bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevention of Type 2 diabetes mellitus. A review of the evidence and its application in a UK setting
Authors: Davies M. J. , Tringham J. R. , Troughton J. , Khunti K. K.
Published: April 2004

Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic, multifactorial disease, which affects the quality, quantity and style of life. People with T2DM have a life expectancy that can be shortened by as much as 15 years, with up to 75% dying of macrovascular complications. To reduce the impact of T2DM in the 21st century, we need an approach that not only optimally treats the person with established diabetes but also prevents diabetes from occurring in the first place. The best evidence for prevention of diabetes is for interventions that target individuals at highest risk. Targeting patients who have impaired glucose tolerance with lifestyle changes including physical activity and dietary factors has been shown to be effective in the Chinese, North American and Finnish populations. In order for such lifestyle interventions to be successful in other populations, they need to be culturally sensitive, individualized and sustained. Some pharmacological agents including metformin and acarbose have also been shown to be effective, although the profile of those who respond is different. There continues to be a need to develop and evaluate interventions that target communities and populations at risk in a UK setting.

Diabet. Med. (2004)
Cost‐effectiveness of flexible intensive insulin management to enable dietary freedom in people with Type 1 diabetes in the UK
Authors: Shearer A. , Bagust A. , Sanderson D. , Heller S. , Roberts S.
Published: April 2004

Aims  To determine the cost‐effectiveness of a structured treatment and teaching programme (STTP) combining dietary freedom with insulin adjustment for Type 1 diabetes.

Methods  Incremental cost‐effectiveness analysis based on effectiveness data from three RCTs in Germany, Austria, and Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) in the UK, to model the long‐term microvascular complications of Type 1 diabetes.

Results  The STTP approach yields effectiveness gains at a lower cost compared with current standard practice for treatment of Type 1 diabetes. STTPs are likely to save 0.05 life years, yield 0.12 EuroQol 5 dimensions (EQ‐5D) and 0.09 visual analogue scale (VAS) incremental quality‐adjusted life years, and save approximately £2200 per patient treated discounted over 10 years.

Conclusions  Introducing STTPs as standard treatment for people with Type 1 diabetes in the UK may help to achieve the primary goal of the National Service Framework (NSF) for Diabetes by enabling individuals to manage their own lifestyle and condition. In doing so it could save valuable resources for the NHS and yield important morbidity and mortality gains.

Diabet. Med. (2004)
Assessment of hypoglycaemia awareness using continuous glucose monitoring
Authors: Kubiak T. , Hermanns N. , Schreckling H. J. , Kulzer B. , Haak T.
Published: April 2004

Aims  To investigate the possibility of assessing hypoglycaemia awareness in patients with Type 1 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring.

Methods  Twenty patients with Type 1 diabetes were investigated. Ten patients with Type 1 diabetes and strongly impaired hypoglycaemia awareness were compared with 10 patients with intact hypoglycaemia awareness regarding quality of hypoglycaemia perception (number of undetected hypoglycaemic episodes per 24 h, glucose level < 3.3 mmol/l). Hypoglycaemia detection was assessed using the event function of the Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS™; Medtronic MiniMed®, Northridge, CA, USA). Patients were instructed to enter an event upon suspecting being hypoglycaemic.

Results  Satisfactory CGMS performance could be achieved [mean r = 0.893 between calibration measurements and CGMS data, mean absolute difference (MAD) = 20.6%], although artefacts were observable and had to be controlled. Hypoglycaemia unaware patients showed a significantly higher total number of hypoglycaemic episodes (P < 0.05), number of undetected hypoglycaemic episodes (P < 0.01), and mean glucose levels (P < 0.05). Even in aware patients, undetected hypoglycaemia was observable. No significant differences regarding occurrence of nocturnal hypoglycaemia were observable.

Conclusions  The possibility of direct assessment of hypoglycaemia awareness using continuous glucose monitoring was demonstrated. Its application in clinical practice could be of use for assessing hypoglycaemia perception and evaluating the impact of treatment changes on hypoglycaemia awareness.
Firing Blanks? An Analysis of Discursive Struggle in HRM
Authors: Harley Bill , Hardy Cynthia
Published: April 2004

ABSTRACT  We revisit Karen Legge's (2001) critique of HRM in which she argues that the attempt of modernist/positivist HRM research to show that HRM improves organizational performance is a ‘spent round’. We note that despite spirited challenges by Legge and others, the discourse of HRM is becoming increasingly dominant. Accordingly, we use discourse analysis to examine why this might be the case. Specifically, we analyse the texts produced in the engagement between Karen Legge and David Guest to show how modernist/positivist texts like those of Guest have been successful in constructing an identity for HRM and embedding it in the broader academic discourse concerning the employment relationship, while critical researchers like Legge face a number of difficulties in producing ‘counter‐texts’.
Headache Treatment Before and After the Consultation of a Specialized Centre: A Pharmacoepidemiology Study
Authors: Ferrari A , Pasciullo G , Savino G , Cicero AFG , Ottani A , Bertolini A , Sternieri E
Published: April 2004

