bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virological profiles in hepatitis B virus inactive carriers: monthly evaluation in 1‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Cacciola Irene , Spatari Giovanna , Pollicino Teresa , Costantino Lucy , Zimbaro Giovanni , Brancatelli Santa , Fenga Concettina , Caccamo Gaia , Squadrito Giovanni , Raimondo Giovanni
Published: May 2005

Abstract: Study subject: We longitudinally evaluated the virological behaviour and the hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomic variability in inactive HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) chronic carriers.

Patients and methods: Fourteen HBsAg‐positive healthy workers (13 inactive carriers and 1 with active HBV infection) were followed up for 12 months by monthly evaluation of aminotransferase, HBV DNA, and IgM anti HBV core antigen (IgM anti‐HBc) values. Moreover, HBV serum isolates from each case were amplified, cloned and sequenced to evaluate the presence of the potentially clinical relevant core‐promoter and precore mutations. The same technical procedures were used to examine the S gene of isolates from 3 randomly selected inactive carriers and the patients with active HBV infections.

Results: Aminotransferase values were constantly normal in all cases. Viremia levels appear to fluctuate widely over time in each individual case, although the HBV DNA remained below 2 × 104 copies/ml in all samples. Only four serum samples from two inactive carriers had IgM anti‐HBc values higher than the specific cut‐off limit of the assay. Either wild type or core‐promoter/precore HBV variants or a mixture of them were detected in the inactive carriers. S gene nucleotide homology among the clones from the three inactive carriers and the subject with active infection was 98.9%, 98.3%, 98.1% and 98.2%, respectively.

Conclusions: The degree of suppression of HBV replication in inactive carriers is variable over time, and the entity and quality of HBV variability is comparable between active and inactive carriers.
Allicin, the active component of garlic, prevents immune‐mediated, concanavalin A‐induced hepatic injury in mice
Authors: Bruck Rafael , Aeed Hussein , Brazovsky Eli , Noor Talia , Hershkoviz Rami
Published: May 2005

Abstract: Background/Aim: Allicin, the immunologically active component of garlic, has been found to affect oxidative stress and immune response in several experimental systems. In the present study, we examined the ability of allicin to prevent immune‐mediated, concanavalin A (Con A)‐induced liver damage in mice.

Methods: Mice were pretreated with allicin for 7 days before their inoculation with Con A (15 mg/kg). The serum levels of liver enzymes and liver histology were examined 24 h after Con A administration. The effect of Con A and allicin on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) activation in the liver were examined 2 h after Con A administration, in a separate group of rats, and the effect of allicin on Con A‐induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was determined by western blot analysis 24 h after Con A injection.

Results: The histopathologic damage in the mouse livers, and the Con A‐induced increase of aminotransferases and TNF‐α were markedly inhibited in the mice pretreated with allicin before Con A injection (P<0.01). NF‐κB binding activity to the nucleus, which increased 2 h after Con A administration, was attenuated by allicin. The expression of iNOS protein which was induced following Con A administration was significantly attenuated by allicin. In vitro studies showed that allicin inhibited TNF‐α‐mediated T cell adhesion to extracellular matrix components and to endothelial cells. Allicin also inhibited TNF‐α‐mediated intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 expression on human vascular endothelial cells.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that immune‐mediated liver damage in mice can be prevented by allicin, probably because of its immunomodulatory effects on T cells and adhesion molecules and inhibition of NF‐κB activation.
Difficulties in Achieving the K/DOQI Practice Guidelines for Bone and Mineral Metabolism
Authors: González Esther A. , Al‐Aly Ziyad , Martin Kevin J.
Published: June 2005

Hyperparathyroidism and alterations in bone and mineral metabolism are known to occur early in the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The etiology of these abnormalities is multifactorial. Phosphate retention and alterations in vitamin D metabolism play important roles. The recent practice guidelines from the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) have emphasized the need to approach these problems early in the course of CKD by measuring the levels of parathyroid hormone when glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) fall to less than 60 ml/min. If hyperparathyroidism is detected, then treatment must be undertaken to try to prevent its progression. Strict guidelines have been proposed for the management of these alterations in bone and mineral metabolism when kidney disease progresses to CKD stage V. Although the initial recommendations were often opinion based, evidence is accumulating to support these views. However, with our current therapeutic armamentarium, there is considerable difficulty in achieving these practice guidelines for calcium, phosphorus, calcium‐phosphorus product, and parathyroid hormone on a sustained basis. New therapeutic agents are becoming available that will help with phosphorus control and control of hyperparathyroidism, and minimize the calcium load. Additional beneficial effects of vitamin D analogs are being uncovered and are being intensively investigated. It is hoped that with attention to these practice guidelines, control of the abnormalities of mineral metabolism will be improved and will lead to improved patient outcomes.
Dialyzer Reuse and Patient Outcomes: What Do We Know Now?
Authors: Robinson Bruce M. , Feldman Harold I.
Published: June 2005

