bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hydathodal leaf teeth of Chloranthus japonicus (Chloranthaceae) prevent guttation‐induced flooding of the mesophyll
Authors: FEILD TAYLOR S. , SAGE TAMMY L. , CZERNIAK CHRISTINE , ILES WILLIAM J. D.
Published: August 2005

Why the leaves of cold temperate deciduous and moisture‐loving angiosperms are so often toothed has long puzzled biologists because the functional consequences of teeth remain poorly understood. Here we provide functional and structural evidence that marginal leaf teeth of Chloranthus japonicus, an understory herb, enable the release of guttation sap during root pressure. When guttation from teeth hydathodes was experimentally blocked, we found that the leaf intercellular airspaces became flooded. Measurements of chlorophyll a fluorescence revealed that internal flooding resulted in an inhibition of photosynthesis, most likely through the formation of a film of water within the leaf that reduced CO2 diffusion. Comparing a developmental series of leaves with and without teeth experimentally covered with wax, we found that teeth did not affect overall leaf stomatal conductance and CO2 uptake. However, maximal and effective light‐saturation PSII quantum yields of teeth were found to be lower or equal to the surrounding lamina throughout leaf ontogeny. Collectively, our results suggest hydathodes and their development on teeth apices enable the avoidance of mesophyll flooding by root pressure. We discuss how these new findings bear on the potential physiological interpretations of models that apply leaf marginal traits to infer ancient climates.
The role of dietary cations in the blood pressure of renal transplant recipients
Authors: Ramesh Prasad GV , Huang Michael , Nash Michelle M , Zaltzman Jeffrey S
Published: August 2005

Abstract:  Background:  The role of dietary cations in hypertension has been evaluated in the general population and selected subgroups, but its contribution to blood pressure (BP) elevations in patients with functional renal allografts has not been critically examined.

Methods:  After counseling based on Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) guidelines, we measured timed 24‐h urine excretion rates of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium as a surrogate for their dietary intake, in 244 stable adult single‐organ renal transplant recipients, correlating these with averaged blinded clinic‐measured BP values. Multiple linear regression analysis adjusting for factors affecting BP in transplant recipients was performed.

Results:  There was no correlation between systolic (SBP) or diastolic pressure (DBP) and 24‐h urine excretion rates of each cation. There was no BP difference between patients receiving cyclosporine and tacrolimus (127/77 vs. 129/78 mmHg, p = 0.38), or in cation excretion except for calcium (2.85 ± 2.0 vs. 2.90 ± 2.8, p = 0.002). Protein excretion (p < 0.0001), age (p = 0.002), and weight (p = 0.04) were positively associated with SBP, while only weight (p = 0.01) was associated with DBP by multivariate analysis.

Conclusion:  Dietary cation intake is not significantly associated with BP in renal transplant recipients. These data do not support recommendations to alter dietary cation intake as part of the management of post‐transplantation hypertension.
An Industry‐specific Study of Factors Contributing to the Maintenance and Longevity of Quality Circles
Authors: Sheffield Dianna T. , Godkin Lynn , Drapeau Richard
Published: August 2005

Lawler and Mohrman (1987), as others (Griffin, 1988; Marks et al., 1986), have associated a‘honeymoon effect’ (Lawler and Mohrman, 1987) or period of‘initial momentum’ (Solberg, 1985) with quality circle (QC) progress. They have been shown to be successful for about 2 years before there is a decline (Griffin, 1988). Focusing on a single synthetic rubber manufacturing facility, individuals who had participated in QCs at the site were surveyed. Because the QC programme had been in place for 7 years, this study sought to determine what factors contributed to that longevity
THE CHINESE COMMUNES
Authors: ROBINSON JOAN
Published: August 2005

The following observations were made in the Summer of 1963.

There are still no overall statistics available from China, but it is reported that the harvest last year was better than the year before. Rations have been increased and imports of wheat reduced. Industrial production also is reported to be climbing back to the trend from which it was knocked down in 1960.
SOUTH AFRICAN REALITIES AND REALPOLITIK
Authors: HORWITZ RALPH
Published: August 2005

South Africa is a country of major and powerful tribes, of many sub‐tribes, of one large non‐tribe, and of two articulate communities (the Asians and mixed‐race coloureds). Chief among the tribes in their history and their right to control tracts of South Africa are the white Afrikaner tribe led by Mr, Vorster himself and the black Zulus led by Chief Gatsha Buthelezi. Both dominate, but are feared and resented by, the rest of their respective racial communities. The two are, and have been for hundreds of years, each other's prime adversaries…. To advocate one man, one vote in a unitary state as the solution to such a patchwork of racial resentments and history frankly seems a nonsense….
Infrequent or Non-Response to Oral Sumatriptan does not Predict Response to Other Triptans—Review of Four Trials
Authors: Dahlöf CGH
Published: August 2005

