bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From yeast genetics to biotechnology
Authors: Maráz Anna
Published: August 2004

Roots of classical yeast genetics go back to the early work of Lindegreen in the 1930s, who studied thallism, sporulation and inheritance of wine yeast strains belonging to S. cerevisiae. Consequent mutation and hybridization of heterothallic S. cerevisae strains resulted in the discovery of life cycle and mating type system, as well as construction of the genetic map. Elaboration of induced mutation and controlled hybridization of yeast strains opened up new possibilities for the genetic analysis of technologically important properties and for the production of improved industrial strains, but a big drawback was the widely different genetic properties of laboratory and industrial yeast strains. Genetic analysis and mapping of industrial strains were generally hindered because of homothallism, poor sporulation and/or low spore viability of brewing and wine yeast strains [1, 2]. In spite of this, there are a few examples of the application of sexual hybridization in the study of genetic control of important technological properties, e.g. sugar utilization, flocculation and flavor production in brewing yeast strains [3] or in the improvement of ethanol producing S. cerevisiae strains [4]. Rare mating and application of karyogamy deficient (kar−) mutants also proved useful in strain improvement [5].Importance of yeasts in biotechnology is enormous. This includes food and beverage fermentation processes where a wide range of yeast species are playing role, but S. cerevisiae is undoubtedly the most important species among them. New biotechnology is aiming to improve these technologies, but besides this, a completely new area of yeast utilization has been emerged, especially in the pharmaceutical and medical areas. Without decreasing the importance of S. cerevisiae, numerous other yeast species, e.g. Kluyveromyces lactis, Hansenula polymorpha, Pichia pastoris, Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Yarrowia lipolytica have gained increasing potentialities in the modern fermentation biotechnology [6].Developments in yeast genetics, biochemistry, physiology and process engineering provided bases of rapid development in modern biotechnology, but elaboration of the recombinant DNA technique is far the most important milestone in this field. Other molecular genetic techniques, as molecular genotyping of yeast strains proved also very beneficial in yeast fermentation technologies, because dynamics of both the natural and inoculated yeast biota could be followed by these versatile DNA-based techniques.
Organisational change in agricultural transition
Authors: Brem M.
Published: August 2004

This article seeks to contribute to our understanding of farm restructuring in transition by trying to identify driving forces behind organisational change in agriculture. It focuses on the stakeholders’ trade-off between internal transaction costs and switching costs. The article introduces factors determining the level of these two types of costs, such as the original size of the firm, inside-ownership and the type of production for internal transaction costs, and the remaining asset specificity after establishing the formal property rights for switching costs. The theoretical model is tested by data from a recent survey in two regions of the Czech Republic with both qualitative and quantitative analysis. The quantitative analysis characterises the downsizing process of distinguishable restructuring paths of 87 farms. Mechanisms of individual stakeholders’ redeployment decisions are elaborated on the basis of five qualitative case studies. The article shows perspectives of further farm restructuring in European transition countries.
What are consumer price statistics good for?
Authors: Ferenczi B. , Valkovszky S. , Vincze J.
Published: August 2004

This paper studies five different aspects of inflation. Undoubtedly, there are manifold requirements made on the consumer price index. It is designed to measure changes in the cost of living and the cost of holding money, to serve as basis for calculating real interest rate and real exchange rates and to fulfil the coordinating role of a core inflation index. The authors of this paper believe that seeking to capture inflation in terms of a single “universal” indicator may lead to an oversimplification of the concept. In its current form, the Hungarian consumer price index does not “purely” suit any one of the theoretical concepts of inflation. The objective of this paper is to draw up a number of proposals related to the methodology of consumer price statistics, which appear to be one of the best data sources. In an attempt to make full use of this quality and illustrate the problems noted above, we shall propose a set of indicators, for analytical purposes, designed to be appropriate for the various “areas of application”.
European policy lessons in the process of regional transformation in Hungary
Authors: Szalavetz A.
Published: August 2004

The applicability of selected aspects of the European regional policy approach to Hungary is analysed in the present paper. The balanced approach of European regional development — one combining structural change with performance improvement of existing actors — is contrasted with the one-sided Hungarian approach — one restricting modernisation efforts to facilitating structural change and attracting new economic actors. The paper — funded by the INCO-Copernicus — argues that in order to achieve the required regional transformation, besides institution building, strengthening, i.e. “empowering”, existing regional development institutions is also necessary.
State-owned enterprises, soft budget constraints and the owner—regulator syndrome
Authors: Davis J. , Keiding H.
Published: August 2004

We look at the soft budget constraint literature in the context of the state-led restructuring of state-owned enterprises (SOE) in which institutions are both regulators charged with constraining SOE restructuring outcomes and part owners of the SOEs concerned. Such institutional agents constitute a set of what we term “owner—regulators (OR)”. These economic agents may have political problems as regulators — as suggested by the Chicago School approach to economic regulation. They can also have ownership problems — here defined by literature on the theory of the firm and on vertical structure. In this light the incentives associated with the imposition of hard budget constraints may be by themselves insufficient to radically change owner—regulator behaviour. If the implementation of such constraints does not take into account the factors highlighted by this paper, hard budget constraints are likely to be either counterproductive or irrelevant.
Does employee ownership survive the transition?
Authors: Kalmi P.
Published: August 2004

