bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gamma Glutamyltransferase and Long-Term Survival: Is It Just the Liver?
Authors: Kazemi-Shirazi Lili , Endler Georg , Winkler Stefan , Schickbauer Thomas , Wagner Oswald , Marsik Claudia
Published: March 2007

Background: Increased gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) is associated with cardiovascular disease. To date, however, few studies with sufficient sample size and follow-up have investigated the association of GGT with all-cause mortality.

Methods: The relation of GGT to the risk of death was examined in a cohort of 283 438 first attendants (inpatients or outpatients) of the Vienna General Hospital with request for GGT analysis as part of a routine screening panel and was monitored for up to 13 years. To evaluate GGT as a predictor, Cox proportional hazards models were calculated, which were adjusted for age and sex.

Results: In both men and women, GGT above the reference category (GGT ≥9 U/L in women, ≥14 U/L in men) was significantly (P <0.001) associated with all-cause, cancer, hepatobiliary, and vascular mortalities. Hazard ratios (HRs) for men and women were similar in all categories. Among patients who presented with GGT above the reference category, those younger than 30 years had higher all-cause mortality rates than did older individuals (HR 1.5–3.3 vs HR 1–1.3 >80 years, respectively).

Conclusions: GGT is associated with mortality in both men and women, especially in patients younger than 30 years, and even high-normal GGT is a risk factor for all-cause mortality.
Perspectives on Global‐Change Archaeology
Authors: HARDESTY DONALD L.
Published: March 2007

In this article, I explore the characteristics of global‐change archaeology as an emerging field of research. Global‐change archaeology seeks to document and apply historical knowledge of past human–environmental interactions to the understanding of contemporary environmental problems and management and planning for future sustainability. It takes place within an interdisciplinary research structure and is situated within the explanatory contexts of historical science and humanistic history with close links to historical and political ecology. Both history and agency play important roles in the practice of global‐change archaeology. Past human decision making in the context of cultural attitudes and perceptions also has a significant role in the archaeology of global change.
Prenatal Diagnosis in Postwar Vietnam: Power, Subjectivity, and Citizenship
Authors: GAMMELTOFT TINE M.
Published: March 2007

Across the world, routine pregnancy care is expanding to include ultrasound imaging and other prenatal diagnostic technologies. Yet, despite their global proliferation, hardly any anthropological research has examined how such technologies are employed outside Euro‐America. In this article, I investigate how pregnant women in Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, handle the hard choices that ultrasonographies confront them with when a fetal anomaly is detected and a decision must be made to either maintain or terminate the pregnancy. Whereas research conducted in North America, in consonance with the emphasis on individualism in advanced liberal societies, frames prenatal diagnosis in terms of individual “moral pioneering,” I show how Vietnamese women turn the choices they have to make into issues of collectivity, kinship, social belonging, and shared responsibility. The general argument advanced is that a comprehensive understanding of individual reproductive actions and intentions necessarily involves close consideration of local configurations of power, subjectivity, and citizenship.
Knowledge from the Margins: W. Montague Cobb's Pioneering Research in Biocultural Anthropology
Authors: WATKINS RACHEL J.
Published: March 2007

W. Montague Cobb became the first African American to receive a doctorate in physical anthropology in the United States (1932). He was also among the first U.S. physical anthropologists to demonstrate a commitment to biocultural integration and racial equality in his research. Nonetheless, very few European American physical anthropologists responded to or utilized Cobb's work. This continued after bioanthropology took on a more biocultural focus in the 1980s, some 50 years after Cobb's first studies of this kind. In this essay, I highlight Cobb's research and writing from the first decades of his career to illustrate his contribution to developing biocultural perspectives in physical anthropology. As a result, I hope to move Cobb from the margins to the center of discussions about methodological and theoretical developments in bioanthropology over the past 30 years.
Book Reviews
Authors: LOÏZOS PETER
Published: March 2007

The Corporeal Image: Film, Ethnography, and the Senses. David MacDougall. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2006. 312 pp.
Book Reviews
Authors: CHARLES TOMMY
Published: March 2007

Introduction to Rock Art Research. David S. Whitley. Walnut Creek, CA: Left Coast Press, Inc., 2005. xiv + 215 pp.
Book Reviews
Authors: ANTOUN RICHARD
Published: March 2007

Yemen Chronicle: An Anthropology of War and Mediation. Steven C. Caton. New York: Hill and Wang, 2005. 341 pp.
Book Reviews
Authors: ARBOLINO RISA DIEMOND
Published: March 2007

Southwest Archaeology in the Twentieth Century. Linda Cordell and Don Fowler, eds. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 2005. 312 pp.
Book Reviews
Authors: GREENAWALT DAVID
Published: March 2007

Myths of Modernity: Peonage and Patriarchy in Nicaragua. Elizabeth Dore. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2006. 252 pp.
Book Reviews
Authors: LESOROGOL CAROLYN K.
Published: March 2007

As Pastoralists Settle: Social, Health, and Economic Consequences of Pastoral Sedentarization in Marsabit District, Kenya. Elliot Fratkin and Eric Abella Roth, eds. New York: Kluwer Academic, 2005. 280 pp.
Book Reviews
Authors: HIMMELGREEN DAVID A.
Published: March 2007

Fat: The Anthropology of an Obsession. Don Kulick and Anne Meneley, eds. New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher–Penguin, 2005. 246 pp.
Book Reviews
Authors: JOHNSON DAVID
Published: March 2007

