bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Powerful Bactericidal and Sterilizing Activity of a Regimen Containing PA-824, Moxifloxacin, and Pyrazinamide in a Murine Model of Tuberculosis
Authors: Nuermberger Eric , Tyagi Sandeep , Tasneen Rokeya , Williams Kathy N. , Almeida Deepak , Rosenthal Ian , Grosset Jacques H.
Published: February 2008

PA-824 is a nitroimidazo-oxazine in clinical testing for the treatment of tuberculosis. We report that the novel combination of PA-824, moxifloxacin, and pyrazinamide cured mice more rapidly than the first-line regimen of rifampin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide. If applicable to humans, regimens containing this combination may radically shorten the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.
Prevalence of the
erm
(T) Gene in Clinical Isolates of Erythromycin-Resistant Group D
Streptococcus
and
Enterococcus
Authors: DiPersio Linda P. , DiPersio Joseph R. , Frey Kevin C. , Beach Jacqueline A.
Published: February 2008

Among 48 erythromycin-resistant group D streptococci (GDS), 36 had the
erm
(T) resistance gene.
erm
(T) was also found in 4 of 31 erythromycin-resistant
Enterococcus faecium
isolates. This is the first report of the
erm
(T) gene in U.S. GDS isolates and the first report of the
erm
(T) gene in enterococci.
Effect of Low-Dose Ritonavir on the Pharmacokinetics of the CXCR4 Antagonist AMD070 in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Cao Ying Jun , Flexner Charles W. , Dunaway Shelia , Park Jeong-Gun , Klingman Karin , Wiggins Ilene , Conley Jeanne , Radebaugh Christine , Kashuba Angela D. , MacFarland Ron , Becker Stephen , Hendrix Craig W.
Published: February 2008

AMD070, a CXCR4 antagonist, has demonstrated antiretroviral activity in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients. Since AMD070 is a substrate of cytochrome P450 3A4 and P-glycoprotein, both of which may be affected by ritonavir, we tested for a ritonavir effect on AMD070 pharmacokinetics. Subjects were given a single 200-mg dose of AMD070 on days 1, 3, and 17. Ritonavir (100 mg every 12 h) was dosed from day 3 to day 18. Blood samples to test for AMD070 concentrations were collected over 48 h after each administration of AMD070. Twenty-three male subjects were recruited. Among them, 21 completed the study, and 2 were discontinued for reasons other than safety. All adverse events were grade 2 or lower. AMD070 alone had the following pharmacokinetic features, given as medians (ranges): 3 h (0.5 to 4 h) for the time to peak blood concentration, 256 ng/ml (41 to 845 ng/ml) for the peak concentration (
C
max
), 934 h·ng/ml (313 to 2,127 h·ng/ml) for the area under the concentration-time curve from 0 h to infinity (AUC
0-∞
), 214 liters/h (94 to 639 liters/h) for apparent body clearance, and 4,201 liters (1,996 to 9,991 liters) for the apparent volume of distribution based on the terminal phase. The initial doses of ritonavir increased the
C
max
of AMD070 [geometric mean (90% confidence interval)] by 39% (3 to 89%) and the AUC
0-∞
by 60% (29 to 100%). After 14 days of ritonavir dosing, the pharmacokinetic changes in AMD070 persisted. The plasma pharmacokinetics of ritonavir were consistent with previous reports. It is concluded that AMD070 concentrations were increased with concomitant ritonavir dosing for 14 days in healthy volunteers.
Absence of Amphotericin B-Tolerant Persister Cells in Biofilms of Some
Candida
Species
Authors: Al-Dhaheri Rawya S. , Douglas L. Julia
Published: February 2008

Biofilms and planktonic cells of five
Candida
species were surveyed for the presence of persister (drug-tolerant) cell populations after exposure to amphotericin B. None of the planktonic cultures (exponential or stationary phase) contained persister cells. However, persisters were found in biofilms of one of two strains of
Candida albicans
tested and in biofilms of
Candida krusei
and
Candida parapsilosis
, but not in biofilms of
Candida glabrata
or
Candida tropicalis
. These results suggest that persister cells cannot solely account for drug resistance in
Candida
biofilms.
Genetic Resistance of Mice toMycobacterium paratuberculosisIs Influenced bySlc11a1at the Early but Not at the Late Stage of Infection
Authors: Roupie Virginie , Rosseels Valérie , Piersoel Virginie , Zinniel Denise K. , Barletta Raúl G. , Huygen Kris
Published: February 2008

We have recently described the development of a luminescentMycobacterium paratuberculosisstrain of bovine origin expressing theluxABgenes ofVibrio harveyi. With this luminescent isolate, fastidious and costly enumeration of CFU by plating them on agar can be replaced by easy and rapid luminometry. Here, we have reevaluated the effect ofSlc11a1(formerlyNramp1) polymorphism on susceptibility toM. paratuberculosis, using this luminometric method. A series of inbred mouse strains were infected intravenously with luminescentM. paratuberculosisS-23 and monitored for bacterial replication in spleen, liver, and lungs for 12 weeks. The results indicate that, as forMycobacterium aviumsubsp.avium, innate resistance to infection is genetically controlled bySlc11a1. In BALB/c, congenic BALB.B10-H2b(BALB/c background;H-2b), C57BL/6, and beige C57BL/6bg/bgmice (allSlc11a1s), bacterial numbers in spleen and liver remained unchanged during the first 4 weeks of infection, whereas in DBA/2 and congenic BALB/c.DBA/2 (C.D2) mice (bothSlc11a1r) and in (C57BL/6 × DBA/2)F1mice (Slc11a1s/r), the bacterial numbers had decreased more than 10-fold at 4 weeks postinfection in both male and female mice. At later time points, additional differences in bacterial replication were observed between the susceptible mouse strains, particularly in the liver. Whereas bacterial numbers in the liver gradually decreased more than 100-fold in C57BL/6 mice between week 4 and week 12, bacterial numbers were stable in livers from BALB/c and beige C57BL/6bg/bgmice during this period. Mycobacterium-specific gamma interferon responses developed earlier and to a higher magnitude in C57BL/6 mice than in BALB/c mice and were lowest in resistant C.D2 mice.
Anaplasma phagocytophilum
MSP2(P44)-18 Predominates and Is Modified into Multiple Isoforms in Human Myeloid Cells
Authors: Sarkar Madhubanti , Troese Matthew J. , Kearns Sarah A. , Yang Tian , Reneer Dexter V. , Carlyon Jason A.
Published: February 2008

