bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Critical singular problems on unbounded domains
Authors: Filho D. C. de Morais , Miyagaki O. H.
Published: August 2005

We present some results of existence for the following problem: −Δu = a(x)g(u) + u|u|2∗−2, x ∈ ℝN(N ≥ 3), u ∈ D1,2(ℝN), where the function a is a sign‐changing function with a singularity at the origin and g has growth up to the Sobolev critical exponent 2∗ = 2N/(N − 2).
Invertibility‐preserving maps of C∗‐algebras with real rank zero
Authors: Kovacs Istvan
Published: August 2005

In 1996, Harris and Kadison posed the following problem: show that a linear bijection between C∗‐algebras that preserves the identity and the set of invertible elements is a Jordan isomorphism. In this paper, we show that if A and B are semisimple Banach algebras and Φ : A → B is a linear map onto B that preserves the spectrum of elements, then Φ is a Jordan isomorphism if either A or B is a C∗‐algebra of real rank zero. We also generalize a theorem of Russo.
Detection of Connective Tissue Growth Factor in Subretinal Fluid following Retinal Detachment: Possible Contribution to Subretinal Scar Formation, Preliminary Results
Authors: van Setten Gysbert , Berglin Lennart , Blalock Timothy D. , Schultz Gregory
Published: August 2005

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been shown to be substantially involved in various processes of fibrosis. Herein we report on the presence of CTGF in the subretinal fluid (SRF) of patients with retinal detachment. Methods: Samples of SRF were collected from 10 patients during retinal detachment surgery. Specific ELISA analysis was performed with goat IgG against human CTGF. Results: CTGF was above the detection limit of the assay in all samples. On average the concentration of CTGF in SRF was 10 ng/ml (SD 3.7, range 3.7–15.7 ng/ml). There was an increase in the CTGF concentration with time between the diagnosis of retinal detachment and surgery (correlation r = 0.67). Conclusion: CTGF appears to be a constant component of the fluid accumulating in the subretinal space after retinal detachment. The origin of subretinal CTGF and its physiological importance is still unclear. The known effects of CTGF, however, suggest that it may be involved in both the physiological processes of wound healing in the subretinal space and also in the pathological events such as subretinal fibrosis. The observed increase in CTGF concentration with time suggest that CTGF plays a role in the pathophysiology of subretinal scarring in cases of delayed retinal surgery.
Anti–Heat Shock Protein 60 Autoantibodies Induce Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E–Deficient Mice via Endothelial Damage
Authors: Foteinos Georgios , Afzal Ali R. , Mandal Kaushik , Jahangiri Marjan , Xu Qingbo
Published: August 2005

Background—

Accumulating evidence established a positive association of anti–heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) autoantibodies and the presence of atherosclerosis in humans. However, whether these autoantibodies play a causal role in the development of atherosclerosis is unknown.

Methods and Results—

In the present study, anti-HSP60 autoantibodies from blood of patients with coronary heart disease were isolated by affinity chromatography and injected into the tail vein of apolipoprotein E–deficient mice. Atherosclerotic lesions in aortas were significantly increased 8 weeks after injection. Furthermore, administration of a specific mouse monoclonal antibody (II-13) recognizing amino acid residues 288 to 366 of HSP60 effectively induced atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice. II-13 injection resulted in endothelial cell damage, followed by increased leukocyte attachment and accumulation of macrophages and smooth muscle cells in lesions. Interestingly, II-13–induced atherosclerosis was blocked by pretreatment of animals with F(ab)
2
segments derived from the antibody, but not mouse IgG F(ab)
2.
.

Conclusions—

Autoantibodies recognizing amino acid residues 288 to 366 of HSP60 induce atherosclerosis via the mechanisms of autoimmune reactions to HSP60 expressed on arterial endothelial cells, which can be prevented by F(ab)
2
segments derived from these antibodies.
Synaptic and Temporal Ensemble Interpretation of Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity
Authors: Appleby Peter A. , Elliott Terry
Published: August 2005

We postulate that a simple, three-state synaptic switch governs changes in synaptic strength at individual synapses. Under this switch rule, we show that a variety of experimental results on timing-dependent plasticity can emerge from temporal and spatial averaging over multiple synapses and multiple spike pairings. In particular, we show that a critical window for the interaction of pre- and postsynaptic spikes emerges as an ensemble property of the collective system, with individual synapses exhibiting only a minimal form of spike coincidence detection. In addition, we show that a Bienenstock-Cooper-Munro—like, rate-based plasticity rule emerges directly from such a model. This demonstrates that two apparently separate forms of neuronal plasticity can emerge from a much simpler rule governing the plasticity of individual synapses.
'Illuminating What is Thought'. A Middle Platonist Placitum On 'voice' in Context
Authors: Mansfeld Jaap
Published: August 2005

