bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LightCycler®‐based quantitative real‐time PCR monitoring of patients with follicular lymphoma receiving rituximab in combination with conventional or high‐dose cytotoxic chemotherapy
Authors: Martin Simona , Fischer Christian , Free Maren , Kurreck Baerbel , Stockinger Hubertus , Fenk Roland , Arnold Carolin , Kliszewski Slawomir , Meckenstock Gerald , Haas Rainer , Kronenwett Ralf
Published: March 2005

Abstract:  Objectives: Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is a suitable method to measure residual disease in hematological malignancies. Our objective was to assess a LightCycler®‐based qPCR for t(14;18)(q32;q21)(IgH/bcl‐2)‐positive cells quantification in the context of clinical and morphopathological characteristics of patients with follicular lymphoma treated with rituximab (R) in combination with conventional or high‐dose chemotherapy. Methods: A total of 270 bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) samples collected from 52 patients with follicular lymphoma at diagnosis or at relapse before or sequentially during therapy were examined by qPCR and nested‐PCR. Results: A greater amount of t(14;18)‐positive cells was observed in BM in comparison with PB in 76% of paired samples. The presence and number of t(14;18)‐positive cells in BM and PB correlated with lymphoma activity. Significantly higher numbers of lymphoma cells were found in patients under non‐remission compared with patients in clinical remission. During non‐remission, 10‐fold higher numbers were measured at relapse than at diagnosis. During remission, significantly higher levels were found in partial compared with complete remission. During first‐line therapy, R/cyclophosphamide/adriamycin/vincristine/prednisone (CHOP) had higher in vivo purging ability than R/fludarabine/mitoxantrone (FM). After R/high‐dose cytosine‐arabinoside and mitoxantrone (HAM) or R/carmustine/etoposide/cytarabine/melphalan (BEAM), the level of t(14;18)‐positive cells dropped below the detection limit in 80% of patients. Conclusions: LightCycler® qPCR is a reliable method for quantitative molecular monitoring of t(14;18)‐positive cells in BM and PB of patients with follicular lymphoma. It reflects the clinical characteristics of patients and allows assessment of response to different treatment regimens on a molecular level.
Identification and Assessing the Cultivars of Laminaria Lamx. (Phaeophyceae) with Molecular Markers
Authors: SHI Cui‐Juan , HU Zi‐Min , HE Ying‐Jun , ZOU Yu‐Ping , ZHANG Da‐Ming , DUAN De‐Lin
Published: March 2005

Abstract: Molecular markers were used to identify and assess cultivars of Laminaria Lamx. and to delineate their phylogenetic relationships. Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used for detection. After screening, 11 primers were selected and they yielded 133 bands in all, of which approximately 99.2% were polymorphic. The genetic distances between gametophytes ranged from 0.412 to 0.956. Two clusters were formed with the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) dendrogram based on the simple matching coefficient. All cultivars of Laminaria japonica Aresch. used for breeding in China fell into one cluster. L. japonica from Japan, L. saccharina (L.) Lam., and L. angustata Kjellm. formed the other cluster and showed higher genetic variation than L. japonica from China. Nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences, including internal transcribed spacers (ITS 1 and ITS2) were studied and aligned. The nucleotides of the sequences ranged from 634 to 668, with a total of 692 positions including ITS1, ITS2, and the 5.8S coding region. The phylogenetic tree obtained by the neighbor‐joining method favored, to some extent, the results revealed by RAPD analysis. The present study indicates that RAPD and ITS analyses could be used to identify and assess Laminaria germplasm and to distinguish some species and, even intraspecies, in Laminaria.

(Managing editor: Ya‐Qin HAN)
Changes in Root Hydraulic Conductivity During Wheat Evolution
Authors: ZHAO Chang‐Xing , DENG Xi‐Ping , SHAN Lun , STEUDLE Ernst , ZHANG Sui‐Qi , YE Qing
Published: March 2005

Abstract: A better understanding of the mechanisms of water uptake by plant roots should be vital for improving drought resistance and water use efficiency (WUE). In the present study, we have demonstrated correlations between root system hydraulic conductivity and root characteristics during evolution using six wheat evolution genotypes (solution culture) with different ploidy chromosome sets (Triticum boeoticum Bioss., T. monococcum L.: 2n=2x=14; T. dicoccides Koern., T. dicoccon (Schrank) Schuebl.: 2n = 4x = 28; T. vulgare Vill., T. aestivum L. cv. Xiaoyan No. 6: 2n = 6x = 42). The experimental results showed that significant correlations were found between root system hydraulic conductivity and root characteristics of the materials with the increase in ploidy chromosomes (2x→6x) during wheat evolution. Hydraulic conductivity of the wheat root system at the whole‐plant level was increased with chromosome ploidy during evolution, which was positively correlated with hydraulic conductivity of single roots, whole plant biomass, root average diameter, and root growth (length, area), whereas the root/shoot ratio had an inverse correlation with the hydraulic conductivity of root system with increasing chromosome ploidy during wheat evolution. Therefore, it is concluded that that the water uptake ability of wheat roots was strengthened from wild to modern cultivated species during evolution, which will provide scientific evidence for genetic breeding to improve the WUE of wheat by genetic engineering.

