthermore, incomplete and inconsistent data collection complicates the evaluation of the factors contributing to high neonatal mortality rates.
Risk factors as the basis for triage in low‐resource cervical cancer screening programs
Authors: Gaffikin L. , Ahmed S. , Chen Y.Q. , McGrath J.M. , Blumenthal P.D.
Published: January 2003

Objectives: Several studies have shown impressive sensitivity and specificity of visual inspection using acetic acid wash (VIA) in detecting cervical dysplasia. This study examines how risk‐factor based triage, using clinical history‐taking to limit the testing to those at highest risk of disease, improves the clinical utility of VIA. Methods: The study population included 2206 woman aged 25–56 from peri‐urban primary care clinics in Zimbabwe. Three risk factors variables [age, lifetime number of sexual partners and history of a sexually transmitted infection (STI)] were selected as the basis for computer‐simulated patient triage. Criteria for selecting risk factors were biological relevance, programmatic feasibility, historical evidence in the scientific literature as a risk factor for cervical cancer and a significant (P<0.05) predictor of dysplasia in this study population. Predictive values for VIA were calculated on subgroups of women with combinations of the three risk factors and then compared with the predictive value of VIA calculated on the full study population. Results: The positive predictive value (PPV) among women with all three risk factors (30.2%) was 1.6 times higher than that of all study women and 4.5 times higher than women with none of the three risk factors (4.1%). Additionally, the PPV was slightly (30%) higher than that obtained from computer‐simulated serial testing using VIA as the primary test followed by HPV testing (27.4%). Conclusion: Clinical history‐taking could provide the basis for patient triage to increase the clinical utility of VIA. Such an approach could also serve to prioritize who gets tested first in low‐resource countries with high disease prevalence that are struggling to strengthen national cervical cancer prevention programs.
Multiple positive solutions for singularly perturbed elliptic problems in exterior domains
Authors: Cerami Giovanna , Molle Riccardo
Published: January 2003

The equation

−ε^2Δu+a_ε(x)u=u^{p−1}

with boundary Dirichlet zero data is considered in an exterior domain

\Omega = \mathbb{R}^{N}\backslash \bar \omega

(

ω

bounded and

N\geqslant 2

). Under the assumption that

a_ε\geqslant a_0>0

concentrates round a point of

Ω

as

ε→0

, that

p>2

and

p<2N/(N−2)

when

N\geqslant 3

, the existence of at least three positive distinct solutions is proved.

Dans cet article on étude l’équation

−ε^2Δu+a_ε(x)u=u^{p−1}

dans l’ouvert extérieur

\Omega = \mathbb{R}^{N}\backslash \bar \omega

(

ω

borné et

N\geqslant 2

), avec la condition de Dirichlet

u=0

sur

∂Ω

. En supposant que

a_ε\geqslant a_0>0

se concentre autour d’un point du domaine

Ω

quand

ε→0

, que

p>2

et que

p<2N/(N−2)

quand

N\geqslant 3

, on démontre que le problème possède au moins trois solutions distinctes.
Existence of solutions for the two-dimensional stationary Euler system for ideal fluids with arbitrary force
Authors: Glass Olivier
Published: January 2003

We generalize a theorem by J.-M. Coron (see [Sur la stabilisation des fluides parfaits incompressibles bidimensionnels, in: Séminaire Équations aux Dérivées Partielles, École Polytechnique, Centre de Mathématiques, 1998–1999, exposé VII]) and prove the existence of steady states of the Euler system for inviscid incompressible fluids with an arbitrary force term, in a plane bounded domain not necessarily simply connected, if one allows the fluid to pass through a prescribed region of the boundary, which satisfies the necessary condition that each connected component of the boundary is met by it.

Nous généralisons un théorème de J.-M. Coron (voir [Sur la stabilisation des fluides parfaits incompressibles bidimensionnels, in: Séminaire Équations aux Dérivées Partielles, École Polytechnique, Centre de Mathématiques, 1998–1999, exposé VII]), en prouvant l’existence d’états stationnaires pour le système d’Euler pour les fluides parfaits incompressibles avec un terme de force arbitraire. Ce résultat se place dans un domaine borné du plan non nécessairement simplement connexe, où le fluide peut entrer à travers une partie prescrite du bord, qui satisfait la condition nécessaire, qu’elle en rencontre toutes les composantes connexes.
D1 dopamine receptor regulation of cell cycle in FGF‐ and EGF‐supported primary cultures of embryonic cerebral cortical precursor cells
Authors: Zhang Ling , Lidow Michael S.
Published: January 2003