Connectivity in Antiquity: Globalization as Long‐Term Historical Process. Oystein S. LaBianca and Sandra Arnold Scham, eds. London: Equinox, 2006. 175 pp.
Book Reviews
Authors: MOBERG MARK
Published: March 2007

Changing Places: Environment, Development, and Social Change in Rural Honduras. William M. Loker. Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 2004. 227 pp.
Book Reviews
Authors: MARKS JONATHAN
Published: March 2007

Complexities: Beyond Nature and Nurture. Susan McKinnon and Sydel Silverman, eds. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005. 330 pp.
Book Reviews
Authors: FOWLER CYNTHIA
Published: March 2007

Religion and Anthropology:. Critical Introduction. Brian Morris. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2005. 350 pp.
Book Reviews
Authors: SEGAL EDWIN S.
Published: March 2007

Celebrating Transgression: Method and Politics in Anthropological Studies of Culture. Ursula Rao and John Hutnyk, eds. Oxford: Bergahahn, 2005. 256 pp.
Urbanization within a Dynamic Environment: Modeling Bronze Age Communities in Upper Mesopotamia
Authors: WILKINSON T. J. , CHRISTIANSEN J. H. , UR J. , WIDELL M. , ALTAWEEL M.
Published: March 2007

Here agent‐based models are employed to explore the behavior of small communities and their associated economic systems within an area of climatically marginal environment in northern Syria and Iraq. The examples, drawn from late prehistoric and Bronze Age societies that developed at the onset of urbanization, show how small communities might respond to various resource stresses and environmental fluctuations. The computer simulations demonstrate that some households gain resources at the expense of others and the community becomes more economically differentiated through time with some households benefiting at the expense of others. The approaches discussed demonstrate that complex societies were capable of a wide range of responses to stresses that could be absorbed or amplified via a number of social, economic, or demographic processes.
Labrador Inuit Subsistence in the Context of Environmental Change: An Initial Landscape History Perspective
Authors: WOOLLETT JAMES
Published: March 2007

In this article, I examine the subsistence economy of the contact‐period Labrador Inuit (17th to 19th century) to investigate the relationships of elements of specific cultural changes to environmental change, the effects of cultural interactions, and internal social processes. I apply paleoclimate and sea‐ice records and zooarchaeological studies of life history and seasonality of ecologically sensitive species to reconstruct histories of change in particular elements of the physical landscape and of their use. I associate the use of communal houses by the Labrador Inuit and their modification of settlement patterns during the 18th century to a limited phase of environmental moderation and stability during the Little Ice Age and suggest that these changes reflect, in part, economic strategies oriented toward surplus production.
Recent Research on the Legal History of Modern Mexico
Authors: Reich Peter L.
Published: March 2007

Indígena y Criminal. Interpretaciones del derecho y la antropología en México, 1871–1921. By Beatriz Urías Horcasitas. Mexico: Universidad Ibero-americana, 2000.

Criminal and Citizen in Modern Mexico. By Robert M. Buffington. Lincoln and London: University of Nebraska Press, 2000.

Crimen y Castigo. Legislación penal, interpretaciones de la criminalidad y administración de justicia (Ciudad de México, 1872–1910). By Elisa Speckman Guerra. Mexico: El Colegio de México, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 2002.

City of Suspects. Crime in Mexico City, 1900–1931. By Pablo Piccato. Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2001.

Reconstructing Criminality in Latin America. Ed. Carlos A. Aguirre and Robert Buffington. Wilmington: Scholarly Resources, 2000.

Crime and Punishment in Latin America. Law and Society since Late Colonial Times. Ed. Ricardo D. Salvatore, Carlos Aguirre, and Gilbert M. Joseph. Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2001.
Cbfb Enhances the Osteogenic Differentiation of Both Human and Mouse Mesenchymal Stem Cells Induced by Cbfa-1 via Reducing Its Ubiquitination-Mediated Degradation
Authors: Lien Chun-Yang , Lee Oscar K. , Su Yeu
Published: March 2007

Core-binding factors are a small family of heterodimeric transcription factors that play critical roles in development. Whereas Cbfa-1, one of the three α subunits in the family, is essential for osteogenesis, Cbfb, the only β subunit, forms heterodimers with different Cbfas to increase their DNA binding affinity by inducing conformational changes. Although defective bone formation was found in both Cbfa-1 and Cbfb knockout animals, the precise role of the latter in osteogenesis remains unclear. To dissect the contribution of Cbfb in osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), recombinant adenoviruses carrying Cbfb (AdHACbfb) and Cbfa-1 (AdCbfa-1) were generated and used to infect both the mouse C3H10T1/2 cells and human bone marrow-derived MSCs. Although Cbfb alone failed to trigger osteogenesis of MSCs, it markedly enhanced the gene expression and enzyme activity of alkaline phosphatase as well as osteocalcin activation in those cells overexpressing Cbfa-1. Enhancement of the osteogenic differentiation-inducing effect of Cbfa-1 by Cbfb resulted from an increase in stability of the former due to the suppression of ubiquitination-mediated proteasomal degradation by the latter. Taken together, in addition to defining the role of Cbfb in osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, our results also suggest that the Cbfa-1 and Cbfb coexpressing MSCs might be an appropriate strategy for bone repairing and regeneration therapies.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Characterization of the Potential Subpopulation of Bone Marrow Cells Involved in the Repair of Injured Liver Tissue
Authors: Khurana Satish , Mukhopadhyay Asok
Published: March 2007