A migraineur can claim to be an infrequent responder (‘non-responder’) to an oral triptan independent of which triptan he or she is presently using. Four trials of an alternative triptan (zolmitriptan/rizatriptan; eletriptan; naratriptan; almotriptan) in patients with a history of infrequent response to oral sumatriptan were compared and contrasted in terms of study design, patient characteristics, and efficacy and tolerability of the triptan under investigation. Unfortunately, none of the reported studies used an appropriate parallel design, which would have had the non-responding triptan (oral sumatriptan) in one arm and without encapsulation. While the four trials differed in terms of study design (open-label vs. placebo-controlled), definition of sumatriptan ‘non-responder’ (retrospective vs. prospective) and pain intensity at baseline (30% severe to 70% severe), all four demonstrated that lack of response to sumatriptan did not predict lack of response to an alternative triptan. Changing triptans resulted in 2-h pain-relief rates of 25–81% in patients with a history of poor response to sumatriptan. It can be concluded that migraine patients who respond infrequently to sumatriptan should be switched to a different triptan, as lack of response to one triptan does not predict likelihood of responsiveness to another. A review of the available evidence suggests that almotriptan may be one of the most appropriate choices for an alternative triptan.
Factors Determining Headache at Onset of Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Mitsias PD , Ramadan NM , Levine SR , Schultz L , Welch KMA
Published: August 2005

Headache is a frequent accompaniment of acute ischaemic stroke. The predisposing factors and underlying mechanisms are currently incompletely defined. We analysed prospectively collected data relevant to headache occurring at ischaemic stroke onset in consecutive patients included in the Henry Ford Hospital Stroke Data Bank. Patients with headache (HA+) and without headache (HA–) were compared for demographic factors, medical history, medications, examination findings, laboratory findings, and stroke localization and subtype. Group comparisons for categorical data were performed with χ2 test, and for continuous variables with two-sample t-tests. Stepwise logistic regression analysis, including all variables with P < 0.25, was used to define the independent predictors of onset headache. Three hundred and seventy-five patients had complete headache and clinical datasets and were included in the analysis (HA+, N = 118; HA–, N = 257). Multivariate analysis revealed that the independent predictors of HA+ were: infarct in the distribution of the posterior circulation [ P = 0.0076, odds ratio (OR) 2.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.23, 3.77], absence of history of hypertension ( P = 0.0106, OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.27, 0.84), and treatment with warfarin at the time of the index stroke ( P = 0.0135, OR 4.89, 95% CI 1.39, 17.21). The occurrence of headache at onset of ischaemic stroke is determined by posterior circulation distribution of the ischaemic event, absence of history of hypertension and treatment with warfarin at the time of the index stroke. These results suggest that preserved elasticity and maintenance of the intracranial vasculature in a relaxed state, in combination with coagulation system derangements, and activation of dense perivascular afferent nerves, play a role in the pathogenesis of onset headache.
Behavioural and Temperamental Characteristics of Children and Adolescents Suffering from Primary Headache
Authors: Mazzone L , Vitiello B , Incorpora G , Mazzone D
Published: August 2005

To examine indices of behavioural and emotional problems and temperamental traits in clinically referred children and adolescents suffering from tension headache or migraine. Headache in childhood and adolescence (<18 years) has been associated with the presence of behavioural and emotional difficulties, but limited data are available on the relationship between these problems and different types of headache. Clinically referred children and adolescents ( N = 114), 6–16 years of age, suffering from primary headache according to the diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Society, 47 with tension-type headache (TH) and 67 with migraine (M), and 36 normal controls without headache (NC) were assessed using the Parent Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC), Conner's Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), and Emotionality–Activity–Sociability–Shyness Scale (EAS). Psychological and personality self-rating assessments were obtained also on the children's parents and siblings. Although most headache patients had scores within the normative non-pathological range, both TH and M patients had higher CBCL total, internalizing, and externalizing scores than NC ( P < 0.001), and TH patients had higher scores than M patients. TH and M had higher CDI and MASC scores than NC ( P < 0.05), with no difference between the headache groups. TH patients had higher Emotionality and Shyness scores, and lower Sociability scores than M patients. Clinically referred children and adolescents with TH and M had higher scores of behavioural and emotional symptoms, both of internalizing and externalizing type, than normal peers. The TH group had greater psychological and temperamental difficulties than the M group.
Headache in Behçet's Disease
Authors: Aykutlu E , Baykan B , Akman-Demir G , Topcular B , Ertas M
Published: August 2005

The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of headache in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) seeking neurological consultation. Consecutive patients with BD seen within 1 year at the neuro-Behçet's out-patient clinic were studied using an electronic database according to the classification criteria of the International Headache Society. During a 12-month period 118 BD patients were admitted, and 98 had headaches. Migraine was the most common type of primary headache diagnosed in 45 patients (46.4%) in the whole headache group, followed by tension-type headache (TTH) in 26 cases (26.8%). Thirty-seven patients had secondary headaches mainly due to cerebral venous thrombosis or parenchymal neurological involvement of BD. Of these patients, 15 had both primary and secondary headaches. The primary headaches of 13 patients were exacerbated with systemic BD flare-ups, and four patients had migraine attacks triggered only by systemic BD activation which showed a good response to the treatment of systemic inflammation. The majority of the headaches of patients with BD do not indicate any neurological involvement; they are usually due to migraine or TTH. In a minority of patients, migraine associated with systemic inflammation of BD is notable.
Serum sickness in a dog associated with antivenin therapy for snake bite caused by Crotalus adamanteus
Authors: Berdoulay Paul , Schaer Michael , Starr Jessica
Published: August 2005

Objective: This case report describes antivenin‐associated acute and delayed hypersensitivity reactions in a dog envenomated by an Eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus), specifically reviewing the syndrome of antivenin‐associated serum sickness. Clinician awareness of this syndrome is important in order to allow for its recognition and appropriate treatment.

