bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural and functional characterization of tissue factor pathway inhibitor following degradation by matrix metalloproteinase-8
Authors: CUNNINGHAM Anna C. , HASTY Karen A. , ENGHILD Jan J. , MAST Alan E.
Published: October 2002

Vascular injury results in the activation of coagulation and the release of proteolytic enzymes from neutrophils and connective- tissue cells. High concentrations of these inflammatory proteinases may destroy blood coagulation proteins, contributing to coagulation and bleeding disorders associated with severe inflammation. Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) is released from neutrophils at sites of inflammation and vascular disease. We have investigated the effect of MMP-8 degradation on the anticoagulant function of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) as a potential pathological mechanism contributing to coagulation disorders. MMP-8 cleaves TFPI following Ser174 within the connecting region between the second and third Kunitz domains (kcat/Km75M-1·s-1) as well as following Lys20 within the NH2-terminal region. MMP-8 cleavage of TFPI decreases the anticoagulant activity of TFPI in factor Xa initiated clotting assays as well as the ability of TFPI to inhibit factor Xa in amidolytic assays. Yet, MMP-8 cleavage does not alter the ability of TFPI to inhibit trypsin. Since the inhibition of both factor Xa and trypsin is mediated by binding to the second Kunitz domain, these results suggest that regions of TFPI other than the second Kunitz domain may directly interact with factor Xa. 125I-factor Xa ligand blots of TFPI fragments generated following MMP-8 degradation were used for probing binding interactions between factor Xa and regions of TFPI, other than the second Kunitz domain. In experiments performed under reducing conditions that disrupt the Kunitz domain structure, 125I-factor Xa binds to the C-terminal fragment of MMP-8-degraded TFPI. This fragment contains portions of TFPI distal to Ser174, which include the third Kunitz domain and the basic C-terminal region. An altered form of TFPI lacking the third Kunitz domain, but containing the C-terminal region, was used to demonstrate that the C-terminal region directly interacts with factor Xa.
A case‐control study of the impact of WBC reduction on the cost of hospital care for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery
Authors: Volkova Natalia , Klapper Ellen , Pepkowitz Samuel H. , Denton Timothy , Gillaspie Glenn , Goldfinger Dennis
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND : WBC reduction of blood components may reduce the incidence of transfusion reactions. The cost of this intervention might be offset by a reduction in the incidence of postoperative infection, thereby reducing the length of hospital stay and thus the cost of care for patients receiving transfusion. Cedars‐Sinai Medical Center provided WBC‐reduced blood components to all patients for a period of 2 years, creating an opportunity to compare the incidence of postoperative infection, length of hospital stay, and total hospital costs for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, before, during, and after WBC reduction.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS : Data were obtained by examining hospital records of patients who received transfusion and control patients who did not receive transfusion for the years 1991 (before WBC reduction), 1992 to 1993 (during WBC reduction), and 1994 (following discontinuation of WBC reduction). Comparisons were made by use of ANOVA following log or square root transformation of the data.

RESULTS : Length of hospital stay for patients who received transfusion decreased over time. Mean hospital stays were 15.9, 14.1, and 12.1 days before, during, and after WBC reduction, respectively. A similar trend was seen in the patients who did not receive transfusion. There was no indication that WBC reduction functioned as an independent variable that was responsible for the observed decrease. The rate of postoperative infection stayed constant during WBC reduction and only dropped when WBC reduction was stopped. Mean hospital cost showed no significant change over time for either the tranfusion group or the nontransfusion group.

CONCLUSION : The cost of providing a totally WBC‐reduced blood supply may not be offset by immediate savings related to decreased postoperative infections, reduced length of hospital stay, and cost of hospital care.
Overanticoagulation associated with combined use of antifungal agents and coumarin anticoagulants*
Authors: Visser Loes E. , Penning‐van Beest Fernie J. A. , Kasbergen A. A. Harrie , De Smet Peter A. G. M. , Vulto Arnold G. , Hofman Albert , Stricker Bruno H. Ch.
Published: October 2002

Background

Several case reports have associated combined use of coumarins and antifungal agents with overanticoagulation. However, we are not aware of epidemiologic studies that quantify the risk of overanticoagulation caused by antifungal agents. We conducted a follow‐up study in a large population‐based cohort to investigate the antifungal agents that are associated with overanticoagulation during therapy with coumarins.

Methods

All patients in the Rotterdam Study who were treated with acenocoumarol or phenprocoumon in the study period from April 1, 1991, through Dec 31, 1998, and for whom international normalized ratio data were available were followed up until an INR ≥6.0, the end of their treatment, death, or the end of the study period. Proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate the risk of an INR ≥6.0 in relation to concomitant use of an oral anticoagulant and antifungal agents, after adjustment for several potentially confounding factors such as age, gender, hepatic dysfunction, malignancies, and heart failure.

Results

Of the 1124 patients in the cohort, 351 had an INR ≥6.0. The incidence rate was 6.9 per 10,000 treatment days. Oral miconazole most strongly increased the risk of overanticoagulation with an adjusted relative risk of 36.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.4‐108.0).