In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that bone marrow (BM) stem cells can differentiate into hepatocytes. However, it is not known whether such a differentiation event occurs during normal liver regeneration process. We investigated the role of endogenous BM cells in liver regeneration following acute injury and phenotypically characterized them. We showed that Lin−Sca-1+ cells proliferate in the BM and subsequently mobilize in the peripheral blood in response to liver injury by CCl4 or an injury simulating condition. In vitro studies confirmed that the damaged liver tissue was capable of inducing migration of a distinct population of BM cells, phenotypically characterized as Lin−CXCR4+OSMRβ+, which can differentiate into albumin and cytoketarin-18 expressing cells. In order to study the migration of BM cells to the regenerating liver, the hematopoietic system was reconstituted with green fluorescent protein (GFP)+ BM cells by intra-bone marrow transplantation prior to liver damage. The BM-derived cells were found to express hepatocyte-specific genes and proteins in the regenerating liver. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis for a recipient specific gene (sry) in sorted GFP+Alb+ donor cells suggested that fusion was a rare event in this experimental model. In conclusion, we first demonstrated the potential phenotype of BM cells involved in regeneration of liver from acute injury, primarily by the process of direct differentiation.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Thrombopoietin Enhances Generation of CD34+ Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells
Authors: Srivastava Anand S. , Nedelcu Elena , Esmaeli-Azad Babak , Mishra Rangnath , Carrier Ewa
Published: March 2007

The role of thrombopoietin (TPO) in adult hematopoiesis is well-established. A recent report suggests that TPO and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) play a role in promoting formation of early erythropoietic progenitors in a nonhuman primate embryonic stem cell (ES) model. No such report exists for human ES cells as yet. Because TPO may become an important factor promoting human ES cell-derived hematopoiesis, we sought to investigate whether TPO in combination with VEGF can enhance human ES-derived hematopoiesis in an EB-derived culture system. The emphasis of this work was to demonstrate the molecular mechanisms involved in this process, specifically the role of c-mpl and its ligand TPO. Human ES cells were cultured to the EB state, and EB-derived secondary cultures supporting hematopoietic differentiation were established: condition 1, control (stem cell factor [SCF] and Flt3 ligand [Flt3L]); condition 2, SCF, Flt3L, and TPO; and condition 3, SCF, Flt3L, TPO, and VEGF. Cells were harvested daily, starting at day 2 and continuing until day 8, for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. There was no evidence of expression of c-mpl and VEGF receptor on the gene or protein level until day 8, when the formation of well-established hematopoietic colonies began. This correlated with the formation of CD34+/CD31− negative progenitors, mostly found in blast-forming units-erythroid-like colonies. We concluded that TPO and VEGF play an important synergistic role in the formation of early ES-derived hematopoietic progenitors that occurs through the c-mpl and VEGF receptors.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
Sodium sulphate attack on blended cements under different exposure conditions
Authors: Sahmaran M.
Published: March 2007

The sulphate resistance of ordinary Portland cement, sulphate-resistant Portland cement, and blended cements with different proportions of natural pozzolan and low-lime fly ash were compared. Plain and blended cement mortar specimens were prepared and stored under three different conditions: (a) continuous curing in lime-saturated water, (b) continuous exposure to 5% Na2SO4 solution at room temperature, and (c) cyclic exposure to 5% Na2SO4 solution at room temperature in which the cycle consisted of immersion and drying exposures (each cycle was composed of immersion in 5% Na2SO4 solution for 24 h at 23 ± 2°C, oven drying at 50°C for 23 h, and cooling in air at 23 ± 2°C for 1 h). The sulphate resistance of the cements was evaluated from compressive strength and length change of mortar specimens after up to 1 year of exposure. Microstructural investigations such as X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis were also used to support the explanation of deterioration. This study revealed that under continuous sodium sulphate exposure the length changes of blended cements were less than those of sulphate-resistant Portland cement with 3.6% C3A content. However, for the mortars exposed to sulphate attack and cycles of immersion and drying exposures, sulphate-resistant Portland cement was found to perform better than blended cements when compressive strengths were considered
Accelerated carbonation of reactive MgO cements
Authors: Vandeperre L. J. , Al-Tabbaa A.
Published: March 2007

Experiments were carried out to determine the conditions for the accelerated carbonation of reactive MgO cements, which are blends of MgO, Portland cement (PC) and pulverised fuel ash (pfa). The samples were exposed to two levels of CO2 (5 and 20%) in their curing environment at two levels of relative humidity (RH), namely 65 and 98%, RH, and the resulting changes in stiffness and toughness were contrasted with reference samples, which were cured in 98% RH and ambient CO2 levels. Carbonation of MgO, following its hydration into brucite, yields nesquehonite, whereas that of Portland cement resulted in calcite. The conversion of brucite into nesquehonite increased the strength and toughness of the blends without PC, and this was attributed to the large increase in solid volume due to the carbonation reactions. The accelerated carbonation treatment damaged the blends without MgO, although it did not alter significantly the dynamic stiffness and toughness of the blends containing equal quantities of MgO and PC. Contrary to PC-based cements, in which the highest carbonation rates are found for intermediate humidity levels, the accelerated carbonation of MgO cements requires high levels of humidity and this is attributed to the high water consumption of the carbonation reaction of brucite, whereas carbonation of the PC liberates water
Zuverlässigkeitsbetrachtung exzentrisch belasteter Stahlbetonstützen
Authors: Strauss Alfred , Bergmeister Konrad , März Stefan
Published: March 2007