Anaplasma phagocytophilum
is the etiologic agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis. MSP2(P44), the bacterium's major surface protein, is encoded by a paralogous gene family and has been implicated in a variety of pathobiological processes, including antigenic variation, host adaptation, adhesion, porin activity, and structural integrity. The consensus among several studies performed at the DNA and RNA levels is that a heterogeneous mix of a limited number of
msp2
(
p44
) transcripts is expressed by
A. phagocytophilum
during in vitro cultivation. Such analyses have yet to be extended to the protein level. In this study, we used proteomic and molecular approaches to determine that MSP2(P44)-18 is the predominant if not the only paralog expressed and is modified into multiple 42- to 44-kDa isoforms by
A. phagocytophilum
strain HGE1 during infection of HL-60 cells. The
msp2
(
p44
) expression profile was homogeneous for
msp2
(
p44
)-
18
. Thus, MSP2(P44)-18 may have a fitness advantage in HL-60 cell culture in the absence of selective immune pressure. Several novel 22- to 27-kDa MSP2 isoforms lacking most of the N-terminal conserved region were also identified.
A. phagocytophilum
MSP2(P44) orthologs expressed by other pathogens in the family
Anaplasmataceae
are glycosylated. Gas chromatography revealed that recombinant MSP2(P44)-18 is modified by glucose, galactose, xylose, mannose, and trace amounts of other glycosyl residues. These data are the first to confirm differential modification of any
A. phagocytophilum
MSP2(P44) paralog and the first to provide evidence for expression of truncated versions of such proteins.
The impact of taxation on tobacco consumption in Mexico
Authors: Jiménez-Ruiz J A , de Miera B Sáenz , Reynales-Shigematsu L M , Waters H R , Hernández-Ávila M
Published: February 2008

Background:

The price of cigarettes to consumers in Mexico, and Latin America in general, remains low in comparison with other regions of the world. In Mexico, taxes represented 59% of the total price of cigarettes in 2006, compared to 75% or more in many high-income countries. The feasibility of raising taxes on cigarettes in Mexico—to both discourage consumption and increase revenues—is an important policy question.

Methods:

Using household survey data, we undertake a pooled cross-sectional analysis of the demand for cigarettes in Mexico. We use a two-part model to estimate the price elasticity of cigarettes. This model controls for the selection effect that arises from the fact that the impact of price on the decision to smoke or not is estimated using all households in the dataset.

Results:

The results indicate that price is a significant factor in household decisions concerning smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked. Holding other factors constant, our simulations show that a 10% increase in the cigarette tax in Mexico—calculated as a percentage of the price—yields a 12.4% increase in the price to the consumer, a 6.4% decrease in consumption of cigarettes and a 15.7% increase in the revenue yielded by the tax.

Conclusion:

In Mexico, there are strong arguments for increasing cigarette taxes. Revenue raised could be used to further prevent tobacco consumption and to finance current funding shortages for the treatment of diseases related to smoking.
Susceptibility to smoking among South East Asian youth: a multilevel analysis
Authors: Guindon G E , Georgiades K , Boyle M H
Published: February 2008

Objective:

To estimate the extent to which susceptibility to smoking is associated with between-context differences (schools and classes) and to identify factors at school, class and individual levels that influence individual susceptibility to smoking among young never-smokers in South East Asia.

Methods:

Cross-sectional data from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted in Cambodia (2002), Laos (2003) and Vietnam (2003) are used to conduct multilevel analyses that account for the nesting of students in classes and classes in schools. The outcome variable is smoking susceptibility, defined as the absence of a firm decision not to smoke. Explanatory variables include school-level (current tobacco use prevalence in school, exposure to anti-smoking media messages and exposure to tobacco billboard advertising), class-level (classroom prevention) and individual-level influences (parents’ and friends’ smoking behaviour, knowledge of the harmful effects of and exposure to secondhand smoke at home, age, sex and pocket income).

Results:

Multilevel analyses indicate that 4.5 and 4.2 of the variation in smoking susceptibility is associated with school and class differences, respectively. Students who have parents or friends who smoke, who are exposed to secondhand smoke at home and those who have access to pocket income are found to be more susceptible while greater knowledge of the harmful effects of secondhand smoke appears to diminish susceptibility to smoking. For girls only, billboard tobacco advertising increases the risk of susceptibility and classroom prevention decreases risk while for boys only, attendance at schools with higher prevalence of tobacco use increases risk of susceptibility and anti-smoking media messages decreases risk.

Conclusions:

This study highlights a number of modifiable factors associated with smoking susceptibility and identifies interactions between teen sex and several factors associated with the susceptibility to smoking. This finding provides support for the call to move beyond gender-blind tobacco control policies.
A cost-effectiveness analysis of a community pharmacist-based smoking cessation programme in Thailand
Authors: Thavorn K , Chaiyakunapruk N
Published: February 2008

Objective:

To estimate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of a structured community pharmacist-based smoking cessation programme compared with usual care.

