bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypoxia‐induced production of stromal cell–derived factor 1 (CXCL12) and vascular endothelial growth factor by synovial fibroblasts
Authors: Hitchon Carol , Wong Keng , Ma Guoping , Reed Jennifer , Lyttle David , El‐Gabalawy Hani
Published: October 2002

Objective

Stromal cell–derived factor 1 (SDF‐1; or, CXCL12) is a potent chemotactic and angiogenic factor that has been proposed to play a role in the recruitment of lymphocytes into rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium. We tested the hypothesis that synovial SDF‐1 expression is regulated by cytokine and hypoxic stimulation, the latter being mediated by hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α). These factors regulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), itself an important angiogenic mediator.

Methods

RA and osteoarthritic synovial fibroblasts and whole tissue explants were cultured under normoxic or hypoxic (1% O2) conditions for up to 72 hours in the presence or absence of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), or transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). Expression of HIF‐1α, VEGF, and SDF‐1 was detected in synovial tissue and cells by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. VEGF and SDF‐1 expression by cultured synovial fibroblasts was evaluated by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of HIF‐1α, VEGF, and SDF‐1 in RA synovium. Patchy expression of HIF‐1α was detected primarily in the synovial lining and sublining areas; expression in synovial fibroblasts and in the lining cells of whole synovial tissue explants was markedly augmented by hypoxic culture conditions. Hypoxia enhanced the expression of VEGF and SDF‐1 messenger RNA in synovial fibroblasts. The production of VEGF and SDF‐1 protein by synovial fibroblasts was augmented by 50% and 132%, respectively, after 24 hours of hypoxia. VEGF production was potently induced by TGFβ, and to a lesser extent by IL‐1β and TNF, and was further augmented by hypoxia. In contrast, none of the tested cytokines induced SDF‐1 production.

Conclusion

As with VEGF, SDF‐1 expression is induced by hypoxia; however, cytokines induce VEGF but not SDF‐1. Hypoxic conditions in RA synovium, which are likely to be transient and episodic, may contribute to the persistence of synovitis by inducing VEGF and SDF‐1.
Rapid and complete resolution of proteinuria due to renal amyloidosis in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis treated with infliximab
Authors: Elkayam Ori , Hawkins Philip N. , Lachmann Helen , Yaron Michael , Caspi Dan
Published: October 2002

We describe herein a patient with rheumatoid arthritis who developed proteinuria due to AA amyloidosis, in whom the inflammatory disease was rapidly and completely suppressed by treatment with infliximab. This response was accompanied by resolution of the proteinuria and stabilization of the amyloid deposits as seen on serial 123I‐labeled serum amyloid P scintigraphy.
Multiobjective optimal FLC driven hybrid mass damper system for torsionally coupled, seismically excited structures
Authors: Ahlawat A. S. , Ramaswamy A.
Published: October 2002

In most of the research work on structural vibration control only two‐dimensional plane structural modelling has been considered, although only a few practical building structures can be modelled as planar structures. Therefore, these methods are not directly applicable to the majority of the practical building structures. This paper discusses the design of a multiobjective optimal fuzzy logic controller (FLC) driven hybrid mass damper (HMD) system for seismically excited torsionally coupled building structures. Floor acceleration and velocity information have been used as feedback to the fuzzy logic controller. A three branch tournament Genetic Algorithm has been used for the multiobjective optimal design of the FLC driven HMD system, where the minimization of the non‐dimensionalized peak displacement, acceleration and rotation of the structure about its vertical axis, have been as the three objective functions. The proposed multiobjective optimal fuzzy logic controller has been verified for an example problem reported in the literature. This HMD system consists of four HMDs arranged in such a way that the system can control the torsional mode of vibration effectively in addition to the flexure modes of vibration. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interfacial suction effects of a porous layer on filmwise condensation heat transfer enhancement
Authors: Ma Xue‐Hu , Chen Jia‐Bin , Wang Bu‐Xuan
Published: October 2002

Considering the liquid transverse suction effect at the porous layer interface, a mathematical model was presented to investigate the influence of the porous layer characteristic parameters on condensation heat transfer. The results revealed that the enhancement ratio increased with the increase of the porous layer thickness and permeability. The effective thermal conductivity of the porous layer was, however, of little significance for condensation heat transfer enhancement. Also, the enhancement mechanism was analyzed by comparing the thermal resistances within the external condensate film and the porous layer. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heat Trans Asian Res, 31(7): 568–577, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/htj.10058
Carotid body and glomus cells distributed in the wall of the common carotid artery in the bird
Authors: Kameda Yoko
Published: October 2002