In the mammalian fetus, proliferation of the majority of cells destined for the cerebral cortex takes place within the transient proliferative zones of the cerebral wall. Recent investigations have demonstrated that cell of these zones express high levels of D1 dopamine receptors (D1Rs). However, the specific roles of these receptors have not been investigated. The present study tests the hypothesis that D1Rs are capable of regulating the cell cycle of cerebral cortical precursor cells. For this purpose, primary cultures of cells of the proliferative zones from the cerebral wall of 14‐day‐old mouse fetuses were generated and maintained in the presence of either fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF2) or epidermal growth factor (EGF). These growth factors were chosen as supporting two distinct populations of precursor cells in the fetal cortical proliferative matrix. The involvement of D1Rs in the regulation of proliferative activity was examined by the addition of a range of concentrations of the D1R‐specific agonist, SKF82958, to the culture media. Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assays demonstrated that exposure to this agonist led to a dose‐dependent reduction of DNA synthesis in both FGF2‐ and EGF‐supported cultures. Flow cytometric cell cycle assays further revealed that this was due to prevention of the transition of cells from the G1 phase to the S phase of the cell cycle. The D1R specificity of the effects of SKF82958 was supported in that they were blocked by the addition of the D1R antagonists, SCH23390 or NNC010756. We also found that D1R stimulation induced stronger suppression of proliferative activity in EGF‐supported than in FGF2‐supported cultures. Our observations suggest that D1Rs are capable of regulating the cell cycle during corticogenesis. Furthermore, they raise a possibility that these receptors may display different efficacies in affecting proliferative activity in FGF2‐supported versus EGF‐supported cerebral cortical precursor cells.
Medium requirements for neuritic outgrowth from goldfish retinal explants and the trophic effect of taurine
Authors: Cubillos S. , Fazzino F. , Lima L.
Published: January 2003

The use of culture media of known composition are necessary for studying the role of trophic molecules. Since most of the in vitro research on regeneration of the optic nerve has been performed in the presence of fetal calf serum, the aim of this study was to obtain a medium in which the neuritic outgrowth from post‐crush goldfish retinal explants could take place without adding fetal calf serum. After the lesion of the optic nerve (10 days), the retina of goldfish was dissected and explants were cultured for 5 and 10 days in the absence or in the presence of fetal calf serum, at which time the neuritic outgrowth was determined. Various concentrations and combinations of glucose, albumin, calcium, HEPES and taurine were used. The highest neuritic outgrowth was observed in the presence of fetal calf serum, in which condition the amino acid taurine increased length and density of neurites. Media supplemented with albumin, calcium or HEPES did not modify the outgrowth of neurites from the explants. However, glucose favored the neuritic outgrowth in a bell‐shaped manner, although fibers were thinner than those observed in the presence of fetal calf serum. Taurine did not stimulate outgrowth of neurites from explants growing in a medium with optimal concentrations of glucose, indicating that elements of the fetal calf serum are determinant for the trophic effect of taurine. The present results contribute to further studies, such as those related to the effect of taurine and of trophic factors derived from the optic tectum, which would be performed in the presence of a medium free of fetal calf serum.
The significance of A‐δ and C fibres for the perception of synthetic heat
Authors: Fruhstorfer Heinrich , Harju Eva‐Liz , Lindblom Ulf F
Published: January 2003

Synthetic heat is a perception of strong, but not painful, heat arising when skin is stimulated by an alternating pattern of adjacent cold and warmth. This study examines the contribution of different classes of nerve fibres to this perception. In 40 subjects changes in synthetic heat and thermal perceptions were studied during a 30‐min ischaemic nerve block in one reaction time, and one threshold determination task. Synthetic heat stimuli were described as hot or warm, but not as painful, and were preceded by a transient cold. Reaction times for synthetic heat stimuli did not differ from those for cold stimuli. Thresholds for synthetic heat and thermal stimuli were similar. During A fibre nerve block the perception of synthetic heat lost the cold component whereas the frequency of hot and warm descriptors did not change. The perception of cold stimuli changed, such that pure cold was replaced by dysaesthetic descriptors. Reaction times and thresholds for thermal and synthetic heat stimuli increased equally during the nerve block. It is concluded that the perception of synthetic heat most likely arises from the fusion of signals dependent on unmyelinated low threshold cold and warm receptors. It is not dependent on A‐δ cold fibres, and a contribution of nociceptors is quite unlikely. The possibility of a psychological contribution at the perceptual level is discussed.
Factors influencing the features of postherpetic neuralgia and outcome when treated with tricyclics
Authors: Bowsher David
Published: January 2003

This paper retrospectively reviews features of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) in up to 279 personal patients in relation to treatment outcome when treated with tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).

