bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Mannitol in Reducing Postischemic Changes in Distortion‐Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs): A Rabbit Model
Authors: Morawski Krzysztof , Telischi Fred F. , Merchant Faisal , Abiy Lidet W. , Lisowska Grazyna , Namyslowski Grzegorz
Published: November 2003

Objectives The aim of this study was to observe the effects of mannitol, administered topically at the round window (RW), on cochlear blood flow (CBF) and distortion‐product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) after repeated episodes of cochlear ischemia.

Methods Ten young rabbits were used for this study. Reversible ischemic episodes within the cochlea were induced by directly compressing the internal auditory artery (IAA). CBF was measured using a laser‐Doppler (LD) probe positioned at the RW niche. DPOAEs were measured at 4, 8, and 12 kHz geometric mean frequency (GMF) using 60 dB sound pressure level (SPL) primary tone stimuli. In five test ears, mannitol was administered topically at the RW for 30 minutes before the IAA compressions. In five control ears, the IAA compressions were undertaken without application of RW medication. Each ear underwent three 5 minute IAA compressions with a 60 minute rest period between compressions.

Results In the control animals, it was observed that a progressive reduction in DPOAE level followed each successive IAA compression at all three test frequencies. The reduction in DPOAE amplitudes was consistently greater at the higher test frequencies. In the test rabbits, the RW administration of mannitol resulted in significantly less reduction in DPOAE level measures after repeated IAA compressions. For example, 30 minutes after reperfusion at 12 kHz GMF, DPOAE levels in the control ears were reduced by 1.5, 6.0, and 16 dB, compared with 1.5, 4.0, and 6.0 dB in the mannitol test ears.

Conclusions Mannitol appears to exert a protective effect on cochlear function after periods of ischemia. The RW appears to be an efficacious route for topical administration of mannitol into the inner ear.
Presbycusis: A human temporal bone study of individuals with flat audiometric patterns of hearing loss using a new method to quantify stria vascularis volume
Authors: Nelson Erik G. , Hinojosa Raul
Published: November 2003

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of stria vascularis atrophy in individuals with presbycusis and flat audiometric patterns of hearing loss. Individuals with presbycusis have historically been categorized by the shape of their audiograms, and flat audiometric thresholds have been reported to be associated with atrophy of the stria vascularis. Stria vascularis volume was not measured in these studies. Study Design: Retrospective case review. Methods: Archival human temporal bones from individuals with presbycusis were selected on the basis of strict audiometric criteria for flat audiometric thresholds. Six temporal bones that met these criteria were identified and compared with 10 temporal bones in individuals with normal hearing. A unique quantitative method was developed to measure the stria vascularis volume in these temporal bones. The hair cell and spiral ganglion cell populations also were quantitatively evaluated. Results: Only one of the six individuals with presbycusis and flat audiometric thresholds had significant atrophy of the stria vascularis. This individual with stria vascularis atrophy also had reduced inner hair cell, outer hair cell, and ganglion cell populations. Three of the individuals with presbycusis had spiral ganglion cell loss, three individuals had inner hair cell loss, and all six individuals had outer hair cell loss. Conclusions: The results of this investigation suggest that individuals with presbycusis and flat audiometric patterns of hearing loss infrequently have stria vascularis atrophy. Outer hair cell loss alone or in combination with inner hair cell or ganglion cell loss may be the cause of flat audiometric thresholds in individuals with presbycusis.
Which comes first? psychogenic dizziness versus otogenic anxiety
Authors: Staab Jeffrey P. , Ruckenstein Michael J.
Published: November 2003

Objective: To investigate the hypotheses that physical neurotologic conditions may trigger anxiety disorders (otogenic pattern of illness), that psychiatric disorders may produce dizziness (psychogenic pattern), and that risk factors for these syndromes may be identified. Study Design: Retrospective review of all patients (N = 132) treated at a tertiary care balance center from 1998 to 2002 for psychogenic dizziness with or without physical neurotologic illnesses. Methods: All patients underwent comprehensive neurotologic and psychiatric evaluations with attention to the longitudinal course of symptoms and risk factors for psychopathology. Patients were grouped according to the condition first causing dizziness. Risk factors were compared across groups. Results: Three equally prevalent patterns of illness were found: anxiety disorders as the sole cause of dizziness (33% of cases), neurotologic conditions exacerbating preexisting psychiatric disorders (34%), and neurotologic conditions triggering new anxiety or depressive disorders (33%). Panic disorder and agoraphobia were significantly more prevalent than less severe phobias in the first two groups, whereas the opposite pattern existed in the third group (P < .0001). More patients in the first two groups had risk factors for anxiety disorders (P < .05). Depression was not a primary cause of dizziness in any patient. Vestibular neuronitis, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and migraine were the most common neurotologic conditions. Conclusions: These data support the hypothesis that physical neurotologic conditions may trigger psychopathology as often as primary anxiety disorders cause dizziness. A third pattern appears to be equally common wherein physical neurotologic conditions exacerbate preexisting psychiatric illnesses. Individuals at risk for anxiety disorders may be more likely to have primary psychopathology.
Combining acoustic and electrical hearing
Authors: Gantz Bruce J. , Turner Christopher W.
Published: November 2003

