bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nucleotide correlation between HAV isolates from human patients and environmental samples
Authors: Divizia Maurizio , Gabrieli Rosanna , Macaluso Alessia , Bagnato Barbara , Palombi Leonardo , Buonomo Ersilia , Cenko Fabian , Leno Luljeta , Bino Silva , Basha Anila , Panà Augusto
Published: November 2004

Hepatitis A disease is endemic in Albania even though records from the Medical Authority show outbreaks involving only limited numbers of people. In the city of Laç, 200 people became ill following an outbreak of hepatitis A started on November 2002. The age distribution of the cases shows a peak in the age group 5–9 (43.5%) followed by the age group 10–14 (28%) and the age group 1–4 (18%). No cases were recorded in the age group 0–1. Drinking water and sewage samples were collected, using electropositive cartridges, during the outbreak. Rotavirus was identified by RT‐PCR in two out of five drinking water samples; however, all the samples tested negative for HAV and astrovirus. Rotavirus was also identified in three out of five sewage samples from which four were HAV positive. HAV‐RNA was identified in 28 (62.2%) out of 45 IgM anti‐HAV positive sera collected during the outbreak. Genotype IA was expressed from all the amplified samples. Sequence analysis of the overlapping VP1‐2A region shows 97–99% homology with three Italian strains IT‐SCH‐00, IT‐ZAM‐01, and IT‐CAP‐00 and one Spanish strain (Sa 30/06/95), whereas the phylogenetic tree built from the 168 bp sequence of the VP1‐2A shows four clusters, one including 24 out of 28 RT‐PCR positive sera. Considering the deduced amino acid sequence, only one substitution was identified and reported previously for genotype IB. J. Med. Virol. 75:8–12, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of full length sequences of hepatitis B virus isolates in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and asymptomatic carriers of Korea
Authors: Song Byung‐Cheol , Kim Hong , Kim Sun‐Hyun , Cha Chang‐Yong , Kook Yoon‐Hoh , Kim Bum‐Joon
Published: November 2004

Relatively few genomic sequences of Korean hepatitis B virus (HBV) isolates are available. Moreover, no comparative study has been made between the full‐length genomes of Korean HBV isolates and clinical status. To evaluate mutations in HBV isolates obtained from chronically infected HBV patients in terms of clinical significance, we determined the genomic sequences of HBV isolates obtained from three hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients (He52, He53, and He82) and from three asymptomatic carriers (He74, He100, and He127). A comparison of sequence variations showed that the HBV isolates from the three HCC patients showed higher frequencies of mutation than the isolates from the three asymptomatic carriers. Three characteristic mutation patterns were identified in the HBV isolates from the HCC patients, which distinguished the HBV isolates from the asymptomatic carriers. First, HBV isolates from the three HCC patients both had double mutations in a core promoter (T1762/A1764) and a precore mutation (A1896). Second, although these isolates belonged to genotype C, 11 amino acids deletions in the preS1 region, specific for HBV genotype D, were detected in the isolates of two HCC patients (He52 and He82). Third, mutations (I127T/N, K130M, and V131I) at three codons in the carboxy functional region of X protein were observed in isolates from all three HCC patients. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis based on the entire HBV sequences showed that all six isolates belonged to genotype C2, as do other Korean strains. J. Med. Virol. 75:13–19, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum epstein–barr virus DNA load in primary epstein–barr virus infection
Authors: Bauer Claudia C. , Aberle Stephan W. , Popow‐Kraupp Theresia , Kapitan Magdalena , Hofmann Hanns , Puchhammer‐Stöckl Elisabeth
Published: November 2004

Specific viral laboratory diagnosis of primary Epstein–Barr Virus (EBV) infection is usually based on antibody‐detection assays. During acute, lytic phase of infection, viral DNA can also be detected in serum. In the present study, the diagnostic utility of EBV DNA detection and quantitation in serum in primary EBV infection was investigated. The level of EBV DNA in the serum of 98 immunocompetent patients aged 1–47 years with symptomatic, antibody‐confirmed EBV primary infection was assessed using a quantitative real‐time PCR assay. The association between viral load and time after onset of disease, age and clinical and laboratory data was investigated. Quantitative PCR detected EBV DNA in 93 of 98 samples (94.9%), and the measured viral loads ranged from 3.8 × 101 to 6.6 × 104 copies/ml. EBV DNA detection exhibited a sensitivity of 94.9% and a specificity of 97.4% for primary EBV infection. EBV DNA was always detectable until day 12 after onset of symptoms, whereas no further positive PCR results were found after a period of 22 days after onset of disease. Detection of EBV DNA also showed a clearer association with the clinical manifestation of disease than the presence of EBV specific VCA IgG antibodies of low avidity. EBV DNA load was found to correlate inversely with the time after onset of disease (P < 0.001), and higher viral load levels were detected in younger (P = 0.009) and in hospitalized patients (P = 0.038). The results indicate that real‐time PCR is a reliable tool for diagnosis of primary EBV infection early in the course of disease. In addition, EBV DNA detection may serve as a useful diagnostic supplement in serologically indeterminate EBV infections. J. Med. Virol. 75:54–58, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Epstein–Barr viral load as a marker of lymphoma in AIDS patients
Authors: Fan Hongxin , Kim Seong Cheol , Chima Chukwuemeka O. , Israel Bruce F. , Lawless Kathleen M. , Eagan Phyllis A. , Elmore Sandra , Moore Dominic T. , Schichman Steven A. , Swinnen Lode J. , Gulley Margaret L.
Published: November 2004