(Managing editor: Ya‐Qin HAN)
Transient Elastodynamic Crack Growth in Functionally Graded Materials
Authors: Chalivendra Vijaya Bhaskar , Shukla Arun
Published: March 2005

A generalized elastic solution for an arbitrarily propagating transient crack in functionally graded materials (FGMs) is obtained through an asymptotic analysis. The shear modulus and mass density of the FGM are assumed to vary exponentially along the gradation direction. The out-of-plane displacement field and its gradients about the crack tip were obtained in powers of radial coordinates, with the coefficients depending on the time rates of change of crack tip speed and stress intensity factor. The effects of the transient terms on the contours of constant out-of-plane displacement are duly discussed.
Foundation of
Correlation Parameters for Eliminating Pulse Shape Effects on Dynamic Plastic Response of Structures
Authors: Li Q. M. , Jones Norman
Published: March 2005

The theoretical foundation of Youngdahl’s correlation parameters, which have been used to eliminate pulse shape effects in the dynamic plastic response of two-dimensional structural members, is studied in the present paper with the aid of bounds obtained for a rigid-plastic material. It is shown that Youngdahl’s empirical estimate for the structural response time is, in general, a lower bound on the actual response time. A lower bound expression is obtained for the maximum final displacement of a two-dimensional structural member when subjected to an axisymmetrically loaded transverse time-dependent pulse, which depends only on Youngdahl’s correlation parameters, and offers a theoretical foundation for the validity of Youngdahl’s correlation parameter method.
Transpired Turbulent Boundary Layers Subject to Forced Convection and External Pressure Gradients
Authors: Cal, Rau´l Bayoa´n , Wang, Xia , Castillo Luciano
Published: March 2005

The problem of forced convection transpired turbulent boundary layers with external pressure gradient has been studied by using different scalings proposed by various researchers. Three major results were obtained: First, for adverse pressure gradient boundary layers with suction, the mean deficit profiles collapse with the free stream velocity, U∞, but into different curves depending on the strength of the blowing parameter and the upstream conditions. Second, the dependencies on the blowing parameter, the Reynolds number, and the strength of pressure gradient are removed from the outer flow when the mean deficit profiles are normalized by the Zagarola/Smits [Zagarola, M. V., and Smits, A. J., 1998, “Mean-Flow Scaling of Turbulent Pipe Flow,” J. Fluid Mech., 373, 33–79] scaling, U∞δ*/δ. Third, the temperature profiles collapse into a single curve using the new inner and outer scalings proposed by Wang and Castillo [Wang, X., and Castillo, L., 2003, “Asymptotic Solutions in Forced Convection Turbulent Boundary Layers,” J. Turbulence, 4(006)], which produce the true asymptotic profiles even at finite Pe´clet number.
A Semi-Analytical Model for Evaporating Fuel Droplets
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Achintya , Sanyal Dipankar
Published: March 2005

An algorithm for solution of a model for heating and evaporation of a fuel droplet has been developed. The objective of the work is to develop a computationally economic solution module for simulating droplet evaporation that can be incorporated in spray combustion CFD model that handles a large number of droplets. The liquid-phase transient diffusive equation has been solved semi-analytically, which involves a spatially closed-form and temporally discretized solution procedure. The model takes into account droplet surface regression, nonunity gas-phase Lewis number and variation of latent heat with temperature. The accuracy of the model is identical to a Finite Volume solution obtained on a very fine nonuniform grid, but the computational cost is significantly less, making this approach suitable for use in a spray combustion code. The evaporation of isolated heptane droplet in a quiescent ambient has been investigated for ambient pressures of 1 to 5 bar.
New Interpretation of Non-Fourier Heat Conduction in Processed Meat
Authors: Antaki Paul J.
Published: March 2005

This work uses the “dual phase lag” (DPL) model of heat conduction to offer a new interpretation for experimental evidence of non-Fourier conduction in processed meat that was interpreted previously with hyperbolic conduction. Specifically, the DPL model combines the wave features of hyperbolic conduction with a diffusion-like feature of the evidence not captured by the hyperbolic case. In addition, comparing the new interpretation to Fourier-based alternatives suggests that further study of all the interpretations could help advance the understanding of conduction in the processed meat and other biological materials such as human tissue.
Application of a Multiobjective Optimization to Risk-Based Inservice Testing
Authors: Virulsri Juksanee , Sakai Shinsuke , Izumi Satoshi , Iwasaki Atsushi
Published: March 2005

This paper proposes a methodology for applying a multiobjective optimization to risk-based inservice testing with robustness. The multiobjective optimization is applied to solve the tradeoff between maintenance costs and unavailability of a standby system and then assist in determining the robust solution. In order to obtain the most robust solution, a decision-making method for the multiobjective optimization in the viewpoint of robustness is proposed. The risk ranking and revising risk-ranking processes are then used to assist in finding the most optimal surveillance test interval based on risk management. The applicability of the proposed methodology is confirmed by case studies for a standby system of a simplified high-pressure injection system in a nuclear power plant’s pressurized water reactor. The results showed that the proposed methodology provides an effective scheme to achieve the most optimal surveillance test interval based on risk and robustness.
Interaction between Individual Protein Components of the GerA and GerB Nutrient Receptors That Trigger Germination of
Bacillus subtilis
Spores
Authors: Igarashi Takao , Setlow Peter
Published: March 2005