Design:

A cost-effectiveness study using a healthcare system perspective

Population:

Two simulated cohorts of smokers: male and female aged 40, 50 and 60 years who regularly smoke 10–20 cigarettes per day.

Intervention and comparator:

A structured community pharmacist-based smoking cessation (CPSC) programme compared to usual care.

Main outcome measure:

Cost per life year gained (LYG) attributable to the smoking cessation programme.

Results:

The CPSC programme results in cost savings of 17 503.53 baht (£250; €325; $500) to the health system and life year gains of 0.18 years for men and; costs savings of 21 499.75 baht (£307; €399; $614) and life year gains of 0.24 years for women. A series of sensitivity analyses demonstrate that both cost savings and life year gains are sensitive to variations in the discount rate and the long-term smoking quit rate associated with the intervention.

Conclusion:

From the perspective of the health system, the CPSC programme yields cost savings and life year gains. This finding provides important information for health policy decision-makers when determining the magnitude of resources to be allocated to smoking cessation service in community pharmacy.
A CONCURRENT SPECIFICATION OF BRZOZOWSKI'S DFA CONSTRUCTION ALGORITHM
Authors: STRAUSS TINUS , KOURIE DERRICK G. , WATSON BRUCE W.
Published: February 2008

In this paper two concurrent versions of Brzozowski's deterministic finite automaton (DFA) construction algorithm are developed from first principles, the one being a slight refinement of the other. We rely on Hoare's CSP as our notation.

The specifications that are proposed of the Brzozowski algorithm are in terms of the concurrent composition of a number of top-level processes, each participating process itself composed of several other concurrent processes. After considering a number of alternatives, this particular overall architectural structure seemed like a natural and elegant mapping from the sequential algorithm's structure.

While we have carefully argued the reasons for constructing the concurrent versions as proposed in the paper, there are of course, a large range of alternative design choices that could be made. There might also be scope for a more fine-grained approach to updating sets or checking for similarity of regular expressions. At this stage, we have chosen to abstract away from these considerations, and leave their exploration for a subsequent step in our research.
MODELING DELTA ENCODING OF COMPRESSED FILES
Authors: KLEIN SHMUEL T. , SEREBRO TAMAR C. , SHAPIRA DANA
Published: February 2008

The Compressed Delta Encoding paradigm is introduced, i.e., delta encoding directly in two given compressed files without decompressing. Here we explore the case where the two given files are compressed using LZW, and devise the theoretical framework for modeling delta encoding of compressed files. In practice, although working on the compressed versions in processing time proportional to the compressed files, our target file may be considerably smaller than the corresponding LZW form.
EFFICIENT ALGORITHMS FOR (δ,γ,α) AND (δ, kΔ, α)-MATCHING
Authors: FREDRIKSSON KIMMO , GRABOWSKI SZYMON
Published: February 2008

We propose new algorithms for (δ,γ,α)-matching. In this string matching problem we are given a pattern P = p0p1 … pm−1 and a text T = t0t1 … tn−1 over some integer alphabet Σ = {0…σ − 1}. The pattern symbol pi δ-matches the text symbol tj iff |pi − tj| ≤ δ. The pattern P (δ,γ)-matches some text substring tj … tj+m−1 iff for all i it holds that |pi − tj+i| ≤ δ and Σ |pi − tj+i| ≤ γ. Finally, in (δ,γ,α)-matching we also permit at most α-symbol gaps between each matching text symbol. The only known previous algorithm runs in O(nm) time. We give several algorithms that improve the average case up to O(n) for small α, and the worst case to [Formula: see text] or O(nm log (γ)/w), where [Formula: see text] and w is the number of bits in a machine word. The proposed algorithms can be easily modified to solve several other related problems, we explicitly consider e.g. character classes (instead of δ-matching), (Δ-limited) k-mismatches (instead of γ-matching) and more general gaps, including negative ones. These find important applications in computational biology. We conclude with experimental results showing that the algorithms are very efficient in practice.
EFFECTS OF PASSING LANES ON HIGHWAY TRAFFIC FLOW
Authors: WANG RUILI , JIANG RUI , LIU MINGZHE
Published: February 2008

In this paper, the effects of passing lanes on traffic flow on a single-lane highway are investigated based on a cellular-automaton (CA) model proposed by Lee et al. (2004) with periodic boundary conditions. A new driving strategy for the diverging and interacting processes are proposed by considering dual-time-headways (an interaction headway and a safe headway) as the criteria for a vehicle to select a lane or change lane. The proposed dual-headway rule has a clear physical sense and can be calibrated in the real world. We can see that (i) At low- (or high-) densities, there are no obvious increases of flux due to very weak (or very strong) interactions between vehicles. However, flux has an obvious increase at intermediate-density regions with the increase of the length of a passing lane; (ii) the space-time patterns before a passing lane are different from that after a passing lane, which is caused from vehicular reconfigurations on a passing zone; (iii) passing lanes can merge several narrow jams into one or few wide jams when increasing the length of passing lanes; (iv) if vehicles are allowed to travel with even higher speed, traffic can be further improved.
NATURAL CONVECTION STUDY IN AN ENCLOSURE WITH DIFFERENT ASPECT RATIOS
Authors: DONG YI , ZHAI QINGLAN
Published: February 2008

