bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A population‐based study of colorectal cancer test use
Authors: Etzioni David A. , Ponce Ninez A. , Babey Susan H. , Spencer Benjamin A. , Brown E. Richard , Ko Clifford Y. , Chawla Neetu , Breen Nancy , Klabunde Carrie N.
Published: November 2004

BACKGROUND

Recent research has supported the use of colorectal cancer (CRC) tests to reduce disease incidence, morbidity, and mortality. A new health survey has provided an opportunity to examine the use of these tests in California's ethnically diverse population. The authors used the 2001 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS 2001) to evaluate 1) rates of CRC test use, 2) predictors of the receipt of tests, and 3) reasons for nonuse of CRC tests.

METHODS

The CHIS 2001 is a random‐digit dial telephone survey that was conducted in California. Responses were analyzed from 22,343 adults age ≥ 50 years. CRC test use was defined as receipt of a fecal occult blood test in the past year and/or receipt of an endoscopic examination in the past 5 years.

RESULTS

Nearly 54% of California adults reported receipt of a recent CRC test. Insurance coverage and having a usual source of care were the most important predictors of CRC testing. Latinos age < 65 years were less likely to be tested than whites (relative risk [RR], 0.84; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.77–0.92). Men were more likely to be tested than women, an effect that was greater among individuals age 50–64 years (RR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.23–1.32) than among individuals age ≥ 65 years (RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.15–1.23). Women were more likely than men to say that their physician did not inform them the test was needed and that CRC tests were painful or embarrassing.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of the current study indicate a need for physicians to recommend CRC testing to their patients. Assuring that all individuals have both health insurance and a usual source of care would help address gaps in the receipt of CRC tests. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Palliative radiation therapy for painful vertebral metastases
Authors: Gupta Tejpal , Sarin Rajiv
Published: November 2004

External beam radiation therapy reportedly provides excellent palliation for painful vertebral metastases. However, to the authors' knowledge, the optimal prescription parameters are not well established with widespread heterogeneity. The authors' survey assessed the patterns of practice for palliative spinal irradiation that were most prevalent among radiation oncologists in India in general and compared them with the practice patterns at Tata Memorial Hospital.
The limit from the Schrödinger‐Poisson to the Vlasov‐Poisson equations with general data in one dimension
Authors: Zhang Ping , Zheng Yuxi , Mauser Norbert J.
Published: November 2004

We deal with the classical limit of the Schrödinger‐Poisson system to the Vlasov‐Poisson equations as the Planck constant ϵ goes to zero. This limit is also
frequently called “semiclassical limit”. The coupled Schrödinger‐Poisson system for the wave functions {ψ(t, x)} are transformed to the Wigner‐Poisson equations for a “phase space function” fϵ(t, x, ξ). For the case of the so called “completely mixed state”, i.e. j = 1, 2, · · ·, ∞, under additional assumptions on the potential, this classical limit has been solved in 1993 by P.‐L. Lions and T. Paul in [24] and, independently, by P. A. Markowich and N. J. Mauser in [26] with strong assumptions on the initial data.

The so called “pure state” case where only one or a finite number of wave functions {ψ(t, x)} are considered, has been open up to now.

We prove here for general initial data (pure state as well as mixed state case) of the wave functions in one space dimension that the Wigner measure f(t, x, ξ), which is a weak limit of fϵ(t, x, ξ) as ϵ tends to 0, satisfies the classical 1‐d Vlasov‐Poisson equations. As a by‐product, we have improved the decay assumption on the initial data of 1‐d Vlasov‐Poisson equations in [38] for the existence of
global weak solutions with measures as initial data.

The equations we regard are widely used in quantum/classical transport and semiconductor theory as a nonlinear one particle (“mean field”) approximation of the linear N electron Schrödinger/Hamilton equation.
Influence of the temperature and the oxygen partial pressure on the phase formation in the system Cu – Fe – O
Authors: Kenfack F. , Langbein H.
Published: November 2004

Copper iron oxides, Cu1‐xFe2+xO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5), have been synthesized by thermal oxidation of copper ‐ iron mixtures. In this process, the phase formation and the phase stability were investigated as function of the temperature (800°C – 1200°C) and the oxygen partial pressure (1.013 x 101 – 1.013 x 105 Pa). The phase formation starts with the reaction of the metallic components to simple oxides (Fe3O4, Fe2O3, CuO). From these simple oxides, the formation of complex oxides requires a minimum temperature of 800°C. The synthesis of single phase spinel compounds Cu2+1‐2x Cu1+xFe2+xO4±δ is realized for 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.5, using specific temperature – p(O2) – conditions for a given value of x. Remarkably, to achieve our goal, we found that the increase of x implies that of the reaction temperature and/or a decrease of the p(O2) in the reaction gas stream. Besides, a single phase spinel CuFe2O4 does not exist in the temperature / p(O2)‐field investigated. Using the results of XRD ‐ phase analysis, T ‐ p(O2) – x – diagrams were constructed. These diagrams allow the prediction of phase compositions expected for different synthesis conditions. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth and characterization of TGS and DTGS single crystals doped with Pt(II), Pt(IV) and L‐alanine
Authors: Novotný J. , Březina B. , Zelinka J.
Published: November 2004

