bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The 11q terminal deletion disorder: A prospective study of 110 cases
Authors: Grossfeld Paul D. , Mattina Teresa , Lai Zona , Favier Remi , Jones Ken Lyons , Cotter Finbarr , Jones Christopher ,   the 11q Consortium
Published: June 2004

We performed a prospective study of 110 patients (75 not previously published) with the 11q terminal deletion disorder (previously called Jacobsen syndrome), diagnosed by karyotype. All the patients have multiple dysmorphic features. Nearly all the patients (94%) have Paris‐Trousseau syndrome characterized by thrombocytopenia and platelet dysfunction. In total, 56% of the patients have serious congenital heart defects. Cognitive function ranged from normal intelligence to moderate mental retardation. Nearly half of the patients have mild mental retardation with a characteristic neuropsychiatric profile demonstrating near normal receptive language ability, but mild to moderate impairment in expressive language. Ophthalmologic, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary problems were common, as were gross and fine motor delays. Infections of the upper respiratory system were common, but no life‐threatening infections were reported. We include a molecular analysis of the deletion breakpoints in 65 patients, from which genetic “critical regions” for 14 clinical phenotypes are defined, as well as for the neuropsychiatric profiles. Based on these findings, we provide a comprehensive set of recommendations for the clinical management of patients with the 11q terminal deletion disorder. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genotype/phenotype analysis in a patient with pure and complete trisomy 12p
Authors: Zumkeller Walter , Volleth Marianne , Muschke Petra , Tönnies Holger , Heller Anita , Liehr Thomas , Wieacker Peter , Stumm Markus
Published: June 2004

Reports on patients with pure and complete trisomy 12p are rare. Up to now, 12 cases have been described in the literature. Here, we report on the genotype/phenotype‐correlation of a female patient with a pure trisomy 12p. Conventional cytogenetic studies on peripheral blood chromosomes as well as molecular cytogenetic (fluorescence in situ hybridization, FISH) techniques including whole chromosome painting (WCP), comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), multicolor‐banding (MCB) detected a female karyotype with an abberant chromosome 12:46,XX,der(12).ish dup(12)(pter → q24.3::p11.2 → pter). In addition to the trisomy 12p specific clinical hallmarks, the patient showed some features of Pallister–Killian syndrome (PKS) such as sparse hair, macroglossia, and epilepsy. These findings contribute to the genotype/phenotype correlation in trisomy 12p patients. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Android subcutaneous adipose tissue topography in lean and obese women suffering from PCOS: Comparison with type 2 diabetic women
Authors: Horejsi R. , Möller R. , Rackl S. , Giuliani A. , Freytag U. , Crailsheim K. , Sudi K. , Tafeit E.
Published: June 2004

The new optical device, the lipometer, enables the noninvasive, quick, safe, and precise determination of the thickness of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) layers at any given site of the human body. Fifteen anatomically well‐defined body sites from neck to calf describe a SAT topography (SAT‐Top) like an individual “fingerprint” of a subject. This SAT‐Top was examined in 16 women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and compared to the body fat distribution of 87 age‐matched healthy controls and 20 type‐2 diabetic women. SAT‐Top differences of these three groups were described and, to render the possibility of visual comparison, the 15‐dimensional body fat information was condensed to a two‐dimensional factor plot by factor analysis. All PCOS patients had an android body fat distribution with significantly thinner SAT layers on the legs as compared to healthy controls. Moreover, a hierarchical cluster analysis resulted in two distinctly different groups of PCOS women, a lean (PCOSL) and an obese (PCOSO) cluster: compared to healthy women, lean PCOS patients had significantly lower total SAT development, even though height, weight, and body mass index did not deviate significantly. Especially on the legs, their SAT layers were significantly lowered, indicating a more “apple‐like” fat distribution type. Obese PCOS women showed a SAT‐Top pattern very similar to that of women with type‐2 diabetes, although the mean age difference between these groups was more than 30 years. Compared to healthy controls, the SAT‐Top of these obese PCOS patients was strongly shifted into the android direction, appearing as “super‐apples” with a significantly increased upper trunk obesity to 237.8% and a significantly decreased leg SAT development to 79.8%. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ein synthetisches Antithrombin III bindendes Pentasaccharid ist jetzt ein Wirkstoff! Was kommt danach?
Authors: Petitou Maurice , van Boeckel Constant A. A.
Published: June 2004