Factors affecting characteristics of PHN: (i) Patients with allodynia (89%) and/or burning pain (56%) have a much higher visual analogue pain intensity score than those without; (ii) Acyclovir (ACV) given for acute shingles (HZ) does not reduce the incidence of subsequent PHN, but reduces the pain intensity in PHN patients with allodynia; (iii) ACV given for acute HZ reduces the incidence of burning pain in subsequent PHN, but not of allodynia; (iv) ACV given for acute HZ reduces the incidence of clinically detectable sensory deficit in subsequent PHN.

Factors affecting outcome of TCA‐treated PHN: (i) The point in time at which TCA treatment is commenced is by far the most critical factor: started between 3 and 12 months after acute HZ onset, more than two‐thirds obtain pain relief (NNT=1.8); between 13 and 24 months, two‐fifths (41%) (NNT=3.6); and more than two years, one‐third (NNT=8.3). Background and paroxysmal pain disappear earlier and are more susceptible of relief than allodynia. (ii) Twice as many (86%) of PHN patients without allodynia obtain pain relief with TCA treatment than those with (42%); (iii) the use of ACV for acute HZ more than halves the time‐to‐relief of PHN patients by TCAs; (iv) PHN patients with burning pain are significantly less likely to obtain pain relief with TCAs than those without (p<0.0001).
Induction of non‐painful and painful intestinal sensations by hypertonic saline: a new human experimental model
Authors: Drewes Asbjørn M , Babenko Liudmila , Birket‐Smith Lene , Funch‐Jensen Peter , Arendt‐Nielsen Lars
Published: January 2003

Background and aims. To develop a pain model for chemical stimulation of the human gut.

Methods. In a double‐blind experimental study 10 subjects with a previously performed sigmoidostomy were randomised to receive injections with either isotonic or hypertonic saline in the colonic mucosa. In the hypertonic experimental arm, 0.1 ml of 0.9%, 2%, 4%, and 6% and 0.2 ml of 2% and 4% saline were given. In the placebo arm, six 0.9% saline injections of the same quantities were given. In a separate experiment 0.8 ml 4% saline was infused into the mucosa by a pump over a period of 2 min. The pain intensity was rated on a 0–10 visual analogue scale with 5 as the pain threshold.

Results. The hypertonic saline injections resulted in local as well as referred non‐painful and painful sensations in 9 out of the 10 subjects. The evoked sensations were mostly described as a smarting sensation with an intensity of median 1 (range 0–5.6) for 0.1 ml 2% saline to median 2.9 (range 0–6.2) for 0.2 ml 4% saline. Seven subjects reported referred sensations to the abdominal skin. Continuous infusion of 4% saline resulted in a consistent sensory response in all subjects, with a median intensity of 4.1 (range 2.1–8.1). This sensory intensity was reproducible in 70% in a retest experiment after median 7 weeks. In the placebo arm a total of 70 isotonic saline injections only resulted in inconsistent, short‐lasting non‐painful sensations in three subjects.

Conclusion. The model represents a safe method for direct chemical activation of the sensory endings in the human gut. The model may be used for pharmacological screening of analgesics and for basic investigations in patients suffering from gastrointestinal diseases.
Disuse and deconditioning in chronic low back pain: concepts and hypotheses on contributing mechanisms
Authors: Verbunt Jeanine A , Seelen Henk A , Vlaeyen Johan W , van de Heijden Geert J , Heuts Peter H , Pons Kees , Knottnerus J Andre
Published: January 2003

For years enhancement of a patient's level of physical fitness has been an important goal in rehabilitation treatment in chronic low back pain (CLBP), based on the hypothesis that physical deconditioning contributes to the chronicity of low back pain. However, whether this hypothesis in CLBP holds is not clear. In this paper, possible mechanisms that contribute to the development of physical deconditioning in CLBP, such as avoidance behaviour and suppressive behaviour, are discussed. The presence of both deconditioning‐related physiological changes, such as muscle atrophy, changes in metabolism, osteoporosis and obesity as well as deconditioning related functional changes, such as a decrease in cardiovascular capacity, a decrease in muscle strength and impaired motor control in patients with CLBP are discussed. Results of studies on the level of physical activities in daily life (PAL) and the level of physical fitness in patients with CLBP compared to healthy controls were reviewed. In studies on PAL results that were either lower or comparable to healthy subjects were found. The presence of disuse (i.e., a decrease in the level of physical activities in daily life) in patients with CLBP was not confirmed. The inconclusive findings in the papers reviewed may partly be explained by different measurement methods used in research on PAL in chronic pain. The level of physical fitness of CLBP patients also appeared to be lower or comparable to the fitness level of healthy persons. A discriminating factor between fit and unfit patients with back pain may be the fact that fit persons more frequently are still employed, and as such may be involved more in physical activity. Lastly some suggestions are made for further research in the field of disuse and deconditioning in CLBP.
USING EVIDENCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOCAL HEALTH POLICIES
Authors: Weatherly Helen , Drummond Michael , Smith Dave
Published: January 2003