Conclusions

In this study among outpatients of an anticoagulant clinic who were on a regimen of coumarins, oral miconazole was especially strongly associated with overanticoagulation. Awareness of these drug interactions and more frequent monitoring of INR values during the initial stages of treatment with some antifungal drugs in patients taking coumarins may minimize the risk of bleeding complications. The concurrent use of miconazole and coumarins should be discouraged.

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2002) 71, 496–502; doi: 10.1067/mcp.2002.124470
Enantiospecific effects of cytochrome P450 2C9 amino acid variants on ibuprofen pharmacokinetics and on the inhibition of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2
Authors: Kirchheiner Julia , Meineke Ingolf , Freytag Georg , Meisel Christian , Roots Ivar , Brockmöller Jürgen
Published: October 2002

Objective

According to in vitro data, the polymorphic cytochrome P450 enzyme 2C9 (CYP2C9) may be the major S‐ibuprofen hydroxylase. In humans, there are 2 variants of CYP2C9 with a high population frequency. We studied their impact on ibuprofen pharmacokinetics and on the inhibition of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2.

Methods

Kinetics of an oral dose of 600 mg racemic ibuprofen were studied in 21 healthy volunteers with all combinations of the CYP2C9 variants *2 (arginine144cysteine) and *3 (isoleucine359leucine). Blood concentrations of racemic ibuprofen and of S‐(+)‐ibuprofen and R‐(−)‐ibuprofen were measured by HPLC, and thromboxane B2 and prostaglandin E2 were measured with use of an enzyme immunoassay. Data were evaluated witha population pharmacokinetic model that integrated pharmacogenetic information.

Results

The pharmacokinetics of racemic and of S‐ibuprofen depended on the CYP2C9 isoleucine359leucine amino acid polymorphism: population mean S‐ibuprofen clearances were 3.25 L/h (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.84 to 3.73), 2.38L/h (95% CI, 2.09 to 2.73), and 1.52 L/h (95% CI, 1.33 to 1.74) in carriersof the CYP2C9 genotypes *1/*1, *1/*3, and *3/*3, respectively. The CYP2C9 variant *2 exhibited no significant effect. Ex vivo formation of thromboxane B2, reflecting cyclooxygenase type 1 inhibition, depended significantly on the CYP2C9 polymorphism. The maximal inhibition ofthromboxane B2 formation and the area under the effect‐time curve were larger in carriers of the slow CYP2C9 genotypes *1/*3, *2/*3, and *3/*3 than in *1/*1 carriers; the same trend was observed for prostaglandin E2, reflecting cyclooxygenase type 2 inhibition.

Conclusions

The reduced S‐ibuprofen total clearance accompanied by increased pharmacodynamic activity may have medical impact in patients receiving ibuprofen.

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2002) 72, 62–75; doi: 10.1067/mcp.2002.125726
The relationship of hepatic tissue oxygenation with nitric oxide metabolism in ischemic preconditioning of the liver
Authors: Koti Rahul S. , Seifalian Alexander M. , McBride Alan G. , Yang Wenxuan , Davidson Brian R.
Published: October 2002

Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) may increase the hepatic tolerance of ischemic injury during liver surgery and transplantation via nitric oxide (NO) formation. This study investigates the effect of IPC on hepatic tissue oxygenation and the role of NO stimulation and inhibition on the preconditioning effect in the rat liver. Study groups had 1) sham laparotomy; 2) 45‐min lobar liver ischemia and 2‐h reperfusion (IR); 3) IPC with 5‐min ischemia and 10‐min reperfusion before IR; 4) L‐arginine before IR; and 5) Nω‐Nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) + IPC before IR. Hepatic tissue oxygenation was monitored by near‐infrared spectroscopy. Plasma alanine aminotransferase and plasma nitrite/nitrate were measured. Following IR there was significant decrease in oxyhemoglobin and cytochrome oxidase and an increase in deoxyhemoglobin (P<0.05 vs. Sham). IPC produced a significant increase in intracellular oxygenation at the end of the reperfusion period (cytochrome oxidase CuA redox state, P<0.05 vs IR). NO stimulation with L‐arginine did not attenuate the impairment in hepatic tissue oxygenation after IR (P>0.05 vs IR). In contrast, inhibition of NO synthesis blocked the effect of IPC and further impaired tissue oxygenation (decreased cytochrome oxidase CuA redox state and increased deoxyhemoglobin, both P<0.05 vs IR), suggesting an aggravation of ischemia reperfusion injury. Hepatocellular injury was reduced by IPC and L‐arginine and increased by NO blockade with L‐NAME (Plasma ALT, all P< 0.05 vs IR). Hepatic tissue oxygenation correlated significantly with ALT and plasma nitrite/nitrate. Ischemic preconditioning significantly improved hepatic intra cellular oxygenation and reduced hepatocellular injury. NO stimulation reduced hepatocellular injury, whereas inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis blocked the effect of IPC and reduced tissue oxygenation and increased hepatocellular injury.
Codon 12 and codon 13 mutations at the K‐ras gene induce different soft tissue sarcoma types in nude mice
Authors: Guerrero Sílvia , Figueras Agnès , Casanova Isolda , Farré Lourdes , Lloveras Belen , Capellà Gabriel , Trias Manuel , Mangues Ramon
Published: October 2002

