bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DETECTION EFFICACY OF SOLUBLE HLA‐A, B ANTIGENS USING 1D‐IEF
Authors: Kubens B. S. , Päbler M. , Grosse‐Wilde H.
Published: April 2007

Soluble HLA class I alloantigens (sHLA class I) can be typed according to their isoelectric points (IEP) after immunoprecipitation by w6/32 monoclonal antibody (mAb) coupled to immunomagnetic beads and focusing. In order to prove the large scale efficacy of this methodology, EDTA‐plasma samples from 344 probands HLA‐A, B typed by serology were analysed by one‐dimensional isoelectric focusing and HLA class I specific Westernblot (1D‐IEF). In addition, detergent solubilized HLA class I membrane molecules from approximately one half of the probands were studied too. Soluble HLA‐A24, B7, B18, B62 antigens were identified in nearly all experiments, whereas A28, B13, and B51 could be detected in about 50%. A third group of HLA antigens (A26, B8, B44) could be visualized rarely. The difficulties of detection might be due to the different affinity of mAb w6/32 to certain sHLA class I gene products or to variable amounts of sHLA class I in the plasma specimens. Some modifications of the antigen capture technique have already led to a slightly better degree of antigen recognition in 25 probands tested.

Thus, HLA‐A, B typing using sHLA molecules and 1D‐IEF in the assay format presented does not yet seem to be a definitive alternative for HLA class I serology or biochemistry of membrane‐bound HLA class I molecules but it should be a promising technique if no cells are available or donor‐derived sHLA allotypes are to be monitored after HLA mismatched organ transplantation.
THE POLYMORPHIC HUMAN TLX‐B/CD46/MCP SYSTEM AND ITS IMPLICATIONS IN TRANSPLANTATION AND REPRODUCTION
Authors: Petränyi G. , Padányi A. , Szelényi J. , Sármay G. , Gyódi É. , Fülöp V. , Kassai M. , Illés P. , Réti M. , Szigetvári I. , Boros P.
Published: April 2007

TLX antigens have been found on most peripheral blood cells, trophoblasts, seminal vesicle cells and sperms. These antigens seem to be associated with the membrane co‐factor protein (MCP) and the CD46 antigen. Alloantibodies to TLX antigens with FctRII‐blocking features were obtained by transfusion of leucocytes or platelets. Preliminary population studies revealed that alloantibodies to TLX/CD46/MCP recognize four overlapping specificities. The terminology TLX‐B was introduced with specificities TLX‐BI, B2, B3, B4 and frequencies obtained in the population were: 38%, 46%, 42% and 26%, respectively. Family studies showed an independent segregation of the TLX and HLA alleles.

At the cellular protein on trophoblast, the alloantibody detected a glycoprotein of 66‐67 kDa molecular mass, which may correspond to the a chain of the TLX/CD46/MCP isotypes. A direct association of the alloantibody with FctRII could be excluded thus its FctR blocking feature is probably based on an indirect functional effect.

After transfusion and in pregnancy the induction of TLX alloantibody production depended on the mismatching in the TLX/CD46/MCP phenotypes. Probable associations were revealed in the case of recurrent habitual abortion between the lack of FCTR blocking antibody production and the matched TLX specificities of the couples. After transfusion, TLX alloantibody production with FCTR and MLR blocking function was induced only when the recipient was lacking the TLX specificities expressed on the donor cells. Suppression of MLR was found only when TLX specificity in sera corresponded to the TLX specificity of the effector cell. The immunopathological importance of these findings in transplantation and reproductive medicine has yet to be clarified.
DNA MUTATION INDUCED IN THE SEQUENCE UPSTREAM OF THE SECRETED MYU C‐TERMINAL CODING SEQUENCE BY ULTRAVIOLET IRRADIATION IN THE CELL LINE OF BLOOM'S SYNDROME
Authors: Ozawa T. , Kondo N. , Motoyoshi F. , Kasahara K. , Orii T.
Published: April 2007

Selective IgM deficiency is commonly found in Bloom's syndrome (BS). We reported that membrane‐bound μ (μ m) mRNA was well transcribed but secreted μ (μ s) mRNA was not, although there was no mutation or deletion in the sequence including the (is C‐terminal coding sequence in the patients with BS. Furthermore, we have shown previously, preferential damage to IgM production by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of the cells of the patient. In the study described here, mutation in the sequence which is upstream of the 5’ end of the μ s C‐terminal coding sequence was induced by UV irradiation in the lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) of BS patient. These results suggest that abnormal repair of DNA damage is present in this LCL, and that preferential damage to IgM production by UV irradiation in this LCL may be due to the abnormal repair of DNA damage.
IMMUNOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF HLA‐DR10 HOMOZYGOUS INDIVIDUALS
Authors: Young N. T. , Thompson J. , Gibson K. , Dewar K. , Darke C.
Published: April 2007

Molecular, cellular and serological analysis of Major Histocompatibility Complex alleles was performed on three individuals who appeared to be HLA‐DR10 homozygous by DNA restriction fragment analysis. Each donor was of different ethnic origin: Caucasoid, Asian Indian and African Negroid.