Heparin, ein aus tierischen Organen gewonnenes sulfatiertes Glycosaminoglycan, findet seit den 40er Jahren als antithrombotischer Wirkstoff klinische Verwendung. Ein Durchbruch in der Heparinforschung war in den frühen 80er Jahren die Entdeckung, dass eine charakteristische Pentasacchariddomäne in manchen Heparinketten den Serinproteaseinhibitor Antithrombin III (AT‐III) aktiviert, der in der Gerinnungskaskade Thrombin und den Faktor Xa inhibiert. Sanofi‐Synthélabo und Organon entwickelten das Analogon2(Fondaparinux) des Pentasaccharids. Die Verbindung wurde zum antithrombotischen Medikament Arixtra weiterentwickelt, das 2002 in den USA und Europa auf den Markt kam. Arixtra bewirkt ausschließlich die AT‐III‐vermittelte Inhibierung des Faktors Xa. Durch strukturbezogenes Design wurden auch Analoga mit längerer Wirkungsdauer wie Idraparinux sowie neue Konjugate und lange Oligosaccharide mit spezifischer Anti‐Xa‐ und Antithrombin‐Aktivität zugänglich. Die neuen Wirkstoffkandidaten wirken selektiver als Heparin, was insbesondere die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer Thrombopenie verringert.
Photocrosslinking of an ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer and the characterization of its structure and mechanical properties
Authors: Wang Weizhi
Published: June 2004

An ethylene–propylene–diene terpolymer (EPDM) was photocrosslinked under UV irradiation with benzil dimethyl ketal (BDK) as a photoinitiator and trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) as a crosslinker. The efficiency of the photoinitiated crosslinking system EPDM–BDK–TMPTA, various factors affecting the crosslinking process (the photoinitiator and crosslinker and their concentrations, the irradiation time, the temperature, the atmosphere and UV‐light intensity, and the depth of the UV‐light penetration), and the mechanical properties of photocrosslinked EPDM were examined extensively through the determination of the gel contents, infrared spectra, and mechanical measurements. EPDM samples 3 mm thick were easily crosslinked with a gel content of about 90% after 30 s of UV irradiation under optimum conditions. The photoinitiating system of a suitable initiator combined with a multifunctional crosslinker such as BDK–TMPTA enhanced the efficiency of the photocrosslinking reaction, especially by increasing the initial rate of crosslinking. The gel content of photocrosslinked EPDM, which was determined by the content of diene in EPDM, the depth of the UV‐light penetration, and the light intensity, played a key role in increasing the mechanical properties of the photocrosslinked samples in this work. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1837–1845, 2004
Characterization of konjac glucomannan–quaternized poly(4‐vinyl‐N‐butyl) pyridine blend films and their preservation effect
Authors: Liu Changhua , Xiao Chaobo
Published: June 2004

Novel polymer blends were prepared from a mixture of 2 wt % konjac glucomannan and 4 wt % quaternized poly(4‐vinyl‐N‐butyl) pyridine (QPVP) in aqueous solution and dried at room temperature for 72 h. Their structure and properties were studied by infrared, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Thermal stability in the dry state was reduced with increasing content of QPVP. Compared with QPVP film, the tensile strength of the films was improved in the dry state. The maximum value of 12.74% tensile break elongation was reached when the content of QPVP was 30%. Structural analysis indicated that clear phase separation was observed when the content of QPVP was only 50%. Results from the filmcoating preservation experiments with lychee showed that this blend film had water‐holding ability. The fruit weight loss rate and rot rate both decreased in various degrees. The potential uses of these novel polymer films could be as preservative films. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1868–1875, 2004
Using a water‐soluble melamine‐formaldehyde resin to improve the hardness of Norway spruce wood
Authors: Gindl Wolfgang , Hansmann Christian , Gierlinger Notburga , Schwanninger Manfred , Hinterstoisser Barbara , Jeronimidis George
Published: June 2004

Samples of Norway spruce wood were impregnated with a water‐soluble melamine formaldehyde resin by using short‐term vacuum treatment and long‐term immersion, respectively. By means of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and UV microspectrophotometry, it was shown that only diffusion during long‐term immersion leads to sufficient penetration of melamine resin into the wood structure, the flow of liquids in Norway spruce wood during vacuum treatment being greatly hindered by aspirated pits. After an immersion in aqueous melamine resin solution for 3 days, the resin had penetrated to a depth > 4 mm, which, after polymerization of the resin, resulted in an improvement of hardness comparable to the hardwood beech. A finite element model describing the effect of increasing depth of modification on hardness demonstrated that under the test conditions chosen for this study, a minimum impregnation depth of 2 mm is necessary to achieve an optimum increase in hardness. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1900–1907, 2004
Thermal and flame‐retardant properties of polyester fabric grafted with polyanilines
Authors: Salgaonkar L. P. , Jayaram R. V.
Published: June 2004

The chemical grafting of polyaniline, poly(o‐anisidine), and poly(o‐toluidine) on polyester fabric was carried out with ammonium peroxodisulfate in an acidic medium. The formation of the grafted fabric substrate was confirmed with reflectance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, weight‐loss studies, and conductivity measurements. The grafting percentage and efficiency percentage were determined for the different grafted substrates. The thermal and flame‐retardant properties of these grafted substrates were elucidated. Thermogravimetric analysis thermograms and derivative thermogravimetry curves showed that the grafted substrates had a higher thermal stability and char‐residue percentage at 700°C. The grafted substrates showed a higher activation energy of thermal decomposition than the nongrafted substrates. The grafted substrates showed good flame retardancy, which was evident from the increase in the limited oxygen index in comparison with that of the nongrafted substrate. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1981–1988, 2004
Sequential morphological changes of erythrocyte apoptosis in Xenopus larvae exposed to 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD)
Authors: Sakamoto Michiko Kamimura , Mima Shin , Kihara Takahide , Tanimura Takashi
Published: June 2004