Für exzentrisch belastete Stützen, deren Querschnitte durch eine Kombination aus Biegemoment und Normalkraft beansprucht werden, resultiert der Widerstand aus der Wechselbeziehung Normalkraft N zu Biegemoment M. Ziel der vorliegenden Untersuchung war es, für einachsige Exzentrizitäten e die entsprechend den Normvorgaben bekannten Ansätze auf Sicherheitsreserven zu untersuchen, da in der Praxis die auf diesen Ansätzen beruhenden Interaktionsdiagramme auch für die Beurteilung von bestehenden Strukturen herangezogen werden.

Des Weiteren war es von großem Interesse, in welcher Form die nach Eurocode 2 neuen zulässigen nichtlinearen Bemessungsmethoden in die bestehenden Ansätze der Interaktionsdiagramme inkludiert werden können.
Novel biomedical imaging approach for detection of sentinel nodes in an experimental model of gastric cancer
Authors: Koyama T , Tsubota A , Nariai K , Mitsunaga M , Yanaga K , Takahashi H
Published: March 2007

Background

The aim of this study was to validate a novel imaging system that uses ATX-S10Na(II) to detect sentinel nodes (SNs) in gastric cancer. The new technique was compared with the enhanced visualization method using indocyanine green (ICG).

Methods

Human gastric carcinoma cells were implanted orthotopically into 50 nude rats, which were divided into two groups. In the first group (n = 25), ATX-S10Na(II) was injected subserosally into the implanted site and visualized by a fluorescence spectrolaparoscope. In the second group (n = 25), ICG was similarly injected and observed through a near-infrared laparoscope. The presence of metastatic tumour cells was determined by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction specific for human β-actin.

Results

ATX-S10Na(II) was clearly identified as a bright red colour, and was rapidly incorporated into the lymphatic system. Detection rates of SNs were 100 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 52 to 100) per cent (25 of 25) for ATX-S10Na(II) and 95 (95 per cent c.i. 40 to 100) per cent (21 of 22) for ICG. Sensitivity was 96 (95 per cent c.i. 45 to 100) and 81 (95 per cent c.i. 58 to 95) per cent respectively.

Conclusion

These results support the validity of the ATX-S10Na(II)-guided approach in the detection of SNs in gastric cancer in vivo.
Randomized clinical trial comparing the effects on renal function of hydroxyethyl starch or gelatine during aortic aneurysm surgery
Authors: Mahmood A , Gosling P , Vohra R K
Published: March 2007

Background

The optimal colloid for renal protection during abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery is not known. This study compared the effects of two hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions and gelatine on perioperative renal function.

Methods

Sixty-two patients undergoing AAA surgery were randomized to 6 per cent HES of molecular weight 200/0·62 kDa or 130/0·4 kDa, or 4 per cent gelatine for plasma expansion. Measurements were taken of serum urea and creatinine to mark glomerular filtration, urinary immunoglobulin G : creatinine ratio to mark glomerular membrane function and α1-microglobulin : creatinine ratio to mark tubular dysfunction before, and for 5 days after, surgery.

Results

Serum urea was lower in both HES groups than the gelatine group. Serum creatinine was lower with HES 130/0·4 compared with gelatine at days 1, 2 and 5 after surgery (P = 0·020, P = 0·045 and P = 0·045 respectively). Urinary α1-microglobulin : creatinine ratio was lower with HES 200/0·62 compared with gelatine at 4 and 8 h (P < 0·050) and lower with HES 130/0·4 compared with gelatine at 4 to 24 h, and on days 4 and 5 (P < 0·050). Urinary immunoglobulin G : creatinine was lower in both HES groups compared with gelatine. There was no difference between the two starch groups.

Conclusion

Compared with gelatine, volume expansion with both types of HES during AAA surgery improved renal function and reduced renal injury.
A risk score for predicting perioperative blood transfusion in liver surgery
Authors: Pulitanò C , Arru M , Bellio L , Rossini S , Ferla G , Aldrighetti L
Published: March 2007

Background

It would be desirable to predict which patients are most likely to benefit from preoperative autologous blood donation. This aim of this study was to develop a point scoring system for predicting the need for blood transfusion in liver surgery.

Methods

The medical records of 480 consecutive patients who underwent hepatic resection were analysed. The data set was split randomly into a derivation set of two-thirds and a validation set of one-third. Univariable analysis was carried out to determine the association between clinicopathological factors and blood transfusion. Significant variables were entered into a multiple logistic regression model, and a transfusion risk score (TRS) was developed. The accuracy of the system was validated by calculating the area under the receiver–operator characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

Factors associated with blood transfusion in multivariable analysis included preoperative haemoglobin concentration below 12·5 g/dl, largest tumour more than 4 cm, need for exposure of the vena cava, need for an associated procedure, and cirrhosis. Each variable was assigned one point, and the total score was compared with the transfusion status of each patient in the validation set. The TRS accurately predicted the likelihood of blood transfusion. In the validation set the area under the ROC curve was 0·89.

