bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aftereffects of mechanical vibration and muscle contraction on limb position‐sense
Authors: Ishihara Yohei , Izumizaki Masahiko , Atsumi Takashi , Homma Ikuo
Published: August 2004

Mechanical vibration (MV) of a muscle causes position‐sense errors during and after application. Isometric muscle contraction at a shorter (hold‐short conditioning) or longer (hold‐long conditioning) length causes limb position‐sense errors after the muscle returns to its intermediate length by means of intrafusal muscle thixotropy. However, it is unclear whether MV enhances these thixotropic position‐sense errors. We studied the after‐effects of MV on position‐sense errors induced by hold‐short and hold‐long conditioning in the biceps of 12 healthy men. After hold‐short conditioning, subjects perceived that the conditioned forearm was placed in a more extended position than occurred in reality; after hold‐long conditioning, a more flexed position was perceived. Use of MV with hold‐short or hold‐long conditioning enhanced both errors, which were most obvious at 100 HZ. These results suggest that MV and muscle conditioning work together efficiently to develop intrafusal muscle thixotropy. MV combined with hold‐long conditioning may alleviate thixotropically increased muscle stiffness, such as in spastic hypertonia. Muscle Nerve 30: 486–492, 2004
Treatment patterns and health care costs of mebeverine‐treated IBS patients: a case‐control study
Authors: Goettsch Wim G. , van den Boom Guido , Breekveldt‐Postma Nancy S. , Smout André J. P. M. , Herings Ron M. C.
Published: July 2004

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder affecting the quality of life of patients. In the Netherlands, mebeverine is currently the only medical treatment registered for IBS, although its efficacy is considered disputable.

Objective

To assess treatment patterns and associated health care cost in mebeverine users relative to matched controls.

Methods

A matched case‐control study was performed using pharmacy data. Cases were mebeverine users as proxy for IBS patients. Controls were non‐mebeverine users and matched to cases by age, gender and pharmacy. Prevalence and incidence of mebeverine use, concomitant drug use and hospitalizations were assessed in 3431 cases and 3431 controls. Concomitant drug use and hospitalizations was also assessed in a subgroup of 1222 users of mebeverine and laxatives (proxy for constipation‐IBS) and their controls.

Results

Twelve per 1000 residents were ever‐dispensed mebeverine in 1998. One‐third of these mebeverine users used laxatives concomitantly. Concomitant drug use and hospitalizations were increased in mebeverine users. The odds ratio for hospitalizations for gastrointestinal reasons was increased predominantly in mebeverine users with concomitant laxative use (OR:8.7; 95%CI [4.3–17.3]). Excess yearly costs for all concomitant medications were €94 [95%CI €79–€109] and for hospital admissions €120 [€74–€166] per mebeverine user. In mebeverine users with concomitant laxative use these costs were €136 and €251 respectively.

Conclusions

In treated IBS patients, concomitant drug use and hospitalizations are increased relative to matched controls. Medical resource use and associated health care costs are particularly increased in mebeverine users using laxatives. The total mean excess cost per patient per year is €482. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The conditional probabilities approach to the copolymerization process of two or more monomer species
Authors: Dayantis Jean
Published: July 2004

This article completes previous work which addressed the propagation step of a copolymerization process using the conditional probabilities approach. In the present article the theory is extended to arbitrary values ν and n of a copolymerization process, in which ν is the number of monomers in the feed and n the number of monomers along the growing chain which influence the conditional probability for adding one further monomer of a defined monomer species. First, a system of linear equations to be solved as functions of the conditional probabilities is given, followed by the description—in general terms—of the procedures to be followed to estimate the mean composition of the multimonomer chains, the mean‐length of the sequences of the various monomers along the chain, and the mean‐number of transitions from sequences of one species to sequences of other species. These general considerations are then applied to the specific case of terpolymerization in the terminal model, that is ν = 3 and n = 1, for which case detailed relationships are given. In a following section the parameters of the conditional probabilities approach are related to the more usual parameters of copolymerization theory, ie kinetic constants, concentration of active centres and concentration of monomers in the feed. The heat of copolymerization problem, addressed in the previous article, is not considered here. General considerations are discussed with respect to other work in the field. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Shunt types in crystalline silicon solar cells
Authors: Breitenstein O. , Rakotoniaina J. P. , Al Rifai M. H. , Werner M.
Published: July 2004

Nine different types of shunt have been found in state‐of‐the‐art mono‐ and multicrystalline solar cells by lock‐in thermography and identified by SEM investigation (including EBIC), TEM and EDX. These shunts differ by the type of theirI–Vcharacteristics (linear or nonlinear) and by their physical origin. Six shunt types are process‐induced, and three are caused by grown‐in defects of the material. The most important process‐induced shunts are residues of the emitter at the edge of the cells, cracks, recombination sites at the cell edge, Schottky‐type shunts below grid lines, scratches, and aluminum particles at the surface. The material‐induced shunts are strong recombination sites at grown‐in defects (e.g., metal‐decorated small‐angle grain boundaries), grown‐in macroscopic Si3N4inclusions, and inversion layers caused by microscopic SiC precipitates on grain boundaries crossing the wafer. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of the interaction site on the surface of an isolated protein structure by analysis of side chain energy scores
Authors: Liang Shide , Zhang Jian , Zhang Shicui , Guo Huarong
Published: July 2004

