bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computer generation and identification of carcinogenic bay regions in benzenoid hydrocarbons
Authors: Knop J. V. , Szymanski K. , Jeričević Ž. , Trinajstić N.
Published: December 2004

A computer‐oriented algorithm is developed for identification and enumeration of carcinogenic bay regions in benzenoid hydrocarbons. The results are reported for geometrically planar benzenoid systems up to ten fused rings. They fully agree with those obtained in a different way by Balasubramanian et al. The advantage of the proposed method is that we can display all planar benzenoid structures and identify the carcinogenic bays in each of them.
Interaction of p‐benzoquinone and mitomycin C with complementary base pairs
Authors: Chojnacki H. , Sawaryn A.
Published: December 2004

Quantum chemical studies on interaction of p‐benzoquinone and mitomycin C with complementary base pairs have been performed. The empirical potential function and semitheoretical algorithm were applied for estimation of intermolecular interaction energy. Non‐negligible intercalation of the quinone ring into fragments of nucleic acid seems to be justified. Extensive calculations on the specificity of mitomycin C intercalation were performed using AGNAS/IMNAS algorithm based on an empirical potential function. No clear preference for intercalation into any kind of base pairs was found.
Clustered hydrogenic centers in impure semiconductors
Authors: Chao K. A. , Berggren K.‐F.
Published: December 2004

Doped semiconductors with shallow impurities provide an ideal situation to study a collection of hydrogenlike atoms under controllable experimental conditions. We present the results of recent cluster calculation on the electronic properties of such systems.
CNDO/S parameters of C, O, and Si for solid state calculations
Authors: Deák P.
Published: December 2004

Semiempirical methods used in cluster‐type calculations must be applicable for calculating ionization potentials (“valence band”) and electronic transitions (“gap”). CNDO/S seems to be an appropriate choice for this purpose. However, the solids of main interest (as, e.g., diamond and silica) contain saturated bonds for which the original parametrization does not work well. A new set of parameters was determined for C, O, and Si by fitting them to vertical ionization potentials and to singlet electronic transitions of their saturated molecules. The transferability of the parameters were also checked. By these parameters a successful description of the electronic structures of diamond and silica became possible.
Electron correlation in linear hydrogen chains
Authors: Fripiat J. G. , Dehalle J. , André J. M.
Published: December 2004

The Möller–Plesset perturbation technique and configuration interaction methods are applied to linear chains of hydrogens in order to analyze the role of electron correlation on equilibrium geometries and binding energies of these systems.
Recent investigations on the electronic structure of the fourth and fifth group transition metal monocarbides, mononitrides, and monoxides
Authors: Neckel A.
Published: December 2004

An overview is given here of band structure calculations on the fourth and fifth group transition metal monocarbides, mononitrides, and monoxides, published since the review article by Calais [J.‐L. Calais, Adv. Phys. 26, 847 (1977)]. Furthermore, the relations of three categories of experimental properties, which allow insight into the electronic structure of the above mentioned compounds, and the results of band structure calculations are discussed. Theoretical predictions are compared with experimental findings. The considered experimental properties are valence band photoemission spectra, valence band x‐ray emission spectra, and optical properties.
Conformational studies of the β(1→3) linked disaccharide component of the immunologically active pentasaccharide of the Forssman antigen
Authors: Yadav Janardan Singh , Luger Peter
Published: December 2004

Conformational energy calculations at the PCILO level of approximation were performed on β(1 → 3) linked disaccharide consisting of N‐acetylgalactosamine and galactose of the Forssman antigen to examine the side group conformations and their influence on the mutual orientations of the two pyranosyl rings. Two low energy regions for the glycosidic bond conformation have been located in the grid search using classical potential functions. The PCILO energy minimizations were then carried out in each of these regions. The preferred orientations of the nonreducing pyranosyl ring relative to the reducing ring were found to be in agreement with the available x‐ray results. Moreover, the orientations of groups attached to the anomeric carbons were in good accordance with the requirements of the exo‐anomeric effect.
Molecular orbital study of the relationship between electronic structure and toxicity of silatranes
Authors: Liu Ruo‐Zhuang , Zheng Shi‐Jin , Yu Jian‐Guo
Published: December 2004

Two MO indices are found to correlate well with the toxicity of 1‐substituted silatranes.
Formation of cloud condensation nuclei by oxidative processing: Unsaturated fatty acids
Authors: Broekhuizen Keith E. , Thornberry Troy , Kumar P. Pradeep , Abbatt Jonathan P. D.
Published: December 2004