The Plato κɛπαλαιον in Aëtius' chapter On Voice is the result of the interpretation, modernization, and systematization of brief passages dealing with hearing, voice and speech to be found in several dialogues. This construction of Plato's doctrine of 'voice' was mainly inspired by the systematic and innovative Stoic τóπος On Voice. The 'physical' definition is based on passages in Theaetetus and other works, the 'physiological' on a passage in Timaeus. The distinction and relation between voiceless internal λóγος (or thought) and spoken λóγος in Theaetetus and Sophist was interpreted as being equivalent to that between internal and uttered ϕωνη-cum-λóγος which played an important part in the Stoic view of the relation between thinking and speaking. Because as a rule Plato uses ϕωνη of the human voice, the rigorous distinction between this voice and that of animals and lifeless things postulated by Diogenes of Seleucia and other Stoics could be attributed to him, and his unsystematic usage justified by claiming that he used ϕωνη both in the proper and in a loose (or improper) sense. Approaches such as these are characteristic of Middle Platonism. In the present case the neutralization of Theophrastus' criticism of Plato in the De sensibus played a significant part. Plato's statement that thought is mirrored in what is spoken was updated by replacing it with a (fanciful) etymology of ϕωνη which must be dated to at least the Hellenistic period (it was known to e.g. Philo of Alexandria and used by the grammarian Philoxenus). Surprisingly full parallels for virtually the entire contents of the Aëtian κεϕαλαıον are found in the Commentaria in Dionysium Thracem. The etymology of ϕωνη, and others like it, were quoted and used by grammarians and lexicographers from the later first century BCE up to late Byzantine times. The attempt to understand the doxographer's lemma on Plato on voice thus becomes a case-study demonstrating both the openness and the tenacity of philosophical interpretation in antiquity. But note that the present inquiry is not concerned with the Aristotelian or (partly) Aristotelianizing tradition according to which language is conventional.One of the side-effects of the present inquiry was the unsurprising realization (again) that 'parallel passages', once quoted and interpreted out of context, may sort of drift from one book or paper to the next, while their interpretation hardens into received truth. In the present case the so-called parallels in Plato for the later distinction between the internal and the spoken voice proved to be not so parallel after all.
Further Hellenistic Acrostics: Aratus and Others
Authors:   Danielewicz
Published: August 2005

The author, after a short review of the research to date and the criteria with which to approach the topic, discusses a number of acrostics to be found in Aratus' Phaenomena, Callimachus' Hymns, and Apollonius Rhodius' Argonautica, all of them recently detected by himself. It turns out that Aratus was particularly fond of inserting syllabic 'gamma-type' acrostics, which should not always be taken as examples of mere art for art's sake since they may allude to, or are supported by, the immediate context. Special attention, nevertheless, is given to the interpretation of a 'regular' acrostic (EΠAΘE, Phaen. 220-4), in which the poet's empathy with nature is emphasised. The examples from Callimachus (h. 1.60-2; 5.116-9) and Apollonius Rhodius (1.180-4; 2.421-3; 3.1008-11; 4.1489-92) show that the interrelation between the acrostic and its context may have a ludic character when, for instance, the acrostic serves as a kind of humorous authorial comment. It is interesting to observe that the acrostics in Callimachus and Apollonius Rhodius seem to be mostly connected with important moments in narration.The author also analyses, by way of comparison, a hitherto unnoticed Latin acrostic from Virgil's Ecl. 8.42-7: inanis (viz. Love).
The career life of academics: Boundaried or boundaryless?
Authors: Dowd Karen O. , Kaplan David M.
Published: August 2005

The existence of tenure exerts opposing forces on the careers of academics. Ideally, tenure ensures academic freedom and individual autonomy. Yet tenure also regiments the lives of those on the tenure-track and often creates inertia for individuals once receiving it. Consequently, academic careers can be characterized as either boundaried or boundaryless, depending on the individual. This article develops a typology of four academic career types that identifies what differentiates tenure-track individuals who perceive themselves as having either boundaried or boundaryless careers in academia. The typology was developed using interview data from business school faculty, and then confirmed using qualitative data including faculty from multiple academic departments and disciplines. Finally, the typology makes its contribution to career theory by considering the additional impact of career stage theory for academics.
Women’s appeals for equity at American universities
Authors: Goltz Sonia
Published: August 2005

Statistics indicate that sex discrimination is still very evident at American universities. To explore whether inadequate university responses when individuals complain of inequities may be a factor, a qualitative study was conducted using individual interviews with 14 students and faculty who experienced sex discrimination. Results indicated the women first made attempts to address their situations informally and were hopeful that changes would result. Although changes sometimes occurred, responses to these informal appeals were generally characterized by non-response, denial of responsibility, or retaliation. Fewer of the women reported hopes for the formal processes they used following the informal ones and many had difficulty accessing these processes. For the most part, the universities responded to the formal complaints in the same way as they had responded to the informal ones, stimulating the women to seek justice outside the university.
Discriminating ethics
Authors: Collins Helen , Wray-Bliss Edward
Published: August 2005

This article examines ethics in work organization and in academic, particularly Critical Management Studies, research. It is centred on empirical data exploring the actions of three employees of a higher education institution who variously failed to resist and/or colluded in the sex discrimination of a colleague. We bring ethics to bear in our analysis of these data in three ways. First, reflecting upon our own methodology, we highlight the difficulties of balancing competing ethical responsibilities when engaging in critical research in contexts defined by adversarial relationships. Second, we highlight how research subjects, who we interpret as exercising problematic agency, draw upon discourses of care, friendship and responsibility to discursively construct their behaviour as moral. Third, drawing upon feminist theory, we reflect upon the ethical warrant of academic critiques of research subjects’ agency. Our analysis raises unsettling implications both for the ethics of Critical Management Studies research and for the function of ethics in organizations. We end by being as concerned by the capacity of ethical discourse to enable and legitimize discrimination as we are reassured by its utility to enable us to discriminate right from wrong behaviour in organizations.
Legal Implications of Task Rearrangement for Nurses in the Netherlands
Authors: de Bijl Nicole PYM
Published: August 2005