We show that residues at the interfaces of protein–protein complexes have higher side‐chain energy than other surface residues. Eight different sets of protein complexes were analyzed. For each protein pair, the complex structure was used to identify the interface residues in the unbound monomer structures. Side‐chain energy was calculated for each surface residue in the unbound monomer using our previously developed scoring function.1 The mean energy was calculated for the interface residues and the other surface residues. In 15 of the 16 monomers, the mean energy of the interface residues was higher than that of other surface residues. By decomposing the scoring function, we found that the energy term of the buried surface area of non‐hydrogen‐bonded hydrophilic atoms is the most important factor contributing to the high energy of the interface regions. In spite of lacking hydrophilic residues, the interface regions were found to be rich in buried non‐hydrogen‐bonded hydrophilic atoms. Although the calculation results could be affected by the inaccuracy of the scoring function, patch analysis of side‐chain energy on the surface of an isolated protein may be helpful in identifying the possible protein–protein interface. A patch was defined as 20 residues surrounding the central residue on the protein surface, and patch energy was calculated as the mean value of the side‐chain energy of all residues in the patch. In 12 of the studied monomers, the patch with the highest energy overlaps with the observed interface. The results are more remarkable when only three residues with the highest energy in a patch are averaged to derive the patch energy. All three highest‐energy residues of the top energy patch belong to interfacial residues in four of the eight small protomers. We also found that the residue with the highest energy score on the surface of a small protomer is very possibly the key interaction residue. Proteins 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Shear strengthening of RC beams with FRP composites
Authors: Teng J G , Lam L , Chen J F
Published: July 2004

Shear strengthening is required when an RC beam is found deficient in shear, or when its shear capacity falls below its flexural capacity after flexural strengthening. A recent technique for the shear strengthening of RC beams is to provide additional FRP web reinforcement, commonly in the form of bonded external FRP strips/sheets. Over the last few years, a large amount of research has been conducted on this new strengthening technique, which has established its effectiveness and has led to a good understanding of the behaviuor and strength of such shear‐strengthened beams. This paper presents a state‐of‐the‐art review of existing research on this topic. The methods of strengthening are described first, followed by a summary of experimental observations of failure processes and modes. The accuracy of existing design provisions is examined next through comparisons with test results. Limitations of existing experimental and theoretical studies are also highlighted. While the paper is mainly concerned with externally bonded FRP for shear strengthening, the emergence of alternative FRP shear strengthening techniques, including near‐surface‐mounted FRP and prestressed CFRP straps, is also noted.
Ultraviolet matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry of intact hemoglobin complex from whole human blood
Authors: Zehl Martin , Allmaier Günter
Published: July 2004

Ultraviolet matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UV‐MALDI‐TOFMS) was applied to the analysis of intact human hemoglobin complex directly from whole human blood. The less acidic matrix substance 2,6‐dihydroxyacetophenone provided sufficient insensitivity to the impurities present in this crude biological matrix to make any sample pretreatment except dilution dispensable. This matrix facilitated exact molecular mass determination of the non‐assembled hemoglobin α‐ and β‐chain (SD ≤ ±0.28 Da and Δm ≤6.4 ppm for n = 10) if trifluoroacetic acid was used as an additive. Replacement of the denaturing additive trifluoroacetic acid by the neutral salt ammonium acetate allowed the detection of the intact hemoglobin α2β2Hn‐assembly (n = 0–4) and the αβ‐subassembly. A prerequisite for the detection of the noncovalent complex was the application of a very soft sample preparation procedure. Crystal morphology, sample concentration and laser pulse energy were also found to be important parameters for the analysis of the intact protein complexes. However, comparison with published electrospray ionization (ESI)‐MS results on mammalian hemoglobin molecules shows that, even under the applied gentle conditions, MALDI does not provide a completely reliable picture of the solution‐phase equilibrium. In contrast to ESI, especially extensive loss of the heme b (H) groups was noticed. The disruption of the rather stable heme b–globin interaction is assumed to be induced by photo‐excitation during the desorption/ionization process. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Desorption/ionization mass spectrometry on nanocrystalline titania sol–gel‐deposited films
Authors: Chen Cheng‐Tai , Chen Yu‐Chie
Published: July 2004

This paper describes a matrix‐free method for performing desorption/ionization directly from mesoporous nanocrystalline titania sol–gel thin films, which have good absorption capacity in the ultraviolet (UV) range and can act as assisting materials during UV matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric (MALDI‐MS) analysis. A high concentration of citrate buffer was added into this system to provide the proton source and to reduce the presence of alkali cation adducts of the analytes. The analyte signals appear uniformly over the whole sample deposition area. Protonated molecules (MH+ ions) of analytes dominate the titania MALDI mass spectra. Surfactants, peptides, tryptic digest products, and small proteins with molecular weights below ca. 24 000 Da, are observed in the titania MALDI mass spectra. Detection limits for insulin are as low as ca. 2 fmol with mass resolution of ca. 660. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A nonlinear minimization approach to multiobjective and structured controls for discrete‐time systems
Authors: Lee Kwan Ho , Lee Joon Hwa , Kwon Wook Hyun
Published: August 2004

In this paper, a nonlinear minimization approach is proposed for multiobjective and structured controls for discrete‐time systems. The problem of finding multiobjective and structured controls for discrete‐time systems is represented as a quadratic matrix inequality problem. It is shown that the problem is reduced to a nonlinear minimization problem that has a concave objective function and linear matrix inequality constraints. An algorithm for the nonlinear minimization problem is proposed, which is easily implemented with existing semidefinite programming algorithms. The validity of the proposed algorithm is illustrated by comparisons with existing methods. In addition, applications of this work are demonstrated via numerical examples. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bewertung nichtlinearer Nachweiskonzepte für Verbundstützen anhand des Kriteriums der Versagenswahrscheinlichkeit
Authors: Kleinschmitt Jörrit , Lange Jörg
Published: July 2004