We previously demonstrated that 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin treatment of Xenopus laevis during the early stages of life induces apoptosis in larval erythrocytes (Sakamoto et al., 1997). In the present study, an examination of these cells at the ultrastructural level was undertaken to elucidate the sequential morphological changes that occur during apoptosis. Xenopus embryos were exposed to 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin for 5 days shortly after fertilization. The circulating erythrocytes in larvae 12 days after fertilization were examined. Ultramicroscopic studies revealed four roughly defined stages of apoptosis. During the first stage, many small roundish vacuoles begin to appear in the cytoplasm. No noticeable changes can be found in the nucleus. In the second stage, the perinuclear cisterna become dilated, and huge cisternae can be seen in some erythrocytes. The roundish cytoplasmic vacuoles also become larger. Condensation of nuclear chromatin is not yet evident and the erythrocytes still maintain their elliptical shape. During the third stage, chromatin condensation and margination along the nuclear membrane becomes apparent. The nuclear pores gather in the diffuse chromatin region where the perinuclear cisterna is not dilated. The cytoplasm of some erythrocytes also becomes condensed and electron‐dense. The normal arrangement of microtubules is disorderly and the erythrocytes deform into a roundish shape. Also, macrophages usually contact some part of the cell. In the final stage, those erythrocytes which show typical nuclear condensation, where neither nuclear or cytoplasmic fragmentation have occurred, are almost or completely phagocytosed by macrophages. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Atomic force microscopic studies on erythrocytes from an evolutionary perspective
Authors: Bhattacharyya Kajal , Guha Tapan , Bhar Radhaballav , Ganesan V. , Khan Manoranjan , Brahmachary Ratan Lal
Published: June 2004

We examined atomic force microscopy (AFM) and lateral force microscopy (LFM) images of human, avian, reptilian, amphibian, and piscine erythrocytes to determine whether the general pattern of erythrocyte membrane architecture has been largely conserved in the course of phylogenetic evolution or relatively minor modifications have taken place. The general pattern of the cell surface structure is indeed very similar among the phyla examined. The surface features include a number of blebs or globular structures and hole‐like depressions. Such features are particularly clear in fish (Heteropneustes sp.), in which globular blebs are arranged in tiers around the depressions. The same pattern is found in the other phyla, although the sizes of the blebs and depressions vary. The depressions are ∼340 and ∼100 nm in diameter in chickens and fish, respectively, and are smaller in other phyla. The images of human erythrocytes presented here show holes more clearly than the images obtained by Zhang et al. (Scanning Electron Microsc., 1995; 9:981–989), who showed for the first time the highly uneven surface of these cells. The globules range in size from ∼50–150 nm in diameter. These nanostructures have a width of approximately 333–1,000 atoms, assuming that the average dimension of an atom is 1.5 Å. The size range of the holes is approximately 40–432 nm (equivalent to a width of approximately 266–2880 atoms). LFM images, which take into account the lateral component of the force, represent the variation of surface friction (roughness) on the erythrocyte surface. This is very clear in the toad images, which show well‐ordered strata that have not been revealed in ordinary AFM images. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Theoretical evaluation of dielectric absorption of microwave energy at the scale of nucleic acids
Authors: Vanderstraeten Jacques , Vander Vorst André
Published: June 2004

A theoretical model is proposed for the evaluation of dielectric properties of the cell nucleus between 0.3 and 3 GHz, as a function of its nucleic acids (NA) concentration (CNA). It is based on literature data on dielectric properties of DNA solutions and nucleoplasm. In skeletal muscle cells, the specific absorption rate (SAR) ratio between nucleoplasm and cytoplasm is found to be larger than one for CNA above 30 mg/ml. A nearly linear relationship is found between CNA and this nucleocytoplasmic SAR ratio. Considering the nanoscale of the layer of condensed counterions and bound water molecules at the NA‐solution interface, the power absorption per unit volume is evaluated at this precise location. It is found to be between one and two orders of magnitude above that in muscle tissue as a whole. Under realistic microwave (MW) exposure conditions, however, these SAR inhomogeneities do not generate any significant thermal gradient at the scale considered here. Nevertheless, the question arises of a possible biological relevance of nonnegligible and preferential heat production at the location of the cell nucleus and of the NA molecules. Bioelectromagnetics 25:380–389, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
4 Hz EMF treated physiological solution depresses Ach‐induced neuromembrane current
Authors: Ayrapetyan S.N. , Hunanyan A.Sh. , Hakobyan S.N.
Published: June 2004