Conclusion

Use of the TRS could lead to substantial saving by improving the cost-effectiveness of the autologous blood donation programme.
A tale of three papers (Br J Surg 2006; 93: 1560–1562)
Authors: Smith S R G , Calleary J G
Published: March 2007

The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in the Journal. Responses should be sent electronically via the BJS website (www.bjs.co.uk). All letters will be reviewed and, if approved, appear on the website. A selection of these will be edited and publishe in the Journal. Letters must be no more than 250 words in length.
General Synthesis and Aggregation Behaviour of a Series of Single‐Chain 1,ω‐Bis(phosphocholines)
Authors: Drescher Simon , Meister Annette , Blume Alfred , Karlsson Göran , Almgren Mats , Dobner Bodo
Published: March 2007

The synthesis and physicochemical characterisation of a series of polymethylene‐1,ω‐bis(phosphocholines) with even‐numbered chain lengths between 22 and 32 carbon atoms is described. Two new synthetic strategies for the preparation of long‐chain 1,ω‐diols as hydrocarbon building blocks are presented. The temperature‐dependent self‐assembly of the single‐chain bolaamphiphiles was investigated by cryo transmission electron microscopy (cryo‐TEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
Cell‐Specific and Nuclear Targeting with [M(CO)3]+ (M=99mTc, Re)‐Based Complexes Conjugated to Acridine Orange and Bombesin
Authors: Agorastos Nikos , Borsig Lubor , Renard Anabelle , Antoni Philipp , Viola Giampietro , Spingler Bernhard , Kurz Philipp , Alberto Roger
Published: March 2007

Receptor‐specific nuclear targeting requires trifunctional metal complexes. We have synthesized [M(L2‐pept)(L1‐acr)(CO)3] (pept=peptide; acr=acridine‐based agent) in which the fac‐[M(CO)3]+ moiety (1st function, M=99mTc, Re) couples an acridine‐based nuclear‐targeting agent (2nd function, L1‐acr) and the specific cell‐receptor‐binding peptide bombesin (3rd function, L2‐pept). The metal‐mediated coupling is based on the mixed ligand [2+1] principle. The nuclear targeting agents have been derivatised with an isocyanide group for monodentate (L1) and bombesin (BBN) with a bidentate ligand (L2) for complexation to fac‐[M(CO)3]+. For nuclear uptake studies, the model complexes [Re(L2)(L1‐acr)(CO)3] (L2=pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid and pyridine‐2,4‐dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized and structurally characterized. We selected acridine derivatives as nuclear‐targeting agents, because they are very good nucleus‐staining agents and exhibit strong fluorescence. Despite the bulky metal complexes attached to acridine, all [Re(L2)(L1‐acr)(CO)3] showed high accumulation in the nuclei of PC3 and B16F1 cells, as evidenced by fluorescence microscopy. For radiopharmaceutical purposes, the 99mTc analogues have been prepared and radioactivity distribution confirmed the fluorescence results. Coupling of BBN to L2 gave the receptor‐selective complexes [M(L2‐BBN)(L1‐acr)(CO)3]. Whereas no internalization was found with B16F1 cells, fluorescence microscopy on PC3 cells bearing the BBN receptor showed high and rapid uptake by receptor‐mediated endocytosis into the cytoplasm, but not into the nucleus.
Alkaline Earth Chloride Hydrates: Chlorine Quadrupolar and Chemical Shift Tensors by Solid‐State NMR Spectroscopy and Plane Wave Pseudopotential Calculations
Authors: Bryce David L. , Bultz Elijah B.
Published: March 2007

A series of alkaline earth chloride hydrates has been studied by solid‐state 35/37Cl NMR spectroscopy in order to characterize the chlorine electric field gradient (EFG) and chemical shift (CS) tensors and to relate these observables to the structure around the chloride ions. Chlorine‐35/37 NMR spectra of solid powdered samples of pseudopolymorphs (hydrates) of magnesium chloride (MgCl2⋅6 H2O), calcium chloride (CaCl2⋅2 H2O), strontium chloride (SrCl2, SrCl2⋅2 H2O, and SrCl2⋅6 H2O), and barium chloride (BaCl2⋅2 H2O) have been acquired under stationary and magic‐angle spinning conditions in magnetic fields of 11.75 and 21.1 T. Powder X‐ray diffraction was used as an additional tool to confirm the purity and identity of the samples. Chlorine‐35 quadrupolar coupling constants (CQ) range from essentially zero in cubic anhydrous SrCl2 to 4.26±0.03 MHz in calcium chloride dihydrate. CS tensor spans, Ω, are between 40 and 72 ppm, for example, Ω= 45±20 ppm for SrCl2⋅6 H2O. Plane wave‐pseudopotential density functional theory, as implemented in the CASTEP program, was employed to model the extended solid lattices of these materials for the calculation of their chlorine EFG and nuclear magnetic shielding tensors, and allowed for the assignment of the two‐site chlorine NMR spectra of barium chloride dihydrate. This work builds upon our current understanding of the relationship between chlorine NMR interaction tensors and the local molecular and electronic structure, and highlights the particular sensitivity of quadrupolar nucleus solid‐state NMR spectroscopy to the differences between various pseudopolymorphic structures in the case of strontium chloride.
P53 expression in squamous cell carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx and its lymph node metastases
Authors: Cabanillas Rubén , Rodrigo Juan Pablo , Astudillo Aurora , Domínguez Francisco , Suárez Carlos , Chiara Maria Dolores
Published: March 2007

BACKGROUND.