The results of our studies show that the Caucasoid and Asian donors are indeed homozygous for the HLA‐DR 10 allele, while the African donor also possesses the DRB1*0103 allele. Homozygosity for the HLA‐A1B37‐Cw6‐DR10‐DQ5 haplotype in the Caucasoid donor was confirmed by familial segregation analysis. The B‐lymphoblastoid cell line produced from this donor should prove useful in studies of HLA immunogenetics.
PVU II POLYMORPHISM OF LST‐1 (LEUCOCYTE SPECIFIC TRANSCRIPT‐1) IN TYPE I DIABETES MELLITUS, GRAVES’ DISEASE AND HEALTHY CONTROLS
Authors: Rau H. , Usadel K.H. , Ommert S. , Badenhoop K.
Published: April 2007

The polymorphism of the LST‐1 gene (the human homologue of the mouse B144 gene) can be identified by Pvu II restriction enzyme digestion. We investigated the contribution of this RFLP to disease susceptibility in 117 patients with type I diabetes mellitus (IDDM), 110 with Graves’ disease (GD) and 93 healthy controls. The distribution of the different LST‐1 alleles (LST‐1*1:1323bp, LST‐1*2:610bp/713) was similar among IDDM and GD patients as well as in controls. The combination of DQA1*0501, DQB1*0201 and DQB1*0301, all predisposing to endocrine autoimmune disease, with LST‐1*1 or LST‐1*2 was not increased in patients. Analysis of two informative families with IDDM demonstrated cosegregation of DQA1 and DQB1 alleles with LST‐1 alleles. No association of LST‐1 polymorphisms with IDDM nor GD could be demonstrated.
QUANTIFICATION AND MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF PLASMATIC HLA‐BCw MOLECULES WITH A LOCUS B AND Cw HLA SPECIFIC mAb (B1.23.2mAb)
Authors: Drouet M. , Aussel L. , Drenou B. , Fauchet R.
Published: April 2007

Plasmatic HLA class I molecules were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively with a B and Cw locus‐specific mAb, B 1.23.2. sHLA‐BCw were detected among all individuals with a wide range of concentration. The HLA‐A29(19) allele was significantly associated with an increased sHLA‐BCw mean concentration. Three different isoforms of relative molecular weights of 44, 39 and 36kDa were detected. The 39kDa class I heavy chain was not detected after immunoprecipitation with mAb B 1.23.2 in 17% of tested plasma, but was immunoprecipitated with W6/32 mAb.
MULTIPLEX ARMS‐PCR‐RFLP METHOD FOR HIGH‐RESOLUTION TYPING OF HLA‐DRB1
Authors: Mitsunaga S. , Oguchi T. , Moriyama S. , Tokunaga K. , Akaza T. , Tadokoro K. , Juji T.
Published: April 2007

A reliable method for high‐resolution HLA‐DRB1 typing using the combination of group‐specific amplification and RFLP analysis is described. Group‐specific PCR amplification (multiplex ARMS‐PCR) was carried out under the same conditions for all groups using seven different primer pairs divided into four groups: (1) DR1 and DR10; (2) DR2, DR7 and DR9; (3) DR3, DR5, DR6 and DR8, and (4) DR4. The subsequent polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to determine the group(s) contained in each sample. DR1, DR2/7, DR3/5/6/8, DR4, DRB1*0901 and DRB1 * 1001 could be distinguished easily using this system. Computer analysis of the various restriction enzyme cleavage sites was carried out on 105 DRB1 allele sequences. It was shown that all DRB1 alleles, except for five allele pairs and some alleles possessing silent mutations, could be distinguished with commonly available restriction endonucleases. Computer analyses on the discrimination of the heterozygous and homozygous combinations were also carried out. Although some heterozygous combinations could not be distinguished with single digestion, double digestion using two restriction enzymes could distinguish most of such heterozygotes. The results of the typing of 100 Japanese individuals using this method showed good agreement with those obtained by other methods.
FREQUENCY OF Gm AND Km PHENOTYPES IN CHILDREN WITH MUMPS MENINGITIS
Authors: Kacprzak‐Bergman I. , Haasa J.
Published: April 2007

Children with mumps meningitis, with mumps without meningitis and healthy subjects were examined for Gm 1, 2, 3, 5, 21 allotypes and for the Km 1 allotype. The comparison of the frequencies of Gm and Km phenotypes in three tested groups (each to the other) did not reveal significant differences. An association between mumps meningitis and the Gm or Km phenotypes was not found.
DNA TYPING OF DQ AND DR ALLELES IN IgA‐DEFICIENT SUBJECTS
Authors: Fiore M. , Pera C. , Delfino L. , Scotese I. , Ferrara G. B. , Pignata C.
Published: April 2007

IgA deficiency (IgA‐D) represents the most common immunodeficiency syndrome of infancy. In most cases IgA‐D represents an isolated immunological disorder, while sometimes it is associated with IgG subclass deficiency or with the presence of autoantibodies. We investigated the pattern of association of IgA‐D with DRB1 and DQB1 loci of the HLA region by DNA molecular typing, which allows the identification of previously serologically undefined specificities. We also compared the gene frequency of DRB1 and DQB1 allelic variants between IgA‐D subjects with or without serum autoantibodies. Our results indicate that the gene frequency of the DRB1*0102 subtype and of the DRBP0102, DQB1*0501 haplotype is significantly higher in IgA‐D than in the general population. Furthermore, the IgA‐D subjects with autoantibodies showed a positive association with DR4 and DR13 subtypes, thus supporting the hypothesis that genetic factors are also involved in the association between IgA‐D and autoantibodies.
THE ROLE OF HLA CLASS II ANTIGENS IN THE INDUCTION OF CYTOTOXIC T LYMPHOCYTES
Authors: Demeŝová V. , Buc M. , Ferenĉiak S. , Sasazuki T. , Shawkatová I. , PORUBSKA S.
Published: April 2007

