bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Partial sequence analysis of indigenous hepatitis E virus isolated in the United Kingdom
Authors: Wang Youchun , Levine David F. , Bendall Richard P. , Teo Chong‐Gee , Harrison Tim J.
Published: August 2002

The first nucleotide sequences of hepatitis E virus (HEV) acquired in the United Kingdom are described. The sequences are novel and are related most closely to HEV isolated from Greece (Greece 2 strain), consistent with their having been derived from an indigenous European virus. HEV was assumed until recently to be rare in the United Kingdom and other industrialised countries and, consequently, hepatitis E may be under‐diagnosed in industrialised countries. J. Med. Virol. 65:706–709, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of new epidemic strains of influenza B virus by using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies
Authors: Nakagawa Naoko , Kubota Ritsuko , Morikawa Saeko , Nakagawa Toshimasa , Baba Koichi , Okuno Yoshinobu
Published: August 2002

During the 1998–1999 influenza season, two distinct influenza B virus Yamagata group strains were isolated from the patients of a private clinic. Each responded differently to monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) 5H4 and 8B3 on staining, and hemagglutination inhibition and neutralizing tests. When the analysis of nucleotide sequences was undertaken, the identity of deduced amino acid sequences of the HA1 region was 94%, which suggested that they derived from different strains. They were termed 5H4‐responding strains and 5H4‐nonresponding strains, respectively. The analysis of laboratory‐induced antigenic variants suggested that the amino acid at position 149 is important to the reactivity to 5H4. This residue was “Arg” in 5H4‐responding strains and “Lys” in nonresponding strains. During the 1998–1999 season, a total of 100 influenza B virus strains were isolated and 5H4‐responding strains were the major type (94 strains). In the 1999–2000 influenza season, only two influenza B virus strains were isolated. Neither responded to 5H4. However, analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of the HA1 region suggested that one of the two strains was derived from the 5H4‐responding strains of the previous season. The amino acid residue at position 149 was “Lys” in place of “Arg.” These observations suggested that 5H4‐nonresponding strains will increase in coming seasons. J. Med. Virol. 65:745–750, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
TT virus: Preferential distribution in CD19+ peripheral blood mononuclear cells and lack of viral integration
Authors: Yu Qigui , Shiramizu Bruce , Nerurkar Vivek R. , Hu Ningjie , Shikuma Cecilia M. , Melish Marian E. , Cascio Karin , Imrie Allison , Lu Yuanan , Yanagihara Richard
Published: August 2002

In order to determine whether peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) contain proviral DNA or double‐stranded replicative forms of TT virus (TTV) and to define which cell subset harbors TTV, we analyzed 126 PBMC DNA samples by PCR, using the NG059/NG061/NG063 and the T801/T935 primer sets. TTV sequences were detected in nearly 20% (25/126) of PBMC DNA samples. Analysis of PBMC subsets revealed that TTV was preferentially distributed in CD19+ cells. TTV DNA was also detected in CD3+/CD19+ double‐depleted cells but was undetectable in CD3+ cells. After degradation of single‐stranded DNA using mung bean nuclease (MBN), TTV could not be detected in previously TTV‐positive PBMC DNA samples nor in DNA from CD19+ cells, CD3+‐depleted, and CD3+/CD19+ double‐depleted cells, indicating the lack of TTV DNA integration and the absence of viral double‐stranded replicative intermediates in PBMC or PBMC subset cells. Our data indicate that PBMC and PBMC subsets are not the major sites of TTV replication. J. Med. Virol. 66:276–284, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection and typing of respiratory adenoviruses in a single‐tube multiplex polymerase chain reaction
Authors: Na Byoung‐Kuk , Kim Jee‐Hee , Shin Gu‐Choul , Lee Joo‐Yeon , Lee Jin‐Soo , Kang Chun , Kim Woo‐Joo
Published: August 2002

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that is capable of detecting and typing six serotypes of respiratory adenovirus (Ad) was developed, using multiple sets of type‐specific primers. The detection of each different serotype depended on distinguishing different numbers and sizes of amplification products on agarose gels following PCR. The multiplex PCR was tested with 26 clinical Ad isolates and other respiratory viruses including influenza viruses, parainfluenza viruses, and respiratory syncytial viruses as well as respiratory bacterial pathogens such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The multiplex PCR for the detection and typing of Ads gave an excellent correlation with the results by conventional typing with type‐specific antisera. This assay may serve as a rapid means of confirming Ad with simultaneous serotype identification of the isolates. It will also have relevance as an adjunctive tool to conventional serotyping for diagnostic and epidemiological purposes. J. Med. Virol. 66:512–517, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and evaluation of an internally controlled semiautomated PCR assay for quantification of cell‐free cytomegalovirus
Authors: Tedder R.S. , Ayliffe U. , Preiser W. , Brink N.S. , Grant P.R. , Peggs K.S. , Mackinnon S. , Kreig‐Schneider F. , Kirk S. , Garson J.A.
Published: August 2002