Case summary: A Boxer dog was envenomated by an Eastern diamondback rattlesnake. Shock, echinocytosis, and coagulopathy were manifested, and the dog was given antivenin crotalidae polyvalent therapy and supportive care. The early onset of an anaphylactoid reaction was attributed to antivenin therapy and was managed with diphenhydramine and subcutaneous epinephrine therapy. Fever, chemosis, and limb edema occurred during the 3rd through 6th hospital days following antivenin therapy and were consistent with serum sickness syndrome as described in humans. Further immunoassay support reflecting complement activation and response to treatment were characteristic.

New information provided: To our knowledge, this describes the first reported case of antivenin‐associated serum sickness in a dog.
Torsade de pointes in a patient with complex medical and psychiatric conditions receiving low‐dose quetiapine
Authors: Vieweg W. V. R. , Schneider R. K. , Wood M. A.
Published: August 2005

Objective:  Describe potential cardiac complications of low‐dose quetiapine and other atypical antipsychotic drugs.

Method:  We present a case report of a 45‐year‐old Black woman with multiple medical and psychiatric problems taking low‐dose quetiapine.

Results:  Coincident with a generalized seizure, the patient developed ‘ventricular fibrillation’. She was countershocked with restoration of normal sinus rhythm. The initial electrocardiogram showed QT interval prolongation. Shortly thereafter, classical torsade de pointes appeared, lasted 10 min, and resolved spontaneously. Hypomagnesemia was present. A cardiac electrophysiologist was concerned that the very slow shortening of the prolonged QTc interval after magnesium replacement implicated quetiapine as a risk factor for QTc interval prolongation and torsade de pointes. A psychosomatic medicine consultant asserted that the fragmented medical and psychiatric care almost certainly contributed to the patient's medical problems. We discuss other cases of QT interval prolongation by newer antipsychotic drugs and previous reports by our group concerning the association of psychotropic drugs, QT interval prolongation, and torsade de pointes.

Conclusion:  Atypical antipsychotic drug administration, when accompanied by risk factors, may contribute to cardiac arrhythmias including torsade de pointes.
Molecular characterization of Osh6p, an oxysterol binding protein homolog in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Wang Penghua , Duan Wei , Munn Alan L. , Yang Hongyuan
Published: August 2005

Oxysterol binding protein (OSBP) and its homologs have been shown to regulate lipid metabolism and vesicular transport. However, the exact molecular function of individual OSBP homologs remains uncharacterized. Here we demonstrate that the yeast OSBP homolog, Osh6p, bound phosphatidic acid and phosphoinositides via its N‐terminal half containing the conserved OSBP‐related domain (ORD). Using a green fluorescent protein fusion chimera, Osh6p was found to localize to the cytosol and patch‐like or punctate structures in the vicinity of the plasma membrane. Further examination by domain mapping demonstrated that the N‐terminal half was associated with FM4‐64 positive membrane compartments; however, the C‐terminal half containing a putative coiled‐coil was localized to the nucleoplasm. Functional analysis showed that the deletion of OSH6 led to a significant increase in total cellular ergosterols, whereas OSH6 overexpression caused both a significant decrease in ergosterol levels and resistance to nystatin. Oleate incorporation into sterol esters was affected in OSH6 overexpressing cells. However, Lucifer yellow internalization, and FM4‐64 uptake and transport were unaffected in both OSH6 deletion and overexpressing cells. Furthermore, osh6Δ exhibited no defect in carboxypeptidase Y transport and maturation. Lastly, we demonstrated that both the conserved ORD and the putative coiled‐coil motif were indispensable for the in vivo function of Osh6p. These data suggest that Osh6p plays a role primarily in regulating cellular sterol metabolism, possibly stero transport.
Testing the In‐Well Horizontal Laminar Flow Assumption with a Sand‐Tank Well Model
Authors: Britt Sanford L.
Published: August 2005

The assumption of horizontal laminar flow within a monitoring well is a commonly cited basis for interval sampling using low‐flow or no‐purge sampling techniques. A few studies have shown horizontal flow over short distances within the well for short periods of time. Others have demonstrated specific circumstances under which the assumption fails. But surprisingly, little focus has been given to confirming the underlying concept—that under “normal” conditions (i.e., no vertical hydraulic gradient) water enters one side of a well and exits the other side of the well at the same elevation. To test the horizontal flow assumption, a physical sand‐tank model was constructed to observe flow through in a simulated monitoring well. The well, filter pack, and aquifer largely mimic real world conditions of a submerged well in a moderately high‐permeability sand. To observe flow behavior in the simulated well, a dye “stringer” was introduced into an injection port upgradient of the simulated well. In all tests, regardless of flow rate or small density differences, the dye stringer eventually mixed throughout the model monitoring well. Since the model approximates a section of an at‐scale well subjected to real world bulk flow rates, mixing appears to be the rule rather than the exception for near–neutrally buoyant contaminant stringers in homogeneous flow fields. Despite additional heterogeneities introduced by field conditions, there are several clear and important implications of this study: (1) some degree of in‐well mixing and flow‐weighted concentration averaging may occur in a well before any purge or sampling efforts are made; (2) in‐well mixing may mask low to moderate contaminant stratification in an aquifer; (3) contaminant stratification, if present inside a well, implies strong contaminant stratification outside the well; (4) contaminant stratification inside a well may not correspond to stratification at the same interval outside the well; and (5) vertical stratification within an aquifer may not be accurately monitored by sampling multiple intervals within an open well.
Cerastodermaglaucum5S ribosomal DNA: characterization of the repeat unit, divergence with respect toCerastoderma edule, and PCR–RFLPs for the identification of both cockles
Authors: Freire Ruth , Insua Ana , Méndez Josefina
Published: August 2005

