bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards regional monetary cooperation in East Asia: lessons from other parts of the world
Authors: Kawai Masahiro , Takagi Shinji
Published: April 2005

This paper discusses regional monetary cooperation for East Asia, by drawing lessons from the European Payments Union, the CFA Franc Zone and the Arab Monetary Fund. Along with the well‐known experience of the European Monetary System, these experiences suggest that effective monetary cooperation should include: (1) a surveillance mechanism; (2) a regional financing facility; (3) a common unit of account; and (4) exchange rate coordination. In East Asia, the existing mechanisms of regional surveillance must be strengthened, and the liquidity support mechanism under the Chiang Mai Initiative must evolve into a common pool of foreign exchange reserves. Over the longer term, the region may need to create its own common unit of account and to develop a framework for exchange rate coordination. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of yeast viability under hyperbaric conditions through a modeling approach
Authors: Coutinho João AP , Belo Isabel , Ferreira Eugénio C , Coelho M Alice Z
Published: April 2005

The effect of pressure (0.1–1.5 MPa) and oxygen concentration on the growth and viability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae was studied. Cell viability was assessed through the Methylene Blue staining method and the percentages of viable and non‐viable cells were estimated using digital image processing. A model taking into account cell viability was developed and used to describe the measured data. The model reveals the opposing effects between oxygen availability and the baric and oxidative stresses present on the system and can successfully describe not only the traditional biomass–product–substrate (X–P–S) evolution but also the ratio of viable cells with time. It is shown that cell viability in general is not constant during the experiments but strongly depends on the environment. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Intraparticle diffusion of cadmium and zinc ions during adsorption from aqueous solution on activated carbon
Authors: Leyva‐Ramos R , Rangel‐Mendez JR , Bernal‐Jacome LA , Berber Mendoza MS
Published: April 2005

The adsorption isotherms of cadmium(II) and zinc(II) onto activated carbons were obtained in a batch adsorber. The concentration decay data were obtained in a rotating basket adsorber and were interpreted by a mathematical model, which takes into account the adsorption rate, external mass transport and intraparticle diffusion. The results showed that the overall rate of adsorption of Cd(II) and Zn(II) was mainly controlled by the intraparticle diffusion which was solely due to pore volume diffusion. The contribution of the external mass transport resistance was negligible. The effective pore volume diffusivities of Cd(II) and Zn(II) were predicted reasonably well using the ionic diffusivity of the metal and the void fraction and tortuosity of activated carbon. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of a pre‐purification process for homoharringtonine
Authors: Sung Ju‐Li , Kim Byung‐Sik , Kim Jin‐Hyun
Published: April 2005

A novel pre‐purification method was developed for producing homoharringtonine from Cephalotaxus koreana, giving high purity and yield. The simple, efficient procedure involved biomass extraction, liquid–liquid extraction, and synthetic adsorbent treatment, followed by low‐pressure chromatography. The use of active clay treatment and silica gel low‐pressure chromatography in the pre‐purification process allowed for the rapid, efficient separation of homoharringtonine from interfering compounds and, compared with alternative processes, increased the yield and purity of crude homoharringtonine for subsequent high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification. Homoharringtonine of over 52% purity could be obtained simply with high yield from biomass using this pre‐purification method, while minimizing solvent use and the scale and complexity of HPLC operations for homoharringtonine purification. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Adsorption of heavy metals from aqueous solutions with by‐products of the steelmaking industry
Authors: Martín M Isabel , López Félix A , Pérez Carlos , López‐Delgado Aurora , Alguacil Francisco J
Published: April 2005

This paper describes the use of two steelmaking industry by‐products (rolling mill scale and blast furnace sludge) as adsorbents for removing heavy metals from aqueous effluent solutions. The adsorption of Pb2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+ on these materials has been studied by the determination of adsorption isotherms from solutions of controlled ionic strength. The effect of time, equilibrium temperature and metal solution concentration on adsorption efficiency was evaluated. The adsorption processes are analysed using the Langmuir theory. Desorption and dumping processes for the metals from loaded steelmaking industry by‐products were also studied under different experimental conditions. The by‐products were shown to be effective adsorbents for the studied cations in aqueous solutions within the range of working concentrations. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
The preparation of 123/125I‐clioquinol for the study of Aβ protein in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Papazian V. , Jackson T. , Pham T. , Liu X. , Greguric I. , Loc'h C. , Rowe C. , Villemagne V. , Masters C. L. , Katsifis A.
Published: April 2005

Clioquinol or 5‐chloro‐7‐iodo‐8‐hydroxyquinoline (CQ) is a lipophilic hydroxyquinoline currently under investigation for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease by targeted copper and zinc chelation. CQ was radiolabelled with no‐carrier‐added iodine‐123/125 to give high specific activity analogs for SPECT imaging and biochemical studies. 123I‐clioquinol (123I‐CQ) was prepared by direct iodination of the activated hydroxyquinoline using a variety of oxidants. Highest yields (>85%) and purity were obtained when chloramine‐T or iodogen at pH 4–5 was used. Large‐scale radiolabelled 123I‐CQ was purified by reverse‐phase HPLC using a C‐18 small ‘Rocket®’ column. The radiochemical purity of 123I‐CQ as assessed by analytical HPLC was 99.1±0.6% (n = 9) with specific activity higher than 3 GBq/nmol for 123I‐CQ and 80 MBq/nmol for 125I‐CQ. The total preparation time was 40 min and starting from 3.7 GBq of iodine‐123, more than 2.5 GBq of formulated 123I‐CQ as radiopharmaceutical was available for clinical investigations. Using the same method of preparation, 125I‐CQ was produced in radiochemical and chemical purity higher than 97% with a specific activity of 80 MBq/nmol. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New radiolabelling chemistry: synthesis of phosphorus–[18F]fluorine compounds
Authors: Studenov Andrei R. , Adam Michael J. , Wilson John S. , Ruth Thomas J.
Published: April 2005

