bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Magnetic Interactions in Alloys of Platinum with Iron Group Transition Elements
Authors: Sato Hiroshi
Published: June 2005

The magnetic properties of alloys of platinum with iron group transition elements are analyzed and interpreted on the basis of an Ising model of ferromagnetism. It is found that in the wide ranges of compositions of the face-centered-cubic alloys of Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, and Cr with Pt there is systematic change with atomic number in the dependence of Curie temperature and saturation magnetization on concentration of magnetic atoms or on the formation of superlattices. Values of magnetic interactions in alloys, which also depend on the concentration, are estimated mainly from the Curie point by using the Cluster-Variation method. The magnetic moment of Pt atoms can be induced in alloys and this tendency becomes stronger as the d-shell radii of magnetic atoms increase. The analysis also indicates that the magnetic interactions ofγ-Fe, γ-Mn and f.c.c. Cr change their signs from negative to positive by merely increasing the interatomic distance. This is most clearly shown in the case of γ-Fe. Further, it is suggested that the alloys Mn-Pt and Cr-Pt would show ferrimagnetic behavior as found in disordered Ni-Mn alloys. Based upon such analyses,a qualitative conclusion concerning the dependence of magnetic interactions upon distance is drawn. The general behavior of the interaction is consistent with the generally accepted picture of the location of these elements with respect to the “Bethe-Slater curve” of exchange interactions if the distances are short, but not if the distances are longer.
Antiferromagnetism of Iron in Face-Centered Crystalline Lattice and the Causes of Anomalies in Invar Physical Properties
Authors: Kondorsky E. I. , Sedov V. L.
Published: June 2005

The anomalies of electrical and magnetic properties in invars at low temperatures and the fact that these anomalies are observed in Fe-Ni alloys with the nickel content ranging from 30 to 40% are explained on the grounds of an assumption that the exchange integral of electrons of neighboring ions of iron in a face-centered lattice is negative which entails a “latent” antiferromagnetism in the invars. This assumption is founded on experimental data obtained by authors and proving that in an Fe alloy with a face-centered lattice, stable at low temperatures thanks to the presence of chromium and nickel alloying elements, an antiferromagnetic transformation occurs. The paper presents results of investigation of the influence of pressure upon the magnetic saturation σs and the residual resistivity ρ0 of iron, nickel and Fe-Ni alloys at low temperatures. It is shown that the values Kσ = (1/σs) (Δσs/ΔP) and Kρ = (1/ρ0) (Δρ/ΔP) in invar alloys at low temperatures and other Fe-Ni alloys; the ratios Kρ/Kσ are approximately equal to the ratios (1/ρ0) (Δρ0/ΔH) /(1/σs) (Δσs/ΔH),which is in agreement with the conclusions of the suggested theory.
Interpretation of the Magnetic and Crystallographic Properties of Several Iron, Nickel, and Iron-Nickel Nitrides
Authors: Goodenough J. B. , Wold A. , Arnott R. J.
Published: June 2005

The saturation moment at 4°K and the room-temperature structure of the following nitrides have been examined: Fe4−xNixN with 0 ≤ x ≤ 3 (Fe4N-type structure); tetragonal, ordered FeNiN; hexagonal Fe3−yNwith 0 < y < 1; hexagonal Ni3N1.16; and orthorhombic Fe2N. The atomic ordering, nitrogen solubility, and atomic moments of the system Fe4−xNixN are interpreted from a model of the band structure of the f.c.c. transition elements of the first long period in which it is explicitly assumed that the crystalline fields split the d bands into separable components.
Neutron Diffraction Investigation of the Magnetic Structure of Nickel Oxide
Authors: Alperin H. A.
Published: June 2005

A neutron diffraction study of nickel oxide was performed utilizing single crystal samples to investigate the magnetic structure. The results indicate the structure to have a single magnetic axis lying in a (111)plane, but within this plane there are domains such that the directions of the moments of these domains are distributed symmetrically. To fit the data required an effective spin value for the Ni++ atom of 0.8 and an isotropic form factor exp[−6(sinθ/λ)2].
Single-file electrophoretic transport and counting of individual DNA molecules in surfactant nanotubes
Authors: Tokarz Michal , Åkerman Björn , Olofsson Jessica , Joanny Jean-Francois , Dommersnes Paul , Orwar Owe
Published: June 2005

We demonstrate a complete nanotube electrophoresis system (nanotube radii in the range of 50 to 150 nm) based on lipid membranes, comprising DNA injection, single-molecule transport, and single-molecule detection. Using gel-capped electrodes, electrophoretic single-file transport of fluorescently labeled dsDNA molecules is observed inside nanotubes. The strong confinement to a channel of molecular dimensions ensures a detection efficiency close to unity and identification of DNA size from its linear relation to the integrated peak intensity. In addition to constituting a nanotechnological device for identification and quantification of single macromolecules or biopolymers, this system provides a method to study their conformational dynamics, reaction kinetics, and transport in cell-like environments.
Accelerated chemically induced tumor development mediated by CD4
+
CD25
+
regulatory T cells in wild-type hosts
Authors: Nishikawa Hiroyoshi , Kato Takuma , Tawara Isao , Takemitsu Tetsushi , Saito Kanako , Wang Linan , Ikarashi Yoshinori , Wakasugi Hiro , Nakayama Toshinori , Taniguchi Masaru , Kuribayashi Kagemasa , Old Lloyd J. , Shiku Hiroshi
Published: June 2005