Objectives: This paper explores the use of evidence, focusing on economic evidence in particular, in the development of local health policies through an in-depth study of Health Improvement Programmes (HImPs) in England.

Methods: A questionnaire was sent to the person responsible for coordinating the development of the HImP in each of the 102 English health authorities. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 HImP leaders, and a random sample of 26 HImP documents was reviewed using a standard pro forma.

Results: Of the 102 mail questionnaires sent out, 68 (67%) were returned. It was found that those developing HImPs had multiple objectives, only some of which (e.g., efficiency in healthcare provision) would necessarily require evidence. Where evidence was used, this was a mixture of internal (experiential) and external (empirical) evidence, with the balance (66%) being in favor of the latter. Government reports and guidance from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), were the main sources of external evidence, rather than published papers. Key barriers to the use of economic evidence were lack of time and availability and the difficulties in synthesizing information at the local level.

Conclusions: Based on responses to our survey, the main ways of increasing the use of evidence in the development of local health policies in England are to produce more evidence-based national guidance and to produce accessible summaries of the available literature for local decision makers.
INCORPORATION OF GENUINE PRIOR INFORMATION IN COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL TRIAL DATA
Authors: Stevens John W. , O'Hagan Anthony
Published: January 2003

The Bayesian approach to statistics has been growing rapidly in popularity as an alternative to the frequentist approach in the appraisal of heathcare technologies in clinical trials. Bayesian methods have significant advantages over classical frequentist statistical methods and the presentation of evidence to decision makers. A fundamental feature of a Bayesian analysis is the use of prior information as well as the clinical trial data in the final analysis. However, the incorporation of prior information remains a controversial subject that provides a potential barrier to the acceptance of practical uses of Bayesian methods. The pur pose of this paper is to stimulate a debate on the use of prior information in evidence submitted to decision makers. We discuss the advantages of incorporating genuine prior information in cost-effectivene ss analyses of clinical trial data and explore mechanisms to safeguard scientific rigor in the use of such prior information.
HTA EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN EUROPE
Authors: Douw Karla , Vondeling Hindrik , Bakketeig Leiv. S. , Gabbay John , Hansen Niels Würgler , Kristensen Finn Børlum
Published: January 2003

Objective: To identify training programs and educational resources in health technology assessment (HTA) in Europe.

Methods: A postal survey among potential informants in European countries and Israel, expanding on surveys among ISTAHC and INAHTA members. Informants were identified either using HTA networks or by means of Internet sources.

Results: The combined results of the three surveys show that in the European Union (EU), including Norway and Switzerland, 13 of 17 countries (76%) provide either university level courses or continuing education HTA courses. In the candidate EU countries, 4 of 10 countries (40%) provide HTA courses. In the remainder of countries, only Israel provides HTA courses. Ten different types of courses were identified, mainly applying traditional teaching methods. A substantial number of the courses were first organized in recent years. Many countries in central and eastern Europe expressed the wish to become more involved in HTA.

Conclusion: There is a rapid increase in the number and diversity of courses in HTA in Europe. In particular, countries in the EU are well represented. Education and training in HTA is scarce in EU candidate membership countries, and virtually absent in the remainder of countries. In general, HTA as a field is in the process of becoming established and institutionalized both in individual countries and internationally. To stimulate this development in the area of education and training, both bilateral cooperation and an EU-wide coordinated effort are recommended.
1. CONVERSATION ANALYSIS AND APPLIED LINGUISTICS
Authors: Schegloff Emanuel A. , Koshik Irene , Jacoby Sally , Olsher David
Published: January 2003