Our aim was to study and compare pharmacoepidemiology of headache treatment in two different settings: inside and outside a specialized Centre. We analysed the differences in headache treatment between 612 subjects admitted for the first visit (‘naive’) (F/M: 2.41; mean age = 37.31 ± 14.09 years) and 620 subjects admitted for a control visit (F/M: 3.18; mean age = 44.30 ± 15.37 years) to the Headache Centre of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Most patients suffered from migraine. As acute treatment, on the first visit, 49.4% of them were taking drugs prescribed by a doctor; 41.5% were taking over-the-counter analgesics (OTCAs); 9.1% were not taking any drug. On the control visit, 81.3% of patients were taking prescription drugs; 15.8% OTCAs; 2.9% were not taking drugs (overall chi-square = 139.229, P < 0.001). Non-selective analgesics were the most-used drugs. Triptans were used by 9.1% of ‘naive’ patients and by 31.8% of patients attending for the control visit (Fisher's Z = 7.655, P < 0.001). Nimesulide was the most-used drug. A prophylactic treatment was made by 16.8% of ‘naive’ patients, and by 58.2% of patients admitted to the control visit (Fisher's Z = 12.135, P < 0.001). Antidepressants were the class of drugs most used for prophylaxis. Amitriptyline was the drug for prophylaxis most frequently used by patients attending the control visit, while flunarizine was the most frequently used by ‘naive’ patients. Before being examined in a specialized centre, few patients take prescription drugs, triptans, or prophylactic drugs; specialized care increases the proportion of patients taking prophylactic drugs, and changes the type of acute treatment used into disease-specific medication for headache.
Prevalence of Headache in Swedish Schoolchildren, with a Focus on Tension-Type Headache
Authors: Laurell K , Larsson B , Eeg-Olofsson O
Published: April 2004

To estimate the prevalence of tension-type headache, migraine and other headaches, 1850 schoolchildren, age 7-15 years, from the city of Uppsala, were invited to complete a questionnaire. The response rate was 74.1%. To validate the information from the questionnaires, 131 children and their parents were interviewed. Using the criteria of the International Headache Society, the 1-year prevalence of tension-type headache and migraine was 9.8 and 11.0%, respectively. However, these prevalence rates increased considerably, to 23.0 and 17.0%, respectively, when excluding the criteria defining the number of earlier episodes and duration of headache. The prevalence of headache increased with age, similarly in girls and boys up to 11 years, and thereafter only in girls. The preponderance in teenage girls was even more pronounced for tension-type headache than for migraine. Our results indicate an increase over time in headache prevalence when compared with findings in a study conducted in the same city in 1955.
State Political Culture and Welfare Reform
Authors: Mead Lawrence M.
Published: April 2004

I investigate the link between the general features of state governments and their ability to reform welfare. The best indicator of governments’ characteristics is Elazar's political cultures. I define what successful welfare reform means, drawing on implementation research and experience. My criteria stress process, the avoidance of political and administrative problems. I then test the link between the Elazar cultures and successful reform using recent case studies of state implementation of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. Elazar's “moralistic” states perform best, and the association holds, even controlling for other influences. Results depend, however, on how welfare reform is defined.
Structural and Genetic Characterization of Glycosylation of Type a Flagellin in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Schirm M. , Arora S. K. , Verma A. , Vinogradov E. , Thibault P. , Ramphal R. , Logan S. M.
Published: April 2004

Type a flagellins from two strains of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
, strains PAK and JJ692, were found to be glycosylated with unique glycan structures. In both cases, two sites of O-linked glycosylation were identified on each monomer, and these sites were localized to the central, surface-exposed domain of the monomer in the assembled filament. The PAK flagellin was modified with a heterogeneous glycan comprising up to 11 monosaccharide units that were O linked through a rhamnose residue to the protein backbone. The flagellin of JJ692 was less complex and had a single rhamnose substitution at each site. The role of the glycosylation island gene cluster in the production of each of these glycosyl moieties was investigated. These studies revealed that the
orfA
and
orfN
genes were required for attachment of the heterologous glycan and the proximal rhamnose residue, respectively.
Identification of PimR as a Positive Regulator of Pimaricin Biosynthesis in
Streptomyces natalensis
Authors: Antón Nuria , Mendes Marta V. , Martín Juan F. , Aparicio Jesús F.
Published: April 2004

Sequencing of the DNA region on the left fringe of the pimaricin gene cluster revealed the presence of a 3.6-kb gene,
pimR
, whose deduced product (1,198 amino acid residues) was found to have amino acid sequence homology with bacterial regulatory proteins. Database comparisons revealed that PimR represents the archetype of a new class of regulators, combining a
Streptomyces
antibiotic regulatory protein (SARP)-like N-terminal section with a C-terminal half homologous to guanylate cyclases and large ATP-binding regulators of the LuxR family. Gene replacement of
pimR
from
Streptomyces natalensis
chromosome results in a complete loss of pimaricin production, suggesting that PimR is a positive regulator of pimaricin biosynthesis. Gene expression analysis by reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) of the pimaricin gene cluster revealed that
S. natalensis
ΔPimR shows no expression at all of the cholesterol oxidase-encoding gene
pimE
, and very low level transcription of the remaining genes of the cluster except for the mutant
pimR
gene, thus demonstrating that this regulator activates the transcription of all the genes belonging to the pimaricin gene cluster but not its own transcription.
ScaC, an Adaptor Protein Carrying a Novel Cohesin That Expands the Dockerin-Binding Repertoire of the
Ruminococcus flavefaciens
17 Cellulosome
Authors: Rincón Marco T. , Martin Jennifer C. , Aurilia Vincenzo , McCrae Sheila I. , Rucklidge Garry J. , Reid Martin D. , Bayer Edward A. , Lamed Raphael , Flint Harry J.
Published: April 2004