Investigation of pairs of unrelated persons mismatched for a particular HLA‐DQB1 or ‐DPB1 gene on the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) revealed that HLA‐DQ and HLA‐DP antigens provided a slight proliferative stimulus which was, however, sufficient for the generation of CTL. Monomorphic anti‐DQ and anti‐DP monoclonal antibodies abrogated the induction of cytotoxic response. The results indicate that the HLA‐DQ and HLA‐DP antigens play a similar role to HLA‐DR specificities in clinical bone marrow transplantation.
C4 NULL ALLELES IN A SWEDISH POPULATION
Authors: Nityanand S. , Dawkins R.L. , Lithell. H. , HOLM G. , Lefvert A.K.
Published: April 2007

The distribution of C4 null alleles (C4Q0) was studied in a Swedish population comprising 410 male individuals from Stockholm County and Uppsala City. The prevalances of homozygous C4A*Q0 and C4B*Q0 determined by analysing the gene products in serum were 5.0 and 5.6%, respectively, in the Stockholm population and 4.0% each in the Uppsala population. These values are higher than those previously reported from other Caucasian populations. The finding reflects a different genetic composition of the Swedish population and may have relevance to the disease spectrum in this population as compared to other Caucasian populations.
EXPRESSION OF THE RAT MHC CLASS I GENE IN THE HUMAN B LYMPHOBLASTOID CELL LINE Hmy 2 CIR
Authors: Salgar S.K. , Kunz H.W. , Gill T.J.
Published: April 2007

Rat MHC class I cDNA (e.g. RT1.A1) can be expressed optimally as a heterodimer consisting of the rat heavy chain and the human (β2‐microglobulin in the human B lymphoblastoid cell line Hmy 2 CIR, which offers several advantages. Gene expression was detected by flow cytometry using anti‐human [β2‐microglobulin and anti‐rat heavy chain antibodies.
HLA DQ AND DP IN FINNISH FAMILIES WITH CELIAC DISEASE
Authors: Polvi A. , Eland C. , Koskimies S. , Mäki M. , Partanen J.
Published: April 2007

We studied DQA1, DQB1, and DPB1 alleles in 31 Finnish families with celiac disease (CD). All healthy first‐degree relatives underwent clinical investigation, including in most cases biopsy, to establish whether clinically silent CD was present. Our results indicate that all patients, having either full clinical CD or its silent form, had the susceptibility alleles DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201. The different clinical outcomes of CD were therefore not directly determined by the DQ alleles. The frequency of DPB1*0101 was also higher in CD patients, but the association appeared secondary to those of DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201 (DQ2). The primary association of CD with the DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201 alleles, rather than with HLA haplotypes, was confirmed in multiplex families.
ROUTINE LOW AND HIGH RESOLUTION TYPING OF THE HLA‐DRB GENE USING THE PCR‐MPH (MICROTITRE PLATE HYBRIDIZATION) METHOD
Authors: Kawai S. , Maekawajiri S. , Tokunaga K. , Kashiwase K. , Miyamoto M. , Akaza T. , Juji T. , Yamane A.
Published: April 2007

We describe HLA‐DRB1 typing using polymerase chain reaction‐based microtitre plate hybridization (PCR‐MPH), which can process large numbers of samples. MPH typing is similar to an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in which a tandemly ligated sequence‐specific oligonucleotide is immobilized on microtitre wells. The typing procedure consisted of two steps. In the first, PCR‐MPH with 16 probes was performed to determine the specificities of the serological levels (DR1, DR2, DR3, DR4, DR11, DR12, DR13, DR14, DR7, DR8, DR9 and DR10) after generic amplification (‘low resolution typing’). In the second step, DR1, DR2, DR4, DR 12/8 and DR3/11/13/14 were group‐specifically amplified based on the results of the first PCR‐MPH, and microtitre plate hybridization proceeded in a similar manner to the first step (‘high resolution typing’). Low resolution typing was completed within 2 h after generic amplification, and the results of high resolution typing were obtained in another 3.5 h after amplification. The allelic types classified using PCR‐MPH were completely concordant with those obtained by PCR‐ single‐strand conformation polymorphism or PCR‐restriction fragment length polymorphism.
HLA ANTIGENS IN AMERINDIAN GROUPS OF TWO DIFFERENT LINGUISTIC FAMILIES FROM COLOMBIA
Authors: Briceno I. , Bernal J.E. , Duran C. , Ortega J. , Umana A. , Gomez A. , Papiha S.S.
Published: April 2007

Serological HLA types (A, B, C, DR and DQ loci) were studied in five different Indian tribes (Cubeo, Tucano, Coreguaje, Embera and Noanama) belonging to two distinct linguistic families. For all the MHC loci, the range of variation among the five tribes was enormous. Two tribes, Cubeo and Tucano, showed a wide spectrum of antigenic specificities which seemed to be due to admixture from non‐tribal groups, while in the other three tribes the polymorphisms of various HLA loci showed restricted distributions. The gene frequency data, when converted to a kinship matrix and a two‐dimensional eigenvector plot, indicated that members of the same linguistic family tend to have greater genetic affinity.
Constraints on spinning dust towards Galactic targets with the Very Small Array: a tentative detection of excess microwave emission towards 3C396
Authors: Scaife Anna , Green David A. , Battye Richard A. , Davies Rod D. , Davis Richard J. , Dickinson Clive , Franzen Thomas , Génova-Santos Ricardo , Grainge Keith , Hafez Yaser A. , Hobson Michael P. , Lasenby Anthony , Pooley Guy G. , Rajguru Nutan , Rebolo Rafael , Rubiño-Martin José Alberto , Saunders Richard D. E. , Scott Paul F. , Titterington David , Waldram Elizabeth , Watson Robert A.
Published: April 2007