Conversation Analysis (CA) as a mode of inquiry is addressed to all forms of talk and other conduct in interaction, and, accordingly, touches on the concerns of applied linguists at many points. This review sketches and offers bibliographical guidance on several of the major relevant areas of conversation-analytic work—turn-taking, repair, and word selection—and indicates past or potential points of contact with applied linguistics. After covering these areas, we include a brief discussion of some key themes in CA's treatment of talk in institutional contexts. Finally, we discuss several established areas of applied linguistic work in which conversation analytic work is being explored—native, nonnative, and multilingual talk; talk in educational institutions; grammar and interaction; intercultural communication and comparative CA; and implications for designing language teaching tasks, materials, and assessment tasks. We end with some cautions on applying CA findings to other applied linguistic research contexts.
2. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE APPROACHES TO DISCOURSE ANALYSIS
Authors: Lazaraton Anne
Published: January 2003

This chapter summarizes 16 empirical studies that employ quantitative and/or qualitative discourse analytic techniques published in applied linguistics journals over the last five years. These studies tend to analyze spoken discourse in formal contexts, produced by both adults and children who are native and nonnative speakers of English. Unfortunately, all studies focus only on English discourse, which suggests that analyses of discourse in other languages are clearly needed; moreover, it was extremely difficult to find published discourse analytic studies which employ only quantitative research methods. Although each of these discourse analytic studies presents segments of transcribed discourse, researchers collect data of the type and in the amount prescribed by the analytical tradition employed—those working within the conversation analytic tradition collect, transcribe, analyze, and present only recorded social interaction, while researchers who situate themselves in the ethnography of communication framework collect and present various forms of “triangulated” data to support their conclusions. The chapter concludes by mentioning the problem of evaluative criteria for qualitative research, and by suggesting that applied linguists need to address this issue and articulate some reasonable solutions, so that all published research is, in fact, quality research.
10. TEACHER-STUDENT INTERACTION AND LANGUAGE LEARNING
Authors: Hall Joan Kelly , Walsh Meghan
Published: January 2003

This chapter reviews literature on recent developments in teacher-student interaction and language learning. Based on a sociocultural perspective of language and learning, the studies are drawn from three types of classrooms: first language classrooms; second language classrooms, which include contexts in which the language being learned in the classroom is also the language of the community; and foreign language classrooms. Foreign language learning contexts are those in which exposure to and opportunities for target language interaction are restricted for the most part to the language classroom. Across these three areas, attention is given to studies that investigate the specific means used in teacher-student interaction to promote language learning.
14. DISCOURSE APPROACHES TO WRITING ASSESSMENT
Authors: Connor Ulla , Mbaye Aymérou
Published: January 2003

At present, mastery of English for educational and professional purposes contributes significantly to expansion of the role of English as a language of world communication. In this context, the teaching—and, consequently, the assessment—of EFL/ESL writing is receiving more attention than ever before. This chapter argues that, although this renewed interest in the evaluation of writing has resulted in advances in the field of language testing, it has by and large failed to incorporate insights gained from recent developments in text analysis. There is a considerable gap between current practices in writing assessment and criteria suggested by advances in knowledge of discourse structure. We illustrate this gap by contrasting current practices in the scoring of two major EFL/ESL writing tests with knowledge of text characteristics generated from recent developments in text analysis. The review concludes by making the case for bridging the gap and by proposing a model of writing assessment that incorporates both linguistic and discoursal features of texts.
Cultural Interventions for African American Families with Severely Emotionally Disturbed Children
Authors: Thornton Karen A.
Published: January 2003

African American families of children who are diagnosed with a serious emotional disturbance (SED) often report that mental health services are not readily available, accessible, or culturally relevant. A case study is used to illustrate issues related to access and utilization of mental health services by African American parents with an SED child. Specific cultural interventions for African American families of children who are diagnosed with an SED are described.
Cultural Competence in Psychiatric Nursing: Have you “Asked” the Right Questions?
Authors: Campinha-Bacote Josepha
Published: January 2003

The changing demographics and economics of the growing multicultural world and longstanding disparities in the health status of people from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds have challenged healthcare professionals to consider cultural competence a priority. In this article, Campinha-Bacote’s revised model of cultural competence in psychiatric nursing is presented. The model reflects current diagnostic and treatment issues related to this specialty field.
Racism and Mental Health
Authors: Barbee Evelyn
Published: January 2003

Race and its associated concept, racism, have long been linked to social and health problems. In this article, racism as a social construct is defined, and some of the literature on racism and mental health is reviewed. Examples from the literature and the author’s research on Black women and depression are used to point out Black women’s experiences with racism in the mental health system.
Diversity of substance use in eastern Arnhem Land (Australia): patterns and recent changes
Authors: CLOUGH ALAN R. , GUYULA TERRENCE , YUNUPINGU MAYMUNA , BURNS CHRISTOPHER B.
Published: January 2003