The 5S rDNA repeat unit of the cockle Cerastoderma glaucum from the Mediterranean and Baltic coasts was PCR amplified and sequenced. The length of the units was 539–568 bp, of which 120 bp were assigned to the 5S rRNA gene and 419–448 bp to the spacer region, and the G/C content was 46%–49%, 54%, and 44%–47%, respectively. Two types of units (A and B), differing in the spacer, were distinguished based on the percentage of differences and clustering in phylogenetic trees. A PCR assay with specific primers for each unit type indicated that the occurrence of both units is not restricted to the sequenced individuals. The 5S rDNA units of C. glaucum were compared with new and previously reported sequences of Cerastoderma edule. The degree of variation observed in C. edule was lower than that in C. glaucum and evidence for the existence of units A and B in C. edule was not found. The two cockles have the same coding region but displayed numerous fixed differences in the spacer region and group separately in the phylogenetic trees. Digestion of the 5S rDNA PCR product with the restriction enzymes HaeIII and EcoRV revealed two RFLPs useful for cockle identification.Key words: Cerastoderma, cockle identification, 5S ribosomal DNA, nontranscribed spacer variation, PCR-RFLP.
BIANCHI TYPE I UNIVERSE WITH VISCOUS FLUID
Authors: SAHA BIJAN
Published: August 2005

We study the evolution of a homogeneous, anisotropic Universe given by a Bianchi type-I cosmological model filled with viscous fluid, in the presence of a cosmological constant Λ. The role of viscous fluid and Λ term in the evolution the BI spacetime is studied. Though the viscosity cannot remove the cosmological singularity, it plays a crucial part in the formation of a qualitatively new behavior of the solutions near singularity. It is shown that the introduction of the Λ term can be handy in the elimination of the cosmological singularity. In particular, in case of a bulk viscosity, a negative Λ provides a never-ending process of evolution, whereas, for some positive values of Λ and the bulk viscosity being inverse proportional to the expansion, the BI Universe admits a singularity-free oscillatory mode of expansion. In case of a constant bulk viscosity and share viscosity being proportional to expansion, the model allows both non-periodic and inflationary expansion independent to the sign of Λ term.
SEARCHES FOR EXTRA DIMENSIONS AND Z′ BOSONS AT DØ
Authors:   On behalf of the DØ Collaboration., HOOPER RYAN J.
Published: August 2005

We present results on the searches for Extra Dimensions and Z′ Bosons conducted at the Tevatron's DØ Detector using dielectron, diphoton, and dimuon final states. The theoretical frameworks of Large Extra Dimensions (LED), Randall-Sundrum Extra Dimensions (RS), TeV-1 Extra Dimensions, and Z′ bosons are explored in the dielectron and diphoton channels, while LED and Z′ bosons are also searched for in the dimuon final state. In the absence of signals we find lower 95% confidence level (CL) limits on the mass of a SM-like Z′ boson of 780 GeV and 680 GeV in the dielectron and dimuon channels, respectively. Furthermore, we find a lower 95% CL limit of 1.12 TeV on the TeV-1 compactification scale ( M C) in the dielectron channel. In the diEM channel and LED framework we set a lower 95% CL limit of 1.43 TeV (GRW) on the fundamental Planck scale ( M S). Using a dimuon final state we find a lower 95% CL limit of 1.1 TeV (GRW) on M S. We also find a lower 95% CL mass limit of 785 GeV on a RS graviton decaying into a dielectron or diphoton final state.
Search for New Physics with High Mass Tau Pairs in CDF Run II
Authors: Wan Zongru
Published: August 2005

We present the results of a search for new particles decaying to tau pairs. Hypothetical particles, such as Z′ and MSSM Higgs boson A can potentially produce such pairs. The low-mass region, dominated by Z → ττ, is used as a control. No significant excess events over the estimated backgrounds is observed in the high-mass region, and we set upper limits on the cross section times branching ratio as a function of the Z′ and A mass.
Search for Excited and Exotic Electrons at the Collider Detector at Fermilab
Authors:   Representing the CDF Collaboration., GERBERICH HEATHER KAY
Published: August 2005

The first search at a hadron collider for the production of excited and exotic electrons in association with a positron is presented. The excited electron decays to an electron and a photon with high transverse momentum yielding an electron+positron+photon final state signature. The search uses 202 pb-1 of data collected in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text] with the CDF II detector during 2001-2003. No excess of dielectron+photon events is observed. We present the e* sensitivity in the parameter space of the excited electron mass and the compositeness energy scale for both a gauge mediated and contact interaction model.
Search for New Particles Decaying into $b \bar{b}$ Associated with W± Bosons at Tevatron
Authors:   for CDF Collaboration., Ishizawa Yoshio
Published: August 2005

We present searches for new particles decaying into [Formula: see text] and produced in association with W± bosons in [Formula: see text] collisions at [Formula: see text]. The searches focus on the Standard Model Higgs boson or Technicolor particle decaying into [Formula: see text] using approximately 162 pb-1 of the dataset accumulated by the Collider Detector at Fermilab. The number of events and mass distribution are consistent with the Standard Model expectations and we set a 95% confidence level upper limit on the production cross section times branching ratio as a function of the new particle mass.
Search for New Physics in Lepton Flavor Violating τ Decays at Belle
Authors:   for Belle collaboration., ENARI YUJI
Published: August 2005