The effect of 4 Hz EMF treated physiological solution (PS) on acetylcholine (Ach) sensitivity of the snail neuron was studied. The 4 Hz EMF treated normal PS at room temperature (23 °C) has a depressing effect on Ach induced current, while in cold medium (12 °C) this effect disappeared. EMF treated, ouabain containing, K‐free PS elevates the Ach‐induced current at room temperature. It is suggested that the metabotropic effect of EMF treated PS is due to the activation of cGMP‐dependent Na:Ca exchange, leading to the decrease of the number of functional active receptors in the membrane, through Na–K pump‐induced cell shrinkage, and to increase the receptors affinity to Ach, as the result of decrease of intracellular Ca concentration. Bioelectromagnetics 25:397–399, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hollow Boron Nitride (BN) Nanocages and BN‐Nanocage‐Encapsulated Nanocrystals
Authors: Zhu Ying‐Chun , Bando Yoshio , Yin Long‐Wei , Golberg Dmitri
Published: June 2004

Hollow boron nitride (BN) nanocages (nanospheres, image on the left) and BN‐nanocage‐encapsulated GaN nanocrystals (right) have been synthesized by using a homemade BNO precursors. The as‐prepared BN hollow nanocages have typically spherical morphologies with diameters ranging from 30 to 200 nm. The nanocages have crystalline structures. Peanutlike nanocages with double walls have also been observed; their internal space is divided into seperated compartments by the internal walls. The method is extended to sheathe nanocrystals with BN nanocages; BN‐shell/GaN‐core nanostructures have been successfully fabriacted. The method may be generally applicable to the fabrication BN‐sheathed nanocrystals.
Negative Current Pulses in Atmospheric Pressure DC ElectricalDischarge
Authors: Aubrecht L. , Koller J.
Published: June 2004

DC atmospheric pressure glow discharge with needle‐to‐plate electrode configuration stabilized by a gas flow can be used for a wide range of ecological applications, such as cleaning of polluted gases, destructing complex hydrocarbons from industrial gases, controlling acid gases etc. However, this type of positive discharge is a source of very intense radiation of electromagnetic waves in wideband region up to 300 MHz. Electromagnetic radiation is given by a strong current pulsation with the amplitude up to ten amperes and a frequency of about tens kHz. The influence of electric current and internal gas flow rate is studied. The possible electromagnetic disturbance and compatibility with computers and other electronic instruments is discussed. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Laser plasma plume kinetic spectroscopy of the nitrogen and carbon species (Contributions to Plasma Physics 43 No. 7, 426 (2003))
Authors: Zelinger Z. , Novotný M. , Bulíř J. , Lančok J. , Kubát P. , Jelínek M.
Published: June 2004

See original Contributions to Plasma Physics, 43, No. 7, 426 (2003)
A model‐based approach for automated in vitro cell tracking and chemotaxis analyses
Authors: Debeir Olivier , Camby Isabelle , Kiss Robert , Van Ham Philippe , Decaestecker Christine
Published: June 2004

Background

Chemotaxis may be studied in two main ways: 1) counting cells passing through an insert (e.g., using Boyden chambers), and 2) directly observing cell cultures (e.g., using Dunn chambers), both in response to stationary concentration gradients. This article promotes the use of Dunn chambers and in vitro cell‐tracking, achieved by video microscopy coupled with automatic image analysis software, in order to extract quantitative and qualitative measurements characterizing the response of cells to a diffusible chemical agent.

Methods

Previously, we set up a videomicroscopy system coupled with image analysis software that was able to compute cell trajectories from in vitro cell cultures. In the present study, we are introducing a new software increasing the application field of this system to chemotaxis studies. This software is based on an adapted version of the active contour methodology, enabling each cell to be efficiently tracked for hours and resulting in detailed descriptions of individual cell trajectories. The major advantages of this method come from an improved robustness with respect to variability in cell morphologies between different cell lines and dynamical changes in cell shape during cell migration. Moreover, the software includes a very small number of parameters which do not require overly
sensitive tuning. Finally, the running time of the software is very short, allowing improved possibilities in acquisition frequency and, consequently, improved descriptions of complex cell trajectories, i.e. trajectories including cell division and cell crossing.

Results

We validated this software on several artificial and real cell culture experiments in Dunn chambers also including comparisons with manual (human‐controlled) analyses.

Conclusions

We developed new software and data analysis tools for automated cell tracking which enable cell chemotaxis to be efficiently analyzed. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Asymptotic performance comparison of concatenated (turbo) codes overGF(4)
Authors: Ghrayeb Ali , Abualrub Taher
Published: June 2004

In this paper, we investigate and compare the asymptotic performance of concatenated convolutional coding schemes overGF(4) over additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channels. Both parallel concatenated codes (PCC) and serial concatenated codes (SCC) are considered. We construct such codes using optimal non‐binary convolutional codes where optimality is in the sense of achieving the largest minimum distance for a fixed number of encoder states. Code rates of the formk0/(k0+ 1) fork0=1, 8, and 64 are considered, which suite a wide spectrum of communications applications. For all of these code rates, we find the minimum distance and the corresponding multiplicity for both concatenated code systems. This is accomplished by feeding the encoder with all possible weight‐two and weight‐three input information patterns and monitoring, at the output of the encoder, the weight of the corresponding codewords and their multiplicity. Our analytical results indicate that the SCC codes considerably outperform their counterpart PCC codes at a much lower complexity. Inspired by the superiority of SCC codes, we also discuss a mathematical approach for analysing such codes, leading to a more comprehensive analysis and allowing for further improvement in performance by giving insights on designing a proper interleaver that is capable of eliminating the dominant error patterns. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organization of fibroblasts in the heart
Authors: Goldsmith Edie C. , Hoffman Adam , Morales Mary O. , Potts Jay D. , Price Robert L. , McFadden Alex , Rice Michael , Borg Thomas K.
Published: June 2004

