bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Monocyte CD14 response following endotoxin exposure in cotton spinners and office workers
Authors: Fishwick D. , Raza S.N. , Beckett P. , Swan J.R.M. , Pickering C.A.C. , Fletcher A.M. , Niven R.McL. , Francis H. , Rawbone R. , Curran A.D.
Published: October 2002

Background

Monocyte cell surface CD14 acts as the major lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding structure, and as such is of interest in the etiology of LPS induced disease.

Methods

The objective was to assess change in monocyte cell surface CD14 and CD4 + CD25 + lymphocytes in a group of cotton workers exposed to LPS over a working week, and to compare this to changes in office workers. Twenty‐five cotton workers and nine office workers were studied. Monocyte CD14 fluorescence was measured by flow cytometry, on samples taken pre‐shift on a Monday morning (baseline/pre‐exposure), and subsequently after 6 and 72 hr. The majority of cotton workers were exposed to at least 1 EU/m3 of endotoxin over a working shift, and some highly exposed (between 100 and 400 EU/m3).

Results

After 6 hr of work in the mill, cotton workers developed a significant upregulation in CD14 in comparison to office workers (P = 0.016), whereas CD14 expression had returned to levels not significantly differing from the office workers at 72 hr after first work exposure (P = 0.426).

Conclusions

We propose that CD14 expression on monocytes may help to determine the mechanism of action of lipopolysaccharide in producing respiratory ill health, and may ultimately play a role in monitoring the health effect associated with LPS exposure in the workplace. Am. J. Ind. Med. 42:437–442, 2002. Published 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chemical markers for bacteria in extraterrestrial samples
Authors: Fox Alvin
Published: October 2002

Interplanetary missions to collect pristine Martian surface samples for analysis of organic molecules, and to search for evidence of life, are in the planning phases. The only extraterrestrial samples currently on Earth are lunar dust and rocks, brought back by the Apollo (U.S.) and Luna (Soviet Union) missions to the moon, and meteorites. Meteorites are contaminated when they pass through the Earth's atmosphere, and during environmental exposure on Earth. Lunar fines have been stored on Earth for over 30 years under conditions designed to avoid chemical but not microbiological contamination. It has been extremely difficult to draw firm conclusions about the origin of chemicals (including amino acids) in extraterrestrial samples. Of particular concern has been the possibility of bacterial contamination. Recent work using state‐of‐the‐art gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (GC‐MS/MS) has dramatically lowered the chemical background, allowing a clear demonstration that lunar fines are remarkably different from terrestrial dust in that they generally lack certain chemical markers (muramic acid and 3‐hydroxy fatty acids) characteristic of Earth's bacteria. Thus, lunar dust might be used as a negative control, in conjunction with GC‐MS/MS analyses, in future analytical studies of lunar dust and meteorites. Such analyses may also be important in studies designed to search for the presence of life on Mars. Anat Rec 268:180–185, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contribution of progression of erosive damage in previously eroded joints in early rheumatoid arthritis trials: COBRA trial as an example
Authors: Bruynesteyn Karin , Van Der Heijde Désirée , Boers Maarten , Verhoeven Arco , Boonen Annelies , Van Der Linden Sjef ,   for the Cobra Trial Group
Published: October 2002

Objective

In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the context of a drug trial, prevention of erosions in undamaged joints is often considered more important than prevention of progression in already damaged joints, although a clear rationale is lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relative contribution of separate components of the erosion score of the modified Sharp/van der Heijde method in early RA.

Methods

Different aspects of erosive damage were evaluated by their ability to discriminate between the 2 treatments in an early RA trial (the COBRA trial).

Results

The contribution of progression of already eroded joints to the total erosion score clearly increased during the 1.5 years of the trial. When the periods 0–28, 28–56, and 56–80 weeks were analyzed separately, the erosion score showed a significant difference between the groups in the first 2 periods (P < 0.0001, P < 0.03, and P < 0.64, respectively). Similar differences were seen in rates of progression in previously eroded joints (P = 0.005, P = 0.003, P = 0.35). On the other hand, rates of progression in newly eroded joints showed no significant difference between the 2 treatment groups in the second and third period (P < 0.0001, P < 0.16, P < 0.87). Analyses on joint and patient level showed analogous results.

Conclusion

Subanalyses on progression rates in noneroded joints and already eroded joints can provide additional information. However, important information and discriminative strength may be lost when assessment is limited to the development of erosions in undamaged joints.
The rheumatoid hand: A predictable disease with unpredictable surgical practice patterns
Authors: Alderman Amy K. , Chung Kevin C. , Demonner Sonya , Spilson Sandra V. , Hayward Rodney A.
Published: October 2002

Objectives

To evaluate variation in fusion, arthroplasty, and tenosynovectomy rates among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients across states; to evaluate associations between surgery rates and the density of hand surgeons; and to evaluate differences in treatment by sex of the patient.

Methods

Data were obtained from the 1996 and 1997 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database. The procedure codes for fusion, arthroplasty, and tenosynovectomy were matched to patients with the diagnostic code of RA, which provided the total number of procedures performed in each state. The smoothed estimates of the RA population for each state were derived from age/sex strata in the 1995 US census using age/sex‐adjusted RA prevalence data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The number of hand surgeons was from the 1996 American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

Results

Procedure rates across states varied from 9‐fold to 12‐fold for all 3 procedures. The rates of the reconstructive procedures—fusion and arthroplasty—were highly correlated in each state, but these 2 procedures were only moderately correlated with tenosynovectomy. Surgeon density and procedure rates were minimally correlated. Procedure rates differed by patient sex, with significantly more arthroplasty and fusion procedures performed in women. More tenosynovectomy procedures were performed in men, and they were also performed at a younger age in men.