Natural convection in an enclosure with different ratios are investigated with the lattice Boltzmann method, and double distribution functions (DDF) are proposed to simulate the velocity and the temperature fields. Meanwhile, compared with other existing results, we studied the effect of the different aspect ratios on heat transfer, and 2D numerical simulation of natural convection flow in a square cavity are performed at Rayleigh numbers 103–106 with fixed Prandtl number 0.71 in detail. The numerical results of the Nusselt number along the two sidewalls and the maximum velocities along the horizontal and vertical lines through the cavity center are in good agreement with existing results, which shows the accuracy of the present model.
IMPLICIT-EXPLICIT FINITE-DIFFERENCE LATTICE BOLTZMANN METHOD FOR COMPRESSIBLE FLOWS
Authors: WANG Y. , HE Y. L. , ZHAO T. S. , TANG G. H. , TAO W. Q.
Published: February 2008

We propose an implicit-explicit finite-difference lattice Boltzmann method for compressible flows in this work. The implicit-explicit Runge–Kutta scheme, which solves the relaxation term of the discrete velocity Boltzmann equation implicitly and other terms explicitly, is adopted for the time discretization. Owing to the characteristic of the collision invariants in the lattice Boltzmann method, the implicitness can be completely eliminated, and thus no iteration is needed in practice. In this fashion, problems (no matter stiff or not) can be integrated quickly with large Courant–Friedriche–Lewy numbers. As a result, with our implicit-explicit finite-difference scheme the computational convergence rate can be significantly improved compared with previous finite-difference and standard lattice Boltzmann methods. Numerical simulations of the Riemann problem, Taylor vortex flow, Couette flow, and oscillatory compressible flows with shock waves show that our implicit-explicit finite-difference lattice Boltzmann method is accurate and efficient. In addition, it is demonstrated that with the proposed scheme non-uniform meshes can also be implemented with ease.
THE LOW DIMENSIONAL DYNAMICAL SYSTEM APPROACH IN GENERAL RELATIVITY: AN EXAMPLE
Authors: de OLIVEIRA H. P. , RODRIGUES E. L. , DAMIÃO SOARES I. , TONINI E. V.
Published: February 2008

In this paper we explore one of the most important features of the Galerkin method, which is to achieve high accuracy with a relatively modest computational effort, in the dynamics of Robinson–Trautman spacetimes.
RE-SEPARATION MODES OF 197Au + 197Au SYSTEM AT SUB-FERMI ENERGIES
Authors: WILCZYŃSKI J. , SKWIRA-CHALOT I. , SIWEK-WILCZYŃSKA K. , GAWLIKOWICZ W. , ŁUKASIK J. , AMORINI F. , ANZALONE A. , AUDITORE L. , BARAN V. , BRZYCHCZYK J. , CARDELLA G. , CAVALLARO S , CHATTERJEE M. B. , COLONNA M. , DE FILIPPO E. , DI TORO M. , GRZESZCZUK A. , GUAZZONI P. , KOWALSKI S. , LA GUIDARA E. , LANZANÒ G. , LANZALONE G. , MAIOLINO C. , MAJKA Z. , NICOLIS N. G. , PAGANO A. , PIASECKI E. , PIRRONE S. , PŁANETA R. , POLITI G. , PORTO F. , RIZZO F. , RUSSOTTO P. , SCHMIDT K. , SOCHOCKA A. , ŚWIDERSKI Ł. , TRIFIRÒ A. , TRIMARCHI M. , WIELECZKO J. P. , ZETTA L. , ZIPPER W.
Published: February 2008

Collisions of a very heavy nuclear system, 197 Au + 197 Au , were studied at the energy of 15 MeV/nucleon with the aim to identify and investigate main macroscopic modes of re-separation of such a heavy nuclear system. The experiment was performed at the INFN LNS laboratory in Catania by using the multidetector array CHIMERA. Along with binary strongly damped collisions, a strong component of a new re-separation mode: the "fast ternary fission" in characteristic nearly co-linear configuration was observed and the time scale of this process was determined.
THE TRANSPORT COEFFICIENTS OF LARGE SCALE NUCLEAR COLLECTIVE MOTION
Authors: IVANYUK FEDIR
Published: February 2008

An approach to the description of slow collective motion at finite excitations based on the linear response theory and locally harmonic approximation is discussed. The method relies on the assumption that the nuclear many-body Hamiltonian can be approximated by a one-body Hamiltonian which in parametric way depends on the collective variables (deformation parameters) and allows for the account of the shell effects, pairing correlation, angular rotation. Special attention is paid to the removal of spurious contributions caused by the violation of the conservation laws. As an application of the theory, the microscopic transport coefficient are used for the description of reaction 18O + 208 Pb within the Langevin approach.
FISSION FRAGMENT PROPERTIES AT SCISSION WITH THE GOGNY FORCE
Authors: DUBRAY N. , GOUTTE H. , BERGER J.-F. , DELAROCHE J.-P.
Published: February 2008

Two-dimensional Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov (HFB) calculations have been performed from spherical shapes to large deformations with constraints on axial quadrupole and octupole deformations in 238 U , 256–260 Fm and 226 Th actinides. Scission configurations have then been identified in this subspace of collective coordinates and many nuclear properties of the nascent fragments have been derived, such as deformation, deformation energy or prompt neutron multiplicity. The HFB states have then served as basis states for time-dependent collective calculations based on the Time-Dependent Generator Coordinate Method and the Gaussian Overlap Approximation to derive fission fragment yields.
COLLECTIVE-DYNAMICS EFFECTS IN FISSION OF 256,258FM ISOTOPES
Authors: DOBROWOLSKI A. , GOUTTE H. , BERGER J.-F.
Published: February 2008