Privatisation to employees has been common in Estonia and in other transition economies, but some evidence suggests that employee ownership is declining. In this paper, I use the concept of “degeneration” from the literature of worker co-operatives to explain this decline. In the first part of the paper, I draw from the literature of complementarities in firm performance and apply the argument to the problem of stability of ownership structures. In the second part of the paper, I use evidence from management interviews and employee questionnaires taken at six Estonian enterprises with employee ownership. The evidence suggests that employee ownership is rapidly declining in Estonia. The main reason for the decline is that ownership is not extended to new employees.
Dermatitis associated with Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens microfilariae in dogs from Central Italy
Authors: Tarello W.
Published: August 2004

Pruritic dermatitis associated with Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens microfilariae in the blood was diagnosed in 22 dogs from Fermo (Central Italy). According to the history, previous unsuccessful treatments with corticosteroids, antibiotics, restricted diet, flea control, levamisole and ivermectin were recorded in 17 dogs (77.3%). The combined filtration tests and antigen tests, performed during the study, were negative for Dirofilaria immitis and Acanthocheilonema reconditum in each case. Dermatological lesions included erythema, papules, single or multifocal alopecia, eczema, lichenification, crusting and nodules. All dogs had pruritus. Concurrent babesiosis was diagnosed in the blood smears of each case (100%), and 60% of the dogs were found to be carriers of canine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (CGE). Three dogs (13.6%) were positive for leishmaniosis. Eradication of the concurrent infections followed by specific macro- and microfilaricide treatment led to complete recovery from the dermatological syndrome. The main conclusion of the study is that D. repens infection can be more pathogenic than is currently considered, and it is apparently an opportunistic disease with serious dermatological consequences.
Stress-induced Cushing's syndrome in fur-chewing chinchillas
Authors: Tišljar Marina , Janić D. , Grabarević Ž. ,   et al.
Published: August 2004

One of the most serious problems in the chinchilla industry is 'fur-chewing', when the chinchilla bites off areas of its own or some other animal's fur. The condition generally develops in both genders at the age of 6-8 months. In chinchilla farms in Croatia an incidence of 15-20% has been observed. A pathomorphological, microbiological and parasitological investigation was conducted on eleven 6- to 11-month-old chinchillas of both sexes with clinical symptoms of 'fur-chewing' and three chinchillas without such signs. Histopathology of the adrenal glands and of the chewed skin revealed changes typical of Cushing's syndrome in 'fur-chewed' chinchillas, such as hyperkeratinisation of the epidermis, epidermal atrophy, pronounced follicular and sebaceous gland atrophy, hyperkeratinisation of the follicles with comedo formations and the presence of calcium salts in subcutis.
Book reviews
Authors: Rafai P. , Székely A. , Mészáros J.
Published: August 2004

Karl-Heinz Waldmann and Michael Wendt (editors), Klaus Bickhardt, Karl Heinritzi, Karl Heinz Lahrmann, Hans Plonait†, Karl-Heinz Waldman, Michael Wendt and Werner Zimmermann (co-authors):Lehrbuch der Schweinekrankheiten (Textbook of Swine Diseases). Parey Buchverlag, Berlin, 2001. 3rd revised edition. 626 pages with 318 figures and 63 tables. Format 17 × 24 cm. ISBN 3-8263-3373-X. Price: € 89.95.  Roy Mack, Bettina Mikhail and Michel Mikhail:Dictionary of Veterinary Medicine and Biosciences / Wörterbuch der Veterinärmedizin und Biowissenschaften / Dictionnaire de médecine vétérinaire et des sciences biologiques (English-German-French). 3rd, revised and expanded edition, 2002. Parey Buchverlag, Berlin. 1692 pages. 17 × 24 cm. ISBN 3-8263-3405-1. Price: € 94.95.  Környezet- és Természetvédelmi Lexikon (Encyclopaedia of Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation) (in Hungarian language). 2nd, revised and expanded edition. Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, 2002. Hardcover, two volumes (664 and 588 pages).
Ochratoxin A contamination of cereal grains and coffee in Hungary in the year 2001
Authors: Fazekas B. , Tar A. K. , Zomborszky-Kovács Melinda
Published: August 2004

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic and carcinogenic mycotoxin, a secondary metabolite produced by mould fungi belonging to several Aspergillus and Penicillium species. It is formed during the storage of cereal grains and other plant-derived products. OTA ingested by humans and animals with the food or feed may exert deleterious effects on health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the ochratoxin contamination of the most important potential sources of OTA. The OTA content of cereal samples for human consumption (36 baking wheat, 16 wheat flour and 6 maize coarse meal samples) and feed grain samples (30 feeding wheat, 32 feeding maize and 20 feeding barley samples) collected in the mid-phase or at the end of the storage period and of 50 commercial coffee samples was determined. The analyses were performed by immunoaffinity column - high-performance liquid chromatography (IAC-HPLC). The limit of detection of the method was 0.1 ng/g. Of the wheat samples intended for human consumption, 8.3% contained OTA at 0.29 ng/g on the average (OTA ranges: 0.12-0.5 ng/g; Table 2). The OTA contamination of wheat flour and maize meal samples for human consumption was similar to that of the baking wheat samples. OTA contamination was found in 26.7% of the feeding wheat, 15.6% of the feeding maize and 35% of the feeding barley samples. The average values and the ranges of OTA levels found in the above samples were 12.2 and 0.3-62.8 ng/g, 4.9 and 1.9-8.3 ng/g, and 72 and 0.14-212 ng/g, respectively (Table 3). Sixty-six percent of the coffee samples were contaminated with OA (average level: 0.57 ng/g, ranges: 0.17-1.3 ng/g; Table 4). OTA contamination of baking wheat samples was found to be relatively low, presumably as a result of the favourable weather at harvest and the optimal storage conditions. Calculations made on the basis of the obtained results show that the daily OTA intake of an adult human from edible cereals is only 6.7 ng, while the amount taken up with coffee is 4.1 ng daily. The high prevalence and high levels of OTA contamination in feed grains can be explained by the unfavourable storage conditions, and this finding suggests that OA-related health problems may arise in animals, and that foods of animal origin may be contaminated with this mycotoxin.
Training-induced alterations of the fatty acid profile of rabbit muscles
Authors: Szabó Éva , Romvári R. , Fébel Hedvig ,   et al.
Published: August 2004