Conclusions

Significant large area variations are present in the surgical management of the rheumatoid hand, but the correlations between reconstructive and early intervention procedures are modest. These rate differences are not explained by the number of hand surgeons, disease prevalence, or demographic composition of the states. However, men are more likely to receive more aggressive early surgical interventions, and women are more likely to receive end‐stage reconstructive surgery.
Usefulness of an insole with subtalar strapping for analgesia in patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee
Authors: Toda Yoshitaka , Segal Neil
Published: October 2002

Objective

To assess the effect of an insole with subtalar strapping on patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.

Methods

Novel lateral wedged insoles with elastic subtalar strapping (the subtalar strapping support group) and ankle supporters with a lateral wedged heel insert (the sock‐type ankle support group) were prepared. Eighty‐eight female outpatients with knee OA were treated with 1 of the 2 insoles for 8 weeks. Femorotibial angle was assessed by standing radiographs with and without unilateral insole use for each subject. Symptoms of knee OA were evaluated according to the severity index of Lequesne et al at baseline and at the final assessment.

Results

Participants wearing the insole with subtalar strapping (n = 42) demonstrated significantly decreased femorotibial angle (an average of change: −3.1° ± 2.5°, P < 0.0001), but a significant difference was not found in the sock‐type ankle support group (n = 46; −0.4° ± 1.1°, P > 0.05). In the subtalar strapping support group, pain during bed rest with full extension of the knee (P < 0.0001), pain after getting up (P = 0.04), pain on getting up from a seated position (P = 0.021), maximum distance walked (P = 0.009), and aggregate severity score (P < 0.0001) were significantly improved compared with baseline. In contrast, significant symptomatic improvement was detected only in the aggregate score (P = 0.016) in the sock‐type ankle support group, but not in any of the 10 specific categories.

Conclusion

The lateral wedged insole with subtalar strapping induces correction of the femorotibial angle and symptomatic relief in patients with varus‐deformity knee OA.
Global and local motions in ribonuclease A: A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Merlino Antonello , Vitagliano Luigi , Antoine Ceruso Marc , Di Nola Alfredo , Mazzarella Lelio
Published: October 2002

The understanding of protein dynamics is one of the major goals of structural biology. A direct link between protein dynamics and function has been provided by x‐ray studies performed on ribonuclease A (RNase A) (B. F. Rasmussen et al., Nature, 1992, Vol. 357, pp. 423–424; L. Vitagliano et al., Proteins: Structure, Function, and Genetics, 2002, Vol. 46, pp. 97–104). Here we report a 3 ns molecular dynamics simulation of RNase A in water aimed at characterizing the dynamical behavior of the enzyme. The analysis of local and global motions provides interesting insight on the dynamics/function relationship of RNase A. In agreement with previous crystallographic reports, the present study confirms that the RNase A active site is constituted by rigid (His12, Asn44, Thr45) and flexible (Lys41, Asp83, His119, Asp121) residues. The analysis of the global motions, performed using essential dynamics, shows that the two β‐sheet regions of RNase A move coherently in opposite directions, thus modifying solvent accessibility of the active site, and that the mixed α/310‐helix (residues 50–60) behaves as a mechanical hinge during the breathing motion of the protein. These data demonstrate that this motion, essential for RNase A substrate binding and release, is an intrinsic dynamical property of the ligand‐free enzyme. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 65: 274–283, 2002
Ascending and descending projections from the superior olivary complex in guinea pigs: Different cells project to the cochlear nucleus and the inferior colliculus
Authors: Schofield Brett R.
Published: October 2002

The superior olivary complex is a source of ascending projections to the inferior colliculus and descending projections to the cochlear nucleus. We used multiple‐labeling techniques with fluorescent retrograde tracers to determine whether individual superior olivary cells project to the inferior colliculus and the cochlear nucleus. Almost all labeled cells contained one tracer, suggesting that they projected to only one of the injected targets. A small number of cells sent collateral projections to the ipsilateral cochlear nucleus and ipsilateral inferior colliculus. The double‐labeled cells constituted fewer than 2% of the cells that projected to the cochlear nucleus or to the inferior colliculus. There was no evidence for cells projecting to both contralateral targets or to one ipsilateral target and one contralateral target. We conclude that the ascending projections to the inferior colliculus and the descending projections to the cochlear nucleus arise almost exclusively from separate populations of cells in the superior olivary complex. Their separate origins suggest that these projections are sending different information to higher and lower centers of the auditory pathways. J. Comp. Neurol. 453:217–225, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prognostic implications of BAX and TGFBRII mutations in colon cancers with microsatellite instability
Authors: Samowitz Wade S. , Curtin Karen , Neuhausen Susan , Schaffer Donna , Slattery Martha L.
Published: October 2002