Germination of
Bacillus subtilis
spores via the GerA nutrient receptor was suppressed by GerAC lacking the diacylglycerylated cysteine essential for receptor function. Overexpression of the C protein of the GerB nutrient receptor also suppressed the function of both the GerA receptor and a variant GerB receptor, GerB*. These findings suggest that GerAC and GerBC interact with their respective A and B proteins in GerA or GerB receptors and that GerBC potentially interacts with GerAA-GerAB. However, GerAC did not appear to interact with GerBA-GerBB.
MIXING OF PSEUDOSCALAR MESONS AND ISOSPIN SYMMETRY BREAKING
Authors: KROLL PETER
Published: March 2005

Mixing of the pseudoscalar mesons is discussed in the quark-flavor basis with the hypothesis that the basis decay constants follow the pattern of particle state mixing. The divergences of the axial vector currents which embody the axial vector anomaly, combined with this hypothesis provide a calculational scheme for the parameters describing the mixing of the π0, η and η′ mesons. Phenomenological applications of this mixing scheme are presented with particular interest focussed on isospin symmetry breaking in QCD estimated as η and η′ admixtures to the pion. In contrast to previous work a possible difference in the basis decay constants fuand fdis considered and consequences of this potentially large effect on the strength of isospin symmetry breaking is discussed.
ANALYSIS OF HIGH ENERGY K+K- PHOTOPRODUCTION ON HYDROGEN
Authors: BIBRZYCKI Ł. , LEŚNIAK L. , SZCZEPANIAK A. P.
Published: March 2005

We have analyzed the γp→pK+K- reaction in the K+K- effective mass region around the mass of the ϕ(1020) meson. The interference of the S-wave contribution with the P-wave has been studied. Both scalar resonances f0(980) and a0(980) have been taken into account. We obtained a good description of the available experimental data, in particular the mass distributions and the moments of the kaon angular distribution. Our calculations give values of the integrated S-wave total photoproduction cross section between 4 and 7 nb for the K+K- effective mass range around the ϕ(1020) mass and at the laboratory photon energy near 5 GeV. These numbers favor lower experimental estimates obtained at DESY.
REGGE DESCRIPTION OF HIGH ENERGY PION–PION TOTAL CROSS SECTIONS
Authors: PELÁEZ JOSÉ R.
Published: March 2005

We have recently presented a Regge description of ππ total cross sections valid above 1.4 GeV, consistent with the few existing experiments, factorization and crossing symmetry. In this note we show how it also describes a further large data sample obtained from an analysis of experiments on π±p→XΔ++ and π±n→Xp.
ππ AMPLITUDES FITTED TO EXPERIMENTAL DATA AND TO ROY'S EQUATIONS
Authors: KAMIŃSKI R. , LEŚNIAK L. , LOISEAU B.
Published: March 2005

The scalar-isoscalar, scalar-isotensor and vector-isovector ππ amplitudes are fitted simultaneously to experimental data and to Roy's equations. The resulting amplitudes are compared with those fitted only to experimental data. No additional constraints for the ππ threshold behaviour of the amplitudes are imposed. Threshold parameters are calculated for the amplitudes in the three waves. Spectrum of scalar mesons below 1.8 GeV is found from the analysis of the analytical structure of the fitted amplitudes.
RESPONSE OF AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM TO BODY POSITIONS: FOURIER AND WAVELET ANALYSIS
Authors: XU AIGUO , GONNELLA G. , FEDERICI A. , STRAMAGLIA S. , SIMONE F. , ZENZOLA A. , SANTOSTASI R.
Published: March 2005

Two mathematical methods, the Fourier and wavelet transforms, were used to study the short term cardiovascular control system. Time series, picked from electrocardiogram and arterial blood pressure lasting 6 minutes, were analyzed in supine position (SUP), during the first (HD1) and the second parts (HD2) of 90° head down tilt, and during recovery (REC). The wavelet transform was performed using the Haar function of period [Formula: see text] to obtain wavelet coefficients. Power spectra components were analyzed within three bands, VLF (0.003–0.04), LF (0.04–0.15) and HF (0.15–0.4) with the frequency unit cycle/interval. Wavelet transform demonstrated a higher discrimination among all analyzed periods than the Fourier transform. For the Fourier analysis, the LF of R–R intervals and VLF of systolic blood pressure show more evident difference for different body positions. For the wavelet analysis, the systolic blood pressures show much more evident differences than the R–R intervals. This study suggests a difference in the response of the vessels and the heart to different body positions. The partial dissociation between VLF and LF results is a physiologically relevant finding of this work.
AN INTUITIONISTIC OWA OPERATOR
Authors: MITCHELL H. B.
Published: March 2005

The OWA (Ordered Weighted Average) operator is a powerful non-linear operator for aggregating a set of inputs ai,i∈{1,2,…,M}. In the original OWA operator the inputs are crisp variables ai. This restriction was subsequently removed by Mitchell and Schaefer who by application of the extension principle defined a fuzzy OWA operator which aggregates a set of ordinary fuzzy sets Ai. We continue this process and define an intuitionistic OWA operator which aggregates a set of intuitionistic fuzzy sets Ãi. We describe a simple application of the new intuitionistic OWA operator in multiple-expert multiple-criteria decision-making.
COVARIANCE-PARAMETER LÉVY PROCESSES IN THE SPACE OF TRACE-CLASS OPERATORS
Authors: PÉREZ-ABREU VÍCTOR , ROCHA-ARTEAGA ALFONSO
Published: March 2005