K‐ras codon 12 mutation is more oncogenic in in vitro and in vivo experimental systems than Kras codon 13 mutation. Moreover, human colorectal tumors bearing a codon 12 mutation are more aggressive, invasive, and metastatic than the same tumor types carrying a codon 13 mutation. However, despite the association between specific sarcoma types and codon 12 or codon 13 mutations, the relationship between the position of the mutated codon at ras genes and tumor aggressiveness has not been studied in this tumor type. Here, we used a nude mice model to evaluate the tumorogenic capacity of stable transfectants of NIH3T3 fibroblasts, expressing Kras mutated at codon 12 (K12) or 13 (K13), and morphologically, functionally, and molecularly compared these tumors. We found histopathological differences between them, K12‐derived tumors showing fibrosarcoma‐like features, whereas K13‐derived tumors resembled malignant fibrous histiocytomas. Moreover, K12 tumors showed shorter latency of appearance, lower apoptotic and mitotic rates, and higher expression of markers for sarcoma aggressiveness (Ki67, p53 and c‐myc) than K13 tumors. They also showed differences in the expression or activation of Ras, Ras downstream pathways [c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK), MAPK and AKT], and apoptotic [AKT, Bcl‐2, Focal adhesion kinase (FAK)] and mitotic (cyclin B1) regulators, which could explain their functional differences. Most remarkably, the significantly diminished apoptotic rate observed in K12‐derived tumors was associated with enhanced antiapoptotic signaling through the AKT pathway. These morphological, functional, and molecular differences demonstrate that codon 12 and codon 13 mutations in the K‐ras oncogene can induce two different soft tissue sarcoma types in our in vivo model.
MEK and ERK inhibitors enhance the antiproliferative effect of interferon‐α2b
Authors: Romerio Fabio , Zella Davide
Published: October 2002

Interferon (IFN)‐α, initially characterized as an antiviral cytokine, affects several cellular functions. It is used in clinical practice for the treatment of several tumors, including hematopoietic malignancies, due to its antiproliferative effects. To better characterize the molecular mechanism(s) underlying this property, we conducted our studies in purified primary CD4+ T cells stimulated with anti‐CD3 and interleukin (IL)‐2. Upon treatment with IFN‐α, the cells were blocked in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle and exhibited impaired entry into S phase and reduced proliferation. Moreover, we detected short‐ and long‐term inhibition of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and mitogen‐activated ERK‐regulating kinase (MEK) function, known to control cellular proliferation. The activity of the upstream regulators, Ras and Raf‐1, was not affected. Analysis of downstream events controlled by the MEK/ERK pathway showed reduced activity of cyclin‐dependent kinase (Cdk)‐2 and ‐4, high levels of the mitotic inhibitors, p21Waf1 and p27Kip1, and decreased cyclin D and E expression. When IFN‐α was used in combination with MEK and ERK inhibitors, we observed a dose‐dependent additive effect in reducing cellular proliferation. Our data demonstrate that IFN‐α may be associated with other molecules to inhibit cellular growth by targeting the MEK/ERK pathway. This may eventually lead to new clinical strategies to strengthen its anticancer effect.
The involvement of mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase in the regulation of amyloid precursor protein processing by novel cholinesterase inhibitors derived from rasagiline
Authors: Yogev‐Falach Merav , Amit Tamar , Bar‐Am Orit , Weinstock Marta , Youdim Moussa B.H.
Published: October 2002

Two novel neuroprotective cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors, TV3326, (N‐propargyl‐(3R) aminoindan‐5‐yl)‐ethyl methyl carbamate, and TV3279, (N‐propargyl‐(3S) aminoindan‐5‐yl)ethyl methyl carbamate, were derived from rasagiline for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). TV3326 also inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO)‐A and ‐B, whereas its S‐isomer, TV3279, lacks MAO inhibitory activity. The action of these drugs in the regulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, using rat PC12 and human SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, was examined. Both isomers stimulated the release of the non‐amyloidogenic α‐secretase form of soluble APP (sAPPα) from these cell lines. The increases in sAPPα, induced by TV3326 and TV3279, were dose‐dependent (0.1–100 μM) and blocked by the hydroxamic acid‐based metalloprotease inhibitor, Ro31–9790, suggesting mediation via α‐secretase activity. Using several signal transduction inhibitors, we identified the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC), mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase, and tyrosine kinase‐dependent pathways in the enhancement of sAPPα release by TV3326 and TV3279. In addition, both drugs directly induced the phosphorylation of p44 and p42 MAP kinase, which was abolished by the specific inhibitors of MAP kinase activation, PD98059 and U0126. These data suggest a novel pharmacological mechanism whereby these ChE inhibitors regulate the secretory processes of APP via activation of the MAP kinase pathway.
Consequences of Web‐based technology usage
Authors: Jones Nory , Kochtanek Thomas
Published: October 2002

Web‐based technologies are rapidly becoming an integral part of the business fabric, interwoven into most departments and functional areas. However, the consequences of adopting these innovations, such as anticipated versus unanticipated and desirable versus undesirable consequences, warrant further exploration. This paper describes the experience of a contract service business after adopting a Web‐based collaborative technology to share information throughout the firm. User perceptions and attitudes towards this technology and its impact on time, control, and organisational change were explored via qualitative interviews. The results suggest that there were a number of consequences relating to these dimensions. We reflect on these consequences and offer suggestions based on the generalisability of the results. Further studies are identified that extend the exploration into the impact of Web‐based collaboration.
Real-Time Imaging of Fluorescent Flagellar Filaments of
Rhizobium lupini
H13-3: Flagellar Rotation and pH-Induced Polymorphic Transitions
Authors: Scharf Birgit
Published: October 2002