The ability of submicron oleic acid and linoleic acid particles, or condensation nuclei (CN), to act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) has been investigated using a tandem differential mobility analyzer (TDMA) coupled to a flow tube reactor and a thermal gradient diffusion chamber (TGDC). The size change and CCN properties of pure oleic acid, mixed oleic acid/methanol, and pure linoleic acid particles have been investigated as a function of exposure to ozone. Pure oleic and linoleic acid particles were CCN inactive for all particle diameters (≤300 nm) and supersaturations (≤1%) studied. The mixed oleic acid/methanol particles, however, had a critical activation diameter of 188 nm for an experimental water supersaturation of 0.6%. Under low ozone exposures (<1 × 10−4 atm s), both the oleic acid and linoleic acid particles decreased in size. In particular, oleic acid particles lost 25% of their initial volume, consistent with the loss of nonanal, a volatile reaction product. However, no increase in CCN activity was observed at these exposures. Under conditions of much higher ozone exposure, e.g., 0.42 atm s, the pure oleic acid particles became CCN active, with a critical activation diameter of 161 nm at 0.6% supersaturation. CCN activity for the linoleic acid particles was never observed, even under these high ozone exposures not typically observed in the atmosphere. By contrast, the mixed oleic acid/methanol particles showed enhanced activation under atmospherically relevant ozone exposures (<1 × 10−4 atm s). These results suggest that the products of the ozone plus unsaturated fatty acid reaction do promote the CCN activity of the particles; however, the degree of activity is dependent on both the level of ozone exposure and the chemical nature of the particle. These results are the first to demonstrate that the CCN properties of pure organic aerosols can be modified through oxidative processing.
Hair keratin pattern in human hair follicles grown in vitro
Authors: Thibaut S. , Collin C. , Langbein L. , Schweizer J. , Gautier B. , Bernard B. A.
Published: December 2004

Abstract: The keratin family includes epithelial (soft) keratins and hair (hard) keratins, and can be divided into acidic type I and basic to neutral type II subfamilies. Recently, nine type I and six type II hair keratin genes have been characterized through the screening of a human PAC library. The expression of these genes in the hair follicle was determined in vivo and a combined catalog of acidic and basic hair keratins was established. In this study, we investigated the expression and localization of most of the human hair keratin members of both types in human hair grown in vitro. We show that in vitro growth of hair follicles for 10 days in complete William's E culture medium did not alter the expression pattern of hair keratins. Similarly to the in vivo situation, each hair keratin was localized in precise and discrete compartments of the follicle, ranging from the matrix to the upper cortex and/or the hair cuticle. This study shows that the increase in length of in vitro grown follicles was accompanied by the proper hair shaft keratinization process. It also shows that hair follicle integrity was maintained in vitro, both in terms of gross morphology and molecular organization despite the complexity of the keratin expression pattern.
Localization of the neuropeptide galanin in nerve fibers and epithelial keratinocytes of the rat molar gingiva
Authors: Baumann Michael A. , Korkmaz Yüksel , Bloch Wilhelm , Schmidt Annette , Addicks Klaus , Schröder Hannsjörg
Published: December 2004

Knowledge of the histochemical substrates of cellular and neurovascular connections in the gingiva is essential in order to understand the initial mechanisms of inflammation in the periodontium. Since the localization of the neuroendocrine peptide galanin in the gingiva is still unclear, we used immunohistochemical, in situ hybridization and immunoblot techniques to assess the localization of galanin in the gingiva of rat molars. Galanin‐immunoreactive nerve fibers were located around blood vessels in the lamina propria, beneath the epithelium, in the epithelial–proprial junction and in the basal layer of the epithelium. Galanin was highly expressed in the suprabasal keratinocytes of the gingival epithelium. The localization of galanin in gingival nerve fibers and the expression of galanin in keratinocytes of the gingival epithelium indicate that galanin may be a possible regulator of different cellular functions in the gingiva.
Automatic generation of lymphocyte heterogeneity: Division‐dependent changes in the expression of CD27, CCR7 and CD45 by activated human naive CD4+ T cells are independently regulated
Authors: Ma Cindy S , Hodgkin Philip D , Tangye Stuart G
Published: December 2004

Lymphocyte differentiation is a complex process regulated by the integration of signals received through a variety of cell surface receptors that results in populations of differentiated cells that have acquired novel characteristics and effector functions. Differentiation of T and B lymphocytes into effector cells, such as cytokine‐secreting CD4+ T cells, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells and Ig‐secreting B cells, as well as alterations in cell surface phenotype, have been reported to be associated with cell division. Nevertheless, the genesis of heterogeneity in effector cell type is unknown. A strictly deterministic view holds that heterogeneity arises from distinct signalling histories for each functionally or phenotypically different cell type. In contrast, a probabilistic interpretation proposes that internal stochastic regulation of gene expression gives rise to lymphocytes of mixed phenotypes. To help distinguish between these explanations, we examined the expression of CD27, CCR7, CD45RA and CD45RO by human naive CD4+ T cells in the context of the division history of the lymphocyte. Our results show that each marker independently changes with progressive divisions, strongly supporting the proposal that phenotypic heterogeneity in lymphocytes can arise as the result of independent stochastic processes controlling the expression of individual molecules.
Clinical callosum syndrome in a case of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Moroni C. , Belin C. , Haguenau M. , Salama J.
Published: December 2004

This case report confirms that a clinical callosal disconnection could be observed in multiple sclerosis. Moreover, this case describes a new kind of strange manual behavior related to callosal disconnection. This behavior could neither be considered as a diagonistic dyspraxia nor as an alien hand, but they evoke rather a conflict of intentions.
Aberrant p15 gene promoter methylation in therapy‐related myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukaemia: clinicopathological and karyotypic associations
Authors: Au W. Y. , Fung A. , Man C. , Ma S. K. , Wan T. S. , Liang R. , Kwong Y. L.
Published: December 2004