Es werden vier verschiedene (normativ umsetzbare) Nachweismethoden für den Grenzzustand der Tragfähigkeit, die auf nichtlinearen Strukturanalysen basieren, vorgestellt und hinsichtlich der damit erzielbaren Systemzuverlässigkeit vergleichend beurteilt. Als Kriterium der Systemzuverlässigkeit dient die Versagenswahrscheinlichkeit Pf. Die Bewertung erfolgt sowohl vergleichend als auch absolut hinsichtlich des in den Lastnormen EC 1 bzw. DIN 1055‐100 angegebenen Sicherheitsindizes β=4,7. Ergänzend wird die Ausgewogenheit der einzelnen Nachweiskonzepte diskutiert.
Potential of [18F]β‐CFT‐FE (2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐8‐(2‐[18F]fluoroethyl)nortropane) as a dopamine transporter ligand: A PET study in the conscious monkey brain
Authors: Harada Norihiro , Ohba Hiroyuki , Fukumoto Dai , Kakiuchi Takeharu , Tsukada Hideo
Published: July 2004

A dopamine transporter (DAT) ligand 2β‐carbomethoxy‐3β‐(4‐fluoro‐phenyl)‐8‐(2‐[18F]fluoroethyl)nortropane ([18F]β‐CFT‐FE) was synthesized and evaluated in comparison with [11C]β‐CFT in monkey brain using animal positron emission tomography (PET). [18F]β‐CFT‐FE and [11C]β‐CFT were injected intravenously to conscious monkeys for a 91‐min PET scan with arterial blood sampling for metabolite analysis. In the conscious state, [18F]β‐CFT‐FE provided a peak about 20 min after the injection and declined thereafter in the striatum of monkey brain, while [11C]β‐CFT continuously increased with time up to 91 min after injection. Metabolite analysis revealed that [18F]β‐CFT‐FE was more rapidly metabolized in plasma than [11C]β‐CFT. The striatal binding of both ligands was dose‐dependently displaced by preadministration of a specific DAT inhibitor, GBR12909, at doses of 0.5 and 5 mg/kg; however, the displacement degree of [11C]β‐CFT‐FE was higher than that of [18F]β‐CFT. The effects of the anesthetics, ketamine and isoflurane, on binding were more prominent in [11C]β‐CFT than [18F]β‐CFT‐FE. Specificity and affinity of β‐CFT‐FE to DAT were evaluated in an in vitro assay using cloned human DAT, serotonin transporter, and norepinephrine transporter in comparison with other conventional DAT ligands, showing that β‐CFT‐FE had lower affinity and higher specificity to DAT than β‐CFT and β‐CIT. These results suggested that [18F]β‐CFT‐FE could be a potential imaging agent for DAT, providing excellent selectivity and tracer kinetics for quantitative PET imaging. Synapse 54:37–45, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Basic electrotonic properties of primate pallidal neurons as inferred from a detailed analysis of their morphology: A modeling study
Authors: Mouchet Patrick , Yelnik Jerome
Published: July 2004

We used a biophysical model to gain insight into the electrotonic properties of primate pallidal neurons. The model was built from the quantitative morphological analysis of internal (GPi) and external (GPe) pallidal neurons, labeled with biocytin filling or Golgi staining. Simulations showed a strong location dependence of the efficacy of single fast excitatory synaptic inputs, synaptic efficacy being the peak amplitude of somatic postsynaptic potentials (PPSs) evoked from dendritic sites. It markedly decreased with distance from the soma. The efficacy was also dependent on the dendritic branch order. At identical distances from the soma, there were no differences between the mean efficacy of GPi and GPe dendritic synaptic sites. However, the attenuation of the propagated PPSs was higher in GPi dendrites. This difference resulted from the smaller mean diameters of GPi dendrites. Diameters were also shown to often maximize the distal sites efficacy. A clear distance dependence was also found when simulating GABAA inhibitory activations. It was weaker than the one observed with fast excitatory PPSs. It is proposed that this difference could constitute a simple basis to create opposing center‐surround patterns of activity in the basal ganglia output. In conclusion, this study suggests that GPi and GPe neurons have very similar electrotonic properties and that in such passive conditions all parts of their long dendrites significantly influence the somatic membrane potential. It suggests also that in spite of this similarity, neurons of the two pallidal segments differ in the way they integrate their synaptic inputs. Synapse 54:11–23, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Implications of vertical mass modeling errors on 2D dynamic structural analysis
Authors: Whalen Timothy M. , Archer Graham C. , Bhatia Kishor M.
Published: August 2004

The use of diagonal (lumped) mass matrices is common in dynamic structural analysis. The assumptions made when performing the lumping procedure, however, are not always consistent with the underlying physical behavior and can therefore modify the dynamic properties of the modeled structure. The influence of errors in mass modeling for vertical degrees of freedom on dynamic behavior and seismic response is illustrated. We demonstrate that overestimation of the lumped masses associated with vertical displacements in 2D frame models of these structures leads to inaccurate modal periods and associated modal participation factors for dynamic response. The ramifications of these inaccuracies on seismic response are shown and implications in other dynamic analysis situations are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coupled vibration of tall building structures
Authors: Kuang J. S. , Ng S. C.
Published: August 2004