The single crystals of triglycine sulfate doped with bivalent and tetravalent Pt‐ions and with L‐alanine (LADTGS/Pt(II) and LATGS/Pt(IV)) were grown in the ferroelectric phase from low temperature solutions. Using stick seeds the full‐shaped crystals with many growth pyramids have been prepared. The growth rate along the axiscof the doped crystals is much higher than in an undoped one. Morphology, domain structure andP‐Ehysteresis loops have been investigated. The effect of the dopant on the growth velocity is explained on the basis of catalytic action of supposed platinum complexes. The first series of the pyroelectric detectors have been prepared from these materials and their fundamental parameters are presented. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Fluorescence properties of Nd3+ doped stoichiometric LiNbO3 fiber single crystals by micro‐pulling down method
Authors: Shur J. W. , Yoon D. H.
Published: November 2004

Using the micro‐pulling down (μ‐PD) method, 1 and 3 mol% Nd2O3 doped near stoichiometric lithium niobate (LiNbO3) single crystal fibers were grown in 1 mm diameter and 35∼40 mm length. The grown crystal fibers were free of cracks and the homogeneous distribution of Nd3+ ion concentrations were confirmed by the electron probe micro analysis. The changes of fluorescence spectra were measured with respect to the Nd3+ ion doping concentration. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Analogic CNN algorithm for estimating position and size of moving objects
Authors: Costantini Giovanni , Casali Daniele , Perfetti Renzo
Published: November 2004

An analogic CNN algorithm is proposed for detection of multiple moving objects in high resolution, grey‐scale images taken from a fixed camera. The algorithm, based on simple 3 × 3 templates, can be implemented using CNN hardware, providing the real‐time operation required in surveillance and traffic control applications. Efficient separation of moving objects from the background is obtained through automatic threshold selection. The performance of the proposed method is shown using real‐life indoor and outdoor video sequences. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immitance data modelling via linear interpolation techniques: A classical circuit theory approach
Authors: Yarman B. Siddik , Kilinc Ali , Aksen Ahmet
Published: November 2004

With the advancement of the manufacturing technologies to produce new generation analog/digital communication systems, immitance data modelling has gained renewed importance in the literature. Specifically, models are utilized for behaviour characterization, simulation of physical devices or to design sub‐systems with active and passive solid‐state devices. Therefore, in this paper, new computer aided tools are presented to model one port immitance data by means of linear interpolation techniques. The basic philosophy of the new modelling tools is based on the numerical decomposition of the immitance data into its minimum and Foster parts. Computer algorithms are presented to model the minimum and the Foster parts of the given immitance data. Implementations of these algorithms are exhibited by means of examples. Depending on the application, modelling tools based on linear interpolation techniques may present ‘computational and practical’ advantages over the existing interpolation techniques, non‐linear curve fittings or regression methods. It is expected that the new modelling tools will be utilized to provide initial circuit topologies to the commercially available analysis/simulation and design packages. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure generation and performance comparison of ellipticGm‐Cfilters
Authors: Koziel Slawomir , Szczepanski Stanislaw , Schaumann Rolf
Published: November 2004

Starting from a set of matrices describing a generalGm‐Cfilter topology, a procedure is developed for generating structures of lowpass filters. As the matrices and the filter topologies have a one‐to‐one correspondence, an algebraic method is used to identify filter topologies with desired properties, here, transfer functions with finitejω‐axis transmission zeros, specifically elliptic filters. Sensitivity expressions for these structures are derived and a performance comparison based on a set of chosen criteria is made. For a specified elliptic transfer function, filters with only grounded capacitors and those containing also floating capacitors emerge as alternative realizations, as are filters with a single input and those with distributed inputs. For third‐order functions, a detailed comparison is performed of leapfrog (LF) and inverse follow‐the‐leader‐feedback (IFLF), the most popular special cases, and of topologies that have also floating capacitors (LFf, IFLFf), as well as of a novel configuration that uses also distributed inputs (DIf) and leads to a reduced element count. Design guidelines and restrictions are given, which follow from the derived results with focus on the circuits' sensitivity performance and other properties important for IC implementation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An iteration formulation for normalized diode characteristics
Authors: He Ji‐Huan , Wan Yu‐Qin , Guo Qian
Published: November 2004

By a general Lagrange multiplier, an iteration approach is proposed to solve the generalized normalized diode equation, by suitable choice of the initial trial‐function, one‐step iteration leads to a high accurate solution, which is valid for the whole solution domain. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative Measurements Between Langmuir Probe and Ion‐acoustic Wave Detection in a Radio Frequency Source
Authors: Bandyopadhyay M. , Tanga A. , McNeely P. , Yaroshenko V.
Published: November 2004

Phase velocity or damping measurement of ion‐acoustic waves in plasmas is an alternative diagnostic technique to measure the electron temperature Te in presence of radio frequency (RF) fluctuation. If a fraction of the ion population in plasma is made of negative ions, the dispersion relation of this wave has characteristic features. The ion‐acoustic wave has two modes of propagation in negative ion enriched plasmas. The phase velocity of fast mode increases and damping decreases with increasing negative ion concentration. The slow mode is highly damped. Measurements in the range of 1 kHz‐40 kHz in H2+Cs and Xe+Cs plasmas, where negative ion concentration is much less compare to other electronegative plasmas, like SF–6, O– etc., show that the wave propagates according to the slow wave dispersion relation. The ion‐acoustic derived Te measurements are presented in two different geometries and compared with the Te value derived from the Langmuir probe characteristic. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
New Developments of Self‐emitting Electrostatic Probes for use in High Temperature Plasmas
Authors: Fink M. A. , Endler M. , Klinger T.
Published: November 2004