Quantification of circulating human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is useful in clinical contexts such as virological surveillance of bone marrow transplant recipients and monitoring of antiviral therapy. This report describes an internally controlled, quantitative, semiautomated, HCMV genome assay that was developed primarily to measure HCMV DNA in the plasma of severely leucopaenic patients. It exhibits greater sensitivity, wider dynamic range and higher sample throughput than a number of previously described commercial and “in‐house” assays. Viral DNA extraction from EDTA plasma samples was automated using a BioRobot 9604 (Qiagen). HCMV strain AD169 was used to prepare a calibration curve and murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) strain Smith was added as internal control to all calibration standards and test samples. Amplification was performed using a set of primers based on the HCMV UL50 region, capable of amplifying both human and murine CMV. The yield of biotinylated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products was estimated using HCMV‐specific and MCMV‐specific enzyme‐labelled probes and automated chemiluminescence detection. Log‐transformed HCMV‐to‐MCMV signal ratios were calculated and used for quantification of test samples against simultaneously extracted MCMV‐spiked calibration standards. Evaluation of the assay sensitivity by Probit analysis demonstrated a 95% probability of detection at 100 HCMV genomes per ml of plasma; the dynamic range was shown to be ≥ 4 log10. A total of 315 samples from 61 bone marrow transplant patients were analysed by both the quantitative PCR (qPCR) and by a previously validated nested nonquantitative PCR (NQPCR). A high level of concordance (90%) was observed between the two assays, although the qPCR assay exhibited slightly greater sensitivity. J. Med. Virol. 66:518–523, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Screening of blood from potential organ and cornea donors for viruses
Authors: Miédougé Marcel , Chatelut Martine , Mansuy Jean‐Michel , Rostaing Lionel , Malecaze François , Sandres‐Sauné Karine , Boudet Francis , Puel Jacqueline , Abbal Michel , Izopet Jacques
Published: August 2002

Prospective nucleic acid tests were carried out for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) using the COBAS Amplicor HIV‐1 and HCV tests (Roche Diagnostics, Meylan, France) on potential organ (n = 113) and cornea (n = 368) donors in France to evaluate their performance and suitability for use as a complement to routine serological tests. Blood samples were collected from organ donors with preserved cardiac function after verification of cerebral death. Blood samples were collected from cornea donors post‐mortem within 48 hr after death. An internal control was added to the samples before extraction to monitor each individual polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The nucleic acid tests were always interpretable in organ donors and negative in all except in 2 anti‐HCV positive patients. One had an indeterminate HIV p24 antigen but was negative for HIV RNA. HIV and HCV RNA were not found in cornea donors with a negative serology but indeterminate molecular results were frequent in this group (17.6%). Cornea donors also gave significantly more (14.4%) indeterminate serological results than organ donors (1.8%) (P < 0.001). This was due to the poor quality of the blood samples collected post‐mortem. However, there was no correlation between indeterminate results of serological and molecular tests. There were 16/19 (84%) indeterminate serological results for HIV and 4/4 (100%) for HCV that were negative by PCR. Thus, nucleic acid tests could be useful for qualifying a donor whose serological results are indeterminate. The extraction procedures on post‐mortem specimens and/or blood collection must be changed to improve the performance of nucleic acid tests. J. Med. Virol. 66:571–575, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Incidence and prevalence of human group C rotavirus infections in Argentina
Authors: Castello Alejandro A. , Argüelles Marcelo H. , Villegas Guillermo A. , Olthoff Alicia , Glikmann Graciela
Published: August 2002

The incidence of human group C rotavirus infections among children and adults in Buenos Aires was evaluated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) based on recombinant group C VP6 protein (Cowden strain). A total of 976 stool samples taken from patients (ages 6 months to 15 years) with acute diarrhea were tested for the presence of group C rotavirus. Among these, only 10 (1.02%) were group C rotavirus positive by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed by absorption with group C VP6 antibodies and by RT‐PCR for both VP6 and VP7 genes. The average age (5.86 years) was significantly superior to that in group A‐infected patients (1.63 years). Previous exposure to this virus was assessed by detecting specific IgG in sera taken from healthy individuals grouped by age. Of 844 sera tested, 425 (50.3%) were group C IgG positive by ELISA, confirmed by Western blot analysis. The rates of IgG positivity for group A and C rotaviruses during the first years of life indicated that infections with group C are frequent in older children (3–5 years), whereas group A infections are prevalent in infants and young children (6–18 months). This study shows that group C rotavirus infections in Argentine children occur later in life than group A and are relatively common in spite of the low detection rate of this virus. J. Med. Virol. 67:106–112, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
single‐cell cytokine analysis allows detection of cervical T‐cell responses against human papillomavirus type 16 L1 in women infected with genital HPV
Authors: Passmore Jo‐Ann S. , Burch Vanessa C. , Shephard Enid G. , Marais Dianne J. , Allan Bruce , Kay Patti , Rose Robert C. , Williamson Anna‐Lise
Published: August 2002

Specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV) are known to play a causal role in the development of cervical cancer, with human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV‐16) identified as the predominant type. Despite this, little is known about cervical immune responses to this pathogen. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of cervical cytobrush sampling and single‐cell cytokine staining to investigate cervical lymphocyte‐specific cytokine responses to HPV‐16 antigens. Of eighteen women recruited into the study, five were HPV DNA positive at the cervix (current exposure) and a further five had circulating antibodies to HPV‐16 (previous exposure). Cervical lymphocytes, isolated from the five HPV DNA‐positive women, two HPV DNA‐negative controls, and one woman with circulating HPV‐16 antibodies were assessed for HPV‐specific responses using intracellular staining for interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4). We demonstrate that both CD4+ and CD8+ cervical T lymphocytes, harvested from noninfected and infected subjects, produce these cytokines in response to nonspecific stimulation. However, antigen‐specific (HPV‐16 L1) IFN‐γ production by CD4+ and CD8+ cervical T lymphocytes is only detectable in women exposed currently or previously to HPV‐16. This is the first time that antigen‐specific cytokine responses of mucosal lymphocytes, obtained from a site of HPV infection, have been demonstrated. This finding clearly illustrates the use of intracellular cytokine staining for investigation of low precursor frequency single‐cell antigen‐specific responses in lymphocytes harvested from mucosal sites with HPV infection. J. Med. Virol. 67:234–240, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analytical modelling of multilayer structure electronic devices for electrothermal layout optimisation
Authors: Pesare Marcello , Giorgio Agostino , Perri Anna Gina
Published: August 2002

In this paper, an analytical model for the electrothermal solution to the non‐linear 3‐D heat flow equation for multilayer structure electronic devices is proposed. Compared with previous models presented in literature, it is general and can be easily applied to a large variety of integrated devices, provided that their structure can be represented as an arbitrary number of superimposed layers with a 2‐D embedded thermal source, so as to include the effect of the package. The proposed method is independent of the specific physical properties of the layers, hence GaAs MESFETs and HEMTs as well as silicon and silicon‐on‐insulator MOSFETs and heterostructure LASERs can be analysed. Moreover, it takes into account the dependence of the thermal conductivity of all the layers on the temperature; the heat equation is solved coupled with the device current–voltage relation in order to give physical consistence to the experimental evidence that a temperature increase causes a degradation of the electrical performances and that the electrical power is not uniformly distributed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TLM‐based solutions of the Klein–Gordon equation (Part I)
Authors: O'Connor William J. , Clune Fergus J.
Published: August 2002

The transmission line matrix (TLM) method has become well established as a numerical solution scheme for wave problems in electromagnetics and, to a lesser extent, in acoustics and mechanics. It has also been applied to diffusion/heat‐conduction problems. Here the technique is extended to solving the Klein–Gordon equation that arises in Quantum Mechanics and in the dynamics of an elastically anchored vibrating string. In Part I, two novel, TLM‐based algorithms are presented and verified. By considering them as solving a special case of the more general ‘forced’ wave equation, they illustrate how, with care, the TLM algorithm can be adapted to model a wide range of effects. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Huygens' principle in the transmission line matrix method (TLM). Global theory
Authors: Enders Peter
Published: August 2002

Huygens' principle (HP) is understood as a universal principle governing not only the propagation of light, but also of acoustic waves, heat and matter diffusion, Schrödinger's matter waves, random walks, and many more. According to Hadamard's rigorous definition, HP comprehends the principle of action‐by‐proximity (cf. Faraday's field theory, etc.) and the superposition of secondary wavelets (Huygens' construction). This definition is reformulated for discrete spaces. The global aspect concerns the propagation of fields (e.g. wavefronts). Within TLM, the appropriate field propagator (Green's function) is the Johns matrix. The compatibility with HP explains the success of TLM in computing propagation, transport, and other evolution processes from a different point of view. A possible practical application of these results for computing eigenmodes is mentioned. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development of excitatory synapses in cultured neurons dissociated from the cortices of rat embryos and rat pups at birth
Authors: Lin Yan‐Chiang , Huang Zu‐Han , Jan I‐Sam , Yeh Chia‐Chun , Wu Han‐Jay , Chou Yun‐Chia , Chang Yen‐Chung
Published: August 2002

We studied the development of excitatory synapses in cultured neurons dissociated from the cortices of rat embryos at the 18th day of gestation (E18) and rat pups at birth (P0). Between 7 and 14 days in vitro (DIV), large increases in the amplitudes and frequencies of the spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) of both cultured E18 and P0 neurons were observed. The EPSCs of E18 neurons were mediated primarily by α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐iso‐xazole‐propionic acid (AMPA) receptors at 7 DIV and by both N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) and AMPA receptors at 14 DIV. Consistently, immunostaining indicated significant increases in the proportion of the clusters of NR1, an NMDA receptor subunit, which were associated with the accumulation of synaptophysin, a presynaptic marker, in cultured E18 neurons between 7 and 14 DIV. The proportion of NR1 clusters residing in synaptic regions and the proportion of synapses that colocalized with NR1 clusters in 7‐day‐old P0 neurons were not different statistically from those found in 7‐day‐old E18 neurons. However, cultured P0 neurons at 7 DIV displayed clear EPSCs mediated by NMDA receptors. Our results suggest that the targeting of NMDA receptors to synaptic regions lag behind the synaptic clustering of AMPA receptors during the in vitro development of cultured rat E18 cortical neurons. The results further suggest that the cortical neurons at P0 differ from those at E19 in certain cellular properties; as a result, the currents mediated by the synaptic NMDA receptors in 7‐day‐old P0 neurons are larger than those mediated by the synaptic NMDA receptors in 7‐day‐old E18 neurons. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Temperature and time interval for culture of postmortem neurons from adult rat cortex
Authors: Viel John J. , McManus Dennis Q. , Cady Craig , Evans M. Steven , Brewer Gregory J.
Published: August 2002