The soil bacterium
Rhizobium lupini
H13-3 has complex right-handed flagellar filaments with unusual ridged, grooved surfaces. Clockwise (CW) rotation propels the cells forward, and course changes (tumbling) result from changes in filament speed instead of the more common change in direction of rotation. In view of these novelties, fluorescence labeling was used to analyze the behavior of single flagellar filaments during swimming and tumbling, leading to a model for directional changes in
R
.
lupini
. Also, flagellar filaments were investigated for helical conformational changes, which have not been previously shown for complex filaments. During full-speed CW rotation, the flagellar filaments form a propulsive bundle that pushes the cell on a straight path. Tumbling is caused by asynchronous deceleration and stops of individual filaments, resulting in dissociation of the propulsive bundle.
R
.
lupini
tumbles were not accompanied by helical conformational changes as are tumbles in other organisms including enteric bacteria. However, when pH was experimentally changed, four different polymorphic forms were observed. At a physiological pH of 7, normal flagellar helices were characterized by a pitch angle of 30°, a pitch of 1.36 μm, and a helical diameter of 0.50 μm. As pH increased from 9 to 11, the helices transformed from normal to semicoiled to straight. As pH decreased from 5 to 3, the helices transformed from normal to curly to straight. Transient conformational changes were also noted at high viscosity, suggesting that the
R
.
lupini
flagellar filament may adapt to high loads in viscous environments (soil) by assuming hydrodynamically favorable conformations.
The Gene
yjfQ
Encodes the Repressor of the
yjfR-X
Regulon (
ula
), Which Is Involved in
l
-Ascorbate Metabolism in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Campos Evangelina , Aguilar Juan , Baldoma Laura , Badia Josefa
Published: October 2002

Mutations in
yjfQ
allowed us to identify this gene as the regulator of the operon
yjfS-X
(
ula
operon), reported to be involved in
l
-ascorbate metabolism. Inactivation of this gene renders constitutive the expression of the
ula
operon, indicating that YjfQ acts as a repressor. We also demonstrate that this repressor regulates the nearby
yjfR
gene, which in this way constitutes a regulon with the
ula
operon.
A Gene Encoding a Homologue of Dolichol Phosphate-β-
d
-Mannose Synthase Is Required for Infection of
Streptomyces coelicolor
A3(2) by Phage φC31
Authors: Cowlishaw Deborah A. , Smith Margaret C. M.
Published: October 2002

We have shown previously that a gene encoding a homologue to the eukaryotic dolichol-phosphate-
d
-mannose, protein
O
-
d
-mannosyltransferase, was required for φC31 infection of
Streptomyces coelicolor
. Here we show that a gene encoding the homologue to dolichol-phosphate-mannose synthase is also essential for phage sensitivity. These data confirm the role of glycosylation in the phage receptor for φC31 in
S. coelicolor
.
Overexpression of the glycolytic enzyme pyrophosphate-dependent fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase (PFP) in developing transgenic tobacco seed results in alterations in the onset and extent of storage lipid deposition
Authors: Wood Susan M , Dennis David T , Newcomb William
Published: October 2002

Microscopy and fatty acid analyses were used to characterize the storage lipids in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum L. (tobacco) ovules demonstrating constitutive expression of a gene encoding pyrophosphate-dependent fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase (PFP) from the protist Giardia lamblia. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated significant differences in the size and number of lipid droplets in endosperm and embryo proper cells, regardless of the presence of the transgene; confocal fluorescence microscopy confirmed constitutive differences in lipid droplets of the endosperm and embryo tissues at maturity. Microscopy of developing tissues, however, showed that lipid droplets were deposited up to 48 h sooner in the transgenic embryo proper while deposition of endosperm lipids was unchanged. Cell counts of sectioned tissues confirmed that transgenic embryo growth was enhanced. Fatty acid analyses showed that fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) concentrations of stearic (18:0), linoleic (18:2), and linolenic (18:3) fatty acids were significantly higher in the larger, transgenic embryos, while those of palmitic (16:0) and oleic (18:1) were lower, suggesting that overexpression of PFP is responsible for altering both growth and development of young ovules. At maturity, palmitic and stearic FAMEs were significantly lower, but no other morphological or biochemical differences between the control and transgenic seeds could be measured.Key words: triacylglycerols, Nicotiana tabacum, transgenic, embryo development, storage lipids.
A NEW CHARACTERIZATION OF ALMOST SPORADIC GROUPS
Authors: KHOSRAVI AMIR , KHOSRAVI BEHROOZ
Published: October 2002

Let G be a finite group. Based on the prime graph of G, the order of G can be divided into a product of coprime positive integers. These integers are called order components of G and the set of order components is denoted by OC(G). Some non-abelian simple groups are known to be uniquely determined by their order components. In this paper we prove that almost sporadic simple groups, except Aut (J2) and Aut (McL), and the automorphism group of PSL(2, 2n) where n=2sare also uniquely determined by their order components. Also we discuss about the characterizability of Aut (PSL(2, q)). As corollaries of these results, we generalize a conjecture of J. G. Thompson and another conjecture of W. Shi and J. Bi for the groups under consideration.
IDEALS WHICH MEMORIZE THE EXTENDED CENTROID
Authors: CABRERA MIGUEL
Published: October 2002

