bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
EELFS AND EXFAS ELECTRON SPECTROSCOPIES: A COMBINED STRUCTURAL INVESTIGATION
Authors: LOZZI L. , PASSACANTANDO M. , PICOZZI P. , SANTUCCI S. , DE CRESCENZI M.
Published: November 2004

Detailed extended oscillating features above the Cu M2,3VV Auger transition, recently named EXFAS (Extended Fine Auger Structure), and above the Cu M2,3 core edge, named EELFS (Electron Energy-Loss Fine Structure), on the polycrystalline Cu surface have been compared to assess the short-range nature of the EXFAS features. To obtain the structural information in terms of Debye-Waller factor, interatomic distance, anharmonic effects, backscattering amplitude, and phase-shift functions, the data analysis has been performed following the EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure) procedure. The intensity of the extended structures decreases strongly when the temperature increases. In both cases no difference, as a function of temperature, in the nearest-neighbor distance was observed but a sizeable increase of the Debye-Waller factor was observed. The Debye-Waller factor has been fitted, as a function of temperature, to obtain the Debye temperature. The main result shows that the EELFS spectroscopy mainly investigates the bulk properties because of the high mean free path of the analyzed electrons. On the contrary, the Debye-Waller factor obtained from the analysis on the EXFAS structures, which are due to the first 2–4 atomic layers, is greater than that obtained from the EELFS analysis because of the greater movement of the surface atoms with respect to the bulk atoms. The close analogy between the EELFS and EXFAS structural results confirms that the extended features above the Auger transition are dominated by a genuine autoionization effect rather than by a diffraction process and/or a density-of-state effects which modulate the background of the secondary emitted electrons. Our interpretation is confirmed by the complete lack of the extended Auger features in the electron yield spectrum, N(E), when a monochromatic X-ray source is used.
THE INFORMATION CONTENT OF PHOTOEMISSION SPECTROSCOPY AND SPECTROMICROSCOPY
Authors: MARGARITONDO G.
Published: November 2004

The potentially extractable information carried by photoelectron spectromicroscopy data is analyzed. The results are used into finding practical optimization rules for different types of photoemission spectroscopy, microscopy, and spectromicroscopy experiments.
AUTOWAVES ON CATALYST SURFACE CAUSED BY CARBON MONOXIDE OXIDATION KINETICS: IMITATION MODEL
Authors: VISHNEVSKII A.L. , LATKIN E.I. , ELOKHIN V.I.
Published: November 2004

We constructed and studied an imitation model of CO oxidation reaction on platinum metals. The model takes into account oxygen dissociative adsorption, monomolecular adsorption and desorption of carbon monoxide, active oxygen transformation into a less active oxygen of the second type, adsorbed CO reaction with the two types of oxygen, and CO diffusion over the surface. We found that adsorbate coverages and reaction rate undergo self-oscillations attended by the autowave behavior of adsorbates on the surface. With respect to oxygen partial pressures the interval of oscillations splits into three parts: nonregular relaxation oscillations, regular oscillations, and chaos, when the period and amplitude of adsorbate concentration oscillations change stochastically. The model shows that nonuniform distribution of the less active second type oxygen on the surface and the difference in the orders of reagents adsorption kinetics is the reason of oscillations. We suggest as well the reasons for the autowaves formation and development on the catalyst surface.
Cu(111) SURFACE RELAXATION BY VLEED
Authors: BARTOŠ I. , JAROŠ P. , BARBIERI A. , VAN HOVE M.A. , CHUNG W.F. , CAI Q. , ALTMAN M.S.
Published: November 2004

Very-low-energy electron diffraction (VLEED) intensities from a clean Cu (111) surface have been measured in detail in the energy range 15–100 eV by low-energy electron microscope (LEEM). This enabled the elimination of possible disturbances due to stray magnetic fields. Corresponding theoretical I–V curves have been obtained in good agreement with experimental data when an image-type surface barrier and anisotropy of the electron attenuation were taken into account. The reliability factor analysis indicates a slight expansion of the topmost interatomic spacing of Cu (111) relative to its bulk value.
RESONANCE EFFECTS OBSERVED IN THE INTERACTION OF LOW-ENERGY ELECTRONS AND INTRAMOLECULAR VIBRATIONS OF SOLID C70
Authors: YU L.-M. , HAN B.-Y. , HEVESI K. , RUDOLF P. , GENSTERBLUM G. , THIRY P.A. , PIREAUX J.-J. , CAUDANO R. , LAMBIN PH.
Published: November 2004

The intramolecular vibrations of a thick epitaxial C 70(111) film on GeS (001) have been measured by high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (HREELS). A negative-ion resonant behavior is observed in the energy dependence of the impact scattering differential cross sections. These resonances are described as electronic excitation associated shape resonances, which are coincident with the electron energy loss and free-electron capture experiments. Finally, the effect of charge transfer on the resonance behavior is discussed through the comparison of bulk spectra with those from an adsorbed monolayer of C 70 on Au (110).
XPS AND STM STUDY OF PHOTOSTIMULATED SURFACE TRANSFORMATIONS IN THIN CdTe FILMS
Authors: GURIN V.S. , ARTEMYEV M.V.
Published: November 2004