The objective of this study was to describe patterns of substance use among remote Aboriginal community populations. The setting was the eastern Arnhem Land (‘Miwatj’) region of the Northern Territory's (NT) ‘To p End’, with a population of 4217 Aboriginal people over 15 years of age using a cross‐sectional description and comparison. Sample 1 (n = 689) from the region used data from health‐worker consensus classification of kava, alcohol, tobacco, petrol and cannabis use. Sample 2 (n = 101) from one community used self‐reported use, age at commencement, duration, amounts consumed and expenditure. In 1999 (sample 1), 46% of males and 18% of females were kava users, alcohol: 53% males, 12% females, tobacco: 68% males, 65% females, and cannabis: 31% males, 8% females. Less than 5% sniffed petrol. In one community in 2000, 39% males and 20% females reported using cannabis during the previous month. In this community between 1999 and 2000, the proportion of current kava users among men declined (77–52%, p = 0.015) with a tendency in women for a decrease in the proportion of tobacco users (87–69%, p = 0.096). The increase in the proportion of cannabis users in men (21–39%, p = 0.068) was not statistically significant. However, in women the increase was significant (0–20%, p = 0.013). Gross expenditure on tobacco and kava were similar in 2000: both greater than cannabis and alcohol. Median years used ranged from 4 years for cannabis and 20 years for tobacco. The data supported anecdotes of a recent rise in cannabis use, especially in women. Kava use declined in men. Tobacco use patterns in women may have been changing. Average per capita consumption of alcohol was low compared with other ‘To p End’ areas. Such varied and dynamic substance use patterns pose challenges for research and policy.
Recent trends in benzodiazepine use by injecting drug users in Victoria and Tasmania
Authors: FRY CRAIG L. , BRUNO RAIMONDO B.
Published: January 2003

To address the lack of data on patterns of benzodiazepine use among injecting drug users (IDU) in Victoria and Tasmania, convenience samples of 152 Melbourne and 100 Hobart IDU were recruited from needle and syringe programme outlets and administered a structured survey on patterns of benzodiazepine use, injection‐related health problems and drug use history. Most respondents had used benzodiazepines during the preceding 6 months, and more than one‐third (Melbourne 36%, 95% CI, 28–44; Hobart 37%, 95% CI, 27–47) had injected benzodiazepines during this period. Diazepam was the preferred benzodiazepine for those using orally, while intravenous benzodiazepine users preferred to inject temazepam. Benzodiazepine injection for Melbourne IDU was related to greater levels of injection‐related health problems. Patterns of benzodiazepine use amongst Melbourne and Hobart IDU are different to that in other Australian jurisdictions, with available data suggesting that prevalence of injection may be increasing. Ongoing monitoring of benzodiazepine injection, together with in‐depth studies of supply characteristics and health impacts in jurisdictions where significant trends are detected is needed. Consideration of regulatory, supply, education and training options for the prevention of benzodiazepine injection is also indicated.
The feasibility and acceptability of introducing brief intervention for alcohol misuse in an urban Aboriginal medical service
Authors: BRADY MAGGIE , SIBTHORPE BEVERLY , BAILIE ROSS , BALL SANDY , SUMNERDODD POLLY
Published: January 2003

We report on the feasibility and perceived acceptability of brief motivational interviewing for hazardous alcohol use in an urban Aboriginal health service. General practitioners (GPs) were trained in brief motivational interviewing, and health workers in other aspects of the intervention. Screening was initially carried out using the AUDIT, but subsequently reduced to two simple questions. Information was obtained through a combination of participant observation by the study team, ongoing ad hoc review and feedback from staff, periodic group meetings, and one‐on‐one interviews with health workers and GPs. The AUDIT was felt to be intrusive and some questions were poorly understood. Brief intervention seemed to be culturally appropriate, but barriers to wider administration included lack of time and the complexity of patients' presenting health problems. As a result of the research there was an increase in general awareness and acceptability of addressing alcohol issues at the health service. This study raises a number of issues that both support and threaten the wide implementation of brief intervention in urban Aboriginal primary care settings.
Scrutinizing Three Trichloroethylene Carcinogenicity Classifications in the European Union—Implications for the Risk Assessment Process
Authors: Rudén Christina
Published: January 2003