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is implicated in the pathogenesis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) lymphoma, and viral DNA is present within the malignant cells in about half of affected patients. We examined the extent to which EBV viral load is elevated in the plasma of AIDS lymphoma patients compared to AIDS patients with opportunistic infections. Sixty‐one AIDS patients were studied including 35 with lymphoma (24 non‐Hodgkin, six Hodgkin, and five brain lymphoma) and 26 with various opportunistic infections. In situ hybridization revealed EBV encoded RNA (EBER) expression in the malignant cells of 17/28 AIDS lymphomas (61%). In 232 serial plasma samples from 35 lymphoma patients and in 128 samples from AIDS controls, EBV viral load was assayed by quantitative‐polymerase chain reaction (Q‐PCR) using a TaqMan probe targeting the BamH1W sequence. EBV was detected in plasma from all 17 EBER‐positive AIDS lymphoma patients, with viral loads ranging from 34 to 1,500,000 copies per ml (median 3,210). Viral load usually fell rapidly upon initiation of lymphoma therapy and remained undetectable except in two patients with persistent tumor. In 11 AIDS patients, whose lymphoma lacked EBER expression, and in 26 control patients without lymphoma, levels of EBV in plasma were usually low or undetectable (range 0–1,995 and 0–2,409, median 0 and 0, respectively). There was no association between EBV viral load and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) load or CD4 count. In conclusion, EBV viral load shows promise as a tool to assist in diagnosis and management of EBV‐related lymphoma patients. J. Med. Virol. 75:59–69, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative analysis of human herpesvirus 6 cell tropism
Authors: De Bolle L. , Van Loon J. , De Clercq E. , Naesens Lieve
Published: November 2004

Although HHV‐6A and ‐6B are known to replicate preferably in human T‐lymphocytes, in vitro infection of several other cell types has been described. Also, the finding that both variants use the ubiquitous molecule CD46 as a membrane receptor fully supports the possibility of a broad cellular tropism. However, productive infection, which requires complete progression through the viral replication cycle, depends on multiple cellular processes. Our studies were aimed at determining the differences in replication efficiency according to the cell type infected and at relating these differences to the sequential transcriptional events preceding DNA replication. A strong expression of immediate‐early, early, and late genes was only seen in the T‐lymphoblastoma lines. In the other cell lines, there was no clear correlation between the level of transcription and the final outcome of replication. Finally, we investigated the cytopathic effects of HHV‐6 on different cell types of neural origin (oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and neurons) in greater detail, and found that although all three sustained HHV‐6 replication, HHV‐6A was more neurovirulent than HHV‐6B. This was confirmed in primary human oligodendrocyte cultures. J. Med. Virol. 75:76–85, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of different immunisation schedules on the excretion and reversion of oral poliovaccine strains
Authors: Minor P.D. , Dunn G. , Ramsay M.E. , Brown D.
Published: November 2004

Excretion of live oral poliovaccine and molecular markers of increased virulence in the viruses isolated were examined in children who were either previously immunised with inactivated or live vaccine or were unimmunised. There appeared to be some effect of previous immunisation with either live or killed vaccine at the second dose of live vaccine. Where an effect was seen it took the form of reduced rates of excretion, shorter time periods of excretion and more rapid and complete reversion of the excreted virus. The data are consistent with the view that poliovirus is able to escape the immune pressure in the gut to some extent by improving its general fitness rather than direct evasion of immunity. J. Med. Virol. 75:153–160, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An evaluation of single nucleotide polymorphisms used to differentiate vaccine and wild type strains of varicella‐zoster virus
Authors: Quinlivan Mark , Gershon Anne A. , Steinberg Sharon P. , Breuer Judith
Published: November 2004

Rashes following immunization with the vaccine strain (vOka) of varicella‐zoster virus (VZV) may occur in up to 5% of children and 10% of adults. In 40% of cases, the causative virus is the vaccine strain and in 60% wild type virus is found. Several reports have identified three restriction site polymorphisms in ORF 62 and the loss of one in ORF 6, which differentiate vOka from wild type VZV, including the parental wild type strain from which vOka, is derived. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction enzyme analysis, and sequencing, we analyzed the presence of these markers in the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK, UK) and Merck vaccine preparations as well as in 15 vaccine virus rashes and 15 wild type UK viruses. Our data suggest that a Sma1 positive and an Nae1 positive site in ORF 62 are present in the GSK and Merck vaccine preparations and all vaccine virus rashes. By contrast, a BssHII positive vaccine virus restriction site in ORF 62 and an Alu1 negative site in ORF 6 were mixed in the GSK and Merck vaccines and absent in some of the vaccine rashes. The BssHII site was also present in the European wild type C viruses in UK. The data suggest that unlike the Biken vaccine preparation, the Merck and GSK vaccine preparations are polymorphic for the BssHII and Alu1 restriction sites. These sites are also present variably in the vaccine viruses causing rashes following vaccination, and are therefore unreliable markers for differentiating vOka and wild type VZV strains. J. Med. Virol. 75:174–180, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gene expression analysis in the hippocampal formation of tree shrews chronically treated with cortisol
Authors: Alfonso Julieta , Agüero Fernán , Sanchez Daniel O. , Flugge Gabriele , Fuchs Eberhard , Frasch Alberto C.C. , Pollevick Guido D.
Published: November 2004