Objectives/Hypothesis: The concept of combining electrical stimulation for high‐frequency sound with acoustic hearing for low‐frequency information was tested. In addition, whether residual hearing can be preserved when an electrode is placed into the inner ear up to 10 mm and whether place of electrical stimulation influences speech perception were tested. Study Design: A single‐subject clinical trial design was employed. Methods: Six postlingual adults with severe high‐frequency hearing impairment were recruited to participate in the study. A new six‐channel cochlear implant was designed for the clinical trial. The intracochlear electrodes were either 6 or 10 mm in length based on a Nucleus CI‐24 multichannel implant. Monosyllabic word understanding and consonant identification testing in a recorded sound‐only condition were used to assess changes in speech perception. Follow‐up was greater than 12 months. Results: Acoustic hearing was preserved in all six subjects (n = 3,6‐mm electrodes; n = 3,10‐mm electrodes). Preoperative monosyllabic word and sentence scores were unchanged in all subjects following implantation. A 30% to 40% improvement in consonant recognition occurred with the 10‐mm electrode. The subjects with 10‐mm electrodes were able to understand 83% to 90% of the monosyllabic words using the implant plus binaural hearing aids. Scores were more than doubled when compared with preoperative scores with hearing aids only. Conclusion: The human ear has the capability to integrate both acoustic and high‐frequency electrically processed speech information. Placement of a short, 10‐mm electrode does not appear to damage residual low‐frequency inner ear hair cell function, interfere with the micro mechanics of normal cochlear vibration, or decrease residual speech perception. The improvement in speech recognition was due primarily to the increased perception of higher‐frequency consonantal speech cues, and this improvement took several months to become apparent. Such a device can provide a substantial benefit in speech understanding to individuals with severe high‐frequency hearing loss, while still maintaining the benefits of the residual lower‐frequency acoustic hearing. The position of the electrode and the place of frequency information within the cochlea were shown to be important factors in the success of such a device.
Protease inhibitors α1‐antitrypsin and ilomastat are not ototoxic in the chinchilla
Authors: Antonelli Patrick J. , Schultz Gregory S. , Sundin David J. , Pemberton Philip A. , Barr Philip J.
Published: November 2003

Objectives: Proteases of both the serine and the metalloprotease families have been shown to play a role in the pathogenesis of otitis media. Inhibitors of proteases from each of these families have been shown to beneficially impact disease progression in a number of related chronic inflammatory conditions. The purpose of this study was to assess the safety of protease inhibitors when instilled into the middle ear, with a view to their potential use in the treatment of human otitis media. Study Design: Prospective, randomized, controlled trial in the chinchilla model. Methods: After completing baseline auditory testing and bilateral transpalatal obstruction of the Eustachian tube, chinchillas received weekly transbullar injections of protease inhibitor (α1‐antitrypsin, ilomastat, or both), vehicle, or saline. After 1 month, hearing was tested and the animals were sacrificed. Temporal bone histopathologic examination was performed. Results: All treatment groups demonstrated a statistically insignificant average loss in long‐term hearing (0 dB) for all measures using clicks and tones (P > .15 for all conditions). All treatment groups were statistically insignificantly different from one another (P = .5625). Histopathologic examination revealed no significant inner ear changes. Conclusions: Protease inhibitors that are currently under study in animal models and humans for the treatment of inflammatory diseases that are related to imbalances between protease and protease inhibitor have no significant toxic effect on the inner ear of chinchillas. These findings support the safety of further clinical trials using these inhibitors to treat middle ear inflammation.
Nasopharyngeal flora and drug susceptibility in children with macrolide therapy
Authors: Iino Yukiko , Sasaki Yukako , Miyazawa Tesuo , Kodera Kazuoki
Published: November 2003

Objectives/Hypothesis: Low‐dose, long‐term administration of macrolides (macrolide therapy) has been used as an effective treatment for chronic respiratory tract diseases. The authors reported on the nasopharyngeal flora in children treated with macrolide therapy. Study Design: Prospective study. Methods: Nasopharyngeal cultures were obtained from 73 children with chronic rhinosinusitis and/or otitis media with effusion at the end of the low‐dose administration of clarithromycin (macrolide group). As control subjects, 98 children with chronic rhinosinusitis and/or otitis media with effusion who were not given macrolides were also included in the study. The culture results were evaluated with respect to antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, risk factors for carriage of erythromycin‐resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, and the clinical efficacy of the therapy. Results: The macrolide therapy did not have a significant effect on the incidence or the susceptibility patterns of potential pathogens except for Moraxella catarrhalis. Most of children in the macrolide group possessed a normal flora compared with the control children. The risk factors for carriage of erythromycin‐resistant S pneumoniae were male gender in the macrolide group and age under 6 years and use of antimicrobial drugs other than macrolides in the control group. The clinical efficacy of the therapy was independent of carriage of erythromycin‐resistant S pneumoniae. Conclusion: Macrolide therapy has little effect on carriage of drug‐resistant pathogens, and the efficacy of the therapy depends on the anti‐inflammatory effect of the drugs, which is independent of their antimicrobial effect.
Local production of aspergillus fumigatus specific Immunoglobulin E in nasal polyps
Authors: Weschta M. , Rimek D. , Formanek M. , Polzehl D. , Riechelmann H.
Published: November 2003