For a model of neurological disease and ischemia, we extended recent work to culture adult postmortem rat brain neurons. Frontal cortex sections were removed from adult rats immediately following sacrifice and at different postmortem intervals and with the brain at either 22°C or 4°C. Brain could be stored four times longer at 4°C between sacrifice and neuronal disaggregation to achieve the same 20% recovery of live cells from those plated compared to 22°C. Each milligram of rat frontal cortex was estimated by the optical disector method to contain 160,000 neurons. When cells were isolated as rapidly as possible, 9% of the neurons originally present in the brain were viable. Various postmortem intervals from 2 to 24 hr resulted in a reduction from 6% to 3% of the cells originally present. After 5 days in culture, viable neurons were 23–42% of those isolated. Neuron‐like cells that survived represented 40–75% of the viable cells, or 0.5–2.75% of those originally estimated to be present in the brain. Electrophysiology experiments show that cells isolated 0 and 24 hr postmortem had neuronal electrical properties, including an average resting membrane potential of –48 mV, voltage‐sensitive currents, and action potentials. Neuron‐like cells were immunoreactive for neuron‐specific enolase, neurofilament 200, glutamate, MAP2, and tau after 2 weeks in culture. These experiments show that neuron‐like cells can be reliably cultured from adult rat cortex up to 6 hr postmortem when stored at 22°C and up to 24 hr postmortem when stored at 4°C. These findings should encourage donation of human postmortem brain neurons for studies on ischemia, adult pharmacology, and neurological disease. J. Neurosci. Res. 64:311–321, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Up‐regulation of the peripheral‐type benzodiazepine receptor expression and [3H]PK11195 binding in gerbil hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia
Authors: Rao Vemuganti L. Raghavendra , Bowen Kellie K. , Rao Adibhatla Muralikrishna , Dempsey Robert J.
Published: August 2002

In mammalian CNS, the peripheral‐type benzodiazepine receptor (PTBR) is localized on the outer mitochondrial membrane within the astrocytes and microglia. The main function of PTBR is to transport cholesterol across the mitochondrial membrane to the site of neurosteroid biosynthesis. The present study evaluated the changes in the PTBR density, gene expression and immunoreactivity in gerbil hippocampus as a function of reperfusion time after transient forebrain ischemia. Between 3 to 7 days of reperfusion, there was a significant increase in the maximal binding site density (Bmax) of the PTBR antagonist [3H]PK11195 (by 94–156%; P < 0.01) and PTBR mRNA levels (by 1.8‐ to 2.9‐fold; P < 0.01). At 7 days of reperfusion, in the hippocampal CA1 (the brain region manifesting selective neuronal death), PTBR immunoreactivity increased significantly. Increased PTBR expression after transient forebrain ischemia may lead to increased neurosteroid biosynthesis, and thus may play a role in the ischemic pathophysiology. J. Neurosci. Res. 64:493–500, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Post‐monsoon sea surface temperature and convection anomalies over Indian and Pacific Oceans
Authors: Babu C. A. , Joseph P. V.
Published: August 2002

We have studied sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies over the Indian and Pacific Oceans (domain 25 °S to 25 °N and 40 °E to 160 °W) during the three seasons following the Indian summer monsoon for wet monsoons and also for dry monsoons accompanied or not by El Niño. A dry monsoon is followed by positive SST anomalies in the longitude belt 40 to 120 °E, negative anomalies in 120 to 160 °E and again positive anomalies east of 160 °E. In dry monsoons accompanied by El Niño the anomalies have the same sign, but are much stronger. Wet monsoons have weak anomalies of opposite sign in all three of the longitude belts. Thus El Niño and a dry monsoon have the same types of association with the Indian and Pacific Ocean SSTs.

In the sector 40 to 120 °E SST anomalies first appear over the western part of the Indian Ocean (June to September) followed by the same sign of anomalies over its eastern part and China Sea (October to March). By March after a dry monsoon or El Niño the Indian Ocean between 10 °N and 10 °S has a spatially large warm SST anomaly. Anomalies in deep convection tend to follow the SST anomalies, with warm SST anomalies producing positive convection anomalies around the seasonal location of the intertropical convergence zone. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society.
Evaluation of broad scale vertical circulation and thermal indices in relation to the onset of Indian summer monsoon
Authors: Roy Bhowmik S. K.
Published: August 2002

The onset of the Indian summer monsoon over Kerala for an individual year of delayed (1997), early (1999) and normal onset (2000) was examined in relation to the intensity of vertical circulation and thermal indices during the pre‐monsoon months (April and May). The study showed that in the delayed monsoon onset year (1997) negative anomalies of vertical zonal index dominated over the north Indian Ocean during pre‐monsoon months, particularly in April. In contrast, in the early onset year (1999) the positive anomalies of this index over the north Indian Ocean during the pre‐monsoon months were considerably stronger (April and May). However, the meridional vertical index did not show any appreciable difference. The gradient of the vertical thermal index anomalies over the Tibetan Plateau in the month of April was prominently stronger during the years of early and normal onset (1999 and 2000). The anomalies of geopotential height at 200 hPa over the Tibetan Plateau in the pre‐monsoon months were significantly lower in the year of delayed onset (1997). The precipitable water content was found to be another major feature, which grew rapidly over the equatorial belt of the Indian Ocean extending up to the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal during the two weeks prior to onset. Most of these features were observed very distinctly in the month of April, well before the monsoon onset, and promise to provide important predictive signals for the onset over Kerala. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society.
Molecular structure of Fe(III) 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin perchlorate: a saddle-shaped porphyrin with an intermediate S = 3/2 spin state
Authors: BARKIGIA KATHLEEN M. , RENNER MARK W. , FAJER JACK
Published: August 2002