Microsatellite instability in sporadic colon cancer is associated with an improved prognosis. Recent studies, however, have suggested that microsatellite unstable cancers with mutations in the proapoptotic gene BAX have a relatively poor prognosis, whereas those with mutations in transforming growth factor‐β receptor type II (TGFBRII) have a relatively good prognosis. Using instability in the non‐coding mononucleotide repeat BAT‐26 as a measure of generalized microsatellite instability, we evaluated the prognosis of unstable colon cancers with and without frameshift mutations in the coding mononucleotide repeats of BAX and TGFBRII in a population‐based sample of 1,427 individuals. BAX mutations were identified in 39.0% (64/164) of unstable colon cancers, whereas TGFBRII mutations were identified in 79.3% (138/174) of unstable colon cancers. Unstable colon cancers with and without instability in BAX and TGFBRII were associated with very similar and statistically indistinguishable percentage 5‐year survivals and Kaplan–Meier survival curves; stable colon cancers were associated with a significantly worse 5‐year survival and Kaplan–Meier survival (P < 0.001 and P < 0.013, respectively, compared against BAT‐26 unstable). The age‐ and stage‐adjusted risk of death associated with BAX or TGFBRII mutations was not significantly different from that of unstable tumors without such mutations. We conclude that instability‐induced mutations in BAX or TGFBRII do not have a significant impact on the good prognosis of colon cancers with microsatellite instability. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following orthopedic surgery
Authors: Kathula Satheesh K. , Kamana Mallika , Naqvi Tahir , Gupta Sharda , Chang Jae C.
Published: October 2002

Release of unusually large von Willibrand factor (UL vWF) multimers and a deficiency of vWF metalloprotease may result in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a life threatening disease. Surgery has been associated with TTP, probably by releasing massive amounts of UL vWF. An association between TTP and orthopedic surgery has never been reported in the literature. We report a case of TTP following a total knee replacement surgery in which prior use of ticlopidine might have played a role. J. Clin. Apheresis 17: 133–134, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peptide biosensor for recognition of cross‐species cell surface markers
Authors: Samoylov Alexandre M. , Samoylova Tatiana I. , Pathirana Suram T. , Globa Ludmila P. , Vodyanoy Vitaly J.
Published: October 2002

Biosensors based on phage display‐derived peptides as biorecognition molecules were used for the detection of cell surface cross‐species markers in tissue homogenates. The peptide selected for murine myofibers was immobilized onto the surface of an acoustic wave sensor by biotin–streptavidin coupling. To detect peptide–receptor interaction, the sensors were exposed to muscle and control (kidney, liver, brain) tissue homogenates. The sensor showed a strong response to murine muscle. The amplitudes of the responses to the feline muscle homogenates were lower compared to those of the murine muscle, while the same Kd indicated that the peptide has cross‐species affinity. In contrast, murine kidney, liver and brain homogenates produced insignificant responses. Specificity of the sensor was shown in a blocking experiment, as reduced signal was detected when muscle preparations were preincubated with free peptide. Additionally, when muscle‐specific peptide was replaced with two different random control peptides, the sensors produced no response to murine muscle. Suitability of peptide ligands for a variety of species can be evaluated using this technology. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyclic voltammetry characterization of metal complex imprinted polymer
Authors: Zeng Yi Ning , Zheng Ning , Osborne Peter G. , Li Yuan Zong , Chang Wen Bao , Wen Mei Juan
Published: October 2002

Polymer capable of specific binding to Cu2+‐2, 2′‐dipyridyl complex was prepared by molecular imprinting technology. The binding specificity of the polymer to the template (Cu2+‐2, 2′‐dipyridyl complex) was investigated by cyclic voltammetric scanning using the carbon paste electrode modified by polymer particles in phosphate buffer solution. Factors that influence rebinding of the imprinted polymer were explored. The results demonstrated that cyclic voltammetry was an efficient approach to explore interactions between template and imprinted polymers. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Side effects, feasibility, and adherence to treatment during home‐managed electrical stimulation for urinary incontinence: A Norwegian national cohort of 3,198 women
Authors: Indrekvam Solfrid , Hunskaar Steinar
Published: October 2002

Aim.

To analyze side effects, feasibility, and adherence to treatment during home‐managed electrical stimulation for urinary incontinence in women.

Methods.

This was a prospective study of 3,198 Norwegian women treated with home‐managed electrical stimulation from 1992 to 1994. Data were collected from both patients and physicians by questionnaires before and after treatment.

Results.

Eighty‐nine percent of the patients found the stimulator easy or acceptable to use. Fifty percent had no or little discomfort from stimulator use. Nine percent found the stimulator very unpleasant, difficult, or impossible to use. Fifty‐one percent had one or more side effects related to the treatment, most of them mild. A wide range of side effects was reported; the majority of which related to local discomfort. Three hundred and six patients (12%) discontinued treatment. A total of 79% of the patients recommended the treatment to other women with similar problems.

Conclusions.

Home‐managed electrical stimulation was practicable and well accepted. Half of the patients reported various degrees of side effects with treatment, but no serious events were reported. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:546–552, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Urethral pressure profile: Is it affected by position?
Authors: Dörflinger Annette , Gorton Emma , Stanton Stuart , Dreher Ekkehard
Published: October 2002