Essential ideals of multiplicatively semiprime algebras are themselves multiplicatively semiprime algebras and memorize the extended centroid.
ON SEMIREGULAR NILPOTENT ORBITS IN SIMPLE LIE ALGEBRAS OF TYPE D
Authors: ARBOUR BENOÎT , ĐOKOVIĆ DRAGOMIR Ž.
Published: October 2002

We derive explicit formulae for the characteristics H(k) of the semiregular nilpotent orbits Dn(ak) of the simple complex Lie algebra [Formula: see text] of type Dn. These formulae express H(k) as an integral linear combination of a basis of the Cartan subalgebra [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]. For that purpose we use several suitable bases of [Formula: see text] consisting of coroots. We also construct several explicit standard triples (E, H, F) with H = H(k), and E, F ∈ Dn(ak). Similar triples are constructed also for each connected component of the intersection of the orbit Dn(ak) with the split real form [Formula: see text] and the real form [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text].
Behaviour of Young Growing Pigs in a Resident‐Intruder Test Designed to Measure Aggressiveness
Authors: D'Eath Richard B. , Pickup Helena E.
Published: October 2002

A total of 125 growing pigs (47 days old) were tested for aggressive responses on two occasions using a resident‐intruder (R‐I) design. Our aims were twofold: (1) to attempt to replicate earlier work on pigs showing that resident aggression is a consistent individual characteristic, unaffected by weight or sex of the resident or intruder and (2) to develop behavioural measures to characterise the wide range of aggressive responses in the test. Resident pigs, housed since birth with littermates, were placed individually in a divided‐off portion of their home pen, and a smaller, unfamiliar intruder (approximately 66% of the resident's weight) was introduced. The test ended 5 min after the first investigation of the intruder by the resident or when one of the pigs began to attack the other (by delivering a sudden, rapid series of bites). On days 1 and 2, 33.6% and 43.2% of tests, respectively, ended in an attack by a resident. Intruder attacks were rare. Pigs were consistent in whether they attacked or not over the two tests, although attack latencies for pigs attacking in both tests were not correlated. Females were more likely to attack and attacked more quickly than males on the first test day but not in the second test or overall. Intruder sex had some effect on the test outcome (males were attacked more rapidly in the second test only). Resident and intruder weight had no effect. Aggressive pigs (meaning pigs that attacked vs. pigs that did not and fast‐attacking pigs vs. slow‐attacking pigs) showed a number of differences in behaviour during the R‐I test: (1) they took longer to make initial contact with the intruder in their first test; (2) they showed a higher frequency of aggressive acts (single head knocks, bites, and shoves); (3) they spent a greater proportion of the test engaging in social contact with the intruder rather than non‐social behaviours; (4) their social behaviour involved more postures directed toward the head as opposed to flank‐ or rear‐directed postures or re‐establishing social contact; and (5) they showed closer physical contact with intruders during social encounters, as characterised by their lower head positions. Some of these behavioural measures could be used to improve the measuring power of the test in the future. Improved behavioural measures would enable aggressiveness scoring among pigs that did not attack instead of classifying them all together as “non‐attacking.” Aggr. Behav. 28:401–415, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Natural gradient algorithm for neural networks applied to non‐linear high power amplifiers
Authors: Abdulkader H. , Langlet F. , Roviras D. , Castanie F.
Published: October 2002

This paper investigates the processing techniques for non‐linear high power amplifiers (HPA) using neural networks (NNs). Several applications are presented: Identification and Predistortion of the HPA. Various Neural Network structures are proposed to identify and predistort the HPA.

Since a few decades, NNs have shown excellent performance in solving complex problems (like classification, recognition, etc.) but usually they suffer from slow convergence speed. Here, we propose to use the natural gradient instead of the classical ordinary gradient in order to enhance the convergence properties. Results are presented concerning identification and predistortion using classical and natural gradient. Practical implementations issues are given at the end of the paper. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A forward‐only recursion algorithm for MAP decoding of linear block codes
Authors: Zepernick Hans‐Jürgen
Published: October 2002

The evolution of digital mobile communications along with the increase of integrated circuit complexity has resulted in frequent use of error control coding to protect information against transmission errors. Soft decision decoding offers better error performance compared to hard decision decoding but on the expense of decoding complexity. The maximum
a posteriori (MAP) decoder is a decoding algorithm which processes soft information and aims at minimizing bit error probability. In this paper, a matrix approach is presented which analytically describes MAP decoding of linear block codes in an original domain and a corresponding spectral domain. The trellis‐based decoding approach belongs to the class of forward‐only recursion algorithms. It is applicable to high rate block codes with a moderate number of parity bits and allows a simple implementation in the spectral domain in terms of storage requirements and computational complexity. Especially, the required storage space can be significantly reduced compared to conventional BCJR‐based decoding algorithms. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical significance of serum neuron‐specific enolase in patients with adult T‐cell leukemia
Authors: Fujiwara Hiroshi , Arima Naomichi , Ohtsubo Hideo , Matsumoto Tadashi , Kukita Toshimasa , Kawada Hideaki , Imaizumi Rie , Ozaki Atsuo , Matsushita Kakushi , Tei Chuwa
Published: October 2002