We examined the role of CD4
+
CD25
+
regulatory T cells in the development of 3-methylcholanthrene (MCA)-induced tumors. Immunization of wild-type BALB/c mice with a series of SEREX (serological identification of antigens by recombinant expression cloning)-defined broadly expressed self-antigens results in the development of highly active CD4
+
CD25
+
regulatory T cells. Accelerated tumor development was observed in mice immunized with self-antigens and was abolished by antibody-mediated depletion of CD4
+
T cells or CD25
+
T cells. A similar acceleration of tumorigenesis was also observed in mice adoptively transferred 2 or 4 weeks after MCA injection with CD4
+
CD25
+
T cells derived from mice immunized with DnaJ-like 2, one of these self-antigens. Experiments with Jα281
-/-
mice lacking invariant natural killer (iNK) T cells indicated that iNK T cells, known for their protective role in the development of MCA-induced tumors, were suppressed in immunized hosts. NK cells, also known to play a protective role in MCA induced-tumorigenesis, were also suppressed in mice immunized with serologically defined self-antigens in a CD4
+
CD25
+
T cell-dependent manner. We propose that CD4
+
CD25
+
regulatory T cells generated by immunization with these self-antigens enhance susceptibility to MCA induced-tumorigenesis by down-regulating iNK T and NK reactivity, and suggest that these observations provide direct evidence for the existence of cancer immunosurveillance in this system of chemical carcinogenesis.
Phenotypic and functional characterization of adult brain neuropoiesis
Authors: Scheffler Bjorn , Walton Noah M. , Lin Dean D. , Goetz A. Katrin , Enikolopov Grigori , Roper Steve N. , Steindler Dennis A.
Published: June 2005

The modern concept of neurogenesis in the adult brain is predicated on the premise that multipotent glial cells give rise to new neurons throughout life. Although extensive evidence exists indicating that this is the case, the transition from glial to neuronal phenotype remains poorly understood. A unique monolayer cell-culture system was developed to induce, expose, and recapitulate the entire developmental series of events of subventricular zone (SVZ) neurogenesis. We show here, using immunophentoypic, ultrastructural, electrophysiological, and time-lapse analyses, that SVZ-derived glial fibrillary acidic protein
low
/A2B5
+
/nestin
+
candidate founder cells undergo metamorphosis to eventually generate large numbers of fully differentiated interneuron phenotypes. A model of postnatal neurogenesis is considered in light of known embryonic events and reveals a limited developmental potential of SVZ stem/progenitor cells, whereby ancestral cells in both embryonic and postnatal/adult settings give rise to glia and GABAergic interneurons.
The predictive power of the CluSTr database
Authors: Petryszak Robert , Kretschmann Ernst , Wieser Daniela , Apweiler Rolf
Published: June 2005

Summary: The CluSTr database employs a fully automatic single-linkage hierarchical clustering method based on a similarity matrix. In order to compute the matrix, first all-against-all pair-wise comparisons between protein sequences are computed using the Smith–Waterman algorithm. The statistical significance of the similarity scores is then assessed using a Monte Carlo analysis, yielding Z-values, which are used to populate the matrix. This paper describes automated annotation experiments that quantify the predictive power and hence the biological relevance of the CluSTr data. The experiments utilized the UniProt data-mining framework to derive annotation predictions using combinations of InterPro and CluSTr. We show that this combination of data sources greatly increases the precision of predictions made by the data-mining framework, compared with the use of InterPro data alone. We conclude that the CluSTr approach to clustering proteins makes a valuable contribution to traditional protein classifications.

Availability:  http://www.ebi.ac.uk/clustr/

Contact:  rolf.apweiler@ebi.ac.uk
Bigger is not always better: when brains get smaller
Authors: Safi Kamran , Seid Marc A , Dechmann Dina K.N
Published: June 2005

Many studies assume that an increase in brain size is beneficial. However, the costs of producing and maintaining a brain are high, and we argue that brain size should be secondarily reduced by natural selection whenever the costs outweigh the benefits. Our results confirm this by showing that brain size is subject to bidirectional selection. Relative to the ancestral state, brain size in bats has been reduced in fast flyers, while it has increased in manoeuvrable flyers adapted to flight in complex habitats. This study emphasizes that brain reduction and enlargement are equally important, and they should both be considered when investigating brain size evolution.
Activation of nuclear receptor coactivator PGC-1α by arginine methylation
Authors: Teyssier Catherine , Ma Han , Emter Roger , Kralli Anastasia , Stallcup Michael R.
Published: June 2005

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), a tissue-specific and inducible transcriptional coactivator for several nuclear receptors, plays a key role in energy metabolism. We report here that PGC-1α coactivator activity is potentiated by arginine methylation by protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1), another nuclear receptor coactivator. Mutation of three substrate arginines in the C-terminal region of PGC-1α abolished the cooperative coactivator function of PGC-1α and PRMT1, and compromised the ability of PGC-1α to induce endogenous target genes. Finally, endogenous PRMT1 contributes to PGC-1α coactivator activity, and to the induction of genes important for mitochondrial biogenesis.
The Predictive and Incremental Validity of the Situational and Patterned Behavior Description Interviews for Teamplaying Behavior
Authors: Klehe Ute‐Christine , Latham Gary P.
Published: June 2005

A predictive validation study of the situational interview (SI) and the patterned behavioral description interview (PBDI) was conducted for the criterion of teamplaying behavior. Both the SI and PBDI were valid predictors (r=.41, .34, respectively). Only the SI, however, had incremental validity. Reasons for this finding are explained in terms of the development and scoring of SI items, conducting a pilot study, use of a panel who took notes, and the method of including/excluding interview applicants and questions for a validation study.
Effect of hepatitis C infection on tacrolimus doses and blood levels in liver transplantation recipients
Authors: TROTTER J. F. , OSBORNE J. C. , HELLER M. , CHRISTIANS U.
Published: June 2005

Background : In our cohort of patients with hepatitis‐C virus, which is the most common indication for liver transplantation, we have noted higher relative blood levels of tacrolimus compared to patients without hepatitis‐C virus.