The aim of this study was to investigate the difference between sitting and standing passive urethral pressure measurements, and to determine the accuracy of urethral pressure profilometry in each position. Urethral pressure profilometry was performed in the sitting and standing position in 98 women. Stress incontinence due to urethral sphincter incompetence was demonstrated in 59 of whom 6 also had detrusor instability. The others were normal volunteers (7), women with a normal cystometrogram (23), and women with detrusor instability (9). MUCP tended to be higher in the standing than the sitting position but this did not reach statistical significance. Urethral lengthening appeared to occur on standing with a mean increase of FUL of 5 mm on standing. For both FUL and MUCP, there was a wide variation in the difference between sitting and standing values. There was poor reproducibility of measurements of MUCP and FUL in the standing position, limiting its clinical applicability. The difference between sitting and standing MUCP and FUL was not affected by age, parity, weight, height, BMI, or oestrogen status. In women with genuine stress incontinence, there was less difference between sitting and standing MUCP, but this explained only a small part of the variability. The increase in FUL in the standing position was unaffected by diagnosis. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:553–557, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determination of the embryonic inner ear
Authors: Noramly Selina , Grainger Robert M.
Published: October 2002

Inner ear induction, like induction of other tissues examined in recent years, is likely to be comprised of several stages. The process begins during gastrulation when the ectoderm is competent to respond to induction. It appears that a signal from the endomesoderm underlying the otic area during gastrulation initiates induction complemented by a signal from presumptive neural tissue. By the neural plate stage, a region of ectoderm outside the neural plate is “biased” toward ear formation; this process may be part of a more general “placodal” bias shared by several sensory tissues. Induction continues during neurulation when a signal from neural tissue (possibly augmented by mesoderm underlying the otic area) results in ectoderm committed to otic vesicle formation at the time of neural tube closure. Studies on several gene families implicate them in the ear determination process. Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) family members are clearly involved in induction: FGFs are appropriately expressed for such a role, and have been shown to be essential for inner ear development. FGFs also have inductive activity, although it is not clear if they are sufficient for ear induction. Activation of transcription factors in the otic ectoderm, for example, by Pax gene family members, provides evidence for important changes in the responding ectoderm beginning during gastrulation and continuing through specification at the end of neurulation, although few functional tests have defined the role of these genes in determination. The challenge remains to merge embryologic data with gene function studies to develop a clear model for the molecular basis of inner ear induction. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 53: 100–128, 2002
Manic episodes: the direct cost of a three-month period following hospitalisation
Authors: Olié J.P. , Lévy E.
Published: October 2002

Introduction.

Few data exist to estimate the burden of manic episodes on healthcare systems or the therapeutic strategies used. This study was undertaken to identify treatment strategies chosen, and to assess the “real-world” direct medical cost of treating manic episodes necessitating hospitalisation.

Method.

Case record data were reviewed during the three months following hospitalisation for a manic episode in France. Healthcare resource utilisation was assessed, direct costs calculated, and treatment strategies analysed. A total of 137 patients files (51.8% female; mean age: 35 years) were reviewed and data on 185 hospitalisations collected.

Results.

The mean duration of hospitalisation was 47 days over the study period. The most common treatment strategy during hospitalisation was the combination of a mood stabiliser with a neuroleptic drug (64% of patients at day 30). Anticonvulsants including valproate (39%) and carbamazepine (20%) were more common than lithium (42%). Treatment received during hospitalisation was generally continued after discharge, with a trend away from neuroleptics and towards mood stabilisers. The mean direct costs incurred over the three-month study period was Euro 22 297, with 98.6% of those costs due to hospitalisation.

Conclusion.

These results confirm that the costs of treating a manic episode are high, and overwhelmingly due to the cost of hospitalisation.
An application of the Hilbert transform in electron microscopy: II. Non-iterative solution in bright-field microscopy and the dark-field problem
Authors: D L Misell  , A H Greenaway
Published: October 2002

It is shown using the properties of the Hilbert transform that the phase distribution in a bright-field image may be recovered by a non-iterative scheme from a knowledge of the intensity distribution, provided that the image contrast is less than 70%. Application of the Hilbert transform to dark-field microscopy is subject to severe non-uniqueness problems in the solution for the phase distribution; although various methods for calculating the phase from dark-field intensity measurements are detailed, none of these methods give acceptable solutions. In relation to bright-field optics we outline the relation between single-sideband Fourier holography and the bright-field image recorded with a half-plane aperture in the Fourier (diffraction) plane of the object.
In Vitro Activities of 5-Fluorocytosine against 8,803 Clinical Isolates of
Candida
spp.: Global Assessment of Primary Resistance Using National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards Susceptibility Testing Methods
Authors: Pfaller M. A. , Messer S. A. , Boyken L. , Huynh H. , Hollis R. J. , Diekema D. J.
Published: October 2002