The present study examines the clinical significance of serum neuron‐specific enolase (NSE) in patients with adult T cell‐leukemia (ATL). Serum NSE values were measured using a radioimmunoassay in 35 patients (acute type, n = 15; lymphoma type, n = 10; chronic type, n = 10) and in 7 controls carrying T lymphotropic virus type‐1 (HTLV‐1). Serum NSE values >10 ng/mL were detected in 9 of 15 patients with acute type (60%), 5 of 10 with lymphoma type (50%), and in one of 10 patients with chronic type (10%) ATL, but in none of the HTLV‐1 carriers. Contrary to previous findings demonstrating that 20% of patients with non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) had positive serum NSE, the frequency of a high NSE value in patients with acute and lymphoma type ATL was much higher (60% and 50%, respectively). The serum NSE value positively correlated with serum thymidine kinase activity (TK) and serum soluble interleukin‐2 receptor (sIL‐2R) levels (P < 0.04 and P < 0.01, respectively). Serum NSE values at the initial diagnosis were adversely related to overall survival time according to the log‐rank test (P < 0.02). Pathological examinations demonstrated that both patients with anaplastic large cell lymphoma type ATL had cytoplasmic NSE and CD30 markers on cell membranes. These findings suggest that serum NSE is partially produced by ATL cells and that ATL tumor cells seem preferentially produce NSE compared with other NHL cells. Serum NSE may be a novel marker of disease aggressiveness as well as a prognostic factor for ATL. Am. J. Hematol. 71:80–84, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Carpal tunnel syndrome in repetitive work: A follow‐up study
Authors: Thomsen Jane Frølund , Hansson Gert‐Åke , Mikkelsen Sigurd , Lauritzen Martin
Published: October 2002

Background

The Project on Research and Intervention in Monotonous work (PRIM) studied Danish workers for 3–4 years to determine the effects of monotonous work. The present study is a subset of that cohort and compares prevalence and incidence differences of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) between workers with highly repetitive work tasks and workers with varied work tasks.

Methods

The baseline study included 731 participants. Follow‐up examinations were performed after 6 and 18 months. The CTS diagnosis was based on symptom interviews and nerve conduction tests. The repetitiveness levels were determined with electrogoniometers and observation of cycle times.

Results

The overall prevalence of CTS was 1.6% on the working hand and 0.7% on the other hand. There was a significantly increased risk of CTS for every 10‐hr increase of repetitive non‐forceful work (OR = 1.84; 95% CI = 1.06–3.19) on the working hand. This result, however, was based on few cases and a low prevalence in the control group. The overall annual CTS incidence was 0.62% on the working hand and 0.44% on the other hand. For the repetitive work tasks, the mean power frequencies ranged from 0.53 to 0.79 Hz.

Conclusions

In the baseline study, highly repetitive work was associated with CTS. The CTS incidence was too low to perform any analyses of exposure differences. Am J. Ind. Med. 42:344–353, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Monozygotic twins with a severe form of Alagille syndrome and phenotypic discordance
Authors: Kamath Binita M. , Krantz Ian D. , Spinner Nancy B. , Heubi James E. , Piccoli David A.
Published: October 2002

Alagille syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder affecting multiple organ systems, predominantly the liver, heart, skeleton, eye, face, and kidney. The phenotype in Alagille syndrome is highly variable both within and between families. We report monozygotic twins with Alagille syndrome concordant for a mutation in Jagged1 but discordant for clinical phenotype. The twins' monozygosity was confirmed by molecular testing. A de novo splice site mutation was identified in exon 6 (1329 + 2T → G) in both children. Both twins display a severe form of Alagille syndrome; however, one twin has a severe pulmonary atresia with mild liver involvement, while the other has tetralogy of Fallot and severe hepatic involvement, which has required liver transplantation. Potential mechanisms for phenotypic variability among monozygotic twins are discussed. This is the first reported case of discordance in phenotype in monozygotic twins with Alagille syndrome. This case implies that genotypic variations alone do not explain the clinical variability seen in Alagille syndrome and supports the contributory role of nongenetic factors in phenotype determination. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Limb malformations and the human HOX genes
Authors: Goodman Frances R.
Published: October 2002

HOX genes encode a family of transcription factors of fundamental importance for body patterning during embryonic development. Humans, like most vertebrates, have 39 HOX genes organized into four clusters, with major roles in the development of the central nervous system, axial skeleton, gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts, external genitalia, and limbs. The first two limb malformations shown to be caused by mutations in the human HOX genes were synpolydactyly and hand‐foot‐genital syndrome, which result from mutations in HOXD13 and HOXA13, respectively. This review describes a variety of limb malformations now known to be caused by specific different mutations in these two genes, including polyalanine tract expansions, nonsense mutations, and missense mutations, many with phenotypic consequences that could not have been predicted from previous knowledge of mouse models or HOX protein function. Limb malformations may also result from chromosomal deletions involving the HOXD and HOXA clusters, and from regulatory mutations affecting single or multiple HOX genes. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Teratogen‐induced limb defects
Authors: Holmes Lewis B.
Published: October 2002