Photostimulated surface transformations of 10-nm CdTe film in air are studied by XPS and STM techniques. According to XPS data together with results of previous studies after UV laser-irradiation, formation of CdTeO 3 and TeO 2 phases was observed. STM images show the transformation of initially smooth CdTe film into the number of small hillocks, related to newly formed Cd particles.
SECOND-HARMONIC GENERATION OF THE SURFACE MAGNETOPLASMON ON THE LATERAL SURFACE OF THE SEMICONDUCTOR SUPERLATTICE BOUNDED BY A METAL
Authors: AZARENKOV N.A. , DENISENKO I.B. , OSTRIKOV K.N.
Published: November 2004

The resonant second-harmonic generation process of the surface magnetoplasma wave (SM) propagating across an external magnetic field on the lateral surface of the semiconductor superlattice bounded by a metal is studied. The lateral surface is perpendicular to the layers of the periodic structure and is parallel to the directions of the superlattice axis and the external magnetic field. The latter is assumed to quantize the electrodynamical properties of two-dimensional conducting layers of the semiconductor superlattice. The consideration is carried out in the approximation of the continuous anisotropic medium characterized by an effective dielectric tensor of the superlattice. The numerical estimates showing the efficiency of the second-harmonic generation are carried out for superlattices on the base of GaAs-AlGaAs heterostructures.
OSCILLATOR STRENGTHS OF INFRARED ACTIVE VIBRATIONS OF C70 DETERMINED BY HIGH-RESOLUTION ELECTRON ENERGY-LOSS SPECTROSCOPY
Authors: YU L.-M. , HEVESI K. , HAN B.-Y. , PIREAUX J.-J. , THIRY P.A. , CAUDANO R. , LAMBIN PH.
Published: November 2004

The intramolecular vibrations of a C 70 epitaxial film have been studied by high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (HREELS). The spectral response of infrared active vibrations has been separated from the specular spectra based on a detailed angular distribution analysis of the scattered electrons. With the help of the oscillator frequencies and the damping ratios determined by optical absorption measurements, the oscillator strengths of the C 70 dipole active modes between 400 and 1500 cm −1 are accurately determined by fitting the dipole contributions of the HREELS spectrum in the framework of the dielectric theory. Moreover, our experiment confirms that there are infrared active vibrations below 400 cm −1, which were predicted by molecular dynamical calculations for C 70.
NONADIABATIC TUNNELING AND FINITE SCREENING LENGTH EFFECTS IN THREE-LAYER STRUCTURES
Authors: GABOVICH A.M. , ROZENBAUM V.M. , VOITENKO A.I.
Published: November 2004

The image forces in M-I-M systems are calculated. For small interlayer thickness static image forces differ drastically from classical ones. Small dynamic corrections due to the nonadiabatic electrode polarization are also found for arbitrary thicknesses. The tunneling current is calculated in the small-thickness limit. It is shown that the current can be expressed in terms of the effective work function and electric field renormalized by the image forces. The results obtained give an insight into experimental data for semiconductor heterostructures and break junctions.
Effects of a long-term spaceflight on immunoglobulin heavy chains of the urodele amphibian Pleurodeles waltl
Authors: Boxio Rachel , Dournon Christian , Frippiat Jean-Pol
Published: November 2004

A variety of immune parameters are modified during and after a spaceflight. The effects of spaceflights on cellular immunity are well documented; however, little is known about the effects of these flights on humoral immunity. During the Genesis space experiment, two adult Pleurodeles waltl (urodele amphibian) stayed 5 mo onboard Mir and were subjected to oral immunization. Animals were killed 10 days after their return to earth. IgM and IgY heavy-chain transcripts in their spleens were quantified by Northern blotting. The use of the different VH families (coding for antibody heavy-chain variable domains) in IgM heavy chain transcripts was also analyzed. Results were compared with those obtained with ground control animals and animals reared in classical conditions in our animal facilities. We observed that, 10 days after the return on earth, the level of IgM heavy-chain transcription was normal but the level of IgY heavy-chain transcription was at least three times higher than in control animals. We also observed that the use of the different VH families in IgM heavy-chain transcripts was modified by the flight. These data suggest that the spaceflight affected the antibody response against the antigens contained in the food.
α-Adrenergic-mediated activation of human reconstituted fibrinogen receptor (integrin αIIbβ3) in Chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Butta Nora , Larrucea Susana , Gonzalez-Manchon Consuelo , Alonso Sonia , Parrilla Roberto
Published: November 2004

This work reports the functional studies of CHO cells coexpressing α-adrenergic (αAR) and human fibrinogen (Fg) receptors (integrin αIIbβ3). Stimulation of these cells with α-agonists produced a transient rise in the free cytosolic calcium (Ca++) accompanied by enhanced binding to soluble Fg, and these effects were prevented by specific αAR antagonists. The αadrenergic-induced activation of αIIbβ3 in CHO-αIIbβ3-αAR increased the rate of adhesion and extension of cells onto Fg coated plates, and also induced a soluble Fgand αIIbβ3-dependent formation of cell aggregates, whereas no effects were observed by the stimulation of CHO-αIIbβ3 cells. α-Adrenergic antagonists, the ligand mimetic peptide RGDS, pertussis toxin (PTX), or EDTA, they all prevented the α-adrenergic stimulation of adhesion and aggregation. However, inhibition of PKC prevented the α-adrenergic stimulation of cell adherence, whereas blocking the intracellular Ca++ mobilization impeded the stimulation of cell aggregation. The α-adrenergic activation was associated with phosphorylation of a protein of ∼100 kDa and proteins of the MAPK family. The former was selectively phosphorylated by α-adrenergic stimulation whereas the latter were phosphorylated by the binding of cells to Fg and markedly intensified by α-adrenergic stimulation.
Platelet deposition on stainless steel, spiral, and braided polylactide stents
Authors: Maasilta Paula , Juuti Hanne , Nuutinen Juha-Pekka , Harjula Ari , Salminen Ulla-Stina , Lassila Riitta , Hietala Eeva-Maija
Published: November 2004