Adrenal corticosteroids influence the function of the hippocampus, the brain structure in which the highest expression of glucocorticoid receptors is found. Chronic high levels of cortisol elicited by stress or through exogenous administration can cause irreversible damage and cognitive deficits. In this study, we searched for genes expressed in the hippocampal formation after chronic cortisol treatment in male tree shrews. Animals were treated orally with cortisol for 28 days. At the end of the experiments, we generated two subtractive hippocampal hybridization libraries from which we sequenced 2,246 expressed sequenced tags (ESTs) potentially regulated by cortisol. To validate this approach further, we selected some of the candidate clones to measure mRNA expression levels in hippocampus using real‐time PCR. We found that 66% of the sequences tested (10 of 15) were differentially represented between cortisol‐treated and control animals. The complete set of clones was subjected to a bioinformatic analysis, which allowed classification of the ESTs into four different main categories: 1) known proteins or genes (∼28%), 2) ESTs previously published in the database (∼16%), 3) novel ESTs matching only the reference human or mouse genome (∼5%), and 4) sequences that do not match any public database (50%). Interestingly, the last category was the most abundant. Hybridization assays revealed that several of these clones are indeed expressed in hippocampal tissue from tree shrew, human, and/or rat. Therefore, we discovered an extensive inventory of new molecular targets in the hippocampus that serves as a reference for hippocampal transcriptional responses under various conditions. Finally, a detailed analysis of the genomic localization in human and mouse genomes revealed a survey of putative novel splicing variants for several genes of the nervous system. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Micro‐Raman study of the fatigue fracture and tensile behaviour of polyamide (PA 66) fibres
Authors: Herrera Ramirez José Martin , Colomban Philippe , Bunsell Anthony
Published: November 2004

The micro/nano structural evolution of two different types of ultra‐high‐performance polyamide (PA) 66 fibres, before and after tensile fatigue loading and failure, was studied using Raman spectroscopy. The nanostructure of these PA fibres consists of amorphous and crystalline domains. Two probes were considered: (i) low‐wavenumber collective modes at ∼100 and ∼70 cm−1 as representative of the crystalline and amorphous domains, respectively; and (ii) NH stretching mode at ∼3300 cm−1, as representative of the inter‐chain behaviour. The analysis of the wavenumber distribution revealed that the skin/core heterogeneity is a maximum for the amorphous domains. The residual stress in the skin was evaluated at about 200 and 400 MPa from calibrations plots for crystalline and amorphous domains, for the two types of fibres. This stress disappears after thermal treatment around Tg. In situ analysis at different strain levels shows that the amorphous regions accommodate the stress up to ∼350 MPa, from which point elastic behaviour is observed. The analysis of a series of fibres failed in fatigue showed that amorphous domains are highly stressed during the failure and remnant compression can be measured. The extent of the stressed region extends to typically 100–400 µm from the fracture. Examination of the NH wavenumber shift shows that the fracture squeezes the polymer chains together. Fatigue failure is explained by the loss of compliance in the amorphous region. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intergranular corrosion on Nd:YAG laser‐welded A653 steel for automotive application
Authors: Looi Y. M. , Flores J. R. , Kwakernaak C. , de Wit J. H. W.
Published: November 2004

Laser welding techniques produce a narrower heat‐affected zone than other conventional welding methods. However, laser welding is not exempt from high heat input during the welding process. This high heat input results in changes of the material properties including its corrosion behaviour; the formation of the heat affected zone increases the susceptibility of the material to intergranular attack. The residue of zinc at the weld due to condensation and splashing during the welding process may also influence adversely the corrosion behaviour of the material. The degree of susceptibility to corrosion strongly depends on the welding parameters. Electrochemical and microstructure characterisation were employed to study the influence of Nd:YAG (neodymium yttrium aluminium garnet) laser‐welding on an A653 galvanized steel at different welding parameters.
Evaluation of the BEASY program using linear and piecewise linear approaches for the boundary conditions
Authors: Jia J. X. , Song G. , Atrens A. , St John D. , Baynham J. , Chandler G.
Published: November 2004

The boundary element method (BEM) was used to study galvanic corrosion using linear and logarithmic boundary conditions. The linear boundary condition was implemented by using the linear approach and the piecewise linear approach. The logarithmic boundary condition was implemented by the piecewise linear approach. The calculated potential and current density distribution were compared with the prior analytical results. For the linear boundary condition, the BEASY program using the linear approach and the piecewise linear approach gave accurate predictions of the potential and the galvanic current density distributions for varied electrolyte conditions, various film thicknesses, various electrolyte conductivities and various area ratio of anode/cathode. The 50‐point piecewise linear method could be used with both linear and logarithmic polarization curves.
Cost of corrosion in fertilizer industry – A case study
Authors: Bhaskaran R. , Palaniswamy N. , Rengaswamy N. S. , Jayachandran M.
Published: November 2004

