bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frontline: Characterization of BT3 molecules belonging to the B7 family expressed on immune cells
Authors: Compte Elsa , Pontarotti Pierre , Collette Yves , Lopez Marc , Olive Daniel
Published: July 2004

New members of the B7 family have been recently described as regulators of T cell activation and function. Butyrophilin (BT) has also been related to the B7 family by sequence similarity analyses. We present a new subfamily called BT3, which belongs to the B7/BT family. The BT3 subfamily comprises three members (BT3.1, .2 and .3) that exhibit 95% identity and form a monophylogenetic group along with the BT‐related members. High expression levels of BT3 transcripts were detected in lymphoid tissues (mainly spleen, lymph node and PBL). Using anti‐BT3 mAb we could demonstrate BT3 expression on immune cells including T, B and NK cells, monocytes and dendritic cells as well as hematopoietic precursors and some tumor cell lines. As described earlier for PDL‐1 and ICOS‐L, BT3 molecules are expressed on endothelial cells and up‐regulated upon activation by IFN‐γ or TNF‐α. The BT3.1 counter‐receptor (BT3.1‐R) was analyzed by means of binding experiments using BT3.1‐Ig soluble protein. The BT3.1‐R is not CD28, CTLA‐4, ICOS, PD‐1 or BTLA and seems restricted to some T cell and hematopoietic cell lines. Altogether, these data describe new members of the B7/BT family that may play a role in regulation of the immune response.

See accompanying commentary http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eji.200425388
Commentary: Regulated equilibrium between opposite signals: a general paradigm for T cell function?
Authors: Moretta Alessandro , Bottino Cristina
Published: July 2004

The co‐signaling receptors specific for the different members of the B7 molecular family are cell surface glycoproteins that are essential to modulate and tune the TCR‐mediated activation of T lymphocytes. The common characteristic is that their function appears to be dependent on the engagement of TCR by antigenic peptides presented in the MHC context by antigen‐presenting cells. Interestingly, co‐signaling molecules can be distinguished into costimulators and co‐inhibitors, the prototype being represented by CD28 and CTLA‐4, respectively. In the case of costimulators, the co‐signals integrate the signal originated from the TCR resulting in optimal T cell activation (two‐signal model). In the case of co‐inhibitors, the co‐signals would moderate and/or switch off the Ag‐dependent T cell activation, thus acting as negative regulators of immune responses. The growing number of novel co‐signaling molecules has recently highlighted the need to integrate the two‐signal model with the emerging data on the different co‐inhibitory interactions. Thus, a model has been proposed based on the idea that the TCR signal alone cannot take a full decision on the nature of the functional outcome following an antigen‐specific stimulation and that this final event is governed by the co‐signaling molecules.

See accompanying accompanying article http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eji.200425227
The variation of antioxidant activities and chemical composition of essential oils of Teucrium orientale L. var. orientale during harvesting stages
Authors: Yildirim Ali , Cakir Ahmet , Mavi Ahmet , Yalcin Mehmet , Fauler Gunter , Taskesenligil Yavuz
Published: July 2004

The aerial parts of Teucrium orientale L. var. orientale were collected at the budding, ﬂowering and vegetative stages. In the each stage, essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and steam distillation. The chemical compositions of the essential oils were analysed by GC and GC–MS; 43 different compounds were determined in total, and more than 96% of the essential oils were identiﬁed by GC and GC–MS. They contain mainly linalool, β‐caryophyllene, 3‐octanol, phytol, β‐bourbonene and germacrene D. Among the steam distillation oils, the highest 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was found at the budding stage and the lowest at the vegetative stage. At all stages, the DPPH radical scavenging activities of hydrodistillation oils were markedly lower than those of steam distillation oils. Steam distillation oils of the budding and ﬂowering stages showed the highest antioxidant activities. However, steam distillation oils of the vegetative stage in two doses (200 and 400 µg) did not show antioxidant activities (p > 0.05, between these and control). None of the hydrodistillation oils showed detectable antioxidant activity. In contrast, in the presence of 400 µg hydrodistillation oils of ﬂowering stage, prooxidant activity was found in the linoleic acid emulsion. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Information content of extended trading for index futures
Authors: Cheng Louis T. W. , Jiang Li , Ng Renne W. Y.
Published: July 2004

The recent extension of trading hours for Hang Seng Index Futures provides an opportunity to examine whether extended futures trading contains useful information about spot returns. Using the weighted price contribution measure, we find that pre‐open futures trades are associated with significant price discovery. We extend the model from T. Hiraki, E. D. Maberly, and N. Takezawa (1995) and adjust for the existence of a pre‐open trading session and the overnight trading of cross‐listed shares in London. Our results indicate that extended trading for index futures contains useful information in explaining subsequent spot returns during the trading day. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 24:861–886, 2004
Price discovery in the hang seng index markets: Index, futures, and the tracker fund
Authors: So Raymond W. , Tse Yiuman
Published: July 2004

