bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence of luminol in neutral and alkaline aqueous solutions on a silver nanoparticle self‐assembled gold electrode
Authors: Wang Cheng‐Ming , Cui Hua
Published: July 2006

The electrochemiluminescence (ECL) behaviour of luminol on a silver nanoparticle self‐assembled gold electrode in neutral and alkaline solutions was investigated using conventional cyclic voltammetry (CV). The silver nanoparticle self‐assembled gold electrode exhibited excellent ECL properties for the luminol ECL system. In neutral solutions, four ECL peaks (ECL‐1–ECL‐4) were observed at 0.73, 1.15, ‐0.46 and ‐1.35 V (vs. SCE), respectively. The intensities of these peaks were enhanced significantly compared with those on a bulk gold electrode and a gold nanoparticle self‐assembled gold electrode. It was found that ECL‐1 and ECL‐2 on a silver nanoparticle‐modified electrode were about 1000 and 1770 times stronger than those on a bare Au electrode and were about 17 and 15 times stronger than those on a gold nanoparticle‐modified electrode, respectively. In alkaline solutions, four ECL peaks were also observed that were much stronger than those in neutral solutions, and ECL‐1 and ECL‐2 were enhanced by about three orders and one order of magnitude compared with those on a bare Au electrode and on a gold nanoparticle self‐assembled electrode, respectively. Moreover, the silver nanoparticle‐modified electrode exhibited good stability and reproducibility for luminol ECL. These peaks were found to depend on a number of factors, including silver nanoparticles on the surface of the modified electrode, potential scan direction, scan rate, scan range, the presence of O2 or N2, pH values, the concentrations of NaBr and luminol, and buffer solutions. The emitter of the ECL was confirmed as 3‐aminophthalate by analysing the CL spectra. The surface state of the silver nanoparticle self‐assembled electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the interface property of the electrode was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A mechanism for the formation of these ECL peaks is proposed. The results demonstrate that luminol has excellent ECL properties, such as strong ECL intensity and good reproducibility on a silver nanoparticle‐modified gold electrode, in both neutral and alkaline solutions, which is of great potential in analytical applications. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cover Picture: Direct Evaluation of a Kinetic Model for RecA‐Mediated DNA‐strand exchange: The Importance of Nucleic Acid Dynamics and Entropy During Homologous Genetic Recombination (ChemBioChem 8/2006)
Authors: Xiao Jie , Lee Andrew M. , Singleton Scott F.
Published: July 2006

The cover picture shows the first detectable intermediate in RecA‐mediated homologous recombination. RecA (silver spheres) coats single‐stranded DNA (blue strand) to form a filament that searches double‐stranded DNA (red and yellow strands) for homology. An essential step in sequence recognition is the formation of the X‐shaped intermediate in which a few bases of the single‐stranded DNA interact with the minor groove of locally stretched double‐stranded DNA. In catalyzing recombination, RecA's mechanistic strategy relies on entropic contributions and intrinsic DNA dynamics. The latter point is illustrated by the motion of the base in the red strand. Further details can be found in the article by S. F. Singleton et al. on p. 1265 ff.
A concept for the standardized detection of disseminated tumor cells in bone marrow from patients with primary breast cancer and its clinical implementation
Authors: Fehm Tanja , Braun Stephan , Muller Volkmar , Janni Wolfgang , Gebauer Gerhard , Marth Christian , Schindlbeck Christian , Wallwiener Diethelm , Borgen Elin , Naume Bjorn , Pantel Klaus , Solomayer Erich
Published: July 2006

Numerous single‐institutional studies and a large pooled analysis have demonstrated that the presence of disseminated tumor cells (DTCs) in the bone marrow (BM) from patients with primary, nonmetastatic breast cancer (Stages I‐III) is associated with impaired prognosis. To date, sampling of BM and assessment of DTCs is not considered a routine procedure in the clinical management of breast cancer patients; however, emerging data suggest a future role for risk stratification and monitoring of therapeutic efficacy. Because these clinical options need to be evaluated in trials to verify the principle of this concept in the clinical setting, agreement on the standardized detection of DTCs is necessary. Consequently, the German, Austrian, and Swiss Societies for Senology recently formed a panel 1) to review and discuss the existing methodologies, 2) to find a consensus for a standardized detection of DTCs, and 3) to explore the options for its clinical implementation. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
The addition of induction chemotherapy to preoperative, concurrent chemoradiotherapy improves tumor response in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Malaisrie S. Chris , Hofstetter Wayne L. , Correa Arlene M. , Ajani Jaffer A. , Komaki Ritsuko R. , Rice David C. , Vaporciyan Ara A. , Walsh Garrett L. , Roth Jack A. , Wu Tsung T. , Swisher Stephen G.
Published: July 2006

BACKGROUND.

Tumor viability assessed by pathologic analysis of resected specimens in patients with preoperatively treated esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is a prognostic indicator. The feasibility of induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and surgery for patients with locoregionally advanced EAC has been demonstrated. In this study, the authors evaluated the efficacy of CCRT compared with traditional concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

METHODS.