A detailed cost of corrosion survey has been undertaken in one of the oldest fertilizer factories in India producing ammonium sulphate and ammonium phosphate. The total direct cost of corrosion has been worked out as US $ 129,739. Due to use of corrosion resistant materials such as SS316L the annual cost of corrosion has been brought down considerably. It is further shown that approximately US $ 17,000 could be saved annually by opting for a high performance corrosion resistant system.
Toughness Behaviour of Vinylester/Epoxy Thermosets with Interpenetrating Network Structure
Authors: Karger‐Kocsis József , Gryshchuk Oleg
Published: November 2004

Vinylester/epoxy‐based (VE/EP) thermosets of interpenetrating network (IPN) structure were produced by using a VE resin (bismethacryloxy derivative of a bisphenol‐A type EP resin) and EP resins of aliphatic (Al‐EP) and cycloaliphatic (Cal‐EP) nature. Curing of the EP resins occurred either by an aliphatic (Al‐Am) or a cycloaliphatic (Cal‐Am) diamine compound. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) suggested the presence of an interpenetrating network (IPN) in the resulting thermosets. AFM scans taken on the ion‐etched surface of EP showed a featureless homogeneous structure. On the other hand, VE exhibited a two‐phase microgel, whereas VE/EP a two‐phase interpenetrating network (IPN) structure. Toughness was characterised by parameters of the linear elastic fracture mechanics, viz. fracture toughness (Kc) and fracture energy (Gc). Unexpected high Kc and Gc data were found for the systems containing cyclohexylene units in the EP network. This was attributed to beneficial effects of the conformational changes along the cyclohexylene linkages (chair/boat). The failure mode of the VE/EP thermoset combinations was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and discussed.
Adhesives Based on Formaldehyde Condensation Resins
Authors: Dunky Manfred
Published: November 2004

Formaldehyde based resins are by far the most important adhesives for the production of wood based panels. This paper reviews in compact form the main application near features of these products including their composition, their molar mass distribution as well as their hardening behaviour, which all three parameters have decisive influence on the properties of the resins themselves and their performance as wood adhesives.
Time‐domain combination of MR spectroscopy data acquired using phased‐array coils
Authors: Brown Mark A.
Published: November 2004

A new method for efficiently processing MRS data acquired with phased‐array coils is presented. The method consists of performing phase compensation (i.e., redefining the signal phase relative to a common reference) of the signals in the time domain prior to combining the signals. The resulting spectra are equivalent to those obtained by previously published methods for phased‐array spectral data processing (i.e., processing the signals individually and then combining them in the frequency domain). The method allows spectra acquired with phased‐array coils to be processed as efficiently as those acquired with non‐phased‐array coils. Both single voxel spectroscopy (SVS) and chemical shift imaging (CSI) data sets may be processed by this method. Magn Reson Med 52:1207–1213, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Field‐of‐view limitations in parallel imaging
Authors: Griswold Mark A. , Kannengiesser Stephan , Heidemann Robin M. , Wang Jianmin , Jakob Peter M.
Published: November 2004

Parallel imaging is one of the most promising developments in recent years for the acceleration of MR acquisitions. One area of practical importance where different parallel imaging methods perform differently is the manner in which they deal with aliasing in the full‐FOV reconstructed image. It has been reported that sensitivity encoding (SENSE) reconstruction fails whenever the reconstructed FOV is smaller than the object being imaged. On the other hand, generalized autocalibrating partially parallel acquisition (GRAPPA) has been used successfully to reconstruct images with aliasing in the reconstructed FOV, as in conventional imaging. The disparate behavior of these methods can be easily demonstrated by a few simple illustrative examples. Additional in vivo examples using GRAPPA and modified SENSE (mSENSE) make this distinction clear. These experiments demonstrate that SENSE fails to reconstruct correct images when coil sensitivity maps are used that do not automatically account for the object size and therefore the aliasing in the reconstructed images. However, with the use of aliased high‐resolution coil sensitivity maps, accurate SENSE reconstructions can be generated. On the other hand, GRAPPA produces images with an aliasing appearance that is exactly as would be expected from normal nonaccelerated acquisitions. An understanding of these effects could potentially lead to fewer operator‐dependent errors, as well as a better understanding of the differences between the underlying reconstruction processes. Magn Reson Med 52:1118–1126, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Free‐breathing radial acquisitions of the heart
Authors: McLeish Kate , Kozerke Sebastian , Crum William R. , Hill Derek L.G.
Published: November 2004

There is considerable interest in performing free‐breathing acquisitions of the heart in order to obtain high‐quality images without the need for multiple, long breathholds. In this article a 3D motion‐correction method is described that is based on image registration of in‐plane data and through‐plane slice tracking. A number of fast radial undersampled images are acquired, each of which is free of motion artifacts. Initially, in‐plane translational and rotational motion between each image was corrected before combining the data to give a fully sampled image. At the next stage, correction of in‐plane deformation, in addition to translations and rotations, was performed in the image domain. Through‐plane translational motion was compensated using a navigator echo to move the acquisition plane. Using this method, information on the motion of the heart was captured at the same time as acquiring the image data. No motion model, assumptions about the motion, or training data are required. The method is demonstrated on phantom data and cardiac images acquired on free‐breathing volunteers. Magn Reson Med 52:1127–1135, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Computational cardiac anatomy using MRI
Authors: Beg Mirza Faisal , Helm Patrick A. , McVeigh Elliot , Miller Michael I. , Winslow Raimond L.
Published: November 2004