The feasibility of synthesizing compounds containing the P–18F bond has been demonstrated by labelling the pesticide, cholinesterase inhibitor Dimefox (N,N,N′N′‐tetramethylphosphorodiamidic fluoride) with F‐18. Radiolabelling was achieved in high radiochemical yield (96%) by nucleophilic substitution of the chloro group attached to phosphorus, in the oxidation state P(V), by 18F− (activated with tetrabutylammonium carbonate in acetonitrile). Given the large number of important biological molecules possessing phosphorus such as oligonucleotides, phospholipids as well as phosphorylated proteins, sugars and steroids, this new labelling chemistry may provide an additional route to radiolabelling these biologically important compounds for use in PET. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Co‐continuous Polyamide 6 (PA6)/Acrylonitrile‐Butadiene‐Styrene (ABS) Nanocomposites
Authors: Li Yongjin , Shimizu Hiroshi
Published: April 2005

Summary: Polyamide 6 (PA6)/acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) (40/60 w/w) nanocomposites with a novel morphology were prepared by the melt mixing of PA6, ABS and organoclay. The blend nanocomposites had a co‐continuous structure, in which both PA6 and styrene‐acrylonitrile (SAN) were continuous phases. It was found that the toughening rubber particles were only located in the SAN phase and the strengthening clay platelets were selectively dispersed in the PA6 phase. The co‐continuous nanocomposites showed greatly improved mechanical properties over the whole temperature range when compared with the same blend sample without clay.

Schematic diagram for the co‐continuous ABS/PA6 blend nanocomposite.

image

Schematic diagram for the co‐continuous ABS/PA6 blend nanocomposite.
Preparation and Aggregation of Polypseudorotaxane from Dendronized Poly(methacrylate)‐Poly(ethylene oxide) Diblock Copolymer and α‐Cyclodextrin
Authors: Cheng Caixia , Tang Rupei , Xi Fu
Published: April 2005

Summary: Dendronized poly(methacrylate)‐poly(ethylene oxide) (PDMA58‐b‐PEO45) formed as a stoichiometric inclusion complex with α‐cyclodextrin. The incorporation of the rodlike PDMA blocks produced no apparent change in the crystal structure, but its steric hindrance on the PEO chain resulted in lower yield as compared with the pure PEO. Moreover, the architectural transition from rod–coil to rod–rod led to a morphological change from spindly aggregates to rods in a binary solvent mixture of N,N‐dimethylformamide and water.

Synthesis and self‐assembly of the α‐cyclodextrin‐[dendronized poly(methacrylate)‐poly(ethylene oxide)] (α‐CD‐PDMA‐PEO) polypseudorotaxane (PR).

image

Synthesis and self‐assembly of the α‐cyclodextrin‐[dendronized poly(methacrylate)‐poly(ethylene oxide)] (α‐CD‐PDMA‐PEO) polypseudorotaxane (PR).
Mechanical Properties of a Single Electrospun Fiber and Its Structures
Authors: Gu Shu‐Ying , Wu Qi‐Lin , Ren Jie , Vancso G. Julius
Published: April 2005

Summary: A method to measure the Young's modulus of a single electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fiber is reported. The Young's modulus can be calculated from the force‐displacement curves obtained by the bending of a single fiber attached to an atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever. It is suggested that the high modulus of electrospun fibers is caused by the orientation of molecular chains, which is confirmed by wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) measurements. The communication will provide a basic understanding of the relationship between mechanical properties and structures of electrospun fibers.

A PAN fiber was attached to a contact mode cantilever to facilitate the measurement of force‐displacement curves and Young's modulus.

image

A PAN fiber was attached to a contact mode cantilever to facilitate the measurement of force‐displacement curves and Young's modulus.
Phospholipase A2 activity of β‐bungarotoxin is essential for induction of cytotoxicity on cerebellar granule neurons
Authors: Chen Yu‐Jen
Published: April 2005