The authors retrospectively reviewed 247 consecutive patients with EAC who presented for planned surgery after treatment with either CCRT or CRT from January 1997 through August 2003. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and tumor characteristics were analyzed. Pathologic tumor response, overall survival, and disease‐free survival were assessed according to treatment.

RESULTS.

One hundred seventeen patients received CCRT, and 130 patients received CRT before planned surgical resection. CCRT resulted in a 64% tumor response rate compared with a 51% tumor response rate in the CRT group (odds ratio, 1.73; P = .035). In the CCRT group, the median overall survival was 55 months, and the 3‐year overall survival rate was 59%; in the CRT group, the median overall survival was 25 months, and the 3‐year overall survival rate was 41% (hazard ratio [HR], 0.69; P = .041). In the CCRT group, the median disease‐free survival was 43 months, and the 3‐year disease‐free survival rate was 54%; in the CRT group, the median disease‐free survival was 18 months, and the 3‐year disease‐free survival rate was 36% (HR, 0.72; P = .047). Subset analysis of patients with clinical Stage III/IVA disease showed a median overall survival of 51 months with a 3‐year overall survival rate of 58% in the CCRT group and a median overall survival of 20 months with a 3‐year overall survival rate of 28% in the CRT group (HR, 0.57; P = .019).

CONCLUSIONS.

In patients with EAC, CCRT improved tumor response significantly compared with traditional CRT alone. Overall survival and disease‐free survival were increased in patients who received CCRT, especially in the subset of patients who had more advanced disease. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Cellular composition and cytoarchitecture of the rabbit subventricular zone and its extensions in the forebrain
Authors: Ponti Giovanna , Aimar Patrizia , Bonfanti Luca
Published: July 2006

Persistent neurogenic sites, harboring neurogenic progenitor cells, which give rise to neuronal precursors throughout life, occur in different mammals, including humans. The telencephalic subventricular zone (SVZ) is the most active adult neurogenic site. Despite remarkable knowledge of its anatomical and cellular composition in rodents, detailed arrangement of SVZ in other mammals is poorly understood, yet comparative studies suggest that differences might exist. Here, by analyzing the cellular composition/arrangement in the SVZ of postnatal, young, and adult rabbits, we found a remarkably heterogeneous distribution of its chain and glia compartments. Starting from postnatal stages, this heterogeneity leads to a distinction between a ventricular SVZ and an abventricular SVZ, whereby the former contains small chains and isolated neuroblasts and the latter is characterized by large chains and a loose astrocytic meshwork. In addition to analysis of the SVZ proper, attention has been focused on its extensions, called parenchymal chains. Anterior parenchymal chains are compact chains surrounded by axon bundles and frequently establish direct contact with blood vessels. Posterior parenchymal chains are less compact, being squeezed between gray and white matter. In the shift from neonatal to adult rabbit SVZ, chains occur very early, both in the SVZ and within the brain parenchyma. Comparison of these results with the pattern in rodents reveals different types of chains, displaying a variety of relationships with glia or other substrates in vivo, an issue that might be important in understanding differences in the adaptation of persistent germinative layers to different mammalian brain anatomies. J. Comp. Neurol. 498:491–507, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fate of endogenous stem/progenitor cells following spinal cord injury
Authors: Horky Laura L. , Galimi Francesco , Gage Fred H. , Horner Philip J.
Published: July 2006

The adult mammalian spinal cord contains neural stem and/or progenitor cells that slowly multiply throughout life and differentiate exclusively into glia. The contribution of adult progenitors to repair has been highlighted in recent studies, demonstrating extensive cell proliferation and gliogenesis following central nervous system (CNS) trauma. The present experiments aimed to determine the relative roles of endogenously dividing progenitor cells versus quiescent progenitor cells in posttraumatic gliogenesis. Using the mitotic indicator bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and a retroviral vector, we found that, in the adult female Fisher 344 rat, endogenously dividing neural progenitors are acutely vulnerable in response to T8 dorsal hemisection spinal cord injury. We then studied the population of cells that divide postinjury in the injury epicenter by delivering BrdU or retrovirus at 24 hours after spinal cord injury. Animals were euthanized at five timepoints postinjury, ranging from 6 hours to 9 weeks after BrdU delivery. At all timepoints, we observed extensive proliferation of ependymal and periependymal cells that immunohistochemically resembled stem/progenitor cells. BrdU+ incorporation was noted to be prominent in NG2‐immunoreactive progenitors that matured into oligodendrocytes, and in a transient population of microglia. Using a green fluorescence protein (GFP) hematopoietic chimeric mouse, we determined that 90% of the dividing cells in this early proliferation event originate from the spinal cord, whereas only 10% originate from the bone marrow. Our results suggest that dividing, NG2‐expressing progenitor cells are vulnerable to injury, but a separate, immature population of neural stem and/or progenitor cells is activated by injury and rapidly divides to replace this vulnerable population. J. Comp. Neurol. 498:525–538, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurons and glial cells differentially express P2Y receptor mRNAs in the rat dorsal root ganglion and spinal cord
Authors: Kobayashi Kimiko , Fukuoka Tetsuo , Yamanaka Hiroki , Dai Yi , Obata Koichi , Tokunaga Atsushi , Noguchi Koichi
Published: July 2006