We report mainly on a search for lepton-flavor-violating τ decays involving π0/η/η′ final states using a sample of 153.8 fb-1, which was recorded with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- asymmetric-energy collider. We also present searches for other possible LFV tau decays, and discuss the relationship of our results to SUSY parameters.
Higgs Search with the Compact Muon Solenoid(CMS) detector at the Large Hadron Collider(LHC)
Authors:   On behalf of CMS collaboration., BHATTACHARYA SATYAKI
Published: August 2005

The Large Hadron Collider(LHC) is a proton proton collider being built at CERN, Geneva which will collide two 7 TeV proton beams giving a center of mass energy of 14 TeV. The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) is a multi-purpose detector at the LHC which is designed to discover the Higgs boson over the mass range of 90 to 1000 GeV. Since LEP searches have put a 95% C.L. lower bound on (standard model) Higgs mass of 114.4 GeV and theory excludes mass above about 1 TeV, CMS should discover the Higgs if it exists. In this paper, we will review CMS's Higgs-discovery potential both in the Standard Model and the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model for Higgs bosons produced in gluon-gluon fusion and in vector boson fusion mechanisms. Particular emphasis will be placed on discovery in the early years of running with luminosity of about 2 × 1033cm-2/s.
STABILITY OF BRANONIUM
Authors: ELLISON JAMES , LUKAS ANDRÉ
Published: August 2005

We investigate the time-dependent behaviour of brane-antibrane orbital systems, mainly concentrating on the stability of the "Branonium" configuration.
S-brane Solutions in String Theory
Authors: Gutperle Michael
Published: August 2005

Recent progress in the construction of time dependent solutions of supergravity theories corresponding to so called spacelike branes will be reviewed.
Geometric Transitions, Non-Kahler Geometries and String Vacua
Authors: Becker Katrin , Becker Melanie , Dasgupta Keshav , Tatar Radu
Published: August 2005

We summarize an explicit construction of a duality cycle for geometric transitions in type II and heterotic theories. We emphasize that the manifolds with torsion constructed with this duality cycle are crucial for understanding different phenomena appearing in effective field theories.
QUANTUM CORRECTIONS TO NEWTON'S LAW IN RESUMMED QUANTUM GRAVITY
Authors: WARD B. F. L.
Published: August 2005

We present the elements of resummed quantum gravity, a new approach to QG based on the work of Feynman using the simplest example of a scalar field as the representative matter. We show that we get a UV finite quantum correction to Newton's law.
Bd MIXING AND PROSPECTS FOR Bs MIXING AT DØ
Authors:   for the DØ Collaboration., Bose Tulika
Published: August 2005

Measurement of the Bs oscillation frequency via Bs mixing analyses provides a powerful constraint on the CKM matrix elements. The study of Bd oscillations is an important step towards Bs mixing and preliminary measurements of Δmd have been made with ~250 pb-1 of data collected with the upgraded Run II DØ detector. Different flavor tagging algorithms have been developed and are being optimized for use on a large set of Bs mesons that have been reconstructed in different semileptonic decay modes.
EFFECTS OF FINAL STATE INTERACTIONS ON HADRONIC CHARMLESS B DECAYS
Authors: Cheng Hai-Yang
Published: August 2005

Final-state rescattering effects on direct CP violation in charmless hadronic B decays and on the polarization anomaly in B → ϕK* are discussed.
STUDY OF B± → DCPK± AND $B^\pm \to D^\ast_{CP}K^\pm$
Authors:   on behalf of the Belle Collaboration., KENT N.
Published: August 2005

We report a study of the modes B± → DK± and B± → D*K± where D(*) decays to CP eigenstates. The data sample used contains 274 million [Formula: see text] events collected at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at KEKB. Measurements are made of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], the magnitudes of the CP asymmetries for DCPK and for [Formula: see text].
BRANCHING FRACTIONS AND CP ASYMMETRIES IN TWO-BODY NONLEPTONIC CHARMLESS b-HADRON DECAYS
Authors:   representing the CDF Collaboration., WARBURTON ANDREAS
Published: August 2005

Relative branching fractions of [Formula: see text] decays (where h, h′ = K or π) and the direct CP asymmetry [Formula: see text] in the [Formula: see text] mode are measured with 179 ± 11 pb -1 of data collected at [Formula: see text] using the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron [Formula: see text] collider. The first branching-fraction measurement of a [Formula: see text] meson to two pseudoscalars, [Formula: see text], and a search for the baryon mode [Formula: see text] are also presented, in addition to branching-fraction limits on the rare channels [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text].
New Measurements of B → PV and VV Decays at Belle
Authors: Chen Kai-Feng
Published: August 2005

We present measurements of B → PV and VV decays based on 140 fb-1 of data recorded at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e+e- storage ring. Branching fractions of B → ηK*, ηρ+, ρπ0, and ρ+K* are measured; while upper limits of B → ηρ0 and ρ0K* decays are given. The polarization study of B → ϕK* is also updated.
INFLUENCES OF PHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF NEUTRON STARS ON THE IR POSITIONS ON THE P-Ṗ DIAGRAM
Authors: GUSEINOV OKTAY H. , ANKAY AŞKIN , TAGIEVA SEVINÇ O.
Published: August 2005