Emissive electrostatic probes for the use in fusion experiments must be able to sustain significantly higher thermal loads than in low‐temperature plasma experiments. Several types of probe design are discussed, the results from the use of such probes in the edge plasma of the Wendelstein 7‐AS stellarator are presented and compared with the predictions of emissive and non‐emissive probe models. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Vapor Phase Synthesis of Multicomponent Si‐N‐Ti Powders
Authors: Ziegenbalg G. , Šingliar U.
Published: November 2004

Multicomponent nanopowders can be produced using vapor phase ammonolysis of SiCl4/TiCl4 mixtures at 800 °C and 1000 °C. Uniform particles with spherical morphology and diameters between 150 nm and 350 nm are obtained. At 800 °C, crystalline TiN nuclei are formed. They are overlaid by amorphous Si‐N(H)‐Ti‐Cl compounds, and chlorine is distributed over the whole particle. In addition, NH4Cl is formed as a by‐product. Thermal post‐treatment at 900 °C in a NH3 atmosphere is necessary to obtain chlorine‐free powders. The morphology of the powders is not changed during the post‐treatment process.
Low‐Temperature Growth of Germanium Quantum Dots on Silicon Oxide by Inductively Coupled Plasma Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Shieh J. , Ko T.S. , Chen H.L. , Dai B.T. , Chu T.C.
Published: November 2004

We report on the fabrication of germanium quantum dots on silicon oxide and their growth mechanism. Germanium quantum dots were deposited by inductively‐coupled plasma CVD at 400 °C. Gold nanoparticles, attached to silicon oxide through a self‐assembled monolayer, were adopted as catalysts to allow access to a vapor–liquid–solid process. The density of polycrystalline germanium dots is 1.46 × 1011 cm–2, which is consistent with the density of the gold nanoparticles. The mechanism by which the undesirable gold catalysts are removed during the germanium dot growth process has been elucidated. This technique provides a low‐temperature process for the fabrication of devices consisting of germanium quantum dots on an insulator surface.
Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: Cytopathological findings in an unusual case
Authors: Parwani Anil V. , Sheth Sheila , Ali Syed Z.
Published: November 2004

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) primarily is a disease of children and adolescents. Most patients experience spontaneous regression at a later age, while others continue to be affected throughout their lives. Here, we present the case of a 26‐yr‐old man who presented with persistent cough, worsening dyspnea, and development of pneumothorax. Eight years prior, he had presented with similar complaints and an evaluation at that time had showed RRP. Follow‐up since that time showed recurrent disease managed by multiple surgical procedures. At the most current admission, an ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) of the lung showed numerous papillary tissue fragments and single atypical squamous cells consistent with recurrent RPR. To our knowledge, morphological findings of RRP have been reported rarely. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2004;31:407–412. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunostaining of galectin‐3 and CD44v6 using fine‐needle aspiration for distinguishing follicular carcinoma from adenoma
Authors: Maruta Junko , Hashimoto Hironobu , Yamashita Hiroto , Yamashita Hiroyuki , Noguchi Shiro
Published: November 2004

To evaluate the clinical applicability of galectin‐3 and CD44 variant 6 (CD44v6) immunostaining in fine‐needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of thyroid follicular tumors, 79 cytological specimens (35 follicular carcinomas and 44 follicular adenomas) were studied. The positive rates of galectin‐3 and CD44v6 were 89 and 74% in follicular carcinoma, respectively, and 25 and 30% in follicular adenoma, respectively. There were no significant correlations between the expression of galectin‐3 or CD44v6 in follicular carcinoma and characteristics such as capsular invasion, vascular invasion, metastasis, or tumor size.

Positive staining of either galectin‐3 or CD44v6 resulted in a diagnostic sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 52% for follicular carcinoma among follicular tumors.

Immunostaining of galectin‐3 or CD44v6 using cytological specimens can provide independent information on conventional morphological findings of cytology to distinguish follicular carcinoma from adenoma. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2004;31:392–396. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional recovery and dendritic hypertrophy after posterior and complete cingulate lesions on postnatal day 10
Authors: Gonzalez Claudia L.R. , Gibb Robbin , Kolb Bryan
Published: November 2004

Rats received lesions of the posterior cingulate cortex or both the anterior and posterior cingulate cortex (total cingulate), or sham procedures, on postnatal Day 10. As adults, animals were trained in the Morris water task. Both the cingulate lesion groups showed substantial functional recovery relative to our previous studies of adult operates or animals with perinatal cingulate lesions. A Golgi analyis of layer III pyramidal cells in parietal cortex showed an increase in dendritic length in the lesion animals relative to sham controls, which is similar to previous findings for rats with anterior cingulate but not motor or parietal lesions. In addition, there was a partial regeneration of the anterior tissue in the total cingulates, which in some cases extended into the posterior region. This is consistent with earlier findings that anterior cingulate lesions around Day 10 stimulate neurogenesis. It appears that there is something special about the reparative processes and subsequent functional recovery that follow midline neocortical lesions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 40: 138–146, 2002. DOI 10.1002/dev.10024
Cardiac vagal regulation across the preschool period: Stability, continuity, and implications for childhood adjustment
Authors: Calkins Susan D. , Keane Susan P.
Published: November 2004