The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of the cytotoxic effect of β‐bungarotoxin (β‐BuTX), a presynaptic neurotoxin, on rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). The maturation of CGNs is characterized by the prominent dense neurite networks that became fragmented after treatment with β‐BuTX, and this cytotoxic effect of β‐BuTX on CGNs was in a dose‐ and time‐dependant manner. The cytotoxic effect of β‐BuTX was found to be more potent than other toxins, such as α‐BuTX, cardiotoxin, melittin, and Naja naja atra venom phospholipase A2. Meanwhile, undifferentiated neuroblastoma neuronal cell lines, IMR‐32 and SK‐N‐MC, and astrocytes were found to be resistant to β‐BuTX. These results indicated that only the mature CGNs were sensitive to β‐BuTX insults. None of the following chemicals: antioxidants, K+‐channel activator, K+‐channel antagonists, intracellular Ca2+ chelator, Ca2+‐channel blockers, NMDA receptor antagonists, and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor tested, were able to reduce β‐BuTX‐induced cytotoxicity. However, secretory type phospholipase A2 inhibitors (glycyrrhizin and aristolochic acid) and a free radical scavenger (5,5‐dimethyl pyrroline N‐oxide, DMPO) could attenuate not only β‐BuTX‐induced cytotoxicity but also ROS production and caspase‐3 activation. These data suggest that phospholipase A2 activity of β‐BuTX may be responsible for free radical generation and caspase‐3 activation that accounts for the observed cytotoxic effect. It is proposed that the CGNs can be a useful tool for studying interactions of the molecules on neuronal plasma membrane with β‐BuTX that mediates the specific cytotoxicity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2005
Enhanced gene expression in the forebrain of hatchling and juvenile male zebra finches
Authors: Wade Juli , Tang Yu Ping , Peabody Camilla , Tempelman Robert J.
Published: April 2005

The molecular mechanisms regulating sexual differentiation of the brain are largely unknown, although progress is being made, particularly in some mammalian systems. To uncover more of the key factors, a screen was conducted for genes involved in sexually dimorphic development of the neural song system in zebra finches. cDNA microarrays were initially used to compare gene expression in the telencephalons of hatchling and juvenile males and females. Then, real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to confirm sex differences, and the brain regions expressing the cDNAs of interest were localized using in situ hybridization. Several genes, including those likely to encode two ribosomal proteins (RPL17 and RPL37), SCAMP1, ZNF216, and a COBW‐domain containing protein, showed enhanced expression in the telencephalon of males compared to females. In several cases, expression in the song control nuclei specifically was detected only in males. Interestingly, the sequences of some of these cDNAs shared substantial homology with regions of the chicken Z chromosome (male birds are ZZ, females ZW). Thus, we have identified genes likely to be involved in masculinization of the structure and/or function of the song circuit, some of which could be initial triggers for the sexual differentiation process. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol, 2005
Synthesis of telechelic oligomers by atom transfer radical polymerization: A study of acrylate monomers
Authors: Otazaghine Belkacem , Boyer Cyrille , Robin Jean‐Jacques , Boutevin Bernard
Published: April 2005

Different acrylate oligomers were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization in the presence of a transfer agent and CuBr/1,1,4,7,10,10‐hexamethyltriethylenetetramine. The functionality in bromine was determined by 1H NMR. These oligomers were coupled in the presence of Cu(0) and the ligand 2,2′‐bipyridine. The coupling yield was determined by size exclusion chromatography and NMR analysis and depended on the nature of the monomer and not on the molecular weight. In other words, the preliminary functionalization of the brominated chain end with styrene increased the coupling yield. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2377‐2394, 2005
Association of polybutadiene living anions in cyclohexane
Authors: Matsuda Yasuhiro , Sato Takahiro , Oishi Yohei , Watanabe Hiroshi
Published: April 2005

Simultaneous measurements of static and dynamic light scattering were made for cyclohexane solutions of living polybutadiene (PB) anion to characterize PB components existing in the solutions. There were two relaxation modes in the relaxation time spectra obtained by dynamic light scattering. The static structure factor and hydrodynamic radius of the major fast relaxation component obtained are explained by the unimer‐tetramer equilibrium model. The same model is also consistent with the data of the propagation reaction rate of the PB living anion in cyclohexane. The slow relaxation component is only minor (less than 1 wt %), but has a large radius of gyration of ca. 200 nm, and is assigned to aggregates consisting of a huge number of PB living anion chains. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1401–1407, 2005
Structure and properties of rubber/organic montmorillonite nanocomposites prepared by in situ anionic intercalation polymerization
Authors: Liao Mingyi , Shan Wei , Zhu Jiedong , Li Yang , Xu Hongde
Published: April 2005

Polybutadiene (PB), polyisoprene (PI), and styrene–butadiene rubber/organic montmorillonite (OMMT) nanocomposites (NCs) were prepared by in situ anionic intercalation polymerization. The intercalation structure, chemical constitution, and morphology of the rubber/OMMT NCs were characterized with X‐ray diffraction, H NMR spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy; the thermal and dynamic mechanical properties of the rubber/OMMT NCs were characterized with differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis. The mechanical properties of PB/OMMT NC were also tested. The results showed that a certain extent of exfoliated rubber/OMMT could be prepared by anionic in situ intercalation polymerization. The incorporation of OMMT obviously changed the microstructure content of PB and PI: the concentrations of the 1,2‐unit, 3,4‐unit, and trans‐1,4‐unit increased dramatically with an increasing concentration of OMMT, and the concentration of the cis‐1,4 structure decreased. The addition of OMMT‐DK1B and OMMT‐DK4 had little effect on the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution, but the addition of OMMT‐DK1 reduced the molecular weight of rubber, and the molecular weight distribution became broad. The glass‐transition temperature, weight‐loss temperature, storage modulus, and loss modulus of the NCs evidently increased, but tan δ decreased. OMMT apparently enhanced the rubber matrix; for example, the breaking strength and hardness of PB/OMMT NC crosslinked rubber increased greatly, but the tear strength and permanent deformation did not change much. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 1344–1353, 2005
2‐5A induces a conformational change in the ankyrin‐repeat domain of RNase L
Authors: Nakanishi Masayuki , Goto Yoshikuni , Kitade Yukio
Published: April 2005