Aspergillus spp. play a significant role in the etiology of immunoglobulin (Ig)E mediated allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS). It is unclear whether Aspergillus spp. are also involved in nasal polyps without the characteristic clinical features of AFS. Objectives: The frequency of Background: Aspergillus spp. and Aspergillus‐specific IgE in nasal lavages and serum of patients with severe nasal polyps (n = 33) without clinical features of AFS should be investigated. Study Design: Prospective study. Methods: An aliquot of nasal lavage fluid was treated with dithiothreitol and examined for Aspergillus fumigatus by culture and an Aspergillus‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. An additional aliquot of nasal fluid and serum of the same patient were tested for specific IgE (Unicap, Pharmacia, Freiburg, Germany) to recombinant Aspergillus fumigatus allergen (rAspf) 1 to 6. Results: All patients had negative skin prick tests for Aspergillus fumigatus. Four of 33 (12%) lavage samples were positive for Aspergillus spp. by PCR. In one of these samples, rAspf‐specific IgE was detected but none in the serum. Nasal lavage and serum samples of the remaining 29 patients were negative for rAspf‐specific IgE. Conclusions: Aspergillus spp. detection is rare in patients with severe nasal polyps without characteristic clinical features of AFS. Specific IgE in nasal secretions may be elevated in patients with negative skin prick tests and serum IgE. In these cases, immunologic mechanisms similar to AFS may be involved. Fungal etiology has been proposed to underlie severe nasal polyps in general. However, Aspergillus spp. seem not to play a significant role.
Intratympanic steroids: Do they acutely improve hearing in cases of cochlear hydrops?
Authors: Hillman Todd M. , Arriaga Moises A. , Chen Douglas A.
Published: November 2003

Objective: To study the acute effects on hearing of intratympanic dexamethasone in patients with cochlear hydrops. Study Design: Retrospective review. Methods: Patients who met established criteria for the diagnosis of Ménière's disease or had a history of fluctuating hearing loss and met hearing loss criteria for Ménière's disease, indicating cochlear hydrops, underwent a series of one to three intratympanic injections of dexamethasone in the affected ear. Follow‐up audiograms were obtained 1 week after each injection and, in many patients, several months after injection. Results: Fifty patients met inclusion criteria and were studied. Using the American Academy of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery reporting guidelines, hearing improved acutely in 20 of the 50 patients (40%), was worse in 2 (4%), and did not change in 28 (56%). For those who improved, the average decrease in threshold was 14.2 dB. Whether the patient had typical Ménière's disease or cochlear hydrops did not affect the response to therapy. There were no significant complications from the injections. Conclusions: Intratympanic administration of dexamethasone may acutely affect sensorineural hearing loss associated with endolymphatic hydrops. A prospective, controlled study is required.
Electromechanical reshaping of septal cartilage
Authors: Ho Ki‐Hong Kevin , Valdes Sergio H. Diaz , Protsenko Dmitriy E. , Aguilar Guillermo , Wong Brian J. F.
Published: November 2003

Objectives: This study describes the process of tissue electroforming and how shape changes in cartilage can be produced by the application of direct current (DC). The dependence of shape change on voltage and application time is explored. Study Design: Basic investigation using ex vivo porcine septal cartilage grafts and electromechanical cartilage deformation focused on development of a new surgical technique. Methods: Uniform flat porcine nasal septal cartilage specimens were mechanically deformed between two semicircular aluminum electrodes. DC current was applied to establish charge separation and electrical streaming potential. Voltage (0–3.5 V) and application time (0–5 minutes) were varied. Shape change was measured, and shape retention was calculated using analytic representation. The effect of the direction of applied current on shape change was evaluated by switching the polarities of electrodes and using parameters of 0 to 5.5 V and 5 minutes. Temperature during reshaping was monitored with a thermocouple, and surface features were evaluated using light microscopy. Results: Reshaped specimen demonstrated mechanical stability similar to native cartilage tissue. Shape retention strongly correlated with increasing voltage and application time. Only a small current (<0.1 A) through the tissue was measured. Temperature change was less than 2°C during electroforming, suggesting that electroforming likely results from some nonthermal mechanisms. Surface features indicated that electrodeposition may occur depending on electrode material and magnitude of the applied voltage. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that cartilage can be reshaped through the process we have described as “electroforming” by generating intrinsic differences in charge separation with negligible heat production.
Opium and risk of laryngeal cancer
Authors: Mousavi Mohammad Reza Ahamadi , Damghani Mohammad Ali , Haghdoust Ali Akbar , Khamesipour Ali
Published: November 2003