A new gene, designated
scaC
and encoding a protein carrying a single cohesin, was identified in the cellulolytic rumen anaerobe
Ruminococcus flavefaciens
17 as part of a gene cluster that also codes for the cellulosome structural components ScaA and ScaB. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequence of the ScaC cohesin is distinct from the sequences of other cohesins, including the sequences of
R. flavefaciens
ScaA and ScaB. The
scaC
gene product also includes at its C terminus a dockerin module that closely resembles those found in
R. flavefaciens
enzymes that bind to the cohesins of the primary ScaA scaffoldin. The putative cohesin domain and the C-terminal dockerin module were cloned and overexpressed in
Escherichia coli
as His
6
-tagged products (ScaC-Coh and ScaC-Doc, respectively). Affinity probing of protein extracts of
R. flavefaciens
17 separated in one-dimensional and two-dimensional gels with recombinant cohesins from ScaC and ScaA revealed that two distinct subsets of native proteins interact with ScaC-Coh and ScaA-Coh. Furthermore, ScaC-Coh failed to interact with the recombinant dockerin module from the enzyme EndB that is recognized by ScaA cohesins. On the other hand, ScaC-Doc was shown to interact specifically with the recombinant cohesin domain from ScaA, and the ScaA-Coh probe was shown to interact with a native 29-kDa protein spot identified as ScaC by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization—time of flight mass spectrometry. These results suggest that ScaC plays the role of an adaptor scaffoldin that is bound to ScaA via the ScaC dockerin module, which, via the distinctive ScaC cohesin, expands the range of proteins that can bind to the ScaA-based enzyme complex.
Evidence for the Active Role of a Novel Nuclease from
Helicobacter pylori
in the Horizontal Transfer of Genetic Information
Authors: O'Rourke Eyleen J. , Pinto A. Viviana , Petroni E. Alejandro , Tolmasky Marcelo E. , Ielpi Luis
Published: April 2004

Helicobacter pylori
is a gram-negative bacterium that colonizes the human stomach, causes gastritis, and is associated with ulcers and gastric cancer.
H. pylori
is naturally competent for transformation. Natural genetic transformation is believed to be essential for the genetic plasticity observed in this species. While the relevance of horizontal gene transfer in
H. pylori
adaptiveness and antibiotic resistance is well documented, the DNA transformation machinery components are barely known. No enzymatic activity associated with the transformation process has been determined experimentally and described. We isolated, microsequenced, and cloned a major DNA nuclease from
H. pylori.
This protein, encoded by the open reading frame
hp0323
, was expressed in
Escherichia coli
. The purified protein, NucT, has a cation-independent thermostable nuclease activity that preferentially cleaves single-stranded DNA. NucT is associated with the membrane. NucT-deficient
H. pylori
strains are one or more orders of magnitude less efficient than the parental strain for transformation with either chromosomal or self-replicating plasmid DNA. To the best of our knowledge, NucT is the first nuclease identified in a gram-negative natural transformation system, and its existence suggests that there is a mechanism of DNA processing and uptake similar to the mechanisms in well-studied gram-positive systems.
Modular Organization of the Phd Repressor/Antitoxin Protein
Authors: Smith Jeremy Allen , Magnuson Roy David
Published: April 2004

The P1 plasmid addiction operon is a compact genetic structure consisting of promoter, operator, antitoxin gene (
phd
), and toxin gene (
doc
). The 73-amino-acid antitoxin protein, Phd, has two distinct functions: it represses transcription (by binding to its operator) and it prevents host death (by binding and neutralizing the toxin). Here, we show that the N terminus of Phd is required for repressor but not antitoxin activity. Conversely, the C terminus is required for antitoxin but not repressor activity. Only a quarter of the protein, the resolution limit of this analysis, was required for both activities. We suggest that the plasmid addiction operon is a composite of two evolutionarily separable modules, an operator-repressor module and an antitoxin-toxin module. Consideration of similar antitoxin proteins and their surroundings indicates that modular exchange may contribute to antitoxin and operon diversity.
Molecular Characterization ofBorrelia burgdorferi erpPromoter/Operator Elements
Authors: Babb Kelly , McAlister Jason D. , Miller Jennifer C. , Stevenson Brian
Published: April 2004

ManyBorrelia burgdorferiErp outer surface proteins have been demonstrated to bind the host complement regulator factor H, which likely contributes to the ability of these organisms to evade the host innate immune system.B. burgdorfericontrols Erp protein synthesis throughout the bacterial infectious cycle, producing the proteins during mammalian infections but repressing their synthesis during tick infections. Defining the mechanism by whichB. burgdorferiregulates the expression of these virulence determinants will provide important insight into the biological and pathogenic properties of the Lyme disease spirochete. The present study demonstrates that two highly conserved DNA sequences located 5′ oferpoperons specifically bind bacterial proteins. Analyses withB. burgdorferiof transcriptional fusions betweenerppromoter/operator DNAs and the gene for green fluorescent protein indicated that the expression of these operons is regulated at the level of transcriptional initiation. These analyses also indicated significant differences in the promoter strengths of variouserpoperons, which likely accounts for reported variations in expression levels of different Erp proteins. Mutagenesis of promoter-gfpfusions demonstrated that at least one of the proteins which binderpoperator DNA functions as a repressor of transcription.
Mutational Analysis of RsbT, an Activator of theBacillus subtilisStress Response Transcription Factor, σB
Authors: Woodbury Robyn L. , Luo Tingqiu , Grant Lindsay , Haldenwang W. G.
Published: April 2004