In this paper, price discovery among the Hang Seng Index markets is investigated using the Hasbrouck and Gonzalo and Granger common‐factor models and the multivariate generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (M‐GARCH) model. Minute‐by‐minute data from the Hang Seng Index, Hang Seng Index futures, and the tracker fund show that the movements of the three markets are interrelated. The futures markets contain the most information, followed by the spot market. The tracker fund does not contribute to the price discovery process. The three markets exhibit spillover effects, indicating that their second moments are linked, even though the flow of information from the tracker fund to the other markets is minimal. Overall results suggest that the three markets have different degrees of information processing abilities, although they are governed by the same set of macroeconomic fundamentals. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 24:887–907, 2004
The components of bid‐ask spread and their determinants: TAIFEX versus SGX‐DT
Authors: Huang Yu Chuan
Published: July 2004

This paper compares the intraday components of bid‐ask spread in Taiwan stock index futures traded on Taiwan Futures Exchange (TAIFEX) and Singapore Exchange Derivatives Trading Limited (SGX‐DT). Variables that determine the components of spread are also examined. SGX‐DT uses a floor trading system while TAIFEX uses an electronic call system. This study finds that both information asymmetry and order processing cost components exhibit U‐shaped patterns in the two markets, in contrast to previous findings for U.S. equity markets. Moreover, the information asymmetry components are lower in the TAIFEX relative to the SGX‐DT futures, suggesting that the continuous open outcry markets are more vulnerable to information asymmetry than the electronic call markets. The regression results show that volatility and information are the major determinants of the components while number of trades is not the major determinant of the order processing and information asymmetry components for both markets. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 24:835–860, 2004
A comparison of side effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants in older depressed patients: a meta‐analysis
Authors: Wilson Kenneth , Mottram Pat
Published: July 2004

Objective

To examine the relative tolerability and side effect profile of tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in older depressed people.

Methods

A systematic literature search generated 37 randomised controlled trials of TCAs and SSRIs of which 11 were entered into a meta analysis comparing withdrawal rates and side effect profiles.

Results

537 TCA recipients and 554 SSRI recipients were compared. TCAs had an increased withdrawal rate (RR: 0.24, CI 1.04, 1.47). A similar result was found when comparing classical TCAs (451 patients) (amitriptyline, clomipramine, doxepin and dothiepin) with SSRIs (466 patients) (RR 1.30 CI: 1.02,1.64). These findings were reflected in the increased TCA prevalence of side effects including dry mouth, drowsiness, dizziness and lethargy. No differences were found when comparing TCA related drugs (mianserin and trazadone) with SSRIs (RR 1.07 CI 0.43, 2.70).

Conclusions

Despite the relative low prevalence of side effects associated with SSRIs a significant minority of older people find these drugs intolerable and experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness and drowsiness. We conclude that TCA related drugs are comparable to SSRIs in terms of tolerability and may offer an alternative when SSRIs are either contra‐indicated or clinically unacceptable. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New route to O,O‐diethyl phosphorocyanidate
Authors: Łopusiński Andrzej
Published: July 2004

A new and efficient route for synthesis of diethyl phosphorocyanidate 7a by decomposition of diethyl phosphoryl‐1,2,4,‐dithiazolin‐5‐one is described. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 15:395–397, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20027
13C and 31P high resolution solid state NMR studies of cyclophosphamide and its analogues
Authors: Tadeusiak Elżbieta J. , Olejniczak Sebastian , Ciesielski Włodzimierz
Published: July 2004

Three anticancer agents cyclophosphamide, iphosphamide, and bromophosphamide were studied using 13C and 31P SS NMR. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 15:388–394, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20028
Synthesis of 4‐amino‐3‐cyano‐2‐ methylsulfanyl‐1H‐[1,5]benzodiazepine, benzo[1,3]azole, and pyrazolobenzo[1,3]azole derivatives via a new utility of bis(methylsulfanyl)methylene derivatives
Authors: El‐Rady Eman A. , Khalil Mohamed A. , Abd El Latif Fawi M.
Published: July 2004

Novel polysubstituted 1,5‐benzodiazepine 5, 2,2‐bis(methylthio)benzoxazoles 8a–d, 2,2‐bis‐ (acetyl)benzoxazole 8e, 2‐(3‐methyl‐1‐phenylpyrazolo‐ 4‐yl)benzoazole derivatives 16a–c, as well as the previously reported 2‐di[cyano(acetyl)‐methylene]benzothiazoles 7a,b have been obtained via a new utility of ketene dithioacetals 1a,b and 12 with aniline derivatives 2. Rationales for the reactions pathways are presented. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 15:407–412, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20031
Effect of manipulation of iron storage, transport, or availability on myelin composition and brain iron content in three different animal models
Authors: Ortiz E. , Pasquini J.M. , Thompson K. , Felt B. , Butkus G. , Beard J. , Connor J.R.
Published: July 2004