Recent crystallographic evidence of nonplanarity of several prosthetic groups in heme proteins has prompted the design of conformationally distorted synthetic porphyrins in order to assess the consequences of the nonplanarity observed in vivo. The crystal structure of the sterically crowded Fe(III) 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-octaethyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin perchlorate has been determined and shows the macrocycle to be saddle-shaped with a small degree of ruffling. The combination of severe nonplanarity and of the weak ligand-field counterion results in a nearly pure S = 3/2 intermediate spin state of the Fe(III) as evidenced by its electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum in frozen solution at low temperatures.
Sedimentology, palaeoecology and geochronology of Marine Isotope Stage 5 deposits on the Shetland Islands, Scotland
Authors: Hall Adrian M. , Gordon John E. , Whittington Graeme , Duller Geoffrey A. T. , Heijnis Hendrik
Published: August 2002

New stratigraphical, palynological and dating evidence is presented for pre‐Late Devensian/Weichselian sediments at Fugla Ness and Sel Ayre, Shetland. The Fugla Ness Peat rests on till and formed during an interglacial that saw the development of maritime heaths, with scattered trees and shrubs, including Pinus and possibly Ilex. A decline into stadial conditions is marked by overlying periglacial breccia and till. The Sel Ayre Organic Sands and Gravels lie between periglacial breccias and beneath till and appear to record a changing interstadial environment in which trees were absent and the vegetation comprised largely heaths, with Bruckenthalia, and grasslands. The Fugla Ness Peat is dated to 110+40/−35 ka by uranium series disequilibrium, suggesting that it formed during the Ipswichian/Eemian Interglacial (Marine Isotope Substage 5e). Luminescence ages of ca. 98–105 ka on intercalated sands within the Sel Ayre Organic Sands and Gravels place these deposits in Marine Isotope Substage 5c (Brørup Interstadial). The two sites provide the first detailed record of Marine Isotope Stage 5 environments on Shetland. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attenuation of surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy response in gold–platinum core‐shell nanoparticles
Authors: Flynn Nolan T. , Gewirth Andrew A.
Published: August 2002

Colloidal gold particles (11.2 nm) were coated with platinum overlayers, resulting in bimetallic particles with 1–8 mol% Pt. These particles were characterized using electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy and electrochemistry confirming the Au–Pt core‐shell structure. The UV–visible spectra showed only minimal red shifts with increasing Pt content. The Raman spectra, on the other hand, changed dramatically with slight increases in Pt, resulting in a loss of appreciable surface‐enhancement effects by 4 mol% Pt. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman scattering from bismuth triborate
Authors: Xia H. R. , Li L. X. , Teng B. , Zheng W. Q. , Lu G. W. , Jiang H. D. , Wang J. Y
Published: August 2002

Bismuth triborate, BiB3O6 (BiBO), a promising new material for effective frequency conversion, was synthesized by top‐seeded growth from the nearly stoichiometric melt at high temperature. The crystal space group is non‐centrosymmetric monoclinic C2 with Z = 2. The lattice constants were a = 7.116(2), b = 4.993(2) and c = 6.508(3) Å with β = 105.62(3)°. The atomic Wyckoff positions are Bi in 2a, B(1) in 2b and B(2) and O in 4c. Raman spectra show that the structural rigidity of the BiBO crystals can be mainly ascribed to B—O bond stretching and bending. The B(1)O4 units weaken the conjugated π‐orbit system. The BiBO crystal has a short ultraviolet absorption edge. Therefore, the two principal structural units, B(2)O3 and B(1)O4, and the bonding are of considerable interest. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differences in estrogen receptor status, HER2, and p53 comparing metachronous bilateral breast carcinoma
Authors: Matsuo Kaneyuki , Fukutomi Takashi , Tsuda Hitoshi , Akashi‐Tanaka Sadako , Shimizu Chikako , Hasegawa Tadashi
Published: August 2002

Background and Objectives:

We analyzed the clinicopathologic characteristics and tumor biology of metachronous bilateral breast carcinoma with regard to p53, HER2 and hormone receptor status.

Methods:

A consecutive series of 54 female metachronous bilateral breast carcinoma patients treated at the National Cancer Center Hospital between 1980 and 1997 were the primary source of these retrospective data. Clinicopathologic background factors were analyzed, and immunohistochemical staining for p53, HER2, and hormone receptor status was carried out on paraffin‐embedded specimens.

Results:

There were no significant differences in clinical stage, p53 and HER2 expression levels between the first and second primary tumors. The positive rates for ER and PR were 48% (25 of 52) and 46% (25 of 54) for the first tumors, but only 19% (10 of 52) and 32% (17 of 54) for the second tumors (P = 0.004 for ER, P = 0.16 for PR), showing a significant loss of ER.