σB, the stress-activated σ factor ofBacillus subtilis, requires the RsbT protein as an essential positive regulator of its physical stress pathway. Stress triggers RsbT to both inactivate the principal negative regulator of the physical stress pathway (RsbS) by phosphorylation and activate a phosphatase (RsbU) required for σBinduction. Neither the regions of RsbT that are involved in responding to stress signaling nor those required for downstream events have been established. We used alanine scanning mutagenesis to examine the contributions of RsbT's charged amino acids to the protein's stability and activities. Eleven of eighteenrsbTmutations blocked σBinduction by stress. The carboxy terminus of RsbT proved to be particularly important for accumulation inBacillus subtilis. Four of the five most carboxy-terminal mutations yieldedrsbTalleles whose products were undetectable inB. subtilisextracts. Charged amino acids in the central region of RsbT were less critical, with four of the five substitutions in this region having no measurable effect on RsbT accumulation or activity. Only when the substitutions extended into a region of kinase homology was σBinduction affected. Six other RsbT variants, although present at levels adequate for activity, failed to activate σBand displayed significant changes in their ability to interact with RsbT's normal binding partners in a yeast dihybrid assay. These changes either dramatically altered the proteins' tertiary structure without affecting their stability or defined regions of RsbT that are involved in multiple interactions.
Conserved Glycines in the C Terminus of MinC Proteins Are Implicated in Their Functionality as Cell Division Inhibitors
Authors: Ramirez-Arcos S. , Greco V. , Douglas H. , Tessier D. , Fan D. , Szeto J. , Wang J. , Dillon J. R.
Published: April 2004

Alignment of 36 MinC sequences revealed four completely conserved C-terminal glycines. As MinC inhibits cytokinesis in
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
and
Escherichia coli
, the functional importance of these glycines in
N. gonorrhoeae
MinC (MinC
Ng
) and
E. coli
MinC (MinC
Ec
) was investigated through amino acid substitution by using site-directed mutagenesis. Each mutant was evaluated for its ability to arrest cell division and to interact with itself and MinD. In contrast to overexpression of wild-type MinC, overexpression of mutant proteins in
E. coli
did not induce filamentation, indicating that they lost functionality. Yeast two-hybrid studies showed that MinC
Ec
interacts with itself and MinD
Ec
; however, no interactions involving MinC
Ng
were detected. Therefore, a recombinant MinC protein, with the N terminus of MinC
Ec
and the C terminus of MinC
Ng
, was designed to test for a MinC
Ng
-MinD
Ng
interaction. Each MinC mutant interacted with either MinC or MinD but not both, indicating the specificity of glycine residues for particular protein-protein interactions. Each glycine was mapped on the C-terminal surfaces (A, B, and C) of the solved
Thermotoga maritima
MinC structure. We found that MinC
Ec
G161, residing in close proximity to the A surface, is involved in homodimerization, which is essential for MinC function. Glycines corresponding to MinC
Ec
G135, G154, and G171, located within or adjacent to the B-C surface junction, are critical for MinC-MinD interactions. Circular dichroism revealed no gross structural perturbations of the mutant proteins, although the contribution of glycines to protein flexibility and stability cannot be discounted. Using molecular modeling, we propose that exposed conserved MinC glycines interact with exposed residues of the α-7 helix of MinD.
A Promoter Mutation Causes Differential Nitrate Reductase Activity of
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
and
Mycobacterium bovis
Authors: Stermann Marion , Sedlacek Ludwig , Maass Silvia , Bange Franz-Christoph
Published: April 2004

The recent publication of the genome sequence of
Mycobacterium bovis
showed >99.95% identity to
M. tuberculosis
. No genes unique to
M. bovis
were found. Instead numerous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. This has led to the hypothesis that differential gene expression due to SNPs might explain the differences between the human and bovine tubercle bacilli. One phenotypic distinction between
M. tuberculosis
and
M. bovis
is nitrate reduction, which not only is an essential diagnostic tool but also contributes to mycobacterial pathogenesis. We previously showed that
narGHJI
encodes a nitrate reductase in both
M. tuberculosis
and
M. bovis
and that NarGHJI-mediated nitrate reductase activity was substantially higher in the human tubercle bacillus. In the present study we used a genetic approach to demonstrate that an SNP within the promoter of the nitrate reductase gene cluster
narGHJI
is responsible for the different nitrate reductase activity of
M. tuberculosis
and
M. bovis
. This is the first example of an SNP that leads to differential gene expression between the human and bovine tubercle bacilli.
Cold blast furnace syndrome: a new source of toxic inhalation by nitrogen oxides: Table 1
Authors: Tague I , Llewellin P , Burton K , Buchan R , Yates D H
Published: April 2004

Aim:To describe a new toxic inhalation syndrome in blast furnace workers.