Aim : To verify this observation and determine its clinical significance, we performed a comparison of doses and blood levels of tacrolimus in hepatitis‐C virus and non‐ hepatitis‐C virus liver transplantation recipients.

Methods : Tacrolimus dose and trough level, as well as mean alanine aminotransferase, for all patients transplanted at our center with a deceased donor between 1/1995 and 12/1999 with hepatitis‐C virus were recorded at monthly intervals during the first 24 months following transplantation and compared to patients without hepatitis‐C virus.

Results : The tacrolimus levels for hepatitis‐C virus and non‐hepatitis‐C virus patients were not significantly different at any of the monthly intervals, except month 9. In addition, the overall mean tacrolimus levels for hepatitis‐C virus and non‐hepatitis‐C virus patients were not significantly different (P = ns). However, the mean tacrolimus dose (mg/kg) was significantly higher for hepatitis‐C virus patients at 12, 15, 18, 21 and 24 months, P < 0.01. The total mean tacrolimus dose in hepatitis‐C virus patients was lower during year one by 39% (P = 0.018) and by 73% (P = 0.001) during year two. The total difference in cost of tacrolimus (for year one and two) administered to hepatitis‐C virus patients was $4920, P = 0.03. The serum alanine aminotransferase was significantly higher in hepatitis‐C virus patients at each monthly interval except month 1, P ≤ 0.01.

Conclusions : Liver transplant recipients with hepatitis‐C virus require significantly lower oral doses of tacrolimus to achieve the same blood levels compared to non‐hepatitis‐C virus patients. This difference may result in a significant reduction in the cost of tacrolimus in hepatitis‐C virus patients. The most likely explanation for these findings is decreased hepatic clearance of tacrolimus caused by mild hepatic injury from recurrent hepatitis‐C virus.
Self‐care strategies for depressive symptoms in people with HIV disease
Authors: Eller Lucille Sanzero , Corless Inge , Bunch Eli Haugen , Kemppainen Jeanne , Holzemer William , Nokes Kathleen , Portillo Carmen , Nicholas Patrice
Published: June 2005

Aim. This paper reports a study with people living with HIV to examine the experience of depressive symptoms, self‐care symptom management strategies, symptom outcomes in response to those strategies, and sources from which the strategies were learned.

Background. Depressive symptoms are common, under‐diagnosed and under‐treated in people living with HIV. These symptoms have been associated with lower medication adherence, risky behaviours and poorer health outcomes.

Methods. The study was based on the model of symptom management developed by the University of California San Francisco School of Nursing Symptom Management Faculty. Thirty‐four HIV+ men and women from a larger study of symptom self‐care strategies (n = 422) reported experiencing depressive symptoms. Data were collected from this subset on the Web, by mail and in‐person using the critical incident technique.

Results. Depressive symptoms were described using 80 words and phrases clustered into eight categories: futility, sadness, loneliness/isolation, fatigue, fear/worry, lack of motivation, suicidal thoughts and other. A total of 111 self‐care strategies were coded into six categories: practising complementary/alternative therapies, talking to others, using distraction techniques, using antidepressants, engaging in physical activity, and using denial/avoidant coping. Sources of information for strategies used were trial and error (31%), healthcare providers (28%), family and friends (20%), classes/reading (8%), clergy (8%), support groups (4%) and other (3%). Overall, 92% of the self‐care strategies used were reported as helpful, 4% were sometimes helpful and 4% were not helpful.

Conclusions. People living with HIV use numerous effective self‐care strategies to manage depressive symptoms. Further study is needed to validate the use of these strategies across populations, to standardize dose, duration and frequency, and to measure their effectiveness.
Older people's willingness to use home care nursing services
Authors: Cho Sung‐Hyun
Published: June 2005

Aim.  This paper reports a study exploring willingness to use home care nursing services among older people and discussing the implications for long‐term and home care nursing policies.

Background.  The proportion of older people is increasing in all societies across the world. Correspondingly, Korean society has experienced a rapid growth in its population of older people, and this is expected to increase from 7·2% in 2000 to 14·4% in 2019. The government is in the process of developing publicly‐financed long‐term care for older people, and home care nursing services are expected to be provided as an element of this care.

Methods.  A cross‐sectional study design was used, employing data from a nationally representative interview survey with 1834 respondents conducted during May and July, 2001. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted.

Results.  Willingness to use home care nursing services differed according to whether co‐payment was required. About half the respondents answered that they would not use the services; 43% expressed a willingness to use them without co‐payment; and 5% were very willing to use them even with co‐payment. People with lower incomes showed greater willingness to use the services with no co‐payment, while the high income group showed the greatest willingness under co‐payment. Sex, living with adult children, living area, activities of daily living, and chronic conditions were associated with willingness. Older people who had known about or used home care nursing services previously showed greater willingness.