The central question in this article concerns the implications of developments in the rearrangement of tasks in health care, particularly for nurses in terms of their duties and responsibilities. Attention is focused on the transfer of medical tasks from physicians to nurses. An investigation was carried out on the impact of the rearrangement of tasks from the perspective of health care law on the legal framework of the nursing profession. From case law it can be concluded that a number of specific conditions have to be met, such as mentoring, supervision and audit, orders and instructions, clear agreement about task allocation, comparing information, and making certain that the person who is given the instruction is sufficiently competent and experienced to carry it out. Although the rearrangement of tasks fits into the existing legal framework, changes in the health professions have to be met more flexibly.
Exploring Nursing Values in the Development of a Nurse-Led Service
Authors: Faithfull Sara , Hunt Geoffrey
Published: August 2005

This article considers the development of nurse-led services as a part of a pilot study and explores the therapeutic nature of the role of the nurse. In particular it suggests a need for reconsideration of the fundamental values of nurse-led care in the context of changing organizational culture. Within the UK there has been pressure from policy makers to extend the role of the specialist nurse and create new nursing roles, shifting the boundaries between professional health groups. The philosophy of nurse-led initiatives has therefore been driven mainly from a service redesign and clinical need standpoint rather than necessarily focusing on enhancing patients’ experience and the changes in organizational culture required to achieve this. While several studies have focused on the safety, comparative cost and comparative patient outcomes in nurse-led care in relation to traditional or doctor-led care, little attention has been given to the changing organizational values underlying the nursing role. Exploring this context is essential if new nursing roles are to provide more than relief for bottlenecks in the system and also meet their potential for providing patient centred and innovative models of care.
Two Women with Multiple Sclerosis and Their Caregivers: conflicting normative expectations
Authors: Abma Tineke A , Oeseburg Barth , Widdershoven Guy AM , Goldsteen Minke , Verkerk Marian A
Published: August 2005

It is not uncommon that nurses are unable to meet the normative expectations of chronically ill patients. The purpose of this article is to describe and illustrate Walker’s expressive-collaborative view of morality to interpret the normative expectations of two women with multiple sclerosis. Both women present themselves as autonomous persons who make their own choices, but who also have to rely on others for many aspects of their lives, for example, to find a new balance between work and social contacts or to find work. We show that their narratives of identity, relationship and value differ from the narratives that others use to understand and identify them. Since identities, relationships and values give rise to normative expectations, in both cases there is a conflict between what the women expect of their caregivers and vice-versa. The narratives also show that two similar persons with multiple sclerosis may need very different care. This implies that nurses caring for such persons should listen carefully to their stories and reflect on their own perceptions of self.
Older Widows’ Speculations and Expectancies Concerning Professional Home-Care Providers
Authors: Porter Eileen J , Ganong Lawrence H
Published: August 2005

Little is known about older persons’ expectancies (or anticipations) about the possible actions of home-care professionals, although such data have implications for the ethics of home care and home-care policies. From a longitudinal study of older women’s experience of home care, findings are reported concerning their expectancies of professional home-care providers. A descriptive phenomenological method was used to detail the structure of the experience and its context. Data were analyzed from a series of interviews with 13 women aged 82 to 96 years. Among the five key structures of experience were ‘finding that someone has the job of helping me here’ and ‘determining where the helper’s field lies’. Two subsets within a category of expectancies were differentiated: speculations about helpers’ possible actions and expectancies about outcomes of helpers’ actions. As parameters of relational ethics, clients’ speculations and expectancies are appropriate bases for dialogue about older widows’ relationships with home-care professionals and the foci of home-care policies.
Ultrasonic detection of slurry ice flows
Authors: Shire S , Quarini J , Ayala R S
Published: August 2005

Experimental work has been carried out to investigate the use of ultrasound in the detection of slurry ice flows within pipes. The work sets out the basis for a novel device that is both portable and adaptable to retrofitting onto existing pipelines. This method of noninvasive pipeline interrogation has applications within many parts of the chemical and process industries. The work described here relates particularly to the use of ultrasound to detect the presence of an ice pig within product pipelines in the food industry. Research has shown that the products tested and the ice slurry have very different ‘sound signatures’. The signals obtained from ultrasonic tests proved to be reproducible, even under dynamic flow conditions. Contamination of products with slush ice was detectable down to the levels of a few per cent of slush ice. The technique was verified for detection of the interface between the product and the ice pig under flow conditions.
Electrocatalytic Oxidation of NADH Using a Novel Modified Electrode with a Ruthenium Complex Containing Phenanthroline Quinone
Authors: Yokoyama Keiko , Ueda Yoshikazu , Nakamura Nobuhumi , Ohno Hiroyuki
Published: August 2005