Although some hemodialysis (HD) providers in the United States have recently embarked on programs to discontinue dialyzer reprocessing, the practice of dialyzer reuse is still much more common in the United States than in many other countries. Continuation of reprocessing programs has been justified chiefly as an effort to deliver HD with biocompatible and often expensive higher flux dialysis membranes. However, this rationale is considerably less compelling with the decrease in cost for most types of HD membranes and with ongoing debates about the relative effectiveness of HD membranes according to flux and other characteristics. While it is highly likely that mandated quality control standards have limited catastrophic events, such as outbreaks of blood‐borne bacterial infections that can occur due to poor dialyzer reprocessing techniques, hemodialyzer reprocessing remains vulnerable to poor implementation. Reprocessing is no longer indicated in order to improve blood‐membrane biocompatibility, due to the marked decrease in first‐use syndrome since the widespread adoption of synthetic dialysis membranes. Rather, the possibility exists that certain chronic inflammatory responses observed with dialyzer reuse may be deleterious, although these relationships remain speculative. While observational studies have not consistently demonstrated a large excess mortality attributable to reuse, the association of reuse to mortality remains uncertain. Evaluation of the safety of particular reprocessing techniques, germicides, and cleaners has been even harder to examine. Given the widespread availability of inexpensive biocompatible HD membranes and persistent uncertainties about the safety of dialyzer reprocessing, it is time for providers to reexamine their rationale for continuing hemodialyzer reprocessing programs.
The Failed Renal Transplant: In or Out?
Authors: Bennett William M.
Published: June 2005

With the increased number of renal transplants being performed in the United States, there are also increasing numbers of early and long‐term allograft failures. Patients with failed allografts require reentry into the end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) system. If an allograft is producing little in the way of morbidity, it seems reasonable to continue the patient on low‐dose immunosuppressive therapy to avoid sensitization while leaving the allograft in. This is particularly true if the allograft is providing enough renal function to keep the patient off dialysis. However, if the patient is having serious morbidity that may be due to the retained, failed kidney transplant, it may be necessary to remove the allograft kidney, which often shows ongoing inflammation. This may restore erythropoietin responsiveness and contribute to the overall benefit of the patient. The optimal protocol for withdrawal of immunosuppression in this circumstance has not been established by any scientific studies, and the effect of allograft nephrectomy on sensitization status and the ability to receive a crossmatch‐negative retransplant are controversial. The author's personal approach is presented.
Genetics in Dialysis Series Editors: Bertrand L. Jaber and Vaidyanathapuram S. Balakrishnan: Gene Polymorphism Association Studies in Dialysis: Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Rao Madhumathi , Jaber Bertrand L. , Balakrishnan Vaidyanathapuram S. ,   for the DialGene Consortium
Published: June 2005

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in dialysis patients. The high prevalence of CVD is due to the cumulative effects of multiple risk factors from the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Familial predispositions to CVD, CKD, and their respective risk factors are well known, and it is likely that genetic factors determine the interindividual variability in risks for disease. Advances in genomic technology have facilitated the study of genetic variation—most commonly single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes—and their associations with disease. This review examines CVD in dialysis patients as a model of a complex disease, discusses the approach to gene polymorphism association studies, including the roles of gene–environment and gene–gene interactions and provides an overview of available studies.
ASDIN Original Investigations: Venous Mapping Using Venography and the Risk of Radiocontrast‐Induced Nephropathy
Authors: Asif Arif , Cherla Gautam , Merrill Donna , Cipleu Cristian D. , Tawakol Jan Bijan , Epstein David L. , Lenz Oliver
Published: June 2005

Venous mapping using venography has been considered to be the gold standard for identifying veins suitable for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation. By utilizing a radiocontrast medium, however, venography introduces the risk of radiocontrast‐induced nephropathy. The risk of this complication in the chronic kidney disease (CKD) population has not been previously studied. Twenty‐five consecutive patients (CKD stage 4 and 5) undergoing venography were enrolled in this study. Patients were advised not to fast for the procedure and were encouraged to take oral fluids. Radiocontrast‐induced nephropathy was defined as a 20% decrease in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from the baseline value at 48 hours after contrast administration. Weekly telephone calls were made for a total of 4 weeks to assess the need for dialysis. Venography was performed by interventional nephrology using 10–20 cc of low osmolarity contrast medium. Data were collected prospectively. Median age was 48.9 ± 7.8 years and 52% of the patients had diabetes. Complete sets of pre‐ and postprocedure GFRs were available in 21 patients. At 48 hours, there were no differences between the pre‐ and postprocedure GFRs. At the third week, one patient developed flu‐like symptoms with severe gastroenteritis and was hospitalized for volume depletion. This patient initiated dialysis during the hospital stay. We conclude that at 48 hours, our cohort did not develop radiocontrast‐induced nephropathy. During the 4‐week phone call follow‐up, only one patient needed dialysis. Large‐scale studies with a longer follow‐up using GFR estimation are needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
Fluoroscopy‐Assisted Placement of Peritoneal Dialysis Catheters by Nephrologists
Authors: Zaman Fahim , Pervez Aslam , Atray Naveen K. , Murphy Sara , Work Jack , Abreo Kenneth D.
Published: June 2005

