bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Induction of potent antitumour natural‐killer cells from peripheral blood of patients with advanced prostate cancer
Authors: Oikawa T. , Kawai K. , Ishiwata I. , Ohno T. , Akaza H.
Published: November 2003

In this section there are four papers on a variety of topics. The subject of antitumour natural killer cells is addressed in patients with advanced prostate cancer. In another study, the authors describe their work into the effect of oestrogen and testosterone on the urethral seam of the developing male mouse genital tubercle. Another group of authors studied ion‐channel currents of smooth muscle cells isolated from the prostate of the guinea pig, and the final paper describes how a novel pyrrole derivative, NS‐8, suppresses the rat micturition reflex by inhibiting afferent pelvic nerve activity.

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether antitumour natural‐killer (NK) cells can be induced from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with advanced prostate cancer, as cell therapy using antitumour immune cells is a promising candidate treatment but such patients generally have a suppressed immune response against cancer cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

PBMCs were obtained from 10 patients (four with stage D2 and six with stage B or C disease). For the NK cell expansion, PBMCs were co‐cultured with irradiated HFWT cells, a cell line originating from Wilms’ tumour, in RHAM α culture medium supplemented with 5% autologous plasma and interleukin‐2 (200 U/mL) for 2 weeks.

RESULTS

When PBMCs were co‐cultured with HFWT cells, lymphocytes from all patients had a 20‐ to 130‐fold expansion after 2 weeks of culture. The CD16+ CD56+ cells constituted > 70% of the proliferated lymphocyte population. The induced NK cells had significantly greater cytotoxicity against a prostate cancer cell line (PC‐3) than lymphocytes cultured with no HFWT cells. There was no significant difference in growth and phenotypes of lymphocytes and the induced NK cell activity between patients with stage D2, B or C.

CONCLUSION

NK cells with potent cytotoxic activity against prostate cancer cell lines from patients with advanced prostate cancer were selectively expanded. Further investigation is needed to determine whether this approach could be a candidate for cell therapy for advanced prostate cancer.
Endourological management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma
Authors: Gettman M.T. , Segura J.W.
Published: November 2003

In this Issue, there are four mini‐reviews, three of which relate to cancer of the genitourinary system. In the first of these the endourological management of upper tract TCC is described by authors from the Mayo Clinic who have a long‐term experience in this area. The second and third of the mini‐reviews concern prostate cancer, but in different ways. The authors from Sacramento write about the use of the artificial urinary sphincter for post‐prostatectomy incontinence. Obviously this includes surgery for benign disease also, but the main emphasis is on its use after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. The other article is about the use of ErbB receptors as possible therapeutic targets, from the University of Leicester. Finally in this section, authors from Kingston, Ontario, have written a mini‐review on hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction, relating pathophysiology to treatment and outcomes.
Stress incontinence surgery for patients presenting with mixed incontinence and a normal cystometrogram
Authors: Osman T.
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the outcome of surgery for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in patients presenting with a combination of stress and sensory urge UI.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study comprised 75 women presenting with mixed incontinence; the most important inclusion criterion was a negative cystometrogram for detrusor overactivity. Based on random selection, a third of the patients received a 6‐month course of anticholinergic treatment (group 1) and 50 (group 2) had surgery for SUI. The surgical procedure depended on the Valsalva leak‐point pressure (VLPP); those with a VLPP of ≥ 90 cmH2O underwent Burch retropubic bladder neck suspension (group 2a, 24 patients) while 26 (group 2b) with a VLPP of < 90 cmH2O had pubovaginal sling (PVS) surgery. A further group of 20 patients with pure SUI (no urge UI) underwent surgery (PVS in 12 and Burch in eight) as a control group (group 3). After at least 6 months of follow‐up (mean 9.3, sd 1.7), 68 patients were evaluable; they were assessed subjectively and objectively for dryness, and by a urodynamic evaluation and quantitative assessment using the SEAPI scoring system.

RESULTS

In group 1 none of the patients became completely dry; there was persistent stress with and without urge UI in nine (43%) and 12 (57%) of the available 21 patients, respectively. Only three of those who had persistent SUI with no urge in the whole study group were satisfied and chose to continue anticholinergic therapy despite SUI. In this group the mean (sd) improvement in the subjective and objective SEAPI score was 3.4 (1.0) and 2.3 (3.8), respectively. In group 2a, 20 of the available 23 patients (87%) became completely dry (both stress and urge continent). The mean improvement in the SEAPI scores was 7.8 (0.9) and 7.8 (1.3), respectively. In group 2b, 20 of the 24 patients (83%) became completely dry, with mean improvements in SEAPI scores of 8.2 (0.4) and 7.9 (0.3), respectively. The improvement was statistically significant after surgery, vs anticholinergic therapy, for all variables (P < 0.05). The incidence of persistent urge UI was highest in group 1 (43%), being 13% in group 2 (13% and 12% in 2a and b, respectively). In group 3 there was de novo urge UI in four of the 20 patients, and not significantly different from that in group 2.