A ruthenium complex containing phenanthroline quinone, [Ru(pdon)2(aphen)](ClO4)2 (pdon = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione, aphen = 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline) (1), was prepared as an electrocatalytic adsorbate on a gold electrode. Immobilization of 1 on the gold electrode was confirmed by surface enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy. The rate constant ks was calculated as 10 s−1 at pH 7.0. The electrocatalytic oxidation of NADH using this modified electrode was investigated.
Photochemistry of Salicylideneaniline Analogue at Low Temperature
Authors: Ohshima Asuka , Momotake Atsuya , Arai Tatsuo
Published: August 2005

Naphthalene-based salicylideneaniline analogue 2 underwent photochemical cis–trans isomerization in organic glass at low temperature. The lifetime of the photoproduct trans-keto tautomer in glass was similar to that in solution at higher temperature, suggesting the formation of high energy conformer by volume conserving isomerization mechanism.
Control of Polysilane Conformation by Photoisomerization of Pendant Azobenzene Groups
Authors: Horiuchi Hiroaki , Fukushima Toru , Zhao Changli , Okutsu Tetsuo , Hiratsuka Hiroshi
Published: August 2005

Conformational study of silicon backbone of poly(methylphenylsilane) functionalized with pendant azobenzene groups has been carried out. The conformation of the silicon backbone depends on the molar ratio of the Si units with and without the pendant azobenzene group, and the inflection point for the conformational change from the slowly winding helix to random coil has been found to be ca. 0.5 of the molar ratio. The conformational change has been induced by the photoisomerization of pendant azobenzene groups in the film state.
Rhodium-catalyzed Synthesis of Indenols by Regioselective Coupling of Alkynes with Ortho-carbonylated Arylboronic Acids
Authors: Shintani Ryo , Okamoto Kazuhiro , Hayashi Tamio
Published: August 2005

A rhodium/diene-catalyzed regioselective synthesis of indenols has been developed through the coupling of alkynes with ortho-carbonylated arylboronic acids. These reactions proceed under mild conditions in uniformly high yield and regioselectivity. The reaction has also been applied to its asymmetric variant by the use of chiral diene ligands to achieve high enantioselectivity.
Orbital cellulitis or lymphoma? A diagnostic challenge
Authors: Salam Aysha , Saldana Manual , Zaman Naeem
Published: August 2005

We present a case report of an aggressive natural killer T cell lymphoma in a police officer who presented with combined features of orbital cellulitis and mid-facial destruction. However, his initial diagnosis was confused with other disease conditions that had overlapping features. This emphasizes the significance of clinical alertness and adequate tissue sampling; this can have a great impact on early diagnosis and treatment.
Cochlear implantation in children with Waardenburg syndrome
Authors: Daneshi A , Hassanzadeh S , Farhadi M
Published: August 2005

Waardenburg syndrome is an autosomal-dominant trait resulting from mutations occurring in different genes. It is often characterized by varying degrees of: congenital hearing loss; dystopia canthorum; synophrys; broad nasal root; depigmentation of hair (white forelock), skin or both; and heterochromic or hypochromic irides.

A retrospective case study was done to assess speech perception, speech production, general intelligence and educational setting in six profoundly hearing-impaired children with Waardenburg syndrome (four with type I, one with type II and one with type III) ranging in age from two years to 14 years, seven months (mean = six years, six months). None of the patients had malformation of the cochlea and were implanted using Nucleus 22/24 and Med-el combi40+. Five out of the six cases were of average intelligence and one had a borderline intelligence quotient. The follow-up period ranged from one year, 10 months to six years, six months (mean = three years, six months) after implantation. The evaluation of auditory perception in patients was accomplished using the Persian Auditory Perception Test for the Hearing-Impaired, a Persian Spondee wordstest and the Categories of Auditory Performance Index. The Speech Intelligibility Rating test was used to evaluate speech production ability. All the patients’ speech perception and speech intelligibility capabilities improved considerably after receiving the implants, and they were able to be placed in regular educational settings. Patients used their cochlear-implant devices whenever awake, implying that they benefitted from the devices. We suggest that any further expansion of cochlear-implantation criteria in children include those with Waardenburg syndrome.
An innovative method of nasal chemical cautery in active anterior epistaxis
Authors: Badran K , Arya A K
Published: August 2005

We present a method to cauterize an actively bleeding source in anterior epistaxis. In our experience, this method is efficient, provides full control of the bleeding, and ensures precise cautery of the bleeding source with minimal usage of chemical cautery sticks.
Audiological medicine in the UK: the historical perspective of its role and scope
Authors: Hinchcliffe Ronald
Published: August 2005

A medical, as opposed to a surgical, specialty which was to be entrusted with the investigation, care and management of patients with hearing and balance disorders was established in the UK in 1975. This medical specialty was termed ‘audiological medicine’ and its specialists, ‘audiological physicians’. The relationship of the audiological physician to the ear, nose and throat surgeon is analogous to that between the neurologist and the neurosurgeon, or to that between the cardiologist and the cardiac surgeon. The audiological physician’s role needs to be distinguished also from that of the audiologist. An audiologist is a scientist (or technician). (In the UK, science is firmly established as an integral and autonomous discipline within British health-care systems.) The role and scope of the audiological physician is clarified. Audiological physicians are concerned primarily with patients suffering from disorders of auditory communication, equilibrium and spatial disorientation, i.e. ‘deaf and dizzy’ patients.
The use of drains following thyroid and parathyroid surgery: a meta-analysis
Authors: Pothier David D
Published: August 2005