Summary. Seventeen patients with therapy‐related myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukaemia (t‐MDS/AML) were examined for aberrant p15 gene methylation by methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction. Ten patients (58%) showed p15 methylation, which was significantly related to monosomy/deletion of chromosome 7q, but not to antecedent chemotherapy, blast count, leukaemic evolution or survival. In three of six patients with marrow samples obtained prior to the diagnosis of t‐MDS/AML, p15 methylation predated disease development by up to 2 years. Bone marrow transplantation led to the disappearance of p15 methylation in one patient. These results showed that p15 methylation was an early event in the evolution of some t‐MDS/AML patients.
Scanning mutations of the 5′UTR regulatory sequence of l‐ferritin by denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography: identification of new mutations
Authors: Cremonesi Laura , Paroni Rita , Foglieni Barbara , Galbiati Silvia , Fermo Isabella , Soriani Nadia , Belloli Silvana , Ruggeri Giuseppina , Biasiotto Giorgio , Cazzola Mario , Ferrari Francesca , Ferrari Maurizio , Arosio Paolo
Published: December 2004

Summary. Hereditary hyperferritinaemia cataract syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by heterogeneous mutations of the iron regulatory element (IRE) in the ferritin l‐chain mRNA. The mutations are rare and fast DNA scanning would facilitate diagnosis. The aim of the study was to compare the analytical performances of two fast DNA scanning techniques: denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and double‐gradient denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DG‐DGGE). We analysed the sequence encoding the 5′ untranslated flanking region of ferritin l‐chain mRNA, which includes an IRE stem loop structure. The two systems unambiguously identified all the 12 accessible mutations in a single run, including the difficult C–G transversions. DHPLC and DG‐DGGE identified seven abnormal patterns in DNA samples from 47 subjects with unexplained hyperferritinaemia; all had mutations in the IRE sequence, including two not reported before: C36G and A37G. The scanning of 250 DNA samples from subjects genotyped for HFE led to the identification of four new mutations, all outside the IRE structure: C10T, C16T, C90T and del‐T156. We conclude that DHPLC, similar to DG‐DGGE, detects all the mutations in the l‐ferritin 5‘UTR sequence in a single run, and that various mutations occur outside the IRE structure.
Expression of cox‐2, tie‐2 and glycodelin by megakaryocytes in patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia and polycythaemia vera
Authors: Zetterberg Eva , Lundberg Lars Göran , Palmblad Jan
Published: December 2004

Summary.  When evaluating bone marrow sections for markers of neo‐angiogenesis, we found that megakaryocytes stained markedly positive for cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2), Tie‐2 and glycodelin. This apparently novel finding was further evaluated for disease‐specific variations. Bone marrow sections from two patient groups, known to be characterized by clonal megakaryocytopoiesis, viz. chronic myeloid leukaemia and polycythaemia vera, stained, however, similarly to healthy marrows for these markers. The biochemical background and clinical significance of Cox‐2, Tie‐2 and glycodelin remains to be elucidated.
An association between plastic mattress covers and sheepskin underbedding use in infancy and house dust mite sensitization in childhood: a prospective study
Authors: Trevillian L. F. , Ponsonby A.‐L. , Dwyer T. , Lim L. L.‐Y. , Kemp A. , Cochrane J. , Carmichael A.
Published: December 2004

Background Higher house dust mite (HDM) allergen exposure during infancy has been associated with increased HDM sensitization. Infant bedding has been associated with the accumulation of varying levels of HDM. Prospective data on the relationship between infant bedding and the development of HDM sensitization has not been previously examined.

Objectives To determine if particular types of bedding used in infancy are associated with increased risk of house dust mite sensitization in childhood.

Methods A population‐based sample (n = 498) of children born in 1988 or 1989, and who were resident in Northern Tasmania in 1997, participated in this study. These children were part of a birth cohort study (1988–95), the Tasmanian Infant Health Survey. Data on infant underbedding and mattresses was available on 460 and 457 children, respectively. The main outcome measure was HDM sensitization defined as a skin prick test (SPT) reaction of 3 mm or more to the allergens of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and/or Dermatophagoides farinae.

Results The use of either sheepskin underbedding or plastic mattress covers in infancy was associated with an increased risk of sensitization to HDM allergens at age 8 years. The adjusted risk ratio (RR) for sensitization to HDM with sheepskin in infancy was 2.27 (95% CI: 1.14, 4.55), P = 0.020. The adjusted RR for sensitization to HDM with the use of plastic mattress covers in infancy was 2.06 (95% CI: 1.22, 3.51), P = 0.007. The use of a foam mattress in infancy was not related to subsequent HDM sensitization.