In the early 1950s and 1960s, peritoneal dialysis (PD) was used primarily to treat patients with acute renal failure. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was introduced in 1976 and continues to gain popularity as an effective method of renal replacement therapy for patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). The PD catheter is inserted into the abdominal cavity either by a surgeon, interventional radiologist, or nephrologist. We have adopted a percutaneous approach with fluoroscopic guidance for PD catheter insertion that is easy, safe, and provides good patency and infection rate results. In this article we describe the technique and our results. From August 2000 to May 2003, 34 PD catheters out of 36 were successfully inserted using the percutaneous fluoroscopic technique in selected patients referred from the nephrology clinic. All the PD catheters were placed in our Interventional Nephrology Vascular Suite by nephrologists.
Fellows’ Forum: Ocular Abnormalities Associated with Advanced Kidney Disease and Hemodialysis
Authors: Evans Ryan D. , Rosner Mitchell
Published: June 2005

Patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD) are subject to the unique effects of both uremia and the dialysis procedure on multiple organ systems. Many patients on chronic HD suffer from chronic eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, and the interaction of these diseases with the dialysis procedure can lead to worsening of vision. This review focuses on the common eye diseases seen in patients undergoing chronic HD and how the dialysis procedure and the uremic state impact the visual system.
Endotoxin Level Measurement in Hemodialysis Biofilm Using “The Whole Blood Assay”
Authors: Marion‐Ferey Karine , Leid Jeff G. , Bouvier Ghislaine , Pasmore Mark , Husson Gilles , Vilagines Rolland
Published: June 2005

Abstract:  Biofilms have been found on the inner surface of silicone tubing inside dialysis machines. Endotoxin releasing from those biofilms increases the bioincompatibility of dialysis liquids and leads to long‐term inflammatory complications among dialysis patients. Endotoxin measurement is recommended for the control of dialysis liquids. This article describes the use of a new method, the Whole Blood Assay (WBA), for endotoxin quantification in dialysis biofilms. Biofilms were suspended in sterile water by scraping the tubing samples. Diluted blood samples from healthy donors were stimulated overnight with the contaminated suspension. Stimulated mononuclear cells released IL‐1β in response to endotoxins. IL‐1β level was then measured using an ultrasensitive ELISA method. We demonstrated a semilogarithmic model in which the optical densities measured after the ELISA assay increases linearly with the levels of endotoxin. This model allowed the determination of the amount of endotoxins in biofilm samples with a detection limit of 0.032 EU/mL. Most of the time, the amounts of endotoxin measured by the WBA were higher than those measured by the Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay. This study suggested the presence of “endotoxin‐like” compounds different from the lipopolysaccharides that are not detected by the LAL assay. We concluded that the LAL is necessary but insufficient to have a representative quantification of endotoxins that could be hazardous to patient health.
Consistent Efficacy, Tolerability, and High Levels of Satisfaction With Almotriptan 12.5 mg When Used to Treat Multiple Migraine Attacks in Routine Clinical Practice
Authors: Diener Hans‐Christoph
Published: June 2005

Objective.—To assess the efficacy, tolerability, and patient satisfaction with almotriptan 12.5 mg across multiple migraine attacks in routine clinical settings.

Background.—The efficacy and tolerability of almotriptan have been well‐documented in clinical trials. Less information is available about patient acceptance of therapy under normal prescribing conditions in routine practice.

Methods.—This was a prospective, open‐label surveillance study conducted on 899 adults with documented attacks fulfilling the IHS criteria for migraine in medical practices of 307 neurologists and primary care physicians across Germany from June 2001 to April 2002. Patients were eligible for inclusion in the study if they were being treated for the first time with almotriptan. Main outcome measures were pain relief, pain free, consistency, tolerability, and satisfaction with almotriptan 12.5 mg when used to treat multiple migraine attacks.

Results.—A total of 899 patients with migraine treated 1 (18.4%), 2 (25.9%), or 3 (55.6%) migraine attacks with almotriptan for a total of 2131 attacks. Pain relief at 2 hours was achieved in 84.5% of attacks; pain free was achieved in 41.4%. Consistency of almotriptan 12.5 mg (at least 2 out of 3 attacks successfully treated) was 87.3%. Most patients (88.5%) indicated that they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their treatment with almotriptan and 80.3% of patients expressed that almotriptan 12.5 mg therapy was better than their prior therapy. Physicians' global assessment of the efficacy of almotriptan 12.5 mg was judged to be “good” and “very good” in 87.6% of the patients, and tolerability was considered to be “good” and “very good” in 96.3% of patients. More than 92% of physicians indicated that they would continue to prescribe almotriptan for their patients.