Ventricular geometry and fiber orientation may undergo global or local remodeling in cardiac disease. However, there are as yet no mathematical and computational methods for quantifying variation of geometry and fiber orientation or the nature of their remodeling in disease. Toward this goal, a landmark and image intensity‐based large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping (LDDMM) method to transform heart geometry into common coordinates for quantification of shape and form was developed. Two automated landmark placement methods for modeling tissue deformations expected in different cardiac pathologies are presented. The transformations, computed using the combined use of landmarks and image intensities, yields high‐registration accuracy of heart anatomies even in the presence of significant variation of cardiac shape and form. Once heart anatomies have been registered, properties of tissue geometry and cardiac fiber orientation in corresponding regions of different hearts may be quantified. Magn Reson Med 52:1167–1174, 2004. Published 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the influence of training data quality in k‐t BLAST reconstruction
Authors: Hansen Michael S. , Kozerke Sebastian , Pruessmann Klaas P. , Boesiger Peter , Pedersen Erik M. , Tsao Jeffrey
Published: November 2004

This work investigated how the quality of prior information (i.e., data acquired during the training stage) influences k‐t BLAST reconstruction. The impact of several factors, such as the amount of training data, the presence of spatial misregistration in the training data, and the effects of filtering, was investigated with simulations and in vivo data. It is shown that k‐t BLAST outperforms sliding window reconstruction, even with very limited training data. By increasing the amount of training data, reconstruction error continues to decrease, albeit by a diminishing amount. However, an increased amount of training data also increases susceptibility to misregistration of the training data. Filtering of the training data with the goal of reducing truncation artifacts had only minor impact on reconstruction errors. Considering the balance among obtaining the most benefit from the training data, minimizing susceptibility to misregistration, and keeping data acquisition to a minimum, it is concluded that in cardiac imaging the training datasets should be limited to 10–20 profiles in k‐space for a typical field of view. The training data may be acquired in a separate breathhold without much penalty, if care is taken to minimize misregistration, such as with a navigator. Magn Reson Med 52:1175–1183, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo cardiac 1H‐MRS in the mouse
Authors: Schneider Jürgen E. , Tyler Damian J. , ten Hove Michiel , Sang A. Elizabeth , Cassidy Paul J. , Fischer Alexandra , Wallis Julie , Sebag‐Montefiore Liam M. , Watkins Hugh , Isbrandt Dirk , Clarke Kieran , Neubauer Stefan
Published: November 2004

The mouse is the predominant animal model to study the effect of gene manipulations. Imaging techniques to define functional effects on the heart caused by genomic alterations are becoming increasingly routine in mice, yet methods for in vivo investigation of metabolic phenotypes in the mouse heart are lacking. In this work, cardiac 1H‐MRS was developed and applied in mouse hearts in vivo using a single‐voxel technique (PRESS). In normal C57Bl/6J mice, stability and reproducibility achieved by dedicated cardiac and respiratory gating was demonstrated by measuring amplitude and zero‐order phase changes of the unsuppressed water signal. Various cardiac metabolites, such as creatine, taurine, carnitine, or intramyocardial lipids were successfully detected and quantified relative to the total water content in voxels as small as 2 μl, positioned in the interventricular septum. The method was applied to a murine model of guanidinoacetate N‐methyltransferase (GAMT) deficiency, which is characterized by substantially decreased myocardial creatine levels. Creatine deficiency was confirmed noninvasively in myocardium of anesthetized GAMT‐/‐ mice. This is the first study to report the application of cardiac 1H‐MRS in mice in vivo. Magn Reson Med 52:1029–1035, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A multi‐objective model for bank ATM networks
Authors: Hinojosa M.A. , Mármol A.M. , Thomas L.C.
Published: November 2004

In this paper we present an application of the core solution concepts for multi‐objective games to a bank ATM network model. In these games, the worth of a coalition is given by a subset of vectors of the k‐dimensional space rather than by a scalar. The paper investigates how an ATM network model based on multi‐objective cooperative game theory could be used as an alternative way of setting interchange fees paid by the customer's bank to the one that owns the ATM. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2005
Effects of decompressive craniectomy, hypothermia and their combination in a permanent focal cerebral ischemia model
Authors: Koo Ja‐Seong , Kim Young‐Ju , Yoon Byung‐Woo
Published: November 2004