Conclusion Infant's bedding plays a role in the development of HDM sensitization in childhood. Intervention studies to examine mite allergen levels and the role of underbedding on the development of HDM sensitization are required.
CTLA-4 (CD152) expression in peripheral blood T cells in Kawasaki disease
Authors: MATSUBARA T , ANWAR R , FUJIWARA M , ICHIYAMA T , FURUKAWA S
Published: December 2004

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile illness of early childhood caused by vasculitis. Whether or not peripheral blood T cells are activated in acute KD remains uncertain, as some reports have presented evidence of peripheral blood T cell activation, whereas others suggest that the level of peripheral blood T cell activation is low during acute KD. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4, CD152) is a surface molecule of activated T cells. We therefore investigated intracellular CTLA-4 expression in the peripheral blood T cells of patients with acute KD as a marker of T cell activation. We collected blood samples from 20 patients with KD and six with Epstein–Barr virus infectious mononucleosis (EBV-IM) who were admitted to our hospital, as well as 13 healthy children. We determined the intracellular expression of CTLA-4 in T cells by flow cytometry. We demonstrated that the intracellular expression of CTLA-4 is up-regulated in peripheral blood CD3+ T cells, CD4+ T cells and CD8+ T cells at the early part of the acute stage in KD. However, the mean percentages of intracellular T cells expressing CTLA-4 in EBV-IM patients were about fourfold higher than those in T cells from patients with acute KD. Our results suggested that the level of activation of peripheral blood T cells is very low during acute KD.
Production of antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies derived from circulating B cells in patients with systemic vasculitis
Authors: CLAYTON A R , SAVAGE C O S
Published: December 2004

The pathogenesis of systemic vasculitis is complex and is likely to involve many mechanisms. In certain systemic vasculitides, autoimmunity plays an important role with autoantibodies developing towards neutrophils, which are termed antineutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA). There is a growing body of evidence that T cells may contribute to the pathogenesis of ANCA-associated vasculitides. A system was set up to determine whether B cells require T cell help to produce antibodies in a peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) culture system enriched for B cells and dendritic cells (DC). As a control, tetanus toxoid (TT) antibody production was detected from individuals not recently immunized with tetanus vaccine when stimulated with TT antigen. Proteinase 3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibodies were produced from B cell and DC enriched cultures prior to the addition of antigen in some ANCA-positive patients with high ANCA titres, but not from patients with low ANCA titres or controls. PBMC from individuals recently immunized with tetanus vaccine were also maximally stimulated in that addition of antibody did not enhance antibody production. We conclude that this system supports a role for T cell help in the production of TT antibodies in individuals not immunized recently with tetanus vaccine. However, in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis and controls recently immunized with tetanus vaccine, circulating B cells are apparently spontaneously producing autoantibody, possibly reflecting a system already maximally driven in vivo, and therefore masking underlying potential T cell-B cell collaboration. Such B cells may be less responsive to regulatory stimuli in vivo.
Age-related accumulation of Ig VH gene somatic mutations in peripheral B cells from aged humans
Authors: CHONG Y , IKEMATSU H , YAMAJI K , NISHIMURA M , KASHIWAGI S , HAYASHI J
Published: December 2004

To investigate age-related alterations in human humoral immunity, we analysed Ig heavy chain variable region genes expressed by peripheral B cells from young and aged individuals. Three hundred and twenty-seven cDNA sequences, 163 µ and 164 γ transcripts with VH5 family genes, were analysed for somatic hypermutation and VHDJH recombinational features. Unmutated and mutated µ transcripts were interpreted as being from naive and memory IgM B cells, respectively. In young and aged individuals, the percentages of naive IgM among total µ transcripts were 39% and 42%, respectively. D and JH segment usage in naive IgM from aged individuals was similar to that from young individuals. The mutational frequencies of memory IgM were similar in young and aged individuals. γ transcripts, which are regarded as being from memory IgG B cells, showed a significantly higher mutational frequency (7·6%) in aged than in young individuals (5·8%) (P < 0·01). These findings suggest that VHDJH recombinational diversity was preserved, but that the accumulation of somatic mutations in the IgG VH region was increased in aged humans. The accumulation of somatic mutations in IgG B cells during ageing may imply that an age-related alteration exists in the selection and/or maintenance of peripheral memory B cells.
Molecular cloning of feline tumour necrosis factor receptor type I (TNFR I) and expression of TNFR I and TNFR II in lymphoid cells in cats
Authors: Mizuno T. , Goto Y. , Baba K. , Masuda K. , Ohno K. , Tsujimoto H.
Published: December 2004

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine produced by many types of cells. It has been shown that two distinct TNF receptors (TNFRs), TNFR type I (TNFR I) and TNFR type II (TNFR II), have different functions in signal transduction, which is possibly associated with the development of a variety of diseases. In this study, we isolated a feline TNFR I cDNA clone and analysed the expression of TNFR I and TNFR II mRNA in feline lymphoid cells. The deduced amino acid sequence of feline TNFRI cDNA showed 75.8, 62.5 60.9 and 72.1% similarity with those of its human, mouse, rat, and pig counterparts, respectively. The feline TNFR I cDNA was shown to encode extracellular, transmembrane and intracellular domains fundamentally conserved in the homologues of other species. Expression of TNFR I and TNFR II mRNAs was shown to be up‐regulated in feline peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by stimulation with concanavalin A. Five of six feline lymphoma cell lines were shown to express both TNFR I and TNFR II mRNAs. The expression of TNFR I in PBMC was up‐regulated in cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), whereas the expression of TNFR II in PBMC was not different between FIV‐infected cats and uninfected cats. The present study indicate that expression of TNFR I and TNFR II may be associated with disease progression, especially in retrovirus infections in cats.
Relative quantification of HLA‐DRA1 and ‐DQA1 expression by real‐time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR)
Authors: Fernandez S. , Wassmuth R. , Knerr I. , Frank C. , Haas J. P.
Published: December 2004