Conclusions:

Our findings indicate that p53 and HER2 expression levels in the second tumors might be the same as those of the first tumors in metachronous bilateral breast carcinoma; however, loss of ER was more frequently observed in the second primary tumors than in the first tumors. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001; 77:31–34. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intraoperative US staging of T in gastric cancer: Final results of a blind prospective study
Authors: de Manzoni Giovanni , Di Leo Alberto , Pedrazzani Corrado , Castaldini Gabriele , Borzellino Giuseppe , Veraldi Gianfranco , Cordiano Claudio
Published: August 2002

Background

In order to improve the accuracy in the assessment of depth of tumor invasion, we performed an ultrasound examination of the resected specimen intraoperatively just after removal by the surgeon (Intraoperative Ultrasonography (IUS). This prospective blind study reports the results obtained with the IUS in the staging of T in a group of 281 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Methods

After the removal by the surgeon, the portion of the stomach harboring the tumor was submitted to ultrasonography with a linear 7.5 Mhz probe. An echo‐free standoff pad was placed between the probe and the organ; a second echo‐free standoff pad was interposed between the stomach and the support surface. The diagnosis of depth of invasion was based on the degree of disruption of the five‐layer sonographic structure of the gastric wall.

Results

The IUS staging of T corresponded to the pathological diagnosis in 256 out of 281 cases (overall accuracy 91.1%). The sensitivity in the different classes of T was, respectively, 91.2 in T1m cases, 83.3 in the T1sm cases, 89.6 in the T2 cases, and 93.5% in the T3 cases.

Conclusion

The IUS on the resected specimen has a high degree of accuracy in the assessment of depth of tumor invasion and seems to be an important advance in the clinical staging of gastric cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001;78:158–161. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nucleolar organizer region count and subjective AgNOR pattern assessment (SAPA) score in skin tumors
Authors: Khanna Ajay Kumar , Giri Arun Kumar , Khanna Anuradha , Kumar Mohan
Published: August 2002

Objective

To study the argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region (AgNOR) count and subjective AgNOR pattern assessment (SAPA) score in cytologic and histologic specimens of various skin tumors.

Study Design

The study group consisted of 37 patients (14 benign and 23 malignant) of various skin tumors. In all cases, cytology by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), and histological specimens were studied by conventional staining and silver staining for AgNOR.

Results

The mean count in benign tumors in cytologic specimens was 2.08 ± 0.01, compared with 5.50 ± 1.12 in malignant tumors (P<0.001). In histologic specimens, mean count was 2.13 ± 0.51 in benign, compared with 5.38 ± 1.10 in malignant tumors (P<0.001). The SAPA score in benign tumors (P<0.001) in cytologic specimens, was 6.07 ± 0.83, compared with 10.65 ± 1.27 in malignant tumors, and in histology, it was 6.07 ± 0.87 in benign, compared with 10.83 ± 1.15 in malignant tumors (P < 0.001). Melanoma showed the higher AgNOR count compared with squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. The parameters were statistically significant between the grade of tumor in squamous cell carcinoma and the positivity of lymph nodes as demonstrated by SAPA score. No correlation was found between the clinical stage and Clark level of melanoma. Although, AgNOR count and SAPA score showed similar results, the indicators of validity were higher in SAPA than AgNOR count.

Conclusion

Although, AgNOR count and SAPA score gave similar results, but the indicators of validity were higher in SAPA score than AgNOR count. J. Surg. Oncol. 2001;78:273–278. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Career paths and labour mobility in the conventions and exhibitions industry in eastern Australia: results from a preliminary study
Authors: McCabe Vivienne
Published: August 2002

The Conventions and Exhibitions Industry has undergone substantial economic growth worldwide and is seen as an excellent provider of new employment opportunities. The sector is recognised and considered attractive for both new and existing employees and provides excellent career prospects. However careers within the sector are relatively new with little information available as to potential progression or pathways. In an industry that is subject to high mobility rates and labour turnover this paper presents the preliminary findings of a study that is focused on establishing the potential career paths, patterns and strategies of managers in the convention and exhibition industry in Australia. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CKO wanted — evangelical skills necessary: a review of the Chief Knowledge Officer position
Authors: Bontis Nick
Published: August 2002

One of the key challenges for business executives in the knowledge era is to manage intellectual capital. Drawing upon: (1) the author's personal experience as CKO of Knexa.com – the world's first knowledge exchange auction; and (2) the relatively nascent literature on the roles and responsibilities of CKOs, this paper highlights five perspectives that a CKO must embrace to be successful: (1) CKO as Knowledge Sharing Icon; (2) CKO as Trust Steward; (3) CKO as Total Trainer; (4) CKO as Techno Nerd; and (5) CKO as Number‐crunching Accountant. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behaviour of cadmium and nickel in a soil amended with sewage sludge
Authors: Sastre I. , Vicente M. A. , Lobo M. C.
Published: August 2002

Various urban and industrial sewage sludges were applied to a soil at two doses (50 and 100 t ha−1 y−1) during eight years in a field experiment. The soil was analysed at two depths (0–30 and 30–60 cm) for extractable cadmium and nickel. In general these trace metal increased with dosage. However, cadmium formed complexes with organic matter and nickel bound to iron and manganese oxides. Hence, the available fractions of these metals constituted a small proportion of the total content. The results obtained show a low risk of contamination due to the available fractions of these metals at sludges dosages of up to 100 t ha−1. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alternative indications for laser‐assisted tympanic membrane fenestration
Authors: Cook Steven P. , Deutsch Ellen S. , Reilly James S.
Published: August 2002

Background and Objective

To assess the utility of the CO2 Flashscanner laser for treatment of selected middle ear diseases other than otitis media with effusion (OME) and acute otitis media (AOM).