Several observations suggest that iron is an essential factor in myelination and oligodendrocyte biology. However, the specific role of iron in these processes remains to be elucidated. This role could be as an essential cofactor in metabolic processes or as a transcriptional or translational regulator. In this study, we used animals models each with a unique defect in iron availability, storage, or transfer to test the hypothesis that disruptions in these mechanisms affect myelinogenesis and myelin composition. Disruption of iron availability either by limiting dietary iron or by altering iron storage capacity resulted in a decrease in myelin proteins and lipids but not the iron content of myelin. Among the integral myelin proteins, proteolipid protein was most consistently affected, suggesting that limiting iron to oligodendrocytes results not only in hypomyelination but also in a decrease in myelin compaction. Mice deficient in transferrin must receive transferrin injections beginning at birth to remain viable, and these mice had increases in all of the myelin components and in the iron content of the myelin. This finding indicates that the loss of endogenous iron mobility in oligodendrocytes could be overcome by application of exogenous transferrin. Overall, the results of this study demonstrate how myelin composition can be affected by loss of iron homeostasis and reveal specific chronic changes in myelin composition that may affect behavior and attempts to rescue myelin deficits. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Raman and infrared spectral studies of DL‐threoninium dihydrogenphosphate
Authors: Ravikumar B. , Ramaswamy S. , Mohamed Ali Jinnah M. , Rajaram R.K. , Ramakrishnan V.
Published: July 2004

Infrared and Raman spectra of DL‐threoninium dihydrogenphosphate crystal were recorded at room temperature and vibrational assignments of the observed wavenumbers were made. The extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the crystal was identified by the shifting of bands due to the stretching and bending modes of the various functional groups. The Td symmetry of the phosphate anion is reduced to the lower symmetry C2v owing to the intermolecular hydrogen bonding and coordination. The splitting of degenerate modes and the appearance of infrared‐inactive modes indicate the effect of the crystalline field on molecular vibrations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On‐line course design and delivery: cross‐national considerations
Authors: Mercado Simon , Parboteeah K. Praveen , Zhao Yushan
Published: July 2004

As more universities provide on‐line education to an increasingly international audience, there is a need to adapt these on‐line programmes to satisfy cross‐cultural needs.

This paper emphasizes on‐line course delivery and suggests possible cultural adaptations based on Hofstede's (2001) popular cultural dimensions.

In terms of on‐line design, it is proposed here that more formal and hierarchical imagery such as logos and leaders for high power distance web sites is used, and more artistic and aesthetic designs for feminine societies and more operational freedom for high individualist countries.

With respect to facilitative information, it is recommended that as much precise instructions and detailed guidance on assignments and strict timetables be provided for students in high uncertainty avoidance countries.

It is recommended that group assignments are carefully designed to stress equity, for example individual goals, in more individualist societies while emphasizing equality, such as equal grades, in more collectivist societies.

Finally, we suggest that on‐line instructors provide more definitive and assertive feedback in high power distance societies.

Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interaction and virtual learning
Authors: Hay Amanda , Hodgkinson Myra , Peltier James W. , Drago William A.
Published: July 2004

The meteoric growth in on‐line education has focused attention on virtual learning communities.

Critics suggest that the on‐line learner suffers isolation resulting from diminished interaction with others and thus question the quality of the on‐line educational experience.

A case study is presented of an American MBA programme at the University of Wisconsin‐Whitewater that compares interactions in on‐line and traditional learning communities.

Evidence is presented which suggests that on‐line students score higher on measures of interaction than traditional students. Furthermore, interaction is important in predicting effectiveness of courses regardless of mode of delivery. This suggests that interaction can occur in on‐line courses and is important in designing such offerings.

Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation and HPLC applications of rigid macroporous organic polymer monoliths
Authors: Svec Frantisek
Published: July 2004

Rigid porous polymer monoliths are a new class of materials that emerged in the early 1990s. These monolithic materials are typically prepared using a simple molding process carried out within the confines of a closed mold. For example, polymerization of a mixture comprising monomers, free‐radical initiator, and porogenic solvent affords macroporous materials with large through‐pores that enable applications in a rapid flow‐through mode. The versatility of the preparation technique is demonstrated by its use with hydrophobic, hydrophilic, ionizable, and zwitterionic monomers. Several system variables can be used to control the porous properties of the monolith over a broad range and to mediate the hydrodynamic properties of the monolithic devices. A variety of methods such as direct copolymerization of functional monomers, chemical modification of reactive groups, and grafting of pore surface with selected polymer chains is available for the control of surface chemistry. Since all the mobile phase must flow through the monolith, the convection considerably accelerates mass transport within the molded material, and the monolithic devices perform well, even at very high flow rates. The applications of polymeric monolithic materials are demonstrated mostly on the separations in the HPLC mode, although CEC, gas chromatography, enzyme immobilization, molecular recognition, advanced detection systems, and microfluidic devices are also mentioned.
Molecularly imprinted polymers: A new tool for separation of steroid isomers
Authors: Szumski Michał , Buszewski Bogusław
Published: July 2004

Molecularly imprinted polymers hold great promise for the separation of chiral compounds. A non‐covalent approach to the synthesis of MIPs relies on the presence of specific and non‐specific interactions, which lead to the formation of a molecular imprint. The structural differences between 17‐α‐estradiol and 17‐β‐estradiol are too small to permit their efficient separation on a MIP prepared with β‐estradiol as a template. Molecular modeling revealed the presence of only one hydrogen bond that differentiates the two isomers.
Monoliths for fast bioseparation and bioconversion and their applications in biotechnology
Authors: Jungbauer Alois , Hahn Rainer
Published: July 2004