CONCLUSION

Most patients with mixed stress and urge UI and a normal cystometrogram were cured of both symptoms by surgery. The incidence of residual urge in such patients was no higher than that of de novo urge after surgery in patients with genuine SUI.
Cytopathological expression of different types of urothelial carcinoma in situ in urinary bladder washings
Authors: Demir M.A. , Ryd W. , Aldenborg F. , Holmang S.
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate and compare the cytopathological expression of the five major histological types of carcinoma in situ (CIS) in urinary bladder washings from patients with flat urothelial lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy‐five cases of primary and secondary urothelial CIS with no concomitant tumours, and having tissue and cytological samples, were identified. Biopsies were evaluated based on the consensus classification as: large‐cell pleomorphic; large‐cell non‐pleomorphic; small‐cell; clinging; and cancerization of the urothelium. In the cytological classification the ‘clinging’ category was excluded, as its definition depends on the histological appearance. κ statistics were used to evaluate the correlation between histopathology and cytology.

RESULTS

More than one subtype of CIS could often be identified in both the histological and cytological specimens. Cytology often showed more subtypes than did histopathology. Statistically, there was only a moderate correlation between histopathology and cytology for recognising different patterns.

CONCLUSION

Different patterns of CIS can be identified by cytology; it is important for cytologists to be aware of the cytological spectrum of CIS and not to under‐diagnose monomorphic, pagetoid (cancerization) and small‐cell forms. Studies on treatments for CIS and of the clinical significance of different subtypes of CIS should include both cytopathology and histopathology.
The subjective and objective benefits of a remote‐controlled intraurethral device for managing the female acontractile bladder
Authors: Lynch W.J. , Testa G.A. , Bell D.F.
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVE

To determine the subjective and objective benefits of the InflowTM (SRS Medical Systems, N. Billerica, MA, USA) intraurethral device for managing acontractile bladders in women.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty women with acontractile bladders who had been managed unsuccessfully by the usual methods were recruited. All patients were asked to complete a quality‐of‐life (QoL) questionnaire and were assessed with urine flowmetry and urine culture; to measure the postvoid residual urine (PVR) in the bladder, ultrasonography was used after activating the device.

RESULTS

There was a decrease in the QoL score from a mean of 59.6 before insertion to means of 11.2, 8.8, 6.3 and 5.0 at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months afterward. The mean (range) urinary flow rate was 10.7 (9–16) mL/s and the PVR 3 (0–17) mL. Three patients had temporary asymptomatic bacteriuria and two a single infection after the device was inserted that settled readily with antibiotics.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that the Inflow device provides an effective method of bladder drainage, with few side‐effects and a significant improvement in QoL.
Repeating the measurement of prostate‐specific antigen in symptomatic men can avoid unnecessary prostatic biopsy
Authors: Singh R. , Cahill D. , Popert R. , O'Brien T.S.
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVES

To report the 2‐year clinical and biochemical follow‐up of symptomatic men who had a high prostate‐specific‐antigen (PSA) level, for whom our policy has been to avoid biopsy in those with a normal repeat PSA, as minimizing negative prostate biopsies is an important goal in managing men with a high PSA, where the decision for biopsy based on one high value may be inappropriate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 101 men (median age 72 years, range 47–85) referred to a urology department over 1 year with a PSA level above the age‐specific reference range (but < 50 ng/mL) had a repeat PSA measurement. Those with a normal PSA and a normal digital rectal examination (DRE) were not biopsied. Their follow‐up included a symptom review, DRE and PSA measurements.

RESULTS

Of the 101 men, 67% presented with LUTS, 11% with symptoms of urinary infection, 8% with haematuria and 9% for screening. In 35 patients the repeat PSA level was normal; in three of these 35 prostate cancer was diagnosed after biopsy because of an abnormal DRE, three were lost to follow‐up and one died from unrelated causes. Thus 28 patients were available for review at 2 years. In 23 (82%) the PSA remained within the normal range. In 66 of the 101 men the repeat PSA was abnormal. Cancer was diagnosed in 28 and the remaining 36 with no cancer were managed by PSA review; 30 were reviewed at 2 years and in half of them the PSA level returned to normal.

CONCLUSIONS

In symptomatic men referred with a raised PSA level and who have a normal DRE and normal repeat PSA, prostatic biopsy can be safely avoided.
Comparison of Genotyping of Helicobacter pylori cagA and vacA Virulence Genes from Gastric Biopsies and Stool Specimens
Authors: Sicinschi Liviu A. , Correa Pelayo , Schneider Barbara G.
Published: November 2003

Background.  We compared results of genotyping of Helicobacter pylori cagA and vacA virulence genes in DNA from gastric biopsies, both paraffin‐embedded and frozen, and from stool samples, in order to evaluate the comparative sensitivity of the stool assay.

Methods.  Genomic DNA from paraffin‐embedded biopsies, unfixed frozen biopsies, and stool samples of the same 20 patients was amplified for the cagA gene, an empty site (which provides a positive signal for cagA negative strains) and for the s and m alleles of the vacA gene. Composite genotypes were determined by combining data from analysis of all three materials.

Results.  Analysis of none of the materials taken singly showed all of the genotypes revealed by all three materials taken together, probably because of sampling error. Analysis of paraffin biopsies revealed 83.5%, that of frozen biopsies revealed 74.7% and that of stools revealed 75.9% of the genotypes. There was no significant difference in the percentage of the H. pylori genotypes identified from the three materials. Analysis of combinations of frozen biopsies and stools revealed 89.9% of the composite genotypes, and that of paraffin biopsies and stools revealed 96.2% of the composite genotypes. Evidence of multiple genotypes was found in 10 of 20 (50%) of the cases.