Objectives/Hypothesis: The study was performed to investigate the possible association between opium dependency and laryngeal cancer. Study Design: A hospital‐based, group‐matched, case‐control study was presented. Methods: Ninety‐eight patients with laryngeal cancer and 312 age‐ and gender‐matched control subjects were selected at the otorhinolaryngology ward of a referral university‐affiliated hospital. Data on cigarette smoking and alcohol and opium dependency were collected before surgery through semi‐structured interview. Results: The crude odds ratios of laryngeal cancer were 15.07 (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.92–32.8 [P < .0001]) for cigarette smoking, 21.55 (95% CI, 10.54–44 [P < .0001]) for opium dependency, and 1.84 (95% CI, 1.008–3.38 [P < .048]) for male gender. Because of strong associations, a logistic regression model was prepared; the odds ratio for gender in the final model was 0.87 (95% CI, 0.39–1.92 [P = .11]). According to the results, it seemed that gender was not an independent risk factor for laryngeal cancer. Also, the adjusted odds ratios for smoking (5.21) (95% CI, 2.33–11.67 [P < .002]) and opium dependency (10.74) (95% CI, 5.76–20.02 [P < .002]) were lower than the crude odds ratios, but both ratios were significant. The mean patient ages were 55.1 years (SD = 12.05 y) in opium‐dependent patients and 65.6 years (SD = 12.8 y) in opium‐nondependent patients (P = .01). Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that opium dependency is not only an independent possible risk factor for laryngeal cancer but also significantly increases the likelihood of developing of the disease at a younger age.
Expression of focal adhesion kinase and phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx
Authors: Aronsohn Michael S. , Brown Heather M. , Hauptman Garrett , Kornberg Lori J.
Published: November 2003

Objectives: Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is overexpressed in a variety of human cancers including those derived from the oral cavity. The purpose of this work is to determine the expression patterns of FAK and its activated form, FAK pY397, in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and to correlate FAK expression with tumor differentiation and clinical parameters. Study Design: A retrospective study using archival tissue. Methods: Thirty‐five paraffin embedded tissue specimens of laryngeal carcinoma were obtained from the Department of Pathology at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Immunohistochemical staining of the specimens for FAK and activated phospho‐FAK (FAK pY397) was performed. Intensity of staining, distribution of staining, and percentage of cells stained was determined by one pathologist. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between FAK staining intensity and tumor differentiation. Poorly differentiated tumors stained more intensely than moderately differentiated tumors (P < .001). There was no correlation between FAK pY397 staining and differentiation (P = .163). However, FAK pY397 staining was unexpectedly found in the nuclei of many specimens. FAK was present in the basal layer of cells within nontransformed squamous mucosa derived from tonsillectomy specimens and in blood vessels. A small amount of FAK pY397 was also localized to blood vessels in nontransformed squamous mucosa. Conclusion: FAK and phospho‐FAK are overexpressed in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. FAK expression correlates with differentiation. Future investigations will examine the potential of FAK and FAK pY397 expression both as a prognostic indicator and a point of therapeutic inhibition.
Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1 in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck
Authors: Shirai Akiko , Furukawa Mitsuru , Yoshizaki Tomokazu
Published: November 2003

Objectives/Hypothesis: Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck (ACCHN) is characterized by late recurrence and frequent distant metastasis. Tumor attack by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and macrophages is mediated by the interaction of leukocyte function‐associated antigen (LFA)‐1 on lymphocytes with intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)‐1 on the tumor surface. Thus, the reduced expression of ICAM‐1 on tumor cells could contribute to their escape from host immune surveillance. To investigate the relationship between the clinical features of ACCHN and host immune surveillance, the expression of ICAM‐1 and infiltration of T/natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages were immunohistochemically examined. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of immunohistochemical tumor characteristics and clinical outcome. Methods: Immunohistochemical study of ICAM‐1, T/NK cells, and macrophages was performed on paraffin sections of 42 patients with ACCHN. The expression of T/NK cells and macrophages was represented by T‐cell‐restricted antigen (TIA)‐1 and CD68 expression, respectively. The expression of these molecules and clinical features were analyzed. Results: Of 42 ACCHN cases, 15,9, and 15 patients were classified as ICAM‐1 high, TIA‐1 high, and CD68 high, respectively. The TIA‐1 expression scores in ICAM‐1‐low patients were significantly lower than those in ICAM‐1‐high patients (1.3 ± 3.7 vs. 8.3 ± 12.7, P = .0031). The CD68 expression scores in ICAM‐1‐low patients were also significantly lower than those in ICAM‐1‐high patients (9.6 ± 9.G vs. 21.1 ± 17.6, P = .0047). Moreover, ICAM‐1‐high patients had a significantly better disease‐free survival rate (P = .043). Conclusions: Reduced expression of ICAM‐1 may promote immune evasion and metastasis, resulting in poor prognosis in ACCHN.
Modified endoscopic lothrop as a salvage for the failed osteoplastic flap with obliteration
Authors: Wormald Peter John , Ananda Arjuna , Nair Salil
Published: November 2003