In this paper, carcinogenicity classifications of the chlorinated solvent trichloroethylene (TCE) made by the European Union Commission Expert Groups in 1976, 1988, and 2001 are scrutinized and alternative classifications are proposed. It is argued that the TCE database at these three points in time could have been interpreted to fulfill the criteria for stricter classifications than those actually made. Implications of this for the classification process are discussed.
An extension of Elton’s ℓ₁ⁿ theorem to complex Banach spaces
Authors: Dilworth S. , Patterson Joseph
Published: January 2003

Let

ε
>
0

\varepsilon > 0

be sufficiently small. Then, for

θ
=
0.225

ε

\theta =0.225\sqrt \varepsilon

, there exists

δ
:=
δ
(
ε
)
>
1

\delta := \delta (\varepsilon )>1

such that if

(

e
i

)

i
=
1

n

(e_i)_{i=1}^n

are vectors in the unit ball of a complex Banach space

X
X

which satisfy
\[

E

‖

∑

i
=
1

n

Z
i

e
i

‖

≥
δ
n

\mathbb {E} \left \| \sum _{i=1}^n Z_i e_i \right \| \geq \delta n

\]
(where

(

Z
i

)

(Z_i)

are independent complex Steinhaus random variables), then there exists a set

B
⊆
{
1
,
…
,
n
}

B \subseteq \{1,\dots ,n\}

, with

|

B

|

≥
θ
n

|B| \geq \theta n

, such that
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="double-vertical-bar sigma-summation Underscript i element-of upper B Endscripts z Subscript i Baseline e Subscript i Baseline double-vertical-bar greater-than-or-equal-to left-parenthesis 1 minus epsilon right-parenthesis sigma-summation Underscript i element-of upper B Endscripts StartAbsoluteValue z Subscript i Baseline EndAbsoluteValue">

‖

∑

i
∈
B

z
i

e
i

‖

≥
(
1
−
ε
)

∑

i
∈
B

|

z
i

|

\begin{equation*} \left \|\sum _{i\in B} z_i e_i \right \| \geq (1-\varepsilon ) \sum _{i\in B} |z_i| \end{equation*}

for all

z
i

∈

C

z_i\in \mathbb {C}

(

i
∈
B

i\in B

). The

ε

\sqrt \varepsilon

dependence on

ε
\varepsilon

of the threshold proportion

θ
\theta

is sharp.
An approach to the spectrum structure of Dirac operators by the local-compactness method
Authors: Ikuta Tadashi , Shima Kazuhisa
Published: January 2003

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the spectra of the Dirac operator

H
=

H
0

+
V
=
−
i
c
α
⋅
∇
+
β
m

c
2

+
V

H=H_0+V=-ic\alpha \cdot \nabla +\beta mc^2+V

. The local compactness of

H
H

is shown under some assumption on

V
V

. This method enables us to prove that if

|

V
(
x
)
−
a
β

|

→
0

|V(x)-a\beta |\to 0

as

|

x

|

→
∞

|x|\to \infty

, then
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="sigma Subscript e s s Baseline left-parenthesis upper H right-parenthesis equals left-parenthesis negative normal infinity comma minus m c squared minus a right-bracket union left-bracket m c squared plus a comma normal infinity right-parenthesis">

σ

ess

(
H
)
=
(
−
∞
,
−
m

c
2

−
a
]
∪
[
m

c
2

+
a
,
∞
)

\sigma _{\operatorname {ess}}(H)=(-\infty ,-mc^2-a]\cup [mc^2+a,\infty )

and to give a significant sufficient condition that

H

+

H^{+}

or

H

−

H^{-}

has a purely discrete spectrum.
On approximations of rank one ℋ₋₂-perturbations
Authors: Albeverio S. , Koshmanenko V. , Kurasov P. , Nizhnik L.
Published: January 2003

Approximations of rank one

H

−
2

{\mathcal H}_{-2}

-perturbations of self-adjoint operators by operators with regular rank one perturbations are discussed. It is proven that in the case of arbitrary not semibounded operators such approximations in the norm resolvent sense can be constructed without any renormalization of the coupling constant. Approximations of semibounded operators are constructed using rank one non-symmetric regular perturbations.
On the Bochner theorem on orthogonal operators
Authors: Grinshpun Zinoviy
Published: January 2003

We prove the following theorem. Any isometric operator

U
U

, that acts from the Hilbert space

H
1

(
Ω
)

H_1(\Omega )

with nonnegative weight

p
(
x
)

p(x)

to the Hilbert space

H
2

(
Ω
)

H_2(\Omega )

with nonnegative weight

q
(
x
)

q(x)

