bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sponge‐induced angiogenesis and inflammation in PAF receptor‐deficient mice (PAFR‐KO)
Authors: Ferreira Mônica A N D , Barcelos Lucíola S , Campos Paula P , Vasconcelos Anilton C , Teixeira Mauro M , Andrade Silvia P
Published: April 2004

To determine biological functions of platelet‐activating factor (PAF) in chronic inflammation, we have investigated the kinetics of angiogenesis, inflammatory cells recruitment and cytokine production in sponge‐induced granuloma in wild type and PAF receptor‐deficient mice (PAFR‐KO).

Angiogenesis as determined by morphometric analysis and hemoglobin content was significantly higher in the implants of PAFR‐KO mice at all time points. Treatment with PAF receptor antagonist UK74505 (30 mg kg−1) also increased angiogenesis in sponge implants.

Neutrophils and macrophages accumulation, as determined by myeloperoxidase and N‐acetylglucosaminidase activities in the supernatant of implanted sponges were markedly decreased in PAFR‐KO mice. Surprisingly, the levels of the proinflammatory chemokines, keratinocyte‐derived chemokine and chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 were higher in the implants of the transgenic animals.

We have shown that angiogenesis was stimulated in PAFR‐KO mice whereas inflammation was decreased, indicating that PAF is an endogenous regulator of new blood vessels formation in the inflammatory microenvironment induced by the sponge implant.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 141, 1185–1192. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705731
Membrane‐association and the sensitivity of guanylyl cyclase‐coupled receptors to nitric oxide
Authors: Wykes Victoria , Garthwaite John
Published: April 2004

Nitric oxide (NO) signal transduction occurs through guanylyl cyclase‐coupled receptors, which exist in both cytosolic and membranous locations. It has recently been reported from experiments using heart tissue that the membrane‐associated receptor has enhanced sensitivity to NO. Owing to its potential importance, we tested this finding using a method of applying NO in known, constant concentrations. The results showed that the concentration–response curves for receptor activation in cytosolic and membrane preparations of two different tissues (cerebellum and platelets) were indistinguishable. In all cases, half‐maximal activation required about 1 nM NO and the curves had Hill coefficients of close to 1. The differential sensitivity reported for the heart is attributed to NO being scavenged by myoglobin in the cytosol, but not in the membrane fraction.

British Journal of Pharmacology (2004) 141, 1087–1090. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705745
Bias-temperature stability of ultrathin parylene-capped dielectrics: influence of surface oxygen on copper ion diffusion
Authors: Senkevich Jay J. , Wang Pei-I. , Wiegand Chris J. , Lu T.-M.
Published: April 2004

The effect of interfacial oxygen on copper ion penetration was investigated with metal–insulator–semiconductor capacitor (MISCAP) structures with and without an ultrathin (50 Å) polymer-capping layer. The amount of interfacial oxygen and hence the degree of copper ion penetration could be affected by the thermal annealing of the MISCAPs at 150 and 250 °C and in inert and reducing environments. The bias-temperature stressing (BTS) of a Cu/50 Å parylene-N/3000 Å plasma-enhanced tetraethoxysilane (PETEOS)/200 Å thermal SiO2/Si MISCAP at 150 °C and 1 MV/cm and previously annealed at 250 °C in Ar-3%H2 resulted in no flatband voltage shift from as-annealed to 180 min of BTS. The lack of flatband voltage shift is indicative of no copper ion penetration and a stable dielectric. Under higher electric fields (1.5–2 MV/cm) and at 150 °C, the polymer-capped PETEOS dielectric hindered copper ion penetration, but did not prevent it.
Microfabricated alkali atom vapor cells
Authors: Liew Li-Anne , Knappe Svenja , Moreland John , Robinson Hugh , Hollberg Leo , Kitching John
Published: April 2004

We describe the fabrication of chip-sized alkali atom vapor cells using silicon micromachining and anodic bonding technology. Such cells may find use in highly miniaturized atomic frequency references or magnetometers. The cells consist of cavities etched in silicon, with internal volumes as small as 1 mm3. Two techniques for introducing cesium and a buffer gas into the cells are described: one based on chemical reaction between cesium chloride and barium azide, and the other based on direct injection of elemental cesium within a controlled anaerobic environment. Cesium optical absorption and coherent population trapping resonances were measured in the cells.
Fabrication and characteristics of C84 fullerene field-effect transistors
Authors: Shibata Kana , Kubozono Yoshihiro , Kanbara Takayoshi , Hosokawa Tomoko , Fujiwara Akihiko , Ito Yasuhiro , Shinohara Hisanori
Published: April 2004

Fullerene field-effect transistors (FETs) were fabricated with thin films of C84, which showed n-channel normally-on depletion-type FET characteristics. The C84 FET device exhibited the highest mobility, μ, of 2.1×10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1 among normally-on fullerene FETs. The carrier transport of this FET device can be interpreted as thermally activated hopping transport. Carrier type (n-channel) and transport mechanism (hopping) reflect the electronic properties of the C84 molecule.
High-coercivity Co-ferrite thin films on (100)-SiO2 substrate
Authors: Wang Y. C. , Ding J. , Yi J. B. , Liu B. H. , Yu T. , Shen Z. X.
Published: April 2004

Co-ferrite films were deposited on SiO2 single-crystal substrates. The as-deposited films were amorphous. The crystallization required an annealing at 700 °C or higher. Magnetic properties were found to be strongly dependent on annealing temperature, annealing duration, and film thickness. A small film thickness can restrict the formation of large particles. A coercivity as high as 9.3 kOe was achieved in the 50 nm film after annealing at 900 °C for 15 min deposited on (100)-SiO2 substrate. The high coercivity was associated with a nanostructure, lattice strain, and larger Raman shift with a relatively sharp peak.
Nanocrystal cleaving
Authors: Han Wei-Qiang , Zettl A.
Published: April 2004