Conclusions.  Any one of the investigated biological materials can be used for detection of cagA and vacA genes, but no single assay provided a complete genotype. The use of a combination of two materials may generate a more accurate representation of H. pylori genotypes in each individual.
Immunization with Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium Producing Catalase in Protection against Gastric Helicobacter pylori Infection in Mice
Authors: Chen Minhu , Chen Jie , Liao Wenjun , Zhu Senlin , Yu Jun , Leung Wai K. , Hu Pinjin , Sung Joseph J. Y.
Published: November 2003

Aim.  To evaluate the protective effect of live attenuated Salmonella typhimurium expressing catalase against gastric Helicobacter pylori infection in mice, and to explore the underlying mechanisms of the protective immune reaction.

Materials and Methods  The H. pylori catalase gene was introduced into attenuated S. typhimurium strain SL3261. C57BL/6 mice were orally immunized with the SL3261 vaccine strain expressing catalase or with SL3261 alone or phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS). Mice were sacrificed 4 weeks after immunization and 5 weeks after H. pylori challenge, respectively.

Results.  All PBS control mice were infected. Eight of 13 (61.5%) mice immunized with the SL3261 vaccine strain and three of 14 (21%) mice immunized with SL3261 alone showed protection against H. pylori infection. Serum anti‐H. pylori IgG2a levels of S. typhimurium‐immunized mice were higher than those of PBS controls, both before and after H. pylori challenge, while there were no differences for IgG1 and IgA. Similarly, mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)‐2, IL‐12 and interferon‐γ in the gastric mucosa of S. typhimurium‐immunized mice was significantly higher than that of PBS controls both before and after challenge. Moreover, S. typhimurium‐immunized mice were characterized by marked infiltration of lymphocyte and mononuclear cells in the gastric mucosa after challenge. IL‐4 and IL‐10 were not detected in any of the three groups. IL‐6 expression was increased in the PBS group compared with the S. typhimurium‐immunized groups after challenge.

Conclusions.  This study demonstrates that oral immunization of mice with catalase delivered by an attenuated S. typhimurium strain offers protection against H. pylori infection. This protective immunity was mediated through a predominantly Th1‐type response and was associated with post‐immunization gastritis.
Antitumor effect of stilbenoids from Vateria indica against allografted sarcoma S‐180 in animal model
Authors: Mishima Satoshi , Matsumoto Kenji , Futamura Yoshihiro , Araki Yoko , Ito Tetsuro , Tanaka Toshiyuki , Iinuma Munekazu , Nozawa Yoshinori , Akao Yukihiro
Published: November 2003

Dipterocarpaceous plants contain various resveratrol oligomers that exhibit a variety of biological activities, such as antibacterial and antitumor effects. Previously, we found that vaticanol C, a resveratrol tetramer, exhibits strong cytotoxicity against various tumor cell lines. In the present study, we examined the antitumor activity of the ethanol extract from the stem bark of Vateria indica, which has been traditionally used for health and healing diseases as Ayurveda in India. High‐performance liquid chromatography analysis showed that the extract contains bergenin, hopeaphenol, vaticanol B, vaticanol C, and ε‐viniferin. The in vitro assay displayed the extract's anticancer activity against mouse sarcoma 180 cells (IC50 = 29.5 μM). In the animal study, the tumor growth of sarcoma S‐180 cells subcutaneously allografted in DDY mice was significantly retarded by oral administration of the extract (30 or 100 mg/kg body weight: P < 0.001). The extract did not show significant toxicity to mice even at a dosage of 1000 mg/kg body weight by daily oral administration for 28 days. These results demonstrated that the ethanol extract containing various stilbenoids from the stem bark of V. indica has the potent antitumor activity.
Effect of Moxifloxacin on Production ofProinflammatory Cytokines from Human Peripheral BloodMononuclearCells
Authors: Choi Jung-Hyun , Song Min-Jin , Kim Seung-Han , Choi Su-Mi , Lee Dong-Gun , Yoo Jin-Hong , Shin Wan-Shik
Published: November 2003

The effects of moxifloxacin, a new methoxyfluoroquinolone, on the production of proinflammatory cytokines from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were evaluated. Moxifloxacin inhibited the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and/or interleukin-6 (IL-6) by PBMCs stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), lipoteichoic acid (LTA), and heat-killed bacteria in a concentration-dependent manner without cytotoxic effects. The addition of moxifloxacin reduced the population of cells positive for CD-14 and TNF-α and for CD-14 and IL-6 among the LPS- or LTA-stimulated PBMCs. By Western blot analysis, moxifloxacin pretreatment reduced the degradation of IκBα in LPS-stimulated PBMCs. In conclusion, moxifloxacin could interfere with NF-κB activation by inhibiting the degradation of IκBα and reduce the levels of production of proinflammatory cytokines.
Epidemiologyof Nalidixic Acid Resistance and TEM-1- and TEM-52-Mediated AmpicillinResistance of
Shigella sonnei
Isolates Obtained inKorea between 1980 and2000
Authors: Jeong Young Sook , Lee Je Chul , Kang Hee Young , Yu Hak Sun , Lee Eun Young , Choi Chul Hee , Tae Seong Ho , Lee Yoo Chul , Cho Dong Taek , Seol Sung Yong
Published: November 2003