In the bird the carotid body is located between the distal (nodose) ganglion of the vagus nerve and the recurrent laryngeal nerve at the beginning of the common carotid artery, that is, the organ is located at the cervicothoracic border. The chicken carotid body receives numerous branches from the vagus and the recurrent laryngeal nerves. In addition, dense networks of the peptidergic nerve fibers immunoreactive for substance P, calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), galanin, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are distributed in and around the carotid body parenchyma. The substance P‐ and CGRP‐immunoreactive fibers are derived from both the superior and inferior ganglia of the vagus nerve. The VIP‐, galanin‐, and NPY‐immunoreactive fibers originate from the 14th cervical ganglion of the sympathetic trunk. The endocrine organs including the thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, carotid body, and ultimobranchial gland are situated as a continuous series along the common carotid artery. The organs are supplied with arteries arising as one trunk from the common carotid artery. Glomus cells are widely distributed not only in the carotid body but also in the wall of the common carotid artery and around the common trunk and its branches. The glomus cells of the chicken carotid body exhibit intense immunoreactivity for serotonin, tyrosine hydroxylase, and chromogranin A. The cells located in the wall of the common carotid artery further express NPY mRNA and peptide. In the chickens exposed to isocapnic hypoxia for 35 days, 3–4‐fold increase of the carotid body volume is induced and the carotid body glomus cells show enhanced synthetic and secretory activities. On the other hand, the cells in the wall of the common carotid artery display little changes after the long‐term hypoxia, having different functions from the carotid body. The carotid body rudiment is formed in the lateral wall of the third branchial artery. The neural cells immunoreactive for TuJ1, PGP 9.5, and HNK‐1, which are continuous with the inferior vagal (nodose) ganglion, first surround and then invade both the carotid body rudiment and the other portions of the third branchial artery, becoming glomus cells. Microsc. Res. Tech. 59:196–206, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Formation and decay of the ABTS derived radical cation: A comparison of different preparation procedures
Authors: Henriquez Carola , Aliaga Carolina , Lissi Eduardo
Published: October 2002

Bleaching of a preformed solution of the blue‐green radical cation 2,2′‐azinobis (3‐ethylbenzothizoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS+·) has been extensively used to evaluate the antioxidant capacity of complex mixtures and individual compounds. The reaction of the preformed radical with free‐radical scavengers can be easily monitored by following the decay of the sample absorbance at 734 nm. The ABTS radical cation can be prepared employing different oxidants. Results obtained using MnO2 as oxidant show that the presence of manganese ions increases the rate of [ABTS]+· autobleaching in a concentration‐dependent manner. The radicals can also be obtained by oxidizing ABTS with 2,2′‐azobis(2‐amidinopropane)hydrochloride (AAPH) or peroxodisulfate (PDS). The oxidation by AAPH takes place with a large activation energy and a low reaction order in ABTS. The data support a mechanism in which the homolysis of AAPH is the rate‐limiting step, followed by the reaction of ABTS with the peroxyl radicals produced after the azocompound thermolysis. On the other hand, the low activation energy measured employing PDS, as well as the kinetic law, are compatible with the occurrence of a bimolecular reaction between the oxidant and ABTS. Regarding the use of ABTS‐based methodologies for the evaluation of free radical scavengers, radical cations obtained employing AAPH as oxidant can be used only at low temperatures, conditions where further decomposition of the remaining AAPH is minimized. The best results are obtained with ABTS derived radicals generated in the reaction of PDS with an ABTS/PDS concentration ratio equal (or higher) to two. However, even with radicals prepared by this procedure, stoichiometric coefficients considerably larger than two are obtained for the consumption of the radical cation employing tryptophane or p‐terbutylphenol as reductants. This casts doubts on the use of ABTS‐based procedures for the estimation of antioxidant capacities. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 659–665, 2002
Sliding mode control of DC‐to‐DC power converters using integral reconstructors
Authors: Sira‐Ramirez H. , Marquez‐Contreras R. , Fliess M.
Published: October 2002

A sliding mode feedback controller, based on integral reconstructors is developed for the regulation of the ‘boost’ DC‐to‐DC power converter circuit conduction in continuous conduction mode. The feedback control scheme uses only output capacitor voltage measurements, as well as knowledge of the available input signal, represented by the switch positions. The robustness of the feedback scheme is tested with abusively large, unmodelled, sudden load resistance variations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effective medium theories in surface enhanced infrared spectroscopy: The pentacene example
Authors: Ross Daniel , Aroca Ricardo
Published: October 2002

Effective medium theory (EMT) is a semiempirical approach developed to predict the response properties of composites. In particular, EMT has been applied to the study of rough metal surfaces that can enhance the absorption of electromagnetic radiation in the infrared [surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) or in the visible (surface-enhanced visible]. The application of EMT provides a formalism to simulate the effective dielectric function of the inhomogeneous medium, for instance, of metal-organic thin films. The EMT is widely applied when the dimensions of the inhomogeneties (granular components in the mixed film) are smaller than the wavelength of the incident radiation. The computational approach to SEIRA using EMT, and the experimental SEIRA results for pentacene are presented here. First, enhancement factors are calculated using EMT method for pentacene on Ag, Cu, and Sn. Vibrational intensities for each symmetry species are obtained using DFT B3LYP at the 6-31G(d) level of theory. Second, from the set of experimental data provided by reflection- absorption infrared (RAIRS) and transmission FT-IR spectra of a 15 nm pentacene film evaporated onto reflecting and IR transparent support substrates, respectively, the molecular orientation and the interpretation of the observed spectra in conformity with the surface selection rules was extracted. The interpretation of the pentacene SEIRA spectra of a 15 nm pentacene film on silver and tin islands is presented and its compliance with surface selection rules is discussed.
High resolution spectroscopy and channel-coupling treatment of the A 1Σ+–b 3Π complex of NaRb
Authors: Tamanis M. , Ferber R. , Zaitsevskii A. , Pazyuk E. A. , Stolyarov A. V. , Chen Hongmin , Qi Jianbing , Wang Henry , Stwalley William C.
Published: October 2002