The present study was designed to investigate whether meat-type rabbits are able to perform treadmill running as a daily routine exercise, and if so, whether the exercise induces specific proportional changes in the fatty acid composition of their muscles. After a four-week training period 8-week-old rabbits were slaughtered and the total activity of plasma lactate dehydrogenase was measured, showing a significant difference between the exercised and control groups (429 ± 126 IU/l vs. 639 ± 203 IU/l). Furthermore the fatty acid composition of m. longissimus dorsi (MLD) and m. vastus lateralis (MVL) was determined by means of gas chromatography. Exercise increased the proportions of oleic acid (C18:1 n-9) in both MLD and MVL as compared to the control group. However, the level of stearic (C18:0) and arachidonic (C20:4 n-6) acids significantly decreased in the MVL after the exercise. Changes in the fatty acid profile resulting from the physically loaded condition were of the same tendency in both muscles, adding that the MVL might have been exposed to the exercise more intensively; alterations there occurred in a more pronounced manner. Based on the inference that the composition of membrane structure was also affected, these alterations may have important consequences on meat quality.
Mitosis and apoptosis in canine cutaneous histiocytoma and transmissible venereal tumour
Authors: Guvenc T. , Haligur M. , Orman M. N. ,   et al.
Published: August 2004

Cell proliferation and apoptosis in canine cutaneous histiocytomas and transmissible venereal tumours were examined in twenty cases. The Ki-67 immunohistochemistry and Tunel methods were used to detect mitotic activity and apoptosis, respectively. The number of Ki-67 immunoreactive cells was 11.65 (±1.1706) in canine cutaneous histiocytomas and 17 (±2.1751) in transmissible venereal tumours. The mean values of apoptotic cells for canine cutaneous histiocytomas and transmissible venereal tumours were 13.25 (±1.8758) and 8.52 (±1.1007), respectively. It was considered that mitotic activity and apoptotic indices were useful in differentiation of canine cutaneous histiocytomas and transmissible venereal tumours. The correlation values for canine cutaneous histiocytomas and transmissible venereal tumours were 0.359 (±0.330) and -0.232 (±0.344), respectively. No significant (P≯0.05) correlation was found between mitosis and apoptosis in these two tumour types.
Percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis in dogs
Authors: Vörös K. , Sterczer Ágnes , Manczur F. ,   et al.
Published: August 2004

Percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis was performed on 13 healthy beagle dogs to determine whether percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis in the dog was a feasible and safe procedure. Clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic examinations were done at 0 and 10 minutes, in the 2nd and 16th hour, and on the 7th day. They included a detailed physical examination of the mucous membranes, cardiorespiratory system and abdominal organs. Laboratory examinations of the blood consisted of a complete blood count, determination of packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), total plasma protein (TPP), parameters of haemostasis including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and enzyme activities reflecting hepatobiliary function, i.e. aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Ultrasonographic findings of the gallbladder (size, shape, wall, content) and appearance of the biliary tract and the surrounding cranial intraabdominal organs were also evaluated. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis was performed easily during the study, and dogs tolerated well the procedure performed without anaesthesia. All laboratory parameters of the blood remained within normal limits throughout the study. However, some follow-up values, i.e. PCV, TPP, APTT and ALT, demonstrated statistically significant differences when compared to baseline measurements, which might reflect the effect of 24-hour fasting before the experiment, as well as day-to-day metabolic fluctuations due to feeding and water supply during the study. There were no visible signs of bleeding from the liver, bile leakage from the gallbladder or accumulation of free peritoneal fluid during repeated ultrasonographic examinations. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis seems to be an important diagnostic procedure in canine gallbladder diseases and can be used safely and easily to gain gallbladder bile for diagnosis of bacterial cholecystitis or for investigating hepatobiliary function in the dog.
Az intelligencia természete
Authors: Vajda Zsuzsanna
Published: August 2004

A cikk legfontosabb állítása, hogy az intézményes oktatás elválaszthatatlan a mérhető intelligenciától. Az iskolai képzés alakítja ki az értelmesség uniformizált standardjait, amelyek mérhetővé teszik az értelmi teljesítményt, eközben közvetít is az egyéni tulajdonságok és a társadalmi elvárások között.