The
resistance to ampicillin and nalidixic acid in
Shigella sonnei
isolates obtained in Korea during the period 1998 to 2000 was
characterized. Recently (J. Y. Oh, H. S. Yu,
S. K. Kim, S. Y. Seol, D. T. Cho, and
J. C. Lee, J. Clin. Microbiol.
41:
421-423,
2003) ampicillin and nalidixic acid resistance was found in 49 and
70%, respectively, of the 67
S. sonnei
isolates
obtained during this period. We analyzed 138
S. sonnei
isolates collected during the same period. Ampicillin and nalidixic
acid resistance was found in 30 and 86% of the isolates,
respectively. The ampicillin resistance was mediated by a TEM-1β
-lactamase, and TEM-52 extended-spectrum β-lactamase
was identified in one sporadic
S. sonnei
isolate from 1999.
bla
TEM-1
and
bla
TEM-52
were
located in conjugative R-plasmids. Tn
3
was detected in
41% of the ampicillin-resistant isolates. The R-plasmids from
the transconjugants that transferred resistance to ampicillin exhibited
different restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns, and a
bla
TEM-1
probe was hybridized with the different
fragments. The nalidixic acid resistance was exclusively associated
with an amino acid substitution, Ser83→Leu (TCG→TTG),
in
gyrA
. These findings indicate that the genetically related
S. sonnei
strains readily acquire resistance to ampicillin,
streptomycin, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole but not nalidixic acid
through conjugative R-plasmids from difference sources when confronted
by antibiotic selective
pressures.
InVitro and In Vivo Antibacterial Activities of DK-507k, aNovelFluoroquinolone
Authors: Otani Tsuyoshi , Tanaka Mayumi , Ito Emi , Kurosaka Yuichi , Murakami Yoichi , Onodera Kiyomi , Akasaka Takaaki , Sato Kenichi
Published: November 2003

The
antibacterial activities of DK-507k, a novel quinolone, were compared
with those of other quinolones: ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin,
levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, sitafloxacin, and garenoxacin (BMS284756).
DK-507k was as active as sitafloxacin and was as active as or up to
eightfold more active than gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, and garenoxacin
against
Streptococcus pneumoniae
, methicillin-susceptible and
methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
, and
coagulase-negative staphylococci. DK-507k was as active as or 4-fold
more active than garenoxacin and 2- to 16-fold more active than
gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin against ciprofloxacin-resistant strains
of
S. pneumoniae
, including clinical isolates and in
vitro-selected mutants with known mutations. DK-507k inhibited all
ciprofloxacin-resistant strains of
S. pneumoniae
at 1μ
g/ml. A time-kill assay with
S. pneumoniae
showed
that DK-507k was more bactericidal than gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin.
The activities of DK-507k against most members of the family
Enterobacteriaceae
were comparable to those of ciprofloxacin
and equal to or up to 32-fold higher than those of gatifloxacin,
levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and garenoxacin. DK-507k was fourfold less
active than sitafloxacin and ciprofloxacin against
Pseudomonas
aeruginosa
, while it was two to four times more potent than
levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, and garenoxacin against
P. aeruginosa
. In vivo, intravenous treatment with
DK-507k was more effective than that with gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin
against systemic infections caused by
S. aureus
,
S.
pneumoniae
, and
P. aeruginosa
in mice. In a mouse model
of pneumonia due to penicillin-resistant
S. pneumoniae
,
DK-507k administered subcutaneously showed dose-dependent efficacy and
eliminated the bacteria from the lungs, whereas gatifloxacin and
moxifloxacin had no significant efficacy. Oral treatment with DK-507k
was slightly more effective than that with ciprofloxacin in a rat model
of foreign body-associated urinary tract infection caused by a
P.
aeruginosa
isolate for which the MIC of DK-507k was fourfold
higher than that of ciprofloxacin. Oral administration of DK-507k to
rats achieved higher peak concentrations in serum and higher
concentrations in cumulative urine than those achieved with
ciprofloxacin. These data indicate the potential advantages of DK-507k
over other quinolones for the treatment of a wide range of
community-acquired
infections.
Triclosan as a Systemic Antibacterial Agent in a MouseModel of Acute BacterialChallenge
Authors: Sharma Shilpi , Ramya T. N. C. , Surolia Avadhesha , Surolia Namita
Published: November 2003

The
upsurge of multiple-drug-resistant microbes warrants the development
and/or use of effective antibiotics. Triclosan, though used in cosmetic
and dermatological preparations for several decades, has not been used
as a systemic antibacterial agent due to problems of drug
administration. Here we report the striking efficacy of triclosan in a
mouse model of acute systemic bacterial infection. Triclosan not only
significantly extends the survival time of the infected mice, it also
restores blood parameters and checks liver damage induced by the
bacterial infection. We believe that the excellent safety track record
of triclosan in topical use coupled with our findings qualifies
triclosan as a candidate drug or lead compound for exploring its
potential in experimental systems for treating systemic bacterial
infections.
Comparative Drug Disposition, UrinaryPharmacokinetics, and Renal Effects of Multilamellar Liposomal Nystatinand Amphotericin B Deoxycholate inRabbits
Authors: Groll Andreas H. , Mickiene Diana , Petraitis Vidmantas , Petraitiene Ruta , Alfaro Raul M. , King Christine , Piscitelli Stephen C. , Walsh Thomas J.
Published: November 2003