RNase L is responsible for the 2‐5A host defense system, an RNA degradation pathway present in cells of higher vertebrates that functions in both the antiviral and anticellular activities of interferon. The activity of RNase L is tightly regulated and is exerted only in the presence of 2‐5A. The postulated mechanism of its regulation is as follows: the N‐terminal half ankyrin‐repeat domain masks the C‐terminal half nuclease domain in the absence of 2‐5A. On binding 2‐5A at the ankyrin‐repeat domain, RNase L forms a homodimer and removes the ankyrin‐repeat domain from the nuclease domain to become the active form. A conformational change in the ankyrin‐repeat domain is a key step in this hypothetical mechanism, but there is as yet no evidence for such a change. To clarify the events induced by 2‐5A binding, we established procedures for expression and purification of the ankyrin‐repeat domain of human RNase L. Fluorescence spectra of the protein showed clear difference in the presence and absence of 2‐5A. The alterations in the spectra supported conformational changes of the protein. Time‐resolved anisotropy measurements indicated that 2‐5A binding led to a significant decrease in the rotational radius of the protein. In addition, 2‐5A provided the domain with resistance to protease digestion as a result of a conformational change. These results indicated that the ankyrin‐repeat domain of RNase L constricts its structure by binding of 2‐5A. This observation suggests a revised model of the 2‐5A‐induced activation of RNase L. Proteins 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Universal biases in protein composition of model prokaryotes
Authors: Pascal Géraldine , Médigue Claudine , Danchin Antoine
Published: April 2005

The levels of cellular organization in living organisms are the results of a variety of selection pressures. We have investigated here the final outcome of this integrated selective process in proteins of the best known microbial models Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Methanococcus jannaschii, supposed to have undergone separate evolution for more than 1 billion years. Using multivariate analysis methods, including correspondence analysis, we studied the overall amino acid composition of all proteins making a proteome. Starting from and further developing previous results that had pointed out some general forces driving the amino acid composition of the proteomes of these model bacteria, we explored the correlations existing between the structure and functions of the proteins forming a proteome and their amino acid composition. The electric charge of amino acids measured against hydrophobicity creates a highly homogeneous cluster, made exclusively of proteins that are core components of the cytoplasmic membrane of the cell (integral inner membrane proteins). A second bias is imposed by the G+C content of the genome, indicating that protein functions are so robust with respect to amino acid changes that they can accommodate a large shift in the nucleotide content of the genome. A remarkable role of aromatic amino acids was uncovered. Expressed orphan proteins are enriched in these residues, suggesting that they might participate in a process of gain of function during evolution. Proteins 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk assessment of dietary exposure to pesticides using a Bayesian method
Authors: Paulo M João , van der Voet Hilko , Jansen Michiel JW , ter Braak Cajo JF , van Klaveren Jacob D
Published: April 2005

Risk assessment of pesticides can be a statistically difficult problem because pesticides occur only occasionally, but they may occur on multiple components in the diet. A Bayesian statistical model is presented which incorporates multivariate modelling of food consumption and modelling of pesticide measurements which are for a large part below a measurement threshold. It is shown that Bayesian modelling is feasible for a limited number of food components, and that in a data‐rich situation the model compares well with an empirical Monte Carlo modelling. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Outcome of fetal renal pelvic dilatation diagnosed during the third trimester
Authors: Wollenberg A. , Neuhaus T. J. , Willi U. V. , Wisser J.
Published: April 2005

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate renal function and the need for postnatal treatment—antibiotic therapy and/or surgery—in relation to the grade of fetal renal pelvic dilatation (RPD) found on third‐trimester ultrasound examination.

Methods

The retrospective study included 78 children, born between 1995 and 2000, with 115 dilated fetal renal pelvic units. The children were allocated to three groups based on pelvic anteroposterior diameter (APD) detected on third‐trimester ultrasound: APDs of 7–9.9 mm, 10–14.9 mm and ≥ 15 mm were classified as mild dilatation, moderate hydronephrosis and severe hydronephrosis, respectively. Renal function was assessed by scintigraphy.

Results

None of the 20 children with mild dilatation experienced a urinary tract infection (UTI) or underwent surgery; two had associated renal or urinary tract abnormalities. In contrast, five out of 22 (23%) children with moderate hydronephrosis and 23 out of 36 (64%) with severe hydronephrosis had either a UTI or required surgery (P < 0.001); associated abnormalities were also more common (6 out of 22 and 15 out of 36, respectively). There was no significant correlation between the grade of antenatal RPD and postnatal ipsilateral renal function.

Conclusions

The need for postnatal treatment increased significantly with the grade of antenatal RPD. Children with antenatal mild dilatation were discharged early from follow‐up whereas those with moderate and severe fetal hydronephrosis needed close follow‐up by a multidisciplinary team. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐dimensional vs. two‐ plus four‐dimensional ultrasound in pregnancy and the effect on maternal emotional status: a randomized study
Authors: Rustico M. A. , Mastromatteo C. , Grigio M. , Maggioni C. , Gregori D. , Nicolini U.
Published: April 2005

Objective

To assess whether the addition of four‐dimensional (4D) ultrasound to a conventional two‐dimensional (2D) scan in the second/third trimester of pregnancy facilitates maternal recognition of specific fetal structures and movements and causes an emotional impact, as subjectively perceived by the woman.