Methods:Fourteen workers developed acute respiratory symptoms shortly after exposure to “air blast” from blast furnace tuyeres. These included chest tightness, dyspnoea, rigors, and diaphoresis. Chest radiographs showed pulmonary infiltrates, and lung function a restrictive abnormality. This report includes a description of clinical features of the affected workers and elucidation of the probable cause of the outbreak.

Results:Clinical features and occupational hygiene measurements suggested the most likely cause was inhalation of nitrogen oxides at high pressure and temperature. While the task could not be eliminated, engineering controls were implemented to control the hazard. No further cases have occurred.

Conclusions:“Cold blast furnace syndrome” represents a previously undescribed hazard of blast furnace work, probably due to inhalation of nitrogen oxides. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute toxic inhalational injuries in blast furnace workers.
Minimum health and safety requirements for workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration and whole-body vibration in the European Union; a review
Authors: Griffin M J
Published: April 2004

In 2002, the Parliament and Commission of the European Community agreed “minimum health and safety requirements” for the exposure of workers to the risks arising from vibration. The Directive defines qualitative requirements and also quantitative requirements in the form of “exposure action values” and “exposure limit values”. The quantitative guidance is based on, but appears to conflict with, the guidance in International Standards for hand-transmitted vibration (ISO 5349) and whole-body vibration (ISO 2631). There is a large internal inconsistency within the Directive for short duration exposures to whole-body vibration: the two alternative methods give very different values. It would appear prudent to base actions on the qualitative guidance (i.e. reducing risk to a minimum) and only refer to the quantitative guidance where there is no other reasonable basis for the identification of risk (i.e. similar exposures are not a suspected cause of injury). Health surveillance and other precautions will be appropriate wherever there is reason to suspect a risk and will not be restricted to conditions where the exposure action value is exceeded.
Exposure of pregnant women to tap water related activities
Authors: Kaur S , Nieuwenhuijsen M J , Ferrier H , Steer P
Published: April 2004

Background:Evidence for an association between exposure of pregnant women to chlorination disinfection by-products and adverse birth outcomes is inconsistent and inconclusive.

Aims:To evaluate the use of a questionnaire in a population of pregnant women to assess their exposure to water, examine the validity of the questionnaire by a seven day diary, and to obtain a better understanding of the exposure of pregnant women to water in Central London.

Methods:A total of 147 pregnant women were asked to complete a questionnaire. Information was requested on their exposure to water from cooking and washing up, showering and bathing, food and drink, and swimming. Demographic and socioeconomic information were also recorded. For validation purposes, women were asked to complete a seven day diary at home.

Results:The average exposure duration was 338.5 min/week for cooking and washing up, 172.2 min/week for bathing and showering, and 67.9 min/month for swimming. The total fluid intake was 18.9 l/week of which, on average, 18% was cold tap water; 30% of this tap water was consumed outside the home. The correlation between questionnaire and diary data was generally good to very good, although women tended to overestimate their exposure in the questionnaire compared to the diary.

Conclusions:Information was obtained on the daily exposure of pregnant women in Central London to chlorinated water at home, work, and elsewhere. The questionnaire was found to be a valid method to assess the exposure of pregnant women to water and the response rate was higher than for diaries.
All-cause and cause specific mortality in a cohort of 20 000 construction workers; results from a 10 year follow up
Authors: Arndt V , Rothenbacher D , Daniel U , Zschenderlein B , Schuberth S , Brenner H
Published: April 2004

Background:Construction workers are potentially exposed to many health hazards, including human carcinogens such as asbestos, silica, and other so-called “bystander” exposures from shared work places. The construction industry is also a high risk trade with respect to accidents.

Methods:A total of 19 943 male employees from the German construction industry who underwent occupational health examinations between 1986 and 1992 were followed up until 1999/2000.

Results:A total of 818 deaths occurred during the 10 year follow up (SMR 0.71; 95% CI 0.66 to 0.76). Among those were 299 deaths due to cancer (SMR 0.89; 95% CI 0.79 to 1.00) and 312 deaths due to cardiovascular diseases (SMR 0.59; 95% CI 0.51 to 0.68). Increased risk of mortality was found for non-transport accidents (SMR 1.61; 95% CI 1.15 to 2.27), especially due to falls (SMR 1.87; 95% CI 1.18 to 2.92) and being struck by falling objects (SMR 1.90; 95% CI 0.88 to 3.64). Excess mortality due to non-transport accidents was highest among labourers and young and middle-aged workers. Risk of getting killed by falling objects was especially high for foreign workers (SMR 4.28; 95% CI 1.17 to 11.01) and labourers (SMR 6.01; 95% CI 1.63 to 15.29).