The
comparative drug dispositions, urinary pharmacokinetics, and effects on
renal function of multilamellar liposomal nystatin (LNYS; Nyotran) and
amphotericin B deoxycholate (DAMB; Fungizone) were studied in rabbits.
Drug concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid
chromatography as total concentrations of LNYS and DAMB. In comparison
to a standard dose of 1 mg of DAMB/kg of body weight, therapeutic
dosages of LNYS, i.e., 2, 4, and 6 mg/kg, resulted in escalating
maximum concentrations (
C
max
) (17 to 56μ
g/ml for LNYS versus 3.36 μg/ml for DAMB;
P
< 0.001) and values for the area under the concentration-time
curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC
0-24
) (17 to 77μ
g · h/ml for LNYS versus 12μ
g · h/ml for DAMB;
P
<
0.001) in plasma but a significantly faster total clearance from plasma
(0.117 to 0.080 liter/h/kg for LNYS versus 0.055 liter/h/kg for DAMB;
P
= 0.013) and a ≤8-fold-smaller volume of
distribution at steady state (
P
= 0.002). Urinary drug
concentration data revealed a ≥10-fold-higher
C
max
(16 to 10 μg/ml for LNYS versus 0.96μ
g/ml for DAMB;
P
= 0.015) and a 4- to
7-fold-greater AUC
0-24
(63 to 35μ
g · h/ml for LNYS versus 8.9μ
g · h/ml for DAMB;
P
=
0.015) following the administration of LNYS, with a dose-dependent
decrease in the dose-normalized AUC
0-24
in urine (
P
=
0.001) and a trend toward a dose-dependent decrease in renal
clearance. Except for the kidneys, the mean concentrations of LNYS in
liver, spleen, and lung 24 h after dosing were severalfold
lower than those after administration of DAMB (
P
,<0.002 to <0.001). Less than 1% each of the
total dose of LNYS was recovered from the kidneys, liver, spleen, and
lungs; in contrast, a quarter of the total dose was recovered from the
livers of DAMB-treated animals. LNYS had dose-dependent effects on
glomerular filtration and distal, but not proximal, renal tubular
function which did not exceed those of DAMB at the highest investigated
dosage of 6 mg/kg. The results of this experimental study demonstrate
fundamental differences in the dispositions of LNYS and DAMB. Based on
its enhanced urinary exposure, LNYS may offer a therapeutic advantage
in systemic fungal infections involving the upper and lower urinary
tracts that require therapy with antifungal
polyenes.
MannosylGlycodendritic Structure Inhibits DC-SIGN-Mediated Ebola VirusInfection in
cis
and in
trans
Authors: Lasala Fátima , Arce Eva , Otero Joaquín R. , Rojo Javier , Delgado Rafael
Published: November 2003

We
have designed a glycodendritic structure, BH30sucMan, that blocks the
interaction between dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion
molecule 3-grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) and Ebola virus (EBOV)
envelope. BH30sucMan inhibits DC-SIGN-mediated EBOV infection at
nanomolar concentrations. BH30sucMan may counteract
important steps of the infective process of EBOV and, potentially, of
microorganisms shown to exploit DC-SIGN for cell entry and
infection.
EFFICIENT QUANTUM CIRCUITS FOR NON-QUBIT QUANTUM ERROR-CORRECTING CODES
Authors: GRASSL MARKUS , RÖTTELER MARTIN , BETH THOMAS
Published: November 2003

We present two methods for the construction of quantum circuits for quantum error- correcting codes (QECC). The underlying quantum systems are tensor products of subsystems (qudits) of equal dimension which is a prime power. For a QECC encoding k qudits into n qudits, the resulting quantum circuit has O(n(n - k)) gates. The running time of the classical algorithm to compute the quantum circuit is O(n(n - k)2).
QUANTUM SOFTWARE REUSABILITY
Authors: KLAPPENECKER ANDREAS , RÖTTELER MARTIN
Published: November 2003

The design of efficient quantum circuits is an important issue in quantum computing. It is in general a formidable task to find a highly optimized quantum circuit for a given unitary matrix. We propose a quantum circuit design method that has the following unique feature: It allows to construct efficient quantum circuits in a systematic way by reusing and combining a set of highly optimized quantum circuits. Specifically, the method realizes a quantum circuit for a given unitary matrix by implementing a linear combination of representing matrices of a group, which have known fast quantum circuits. We motivate and illustrate this method by deriving extremely efficient quantum circuits for the discrete Hartley transform and for the fractional Fourier transforms. The sound mathematical basis of this design method allows to give meaningful and natural interpretations of the resulting circuits. We demonstrate this aspect by giving a natural interpretation of known teleportation circuits.
PARTITIONING 3D PHANTOMS INTO HOMOGENEOUS CUBOIDS
Authors: JAIN ANUJ , SAHNI SARTAJ , PALTA JATINDER , DEMPSEY JAMES
Published: November 2003

We analyze the heuristic proposed by Jung [3] to partition a 3D phantom into homogeneous cuboids. We show that the 2D version of this heuristic generates the minimum number of rectangles when partitioning 2D non-degenerate phantoms. However, this 2D version doesn't generate optimal partitions of degenerate 2D phantoms. In fact, the heuristic may generate more than 3 times as many rectangles as is necessary. The 3D heuristic of [3] doesn't generate optimal partitionings of 3D simple phantoms either. We show that slicing partitions of 3D simple phantoms are optimal. Our analysis suggests a new heuristic for 3D phantoms. This heuristic generated one-third as many cuboids when used to partition a 3D CT-scan phantom and about one-fourth as many cuboids on randomly generated 3D phantoms as produced by the heuristic of [3].
ENTROPY LEARNING AND RELEVANCE CRITERIA FOR NEURAL NETWORK PRUNING
Authors: NG GEOK SEE , WAHAB ABDUL , SHI DAMING
Published: November 2003