Free vibration analysis is presented for general tall building structures, which may consist of any combination of frames, shear walls, structural cores and coupled walls. Emphasis of the analysis is placed on the coupled lateral–torsional vibration characteristic of the structures. Based on the continuum technique and D'Alembert's principle, the governing equation of free vibration and corresponding eigenvalue problem are derived. By applying the Galerkin technique, a generalized method of solution is proposed for the analysis of coupled vibration of general tall building structures. Based on the proposed method, a computation procedure is presented for predicting the natural frequencies and associated mode shapes of the structures in coupled vibration. Numerical investigation is conducted to validate the simplicity and accuracy of the proposed method. It has been shown that the proposed analysis provides an effective way, particularly at the preliminary design stage, for evaluating the vibration behaviour of tall buildings. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One‐dimensional finite element solution for tall building structures unified plane panels formulation
Authors: Savassi Walter , Mancini Eddie
Published: August 2004

In a previous paper (Mancini and Savassi, 1999), it was shown that every plane panel, used to brace tall building structures, can be easily and generally approached through the use of the continuous medium technique (CMT) (Albigés and Goulet, 1960). In that paper, following a so‐called local formulation, i.e., by deriving the governing differential equations system of the panel, in terms of u(z) panel horizontal displacement and wi columns or walls axial displacements, the equivalence (likeness) of formal mathematics, and hence of structural behaviour, between the panel composed by a pair of shear walls associated by lintel beams and another panel formed by the plane association, by pinned horizontal bars, of one shear wall and one single bay frame, was also shown. In both cases, axial deformations due to axial forces on vertical members were taken into account. In this paper, confirming those conclusions, but now following a global formulation (i.e., considering the total potential energy of each panel: strain energy plus applied load potentials), the mathematical equivalence between those two types of plane panels is again revealed by comparison of their two total potential energy analytical expressions. Additionally, based on that variational approach, the one‐dimensional finite element formulation is presented. This enlarges the possibilities of solutions for more general types of panels, like those with variable geometry or loading, without any further difficulty. The procedure, for any type of panel, can be codified in one single computer program, very similar to those used to solve plain continuous beam problems. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of a Novel Binuclear Palladium(II) Complex Formed from the Reaction of 2‐Chloro‐3, 3‐diphenyl‐1‐(2, 4, 6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1, 3‐diphosphapropene with Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) Including Hydrolysis
Authors: Liang Hongze , Ito Shigekazu , Yoshifuji Masaaki
Published: July 2004

2‐Chloro‐3, 3‐diphenyl‐1‐(2, 4, 6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl)‐1, 3‐diphosphapropene was allowed to react with an equivalent amount of tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) and a novel binuclear palladium(II) complex which includes two P2O‐tridentate ligands [Mes*P(O)CH2PPh2]2[PdCl]2 (Mes* = 2, 4, 6‐tBu3C6H2) was isolated after workup procedure. A tricyclic skeleton of the binuclear complex was characterized by the X‐ray crystallography.
Unique natural antioxidants (NAOs) and derived purified components inhibit cell cycle progression by downregulation of ppRb and E2F in human PC3 prostate cancer cells
Authors: Bakshi Shlomo , Bergman Margalit , Dovrat Sara , Grossman Shlomo
Published: August 2004

Prostate cancer (PCA) is the leading cause of cancer mortality among older men in Western countries. Epidemiological studies have shown correlation between a lower risk of PCA and a higher consumption of antioxidants. However, the mechanism by which antioxidants exert their effects is still unknown. In the present study, we explored the signaling mechanism through which unique natural antioxidant derived from spinach extract (NAO) exerts their beneficial effects in the chemoprevention of PCA using human PC3 cells. Probing into the effect of NAO and its derived polyphenols on cell‐cycle G1 arrest, we found that they cause cell‐cycle prolongation. NAO and its two derived purified components exhibited a significant increase in the level of p21cip1 expression after 36 h of starvation, followed by 18 h of treatment with NAO in the presence of serum. In addition, under similar conditions, the expressed level of Cyclin A and CDK‐2 in the PC3 cells was significantly reduced after treatment with NAO or its purified components. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the hypophosphorylated form of pRb and a decrease in ppRb. NAO and its purified derived components were found to downregulate the protein expression of another member of the pRb family, p107, as well as that of E2F‐1. These results suggest that NAO‐induced G1 delay and cell cycle prolongation are caused by downregulation of the protein expression of ppRb and E2F in the human PCA cell line PC3.
Improved antiviral activity of the aryloxymethoxyalaninyl phosphoramidate (APA) prodrug of abacavir (ABC) is due to the formation of markedly increased carbovir 5′‐triphosphate metabolite levels
Authors: Balzarini Jan , Aquaro Stefano , Hassan-Abdallah Alshaimaa , Daluge Susan M. , Perno Carlo-Federico , McGuigan Chris
Published: August 2004

The anti‐human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity of abacavir (ABC; 1‐(1S,4R)‐4‐[2‐amino‐6‐(cyclopropylamino)‐9H‐purin‐9‐yl]‐2‐cyclopentene‐1‐methanol) could be markedly enhanced by administering the aryloxymethoxyalaninyl phosphoramidate prodrug derivative of ABC (pro‐ABC‐MP) to virus‐infected cell cultures. Metabolic studies with radiolabeled ABC and pro‐ABC‐MP in human T‐lymphocyte and primary macrophage cell cultures revealed a significantly increased delivery of the activated (phosphorylated) metabolite of ABC (ABC‐MP) by pro‐ABC‐MP, and the concomittant appearance of markedly higher intracellular levels of carbovir 5′‐triphosphate (CBV‐TP), which represents the eventual antivirally active metabolite of ABC. The intracellular amounts of ABC‐MP and appearance of CBV‐TP closely correlated with the extracellular pro‐ABC‐MP concentrations that were administered to the cell cultures within a concentration range between 0.5 and 100 μM. The highest amounts of CBV‐TP were observed within 6–24 h after drug administration. The improved delivery of ABC‐MP and metabolic conversion to CBV‐TP explain the markedly enhanced antiviral activity of the prodrug of ABC, and warrant further exploration of this prodrug technology on ABC and related compounds to further enhance and optimize their antiviral efficacy.
Evolution of cyanobacterial and plant phytochromes
Authors: Lamparter Tilman
Published: August 2004