Stability and continuity of vagal regulation of the heart, operationalized as suppression of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) during challenge, was examined in a longitudinal study of preschoolers. A sample of 154 two‐year‐old children was recruited for participation in a study of the effects of emotional and behavioral challenge on cardiac activity and behavioral indices of adjustment and self‐regulation. A total of 122 of these children were assessed again at age 4.5 years. At both ages, the children were assessed in a series of laboratory procedures that were intended to be emotionally and behaviorally challenging, during which time heart rate was recorded. To assess vagal regulation, resting measures of RSA and RSA suppression to the challenge task were derived from these procedures. To assess childhood adjustment and self‐regulation, a number of parent‐report measures were administered when the children were 4.5 years of age. Results indicated that there was high stability in RSA suppression across the challenge tasks within both ages, modest cross‐age stability in RSA suppression, and a significant decrease in the magnitude of RSA suppression across age. Second, children who displayed a pattern of stable and high suppression across the preschool period were less emotionally negative, and had fewer behavior problems and better social skills than other children. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 45:101‐112, 2004.
Prehatch entrainment of circadian rhythms in the domestic chick using different light regimes
Authors: Hill Wendy L. , Bassi Kimberly L. , Bonaventura Leean , Sacus Jacqueline E.
Published: November 2004

The onset of circadian rhythms in many animals occurs during prenatal development. We conducted four experiments, using the domestic chick as a model, to assess when these rhythms can first be entrained and the type of light zeitgeber necessary. In Experiment 1, the presence of circadian rhythms was assessed using tonic immobility, an antipredator behavior, whereas in Experiments 2 to 4 body temperature was studied. We demonstrate that (a) circadian rhythms can be entrained during the late stage of the chick's 21‐day incubation period (prehatch Days 13–18), (b) only 1 day of light cues [12:12 hr light:dark (12L:12D)] on prehatch Day 13 is necessary for entrainment, and (c) short bouts of light, which simulate the light cues embryos typically experience during natural incubation, can act as zeitgebers although they are not as effective as 12L:12D. The onset of entrainment is earlier than predicted and suggests that the brain structures mediating circadian rhythms mature sooner than proposed by previous research. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 45: 174‐186, 2004.
Isolation of chicken homolog of the FOXL2 gene and comparison of its expression patterns with those of aromatase during ovarian development
Authors: Govoroun Marina S. , Pannetier Maëlle , Pailhoux Eric , Cocquet Julie , Brillard Jean‐Pierre , Couty Isabelle , Batellier Florence , Cotinot Corinne
Published: November 2004

Mutations in the forkhead transcription factor gene FOXL2 are involved in ovarian failure, which occurs in human BPES syndrome. This syndrome presents a sexually dimorphic expression, specific to the ovary in several vertebrates. We cloned the open reading frame of chicken FOXL2 (cFoxL2) and studied cFoxL2 expression in developing gonads and during adulthood to examine the role of FOXL2 in ovarian differentiation and function in birds. The spatial and temporal dynamics of cFoxL2 and aromatase expression were analyzed in parallel by using real‐time quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry in attempt to investigate the possible role of cFoxL2 in the regulation of aromatase. The expression patterns of cFoxL2 and aromatase transcripts were highly correlated during the sex‐differentiation period (4.7–12.7 days of incubation). Aromatase and cFoxL2 proteins were colocalized in the medullar part of female gonads on embryonic day 14. Fourteen days after hatching, cFoxL2 protein was mainly detected in granulosa cells of developing follicles. In adult ovary follicular envelopes, apart from granulosa cells, cFoxL2 transcript and protein were detected at lower levels in theca cells where aromatase was present. A high level of cFoxL2 transcription was also observed in maturing and ovulated oocytes. Our results confirm that FoxL2 is an early regulator of ovarian development in birds and may be involved in aromatase transcription regulation. Developmental Dynamics 859–870, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assembly and remodeling of the fibrillar fibronectin extracellular matrix during gastrulation and neurulation in Xenopus laevis
Authors: Davidson Lance A. , Keller Raymond , DeSimone Douglas W.
Published: November 2004

Fibronectin, a major component of the extracellular matrix is critical for processes of cell traction and cell motility. Whole‐mount confocal imaging of the three‐dimensional architecture of the extracellular matrix is used to describe dynamic assembly and remodeling of fibronectin fibrils during gastrulation and neurulation in the early frog embryo. As previously reported, fibrils first appear under the prospective ectoderm. We describe here the first evidence for regulated assembly of fibrils along the somitic mesoderm/endoderm boundary as well as at the notochord/somitic mesoderm boundary and clearing of fibrils from the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the notochord that occurs over the course of a few hours. As gastrulation proceeds, fibrils are restored to the dorsal surface of the notochord, where the notochord contacts the prospective floor plate. As the neural folds form, fibrils are again remodeled as deep neural plate cells move medially. The process of neural tube closure leaves a region of the ectoderm overlying the neural crest transiently bare of fibrils. Fibrils are assembled surrounding the dorsal surface of the neural tube as the neural tube lumen is restored. Developmental Dynamics 231:888–895, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A noise‐robust speech input interface for information kiosk terminals
Authors: Ida Masaki , Mori Hiroyuki , Nakamura Satoshi , Shikano Kiyohiro
Published: November 2004