We present results from observations made at 33 GHz with the Very Small Array (VSA) telescope towards potential candidates in the Galactic plane for spinning dust emission. In the cases of the diffuse H ii regions LPH96 and NRAO591 we find no evidence for anomalous emission and, in combination with Effelsberg data at 1.4 and 2.7 GHz, confirm that their spectra are consistent with optically thin free–free emission. In the case of the infrared bright supernova remnant 3C396 we find emission inconsistent with a purely non-thermal spectrum and discuss the possibility of this excess arising from either a spinning dust component or a shallow spectrum pulsar wind nebula, although we conclude that the second case is unlikely given the strong constraints available from lower-frequency radio images.
Differences in the Correlates of Physical Activity Between Urban and Rural Canadian Youth
Authors: Loucaides Constantinos A. , Plotnikoff Ronald C. , Bercovitz Kim
Published: April 2007

Background:  Despite the benefits of physical activity (PA), a significant proportion of youth remains inactive. Studies assessing differences in the correlates of PA among urban and rural youth are scarce, and such investigations can help identify subgroups of the population that may need to be targeted for special intervention programs. The purpose of this study was to assess differences in the correlates of PA between Canadian urban and rural youth.

Methods:  The sample consisted of 1398 adolescents from 4 urban schools and 1290 adolescents from 4 rural schools. Mean age of the participants was 15.6 ± 1.3 years. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to examine the association between self‐reported PA and a number of demographic, psychological, behavioral, and social correlates.

Results:  Common correlates between the 2 locations included gender (with girls being less active than boys) perceptions of athletic/physical ability, self‐efficacy, interest in organized group activities, use of recreation time, and friends’ and siblings’ frequency of participation in PA. Active commuting to school and taking a physical education class were unique correlates of PA at the multivariate level in urban and rural students, respectively. Variance explained in PA ranged from 43% for urban school students to 38% for rural school students.

Conclusions:  Although more similarities than discrepancies were found in the correlates of PA between the 2 geographical locations, findings from this study strengthen the policies that argue for a coordinated multisector approach to the promotion of PA in youth, which include the family, school, and community.
Molecular Basis of Branched Peptides Resistance to Enzyme Proteolysis
Authors: Falciani Chiara , Lozzi Luisa , Pini Alessandro , Corti Federico , Fabbrini Monica , Bernini Andrea , Lelli Barbara , Niccolai Neri , Bracci Luisa
Published: April 2007

We found that synthetic peptides in the form of dendrimers become resistant to proteolysis. To determine the molecular basis of this resistance, different bioactive peptides were synthesized in monomeric, two‐branched and tetra‐branched form and incubated with human plasma and serum. Proteolytic resistance of branched multimeric sequences was compared to that of the same peptides synthesized as multimeric linear molecules. Unmodified peptides and cleaved sequences were detected by high pressure liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. An increase in peptide copies did not increase peptide resistance in linear multimeric sequences, whereas multimericity progressively enhanced proteolytic stability of branched multimeric peptides. A structure‐based hypothesis of branched peptide resistance to proteolysis by metallopeptidases is presented.
Molecular Modeling Suggests Conformational Scaffolds Specifically Targeting Five Subtypes of Somatostatin Receptors
Authors: Nikiforovich Gregory V. , Marshall Garland R. , Achilefu Samuel
Published: April 2007

Several analogs of somatostatin with conformational constraints in their peptide backbones have been modeled to determine energetically feasible conformations. Comparison of low‐energy backbone structures of these peptides suggested unique conformations of the central Phe/Alai‐D‐Trpi+1‐Lysi+2‐Thri+3 fragment characteristic for specific interactions of somatostatin with each of the five distinct subtypes of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs). The conformations obtained were in good agreement with experimental data obtained earlier by NMR measurements and/or X‐ray crystallography. The results help rationalize experimental observations on the specificity of binding of various somatostatin analogs with different subtypes of the SSTRs. They also serve as templates for the design of conformationally constrained non‐peptide scaffolds that effectively and selectively interact with different subtypes of SSTRs. Such scaffolds can be convenient carriers of radiolabels and near‐infrared labels in specific agents for imaging tumors expressing different SSTR subtypes.
Interaural fluctuations and the detection of interaural incoherence. II. Brief duration noises
Authors: Goupell Matthew J. , Hartmann William M.
Published: April 2007