Conclusions.  Co‐payment guidelines for minimizing unmet needs are required, especially for older people with low incomes. A positive evaluation from those who knew about or had used such services is expected to contribute to the use of home care nursing services by older people.
Extracorporeal application of high‐intensity focused ultrasound for prostatic tissue ablation
Authors: Häcker Axel , Köhrmann Kai Uwe , Back Walter , Kraut Oliver , Marlinghaus Ernst , Alken Peter , Michel Maurice Stephan
Published: June 2005

Authors from Mannheim describe their experience with high‐intensity ultrasound for locally confined prostatic carcinoma. This was essentially an in vivo efficacy and safety study, as well as a clinical feasibility study. They found a positive answer to all questions asked. It will be interesting to see if further evaluation leads to a potential clinical use for this technology.

A study from the Cleveland Clinic is presented, of the 2‐year follow‐up results in 34 patients who had an outpatient mid‐urethral sling using porcine small intestine submucosa. The technique is described, with cure of incontinence in 27 of the 34 women. There was no prolonged retention or erosion.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal prostatic tissue ablation using high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) in vivo in animals, and in a clinical feasibility study in men, as this is an investigational minimally invasive treatment alternative for locally confined prostatic carcinoma, but may have significant side‐effects.

PATIENTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ultrasound (1.04 MHz excitation frequency) was generated by an extracorporeal cylindrical piezo‐ceramic element and focused by a paraboloidal reflector to a focal size of 32 × 4 mm. The focal distance and aperture diameter were both 100 mm. HIFU was applied extracorporeally at different intensities and pulse duration (up to 6 s) to 11 dog prostates in vivo (median intensity 1192 W/cm2) and eight patients (median intensity 3278 W/cm2, range 2384–3576) under general anaesthesia. The lesions were assessed macroscopically and histologically after HIFU and any side‐effects evaluated.

RESULTS

Thermoablation was feasible in vivo and in all patients. Macroscopic analysis and histology showed sharply demarcated coagulative necrosis. Side‐effects, including skin and rectal burns, occurred only after transvesical application in the in vivo study. There were no side‐effects in patients after perineal application.

CONCLUSION

Extracorporeal HIFU is technically feasible and induces sharply demarcated tissue damage in the prostate. From the early results of this phase 1 study, the perineal approach seems to be safe.
Association of cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity with lower urinary tract symptoms in older American men: findings from the third National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Rohrmann Sabine , Crespo Carlos J. , Weber Jason R. , Smit Ellen , Giovannucci Edward , Platz Elizabeth A.
Published: June 2005

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association of cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and physical activity with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in older men.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The study included 2797 men participating in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), who were aged ≥ 60 years. During an interview, LUTS, smoking history, alcohol consumption and physical activity were assessed. Cases comprised men with at least three of the symptoms of nocturia, hesitancy, weak stream and incomplete emptying. Men who had had prostate surgery unrelated to cancer were not included as cases. Controls were men with no symptoms or surgery. We adjusted for age and race in logistic regression models and used sampling weights to account for selection probability.

RESULTS

Current cigarette smokers had no higher odds of LUTS than ‘never’ smokers, but former heavy smokers (≥ 50 pack‐years) had a higher odds of LUTS than never smokers (odds ratio 2.01; 95% confidence interval 1.04–3.89). Men who drank alcohol daily had a lower chance of LUTS than non‐drinkers (0.59; 0.37–0.95; P trend, 0.07). All levels of moderate and vigorous activity were statistically significantly inversely associated with LUTS (P trend, 0.06), whereas men who reported no leisure‐time physical activity had a greater odds of LUTS (2.06; 1.26–3.39).

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate alcohol consumption and physical activity may be protective against LUTS. Current cigarette smoking was not consistently associated with the condition. The possible association in former smokers warrants further investigation.
Treatment of pelvic fracture‐related urethral trauma: a survey of current practice in the UK
Authors: Andrich Daniela E. , Greenwell Tamsin J. , Mundy Anthony R.
Published: June 2005

Authors from London carried out a survey of current practice for treating urethral trauma associated with pelvic fracture in the UK. The interesting findings are described, and it is suggested that even within specialised units such cases are uncommon, and that surgical management often differs significantly from what might be published by so‐called experts in the field.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify experience of pelvic fracture‐related urethral trauma (PFUT), a condition not often encountered and managed by urologists.

METHODS

The consultant urologists of the UK and Ireland were contacted informally to establish their experience with PFUT and its management, both immediate and delayed. In addition, particular individuals thought to have a specific interest in PFUT were targeted for more data.

RESULTS

The overall response rate was 49% (235 responders), representing 78% of urological departments, including all the targeted individuals. Of the responders, 129 (55%) had never seen PFUT in 1–25 years of consultant practice. Only four urologists (2% of responders) saw three or more cases a year. Another four (2%) saw one or two cases per year and the remaining 98 (41%) saw PFUT less frequently. Acutely, 69% of urologists who treated PFUT did so by placing a urethral catheter. Subsequent strictures were treated endoscopically for as long as this was possible. The other 31% inserted a suprapubic catheter and referred the patient for reconstructive surgery if needed. Those who used urethroplasty for strictures after PFUT were identified and targeted; half used urethral mobilization and spatulated anastomosis alone. Only three surgeons performed more than five procedures a year.