The paper deals with Lévy processes with values in L1(H), the Banach space of trace-class operators in a Hilbert space H. Lévy processes with values and parameter in a cone K of L1(H) are introduced and several properties are established. A family of L1(H)-valued Lévy processes is obtained via the subordination of K-parameter, L1(H)-valued Lévy processes, identifying explicitly their generating triplets.
Na+-inhibitory sites of the Na+/H+ exchanger are Li+ substrate sites
Authors: Dunham Philip B. , Kelley Scott J. , Logue Paul J. , Mutolo Michael J. , Milanick Mark A.
Published: March 2005

Amiloride-inhibitable Li+ influx in dog red blood cells is mediated by the Na+/H+ exchanger, NHE. However, there are substantial differences between the properties of Li+ transport and Na+ transport through the NHE. Li+ influx is activated by cell shrinkage, and Na+ influx is not, as we reported previously (Dunham PB, Kelley SJ, and Logue PJ. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 287: C336–C344, 2004). Li+ influx is a sigmoidal function of its concentration, and Na+ activation is linear at low Na+ concentrations. Li+ does not inhibit its own influx; in contrast, Na+ inhibits Na+ influx. Li+ prevents this inhibition by Na+. Na+ is a mixed or noncompetitive inhibitor of Li+ influx, implying that both a Na+ and a Li+ can be bound at the same time. In contrast, Li+ is a competitive inhibitor of Na+ influx, suggesting Li+ binding at one class of sites on the transporter. Because the properties of Li+ transport and Na+ transport are different, a simple explanation is that Na+ and Li+ are transported by separate sites. The similarities of the properties of Li+ transport and the inhibition of Na+ transport by Na+ suggest that Li+ is transported by the Na+-inhibitory sites.
Role of Nedd4-2 and polyubiquitination in epithelial sodium channel degradation in untransfected renal A6 cells expressing endogenous ENaC subunits
Authors: Malik B. , Yue Q. , Yue G. , Chen X. J. , Price S. R. , Mitch W. E. , Eaton D. C.
Published: March 2005

Amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) are responsible for transepithelial Na+transport in the kidney, lung, and colon. The channel consists of three subunits (α, β, and γ). In Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and Xenopus laevis oocytes transfected with all three ENaC subunits, neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated protein (Nedd4-2) promotes ubiquitin conjugation of ENaC. For native proteins in some cells, ubiquitin conjugation is a signal for their degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, whereas in other cell types ubiquitin conjugation is a signal for endocytosis and lysosomal protein degradation. When ENaC are transfected into MDCK cells, ubiquitin conjugation leads to lysosomal degradation. In this paper, we characterize the involvement of the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway in the regulation of functional ENaC in untransfected renal A6 cells expressing native ENaC subunits. In contrast to transfected cells, we show that total cellular α-, β-, and γ-ENaC subunits are polyubiquitinated and that ubiquitin conjugation of subunits increases when the cells are treated with a proteasome inhibitor. We show that Nedd4-2 is associated with α- and β-subunits and is associated with the apical membrane. We also show the Nedd4-2 can regulate the number of functional ENaC subunits in the apical membrane. The results reported here suggest that the ubiquitin-proteasome proteolytic pathway is an important determinant of ENaC function in untransfected renal cells expressing endogenous ENaC.
Mycophenolate mofetil slows progression in anti-thy1-induced chronic renal fibrosis but is not additive to a high dose of enalapril
Authors: Krämer Stephanie , Loof Tanja , Martini Sebastian , Rückert Matthias , Wang Yingrui , Böhler Torsten , Shimizu Fuijo , Kawachi Hiroshi , Neumayer Hans-H. , Peters Harm
Published: March 2005

Tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis are hallmarks of chronic progressive renal diseases. To characterize the functional interaction between cell infiltration and matrix expansion, this study compared the immunosuppressant mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), intended as primarily anti-inflammatory intervention, the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril, intended as primarily an anti-fibrotic drug, and a combination of both as anticipated anti-inflammatory/anti-fibrotic intervention. The model used was anti-thy1-induced chronic-progressive glomerulosclerosis (cGS) in the rat, where a brief anti-thy1-induced glomerular injury progresses spontaneously toward tubulointerstitial fibrosis and renal insufficiency. cGS was induced by injection of anti-thy1 antibody into uninephrectomized Wistar rats. One week after disease induction, animals were randomly assigned to the following groups: cGS, cGS plus MMF (20 mg·kg body wt−1·day−1), cGS plus high-dose enalapril (12 mg·kg body wt−1·day−1), and cGS plus both. At week 16 after disease induction, MMF or enalapril alone reduced signs of chronic renal disease significantly and similarly compared with the untreated cGS group. Variables measured included proteinuria, blood pressure, tubulointerstitial and glomerular matrix accumulation, expression of transforming growth factor-β1, fibronectin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, infiltration of lymphocytes and macrophages, plasma creatinine and urea levels, and glomerular filtration rate. Combined MMF and enalapril treatment was not superior to single therapy. In conclusion, MMF slows the progression of chronic renal fibrosis and renal insufficiency as effectively as high-dose enalapril in the anti-thy1-induced chronic-progressive glomerulosclerosis model. The dual anti-inflammatory/anti-fibrotic intervention does not yield additive renoprotective effects, indicating that MMF and enalapril interfere with similar or very closely related pathways involved in progression of renal disease.
Postnatal development of E-4031-sensitive potassium current in rat carotid chemoreceptor cells
Authors: Kim Insook , Boyle Kathleen M. , Carroll John L.
Published: March 2005