The paper presents the study of the fully mixed A 1Σ+–b 3Π complex of the NaRb molecule based on high-resolution sub-Doppler spectroscopy and intensity measurements, ab initio relativistic calculations of energies, transition moments and spin–orbit interactions, as well as an inverted channel-coupling approach (ICCA) deperturbation analysis. A two-laser V-type pump–probe excitation scheme was employed to obtain A←X transition frequencies to 16 A-state vibrational levels from v=6 to v=21 with J from 8 to 23. Additionally, relative intensities in laser-induced A→X fluorescence spectra have been recorded, including progressions with all observable transitions to the ground state vibronic levels, the latter yielding unambiguous v assignment of the A-state levels observed. All experimental rovibronic term values and all measured intensity distributions were embedded in a direct simultaneous weighted nonlinear fitting in the framework of an elaborated ICCA allowing us to obtain deperturbed relativistic diabatic potentials of the interacting A 1Σ+ and b 3Π states. To make this possible, ab initio structure calculations of the spin–orbit singlet–triplet coupling parameter, the spin–orbit splitting of the b 3Π state, the transition dipole moments, and the electronic energy differences for internuclear distance 3.0–7.0 Å have been performed using second order many-body multipartitioning perturbation theory. The developed ICCA is proved to be appropriate for deperturbation analysis of strongly coupled electronic states provided that accurate nonadiabatic matrix elements are known. This allows unambiguous assignment of the vibrational levels of the b 3Π0 state, which is not directly observed.
Three-dimensional convection in a two-layer system with anomalous thermocapillary effect
Authors: Boeck Thomas , Nepomnyashchy Alexander , Simanovskii Ilya , Golovin Alexander , Braverman Leonid , Thess André
Published: October 2002

At temperatures somewhat above room level, the interfacial tension between a 10 cS silicone oil and ethylene glycol increases with temperature, whereas it typically decreases for other systems of immiscible viscous fluids. The convective flows produced by the combined action of this so-called anomalous thermocapillary effect and buoyancy in this particular liquid–liquid system are studied by direct three-dimensional nonlinear simulation. The liquids are situated between rigid horizontal plates that are kept at different temperatures. A pseudospectral code is used to solve the evolution equations with periodic boundary conditions in the horizontal directions. Depending on the Grashof and Marangoni numbers G and M, the motionless state can either have a stationary or oscillatory instability. The corresponding finite amplitude solutions show a variety of regular structures (stationary rolls, stationary hexagons, pulsating hexagons, alternating rolls) as well as spatio-temporal chaos. The properties of the alternating rolls are investigated in some detail. Irregular patterns arising from the transition between hexagons and alternating rolls are briefly discussed.
Whether the two-dimensional Eulerian turbulence evolves to a unique final state
Authors: Pavlov V. , Buisine D. , Decossin S.
Published: October 2002

The relaxation of two-dimensional Eulerian turbulence to a quasifinal state is studied. We consider the self-organization of localized vortices (in two-dimensional flows) into clusterlike and spiral-like structures and show that quasifinal states do not “forget” conditions of their initial origin. The numerical study confirms a possibility of the “vortex crystals” formation that have been observed in the plasma experiments. We discuss the physical significance of the obtained results.
Kinetic theory of a binary mixture of nearly elastic disks with size and mass disparity
Authors: Alam Meheboob , Willits Jeffrey T. , Arnarson Birgir Ö. , Luding Stefan
Published: October 2002

Corrections are provided for two transport coefficients derived by Willits and Arnarson [Phys. Fluids 11, 3116 (1999)] for a binary mixture of nearly elastic, circular disks using the revised Enskog theory. The corrected viscosity coefficient is compared to the shear viscosity obtained from simulation results of a bidisperse mixture of inelastic, hard disks, undergoing uniform shear flow. The agreement is good for a wide range of sizes and masses.
The mechanism of suppression or enhancement of three-dimensional surface waves in film flow down a vertical plane
Authors: Lin S. P. , Jiang W. Y.
Published: October 2002

The energy budget in a liquid film flow down a vertical plane subject to three-dimensional disturbances is calculated. The equation relating the average time rate of change of disturbance kinetic energy to the rates of work done by the surface tension, the shear stress, the Reynolds stress, and the rate of mechanical energy dissipation is obtained. Each term in the equation is evaluated in various regions of parameter space to elucidate the physical mechanism of stabilizing an inherently unstable vertical film flow by use of plate oscillation. The Squire theorem, which states that two-dimensional disturbances are more dangerous than three-dimensional ones, is violated in certain parameter ranges. In these parameter ranges the Reynolds stress enhanced by plate oscillation may cause a falling liquid film, which is stable with respect to two-dimensional short waves, to become unstable with respect to three-dimensional disturbances.
Power dependence of defect formation in SiO2 glass by F2 laser irradiation
Authors: Kajihara Koichi , Ikuta Yoshiaki , Hirano Masahiro , Hosono Hideo
Published: October 2002