Conclusion:Fatal injuries due to falls and being struck by falling objects pose particular health hazards among construction workers. Further efforts are necessary to reduce the number of fatal accidents and should address young and middle-aged, semi-skilled and foreign workers, in particular. The lower than expected cancer mortality deserves careful interpretation and futher follow up of the cohort.
Plant virus inhibitors from marine algae
Authors: Pardee K I , Ellis P , Bouthillier M , Towers G HN , French C J
Published: April 2004

Methanolic extracts from 30 species of marine algae were assayed for antiviral activity against Potato virus X (PVX) in local lesion assays, using Chenopodium quinoa L. as host. Extracts from six algal species (Fucus gardneri Silva, Alaria marginata Postels & Ruprecht, Ralfsia sp. (Berkeley), Codium fragile (Suringar) Hariot, Fragilaria oceanica Cleve, and Egregia menziesii (Turner) J.E. Areschoug) inhibited PVX infectivity by more than 80%. Most extracts with antiviral activity came from algae that belong to the phylum Heterokontophyta. Fractionation of a crude extract from F. gardneri resulted in identification of the polysaccharide alginate as an antiviral component. Alginate inhibited PVX infectivity by 95%, and the mode of action may be via aggregation of virus particles. The present study is the first to investigate New World algae for compounds with activity against plant viruses and the first report that extracts of F. gardneri, Ralfsia sp., and Fragilaria oceanica are sources of antiviral activity.Key words: marine algae, plant viruses, antiviral activity, alginate, polysaccharides, Fucus gardneri.
Frost damage toHemerocallis esculentain a mire: relationship between flower bud height and air temperature profile during calm, clear nights
Authors: Yamada Masahito , Takahashi Hidenori
Published: April 2004

As air temperature near the ground changes with height, the present study investigates the effect of those changes and their role on the relationship between frost damage and flower bud height of Hemerocallis esculenta Koidzumi during scape elongation in the Sarobetsu Mire, Hokkaido, Japan. Meteorological observations near the ground and flower bud height of H. esculenta were measured from April to August in 2001, 2002, and 2003. In the present study, the intensity and duration of low temperature were combined as one variable instead of being treated as separate variables, as is usually done in laboratory experiments. In addition, the raised minimum temperature phenomenon was observed for the first time in a mire. The frost damage event occurred during predawn on 15 June 2001, 5 June 2002, and 5 June 2003. The weather during those nights was calm and clear, and the wind was not strong enough to prevent frost damage. The lower height limit of frost damage, observed in 2003, was found to be around 0.100.15 m, as buds below this height were protected by their own leaves. The upper height limit of frost damage was 0.34 and 0.43 m for 2001 and 2002, respectively. Frost damage of H. esculenta depended on the air temperature profile, which was affected mainly by vegetation height during scape elongation during calm, clear nights in the Sarobetsu Mire. Other factors that contributed to frost damage were also intensityduration of low temperatures, which was treated as one variable in the present study, and the raised minimum temperature phenomenon.Key words: air temperature profile, bud height, lethal temperature, raised minimum temperature phenomenon, scape elongation.
Wounding of aspen roots promotes suckering
Authors: Fraser Erin C , Lieffers Victor J , Landhäusser Simon M
Published: April 2004

In early May, 1-m sections of trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) roots in a forest cutblock were carefully exposed and examined for damage. Undamaged roots were subjected to one of three wounding treatments (scrape, sever, or uninjured control) and were then reburied to either the full normal organic layer depth or to one third of the normal depth. Following one growing season, the roots were reexposed and assessed for aspen sucker numbers and growth rates. Results indicate that injured roots produced suckers nearly twice as often as uninjured roots. Further, injured roots produced more suckers per root, and these suckers were taller and had greater leaf area. Roots buried under shallow organic layers also generated more suckers, regardless of injury type. The side of injury (distal or proximal) did not affect any of the measured variables. The present study suggests that moderate wounding of aspen roots increases initial sucker numbers and growth rates.Key words: trembling aspen, root sucker, root injury, regeneration.
ON FREE FIELD REALIZATIONS OF STRINGS IN BTZ
Authors: HEMMING SAMULI
Published: April 2004

We discuss realizations of the SL (2,R) current algebra in the hyperbolic basis using free scalar fields. It has been previously shown by Satoh how such a realization can be used to describe the principal continuous representations of SL (2,R). We extend this work by introducing another realization that corresponds to the principal discrete representations of SL (2,R). We show that in these realizations spectral flow can be interpreted as twisting of a free scalar field. Finally, we discuss how these realizations can be obtained from the BTZ Lagrangian.
CKM UNITARITY ANGLES α(ϕ2) AND γ(ϕ3)
Authors: JAWAHERY A.
Published: April 2004

I report on the experimental studies of the CKM unitarity angles α(ϕ2) and γ(ϕ3) with emphasis on recent measurements by the Belle and BaBar experiments at the B-factory accelerators.
CKM MATRIX ELEMENT MAGNITUDES
Authors: SCHUBERT K. R.
Published: April 2004

The present status of experimental results for the magnitudes of Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements is reviewed and used for a unitarity test. The matrix is found to be unitary within ±1.8 standard deviations. The matrix violates CP-symmetry and the size of its CP-violation, as derived from only magnitude measurements and unitarity, is in perfect agreement with the observed CP-violations in K and B meson decays.
HEAVY QUARKONIUM
Authors: SKWARNICKI T.
Published: April 2004

I review heavy quarkonium physics in view of recent experimental results. In particular, I discuss new results on spin singlet states, photon and hadronic transitions, D–states and discovery of the yet unexplained narrow X(3872) state.
LESSONS FROM STANDARD CHARM DECAYS
Authors: DE MIRANDA J. M.
Published: April 2004