Platelets play a key role in (sub)acute thrombotic occlusion after stenting. We examined the possible differences between biodegradable polylactide (PLA) and stainless steel (SS) stents in platelet attachment and morphology after whole blood perfusion. PLA stents of different configurations (spiral/braided) and polycaprolactone-polylactide (PCL-PLA)-coatings, or SS stents were implanted into a PVC tube (Ø 3.2 mm), with or without precoating of the tube with type-I collagen. PPACK (30 µM)-anticoagulated blood with 3H-serotonin prelabeled platelets was perfused (flow rate: 30 ml/min, 90 s) over the stents. Platelet deposition was assessed by scintillation counting and morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To examine coagulation activation, plasma prothrombin fragments (F1+2) were measured before and after the perfusion. Protein deposition on PLA/SS stents was assessed at augmented shear forces mimicking coronary flow (rate: 60 ml/min, 60 s) under minimal anticoagulation (PPACK 1 µM). More platelets deposited on PLA stents than on SS stents under all study conditions (p <0.03). Under anticoagulation (PPACK 30 µM) the generation of F1+2 remained unaltered. Under higher flow rate and limited anticoagulation SS stents accumulated 3.27 ± 0.75 µg and PLA stents 5.25 ± 1.74 µg of protein (Mean ± SD, p <0.95). Among all biodegradable stents, the braided PLA stent coated with PCL-PLA-heparin accumulated the fewest platelets (p <0.02). In SEM, signs of platelet activation on braided heparin-coated PLA stents, when compared with uncoated braided PLA/SS stents, appeared modest. In conclusion, PCL-PLAheparin coating of biodegradable stents may enhance their hemocompatibility, expressed by less platelet deposition. Nevertheless, materials, design, and coating techniques of biodegradable stents must be further developed.
Inhibition of the endothelial cell activation by antithrombin in vitro
Authors: Uchiba Mitsuhiro , Kaun Christoph , Wojta Johann , Binder Bernd , Okajima Kenji
Published: November 2004

We examined whether antithrombin (AT) inhibits tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced endothelial cell activation to elucidate molecular mechanism(s) of the anti-inflammatory activity of AT. AT inhibited the increase in E-selectin expression in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with TNF-α. In contrast, chemically modified AT that lacks affinity for heparin did not. AT inhibited the TNF-αinduced interaction of NF-κB p65 with p300, a homologue of cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP). AT increased both intracellular levels of cAMP and binding of phosphorylated-CREB to DNA in HUVECs. Forskolin showed the inhibitory effect similar to that of AT and pretreatment of HUVECs with KT-5720, an inhibitor of protein kinase A, reversed the inhibitory effect of AT. These observations suggested that AT inhibited the TNF-α-induced increase in E-selectin expression in HUVECs by inhibiting the interaction of NF-κB with CBP/p300 through cAMP-dependent protein kinase A-induced CREB activation. This inhibitory activity of AT might depend on its binding to heparin-like substances on the endothelial cell. Such an inhibitory effect of AT on TNF-α-induced endothelial cell activation might at least partly contribute to its anti-inflammatory activity.
The indazole derivative YD-3 inhibits thrombin-induced vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and attenuates intimal thickening after balloon injury
Authors: Guh Jih-Hwa , Liu Yi-Nan , Chang Ya-Ling , Kuo Sheng-Chu , Lee Fang-Yu , Peng Chieh-Yu , Pan Shiow-Lin , Teng Che-Ming
Published: November 2004

Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is postulated to be one of the key events in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and restenosis. We investigated whether YD-3, a lowmolecular weight, non-peptide compound, could modulate proliferation of VSMCs in vitro and restenosis after balloon angioplasty in vivo. We examined the effect of YD-3 on thrombininduced VSMC proliferation by [3H]thymidine incorporation assay. The data demonstrated that YD-3 inhibited VSMC proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. To define the mechanisms of YD-3 action, we found that YD-3 showed a profound inhibition on thrombin-induced Ras and ERK1/2 activities by using Western blotting analysis. Furthermore, oral administration of YD-3 exhibited a marked reduction in neointimal thickness using the carotid injury model in rats. Using immunochemical detection, our experiments also revealed that YD-3 significantly suppressed expression of the PAR-1 receptor, and markedly inhibited PAR-1-activating peptide (SFLLRN)-induced VSMC proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that YD-3 inhibits thrombin-induced VSMC growth via the Rasand ERK1/2-mediated signaling pathway. Moreover, YD-3 also shows a developmental potential in the treatment of atherosclerosis and restenosis after vascular injury.
Gradually glycosylated protein C mutants (Arg178Gln and Cys331Arg) are degraded by proteasome after mannose trimming
Authors: Nakahara Masako , Nakazawa Fumie , Nishio Miwako , Shibamiya Aya , Hirosawa Shinsaku , Koyama Takatoshi
Published: November 2004