In social amenity apparatus such as information terminals or on‐line shopping terminals and ticket vending machines, more natural and smoother communication between machines and humans is made possible by incorporating speech recognition, thus rapidly enhancing operation and convenience. In this paper, we will describe the trial production of an information kiosk terminal equipped with speech recognition and the noise reduction technique adopted as a speech input interface. In general, the aforementioned system equipment is installed in public spaces such as stations. Therefore, robust speech recognition performance is required even in the worst noise environments. For the realization of this antinoise capability, we have used noise reduction based on both a microphone array and spectral subtraction (SS). Experiments with evaluation data recorded in real environments indicate that a recognition performance of over 90% in isolated‐word recognition of 216 words uttered by an unspecified speaker is achieved by the combined use of a 32‐channel microphone array and SS. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 87(12): 51–61, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjb.20135
Construction of a fault‐tolerant voter for N‐modular redundancy
Authors: Takaesu Kohtaro , Yoshida Takeo
Published: November 2004

This paper proposes a method of improving the reliability of the voter in N‐modular redundancy systems. TMR and other multiplexing techniques were developed to improve the voter's reliability. However, in such techniques, the output of multiplexed voters must be determined by majority voting. In this study, the reliability of the voter is improved by means of ADR, a temporal redundancy technique. An ADR system normally includes an encoder, an ADR‐applied circuit, a decoder, and an error detector. However, previous studies have dealt only with the configuration of ADR‐applied circuits. This study considers the configuration of the entire ADR system, and the feasibility of a doubled‐circuit configuration is proven. In addition, the proposed method is verified to improve the reliability of voters in N‐modular redundancy systems. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 87(12): 62–71, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002sol;ecjb.20136
Cover Picture: A Parahydrogen Study of Catalytic Hydrogenation by Diphosphane‐Substituted Triruthenium Clusters (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 22/2004)
Authors: Prestwich Tom G. , Blazina Damir , Duckett Simon B. , Dyson Paul J.
Published: November 2004

The cover picture shows the reaction pathways available to Ru3(CO)10(dppe) in the catalytic hydrogenation of diphyenylacetylene, as elucidated by parahydrogen‐assised NMR spectroscopy. The cluster leads to catalytic hydrogenation via a detected vinyl hydride intermediate, but fragments in low polarity solvents. Details are discussed in the article by S. B. Duckett et al. on p. 4381 ff. We thank Universities UK (ORS award), Bruker Biospin UK and The University of York for financial support.
Antimutagenic activity of spearmint
Authors: Yu Tian‐Wei , Xu Meirong , Dashwood Roderick H.
Published: November 2004

The antimutagenic activity of spearmint (Mentha spicata), a popular food flavoring agent, was studied in the Salmonella assay. Spearmint leaves were brewed in hot water for 5 min at concentrations up to 5% (w/v), and the water extracts were tested against the direct‐acting mutagens 4‐nitro‐1,2‐phenylenediamine (NPD) and 2‐hydroxyamino‐3‐methyl‐3H‐imidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline (N‐OH‐IQ) using Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98. Nontoxic concentrations of spearmint extract inhibited the mutagenic activity of N‐OH‐IQ in a concentration‐dependent fashion, but had no effect against NPD. These experiments by design focused on the water extract consumed commonly as an herbal tea, but chloroform and methanol extracts of spearmint also possessed antimutagenic activity against N‐OH‐IQ. Water extract of spearmint inhibited the mutagenic activity of the parent compound, 2‐amino‐3‐methyl‐3H‐imidazo[4,5‐f]quinoline (IQ), in the presence of rat liver S9; however, the concentration for 50% inhibition (IC50) against IQ was approximately 10‐fold higher than in assays with N‐OH‐IQ minus S9. At concentrations similar to those used in the Salmonella assays, spearmint extract inhibited two of the major enzymes that play a role in the metabolic activation of IQ, namely, cytochromes P4501A1 and 1A2, based on ethoxyresorufin O‐deethylase and methoxyresorufin O‐demethylase assays in vitro. In vivo, rats were given spearmint water extract (2%; w/v) as the sole source of drinking fluid before, during, and after 2‐week treatment with IQ; colonic aberrant crypt foci were inhibited significantly at 8 weeks (P < 0.05, compared with rats given IQ alone). Collectively, these findings suggest that spearmint tea protects against IQ and possibly other heterocyclic amines through inhibition of carcinogen activation and via direct effects on the activated metabolite(s). Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimation of the mean and standard deviation from normally distributed singly‐censored samples
Authors: Aboueissa Abou El‐Makarim A. , Stoline Michael R.
Published: November 2004

This article is concerned with the estimation of the mean μ and standard deviation σ utilizing a singly‐left‐censored sample of normally distributed data having a known detection limit (DL). A new computer algorithm for obtaining the Cohen (1959) maximum likelihood estimates of μ and σ is provided which does not require auxiliary tables. The algorithm utilizes S‐PLUS or R languages. Closed form estimates of the mean and standard deviation obtained under a new replacement method are given for normally distributed left‐censored samples, which appear to be superior to existing replacement method estimates. The replacement method estimates are based on replacing the left‐censored observations by a non‐constant value. The performances of these methods are compared utilizing many simulated data sets. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bayesian prediction of temperature records using the Pareto model
Authors: Madi Mohamed T. , Raqab Mohamed Z.
Published: November 2004