Listeners detected a small amount of interaural incoherence in reproducible noises with narrow bandwidths and a center frequency of 500Hz. The durations of the noise stimuli were 100, 50, or 25ms, and every one of the noises had the same value of interaural coherence, namely 0.992. When the nominal noise bandwidth was 14Hz, the ability to detect incoherence was found to depend strongly on the size of the fluctuations in interaural phase and level for durations of 100 and 50ms. For the duration of 25ms, performance did not appear to depend entirely on fluctuations. Instead, listeners sometimes recognized incoherence on the basis of laterality. However, when the nominal bandwidth was doubled, leading to a greater number of fluctuations, detection performance at 25ms resembled that at 50ms for the smaller bandwidth. It is concluded that the detection of a small amount of interaural incoherence is mediated by fluctuations in phase and level for brief stimulus durations, so long as such fluctuations exist physically. This conclusion presents a promising alternative to models of binaural detection that are based on the short-term cross-correlation in the stimulus.
Longitudinal developmental changes in spectral peaks of vowels produced by Japanese infants
Authors: Ishizuka Kentaro , Mugitani Ryoko , Kato Hiroko , Amano Shigeaki
Published: April 2007

This paper describes a longitudinal analysis of the vowel development of two Japanese infants in terms of spectral resonant peaks. This study aims to investigate when and how the two infants become able to produce categorically separated vowels, and covers the ages of 4to60months in order to provide detailed findings on the developmental process of speech production. The two lower spectral peaks were estimated from vowels extracted from natural spontaneous speech produced by the infants. Phoneme labeled and transcription-independent unlabeled data analyses were conducted. The labeled data analysis revealed longitudinal trends in the developmental change, which correspond to the articulation positions of the tongue and the rapid enlargement of the articulatory organs. In addition, the distribution of the two spectral peaks demonstrates the vowel space expansion that occurs with age. An unlabeled data analysis technique derived from the linear discriminant analysis method was introduced to measure the vowel space expansion quantitatively. It revealed that the infant’s vowel space becomes similar to that of an adult in the early stages. In terms of both labeled and unlabeled properties, these results suggested that infants become capable of producing categorically separated vowels by 24months.
A beam summation algorithm for wave radiation and guidance in stratified media
Authors: Heilpern Tal , Heyman Ehud , Timchenko Vadim
Published: April 2007

A Gaussian beams summation (GBS) algorithm for tracking source excited wave fields in plane stratified media is presented. In the present application the medium is described by layers with constant gradient of the wave speed, and the GB propagators are calculated recursively in a closed form. The algorithm is calibrated for numerical efficacy and accuracy by defining simple physical criteria for choosing the expansion parameters (the beam collimation and the spectral discretization and truncation) that allow for sparse representation of the source-excited angular spectrum of beams. It is validated for a source-excited example in layered media, where it provides a smooth and physically meaningful solution under multipath and caustic conditions and remains accurate for long propagation ranges where phase error tends to accumulate.
Lateralization discrimination of interaural time delays in four-pulse sequences in electric and acoustic hearing
Authors: Laback Bernhard , Majdak Piotr , Baumgartner Wolf-Dieter
Published: April 2007

This study examined the sensitivity of four cochlear implant (CI) listeners to interaural time difference (ITD) in different portions of four-pulse sequences in lateralization discrimination. ITD was present either in all the pulses (referred to as condition Wave), the two middle pulses (Ongoing), the first pulse (Onset), the last pulse (Offset), or both the first and last pulse (Gating). All ITD conditions were tested at different pulse rates (100, 200, 400, and 800pulses∕spps). Also, five normal hearing (NH) subjects were tested, listening to an acoustic simulation of CI stimulation. All CI and NH listeners were sensitive in condition Gating at all pulse rates for which they showed sensitivity in condition Wave. The sensitivity in condition Onset increased with the pulse rate for three CI listeners as well as for all NH listeners. The performance in condition Ongoing varied over the subjects. One CI listener showed sensitivity up to 800pps, two up to 400pps, and one at 100pps only. The group of NH listeners showed sensitivity up to 200pps. The result that CI listeners detect ITD from the middle pulses of short trains indicates the relevance of fine timing of stimulation pulses in lateralization and therefore in CI stimulation strategies.
Group velocity, phase velocity, and dispersion in human calcaneusin vivo
Authors: Wear Keith A.
Published: April 2007

Commercial bone sonometers measure broadband ultrasonic attenuation and/or speed of sound (SOS) in order to assess bone status. Phase velocity, which is usually measured in frequency domain, is a fundamental material property of bone that is related to SOS, which is usually measured in time domain. Four previous in vitro studies indicate that phase velocity in human cancellous bone decreases with frequency (i.e., negative dispersion). In order to investigate frequency-dependent phase velocity in vivo, through-transmission measurements were performed in 73 women using a GE Lunar Achilles Insight® commercial bone sonometer. Average phase velocity at 500kHz was 1489±55m∕s (mean ± standard deviation). Average dispersion rate was −59±52m∕sMHz. Group velocity was usually lower than phase velocity, as is expected for negatively dispersive media. Using a stratified model to represent cancellous bone, the reductions in phase velocity and dispersion rate in vivo as opposed to in vitro can be explained by (1) the presence of marrow instead of water as a fluid filler, and (2) the decreased porosity of bones of living (compared with deceased) subjects.
Multiple angle acoustic classification of zooplankton
Authors: Roberts Paul L. D. , Jaffe Jules S.
Published: April 2007