The use of suction drains following thyroid and parathyroid surgery is controversial. Although there have been several prospective and retrospective studies carried out on this subject, no paper had sufficient power to provide a suitable answer to whether or not drains should be used routinely. We present the first formal meta-analysis of the data from eight randomized controlled trials on this subject. The result of the meta-analysis showed that there is no difference in complication rates between patients in whom drains have been used routinely and those in whom they have not.
Computational Study of the Risø-B1-18 Airfoil with a Hinged Flap Providing Variable Trailing Edge Geometry
Authors: Troldborg Niels
Published: August 2005

A comprehensive computational study, in both steady and unsteady flow conditions, has been carried out to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of the Risø-B1-18 airfoil equipped with variable trailing edge geometry as produced by a hinged flap. The function of such flaps should be to decrease fatigue-inducing oscillations on the blades. The computations were conducted using a 2D incompressible RANS solver with a k-w turbulence model under the assumption of a fully developed turbulent flow. The investigations were conducted at a Reynolds number of Re = 1.6 · 106. Calculations conducted on the baseline airfoil showed excellent agreement with measurements on the same airfoil with the same specified conditions. Furthermore, a more widespread comparison with an advanced potential theory code is presented. The influence of various key parameters, such as flap shape, flap size and oscillating frequencies, was investigated so that an optimum design can be suggested for application with wind turbine blades. It is concluded that a moderately curved flap with flap chord to airfoil curve ratio between 0.05 and 0.10 would be an optimum choice.
An Aerodynamic Noise Propagation Model for Wind Turbines
Authors: Zhu Wei Jun , Sørensen Jens Nørær , Shen Wen Zhong
Published: August 2005

A model based on 2-D sound ray theory for aerodynamic noise propagation from wind turbine rotating blades is introduced. The model includes attenuation factors from geometric spreading, sound directivity of source, air absorption, ground deflection and reflection, as well as effects from temperature and airflow. At a given receiver point, the sound pressure is corrected by taking into account these propagation effects. As an overall assumption, the noise field generated by the wind turbine is simplified as a point source placed at the hub height of the wind turbine. This assumtion is reasonable, for the receiver is located in the far field, at distances from the wind turbine that are much longer than the diameter of the rotor.
Inter-individual variation of inflammatory markers of cardiovascular risks and diseases
Authors: Berrahmoune Hind , Lamont John , Fitzgerald Peter , Visvikis-Siest Sophie
Published: August 2005

Cardiovascular diseases are a real public health problem and have multifactorial origin. Full comprehension of these diseases is very difficult because of their clinical and biological heterogeneity. The best way to understand the development of these diseases is to first investigate each biological system involved in the diseases and secondly, interactions between them. Studying intermediate phenotype variation for these biological systems is a new and promising approach for their elucidation. Among these metabolic systems, inflammation is known to be implicated in the occurrence and worsening of cardiovascular diseases. For this review, we chose to report the most important results concerning environmental, genetic and epigenetic determinants that influence intermediate phenotypes (protein and RNA levels) of inflammation. Indeed, numerous studies have investigated these determinants in healthy populations, in other words, without the influence of either disease or medication. This new approach will help to better understand the regulation of these intermediate phenotypes and to identify a panel of risk markers, which may be useful in predicting and warning those at risk and in giving adequate treatment to each patient.
“Coelionomics”: towards understanding the molecular pathology of coeliac disease
Authors: Diosdado Begoña , van Oort Erica , Wijmenga Cisca
Published: August 2005

Coeliac disease (CD) is an inflammatory disorder of the small intestine characterised by a permanent intolerance to gluten-derived peptides. When gluten-derived peptides reach the lamina propria in CD patients, they provoke specific changes in the mucosa of their small intestine. Although the susceptibility to CD is strongly determined by environmental gluten, it is clearly a common genetic disorder. Important genetic factors for CD are the
A common CYP1B1 polymorphism is associated with 2-OHE1/16-OHE1 urinary estrone ratio
Authors: Paracchini Valentina , Pedotti Paola , Raimondi Sara , Garte Seymour , Bradlow H. Leon , Sepkovic Daniel W. , Taioli Emanuela
Published: August 2005

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) is a multigene family of enzymes involved in important life functions; some of these genes are inducible and are implicated in the oxidative metabolic activation and detoxification of many endogenous and exogenous compounds.
Linearity and detection limit in the measurement of serum M-protein with the capillary zone electrophoresis system Capillarys ®
Authors: Bergón Enrique , Miranda Isabel , Miravalles Elena
Published: August 2005

We studied the linearity and detection limits of the capillary zone electrophoresis system Capillarys
Quantitative measurement of ketone bodies in urine using reflectometry
Authors: Penders Joris , Fiers Tom , Giri Mimi , Wuyts Birgitte , Ysewyn Larissa , Delanghe Joris R.
Published: August 2005

Background: Recently, automated urine test strip readers became available that can report quantitative data. We explored the possibility of measuring all ketone bodies (acetone, acetoacetate, 3-hydroxybutyrate) in urine with these test strips. Monitoring urinary ketone concentrations could offer the advantages of measuring higher values (due to the low renal thresholds) and being less sensitive to fluctuations.

Methods: We evaluated URISYS 2400 (Roche) quantitative reflectance data for the ketone reflectance field and compared it with biochemical data from urine samples. Using an easy sample pre-treatment with 3-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, we were able to assay 3-hydroxybutyrate as well, which normally does not react on urine test strips.