Methods

Fifty‐two women were randomly assigned to 2D ultrasound only (Group 1), while 48 women underwent 2D plus 4D ultrasound (Group 2). All the women completed two questionnaires. One questionnaire listed the fetal structures and movements that the women had recognized during the 2D scan or, for those women who also underwent a 4D scan, during the combination of the two; the other questionnaire required the women to score on an analog scale whether they had seen all the fetal parts and movements that they wished to see, whether they were satisfied with the scan, and if the scan had changed for the better their perception of the fetus. A subgroup of 46 women completed the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS) designed to measure antenatal emotional attachment.

Results

Similar percentages of women in the two groups visualized fetal structures and movements, but facial expressions and hand‐to‐mouth movements were twice as likely to be seen with 4D ultrasound, although this difference did not reach statistical significance. The percentage of women who reported that they had seen all the fetal parts and movements that they wished to see, and of those who were satisfied overall with the scan, were similar in the two groups. There was no difference in the percentage of women who felt that the scan had changed for the better their perception of the fetus. Although the MAAS scores were similar in the two groups, there were more women with positive quality, intensity and global attachment among those who had undergone a 4D scan. Women who had seen all the fetal parts and movements they wished to see (whether with 2D or 2D plus 4D) answered more frequently that the scan had changed for the better their perception of the fetus.

Conclusion

This randomized study indicates that the addition of 4D ultrasound does not change significantly the perception that women have of their baby nor their antenatal emotional attachment compared with conventional 2D ultrasound. Copyright © 2005 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sp1‐dependent regulation of Myeloid Elf‐1 like factor in human epithelial cells
Authors: Koga Tomoaki , Suico Mary Ann , Nakamura Hideaki , Taura Manabu , Lu Zhuo , Shuto Tsuyoshi , Okiyoneda Tsukasa , Kai Hirofumi
Published: April 2005

Myeloid Elf‐1 like factor (MEF) is an ETS protein, which activates the promoters of granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor, interleukin‐3, lysozyme, human beta defensin‐2 and perforin. In spite of its many known functions, little is known about MEF transcriptional regulation. Here, we cloned the 5′‐flanking region of human MEF gene and identified a TATA‐less promoter region at −204/−54 which contains 4 putative binding sites for Sp1, two of which are essential in up‐regulating MEF activity. These were proven by EMSA and blocking Sp1 using RNAi or mithramycin A treatment of HEK293 cells. Our results suggest that Sp1 constitutively regulates the MEF gene.
Differential MMP‐2 activity of ligament cells under mechanical stretch injury: An in vitro study on human ACL and MCL fibroblasts
Authors: Zhou David , Lee Hwa Sung , Villarreal Francisco , Teng Annabelle , Lu Erick , Reynolds Shirley , Qin Chuan , Smith Joel , Sung K. L. Paul
Published: April 2005

Recent studies have revealed that following injuries, ligament tissues such as anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL), release large amounts of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). These enzymes have a devastating effect on the healing process of the injured ligaments. Although these enzymes are produced following ligament injuries, because of different healing capacities seen between the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and ACL, we were curious to find if the MMP activity was expressed and modulated differently in these tissues. For this purpose ACL and MCL fibroblasts were seeded on equi‐biaxial stretch chambers and were stretched in different levels. The stretched cells were assayed using Zymography, Western Blot and global MMP activity assays. The results showed that within 72 h after injurious stretch, production of 72 kD pro‐MMP‐2 increased in both ACL and MCL. However, the ACL fibroblasts generated significantly more pro‐MMP‐2 than the MCL fibroblasts. Furthermore we found in ACL pro‐MMP‐2 was converted more into active form. With 4‐aminophenyl mercuric acetate (APMA) treatment, large amounts of pro‐MMP‐2 were converted into active form in both. This indicates that there is no significant difference between ACL and MCL fibroblasts in post‐translational modification of MMP‐2. The fluorescent MMP activity assays revealed that the MMP family activities were higher in the injured ACL fibroblasts than the MCL. Since the MMPs are critically involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover, these findings may explain one of the reasons why the injured ACL hardly repairs. The higher levels of active MMP‐2 seen in the ACL injuries may disrupt the delicate balance of ECM remodeling process. These results suggest that the generation and modulation of MMP‐2 may be directly involved in the different responses seen in ACL and MCL injuries. © 2005 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Receptor mechanisms of antipsychotic drug atypicality
Authors: Reynolds GP
Published: April 2005

Recent advances in antipsychotic treatment of schizophrenia have offered several new compounds which avoid many of the limitations of the classical antipsychotics. These so-called ‘atypical’ antipsychotics have fewer extrapyramidal side effects, greater efficacy against negative symptoms and greater efficacy in otherwise treatment-resistant patients. However, the mechanism of action of these atypical antipsychotics is still unclear. The several receptors currently implicated in the pharmacological profile of these atypical antipsychotics include subtypes of those for dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, and acetylcholine among others. The current hypotheses for possible mechanisms of action of atypical antipsychotics are discussed along with the experimental correlates of antipsychotic efficacy in animal models.
Sexual dysfunction: The unspoken side effect of antipsychotics
Authors: Peuskens J , Sienaert P , De Hert M
Published: April 2005