Some physical parameters and properties of neutron stars like the mass, moment of inertia, rotation and absence of stability in the atmosphere affect the evolution of pulsars on the P-Ṗ diagram. We have examined such possible influences which can enlighten the differences between various types of isolated neutron stars.
ON HESSIAN MATRICES IN THE SPACE BH
Authors: FONSECA IRENE , LEONI GIOVANNI , PARONI ROBERTO
Published: August 2005

An extension of Alberti's result to second order derivatives is obtained. Precisely, if Ω is an open subset of ℝNand if f ∈ L1(Ω;ℝN × N) is symmetric-valued, then there exist u ∈ W1,1(Ω) with ∇u ∈ BV(Ω;ℝN) and a constant C > 0 depending only on N such that [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]
Differential PTEN Protein Expression Profiles in Superficial versus Invasive Bladder Cancers
Authors: Koksal Ismail Turker , Yasar Duygu , Dirice Ercument , Usta Mustafa Faruk , Karauzum Sibel , Luleci Guven , Baykara Mehmet , Sanlioglu Salih
Published: August 2005

Introduction: The prognostic significance of PTEN protein loss in bladder cancer is not well established. The objective of this study was to investigate the PTEN expression profile in superficial noninvasive papillary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) versus invasive TCC and compared the results with pathological and clinical parameters. Materials and Methods: Bladder tumor samples were obtained from 29 patients who underwent surgery for superficial (n = 11) and invasive (n = 18) bladder cancers at the Akdeniz University Hospital. The patient profile including sex, age, histological grade and the stage, presence of carcinoma in situ, cystoscopy findings (tumor size, location, multiplicity) were obtained by examining the patients’ medical records. No patient received anticancer agents prior to the operation. Western blotting was performed using bladder carcinoma samples in order to determine the level of PTEN protein expression for each patient. Results: Only 4 (13.7%) patients with bladder carcinoma manifested a decrease in the level of PTEN expression. Regarding the correlation between tumor stage and the PTEN expression, with the exception of patient 23 all patients who displayed a reduction in PTEN expression had muscle-invasive TCC. Conclusion: Future studies with a clinical follow-up will be needed to determine if those superficial tumors with decreased PTEN expression are going to progress to a later stage. Based on our results PTEN by itself does not seem to be a good candidate as an independent marker to predict the behavior of bladder cancers.
Ocular Findings in Japanese Patients with Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection
Authors: Yoshida Machi , Hayasaka Seiji , Yamada Tetsuya , Yanagisawa Shuichiro , Hayasaka Yoriko , Nakamura Nobuo , Mihara Miharu
Published: August 2005

Purpose: To examine ocular findings in Japanese patients with varicella, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and acute retinal necrosis. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. Information on the ocular, cutaneous, systemic, and virologic findings on pediatric and adult patients was obtained from medical records. Results: A total of 77 (45 male and 32 female) patients were enrolled in the study: 4 children had varicella, 68 adults had herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and 5 adults had acute retinal necrosis. Children with varicella had eruptions on the eyelid. Patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus had eruptions, conjunctivitis, keratitis, iridocyclitis, and other findings. Patients with acute retinal necrosis had intracameral cells and retinal lesions. Some patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus had malignancy, type 2 diabetes mellitus, or other disease. One pregnant woman developed acute retinal necrosis shortly after varicella infection. A total of 48% of patients with negative Hutchinson sign had ocular lesions, while all patients with positive sign showed ocular lesions. Patients with varicella and herpes zoster ophthalmicus had good visual acuity at the last visit. Some patients with acute retinal necrosis had poor visual acuity at the last visit. Conclusions: Patients with varicella, herpes zoster ophthalmicus, and acute retinal necrosis had several ocular complications. Some patients with acute retinal necrosis had poor visual outcomes. Ophthalmologists should be aware that acute retinal necrosis may develop shortly after varicella infection.
Does Hinge Position Affect Dry Eye after Laser in situ Keratomileusis?
Authors: Ghoreishi Mohammad , Aidenloo Naser Samadi , Peyman Alireza , Peyman Mohammadreza , Haghdoustoskoey Monireh
Published: August 2005

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of corneal flap hinge position on dry eye after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Methods: In a prospective double-masked randomized controlled clinical trial, 212 consecutive eyes of 106 myopic patients underwent LASIK; in each patient, one eye was randomly assigned to the superior hinge and the other eye to the nasal hinge procedure. The patients were examined pre-operatively and 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after surgery for visual acuity, fluorescein tear film breakup time and Schirmer’s baseline tear secretion test; a subjective evaluation of dry eye symptoms was accomplished by the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI®) questionnaire at the 1-month, 3-month and 6-month postoperative visits. Results: Tear film breakup time was not significantly different with the nasal or superior hinge flap technique at the preoperative, 1-week, 1-month, 3-month and 6-month visits (p > 0.05 for all comparisons between two groups). No significant difference between the two groups was found for the amount of Schirmer’s baseline tear secretion test at pre- and postoperative visits (p > 0.05 for all comparisons between two groups). Subjective evaluation of symptoms also showed no significant difference at the 1-month, 3-month and 6-month postoperative visits. Conclusions: The nasal and superior hinge flap methods do not affect signs and symptoms of dry eye after LASIK. We recommend that selecting the hinge position should be done according to the surgeon’s preference and ease.
Deep Sclerectomy versus Punch Trabeculectomy: Effect of Low-Dosage Mitomycin C
Authors: Cillino Salvatore , Di Pace Francesco , Casuccio Alessandra , Lodato Gaetano
Published: August 2005