Although p53 overexpression is frequent in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs), controversy remains regarding the prognostic significance of that overexpression. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression pattern and prognostic significance of p53 expression in HNSCC of the same location, treated in the same way, and with long‐term follow‐up.

METHODS.

P53 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry in paraffin‐embedded tissue specimens from 107 consecutive patients (107 primary squamous cell carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx and 46 matched lymph node metastases). All patients underwent surgical resection and bilateral neck dissection.

RESULTS.

A strong correlation was observed between p53 expression in the primary tumor and in the matched lymph node metastases (P = .0001). P53 overexpression in the lymph nodes was an independent predictor of regional recurrence (P = .027). Likewise, expression of p53 in the lymph nodes correlated significantly with disease‐specific survival (P = .018). Five years after treatment, 70% of patients with p53‐negative, metastatic lymph nodes remained alive, whereas only 30% of patients with p53‐positive lymph nodes remained alive. In multivariate analysis, lymph node status and p53 expression in the lymph nodes remained associated with survival.

CONCLUSIONS.

The current data suggested that, although p53 overexpression is common in supraglottic carcinomas, its expression in the primary tumor is of limited clinical significance. However, the results supported the role of p53 in the lymph node metastases as an independent predictor of regional failure and a poor prognosis in patients with HNSCC. A prospective trial is indicated to validate these findings. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Efficient packet classification on network processors
Authors: Vlaeminck Koert , Stevens Tim , Van de Meerssche Wim , De Turck Filip , Dhoedt Bart , Demeester Piet
Published: March 2007

Always‐on networking and a growing interest in multimedia‐ and conversational‐IP services offer an opportunity to network providers to participate in the service layer, if they increase functional intelligence in their networks. An important prerequisite to providing advanced services in IP access networks is the availability of a high‐speed packet classification module in the network nodes, necessary for supporting any IP service imaginable. Often, access nodes are installed in remote offices, where they terminate a large number of subscriber lines. As such, technology adding processing power in this environment should be energy‐efficient, whilst maintaining the flexibility to cope with changing service requirements. Network processor units (NPUs) are designed to overcome these operational restrictions, and in this context this paper investigates their suitability for wireline and robust packet classification in a firewalling application. State‐of‐the‐art packet classification algorithms are examined, whereafter the performance and memory requirements are compared for a Binary Decision Diagram (BDD) and sequential search approach. Several space optimizations for implementing BDD classifiers on NPU hardware are discussed and it is shown that the optimized BDD classifier is able to operate at gigabit wirespeed, independent of the ruleset size, which is a major advantage over a sequential search classifier. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Are sulphonylureas all the same? A cohort study on cardiovascular and cancer‐related mortality
Authors: Monami M. , Balzi D. , Lamanna C. , Barchielli A. , Masotti G. , Buiatti E. , Marchionni N. , Mannucci E.
Published: March 2007

Background

Aim of the present study is the comparison of all‐cause, cardiovascular and non‐cardiovascular mortality, and cardiac morbidity, between patients treated with glibenclamide and gliclazide.

Methods

A retrospective observational cohort study was performed on a consecutive series of 568 outpatients (282 women, 286 men) with type 2 diabetes treated with either glibenclamide (n = 378) or gliclazide (n = 190). Information on all‐cause mortality and on causes of death up to 31 December 2004 was obtained by the City of Florence Registry Office. Non‐fatal cases requiring hospitalization were identified through the regional hospital discharge system using International Classification of Diseases.

Results

Mean follow‐up was 5.0 ± 1.6 and 4.4 ± 2.0 years for death and cardiac events, respectively; during follow‐up, 33 and 11 deaths were observed in the glibenclamide and gliclazide groups, with a yearly mortality rate of 4.3 and 2.2%, respectively (p < 0.05). At Cox regression, after adjustment for potential confounders, including comorbidity, glibenclamide treatment was associated with a significant increase in all‐cause mortality [OR 2.1(1.2;2.7), p < 0.05], while the difference in cardiovascular mortality was not statistically significant after adjustment for age and sex. Mortality for malignancies was significantly higher in patients treated with glibenclamide after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, and insulin and metformin treatment, [OR 3.6(1.1;11.9); p < 0.05]. A higher incidence of cardiac events was associated with glibenclamide treatment only in patients with previously known ischaemic heart disease.

Conclusions

Treatment with glibenclamide could be associated with higher mortality for cardiovascular diseases and malignancies, in comparison with gliclazide. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduced NO synthesis and eNOS mRNA expression in endothelial cells from newborns with a strong family history of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Alvarado‐Vásquez Noé , Zapata Estrella , Alcázar‐Leyva Susana , Massó Felipe , Montaño Luis F.
Published: March 2007

Background

A deficient synthesis of nitric oxide (NO) may play a role in the early endothelial dysfunction of healthy humans with a strong family history of type 2 diabetes (DM2). In this study, we evaluate the intracellular synthesis of NO and the expression of eNOS transcripts in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), exposed to high glucose concentrations, of healthy newborns with (experimental) and without (control) a strong family history of DM2.