Polymorphism in the upstream regulatory region (URR) of the MHC class II DQA1 gene defines 10 different alleles named QAP (DQA1 promoter). In vitro studies have suggested that allelic polymorphism in the HLA‐DQA promoter region may result in differences in HLA‐DQA1 gene expression. In the present study, we used real‐time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) to quantify differences in HLA‐DQA1 gene expression. After the isolation of total mRNA, reverse transcription into cDNA was carried out using random hexamer priming and moloney murine leukaemia virus (MMLV) reverse transcriptase. Quantification of DQA1 mRNA species using a set of six group‐specific primer pairs for the detection of HLA‐DQA1*01, *02, *03, *04, *05 and *06 was carried out on an ABI PRISM GeneAmp 7700 Sequence Detection System (Perkin Elmer, Foster City, CA) with real‐time detection and quantification taking advantage of the fluorescence TaqMan technology (Perkin Elmer, Foster City, CA). Normalization of cDNA templates was achieved by glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) quantification. In addition, the total amount of mRNA produced by HLA‐DQA1 and HLA‐DRA1 expression was quantified for comparison. Subsequently, this approach was validated using Raji and HUT‐78 cell lines and tested with peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 45 samples taken from healthy volunteers. The sensitivity was determined with ≥ 102 copies. Comparison of the allele‐specific DQA1 expression with the total expression of DQA1 and DRA1 mRNA indicated that DQA1*04 expression was increased compared with the expression of other alleles of the DQA1 gene. Thus, allele‐specific quantification of DQA1 gene products could be achieved by real‐time RT–PCR suitable for the analysis of differential expression of DQA1 mRNAs in homozygote and heterozygote combinations.
Expression of low‐frequency Ala108Pro substitution in the platelet glycoprotein Ibβ gene
Authors: Kunishima S. , Gassner C. , Inoue C. , Kamiya T. , Ozawa K.
Published: December 2004

We determined the gene frequency of the glycoprotein (GP) Ibβ Ala108Pro substitution. The Pro108 allele was not found in 208 healthy Japanese and 200 healthy Caucasians. In vitro expression studies showed surface expression of the GPIbβ Pro108 variant, suggesting the possibility of the involvement of the substitution as an alloantigen.
Jun oncoproteins do not function as primary transcription factors for the mouse major histocompatibility complex class I H‐2 genes in fibroblasts
Authors: Hatina J. , Reischig J.
Published: December 2004

There are several reports in the literature focusing on regulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I genes by transcription factors of the jun family. The methods employed in these reports differed in various respects, and their results are inconsistent. In mouse Lewis lung carcinoma, B16‐melanoma and F9‐teratocarcinoma cell lines, c‐jun was characterized as a transcriptional activator of the murine MHC class I H2‐Kb gene, while c‐jun was identified as a direct transcriptional repressor of the swine class I PD1 gene, and c‐jun stably transfected clones of mouse L‐fibroblasts markedly reduced their H‐2 class I gene expression. In this study, we attempted to reproduce this last effect by means of transient transfection coupled to Northern hybridization, upon transfecting L‐fibroblasts with expression vectors for all jun family members as well as with an array of c‐jun‐derived dominant negative mutants. No change in H‐2 class I expression could be identified. Next, we derived two additional fibroblastic cell lines from the fibrosarcoma of the H2‐Kk/v‐jun transgenic mouse and transfected them with the two most potent c‐jun dominant negative mutants, again without eliciting any change in H‐2 class I mRNA level. We conclude that the negative regulation of H‐2 class I genes by c‐jun in cells of the fibroblastic lineage is not a primary effect.
Lack of association of the interleukin‐1 receptor antagonist gene with palmoplantar pustulosis in Japanese
Authors: Niizeki H. , Yokoyama M. , Inamoto N. , Nishikawa T. , Naruse T. , Inoko H. , Hashigucci K.
Published: December 2004

We analysed a polymorphism of the interleukin (IL)‐1 receptor antagonist (IL1RN) gene in 93 Japanese patients with palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP). None of the IL1RN alleles was significantly increased in the patients compared with controls. Because PPP has been reported to be associated with the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) region, we examined the association between the TNF and IL1RN genes. There was a difference in IL1RN*2 positivity between patients with and without the AA genotype of the TNF gene. In contrast, such a difference was not found in controls. These data indicate a possible epistatic effect between TNF and IL1RN linked genes for susceptibility to the pathogenesis of PPP.
Free energy and kinetics of dissolution of Sokoto rock phosphate and the implications for replenishing phosphorus in the savanna soil of Nigeria
Authors: Agbenin J. O.
Published: December 2004