Monoliths have consolidated their position in bioseparation. More than 200 different applications have been reported in the past two decades and their advantages compared to conventional chromatography demonstrated. These include the high mass transfer efficiency due to the convective flow enabled by the macroporous character of the matrix. Recently plasmid DNA and viruses were separated with high efficiency and cryogels and monolithic superporous agarose were developed for capture of proteins from crude homogenates and separation of microorganisms or lymphocytes. Currently four companies manufacture monoliths mainly for analytical applications although monoliths with a volume of 0.8 liter are commercially available and 8 L are available as prototypes. A book entitled “Monolithic materials: preparation, properties and applications” was published in 2003 [1] and became standard reference of the status of this area. This review focuses on the progress in monoliths that goes beyond the scope of this reference book. Less progress has been made in the field of bioconversions in spite of the fact that monolithic supports exhibit better performance than beads in enzymatic processing of macromolecules. It appears that the scientific community has not yet realized that supports for these applications are readily available. In addition, monoliths will further substantially advance bioseparations of both small and large molecules in the future.
Applications of silica‐based monolithic HPLC columns
Authors: Cabrera Karin
Published: July 2004

The recent invention and successive commercial introduction of monolithic silica columns has motivated many scientists from both academia and industry to study their use in HPLC. The first paper on monolithic silica columns appeared in 1996. Currently about 200 papers have been published relating to applications and characterization of monolithic silica columns, including monolithic capillaries. This review attempts to give an overview covering various aspects of this new column type in the field of high throughput analysis of drugs and metabolites, chiral separations, analysis of pollutants and food‐relevant compounds, as well as in bioanalytical separations such as in proteomics. Some of the applications are described in greater detail. The numerous publications dealing with the physicochemical and chromatographic characterization of monolithic silica columns are briefly summarized.
Characterization of polyacrylamide based monolithic columns
Authors: Plieva Fatima M. , Andersson Jonatan , Galaev Igor Yu. , Mattiasson Bo
Published: July 2004

Supermacroporous monolithic polyacrylamide (pAAm)‐based columns have been prepared by radical cryo‐copolymerization (copolymerization in the moderately frozen system) of acrylamide with functional co‐monomer, allyl glycidyl ether (AGE), and cross‐linker N,N ´‐methylene‐bis‐acrylamide (MBAAm) directly in glass columns (ID 10 mm). The monolithic columns have uniform supermacroporous sponge‐like structure with interconnected supermacropores of pore size 5–100 μm. The monoliths can be dried and stored in the dry state. High mechanical stability of the monoliths allowed sterilization by autoclaving. Column‐to‐column reproducibility of pAAm‐monoliths was demonstrated on 5 monolithic columns from different batches prepared under the same cryostructuration conditions.
Development of transgenic mice that inducibly express an active form of c‐Src in the epidermis
Authors: Matsumoto Takashi , Kiguchi Kaoru , Jiang Jianghong , Carbajal Steve , Ruffino Lynnsie , Beltrán Linda , Wang Xiao‐Jing , Roop Dennis R. , DiGiovanni John
Published: July 2004

Recent work from our laboratory has shown that elevated src kinase activity enhances tumor promotion, malignant progression, and metastasis during multistage skin carcinogenesis. In this study, we have generated “gene‐switch” src530 transgenic mice to further analyze the role of this nonreceptor tyrosine kinase in multistage carcinogenesis. Target transgenic mice that have an activated form of the human c‐src (src530) gene fused with GAL4 binding sites upstream of the thymidine kinase (TK) promoter were generated. Two lines of epidermis‐specific transactivator mice were used that targeted the expression of GLVPc or GLp65 transactivators, fusion molecules containing a truncated progesterone receptor with a GAl4‐DNA binding domain, with either a mouse loricrin (ML) or human keratin 14 (HK14) promoter, respectively. The transactivator mice (ML.GLVPc or HK14.GLp65) and the target mice (TK.src530) were mated to generate bitransgenic mice, and src530 transgene expression was induced by topical application of RU486 (mifepristone, a progesterone receptor antagonist). In both ML.GLVPc/TK.src530 and HK14.GLp65/TK.src530 bitransgenic mice, histological analysis revealed that only the bitransgenic mice had marked epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis after treatment with RU486. Neither the nontransgenic mice nor the mice hemizygous for either the transactivator transgene or the target transgene alone showed any response to treatment with RU486. In addition, no differences were observed in the skin of the bitransgenic mice versus nontransgenic littermates without treatment of RU486. Interestingly, in HK14.GLp65/TK.src530 bitransgenic mice, squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) arose along the periphery of the area of the punch biopsies in 25% of the bitransgenic mice several weeks after taking the biopsy and subsequent to RU486 treatment. Collectively, the data support a role of c‐src activation in epidermal hyperproliferation. Furthermore, the data support the conclusion that src activation can substitute for an initiating event in the presence of a tumor promoting stimulus (i.e., wounding). Finally, inducible src530 transgenic mice provide a new tool for dissecting the role of src activation in multistage carcinogenesis by allowing temporal control of the expression of this oncogene. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Violence in the Atacama Desert during the Tiwanaku period: social tension?
Authors: Lessa A. , Mendonça de Souza S.
Published: July 2004