Study Design/Materials and Methods

A retrospective review of the records of 144 patients treated with the OtoLAM® device, a Flashscanner laser, between July 1, 1998, and February 29, 2000. Patients treated for AOM or OME were excluded.

Results

Data are presented on 11 patients (17 ears). Four indications were identified: Elimination of middle ear fluid before auditory brainstem response with or without otoacoustic emission testing (ABR ± OAE), barotrauma, eustachian tube obstruction, tympanocentesis when a culture of middle ear fluid was deemed necessary. All tympanic membranes (TM) healed.

Conclusions

Fenestration of the TM can be accomplished for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Laser assisted tympanic membrane fenestration seems to be effective in the management of middle ear fluid before ABR ± OAE, barotrauma, eustachian tube dysfunction, and for tympanocentesis. Lasers Surg. Med. 28:320–323, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Laser resistance of expandable metal stents in interventional bronchoscopy: An experimental evaluation
Authors: Hautmann Hubert , Huber Rudolf M.
Published: August 2002

Background and Objective

Nd‐YAG non‐contact laser therapy is used to eliminate recurrent tumor tissue within airway stents. This study was performed to determine maximum exposure time until the stent wire is destroyed as well as exposure time necessary to deliberately fracture the wire mesh.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Strecker stents, Wallstents, and Nitinol Accuflex stents were implanted into pig bronchi. Then Nd‐YAG laser light was directed to the stent wires at different power levels. Portions of the stent surrounded by bronchial tissue as well as bare wires were investigated.

Results

The Strecker stent and the Wallstent revealed a considerably higher laser resistance than did the Nitinol Accuflex stent. At 15 W, minimum exposure time until wire destruction was 4.6 and 6.3 s for the Strecker stent and the Wallstent respectively. In contrast, the Nitinol Accuflex stent tolerated only 1.7 s.

Conclusions

Laser therapy with bronchial wire stents can be carried out at low power levels. It should, however, be avoided in the case of Nitinol Accuflex stents due to their low heat tolerance. Lasers Surg. Med. 29:70–72, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diode laser assisted transcervical tubal sterilization: An in vivo study in rabbits
Authors: Spörri Stefan , Bell Brent , Yandell Roger , Motamedi Massoud
Published: August 2002

Background and Objective

To investigate the sterilization effectiveness of endoluminal tubal photocoagulation on tubal lumen obliteration.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Twenty‐four female rabbits were subjected to laparotomy and hysterotomy. Endoluminal tubal photocoagulation was induced over a length of 3 cm in the proximal, extramural fallopian tube by using a cylindrical diffusing tip that emitted diode laser radiation at 805 and 980 nm wavelengths. Tubal patency was evaluated by observing patterns of injected methylene blue and/or breeding success rates.

Results

Postoperative recovery was uneventful in all animals. Evidence of occlusion of the tubal lumen included a negative methylene blue test in all 12 tubes treated (tubal occlusion rate 100%) and failure to conceive in 17 of 18 uteri (contraception rate 94.5%). Although identical power settings were used, distinctly lower tubal surface temperatures (about 10°C) were obtained with the 805 nm diode laser as compared to the 980 nm diode laser.

Conclusions

The described endoluminal tubal photocoagulation method using a diode laser emitting longer wavelengths (e.g., 980 nm) is suitable for safe and effective sterilization in rabbits and has potential as a new transcervical tubal sterilization method for humans. Lasers Surg. Med. 29:379–385, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Decreased mitogenic response to epidermal growth factor in human squamous cell carcinoma lines overexpressing epidermal growth factor receptor owing to limiting amounts of the adaptor protein Grb2: Rescue by retinoic acid treatment
Authors: Crowe David L. , Tsang Kenneth J.
Published: August 2002

Growth factor receptors of the tyrosine kinase family regulate proliferation of a variety of cell types. In some human cancers, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and its ligands often are overexpressed, leading to both constitutive and autocrine activation. Intracellular signaling via this receptor takes place through several mechanisms of action, including activation of ras and the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Our previous studies have shown that human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) lines overexpress EGFR and do not increase proliferation in response to exogenous epidermal growth factor (EGF). The vitamin A metabolite retinoic acid (RA) has been used as a chemotherapeutic drug in the treatment of SCC. RA decreases proliferation of SCC lines, in part owing to inhibition of EGFR expression. However, we previously found that treatment of SCC lines with inhibitory doses of RA sensitized cells to the proliferative effects of EGF. We now present a mechanism of action for this effect. RA inhibited expression of EGFR and proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway. Expression of these molecules returned to basal levels within 24 h after RA withdrawal. RA also inhibited autocrine secretion of EGF, which returned to basal levels with slower kinetics. During this time, addition of exogenous EGF stimulated mitosis in SCC lines. These data suggested that signaling proteins downstream of overexpressed EGFR may have limited the mitotic response in SCC lines. In support of this hypothesis, overexpression of the EGFR adaptor protein Grb2 increased cell proliferation and restored EGF‐induced mitosis. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A major breakpoint cluster domain in murine radiation‐induced acute myeloid leukemia*
Authors: Finnon Rosemary , Moody John , Meijne Emmy , Haines Jackie , Clark Debbie , Edwards Alan , Cox Roger , Silver Andrew
Published: August 2002