We examined the precise distribution of mRNAs for six cloned rat P2Y receptor subtypes, P2Y1, P2Y2, P2Y4, P2Y6, P2Y12, and P2Y14, in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord by in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH) with 35S‐labeled riboprobes. In the DRG, P2Y1 and P2Y2 mRNAs were expressed by 15% and 24% of all neurons, respectively. Although each receptor was evenly distributed between neurofilament‐positive and ‐negative neurons, P2Y2 was rather selectively expressed by TrkA‐positive neurons. Schwann cells expressed P2Y2 mRNA, and the nonneuronal cells around the DRG neurons, perhaps the satellite cells, expressed P2Y12 and P2Y14 mRNAs. No ISHH signals for P2Y4 or P2Y6 were seen in any cellular components of the DRG. In the spinal cord, P2Y1 and P2Y4 mRNAs were expressed by some of the dorsal horn neurons, whereas the motor neurons in the ventral horn had P2Y4 and P2Y6 mRNAs. In addition, astrocytes in the gray matter had P2Y1 mRNA, and the microglia throughout the spinal cord expressed P2Y12 mRNA. P2Y14 mRNA was weakly expressed by putative microglia. These findings should provide useful information in interpreting pharmacological and electrophysiological studies in this field given the lack of highly selective antagonists for each P2Y receptor subtype. J. Comp. Neurol. 498:443–454, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cells in the vomeronasal organ express odorant receptors but project to the accessory olfactory bulb
Authors: Lévai Olga , Feistel Torben , Breer Heinz , Strotmann Joerg
Published: July 2006

Recent evidence indicates that the vomeronasal organ (VNO) of mice not only responds to pheromones but also to odorants. To analyze whether genes encoding odorant receptors (ORs) are expressed in the VNO, reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction analyses were performed. These led to the identification of 44 different OR genes, comprising class‐I and class‐II receptors. The genes encoding these receptors were scattered over several gene clusters. The respective OR genes were concomitantly expressed in cells of the main olfactory epithelium (MOE). Although the cells in the MOE were zonally distributed, no such patterns were displayed in the VNO. Cells expressing ORs in the VNO were positive for the TRP2‐channel and Gαi, a marker for vomeronasal neurons of the apical layer. In transgenic mice, which coexpress histological markers with the receptor mOR18‐2, characteristic morphological differences between cells expressing this receptor in the VNO compared with the MOE became evident. Visualizing the axonal processes of VNO cells expressing distinct ORs revealed that they project to the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). Axon fibers were visible exclusively in the anterior subdomain; here, they converged into glomerular‐like structures positioned at the very rostral tip of the AOB. The findings that a set of ORs is expressed in cells located in the apical layer of the VNO with typical features of VNO sensory neurons that project their axons to the anterior part of the AOB suggest that this population of sensory cells may be considered as a unique facet of the complex chemosensory system. J. Comp. Neurol. 498:476–490, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunohistochemical localization of a GHB receptor‐like protein isolated from rat brain
Authors: Kemmel Véronique , Miehe Monique , Roussel Guy , Taleb Omar , Nail‐Boucherie Karine , Marchand Christiane , Stutz Christine , Andriamampandry Christian , Aunis Dominique , Maitre Michel
Published: July 2006

Gamma‐hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is a substance derived from the metabolism of GABA and is heterogeneously distributed in various regions of the brain. This compound possesses a neuromodulatory role on several types of synapses, particularly those using GABA as a neurotransmitter. At physiological concentrations, this effect of GHB is mediated via specific receptors that induce neuronal hyperpolarization and bind radioactive GHB with a specific distribution, ontogenesis, kinetics, and pharmacology. A membrane protein that possesses six to seven transmembrane domains and which binds and is activated by micromolar amounts of GHB was recently cloned from rat brain hippocampus. In order to study the regional and cellular distribution of this receptor in rat brain, we selected several specific peptides belonging to the extracellular domains of the receptor to be used as specific immunogens to raise polyclonal antibodies in the rabbit. Among the antisera obtained, one of them gave particularly good results in terms of specificity and reactivity at high dilution. Immunohistochemical analyses, both at the confocal and electron microscopic level, showed receptor protein distribution closely resembling the distribution of GHB high‐affinity binding sites, except for cerebellum, where GHB receptor(s) of lower affinity exist(s). In all regions studied the GHB receptor‐like protein labeling appears to be distributed specifically in neurons and not in glial cells. At the cellular level the antibody specifically labels dendrites, and no immunoreactivity was detected in presynaptic endings or in axons. Accordingly, electron microscopy reveals strong labeling of postsynaptic densities and of neuronal cytosol. J. Comp. Neurol. 498:508–524, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of GITR ligand abrogates immunosuppressive function of ocular tissue and differentially modulates inflammatory cytokines and chemokines
Authors: Mahesh Sankaranarayana P. , Li Zhuqing , Liu Baoying , Fariss Robert N. , Nussenblatt Robert B.
Published: July 2006