Az iskolarendszer létrehozása és működtetése a társadalompolitika része, és a társadalmi változásoknak megfelelően változik. Az intelligencia természetének és környezeti meghatározóinak megértése akkor válik lehetségessé, ha e történeti változásokat is tekintetbe vesszük.

Mindez nem jelenti azt, hogy ne volna az intelligenciának organikus és öröklött bázisa. Az értelmesség minden eddigi antropológia szerint ugyanakkor szubsztanciális emberi tulajdonság, létrejöttében szerepet játszik az ember különleges alkalmazkodása a különleges emberi környezethez.
Intelligencia, IQ, értelmi fogyatékosság
Authors: Lányiné Engelmayer Ágnes
Published: August 2004

A téma-összefoglaló áttekintést ad az intelligenciatesztek kialakulásáról, arról, hogy az értelmi fogyatékos gyermekek iskolai szelekcióját szolgáló első tesztekből hogyan nőtt ki az intelligencia és tesztpszichológia elmélete. Vizsgálja az értelmi fogyatékosság definíciójának pszichometriai kritériumait, a nemzetközi szervezetek klasszifikációs rendszereit. Komplex diagnosztikus keretben összegzi az IQ-használatban vitákat kiváltó helytelen alkalmazás és a szakszerű felhasználás ismérveit.
Az érzelmek szocializációjának tranzakcióanalitikus megközelítése. A rakett érzések hatása az érzelemfelismerésre preadoleszcens korban
Authors: Nábrády Mária
Published: August 2004

A tanulmány áttekinti a rakett érzés tranzakcióanalitikus koncepcióját, mely a rakett érzést úgy határozza meg, mint egy másik, autentikus érzést helyettesíto, tanult érzést. Az autentikus érzés megjelenése a stresszhelyzetekben adekvát lenne, de a szocializáció során szülei elutasítása nyomán a személy megtanulta elnyomni és más elfogadott érzéssel helyettesíteni azt. A fogalmat a hasonló jelenségeket megragadó egyéb érzelemelméletek fogalmaival vetjük össze. A tanulmány célja: (1) a rakett érzés mérésére használható módszert adni és (2) megvizsgálni, hogyan hat a rakett érzés az érzelemfelismerésben mutatkozó perceptuális torzítás irányára. E célból két tesztet szerkesztettünk a rakett érzések és az érzelemfelismerés mérésére. Ezeket egy IQ-teszttel együtt 142 (11-14 éves) személlyel vettük fel. Az eredmények azt mutatják, hogy az érzelemfelismerés pontossága pozitív kapcsolatban van az álta­lános intelligenciával, és bizonyos rakett érzések esetén (szégyen, irigység, szánalom, zavar) az érze­lem-felismerési feladatokban ezen érzések felé perceptuális torzítás történik.
Az olvasás öröme?
Authors: Gervain Judit
Published: August 2004

A cikk az elmúlt néhány évtized diszlexiakutatásának eredményeit foglalja össze. Már a fejlődési diszlexiaként ismert olvasási zavar meghatározása is komoly vita tárgyát képezi, szembeállítva egymással a kizáró kritériumokat, illetve az inkluzív megközelítést alkalmazó kutatókat. Az olvasási zavarok különböző típusainak meghatározása szintén komoly definíciós problémákat vet fel, amelyek azután a kísérleti eredmények értelmezését is nagymértékben befolyásolják. Mindazonáltal az elmúlt években a viselkedési leírások mellett egyre több anatómiai, neurológiai, kognitív, sőt genetikai megfigyelés is született. Ezen adatok alapján több olyan elmélet is kibontakozni látszik, amely a diszlexiát mint genetikai eredetű, komp­­lex fejlődési zavart tekinti, s a terápiás megoldásokat is több szinten képzeli el. Ezenkívül a diszlexia komputációs és konnekcionista modellezése is számottevő eredményeket tudott felmutatni.
A diszlexiakutatás dilemmái
Authors: Csépe Valéria
Published: August 2004

Az olvasási zavarok természetének megértésére törekvo pszichológust talán a leginkább az izgatja, hogy a megismerési funkciók rendszerében melyek azok az eltérések, amelyek a normál, gyakran kivételesen magas intelligencia ellenére is súlyos problémákhoz vezetnek. Az áttekintés kiemelten foglalkozik azokkal a kérdésekkel, amelyek ma a diszlexia neuro­pszi­cho­lógiai és idegtudományi kutatásában a legnagyobb dilemmát és egyben a legnagyobb kihívást jelentik. A kognitív idegtudomány legújabb adatai közül nemcsak azok kerülnek bemutatásra, ame­lyek a hallási vagy látási információk feldolgozásáért felelos rendszerek alulmuködésében ke­re­sik az okokat, hanem azok is, amelyek az olvasást biztosító alrendszerek kapcsolatának megszakadását tanulmányozzák. Ezek a kutatások a muködési hiányt és a kompenzációt biztosító több­le­tet keresik, a diszlexiát pedig a kognitív architektúra fejlodése és az olvasásban részt vevo agyi há­ló­zat mu­ködési sajátosságai felol közelíti meg.
A diszlexia jelensége és lehetséges magyarázatai
Authors: Tárnok Zsanett , Gulyás Balázs
Published: August 2004