The dependence of defect formation in a high-purity synthetic SiO2 glass on F2 laser power was studied. Above the threshold value of ∼10 mJ cm−2 pulse−1 (∼0.5 MW cm−2), the concentration of the laser-induced E′ center created by the dissociation of Si–O–Si bond increased as a function of the F2 laser power squared. The quantum yield of the E′ center formed by the high-power F2 laser irradiation was ∼3 orders of magnitude larger than that formed via two-photon absorption processes of KrF or ArF laser pulses. This strongly suggests that irradiating with the high-power F2 laser creates the E′ center via two-step absorption processes.
Formation of interface defects by enhanced impurity diffusion in microcrystalline silicon solar cells
Authors: Nasuno Yoshiyuki , Kondo Michio , Matsuda Akihisa , Fukuhori Hitoshi , Kanemitsu Yoshihiko
Published: October 2002

The origin of the difference in the optimum processing temperature of microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H) solar cells depending on the device structure has been studied. The two different type structures have been compared with each other, a superstrate-type cell, and a substrate-type cell where the order of the deposited layer is p-i-n and n-i-p, respectively on the substrate. We fabricate μc-Si:H solar cells at various deposition temperatures of the i layer under contamination-free conditions using an ultrahigh vacuum system. We found that the optimum temperature for the superstrate-type cell is lower than that for the substrate-type cell and that a significant degradation of the cell performance occurs during the deposition of the i layer at higher temperatures. We ascribed the degradation to the formation of the defect at the p/i interface due to the enhanced diffusion of the boron from the underlying layer to the intrinsic layer. We also found that this degradation and the enhanced diffusion do not take place for phosphorous or postdeposition annealing. We speculate that the enhanced boron diffusion is mediated by the Si–Si bond breaking and its accompanying structural relaxation caused by atomic hydrogen.
Experimental estimation of the band gap in silicon and germanium from the temperature–voltage curve of diode thermometers
Authors: Precker Jürgen W. , da Silva Marcı́lio A.
Published: October 2002

Semiconductor diodes, in conjunction with a constant current source, are sometimes used as thermometers. It has been observed experimentally that, within a certain temperature range, the relation between temperature and voltage is almost linear. We show that this linearity is a direct consequence of the constancy of the current flowing through the diode, and that the parameters resulting from a least-squares fit to the experimental data can be used to determine the band gap energy of the semiconductor. We test the validity of our model by comparing our results to measurements on diodes made of germanium and silicon. If we take into account the simplifications used in our model, the results agree well with known values of the energy gaps.
The influence of alignment on risk of knee osteoarthritis progression according to baseline stage of disease
Authors: Cerejo Rui , Dunlop Dorothy D. , Cahue September , Channin David , Song Jing , Sharma Leena
Published: October 2002

Objective

Varus and valgus malalignment increase the risk of medial and lateral osteoarthritis (OA) progression, respectively. The impact of a mechanical factor such as alignment depends not only on the factor itself, but also on the state of the joint. The less‐damaged joint of mild OA may be less vulnerable to malalignment effects than the more‐damaged joint of moderate OA. Our goal was to explore the impact of alignment on subsequent progression of knee OA according to the baseline stage of disease.

Methods

Two hundred thirty patients with knee OA (defined by the presence of osteophytes and symptoms) recruited from the community underwent assessment of both lower limbs at baseline and at an 18‐month followup. Alignment was measured on a full‐limb radiograph as the angle made by the intersection of the femoral and tibial mechanical axes. Compartment‐specific progression was defined as an increase between baseline and 18 months in the grade of severity of joint space narrowing on radiographs of semiflexed knees taken after fluoroscopic confirmation of position. Knees were grouped according to their baseline stage of OA as Kellgren/Lawrence (K/L) grades 0–1, 2, or 3. Progression odds ratios were estimated from logistic regression using generalized estimating equations.

Results

There were 377 K/L grade 0–3 knees in 230 subjects (173 women and 57 men, mean age 64.0 years, mean body mass index 30.4 kg/m2) in this longitudinal study. In knees with mild OA (K/L grade 2), the odds of 18‐month progression in the medial compartment were significantly increased 4‐fold by varus alignment at baseline. In K/L grade 2 knees, the odds of lateral progression were increased 2‐fold by valgus alignment (approaching significance). In knees with moderate OA (K/L grade 3), the risk of progression was comparably increased by varus or valgus alignment (10‐fold).

Conclusion

While some effect of malalignment was suggested at almost all stages of knee OA examined, the impact of varus or valgus malalignment on the odds of OA progression over the ensuing 18 months was greater in knees with moderate (K/L grade 3) OA at baseline, possibly due to greater joint vulnerability with some contribution from slightly more severe malalignment.
Life‐threatening histoplasmosis complicating immunotherapy with tumor necrosis factor α antagonists infliximab and etanercept
Authors: Lee Jong‐Hoon , Slifman Nancy R. , Gershon Sharon K. , Edwards Evelyne T. , Schwieterman William D. , Siegel Jeffrey N. , Wise Robert P. , Brown S. Lori , Udall John N. , Braun M. Miles
Published: October 2002

Objective

Two tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) antagonists were recently licensed in the US. Infliximab was licensed in 1998 for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD), and since 1999, it has been licensed in combination with methotrexate for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Etanercept was licensed in 1998 for treatment of RA and, more recently, for juvenile RA and psoriatic arthritis. Because of potential immunosuppression related to use of anti‐TNFα agents, we sought to identify postlicensure cases of opportunistic infection, including histoplasmosis, in patients treated with these products.