Conclusion.—The high levels of efficacy, consistency, and tolerability of almotriptan 12.5 mg observed in this postmarketing surveillance study are not only consistent with the findings of controlled clinical trials but also resulted in high rates of patient and physician satisfaction with almotriptan and patient preference for almotriptan over prior acute treatments, including other triptans.
Resolution of Concentration–Response Differences in Onset of Effect Between Subcutaneous and Oral Sumatriptan
Authors: Freidank‐Mueschenborn Edda , Fox Anthony W.
Published: June 2005

Objective.—To investigate whether the concentration–response relationships for onset of effect of oral and subcutaneous (s.c.) sumatriptan differ, and if so, then to explore whether a single model for the onset of effect can nonetheless be found for multiple dose sizes and both routes of administration.

Methods.—Active and placebo response rates and mean plasma concentrations were collected from the literature for 0 ≤t≤ 2 hours. Plasma concentration–response relationships were plotted. Logarithmic models for the onset of effect (ie, active response rates), characterized by convexity factor A and location parameter B were constructed from the same data.

Results.—The concentration–response relationships for s.c. and oral sumatriptan are qualitatively different. A single logarithmic model for the onset of effect provides good estimates of observed response rates during the first 2 hours post‐dose for multiple dose sizes after both oral and s.c. routes of administration. The precision of this model resides in both its variables. Location parameters for this model differ for similar absolute doses by the two routes of administration. However, curve convexity (representing rate of onset of effect) is related to absolute dose (and hence plasma concentration) in the same way for sumatriptan tablets and injections.

Conclusions.—No simple plasma concentration–response relationship exists that is sufficiently robust to apply to both s.c. and oral sumatriptan. There are separate pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic relationships for rate of onset and extent of effect. The design of exploratory clinical trials for new acute therapies for migraine may be more efficient when these factors are considered, and these factors may help to describe the gap between experimental and ordinary clinical environments.
Validation of a Questionnaire for the Detection of Cluster Headache
Authors: Torelli P. , Beghi E. , Manzoni G. C.
Published: June 2005

Background.—In the absence of biological markers, the diagnosis of cluster headache (CH) rests on clinical evidence as reported through ad‐hoc interviews.

Objective.—The aim of this study was to validate a 16‐item self‐administered questionnaire designed to screen CH cases.

Methods.—The questions were based on the second edition of the International Headache Society classification (ICHD‐II) criteria for CH (n = 12) and on specific disease features (n = 3). Answers to each question were either “Yes,”“No,” or “Don't know.” The validity of this screening tool was assessed using a two‐step procedure. In Step 1, the 16 questions were submitted to 30 healthy subjects with different cultural backgrounds to verify content clarity. In Step 2, the questionnaire was given to 71 patients (32 women and 39 men) aged 15 to 78 years (mean 37.5 years), who were seen at the University of Parma Headache Center with a diagnosis of CH (episodic, 17; chronic, 13), migraine (without aura, 18; with aura, 3), and tension‐type headache (episodic, 16; chronic, 4) according to the ICHD‐II criteria. Sensitivity, specificity, and the positive and negative predictive values were calculated for each question as measures of validity.

Results.—Severity, unilaterality, and location of pain had the highest sensitivity (100%), but low (34.1%) or fairly low specificity (61.0% and 58.5%, respectively). In contrast, a positive response to lithium or verapamil had a 66.7% sensitivity and a 97.6% specificity. Sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 90.2% for duration of attacks (<180 to 240 minutes), and 90.0% and 92.7% for compulsory movements, respectively. The best discriminatory pattern for symptom detection was unilaterality of pain and the presence of at least five of the following seven features: pain severity and location, duration, frequency and daily recurrence of attacks, rhinorrhea and restlessness as accompanying symptoms.

Conclusions.—Our findings confirm that this questionnaire is a useful method for CH screening in epidemiological studies.
Triggers of Motion Sickness in Migraine Sufferers
Authors: Drummond Peter D.
Published: June 2005

Objective.—To determine whether susceptibility to motion sickness provoked by unexpected movement is associated with susceptibility to visually induced motion sickness in migraine sufferers.

Background.—Migraine sufferers are unusually susceptible to motion sickness, but the mechanism of this susceptibility is not well understood. Possibilities include vestibular dysfunction secondary to vasomotor disturbances during migraine attacks, hyperexcitability of brainstem circuits that produce symptoms of motion sickness and migraine, and heightened susceptibility to visual illusions of movement.

Method.—A motion sickness susceptibility questionnaire that listed common triggers of motion sickness was filled out by 42 migraine sufferers and 39 headache‐free controls of similar age and sex distribution to migraine sufferers.

Results.—A greater proportion of migraine sufferers than controls reported that traveling in cars and buses, reading in the car, using playground equipment, watching wide‐screen movies and movement simulators, induced motion sickness. However, visually induced motion sickness appeared to be independent of motion sickness to most movement‐related stimuli in migraine sufferers.