The glucocorticoid‐induced TNF‐related receptor ligand (GITRL) was previously shown to be constitutively expressed at low levels in human eye, including retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. By expressing enhanced yellow fluorescent protein‐tagged human GITRL in human RPE cells, we investigated the significance of expression of GITRL on human ocular tissue. Confocal immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry confirmed the surface expression of GITRL on RPE cells. However, a soluble form of GITRL was also detected. Remarkably, expression of GITRL on the RPE cells abrogated RPE‐mediated immunosuppression of CD3+ T cells, implicated as a possible mechanism for ocular immune privilege. This abrogation of immunosuppression by GITRL‐RPE was dependent on GITR‐GITRL interaction and could not be mimicked by anti‐CD28 antibody. Analysis of cytokine profiles revealed high level of TGF‐beta during the immunosuppression by RPE cells while expression of GITRL abrogated the RPE cell‐induced TGF‐beta secretion. Expression of GITRL also stimulates secretion of an array of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines from T cells. GITR‐GITRL interaction provides a unique proinflammatory costimulation that may signal through a different pathway than that of CD28‐B7 costimulation. This study implicated that GITRL could be a potential candidate for regulation of the ocular immune privilege and the balance between immune privilege and inflammation.
Simultaneous deletion of MyD88 and Trif delays major histocompatibility and minor antigen mismatch allograft rejection
Authors: McKay Dianne , Shigeoka Alana , Rubinstein Mark , Surh Charles , Sprent Jonathan
Published: July 2006

This study investigated whether ablation of all Toll‐like receptor (TLR) signaling influenced skin allograft rejection across a complete donor/recipient mismatch of major histocompatibility and minor antigens. We predicted that defective TLR signaling would interfere with the activation of donor dendritic cells (DC) in vivo, by preventing DC activation in response to local environmental ("danger") signals. The ablation of TLR signals would therefore be associated with decreased activation of host T cells and decreased graft rejection. Using mice with deletions of the proximal TLR adapter proteins MyD88 or Trif, and those with simultaneous deletions of both MyD88 and Trif, we demonstrated that absence of both MyD88 and Trif adapter proteins prolonged skin graft survival, notably across a complete MHC and minor antigen barrier. Absence of MyD88 or Trif alone only had a modest effect on graft survival across even a minor MHC antigen difference. Prolonged survival of skin grafts from mice deficient in both MyD88 and Trif was associated with diminished migration of donor cells to draining lymph nodes and, subsequently, with delayed infiltration of host T cells into the grafted tissue.
Bis[bis(oxazolinato)] Complexes of Yttrium and Lanthanum: Molecular Structure and Use in Polymerization of dl‐Lactide and dl‐β‐Butyrolactone
Authors: Alaaeddine Ali , Amgoune Abderramane , Thomas Christophe M. , Dagorne Samuel , Bellemin‐Laponnaz Stéphane , Carpentier Jean‐François
Published: July 2006

Bis[bis(oxazolinato)]lanthanide complexes of general type [Box]2Ln[N(SiHMe2)2] (Ln = Y, La; Box = deprotonated chiral and nonchiral 2,2′‐methylene[bis(oxazoline)] ligands) have been prepared by amine elimination protocols. The complexes have been characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The solid‐state structureof the first bis[bis(oxazolinato)]‐lanthanide complex, i.e.{2,2′‐(α‐methylmethylene)bis(4,4‐dimethyl‐2‐oxazolinato)}2Y[N(SiHMe2)2] (1), is reported. Complex 1 features a five‐coordinate yttrium center in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry, where the Box ligands adopts a conformation to minimize nonbonded interactions. The prepared complexes are among the most active initiators known in the ring‐opening polymerization of dl‐lactide and dl‐β‐butyrolactone, with TOF up to 31200 h–1 at room temperature, and are highly productive (TON up to 2400). The produced poly(lactide)s and poly(hydroxybutyrate)s have narrow polydispersities (Mw/Mn = 1.08–1.44) and controlled number‐average molecular masses (Mn up to 182000 g mol–1). However, whether chiral or nonchiral Box ligands are used, the polymers show an atactic microstructure. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Borrowing Hydrogen: Indirect “Wittig” Olefination for the Formation of C–C Bonds from Alcohols
Authors: Black Phillip J. , Edwards Michael G. , Williams Jonathan M. J.
Published: July 2006

The successful development of an indirect three‐step domino sequence for the formation of C–C bonds from alcohol substrates is described. An iridium‐catalysed dehydrogenation of alcohol 1 affords the intermediate aldehyde 2. The desired C–C bond can then be formed by a facile Wittig olefination, yielding the intermediate alkene 3. In the final step the alkene is hydrogenated to afford the indirect Wittig product, the alkane 4. The key to this process is the concept of borrowing hydrogen; hydrogen removed in the initial dehydrogenation step is simply borrowed by the iridium catalyst. Functioning as a hydrogen reservoir, the catalyst facilitates C–C bond formation before subsequently returning the borrowed hydrogen in the final step. Herein we present full details of our examination into both the substrate and reaction scope and the limitations of the catalytic cycle. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)
Inference in dynamic stochastic frontier models
Authors: Tsionas Efthymios G.
Published: July 2006