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the modified endoscopic Lothrop (MEL) procedure for the management of failed osteoplastic flap (OPF) with obliteration of the frontal sinuses. Setting: Adelaide University Academic Hospital Complex. Study Type: Prospective case study of 16 patients presenting with symptoms after OPF with obliteration of the frontal sinuses. Materials and Methods: Sixteen patients presented with symptoms of frontal sinus pain after having previously undergone OPF and fat obliteration of the frontal sinuses. All patients underwent computed tomography scanning; 13 underwent magnetic resonance imaging scanning, and 6 underwent a bone scan with technetium to exclude frontal osteitis. All patients underwent exploration of the frontal sinuses by way of the MEL procedure. Results: Fifteen patients were found to have a frontal sinus mucocele, whereas one patient had no mucocele with only new bone and fibrous tissue found at the MEL procedure. Twelve of the 16 patients with mucoceles had resolution of their frontal headaches, with 15 having a patent and healthy communication between the mucocele and the nasal cavity. The one patient without a mucocele continues to have frontal pain. One patient underwent a successful MEL procedure but had persistent symptoms until a supraorbital ethmoid mucocele was removed at a revision procedure. Two other patients continued to have frontal headaches and pain despite a healthy ostium into the frontal sinus mucocele. Conclusions: MEL is a viable alternative to revision OPF for symptomatic patients who are shown to have a mucocele of the frontal sinuses.
Retronasal olfactory function in nasal polyposis
Authors: Landis Basile N. , Giger Roland , Ricchetti Alma , Leuchter Igor , Hugentobler Marianne , Hummel Thomas , Lacroix Jean‐Silvain
Published: November 2003

Objective: To investigate the question of whether there is a difference in retronasal olfactory function between patients suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (NP) and healthy controls. This question was based on the clinical observation that many of these patients present with smell loss without complaining about loss of the appreciation of foods. Study Design: Open prospective study comparing symptomatic patients with healthy controls. Methods: A total of 56 healthy volunteers and 42 NP patients were tested for orthonasal and retronasal odor identification. All subjects received detailed nasal endoscopy; NP was staged according to the Malm classification. Patients rated their olfactory function on visual analogue scales. Orthonasal testing was performed using the “Sniffin' Sticks” test kit. Retronasal testing was evaluated with odorized powders applied to the oral cavity. In both tests, subjects were asked to identify 10 items using a forced choice paradigm. Results: Overall, odor identification was better in controls compared with NP patients (P < .001). Although controls exhibited no difference between orthonasal and retronasal smelling (P = .26), in NP patients, olfactory function was significantly better when odors were applied through the retronasal route (P < .001). Ratings of general olfactory abilities correlated with retronasal and orthonasal olfactory function in NP patients (P < .001) but not in healthy controls (P = .34) Conclusion: Better retronasal than orthonasal olfactory function seems to be associated with the presence of mechanical obstruction in the anterior portion of the olfactory cleft. In turn, these data indicate that olfactory loss in NP seems to be caused by regional mechanical or inflammatory factors.
Trinucleotide expansions leading to an extended poly‐l‐alanine segment in the poly (A) binding protein PABPN1 cause fibril formation
Authors: Scheuermann Till , Schulz Barbe , Blume Alfred , Wahle Elmar , Rudolph Rainer , Schwarz Elisabeth
Published: November 2003

The nuclear poly(A) binding protein (PABPN1) stimulates poly(A) polymerase and controls the lengths of poly(A) tails during pre‐mRNA processing. The wild‐type protein possesses 10 consecutive Ala residues immediately after the start methionine. Trinucleotide expansions in the coding sequence result in an extension of the Ala stretch to maximal 17 Ala residues in total. Individuals carrying the trinucleotide expansions suffer from oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD). Intranuclear inclusions consisting predominantly of PABPN1 have been recognized as a pathological hallmark of the genetic disorder. To elucidate the molecular events that lead to disease, recombinant PABPN1, and N‐terminal fragments of the protein with varying poly‐l‐alanine stretches were analyzed. As the full‐length protein displayed a strong tendency to aggregate into amorphous deposits, soluble N‐terminal fragments were also studied. Expansion of the poly‐l‐alanine sequence to the maximal length observed in OPMD patients led to an increase of α‐helical structure. Upon prolonged incubation the protein was found in fibrils that showed all characteristics of amyloid‐like fibers. The lag‐phase of fibril formation could be reduced by seeding. Structural analysis of the fibrils indicated antiparallel β‐sheets.
Heat‐induced denaturation and aggregation of ovalbumin at neutral pH described by irreversible first‐order kinetics
Authors: Weijers Mireille , Barneveld Peter A. , Cohen Stuart Martien A. , Visschers Ronald W.
Published: November 2003