Proteins that fail to attain their correct three-dimensional structure are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and eventually degraded within the cells. We investigated the degradation of mutant proteins, using naturally occurring protein C (PC) mutants (Arg178Gln and Cys331Arg) which lead to congenital deficiencies. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were transfected with normal or mutant expression vectors. The introduction of mutation at Asn329 of an unusual sequence Asn-X-Cys for N-linked glycosylation revealed that the mutation at Cys331, which may preclude a formation of disulfide bond with Cys345, resulted in no addition of N-linked oligosaccharides at Asn329. PC mutants with 4 glycosylation sites were gradually glycosylated in the ER, and the fourth glycosylation site is less accessible for glycosylation as reported for PC in plasma.The half lives of PC178 and PC331 mutants were about 5 and 4 h, respectively. PC mutants were degraded, but the degradation was inhibited by inhibitors for proteasome. Mannose trimming of N-linked oligosaccharides after glucose removal targeted PC mutants for degradation by proteasomes. And also the inhibition of glucose trimming immediately led to mannose trimming, resulting in the accelerated degradation of PC mutants. These degradations were inhibited by mannosidase I inhibitor, kifunensine. These results indicate that the initiation of mannose trimming by mannosidase I leads to the proteasomemediated degradation of glucose-trimmed or untrimmed PC mutants.
Itch and skin rash from chocolate during fluoxetine and sertraline treatment: Case report
Authors: Cederberg Jonas , Knight Stefan , Svenson Svante , Melhus Håkan
Published: November 2004

Background

The skin contains a system for producing serotonin as well as serotonin receptors. Serotonin can also cause pruritus when injected into the skin. SSRI-drugs increase serotonin concentrations and are known to have pruritus and other dermal side effects.

Case presentation

A 46-year-old man consulted his doctor due to symptoms of depression. He did not suffer from any allergy but drinking red wine caused vasomotor rhinitis. Antidepressive treatment with fluoxetine 20 mg daily was initiated which was successful. After three weeks of treatment an itching rash appeared. An adverse drug reaction (ADR) induced by fluoxetine was suspected and fluoxetine treatment was discontinued. The symptoms disappeared with clemastine and betametasone treatment. Since the depressive symptoms returned sertraline medication was initiated. After approximately two weeks of sertraline treatment he noted an intense itching sensation in his scalp after eating a piece of chocolate cake. The itch spread to the arms, abdomen and legs and the patient treated himself with clemastine and the itch disappeared. He now realised that he had eaten a chocolate cake before this episode and remembered that before the first episode he had had a chocolate mousse dessert. He had never had any reaction from eating chocolate before and therefore reported this observation to his doctor.

Conclusions

This case report suggests that there may be individuals that are very sensitive to increases in serotonin concentrations. Dermal side reactions to SSRI-drugs in these patients may be due to high activity in the serotonergic system at the dermal and epidermo-dermal junctional area rather than a hypersensitivity to the drug molecule itself.
Allergic conditions and risk of hematological malignancies in adults: a cohort study
Authors: Söderberg Karin C , Hagmar Lars , Schwartzbaum Judith , Feychting Maria
Published: November 2004

Background

Two contradictory hypotheses have been proposed to explain the relationship between allergic conditions and malignancies, the immune surveillance hypothesis and the antigenic stimulation hypothesis. The former advocates that allergic conditions may be protective against development of cancer, whereas the latter proposes an increased risk. This relationship has been studied in several case-control studies, but only in a few cohort studies.

Methods

The association between allergic conditions and risk of developing leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and myeloma was investigated in a cohort of 16,539 Swedish twins born 1886–1925. Prospectively collected, self-reported information about allergic conditions such as asthma, hay fever or eczema was obtained through questionnaires administered in 1967. The cohort was followed 1969–99 and cancer incidence was ascertained from the Swedish Cancer Registry.

Results

Hives and asthma tended to increase the risk of leukemia (relative risk [RR] = 2.1, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.0–4.5 and RR = 1.6, 95% CI 0.8–3.5, respectively). There was also an indication of an increased risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma associated with eczema during childhood (RR = 2.3, 95% CI 1.0–5.3).

Conclusion

In contrast to most previous studies, our results do not indicate a protective effect of allergic conditions on the risk of developing hematological malignancies. Rather, they suggest that allergic conditions might increase the risk of some hematological malignancies.
Alteration of T cell immunity by lentiviral transduction of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells
Authors: Chen Xiaochuan , He Jin , Chang Lung-Ji
Published: November 2004

Background

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen-presenting cells that play important roles during human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection. HIV-1 derived lentiviral vectors (LVs) transduce DCs at high efficiency but their effects on DC functions have not been carefully studied. Modification of DCs using LVs may lead to important applications in transplantation, treatment of cancer, autoimmune and infectious diseases.

Results

Using DCs prepared from multiple blood donors, we report that LV transduction of DCs resulted in altered DC phenotypes and functions. Lentiviral transduction of DCs resulted in down-regulation of cell surface molecules including CD1a, co-stimulatory molecules CD80, CD86, ICAM-1, and DC-SIGN. DCs transduced with LVs displayed a diminished capacity to polarize naive T cells to differentiate into Th1 effectors. This impaired Th1 response could be fully corrected by co-transduction of DCs with LVs encoding interleukin-12 (IL-12), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), or small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting IL-10.