In this paper, entropy is a term used in the learning phase of a neural network. As learning progresses, more hidden nodes get into saturation. The early creation of such hidden nodes may impair generalisation. Hence an entropy approach is proposed to dampen the early creation of such nodes by using a new computation called entropy cycle. Entropy learning also helps to increase the importance of relevant nodes while dampening the less important nodes. At the end of learning, the less important nodes can then be pruned to reduce the memory requirements of the neural network.
Acupuncture for Acute Torticollis: A Pilot Study
Authors: Samuels Noah
Published: November 2003

The use of subjective end-points such as VAS pain scales in studies of acupuncture for chronic neck pain have resulted in equivocal results. This study introduces an objective parameter as the primary end-point for the assessment of acupuncture in patients with acute torticollis (stiff neck). Eighteen patients underwent a single 20-minute treatment session, with needling of two acupuncture points Hou Hsi (SI-3) and Luo Zhen (M-UE-24), on the side ipsilateral to the predominantly involved side of the neck. Measuring the angle of lateral head rotation using a simple compass and protractor, a mean improvement of 52.9% was found, more so among those presenting earlier (< 24 hours) as opposed to later (> 72 hours; p = 0.034). The use of objective parameters, as seen in acupuncture research of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts, should be incorporated into studies of acute and chronic neck pain. The use of sham needle points and placebo needles is problematic since both may elicit physiological responses.
Locally Administered Nerve Growth Factor Suppresses Ginsenoside Rb1-enhanced Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Tsai Chin-Chuan , Lu Ming-Chin , Chen Yueh-Sheng , Wu Chun-Hsien , Lin Chun-Ching
Published: November 2003

A high-dose of nerve growth factor (NGF) mixed with ginsenoside Rb 1( GRb 1) was encapsulated by collagen and placed in silicone rubber chambers, which were used to repair dissected Sprague-Dawley rat sciatic nerves with 15 mm gaps. Six weeks after surgery, no axons or Schwann cells were seen in these chambers. By comparison, nerves treated with collagen- GRb 1 alone had regenerated axons and Schwann cells in their endoneurial areas. We suggest that excessive NGF may not promote but, rather, suppress developing nerves.
Suppressive Effects of a Chinese Herbal Medicine Qing-Luo-Yin Extract on the Angiogenesis of Collagen-induced Arthritis in Rats
Authors: Li Shao , Lu Ai-ping , Wang Yong-yan , Li Yan-da
Published: November 2003

Qing-Luo-Yin (QLY), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, is a combination of the extracts of Sophora flavescens Ait., Phellodendron amurense Rupr., Sinomenium acutum Rehd. et Wils. and Dioscorea hypoglauca Palib. The suppressive effect of QLY on the development of angiogenesis was investigated in a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). QLY (0.3 g/kg) was orally administered daily for 27 days. Neo-angiogenesis, pannus and cartilage damage, the expression of metalloproteinases (MMP)-3 messenger RNA (mRNA) and the level of the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in the synovium were examined by histology, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemiscal assays, respectively. It was observed that the articular morphological alterations, the over-expression of MMP-3 mRNA and the reduced production of TIMP-1 in CIA rats were significantly ameliorated by QLY. QLY performed about as effectively as tripterygium glycosidorum tablets (0.1 g/kg) extracted from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.. These results indicate that QLY exerts a suppressive effect on the angiogenesis of CIA rats, and suggest that the therapeutic effect of QLY could be due to restoring the balance of MMP-3 and TIMP-1 in rheumatoid synovium.
sin2θW FROM NEUTRINO SCATTERING AT NUTEV
Authors:   In the collaboration with R. A. Johnson, N. Suwonjandee, M. Vakili (University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221). J. Conrad, B. T. Fleming, J. A. Formaggio, J. H. Kim, S. Koutsoliotas, C. McNulty, A. Romosan, M. H. Shaevitz, P. Spentzouris, E. G. Stern, A. Vaitaitis, E. D. Zimmerman (Columbia University, New York, NY 10027) R. H. Bernstein, L. Bugel, M. J. Lamm, W. Marsh, P. Nienaber, J. Yu (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Batavia, IL 60510) T. Adams, A. Alton, T. Bolton, J. Goldman, M. Goncharov, McFarland K. S.
Published: November 2003

The NuTeV collaboration has performed precision measurements of the ratio of neutral current to charged current cross-sections in high rate, high energy neutrino and anti-neutrino beams on a dense, primarily steel, target. The separate neutrino and anti-neutrino beams, high statistics, and improved control of other experimental systematics, allow the determination of electroweak parameters with significantly greater precision than past νN scattering experiments. Our null hypothesis test of the standard model prediction measures [Formula: see text], a value which is 3.0σ above the prediction. We discuss possible explanations for and implications of this discrepancy.
STATUS OF THE OPERA EXPERIMENT ON THE CNGS NEUTRINO BEAM
Authors: MIGLIOZZI PASQUALE
Published: November 2003

This paper reviews the current status and the physics program of the OPERA experiment with the future CNGS long baseline neutrino beam from CERN to the Gran Sasso Laboratory. The expected background, the expected number of signal events at the atmospheric Δm2 scale and the sensitivity for both νμ↔ντ and νμ↔νe oscillations are given.
SOME IMPLICATIONS OF MODELS WITH LARGE EXTRA DIMENSIONS
Authors: NUSSINOV S.
Published: November 2003

We discuss some implications of models with large extra dimensions, including effects on scattering cross sections, fermion masses and mixings, [Formula: see text] oscillations, and ideas on "half-strings".
HYPER-KAMIOKANDE — A NEXT GENERATION WATER CHERENKOV DETECTOR
Authors: NAKAMURA KENZO
Published: November 2003