The heat‐induced denaturation kinetics of two different sources of ovalbumin at pH 7 was studied by chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry. The kinetics was found to be independent of protein concentration and salt concentration, but was strongly dependent on temperature. For highly pure ovalbumin, the decrease in nondenatured native protein showed first‐order dependence. The activation energy obtained with different techniques varied between 430 and 490 kJ•mole−1. First‐order behavior was studied in detail using differential scanning calorimetry. The calorimetric traces were irreversible and highly scan rate‐dependent. The shape of the thermograms as well as the scan rate dependence can be explained by assuming that the thermal denaturation takes place according to a simplified kinetic process where N is the native state, D is denatured (or another final state) and k a first‐order kinetic constant that changes with temperature, according to the Arrhenius equation. A kinetic model for the temperature‐induced denaturation and aggregation of ovalbumin is presented. Commercially obtained ovalbumin was found to contain an intermediate‐stable fraction (IS) of about 20% that was unable to form aggregates. The denaturation of this fraction did not satisfy first‐order kinetics.
Studying the roles of W86, E202, and Y337 in binding of acetylcholine to acetylcholinesterase using a combined molecular dynamics and multiple docking approach
Authors: Kua Jeremy , Zhang Yingkai , Eslami Angelique C. , Butler John R. , McCammon J. Andrew
Published: November 2003

A combined molecular dynamics simulation and multiple ligand docking approach is applied to study the roles of the anionic subsite residues (W86, E202, Y337) in the binding of acetylcholine (ACh) to acetylcholinesterase (AChE). We find that E202 stabilizes docking of ACh via electrostatic interactions. However, we find no significant electrostatic contribution from the aromatic residues. Docking energies of ACh to mutant AChE show a more pronounced effect because of size/shape complementarity. Mutating to smaller residues results in poorer binding, both in terms of docking energy and statistical docking probability. Besides separating out electrostatics by turning off the partial charges from each residue and comparing it with the native, the mutations in this study are W86F, W86A, E202D, E202Q, E202A, Y337F, and Y337A. We also find that all perturbations result in a significant reduction in binding of extended ACh in the catalytically productive orientation. This effect is primarily caused by a small shift in preferred position of the quaternary tail.
Solution NMR structure of the 30S ribosomal protein S28E from Pyrococcus horikoshii
Authors: Aramini James M. , Huang Yuanpeng J. , Cort John R. , Goldsmith‐Fischman Sharon , Xiao Rong , Shih Liang‐Yu , Ho Chi K. , Liu Jinfeng , Rost Burkhard , Honig Barry , Kennedy Michael A. , Acton Thomas B. , Montelione Gaetano T.
Published: November 2003

We report NMR assignments and solution structure of the 71‐residue 30S ribosomal protein S28E from the archaean Pyrococcus horikoshii, target JR19 of the Northeast Structural Genomics Consortium. The structure, determined rapidly with the aid of automated backbone resonance assignment (AutoAssign) and automated structure determination (AutoStructure) software, is characterized by a four‐stranded β‐sheet with a classic Greek‐key topology and an oligonucleotide/oligosaccharide β‐barrel (OB) fold. The electrostatic surface of S28E exhibits positive and negative patches on opposite sides, the former constituting a putative binding site for RNA. The 13 C‐terminal residues of the protein contain a consensus sequence motif constituting the signature of the S28E protein family. Surprisingly, this C‐terminal segment is unstructured in solution.
Periodic solution for a delayed three‐species food‐chain systemwith Holling type‐II functional response
Authors: Liu Qiming , Xu Rui
Published: November 2003

A delayed three‐species periodic food‐chain system with Holling
type‐II functional response is investigated. By using Gaines and
Mawhin′s continuation theorem of coincidence degree theory, a set
of easily verifiable sufficient conditions is derived for the
existence of positive periodic solutions to the system.
Differential operators and flat connections on a Riemann surface
Authors: Biswas Indranil
Published: November 2003

We consider filtered holomorphic vector bundles on a compact
Riemann surface X equipped with a holomorphic connection
satisfying a certain transversality condition with respect to the
filtration. If Q is a stable vector bundle of rank r and
degree (1 − genus(X))nr, then any holomorphic connection on the
jet bundle Jn(Q) satisfies this transversality condition for
the natural filtration of Jn(Q) defined by projections to
lower‐order jets. The vector bundle Jn(Q) admits holomorphic
connection. The main result is the construction of a bijective
correspondence between the space of all equivalence classes of
holomorphic vector bundles on X with a filtration of length n
together with a holomorphic connection satisfying the
transversality condition and the space of all isomorphism classes
of holomorphic differential operators of order n whose symbol
is the identity map.
Exploring Sound-Space with Interactive Genetic Algorithms
Authors: Johnson Colin G.
Published: November 2003