The O2sensitivity of dissociated type I cells from rat carotid body increases with age until ∼14–16 days. Hypoxia-induced depolarization appears to be mediated by an O2-sensitive K+current, but other K+currents may modulate depolarization. We hypothesized that membrane potential may be stabilized in newborn type I cells by human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG)-like K+currents that inhibit hypoxia-induced depolarization and that a decrease in this current with age could underlie, in part, the developmental increase in type I cell depolarization response to hypoxia. In dissociated type I cells from 0- to 1- and 11- to 16-day-old rats, using perforated patch-clamp and 70 mM K+extracellular solution, we measured repolarization-induced inward K+tail currents in the absence and presence of E-4031, a specific HERG channel blocker. This allowed isolation of the E-4031-sensitive HERG-like current. E-4031-sensitive peak currents in type I cells from 0- to- 1-day-old rats were 2.5-fold larger than in cells from 11- to 16-day-old rats. E-4031-sensitive current density in newborn type I cells was twofold greater than in cells from 11- to 16-day-old rats. Under current clamp conditions, E-4031 enhanced hypoxia-induced depolarization in type I cells from 0- to- 1-day-old but not 11- to 16-day-old rats. With use of fura 2 to measure intracellular Ca2+, E-4031 increased the cytosolic Ca2+concentration response to anoxia in cells from 0- to- 1-day-old but not cells from 11- to 16-day-old rats. E-4031-sensitive K+currents are present in newborn carotid body type I cells and decline with age. These findings are consistent with a role for E-4031-sensitive K+current, and possibly HERG-like K+currents, in the type I cell hypoxia response maturation.
Rapid Processing of Retinal Slip During Saccades in Macaque Area MT
Authors: Price N.S.C. , Ibbotson M. R. , Ono S. , Mustari M. J.
Published: March 2005

The primate middle temporal area (MT) is involved in the analysis and perception of visual motion, which is generated actively by eye and body movements and passively when objects move. We studied the responses of single cells in area MT of awake macaques, comparing the direction tuning and latencies of responses evoked by wide-field texture motion during fixation (passive viewing) and during rewarded, target-directed saccades and nonrewarded, spontaneous saccades over the same stationary texture (active viewing). We found that MT neurons have similar motion sensitivity and direction-selectivity for retinal slip associated with active and passive motion. No cells showed reversals in direction tuning between the active and passive viewing conditions. However, mean latencies were significantly different for saccade-evoked responses (30 ms) and stimulus-evoked responses (67 ms). Our results demonstrate that neurons in area MT retain their direction-selectivity and display reduced processing times during saccades. This rapid, accurate processing of peri-saccadic motion may facilitate postsaccadic ocular following reflexes or corrective saccades.
An In Vitro Model of Hippocampal Sharp Waves: Regional Initiation and Intracellular Correlates
Authors: Wu Chiping , Asl Marjan Nassiri , Gillis Jesse , Skinner Frances K. , Zhang Liang
Published: March 2005

During slow wave sleep and consummatory behaviors, electroencephalographic recordings from the rodent hippocampus reveal large amplitude potentials called sharp waves. The sharp waves originate from the CA3 circuitry and their generation is correlated with coherent discharges of CA3 pyramidal neurons and dependent on activities mediated by AMPA glutamate receptors. To model sharp waves in a relatively large hippocampal circuitry in vitro, we developed thick (1 mm) mouse hippocampal slices by separating the dentate gyrus from the CA2/CA1 areas while keeping the functional dentate gyrus-CA3-CA1 connections. We found that large amplitude (0.3–3 mV) sharp wave-like field potentials occurred spontaneously in the thick slices without extra ionic or pharmacological manipulation and they resemble closely electroencephalographic sharp waves with respect to waveform, regional initiation, pharmacological manipulations, and intracellular correlates. Through measuring tissue O2, K+, and synaptic and single cell activities, we verified that the sharp wave-like potentials are not a consequence of anoxia, nonspecific elevation of extracellular K+and dissection-related tissue damage. Our data suggest that a subtle but crucial increase in the CA3 glutamatergic activity effectively recruits a population of neurons thus responsible for the generation of the sharp wave-like spontaneous field potentials in isolated hippocampal circuitry.
Changes in mIPSCs and sIPSCs After Kainate Treatment: Evidence for Loss of Inhibitory Input to Dentate Granule Cells and Possible Compensatory Responses
Authors: Shao Li-Rong , Dudek F. Edward
Published: March 2005