Tiwanaku influence significantly affected the lifestyle of the prehistoric peoples of the Atacama Desert as it represented an important period of social and economic change. Such intense changes as social stratification and new religious and ideological influences have always been characterized as peaceful ones. Palaeopathological studies based on the violence‐induced traumatic lesions of 64 well‐preserved human skeletons from an excavated funerary site named Solcor‐3 have facilitated a comparison between Pre‐Tiwanaku and Tiwanaku periods. Results show an increase in violence between males represented by low‐intensity skull traumas, arrow wounds and a high mortality rate between 20 and 30 years of age during the Tiwanaku period. The interpretation of this data is contrary to the model of peaceful acceptance of the changes that followed the Tiwanaku influence into the Atacama. At least for Solcor‐3, economic and political factors should be re‐considered in order to explain the emergence of social tension during the Tiwanaku period. In the future, more detailed studies will probably help to clarify if conflicts had also extended to other sites in San Pedro de Atacama under Tiwanaku influence. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seasonality only works in certain parts of the year: the reconstruction of fishing seasons through otolith analysis
Authors: van Neer W. , Ervynck A. , Bolle L. J. , Millner R. S.
Published: July 2004

Seasonality estimations using incremental data usually suffer from small sample sizes and from the lack of comparison with sufficiently large modern samples. The present contribution reports on incremental studies carried out on large assemblages of plaice (Pleuronectes platessa) and haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) from a late medieval fishing village (Raversijde, Belgium) on the North Sea coast. In an attempt to refine previous seasonality estimates made for this site, and to expand conclusions concerning general methodology, extensive monthly samples of modern otoliths of these species, caught within the North Sea, have also been investigated. The modern material shows that the timing of the seasonal changes in the edge type (hyaline or opaque) of the otoliths is extremely variable and that it is dependent on the fishing ground, the year considered, and the age of the fish. It also appears that the increase of the marginal increment thickness is highly variable, to such an extent that the thickness of the last increment of a single otolith is mostly useless for seasonality estimation. Where large archaeological otolith assemblages can be studied, preferably from single depositional events, seasonality determination becomes possible on the condition, however, that the archaeological assemblage corresponds to fish that were captured during their period of fast growth. The growth ring study on the otoliths from Raversijde shows that plaice fishing took place in spring and that it was preceded by a haddock fishing season, probably in late winter/early spring. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cranial trauma and treatment: a case study from the medieval cemetery of St. Mary Spital, London
Authors: Powers N.
Published: July 2004

Excavation of the cemetery of the medieval priory of St. Mary‐without‐Bishopsgate, Spitalfields, London from 1998–2001, recovered the remains of over 10,000 individuals. Following initial assessment, skeleton 19893 was found to have suffered three cranial injuries caused by a sharp edged implement. The remains were those of a middle aged adult male of around 172.4 cm in stature, truncated at the hips by a later feature. The remaining elements were well preserved. The cranial injuries were well healed, suggestive of some degree of post‐traumatic care. Evidence of possible surgery was also found. Soft tissue complications would undoubtedly have followed the assault. Battle related trauma was considered, together with evidence of treatment. Whilst the demographic profile of the individual fitted a plausible one for a professional fighter of the medieval period, no firm evidence of occupation could be provided. The case study indicates both the ability of medieval people to survive major trauma and the wealth of information full analysis of the Spitalfields assemblage will provide the osteological community. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lumican expression is associated with the formation of mesenchyme‐like elements in salivary pleomorphic adenomas
Authors: Kusafuka Kimihide , Ishiwata Toshiyuki , Sugisaki Yuichi , Takemura Tamiko , Kusafuka Michi , Hisha Hiroko , Ikehara Susumu
Published: July 2004

Pleomorphic adenomas are the most common salivary gland tumour. Although this tumour is considered to be of epithelial origin, it contains ‘mesenchyme’‐like elements histologically. Lumican is a keratan sulphate proteoglycan that belongs to the small leucine‐rich repeat (LRR) proteoglycans and has been reported to be associated with cartilage formation. These findings suggest that lumican expression may be related to the chondroid component in pleomorphic adenomas. To investigate this hypothesis, the present study investigated the expression and localization of lumican in 20 normal human salivary glands and 35 pleomorphic adenomas. Firstly, immunohistochemistry for lumican was performed with pepsin pretreatment. In normal salivary glands, lumican was deposited in the periductal regions. In pleomorphic adenomas, it was predominantly deposited in the hyaline (100%) and fibrous areas (89.4%). In 16 tumours (66.7%), lumican was also deposited in the chondroid areas. Without pepsin pretreatment, lumican was identified in myoepithelial cells in myxoid areas, lacuna cells in chondroid areas, and in the cytoplasm of inner ductal cells. In situ hybridization revealed lumican mRNA expression mainly in the inner cells, the neoplastic myoepithelial cells, and the lacuna cells. These results suggest that lumican is associated with the formation of ‘mesenchyme’‐like structures in pleomorphic adenomas. In conclusion, normal salivary glands express lumican, which appears to be related to stromal maintenance, and pleomorphic adenomas express lumican mRNA and protein, which may play important roles in the formation of ‘mesenchyme’‐like areas in this type of tumour. Copyright © 2004 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vincristine neuropathy: Neurophysiological and genetic studies in a case of Wilms tumor
Authors: Schiavetti Amalia , Frascarelli Massimo , Uccini Stefania , Novelli Antonio
Published: July 2004