Methods

The US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) passive surveillance database for monitoring postlicensure adverse events was reviewed to identify all reports received through July 2001 of histoplasmosis in patients treated with either infliximab or etanercept.

Results

Ten cases of Histoplasma capsulatum (HC) infection were reported: 9 associated with infliximab and 1 associated with etanercept. In patients treated with infliximab, manifestations of histoplasmosis occurred within 1 week to 6 months after the first dose and typically included fever, malaise, cough, dyspnea, and interstitial pneumonitis. Of the 10 patients with histoplasmosis, 9 required treatment in an intensive care unit, and 1 died. All patients had received concomitant immunosuppressive medications in addition to infliximab or etanercept, and all resided in HC‐endemic regions.

Conclusion

Postlicensure surveillance suggests that acute life‐threatening histoplasmosis may complicate immunotherapy with TNFα antagonists, particularly infliximab. Histoplasmosis should be considered early in the evaluation of patients who reside in HC‐endemic areas in whom infectious complications develop during treatment with infliximab or etanercept.
A bent, crossed‐wire antenna with vertical parasitic elements: Formation of a circularly polarized conical beam
Authors: Hirose Kazuhide , Wada Takehisa
Published: October 2002

A novel crossed‐wire antenna backed by a ground plane is proposed and analyzed using the method of moments. Two wires are crossed and fed in phase at the crossing point to radiate a conical beam. To make the conical beam circularly polarized, the crossed wires are bent and four vertical parasitic elements (PE) are added. The antenna is characterized by its simple feed and CP radiation at low elevation angles. First, the effects of the PE location on the radiation characteristics are investigated for crossed wires of a half wavelength. When the PE location is appropriately chosen, the antenna radiates a CP conical beam. Next, attention is paid to CP radiation in a wide range of elevation angle. Calculations show that the angle range where the axial ratio is less than 3 dB increases to 65° from 15° for a changed crossed‐wire length. The maximum CP radiation is obtained at an elevation angle of 35°. Finally, the frequency characteristics are studied and the bandwidth for a 3‐dB axial ratio criterion is found to be 8%. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 86(2): 23–30, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10033
TV broadcast harmonic interference cancellation for digital wireless communication
Authors: Inaba Arata , Fujii Takeo , Nakagawa Masao
Published: October 2002

Since the fundamental wave of TV broadcasts has very high power, its second harmonic wave also has sufficiently high power to interfere with radio terminal signals close to a broadcast tower. In this paper, we propose an interference canceler for a digital wireless system operated at the same frequency band as that of the harmonic of TV broadcasting wave. The proposed canceler can eliminate such interference by making use of the replica of harmonic wave, which is generated based on the fundamental wave received by another subsystem. Computer simulation has evaluated the performance of the proposed canceler in a receiver with PSK modulation, and it is confirmed that the proposed system is effective in improving the efficiency of frequency use. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 86(2): 14–22, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10038
Remultiplexing scheme for MPEG‐2 multiprogram transport stream transcoder
Authors: Takahashi Takeshi , Hanamura Tsuyoshi , Kasai Hiroyuki , Nagayoshi Isao , Tominaga Hideyoshi
Published: October 2002

In this paper, we propose an output packet remultiplexing scheme for an MPEG‐2 multiprogram transport stream transcoder. The proposed scheme avoids STD buffer failure by dividing the packets into Program Specific Information (PSI), audio, and video and implementing remultiplexing. Specifically, PSI packets are multiplexed at a constant time interval, audio packets are multiplexed at the same times as the input times of the audio TS packets, and video packets are multiplexed so that the outputs of the video TS packets are at equal intervals. Finally, we clearly demonstrate through simulation experiments the ability to prevent STD buffer failure and the effectiveness of the proposed scheme. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 86(2): 1–13, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.10066
Changing trends in incidence of lung cancer by histologic type in Scotland
Authors: Harkness Elaine F. , Brewster David H. , Kerr Keith M. , Fergusson Ron J. , MacFarlane Gary J.
Published: October 2002

Lung cancer is a major public health concern worldwide. Our study aims to examine trends in incidence of lung cancer in Scotland during 1959–97 and by histologic type for 1975–97. In Scotland, lung cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Due to poor survival rates, trends in incidence and mortality display similar patterns. Within the United States and many parts of Europe, falls in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma have occurred whilst the incidence of adenocarcinoma has increased. Data were extracted from the Scottish Cancer Registry. Trends in incidence were examined by standardising rates to the World Standard Population. Age‐specific rates were examined by year of diagnosis and mid year of birth. In Scotland the incidence of lung cancer in men has fallen since the late 1970s, whereas incidence in women has continued to increase. Incidence rates of adenocarcinoma have increased over time but squamous cell carcinoma remains the predominant type of lung cancer in Scotland. The quality of lung cancer registration data has improved over time, although a large proportion of lung cancers (>20%) are not microscopically verified. Changes in histologic types are unlikely to be solely due to diagnostic advances. Rates of adenocarcinoma have increased steadily over time, and this may be due to changes in cigarette design during the 1950s. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
H2O2 induces translocation of APE/Ref‐1 to mitochondria in the Raji B‐cell line
Authors: Frossi Barbara , Tell Gianluca , Spessotto Paola , Colombatti Alfonso , Vitale Gaetano , Pucillo Carlo
Published: October 2002