Conclusions

DCs transduced with LVs in vitro displayed diminished Th1 functions due to altered DC phenotypes. Our study addresses an important issue concerning lentiviral infection and modification of DC functions, and provides a rational approach using LVs for immunotherapy.
Effect of Cetyldimethylbetaine Molecules on Agglomeration and Growth of Ice
Authors: Modak Poly R , Usui Hiromoto , Suzuki Hiroshi , Inada Takaaki
Published: November 2004

Certain surfactants with suitable brine, such as cetyldimethylbetaine with sorbitol, can inhibit agglomeration of ice particles and thus help disperse ice particles in ice/water slurries, and simultaneously reduce the drag of the slurry in pipes. In this study, the amount of cetyldimethylbetaine (surfactant) molecules remaining in the liquid phase of ice/water slurries was measured, and on the basis of these measurements, models explaining how cetyldimethylbetaine molecules affect ice to inhibit agglomeration of ice particles were proposed.
A cloud scheme for data assimilation: Description and initial tests
Authors: Tompkins A. M. , Janisková M.
Published: November 2004

A new cloud scheme has been developed specifically for the purposes of variational data assimilation, a task complicated by the inherent nonlinearity of many cloud processes. The aim was to retain the most important features of the ECMWF nonlinear cloud scheme, while removing much of the complexity and as many of the discrete transitions as possible. The scheme thus retains a simplified link to convective detrainment, and uses a similar formulation for the production of precipitation. A flexible statistical cloud scheme approach is used, where the diagnosis of stratiform cloud fraction and condensate amount depend on assumptions concerning subgrid‐scale fluctuations. A novel aspect of the new scheme is the treatment of precipitation evaporation that specifically takes this subgrid distribution of humidity variability into account.

The scheme is tested by comparing physical tendencies of thermodynamical quantities, calculated for a series of input temperature and humidity profiles, to those produced by the complex prognostic cloud scheme used in the forecast model. Additionally, a series of model integrations are performed, with the full prognostic scheme used in operational forecasts replaced by the new scheme described here. In both cases, using the prognostic scheme as a metric, the new scheme improves on the current assimilation cloud scheme for many attributes such as cloud cover and ice water content, both in the tropics and midlatitudes. In particular the new diagnostic scheme addresses the overriding weakness of the current diagnostic scheme which produces almost no precipitation in the tropics.

Tangent‐linear (TL) and adjoint versions of the new scheme have been constructed and it is demonstrated that the scheme can successfully and robustly perform TL integrations for a 12‐hour window, and significantly improves the TL approximation of the simplified linearized model to finite difference calculations using the full nonlinear forecast model. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society
Is epidural anaesthesia acceptable at total hip arthroplasty?
Authors: Macdowell A. D. , Robinson A. H. N. , Hill D. J. , Villar R. N.
Published: November 2004

Epidural anaesthesia, with and without opiate, is widely used in total hip arthroplasty (THA). It may cause urinary retention, leading to catheterisation, and a subsequent increase in the likelihood of deep infection. We investigated prospectively the rate of urinary catheterisation in patients after THA performed under general anaesthesia, with or without peri-operative fentanyl and bupivacaine opiate epidural anaesthesia.

Of 173 patients, 75 received general anaesthesia alone and 98 both general and epidural management. The post-operative rate of catheterisation was 14.7% in those who received general anaesthesia alone and 13.3% in those who received both.

Our findings suggest that the rate of post-operative urinary catheterisation does not increase when general anaesthesia is supplemented by epidural anaesthesia using fentanyl and bupivicaine.
Surgical treatment of post-traumatic stiffness of the elbow
Authors: Park M. J. , Kim H. G. , Lee J. Y.
Published: November 2004

Surgical release of the elbow was performed in 27 patients with post-traumatic stiffness at a mean of 14.5 months after the initial injury. The outcome was related to whether there had been heterotopic ossification, which had occurred in 18 elbows and to whether, if there had been a fracture, it had involved the articular surface, which had occurred in 13 elbows. The final range of movement and the ratio of desired gain in each group were compared at a mean follow-up period of 22.5 months (12 to 43).

The arc of movement of the elbow improved in all patients after the operation. The mean final arc was 110° in those with heterotopic ossification and 86° in those without (p = 0.001). The ratios of desired gain were significantly higher in patients with heterotopic ossification (88.2% vs 54.9%; p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in relation to involvement of the articular surface. Careful assessment of the cause of stiffness is important in order to achieve a satisfactory result from surgery for post-traumatic stiffness of the elbow.
Hydrogenation of unsaturated rubbers using diimide as a reducing agent
Authors: Samran J. , Phinyocheep P. , Daniel P. , Kittipoom S.
Published: November 2004

The hydrogenation of natural rubber (NR) and various epoxidized natural rubbers (ENR) was investigated by using diimide generated in situ from the thermal decomposition of p‐toluenesulfonylhydrazide (TSH) in o‐xylene solution at 135°C. 1H‐NMR analysis indicated that approximately 85–95% of hydrogenation was performed with a twofold excess of TSH. FT‐IR and Raman spectroscopy were employed to confirm the microstructure characteristics of the hydrogenated rubbers. The cis–trans isomerization was also observed by 1H‐ and 13C‐NMR. The signal in 1H‐NMR of the epoxide group of the ENR disappears after hydrogenation while the signal of the opened epoxide ring product was detected. This may be due to the epoxide ring opening reaction caused by the p‐toluenesulfinic acid by‐product. The high temperature of the reaction condition leads to chain degradation in both NR and ENR. Thermal behaviors of the hydrogenated rubbers characterized by differential scanning calorimetry showed that the glass transition temperatures of the hydrogenated rubbers were increased about 10–20°C compared with the starting rubbers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 16–27, 2005
Dynamically vulcanized blends of oil‐resistant elastomers with HNBR
Authors: Severe Geralda , White James L.
Published: November 2004