We report a 10‐year‐old female with Wilms tumor (WT) who developed severe neuropathy after the fifth weekly dose of vincristine. The girl was previously asymptomatic and the family history was negative for inherited neuropathies. Neurophysiological studies and electrodiagnostic findings were suggestive of a axonal neuropathy with greater motor than sensory characteristics not typical of Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) Type 1A. Genetic studies were performed in view of the degree of neurotoxicity. Duplication of 17p11.2 was found that supported the diagnosis of CMT Type 1A. The patient is alive without disease and with minimal weakness of the lower extremities after 42 months. Neurophysiological studies, repeated at 8 and 24 months, were negative. Although the association of asymptomatic CMT and vincristine neuropathy has been previously reported, the present case is of note because the reversible neuropathy occurred after five doses of vincristine, suggesting that possible more people suffering vincristine neurotoxicity may have underlying and asymptomatic CMT. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Insights into Pseudomonas putida KT2440 response to phenol‐induced stress by quantitative proteomics
Authors: Santos Pedro M. , Benndorf Dirk , Sá‐Correia Isabel
Published: July 2004

To gain insight into the global mechanism underlying phenol toxicity and tolerance in bacteria, we have generated a two‐dimensional protein reference map and used it to identify variations in protein expression levels in Pseudomonas putida KT2440 following exposure to sub‐lethal inhibitory concentrations of this solvent. Inspection of the two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis gels revealed that 1 h following sudden cell exposure to two different concentrations of phenol, leading to the inhibition of exponential growth (600 mg/L) or to growth arrest for, at least, 4 h before inhibited growth resumption (800 mg/L), the amount of 68 proteins was increased while the amount of 13 proteins was reduced. The up‐regulated proteins include proteins involved in the: (i) oxidative stress response (AhpC, SodB,Tpx and Dsb); (ii) general stress reponse (UspA, HtpG, GrpE and Tig); (iii) energetic metabolism (AcnB, AtpH, Fpr, AceA, NuoE, and MmsA‐1); (iv) fatty acid biosynthesis (FabB, AccC‐1 and FabBx1); (v) inhibition of cell division (MinD); (vi) cell envelope biosynthesis (LpxC, VacJ, and MurA); (vii) transcription regulation (OmpR and Fur); and (viii) transport of small molecules (TolC, BraC, AotJ, AapJ, FbpA and OprQ). Among the down‐regulated proteins are those involved in nucleotide biosynthesis (PurM, PurL, PyrH and Dcd) and cell motility (FliC). The information emerging from this genome expression profiling and the detailed investigation of the biological role of candidate genes, as targets of phenol toxicity or as determinants of phenol resistance in P. putida KT2440, will allow more rationale strategies for developing bacteria with greater solvent tolerance with impact in bioremediation and whole‐cell biotransformations in media with organic solvents.
Radioresistance‐related proteins in rectal cancer
Authors: Allal Abdelkarim S. , Kähne Thilo , Reverdin Alexandra K. , Lippert Hans , Schlegel Werner , Reymond Marc‐André
Published: July 2004

Radiation therapy (RT), combined with chemotherapy, is currently the standard adjuvant approach for UICC‐stage II and III rectal cancer patients. Individual rectal tumors display wide ranges of radiosensitivity (RS). The aim of the present study was to identify proteins associated with radioresistance (RR), with the final aim of predicting tumor response. Seventeen patients were recruited between July 1998 and November 2001. All patients suffered from a locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the rectum. Tumor biopsies were taken before RT. All patients received preoperatively 50 Gray or a biologically equivalent total dose. Surgery was performed after 6 weeks, and response assessed histopathologically. Seven tumors showed complete response, seven a partial response, and in three patients only microscopic disease remained. Proteins were separated using narrow pH gradient two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and silver staining. Automatic gel comparison allowed matching a mean number of 497 ± 280 spots. Forty‐four spots showing significant differential expression in RR tumors were localized on the pH 4.5–5.5 gels, 33 out of them being identified by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry. Twenty‐two out of 37 spots of interest could be identified on the pH 5.5–6.7 gels. The expression of the following proteins correlates with RR: tropomodulin (p = 0.01), heat shock protein 42 (p = 0.03), beta‐tubulin (p = 0.10), annexin V (p = 0.10), calsenilin (p = 0.10), or with radiosensitivity (RS): keratin type I (p = 0.03), notch 2 protein homolog (p = 0.05) and DNA repair protein RAD51L3 (p = 0.11). A further RR‐related protein is so far only hypothetical: XP_030188 (NCBI Database accession number, p = 0.14). We consider the fact that several of these proteins of interest are known to be associated with RR as a valid proof of principle for this proteomics approach. These results will serve as a basis for developing an assay for testing rectal cancers for radioresistance.
Micromechanical modeling of the tensile behavior of oriented polyethylene
Authors: van Dommelen J. A. W. , Schrauwen B. A. G. , Van Breemen L. C. A. , Govaert L. E.
Published: July 2004