Results: Within- and between-run reproducibility of the reflectance signal for high- and low-concentration urine pools was 11.0–3.6% and 11.0–5.8% for aceto-acetate, 8.2–9.2% and 10.4–16.1% for acetone, and 5.1–3.0% and 5.6–3.5% for 3-hydroxybutyrate, respectively. The lower limit of detection for acetoacetate was 0.13mmol/L (CV=3.6%). Fair agreement was obtained between test strip data for ketones andcolorimetrically determined acetoacetate values (r=0.90).

Conclusions: In urine test strip analysis, quantitative ketone reflectance data allow a simple and fast analysis, offering affordable screening for the detection of ketone body production in diabetes, especially in emergency settings.
Determination of the antioxidant capacity in blood
Authors: Fischer Marc A. J. G. , Gransier Theo J. M. , Beckers Lenie M. G. , Bekers Otto , Bast Aalt , Haenen Guido R. M. M.
Published: August 2005

Background: A vast amount of scientific research is directed towards the beneficial effects of antioxidants on health. For this reason, several assays have been developed to determine the total antioxidant capacity of blood. Methods: In this study two procedures based on the use of the green-blue 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical (ABTS
Circadian variation of holo-transcobalamin (holo-TC) and related markers
Authors: Hvas Anne-Mette , Højbjerg Gravholt Claus , Nexo Ebba
Published: August 2005

We examined the circadian variation of holo-transcobalamin (holo-TC), total transcobalamin (total TC) and plasma cobalamins, and the association between food intake and fluctuations in the biochemical markers. A total of 17 healthy women (mean age 33years; range 24–40) participated. The subjects were admitted at 08:00h after an overnight fast, and blood samples were obtained every 20min for 24h from 12:00h. Holo-TC and total TC were measured by an ELISA, and plasma cobalamins were measured by a routine method (Centaur, Bayer). All subjects, except one, had 12:00h levels within the reference interval for all variables studied, and all subjects had normal renal function as judged from plasma creatinine. We found a small intra-individual variation (12%, 10%, 10%) and a considerable inter-individual variation (56%, 26%, 43%) in the level of holo-TC, total TC and plasma cobalamins, respectively. During the night, the absolute values of all components decreased, as did plasma albumin. There was no systematic association between intake of food and fluctuation of the biochemical markers. In conclusion, we found no significant circadian variation in serum holo-TC in healthy vitamin-replete subjects on a standard diet. This supports the view that holo-TC is a marker of long-term vitamin B
Evaluation of the ABX Pentra 400: a newly available clinical chemistry analyser
Authors: Coudène Pascal , Marson Benjamin , Badiou Stéphanie , Flavier Sébastien , Anelli Sébastien , Cristol Jean Paul , Dupuy Anne Marie
Published: August 2005

The performance of the ABX Pentra 400, a new multiparametric analyser available for routine and specialised clinical chemistry analyses, was evaluated according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) and Valtec protocols. Substrate concentrations and enzyme activities were determined by spectrophotometric measurement after coloured reaction or UV detection-based reactions; electrolyte concentrations were determined with ion-selective electrodes, and specific protein concentrations were assayed by immunoturbidimetry. In total, 32 of the most common clinical chemistry parameters were evaluated under simulated routine conditions. The analytical performance of the system and the quality of the ABX Pentra reagent line were both examined in a single-site study. The ABX Pentra 400 was compared with the Olympus AU640, Konelab-Konepro, Beckman Coulter-Immage and Beckman Coulter-Access 2, depending on the tests available on these analysers. The coefficient of variation (CV) values were within expected values. Coefficients of correlation showed high correlation between the analysers compared. The influence of interfering substances was moderate. The practicability of the system was good. We conclude that good reliability and practicability make the ABX Pentra 400 system suitable for laboratories with various needs.
Haplotype analysis of the COMT‐ARVCF gene region in Israeli anorexia nervosa family trios
Authors: Michaelovsky Elena , Frisch Amos , Leor Shani , Stein Daniel , Danziger Yardena , Carel Cynthia , Fennig Silvana , Mimouni Marc , Klauck Sabine M. , Benner Axel , Poustka Annemarie , Apter Alan , Weizman Abraham
Published: August 2005

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe and complex psychiatric disorder with a significant genetic contribution. Previously, we found an association between AN and the 158Val/Met polymorphism of the catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) gene in a family‐based study of 51 Israeli AN trios. In the present study, we extended the original sample to include 85 family trios [66 AN restricting (AN‐R) and 19 bingeing/purging (AN‐BP) subtype] and performed a family‐based transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis for five SNPs in the COMT and two in the adjacent ARVCF gene. Association was found between AN‐R and several SNPs in the COMT‐ARVCF region including the 158Val/Met polymorphism. TDT analysis of 5‐SNP haplotypes in AN‐R trios revealed an overall statistically significant transmission disequilibrium (P < 0.001). Specifically, haplotype B [COMT‐186C‐408G‐472G(158Val)‐ARVCF‐659C(220Pro)‐524T(175Val)] was preferentially transmitted (P < 0.001) from parents of AN‐R patients to their affected daughters, while haplotype A [COMT‐186T‐408C‐472A(158Met)‐ARVCF‐659T(220Leu)‐524C(175Ala)] was preferentially (P = 0.01) not transmitted. Haplotype B was associated with increased risk (RR 3.38; 0.95CI 1.98–6.43) while haplotype A exhibited a protective effect (RR 0.40; 0.95CI 0.21–0.70) for AN‐R. Preferential transmission of the risk alleles and haplotypes from the parents was mostly contributed by the fathers. No significant transmission disequilibrium of alleles or haplotypes was found for AN‐BP trios. The risk and protective haplotypes may carry molecular variations in the COMT gene or its vicinity that are relevant to the pathophysiology of restrictive anorexia nervosa in the Israeli‐Jewish population. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Influencing product lifetime through product design
Authors: van Nes Nicole , Cramer Jacqueline
Published: August 2005