Conclusions.—The lack of association between susceptibility to movement‐induced and visually induced motion sickness implies that more than one mechanism increases susceptibility to motion sickness in migraine sufferers.
Traditional and Evidence‐Based Acupuncture in Headache Management: Theory, Mechanism, and Practice
Authors: Zhao Chong‐hao , Stillman Mark J. , Rozen Todd D.
Published: June 2005

Acupuncture, traditional Chinese needle therapy, has become widely used for the relief of headache. The history of the practice of acupuncture in the United States and the theoretical framework for acupuncture in Chinese medicine are reviewed. The basic scientific background and clinical application of acupuncture in the headache management are discussed.
Remitting Form of Hemicrania Continua: Two New Cases Exhibiting One Unusual Autonomic Feature
Authors: Kuhn Jens , Kuhn Katharina F. , Cooper‐Mahkorn Déirdre , Bewermeyer Heiko
Published: June 2005

Hemicrania continua (HC) is an uncommon, primary headache disorder characterized by a continuous, strictly unilateral headache of moderate intensity with superimposed exacerbations of more severe pain and accompanying autonomic features. Whereas in the majority of HC patients the headache is continuous and without pain‐free intervals, we report two new cases of the rare remitting form of HC. One patient described unusual olfactory sensation during episodes of exacerbation, which we classify as an olfactory aura.
What moral requirements cause ethical dilemmas among nurse executives?
Authors: KATSUHARA Yumiko
Published: May 2005

Aim:  The purpose of the present study is to clarify the moral requirements that cause ethical dilemmas among nurse executives. Ethical dilemmas are defined as situations where moral requirements conflict, and neither requirement is overridden.

Methods and Results:  Twenty‐five nurse executives were asked to describe the situations where they had faced their most difficult ethical decisions. A total of 41 stories were told. These included disclosure of medical errors (eight cases), performance evaluations (six cases), and discomfort regarding physicians’ behaviour (five cases), as well as other situations. There were 48 ethical dilemmas in 41 cases, and each of these dilemmas represented conflicts among more than two of the 17 kinds of moral requirements.

Conclusion:  These moral requirements are: protection of one's own pride, doing one's civic duty to society, acceptance of gender roles, treating others in a caring and benevolent fashion, protection of patients’ rights, assurance of nursing quality, protection of nurse's pride, protection of the lives of patients, organizational profit motives, protection of workers’ rights among the staff, representation of the interests of the nursing division, smooth collaboration with physicians, execution of organisational rules, maintenance of Japanese cultural norms, observation of legal standards, respect for community needs, and obedience to political imperatives.
Effects of different bed sheets on bed climate and thermal response
Authors: IKEDA Rie Nakamura , FUKAI Kiyoko
Published: May 2005

Aim:  The aim of this study was to investigate how bed climate changes when disposable waterproof sheets are used in addition to usual ones.

Methods:  Thirty healthy female students (20.1 ± 1.1 years) consented to participate in the study, and were divided into three groups (cotton sheet only, additional disposable rayon sheet, additional polyester sheet). The skin temperatures of the subjects, bed climates (bed temperatures and relative humidity) and subjective sensations were measured for 45 min.

Results:  Both skin and bed climate temperatures showed significant increases as time passed (P < 0.05). The humidity on disposable waterproof sheets was the highest among the three groups (P < 0.05). All subjects gradually began to feel warmer and wetter.

Conclusion:  These results suggest nurses should consider not only cost and convenience when they use waterproof sheets, but also bed climate. This will also help to prevent pressure ulcers.
Genetic contribution of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) B + 252*2/2 genotype, but not the TNFa,b microsatellite alleles, to systemic lupus erythematosus in Japanese patients
Authors: Takeuchi F. , Nakano K. , Nabeta H. , Hong G. H. , Kawasugi K. , Mori M. , Okudaira H. , Kuwata S. , Tanimoto K.
Published: June 2005

The contribution of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) B + 252 (TNFB) dimorphism and microsatellite polymorphisms of TNFa and TNFb to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was studied in Japanese patients. The TNFB dimorphism was determined using the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method with NcoI digestion followed by specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. TNFa and TNFb microsatellite polymorphisms were determined using the DNA sequencer and GeneScan program (Applera Corporation, Foster City, CA) followed by specific PCR amplification. HLA‐DRB1*15 typing was carried out by the PCR‐sequence specific conformational polymorphism (SSCP) method. In SLE, the allele frequency of TNFB*2 significantly increased (68.9%, P < 0.05) and the genotype frequency of TNFB*2/2 also increased (52.8%, P < 0.05). TNFB*2 showed no significant linkage disequilibrium with HLA‐DRB1*1501. The prevalence of TNFa13 and TNFb4 showed very slight increases, but these increases were not significant. An association analysis indicated that TNFB*2/2 conferred greater, or at least equal, susceptibility to SLE in Japanese patients in comparison with HLA‐DRB1*1501. The TNFB*2/2 genotype may contribute additively with DRB1*1501 to SLE in Japanese patients. No association was observed between auto‐antibodies and TNF. TNFB*2 is a genetic marker for SLE in Japanese patients, while TNFa and TNFb microsatellites are not associated with SLE.
Interleukin‐12 subunits p35 and p40 of Indian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) maintain high sequence homology with those of other ruminants
Authors: Premraj A. , Sreekumar E. , Nautiyal B. , Rasool T. J.
Published: June 2005