Az olvasás folyamatának megértése és ezzel kapcsolatban a diszlexia, az olvasási nehézségek feltérképezése az utóbbi időben gyors ütemben elindult, a kérdés azonban továbbra is nyitott, és számos probléma megválaszolatlanul maradt. Az alábbi összefoglaló tanulmányban néhány aspektust szeretnénk ezzel kapcsolatban áttekinteni, többek között az olvasás mechanizmusának egyfajta konnekcionista, holisztikus modelljét bemutatni, amely modell magyarázatul szolgálhat a diszlexia által különbözően érintett agyterületek és funkciók zavaraira. További eredményeket mutatunk be a diszlexia öröklődésével kapcsolatban, valamint a modern képalkotó eljárások segítségével áttekintjük azokat az agyi strukturális elváltozásokat, valamint funkcionális zavarokat, amelyek fellelhetőek diszlexia során. Fontos és izgalmas kér­dés a nemek különbségének a kérdése, amely bizonyos nemek szerinti fejlődési minta különbözőségére hív­hat­ja fel figyelmünket.
Darwin, Skinner, Turing és az elme
Authors: Hernád (Harnad) István (Steven)
Published: August 2004

A székfoglaló eloadás a darwini eszmerendszer provokatív jellegét elemzi a pszichológiában s tágabban a társadalomtudományban. Az ellenállás Darwinnal szemben jórészt vallási volt. A dolgozat megvizsgálja, hogyan  próbált a darwinista  gondolkodás, valamint az algoritmikus magyarázatok Skinner és Turing munkáiban egyre világosabb magyarázatot adni a viselkedésre. A dolgozatban elemzett Darwin/ Skinner/Turing-típusú magyarázat azonban mindig vak, viselkedési magyarázat. Megmagyarázza an­nak a mögöttes oksági  mechanizmusát, hogy mit teszünk. Nem magyarázza meg azonban érzéseinket.  Ebben az értelemben a vallásos gondolkodók felvetette kérdéskör még mindig velünk van.
Az érzelmek különböző szempontú megközelítései, avagy betekintés a labirintusba
Authors: Nábrády Mária
Published: August 2004

A szerző az érzelmekkel kapcsolatos elméleteket és kutatást négy fő téma köré csoportosítva tárgyalja: ezek a biológiai, szociális/fejlődés, kognitív és integráló hangsúlyú megközelítések. A biológiai elméletek kifejtésénél az evolúciós aspektusok, az agyi érzelmi rendszerek, a periféria szere­pe és a diszkrét emóciók/alapérzelmek témáit taglalja. A szociális/fejlődés hangsúlyú elméleteket két rész­ben tárgyalja a történelmi/kulturális különbségekre, illetve a szociális/fejlődéselméletekre vonatkozóan. A kognitív hangsúlyú megközelítéseket két pontban részletezi: egyrészt a kogníció és érzelem kapcso­la­­tára, másrészt a tudatosság kérdésére tekintettel. Végül néhány integratív megközelítés is említésre kerül.
A vizuális ízlés és a nyitottság kapcsolata
Authors: Farkas András
Published: August 2004

A szerzo Rawlings munkáiból kiindulva tanulmányában a vizuális ízlés jellemzésére alkalmas paraméterek hatását vizsgálja az esztétikai ítéletre, és feltárja az ezen paraméterekre adott preferencia jellegu válaszok összefüggését bizonyos személyiség­jellemzokkel. A szóban forgó paraméterek a komplexitás, ismertség, kongruencia, ábrázolóság, pozitív jelentésirány, narrativitás, dinamizmus, ál­ta­lá­nos tetszés és funkcionalitás. A szerzo vizsgálataihoz festményeket és iparmuvészeti tárgyakat használ. A személyiségjellemzok feltárására a Costa és McRae által kidolgozott NEO-PI-R-teszt egy változatát alkalmazza. A kísérleti személyek fele laikus, fele szakérto a képzo- és iparmuvészetek területén. A fenti paramétereket 12-12 kép preferencia jellegu értékelésével közelíti meg, amelyekbol itemtotál-analízist követoen tételenként 8-8 képet vesz figyelembe. A szakértok és a laikusok által adott válaszok átlagértékeit össze­hasonlítva kimutatja a populációk közötti jellegzetes különbségeket. Ezt követoen az ötfaktoros személyiségteszt tételei és a fenti paraméterekkel összefüggo tetszésértékek közötti korrelációkat kiszámítva bebizonyítja, hogy a személyiségfaktorok közül a vizuális ízlés tekintetében a legfontosabb a nyitottság.
Az EuropASI (Addikció Súlyossági Index) magyar nyelvű változatának reliabilitás- és validitásvizsgálata
Authors: Rácz József , Pogány Csilla , Máthé-Árvay Nauszika
Published: August 2004