Although only a few studies have been performed and published data are scarce, it seems clear that sexual dysfunctions frequently occur during treatment with antipsychotics in 30–60% of patients with schizophrenia. It is important to evaluate the occurrence of sexual dysfunction and its relation to antipsychotic treatment.
Living with congenital or acquired cardiac disease in childhood: maternal perceptions of the impact on the child and family
Authors: Wray Jo , Maynard Linda
Published: April 2005

Aims: Firstly to assess maternal perceptions of the impact of congenital or acquired cardiac disease on the child, parents, and siblings, and secondly to determine whether there were differences between different diagnostic groups, or between those with and without other health problems, with a view to informing the development of a cardiac liaison nursing service for children. Methods: A postal survey of 447 families of children with congenital or acquired cardiac disease. Results: Completed questionnaires were received from 209 (46.8 percent) families. The cardiac lesion was perceived to have a negative impact on many areas of family life for about one fifth of the sample, particularly in those families where the child was perceived to be more ill. Family relationships, however, were affected in a very different way, with 43 percent reporting that family members had become closer, and only 8 percent that they had been “pulled apart” by the condition of their child. There were a number of differences in the perceived impact of the cardiac malformation on school and family life between children with different diagnoses, with this being particularly evident for families of the patients who had undergone transplantation. When the sample was divided according to the presence or absence of other problems with health, however, many of these differences between the diagnostic groups disappeared. Conclusions: Irrespective of the severity of the disease, the presence of a cardiac malformation has an impact on everyday life for a significant number of children and families, particularly if associated with other problems with health. Implications for targeting resources to reduce morbidity in these children and families are discussed.
Risk factors for augmentation of the flow of blood to the lungs in pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum after radiofrequency valvotomy
Authors: Alwi Mazeni , Kandavello Geetha , Choo Kok-Kuan , Aziz Bilkis A. , Samion Hasri , Latiff Haifa A.
Published: April 2005

Some patients with pulmonary atresia with an intact ventricular septum, mild to moderate right ventricular hypoplasia, and a patent infundibulum remain duct dependent on the flow of blood through the arterial duct despite adequate relief of the obstruction within the right ventricular outflow tract.

The objective of our study was to review the risk factors for stenting of the patent arterial duct, or construction of a Blalock-Taussig shunt, in the patients with pulmonary atresia and an intact ventricular septum who remain duct-dependent following radiofrequency valvotomy and dilation of the imperforate pulmonary valve.

We reviewed the data from 53 patients seen between November 1995 and December 2001. Of the 47 patients who survived, 6 required stenting of the patent arterial duct, while 4 needed construction of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt to augment the flow of blood to the lungs at a mean of 7 plus or minus 5.7 days following the initial intervention. The remaining 37 patients required no additional procedures. We compared the findings in these two groups.

The mean diameter of the tricuspid valve in the patients requiring early reintervention was 8.5 plus or minus 3.7 millimetres, giving a Z-score of −1.1 plus or minus 1.47, whilst those in the group without early reintervention had values of 10.7 plus or minus 2.2 millimetres, giving a Z-score of −0.58 plus or minus 1.18 (p equal to 0.003). No statistically significant differences were found in right ventricular morphology, McGoon ratio, or residual obstruction across the right ventricular outflow tract after decompression of the right ventricle.

The diameter of the tricuspid valve, therefore, appears to be the only factor predicting the need for augmentation of flow of blood to the lungs. As just over one-fifth of our survivors required such augmentation, we hypothesize that stenting of the patent arterial duct may be performed as an integral part of primary transcatheter therapy in patients with pulmonary atresia and intact ventricular septum who have moderate right ventricular hypoplasia and a small tricuspid valve.
Current subjective state of health, and longitudinal psychological well-being over a period of 10 years, in a cohort of adults with congenital cardiac disease
Authors: van Rijen Elisabeth H. M. , Utens Elisabeth M. W. J. , Roos-Hesselink Jolien W. , Meijboom Folkert J. , van Domburg Ron T. , Roelandt Jos R. T. C. , Bogers Ad J. J. C. , Verhulst Frank C.
Published: April 2005

Objective: To examine the current subjective state of health, and the longitudinal course of psychological well-being, in adult patients with congenital cardiac malformations. Methods: Our study concerns the second follow-up of a cohort of patients with congenital cardiac malformations. We examined 362 consecutive patients, aged from 20 to 46 years, who underwent surgical procedures for treatment of congenital cardiac disease between 1968 and 1980, specifically for treatment of atrial and ventricular septal defects, tetralogy of Fallot, transposition, and pulmonary stenosis. The patients were submitted to extensive medical and psychological examination. During psychological examination, in which all patients were seen by the same psychologist (EvR), patients filled in questionnaires concerning their current subjective state of health, using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), and psychological well-being, answering the Heart Patients Psychological Questionnaire. The data we acquired at their first follow-up was used to measure the longitudinal course of psychological well-being over the intervening period of 10 years. Results: When compared to a reference group, the patients assessed their state of health less favourably concerning physical functioning, but more favourable with regard to social functioning, bodily pain, and limitations of role due to emotional problems. Younger female patients reported more limitations of role due to physical functioning than did the female patients who were older. Patients with transposition showed a negative trend for their subjective state of health, but reported the least bodily pain. Within the overall group of patients, displeasure had increased, while social inhibition had decreased, over the intervening period of 10 years. Conclusion: Extra attention should be paid to the subjective experiences of young female patients with congenital cardiac disease. The patients with transposed arterial trunks seem overall to experience poorer physical health.
Anomalous origin of one pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta
Authors: Vida Vladimiro L. , Sanders Stephen P. , Bottio Tomaso , Maschietto Nicola , Rubino Maurizio , Milanesi Ornella , Stellin Giovanni
Published: April 2005