Phytochromes are broadly distributed photochromic photoreceptors that are most sensitive in the red and far‐red region of the visible spectrum. Three different bilins can be used as chromophores: plant phytochromes incorporate phytochromobilin, while phycocyanobilin serves as a chromophore of some cyanobacterial phytochromes, whereas all other phytochromes, including cyanobacterial orthologs incorporate biliverdin. During the evolution of plant and cyanobacterial phytochromes, the chromophore binding site has changed from a cysteine close to the N‐terminus of the protein, the biliverdin attachment site, to a cysteine which lies within the so‐called GAF domain and serves as phytochromobilin or phycocyanobilin attachment site. Since phylogenetic analyses imply that plant phytochromes are not direct successors of cyanobacterial phytochromes, chromophore exchange and the switch of the chromophore binding site has probably occurred at least twice in evolution. This may be regarded as an example for convergent evolution at the molecular level.
Understanding the factors that enable and inhibit the integration of operations, purchasing and logistics
Authors: Pagell Mark
Published: August 2004

This exploratory research makes a first attempt at building a comprehensive model of the drivers of internal integration. A series of case studies are used to develop a more complete understanding of the factors that enable and inhibit efforts at building integration across operations, purchasing and logistics. The results suggest that this is a complex phenomenon driven by a number of factors including the structure and culture at the plant, reward systems and the amount of formal and informal communication across the functions. The end result of the research is a testable model of how integration can be built across these three key internal supply chain functions.
Hyperkinetische Störungen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen: Zur Häufigkeit des Behandlungsanlasses in der ambulanten Versorgung nach den Daten der Versichertenstichprobe AOK Hessen/KV Hessen (1998-2001)
Authors: Köster Ingrid , Schubert Ingrid , Döpfner Manfred , Adam Christopher , Ihle Peter , Lehmkuhl Gerd
Published: August 2004

Zusammenfassung: Fragestellung: Für die Jahre 1998 bis 2001 wird untersucht, wie häufig und von welchen Arztgruppen der Behandlungsanlass «Hyperkinetische Störung» (HKS) bei Kindern und Jugendlichen in der ambulanten Versorgung als Abrechnungsdiagnose dokumentiert wird. Methode: Die Untersuchung basiert auf personenbezogen erhobenen pseudonymisierten Daten der Gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung. Die Stichprobe umfasst n = 41930 Kinder/Jugendliche bis zu 15 Jahren (1998). Für die Jahre 1998 und 1999 wurden Klartextdiagnosen, für die Jahre 2000 und 2001 die HKS-Kodierung ICD-10: F90.0-F90.9 zur Definition herangezogen. Ergebnisse: In der Altersgruppe der 3- bis 15-Jährigen steigt der Anteil mit einer HKS-Krankenscheindiagnose von 1,6% (1998) auf 2,4% (2001). Jungen erhalten ca. vier mal häufiger eine HKS-Diagnose als Mädchen (2001: 3,8% vs. 1,0%). Die höchste administrative Prävalenz liegt sowohl für Jungen (2001: 5,8%) wie für Mädchen (2001: 1,4%) in der Altersgruppe der 7- bis 10-Jährigen. Bei 54% der Kinder mit HKS wurde 2001 die Diagnose beim Kinderarzt dokumentiert, es folgen Allgemeinärzte (29%) und Kinder- und Jugendpsychiater (15%). Über vier Jahre betrachtet, zeigt sich bei den Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatern und Polikliniken eine deutliche Zunahme in der Behandlungshäufigkeit des HKS. Schlussfolgerung: Die Daten zeigen eine Zunahme in der administrativen Prävalenz des HKS im Zeitraum 1998 und 2001. Diese liegt im unteren Bereich der in repräsentativen Bevölkerungsstichproben ermittelten Prävalenzen.
Erste Auswirkungen eines Trainings der phonologischen Bewusstheit bei zwei unterschiedlichen Altersgruppen im Kindergarten
Authors: Rothe Evelyn , Grünling Carolin , Ligges Marc , Fackelmann Johann , Blanz Bernhard
Published: August 2004