A next generation water Cherenkov detector at Kamioka with a total mass of ~1 Mton is called Hyper-Kamiokande. If the beam intensity of a 50-GeV proton synchrotron now under construction at Tokai is upgraded to 4 MW in future, a long baseline neutrino oscillation experiment with Hyper-Kamiokande as a far detector will open the possibility of measuring CP violation in the neutrino sector. Also, Hyper-Kamiokande will allow to extend nucleon decay search to τp/B(p → e+π0) > 1035 yr and [Formula: see text]. Aiming at the realization of Hyper-Kamiokande, various R&D efforts are in progress.
GENUINE SETS, VARIOUS KINDS OF FUZZY SETS AND FUZZY ROUGH SETS
Authors: DEMİRCİ MUSTAFA
Published: November 2003

In this paper, deriving the type-m fuzzy sets, intuitionistic fuzzy sets, Φ-fuzzy sets, rough sets, fuzzy rough sets and rough fuzzy sets as particular genuine sets, and establishing their connections with genuine sets, it is demonstrated that the theory of genuine sets provides a powerful tool to model various different kinds of uncertainty in a mathematical way. Furthermore, it is also shown that the genuine set theoretic descriptions of type-m fuzzy sets, intuitionistic fuzzy sets and fuzzy rough sets point out new features of these set notations, originated from the peculiar characteristics of genuine sets.
INTERVAL METHODS IN KNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATION
Authors: KREINOVICH VLADIK
Published: November 2003

This section is maintained by Vladik Kreinovich. Please send you abstract (or copies of papers that you want to see reviewed here) to vladik@cs.utep.edu, or by regular mail to: Vladik Kreinovich, Department of Computer Science, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
EXACT REMOTE STATE PREPARATION FOR MULTIPARTIES USING DARK STATES
Authors: AGRAWAL P. , PARASHAR P. , PATI A. K.
Published: November 2003

We discuss the exact remote state preparation (RSP) protocol of special ensembles of qubits at multiple locations. Generalization of this protocol for higher dimensional Hilbert space systems for multiparties is also presented. Using the "dark states", for multiparties in higher dimensions as quantum channels, we show several instances of remote state preparation protocol using multiparticle measurement and classical communication. We find that not all dark states can be used for exact remote state preparation, nevertheless any superposition of dark states can be used for exact RSP in a probabilistic manner.
GENERATION OF POLARIZATION SQUEEZED LIGHT IN PPNC
Authors: DMITRIEV V. G. , SINGH R.
Published: November 2003

Theoretical analysis is presented on quantum state evolution of polarization light waves at frequencies ωo and ωe in a periodically poled nonlinear crystal (PPNC). It is shown that the variances of all the four Stokes parameters can be squeezed.
QUANTUM INFORMATION PROCESSING BY NMR: PREPARATION OF PSEUDOPURE STATES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF UNITARY OPERATIONS IN A SINGLE-QUTRIT SYSTEM
Authors: DAS RANABIR , MITRA AVIK , KUMAR S. VIJAY , KUMAR ANIL
Published: November 2003

Theoretical Quantum Information Processing (QIP) has matured from the use of qubits to the use of qudits (systems having states >2). Whereas most of the experimental implementations have been performed using qubits, little experimental work has been carried out using qudits as yet. In this paper we demonstrate experimental realization of a qutrit system by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), utilizing deuterium (spin-1) nuclei partially oriented in liquid crystalline phase. Preparation of pseudopure states and implementation of unitary operations are demonstrated in this single-qutrit system, using transition selective pulses.
Material Flows
Authors: Moore Stephen , Brunner Paul H.
Published: November 2003

The increasing degree to which there is a single world economy is reflected in the development of new forms of global governance. … the World Trade Organization, but the WTO is not itself the creator of the global economy. (Singer 2002)
Industrial Ecology and Ecological Engineering
Authors: Tilley David Rogers
Published: November 2003

Ecological engineering (EE) and industrial ecology (IE) strive to balance humanity's activities with nature. The disciplines have emerged separately but share theoretical foundations and philosophies on how to address today's complex environmental issues. Although EE and IE share motive, goals, theories, and philosophies, there are many differences. These similarities and differences may make for a strong symbiotic relationship between the two fields. The goals of this article are (1) to compare and contrast the two fields to identify opportunities for collaboration and integration and (2) to suggest three cross‐disciplinary focal areas that bridge EE and IE.

The first symbiotic area, ecosystem engineering for byproduct recovery, is defined as the design, creation, and management of living ecosystems (e.g., forests, wetlands) that utilize the by‐products of industrial systems. Examples of this exist, including constructed wetlands for lead recovery and phyto‐mining of nickel tailings. The second symbiotic focus is entitled “ecosystem analogues for industrial ecology”, which fits with a founding principle of IE to strive to have industry emulate the energy efficiencies and material cycles of natural ecosystems. This focal area quantifies the ecological analogy and exploits the tremendous library of design alternatives that nature has developed over thousands of years to deal with varied resource situations. The third focal area is termed “eco‐system information engineering.” The means by which living ecosystems have created robust knowledge systems and information cycles should be understood in terms useful for managing current society's information explosion. As industrial society evolves toward the information society, holistic models are needed that account for the available energy and material resources required to operate effective information ecosystems, such as service industries.
Comparing Products and Production in Ecological and Industrial Systems
Authors: Levine Stephen H.
Published: November 2003