Cardiac fibroblasts are organized into a three‐dimensional network in the heart. This organization follows the endomysial weave network that surrounds groups of myocytes. Reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction, Western blots, and immunohistochemistry were used to show that discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) was specific for cardiac fibroblasts and not expressed on endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, or cardiac myocytes. DDR2 is expressed early in development and in the adult heart. High voltage electron microscopy (HVEM), scanning electron microscopy, and laser scanning confocal microscopy document the three‐dimensional organization of fibroblasts in the heart. Antibodies against connexin 43 and 45 showed different patterns but confirmed, along with HVEM, that fibroblasts are connected to each other as well as cardiac myocytes. The implications of this arrangement of fibroblasts can be important to cardiac function. The signaling of DDR2 and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 in relation to collagen turnover and remodeling is discussed. Developmental Dynamics 230:787–794, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Robust matching with form model for faxed general form understanding
Authors: Hirano Takashi , Okada Yasuhiro , Yoda Fumio
Published: June 2004

FAXOCR is a device that reads handwritten characters on a faxed form. However, it is difficult to extract fields for character recognition when the form image includes deformation or noise. In order to cope with such a problem, special forms have been used with constraints on the format structure. This paper proposes a method of field extraction in which a general form can be read without constraints on the form structure. In the method, the feature points extracted from the form image and the feature points of the form model are matched. The deformation of the form image is estimated, and the position of the field is determined. Since the feature points can be extracted from the tables, character sequences, and illustrations which are contained in ordinary forms, the method can be applied to general forms with diversified structures. The estimation of deformation is robust to disappearance of feature points or to new appearance of excessive feature points, and the method is robust to degradation of the form image due to noise and other disturbances. The proposed method was applied to 650 general form images of 50 different kinds with deformations inherent to fax, and its effectiveness was demonstrated. The method has also been applied to field data, and performance at a practical level (form rejection rate of 3.5%) has been obtained. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 87(12): 60–72, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20130
Synthesis, Structure and Binding Properties of Nickel and Copper [14]Cyclidene Complexes with Appended Aza Crown Ethers
Authors: Korybut‐Daszkiewicz Bohdan , Taraszewska Joanna , Zięba Katarzyna , Makal Anna , Woźniak Krzysztof
Published: June 2004

Copper(II) and nickel(II) cyclidenes linked with one or two 15‐azacrown‐5 ethers (3Ni, 4Ni and 4Cu) as well as similar model morpholine‐substituted derivatives (2Cu, 2Ni) have been synthesized and characterized using ESI mass‐spectrometry, X‐ray diffraction, spectroscopic methods and elemental analysis. Cyclic voltammetry of the copper complexes exhibits two reversible redox couples CuII/III and CuII/I, whereas the nickel complexes show reversible NiII/III and irreversible NiII/I redox processes. Cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry have been used to study interactions of metal cations and amino acids with the above complexes. Na+ and Li+ interact weakly with the 3Ni complex. In the presence of Mg2+, the ligand isomerizes from aldehyde to enolate ion, which interacts strongly with Mg2+. The presence of lysine caused a more pronounced shift of the CuII/III potential in 4Cu than did leucyne. This suggests that there are interactions between the NH3+ group and the crown ether moiety and between the carboxylic group and the CuIII center of the former guest. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2004)
Cover Picture: Subsequent Hydride Substitution in (Arene)trihydridodiruthenium Complexes: Synthesis and Structure of Thiolato‐Bridged Diruthenium Cations of the Type [H2(arene)2Ru2(p‐X−C6H4−S)]+ and [H(arene)2Ru2(p‐X−C6H4−S)2]+ (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 12/2004)
Authors: Tschan Mathieu J.‐L. , Chérioux Frédéric , Therrien Bruno , Süss‐Fink Georg
Published: June 2004

The cover picture shows the half‐open way from well‐known (arene)ruthenium complexes to π‐conjugated materials. This work illustrates the transition from molecular catalysts to molecular building blocks for conducting polymers and nonlinear optics. Details are discussed in the Short Communication by F. Chérioux et al. on p. 2405 ff. The authors are grateful to the Swiss National Science Foundation for financial support.
Landslide inventories and their statistical properties
Authors: Malamud Bruce D. , Turcotte Donald L. , Guzzetti Fausto , Reichenbach Paola
Published: June 2004