An important issue in models of technical efficiency measurement concerns the temporal behaviour of inefficiency. Consideration of dynamic models is necessary but inference in such models is complicated. In this paper we propose a stochastic frontier model that allows for technical inefficiency effects and dynamic technical inefficiency, and use Bayesian inference procedures organized around data augmentation techniques to provide inferences. Also provided are firm‐specific efficiency measures. The new methods are applied to a panel of large US commercial banks over the period 1989–2000. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A nonparametric measure of convergence towards purchasing power parity
Authors: Shintani Mototsugu
Published: July 2006

It has been claimed that the deviations from purchasing power parity are highly persistent and have quite long half‐lives under the assumption of a linear adjustment of real exchange rates. However, inspired by trade cost models, nonlinear adjustment has been widely employed in recent empirical studies. This paper proposes a simple nonparametric procedure for evaluating the speed of adjustment in the presence of nonlinearity, using the largest Lyapunov exponent of the time series. The empirical result suggests that the speed of convergence to a long‐run price level is indeed faster than what was found in previous studies with linear restrictions. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parameters of oxidative stress status in healthy subjects: their correlations and stability after sample collection
Authors: Firuzi Omidreza , Mladěnka Přemysl , Riccieri Valeria , Spadaro Antonio , Petrucci Rita , Marrosu Giancarlo , Saso Luciano
Published: July 2006

It has been proposed that sample storage may have some influence on the parameters of oxidative stress status (OSS) in biological fluids. We measured four important OSS parameters in plasma of 23 healthy subjects and repeated the measurements in the same samples kept at –70°C after different time intervals. Hydroperoxides and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were determined by ferrous ion oxidation in presence of xylenol orange (FOX) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, respectively. Sulfhydryls and carbonyls were measured spectrophotometrically. In fresh samples, OSS seemed to increase with age and relatively good correlations were found among different parameters. The meanvalues of hydroperoxides (6.08 µM), TAC (0.334 mM Trolox equivalent), and sulfhydryls (0.562 mM) in fresh samples did not show any significant change after 1, 7, and 30 days of storage. Mean carbonyl concentration determined after 1 day storage (2.0 nmol/mg protein) did not change after 30 days. However, extents of changes in hydroperoxide concentrations varied considerably from one individual to another, even after 1 day. A similar phenomenon was observed in TAC, but after 7 days. We suggest measuring hydroperoxides in fresh samples and TAC maximally after 1 week. Sulfhydryls and carbonyls showed more stability and can be measured at least 1 month after sample collection. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 20:139–148, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) and immature reticulocytes evaluations in mobilization process: new parameters measured by conventional blood cell counter
Authors: Noronha J.F.A. , Lorand‐Metze I.G.H. , Grotto H.Z.W.
Published: July 2006

Monitoring the timing of leukapheresis in peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) mobilization is an important clinical decision that requires an accurate analytical tool. The present study assessed hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) counts provided by a routine automated blood counter as potential parameters for predicting the appropriate time for harvesting. The HPC and IRF values were compared with white blood cell (WBC) and CD34+ cell counts obtained by flow cytometry in 30 adult patients with hematological malignancies undergoing PBSC mobilization. It was observed that there was a significant correlation between HPC counts and CD34+cells in peripheral blood counts (r=0.61,P=0.0003) and between the number of HPC and CD34+cells collected by leukapheresis (r=0.5733,P=0.0009). Comparing HPC, IRF, WBC, and CD34+ cells parameters as a sign of hematological recovery showed that the raise in immature reticulocytes counts preceded the increase of WBC (P=0.0002), HPC (P=0.0001), and CD34+(P=0.0001) cells in peripheral blood counts. According to our results, HPC and IRF parameters may be integrated into clinical protocols to evaluate the timing of leukapheresis. IRF, as previously demonstrated in bone marrow transplantation, is the earliest sign of hematopoietic recovery in mobilization process. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 20:149–153, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Geographic isolates of atypical Parkinsonism and tauopathy in the tropics: Possible synergy of neurotoxins
Authors: Caparros‐Lefebvre Dominique , Steele John , Kotake Yaichiro , Ohta Shigeru
Published: July 2006

Over the last 60 years an abnormally high prevalence of atypical Parkinsonism has been reported in 5 different geographic isolates. It was first described on Guam, later in New Guinea and in the Kii peninsula, on Guadeloupe, and in New Caledonia. We investigated the phenotype of atypical Parkinsonism in three of these foci and observed several similarities with dementia in most and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in some. This disappearance of this disease in two places—Guam and New Guinea—suggested an environmental origin which has not been clarified before the disease ended. The exposure to annonaceae acetogenins and/or rotenone has been documented in four of these places, and experimental studies in animals demonstrated annonaceae acetogenins neurotoxicity, which is similar to rotenone neurotoxicity. Simultaneous exposure to acetogenins and rotenone could produce a synergistic toxicity on neurons. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Direct costs of managing Parkinson's disease in india: Concerns in a developing country
Authors: Ragothaman Mona , Govindappa Shyla T. , Rattihalli Rohini , Subbakrishna Dodaballapur K. , Muthane Uday B.
Published: July 2006