The immune system of Indian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), one of the major dairy animals of the tropics, has received little attention. cDNAs encoding the two subunits of the heterodimeric interleukin (IL)‐12 of Indian water buffalo were isolated from concanavalin A‐stimulated lymphocytes. The 710‐bp p35 and 1012‐bp p40 subunits were amplified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), cloned, sequenced and compared with other ruminant sequences. The IL‐12 p35 subunit cDNA had nine nucleotide variations and shared 98.1% amino acid identity with the cattle IL‐12 p35. The IL‐12 p40 cDNA had 13 nucleotide variations and had 97.5% amino acid identity with the cattle IL‐12 p40. Both the subunits showed strict conservation in the predicted secondary structure and critical amino acid residues compared with other ruminant IL‐12 molecules. Buffalo IL‐12 p40 recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli cross‐reacted with cattle anti‐IL‐12 p40 monoclonal antibody. Our study indicates a high level of conservation of this key cytokine among ruminants.
Sequence analysis of the MHC class II DPB1 gene in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Authors: Bak E.‐J. , Ishii Y. , Omatsu T. , Kyuwa S. , Hayasaka I. , Yoshikawa Y.
Published: June 2005

The diversity of the MHC class II region in non‐human primates is a focus of biomedical research because this region plays a crucial role in the recognition of antigens in the immune system. In particular, the chimpanzee [Pan troglodytes (Patr)], which belongs to the superfamily Hominoidea, has been used as a human model for the study of diseases such as human hepatitis C virus (HCV), human hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, to which only humans and chimpanzees are susceptible. In the present study, polymorphisms of the MHC‐DPB1 gene (Patr‐DPB1) in a chimpanzee colony in Japan were examined using a stepwise polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. In order to design a suitable primer pair which would amplify exon 2 of the Patr‐DPB1 gene, a fragment of approximately 8 kb from exon 1 to exon 3 was amplified from chimpanzee genomic DNA. After designing a 500‐bp primer pair at the 3′ region of intron 1 and the 5′ region of intron 2, analysis of DPB1 exon 2 alleles of each chimpanzee was carried out. Twenty‐two chimpanzees were used in our study, and we identified seven alleles by sequence analysis on the Patr‐DPB1 gene, including one new allele. The obtained nucleotide sequence patterns suggest that Patr‐DPB1 alleles emerge by genetic variations such as the exchange of sequence motifs and the accumulation of point mutations.
Promoter and intron‐1 region polymorphisms in the IFNG gene in patients with hepatitis E
Authors: Arora R. , Saha A. , Malhotra D. , Rath P. , Kar P. , Bamezai R.
Published: June 2005

Allelic and genotype variations in the promoter region and the dinucleotide (CA)n repeat region in intron 1 of the interferon‐g (IFNG) gene were analysed by direct sequencing and simple sequence length polymorphism (SSLP), respectively, in patients with acute hepatitis, and the prevalence was compared with that in healthy controls. Our results showed a significant association of heterozygous genotypes (CA)12/(CA)14 and (CA)12/(CA)16 in intron 1 of the IFNG gene in all categories of patients with acute hepatitis, classified on the basis of presence or absence of hepatitis E virus (HEV), in comparison with healthy controls. A novel polymorphism, −288 A→T [from the translational start site, as per Human Genome Organization (HUGO) nomenclature], in the promoter region of the IFNG gene leading to a loss of the consensus domain for the interferon‐stimulated response element (ISRE), as predicted by in silico analysis, was observed in 12.5% of patients with acute HEV infection. However, no significant difference in allele or genotype frequency was observed for the −288 promoter polymorphism, although the heterozygous −288 A/T genotype showed a moderate risk in patients with acute HEV infection alone (P = 0.29, odds ratio = 1.964, confidence interval = 0.46–8.45). The data suggest that the genotype at intron 1 of IFNG might affect susceptibility to acute hepatitis in HEV infection, which warrants further elucidation in a larger sample and also functional studies.
A new method optimized to use gamma-ray bursts as cosmic rulers
Authors: Firmani Claudio , Ghisellini Gabriele , Ghirlanda Giancarlo , Avila-Reese Vladimir
Published: June 2005

We present a new method aimed at handling long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) as cosmic rulers. The recent discovery of a tight correlation between the collimation-corrected GRB energy and the peak of the gamma-ray spectrum has opened up the possibility of using GRBs as a new category of standard candles. Unfortunately, because of the lack of low-z GRBs, up to now this correlation has been obtained from high-z GRBs, with the consequence that it depends on the cosmological parameters we pretend to constrain. It is hoped that this circularity problem will be solved when, in a few years, the low-z GRB sample will be increased enough. In the meantime, we present here a new Bayesian method that eases the aforesaid circularity problem, and allows the introduction of new constraints on the cosmological (ΩM, ΩΛ) diagram as well as the exploration of the kinematics of the Universe up to z ≈ 3. The method that we propose offers the further advantage of allowing us to handle the problem of the (ΩM, ΩΛ) loitering line singularity which inevitably appears when standard candles with z > 2 are used. The combination of GRBs with Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) data makes the popular Λ cold dark matter (ΛCDM) cosmology more consistent with the Hubble diagram at the 68 per cent confidence level. For a flat cosmology we find ΩM = 0.28 ± 0.03 for the combined GRB+SN Ia data set. Correspondingly, the transition redshift between cosmic deceleration and acceleration is zT = 0.73 ± 0.09, slightly larger than the value found by considering SNe Ia alone. We briefly discuss our results also in terms of non-ΛCDM dark energy models.
Polarized diffuse emission at 2.3 GHz in a high Galactic latitude area
Authors: Carretti E. , McConnell D. , McClure-Griffiths N. M. , Bernardi G. , Cortiglioni S. , Poppi S.
Published: June 2005