The stacked lamellar morphology commonly found in extruded semicrystalline materials has a strong influence on the flow direction, with respect to the loading direction, and on the stability and localization phenomena in tensile experiments. A multiscale numerical model was used to simulate the effect on the macroscopic behavior of a stacked lamellar microstructure. The model established a link between the microscopic, the mesoscopic, and the macroscopic levels. The constitutive properties of the material were identified for the crystallographic and amorphous domains. The average fields of an aggregate of individual phases, having preferential orientations, formed the constitutive behavior of the extruded material. The microscopic morphology of the extruded high‐density polyethylene is based on wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction experiments. The macrostructure was described by a finite element model. The microstructure‐induced deformation hardening in the extrusion direction was found to stabilize the macrostructure when it was loaded in the flow direction. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2983–2994, 2004
Phase behavior and crystallization analysis in binary crystalline blends of syndiotactic polypropylene and ethylene—Propylene random copolymer
Authors: Huang Ching‐I , Chang Chun‐Pin , Shimizu Katsumi , Han Charles C.
Published: July 2004

The effects of liquid–liquid (L–L) phase separation on the crystallization behavior of binary syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP) and ethylene–propylene random copolymer (PEP) mixtures are examined by phase‐contrast microscopy (PCM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and cloud point measurements. The PCM experiments reveal that blends of sPP and PEP exhibit a lower critical solution temperature behavior in the melt. The L–L phase diagram, constructed in terms of temperature (T) and composition by cloud point measurements, follows the prediction of the Flory–Huggins theory with the interaction parameter between sPP and PEP [χ(T) = 0.01153 − 4.5738/T (K)]. When the blends are melted within the two liquid‐phase (α and β) regions, because of the fact that each phase domain reaches the equilibrium concentration ϕ and ϕ as well as the phase volume fraction να and νβ, the crystallinity of each component obeys the equation XC,I = να X + νβ X, I = PEP, sPP. Also, the equilibrium melting temperatures of both components remain constants, slightly lower than those of neat polymers. For the sPP/PEP blends crystallized from one homogeneous phase in the melt, we observe that the crystallizability of the major component is not greatly affected upon blending. However, the crystallization behavior of the minority component in the presence of the major component is strongly dependent on the crystallization temperature (Tc). When Tc is high, because the decreasing degree of the minority mobility is much greater than the increasing degree of the formed nuclei, the crystallizability of the minor component is depressed significantly. On the other hand, the promotion of the minority crystallizability in the intermediate regime of Tc is mainly because of the large increase of the heterogeneous nuclei upon blending with a major component. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2995–3005, 2004
Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins against cocoa pod borer larvae
Authors: Santoso Djoko , Chaidamsari Tetty , Wiryadiputra Soekadar , de Maagd Ruud A
Published: July 2004

Twelve Cry proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner were tested in bioassays on cacao plantations in Indonesia for activity against the larvae of cocoa pod borer (Conopomorpha cramerella (Snellen)), an insect pest of the cacao tree. Through the damage caused by their feeding, the larvae of cocoa pod borer cause the pods of the cocoa tree to ripen prematurely. They are difficult to control with conventional measures. Preliminary assays identified five toxins that were more active than others. In two subsequent bioassays the activity of selected toxins was determined more accurately. Three Cry1 proteins with relatively little homology were all found to be toxic, opening perspectives for controlling cocoa pod borer by expression of Cry proteins in transgenic plants. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and structural characterization of bioactive peptide conjugates using thioether linkage approaches
Authors: Mezö Gábor , Manea Marilena , Jakab Annamária , Kapuvári Bence , Bösze Szilvia , Schlosser Gitta , Przybylski Michael , Hudecz Ferenc
Published: July 2004

Applications of cysteine‐insertion and thioether linkage approaches to the preparation of a number of bioactive peptide conjugates are reported. Peptides containing epitopes from (i) herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein D, (ii) a specific N‐terminal β‐amyloid epitope recognized by therapeutically active antibodies, and (iii) a GnRH‐III peptide from sea lamprey with antitumour activity, were elongated with Cys residues and attached to a chloroacetylated tetratuftsin derivative carrier via a thioether linkage either directly, or by insertion of a spacer. The structures and molecular homogeneity of all the peptide conjugates were ascertained by HPLC, MALDI and electrospray mass spectrometry. The use of a spacer such as an oligoglycine or GFLG‐tetrapeptide gave an increased yield in the conjugation reaction and enhanced reaction rates. In the formation of cysteinyl‐thioether linkages, it was found that the position of flanking Cys residues markedly influenced the conjugation reaction and the formation of intermolecular epitope disulfide‐dimers. C‐terminal Cys residues gave thioether conjugates with significantly diminished epitope‐dimerization, while Cys at the N‐terminal caused rapid disulfide‐dimerization, thereby preventing efficient conjugation. Copyright © 2004 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An affordable modular mobile robotic platform with fuzzy logic control and evolutionary artificial neural networks
Authors: Tedder Maurice , Chamulak David , Chen Li‐Ping , Nair Santosh , Shvartsman Andrey , Tseng I , Chung Chan‐Jin
Published: July 2004