Medicines and surgical interventions improve the quality of life of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. These are still expensive options and are unaffordable to those living in developing countries. Managing PD in Indians who have a low annual gross national income (GNI; US$ 450–540) and for whom only a few (3%) have health insurance is a challenge. We interviewed 175 consecutive PD patients regarding health insurance and money spent for treatment. The annual income of nearly half the patients was less than rupees 50,000 (US$ 1,148.63). Patients in this study spend nearly 16% to 41.7% of the average Indian GNI to buy medicines. Costs of treating PD in India are lower than those in developed nations but are still out of reach for most Indian patients. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Head of the caudate nucleus is most vulnerable in chorea–acanthocytosis: A voxel‐based morphometry study
Authors: Henkel Karsten , Danek Adrian , Grafman Jordan , Butman John , Kassubek Jan
Published: July 2006

Chorea–acanthocytosis (ChAc; OMIM 200150) is a rare autosomal recessive disease with dysfunction of the erythrocyte membrane, presenting with acanthocytes and neurological manifestations characterized by progressive hyperkinesias (chorea, dystonia) and neuropsychological impairment. Damage to the basal ganglia was described previously in neuropathological and neuroimaging investigations. We analyzed high‐resolution MRI of six ChAc patients with mutations in the VPS13A gene (median age, 37 years; mean time since clinical onset, 13 years) with respect to regional atrophy by use of the observer‐independent technique of voxel‐based morphometry in comparison to 15 age‐matched healthy controls. Additionally, global brain atrophy was determined using the standardized brain parenchymal fraction (BPF) method. A robust regional reduction of gray matter density was observed in the head of the caudate nucleus bilaterally and was nearly symmetrical (P < 0.001, corrected for small volumes). No additional gray matter changes were found. In the BPF analysis, there was no significant global brain atrophy. The predilection of atrophy in the head of the caudate nucleus, as suggested by our results, argues for a particular vulnerability of this part of the striatum in ChAc and is in agreement with pronounced neuropsychological disturbances that are thought to rely on these regions. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Secondary nonresponsiveness to botulinum toxin A in cervical dystonia: The role of electromyogram‐guided injections, botulinum toxin A antibody assay, and the extensor digitorum brevis test
Authors: Cordivari Carla , Misra Vijay Peter , Vincent Angela , Catania Santiago , Bhatia Kailash P. , Lees Andrew John
Published: July 2006

We studied 20 patients with cervical dystonia who had started to respond poorly to botulinum toxin A (BTXA) injections after an initial good response. All patients had extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) tests performed in addition to BTXA immunoprecipition assay (IPA) and mouse bioassay (MBA) antibody testing. The patients were reexamined and then treated with carefully placed electromyogram (EMG)‐guided BTXA. Nine patients had a good clinical response to EMG‐guided injections and all of these patients showed an obvious decrement on the EDB test. All were BTXA blocking antibodies (Abs)–negative via IPA and MBA (apart from one patient who had low BTXA antibodies titers using IPA but no antibodies by MBA). In the other 11 patients, there was a poor clinical response to EMG‐guided BTXA injections. Seven of these 11 had small EDB decrement and BTXA antibodies using IPA, suggesting resistance to BTXA. Of the remaining four patients, two had obvious EDB decrement and low antibody titers via IPA (one of them had no antibodies via MBA), while the other two patients showed obvious decrement on the EDB test and no antibodies via IPA. This study shows that the EDB test correlates better with the clinical response than the antibody assays and that EDB decrement does not always correlate quantitatively with the BTXA antibody titers. In patients with secondary nonresponsiveness, it is recommended that an EDB test is the initial investigation of choice. In those patients where the EDB test does not demonstrate resistance to BTXA, a reexamination of the patients and carefully placed injections under EMG guidance may improve results. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Invasive rhino‐maxillary mucormycosis diagnosed before HSCT
Authors: Piccin Andrea , Russell John D. , Fleming Patrick , Butler Karina , McDermott Michael , Smith Owen P. , O'Marcaigh Aengus
Published: July 2006

We report a case of successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) with full myeloablative conditioning in a patient with pre‐existing invasive mucormycosis. The mucormycosis involved the maxilla, the nasal septum, and the hard palate. Sustained antifungal therapy and aggressive surgery both before and after HSCT were required. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:393–395. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Zero dimensional exciton‐polaritons
Authors: Baas A. , El Daïf O. , Richard M. , Brantut J.‐P. , Nardin G. , Idrissi Kaitouni R. , Guillet T. , Savona V. , Staehli J. L. , Morier‐Genoud F. , Deveaud B.
Published: July 2006

The cover picture from the article [1] shows, in the left parts of the three diagrams, the measured photoluminescence intensity as a function of energy and emission angle for a 3 μm (left diagram), 9 μm (middle diagram) and 19 μm‐diameter quasi‐circular mesa (right diagram). The white lines are the energy dispersions of 2D polariton modes. For clarity, intensities above 1485 meV have been multiplied by a constant factor, as indicated. The right parts of the diagrams contain intensity plots of the simulated polariton spectral density for cylindrical mesas of the same diameters, yielding very good quantitative agreement of the 0D polariton states in the circular mesas. This confirms the coexistence of 0D and 2D microcavity polaritons in these semiconductor structures.