Hypothermia has a neuroprotective effect in cerebral ischemia and reduces brain edema, and decompressive craniectomy (DC) can prevent brain herniation caused by massive brain edema. Thus, combination of the two therapies may be more effective in large hemispheric infarctions, by exerting an additive effect. We investigated the effects of DC, hypothermia, and their combination in experimental cerebral ischemia. Seventy rats received focal cerebral ischemia for 72 hours and were allocated to one of four groups: untreated control (n=29), DC (n=21), hypothermia (n=10), and DC plus hypothermia (n=10). Hypothermia (34°C) and/or DC were performed 6 hours after ischemia. Mortality was 44.8% (control), 28.6% (DC), 10.0% (hypothermia), and 0% (DC plus hypothermia), respectively (p<0.05). Compared to control (260.2±100.8 mm3), the size of the infarction was not reduced by DC (236.3±94.3 mm3), p>0.1) but was by hypothermia (117.8±50.7 mm3), p<0.01). Although hypothermia combined with DC reduced the size of the infarction significantly (99.6±71.2 mm3), no additional effect was observed versus hypothermia alone.
Differentiation of embryonic stem cells into functional neurons in vitro
Authors: Baharvand Hossein , Power John M. , Ozsarac Nesrin , Matthaei Klaus I.
Published: November 2004

Embroynic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells that are derived from the inner cell mass of blastocysts. We produced neuronal cells by directed differentiation of a newly established murine ES cell line in vitro (Royan B1). Immunohistochemistry, scanning electron microscopy, Campenot's assay and electrophysiology were used to evaluate the differentiated neurons. Antibodies against microtubule‐associated protein (MAP2), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) antigens showed that the cells had GABAergic and dopaminergic characteristics. The Campenot's assay revealed there were a number of peripheral nervous system related neurons but they were rare. The cells also produced action potentials and responded to electrial stimulation by expressing calcium channels in the processes. We showed therefore that functional neurons can be generated by directed differentiation from embryonic stem cells in vitro.
7‐Nitroindazole reduces ischemia‐induced increment of apoptosis and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of rats
Authors: Jang Mi‐Hyeon , Shin Min‐Chul , Chang Hyun‐Kyung , Lee Taeck‐Hyun , Lee Hee‐Hyuk , Shin Mal‐Soon , Kim Chang‐Ju , Kang Jin‐Oh , Hong Seon‐Pyo , Cho Sonhae
Published: November 2004

Nitric oxide is synthesized from L‐arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and it is a free radical with signaling functions. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is mainly expressed in the central nervous system, and it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of brain injury such as ischemia. In the present study, the effects of 7‐nitroindazole, which specifically inhibits nNOS, on apoptosis and cell proliferation int he dentate gyrus after transient global ischemia in gerbils were investigated. Enhanced apoptotic neuronal cell death and cell proliferation were observed in the dentate gyrus of ischemic gerbils. However, 7‐nitroindazole suppressed the ischemia‐induced apoptosis and cell proliferation. These results suggest that 7‐nitroindazole has an inhibitive effect on apoptosis and cell proliferation following transient global ischemia. The present study shows that nitric oxide, the synthesis of which is augmented by ischemia, plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis and cell proliferation following ischemic injury.
On time integration error estimation and adaptive time stepping in structural dynamics
Authors: Schweizerhof Karl , Neumann Jens , Kizio Stephan
Published: November 2004

In this paper we present two error estimators resp. indicators for the time integration in structural dynamics. Based on the equivalence between the standard Newmark scheme and a Galerkin formulation in time [1] for linear problems a global time integration error estimator based on duality [3] can also be derived for the Newmark scheme. This error estimator is compared to an error indicator based on a finite difference approach in time [2]. Finally an adaptive time stepping scheme using the global estimator and the local indicator is presented. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Mechanical Problems in Human Hearing
Authors: Eiber Albrecht , Breuninger Christian
Published: November 2004

For the description of the normal hearing process mechanical models are appropriate and distinct pathological situations can be simulated by changing specific parameters. Nonlinear behavior is found due to nonlinear constitutive equations of the ear drum, the ligaments and the coupling between implant and ossicles as well as due to active processes in the inner ear. Based on multibody system approach models of natural middle ears and reconstructed ears with active implants have been established including some rough assumptions of the nonlinear behavior. To study the dynamic behavior frequency domain methods and time integration has been used. A high risk of damaging the hearing organ of the inner ear is given for loud sound events especially in transient cases. Some measurements in the clinical practice are based on nonlinear effects to detect pathological situations. With simulated multifrequency tympanometry the effect of incudo–stapedial separation on umbo motion is shown. For actively driven implants the effect of different working conditions of the middle ear structure on sound transfer due to prestress in the coupling region has been simulated. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Pattern Recognition in Auditory Research
Authors: Fleischer Gerald , Müller Reinhard
Published: November 2004

Our group works on the relation between sound‐exposure and auditory performance. During the last decade we thoroughly tested the sense of hearing of about ten thousand persons, and we tried to determine their exposure to sound by a detailed questionnaire. Persons were grouped according to their occupation or their acoustic environment, such as orchestra musicians, office personnel, airline pilots, Tibetian nomads, university students, etc. One of the problems is aging of the ear, the mechanisms of which are not really understood, and its progression varies widely from person to person. Another important aspect is presented by noise‐induced auditory damage, in itself a set of complicated relations that involves continuous noise, as well as rare events of high sound pressure (impulses). Using special procedures to analyse the data, we worked out group curves that are specific for the particular group. Comparing these results among the various groups gives good insight into their sense of hearing, and it also reveals strong training effects by the acoustic environment on the auditory performance, something that is totally new to current concepts. Some patterns can be “seen” and understood quite well, but so far not on a mathematical basis. Other patterns are hard to grasp. However, we assume that the application of pattern recognition can greatly improve the understanding of these fascinating relations. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Geometrically nonlinear composite shells with integrated piezoelectric layers
Authors: Lentzen Sven , Schmidt Rüdiger
Published: November 2004