A dynamical approach to the neutron-induced fission of 255,257 Fm isotopes based on the time-dependent generator-coordinate method is applied. As the generating functions the eigensolutions of the constrained Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov method with the effective D1S Gogny force are used. The here presented collective-dynamics calculations in the two-dimensional collective space described by quadrupole and octupole moments allow to determine the fragment mass distributions of those two Fm isotopes.
THE DYNAMICAL DIPOLE RADIATION IN DISSIPATIVE COLLISIONS WITH EXOTIC BEAMS
Authors: DI TORO M. , COLONNA M. , RIZZO C. , BARAN V.
Published: February 2008

Heavy Ion Collisions (HIC) represent a unique tool to probe the in-medium nuclear interaction in regions away from saturation. In this work we present a selection of reaction observables in dissipative collisions particularly sensitive to the isovector part of the interaction, i.e. to the symmetry term of the nuclear Equation of State (EoS). At low energies the behavior of the symmetry energy around saturation influences dissipation and fragment production mechanisms. We will first discuss the recently observed Dynamical Dipole Radiation, due to a collective neutron-proton oscillation during the charge equilibration in fusion and deep-inelastic collisions. We will review in detail all the main properties, yield, spectrum, damping and angular distributions, revealing important isospin effects. Reactions induced by unstable132Sn beams appear to be very promising tools to test the sub-saturation Isovector EoS. Predictions are also presented for deep-inelastic and fragmentation collisions induced by neutron rich projectiles. The importance of studying violent collisions with radioactive beams at low and Fermi energies is finally stressed.
TIME-RESOLVED FISSION OF METAL CLUSTERS AND NUCLEI
Authors: DINH P. M. , REINHARD P. G. , SURAUD E.
Published: February 2008

We present a brief review of some static and dynamic properties of metal clusters. We emphasize relations with atomic nuclei and focus on cluster quantities which have counterparts in nuclei. We discuss in particular the case of the optical response which provides a key tool of analysis of the structure and shape of simple metal clusters. We use optical response and corresponding resonant ionization to propose a pump and probe scenario allowing a time resolved analysis of fission in small metal clusters. This gives access to fission time scales in metal clusters in a way similar to measurements of nuclear fission times in hot nuclei.

This contribution is summarizing results presented in three previously published papers (P. M. Dinh et al, J. Phys. B 38 (2005) 1637, J. Navarro et al, Euro. Phys, J. A 30 (2006) 333 and P-G. Reinhard et al, Int. J. Mod. Phys E 15 (2006) 1549).
INFLUENCE OF THE LEVEL DENSITY PARAMETRIZATION ON THE EFFECTIVE GDR WIDTH AT HIGH SPINS
Authors: MAZUREK K. , MATEJSKA M. , KMIECIK M. , MAJ A. , DUDEK J.
Published: February 2008

Parameterizations of the nucleonic level densities are tested by computing the effective GDR strength-functions and GDR widths at high spins. Calculations are based on the thermal shape fluctuation method with the Lublin-Strasbourg Drop (LSD) model. Results for 106 Sn , 147 Eu , 176 W , 194 Hg are compared to the experimental data.
RELATIVE MOTION CORRECTION TO FISSION BARRIERS
Authors: SKALSKI J.
Published: February 2008

We discuss the effect of kinetic energy of the relative motion becoming spurious for separate fragments on the selfconsistent mean-field fission barriers. The treatment of the relative motion in the cluster model is contrasted with the necessity of a simpler and approximate approach in the mean-field theory. A scheme of the energy correction to the Hartree-Fock is proposed. The results obtained with the effective Skyrme interaction SLy 6 show that the correction, previously estimated as ~ 8 MeV in A = 70 - 100 nuclei, amounts to 4 MeV in the medium heavy nucleus 198 Hg and to null in 238 U . However, the corrected barrier implies a shorter fission half-life of the latter nucleus. The same effect is expected to lower barriers for multipartition (i.e. ternary fission, etc) and make hyperdeformed minima less stable.
SPONTANEOUS FISSION HALF LIVES OF Z = 112 ISOTOPES
Authors: ŁOJEWSKI Z. , BARAN A.
Published: February 2008

Barriers and spontaneous fission half lives of superheavy isotopes of Z = 112 (N = 150–190) nucleus are calculated using state dependent δ-pairing and both BCS or Lipkin-Nogami (LN) approach. Four different models of macroscopic part of Strutinsky energy are probed. Results for different macroscopic models combined with δ+ LN approach give the half lives well compared to experimental data. The calculations are performed in three dimensional space of deformation parameters β = {β2, β4, β6}. The probability of spontaneous fission has been obtained by dynamical action minimization method.
DEFORMATIONS OF MULTIPOLARITY SIX AT THE SADDLE POINT OF HEAVIEST NUCLEI
Authors: SHVEDOV L. , ROHOZIŃSKI S. G. , KOWAL M. , BELCHIKOV S. , SOBICZEWSKI A.
Published: February 2008

Saddle-point configuration of heaviest nuclei is studied in a multidimensional deformation space. Main attention is given to the role of the deformation of multipolarity six of a general type, described by four independent parameters. The dependence of the potential energy of a superheavy nucleus on these parameters at the saddle-point configuration is illustrated. The analysis is performed within a macroscopic-microscopic approach.
Groundwater: still out of sight but less out of mind
Authors: Skinner A.C.
Published: February 2008