We determined the in vitro activity of flucytosine (5-fluorocytosine [5FC]) against 8,803 clinical isolates of
Candida
spp. (18 species) obtained from more than 200 medical centers worldwide between 1992 and 2001. The MICs were determined by broth microdilution tests performed according to NCCLS guidelines by using RPMI 1640 as the test medium and the following interpretive breakpoints: susceptible (S), ≤4 μg/ml; intermediate (I), 8 to 16 μg/ml; resistant (R), ≥32 μg/ml. 5FC was very active against the 8,803
Candida
isolates (MIC
90
, 1 μg/ml), 95% S. A total of 99 to 100% of
C. glabrata
(MIC
90
, 0.12 μg/ml),
C. parapsilosis
(MIC
90
, 0.25 μg/ml),
C. dubliniensis
(MIC
90
, 0.12 μg/ml),
C. guilliermondii
(MIC
90
, 0.5 μg/ml), and
C. kefyr
(MIC
90
, 1 μg/ml) were susceptible to 5FC at the NCCLS breakpoint.
C. albicans
(MIC
90
, 1 μg/ml; 97% S) and
C. tropicalis
(MIC
90
, 1 μg/ml; 92% S) were only slightly less susceptible. In contrast,
C. krusei
was the least susceptible species: 5% S; MIC
90
, 32 μg/ml. Primary resistance to 5FC is very uncommon among
Candida
spp. (95% S, 2% I, and 3% R), with the exception of
C. krusei
(5% S, 67% I, and 28% R). The in vitro activity of 5FC, combined with previous data demonstrating a prolonged post-antifungal effect (2.5 to 4 h) and concentration-independent activity (optimized at 4× MIC), suggest that 5FC could be used in lower doses to reduce host toxicity while maintaining antifungal efficacy.
Regulated Expression of the
Escherichia coli lepB
Gene as a Tool for Cellular Testing of Antimicrobial Compounds That Inhibit Signal Peptidase I In Vitro
Authors: Barbosa Maria D. F. S. , Lin Siqi , Markwalder Jay A. , Mills Jonathan A. , DeVito Joseph A. , Teleha Christopher A. , Garlapati Vasudha , Liu Charles , Thompson Andy , Trainor George L. , Kurilla Michael G. , Pompliano David L.
Published: October 2002

Escherichia coli
under-expressing
lepB
was utilized to test cellular inhibition of signal peptidase I (SPase). For the construction of a
lepB
regulatable strain, the
E. coli lepB
gene was cloned into pBAD, with expression dependent on
l
-arabinose. The chromosomal copy of
lepB
was replaced with a kanamycin resistance gene, which was subsequently removed. SPase production by the
lepB
regulatable strain in the presence of various concentrations of
l
-arabinose was monitored by Western blot analysis. At lower arabinose concentrations growth proceeded more slowly, possibly due to a decrease of SPase levels in the cells. A penem SPase inhibitor with little antimicrobial activity against
E. coli
when tested at 100 μM was utilized to validate the cell-based system. Under-expression of
lepB
sensitized the cells to penem, with complete growth inhibition observed at 10 to 30 μM. Growth was rescued by increasing the SPase levels. The cell-based assay was used to test cellular inhibition of SPase by compounds that inhibit the enzyme in vitro. MD1, MD2, and MD3 are SPase inhibitors with antimicrobial activity against
Staphylococcus aureus
, although they do not inhibit growth of
E. coli
. MD1 presented the best spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Both MD1 and MD2 prevented growth of
E. coli
under-expressing
lepB
in the presence of polymyxin B nonapeptide, with growth rescue observed when wild-type levels of SPase were produced. MD3 and MD4, a reactive analog of MD3, inhibited growth of
E. coli
under-expressing
lepB
. However, growth rescue in the presence of these compounds following increased
lepB
expression was observed only after prolonged incubation.
Pitfalls in Cefepime Titration from Human Plasma: Plasma- and Temperature-Related Drug Degradation In Vitro
Authors: Bugnon Denis , Giannoni Eric , Majcherczyk Paul , Glauser Michel P. , Moreillon Philippe
Published: October 2002

While developing a high-pressure liquid chromatography assay for cefepime in plasma, we observed significant drug degradation at 20 and 37°C but not at 4°C. This plasma-related degradation persisted after protein removal. This warrants caution regarding cefepime assays for pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies of cefepime in vitro and in vivo.
Use of Bacillus subtilis spores as model micro-organisms for ozonation of Cryptosporidium parvum in drinking water treatment
Authors: Craik S A , Smith Daniel W , Belosevic Miodrag , Chandrakanth M
Published: October 2002

Spores of the aerobic bacterium Bacillus subtilis are potential models for evaluation of Cryptosporidium parvum inactivation by ozone processes in drinking water treatment. The kinetics of inactivation by ozone of prepared Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 spores were measured in a series of batch reactor experiments at temperatures of 3, 12, and 22°C and at a pH of 6 and 8. Spore inactivation curves were characterized by a pronounced lag phase at low ozone exposures followed by a logarithmic inactivation rate and, finally, by a tailing region at higher ozone exposures. A two-part kinetic model consisting of a multitarget term and a first-order term provided a good fit to observed inactivation at each temperature. Water pH had a statistically significant but limited effect on spore inactivation. When spore inactivation was compared to C. parvum oocyst inactivation predicted by a previously published kinetic model, substantial differences were observed. These differences may make it difficult to use this particular strain and preparation of spores to reliably predict C. parvum oocyst inactivation from the outcomes of B. subtilis seeding studies. Bacillus subtilis spores may otherwise serve as indicators of the hydrodynamic efficiency of ozone contactors. Key words: ozone, inactivation, Bacillus subtilis spores, Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts, drinking water, kinetics, modeling.
Sperm mixing in the Alpine newt (Triturus alpestris)
Authors: Rafinski Jan , Osikowski Artur
Published: October 2002

In polyandrous females the ultimate stage of cryptic female choice may involve eggsperm interactions during different phases of fertilization. This form of sperm discrimination is possible only when sperm from different males have simultaneous access to eggs at the site of fertilization. In polyandrous newts of the genus Triturus, eggs are fertilized internally by sperm stored for an extensive period of time in the tubular spermatheca. The extent of sperm mixing, which is a necessary condition for cryptic female choice involving spermegg interactions, was studied in doubly mated female Alpine newts, Triturus alpestris. Using an allozyme marker the paternity of offspring sired by the two males was established in both series of larvae reared from eggs produced consecutively over short period of time (ca. 2 h) and batches of eggs collected during longer periods of time (up to 26 days). Significant sperm mixing was unequivocally demonstrated by the mixed paternity of the progeny produced in series. The paternity pattern in batches of eggs collected during longer periods of time showed neither significant predominance of either male in the progeny nor any effects of sperm stratification in the tubules of the spermatheca.
Genome size of the northern walkingstick, Diapheromera femorata (Phasmida: Heteronemiidae)
Authors: Gregory T Ryan
Published: October 2002