Landslides are generally associated with a trigger, such as an earthquake, a rapid snowmelt or a large storm. The landslide event can include a single landslide or many thousands. The frequency–area (or volume) distribution of a landslide event quantiﬁes the number of landslides that occur at different sizes. We examine three well‐documented landslide events, from Italy, Guatemala and the USA, each with a different triggering mechanism, and ﬁnd that the landslide areas for all three are well approximated by the same three‐parameter inverse‐gamma distribution. For small landslide areas this distribution has an exponential ‘roll‐over’ and for medium and large landslide areas decays as a power‐law with exponent ‐2·40. One implication of this landslide distribution is that the mean area of landslides in the distribution is independent of the size of the event. We also introduce a landslide‐event magnitude scale mL = log(NLT), with NLT the total number of landslides associated with a trigger. If a landslide‐event inventory is incomplete (i.e. smaller landslides are not included), the partial inventory can be compared with our landslide probability distribution, and the corresponding landslide‐event magnitude inferred. This technique can be applied to inventories of historical landslides, inferring the total number of landslides that occurred over geologic time, and how many of these have been erased by erosion, vegetation, and human activity. We have also considered three rockfall‐dominated inventories, and ﬁnd that the frequency–size distributions differ substantially from those associated with other landslide types. We suggest that our proposed frequency–size distribution for landslides (excluding rockfalls) will be useful in quantifying the severity of landslide events and the contribution of landslides to erosion. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling transverse dunes
Authors: Schwämmle Veit , Herrmann Hans
Published: June 2004

Transverse dunes appear in regions of mainly unidirectional wind and high sand availability. A dune model is extended to two‐dimensional calculation of the shear stress. It is applied to simulate dynamics and morphology of three‐dimensional transverse dunes. In the simulations they seem to reach translational invariance and do not stop growing. Hence, simulations of two‐dimensional dune ﬁelds have been performed. Characteristic laws were found for the time evolution of transverse dunes. Bagnold's law of the dune velocity is modiﬁed and reproduced. The interaction between transverse dunes led to the interesting conclusion that small dunes can travel over bigger ones. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Information and Noise in U.K. Futures Markets
Authors: Holmes Phil , Tomsett Mark
Published: June 2004

This paper examines the extent to which futures price changes are driven by noise and information for three U.K. futures contracts by utilizing T. Andersen's (1996) specification of the mixture of distributions hypothesis. Use of the generalized method of moments approach demonstrates that the link between futures volume and volatility can be attributed to the flow of information. More importantly, it is shown that price movements are dominated by informed rather than noise trading for the FTSE‐100, the Long Gilt, and the Brent Oil futures contracts. The results suggest that further regulation based on the notion that noise traders dominate futures trading is unwarranted. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 24:711–731, 2004
Price Discovery in the Pits: The Role of Market Makers on the CBOT and the Sydney Futures Exchange
Authors: Frino Alex , Harris Frederick H. deB. , McInish Thomas H. , Tomas III Michael J.
Published: June 2004

This paper uses the methods of error correction and common factor analysis to estimate the contribution of locals (market makers who may participate directly by trading for their own account) and non‐local traders to price discovery on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) and the Sydney Futures Exchange (SFE) during a period when open outcry trading was used on both exchanges. We examine these two execution channels for the CBOT's U.S. Treasury bond contract and the SFE's three‐year bonds, ten‐year bonds, ninety‐day bankers' accepted bills, and stock index contracts. For each of the futures contracts, the trade price series of local and non‐local traders are cointegrated. VAR analysis reveals lag structures eight to fifteen trades long in the dynamic adjustment of equilibrium prices in these markets, but time spans of only one to three seconds within synchronous trades. We find evidence of multilateral price discovery by the two execution channels for each of the five contracts. Locals account for 44 to 73% of the price discovery in the four SFE contracts and for 58% of the price discovery in the CBOT's T‐bond contract. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 24:785–804, 2004
Disease control, survival, and functional outcome after multimodal treatment for advanced‐stage tongue base cancer
Authors: Malone James P. , Stephens Julie A. , Grecula John C. , Rhoades Chris A. , Ghaheri Bobak A. , Schuller David E.
Published: June 2004

Background.

Surgical resection and postoperative radiation for advanced‐stage malignancies of the oral cavity, oropharynx, and hypopharynx result in a dismal overall survival of 38%. Patients with carcinoma of the tongue base frequently have advanced disease at the time of presentation, and combined‐modality therapy is usually required to achieve cure. Because of the poor survival rates with advanced malignancies with standard therapy, new and innovative approaches continue to be developed in an attempt to have a greater impact on disease control, patient survival, and functional outcome after therapy. This study examines functional outcome, survival, and disease control in patients receiving an intensified treatment regimen with concomitant chemoradiotherapy, surgery, and intraoperative radiotherapy for previously untreated, resectable, stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue base.

Methods.

Forty patients with previously untreated, resectable, stage III and IV squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue base were treated in one of three sequential phase II intensification regimens (IRs). Treatment consisted of perioperative, hyperfractionated radiotherapy (9.1 Gy) with concurrent cisplatin followed by surgical resection with intraoperative radiotherapy boost (7.5 Gy). Postoperative treatment involved concurrent chemoradiotherapy (40 Gy to the primary site and upper neck and 45 Gy to the supraclavicular areas) with cisplatin with or without paclitaxel. Locoregional and distant disease control, 2‐year overall, and disease‐specific survival rates were calculated. The Performance Status Scale (PSS) for Head and Neck Cancer Patients was administered to 25 of the surviving patients. The effects of the method of surgical reconstruction, surgery involving the mandible and/or larynx, and early versus advanced T stage on PSS score were evaluated with the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test.