CONCLUSION

Whatever a specialist reconstructive unit might do, practice in the wider urological community is different. Even within specialized units, PFUT is rare and the surgical management is often significantly different from published ‘expert’ opinion.
An objective assessment of the results of hypospadias surgery
Authors: Ververidis Moschos , Dickson Alan P. , Gough David C.S.
Published: June 2005

OBJECTIVE

To compare the cosmetic result of tubularized incised‐plate urethroplasty (Snodgrass method) with that of two established techniques, the meatal‐based flap and onlay island flap repair.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Photographs of the penis after hypospadias repair in 32 boys were assessed by a panel of five independent health professionals, including four surgeons with variable paediatric urological experience and a urology nurse. Twenty patients had a distal and 12 a proximal meatus. The Snodgrass technique was applied by one paediatric urologist for either distal (10) or proximal (six) hypospadias. A Mathieu repair was used for distal hypospadias (10) and an onlay preputial island flap for proximal hypospadias (six) by a second paediatric urologist. The panel was asked to grade cosmesis as poor, unsatisfactory, satisfactory or very good (points 1–4) for each of the following aspects of penile appearance: meatus, glans, shaft and overall appearance. Photographs were taken in a standard way, with a standard distance, lighting and two views, one of the dorsal surface and one ventral, for each patient. Signed written consent for the study was obtained from each family.

RESULTS

The mean assessment score for any aspect of cosmesis was significantly higher for the Snodgrass technique (P < 0.05). The mean score (95% confidence interval) for the meatus was 0.76 (0.4–1.1) points higher for the patients with a Snodgrass repair than those with a Mathieu or onlay island flap repair (P = 0.002). Correspondingly, the values for the glans were 0.67 (0.38–0.97) (P = 0.003), shaft 0.42 (0.16–0.69) (P = 0.01) and overall appearance 0.62 (0.24–1.0) (P = 0.01) points higher for the Snodgrass repair. The Snodgrass technique was more effective in producing a vertically orientated meatus (87.5%) than the Mathieu and Duckett onlay repairs (37.5%; P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

The Snodgrass technique, as assessed by this panel, had a better cosmetic outcome than the Mathieu and Duckett onlay island flap repairs. The assessment of cosmesis in hypospadias surgery is potentially more objective when several health professionals, not involved in the surgery, compared the various methods of repair.
Apoptosis: a key effector mechanism of lymphocyte action in human nonseminomatous testicular carcinoma?
Authors: Schmelz Hans U. , Port Matthias , Hauck Ekkehard W. , Schwerer Michael J. , Weidner Wolfgang , Sparwasser Christoph , Abend Michael
Published: June 2005

OBJECTIVE

To correlate the number of tumour‐infiltrating T lymphocytes (TILs) with the extent of apoptosis in testicular germ cell tumours, as TILs are considered to be a favourable prognostic factor of human testicular tumours, especially of seminomas, but the mechanism by which TIL contribute to an improved outcome is unclear.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tissue samples from 47 patients with nonseminomatous germ cell tumour (NSGCT) and 15 with seminomatous GCT were investigated immunohistochemically for lymphocyte infiltration and apoptosis. The apoptotic index (AI) was assessed in various categories (DNA condensation and fragmentation) using in‐situ end‐labelling to identify typical apoptotic DNA strand breaks, and nuclear staining to identify typical apoptotic morphology.

RESULTS

In seminomatous GCT there was no correlation between the number of TILs and any AI. In NSGCT there was only a relationship between lymphoid infiltration and those AIs showing morphological criteria of apoptosis in a small subgroup of NSGCT, i.e. metastasized embryonal cell carcinomas. Only 1.2% (AI, chromatin condensation) and 0.8% (AI, fragmentation and condensation) of all tumour cells showed these features of apoptosis. The overall AI in NSGCT was 7.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

TILs do not seem to induce apoptosis in testicular tumours. Embryonal cell carcinomas might be susceptible to lymphocyte attack, resulting in apoptosis of the tumour cell. The mechanisms of interaction between lymphocytes and testis tumour cells need further investigation.
Continuous infusion of ketamine in hypovolemic dogs anesthetized with desflurane
Authors: Duque M. Juan C. , Souza Almir P. , Nunes Newton , Honsho Cristiane S. , Talieri Ívia C.
Published: June 2005

Objective:To evaluate the cardiorespiratory effects of continuous infusion of ketamine in hypovolemic dogs anesthetized with desflurane.

Design:A prospective experimental study.

Animals:Twelve mixed breed dogs allocated into 2 groups: saline (n=6) and ketamine (n=6).

Interventions:After obtaining baseline measurements (time [T] 0) in awake dogs, hypovolemia was induced by the removal of 40 mL of blood/kg over 30 minutes. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with desflurane (1.5 minimal alveolar concentration) and 30 minutes later (T75) a continuous intravenous (IV) infusion of saline or ketamine (100 μg/kg/min) was initiated. Cardiorespiratory evaluations were obtained 15 minutes after hemorrhage (T45), 30 minutes after desflurane anesthesia, and immediately before initiating the infusion (T75), and 5 (T80), 15 (T90), 30 (T105) and 45 (T120) minutes after beginning the infusion.