The use of multiple angle acoustic scatter to discriminate between two taxa of fluid-like zooplankton, copepods and euphausiids, is explored. Using computer modeling, feature extraction, and subsequent classification, the accuracy in discriminating between the two taxa is characterized via computer simulations. The model applies the distorted wave Born approximation together with a simple system geometry, a linear array, to predict a set of noisy training and test data. Three feature spaces are designed, exploiting the relationship between the shape of the scatterer and angularly varying scattering amplitude, to extract discriminant features from these data. Under the assumption of uniform random length and uniform three-dimensional orientation distributions for each class of scatterers, the performance of several classification algorithms is evaluated. Simulations reveal that the incorporation of multiple angle data leads to a marked improvement in classification performance over single angle methods. The improvement is more substantial using broadband scatter. The simulations indicate that under the stated assumptions, a low classification error can be obtained. The use of multiple angle scatter therefore holds promise to substantially improve the in situ acoustic classification of fluid-like zooplankton using simple observation geometries.
A two-dimensional biomechanical model of vocal fold posturing
Authors: Titze Ingo R. , Hunter Eric J.
Published: April 2007

The forces and torques governing effective two-dimensional (2D) translation and rotation of the laryngeal cartilages (cricoid, thyroid, and arytenoids) are quantified on the basis of more complex three-dimensional movement. The motions between these cartilages define the elongation and adduction (collectively referred to as posturing) of the vocal folds. Activations of the five intrinsic laryngeal muscles, the cricothyroid, thyroarytenoid, lateral cricoarytenoid, posterior cricoarytenoid, and interarytenoid are programmed as inputs, in isolation and in combination, to produce the dynamics of 2D posturing. Parameters for the muscles are maximum active stress, passive stress, activation time, contraction time, and maximum shortening velocity. The model accepts measured electromyographic signals as inputs. A repeated adductory–abductory gesture in the form ∣hi-hi-hi-hi-hi∣ is modeled with electromyographic inputs. Movement and acoustic outputs are compared between simulation and measurement.
Poisson point process modeling for polyphonic music transcription
Authors: Peeling Paul , Li Chung-fai , Godsill Simon
Published: April 2007

Peaks detected in the frequency domain spectrum of a musical chord are modeled as realizations of a nonhomogeneous Poisson point process. When several notes are superimposed to make a chord, the processes for individual notes combine to give another Poisson process, whose likelihood is easily computable. This avoids a data association step linking individual harmonics explicitly with detected peaks in the spectrum. The likelihood function is ideal for Bayesian inference about the unknown note frequencies in a chord. Here, maximum likelihood estimation of fundamental frequencies shows very promising performance on real polyphonic piano music recordings.
Breathing noise elimination in through-water speech communication between divers
Authors: Woodward B. , Sari H.
Published: April 2007

Breathing noise and bubble noise are the main factors affecting the subjective quality of through-water speech signals in communications between divers wearing full-face masks or aural-nasal masks. Only breathing noise is considered here, which can be gated out by applying a combination of zero-crossing detection and energy measurements to noisy speech signals above predetermined threshold values. The signals are picked up by a microphone placed close to the diver’s mouth in the air cavity of the mask. Results were obtained during diving trials with four different types of masks.
Hot topics in animal bioacoustics
Authors: Mann David
Published: April 2007

Discoveries in animal bioacoustics continue to take advantage of new technology and the integration of field and laboratory studies. Zuk and colleagues described the evolution of a silent cricket morph in response to selection from an acoustically orienting parasitoid fly on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. Feng, Narins, and colleagues have demonstrated ultrasonic communication in the concave-eared torrent frog using field playback experiments and laboratory neurophysiological studies of the auditory system. Field research using sound traps has suggested that some pelagic larval fishes use sound to locate coral reefs, yet laboratory studies suggest that larval fish hearing may not be sensitive enough to detect reefs from large distances. Several groups have used evoked potentials to study hearing in diverse species of odontocetes. The grand challenge for the future is hearing measurements from mysticetes. Tyack, Madsen, Johnson, and colleagues have used animal-borne acoustic recording tags to study the feeding behavior of deep-diving beaked whales by analyzing outgoing echolocation pulses and their incoming returns from prey targets. The McCauley Library at Cornell University has developed a powerful web-based interface to their extensive database of animal sounds (www.animalbehaviorarchive.org). This system provides a simple, powerful tool for future comparative animal bioacoustics studies.
Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidaemia and obesity in patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease
Authors: Deepak D , Furlong N J , Wilding J P H , MacFarlane I A
Published: April 2007

Objective

Adults with hypothalamic-pituitary disease have increased morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, the prevalence of CVD and adequacy of treatment of cardiovascular risk factors (according to current treatment guidelines) was studied in a large group of patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease.

Study design

In 2005, 152 consecutive adult patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease attending our neuro-endocrine centre were clinically examined and blood pressure (BP), lipid profile, type 2 diabetes mellitus, body composition and smoking status were assessed.

Results

Of the 152 patients, 36.8% had treated hypertension and 28.2% had treated dyslipidaemia. Many of these patients had inadequate BP control (BP >140/85 mm Hg, 44.6%) and undesirable lipid levels (total cholesterol >4.0 mmol/l, 69%). Also, many of the untreated patients had BP and lipid levels which should have been considered for treatment (26 patients (27%) and 83 patients (76%), respectively). Smoking was admitted in 18% of patients. Central adiposity was present in 86% and obesity (body mass index ⩾30) was present in 50%.