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated as by‐products of respiration and are used as signal transducing intermediates in out–in signaling pathways. ROS are also generated during inflammatory responses and it has been shown that hydrogen peroxide may trigger activation of B‐lymphocytes, similar to cross‐linking of surface immunoglobulins. On the other hand, both exogenous and endogenous generated ROS are a major source of nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage. The base excision repair (BER) enzyme APE/Ref‐1 normally repairs small nuclear DNA lesion such as oxidized or alkylated bases. It is not clear though whether DNA repair mechanisms able to abolish oxidative damage from nuclear DNA are present into mitochondria too. Here we show by confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis that in the B‐lymphocyte Raji cell line a fraction of APE/Ref‐1 rapidly re‐localizes into mitochondria following H2O2 activation. Targeting of APE/Ref‐1 to mitochondria is not associated with cytochrome‐c loss or apoptosis induction. These findings indicate that the APE/Ref‐1 translocates to mitochondria in response to oxidative stress and thereby it might exert a protective function. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Temperature‐dependent kinetic study for ozonolysis of selected tropospheric alkenes
Authors: Avzianova Elena V. , Ariya Parisa A.
Published: October 2002

Ozonolysis reactions of alkenes are suggested to play major roles in the chemistry of the troposphere. Rate constants for the gas‐phase reactions of O3 with a series of alkenes were determined using relative rate technique based on GC/FID measurements of alkene decays. Experiments were carried out in air over the temperature range of 278–353 K at an atmospheric pressure of 760 Torr. An excess of 1,3,5‐trimethylbenzene was used as a HO radical scavenger in all experiments. Arrhenius parameters were calculated for ozonolysis of 1‐butene, 1‐pentene, 1‐hexene, 1‐heptene, 2‐methyl‐1‐butene, isobutene, trans‐2‐butene, trans‐2‐pentene, cis‐2‐pentene, trans‐2‐hexene, cis‐2‐hexene, 3‐chloropropene, 1,1‐dichloroethene, and isoprene from temperature‐dependent studies of the rate constants. The rate constants obtained in this study are compared with previous literature data. A good linear correlation between the logarithms of the rate constants and calculated HOMO energies of selected alkenes is observed. However, no clear correlation could have been drawn for chlorinated substituted alkenes. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 678–684, 2002
The ν5 vibrational frequency of the vinyl radical: Conflict between theory and experiment
Authors: Sattelmeyer Kurt W. , Schaefer Henry F.
Published: October 2002

A balanced theoretical treatment of the X̃ 2A′ state of the vinyl radical is performed via application of equation-of-motion coupled cluster theory for ionized states from the anion. Good agreement with experiment is generally found. The only exception is the ν5 vibrational mode, which seems to have been misassigned experimentally.
Red-emitting electroluminescent devices based on osmium-complexes-doped blend of poly(vinylnaphthalene) and 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivative
Authors: Jiang Xuezhong , Jen Alex K. Y. , Carlson Brenden , Dalton Larry R.
Published: October 2002

Efficient red electrophosphorescence was achieved from double-layer light-emitting devices using osmium (Os)-complexes-doped blend of poly(vinylnaphthalene) (PVN) and 2-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-5-(4-biphenylyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PVN:PBD) as the emitting layer. Blending PVN with PBD greatly suppresses the electromer emission of PVN. The PVN:PBD blend emanates a short-wavelength electroluminescence emission peaking at around 375 nm, which overlaps well with the absorption spectra of the Os complexes and ensures very efficient energy transfer to the Os-complex dopants. The best external quantum efficiency of the double-layer devices was 2.2%, with a photometric efficiency of 1.9 cd/A.
REDUCED PAIRING HAMILTONIAN FOR INTERATOMIC TWO-ELECTRON EXCHANGE IN LAYERED CUPRATES
Authors: MISHONOV T. M. , WALLINGTON J. P. , PENEV E. S. , INDEKEU J. O.
Published: October 2002

A detailed Linear Combination of Atomic Orbitals (LCAO) tight-binding model is developed for the layered High-Temperature Superconductor (HTSC) cuprates. The band structure of these materials is described using a σ-band Hamiltonian employing Cu 4s, Cu 3dx2 - y2, O 2px and O 2py atomic orbitals. The Fermi level and the shape of the resulting Fermi surface are fitted to recent Angle Resolved Photon Emission Spectroscopy (ARPES) data to realistically determine the dispersion in the conduction band. Electron-electron interactions and, ultimately, Cooper pairing are obtained by introducing a Heitler–London, two-electron exchange between adjacent orbitals within the CuO 2 plane. Finally, using the LCAO wavefunctions determined by the band structure fit, the Bardeen–Cooper–Schrieffer (BCS) type kernel is derived for interatomic exchange.
High mobility group box chromosomal protein 1: A novel proinflammatory mediator in synovitis
Authors: Kokkola R. , Sundberg E. , Ulfgren A.‐K. , Palmblad K. , Li J. , Wang H. , Ulloa L. , Yang H. , Yan X.‐J. , Furie R. , Chiorazzi N. , Tracey K. J. , Andersson U. , Harris H. Erlandsson
Published: October 2002

Objective

High mobility group box chromosomal protein 1 (HMGB‐1) is a ubiquitous chromatin component expressed in nucleated mammalian cells. It has recently and unexpectedly been demonstrated that stimulated live mononuclear phagocytes secrete HMGB‐1, which then acts as a potent factor that causes inflammation and protease activation. Macrophages play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of arthritis. The aim of this study was to determine whether synovial macrophage expression of HMGB‐1 is altered in human and experimental synovitis.