This article investigates the possibility of influencing product lifetime through product design. First, the results of a literature study on consumer behavior are presented. These show that surprisingly few researchers have focused specifically on the arousal of the need to replace a product. Therefore, empirical data about motives for product replacement were acquired through a combination of qualitative investigation and a quantitative survey. This resulted in a model of factors influencing the replacement decision and in a replacement typology. Finally, possible design directions for longer lasting products were explored. It was concluded that despite the variety of replacement motivations people basically want a well functioning and up to date product that meets their altering needs. This requires the development of dynamic and flexible products, which implies designing for variability and product attachment and preparing the product for future repair or upgrading. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Design, lifestyles and sustainability. Aesthetic consumption in a world of abundance
Authors: Dobers Peter , Strannegård Lars
Published: August 2005

This paper strives for a conceptualization of sustainability, design and contemporary consumption. By sketching out how effective production systems have created an abundance of products, the paper links this development to the aestheticization of society and an increased interest in design. In market economies characterized by profusion, corporations engage in activities filling their offerings with aura, aesthetics, symbols and meaning. In such lands of plenty, conspicuous consumption becomes a thoroughly expressive activity and highly problematic for actors with ambitions to design a sustainable future. Our conclusion is that sustainability must ultimately be seen as intertwined with social processes such as fashion, identity and identity construction. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Effect of HCV infection on THP‐1 monocytoid cells
Authors: Ponzetto A. , Gennero L. , Cutufia M. , Beltramo T. , Enrietto M. , Pescarmona P. , Pugliese A.
Published: August 2005

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the main cause of hepatocellular carcinoma in industrialized countries. HCV–HIV‐1 co‐infection occurs frequently among users of illicit intravenous drugs, thereby increasing the severity of HIV disease and the evolution of chronic active hepatitis towards cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The present work shows that THP‐1 monocytoid cells are susceptible to HCV infection, of strain 1b, and that this strain can induce cellular modifications in this cell line. Infection of HCV was demonstrated by positivity for the E2 antigen within THP‐1 cells and by indirect immunofluorescence; moreover, HCV‐RNA was detected in supernatants of THP‐1 cells from day 7 post‐inoculation. Cell shape and membrane surface antigens varied upon viral infection, which is also capable of inducing oxygen radicals. In particular we underline the relevant intracellular accumulation of ferritin that paralleled an increase of cell surface expression of the transferrin receptor. Evaluation of cellular events upon HCV infection in THP‐1 cells may represent a useful tool with which to identify alteration in monocytes metabolism and to study therapeutic approaches for such alterations. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Glycopeptides from Type II Collagen‐Incorporating Galactosylated Hydroxylysine Mimetics and Their Use in Studying the Fine Specificity of Arthritogenic T Cells
Authors: Marin Julien , Blaton Marie‐Agnès , Briand Jean‐Paul , Chiocchia Gilles , Fournier Catherine , Guichard Gilles
Published: August 2005

Five analogues of the bovine type II collagen (bCII) immunodominant glycopeptide [β‐D‐Gal‐(5R)‐5‐Hyl264]CII(256–270) (1) carrying diverse modifications at the critical hydroxylysine (Hyl) 264 side chain were designed and synthesised, to explore the fine specificity of bCII‐reactive T cells involved in the initiation and/or regulation of collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA), a mouse model for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). β‐D‐Galactosyl‐(5R)‐5‐hydroxy‐L‐lysine (19) and corresponding mimetics (22–25), conveniently protected for solid‐phase synthesis, were all obtained by a divergent route involving enantiopure 5‐hydroxylated 6‐oxo‐1,2‐piperidinedicarboxylates as the key intermediates. All three bCII‐specific T hybridomas used, as well as a recurrent pathogenic CD4+ T‐cell clone isolated from bCII‐immunised DBA/1 mice, recognised the galactosylated form 1 of the immunodominant bCII (256–270) epitope. These cells were extremely sensitive to changes at the ε‐amino group of Hyl264, but differed in their pattern of recognition of analogues with a Hyl264 side chain modified at C‐5 (i.e. inversion of stereochemistry, methylation). These data further document the importance of collagen post‐translational modifications in autoimmunity and in the CIA model in particular, and provide a new insight into the molecular interaction between glycopeptide 1 and the TCR of pathogenic T cells.
Melilite‐Type Borates Bi2ZnB2O7 and CaBiGaB2O7.
Authors: Barbier Jacques , Penin Nicolas , Cranswick Lachlan M.
Published: August 2005