Conclusions

Cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent and often inadequately treated in adult patients with hypothalamic-pituitary disease. Aggressive treatment of these factors is essential to reduce mortality and morbidity from CVD in these patients.
Immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) and biologic therapy: a medical revolution
Authors: Kuek Annabel , Hazleman Brian L , Östör Andrew J K
Published: April 2007

Targeted biologic therapies have revolutionised treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) due to their efficacy, speed of onset and tolerability. The discovery that clinically unrelated conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease, share similar immune dysregulation has led to a shift in the management of IMIDs from one of organ-based symptom relief to mechanism-based treatment. The fact that anticytokine therapy has been effective in treating multiple orphan inflammatory conditions confirms the IMID paradigm. In this review we examine the biologic agents currently licensed for use in the US and Europe: infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, rituximab, abatacept, anakinra, alefacept and efalizumab. We also discuss the rationale behind the management of IMIDs using rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis as examples. For the medical profession, IMID represents a breakthrough in the way pathology is classified. In this burgeoning era of biologic therapy the prospect of complete disease remission is conceivable.
Recent development of ischaemic heart disease in sex difference
Authors: Shu Wang , Lei Wang , Peng Song
Published: April 2007

Despite a dramatic decline in mortality over the past years, coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the world. At the same time, with the great improvement of medical science, there is a growing population of postmyocardial infarction, postrevascularisation and heart failure survivors. Furthermore, there are rising rates of cigarette smoking, obesity, hypertension and the metabolic syndrome in the world. All the above contribute to the rising incidence rates of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) among women and men. This review highlights sex-specific issues in IHD presentation, evaluation and outcomes, with several new results published from the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation study. New evidence on traditional and novel risk markers as well as sex-specific differences in symptoms and diagnostic approaches have also been discussed.
The use of elearning in medical education: a review of the current situation
Authors: Choules A P
Published: April 2007

Computers are increasingly used in medical education. Electronic learning (elearning) is moving from textbooks in electronic format (that are increasingly enhanced by the use of multimedia adjuncts) to a truly interactive medium that can be delivered to meet the educational needs of students and postgraduate learners. Computer technology can present reliable, reusable content in a format that is convenient to the learner. It can be used to transcend geographical boundaries and time zones. It is a valuable tool to add to the medical teacher's toolkit, but like all tools it must be used appropriately. This article endeavours to review the current “state of the art2 in use of elearning and its role in medical education alongside non-electronic methods—a combination that is currently referred to as “blended” learning.
SEMICLASSICAL (QFT) AND QUANTUM (STRING) ANTI-DE SITTER REGIMES: NEW RESULTS
Authors: BOUCHAREB A. , RAMÓN MEDRANO M. , SÁNCHEZ N. G.
Published: April 2007

We compute the quantum string entropy Ss(m, H) from the microscopic string density of states ρs(m, H) of mass m in Anti-de Sitter space–time. For high m, (high Hm → c/α′), no phase transition occurs at the Anti-de Sitter string temperature Ts = (1/2πkB)L cl c2/α′, which is higher than the flat space (Hagedorn) temperature ts. (L cl = c/H, the Hubble constant H acts as producing a smaller string constant α′ and thus, a higher tension). Ts is the precise quantum dual of the semiclassical (QFT) Anti-de Sitter temperature scale T sem = ℏc/(2πkBL cl ). We compute the quantum string emission σ string by a black hole in Anti-de Sitter (or asymptotically Anti-de Sitter) space–time (bhAdS). For T sem bhAdS ≪ Ts (early evaporation stage), it shows the QFT Hawking emission with temperature T sem bhAdS (semiclassical regime). For T sem bhAdS → Ts, it exhibits a phase transition into a Anti-de Sitter string state of size [Formula: see text], and Anti-de Sitter string temperature Ts. New string bounds on the black hole emerge in the bhAdS string regime. The bhAdS string regime determines a maximal value for H : H max = 0.841c/ls. The minimal black hole radius in Anti-de Sitter space–time turns out to be rg min = 0.841ls, and is larger than the minimal black hole radius in de Sitter space–time by a numerical factor equal to 2.304. We find a new formula for the full AdS entropy S sem (H), as a function of the usual Bekenstein–Hawking entropy [Formula: see text]. For L cl ≫ ℓ Planck , i.e. for low H ≪ c/ℓ Planck , or classical regime, [Formula: see text] is the leading term with its logarithmic correction, but for high H ≥ c/ℓ Planck or quantum regime, no phase transition operates, in contrast to de Sitter space, and the entropy S sem (H) is very different from the Bekenstein–Hawking term [Formula: see text].
ON EFFECTIVE F-THEORY ACTION IN TYPE IIA COMPACTIFICATIONS
Authors: KRIZ IGOR , XING HAO
Published: April 2007

Diaconescu, Moore and Witten proved that the partition function of type IIA string theory coincides (to the extent checked) with the partition function of M-theory. One of us (Kriz) and Sati proposed in a previous paper a refinement of the IIA partition function using elliptic cohomology and conjectured that it coincides with a partition function coming from F-theory. In this paper, we define the geometric term of the F-theoretical effective action on type IIA compactifications. In the special case when the first Pontrjagin class of space–time vanishes, we also prove a version of the Kriz–Sati conjecture by extending the arguments of Diaconescu–Moore–Witten. We also briefly discuss why even this special case allows interesting examples.
MINIMALLY INVASIVE TECHNIQUE FOR FINGER FLEXOR PULLEY RECONSTRUCTION
Authors: Slesarenko Yury
Published: April 2007