A tanulmány az ASI 5. kiadásának (Addiction Severity Index, azaz Addikció Súlyossági Index) európai változatát, az EuropASI magyar fordítását vizsgálta reliabilitás és validitás szempontjából, 234 fo, illegitim droghasználó kliensekbol álló minta alapján, akik a Kék Pont Drog­konzultációs Központ és Ambulancián jelentkeztek kezelésre. A kérdoív reliabilitását item­ana­lí­zissel vizsgáltuk: Cronbach-féle a mutató, item-maradék korreláció, item-totál korreláció. A ská­lák egymás közötti korrelációi a kérdoív belso validitását tükrözik. A kérdoív külso validitását a ke­zelohelyen használt „Elso interjú” (nem validált) eredményeivel történo korrelációk alapján vizsgáltuk. Eredmények: a Súlyossági értékelés (Severity Ratings) adatai és a skálaösszegek (Composite Scores) adatai noha eltéro eredményekhez vezettek az egyes, az ASI által vizsgált életterületeken, az egyes, egymásnak megfelelo területeken korrelációjuk magas volt. A Cronbach-alfa érték mindenütt magas volt. Az item-maradék korreláció 27 té­telbol 22 esetében p< 0,05 szinten szignifikáns volt. Az értelmezheto hat skála (mivel az alkohol-skála­érték mindössze 7 esetben volt számolható az ASI és az Elso interjú alapján) validitása: a drog-, a csa­ládi és szociális-, valamint a pszichiátriai skálaértékek mind a számolt, mind a súlyossági fokozati index esetében magasan korreláltak az Elso interjúból számolt értékekkel. Az orvosi skálaértékek az ASI alapján számolt skálaösszegekkel mutattak magas korrelációt. A jogi és foglalkozási skálák esetében nem szignifikáns, valamint eros negatív korreláció alakult ki. Következtetések: az EuropASI magyar fordításának reliabilitása és validitása a vizsgált populációban jónak bizonyult. Ezt megerosítette adataink összevetése négy külföldi kutatás eredményeivel. A validitásvizsgálat a skálák nagy belso egységességét támasztotta alá. Az „Elso interjú”-val történt összevetésnél tapasztalt, itemek közötti különbségek részben társadalmi-kulturális különbségekkel is magyarázhatók.
Arithmetics of a mixed bivariate model
Authors: Zempléni A.
Published: August 2004

We consider the bivariate random variables with an unusual combination of operation: in the first coordinate the sum, while in the second the maximum is taken. We investigate the arithmetical properties of this commutative semigroup and show that the irreducible distributions form a dense set. The Khinchine-type decomposition theorem is also true. We give examples for infinitely divisible and antiirreducible elements in this structure.
On the multiscale solution of satellite problems by use of locally supported kernel functions correspondind to equidistributed data on spherical orbits
Authors: Freeden W. , Hesse K.
Published: August 2004

Being interested in (rotation-)invariant pseudodifferential equations of satellite problems corresponding to spherical orbits, we are reasonably led to generating kernels that depend only on the spherical distance, i.\,e., in the language of modern constructive approximation form spherical radial basis functions. In this paper approximate identities generated by such (rotation-invariant) kernels which are additionally locally supported are investigated in detail from theoretical as well as numerical point of view. So-called spherical difference wavelets are introduced. The wavelet transforms are evaluated by the use of a numerical integration rule, that is based on Weyl's law of equidistribution. This approximate formula is constructed such that it can cope with millions of (satellite) data. The approximation error is estimated on the orbital sphere. Finally, we apply the developed theory to the problems of satellite-to-satellite tracking (SST) and satellite gravity gradiometry (SGG).
Bounds on moments of symmetric statistics
Authors: Ibragimov R. , Sharakhmetov Sh.
Published: August 2004

In this paper we prove analogues of Khintchine, Marcinkiewicz-Zygmund and Rosenthal moment inequalities for symmetric statistics of arbitrary order in not identically distributed random variables. We also construct an example that shows the significance of each term in the obtained Rosenthal-type inequalities for symmetric statistics and obtain results concerning the rate of growth of the best constants in the inequalities.
Small-Molecule-Directed Mpl Signaling Can Complement Growth Factors to Selectively Expand Genetically Modified Cord Blood Cells
Authors: Richard Robert E. , Blau C. Anthony
Published: August 2004

Efforts toward achieving gene therapy for blood disorders are plagued by low rates of gene transfer into hemopoietic stem cells. Recent studies suggest that this obstacle can be circumvented using selection. One way to achieve selection employs genes that encode receptor-bearing fusion proteins capable of inducing cell growth in response to drugs called chemical inducers of dimerization (CIDs). We have previously shown that genetically modified marrow cells from mice can proliferate for up to a year in culture in response to CID-initiated signals arising from the thrombopoietin receptor (mpl). The sustained growth observed in mouse hemopoietic cells results from an mpl-induced self-renewal of multipotential hemopoietic progenitor cells. In contrast, human hemopoietic cells proliferate only transiently in response to the mpl signal (from differentiation of transduced erythroid and megakaryocytic progenitors), while human myeloid progenitors fail to respond. Here, we show that myeloid progenitors from human cord blood can be induced to proliferate and/or differentiate in response to the mpl signal by providing additional signals via a combination of growth factors. These findings are relevant for the eventual clinical application of CID-regulated cell therapy.
Management of Advanced Prostate Cancer
Authors: Auclerc Gerard , Antoine Eric C. , Cajfinger Francis , Brunet-Pommeyrol Arlette , Agazia Chahrok , Khayat David
Published: August 2004