This paper is an invited presentation from the 8th International Workshop on Nonlinear Optics and Excitation Kinetics. Further articles from NOEKS 8 are published in phys. stat. sol. (c) 3, No. 7 (2006).
A mobile robot system for automatic floor marking
Authors: Jensfelt Patric , Gullstrand Gunnar , Förell Erik
Published: July 2006

This paper describes a patent awarded system for automatically marking the positions of stands for a trade fair or exhibition. The system has been in operation since August 2003 and has been used for every exhibition in the three main exhibition halls at the Stockholm International Fair since then. The system has speeded up the marking process significantly. What used to be a job for two men over 8 h now takes one robot monitored by one man 4 h to complete. The operators of the robot are from the same group of people that previously performed the marking task manually. Environmental features are much further away than in most other indoor applications and even many outdoor applications. Experiments show that many of the problems that are typically associated with the large beam width of ultrasonic sensors in normal indoor environments manifest themselves here for the laser because of the long range. Reaching the required level of accuracy was only possible by proper modeling of the laser scanner. The system has been evaluated by hand measuring 680 marked points. To make the integration of the robot system into the overall system as smooth as possible the robot uses information from the existing computer aided design (CAD) model of the environment in combination with a SICK LMS 291 laser scanner to localize the robot. This allows the robot to make use of the same information about changes in the environment as the people administrating the CAD system. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Topological exploration of subterranean environments
Authors: Silver David , Ferguson Dave , Morris Aaron , Thayer Scott
Published: July 2006

The need for reliable maps of subterranean spaces too hazardous for humans to occupy has motivated the development of robotic mapping tools suited to these domains. As such, this work describes a system developed for autonomous topological exploration of mine environments to facilitate the process of mapping. The exploration framework is based upon the interaction of three main components: Node detection, node matching, and edge exploration. Node detection robustly identifies mine corridor intersections from sensor data and uses these features as the building blocks of a topological map. Node matching compares newly observed intersections to those stored in the map, providing global localization during exploration. Edge exploration translates topological exploration objectives into locomotion along mine corridors. This article describes both the robotic platform and the algorithms developed for exploration, and presents results from experiments conducted at a research coal mine near Pittsburgh, PA. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Agricultural robot for radicchio harvesting
Authors: Foglia Mario M. , Reina Giulio
Published: July 2006

In the last few years, robotics has been increasingly adopted in agriculture to improve productivity and efficiency. This paper presents recent and current work at the Politecnico of Bari, in collaboration with the University of Lecce, in the field of agriculture robotics. A cost effective robotic arm is introduced for the harvesting of radicchio, which employs visual localization of the plants in the field. The proposed harvester is composed of a double four‐bar linkage manipulator and a special gripper, which fulfills the requirement for a plant cut approximately 10 mm underground. Both manipulator and end‐effector are pneumatically actuated, and the gripper works with flexible pneumatic muscles. The system employs computer vision to localize the plants in the field based on intelligent color filtering and morphological operations; we call this algorithm the radicchio visual localization (RVL). Details are provided for the functional and executive design of the robotic arm and its control system. Experimental results are discussed; obtained with a prototype operating in a laboratory testbed showing the feasibility of the system in localizing and harvesting radicchio plants. The performance of the RVL is analyzed in terms of accuracy, robustness to noises, and variations in lighting, and is also validated in field experiments. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A joint performance model of TCP and TFRC with mobility management protocols
Authors: Argyriou Antonios
Published: July 2006

At the forefront of the recent advances in mobile networks, is the development of sophisticated mobility management mechanisms that are usually based on Mobile IP and its derivatives. Based on these mobility management protocols, several studies that characterize transport protocol performance have been presented. In this work we move one step further, and present a joint performance evaluation model of TCP and TFRC, with the underlying IP‐based mobility protocols. We develop stochastic models that can characterize the protocol performance during handoffs between heterogeneous wireless networks like WLAN, cellular, or WMAN. We present performance evaluation results for validating the developed models under a set of different handoff scenarios. The developed model can be utilized as a basis for further analytical evaluation of new mobility management protocols, allowing thus a fast and accurate comparison. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SIP mobility and IPv4/IPv6 dual‐stack supports in 3G IP multimedia subsystem
Authors: Huang Shiang‐Ming , Wu Quincy , Lin Yi‐Bing , Yeh Che‐Hua
Published: July 2006

In the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), session initiation protocol (SIP) and IPv6 are the default protocols for IP multimedia core network subsystem (IMS). However, a user equipment (UE) may not be allowed to roam or hand off from UMTS to a private‐IPv4 GPRS network. In this paper, we utilize SIP mobility and an automatic IPv6 tunneling mechanism, called Teredo, to support roaming/handoff of a UE between different networks. We have developed the first non‐commercial Linux‐based Teredo mechanism, and compared our solution with other Teredo implementations in the public domain. Our study indicates that our solution can reduce the tunneling overhead and transmission delay over two other implementations by 44–74%. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global dynamic home agent discovery on mobile IPv6
Authors: Yen Yun‐Sheng , Hsu Chia‐Chang , Chao Han‐Chieh
Published: July 2006