Cytogenetic and molecular studies have provided evidence of the clustering of chromosome 2 deletion breakpoints in radiation‐induced murine acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Moreover, clustering occurs in at least two fragile domains rich in telomere‐like arrays. Here we describe a physical map of the distal breakpoint cluster and confirm the presence of inverted head‐to‐head telomeric sequence arrays. These potentially recombinogenic sequences were not, however, the direct focus for post‐irradiation chromosome breakage in AML. Instead, the two arrays bordered a 2.5‐kb sequence with properties expected of a nuclear matrix attachment region (MAR). The putative MAR co‐localized in the fragile domain with genes important to the hemopoietic system (leukocyte tyrosine kinase, zinc finger protein 106, erythrocyte protein band 4.2, and β2‐microglobulin (β2m)); the β2m subdomain was a particular focus of breakage. On the basis of these and other data, we suggest that AML‐associated chromosome 2 fragility in the mouse is a consequence of domain‐specific fragility in genomic domains containing numerous genes critical to the hemopoietic system. Copyright © Crown Copyright 2002. Recorded with the permission of the controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. Published by Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of human papillomavirus‐16 long control region activity by interferon‐gamma overcome by p300 overexpression
Authors: Fontaine Véronique , van der Meijden Els , ter Schegget Jan
Published: August 2002

Although interferons (IFNs) are currently used in the treatment of various human papillomavirus (HPV)‐associated lesions, their mechanisms of action are still unclear. In this study, we clearly demonstrated that IFN‐γ was a strong inhibitor of HPV‐16 long control region (LCR) activity in two human cervical carcinoma cell lines. The effect of IFN‐γ was dose dependent. We investigated whether the effect of IFN‐γ on HPV‐16 LCR could involve the inhibition of the CREB‐binding protein (CBP)/p300 family of transcriptional coactivators. In support of this model, we demonstrated by transfection experiments that a 12S E1A mutant (RG2), which interacts poorly with p300 and CBP in comparison to wild‐type E1A, was less able to repress human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 long control region (LCR) than wild‐type E1A. More important, overexpression of p300 was able to increase the HPV‐16 LCR activity and to overcome inhibition by IFN‐γ. Finally, we demonstrated that p300 could cooperate with c‐jun to activate HPV‐16 LCR. According to our results, IFN‐γ might inhibit HPV‐16 LCR transcription by activating the signal transducer and activator of transcription 1α, which in turn might compete for p300/CBP binding with specific transcription factors involved in LCR activation. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fibrous rigid‐rod heterocyclic polymer as the stationary phase in packed capillary gas chromatography
Authors: Saito Yoshihiro , Imaizumi Motohiro , Nakata Kaori , Takeichi Tsutomu , Kotera Kenzo , Wada Hiroo , Jinno Kiyokatsu
Published: August 2002

A fibrous rigid‐rod polymer was successfully introduced as the stationary phase in capillary gas chromatography (GC) and the basic separation performance was investigated. Zylon®, poly(p‐phenylene‐2,6‐benzobisoxazole), fibers were adopted as the stationary phase taking into account the chemical structure, heat resistance, solvent resistance, and the physical strength for the convenience in column packing process. About 330 and 600 filaments of the polymer were packed longitudinally into fused‐silica capillaries of 0.32 and 0.53 mm inner diameter, respectively, and the separation of several test mixtures, such as n‐alkylbenzenes and n‐alkanes was carried out with these fiber‐packed capillary columns in GC. The results clearly indicated that the fiber‐packed capillary columns have a great potential as the separation media for volatile compounds. The results also showed the possibility of the synthesis of novel tailored polymer fiber to separate particular class of compounds based on the specific selectivity by the chemical structure of the fiber. Coated‐fiber packings were also evaluated to confirm the contribution of the fibers and the coatings to the separation characteristics. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Micro Sep 13: 259–264, 2001
Purity testing of air‐sensitive organometallic compounds by capillary supercritical fluid chromatography
Authors: Bruheim I. , Fooladi E. , Lundanes E. , Greibrokk T.
Published: August 2002

Capillary supercritical fluid chromatography with flame ionization detection has been used to test the purity of air‐sensitive organometallic compounds such as bisethenepentamethylcyclopentadienylcobalt (Cp*Co(C2H4)2), dicarbonylcyclopentadienylcobalt (CpCo(CO)2), dicarbonylpentamethylcyclopentadienylcobalt (Cp*Co(CO)2), bisethenepentamethyl cyclopentadienylrhodium (Cp*Rh(C2H4)2), bisethenecyclopentadienylrhodium (CpRh(C2H4)2), carbonyl(1,3‐dimesitylimidazol‐2‐ylidene)cyclopentadienylcobalt (CpCo(CO)(carbene)) and ethene(1,3‐dimesitylimidazol‐2‐ylidene)pentamethylcyclopentadienylrhodium (Cp*Rh(C2H4)(carbene)). A sample introduction cell was constructed for loading of 10–40 mg of the air‐sensitive compounds in 100% N2 atmosphere. The sample cell was subsequently filled with toluene or pentane and the analytes in solution were injected onto the 50 μm i.d. capillary column using a timed split injector with 60 nL loop. A nonpolar (5% phenylsiloxane/95% methyl siloxane) stationary phase was used and a mobile phase consisting of 100% CO2 with pressure programming. No signs of air‐induced decomposition of the analytes were observed and impurities down to 1% could be determined using SFC‐FID. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Micro Sep 13: 156–162, 2001