Results.

Median follow‐up in months for IR1, IR2, and IR3 were 83.6, 75.2, and 26.8. The locoregional control rate was 100%, and the rate of distant metastases was 7.5% for all patients. Two‐year overall and disease‐specific survival rates for the entire study population were 74.7% and 93.6%, respectively. Mean PSS scores by subscales Eating in Public, Understandability of Speech, and Normalcy of Diet were 55 (range, 0–100), 73 (range, 25–100), and 49 (range, 0–100), respectively. PSS scores were significantly higher in patients with primary closure of the surgical defect, no mandibular surgery, and early T‐stage lesions.

Conclusions.

Although functional outcome may be decreased by certain surgical interventions and advanced T stage, the high rate of locoregional and distant disease control and excellent 2‐year disease‐specific survival supports an aggressive treatment regimen for advanced tongue base cancer. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 26: 561–572, 2004
Bovine serum albumin conformational changes upon adsorption on titania and on hydroxyapatite and their relation with biomineralization
Authors: Serro A. P. , Bastos M. , Pessoa J. Costa , Saramago B.
Published: June 2004

The biocompatibility of implant materials used for substitution of bone tissue depends on its ability to induce the deposition of a hydroxyapatite layer when in contact with body fluids. In previous work, some of the authors found that bovine serum albumin (BSA) promotes calcium phosphate deposition if preadsorbed on hydroxyapatite and retards precipitation if preadsorbed on titania. In the present study, we investigated the adsorption of BSA upon particles of titania and hydroxyapatite in order to understand the different role played by the protein on the mineralization of both biomaterials. The adsorption isotherms were determined and the structural changes induced by adsorption at different surface coverages were investigated by circular dichroism spectroscopy and differential scanning microcalorimetry. At low surface coverages, the adsorbed BSA molecules lost part of their α‐helix content. However, at high surface coverages, corresponding to the plateau values of the adsorption isotherms, the BSA molecules did not undergo structural rearrangements upon adsorption. In the latter circumstances, the availability of BSA calcium binding sites, which should be responsible for inducing mineralization, depends on the electrostatic interactions between BSA and the sorbent surface. A possible explanation for the different mineralization behavior of hydroxyapatite and titania is advanced. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 70A: 420–427, 2004
Technical and clinical evaluation of anti‐ribosomal P protein immunoassays
Authors: Mahler M. , Kessenbrock K. , Raats J. , Fritzler M.J.
Published: June 2004

Autoantibodies to the three ribosomal phospho (‐P) proteins P0, P1, P2, referred to as Rib‐P, are specifically found in 10–40% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. The variations in the observed frequency of these autoantibodies is related to a number of factors such as the test system used to detect the antibodies. Several immunoassays that were designed for research and diagnostic laboratory use have been developed. The autoantigens employed in these tests include native proteins, recombinant polypeptides, and synthetic peptides. In this study, we compared the technical and clinical accuracy of anti‐Rib‐P antibody assays from different commercial suppliers including ELISA systems and a novel addressable laser bead assay (from Euroimmun, MBL, Pharmacia Diagnostics, INOVA). Although the assays from all suppliers used in this study performed well in the technical part of the study, relatively poor correlations and significant differences in the clinical accuracy were found. Based on the results, we conclude that the detection of anti‐Rib‐P antibodies strongly depends on both the nature of the antigen and the detection system. We recommend that anti‐Rib‐P assays should be standardized on an international level. The Varelisa® Rib‐P profile and the addressable laser bead Rib‐P assays represent promising tools and platforms for the detection of anti‐Rib‐P antibodies in the future. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:215‐223, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
β‐trace protein, a new marker of GFR, may predict the early prognostic stages of patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Kobata Mami , Shimizu Ayumi , Rinno Hisaki , Hamada Chieko , Maeda Kunimi , Fukui Mitsumine , Saito Kensuke , Horikoshi Satoshi , Tomino Yasuhiko
Published: June 2004

The relationship between serum levels of β‐trace protein (BTP) or serum creatinine (s‐Cr) and the prognostic stages of type 2 diabetic nephropathy was determined. Serum samples from 174 patients with type 2 diabetes were obtained from Juntendo University Hospital, Tokyo, and Juntendo Urayasu Hospital, Chiba, Japan. They were classified into four groups according to the Report of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan (1991, p 251–256) as follows: Stage I (normoalbuminuric stage), Stage II (microalbuminuric stage), Stage IIIA (macroalbuminuric stage without renal dysfunction), Stage IIIB (macroalbuminuric stage with renal dysfunction), and Stage IV (renal failure stage). Among these patients, 68 were Stage I, 29 Stage II, 32 Stage IIIA, 17 Stage IIIB, and 28 Stage IV. Levels of serum BTP were measured using the nephelometric assay on a BNA II analyzer (Dade Behring Diagnostics, Marburg, Germany). The mean levels of serum BTP in Stage IIIA were significantly higher than those in Stage I or II (P<0.00001, P<0.002, respectively). However, the mean levels of s‐Cr in Stage IIIA were not significantly higher than that in Stage I or II. In conclusion, serum BTP was a good marker for the identification of early renal impairment in type 2 diabetes. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:237–239, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunoglobulin (Ig) M antibody against myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG): A comparison of methods
Authors: Jaskowski T.D. , Martins T.B. , Litwin C.M. , Hill H.R.
Published: June 2004