In order to show the significance of considering nonlinear deformations in piezoelectrical structures, a geometrical nonlinear shell element with integrated piezoelectric layers is introduced. The strain‐displacement relations are implemented using firstorder shear deformation theory with small strains but moderate rotations. The element has been tested on several benchmark problems and it can be concluded that the effect of geometrical nonlinearity is significant when the sensor properties of the piezoelectrical layers are predicted. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Superior mediastinal syndrome with Rowland–Payne syndrome: An unusual presentation of cervico‐mediastinal neuroblastoma
Authors: Kapoor Vishal , Lodha Rakesh , Agarwala Sandeep
Published: November 2004

A 5‐month‐old boy presented with superior mediastinal syndrome due to a large, unresectable cervico‐mediastinal neuroblastoma. He had an unusual constellation of findings not previously reported in neuroblastoma: Horner syndrome, phrenic nerve palsy, and palsy of the ipsilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve. This constellation of findings in adult malignancies is termed the Rowland–Payne syndrome. The child required prolonged mechanical ventilation but responded to chemotherapy and is now free of tumor and completely recovered. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular analyses of prenatally diagnosed mosaic tetrasomy for distal chromosome 15q and review of the literature
Authors: Chen Chih‐Ping , Lin Chyi‐Chyang , Li Yueh‐Chun , Chern Schu‐Rern , Lee Chen‐Chi , Chen Wen‐Lin , Lee Men‐Shan , Wang Wayseen , Tzen Chin‐Yuan
Published: November 2004

Objectives

To present prenatally detected mosaic tetrasomy for distal chromosome 15q and a review of the literature.

Clinical subject and methods

Amniocentesis was performed at 17 weeks' gestation because of advanced maternal age. Cytogenetic analysis revealed mosaicism for an analphoid supernumerary marker chromosome (SMC). The parental karyotypes were normal. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and polymorphic DNA marker analysis were applied to study the origin of the SMC. Level II ultrasound revealed gastric dilation. The pregnancy was terminated, and a malformed fetus was delivered with characteristic dysmorphism. Multiple samplings of fetal and extraembryonic tissues were performed to investigate the mosaicism.

Results

Initial amniocentesis revealed mos 47,XY,+ mar[20]/46,XY[1], and repeat amniocentesis revealed 47,XY,+ mar[28]/46,XY[8]. FISH and polymorphic DNA marker analysis determined an origin from the distal 15q and an inverted duplication of 15q25.3→qter for the SMC. Karyotype of the fetus was designated as 47,XY,+ ace i(15) (qter→q25.3::q25.3→qter)/46,XY de novo. The levels of tetrasomy for distal 15q were 28/40 in cord blood, 13/40 in liver, 14/40 in lungs, 27/40 in skin, 0/40 in placenta, and 40/40 in umbilical cord. The placenta showed an equal biparental inheritance (1:1). The umbilical cord inherited one copy of a paternal allele and three copies of a maternal allele (1:3) at distal 15q. Diallelic patterns with dosage ratios (paternal allele: maternal allele) of 1:2.5 in amniocytes, 1:2.3 in amnion, 1:2.2 in cord blood, 1:2.1 in skin, 1:1.4 in liver, and 1:1.4 in lungs. A maternal origin of the mosaic SMC(15) was determined.

Conclusions

A diagnosis of mosaic analphoid SMCs in amniocytes should alert mosaic mirror‐image duplication of euchromatin from some distal chromosomal segment such as distal 15q or distal 13q, and a risk for fetal abnormalities. Fetuses with mosaic tetrasomy for distal 15q may be associated with fetoplacental chromosomal discrepancy. Postnatal samplings of umbilical cord, placenta and amniotic membrane may provide additional clues to the cytogenetic discrepancy between fetal and extraembryonic tissues in prenatally detected mosaic analphoid SMCs. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Foundations in time: Where are we now?
Authors: Smith James Allen
Published: November 2004

By looking at a full century of philanthropic experience in the United States, we can more clearly see the forces that have influenced and, in all likelihood, will continue to shape the future of foundations.
Foundation codes of ethics: Why do they matter, what are they, and how are they relevant to philanthropy?
Authors: Kidder Rushworth M.
Published: November 2004

Given increased public scrutiny of nonprofit ethics, foundations need to communicate their core values more explicitly. A code of ethics is a necessary beginning and an essential decision‐making tool for managing philanthropy's toughest choices.
Philanthropic choice and donor intent: Freedom, responsibility, and public interest
Authors: Meadows Curtis W.
Published: November 2004

Ensuring adherence to donor intention for philanthropic endowments over time requires substantial thought, careful planning, and significant effort by the donor, as well as fidelity of the trustees.
Two‐dimensional modeling of front contact silicon solar cells
Authors: Luque A. , Tobías I. , Gidon P. , Pirot M. , del Cañizo C. , Antón I. , Jausseaud C.
Published: November 2004