The direct application of Sokoto phosphate rock to restore phosphorus in the savanna soil of Nigeria has not been very successful. The dissolution of Sokoto phosphate rock was investigated in three electrolyte solutions – 0.01 m CaCl2, NaCl and KCl – at pH range 3.5–7.0 under laboratory conditions to provide solubility and kinetic data that are required to develop guidelines for direct application in the field. The phosphate rock dissolved in the salt solutions in the order KCl > NaCl > CaCl2. Particle size and ionic strength had no significant effect on the dissolution. The standard free energy of reaction ΔG°R in an acidic solution with no basic cations was −38 kJ mol−1. If Ca2+ ions were in the acidic solution, then ΔG°R increased to 210 kJ mol−1, 170 kJ mol−1 for Na+ ions, and 107 kJ mol−1 for K+ ions in the solution. The theoretical solubility constant (Ks) calculated from the relation ΔG° = −RT ln Ks gave Ks = 106.7 in an acidic solution without basic cations, but decreased to 10−36.8 with Ca2+ ions in solution, 10−29.8 with Na+ ions, and 10−18.8 with K+ ions in solution. At pH ≥ 5.5, the dissolution was more constrained by Ca2+ ions or basic cations in solution than by availability of protons. The kinetics of the dissolution reaction was best described by a power function: Ct = atb, where Ct is the amount of P released from the rock phosphate at time t, and a and b are fitting parameters. An Elovich and a parabolic diffusion expression equally gave satisfactory fits to the dissolution data, suggesting that the rate of dissolution was limited by a combination of film‐ and intra‐particle diffusion. To utilize this rock phosphate as an effective source of P, management practices that increase Ca sinks and the supply of protons to the soil are necessary. In the savanna, increasing the soil's organic matter greatly enhances cation exchange capacity and availability of protons. The practice should provide adequate sinks for Ca2+ and the acidic environment required for the release of P from rock phosphate.
A model describing the interactions between anaerobic microbiology and geochemistry in a soil amended with glucose and nitrate
Authors: Dassonville F. , Renault P. , Vallès V.
Published: December 2004

Under anaerobic conditions, microbes closely interact with geochemical reactions and can have an impact on the soil, the deep vadose zone, the underlying aquifer and the atmosphere. We have designed a model combining anaerobic microbial activities with geochemical reactions in the soil, and assessed it in batch experiments. The model describes the dynamics of six functional microbial communities, their decomposition after death, and the catabolism of carbohydrates through denitrification, dissimilatory NH4+ production, Fe(III) reduction, fermentation, acetogenesis, and SO42– reduction. It was combined with a model that thermodynamically describes acid–base, reduction–oxidation and complexation reactions in solution, and kinetic precipitation and dissolution. Batch incubations were done on a Calcic Cambisol, either without amendment, or after supplying (i) glucose or (ii) glucose and NO3–. Gases, mineral cations and anions, glucose, fatty acids and alcohols were measured during incubation. Net production of CO2 was similar for both glucose treatments, about 40 times larger than in the control. For the glucose treatments, the main microbial activities were fermentation, acetogenic transformation of ethanol, and oxidation of H2. When the soil was enriched with NO3–, no H2 was produced, and microbial activities were rapidly inhibited by NO2–. The model shows these trends as well as geochemical characteristics including pH and reduction–oxidation potential.
Competition between the nymphs of two regionally co‐occurring species of Notonecta (Hemiptera: Notonectidae)
Authors: Briers Robert A. , Warren Philip H.
Published: December 2004

1. Two species of freshwater invertebrate predator, Notonecta maculata and N. obliqua, showed a negative association in a series of small, man‐made ponds in the Peak National Park, Derbyshire, U.K. The present study examines the potential role of interspecific interactions among nymphs on this regional distribution pattern.

2. The survival, development and feeding efficiency of nymphs were examined in laboratory and field mesocosm experiments with intra‐ and interspecific competition and contrasting environmental complexity.

3. Survival to adulthood and mean lifespan varied significantly in interspecific competition treatments in both laboratory and field experiments, with N. maculata showing higher survival in the simple environment and N. obliqua higher survival in the complex environment.

4. Variations in feeding efficiency were consistent with the survival trends: N. maculata had a higher efficiency in the simple environment, whereas N. obliqua had greater efficiency in the complex environment. There was evidence of a developmental response in feeding efficiency, with differences between species increasing with age.

5. These results suggest that the relative competitive abilities of the two species are affected by habitat complexity, and that competition between species may modify the species distribution where they co‐occur.
Population dynamics of planktonic rotifers in Lake Loosdrecht, the Netherlands, in relation to their potential food and predators
Authors: Ooms‐Wilms A. L. , Postema G. , Gulati R. D.
Published: December 2004

1. This study uses descriptive data to examine the shift in dominance in the rotifer community in summer from Keratella cochlearis to Anuraeopsis fissa in a shallow eutrophic lake. Population density and egg ratio were estimated from May to September for these small loricate rotifers, as well as the soft‐bodied Filinia longiseta and Polyarthra spp., to compare rates of population increase, birth and death.

2. Keratella cochlearis was succeeded by A. fissa in late May, perhaps as a result of the shorter egg development times of the latter at temperatures > 15 °C, and species‐specific responses to food and predation. Population variables suggest that the decline of K. cochlearis was the result of a food shortage which caused a decrease in reproduction and increased mortality.

3. High population densities of A. fissa and Polyarthra spp. were associated with low egg ratios, birth rates and rates of increase within a species, suggesting intraspecific competition. The egg ratios of the two soft‐bodied rotifers were strongly intercorrelated in the study period, although their diets supposedly differ. The egg ratios of A. fissa showed positively correlated fluctuations with the abundance of diatoms.

4. Short periods of higher rates of increase of A. fissa conferred advantage to this rotifer and manifested in its dominance. The mean birth rates of A. fissa and F. longiseta were twice as high as for K. cochlearis. Furthermore, death rates of loricate and soft‐bodied rotifers were similar and high, which suggests that food shortage similarly increased death rates, or that predation may be sometimes substantial for soft‐bodied and loricate species, or both.