Statistical prediction of record values has potential environmental applications dealing, for example, with abrupt climate jumps, such as the prediction of rainfall extremes, highest water levels and sea surface or air record temperatures. In this article, and on the basis of observed Pareto records drawn from a sequential sample of independent and identically distributed random variables, we address the problem of Bayesian prediction of future records. The Bayesian predictive distribution is developed for future records and the corresponding highest posterior density (HPD)‐prediction intervals are established. A data set representing the record values of average July temperatures in Neuenburg, Switzerland, is used to illustrate the proposed prediction procedure's environmental application. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complex biallelic IGH rearrangements in IgM‐expressing Z‐138 cell line: Involvement of downstream immunoglobulin class switch recombination
Authors: Guikema Jeroen E. J. , Fenton James A. L. , de Boer Conny , Kleiverda Karin , Brink Antoinette A. T. P. , Raap Anton K. , Estrov Zeev , Schuuring Ed , Kluin Philip M.
Published: November 2004

Chromosomal translocations involving the immunoglobulin (Ig) receptor loci usually disrupt and silence these loci. On the basis of observations in follicular lymphoma (FL) with downstream Ig heavy chain (IGH) class switch recombination (CSR), we hypothesized that downstream CSR‐mediated chromosomal translocations would leave the V(D)J‐Cμ transcription unit intact, thereby still allowing IgM expression from the IGH allele involved in the translocation. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed biallelic IGH translocations in the IgM‐expressing cell line Z‐138 by interphase FISH, DNA fiber–FISH, long‐distance vectorette PCR, and DNA sequencing. One IGH allele was involved in a t(11;14), showing a break in the JH region that juxtaposed the Eμ enhancer and the 3′ Cα enhancers to the cyclin D1 gene. The other IGH allele contained a t(8;14) breakpoint involving the 3′ end of a Sγ region, whereas the reciprocal breakpoint at 8q24 was approximately 40 kb centromeric of MYC. Molecular analysis showed that this IGH allele harbored a normal V(D)J‐Cμ complex, which is responsible for IgM expression. These data show that chromosomal breakpoints such as the t(8;14) can occur in downstream IGH constant regions and do not necessarily interfere with Ig expression. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Two‐Stage sampling designs for gene association studies
Authors: Thomas Duncan , Xie Rongrong , Gebregziabher Mulugeta
Published: November 2004

We consider two‐stage case‐control designs for testing associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and disease, in which a subsample of subjects is used to select a panel of “tagging” SNPs that will be considered in the main study. We propose a pseudolikelihood [Pepe and Flemming, 1991: JASA 86:108–113] that combines the information from both the main study and the substudy to test the association with any polymorphism in the original set. SNP‐tagging [Chapman et al., 2003: Hum Hered 56:18–31] and haplotype‐tagging [Stram et al., 2003a; Hum Hered 55:27–36] approaches are compared. We show that the cost‐efficiency of such a design for estimating the relative risk associated with the causal polymorphism can be considerably better than for a single‐stage design, even if the causal polymorphism is not included in the tag‐SNP set. We also consider the optimal selection of cases and controls in such designs and the relative efficiency for estimating the location of a causal variant in linkage disequilibrium mapping. Nevertheless, as the cost of high‐volume genotyping plummets and haplotype tagging information from the International HapMap project [Gibbs et al., 2003; Nature 426:789–796] rapidly accumulates in public databases, such two‐stage designs may soon become unnecessary.Genet. Epidemiol. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Anticardiolipin antibodies in chronic hepatitis C: Implication of hepatitis C virus as the cause of the antiphospholipid syndrom
Authors: Prieto J , Yuste J R , Beloqui O , Civeira M P , Riezu J I , Aguirre B , Sangro B
Published: November 2004

Antiphospholipid antibodies are a type of autoantibodies that have been implicated in the occurrence of thrombocytopenia and thrombotic events and have been described in autoimmune disorders and diverse viral diseases. In this study anticardiolipin antibodies (immunoglobulin G [IgG] isotype) were determined in serum from 100 patients with chronic hepatitis C and 52 healthy controls. In addition, hepatitis C virus (HCV) markers (anti-HCV and HCV RNA) were investigated in 73 patients with thrombotic disorders and no clinical evidence of liver disease; of these patients 37 cases tested negatively for anticardiolipin antibodies and 36 positively. Anticardiolipin test was positive more frequently (22%) in the group of patients with chronic hepatitis C than in healthy controls (1.9%; P < .001). Using conditional logistic-regression analysis we found that in hepatitis C patients the presence of thrombocytopenia, portal hypertension and the existence of prior thrombotic episodes were significantly related to positivity for anticardiolipin antibodies (P < .05 in all cases). In patients with no evidence of liver disease and a history of thrombotic events, hepatitis C markers were absent in all cases who tested negatively for anticardiolipin antibodies (n = 37), but were present in 16.7% of those positive for anticardiolipin (n = 36) (P = .01). In conclusion, anticardiolipin antibodies are frequently found in patients with chronic hepatitis C and in these patients they may be implicated in the occurrence of thrombosis and in the development of thrombocytopenia. Occult HCV infection is present in a significant proportion of patients with thrombotic disorders and positive for anticardiolipin (the antiphospholipid syndrome).
High incidence of ADH2*1/ALDH2*1 genes among Japanese alcohol dependents and patients with alcoholic liver disease
Authors: Tanaka F , Shiratori Y , Yokosuka O , Imazeki F , Tsukada Y , Omata M
Published: November 2004