Most cases of advanced carcinoma of the prostate are hormonosensitive. The use of combined androgen blockade (CAB) seems to improve survival and quality of life, but only when combined with chemical castration by luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone analog and without the use of steroidal antiandrogens. After CAB, further hormonal treatments remain efficacious, such as antiandrogen withdrawal followed by estrogens, aromatase inhibitors, and hormone-refractory prostate cancer multiple cytotoxic agents. For painful bone lesions, external beam radiotherapy, biphosphonates, and strontium 89 or samarium 153 provide pain relief. The use of new methods for the evaluation of response and quality of life will allow the rapid identification of effective treatments and permit powered phase III trials.
Melanoma
Authors: Gershenwald Jeffrey E.
Published: August 2004

The presentations at the American Society of Clinical Oncology 2001 meeting reported or updated the results of phase I, II, and III randomized trials and also reported important meta-analyses and retrospective studies impacting on the management of patients with melanoma. In the treatment of early stage melanoma, the prognostic significance of pathologic status of sentinel lymph nodes was affirmed. With respect to regional nodal involvement (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] stage III), investigators presented the interim results of the United Kingdom randomized low-dose interferon (IFN) trial, and up-to-date meta-analyses of several IFN trials including a pooled analysis of the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group trials evaluating interferon in the adjuvant setting. In the advanced disease setting (AJCC stage IV), several studies elucidated the pros and cons of biochemotherapy in patients with metastatic melanoma, with an emphasis on seeking to improve response in the central nervous system and durability of response in general. Thought provoking was new data regarding the potential for lovastatin to act as a chemopreventive agent for melanoma. Translational studies were presented, one supporting the importance of HLA-typing in developing targeted vaccine therapy. Finally, the results of a novel experimental melanoma vaccine were presented using autologous tumor-derived heat-shock protein peptide complex-96 (HSPPC-96).
Preoperative Therapy in Breast Cancer: Lessons from the Treatment of Locally Advanced Disease
Authors: Wolff Antonio C. , Davidson Nancy E.
Published: August 2004

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Better understand the current state of the art of managing patients with locally advanced breast cancer.Understand how primary, preoperative systemic treatment might be incorporated into the management of patients with early stage breast cancer.Understand the status of ongoing and recently completed clinical trials in this important area of multi-modality patient care.

Access and take the CME test online and receive one hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

The greater use of screening has changed the stage distribution of breast cancer, and an increasing number of patients are diagnosed with earlier stages of the disease. Still, locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) remains a major clinical problem in the United States and a common presentation in many parts of the world. There is no standard definition of LABC. One commonly used includes patients with large primary tumors greater than 5 cm (T3) or with skin/chest wall involvement (T4), and/or fixed axillary (N2) or ipsilateral internal mammary (N3) lymph node involvement. According to the tumor node metastasis staging, these usually include stage IIIa (T0-2N2 or T3N1-2) and stage IIIb (T4Nx or TxN3) disease. Inflammatory breast cancer (T4d) is included in most classifications despite its distinct clinical behavior and worse prognosis overall, but it serves as an example of combined modality intervention. Historically, the term LABC has been applied to those clinical presentations where the disease is considered inoperable. However, these therapeutic principles (including preoperative or primary systemic therapy [PST]) are increasingly being applied to patients presenting with tumors greater than 5 cm and negative lymph nodes (stage IIb—T3N0) or even smaller tumors, who are considered to have operable disease and a better outcome than those traditionally classified as having LABC. PST is increasingly being used in otherwise operable stage I and II patients aiming at greater rates of breast conservation and earlier efficacy assessment. This article reviews many of these issues and ongoing research questions.
Adjuvant Therapy for Breast Cancer: Recommendations for Management Based on Consensus Review and Recent Clinical Trials
Authors: Mincey Betty A. , Palmieri Frances M. , Perez Edith A.
Published: August 2004

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to:

Understand how evaluation of risk of relapse, results of clincial trials, risk/benefit ratio, and patient preference each contribute to the selection of appropriate adjuvant therapy of breast cancer. Understand the important prognostic and predictive factors in the adjuvant therapy of breast cancer. Understand the roles of local therapy, hormonal treatment, and chemotherapy in the adjuvant therapy of breast cancer. Understand the recommendations of the 2000 NIH Consensus Development Conference: Advances in Breast Cancer.

Access and take the CME test online and receive one hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Determining the optimal individual adjuvant systemic therapy for breast cancer patients is a challenging undertaking because it requires translating data from clinical trials that have involved thousands of patients into a highly individualized, risk-adjusted approach for the patient at hand. Choosing adjuvant therapy for women with breast cancer includes consideration of four issues: A) evaluation of risk of relapse; B) extrapolation of results from clinical trials; C) therapeutic ratio, and D) the patient's preferences following a thorough discussion with her physician. Data from recently completed phase III adjuvant trials and worldwide consensus conferences document the benefits of adjuvant therapy in improving disease-free survival and overall survival for patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer >1.0 cm in size. The benefits of hormonal therapy are clear, but limited to patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Anthracyclines lead to improved outcomes compared with nonanthracycline regimens. Taxanes appear to improve disease-free survival in patients with node-positive disease, although longer follow-up is required to assess their impact on overall survival. Some countries have reported a reduction in the mortality rate from breast cancer over the past several years. The improved survival rate is due, at least in part, to the use of adjuvant systemic therapy. Ongoing studies are evaluating targeted therapies, with the potential of remarkably improving patient outcome.
Recent Advances in Melanoma Biology
Authors: Perlis Cliff , Herlyn Meenhard
Published: August 2004

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to:

Identify the epidemiological evidence supporting the association of intermittent sun exposure with melanoma. Discuss the role of cell adhesion molecules in melanoma progression. List several steps in apoptotic pathways that may prove useful targets for future therapeutic interventions.