Dynamic vulcanizates were produced from hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) and three different oil‐resistant elastomers. These are polychloroprene (CR), expoxidized natural rubber (EIR), and carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR). These elastomers are dispersed and crosslinked during mixing with HNBR. These dynamic vulcanizates all have an HNBR continuous phase. The HNBR matrix is subsequently crosslinked. Stress–strain measurements in tension and tear resistance were measured on the crosslinked dynamic vulcanizates as well as on cured HNBR, CR, EIR, and XNBR. Measurements were also made following hot air and oil aging. Following aging, the dynamic vulcanizates retain a significant amount of their properties due to the presence of the HNBR matrix. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 95: 2–5, 2005
A probabilistic similarity metric for Medline records: A model for author name disambiguation
Authors: Torvik Vetle I. , Weeber Marc , Swanson Don R. , Smalheiser Neil R.
Published: November 2004

We present a model for estimating the probability that a pair of author names (sharing last name and first initial), appearing on two different Medline articles, refer to the same individual. The model uses a simple yet powerful similarity profile between a pair of articles, based on title, journal name, coauthor names, medical subject headings (MeSH), language, affiliation, and name attributes (prevalence in the literature, middle initial, and suffix). The similarity profile distribution is computed from reference sets consisting of pairs of articles containing almost exclusively author matches versus nonmatches, generated in an unbiased manner. Although the match set is generated automatically and might contain a small proportion of nonmatches, the model is quite robust against contamination with nonmatches. We have created a free, public service (“Author‐ity”: http://arrowsmith.psych.uic.edu) that takes as input an author's name given on a specific article, and gives as output a list of all articles with that (last name, first initial) ranked by decreasing similarity, with match probability indicated.
A molecular dynamics study of acylphosphatase in aggregation‐promoting conditions: The influence of trifluoroethanol/water solvent
Authors: Flöck Dagmar , Daidone Isabella , Di Nola Alfredo
Published: November 2004

The 98‐residue protein acylphosphatase exhibits a high propensity for aggregation under certain conditions. Aggregates formed from wild‐type acylphosphatase in the presence of 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol and from highly destabilized mutants are essentially identical in structure. Furthermore, it has been shown by mutational studies that different regions of the protein are important for aggregation and folding. In the present molecular dynamics study, we compare the behavior of the protein in aqueous solution and in a 25 % (v/v) 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol/water environment mimicking the experimental conditions. The 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol surrounding affects the structure of the protein mostly in the regions important for aggregation, in good agreement with experimental data. This suggests that the early step of (partly) unfolding, which precedes the aggregation process, has been observed. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers, 2004
Ultrafine hydrogel fibers with dual temperature‐ and pH‐responsive swelling behaviors
Authors: Chen Hong , Hsieh You‐Lo
Published: November 2004

Ultrafine hydrogel fibers that were responsive to both temperature and pH signals were prepared through the electrospinning of poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and poly(acrylic acid) mixtures in dimethylformamide. Both the diameters (700 nm to 1.2 μm) and packing of the fibers could be controlled through changes in the polymer compositions and PNIPAAm molecular weights. These fibers were rendered water‐insoluble by the addition of either Na2HPO4 or poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to the solution, followed by the heat curing of the fibers. The fibers crosslinked with Na2HPO4 swelled to 30–120 times in water; this was significantly higher than the swelling of those crosslinked with PVA. The PVA‐crosslinked hydrogel fibers, however, exhibited faster swelling kinetics; that is, they reached equilibrium swelling in less than 5 min at 25 °C. They were also more stable after 1 week of water exposure; that is, they lost less mass and retained their fibrous form better. All the hydrogel fibers showed a drastic increase in the swelling between pH 4 and 5. The PVA‐crosslinked hydrogel fibers exhibited distinct temperature‐responsive phase‐transition behavior of PNIPAAm, whereas the Na2HPO4‐crosslinked hydrogel fibers showed altered two‐stage phase transitions that reflected side‐chain modification of PNIPAAm. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 6331–6339, 2004
Mode of delivery for vertex–nonvertex twin gestations
Authors: Usta I.M. , Rechdan J.B. , Khalil A.M. , Nassar A.H.
Published: November 2004

Objective

To compare the neonatal outcome of vaginally delivered (VD) to that of abdominally delivered (CS) vertex–nonvertex (Vx/NVx) twins.

Methods

Vx/NVx live nonanomalous twin gestations ≥25 weeks delivered from 1984 to 2000 were divided into two groups: VD (N=138), and CS (N=79). The outcome of the second twin was compared.