Measurements and main results:Hypovolemia (T45) reduced the arterial blood pressures (systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure [DAP] and mean arterial pressure [MAP]), cardiac (CI) and systolic (SI) indexes, and mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) in both groups. After 30 minutes of desflurane anesthesia (T75), an additional decrease of MAP in both groups was observed, heart rate was higher thanT0 atT75,T80,T90 andT105 in saline‐treated dogs only, and the CI was higher in the ketamine group than in the saline group atT75. Five minutes after starting the infusion (T80), respiratory rate (RR) was lower and the end‐tidal CO2(ETCO2) was higher compared with values atT45 in ketamine‐treated dogs. Mean values of ETCO2were higher in ketamine than in saline dogs betweenT75 andT120. The systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) was decreased betweenT80 andT120 in ketamine when compared withT45.

Conclusions:Continuous IV infusion of ketamine in hypovolemic dogs anesthetized with desflurane induced an increase in ETCO2, but other cardiorespiratory alterations did not differ from those observed when the same concentration of desflurane was used as the sole anesthetic agent. However, this study did not evaluate the effectiveness of ketamine infusion in reducing desflurane dose requirements in hypovolemic dogs or the cardiorespiratory effects of ketamine–desflurane balanced anesthesia.
The Enigma of Carpaccio's Venetian Ladies
Authors: Cohen Simona
Published: June 2005

The fragmentary state of this painting by Carpaccio, and the dispersion of its extant portions in two different museums, have promoted misconceptions. The lower section was frequently read as a family portrait. The painting was closer in its original form and dimensions to Carpaccio's scuola paintings, but letters painted on the reverse and remnants of hinges indicate that it belonged to a different artistic genre. There has been an ongoing debate regarding the social status of the Ladies, identified by one tradition as courtesans and by another as prestigious patrician women, with insufficient evidence to support either argument. A theoretical reconstruction of the original form and context, evidence provided by two Renaissance copies, and an iconographic study, have led to the conclusion that the panel was painted for a piece of domestic furniture, apparently meant for a future bride. Carpaccio incorporated images of moral ambivalence, largely conveyed by animal symbolism, which are related to the themes of love, fertility and procreation. The ploy of ambivalent iconography partially explains the controversial nature of the painting.
‘A Dittie to the tune of Welsh Sydannen’: a Welsh image of Queen Elizabeth
Authors: Harper Sally
Published: June 2005

Elizabeth I was affectionately referred to by her Welsh subjects as 'Sidanen' ('the silken one') from at least 1579, when an entry in the Stationers' Registers licensed Richard Jones to print 'a ballat of brittishe Sidanen applied by a courtier to ye praise of ye Quene'. The text in question was 'Flee stately Juno' by the minor court poet Lodowick Lloyd (c.1545‐1610), and abounds with learned classical allusion. It survives in two main versions copied from the later sixteenth century, and was paired with a lost tune called Sidanen. The name was initially applied to any fine lady, but soon acquired royal connotations, apparently with covert reference to the queen's fondness for silk stockings. It also resonates with a series of other affectionate epithets adopted for Elizabeth I by English poets. The concept of Welsh Sidanen had a significant impact on literary texts in both languages: one free‐metre ballad in Welsh is an Anti‐Catholic text that rehearses a series of abortive assassination attempts, while four others emphasize a particular notion of 'Britain' and 'Britishness' that fete the Welsh aspect of the Tudor monarchy.
The contribution of TRPM8 channels to cold sensing in mammalian neurones
Authors: De La Peña Elvira , Mälkiä Annika , Cabedo Hugo , Belmonte Carlos , Viana Félix
Published: June 2005

Different classes of ion channels have been implicated in sensing cold temperatures at mammalian thermoreceptor nerve endings. A major candidate is TRPM8, a non‐selective cation channel of the transient receptor potential family, activated by menthol and low temperatures. We investigated the role of TRPM8 in cold sensing during transient expression in mouse cultured hippocampal neurones, a tissue that lacks endogenous expression of thermosensitive TRPs. In the absence of synaptic input, control hippocampal neurones were not excited by cooling. In contrast, all TRPM8‐transfected hippocampal neurones were excited by cooling and menthol. However, in comparison to cold‐sensitive trigeminal sensory neurones, hippocampal neurones exhibited much lower threshold temperatures, requiring temperatures below 27°C to fire action potentials. These results directly demonstrate that expression of TRPM8 in mammalian neurones induces cold sensing, albeit at lower temperatures than native TRPM8‐expressing neurones, suggesting the presence of additional modulatory mechanisms in the cold response of sensory neurones.
Cooling blocks rat hippocampal neurotransmission by a presynaptic mechanism: observations using 2‐photon microscopy
Authors: Yang Xiao‐Feng , Ouyang Yannan , Kennedy Bryan R. , Rothman Steven M.
Published: June 2005

Over the past decade there has been great interest in the therapeutic potential of brain cooling for epilepsy, stroke, asphyxia and other neurological diseases. However, there is still no consensus regarding the neurophysiological effect(s) of brain cooling. We employed standard physiological techniques and 2‐photon microscopy to directly examine the effect of temperature on evoked neurotransmitter release in rat hippocampal slices. We observed a monotonic decline in extracellular synaptic potentials and their initial slope over the temperature range 33–20°C, when the slices were cooled to a new set point in less than 5 s. Imaging the fluorescent synaptic marker FM1‐43 with 2‐photon microscopy showed that the same cooling protocol dramatically reduced transmitter release between 33 and 20°C. Cooling also reduced the terminal FM1‐43 destaining that was induced by direct depolarization with elevated K+, indicating that axonal conduction block cannot account for our observations. The temperature dependence of FM1‐43 destaining correlated well with the effect of temperature on field potential slope, compatible with a presynaptic explanation for our electrophysiological observations. Optical measurement of FM1‐43 dissociation from cell membranes was not affected by temperature, and rapid cooling of slices loaded with FM1‐43 did not increase their fluorescence. Our experiments provide visible evidence that a major neurophysiological effect of cooling in the mammalian brain is a reduction in the efficacy of neurotransmitter release. This presynaptic effect may account for some of the therapeutic benefits of cooling in epilepsy and possibly stroke.
Characterization of a proton‐activated, outwardly rectifying anion channel
Authors: Lambert Sachar , Oberwinkler Johannes
Published: June 2005