We describe the surgical repair in three infants presenting with one pulmonary artery arising from the ascending aorta, the other artery arising normally from the right ventricle via the pulmonary trunk. Repair consisted of reimplantation of the anomalous pulmonary artery to the pulmonary trunk, in association with repair of associated intracardiac malformations. All patients survived the surgical procedures, and were discharged in stable clinical condition. Subsequently, two of the three patients developed stenosis at the surgical anastomosis relatively early after the initial procedure, and underwent reoperation. Although survival after operation is now expected for this malformation, reports of late results are lacking. Larger numbers of operations are needed before we can reach definitive conclusions.

The origin of one branch pulmonary artery from the ascending aorta in the presence of a pulmonary valve and main pulmonary artery is a very rare congenital cardiac anomaly.Patients and methods:Between January 1995 and June 2003, 3 infant girls presented with the origin of one branch artery from the ascending aorta, while the other pulmonary artery originated from the pulmonary trunk which was in continuity with the right ventricular outflow tract. The pulmonary artery that arose from the right ventricle was left in 2 and right in 1 patient.Results:At the age 13, 48 and 62 days respectively, the patients underwent surgical repair consisting with reimplantation of the anomalous pulmonary artery branch to the pulmonary trunk in association with repair of intracardiac malformations. There were no hospital deaths. Postoperative complications included: prologed intubation in two patients (10 and 16 days), low output syndrome in 1 patient, cardiac tamponade in 1 patient and seizures in 1 patient. All patients were discharged in good clinical condition. There have been no late deaths. Subsequently, two of the three patients developed stenosis at the surgical anastomosis relatively early after the initial procedure, and after unsuccessuful balloon dilation, underwent surgical reoperation.Conclusions:Although operative survival is now possible for this malformation, reports of late results are lacking. Two of the three patients developed stenosis at the surgical anastomosis relatively early after surgery. Larger numbers of operations are necessaries to reach definitive conclusions.
Successful repair of aorto-left ventricular tunnel diagnosed prenatally
Authors: Kolcz Jacek , Januszewska Katarzyna , Malec Edward
Published: April 2005

Aorto-left ventricular tunnels are anomalous communications between the ascending aorta and the left ventricle. Prenatal diagnosis, followed by successful surgical management, is rare. We describe a fetus diagnosed with aorto-left ventricular tunnel at 35 weeks who achieved a favourable outcome after immediate postnatal surgical repair.
Hans Werner Henze as Post-Mahlerian: Anachronism, Freedom, and the Erotics of Intertextuality
Authors: DOWNES STEPHEN
Published: April 2005

In the early 1960s Mahler’s music became a vital stimulus for Henze’s compositional technique and aesthetics. Particularly important were its exploration of formal crises, the incorporation of ‘old’ musical materials, and its apparently direct expression of love and beauty. These aspects confirmed Henze’s desire to break out of the restrictions of Darmstadt dogma, into an apparently anachronistic expressive and technical freedom. This article explores structural and hermeneutic relationships between two of Henze’s works of the period – Being Beauteous and The Bassarids– and Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. In Being Beateous the expressive aspects of cadences in the Adagietto of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony are shown to be crucial models for Henze’s exploration of Rimbaud’s poetic expression of the destruction and revitalization of beautiful form. In The Bassarids an intertextual allusion to the second movement of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony is taken as a signal of Mahlerian ‘breakthrough’ as Pentheus has a vision of Dionysian revelries. Henze’s fragmented, broken, allusive, and eclectic musical textures are interpreted as characteristic expressions of eroticism, as well as being more generally symptomatic of his understanding of Mahler’s importance for twentieth-century music.
Anthony Pople, 1955–2003: an Appreciation
Authors: DUNSBY JONATHAN
Published: April 2005

Death not only robbed Anthony Pople of more than two decades from his three score years and ten; it robbed a community dedicated to the study and promotion of western classical music, especially twentieth-century music, of one of its leading lights. Pople was a prolific thinker and doer, and quite a bit of his legacy is in the form of influence, as a teacher, of course, but also as an imaginative person of action who gave of his time and expertise in all sorts of ways – on committees, as an editor, examiner, adviser, studio producer – and, let us not forget, as a most gifted composer and performer of music. There is also the black-line legacy. His writings show, consistently, his rare talent for both clarity and depth of thought. I think he was one of those authors who wanted every piece to be special, shunning the routine as well as the speculative: and if that sentiment might remind us of the composer Alban Berg, it is no accident.
Patriotismus - Sozialpsychologische Aspekte
Authors: Cohrs J. Christopher
Published: April 2005