Limb abnormalities are one of the most common and visible phenotypic effects of several human teratogens. The specific effects are different for most teratogens and include effects on limb morphogenesis (thalidomide, warfarin, phenytoin, valproic acid) and the effect of vascular disruption on a limb that had formed normally (misoprostol, chorionic villus sampling, and phenytoin). Either duplication (preaxial polydactyly of hands and feet) or deficiency (absence of thumb) is a common effect of thalidomide; no other human teratogen identified to date has this effect on the developing limb. Procedures during pregnancy, including chorionic villus sampling and dilation and curettage, produce defects of vascular disruption. For common exposures, such as alcohol and cocaine, it has been difficult to confirm objectively the exposure during embryogenesis and to ascribe specific limb defects that are produced. The molecular basis for the limb defects produced by the recognized human teratogens remains unknown. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A blind test of mandibular morphology for sexing mandibles in the first few years of life
Authors: Scheuer Louise
Published: October 2002

Loth and Henneberg ([2001] Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 115:179–186) proposed that consistent shape differences exist between male and female juvenile mandibles which can be used to predict sex with an accuracy of 81%. A sample of known sex and age from the Spitalfields Collection was examined blind twice and resulted in an overall accuracy of only 64%. The tests also showed that: 1) the method sexed males more reliably than females; and 2) consistency was low. Am J Phys Anthropol 119:189–191, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Revised age estimates of Australopithecus‐bearing deposits at Sterkfontein, South Africa
Authors: Berger Lee R. , Lacruz Rodrigo , De Ruiter Darryl J.
Published: October 2002

The Sterkfontein fossil site in South Africa has produced the largest concentration of early hominin fossils from a single locality. Recent reports suggest that Australopithecus from this site is found within a broad paleontological age of between 2.5–3.5 Ma (Partridge [2000] The Cenozoic of Southern Africa, Oxford: Oxford Monographs, p. 100–125; Partridge et al. [2000a], The Cenozoic of Southern Africa, Oxford: Oxford Monographs, p. 129–130; Kuman and Clarke [2000] J Hum Evol 38:827–847). Specifically, the hominin fossil commonly referred to as the “Little Foot” skeleton from Member 2, which is arguably the most complete early hominin skeleton yet discovered, has been magnetostratigraphically dated to 3.30–3.33 Ma (Partridge [2000] The Cenozoic of Southern Africa, Oxford: Oxford Monographs, p. 100–125; Partridge et al. [2000a], The Cenozoic of Southern Africa, Oxford: Oxford Monographs, p. 129–130). More recent claims suggest that hominin fossils from the Jacovec Cavern are even older, being dated to approximately 3.5 Ma. Our interpretation of the fauna, the archeometric results, and the magnetostratigraphy of Sterkfontein indicate that it is unlikely that any Members yet described from Sterkfontein are in excess of 3.04 Ma in age. We estimate that Member 2, including the Little Foot skeleton, is younger than 3.0 Ma, and that Member 4, previously dated to between 2.4–2.8 Ma, is more likely to fall between 1.5–2.5 Ma. Our results suggest that Australopithecus africanus should not be considered as a temporal contemporary of Australopithecus afarensis, Australopithecus bahrelghazali, and Kenyanthropus platyops. Am J Phys Anthropol 119:192–197, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alzheimer's second patient: Johann F. and his family
Authors: Klünemann Hans H. , Fronhöfer Wolfgang , Wurster Herbert , Fischer Wolfgang , Ibach Bernd , Klein Helmfried E.
Published: October 2002

Alois Alzheimer evaluated five cases of Alzheimer's disease in the early 20th century. We focused on the family of “Johann F.,” Alzheimer's second patient, who died in October 1910 at age 57 years, and whose brain pathology is typical of a subgroup of Alzheimer's disease, the so‐called “plaque‐only type.” It was perhaps Emil Kraepelin's personal knowledge of this patient and the histological data of the other four cases that influenced Kraepelin to coin the term Alzheimer's disease. The church archive in Passau has a genealogical database drawn from sacramental registers dating from approximately 1580 to 1900. The genealogical data of the “Johann F.” family, which comes from villages in Lower Bavaria, extends as far back as 1670. We found documentation starting around 1830 about cause of death in the church records, which shows a familial predisposition to dementia. Affected family members include the mother, maternal grandfather, maternal great‐aunt, maternal great‐grandfather as well as three of Johann F.'s eight siblings. The offspring (children and grandchildren) of these affected siblings also were affected by mental illness. We conclude that “Johann F.” represents the index case of a family with a predisposition to presenile dementia with variable age of onset (30s to 60s).
Synthesis of ultraviolet‐curable modified polysiloxane and its surface properties
Authors: Tan Bien , Pan Huiming , Irshad Hussain , Chen Xiaohui
Published: October 2002

A novel ultraviolet (UV)‐curable monomer α,ω‐dichloropolysiloxane was synthesized by the telomerization of dichlorodimethylsilane and octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4). The products with very low peel strength (<0.332 N/cm) could be used as release agents in pressure‐sensitive adhesives. Moreover, the values of the dispersion component of surface energy (γ) from the films of UV‐curable prepolymers (26.40–33.75 mJ/m2) were determined and the effects of γ on the reduction of adhesion were investigated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2135–2139, 2002
Study on the catalytic behavior of metal acetylacetonates for epoxy curing reactions
Authors: Zhang Zhuqing , Wong C. P.
Published: October 2002