Purpose: To compare IOP behavior after deep sclerectomy (DS) and trabeculectomy with the Crozafon-De Laage Punch (TP), using low-dosage intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC) in both techniques. Methods: The study was a prospective randomized clinical trial. All patients met inclusion and exclusion criteria, and were scheduled for glaucoma surgery. Forty patients were randomized to undergo either a nonpenetrating DS with MMC (DSMMC) (19 eyes) or a TP with MMC (TPMMC) (21 eyes). Postoperative examinations were performed at the 1st day, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks and the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th and 12th months. Postoperative complications, number of antiglaucoma medications and the IOP level were checked at each control. Complete success (without antiglaucoma medications) and qualified success (with or without medications) were assessed at two target IOP levels, namely ≤21 and ≤17 mm Hg in both groups. Moreover, the success rates at ≤21 mm Hg target IOP level were compared with those from previous series of patients who had undergone DS without MMC (historical control group). Results: Data from all eyes were available until the 12th month. The mean preoperative IOP ± SD was 29.6 ± 5.8 mm Hg in DSMMC eyes, 28.0 ± 6.0 in TPMMC eyes; the mean IOP at the 1st postoperative day was 12.5 ± 4.2 and 13.9 ± 6.5 mm Hg, while at the endpoint the mean IOP was 14.5 ± 4.0 and 16.1 ± 3.8, respectively, with significant reduction (p < 0.0005) of the preoperative IOP in both groups. Complete success (≤21 mm Hg target IOP) in 15 eyes (78.9%) of the DSMMC group and in 15 eyes (71.4%) of the TPMMC group was respectively found, while qualified success was achieved in all the eyes. When a ≤17 mm Hg target IOP was considered, complete success in 12 eyes (63.1%) and 13 eyes (61.9%), and qualified success in 13 eyes (68.4%) and 15 eyes (71.4%) were found in the DSMMC and TPMMC groups, respectively. No significant intergroup differences were found in terms of success rate. There is no statistical significance in the Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival curves as for complete and qualified success rate in both surgical groups for a ≤17 mm Hg target IOP (log rank, p = 0.918 and p = 0.429, respectively). As for the frequency of postoperative complications, hypotony and shallow anterior chamber were significantly more frequent in TPMMC when compared with the DSMMC group. The historical comparison between the DSMMC group and simple DS cases shows no significant difference between the groups, with a mild positive trend in DSMMC when compared with DS eyes. Conclusions: Both techniques, DSMMC and TPMMC, control IOP efficaciously at our endpoint. Our results indicate that low-dosage MMC can be considered a mild enhancement of DS IOP lowering effect without any negative effect on the well-known intra- and postoperative safety of the technique.
Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy by One-Field, Non-Mydriatic, 45° Digital Photography Is Inadequate
Authors: Kuo Hsi-Kung , Hsieh Hsin-Hung , Liu Rue-Tsuan
Published: August 2005

Purpose: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of one-field, non-mydriatic, 45° digital photography for screening for diabetic retinopathy compared to indirect ophthalmoscopy using a slit-lamp, the reference standard. Methods: A total of 100 consecutive diabetic patients (200 eyes) who underwent digital fundus photography and ocular examinations from June 2002 to November 2002 were included in this retrospective study. The patients, recruited from a hospital-based, retina referral practice, underwent 45°, non-mydriatic, digital fundus photography using a non-mydriatic fundus camera. One image was obtained focusing the mid fundus between the optic disc and the macula. The fundus images were printed and graded by endocrinologists and a retinal specialist separately. The patients also underwent complete standard ocular examinations as the reference method for determining diabetic retinopathy, including dilation of their pupils and slit-lamp biomicroscopy done by ophthalmologists. The sensitivity and specificity of the digital photographic method were calculated by comparison to the reference method. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of the retinal specialist’s diabetic retinopathy grades were 53.8 and 89.0%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the endocrinologists’ grades were 45 and 75.3%, respectively. The false negative rates were 22 and 21.5% for endocrinologists and the retinal specialist, respectively. Conclusions: Screening for diabetic retinopathy using one-field, non-mydriatic, 45° digital photography is inadequate.
Fatty Acids and Idiopathic Calcium Nephrolithiasis
Authors: Baggio Bruno , Budakovic Alessandro
Published: August 2005

Clinical and experimental investigations seem to underline the important role of fatty acids in the pathogenesis of hypercalciuria, a well-known risk factor for lithogenesis. To evaluate the relationships between the previously reported increase in plasma phospholipid arachidonic acid level and the factors responsible for calcium metabolism in idiopathic calcium nephrolithiasis, a best-fit model was constructed. This new statistical application shows a causal relationship between plasma phospholipid arachidonic acid content, intestinal calcium absorption, biochemical markers of bone turnover, urinary calcium excretion and bone mineral density at the lumbar spine. This model suggests that a defect in the phospholipid fatty acid composition could represent the primary event responsible for the mosaic of metabolic and clinical alterations that are distinctive features of renal stone formers, such as kidney, intestine, and bone calcium metabolism, and several forms of idiopathic hypercalciuria.
Case and Management of Incidentalomas in Patients with Von Hippel-Lindau Disease
Authors: O’Malley Rebecca , Chughtai Bilal , Sukkarieh Troy , Kirschenbaum Alex , Sawas Ahmed , Khan S. Ali
Published: August 2005