This paper describes a system that uses evolutionary computation to provide an interface to a complex sound-synthesis algorithm. The paper then considers a number of general issues to be considered when evolutionary computation is applied in artistic domains and the differences between interactive and non-interactive genetic algorithms.
SCREAMING AS A STRATEGY TO REDUCE THE PREDATION RISK INCURRED BY BEGGING?
Authors: Roulin
Published: November 2003

Following the theory of parent-offspring conflict parents request from their offspring an honest signal of food requirement to optimally adjust feeding rate. For this purpose, offspring display a highly informative signalling system, begging vocalisation, for which the conspicuousness to predators maintains honesty, since only hungry offspring are willing to take this risk. The risk of predation incurred by begging activities challenges our understanding of how begging vocalisation could evolve towards a high degree of noisiness. A solution to this apparent paradox resides in the possibility that alongside the evolution of begging, birds also evolved strategies that reduce the risk of being depredated. Following the ornithological literature nestlings scream in the presence of a predator to frighten it, induce parents to rescue them and siblings to flee from the nest and hide in the vegetation. I therefore propose the hypothesis that nestling screaming behaviour evolved as a means of reducing the risk of predation incurred by conspicuous begging. Comparative analyses supported the prediction postulating that species in which nestlings scream in the presence of a predator produce begging calls that are more conspicuous to predators than calls of non-screaming species. This suggests that the predation cost of begging lies not only in terms of predation per se but also in the requirement of anti-predator strategies.
DIFFERENT LEVELS OF VARIABILITY IN THE FEMALE SONG OF WILD SILVERY GIBBONS (HYLOBATES MOLOCH)
Authors: Dallmann Robert , Geissmann Thomas
Published: November 2003

Gibbon songs are known to include species- and sex-specific characteristics. It has been suggested frequently that these songs also exhibit a high degree of individuality, but quantifying individuality has rarely been attempted. Because the statistical methods used in earlier studies were highly dependent on sample size (Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance by ranks), it was not possible to compare results among studies directly. We introduce a mean pairwise difference (MPD) of scaled variables in order to quantify great-call variability and individuality. Because of its construction as simple normalised difference, the MPD is largely independent of sample size. This makes it possible to compare results directly with those of other studies on other populations or species. Even various levels of variability (intra- vs. inter-individual, intra- vs. inter-population variability) can be determined and compared with this method. In addition, the MPD can be calculated independently for any acoustic variable. This opens up a broad variety of research options in the area of comparative analysis of acoustic communication. For instance, variability in various parts of a phrase, in various parts of a song bout, in various contexts or in various seasons can be compared, and this is possible even if the variables under comparison are not the same. As an example we analysed female great-call phrases of wild silvery gibbons in Java (Indonesia). We found that inter-individual variability is significantly higher than intra-individual variability. This implies that females can be distinguished by their great-calls, although this was not examined during the present study. Additionally, variability of female songs was found to be significantly lower within one population than among any two populations. The various sections of the great-call differ in their variability. The first half of the great-call (excluding the introductory note) shows the highest potential for individual recognition.
When was the Law of International Society Born?
Authors:   Onuma
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
The Missing Balance
Authors:   Duchhardt
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
When Will Kant's Perpetual Peace be Definitive?
Authors:   Fisch
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
The Medieval Canon Law of Contract and Early Modern Treaty Law
Authors:   Lesaffer
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
Hobbes's Relevance to the Modern Law of Nations
Authors:   Akashi
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
John P. Humphrey and the Drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Authors:   Glendon
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
Book reviews
Authors:   Neff
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
Bibliography of the Textbooks and Comprehensive Treaties on Positive International Law of the 19th Century
Authors:   Macalister-Smith,   Schwietzke
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
From the International Law of Christianity to the International Law of the World Citizen
Authors: Steiger
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
Obstructing the Security Council: The Use of the Veto in the Twentieth Century
Authors:   Schindlmayr
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
Judge Wang Tieya: The Yugoslav Tribunal Experience
Authors:   Jia
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
Wang Tieya and his Students
Authors:   Ying
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
Richard Tuck: The Rights of War and Peace
Authors:   Lesaffer
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
Human Rights- China's Historical Perspectives in Context
Authors:   Wu
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
Carl Schmitt. Le nomos de la terre dans le droit des gens du Jus Publicum Europaeum
Authors:   Doehring
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
Robert Heuser. Einfuehrung in die chinesische Rechtskultur
Authors:   Ullrich,   Potter
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
International Law and the Idea of History
Authors: Allott
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
The Role of International Law in Diplomatic Practice
Authors: Grewe
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
Was Hugo Grotius Really in Favour of the Freedom of the Seas?
Authors: Zemanek
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
The Procedure of International Conciliation: Some Historical Aspects
Authors: Donner
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
The Martens Clause in International Law
Authors: Pustogarov
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
Literature and Documentary Sources Relating to the History of Public International Law: An Annotated Bibliographical Survey
Authors: Macalister-Smith  , Schwietzke
Published: November 2003