Anion channels are present in every mammalian cell and serve many different functions, including cell volume regulation, ion transport across epithelia, regulation of membrane potential and vesicular acidification. Here we characterize a proton‐activated, outwardly rectifying current endogenously expressed in HEK293 cells. Binding of three to four protons activated the anion permeable channels at external pH below 5.5 (50% activation at pH 5.1). The proton‐activated current is strongly outwardly rectifying, due to an outwardly rectifying single channel conductance and an additional voltage dependent facilitation at depolarized membrane potentials. The anion channel blocker 4,4′‐diisothiocyanostilbene‐2,2′‐disulphonic acid (DIDS) rapidly and potently inhibited the channel (IC50: 2.9 μm). Flufenamic acid blocked this channel only slowly, while mibefradil and amiloride at high concentrations had no effect. As determined from reversal potential measurements under bi‐ionic conditions, the relative permeability sequence of this channel was SCN−> I−> NO3−> Br−> Cl−. None of the previously characterized anion channel matches the properties of the proton‐activated, outwardly rectifying channel. Specifically, the proton‐activated and the volume‐regulated anion channels are two distinct and separable populations of ion channels, each having its own set of biophysical and pharmacological properties. We also demonstrate endogenous proton‐activated currents in primary cultured hippocampal astrocytes. The proton‐activated current in astrocytes is also carried by anions, strongly outwardly rectifying, voltage dependent and inhibited by DIDS. Proton‐activated, outwardly rectifying anion channels therefore may be a broadly expressed part of the anionic channel repertoire of mammalian cells.
Impedance control and internal model use during the initial stage of adaptation to novel dynamics in humans
Authors: Milner Theodore E. , Franklin David W.
Published: June 2005

This study investigated the neuromuscular mechanisms underlying the initial stage of adaptation to novel dynamics. A destabilizing velocity‐dependent force field (VF) was introduced for sets of three consecutive trials. Between sets a random number of 4–8 null field trials were interposed, where the VF was inactivated. This prevented subjects from learning the novel dynamics, making it possible to repeatedly recreate the initial adaptive response. We were able to investigate detailed changes in neural control between the first, second and third VF trials. We identified two feedforward control mechanisms, which were initiated on the second VF trial and resulted in a 50% reduction in the hand path error. Responses to disturbances encountered on the first VF trial were feedback in nature, i.e. reflexes and voluntary correction of errors. However, on the second VF trial, muscle activation patterns were modified in anticipation of the effects of the force field. Feedforward cocontraction of all muscles was used to increase the viscoelastic impedance of the arm. While stiffening the arm, subjects also exerted a lateral force to counteract the perturbing effect of the force field. These anticipatory actions indicate that the central nervous system responds rapidly to counteract hitherto unfamiliar disturbances by a combination of increased viscoelastic impedance and formation of a crude internal dynamics model.
Modulation of calcium currents is eliminated after cleavage of a strategic component of the mammalian secretory apparatus
Authors: Silinsky Eugene M.
Published: June 2005

Adenosine inhibits neurotransmitter secretion from motor nerves by an effect on the secretory apparatus in amphibia. In contrast, the inhibitory effect of adenosine is associated with decreases in calcium currents at mouse motor nerve endings. To determine if the action of adenosine in the mouse is mediated thorough a direct effect on calcium channels or through the secretory machinery, the effects of cleavage of the SNARE proteins on the action of adenosine were examined. Cleavage of the SNARE syntaxin with botulinum toxin type C (Botx/C) prevented the inhibitory effect of adenosine on nerve terminal calcium currents. Cleavage of the other SNAREs (synaptobrevin with Botx/D or SNAP‐25 with Botx/A) failed to affect the inhibitory action of adenosine. The results provide evidence for an intimate coupling of nerve terminal calcium channels with a plasma membrane component of the SNARE complex, such that modulation of calcium currents by a G‐protein coupled receptor cannot occur when syntaxin is cleaved.
TRP channels in Drosophila photoreceptor cells
Authors: Montell Craig
Published: June 2005

TRP cation channels are conserved throughout animal phylogeny and include many members that function in sensory physiology. The founding TRP is required for Drosophila phototransduction and has served as a paradigm for unravelling the roles and macromolecular organizations of TRP channels in native tissues. Two other TRPC channels, TRPL and TRPγ, are expressed in photoreceptor cells and form heteromultimers with TRP and with each other. TRP is a member of a supramolecular signalling complex, the signalplex, which includes the PDZ scaffold protein, INAD, and two other core members that remain bound and depend on INAD for localization. Other INAD binding proteins are proposed to interact dynamically with INAD, one of which, TRPL, undergoes light‐dependent translocation in photoreceptor cells. Surprisingly, TRP has non‐channel functions, including an anchoring role necessary for retaining INAD in the rhabdomeres. Loss of TRP function or constitutive TRP activity results in retinal degeneration, which can be suppressed by disruption or overexpression of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, CalX, respectively. Given that hypoxia‐induced constitutive activity of some mammalian TRPs leads to neuronal cell death, interventions that increase Na+/Ca2+ exchanger or decrease TRP function have the potential to reduce the severity of cell death due to ischaemia.
Genome-Scale Identification of Nucleosome Positions in
S. cerevisiae
Authors: Yuan Guo-Cheng , Liu Yuen-Jong , Dion Michael F. , Slack Michael D. , Wu Lani F. , Altschuler Steven J. , Rando Oliver J.
Published: June 2005