Autonomous robotics projects encompass the rich nature of integrated systems that includes mechanical, electrical, and computational software components. The availability of smaller and cheaper hardware components has helped make possible a new dimension in operational autonomy. This paper describes a mobile robotic platform consisting of several integrated modules including a laptop computer that serves as the main control module, microcontroller‐based motion control module, a vision processing module, a sensor interface module, and a navigation module. The laptop computer module contains the main software development environment with a user interface to access and control all other modules. Programming language independence is achieved by using standard input/output computer interfaces including RS‐232 serial port, USB, networking, audio input and output, and parallel port devices. However, with the same hardware technology available to all, the distinguishing factor in most cases for intelligent systems becomes the software design. The software for autonomous robots must intelligently control the hardware so that it functions in unstructured, dynamic, and uncertain environments while maintaining an autonomous adaptability. This paper describes how we introduced fuzzy logic control to one robot platform in order to solve the 2003 Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC) Autonomous Challenge problem. This paper also describes the introduction of hybrid software design that utilizes Fuzzy Evolutionary Artificial Neural Network techniques. In this design, rather than using a control program that is directly coded, the robot's artificial neural net is first trained with a training data set using evolutionary optimization techniques to adjust weight values between neurons. The trained neural network with a weight average defuzzification method was able to make correct decisions to unseen vision patterns for the IGVC Autonomous Challenge. A comparison of the Lawrence Technological University robot designs and the design of the other competing schools shows that our platforms were the most affordable robot systems to use as tools for computer science and engineering education. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An autonomous tracked vehicle with omnidirectional sensing
Authors: Hampton R. David , Nash David , Barlow David , Powell Robert , Albert Blace , Young Stephen
Published: July 2004

Operation of an autonomous vehicle along a marked path, in an obstacle‐laden environment, requires path detection, relative position detection and control, and obstacle detection and avoidance. The design solution of the team from the U.S. Military Academy is a tracked vehicle operating open‐loop in response to position information from an omnidirectional mirror, and to obstacle‐detection input from the mirror and from a scanning laser. The use of a tracked rather than a wheeled vehicle is the team's open‐loop solution to the problem of wheeled‐vehicle slippage on wet and sandy surfaces. The vehicleresponds to sensor information from (1) a digital camera‐mounted parabolic omnidirectional mirror for visual inputs and (2) a scanning laser for detecting obstacles in relief. Raw sensor data is converted synchronously into a global virtual context, which places the vehicle's center at the origin of a 2‐D Cartesian coordinate system. A four‐phase process is used to convert the camera's inputs into the data structures needed to reason about the vehicle's position relative to the course. Development of the path plan proceeds incrementally, using a space‐sweeping algorithm to identify safe paths along waypoints within the course boundaries. An attempt is made to minimize translation errors by favoring paths which exhibit fewer sharp turns. Integration of Intel's OpenCV computer vision library and the Independent JPEG Group's JPEG library allow for very good encapsulation of the low‐level functions needed to do most of the image processing. Ada95 is the language of choice for the majority of the team‐developed software, except where needed to interface to motors and sensors. Use of an object‐oriented high‐level language has been invaluable in leveraging the efforts of previous years' development activities, and for maximizing the ability to log or otherwise respond to anomalous behavior. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Gauging intelligence of unmanned vehicle systems–an IGVC perspective
Authors: Cheok Ka C. , Smid G. Edzko , Lane Gerald R. , Agnew William G. , Khan Asif
Published: July 2004

This paper offers an approach for defining and gauging the intelligence of an unmanned vehicle system. The meaning of “intelligence,” as in natural intelligence and machine intelligence, varies greatly depending on the context in which the word is used. The paper describes certain basic expectations associated with being intelligent in general, and proceeds to present three possible means of gauging the intelligent behavior of an unmanned vehicle system (UVS). The first is a qualitative perception that is based on an extension of the Turin's test for perceiving an unsuspecting UVS behavior as that of a person. The second is a quantitative measure where task‐specific intelligence performance of a smart system is evaluated. Examples of task‐specific intelligence and how they are gauged are presented in the context of the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition. The third is the comparative scale that gauges the difficulty of challenges against the intelligent skills of humans. For example, an experiment revealed that it requires the mind of at least a four‐year‐old child to successfully navigate an autonomous navigation course. Alternative architectures for intelligent unmanned vehicle systems were also presented, including complementing machine intelligence with human supervision via telematics and information technology. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.