Zusammenfassung: Fragestellung: Es wird untersucht, inwiefern bereits Kindergartenkinder von einem Training der phonologischen Bewusstheit profitieren. Methode: Als Trainingsprogramm wurde das «Würzburger Trainingsprogramm zur phonologischen Bewusstheit» im Kindergarten eingesetzt, die Kontrollgruppe behielt ihren regulären Kindergartenalltag bei. Berichtet werden die Ergebnisse von insgesamt 80 Kindern im letzten bzw. vorletzten Kindergartenjahr vor der Einschulung, bei denen unmittelbar vor und nach dem 20-wöchigen Training sowie sechs Monate nach Trainingsende phonologische Fertigkeiten erfasst wurden. Ergebnisse: Als wesentliche Ergebnisse dieser Untersuchung sind festzuhalten, dass jüngere Vorschulkinder (vorletztes Kindergartenjahr) im Vergleich zu älteren Vorschülern (letztes Kindergartenjahr) über signifikant geringere phonologische Fertigkeiten verfügen. Deutliche Trainingseffekte konnten für beide Altersgruppen verzeichnet werden, diese waren für die Gruppe der älteren Vorschüler größer als für die jüngere Kindergartengruppe. Beide Altersgruppen konnten ihr erreichtes Leistungsniveau sechs Monate nach Trainingsende halten. Schlussfolgerung: Die Befunde sprechen dafür, dass neben der älteren Vorschulgruppe bereits jüngere Kindergartenkinder von einem phonologischen Trainingsprogramm für Vorschüler profitieren und auch längerfristig das erreichte phonologische Leistungsniveau halten können. Die Auswirkungen dieses frühen phonologischen Trainings auf den Schriftspracherwerb in der Schule sind Gegenstand nachfolgender Erhebungen.
Red wine polyphenols induce EDHF‐mediated relaxations in porcine coronary arteries through the redox‐sensitive activation of the PI3‐kinase/Akt pathway
Authors: Ndiaye Mamadou , Chataigneau Thierry , Chataigneau Marta , Schini‐Kerth Valérie B
Published: July 2004

Red wine polyphenolic compounds (RWPCs) are potent inducers of endothelium‐dependent relaxations of coronary arteries, which involve both nitric oxide and endothelium‐derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). The EDHF‐mediated relaxation to RWPCs is critically dependent on the formation of reactive oxygen species by a flavin‐dependent enzyme. The aim of the present study was to determine the role of redox‐sensitive protein kinases including p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and PI3‐kinase/Akt in RWPCs‐induced EDHF‐mediated relaxation.

Porcine coronary artery rings were suspended in organ chambers for measurement of changes in isometric tension. Confluent cultures of porcine coronary artery endothelial cells were used to determine the phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and Akt by Western blot analysis. All experiments were performed in the presence of indomethacin and Nω‐nitro‐L‐arginine.

RWPCs caused pronounced endothelium‐dependent relaxations, which were significantly reduced by wortmannin and LY294002, two inhibitors of PI3‐kinase, and not affected by PD98059 (an inhibitor of ERK1/2 kinase kinase) and SB203580 (an inhibitor of p38 MAPK). In contrast, wortmannin did not affect relaxations to bradykinin or levcromakalim.

RWPCs elicited within minutes a sustained and concentration‐dependent phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, ERK1/2 and Akt in endothelial cells. The phosphorylation of Akt in response to RWPCs was abolished by wortmannin and LY294002, and by the membrane‐permeant analogue of superoxide dismutase Mn(III)tetrakis(1‐methyl‐4‐pyridyl)porphyrin.

The present findings demonstrate that RWPCs cause EDHF‐mediated relaxations of coronary arteries; these responses are critically dependent on the redox‐sensitive activation of the PI3‐kinase/Akt pathway in endothelial cells.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 142, 1131–1136. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705774
Inhibitory effects of digoxin and digitoxin on corticosterone production in rat zona fasciculata‐reticularis cells
Authors: Wang Shyi‐Wu , Pu Hsaio‐Fung , Kan Shu‐Fen , Tseng Chiung‐I , Lo Ming‐Jae , Wang Paulus S
Published: July 2004

The aim of the present study was to investigate the direct effects and action mechanisms of digitalis on the production of corticosterone in rat adrenocortical cells.

Male rats were challenged with digoxin (1 μg ml−1 kg−1) in the presence or absence of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH, 5 μg ml−1 kg−1) administered by intravenous injection to the right jugular vein. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min following the challenge. The concentration of corticosterone in the rat plasma samples was measured by radioimmunoassay.

Zona fasciculata‐reticularis (ZFR) cells in male rats were prepared and then incubated with or without digoxin or digitoxin in the presence or absence of ACTH (10−9 M), forskolin (10−7 M), 8‐bromo‐cyclic 3′ : 5′‐adenosine monophosphate (10−4 M), cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, 10−5 M), trilostane (10−6 M), 25‐OH‐cholesterol (10−5 M), pregnenolone (10−5 M), progesterone (10−5 M), or deoxycorticosterone (10−5 M) at 37°C for 1 h before collection of the media. Corticosterone or pregnenolone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay.

A single injection of digoxin did not alter the basal level of plasma corticosterone, but did inhibit the level of plasma corticosterone released in response to ACTH in vivo.

Administration of digoxin or digitoxin decreased both spontaneous and ACTH‐stimulated release of corticosterone in vitro.

Digoxin (10−7–10−5 M) and digitoxin (10−7–10−5 M), but not ouabain (10−7–10−5 M), dose‐dependently inhibited corticosterone production in response to forskolin and 8‐Br‐cyclic AMP in rat ZFR cells.

Both digoxin (10−6–10−5 M) and digitoxin (10−6–10−5 M) attenuated corticosterone production in response to CPA.

Digoxin (10−5 M) or digitoxin (10−5 M) inhibited cytochrome P450 side‐chain cleavage enzyme (cytochrome P450scc) activity (catalyses conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone in the presence of trilostane) in rat ZFR cells.

The enzyme activity of 11 β‐hydroxylase (catalyses conversion of deoxycorticosterone to corticosterone) in ZFR cells was also inhibited by the administration of digoxin (10−5 M) or digitoxin (10−5 M).