In an attempt to clarify the genetic factors in alcoholism among the Japanese, polymorphism of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) genes has been investigated. Genetic polymorphism of ADH2/ALDH2 in 66 cases of normal subjects, 90 cases of alcohol dependent, and 31 patients with alcoholic liver disease among Japanese has been analyzed using a polymerase chain reaction assay followed by a direct sequencing method, because ethanol is mainly catabolized by ADH and ALDH and less by cytochrome P450IIE1 and catalase. The incidence of both ADH2*1/*1 and ALDH2*1/*1 was significantly higher in patients with alcohol dependence and in patients with alcoholic liver disease when compared with that in control subjects. In addition, the incidence of ALDH2*1/*2 and ALDH2*2/*2 was significantly reduced in alcoholics compared with control subjects. Genetic polymorphism of ADH2/ALDH2 in patients with alcoholic liver disease was not different from that of alcohol dependents. According to these results, not only ALDH2 gene, often claimed to be responsible for alcohol dependence among Japanese, but also ADH2 gene polymorphism, which modulates the metabolism of ethanol, play important roles in habitual alcohol intake behavior in Japanese patients and in some patients leads to alcoholic liver diseases.
Incidence of rejection and infection after liver transplantation as a function of the primary disease: Possible influence of alcohol and polyclonal immunoglobulins
Authors: Farges O , Saliba F , Farhamant H , Samuel D , Bismuth A , Reynes M , Bismuth H
Published: November 2004

A retrospective analysis was undertaken to determine if the incidence, timing, and severity of acute and chronic rejection were influenced by the primary disease necessitating transplantation. Of the 875 liver transplantations performed between 1984 and 1992, 768 were primary transplantations and 107 were retransplantations. Among the former, 330 patients that were liver transplant recipients for a chronic liver disease without cancer in the native liver received an ABO-compatible and cross-match-negative graft and were given a cyclosporine- or tacrolimus-based immunosuppression. These included primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC, 66 patients), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC, 23 patients), alcoholic cirrhosis (ALC, 21 patients), autoimmune cirrhosis (AIC, 17 patients), hepatitis B virus-induced cirrhosis (HBV-C, 116 patients) and hepatitis C virus-induced cirrhosis (HCV-C, 87 patients). The incidence of acute (48% ± 3% [SE] at 1 year) and chronic rejection (10% ± 2% at 3 years) was comparable in patients who have undergone transplantation for PBC, PSC, AIC, and HCV-C. However, the incidence of acute (but not chronic) rejection was significantly lower in patients who have undergone transplantation for ALC (29% at 1 year). This reduced incidence of acute rejection was associated with an increased incidence of bacterial infections. In patients who have undergone transplantation for HBV-C (the majority of whom had received long-term anti-hepatitis B surface antigen [HBs] immunoglobulins), the incidence of both acute (21% at 1 year) and chronic rejection (0% at 3 years) was significantly lower, whereas the incidence of septic complications was comparable with that in the other groups. The incidence of acute rejection in patients who have undergone transplantation for nonviral disease receiving polyclonal human anti- cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulins was also significantly lower than that of patients who did not receive the immunoglobulins (19% vs. 48% at 3 months; P = .01), and this was identical to that of patients who have undergone transplantation for viral disease receiving polyclonal human anti-HBs immunoglobulins (19% at 3 months). These results show that the risk of rejection is unequal among patients, being lower in patients who have undergone transplantation for ALC (probably as a result of a state of nonspecific hyporesponsiveness) and in patients who have undergone transplantation for HBV-C (possibly as a result of long-term administration of polyclonal human immunoglobulins).
The role of hepatobiliary scintigraphy in cystic fibrosis
Authors: O’Connor P J , Southern K W , Bowler I M , Irving H C , Robinson P J , Littlewood J M
Published: November 2004

This was a prospective open study that examined the quantitative and qualitative analysis of hepatobiliary scintigraphy (DISIDA) in detecting liver involvement in cystic fibrosis (CF). Forty-four adult and pediatric patients (median age, 12.1 years; range, 1.1-36.3 years) were divided into three groups: group 1, no evidence of liver involvement (n = 8); group 2, biochemical evidence of liver involvement on two or more occasions (n = 26); and group 3, clinical evidence of liver disease (n = 10). In groups 1 and 2, the most common qualitative scintigraphic finding was focal intrahepatic retention of tracer (26/34 patients, 12 of whom had normal findings on ultrasonography). This finding corresponds to focal cholestasis and may warrant treatment with the choleretic agent ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). In the group 3 patients, the abnormal qualitative scintigraphic appearances (heterogeneous uptake of tracer and nodular liver outline) added little to the findings on ultrasonography; however, these patients had a prolonged mean hepatic clearance time compared with those in groups 1 and 2 (one-way ANOVA; P < .015). It is proposed that scintigraphy with DISIDA has a role in the detection of early liver involvement in cystic fibrosis.
Norepinephrine reverses the effects of activin A on DNA synthesis and apoptosis in cultured rat hepatocytes
Authors: Zhang Y , Kanzaki M , Mashima H , Mine T , Kojima I
Published: November 2004