Metal acetylacetonates are effective latent catalysts for epoxy/anhydride systems. A screen test on the catalytic behavior of metal acetylacetonate shows that this system offers a wide range of curing latency and material properties. It can be inferred that the curing behavior is closely related to the bonding strength of the metal ion to the ligand. Isothermal kinetic study on the catalytic behavior of metal chelates with first‐row transition metal ions is conducted and analyzed by using an autocatalytic model. It is found that the activation energy of the system containing the divalent metal chelates follows the Irving and Williams rule. The activation energies of the reaction obtained in the kinetic study are compared with the dissociation energies of the metal/ligand bond and the results are discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1572–1579, 2002
Recycling of blends of acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and polyamide
Authors: Liu Xiaodong , Boldizar Antal , Rigdahl Mikael , Bertilsson Hans
Published: October 2002

The aim of this work is to evaluate routes to upgrade recycled engineering plastics, especially mixed plastics with acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene copolymers (ABS) as the major component. A core‐shell impact modifier was successfully used to improve the impact strength of blends of ABS and ABS/polycarbonate (PC) blends recycled from the automotive industry. However, the presence of other immiscible components like polyamide (PA), even in small amounts, can lead to a deterioration in the overall properties of the blends. A styrene–maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer and other commercial polymer blends were used to promote the compatibilization of ABS and PA. The core‐shell impact modifier was again found to be an efficient additive with regard to the impact strength of the compatibilized ABS/PA blends. The results obtained with fresh material blends were quite promising. However, in blends of recycled ABS and glass‐fiber‐reinforced PA, the impact strength did not exhibit the desired behavior. The presence of poorly bonded glass fibers in the blend matrix was the probable reason for the poor impact strength compared with that of a blend of recycled ABS and mineral‐filled PA. Although functionalized triblock rubbers (SEBS–MA) can substantially enhance the impact strength of PA, they did not improve the impact strength of ABS/PA blends because the miscibility with ABS is poor. The possibilities of using commercial polymer blends to compatibilize otherwise incompatible polymer mixtures were also explored giving promising results. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2535–2543, 2002
Miscibility and the specific interaction of polyhydroxybutyrate blended with polyvinylacetate and poly(vinyl acetate‐co‐vinyl alcohol) with some biological applications
Authors: Abou‐Aiad T. H. , El‐Sabee M. Z. , Abd‐El‐Nour K. N. , Saad G. R. , El‐Sayed El‐Sayed A. , Gaafar E. A.
Published: October 2002

Bacterially produced polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) polymer has a lot of potential as an application for environmentally degradable plastics. We aimed in this study to blend PHB with the semicrystalline polymers poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and poly(vinyl acetate‐co‐vinyl alcohol) (PACA) to obtain material with better physical properties. We investigated compatibility over a wide composition range using different techniques. Viscosity measurements were used to study polymer–polymer miscibility in dilute solutions with chloroform as cosolvent. The data is discussed according to the viscosity interaction parameters, which are treated as excess properties by similarity with those of real solutions. Dielectric investigations were carried out at different frequencies ranging from 100 Hz to 50 kHz. The obtained data indicated that more than one relaxation mechanism was present, which were ascribed to the rotation of the main chain and its related motions. A glass‐transition temperature composition diagram, IR spectroscopy, and a morphological investigation were also used to give more information about the compatibility of such blends. The results of this study indicate that PHB/PVAc is semicompatible, whereas PHB/PACA is compatible at least in the assayed composition range of hydrolysis. We also extended the study to carry out some biological activity investigations, which were tested against the representative number of pathogenic organisms with the disk diffusion method. The different compositions of the investigated blend were biologically active when compared with the individual polymers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2363–2374, 2002
Structure and properties of regenerated cellulose films coated with polyurethane–nitrolignin graft‐IPNs coating
Authors: Huang Jin , Zhang Lina
Published: October 2002

A regenerated cellulose film (RC) was coated with a graft‐IPNs coating, which was composed of castor oil‐based polyurethane and 2.8 wt % nitrolignin (NL), to obtain water‐resistant films. The effects of NCO/OH molar ratio and different polyols, such as 1,4‐butanediol (BDO) and trimethanol propane (TMP), on the structure and properties of the coated RC films were investigated. With an increase of the NCO/OH molar ratio, the tensile strength of the coated films increased, but the water resistivity and size contraction hardly changed. The coated films with TMP exhibited the higher breaking elongation at 1.5 of the NCO/OH molar ratio, while those with BDO have more excellent tensile strength, water resistivity, and dimensional stability. The coated films with the graft‐IPNs coating exhibited superior water resistivity and dimensional stability. The light transmittance of the coated films was more excellent than that of the RC film. Moreover, the results from the IR and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) showed that the chemical bonding occurred between cellulose and coating, and the introduction of NL plays an important role in the enhancement of the interface adhesion of the coated films. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) depicted the flat and dense surface of the coated films, which restricted the water vapor penetration and the size contraction, resulting in the enhancement of water resistivity. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1799–1806, 2002