Ecological systems and industrial systems have much in common. Both systems are characterized by flows of material and energy between components, both contain components that use energy to transform materials, and both contain energy‐and material flow‐regulating interactions such as competition and mutualism. These shared traits are reflected in the metaphor “an industrial system is an ecological system” that is central to industrial ecology. At the same time, critical differences exist between the two systems. Products, that is, goods and services exchanged for something of value, are characteristic of industrial systems, but relatively rare in ecological systems. This prevalence of products leads to a number of other interesting differences between the two systems, some of which might limit the value of ecological systems as prescriptive models for industrial systems.
Rationale for and Interpretation of Economy‐Wide Materials Flow Analysis and Derived Indicators
Authors: Bringezu Stefan , Schütz Helmut , Moll Stephan
Published: November 2003

Economy‐wide material flow analysis (MFA) and derived indicators have been developed to monitor and assess the metabolic performance of economies, that is, with respect to the internal economic flows and the exchange of materials with the environment and with other economies. Indicators such as direct material input (DMI) and direct material consumption (DMC) measure material use related to either production or consumption. Domestic hidden flows (HF) account for unused domestic extraction, and foreign HF represent the upstream primary resource requirements of the imports. DMI and domestic and foreign HF account for the total material requirement (TMR) of an economy. Subtracting the exports and their HF provides the total material consumption (TMC).

DMI and TMR are used to measure the (de‐) coupling of resource use and economic growth, providing the basis for resource efficiency indicators. Accounting for TMR allows detection of shifts from domestic to foreign resource requirements. Net addition to stock (NAS) measures the physical growth of an economy. It indicates the distance from flow equilibrium of inputs and outputs that may be regarded as a necessary condition of a sustainable mature metabolism.

We discuss the extent to which MFA‐based indicators can also be used to assess the environmental performance. For that purpose we consider different impacts of material flows, and different scales and perspectives of the analysis, and distinguish between turnover‐based indicators of generic environmental pressure and impact‐based indicators of specific environmental pressure. Indicators such as TMR and TMC are regarded as generic pressure indicators that may not be used to indicate specific environmental impacts. The TMR of industrial countries is discussed with respect to the question of whether volume and composition may be regarded as unsustainable.
Demand and Dematerialization Impacts of Second‐Hand Markets
Authors: Thomas Valerie M.
Published: November 2003

The potential for second‐hand markets to reduce demand for new goods is investigated. Using a variant of an economic model originally developed by Anderson and Ginsburgh, the physical implications for material use are explored. The second‐hand market grows if transaction costs decrease or if product lifetime increases. In this model, growth of the secondhand market reduces demand for new goods if there are waste used goods that can be brought into the market. But if there is not a ready supply of waste used goods, growth of the second‐hand market can increase demand for new goods, thereby increasing material consumption. Moreover, even when second‐hand sales reduce demand for new goods, it is typically not on a one‐for‐one basis. The extent to which the purchase of used goods replaces the purchase of new goods is shown to be an explicit function of the relative value provided by used versus new goods.
What Users Want and May Need
Authors: Hofstetter Patrick , Mettier Thomas M.
Published: November 2003

An increasing number of software tools support designers and other decision makers in making design, production, and purchasing decisions. Some of these tools provide quantitative information on environmental impacts such as climate change, human toxicity, or resource use during the life cycle of these products. Very little is known, however, about how these tools are actually used, what kind of modeling and presentation approaches users really want, or whether the information provided is likely to be used the way the developers intended. A survey of users of one such software tool revealed that although users want more transparency, about half also want an easy‐to‐use tool and would accept built‐in assumptions; that most users prefer modeling of environmental impacts beyond the stressor level, and the largest group of respondents wants results simultaneously on the stressor, impact potential, and damage level; and that although many users look for aggregated information on impacts and costs, a majority do not trust that such an aggregation is valid or believe that there are tradeoffs among impacts. Further, our results show that the temporal and spatial scales of single impact categories explain only about 6% of the variation in the weights between impact categories set by respondents if the weights are set first. If the weights are set after respondents specify temporal and spatial scales, however, these scales explain about 24% of the variation. These results not only help method and tool developers to reconsider some previous assumptions, but also suggest a number of research questions that may need to be addressed in a more focused investigation.
Necessity and Inefficiency in the Generation of Waste
Authors: Baumgärtner Stefan , Arons Jakob de Swaan
Published: November 2003

The laws of thermodynamics are employed as an analytical framework within which results about society's metabolism may be rigorously deduced in energetic and material terms. We demonstrate that the occurrence of waste is an unavoidable necessity in the industrial production of desired goods. Although waste is thus an essential qualitative element of industrial production, the quantitative extent to which waste occurs may vary within certain limits according to the degree of thermodynamic (in) efficiency with which these processes are operated. We discuss the question of which proportion of the amount of waste currently generated is due to thermodynamic necessity and which proportion is due to thermodynamic inefficiency.
The Consumer Supply Lobby — Did it Exist? State and Consumption in East Germany in the 1950s
Authors: Landsman Mark
Published: November 2003

The East German consumer supply lobby? Admittedly, the very idea strains our credulity. That it has yet to receive its scholarly due is hardly surprising in view of our assumptions about everyday consumer reality in socialist societies: empty shelves, long lines, poor quality merchandise, frustrated customers, surly salespeople, monochromatic drabness. What evidence, if any, is there to suggest the existence of a consumer supply lobby in the German Democratic Republic in the 1950s?