The presence of immunoglobulin (Ig)M antibody against myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) has been associated with autoimmune demyelinating, sensorimotor neuropathies. Approximately 50% of patients with IgM paraproteinemia and associated peripheral neuropathy possess antibodies against MAG. These autoantibodies are thought to interfere with the process of myelination, myelin maintenance, or axon‐Schwann cell interaction. The detection of these autoantibodies is useful to the clinician and is suggestive of active demyelination in a peripheral neuropathy. Our objective in this study was to compare the results obtained using three different methods (dual enzyme immunoassay [EIA], immunofluorescent antibody [IFA] and Western blot [WB]) for detecting IgM antibody against MAG in patients suspected of having autoimmune demyelinating neuropathies. Since the dual EIA utilized two different antigens, results from this assay were separated into two groups: MAG and sulfate‐3‐glucuronyl paragloboside (SGPG). When compared to WB (gold standard), percent agreement, sensitivity, and specificity for EIA and IFA are as follows: MAG EIA (68.3, 100.0, and 60.6); SGPG EIA (95.1, 100.0, and 93.9); and myelin IFA (97.6, 100.0, and 97.0). The authors conclude that the SGPG EIA and myelin IFA compared well with the standard WB method when detecting IgM antibody against MAG (100 kD). Many sera demonstrated reactivity on the MAG EIA that were negative by WB (100 kD glycoprotein). The authors recommend screening for MAG IgM in suspected patient sera by SGPG EIA or myelin IFA and utilizing these same methods to titer sera confirmed positive by WB. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:247–250, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decreased neurogenesis after cholinergic forebrain lesion in the adult rat
Authors: Cooper‐Kuhn Christiana M. , Winkler Jürgen , Kuhn H. Georg
Published: June 2004

Adult neurogenesis has been shown to be regulated by a multitude of extracellular cues, including hormones, growth factors, and neurotransmitters. The cholinergic system of the basal forebrain is one of the key transmitter systems for learning and memory. Because adult neurogenesis has been implicated in cognitive performance, the present work aims at defining the role of cholinergic input for adult neurogenesis by using an immunotoxic lesion approach. The immunotoxin 192IgG‐saporin was infused into the lateral ventricle of adult rats to selectively lesion cholinergic neurons of the cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF), which project to the two main regions of adult neurogenesis: the dentate gyrus and the olfactory bulb. Five weeks after lesioning, neurogenesis, defined by the number of cells colocalized for bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and the neuronal nuclei marker NeuN, declined significantly in the granule cell layers of the dentate gyrus and olfactory bulb. Furthermore, immunotoxic lesions to the CBF led to increased numbers of apoptotic cells specifically in the subgranular zone, the progenitor region of the dentate gyrus, and within the periglomerular layer of the olfactory bulb. We propose that the cholinergic system plays a survival‐promoting role for neuronal progenitors and immature neurons within regions of adult neurogenesis, similar to effects observed previously during brain development. As a working hypothesis, neuronal loss within the CBF system leads not only to cognitive deficits but may also alter on a cellular level the functionality of the dentate gyrus, which in turn may aggravate cognitive deficits. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variability of the North Atlantic subtropical high and associations with tropical sea‐surface temperature
Authors: Hasanean H. M.
Published: June 2004

Based on generated time series of the central pressure of the subtropical high, the behaviour of this atmospheric centre of action has been examined since 1950 with regard to the inter‐annual variations, persistence, linear trends, abrupt change, spectral analysis and interactions. The year‐to‐year variations in the central pressure of the subtropical high are considerable. The pronounced strengthening of the subtropical high during approximately the last 20 years is its most remarkable feature. Variations in the subtropical high's intensity seem to follow a cyclic pattern. Statistically significant abrupt onset events are found, with the majority occurring in winter. Increasing and decreasing episodes have occurred in the late 1960s and early 1980s. According to spectral analysis, it can be assumed that the centre of action of the subtropical high is characterized by non‐periodic behaviour. The peaks occur only at the lowest frequency. The quasi‐biennial oscillation may affect the subtropical high in the winter season, whereas the North Atlantic Ocean may affect the subtropical high in summer. There is no detectable connection between El Niño–southern oscillation and the subtropical high in either season. The subtropical high has been affected by sea‐surface temperatures of the north and south tropical Atlantic, with negative and positive signs respectively in the winter season. Interactions between the subtropical high and sea‐surface temperatures over the tropical Atlantic Ocean are absent in the summer season. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society