5. Predation was probably not an important factor in steering the seasonal succession in the lake. A difference in abilities of the studied rotifers to exploit resources seems more important. Perhaps temperature is also a factor, but the specifics remain unclear and await more experimental work.
Effects of precipitation and soil water potential on drought deciduous phenology in the Kalahari
Authors: Jolly William M. , Running Steven W.
Published: December 2004

We utilized an ecosystem process model to investigate the influence of precipitation and soil water potential on vegetation phenology in the semi‐arid, drought‐deciduous ecosystems in the Kalahari region of South Africa. The timing of leaf flush was assumed to be the first day during which a rainfall event exceeded that day's estimate of potential evapotranspiration after a defined dry season. Leaf senescence was assumed to be a dynamic feedback between soil water potential and net plant carbon gain and was determined by dynamically modeling the effects of concomitant trends in soil water potential and net primary production on leaf area index (LAI). Model predictions of LAI were compared with satellite‐derived normalized difference vegetation indices (NDVI) for 3 years at two sites along the Kalahari transect. The mean absolute error for the prediction of modeled leaf flush date compared with leaf flush dates estimated from NDVI were 10.0 days for the Maun site and 39.3 days for the Tshane site. Correlations between model predicted 10‐day average LAI and 10‐day composite NDVI for both Maun and Tshane were high (ρ=0.67 and 0.74, respectively, P<0.001), suggesting that this method adequately predicts intra‐annual leaf area dynamics in these dry tropical ecosystems.
Checklists for nursing libraries: checklist 1, core journals
Authors:   SOUTH WEST THAMES REGIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE
Published: December 2004

A series of checklists has been prepared by the Nursing Libraries Working Party of the South West Thames Regional Library Service. They are intended to assist librarians and tutors in building up their libraries' stock and services. They list items that are of particular value to nurses, together with addresses and other useful information.
Checklists for nursing libraries: checklist 2, indexes and bibliographies
Authors:   SOUTH WEST THAMES REGIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE
Published: December 2004

A series of checklists have been prepared by the Nursing Libraries Working Party of the South West Thames Library Service. They are intended to assist librarians and tutors in building up their libraries' stock and services. They list items that are of particular value to nurses, together with addresses and other useful information.
Checklists for nursing libraries: checklist 6, journal subscription agents
Authors:   SOUTH WEST THAMES REGIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE
Published: December 2004

A series of checklists has been prepared by the Nursing Libraries Working Party of the South West Thames Regional Library Service. They are intended to assist librarians and tutors in building up their libraries' stock and services. They list items that are of particular value to nurses, together with addresses and other useful information.
Checklists for nursing libraries: checklist 7, organizations providing audio‐visual services
Authors:   SOUTH WEST THAMES REGIONAL LIBRARY SERVICE
Published: December 2004

A series of checklists has been prepared by the Nursing Libraries Working Party of the South West Thames Regional Library Service. They are intended to assist librarians and tutors in building up their libraries' stock and services. They list items that are of particular value to nurses, together with addresses and other useftul information.
Follicular dendritic cells in bone marrow lymphoproliferative diseases: an immunohistochemical study including a new paraffin‐resistant monoclonal antibody, DR53
Authors: MEUGÉ‐MORAW C. , DELACRETAZ F. , BAUR A.S.
Published: December 2004

Two‐hundred and twenty‐one bone marrow biopsies with lymphoid infiltrates were studied histologically and immunohistochemically, to assess the incidence and the pattern of follicular dendritic cells. Three monoclonal antibodies selective for follicular dendritic cells were used: CD21, CD35 and DR53, all reactive on paraffin‐embedded material. Follicular dendritic cells were present in two of 38 benign lymphoid aggregates, 92 of 134 low grade B‐cell lymphomas (45 of 62 lymphocytic, 16 of 27 lymphoplasmacytoid, 0 of six hairy cell leukaemias, five of six centrocytic, 19 of 21 centroblastic‐centrocytic, seven of 12 low grade NOS), one of 23 high grade B‐cell lymphomas, 0 of 10 T‐cell lymphomas, 0 of three Hodgkin’s disease and four of 13 suspicious infiltrates. Follicular dendritic cells were found in lymphomatous involvement with nodular, patchy and massive growth pattern, but not in interstitial ones. They formed follicle‐like networks, whose number and size were directly correlated to the tumour mass. The origin and frequency distribution of follicular dendritic cells in bone marrow biopsy lymphomas is discussed and the diagnostic relevance of follicular dendritic cell immunostaining in routine bone marrow biopsy lymphoid infiltrates is assessed.
The demonstration of pericryptal fibroblasts in background mucosa and dysplasia complicating ulcerative colitis
Authors: YAO T. , TALBOT I.C.
Published: December 2004