These results together suggest that digoxin and digitoxin decrease the release of corticosterone by acting directly on ZFR cells via a Na+, K+‐ATPase‐independent mechanism involving the inhibition of the activities of adenylyl cyclase, cytochrome P450scc and 11 β‐hydroxylase, as well as the functioning of cyclic AMP and intracellular calcium.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 142, 1123–1130. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705777
Contribution of the p38MAPK signalling pathway to proliferation in human cultured airway smooth muscle cells is mitogen‐specific
Authors: Fernandes Darren J , Ravenhall Claire E , Harris Trudi , Tran Thai , Vlahos Ross , Stewart Alastair G
Published: July 2004

We have investigated the role of p38MAPK in human airway smooth muscle (HASM) proliferation in response to thrombin and bFGF. The regulation of cyclin D1 mRNA, cyclin D1, cyclin E and p21Cip1 protein levels, and the extent of retinoblastoma protein (pRb) phosphorylation in response to activation of p38MAPK have also been examined.

Two distinct inhibitors of p38MAPK, SB 203580 (10 μM) and SB 202190 (10 μM), prevented bFGF (0.3–3 nM)‐stimulated cell proliferation, but had no effect on the response to thrombin (0.3–3 U ml−1).

In cells incubated with thrombin or bFGF for 20 h, there was an increase in p38MAPK phosphorylation in response to bFGF, but not to thrombin. Thrombin and bFGF‐stimulated increases in ERK phosphorylation and cyclin D1 mRNA and protein levels were not influenced by SB 203580 pre‐treatment. Similarly, cyclin E and p21Cip1 protein levels, measured after 20 h incubation with mitogen, did not appear to be regulated by SB 203580 (10 μM).

Although both thrombin and bFGF significantly increased levels of pRb phosphorylation, SB 203580 (10 μM) inhibited only bFGF‐stimulated pRb phosphorylation. In addition, SB 203580 (10 μM) selectively inhibited bFGF‐stimulated DNA synthesis, suggesting that the antimitogenic actions of SB 203580 on pRb phosphorylation cause cell cycle arrest at late G1 phase.

In conclusion, these results indicate that p38MAPK is involved in bFGF‐, but not in thrombin‐stimulated HASM proliferation. The activation of the p38MAPK pathway by bFGF, but not by thrombin, regulates the phosphorylation of pRb without influencing cyclin D1 expression.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 142, 1182–1190. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705809
The calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist BIBN4096BS blocks CGRP and adrenomedullin vasoactive responses in the microvasculature
Authors: Grant A D , Tam C W , Lazar Z , Shih M K , Brain S D
Published: July 2004

Calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) is a potent microvascular dilator neuropeptide that is considered to play an essential role in neurogenic vasodilatation and in maintaining functional integrity in peripheral tissues.

We have examined the effect of the nonpeptide CGRP antagonist BIBN4096BS on responses to CGRP and the structurally related peptide adrenomedullin, AM, in murine isolated aorta and mesentery preparations, and in the cutaneous microvasculature in vivo.

We show for the first time that BIBN4096BS is an effective antagonist of CGRP and AM responses in the murine mesenteric and cutaneous microvasculature, and of CGRP in the murine aorta. After local administration, BIBN4096BS selectively inhibits the potentiation of microvascular permeability in the cutaneous microvasculature by CGRP and AM, with no effect on responses induced by other microvascular vasodilators. BIBN4096BS reversed both newly developed and established vasoactive responses induced by CGRP.

The ability of CGRP to potentiate plasma extravasation was lost when coinjected with compound 48/80 (where mast cells would be activated to release proteases), but regained when soybean trypsin inhibitor was coinjected with compound 48/80.

These results demonstrate that BIBN4096BS is a selective antagonist of responses induced by CGRP and AM in the mouse microvasculature, and CGRP in the mouse aorta. The ability of BIBN4096BS to block an established CGRP microvascular vasodilatation indicates that the sustained vasodilator activity of CGRP is due to the retention of the active intact peptide and the continued involvement of the CGRP receptor.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 142, 1091–1098. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705824
Expression and functional activity of PPARγ in pancreatic β cells
Authors: Welters Hannah J , McBain Stuart C , Tadayyon Moh , Scarpello John H B , Smith Stephen A , Morgan Noel G
Published: July 2004

Rosiglitazone is an agonist of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ) and ameliorates insulin resistance in type II diabetes. In addition, it may also promote increased pancreatic β‐cell viability, although it is not known whether this effect is mediated by a direct action on the β cell. We have investigated this possibility.

Semiquantitative real‐time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis (Taqman®) revealed that freshly isolated rat islets and the clonal β‐cell line, BRIN‐BD11, express PPARγ, as well as PPARα and PPARδ. The levels of expression of PPARγ were estimated by reference to adipose tissue and were found to represent approximately 60% (islets) and 30% (BRIN‐BD11) of that found in freshly isolated visceral adipose tissue. Western blotting confirmed the presence of immunoreactive PPARγ in rat (and human) islets and in BRIN‐BD11 cells.

Transfection of BRIN‐BD11 cells with a PPARγ‐sensitive luciferase reporter construct was used to evaluate the functional competence of the endogenous PPARγ. Luciferase activity was modestly increased by the putative endogenous ligand, 15‐deoxy‐Δ12,14 prostaglandin J2 (15dPGJ2). Rosiglitazone also caused activation of the luciferase reporter construct but this effect required concentrations of the drug (50–100 μM) that are beyond the expected therapeutic range. This suggests that PPARγ is relatively insensitive to activation by rosiglitazone in BRIN‐BD11 cells.

Exposure of BRIN‐BD11 cells to the lipotoxic effector, palmitate, caused a marked loss of viability. This was attenuated by treatment of the cells with either actinomycin D or cycloheximide suggesting that a pathway of programmed cell death was involved. Rosiglitazone failed to protect BRIN‐BD11 cells from the toxic actions of palmitate at concentrations up to 50 μM. Similar results were obtained with a range of other PPARγ agonists.