No Abstract
Reforms of Administrative Law in the PRC and Vietnam: The Possible Role of the Legal Tradition
Authors: Buhmann Karin
Published: November 2003

The article takes its point of departure in administrative law and good governance as possible avenues for increased implementation of rights, including human rights. The author discusses the role that pre-modern East Asian ideas on governance and pre-modern administrative law and institutions for monitoring the executive's use of power may play for the substance and focus of the reforms of administrative law that have been undertaken in the late 20th century in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and in Vietnam. The article discusses the possible influence of ideas and institutions inspired by Confucianism and the School of Legalism, including such features as a meritocratic civil service, institutions for monitoring the executive and for dealing with complaints, instrumental use of law, and use of rewards, punishments and instruction to achieve the aims of the law. The author compares the prevalence of the features of pre-modern China and Vietnam with elements in legislation and institutions implemented under the late 20th century reform processes in the PRC and Vietnam. The article concludes that the legacy of the pre-modern system of administrative law and governance and related institutions appears to play a role in the modern reform process that is more than accidental, and that this legacy results in a relatively strong emphasis on a principle of legality in the legislation implemented under the reforms and in a relatively weaker emphasis on the principle of equality. The article suggests that features of the premodern legacy, especially the emphasis on exercise of executive power in accordance with law, may be explored as providing potential for contributing to an increased quality of public administration and an increased implementation of rule of law and specific rights, including human rights and rights of relevance to trade and investment. It is also suggested that these features of the pre-modern system may be explored by the development community and international organizations as potential for creating ownership and sustainability of governance and law reforms that are of interest to external partners of the PRC and Vietnam.
Intelligent supervisory control for lifts: dynamic zoning
Authors: So A TP , Yu J KL
Published: November 2003

It is generally accepted that a good lift system must provide the passengers with the best quantity, normally referring to handling capacity, and quality, normally referring to waiting time and/or journey time, of services with the most economical solution. To fulfil such an objective, the lift system must be adaptable to the everchanging traffic patterns of the building. Zoning has been one conventional way to achieve the goal. However, zoning is generally either fixed permanently or in other words, static, based on time scheduling where the floors being grouped into zones are predetermined during the design stage. In this paper, a new concept is introduced where zoning becomes a dynamic performance of a lift system, continuously changing with respect to the changing traffic patterns. The objectives are to achieve maximum handling capacity and minimum waiting/travelling time for passengers during up-peak, down peak and heavy interfloor traffic conditions. Two algorithms, namely ‘Uniform RTT’ and ‘Demand Matching’, have been developed for intelligent control of the dynamic zoning scheme. Comparison with a normal system without zoning is based on an available commercial software package using the same traffic patterns. Computer simulations on a pseudo building with 12 floors and three cars have revealed a significant improvement in the waiting time, journey time and handling capacity of passengers for most of the cases. The original concept of dynamic zoning was presented during an international lift conference.
Building behaviour
Authors: Aspinall P A
Published: November 2003

Environmental Psychology has developed and been assimilated in many areas of psychology following its early roots in perception and social psychology. The paper presents some current issues which are seen as relevant to the context of the built environment and of architectural education. In contrast to early stimulus response psychophysical approaches, modern theoretical views and consequent research adopt a more holistic and multivariate approach. A methodology to cope with this is briefly outlined. Empirical work in perception with special reference to aesthetics and emotional responses to environments is presented followed by work on spatial studies and stress. The paper concludes with a list of topics considered promising for further research.
Leakage measurements using unsteady techniques with particular reference to large buildings
Authors: Carey P S , Etheridge D W
Published: November 2003

The paper describes investigations of unsteady techniques for measuring leakage of buildings. The main investigation is theoretical. The theory used accounts for compressibility and inertia and is based on a quadratic flow equation. It is therefore an advance over what has been used in the few previous investigations. In particular, it allows uncertainties due to inertia to be assessed. The investigations cover three unsteady techniques i.e., the AC and the pulse techniques and a novel DC/AC technique. It is concluded that for most buildings, the conventional steady DC technique is preferable. However, for large buildings, the DC technique becomes increasingly inaccurate and an alternative technique is required. A novel form of pulse technique is proposed and theoretical and experimental investigations are presented which indicate that it has the potential to provide a simple and quick way of measuring the leakage of large buildings.
Auto-generation of patch surfaces for injection mould design
Authors: Kong L , Fuh J Y H , Lee K S
Published: November 2003

This paper presents an efficient search algorithm to recognize through-hole features for demoulding purposes. Here the hole features include cylindrical and non-cylindrical hollow features, such as slots and pockets. The approach relies on a topological-based graph, which is described by a B-Rep solid model. From the case study on several industrial parts, the methodology developed is found to be effective in patching the through-hole features appearing in complex plastic parts.