The demonstration of pericryptal fibroblasts in background mucosa and dysplasia in ulcerative colitis was investigated by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody for alpha‐smooth muscle actin. Pericryptal fibroblasts were reduced in 18 (26%) of the 68 sections of non‐dysplastic mucosa. The reduction was significantly correlated with goblet cell depletion and villous change. Pericryptal fibroblasts were more frequently reduced (50%) in dysplastic mucosa, the reduction being greater in villous than in non‐villous dysplasia. Pericryptal fibroblast development was not related to grade of dysplasia (low or high‐grade), distance from carcinoma (adjacent to or distant from carcinoma) or growth pattern (polypoid or non‐polypoid). These findings suggest that: 1 reduction of pericryptal fibroblasts in background mucosa may relate to the development of dysplasia in ulcerative colitis, 2 reduction of pericryptal fibroblasts in villous regeneration, analogous to that in dysplasia, reinforces the hypothesis that villous change may be a marker for risk of development of carcinoma in ulcerative colitis.
Oral health implications in children with inborn errors of intermediary metabolism: a review
Authors: CLEARY M. A. , FRANCIS D. E. M. , KILPATRICK N. M.
Published: December 2004

Children with inborn errors of metabolism form an important group of children at risk of oral pathology. Their management includes dietary therapies which aim to promote normal growth and development but which are often highly cariogenic. It is important for paediatricians, dietitians and paediatric dentists to liaise closely in the management of these children. This paper reviews these disorders and the limited literature that exists on the oral health implications of those conditions that rely on dietary manipulation for their management, and presents suggestions for their dental care.
Occlusal relationships and spacing or crowding of teeth in the dentitions of 3–4‐year‐old Nigerian children
Authors: OTUYEMI O. D. , SOTE E. O. , ISIEKWE M. C. , JONES S. P.
Published: December 2004

A study of 525 3–4‐year‐old children in nursery schools and day‐care centres was carried out to assess occlusal relationships and the presence of spacing or crowding of teeth. No significant differences in occlusal relationships were found between boys and girls (P > 0·05). Bilateral straight terminal planes of molars and class 1 canine relationship were the most prevalent features (74·5% and 73·3% respectively). Most of the children had ‘normal’ vertical and transverse occlusal relationships. The most common sites of spacing were mesial to maxillary canines and distal to mandibular canines. 32% of the children were found to have generalized anterior segment spacing, 4% showed exclusively anthropoid spaces, and 18% had either contact between all the teeth or crowding in the anterior region.
Changing caries prevalence in primary and permanent teeth of children in a Jerusalem neighbourhood
Authors: SGAN‐COHEN H. D. , RAFALOVITZ G. , RON H. , MANN J.
Published: December 2004

The objective of the present study was to conduct cross‐sectional surveys of caries prevalence in Jerusalem schoolchildren from one geographic region over time (9 years for 6‐year‐old first graders and 6 years for 9‐year‐old fourth graders), and to examine possible changes in caries levels. Dental caries was assessed among school children in one Jerusalem neighbourhood, employing the DMFS and dmfs indices, for permanent and primary teeth respectively. One epidemiologist in the team of examiners participated in all stages of the surveys and served as the calibrator. Data indicated a decline among 6‐year‐old children of mean DMFS scores from 1·64 in 1983, to 0·32 in 1992, and of mean dmfs values from 13·95 to 8·09. Among 9‐year‐old children, mean DMFS scores declined from 3·50 in 1986 to 2·50 in 1992. The water supply of Jerusalem was optimally fluoridated to 0·9 ppm in 1988, and this is suggested as a contributor to the decline in caries prevalence.
Assessing child dental anxiety: the validity of clinical observations
Authors: CARSON P. , FREEMAN R.
Published: December 2004

For children there are few validated psychometric measures of dental anxiety. The study reported here aims to examine the validity of using clinical observations as a measure of child dental fear. 100 children consecutively attending a community clinic were asked to complete the validated Child Fear Survey Schedule (CFSS). After the dental examination both dental nurse and dentist separately assessed the subject’s dental fear using a checklist based on the CFSS schedule. High agreement was found between the child, the dentist and dental nurse respectively and principal components analysis suggested that a dual nature of anticipatory dental anxiety existed in children. The findings of this work suggest that clinical observations may be a valid means of assessing child dental anxiety status.
The establishment of current opinion within consultants in paediatric dentistry in the UK for the taking of dental radiographs of children*
Authors: Rogers Claire E. A. , Hector M. P.
Published: December 2004

There is an increasing realization that every effort should be made to minimize the exposure to ionizing radiation of patients and members of the dental team. There are, however, few published guidelines to assist the general practitioner in deciding whether or not radiographs are needed. There is even less information concerning the taking of dental radiographs of children. Using the Delphi Technique this study set out to seek a consensus amongst Consultant Paediatric Dentists (n = 36) working in the UK as to when dental radiographs should and should not be taken of children cared for within general dental services. A two‐stage questionnaire was used and a response of 94% and 76% was obtained in the first and second questionnaire respectively. A consensus view was reached regarding whether or not radiographs should be taken in a series of 17 specific clinical situations.
A longitudinal framework for fostering critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning
Authors: O'Neill Eileen S. , Dluhy Nancy M.
Published: December 2004

Nurses' reasoning skills are of interest to nurse researchers, managers, clinicians, educators and students. Recent emphasis on critical thinking has raised important questions regarding the modes of reasoning necessary for practice and appropriate measures to improve nurses' cognitive skills. This paper analyses critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning. A longitudinal framework for promoting both modes of reasoning, beginning with nursing students through to experienced clinicians, is proposed as a model worth testing in nurse samples.