Taken together, the present data suggest that, at least under in vitro conditions, thiazolidinediones do not exert direct protective effects against fatty acid‐mediated cytotoxicity in pancreatic β cells.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 142, 1162–1170. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705844
Isentropic compression loading of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and the pressure-induced phase transition at 27GPa
Authors: Hare D. E. , Forbes J. W. , Reisman D. B. , Dick J. J.
Published: August 2004

The 27GPa pressure-induced epsilon–phi phase transition in octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-l,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) is explored using the isentropic compression experiment (ICE) technique at the Sandia National Laboratories Z-machine facility. Our data indicate that this phase transition is sluggish and if it does occur to any extent under the time scales (200–500ns) and strain rates (5×105) typical of ICE loading conditions, the amount of conversion is small.
Manipulation of biological cells using a microelectromagnet matrix
Authors: Lee H. , Purdon A. M. , Westervelt R. M.
Published: August 2004

Noninvasive manipulation of biological cells inside a microfluidic channel was demonstrated using a microelectromagnet matrix. The matrix consists of two layers of straight Au wires, aligned perpendicular to each other, that are covered by insulating layers. By adjusting the current in each independent wire, the microelectromagnet matrix can create versatile magnetic field patterns to control the motion of individual cells in fluid. Single or multiple yeast cells attached to magnetic beads were trapped, continuously moved and rotated, and a viable cell was separated from nonviable cells for cell sorting.
Epitaxial growth of MgB2(0001) thin films on magnesium single-crystals
Authors: Cepek C. , Macovez R. , Sancrotti M. , Petaccia L. , Larciprete R. , Lizzit S. , Goldoni A.
Published: August 2004

Phase-pure MgB2 thin films have been grown in ultrahigh-vacuum conditions on Mg(0001) and Mg(101¯0) at low-temperature (185–220°C) via molecular beam epitaxy. By depositing B on the Mg substrate a maximum film thickness of ∼4ML can be achieved, while thicker layers can be obtained by codeposition of Mg and B. Thick films grown on Mg(0001) show a sharp hexagonal low energy electron diffraction pattern, as well as the angle resolved photoemission band structure and x-ray absorption features of MgB2(0001) surface. Poor long-range order can be achieved by codeposition on Mg(101¯0). This method allows important in situ measurements, may enable the controlled doping of MgB2, and could be used to realize MgB2-based superconducting devices.
Micromachined SrTiO3 single crystals as dielectrics for electrostatic doping of thin films
Authors: Bhattacharya A. , Eblen-Zayas M. , Staley N. E. , Huber W. H. , Goldman A. M.
Published: August 2004

Single crystal substrates of SrTiO3 have been micromachined locally on their back faces to thicknesses between 10 and 100μm using a mechanical abrasive technique. Subsequently, the growth surface has been treated to obtain atomically smooth unit cell terraces, suitable for high quality interfaces. Using a capacitor geometry, surface charge densities suitable for electrostatic doping of films have been obtained at the lowest temperatures, and the off-diagonal component of strain due to the applied electric field has been measured.
Parallel quasi-phase-shifting digital holography
Authors: Awatsuji Yasuhiro , Sasada Masaki , Kubota Toshihiro
Published: August 2004

We propose parallel quasi-phase-shifting digital holography as a technique capable of noiseless instantaneous measurement of three-dimensional objects. The technique implements four kinds of phase shifting at a time using a phase shifting array device located in the reference beam. The device is an array of 2×2 phase retarders. We conduct both numerical simulation and preliminary experiment, and the results agree well with those of the conventional phase shifting method. Also, the results are superior to those using a Fresnel transform alone, which is another digital holography method that can achieve instantaneous measurement.
Surface-charge polarization effect at an organic and inorganic contact: Case study of tris(8-hydroxyquinolato) aluminum on Si(001)-2×1
Authors: Pi Tun-Wen , Ouyang C.-P. , Yu T. C. , Hsu H. L. , Wen J.-F. , Hwang J.
Published: August 2004

We have employed synchrotron radiation photoemission to investigate the tris(8-hydroxyquinolato) aluminum (Alq3) molecules adsorbed on an inorganic Si(001)-2×1 surface at room temperature. The surface-related valence states associated with the dimers and backbonds lying a couple of eV below the Fermi level reduce in strength upon Alq3 adsorption, indicating that the organic molecules not only passivate the dangling bonds but also rupture the dimer bonds. The wave function of the surface dangling bonds and of the pyridyl side of an 8-quinolinol ligand overlaps greatly so that charge is polarized toward the organic adlayer, resulting in the appearance of low-energy components in both N 1s and C 1s core-level spectra, which is similar to the case of Mg-doped Alq3. However, the polarization diminishes at greater coverage, in which case both 1s cores behave as in the nominal states.
Layer-by-layer photonic crystal with a repeating two-layer sequence
Authors: Maldovan Martin
Published: August 2004

A layer-by-layer periodic dielectric structure with a large complete photonic band gap is presented. This “two-layer (110) diamond” consists of only two constitutive layers with the same pattern, producing a simple stacking sequence suitable for fabrication. The stacking is accomplished by a horizontal translation from layer to layer. The structure possesses a complete 15% photonic band gap for Si∕air (13:1) dielectric contrast. It is a layered structure with the minimum number of different layers necessary to create a three-dimensional photonic crystal. The proposed structure can be assembled by using three different layer-by-layer techniques.