Results

The vaginal delivery rate for the Vx/NVx twins was 63.6%. The median Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min, respectively, were significantly lower in VD [7 (0–9) and 9 (1–10)] compared to CS [8 (2–10) and 9 (2–10)]. The neonatal mortality was also higher in VD (109/1000 vs. 38/1000, p=0.040). Differences in the 1‐min Apgar scores persisted when infants <1500 g were excluded. All other neonatal outcome variables studied including respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, intraventricular hemorrhage, trauma, seizures, and length of nursery stay were similar. On logistic regression analysis, vaginal delivery of Vx/NVx twins marginally increased low 5‐min Apgar scores and neonatal deaths.

Conclusion

Vaginal delivery in vertex–nonvertex twins was achieved in 63.6% of cases at the expense of a higher incidence of low 1‐ and 5‐min Apgar scores and neonatal death.
Tocolysis in term breech external cephalic version
Authors: Nor Azlin M.I. , Haliza H. , Mahdy Z.A. , Anson I. , Fahya M.N. , Jamil M.A.
Published: November 2004

Objectives

To study the effect of ritodrine tocolysis on the success of external cephalic version (ECV) and to assess the role of ECV in breech presentation at our centre.

Material and methods

A prospective randomized double‐blind‐controlled trial comparing ritodrine and placebo in ECV of singleton term breech pregnancy at a tertiary hospital.

Results

Among the 60 patients who were recruited, there was a success rate of 36.7%. Ritodrine tocolysis significantly improved the success rate of ECV (50% vs. 23%; P=0.032). There was a marked effect of ritodrine tocolysis on the ECV success in nulliparae (36.4% vs. 13.0%) and multiparae (87.5% vs. 57.1%). External cephalic version has shown to reduce the rate of cesarean section for breech presentation by 33.5% in our unit.

Conclusion

External cephalic version significantly reduced the rate of cesarean section in breech presentation, and ritodrine tocolysis improved the success of ECV and should be offered to both nulliparous and parous women in the case of term breech presentation.
A view from below: industrial re-structuring and women’s employment at four Russian enterprises☆
Authors: Clark Carol L. , Sacks Michael P.
Published: November 2004

The labor market in Russia has changed significantly during the last decade. This transformation has resulted in notable changes in employment and unemployment patterns, and in labor mobility, flexibility and insecurity. One critical question is whether these changes signal important differences in labor market outcomes by gender. The approach taken here is to focus on the Russian industrial enterprise. In our study, we find that women experience different internal labor market opportunities and external job prospects than men and those differences in experience are reflected in the actual hiring practices at our firms, with men substituting for women, and women finding it particularly difficult to negotiate the increasingly closed labor market in Russia. At the same time important differences persist among women, differences that do not exist for men.
Estrogen prevents bone loss through transforming growth factor β signaling in T cells
Authors: Gao Yuhao , Qian Wei-Ping , Dark Kimberly , Toraldo Gianluca , Lin Angela S. P. , Guldberg Robert E. , Flavell Richard A. , Weitzmann M. Neale , Pacifici Roberto
Published: November 2004

Estrogen (E) deficiency leads to an expansion of the pool of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-producing T cells through an IFN-γ-dependent pathway that results in increased levels of the osteoclastogenic cytokine TNF in the bone marrow. Disregulated IFN-γ production is instrumental for the bone loss induced by ovariectomy (ovx), but the responsible mechanism is unknown. We now show that mice with T cell-specific blockade of type β transforming growth factor (TGFβ) signaling are completely insensitive to the bone-sparing effect of E. This phenotype results from a failure of E to repress IFN-γ production, which, in turn, leads to increased T cell activation and T cell TNF production. Furthermore, ovx blunts TGFβ levels in the bone marrow, and overexpression of TGFβin vivoprevents ovx-induced bone loss. These findings demonstrate that E prevents bone loss through a TGFβ-dependent mechanism, and that TGFβ signaling in T cells preserves bone homeostasis by blunting T cell activation. Thus, stimulation of TGFβ production in the bone marrow is a critical “upstream” mechanism by which E prevents bone loss, and enhancement of TGFβ levelsin vivomay constitute a previously undescribed therapeutic approach for preventing bone loss.
The SBW–MATLAB interface
Authors: Wellock Cameron , Chickarmane Vijay , Sauro Herbert M.
Published: November 2004

Summary: The SBW–MATLAB Interface allows MATLAB users to take advantage of the wide variety of tools available through SBW, the Systems Biology Workbench (Sauro et al. (2003) OMICS, 7, 355–372). It also enables MATLAB users to themselves create SBW-enabled tools which can be freely distributed.

Availability: The software is available for download from the author's web page at http://www.public.kgi.edu/~cwellock/. Source code is available as well; the software is released under an MIT (open-source) license.

Contact:  cwellock@kgi.edu
FGF-10 inducesSP-CandBmp4and regulates proximal-distal patterning in embryonic tracheal epithelium
Authors: Hyatt Brian A. , Shangguan Xiaofei , Shannon John M.
Published: November 2004