The positioning of nucleosomes along chromatin has been implicated in the regulation of gene expression in eukaryotic cells, because packaging DNA into nucleosomes affects sequence accessibility. We developed a tiled microarray approach to identify at high resolution the translational positions of 2278 nucleosomes over 482 kilobases of
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
DNA, including almost all of chromosome III and 223 additional regulatory regions. The majority of the nucleosomes identified were well-positioned. We found a stereotyped chromatin organization at Pol II promoters consisting of a nucleosome-free region ∼200 base pairs upstream of the start codon flanked on both sides by positioned nucleosomes. The nucleosome-free sequences were evolutionarily conserved and were enriched in poly-deoxyadenosine or poly-deoxythymidine sequences. Most occupied transcription factor binding motifs were devoid of nucleosomes, strongly suggesting that nucleosome positioning is a global determinant of transcription factor access.
HALF-MONOPOLE AND MULTIMONOPOLE
Authors: TEH ROSY , WONG K. M.
Published: June 2005

We would like to present some exact SU(2) Yang–Mills–Higgs monopole solutions of half-integer topological charge. These solutions can be just an isolated half-monopole or a multimonopole with topological magnetic charge ½m where m is a natural number. These static monopole solutions satisfy the first order Bogomol'nyi equations. The axially symmetric one-half monopole gauge potentials possess a Dirac-like string singularity along the negative z-axis. The multimonopole gauge potentials are also singular along the z-axis and possess only mirror symmetries.
THEORETICAL DEVELOPMENT ON PENTAQUARKS
Authors: ZHU SHI-LIN
Published: June 2005

I first give a brief overview of the status of exotic hadron search so far. Then I review the recent theoretical development on pentaquarks. Finally I emphasize that none of theoretical formalisms predicts the existence of Θ pentaquark very reliably. None of them explains its narrow width in a natural way.
ETA PHOTOPRODUCTION ON THE NEUTRON AT GRAAL: MEASUREMENT OF THE DIFFERENTIAL CROSS SECTION
Authors:   The GRAAL Collaboration., REBREYEND D. , BARTALINI O. , BELLINI V. , BOCQUET J. P. , CASTOLDI M. , D'ANGELO A. , DIDELEZ J.-P. , DI SALVO R. , FANTINI A. , GERVINO G. , GHIO F. , GIROLAMI B. , GIUSA A. , GUIDAL M. , HOURANY E. , KOUZNETSOV V. , KUNNE R. , LAPIK A. , LEVI SANDRI P. , LLERES A. , MORICCIANI D. , NEDOREZOV V. , RUSSO G. , RUDNEV N. , SCHAERF C. , SPERDUTO M.-L. , SUTERA M.-C. , TURINGE A.
Published: June 2005

In this contribution, we will present our first preliminary measurement of the differential cross section for the reaction γn→ηn. Comparison of the reactions γp→ηp for free and bound proton (D2 target) will also be discussed.
DEEPLY VIRTUAL AND EXCLUSIVE PRODUCTION OF THE OMEGA MESON
Authors:   On behalf of the CLAS Collaboration., GARÇON M. , MORAND L. , DORÉ D. , LAGET J.-M. , MORROW S. , SABATIÉ F.
Published: June 2005

Exclusive ω electroproduction off the proton was measured at the highest possible four-momentum transfer with the (close to) 6 GeV beam now available at CEBAF. Cross sections are presented, together with an analysis of the ω spin density matrix elements. Indications are that π0 exchange in the t-channel (or rather the exchange of the corresponding saturating Regge trajectory) seems to dominate the process γ*p→ωp, even for photon virtuality Q2 as large as 5 GeV2. Contributions of the handbag type, related to Generalized Parton Distributions in the nucleon, are therefore difficult to extract from this particular process.
RANDOM WALKS NEAR ROKHSAR–KIVELSON POINTS
Authors: SYLJUÅSEN OLAV F.
Published: June 2005

There is a class of quantum Hamiltonians known as Rokhsar–Kivelson (RK)–Hamiltonians for which static ground state properties can be obtained by evaluating thermal expectation values for classical models. The ground state of an RK–Hamiltonian is known explicitly, and its dynamical properties can be obtained by performing a classical Monte Carlo simulation. We discuss the details of a Diffusion Monte Carlo method that is a good tool for studying statics and dynamics of perturbed RK–Hamiltonians without time discretization errors. As a general result we point out that the relation between the quantum dynamics and classical Monte Carlo simulations for RK–Hamiltonians follows from the known fact that the imaginary-time evolution operator describing optimal importance sampling, where the exact ground state is used as guiding function, is Markovian. Thus quantum dynamics can be studied by classical Monte Carlo for any Hamiltonian provided its ground state is known explicitly and that there is no sign problem.