The number of groundwater specialists working in the UK or from a UK base is now estimated to significantly exceed 1000. This is at least a 60-fold increase over the 60 year period since the enactment of the legislation, in the form of the 1945 Water Act, that initiated a quantitative approach to groundwater management in the UK. Jack Ineson was the key initial influence in that process. Although the science that has been developed and the schemes and activities that have been undertaken over the period have been well documented, there has been no analysis in organizational and professional terms since the early 1990s. This review addresses that gap and attempts to assess critically, in the context of contemporary groundwater issues, what has been achieved by the profession in this period of rapid growth and how well it is equipped to deal with future challenges. Over the period not only has hydrogeology become a mainstream branch of the geosciences but groundwater studies have become recognized as a key component in the understanding and management of the natural environment. Many complementary disciplines in physical, biological and social science are now engaged in work on groundwater. The subject is much better understood both among policy makers and the general public, and its profile looks set to be raised with the heightened pressures from climate change on interactions between land and water.
Decreased clearance of serum retinol-binding protein and elevated levels of transthyretin in insulin-resistantob/obmice
Authors: Mody Nimesh , Graham Timothy E. , Tsuji Yuki , Yang Qin , Kahn Barbara B.
Published: February 2008

Serum retinol-binding protein (RBP4) is secreted by liver and adipocytes and is implicated in systemic insulin resistance in rodents and humans. RBP4 normally binds to the larger transthyretin (TTR) homotetramer, forming a protein complex that reduces renal clearance of RBP4. To determine whether alterations in RBP4-TTR binding contribute to elevated plasma RBP4 levels in insulin-resistant states, we investigated RBP4-TTR interactions in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice and high-fat-fed obese mice (HFD). Gel filtration chromatography of plasma showed that 88–94% of RBP4 is contained within the RBP4-TTR complex in ob/ob and lean mice. Coimmunoprecipitation with an RBP4 antibody brought down stoichiometrically equal amounts of TTR and RBP4, indicating that TTR was not more saturated with RBP4 in ob/ob mice than in controls. However, plasma TTR levels were elevated approximately fourfold in ob/ob mice vs. controls. RBP4 injected intravenously in lean mice cleared rapidly, whereas the t1/2for disappearance was approximately twofold longer in ob/ob plasma. Urinary fractional excretion of RBP4 was reduced in ob/ob mice, consistent with increased retention. In HFD mice, plasma TTR levels and clearance of injected RBP4 were similar to chow-fed controls. Hepatic TTR mRNA levels were elevated approximately twofold in ob/ob but not in HFD mice. Since elevated circulating RBP4 causes insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in mice, these findings suggest that increased TTR or alterations in RBP4-TTR binding may contribute to insulin resistance by stabilizing RBP4 at higher steady-state concentrations in circulation. Lowering TTR levels or interfering with RBP4-TTR binding may enhance insulin sensitivity in obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Chronic intermittent hypoxia reduces ventilatory long-term facilitation and enhances apnea frequency in newborn rats
Authors: Julien Cécile , Bairam Aida , Joseph Vincent
Published: February 2008

Ventilatory long-term facilitation (LTF; defined as gradual increase of minute ventilation following repeated hypoxic exposures) is well described in adult mammals and is hypothesized to be a protective mechanism against apnea. In newborns, LTF is absent during the first postnatal days, but its precise developmental pattern is unknown. Accordingly, this study describes this pattern of postnatal development. Additionally, we tested the hypothesis that chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) from birth alters this development. LTF was estimated in vivo using whole body plethysmography by exposing rat pups at postnatal days 1, 4, and 10 (P1, P4, and P10) to 10 brief hypoxic cycles (nadir 5% O2) and respiratory recordings during the following 2 h (recovery, 21% O2). Under these conditions, ventilatory LTF (gradual increase of minute ventilation during recovery) was clearly expressed in P10 rats but not in P1 and P4. In a second series of experiments, rat pups were exposed to CIH during the first 10 postnatal days (6 brief cyclic exposures at 5% O2 every 6 min followed by 1 h under normoxia, 24 h a day). Compared with P10 control rats, CIH enhanced hypoxic ventilatory response (estimated during the hypoxic cycles) specifically in male rat pups. Ventilatory LTF was drastically reduced in P10 rats exposed to CIH, which was associated with higher apnea frequency during recovery. We conclude that CIH from birth enhances hypoxic chemoreflex and disrupts LTF development, thus likely contributing to increase apnea frequency.
Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-related cardiac troponin C mutation L29Q affects Ca2+binding and myofilament contractility
Authors: Liang Bo , Chung Franca , Qu Yang , Pavlov Dmitri , Gillis Todd E. , Tikunova Svetlana B. , Davis Jonathan P. , Tibbits Glen F.
Published: February 2008

The cardiac troponin C (cTnC) mutation, L29Q, has been found in a patient with familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We previously showed that L29, together with neighboring residues, Asp2, Val28, and Gly30, plays an important role in determining the Ca2+affinity of site II, the regulatory site of mammalian cardiac troponin C (McTnC). Here we report on the Ca2+binding characteristics of L29Q McTnC and D2N/V28I/L29Q/G30D McTnC (NIQD) utilizing the Phe27→ Trp (F27W) substitution, allowing one to monitor Ca2+binding and release. We also studied the effect of these mutants on Ca2+activation of force generation in single mouse cardiac myocytes using cTnC replacement, together with sarcomere length (SL) dependence. The Ca2+-binding affinity of site II of L29Q McTnCF27Wand NIQD McTnCF27Wwas ∼1.3- and ∼1.9-fold higher, respectively, than that of McTnCF27W. The Ca2+disassociation rate from site II of L29Q McTnCF27Wand NIQD McTnCF27Wwas not significantly different than that of control (McTnCF27W). However, the rate of Ca2+binding to site II was higher in L29Q McTnCF27Wand NIQD McTnCF27Wrelative to control (∼1.5-fold and ∼2.0-fold respectively). The Ca2+sensitivity of force generation was significantly higher in myocytes reconstituted with L29Q McTnC (∼1.4-fold) and NIQD McTnC (∼2-fold) compared with those reconstituted with McTnC. Interestingly, the change in Ca2+sensitivity of force generation in response to an SL change (1.9, 2.1, and 2.3 μm) was significantly reduced in myocytes containing L29Q McTnC or NIQD McTnC. These results demonstrate that the L29Q mutation enhances the Ca2+-binding characteristics of cTnC and that when incorporated into cardiac myocytes, this mutant alters myocyte contractility.
The Metabolic Syndrome: Definitions, Prevalence and Management
Authors: Levesque Josée , Lamarche Benoît
Published: February 2008