Polarized diffuse emission observations at 2.3 GHz in a high Galactic latitude area are presented. The 2°× 2° field, centred at (α = 5h, δ = -49°), is located in the region observed by the BOOMERanG experiment. Our observations were carried out with the Parkes radio telescope, and represent the highest frequency detection to date in a low-emission area. Because of the weaker Faraday rotation effect, the high frequency allows an estimate of the Galactic synchrotron contamination of the cosmic microwave background polarization (CMBP) which is more reliable than that achieved at 1.4 GHz. We find that the angular power spectra of the E- and B-modes have slopes of βE = -1.46 ± 0.14 and βB = -1.87 ± 0.22, indicating a flattening with respect to 1.4 GHz. Extrapolated up to 32 GHz, the E-mode spectrum is about three orders of magnitude lower than that of the CMBP, allowing a clean detection even at this frequency. The best improvement concerns the B-mode, for which our single-dish observations provide the first estimate of the contamination on angular scales close to the CMBP peak (about 2°). We find that the CMBP B-mode should be stronger than the synchrotron contamination at 90 GHz for models with tensor-to-scalar perturbation ratio T/S > 0.01. This low level could move down to 60–70 GHz the optimal window for CMBP measurements.
One-armed spiral structure of accretion discs induced by a phase-dependent mass transfer in Be/X-ray binaries
Authors: Hayasaki Kimitake , Okazaki Atsuo T.
Published: June 2005

We study the non-axisymmetric structure of accretion discs in Be/X-ray binaries, performing three-dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations for a coplanar system with a short period and a moderate eccentricity. We find that ram pressure due to the phase-dependent mass transfer from the Be-star disc excites a one-armed, trailing spiral structure in the accretion disc around the neutron star. The spiral wave is transient; it is excited around the periastron passage, when the material is transferred from the Be disc, and is gradually damped afterwards. The disc changes its morphology from circular to eccentric with the development of the spiral wave, and then from eccentric to circular with the decay of the wave during one orbital period. It turns out that the inward propagation of the spiral wave significantly enhances the mass-accretion rate on to the neutron star. Thus, the detection of an X-ray luminosity peak corresponding to the peak in enhanced mass-accretion rate provides circumstantial evidence that an accretion disc is present in Be/X-ray binaries.
Cosmological constraints from X-ray AGN clustering and Type Ia supernova data
Authors: Basilakos S. , Plionis M.
Published: June 2005

We put constraints on the main cosmological parameters of different spatially flat cosmological models by combining the recent clustering results of XMM–Newton soft (0.5–2 keV) X-ray sources, which have a redshift distribution with median redshift z ∼ 1.2, and Type Ia supernova data. Using a likelihood procedure we find that the model that best reproduces the observational data and which is consistent with stellar ages is the concordance λ cold dark matter model with Ω m ≃ 0.28, w ≃ −1, H0 ≃ 72 km s-1 Mpc−1 and t0 ≃ 13.5 Gyr, and has an X-ray active galactic nucleus clustering evolution which is constant in physical coordinates. For a different clustering evolution model (constant in comoving coordinates) we find another viable model, although less probable because of the smaller age of the universe, with Ωm ≃ 0.38, w ≃−1.25, H0 ≃ 70 km s−1 Mpc−1 and t0 ≃ 12.9 Gyr.
The space density of moderate-luminosity active galaxies at z = 3
Authors: Nandra K. , Laird E. S. , Steidel C. C.
Published: June 2005

We present an estimate of the space density of active galactic nuclei (AGN) at z = 3. Combining deep X-ray data with Lyman break galaxy (LBG) colour selection in the rest-frame ultraviolet makes for highly efficient identification of AGN in a narrow redshift range (z ∼ 2.5–3.5). Using Chandra data from the Groth–Westphal Strip (GWS) and the Hubble Deep Field North (HDF-N), we find a total of 15 X-ray-detected LBGs at z ∼ 3, the majority of which are unlikely to have been identified in blanket follow-up surveys of X-ray-detected objects. We find the comoving space density of moderate-luminosity AGN (MLAGN; LX = 1043–44.5 erg s−1) at z = 3 to be a factor of ∼10 higher than that of the most powerful objects. The available data are consistent with a roughly constant space density of MLAGN from z = 0.5 to 3, and they are also consistent with a mild decline in the space density above z = 1 as predicted by the luminosity-dependent density evolution models of Ueda et al. This strong AGN activity at z = 3 argues against previous suggestions that the majority of black hole accretion occurs at low redshift. A further implication of our investigation is that, as far as can be determined from current data, the majority of the AGN population at z ∼ 3 is selected by the LBG dropout technique. Although this is sensitive to AGN with an ultraviolet excess arising from an accretion disc, it predominantly identifies star-forming galaxies. A significant fraction of X-ray sources seem likely to be hosted by these more typical LBGs, further strengthening the starburst–AGN connection at high redshift.
The peak luminosity–peak energy correlation in gamma-ray bursts
Authors: Ghirlanda G. , Ghisellini G. , Firmani C. , Celotti A. , Bosnjak Z.
Published: June 2005