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.
Crystal Structure of Cesium Dihydrotrifluoride, CsH2F3. Refinement of the Crystal Structures of NMe4HF2 and NMe4H2F3.
Authors: Troyanov S. I. , Morozov I. V. , Kemnitz E.
Published: August 2005

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.
X‐Ray Powder Diffraction Refinement of Cu2ZnGeTe4 Structure and Phase Diagram of the Cu2GeTe3—ZnTe System.
Authors: Parasyuk O. V. , Olekseyuk I. D. , Piskach L. V.
Published: August 2005

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.
Ternary Compounds Ce0.67Pt2Al5 and Ce1.33Pt3Al8.
Authors: Murashova E. V. , Tursina A. I. , Bukhan'ko N. G. , Gribanov A. V. , Chernyshev I. V. , Seropegin Yu. D.
Published: August 2005

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.
Preparation of Single‐Crystalline NdVO4 Nanorods, and Their Emissions in the Ultraviolet and Blue under Ultraviolet Excitation.
Authors: Wu Xingcai , Tao Yourong , Dong Lin , Zhu Junjie , Hu Zheng
Published: August 2005

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.
Electrical Transport Properties of USbSe and USbTe.
Authors: Kaczorowski D. , Pikul A. P. , Zygmunt A.
Published: August 2005

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.
Chemical Vapor Transport of Solid Solutions. Part 19. Chemical Vapor Transport of Mixed Phases in the Systems Ga2S3/Ga2Se3.
Authors: Hotje U. , Wartchow R. , Milke E. , Binnewies M.
Published: August 2005

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.
High‐Pressure Behavior of Lanthanum Mono Pnictides
Authors: Pagare Gitanjali , Sanyal Sankar P. , Jha P. K.
Published: August 2005

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Metal/Oxide Interfacial Reactions: Oxidation of Metals on SrTiO3 (100) and TiO2 (110).
Authors: Fu Qiang , Wagner Thomas
Published: August 2005

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Cu—Pd/β‐Zeolites as Highly Selective Catalysts for the Hydrogenation of Nitrate with Hydrogen to Harmless Products.
Authors: Nakamura Kyosuke , Yoshida Yasuyuki , Mikami Ikkou , Okuhara Toshio
Published: August 2005

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Optimization of MoVSb Oxide Catalyst for Partial Oxidation of Isobutane by Combinatorial Approaches.
Authors: Paul Johan S. , Janssens Rob , Denayer Joeri F. M. , Baron Gino V. , Jacobs Pierre A.
Published: August 2005

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Synthesis of the 1‐Hydroxy‐closo‐decaborate Anion [1‐B10H9OH]2‐.
Authors: Bragin Vikentii I. , Sivaev Igor B. , Bregadze Vladimir I. , Votinova Natal'ya A.
Published: August 2005

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.
New Approach to the Synthesis of Bulk and Supported Bimetallic Molybdenum Nitrides.
Authors: Wang Huamin , Li Wei , Zhang Minghui
Published: August 2005

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Removal of the Acyl Donor Residue Allows the Use of Simple Alkyl Esters as Acyl Donors for the Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of Secondary Alcohols.
Authors: Verzijl Gerard K. M. , de Vries Johannes , Broxterman Quirinus B.
Published: August 2005

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Highly Efficient Asymmetric Transfer Hydrogenation of Ketones Catalyzed by Chiral “Roofed” cis‐Diamine—Ru(II) Complex.
Authors: Matsunaga Hirofumi , Ishizuka Tadao , Kunieda Takehisa
Published: August 2005

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Design of an Axially Chiral Amino Acid with a Binaphthyl Backbone as an Organocatalyst for a Direct Asymmetric Aldol Reaction.
Authors: Kano Taichi , Takai Jun , Tokuda Osamu , Maruoka Keiji
Published: August 2005

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A Novel Strategy for the Asymmetric Synthesis of Chiral Cyclopropane Carboxaldehydes.
Authors: Cheeseman Matt , Feuillet Fred J. P. , Johnson Andrew L. , Bull Steven D.
Published: August 2005

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Tandem Oxidation Processes: A Combined Phosphorous‐ and Sulfur‐Ylide Approach to Polysubstituted Cyclopropanes.
Authors: Oswald Magalie F. , Raw Steven A. , Taylor Richard J. K.
Published: August 2005

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A New Method for Synthesis of α,α‐Disubstituted Carbonyl Compounds from Carbonyl Compounds with One‐Carbon Homologation Through β‐Oxido Carbenoid Rearrangement as the Key Reaction.
Authors: Miyashita Kohsuke , Satoh Tsuyoshi
Published: August 2005

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A Mild Esterification Process in Phosphonium Salt Ionic Liquid.
Authors: McNulty James , Cheekoori Sreedhar , Nair Jerald J. , Larichev Vladimir , Capretta Alfredo , Robertson Al J.
Published: August 2005

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Thermal and Catalyzed [3,3]‐Phosphorimidate Rearrangements.
Authors: Chen Bin , Mapp Anna K.
Published: August 2005

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Synthesis of 2‐Cyclopentenones by Gold(I)‐Catalyzed Rautenstrauch Rearrangement.
Authors: Shi Xiaodong , Gorin David J. , Toste F. Dean
Published: August 2005

For Abstract see ChemInform Abstract in Full Text.