Access and take the CME test online and receive one hour of AMA PRA category 1 credit at http://CME.TheOncologist.com

The incidence and mortality rates of melanoma have increased at annual rates of 2%–3% for the last 30 years. Disseminated disease is largely refractory to cytotoxic chemotherapy and is almost universally fatal. Several recent advances in melanoma biology offer new strategies for potentially treating this aggressive malignancy. This review focuses on three significant advances involving tumor initiation, etiology, and progression. New experimental models reveal a direct role for UV-B light in initiating melanomas in human skin. Studies on E- and N-cadherin elucidate the importance of local homeostatic mechanisms in regulating tumor progression. Finally, several discoveries concerning apoptotic mechanisms in melanoma suggest strategies for future treatments.
The Relationship of Cognitive Style and Attachment Style to Depression and Anxiety in Young Adults
Authors: Safford Scott M. , Alloy Lauren B. , Crossfield Alisa G. , Morocco Antonia M. , Wang James C.
Published: August 2004

This study examined the associations between attachment style and cognitive style and depression and anxiety symptomatology. Using a college sample of 167 participants, the tripartite model of depression and anxiety (Clark & Watson, 1991) was employed to examine whether the construct of negative affectivity could account for the previously reported relationships between insecure attachment style and negative cognitive style and both depression and anxiety. Negative cognitive style and insecure attachment were found to be significantly associated with both depression and anxiety symptomatology. Although negative affectivity effectively accounted for the relationships between negative cognitive style and both depression and anxiety and could explain the relationship between insecure attachment and anxiety, it failed to account for the association between insecure attachment and depression. In addition, negative cognitive style and insecure attachment appeared to be independently and uniquely associated with negative affect, rather than forming a mediational relationship.
Cognitive Vulnerability and Attachment
Authors: Williams Nathan L. , Riskind John H.
Published: August 2004

The articles in this special issue address empirically the application of attachment theory to cognitive vulnerability models of anxiety and depression. The findings from these studies converge on the theme that attachment theory has considerable utility in potentially extending and refining current cognitive vulnerability models through a consideration of interpersonal context and the cognitive mechanisms by which negative interpersonal experiences may confer increased risk to later anxious and depressive symptoms.
Ambivalent Attachment and Depressive Symptoms: The Role of Romantic and Parent-Child Relationships
Authors: Rholes Steven W. , Simpson Jeffry A.
Published: August 2004

In recent years, an increasing amount of attention has been devoted to investigating the interpersonal origins of depression and depressive symptoms. Guided by attachment theory and interpersonal models of depression, we describe a diathesis-stress model that has guided our research on how romantic attachment orientations (or styles) are associated with depressive symptomatology. The model presented in this article suggests that when anxious-ambivalent people experience stressful events, they display specific perceptual and behavioral reactions that lead to depressive symptoms. Studies that provide empirical support for parts of the model are discussed. In addition to describing the psychological processes that might exacerbate depressive symptoms in highly ambivalent individuals, the model also identifies novel “pathways” to depression and briefly introduces new theoretical concepts—the constructs of dysfunctional relationship attitudes and relationship deprivation.
The Illness Trajectory of End-Stage Renal Disease Dialysis Patients
Authors: Jablonski Anita
Published: August 2004

Chronic illness is the number one health problem in the United States. As a consequence, health care professionals have assumed an increasingly important role in helping patients and families manage illness over an extended period of time. Familiarity with the evolution of chronic illness is needed to increase the effectiveness of these efforts. The concept of a trajectory provides a way for clinicians to gain a fuller understanding of the changing nature of chronic illness. The trajectory model has not yet been used to define the experience of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD is typically viewed as the static end point of chronic renal failure. The new paradigm suggests that the experience of ESRD continues to evolve from the time of diagnosis until death and that it follows a trajectory that can be described. This article represents the first attempt to delineate the ESRD illness trajectory, including the characteristics of each phase relative to the dimensions of life. The significance of the trajectory for clinical practice is discussed as well as the need for further research to validate and refine the model.
Oculo‐palato‐cerebral syndrome: A third case supporting autosomal recessive inheritance
Authors: Alanay Yasemin , Boduroǧlu Koray , Sönmez Barış , Orhan Mehmet
Published: August 2004

In 1985, Frydman et al. [1985: Clin Genet 27:414–419] described a syndrome characterized by growth failure, microcephaly, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous (PHPV) with microphthalmia, cleft palate, connective tissue abnormality, mental retardation, and spastic quadriplegia. The syndrome was termed as oculo‐palato‐cerebral dwarfism. The first patients described were offsprings of a consanguineous couple of Moroccan Jewish descent, suggesting autosomal recessive inheritance. An additional case was reported by Pellegrino et al. [2001: Am J Med Genet 99:200–203] in 2001. The clinical features were milder than the original cases, and there was no consanguinity. We report a third patient with oculo‐palato‐cerebral syndrome, supporting autosomal recessive inheritance, and a detailed comparison with the previous cases. This article contains supplementary material, which may be viewed at the American Journal of Medical Genetics website at http://www.interscience.wiley.com/jpages/0148‐7299/suppmat/index.html. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.