Methods

Intraarticular tissue specimens were obtained from healthy Lewis rats, Lewis rats with Mycobacterium tuberculosis–induced adjuvant arthritis, and from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Specimens were immunohistochemically stained for cellular HMGB‐1. Extracellular HMGB‐1 levels were assessed in synovial fluid samples from RA patients by Western blotting.

Results

Immunostaining of specimens from normal rats showed that HMGB‐1 was primarily confined to the nucleus of synoviocytes and chondrocytes, with occasional cytoplasmic staining and no extracellular matrix deposition. In contrast, inflammatory synovial tissue from rats with experimental arthritis as well as from humans with RA showed a distinctly different HMGB‐1 staining pattern. Nuclear HMGB‐1 expression was accompanied by a cytoplasmic staining in many mononuclear cells, with a macrophage‐like appearance and an extracellular matrix deposition. Analysis of synovial fluid samples from RA patients further confirmed the extracellular presence of HMGB‐1; 14 of 15 samples had HMGB‐1 concentrations of 1.8–10.4 μg/ml.

Conclusion

The proinflammatory mediator HMGB‐1 was abundantly expressed as a nuclear, cytoplasmic, and extracellular component in synovial tissues from RA patients and from rats with experimental arthritis. These findings suggest a pathogenetic role for HMGB‐1 in synovitis and indicate a new potential therapeutic target molecule.
Video coding using global motion and brightness‐variation compensation with complexity reduction
Authors: Kamikura Kazuto , Watanabe Hiroshi , Kobayashi Naoki , Ichinose Susumu , Yasuda Hiroshi
Published: October 2002

Global motion compensation and global brightness‐variation compensation are proposed in order to deal with motion or brightness variation over the whole image. It is expected that the coding efficiency will be greatly improved by these techniques. The purpose of this investigation is to reduce the tremendous amount of computation which has especially hindered global brightness‐variation compensation. A simple method is introduced for blockwise motion estimation processing and brightness‐variation parameter estimation processing. A coding scheme is proposed, with the motion estimation procedure shared between global motion compensation and local motion compensation, so that the two functions are realized simultaneously with smaller complexity. In the case of the block size and the range of motion search in the experiment, the number of multiplications is reduced to about 1/400 as many as when the conventional compensation procedures are simply combined. As regards the coding efficiency, we demonstrate improvement integrating the effects obtained when global motion compensation and brightness‐variation compensation are separately applied. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 1, 86(2): 80–93, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley. com). DOI 10.1002/ecja.1156
Hereditary hemochromatosis: detection of C282Y and H63D mutations in HFE gene by means of guthrie cards in population of Czech Republic
Authors: Cimburova Marketa , Putova Ivana , Provaznikova Hana , Horak Jiri
Published: October 2002

The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of HFE gene mutations in the population of the Czech Republic. Altogether, 257 randomly selected newborn screening cards (Guthrie cards) were analyzed for the C282Y and H63D mutations within the HFE gene. Complete results were obtained from 254 cards for the C282Y mutation and 257 cards for the H63D mutation. No sample was identified as homozygous for C282Y, and two (0.78%) were homozygous for H63D. Twenty (7.87%) samples were C282Y‐heterozygous, and 69 (26.84%) were H63D‐heterozygous. Of these, two (0.79%) carried one copy of each mutation, i.e., were compound heterozygous. Allele frequencies for C282Y and H63D were 0.039 and 0.142, respectively. The observed genotype frequencies for both C282Y and H63D mutations in the Czech Republic are in the range of values reported for other Central and Western European populations. Genet. Epidemiol. 23:260–263, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of genotype‐specific human papillomavirus detection in diagnosing residual cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Bekkers Ruud LM , Melchers Willem JG , Bakkers Judith MJE , Hanselaar Antonius GJM , Quint Wim GV , Boonstra Henk , Massuger Leon FAG
Published: October 2002