Adrenal incidentalomas, those adrenal masses discovered on imaging studies undertaken for other indications, represent an evaluation and management conundrum. Evaluating every incidentaloma for functional status and/or resecting all incidentalomas would not be cost-effective because the vast majority of incidentalomas are benign, non-functioning adenomas. Current management strategies focus on size, functionality and imaging characteristics. These strategies do not take into account individual patient characteristics, for example, comorbid hereditary syndromes. In this article we report a case of a pheochromocytoma presenting as a small incidentaloma in a patient with Von Hippel-Lindau disease. We review the current literature describing the appropriate evaluation and management of adrenal incidentalomas and investigate the nuances of evaluation of these masses in patients with Von Hippel-Lindau disease.
Photodynamic Therapy for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Authors: Yamaguchi Satoshi , Tsuda Hiroshi , Takemori Masayuki , Nakata Shinich , Nishimura Sadako , Kawamura Naoki , Hanioka Keisuke , Inoue Takeshi , Nishimura Ryuichiro
Published: August 2005

Objectives: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive treatment for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). We report the effectiveness of PDT in 105 cases of CIN. Methods: All patients received photofrin (PHE) 2 mg/kg intravenously and, 48–60 h later, phototherapy was performed using the Excimer dye laser or a YAG-OPO laser with an irradiation dose of 100 J/cm2 using 630 nm wavelength. Results: Mild photosensitivity occurred in 48% (50/105) of patients. The complete response (CR) rate was 90% (94/105) at 3 months following treatment. In the remaining 11 patients, 5 patients had CIN1, 2 patients had CIN2, and 4 patients had mild cytologic findings. However, in 9 of these 11 patients, CR was achieved 6 months after PDT. In 69 patients, human papilloma virus (HPV) typing was performed before and after PDT therapy. Pre-treatment, 64 of 69 patients (93%), were HPV-positive including 30 cases of high-risk HPV (43%). Testing performed 3, 6 and 12 months following PDT revealed no HPV-DNA in 75% (52/69), 74% (48/65) and 72% (41/57) of patients. At present, the median follow-up period is 636 days (90–2,232 days). In 3 patients, recurrence requiring surgical treatment was identified at 646, 717 and 895 days after PDT. Conclusions: PDT is an effective and minimally invasive treatment for CIN, which also appears to eradicate HPV infection.
Effects of Vitamins E, A and D on MDA, GSH, NO Levels and SOD Activities in 5/6 Nephrectomized Rats
Authors: Kır Hale M. , Dillioglugil Meltem O. , Tugay Melih , Eraldemir Ceyla , Özdoğan Hacı Kahya
Published: August 2005

Background: Excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to the process of progressive renal injury in a variety of clinical and experimental renal diseases. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that treatment with vitamins decreases renal injury in chronic renal failure (CRF). Methods: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: group 1, control; group 2, 5/6 nephrectomy (CRF); other groups 5/6 nephrectomy and injected vitamins (E, A, D). After 8 weeks, urea, creatinine and renal tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined. Results: Renal tissue MDA levels were significantly lower in the control and Vit E groups compared to that of the CRF, Vit A and Vit D groups. GSH levels were significantly higher in the control group compared to that of other groups. However, GSH levels were significantly lower in the control group than those in the other groups. SOD activities of the control group were significantly higher than those in the other groups. SOD activities were significantly decreased in the Vit E group compared to the Vit A and Vit D groups. Tissue NO levels of control group were significantly increased compared to the other groups. Conclusion: According to this study, Vit E may at least in part prevent tissue injury by acting as a free radical scavenger.
HTLV-1 Tax transgenic mice develop spontaneous osteolytic bone metastases prevented by osteoclast inhibition
Authors: Gao Ling , Deng Hongju , Zhao Haibo , Hirbe Angela , Harding John , Ratner Lee , Weilbaecher Katherine
Published: August 2005

One in 20 carriers of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) will develop adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), a disease frequently associated with hypercalcemia, bone destruction, and a fatal course refractory to current therapies. Overexpression of the HTLV-1–encoded Tax oncoprotein under the human granzyme B promoter causes large granular lymphocytic leukemia/lymphomas in mice. We found that Tax+ mice spontaneously developed hypercalcemia, high-frequency osteolytic bone metastases, and enhanced osteoclast activity. We evaluated Tax tumors for the production of osteoclast-activating factors. Purification of Tax+ tumor cells and nonmalignant tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes demonstrated that each of these populations expressed transcripts for distinct osteoclast-activating factors. We then evaluated the effect of osteoclast inhibition on tumor formation. Mice doubly transgenic for Tax and the osteoclast inhibitory factor, osteoprotegerin, were protected from osteolytic bone disease and developed fewer soft-tissue tumors. Likewise, osteoclast inhibition with bone-targeted zoledronic acid protected Tax+ mice from bone and soft-tissue tumors and prolonged survival. Tax+ mice represent the first animal model of high-penetrance spontaneous osteolytic bone metastasis and underscore the critical role of nonmalignant host cells recruited by tumor cells in the process of cancer progression and metastasis.