How inhibition is altered after status epilepticus and the role of inhibition during epileptogenesis remain unsettled issues. The present study examined acute (4–7 days) and chronic (>3 mo) changes of GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory synaptic input to dentate granule cells after kainate-induced status epilepticus. Whole cell patch-clamp techniques were used to record spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs and mIPSCs) in the presence of 6,7-dinitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione and dl-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid to block glutamatergic excitatory synaptic transmission. In both groups, mean sIPSC frequency of dentate granule cells from the saline- and kainate-treated rats was not significantly different. However, mIPSC frequency from the kainate-treated rats of both groups was ∼30% lower than that of the respective saline controls. The mean amplitude of sIPSCs and mIPSCs from kainate-treated rats was not reduced in either the acute or chronic groups. The mean 10–90% rise time of IPSCs was not altered in kainate-treated rats, but the decay time constant was slightly longer than in controls, and the charge transfer 4–7 days after kainate treatment was significantly larger. The similar reduction of mIPSC frequency (i.e., ∼30%) in the two groups of kainate-treated rats suggests a decreased inhibitory input to dentate granule cells (presumably due to a partial loss of inhibitory interneurons that innervate them) without recovery during epileptogenesis. The lack of effect on sIPSC frequency and the decreased mIPSC frequency in both groups suggests a possible compensatory increase in firing rate of interneurons, which may involve a hypothetical reduction of inhibitory input to the remaining interneurons.
Renal Cell-to-Cell Communication via Extracellular ATP
Authors: Komlosi Peter , Fintha Attila , Bell P. Darwin
Published: March 2005

In the kidney, macula densa cells communicate with the mesangial cell-afferent arteriolar smooth muscle cell complex through ATP signaling. This signaling process involves release of ATP across the macula densa basolateral membrane through a maxi anion channel and the interaction of ATP with purinergic P2 receptors.
Endogamy, Consanguinity and Community Disease Profiles
Authors: Bittles A.H.
Published: March 2005

Considerable attention is paid to the role of consanguineous marriage as a causative factor in the prevalence of genetic disorders. At the same time, the potential influence of community endogamy on overall levels of homozygosity and disease profiles remains largely under-investigated. With the ongoing global epidemiological transition from infectious to non-communicable disease, the impact of genetic disorders will become increasingly important and a thorough understanding of the determinants of human population-genetic structure will be all the more necessary. In particular, the genetic components of adult-onset diseases will become more obvious and assume greater significance. Similarly, refinements of study design to incorporate intercommunity genetic variation appear to be an essential prerequisite in pharmacogenetic research if the concept of individualized treatments is to achieve reality, with equivalent subject-control comparison difficulties also predicted in forensic genetics.
Campaign to Control Genetic Blood Diseases in Bahrain
Authors: Al Arrayed S.
Published: March 2005

Genetic blood diseases are frequent in Bahrain as in all Middle Eastern countries. Previous neonatal screening in 1984–1985 showed that the birth prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD) was 2.1%, of sickle cell trait 11% and of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency 25%. The Ministry of Health recognized the importance of controlling these diseases. In 1984, the first genetic clinic was established, which started the educational campaigns. Information booklets were prepared and distributed widely in schools and clubs in an attempt to increase awareness about these diseases among students and the public. In 1991, the Bahrain Hereditary Anemia Society was formed. In 1992, the Minister of Health formed a national committee for the prevention of genetic diseases in Bahrain. Screening of all pregnant women began, followed by newborn testing if the mother was found to be a carrier. In 1993, a premarital counseling (PMC) service was organized and in 1998, a student-screening project began. At this stage, we want to update the national birth prevalence figure by screening Bahraini newborns for these genetic diseases. This will help to design prevention programs and to measure the effect of health education on the previous birth prevalence figure. Subjects and Methods: A newborn screening study was conducted to determine the effects of this long-term campaign (16–18 years). Cord blood samples from 2,000 Bahraini newborns were tested for hemoglobinopathies and G6PD deficiency using HPLC. Results: 18 newborns were found to have SCD. The new birth prevalence figure for SCD in Bahrain is 0.9%, which indicates a 60% decline in the birth prevalence rate. Conclusion: With the continuation of education, awareness campaigns, screening of carriers and PMC, we expect the number of affected children born to be reduced tremendously over the next few years.
Characterization of Salmonella spp. Mutants with Reduced Fluoroquinolone Susceptibility: Importance of Efflux Pump Mechanisms
Authors: Cebrián Laura , Rodríguez Juan Carlos , Escribano Isabel , Royo Gloria
Published: March 2005

Background: Westudied the importance of the efflux pump mechanisms in Salmonella spp. mutants with reduced fluoroquinolone susceptibility generated in vitro. Methods: The efflux pump was studied using MC-207,110 as an inhibitor of these systems. Results: Wild strains with mutations in gyrA exhibit greater activity of the efflux pump systems thannalidixic-acid-susceptible strains (30-fold). When we evaluate the respective mutants, in those of susceptible strains there is seen to be greater elimination of the antibiotic (13-fold), whereas in mutants of nalidixic-acid-resistant strains these systems are not modified. When evaluating the influence of the antibiotic generating the mutants, ciprofloxacin is seen to be the quinolone that activates the efflux pump systems the most. Conclusions: Repeated exposure to low concentrations of all the fluoroquinolones studied leads to activation of the efflux pump systems and a reduction in susceptibility, even when there are no mutations in gyrA. Activation of these mechanisms is greatly influenced by the chemical structure of the antibiotic. The capacity of these systems to eliminate fluoroquinolones is limited and therefore, for the microorganism to acquire high-level fluoroquinolone resistance, they must be complemented by other mechanisms.
China’s Stand on UN Peacekeeping Operations
Authors: Choedon Yeshi
Published: March 2005