Mobile IPv6 is a novel technology that supports mobile Internet communications. When a mobile node approaches another scalable domain, such as another ISP or mobile network company, serious problems occur such as registration delay and transmission latency owing to the binding update that the mobile node registers back to its original home agent. This work attempts to construct a scalable mobile IPv6 global network anycast by dynamically determining the nearest home agent to the current home agent for registration and transmission. This scheme is called Global Dynamic Home Agent Discovery (GDHAD). This investigation also performed and evaluated an anycast simulation to find how to obtain the best performance. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A fast handoff method in mobile IPv6 using prerouting
Authors: Lu Chia‐Shien , Chang Ruay‐Shiung
Published: July 2006

In this paper, we propose a new fast handoff routing method, called fast handoff using prerouting, for mobile IPv6. The new routing method will improve the packet delay and save the bandwidth during handoff. It routes the packet to the destination before the mobile node finishes its route update to the corresponding node (CN). It can also save the bandwidth wasted in tunneling during route update to CN. Special agents attached to the access routers and border routers are proposed to help prerouting. The proposed fast handoff combines the benefits of cellular systems and data communication systems. The agent residing in the routers will act as an MSC in a cellular system and it takes care of mobile nodes in its wireless LAN. Simulation results demonstrate its efficiency compared to previous schemes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A partition network model for ad hoc networks in overlay environments
Authors: Huang Yueh‐Min , Chiang Tzu‐Chiang , Hou Ting‐Wei
Published: July 2006

In recent years, the wireless network has been attracting a lot of attentions, and due to these devices has enjoyed a tremendous rise in popularity. However, the broadcast storm becomes a very serious problem for ad hoc networks to migrate into the overlay networks for the applications of group communications. The main concept of virtual subnet technology is the capability to group users into broadcast domains, which divides a virtual subnet into logic, instead of physical, segments and reduces the traffic overhead. With this characteristic, we propose an interoperability network model integrating self‐organizing ad hoc networks and the Internet/a conventional network with the partition of physical/virtual subnets. Moreover, we describe a protocol to establish the virtual broadcast domains by using the IPv6 addressing concept in ad hoc networks and perform IP‐based network communications in a multi‐switch backbone. Since the virtual subnet technology functions by logically segmenting the network into different broadcast domains, packets can only be delivered between fixed/mobile nodes with the same virtual identity. Therefore we can prevent the broadcast storm problem in MANET. The hierarchical networks, physical/virtual subnets, addressing method, and mobility management are described, and some performance issues are evaluated. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fish odour syndrome: Verification of carrier detection test
Authors: Zhang A. Q. , Mitchell S. , Smith R.
Published: July 2006

An oral trimethylamine challenge test has been used to confirm the heterozygous status of patients with ‘fish‐odour syndrome’. By measuring the percentage of total urinary trimethylamine‐related material excreted as theN‐oxide, no discrimination could be made between obligate heterozygotes (parents of ‘fish‐odour syndrome’ patients) (n=15; 96±2%, range 92–98%) and control individuals (parents of unaffected children) (n=16; 96±2%, range 93–99%) on a normal diet. However, after ingesting a trimethylamine load (600 mg base) the obligate heterozygotes were clearly distinguishable (76±3%, range 71–79%) from controls (95±2%, range 91–99%) (t‐test;p<0.001). One of a hundred apparently normal volunteers who were subsequently challenged with trimethylamine had anN‐oxidation capacity which fell within the range found among the obligate heterozygotes.
BiotinidaseKm‐variants: detection and detailed biochemical investigations
Authors: Suormala T. , Ramaekers V. T. , Schweitzer S. , Fowler B. , Laub M. C. , Schwermer C. , Bachmann J. , Baumgartner E. R.
Published: July 2006

We describe a simple method for the detection of biotinidaseKm‐variants and detailed biochemical investigations in 5 such patient. They were detected among 103 patients with plasma biotinidase activity which ranged from undetectable to 30% of the mean normal value. Two different types of biotinidaseKm‐variants were found. (1) In 3 infants biotinidase had a single 105–430‐fold elevatedKm for biocytin. Biotinidase showed very low activities (0.2–4% of the mean normal value) in the routine colorimetric assay and was not functionalin vivo. Accordingly, these patients presented with classical clinical illness. (2) In two patients biotinidase showed biphasic kinetics indicating the presence of one component with a normalKm and reducedVmax (1.7% and 12%), and another with 330‐ and 59‐fold elevatedKm, respectively. In these two patients, biotinidase proved to be at least partially functionalin vivo. However, the first patient developed severe symptoms and biotin deficiency late, at the age of 10–15 years, and the second had marginal biotin deficiency at the age of 2 years but no clinical symptoms. Comparative studies revealed that both patients had more severe biotin deficiency than age‐matched patients with similar levels of residual biotinidase activity and a single normalKm. Therefore, all patients with residual biotinidase activity should be evaluated for the presence of aKm‐mutation, since such patients should be treated with biotin. These can easily be detected by including a second substrate concentration (1.5 mmol/L) in the routine colorimetric biotinidase assay which is performed with 0.15 mmol/L biotin. Increased activity with the higher substrate concentration indicates the presence of aKm‐mutation. Detailed kinetic studies are needed to evaluate the distinct forms ofKm‐variants.