The induction, growth, and differentiation of epithelial lung buds are regulated by the interaction of signals between the lung epithelium and its surrounding mesenchyme. Fibroblast growth factor-10 (FGF-10), which is expressed in the mesenchyme near the distal tips, and bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), which is expressed in the most distal regions of the epithelium, are important molecules in lung morphogenesis. In the present study, we used two in vitro systems to examine the induction, growth, and differentiation of lung epithelium. Transfilter cultures were used to determine the effect of diffusible factors from the distal lung mesenchyme (LgM) on epithelial branching, and FGF-10 bead cultures were used to ascertain the effect of a high local concentration of a single diffusible molecule on the epithelium. Embryonic tracheal epithelium (TrE) was induced to grow in both culture systems and to express the distal epithelial marker surfactant protein C at the tips nearest the diffusible protein source. TrE cultured on the opposite side of a filter to LgM branched in a pattern resembling intact lungs, whereas TrE cultured in apposition to an FGF-10 bead resembled a single elongating epithelial bud. Examination of the role of BMP4 on lung bud morphogenesis revealed that BMP4 signaling suppressed expression of the proximal epithelial genes Ccsp and Foxj1 in both types of culture and upregulated the expression of Sprouty 2 in TrE cultured with an FGF-10 bead. Antagonizing BMP signaling with Noggin, however, increased expression of both Ccsp and Foxj1.
Decreased expression of uteroglobin-related protein 1 in inflamed mouse airways is mediated by IL-9
Authors: Chiba Yoshihiko , Kusakabe Takashi , Kimura Shioko
Published: November 2004

Uteroglobin-related protein 1 (UGRP1) is a secretory protein, highly expressed in epithelial cells of airways. Although an involvement of UGRP1 in the pathogenesis of asthma has been suggested, its function in airways remains unclear. In the present study, a relationship between airway inflammation, UGRP1 expression, and interleukin-9 (IL-9), an asthma candidate gene, was evaluated by using a murine model of allergic bronchial asthma. A severe airway inflammation accompanied by airway eosinophilia and elevation of IL-9 in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids was observed after ovalbumin (OVA) challenge to OVA-sensitized mice. In this animal model of airway inflammation, lung Ugrp1 mRNA expression was greatly decreased compared with control mice. A significant inverse correlation between lung Ugrp1 mRNA levels and IL-9 levels in BAL fluid was demonstrated by regression analysis ( r = 0.616, P = 0.023). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a distinct localization of UGRP1 in airway epithelial cells of control mice, whereas UGRP1 staining was patchy and faint in inflamed airways. Intranasal administration of IL-9 to naive mice decreased the level of Ugrp1 expression in lungs. These findings suggest that UGRP1 is downregulated in inflamed airways, such as allergic asthmatics, and IL-9 might be an important mediator for modulating UGRP1 expression.
Integrated control of lung fluid balance
Authors: Mehta Dolly , Bhattacharya Jahar , Matthay Michael A. , Malik Asrar B.
Published: November 2004

This review summarizes the highlights of the EB2004 symposium that dealt with the integrated aspects of the lung fluid balance. It is apparent that maintenance of lung fluid balance requires the proper functioning of vascular endothelial and alveolar epithelial barriers. Under physiological conditions, the transcytotic pathway requiring repeated fission-fusion events of the caveolar membrane with other caveolae solely transports albumin. Caveolin-1, which forms caveolae, and albumin-binding proteins play a central role in signaling the transcytosis of albumin. Signals responsible for increasing endothelial permeability in lung microvessels in response to inflammatory mediators were also described. These studies in gene knockout mouse models revealed the importance of Ca2+signaling via store-operated transient receptor channel 4 and the activation of endothelial myosin light chain kinase isoform in mediating the increase in microvessel permeability. Increases in the cytosolic Ca2+in situ in microvessel endothelia can occur by mitochondria-dependent as well as mitochondria-independent pathways (such as the endoplasmic reticulum). Both these pathways, by triggering endothelial cell activation, may result in lung microvascular injury. The resolution of alveolar edema, requiring clearance of fluid from the air space, is another area of intense investigation in animal models. Although β-adrenergic agonists can activate alveolar fluid clearance, signaling pathways regulating these events in intact alveoli remain to be established. Development of mouse models in which the function of regulatory proteins (identified in cell culture studies) can be systematically analyzed will provide a better and more integrated picture of lung fluid balance. In vivo veritas!
20-HETE-mediated vasoconstriction by hemoglobin-O2carrier in Sprague-Dawley but not Wistar rats
Authors: Baines Andrew D. , Ho Patrick
Published: November 2004

Hypothetically either decreased nitric oxide (NO) or increased O2could initiate 20-HETE-mediated vasoconstriction associated with hemoglobin-based blood substitutes (HBOC). To test this hypothesis, we infused Tm-Hb, an HBOC with low O2affinity, into isoflurane-anesthetized Wistar (W) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats after exchanging 20% of their blood with Ringer lactate. For comparison we infused an equal amount of BSA or BSA with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (BSA+NAME). Tm-Hb increased blood pressure (BP) and renal vascular resistance (RVR) equally in W and SD rats. Renal blood flow (RBF; Doppler ultrasound) decreased. BSA decreased RVR and raised glomerular filtration rate. BSA+NAME raised BP, RVR, and GFR. HET0016, an inhibitor of 20-HETE production, blunted BP and RVR responses to Tm-Hb and BSA+NAME in SD but not W rats. Arterial O2content with BSA was lower than with Tm-Hb but O2delivery was 60% higher with BSA because of higher RBF. BSA raised Po2(Oxylite) in cortex and medulla and reduced RVR. Tm-Hb decreased Po2and increased RVR. Switching rats from breathing air to 100% O2raised intrarenal Po2two- to threefold and increased BP and RVR. HET0016 did not alter hyperoxic responses. In conclusion, 20-HETE contributes to vasoconstriction by Tm-Hb in SD but not in W rats, and increased 20-HETE activity results primarily from decreased NO.