Activin A, an autocrine factor produced by hepatocytes, inhibits mitogen-stimulated DNA synthesis and induces apoptotic death of cultured rat hepatocytes. Several lines of evidence indicate that norepinephrine (NE), as a comitogenic growth factor, alters the balance between growth stimulation and inhibition and acts as a trigger for the initiation of hepatocyte proliferation. In the present study, we examined whether NE modulated the effects of activin A on rat hepatocytes in primary culture. Activin A, at a concentration of 10−9 mol/L, blocked the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on DNA synthesis, that was assessed by measuring [3H] thymidine incorporation and nuclear labeling, almost completely, and NE reversed the inhibitory effect of activin A on DNA synthesis. This effect of NE was dose- dependent, being significant at concentrations of 10−6 mol/L and above, but was overcome by higher concentrations of activin A, and was attenuated by prazosin, but not by yohimbine or propranolol. NE exerted its effect during the first 24 hours of culture, but was ineffective when added after 24 hours. EGF augmented the release of follistatin, an activin-binding protein known to block the action of activin A, by hepatocytes and NE did not affect the amount of follistatin they released. In addition to inhibiting DNA synthesis by hepatocytes cultured with EGF, activin A induced death of hepatocytes cultured in the absence of EGF. The nuclear morphology of cells cultured with activin A alone was strikingly changed compared with untreated control cells and marked identation of the nuclear membranes and moderate chromatin condensation were observed. Fragmentation of DNA was also observed, suggesting that activin A induced apoptosis, and activin-mediated cell death was prevented significantly by NE. These results indicate that NE, acting on α1-adrenergic receptors, attenuates the effects of activin A on DNA synthesis by and apoptosis of cultured rat hepatocytes.
Effect of phalloidin on cholestasis, hemodynamics, and microcirculation in isolated perfused rat liver
Authors: Barriault C , Petit J , Gascon-Barre M , Huet P , Yousef I M , Tuchweber B
Published: November 2004

In this study, the possible role of the hepatic microcirculation in phalloidin-induced cholestasis and hepatotoxicity was examined in isolated perfused rat livers (IPRL). Administration of a phalloidin bolus (1 mg/kg body weight) through the portal vein induced an immediate reduction of bile flow. In 16.9 minutes, bile flow was 50% lower than basal values. Portal pressure was only increased in 60 minutes after phalloidin injection and increased sharply from this time up to the end of perfusion (90 minutes). Under these conditions, phalloidin did not induce liver cell cytolysis, as assessed by aspartate transaminase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in the perfusate effluent. Under electron microscopy, hepatocytic vacuolization was mild 15 minutes after phalloidin administration but increased with time. At the end of perfusion, the hepatic architecture was markedly altered; erythrocyte accumulation was observed in both sinusoids and hepatocyte vacuoles. Evaluation by multiple indicator dilution curves showed that extravascular volume (EVV) was significantly affected by phalloidin. It was augmented in 30 minutes after phalloidin administration with values increasing gradually over time. Neither vascular nor cellular volume was altered. The hepatic swelling may be attributed to enlargement of the extravascular space of the liver. These results indicate that changes in the liver microcirculation are not the primary cause of phalloidin-induced cholestasis in the IPRL.
A collagen enhancer-promoter construct in transgenic mice is markedly stimulated by ethanol administration
Authors: Walton C M , Wu G Y , Petruff C A , Clark S H , Lichtler A C , Wu C H
Published: November 2004

Type I collagen synthesis and deposition is generally indicative of irreversible damage in alcohol-induced cirrhosis in humans. However, in rodents, ethanol alone does not readily cause hepatic fibrosis. To determine whether this is because of a lack of ethanol-responsive elements, an artificial enhancer construct controlling rat type I collagen gene transcription was prepared in transgenic mice. The gene construct, ColCAT3.6, was a chimeric sequence containing the marker chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene linked to 3.5 kb of the rat α 1(I) 5′-flanking DNA, and 115 base pairs (bp) of transcribed collagen gene. Groups of transgenic mice were given 4 g/kg ethanol orally, twice daily for 4 weeks. As a positive control for hepatic fibrosis, transgenic mice were given intraperitoneal injections of CCl4, twice weekly for 4 weeks. Livers were assayed for CAT activity. Endogenous mouse collagen α 1(I) messenger RNA (mRNA) and transgene CAT mRNA were measured by RNase protection assays. Collagen synthesis in livers from the transgenic mice treated with ethanol were increased over controls, but the levels were not significantly different. Endogenous collagen α 1(I) steady-state mRNA levels in ethanol-treated mice were not significantly different compared with saline-treated controls. However, the transgene mRNA levels in ethanol-treated animals increased approximately 21-fold compared with saline-treated controls, as measured by RNase protection assays. Furthermore, the transgene product as measured by CAT activity in ethanol-treated mice was significantly increased threefold over saline-treated controls. We conclude that the 5′-flanking region of the rat α 1(I) collagen gene does contain regulatory elements that are strongly responsive to ethanol administration.