The haploid genome size (C value) of the northern walkingstick, Diapheromera femorata (Say), was estimated to be 1C = 2.55 pg using Feulgen image-analysis densitometry of haemocyte and sperm nuclei. This relatively large genome is similar in size to the genomes of the few other phasmids studied so far, and is consistent with hypotheses regarding an upper limit to the size of many insect genomes imposed by the process of metamorphosis, which is relaxed among hemimetabolous orders. Comments on sperm morphology in D. femorata are also provided, and another possible relationship between genome size and the organismal phenotype in insects is suggested.
Change in body mass associated with long-term fasting in a marine reptile: the case of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) at Ascension Island
Authors: Hays Graeme C , Broderick Annette C , Glen Fiona , Godley Brendan J
Published: October 2002

Female green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) nesting at Ascension Island (7°57'S, 14°22'W) in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean had a mean body mass (post oviposition) of 166.3 kg (range 107.5243.5 kg, n = 119). Individuals lost mass slowly during the nesting season (mean mass loss 0.22 kg·d1, n = 14 individuals weighed more than once). Gut-content analysis and behavioural observations indicated a lack of feeding. Females of equivalent-sized pinniped species that also do not feed while reproducing (nursing pups) on islands lose mass about 17 times faster. This comparatively low rate of mass loss by green turtles probably reflects their ectothermic nature and, consequently, their low metabolic rate. We estimate that a female turtle would lose only 19% of her body mass during the 143-day, 4400-km round trip from Brazil if she did not eat, laid 3 clutches of eggs, and lost 0.22 kg·d1.
EFFICIENT SOLUTION TO UNIFORM ATOMIC BROADCAST
Authors: ANCEAUME Emmanuelle
Published: October 2002

Chandra and Toueg proposed in 1993 a new approach to overcome the impossibility of reaching deterministically Consensus — and by corollary Atomic Broadcast — in asynchronous systems subject to crash failures. They augment the asynchronous system with a possibly Unreliable Failure Detector which provides some information about the operational state of processes. In this paper, we present an extension of the Consensus problem that we call Uniform Prefix Agreement. This extension enables all the processes to propose a flow of messages during an execution — instead of one as in the Consensus problem — and uses all these proposed messages to compose the decision value. Prefix Agreement is based on an Unreliable Failure Detector. We use repeated executions of Prefix Agreement to build an efficient Uniform Atomic Broadcast algorithm. This paper describes the Uniform Prefix Agreement and Uniform Atomic Broadcast algorithms, and provides proofs of their correctness.
PHASE TRANSITION AND HYBRID STAR IN A NONLINEAR σ–ω MODEL
Authors: ACHARYA S. , MAHARANA L. , MOHANTY R. , PANDA P. K.
Published: October 2002

The phase transition between nuclear matter and quark matter is examined. The relativistic mean field theory (RMF) is considered with interacting nucleons and mesons using TM1 parameter set for the nuclear matter equations of state. It is found that the transition point depends on coupling constant αs and bag pressure. From the study of the structure of a hybrid neutron star, it is observed that the star contains quark matter in the interior and neutron matter on the outer periphery.
POTENTIAL OF NUCLEON INTERACTION WITH ODD NUCLEI IN THE HARTREE-FOCK THEORY
Authors: KRAVCHENKO S. M. , SOZNIK A. P.
Published: October 2002

An expression for the real part of the optical potential of nucleon interaction with odd nuclei is derived in the Hartree-Fock approximation with effective density-dependent nucleon-nucleon interaction. It is shown for 13 C nucleus, as an example, that this potential contains the central interaction, as well as two spin-orbit forces connected with the spins of scattered nucleon and nucleus, and quite strong spin-spin and tensor interactions. The simple analytical expressions have been obtained for these potentials. The radial distributions of the interactions obtained and their energy dependences are investigated. It is shown that all potentials differ for neutron and proton scattering while the spin-spin and tensor forces in both cases have opposite signs, complicated radial dependences and are the same by an order of magnitude on the nuclear surface.
LIGHT BARYON SPECTRUM IN A CHIRAL QUARK MODEL
Authors: CHEN HONG , YANG JIANJUN
Published: October 2002

The contribution due to the chiral meson exchange to the energy levels of the light baryons is studied in the constituent quark model. The effects of different dynamical ingredients are discussed and the results with and without the chiral meson exchange are compared. Our calculation accommodates all confirmed states and indicates that the chiral meson exchange is indeed necessary to resolve some outstanding problems.
Phase 1 trial of the novel bispecific molecule H22xKi-4 in patients with refractory Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Borchmann Peter , Schnell Roland , Fuss Irene , Manzke Oliver , Davis Thomas , Lewis Lionel D. , Behnke Detlev , Wickenhauser Claudia , Schiller Petra , Diehl Volker , Engert Andreas
Published: October 2002