Zusammenfassung: Der Begriff Patriotismus wird im öffentlichen Diskurs ganz unterschiedlich gebraucht, mit positiver und negativer Konnotation. Was sagt die sozialpsychologische Forschung zu den Auswirkungen von Patriotismus? Patriotismus kann analog zum Konzept der sozialen Identität ( Tajfel & Turner, 1979 ) definiert werden. Somit sind die im Rahmen der Theorie der Sozialen Identität gewonnenen Ergebnisse relevant. Demnach gibt es ein Motiv nach positiver sozialer (nationaler) Identität, das zu Diskriminierung von Fremdgruppen führen kann, aber nicht muss. Differenzierungen des Patriotismuskonzepts zeigen, dass es qualitativ unterschiedliche Formen von Patriotismus gibt, die in spezifischer Weise mit teilweise gegensätzlichen Variablen verbunden sind. Z. B. hängt konstruktiver Patriotismus mit Engagement gegen Fremdenfeindlichkeit zusammen, blinder Patriotismus dagegen umgekehrt mit Fremdenfeindlichkeit. Es wird unter Bezugnahme auf die Selbstkategorisierungstheorie ( Turner et al., 1987 ) gefolgert, dass Patriotismus nicht gut oder schlecht an sich ist, sondern seine Auswirkungen von den Werten und Normen abhängen, in denen die nationale Identität verankert gesehen wird.
Aktuelle Trends in der Forschung zu Hypertext- und Hypermediasystemen
Authors: Plass Jan L.
Published: April 2005

Zusammenfassung: Drei Trends in der Forschung zur Lernwirksamkeit von Hypertext- und Hypermediasystemen werden diskutiert. (1) Es erfolgt zunehmend eine kapazitätsbezogene Betrachtung des Lernens mit diesen Systemen, was die Interpretation der gefundenen Ergebnisse basierend auf der kognitiven Belastung der Lernenden erlaubt, es jedoch wünschenswert macht, die Ursachen dieser Belastung besser zu differenzieren und sie mit direkteren Methoden zu messen. (2) Es erfolgt eine zunehmend differentialpsychologische Betrachtung der Lernwirksamkeit von Lehr-/Lernsystemen durch Einbeziehung von vielfältigen Lernervariablen in das Design der Untersuchungen, was zu einem besseren Verständnis der Anforderungen an das Design der verschiedenen Formen der Hilfestellung für Lernende in diesen Medien führen kann. (3) Weiterhin kommen zunehmend richtungweisende Methoden zur Erhebung von Verhaltens- und Wissenserwerbsdaten zum Einsatz, was ein besseres Verständnis der Lernwirksamkeit dieser Medien erlaubt.
Akkuratheit der Einschätzung von Schülermerkmalen durch Lehrer und das Konstrukt der diagnostischen Kompetenz
Authors: Spinath Birgit
Published: April 2005

Zusammenfassung: Die vorliegende Untersuchung geht den Fragen nach a) inwiefern Lehrer lern- und leistungsrelevante Merkmale von Schülern akkurat einschätzen können und b) ob akkuraten Lehrerurteilen über verschiedene Akkuratheitsindikatoren und verschiedene einzuschätzende Merkmale hinweg eine generelle Fähigkeit im Sinne diagnostischer Kompetenz zugrunde liegt. Zu diesem Zweck wurden von 723 Grundschülern Intelligenzkennwerte sowie Selbstberichte über schulische Fähigkeitsselbstwahrnehmungen, Lernmotivation und Schulängstlichkeit herangezogen. Zeitgleich waren die 43 Klassenlehrer gebeten worden, diese Schülermerkmale einzuschätzen. Es zeigte sich, dass die Einschätzungen der Lehrer für die vier untersuchten Schülermerkmale durchschnittlich nur geringe Akkuratheit erreichten. Gegen die Annahme einer generellen Fähigkeit zur akkuraten Beurteilung der Schülermerkmale durch die Lehrer spricht, dass a) die verschiedenen Komponenten der Akkuratheit innerhalb eines Merkmals und b) gleiche Komponenten über die Merkmale hinweg mehrheitlich keine bedeutsamen positiven Korrelationen aufwiesen. Daher wird der Schluss gezogen, dass der Begriff der diagnostischen Kompetenz, soweit damit die Fähigkeit zur treffenden Personenbeurteilung gemeint ist, vermieden werden sollte.
Der Stellenwert der Symptomvalidierung in der neuropsychologischen Begutachtung
Authors: Merten Thomas
Published: April 2005

Zusammenfassung: Ohne eine Untersuchung der Leistungsmotivation sind neuropsychologische Testergebnisse in einem nicht zu kalkulierenden Maß verzerrt. Die Untersuchung von suboptimalem Leistungsverhalten ist im Rahmen neuropsychologischer Begutachtungen von besonderer Bedeutung. Der Artikel gibt einen umfassenden Überblick zu allen wichtigen Fragen der Diagnostik negativer Antwortverzerrungen bei der Bearbeitung gutachterlicher Fragen. Dazu werden auch international bewährte Symptomvalidierungsverfahren vorgestellt. Besonderes Augenmerk wird auf die Verantwortung des Gutachters gelegt, seinerseits die Voraussetzungen dafür zu schaffen, eine valide Diagnostik zu ermöglichen, gleichzeitig aber zielsicher zu bestimmen, wo dies nicht gelingt. Durch einen verbreiteten Einsatz von ausreichend sensitiven Symptomvalidierungstests können Qualitätsstandards neuropsychologischer Gutachten verbessert werden.