, allows for the integral representation
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper U f equals StartFraction 1 Over q left-parenthesis xi right-parenthesis EndFraction StartFraction partial-differential Superscript n Baseline Over partial-differential xi 1 ellipsis partial-differential xi Subscript n Baseline EndFraction integral Underscript normal upper Omega Endscripts ModifyingAbove upper L left-parenthesis xi comma t right-parenthesis With bar f left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis p left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis d t comma">

U
f
=

1

q
(
ξ
)

∂
n

∂

ξ
1

…
∂

ξ
n

∫

Ω

L
(
ξ
,
t
)

¯

f
(
t
)
p
(
t
)
d
t
,

Uf=\frac {1}{q(\xi )} \frac {\partial ^n}{\partial \xi _1\ldots \partial \xi _n}\int _{\Omega } \overline {L(\xi ,t)}f(t)p(t)dt,

\]

\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="upper U Superscript negative 1 Baseline f equals StartFraction 1 Over p left-parenthesis xi right-parenthesis EndFraction StartFraction partial-differential Superscript n Baseline Over partial-differential xi 1 ellipsis partial-differential xi Subscript n Baseline EndFraction integral Underscript normal upper Omega Endscripts ModifyingAbove upper K left-parenthesis xi comma t right-parenthesis With bar f left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis q left-parenthesis t right-parenthesis d t comma">

U

−
1

f
=

1

p
(
ξ
)

∂
n

∂

ξ
1

…
∂

ξ
n

∫

Ω

K
(
ξ
,
t
)

¯

f
(
t
)
q
(
t
)
d
t
,

U^{-1}f= \frac {1}{p(\xi )}\frac {\partial ^n}{\partial \xi _1\ldots \partial \xi _n} \int _{\Omega }\overline {K(\xi ,t)}f(t)q(t)dt,

\]
where the kernels

L
(
ξ
,
t
)

L(\xi ,t)

and

K
(
ξ
,
t
)

K(\xi ,t)

satisfy certain conditions that are necessary and sufficient for these kernels to generate the corresponding isometric operators.
Interpolation inequalities in Besov spaces
Authors: Machihara Shuji , Ozawa Tohru
Published: January 2003

In this paper we present an interpolation inequality in the homogeneous Besov spaces on

R

n

\mathbb {R}^n

, which reduces to a number of well-known inequalities in special cases.
Finite rank operators in closed maximal triangular algebras II
Authors: Dong Zhe , Lu Shijie
Published: January 2003

In this paper, we discuss finite rank operators in a closed maximal triangular algebra

S

{\mathcal {S}}

. Based on the following result that each finite rank operator of

S

{\mathcal {S}}

can be written as a finite sum of rank one operators each belonging to

S

{\mathcal {S}}

, we proved that
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="left-parenthesis script upper S intersection script upper F script left-parenthesis script upper H script right-parenthesis right-parenthesis Superscript w Super Superscript asterisk Baseline equals left-brace upper T element-of script upper B script left-parenthesis script upper H script right-parenthesis colon upper T upper N subset-of-or-equal-to upper N Subscript tilde Baseline comma for-all upper N element-of script upper N right-brace">

(

S

∩

F
(
H
)

)

w

∗

=
{
T
∈

B
(
H
)

:
T
N
⊆

N

∼

,
∀
N
∈

N

}

({\mathcal {S}}\cap {\mathcal {F(H)}})^{w^{*}}=\{T\in {\mathcal {B(H)}}: TN\subseteq N_{\sim }, \forall N\in \mathcal {N}\}

, where

N

∼

=
N

N_{\sim }=N

, if

d
i
m
N
⊖

N

−

≤
1

dim N\ominus N_{-}\leq 1

; and

N

∼

=

N

−

N_{\sim }=N_{-}

, if

d
i
m
N
⊖

N

−

=
∞

dim N\ominus N_{-}=\infty

. We also proved that the Erdos Density Theorem holds in

S

{\mathcal {S}}

if and only if

S

{\mathcal {S}}

is strongly reducible.
On pointwise estimates for the Littlewood-Paley operators
Authors: Lerner Andrei
Published: January 2003

In a recent paper we proved pointwise estimates relating some classical maximal and singular integral operators. Here we show that inequalities essentially of the same type hold for the Littlewood-Paley operators.
Gevrey vectors of multi-quasi-elliptic systems
Authors: Bouzar Chikh , Chaili Rachid
Published: January 2003

We show that the multi-quasi-ellipticity is a necessary and sufficient condition for the property of elliptic iterates to hold for multi-quasi-homogenous differential operators.