CD30 is an excellent target for immunotherapy of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) because it is overexpressed on Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg cells. We developed a novel bispecific molecule (BSM) consisting of F(ab′) fragments derived from the murine anti-CD30 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) Ki-4 and the humanized CD64-specific MoAb H22. In vitro experiments of H22xKi-4 demonstrated specific phagocytosis of HL-derived cell lines. Patients (pts) with refractory CD30+ HL were treated with escalating doses of H22xKi-4 at doses of 1, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/m2/d, respectively (administered intravenously on days 1, 3, 5, and 7). The main study objectives were to determine the maximum tolerated dose and the dose-limiting toxicities of H22xKi-4, to define its pharmacokinetic profile, and to document clinical response. Ten pts were enrolled and are evaluable for toxicity and response. Side effects were transient and mild with hypotension (4 of 10), tachycardia (6 of 10), fatigue (10 of 10), and fever (2 of 10 grade I, 3 of 10 grade II). Pharmacokinetic (PK) data revealed an elimination half-life of 11.1 hours, resulting in a significant accumulation of H22xKi-4. The BSM was shown to bind to both monocytes and malignant cells. Response to H22xKi-4 included 1 complete remission (CR), 3 partial remissions (PR), and 4 pts with stable disease. The new BSM H22xKi-4 can be given safely to pts with refractory CD30+ HL in doses up to 80 mg/m2 per cycle. Although this dose is not the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) as defined by toxicity criteria, surrogate parameters suggest a biologic effective regimen. H22xKi-4 shows activity in heavily pretreated HL patients warranting further clinical evaluation.
The Src homology 2 domain–containing inositol 5-phosphatase negatively regulates Fcγ receptor–mediated phagocytosis through immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif–bearing phagocytic receptors
Authors: Nakamura Koji , Malykhin Alexander , Coggeshall K. Mark
Published: October 2002

Molecular mechanisms by which the Src homology 2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase (SHIP) negatively regulates phagocytosis in macrophages are unclear. We addressed the issue using bone marrow–derived macrophages from FcγR- or SHIP-deficient mice. Phagocytic activities of macrophages from FcγRII(b)−/− and SHIP−/− mice were enhanced to a similar extent, relative to those from wild type. However, calcium influx was only marginally affected in FcγRII(b)−/−, but greatly enhanced in SHIP−/− macrophages. Furthermore, SHIP was phosphorylated on tyrosine residues upon FcγR aggregation even in macrophages from FcγRII(b)−/− mice or upon clustering of a chimeric receptor containing CD8 and the immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM)–bearing γ-chain or human-restricted FcγRIIa. These findings indicate that, unlike B cells, SHIP is efficiently phosphorylated in the absence of an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibition motif (ITIM)–bearing receptor. We further demonstrate that SHIP directly bound to phosphorylated peptides derived from FcγRIIa with a high affinity, comparable to that of FcγRII(b). Lastly, FcγRIIa-mediated phagocytosis was significantly enhanced in THP-1 cells overexpressing dominant-negative form of SHIP in the absence of FcγRII(b). These results indicate that SHIP negatively regulates FcγR-mediated phagocytosis through all ITAM-containing IgG receptors using a molecular mechanism distinct from that in B cells.
Interleukin 18 preserves a perforin-dependent graft-versus-leukemia effect after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Reddy Pavan , Teshima Takanori , Hildebrandt Gerhard , Duffner Ulrich , Maeda Yoshinobu , Cooke Kenneth R. , Ferrara James L. M.
Published: October 2002

We have recently shown that early administration of interleukin 18 (IL-18) after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) attenuates acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) in a lethally irradiated parent into F1 (B6→B6D2F1) BMT model. In this study, we investigated whether IL-18 can maintain graft-versus-leukemia (GVL) effect in this context. B6D2F1 mice received transplants of T-cell–depleted (TCD) bone marrow (BM) and splenic T cells from either syngeneic (H2b/d) or allogeneic B6 (H2b) donors. Recipient mice were treated with recombinant murine IL-18 or the control diluent. Initial studies demonstrated that IL-18 treatment did not affect the proliferative responses or the cytolytic effector functions of T cells after BMT. In subsequent experiments, animals also received host-type P815 mastocytoma cells at the time of BMT. All syngeneic BM transplant recipients died from leukemia by day 18. The allogeneic BM transplant recipients effectively rejected their leukemia regardless of treatment and IL-18 significantly reduced GVHD-related mortality. Examination of the cytotoxic mechanisms with perforin-deficient donor T cells demonstrated that perforin is critical for the GVL effect. Taken together these data demonstrate that IL-18 can attenuate acute GVHD without impairing the in vitro cytolytic function or the in vivo GVL activity after allogeneic BMT.
Aggregation of Cobalt(III) Complexes with Single Thiolato or Selenolato Group Assisted by AgI Ion: Crystal Structures of Spontaneously Resolved 1D Coordination Polymers [Ag{Co(aet or aese)(en)2}](NO3)3 (aet = 2-Aminoethanethiolate, aese = 2-Aminoethaneselenolate)
Authors: Konno Takumi , Yoshimura Takashi , Masuyama Gaku , Hirotsu Masakazu
Published: October 2002