Recent charm results are reviwed with special attention to spectroscopy and hadronic decays. Two new states decaying to [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] were recently discovered by BaBar and CLEO. In the baryon sector, the first observation of a doubly charmed baryon was announced by SELEX. Several amplitude analysis on charm hadronic decays are also discussed.
PARTON DISTRIBUTIONS
Authors: THORNE R. S.
Published: April 2004

I discuss our current understanding of parton distributions. I begin with the underlying theoretical framework, and the way in which different data sets constrain different partons, highlighting recent developments. The methods of examining the uncertainties on the distributions and those physical quantities dependent on them is analyzed. Finally I look at the evidence that additional theoretical corrections beyond NLO perturbative QCD may be necessary, what type of corrections are indicated and the impact these may have on the uncertainties.
COSMOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE FIRST YEAR WILKINSON MICROWAVE ANISOTROPY PROBE RESULTS
Authors: VERDE L.
Published: April 2004

The Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) team has recently analyzed and released the first-year data. We will review the implications for cosmology of these results. The highlight is that cosmology now has a standard cosmological model. With only 6 parameters the model fits not only WMAP data remarkably well, but also a host of other astronomical observations. We also present the results on neutrino mass limits and on dark energy properties from a joint likelihood analysis of WMAP data with small-scale CMB experiments and large-scale structure surveys. The data and supplementary information are publicly available and can be found on the experiment web site at .
PHYSICS OF THE LINEAR COLLIDER
Authors: RICHARD F.
Published: April 2004

This presentation intends to illustrate the specific capabilities of an e+e- sub-TeV collider to provide answers on the basic issues in physics: the origin of mass, hierarchy of masses, and cosmological problems. Some foreseeable scenarios are discussed with a possible synergy with the LHC.
SUPERSYMMETRY AND OTHER SCENARIOS
Authors: WITTEN E.
Published: April 2004

In this talk, I survey the merits and demerits of Supersymmetry, as well as other approaches to the gauge hierarchy problem.
THE MAGNETIZED UNIVERSE
Authors: GIOVANNINI MASSIMO
Published: April 2004

Cosmology, high-energy physics and astrophysics are today converging to the study of large scale magnetic fields. While the experimental evidence for the existence of large scale magnetization in galaxies, clusters and super-clusters is rather compelling, the origin of the phenomenon remains puzzling especially in light of the most recent observations. The purpose of the present review is to describe the physical motivations and the open theoretical problems related to the existence of large scale magnetic fields.
CLASSICAL ELECTRON MODEL WITH NEGATIVE ENERGY DENSITY IN EINSTEIN–CARTAN THEORY OF GRAVITATION
Authors: RAY SAIBAL , BHADRA SUMANA
Published: April 2004

Experimental result regarding the maximum limit of the radius of the electron (~10-16 cm ) and a few of the theoretical works suggest that there might be some negative energy density regions within the particle in the general theory of relativity. It is argued in the present investigation that such a negative energy density also can be obtained with a better physical interpretation in the framework of Einstein–Cartan theory.
BIANCHI TYPE I MAGNETOFLUID COSMOLOGICAL MODELS WITH VARIABLE COSMOLOGICAL CONSTANT REVISITED
Authors: PRADHAN ANIRUDH , SINGH SANJAY KUMAR
Published: April 2004

The behaviour of magnetic field in anisotropic Bianchi type I cosmological model for bulk viscous distribution is investigated. The distribution consists of an electrically neutral viscous fluid with an infinite electrical conductivity. It is assumed that the component [Formula: see text] of shear tensor [Formula: see text] is proportional to expansion (θ) and the coefficient of bulk viscosity is assumed to be a power function of mass density. Some physical and geometrical aspects of the models are also discussed in presence and also in absence of the magnetic field.
Leukocyte-specific protein 1 targets the ERK/MAP kinase scaffold protein KSR and MEK1 and ERK2 to the actin cytoskeleton
Authors: Harrison Rene E. , Sikorski Barbara A. , Jongstra Jan
Published: April 2004

The identification and characterization of scaffold and targeting proteins of the ERK/MAP kinase pathway is important to understand the function and intracellular organization of this pathway. The F-actin binding protein leukocyte-specific protein 1 (LSP1) binds to PKCβI and expression of B-LSP1, an LSP1 truncate containing the PKCβI binding residues, inhibits anti-IgM-induced translocation of PKCβI to the plasma membrane and anti-IgM-induced activation of ERK2. To understand the role of LSP1 in the regulation of PKCβI-dependent ERK2 activation, we investigated whether LSP1 interacts with ERK/MAP kinase pathway components and targets these proteins to the actin cytoskeleton. We show that LSP1 associates with the ERK scaffold protein KSR and with MEK1 and ERK2. LSP1-associated MEK1 is activated by anti-IgM treatment and this activation is inhibited by expression of B-LSP1, suggesting that the activation of LSP1-associated MEK1 is PKCβI dependent. Confocal microscopy showed that LSP1 targets KSR, MEK1 and ERK2 to peripheral actin filaments. Thus our data show that LSP1 is a cytoskeletal targeting protein for the ERK/MAP kinase pathway and support a model in which MEK1 and ERK2 are organized in a cytoskeletal signaling complex together with KSR, PKCβI and LSP1 and are activated by anti-IgM in a PKCβI-dependent manner.
Molecular Genetics of Type 2 Diabetes—Candidate Genes
Authors: Groop Leif , Ridderstråle Martin
Published: April 2004