This paper focuses on China’s stand on UN peacekeeping operations (UNPKO) with the objective of understanding the wider perspective of its foreign policy determinants. Further, as peacekeeping operations (PKO) are connected with issues of international peace and security, China’s changing stand on these provides some insights into its security concerns. This paper traces China’s initial stand on UNPKO and the reasons underlying that stand; the factors and compulsions which made China change its stand on UNPKO in the 1980s; the effect the end of the Cold War has had on the role of PKO in general and how it has affected China’s perception of international relations; the impact those changed perceptions have had on its stand on UNPKO; and China’s main objections regarding non-traditional PKO and its reasons for these objections.
Artisans, the state, and the politics of wajabi in eighteenth-century Jodhpur
Authors: Sahai Nandita Prasad
Published: March 2005

Recent historiographical approaches have recognised the multi-centred nature of power in pre-colonial state systems, and have explored the networks between the state and already dominant or emerging groups that occupied the upper echelons of society. Shifting the gaze from the study of elitist discourses to state-artisan relations, this article has argued for the expansion of the constitutive scope of state formation by including lower strata like the artisanate and its politics. While doing so, it has emphasised the meanings of wajabi or ‘legitimate practices’, and their deployment both by artisanal communities and the eighteenth-century state agencies to ensure the observation of normative conduct in intra-caste relations, and in their interactions with one another. Adherence to this ideology, however, could not always dispel the stresses in their relationship because alternate readings of the notion by artisans and the state, and negotiations between the two over the ‘legitimate’ course of action, resulted in contestations and redefinitions of the concept of wajabi.
Weaving the Threads of a Global Mindset in Work Organizations
Authors: R. Chatterjee Samir
Published: March 2005

How can a manager or an organization refine and enrich its global mindset orientation? A radically different frame of aligning people, strategy and purpose may be through the extension and enrichment of a global mindset rather than strategy or structure. This article explores the concept of global mindset from a new perspective and forwards a number of specific action frames for managers to reflect on. The article contends that the negative effects of contemporary globalization can only be overcome through the enrichment of global vision of managers everywhere. As for applicability, the article argues that mindset development can only contribute to the sustainability of organizations and societies.
Akhism as a Non-Governmental Association Model in the History of the Turkish Nation and an Assessment of Today’s Business Ethics
Authors: Ülger Billur , Ülger Gürdal
Published: March 2005

In the historical progress of nations, economic wealth plays an important role as well as prosperity in social and cultural make-up. When the entire Turkish history is considered, we come across with the institution of Akhism that is both related to the regulation of sociocultural life as well as to the operation of business life within the framework of certain principles and rules. Even though Akhism has aspects in parallel with today’s management philosophies, history has not been immutable and economical activities have changed since the thirteenth-century establishment of Akhism. This theoretical study intends to introduce Akhism that stands as a turning point in Ottoman history in social, cultural and economical aspects. Then the purposes of the institution, its principles and historical progress will be outlined. Furthermore, Akhi associations as well as conflicts with total quality management, social responsibility and corporate culture will be diagnosed.
Human Resource Issues
Authors: Bhat Ramesh , Maheshwari Sunil Kumar
Published: March 2005

Given the growing complexities and challenges it faces, reforms in the health sector are inevitable. They generally focus on making the health systems responsive through strengthening financial systems, ensuring local participation and public–private partnerships, and autonomy of health facilities. It is only through these reforms that deficiencies in the health sector can be addressed. The process is also likely to help in developing strategies that ensure effectiveness and efficiency of resource use. However, the reform process makes some fundamental assumptions about the intrinsic organisational and professional commitment and availability of skilled and competent health care professionals. This paper examines the commitment of district-level health officials in the new state of Chhattisgarh in India. Since development-oriented human resource practices are powerful tools that commit health professionals to enhance the quality of care, we believe that health sector reforms should concentrate on human resource issues and practices more than ever. This paper attempts to examine the following issues: (a) the status of professional and organisational commitment and the technical competencies of health officials managing the sector; (b) the characteristics of human resource management practices in the health sector in Chhattisgarh; and (c) the linkage of these management practices with professional and organisational commitment. Finally, the paper discusses the implications of these issues in the health sector reform process.
The quantitation of buffering action I. A formal & general approach
Authors: Schmitt Bernhard M
Published: March 2005

Background

Although "buffering" as a homeostatic mechanism is a universal phenomenon, the quantitation of buffering action remains controversial and problematic. Major shortcomings are: lack of a buffering strength unit for some buffering phenomena, multiple and mutually incommensurable units for others, and lack of a genuine ratio scale for buffering strength. Here, I present a concept of buffering that overcomes these shortcomings.