The reactions of [Co(aet)(en)2](NO3)2 (aet = 2-aminoethanethiolate) or [Co(aese)(en)2](NO3)2 (aese = 2-amino-ethaneselenolate) with AgNO3 in a 2 : 1 ratio in water gave S- or Se-bridged CoIIIAgICoIII trinuclear complexes: [Ag{Co(aet)(en)2}2](NO3)5 ([1a](NO3)5) and [Ag{Co(aese)(en)2}2](NO3)5 ([1b](NO3)5), while the corresponding 1 : 1 reactions produced S- or Se-bridged (CoIIIAgI)n chain complex-polymers: [Ag{Co(aet)(en)2}](NO3)3 ([2a](NO3)3) and [Ag{Co(aese)(en)2}](NO3)3 ([2b](NO3)3). While the mononuclear [Co(aet or aese)(en)2](NO3)2 and the trinuclear [1a or 1b](NO3)5 were racemates, the polymeric [2a or 2b](NO3)3 crystallized as a conglomerate to give optically active crystals of Δ and Λ isomers. The crystal structures of Λ-[2a](NO3)3·H2O and Λ-[2b](NO3)3·H2O were determined by X-ray crystallography. In Λ-[2a]3+ or Λ-[2b]3+, the S or Se atom in each octahedral Λ-[Co(aet or aese)(en)2]2+ unit is bound to two AgI atoms to form a one-dimensional (CoIIIAgI)n zigzag chain. Each AgI atom in Λ-[2a]3+ or Λ-[2b]3+ is closely contacted with NO3− anions, which stabilizes the chiral chain structure. The crystal structure of [1a]5+ was also determined by X-ray crystallography for its ClO4− salt ([1a](ClO4)5·2H2O), which established that [1a]5+ exists as a racemic compound containing both the ΔΔ and the ΛΛ isomers in the crystal. The optically active S- or Se-bridged complexes, ΛΛ-[1a or 1b]5+ and Λ-[2a or 2b]3+, were obtained by the use of Λ-[Co(aet or aese)(en)2]2+ as the starting complex, indicating that the reactions with Ag+ proceed with retention of the absolute configuration of the CoIII chiral center.
Metallic Ytterbium-Mediated Reductive Dimerization Cyclization of Arylmethylenecyanoacetates
Authors: Su Weike , Yang Bibo
Published: October 2002

The reductive dimerization cyclization of arylmethylenecyanoacetates promoted by metallic ytterbium has been studied. Highly functionalized cyclopentenes were obtained, and the trans, trans-isomers were the major products.
Performance after cochlear implantation: a comparison of children deafened by meningitis and congenitally deaf children
Authors: Mitchell T. E. , Psarros C. , Pegg P. , Rennie M. , Gibson W. P. R.
Published: October 2002

The speech perception and speech production performance following cochlear implantation of congenitally deaf children and children deafened by meningitis were analysed. Three groups consisting of 70 congenitally deaf children, 22 children deafened by meningitis before two years of age and 14 children deafened by meningitis after two years of age were compared. The group deafened by meningitis after two years of age demonstrated significantly better speech perception than the other two groups. Their speech production appeared better but did not achieve statistical significance compared with the other two groups. There was no significant difference in either speech perception or speech production between the congenitally deaf group and the group deafened by meningitis before two years of age.
Routine coagulation screening in the management of emergency admission for epistaxis – is it necessary?
Authors: Thaha M. A. , Nilssen E. L. K. , Holland S. , Love G. , White P. S.
Published: October 2002

The role of routine coagulation studies in the management of patients suffering from epistaxis is unclear. In an attempt to address this issue the case notes of all emergency admissions for epistaxis to a large Scottish teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed over a one-year period. One hundred and forty patients (63 male, 77 female) were admitted between January and December 1998. The patients who had coagulation studies were identified and their results analysed. A total of 121 patients (86.4 per cent) had coagulation studies performed. Of these, 10 (8.3 per cent) had abnormal results and all were taking warfarin or a combination of warfarin and aspirin. No other coagulation abnormalities were identified. This study supports the view that there does not appear to be a role for routine coagulation studies in patients admitted with epistaxis. The investigation for potential haemostatic disorders should be performed when clinically indicated and, if necessary, in consultation with the haematology service.
Laryngeal tuberculosis: an important diagnosis
Authors: Hone  , Timon  , Harney  , Donnelly
Published: October 2002

The incidence of laryngeal tuberculosis is increasing worldwide. To ensure early diagnosis it is important for physicians and otolaryngologists to recognize its cardinal signs and symptoms. We present two recent cases of laryngeal tuberculosis that presented to our department. We outline potential pitfalls in diagnosis, and highlight the importance of obtaining a tissue diagnosis. The literature is reviewed, and the treatment options outlined.
Previously undiagnosed congenital vascular ring presenting as dysphagia in a six-week post-partum female
Authors: Murty G. E. , James R. C. W.
Published: October 2002

We report the first case of dysphagia due to engorgement of a congenital vascular ring as a result of the haemodynamic changes of pregnancy. The clinician should be aware of this in the differential diagnosis.Spontaneous recovery may occur six months post partum as the haemodynamic changes resolve, but if further pregnancies are planned surgery is effective.
Determination of the lowest dilution of aluminium acetate solution able to inhibit in vitro growth of organisms commonly found in chronic suppurative otitis media
Authors: Oliver  , Kruger  , Thorp  , Prescott
Published: October 2002

Burow’s solution has been found to inhibit the in vitro growth of most commonly occurring bacteria found in the discharging ear. These organisms were inoculated onto appropriate agar plates that contained serial dilutions of aluminium acetate. Results show that the lowest dilution able to inhibit the growth of these organisms lies between a 1:80 and a 1:160 dilution of Burow’s solution.