Methods

HUVECs were incubated in M‐199 culture media (containing a 5 mmol/L physiological glucose concentration) or supraphysiological glucose concentrations (15 or 30 mmol/L), for 48 h. Flow cytometry, reactive of Griess and RT‐PCR were used to determine intracellular NO synthesis, presence of NO metabolites, and expression of eNOS, GLUT1 or p53 transcripts.

Results

NO synthesis in experimental HUVECs showed a progressive reduction in the presence of increasing glucose concentration (11% for 5 mmol to 8% for 30 mmol; p < 0.01), whereas control HUVECs showed an increase in NO synthesis (3% for 5 mmol to 31% for 30 mmol; p < 0.001). In experimental HUVECs, we found a diminished expression of eNOS and p53, and also an enhanced expression of GLUT1 mRNA transcripts. Control HUVECs showed an increase in eNOS, and no modifications in p53 or GLUT1 mRNA transcripts.

Conclusions

Our results show how HUVECs, isolated from healthy newborns with a strong family history of DM2, have an abnormal intracellular synthesis of NO and an impaired expression of eNOS, GLUT1 and p53 genes, all associated with NO synthesis. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and Characterization of New Energetic Nitroformate Salts
Authors: Huang Yangen , Gao Haixiang , Twamley Brendan , Shreeve Jean'ne M.
Published: March 2007

New energetic nitroformate salts that contain high‐nitrogen cations were synthesized by taking advantage of the relatively high acidity of nitroform. All of the new salts have been characterized by elemental, spectral, and thermal analyses. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis of 2 shows that it is a co‐crystal of a neutral 4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole molecule with the 4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazolium nitroformate ion pair. The presence of the neutral molecule appears to lend stability to the salt. The structure of 3,6‐diguanidino‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazinium nitroformate (10) was also confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. Theoretical performance calculations indicate that these materials have properties which compare favorably with hydrazinium nitroformate, TNT and Tetryl suggesting potential applications as eco‐friendly oxidizers. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Conformational Analysis of Heteroannularly Substituted Ferrocene Oligoamides
Authors: Lapić Jasmina , Siebler Daniel , Heinze Katja , Rapić Vladimir
Published: March 2007

The main conformer of symmetrical conjugates of ferrocene‐1,1′‐dicarboxylic acid with natural amino acids – Fn(CO–AA1–2–OMe)2 (type I, Fn = ferrocene‐1,1′‐diyl, AA = L‐α‐amino acid) – is supported by two hydrogen bonds between the peptide substituents. To compare intramolecular hydrogen bond patterns of type I conjugates with related asymmetrically substituted derivatives, type II (MeNHCO–Fn–CO–AA–OMe) and type III conjugates (MeNHCO–Fn–CO–AA–NHMe) were prepared in moderate‐to‐good yields in a few steps starting from 1′‐(methoxycarbonyl)ferrocene‐1‐carboxylic acid by using the HOBt/EDC method (AA = Gly, Ala, Val). 1H NMR spectroscopic variation ratio analysis suggests that an increase in the steric demand of the amino acid side chains favours conformations with hydrogen‐bonded FnCONHMe groups. CD spectroscopy of chiral derivatives reveals that (P)‐helical conformations predominate in solution. The experimental findings are in accordance with DFT calculations. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Bivariate distributed lag models for the analysis of temperature‐by‐pollutant interaction effect on mortality
Authors: Muggeo Vito M. R.
Published: March 2007

This paper introduces Bivariate Distributed Lags Models (BDLMs) to investigate synergic effect of temperature and airborne particles on mortality. These models seem particulary attractive since they allow to model interactions between such environmental variables accounting for possible delayed effects. A B‐spline framework is used to approximate the coefficient surface of the temperature‐by‐pollutant interaction and possible alternatives are also discussed. A case study of mortality time‐series data in Palermo, Italy, is presented to illustrate the model. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A random process for earthquake simulation
Authors: Hsu T.‐I , Bernard M. C.
Published: March 2007

Some existing models for the simulation of earthquake acceleration show the difficulties in determining the involved parameters and in describing frequency content. A non‐stationary modulated random process obtained as the product of a time envelope function and a stationary random function is used to simulate earthquake acceleration. The parameters and the distribution of frequencies of the simulation process are obtainable from past earthquake records. This simple and realistic model is suggested for use as the input process in aseismic design of structures.
A note on the numerical evaluation of Duhamel's integral
Authors: Dempsey K. M. , Irvine H. M.
Published: March 2007

General expressions are derived for the numerical evaluation of Duhamel's integral and its derivative. The work comprises an extension (to unequal time steps) and an application (to a piecewise linear forcing function) of the numerical integration approach adopted by Cronin.1 The application is particularly relevant to the digital computation of response spectra from strong motion earthquake records.
The earthquake design and analysis of equipment isolation systems
Authors: Iwan Wilfred D.
Published: March 2007

A method is presented whereby the response spectrum may be used to predict the response of equipment mounted on an isolation system with non‐linear motion limiting constraints. The results of the approximate method are compared with results obtained by direct numerical integration for a representative piece of equipment.
Transverse seismic response analysis of offshore pipelines in proximity to the sea‐bed
Authors: Nath B. , Soh C. H.
Published: March 2007

Both harmonic and seismic responses of several idealized offshore oil pipelines in proximity to the sea‐bed have been studied in this paper by using a digital computer algorithm. In this, spatial discretization was based on finite elements, with nodal lumped masses, while a step‐by‐step explicit forward integration scheme was implemented for processing in the time domain.