We assessed prospectively whether residual cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) after treatment for high‐grade CIN can be predicted by genotype‐specific high‐risk HPV (HR‐HPV) detection in follow‐up cervical scrapes. A broad spectrum, highly sensitive SPF10‐LiPA‐PCR HPV detection technique was used on cervical scrapes before large loop excision of the transformation zone (LLETZ), on the LLETZ biopsy and on follow‐up scrapes of 90 patients treated for high‐grade CIN. HR‐HPV was detected in the biopsies of 93% (n = 84) of the patients and in the follow‐up scrapes of 48% (n = 43) of the patients. In 12 patients, genotype‐specific HR‐HPV persistence was detected in both follow‐up scrapes. In 10 patients, residual CIN was detected. In 5 of these patients (including all patients with residual CIN 3), the follow‐up scrapes showed genotype‐specific HR‐HPV persistence. In 2 patients, a different HR‐HPV was detected, and 3 patients had HR‐HPV‐negative follow‐up scrapes. Conventional cytologic follow‐up was abnormal in 13 patients including all 10 patients with residual CIN. The negative predictive value (NPV) of HR‐HPV detection on follow‐up scrapes was high (94%). Repeat detection of genotype‐specific HR‐HPV showed a lower sensitivity and NPV than repeat detection of any HR‐HPV, but its specificity was higher. Repeat conventional cytologic follow‐up showed the highest sensitivity and NPV. In conclusion, the presence of HR‐HPV in cervical scrapes after LLETZ for high‐grade CIN is a risk factor for the presence of residual CIN. HR‐HPV genotype‐specific persistence is specifically present in patients with residual CIN 3. However, HR‐HPV detection cannot predict or exclude the presence of residual CIN in the individual patient and additional procedures remain necessary. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of life and death by the zinc finger transcription factor Egr‐1
Authors: Thiel Gerald , Cibelli Giuseppe
Published: October 2002

The biosynthesis of the zinc finger transcription factor Egr‐1 is stimulated by many extracellular signaling molecules including hormones, neurotransmitters, growth and differentiation factors, and cytotoxic metabolites. The 5′‐flanking region of the Egr‐1 gene contains genetic elements that are essential in connecting stimulation of the cells with enhanced transcription of the Egr‐1 gene, and subsequently, transcription of Egr‐1‐responsive genes. Thus, Egr‐1 links cellular signaling cascades with changes in the gene expression pattern. Many biological functions have been attributed to Egr‐1. Here, we discuss evidence for Egr‐1 control of cellular proliferation and programmed cell death. J. Cell. Physiol. 193: 287–292, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Platelet‐derived growth factor mediates tight junction redistribution and increases permeability in MDCK cells
Authors: Harhaj Nicole S. , Barber Alistair J. , Antonetti David A.
Published: October 2002

Increased tissue permeability is a common characteristic of a number of diseases such as pulmonary edema, inflammatory bowel disease, several kidney diseases, diabetic retinopathy, and tumors. We hypothesized that growth factors increase permeability by redistribution of tight junction proteins away from the cell border. To investigate mechanisms of growth factor‐mediated permeability, we examined the effect of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) on Madin‐Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell tight junction protein distribution and on permeability. PDGF altered the cellular distribution of occludin and ZO‐1 from the cell border to the cytoplasm and increased permeability to 70 kDa dextran in a concentration‐dependent manner. Treatment of MDCK cells with PDGF prior to fixation allowed binding of the lectin concanavalin A to the basement membrane of fixed cells, while binding was prevented in untreated control monolayers, implying that PDGF induced the formation of a paracellular transport pathway. Cell fractionation experiments with PDGF‐treated cells revealed a novel occludin‐containing low‐density, detergent resistant subcellular structure, which increased in the buoyant fractions relative to occludin in the pellet in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. Immunocytochemistry revealed that a pool of internalized occludin co‐labels with the early endosome marker, EEA1, suggesting that PDGF may stimulate occludin to enter an endosomal pathway. PDGF may act as a permeabilizing agent by moving tight junction proteins away from the cell border in discrete microdomains, and the effects of PDGF on permeability and tight junction protein distribution may model the regulation of epithelial and endothelial barrier properties by other peptide growth factors. J. Cell. Physiol. 193: 349–364, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of rat smooth muscle cell adhesion and proliferation by non‐anticoagulant heparins
Authors: Kazi Monsur , Lundmark Karin , Religa Piotr , Gouda Ibrahim , Larm Olle , Ray Asim , Swedenborg Jesper , Hedin Ulf
Published: October 2002

Heparin is a well established growth inhibitor of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMCs) both in animal models and in vitro. Even though the cellular mechanisms involved in the anti‐proliferative properties of heparin are being resolved, the structural requirements for the biological effects of heparin are not known in detail. Here, we have studied the effect of chemically modified heparins of different molecular weights and anticoagulant activities on proliferation and adhesion of rat aortic SMCs in vitro. The effects of native heparin (NH) and chemically modified heparins were examined after stimulation with fetal calf serum (FCS), platelet‐derived growth factor BB (PDGF BB), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and heparin‐binding epidermal growth factor (hbEGF) with respect to DNA synthesis and expression of phosphorylated and activated mitogen‐activated protein kinase (pERK1 and 2). In a similar manner as NH, the modified heparins were capable of inhibiting activation of ERK1 and 2 and DNA synthesis induced by FCS and hbEGF whereas the modified heparins potentiated the mitogenic effect of bFGF and no compound affected PDGF BB‐induced ERK activity and SMC growth. In contrast, cell adhesion to fibronectin was inhibited by NH and modified heparins in a size‐dependent manner with the lowest effect by the smallest compound. The results show that heparins with varying anticoagulant activities and molecular weights but with similar sulfate content can retain anti‐proliferative properties while the effect on some other biological processes such as cell adhesion is lost. Possibly, such chemical alterations may yield useful substances for the prevention of SMC proliferation after arterial injury. J. Cell. Physiol. 193: 365–372, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.