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to the clustering of various metabolic risk factors that include abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia. It is now well known that it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and of type 2 diabetes. The increasing prevalence of the MetS, associated with the substantial progression of obesity and diabetes, is therefore an important public health concern. Over the years, several definitions for the MetS have been proposed by major scientific associations. Those definitions differ somewhat in their criteria and threshold values but generally all agree on the essential components of the syndrome. The proposed definitions are intended to help identify individuals at increased long-term risk of CVD, who could benefit from early prevention. The diagnosis of the MetS should be used concurrently with standard predicting algorithms, such as the Framingham Risk Score and the Diabetes Predicting Model, which better predict short-term risks. The management of the MetS should emphasize therapeutic lifestyle modifications – weight loss, increased physical activity, healthy diet – as the first-line therapy. If the short-term risk of CVD or diabetes is high, specific risk factors should be monitored more closely according to established guidelines and drug therapy may be appropriate.
Effect of Chemosensitizers on Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations of Fluconazole in Candida albicans
Authors: Bulatova Nailya R. , Darwish Rula M.
Published: February 2008

Objective: To evaluate the effect of chemosensitizers on the in vitro activity of fluconazole against Candida albicans strains. Materials and Methods: Using Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute method, antifungal activity of fluconazole was determined alone and in combination with 16 chemosensitizers that included verapamil, reserpine, quinine, quinidine, gemfibrozil, lansoprazole, tamoxifen, diltiazem, desipramine, nicardipine, cyclosporine, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine. Further studies were done using double combinations of selected chemosensitizers with fluconazole (28 combinations). For testing combinations, half of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each agent was selected in order to avoid the effect of the drug alone. One reference strain (ATCC90028) and one clinical isolate of C. albicans were used for testing the in vitro activity. Broth dilution method was used to determine the MICs of fluconazole and chemosensitizers. Results: Of the 16 chemosensitizers tested, 3 exhibited in vitro activity by increasing fluconazole susceptibility to 7-fold. The MICs of the reference strain and clinical isolate for fluconazole were 5.5 and 0.55 µg/ml, respectively, and these were reduced to 0.76 µg/ml by gemfibrozil, 0.83 µg/ml by quinine, and 0.76 µg/ml by chlorpromazine in the reference strain, with MIC reduction to 0.08 µg/ml by all three chemosensitizers in the clinical isolate. Some double combinations reduced the MIC of fluconazole to 10- to 100-fold, even when the chemosensitizers were not effective alone. Conclusion: The most effective double combinations were those of chlorpromazine with either reserpine or nicardipine.
Determinants and Associations of Homocysteine and Prothrombotic Risk Factors in Kuwaiti Patients with Cerebrovascular Accident
Authors: Mojiminiyi Olusegun A. , Marouf Rajaa , Al Shayeb Abdel Raoof , Qurtom Mohammad , Abdella Nabila A. , Al Wazzan Hanan , Al Humood Salah , Abdul Samad Majeda , El-Muzaini Hadeel
Published: February 2008

Objective: The objective ofthis study was to evaluate the determinants and associations of some prothrombotic risk factors in patients with cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs). Subjects and Methods:In this case-control study, plasma total homocysteine (tHcy), lupus anticoagulant, protein C, protein S, activated protein C resistance (APC-R) and antithrombin were measured in 102 patients (60 males and 42 females) and 167 controls (87 males, 80 females). Serum vitamin B12, folate, red cell folate, creatinine, lipid profile and glucose were also determined. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated. Results:13 (22%) of the 60 male patients, and 16 (39%) of the 42 female patients had hyperhomocysteinemia. Median (interquartile range) tHcy was higher in male patients [11.22 µmol/l (9.60–15.40)] than female patients [10.05 µmol/l (8.72–17.54)]. On binary logistic regression analysis, the significant (p < 0.05) determinants of tHcy were urea, creatinine and GFR. Comparing patients with control subjects showed that tHcy, age, fasting glucose, urea, serum creatinine, white blood cell count, protein S, APC-R and factor VIII were significantly higher, while protein C, factor II, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly lower in patients. Lupus anticoagulant was not associated with tHcy and not detected in patients and controls. Low concentrations of vitamins B12 and folate were not associated with tHcy. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant association of tHcy with CVA (OR = 9.55; p = 0.047) in males in the presence of other traditional CVA risk factors but tHcy is not independently associated with CVA in females. Conclusion:Hyperhomocysteinemia is common in Kuwaiti patients with CVA and tHcy probably interacts with prothrombotic factors (protein C, APC-R and factor VIII) to increase CVA risk. The main determinants, age and GFR markers, should be kept in mind when determining the risk associated with tHcy.
Oesophageal Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Thomasset Sarah C. , Garcea Giuseppe , Berry David P.
Published: February 2008

Metastasis to the oesophagus is most frequently described in association with lung or breast cancer. Diagnosis is frequently complicated as often only normal tissue is present in endoscopic biopsy specimens. Although oesophagectomy for metastasis has been described, few patients are suitable for curative resection. We report the case of a 62-year-old man who developed an oesophageal metastasis from colorectal cancer and review the available literature.
Skewed X-Chromosome Inactivation in Greek Women with Idiopathic Recurrent Miscarriage
Authors: Dasoula A. , Kalantaridou S. , Sotiriadis A. , Pavlou M. , Georgiou I. , Paraskevaidis E. , Makrigiannakis A. , Syrrou M.
Published: February 2008