A study of the basic system parameters shows that pipe response to a horizontal transverse ground excitation is mainly affected by the clearance between the pipe and the sea‐bed, pipe geometry and its end‐restraints. Results also show that the overall effect of non‐linear pressure drag is not substantial.

Relevant fluid dynamic aspects affecting system response as well as possible effects of marine growth on pipe surface and structural/chemical degradation of the pipe coating are also discussed.
An improved formulation of the parabolic isoparametric element for explicit transient analysis
Authors: Donea J. , Laval H.
Published: March 2007

The difficulties encountered in the use of standard, Galerkin‐type, parabolic isoparametric elements for explicit transient analysis are illustrated. These are associated with the mass lumping procedure as well as with incoherencies in the nodal loads induced by the element local field. To overcome these difficulties, it is suggested that the parabolic element equations be formulated by a weighted residual method in which the weighting functions are the usual serendipity functions modified by an appropriate bubble‐shape function. It is shown that such a formulation enables all the shortcomings of the Galerkin approach to be overcome. An example problem indicates the extent of improvement in results that can be obtained by the proposed method.
Random response analysis of a non‐linear soil‐suspension bridge pier
Authors: Yamada Y. , Takemiya H. , Kawano K.
Published: March 2007

The structure analysed herein is a tower and pier system of a long‐span suspension bridge. The tower shaft is modelled to allow classical normal modes decomposition in order to reduce higher modes. The pier is assumed to be rigid body free to translation as well as to rocking motion, being reacted by the surrounding soil compliance that is derived from a continuum mechanics approach. Linear and non‐linear soil and structural dynamic interaction is dealt with by random vibration theory with use of the linearization technique and complex modal analysis. Primary interest is placed on the investigation of the dynamic characteristics of the total interaction system and the rms response with change of the soil condition and input excitation level. Also discussed is the approximate response analysis, using classical normal modes for the interaction system, for purposes of practical design.
Seismic design requirements in a Mexican 1976 code
Authors: Rosenblueth Emilio
Published: March 2007

In December 1976 the new version of Mexico's Federal District Building Code was officially approved. It differs from previous versions in several matters: design values are based on a probabilistic assessment of seismicity, on a more careful and better substantiated consideration of wave filtering through the peculiar lacustrine soil and on approximate design optimization; ductility receives explicit treatment; and there are significant improvements in the treatment of overturning moments, torques, etc. The paper discusses these matters and contains information on code evolution in Mexico and on the implementation in the Federal District.
A note on the dynamic analysis of non‐proportionally damped systems
Authors: Duncan P. E. , Taylor R. Eatock
Published: March 2007

The principal co‐ordinates of non‐proportionally damped systems are coupled by non‐zero off‐diagonal elements in the transformed damping matrix. The effects of this damping coupling are investigated, and it is found that significant errors may occur if the dynamic analysis of such systems is based on a truncated set of the overall system modes, even when the damping coupling between these modes is included in the solution. This effect is illustrated by computed results for an idealized soil‐structure system.
Linear and nonlinear approach to the Rosensweig instability
Authors: Lange Adrian , Richter Reinhard , Tobiska Lutz
Published: March 2007

We report on recent efforts to improve the understanding of the Rosensweig instability in the linear as well as in the nonlinear regime. In the linear regime we focus on the wavenumber of maximal growth and the oscillatory decay of metastable magnetic liquid ridges, accessible via a new pulse technique. We compare the measurements with the predictions of the linear stability analysis. In the nonlinear regime the fully developed Rosensweig pattern was successfully estimated by the method of finite elements, taking into account the nonlinear magnetization law. For a comparison with these results the three‐dimensional surface profile is recorded by a radioscopic measurement technique. The bifurcation diagram measured in this way can be fitted by the roots of an amplitude equation. Eventually we investigate ferrosolitons, which were recently uncovered in the bistability interval of the Rosensweig instability. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Heat and mass transfer phenomena in magnetic fluids
Authors: Völker Th. , Blums E. , Odenbach S.
Published: March 2007

In this article the influence of a magnetic field on heat and mass transport phenomena in magnetic fluids (ferrofluids) will be discussed. The first section is dealing with a magnetically driven convection, the so called thermomagnetic convection while in the second section the influence of a temperature gradient on the mass transport, the Soret effect in ferrofluids, is reviewed. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Water institutional reforms and the MDGs: towards an evaluation framework
Authors: Saleth Rathinasamy Maria , Kadushkin Anatoly , Ali Taimur
Published: March 2007

Considering the pathways of impacts of the water sector on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and mapping the water‐related and other institutions underlying each of these pathways, this paper aims to develop the conceptual basis and an analytical framework for evaluating the existence and effectiveness of the necessary institutional conditions for achieving the MDGs in the specific context of the water sector. Although the framework aims to evaluate the structure and change in water institutions in the context of the MDGs, it also incorporates other institutional aspects partly for their indirect effects on the performance of both water institutions and the water sector and partly for their direct effects on the MDGs themselves. Despite its theoretical and analytical orientation, the paper also discusses the challenges involved in the empirical applicability of the framework and indicates options for overcoming these challenges through a judicious choice of evaluation context, level of analysis, and institutional aspects. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.