Theory

Briefly, when, for instance, some "free" H+ ions are added to a solution (e.g. in the form of strong acid), buffering is said to be present when not all H+ ions remain "free" (i.e., bound to H2O), but some become "bound" (i.e., bound to molecules other than H2O). The greater the number of H+ ions that become "bound" in this process, the greater the buffering action. This number can be expressed in two ways: 1) With respect to the number of total free ions added as "buffering coefficient b", defined in differential form as b = d(bound)/d(total). This measure expresses buffering action from nil to complete by a dimensionless number between 0 and 1, analogous to probabilites. 2) With respect to the complementary number of added ions that remain free as "buffering ratio B", defined as the differential B = d(bound)/d(free). The buffering ratio B provides an absolute ratio scale, where buffering action from nil to perfect corresponds to dimensionless numbers between 0 and infinity, and where equal differences of buffering action result in equal intervals on the scale. Formulated in purely mathematical, axiomatic form, the concept reveals striking overlap with the mathematical concept of probability. However, the concept also allows one to devise simple physical models capable of visualizing buffered systems and their behavior in an exact yet intuitive way.

Conclusion

These two measures of buffering action can be generalized easily to any arbitrary quantity that partitions into two compartments or states, and are thus suited to serve as standard units for buffering action. Some exemplary treatments of classical and non-classical buffering phenomena are presented in the accompanying paper.
Conservation of tandem stop codons in yeasts
Authors: Liang Han , Cavalcanti Andre RO , Landweber Laura F
Published: March 2005

Background

It has been long thought that the stop codon in a gene is followed by another stop codon that acts as a backup if the real one is read through by a near-cognate tRNA. The existence of such 'tandem stop codons', however, remains elusive.

Results

Here we show that a statistical excess of stop codons has evolved at the third codon downstream of the real stop codon UAA in yeasts. Comparative analysis indicates that stop codons at this location are considerably more conserved than sense codons, suggesting that these tandem stop codons are maintained by selection. We evaluated the influence of expression levels of genes and other biological factors on the distribution of tandem stop codons. Our results suggest that expression level is an important factor influencing the presence of tandem stop codons.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates the existence of tandem stop codons, which represent one of many meaningful genomic features that are driven by relatively weak selective forces.
Embryonic-stage-dependent changes in the level of eIF4E-binding proteins during early development of sea urchin embryos
Authors: Salaün Patrick , Boulben Sandrine , Mulner-Lorillon Odile , Bellé Robert , Sonenberg Nahum , Morales Julia , Cormier Patrick
Published: March 2005

The eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E)-binding proteins (4E-BPs) inhibit translation initiation by binding eIF4E and preventing recruitment of the translation machinery to mRNA. We have previously shown that fertilization of sea urchin eggs triggers eIF4E–4E-BP complex dissociation and 4E-BP degradation. Here, we show that microinjection of eIF4E-binding motif peptide into unfertilized eggs delays the onset of the first mitosis triggered by fertilization, demonstrating that dissociation of the eIF4E–4E-BP complex is functionally important for the first mitotic division in sea urchin embryos. We also show by gel filtration analyses that eIF4E is present in unfertilized eggs as an 80 kDa molecular mass complex containing 4E-BP and a new 4E-BP of 40 kDa. Fertilization triggers the dissociation of eIF4E from these two 4E-BPs and triggers the rapid recruitment of eIF4E into a high-molecular-mass complex. Release of eIF4E from the two 4E-BPs is correlated with a decrease in the total level of both 4E-BPs following fertilization. Abundance of the two 4E-BPs has been monitored during embryonic development. The level of the two proteins remains very low during the rapid cleavage stage of early development and increases 8 hours after fertilization. These results demonstrate that these two 4E-BPs are down- and upregulated during the embryonic development of sea urchins. Consequently, these data suggest that eIF4E availability to other partners represents an important determinant of the early development of sea urchin embryos.
WASP-related proteins, Abi1 and Ena/VASP are required forListeriainvasion induced by the Met receptor
Authors: Bierne Hélène , Miki Hiroaki , Innocenti Metello , Scita Giorgio , Gertler Frank B. , Takenawa Tadaomi , Cossart Pascale
Published: March 2005

Internalisation of the pathogenic bacterium Listeria monocytogenes involves interactions between the invasion protein InlB and the hepatocyte growth factor receptor, Met. Using colocalisation studies, dominant-negative constructs and small interfering RNA (siRNA), we demonstrate a cell-type-dependent requirement for various WASP-related proteins in Listeria entry and InlB-induced membrane ruffling. The WAVE2 isoform is essential for InlB-induced cytoskeletal rearrangements in Vero cells. In HeLa cells, WAVE1, WAVE2 and N-WASP cooperate to promote these processes. Abi1, a key component of WAVE complexes, is recruited at the entry site in both cell types and its inactivation by RNA interference impairs InlB-mediated processes. Ena/VASP proteins also play a role in Listeria internalization, and their deregulation by sequestration or overexpression, modifies actin cups beneath entering particles. Taken together, these results identify the WAVE complex, N-WASP and Ena/VASP as key effectors of the Met signalling pathway and of Listeria entry and highlight the existence of redundant and/or cooperative functions among WASP-family members.
Do Satisfied Customers Really Pay More? A Study of the Relationship between Customer Satisfaction and Willingness to Pay
Authors: Homburg Christian , Koschate Nicole , Hoyer Wayne D.
Published: March 2005

Two experimental studies (a lab experiment and a study involving a real usage experience over time) reveal the existence of a strong, positive impact of customer satisfaction on willingness to pay, and they provide support for a nonlinear, functional structure based on disappointment theory (i.e., an inverse S-shaped form). In addition, the second study examines dynamic aspects of the relationship and provides evidence for the stronger impact of cumulative satisfaction rather than of transaction-specific satisfaction on willingness to pay.