Objectives: To investigate if skewed X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) is associated with unexplained recurrent miscarriage (RM) in Greek women. Methods: This was a prospective case-control study. A methylation-sensitive assay was used to investigate the X-inactivation pattern of women with unexplained RM and controls. Results: Fifty-six of the 74 patients (75.7%) and 55 of 80 controls (68.8%) were informative. Among the informative cases, 6/56 (10.7%) women showed extreme XCI (>90%) and among the informative controls, 2/55 (3.6%) showed extreme XCI. Conclusions: In the present study, women with unexplained RM showed a statistically nonsignificant increase in skewed XCI prevalence (10.7%) compared with control women (3.6%; p = 0.271).
Zarit Burden Inventory and Activities of Daily Living in the Behavioral Variant of Frontotemporal Dementia
Authors: Boutoleau-Bretonnière Claire , Vercelletto Martine , Volteau Christelle , Renou Pierre , Lamy Estelle
Published: February 2008

Background: Activities of daily living (ADL) and caregiver burden are known to have a major impact on the decision to institutionalize patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), yet little research has been done on these aspects in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Aim: To compare ADL and caregiver burden in FTD and in early-onset AD. Methods: We compared 26 FTD and 28 AD patients with respect to the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), Mini Mental State Examination, Mattis Dementia Rating Scale (MDRS), Disability Assessment for Dementia (DAD) and Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI). Results: Demographic variables for FTD and AD were similar. FTD patients obtained a significantly higher NPI behavioral score than AD patients (median, 39.5 vs. 11; p < 0.0001). However, the two groups did not differ in their total DAD score. No correlations were observed between DAD and cognitive status (MDRS) or between DAD and behavioral impairment (NPI). The ZBI was higher in FTD than in AD patients (median, 40 vs. 18.5; p = 0.0004) and was correlated with the NPI in both groups. Conclusion: Functional disability was similar in FTD and AD patients. Nevertheless, the caregiver burden was higher in FTD than in AD, a result that has important implications for caregiver help.
Aortic Valvuloplasty in Pediatric Patients Substantially Postpones the Need for Aortic Valve Surgery
Authors: Fratz Sohrab , Gildein Hans Peter , Balling Gunter , Sebening Walter , Genz Thomas , Eicken Andreas , Hess John
Published: February 2008

Background—

Aortic valvuloplasty (AoVP) is an established procedure regarded as a valid alternative for surgical management of congenital aortic valve stenosis. However, its long-term efficacy in preventing or postponing aortic valve surgery remains uncertain for the individual patient. Therefore, the aim of this study was to study the long-term results of AoVP in pediatric patients and its efficacy in preventing or postponing aortic valve surgery.

Methods and Results—

We reviewed up to 17.5 years of follow-up data of all 188 patients who received AoVP at the Deutsches Herzzentrum München. The patients were divided into those <1 month of age (group <1 month; n=68) and those ≥1 month of age (group ≥1 month; n=120) at the time of AoVP. After the first and second AoVP, moderate and severe aortic regurgitation developed in 29% and 14%, respectively, of the patients in group <1 month and in 19% and 29%, respectively, of the patients in group ≥1 month. Survival after 10 years free from aortic valve surgery was 59% (95% confidence interval, 45 to 73) in group <1 month and 70% (95% confidence interval, 59 to 81) in group ≥1 month.

Conclusions—

This study shows that the long-term results of AoVP of congenital aortic valve stenosis in pediatric patients and its efficacy in preventing or postponing aortic valve surgery are very good. About two thirds of the patients are free from aortic valve surgery 10 years after AoVP.
CD137 Is Expressed in Human Atherosclerosis and Promotes Development of Plaque Inflammation in Hypercholesterolemic Mice
Authors: Olofsson Peder S. , Söderström Leif Å. , Wågsäter Dick , Sheikine Yuri , Ocaya Pauline , Lang François , Rabu Catherine , Chen Lieping , Rudling Mats , Aukrust Pål , Hedin Ulf , Paulsson-Berne Gabrielle , Sirsjö Allan , Hansson Göran K.
Published: February 2008

Background—

Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease in which inflammatory processes play an important role. Inflammation underlies lesion evolution at all stages, from establishment to plaque rupture and thrombosis. Costimulatory molecules of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily such as CD40/CD40L and OX40/OX40L have been implicated in atherosclerosis.

Methods and Results—

This study shows that the tumor necrosis factor superfamily members CD137 and CD137 ligand (CD137L), which play a major role in several autoimmune diseases, may constitute a pathogenic pair in atherogenesis. We detected CD137 protein in human atherosclerotic lesions not only on T cells but also on endothelial cells and showed that CD137 in cultured endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells was induced by proinflammatory cytokines implicated in atherosclerosis. Activation of CD137 by CD137L induced adhesion molecule expression on endothelial cells and reduced smooth muscle cell proliferation. In addition, treatment of atherosclerosis-prone apolipoprotein E–deficient mice with a CD137 agonist caused increased inflammation. T-cell infiltration, mainly of CD8
+
cells, and expression of the murine major histocompatibility complex class II molecule I-A
b
increased significantly in atherosclerotic lesions, as did the aortic expression of proinflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions—

Taken together, these observations suggest that CD137-CD137L interactions in the vasculature may contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis via augmented leukocyte recruitment, increased inflammation, and development of a more disease-prone phenotype.