A minimal invasive technique for finger flexor pulley is described. The technique is compared biomechanically to a "single loop" tendon graft technique using a cadaveric model.
EVALUATION OF QUALITY OF LIFE IN BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURY PATIENTS AFTER RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
Authors: Kitajima Izuru , Doi Kazureru , Hattori Yasunori , Takka Semih , Estrella Emmanuel
Published: April 2007

To evaluate the subjective satisfaction of brachial plexus injury (BPI) patients after surgery based on the medical outcomes study 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) and to correlate their SF-36 scores with upper extremity functions. Four items were assessed statistically for 30 patients: SF-36 scores after BPI surgery were compared with Japanese standard scores; the correlation between SF-36 scores and objective joint functions; difference in SF-36 scores between each type of BPI; and influence of each joint function on the SF-36 scores. The SF-36 subscale: PF — physical functioning, RP — role-physical, BP — bodily pain, and the summary score PCS — physical component summary, were significantly inferior to the Japanese standard scores. SF-36 is more sensitive to shoulder joint function than to elbow and finger joint functions. Little correlation was found between SF-36 scores and objective evaluations of joint functions. Greater effort is needed to improve the quality of life (QOL) of BPI patients. This study showed that SF-36 is not sensitive enough to evaluate regional conditions. A region- or site-specific questionnaire is required to evaluate upper extremity surgery.
c-Met Is a Potentially New Therapeutic Target for Treatment of Human Melanoma
Authors: Puri Neelu , Ahmed Salman , Janamanchi Varalakshmi , Tretiakova Maria , Zumba Osvaldo , Krausz Thomas , Jagadeeswaran Ramasamy , Salgia Ravi
Published: April 2007

Purpose: c-Met is a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cell growth, invasion, metastases, and angiogenesis. In this study, we investigated the role of c-Met in melanoma biology using a novel small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU11274 and small interfering (si) RNA against the receptor.

Experimental Design: The effects of SU11274 and c-Met siRNA were studied on proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, reactive oxygen species, and intracellular signaling. c-Met mutations were examined, and the expression of c-Met and activated c-Met was studied in nevi, primary, and metastatic melanoma.

Results: c-Met was expressed in 6:7 melanoma cell lines by immunoblotting. SU11274 inhibited cell growth in all melanoma cell lines by 85% to 98% with an IC50 between 1 and 2.5 μmol/L and caused apoptosis (12-58%) in five out of six cell lines. siRNA against c-Met inhibited proliferation of melanoma cells by 60%. This is the first study that shows that SU11274 and siRNA induced microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and several other melanoma differentiation proteins and a morphologically differentiated phenotype. SU11274 also inhibited reactive oxygen species formation and phosphorylation of c-Met receptor, AKT and S-6 kinase by the hepatocyte growth factor. A new missense c-Met mutation N948S was identified in cell lines and R988C in tumor tissue in the juxtamembrane domain of c-Met. It was found that c-Met was expressed in 88% of melanomas and 15% of nevi, and that c-Met (pY1003) was activated in 21% of human melanomas.

Conclusion: These results support the role of c-Met in proliferation, apoptosis, differentiation, and tumor progression of melanoma. SU11274 could be used in the therapeutic inhibition of melanoma.
Accelerated Preclinical Testing Using Transplanted Tumors from Genetically Engineered Mouse Breast Cancer Models
Authors: Varticovski Lyuba , Hollingshead Melinda G. , Robles Ana I. , Wu Xiaolin , Cherry James , Munroe David J. , Lukes Luanne , Anver Miriam R. , Carter John P. , Borgel Suzanne D. , Stotler Howard , Bonomi Carrie A. , Nunez Nomelí P. , Hursting Stephen D. , Qiao Wenhui , Deng Chuxia X. , Green Jeff E. , Hunter Kent W. , Merlino Glenn , Steeg Patricia S. , Wakefield Lalage M. , Barrett J. Carl
Published: April 2007

Purpose: The use of genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models for preclinical testing of anticancer therapies is hampered by variable tumor latency, incomplete penetrance, and complicated breeding schemes. Here, we describe and validate a transplantation strategy that circumvents some of these difficulties.

Experimental Design: Tumor fragments from tumor-bearing MMTV-PyMT or cell suspensions from MMTV-PyMT, -Her2/neu, -wnt1, -wnt1/p53+/−, BRCA1/p53+/−, and C3(1)T-Ag mice were transplanted into the mammary fat pad or s.c. into naïve syngeneic or immunosuppressed mice. Tumor development was monitored and tissues were processed for histopathology and gene expression profiling. Metastasis was scored 60 days after the removal of transplanted tumors.

Results: PyMT tumor fragments and cell suspensions from anterior glands grew faster than posterior tumors in serial passages regardless of the site of implantation. Microarray analysis revealed genetic differences between these tumors. The transplantation was reproducible using anterior tumors from multiple GEM, and tumor growth rate correlated with the number of transplanted cells. Similar morphologic appearances were observed in original and transplanted tumors. Metastasis developed in >90% of mice transplanted with PyMT, 40% with BRCA1/p53+/− and wnt1/p53+/−, and 15% with Her2/neu tumors. Expansion of PyMT and wnt1 tumors by serial transplantation for two passages did not lead to significant changes in gene expression. PyMT-transplanted tumors and anterior tumors of transgenic mice showed similar sensitivities to cyclophosphamide and paclitaxel.

Conclusions: Transplantation of GEM tumors can provide a large cohort of mice bearing mammary tumors at the same stage of tumor development and with defined frequency of metastasis in a well-characterized molecular and genetic background.