We derive the correlation between the peak luminosity Liso and the peak energy of the νFν spectrum Epeak using 25 long gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) with firm redshift measurements. We find that its slope is similar to that of the correlation between the time-integrated isotropic emitted energy Eiso and Epeak. For the 16 GRBs in our sample with estimated jet opening angle, we compute the collimation-corrected peak luminosity Lγ, and find that it correlates with Epeak. This correlation has, however, a scatter larger than that of the correlation between Epeak and Eγ (the time-integrated emitted energy, corrected for collimation), which we ascribe to the fact that the opening angle is estimated through the global energetics. We have then selected a large sample of 442 GRBs with pseudo-redshifts, derived through the lag–luminosity relation, to test the existence of the Liso–Epeak correlation. With this sample we also explore the possibility of a correlation between time-resolved quantities, namely Lpiso and the peak energy at the peak of emission Eppeak.
LOFAR as a probe of the sources of cosmological reionization
Authors: Zaroubi Saleem , Silk Joseph
Published: June 2005

We propose use of the thickness of the ionization front as a discriminant between alternative modes of reionization in the early Universe, by stars or by miniquasars. Assuming a photoionization–recombination balance, we find that for miniquasar sources the transition from neutral to ionized intergalactic medium is extended and has two features. The first is a sudden steep increase in the neutral fraction with a typical width of 5–10 comoving megaparsecs, depending on the miniquasar power. The second feature is a long wing that represents a much slower transition from a neutral fraction of ≈ 0.8 to 1. The angular resolution of LOFAR is expected to resolve these scales and will, therefore, play an important role in discriminating the hard sources of ionizing photons from the stellar ones.
Comparison of NOHARM and DETECT in Item Cluster Recovery: Counting Dimensions and Allocating Items
Authors: Finch Holmes , Habing Brian
Published: May 2005

This study examines the performance of a new method for assessing and characterizing dimensionality in test data using the NOHARM model, and comparing it with DETECT. Dimensionality assessment is carried out using two goodness‐of‐fit statistics that are compared to reference χ2 distributions. A Monte Carlo study is used with item parameters based on a statewide basic skills assessment and the SAT. Other factors that are varied include the correlation among the latent traits, the number of items, the number of subjects, skewness of the latent traits, and the presence or absence of guessing. The performance of the two procedures is judged by the accuracy in determining the number of underlying dimensions, and the degree to which items are correctly clustered together. Results indicate that the new, NOHARM‐based method appears to perform comparably to DETECT in terms of simultaneously finding the correct number of dimensions and clustering items correctly. NOHARM is generally better able to determine the number of underlying dimensions, but less able to group items together, than DETECT. When errors in item cluster assignment are made, DETECT is more likely to incorrectly separate items while NOHARM more often incorrectly groups them together.
Multidimensional Scaling Analysis of Growth and Change
Authors: Ding Cody S. , Davison Mark L. , Petersen Anne C.
Published: May 2005

Latent growth curve modeling provides a powerful and flexible tool for researchers to study individual differences in change as well as the correlates and predictors of change. Recent developments in estimation and hypothesis testing procedures are largely based on confirmatory structural equation approaches. In this article, an alternative exploratory approach is proposed for the analysis of growth and change using multidimensional scaling (MDS). When applied to growth data, it is a growth pattern recognition technique that partitions individual differences into initial level and growth pattern components. When applied to other longitudinal data, it can be used to study change patterns. A math achievement data set is used to illustrate the growth modeling method and a mood variable is used to illustrate change modeling. The strengths and limitations of the MDS growth profile analysis are discussed.
Reconsidering the Geography of Tourism and Contemporary Mobility
Authors: Hall C. Michael
Published: June 2005

Tourism is one of the world's largest legal industries. At the same time that tourism has grown so has its study, to the extent that there is debate as to whether it may constitute a discipline in its own right. Geographers have long contributed to the study of tourism. However, there is substantial concern over the development of the sub‐discipline and how tourism is conceptualised. A framework for understanding tourism in relation to contemporary human mobility over space and time is provided. This framework bears strong relationships to research on time geography as well as to work on diaspora and transnationalism. Some of the implications of incorporating tourism within the framework of mobility are outlined with respect to mobility as a form of capital, the relationships between different forms of mobility, and an improved understanding of tourism's impacts at all stages of the travel process rather than just at the destination.