About 150 million people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes today and it is predicted that this number will double within the next 15 years. There is evidence that type 2 diabetes is inherited; however, it is unlikely that the cause of the explosion of type 2 diabetes is found in our genes. It is rather the rapid change of the environment with an affluent westernized society that triggers the epidemic in genetically predisposed individuals. In this chapter we discuss potential candidate genes that could contribute to this genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes.
Monogenic Disorders of the β‐Cell
Authors: Pearson Ewan R. , Hattersley Andrew T.
Published: April 2004

Defects in pancreatic β‐cell glucose–insulin secretion coupling can cause undersecretion of insulin and hence hyperglycemia and diabetes, or more rarely oversecretion of insulin and hypoglycemia. The most common cause of β‐cell dysfunction is seen in type 2 diabetes but this is polygenic and still imprecisely defined. Monogenic disorders of the β‐cell account for 3–4% of diabetes and so they are an important cause of diabetes in their own right. The recognition of a monogenic etiology of diabetes has clinical management implications determining clinical course, nonpancreatic manifestations, and choice of treatment. In addition to this clinical importance, the discovery and study of monogenic disorders has given further insight into the physiology and pathophysiology of the β‐cell. This chapter will focus on the most prevalent of the monogenic disorders of the β‐cell: maturity‐onset diabetes of the young and mitochondrial inherited diabetes and deafness. We will also discuss hyperinsulinemia, Wolfram syndrome, thiamine responsive megaloblastic anemia syndrome, Wolcott–Rallison syndrome, mutant insulins, and familial hyperproinsulinemia.
Dietary Management of Diabetes Mellitus in India and South East Asia
Authors: Ramachandran Ambady , Snehalatha Chamukuttan , Viswanathan Vijay
Published: April 2004

Dietary modifications play a major role in the management of diabetes mellitus. It is generally accepted that a high‐carbohydrate, high‐fiber, low‐fat diet with calorie restrictions is the ideal diet. Among the South East Asian populations, as the composition of the prescribed diet is very similar to the usual diet, its acceptance and adherence by the diabetic subjects is fairly easy. Dietary prescription should aim to optimize both glycemia and plasma lipids to help prevent the long‐term vascular and other diabetic complications. Meal planning with food items of low glycemic index with inclusion of plenty of fresh vegetables is advisable. Avoidance of obesity from childhood should be a long‐term goal. Constant motivation through nutrition counseling and education in an appropriate way will help in achieving dietary targets. The younger generation should be given education regarding a healthy diet which will help reduce the occurrence of nutritional deficiencies and obesity, and delay or prevent the onset of diabetes.
Diabetes Mellitus in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Weinzimer Stuart A. , Tamborlane William V.
Published: April 2004

The diagnosis and treatment of diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents present unique challenges to the clinician. Whereas once all children with diabetes were assumed to have type 1 diabetes, the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the pediatric population complicates both diagnostic and treatment algorithms. The goal of achieving near‐normal glucose control in youth demands an approach to treatment that attends to the developmental level of the child and the abilities and resources of the family. New developments in insulin delivery and glucose sensing technologies may improve quality of life and hold the promise of an eventual “artificial pancreas.” This chapter focuses on the specific clinical presentations and differential diagnoses of diabetes mellitus in children, as well as on current approaches to optimal in‐ and outpatient management of the disease and the incorporation of newer technologies into routine clinical practice.
Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Simpson Richard W. , Tuomilehto Jaakko , Lindstrom Jaana , Shaw Jonathan E. , Zimmet Paul Z.
Published: April 2004

As the global epidemic of type 2 diabetes continues unabated with the associated increasing socioeconomic burden, attention is increasingly turning to the important issue of prevention. Type 2 diabetes is one part of the broader medical paradigm associated with cardiovascular disease—the metabolic syndrome. Population‐directed prevention is aimed at reducing the risk factor burden in both the general population and susceptible communities or ethnic groups. To date, there has been limited attention paid to dealing with the foreseen epidemic of type 2 diabetes. Targeted prevention involves higher intensity intervention strategies aimed at subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose (prediabetes). There are now four major studies investigating lifestyle intervention in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance and all have shown significant reduction in progression to type 2 diabetes. Over the last 20 years there have been a number of targeted pharmacological intervention studies in subjects reported, with mixed results. Recently troglitazone, acarbose, and metformin have been shown to reduce progression to diabetes. There are now large targeted studies underway, examining the possible prevention of diabetes with ramipril, rosiglitazone, nateglinide, valsartan, and insulin. Whether lifestyle strategies or pharmacological intervention will also reduce cardiovascular outcomes is unknown. Possible but speculative mechanisms for diabetes prevention with pharmacological interventions are discussed. Many other issues remain to be addressed and these are the following: (1) How best to implement risk factor reduction (behavioral modification) in the population at large, in susceptible communities and ethnic groups? (2) How to achieve and maintain lifestyle changes targeted at prediabetic subjects? (3) What is the long‐term value and safety of pharmacological treatment of otherwise asymptomatic prediabetic subjects? (4) Are there benefits of combination therapies with lifestyle and pharmacological interventions in prediabetic individuals? (5) What are the socioeconomic costs and benefits, including cardiovascular protection, of implementing diabetes prevention programs?