The modeling of a new type of silicon solar cell intended for operation at very high concentration, with all the contacts at its front face, is presented. The two‐dimensional model developed makes use of the theory of the complex variable, and is able to explain the main features of the operation of these cells. It is shown that if all the parameters reach good state‐of‐the‐art values, and with the appropriate layout, this structure can reach 25% efficiency for a range of concentrations wider than any other known silicon cell. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Towards understanding consumption in multi‐user solar energy systems: the cases of villages in Argentina and Cuba
Authors: Jenny Annette , Mosler Hans‐Joachim , López José Raúl Díaz
Published: November 2004

Research on the electrification of remote villages by means of decentralized renewable energy systems increasingly requires consideration of the characteristics of the user communities. Particularly for communities with multi‐user systems (MUS), in order to achieve optimal design and sizing of the system and efficient energy distribution among users, it is important to consider the social characteristics of the community in addition to technical and economic aspects. The solar energy supply is always limited, and distribution of the energy among the users is mainly a matter of coordinating who can use how much at what time, which is influenced by various factors. What we need first of all is knowledge of the actual power needs of each household over a period of time. With the aim of determining typical patterns of energy consumption in households with similar characteristics, the present preliminary research study uncovers the factors that determine energy consumption in five solar power villages in Cuba and Argentina. Correlation and regression analysis of data from surveys and energy consumption measurements showed that type and number of electrical appliances are the most important, but not sufficient, factors for explaining differences in household energy consumption. Demographic factors, occupations, daily routine and other social factors also have an impact on the development of a household's energy consumption. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energie aus der Tiefe: Geothermische Stromerzeugung
Authors: Huenges Ernst
Published: November 2004

Die Erde birgt überall genug Wärme für die geothermische Erzeugung elektrischen Stroms, die allerdings Wassertemperaturen von über 150 °C braucht. So warme Gesteinsschichten liegen in Mitteleuropa in mindestens 4 km Tiefe. Ein Kraftwerk muss also beim Betrieb über tiefe Bohrungen Wasser durch das Tiefengestein zirkulieren und dort erhitzen. Von Natur aus ist das Gestein jedoch dafür meist zu wenig porös. Deshalb soll das Einpressen von Fluiden unter hohem Druck die natürlichen Risse im Reservoirgestein künstlich vergrößern. Diese Stimulationstechnik erprobte das GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam erfolgreich an einer 4309 m tiefen Bohrung im Geothermielabor Groß Schönebeck. Eine zweite Bohrung soll nun eine langfristige Wasserzirkulation im Untergrund erforschen. Funktioniert sie stabil, dann soll eine Demonstrationsanlage Strom erzeugen.
INTEGRAL entdeckt den Gamma‐Himmel: Gamma‐Astronomie
Authors: Schönfelder Volker
Published: November 2004

Das Gamma‐Weltraumteleskop INTEGRAL der Europäischen Weltraumbehörde, ESA, hat in den ersten 15 Monaten seiner Mission eine Fülle interessanter, neuer Ergebnisse geliefert. Hauptinstrumente an Bord sind das hoch auflösende Spektrometer SPI und das Spektrometer IBIS. Hinzu kommt je ein Monitor für den Röntgen‐ und optischen Bereich. Die wichtigsten neuen Erkenntnisse stammen vor allem aus dem Bereich harter kompakter Röntgenquellen und aus dem Bereich der Gammalinien‐Spektroskopie. Mit INTEGRAL wurde es erstmals möglich, den diffusen galaktischen Hintergrund zum Teil mit Einzelquellen identifizieren zu können. Ferner ließ sich in der Umgebung des galaktischen Zentrums die 511‐keV‐Linie von annihilierenden Positronen und Elektronen nachweisen. Schließlich trägt INTEGRAL auch entscheidend zum Studium der geheimnisvollen Gamma Ray Bursts bei.
Characterization of the in vivo forms of lacrimal‐specific proline‐rich proteins in human tear fluid
Authors: Fung Kim Y. C. , Morris Carol , Sathe Sonal , Sack Robert , Duncan Mark W.
Published: November 2004

The tear film is complex and is rich in both peptides and proteins. Physiological factors have been shown to alter the balance of the protein components in the tear film, however, little is known of the precise stimuli that initiate these changes, or their nature and extent. Attention has been directed at the role of tear proteins in the protection of the external ocular surface, and their potential role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, but few lacrimal‐specific proteins have been identified and demonstrated to offer a protective function at the ocular surface. The biological importance of proline‐rich proteins is uncertain, although there is some evidence to indicate a potential antimicrobial function for these proteins in saliva. Despite the detection of mRNA for proline‐rich proteins in lacrimal gland, the translated protein product has not been detected in tear fluid. In this study we investigate the presence of proline‐rich proteins in the tear film. Human reflex tear fluid was examined by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry directly, and following size exclusion high performance liquid chromatography. This revealed significant levels of a truncated form of lacrimal proline‐rich protein, and a series of peptides derived the C‐terminus of this protein. None of these had previously been identified in tear. Our study highlights the dangers inherent in proteomic strategies that assign an identity to a protein based on limited coverage of tryptic peptides.