We report on the virtually perfect cleaving of a nanoscale crystal within the confines of an atomically smooth-bore BN nanotube, performed in situ inside a high-resolution transmission electron microscope. The cleaving-induced gap region between the two nanocrystal subunits could then represent a near-perfect (i.e., atom-free) vacuum.
Atomic-scale imaging of asymmetric Lomer dislocation cores at the Ge/Si(001) heterointerface
Authors: Stirman J. N. , Crozier P. A. , Smith David J. , Phillipp F. , Brill G. , Sivananthan S.
Published: April 2004

Lomer edge dislocations formed at Ge/Si(001) hetero-interfaces have been imaged with a 1.25-MeV atomic-resolution electron microscope. The dislocation cores were primarily asymmetrical, and they were located close to the mean position of the interface, which was not structurally abrupt due to Ge–Si interdiffusion at the growth temperature of 550 °C. Structural models of the asymmetric dislocation cores could be derived directly from the experimental micrographs and image simulations were then used to validate the image interpretation.
Compositionally graded contact layers in quantum-well infrared photodetectors
Authors: Little J. W. , Leavitt R. P.
Published: April 2004

We have observed a threshold voltage, below which no photocurrent flows, in a class of midwave quantum-well infrared photodetectors using (In,Ga)As/(In,Al)As lattice matched to InP substrates. We propose that this threshold voltage is the result of internal fields established at the interface between doped contact layers and the doped quantum wells in the detector. We show that compositionally graded contact layers can be used to eliminate the threshold voltage and to enhance the low-bias performance of the detectors.
Phototunable photonic bandgap in a chiral liquid crystal laser device
Authors: Furumi Seiichi , Yokoyama Shiyoshi , Otomo Akira , Mashiko Shinro
Published: April 2004

This letter describes the phototunable photonic bandgap of cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) doped with a fluorescent dye to generate the distributed feedback effect. Photoirradiation of the dye-doped CLC cell under UV light at 254 nm resulted in continuous changes in the chiral photonic bandgap from 550 to 720 nm due to photolysis reaction of the cholesteryl iodide embedded in the CLC host. We showed that the laser oscillation wavelength could be controlled in a wide wavelength range from 610 to 700 nm by photoassisted adjustment of CLC photonic bandgaps.
Soft x-ray magnetic scattering from ordered EuSe nanoislands
Authors: Schülli T. U. , Lechner R. T. , Stangl J. , Springholz G. , Bauer G. , Dhesi S. , Bencok P.
Published: April 2004

The magnetic behavior of semiconducting EuSe islands deposited on a nanopatterned PbSe template is investigated using x-ray small-angle scattering and x-ray circular dichroism in absorption and scattering geometry. The islands form a regular hexagonal pattern, and show coupling between Eu spins at low temperatures, indicating a precursor state to a magnetic phase transformation.
Time-dependent dielectric breakdown of hydrogenated silicon carbon nitride thin films under the influence of copper ions
Authors: Cui Hao , Burke Peter A.
Published: April 2004

Time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) of hydrogenated silicon carbon nitride (H:SiCN) thin films deposited using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition has been studied using metal-insulator-semiconductor capacitors with Cu gate electrodes. The experimental TDDB data of these films agree excellently with the thermochemical E model where the time to breakdown decreases exponentially with an increase in the electric field and temperature. Breakdown of the H:SiCN films was found to be significantly accelerated by the presence of Cu ions in the films. The breakdown acceleration is believed to be caused by an electric field enhancement due to the accumulation of positively charged Cu ions.
Microscopic organisation of the oviducal gland of the holocephalan elephant fish, Callorhynchus milii
Authors: Smith Rachel M. , Walker Terence I. , Hamlett William C.
Published: April 2004

The study of chondrichthyan reproductive biology has a long history, but the structure and function of the holocephalan oviducal glands (OG) is poorly known; these organs are a vital component in the understanding of chondrichthyan life history. Histochemical techniques revealed that a fundamental zonation was evident in the OG of Callorhynchus milii, similar to most elasmobranchs. In sexually mature females, the following zones occurred (anterior to posterior): (1) club zone, periodic acid–Schiff positive (PAS+), indicating glycoprotein or any mucus substance containing neutral sugars, and Alcian blue positive, pH 2.5 (AB+), indicating the presence of sulfated and unsulfated acid glycosaminoglycans and sialoglycoproteins; (2) papillary zone (AB+); (3) baffle zone (PAS–, AB–); and (4) terminal zone (AB++). Using histological and histochemical techniques not used previously with the holocephalan group, we demonstrated that the structure and function of the OG zones were equivalent between oviparous elasmobranchs and C. milii, even though their final egg capsule morphologies differed. It was also evident that the club and papillary zones produce the egg jelly that surrounds the egg and the baffle zone formed the multilaminate egg capsule. Furthermore, the terminal zone had functions associated with sperm storage and the production of fine hairs that decorate the surface of the egg capsule.
Processes affecting the chemical composition of Blue Lake, an alluvial gold-mine pit lake in New Zealand
Authors: Barker Shaun L. L. , Kim Jonathan P. , Craw Dave , Frew Russell D. , Hunter Keith A.
Published: April 2004

Blue Lake is an abandoned, water-filled alluvial gold-mine pit in Central Otago, New Zealand. Alluvial gold mining is generally considered to be chemically benign, unless mercury is added to assist gold separation. The major element, trace metal and isotopic composition of the pit lake was compared to nearby, unaffected streams. Blue Lake was found to be enriched in the major cations, with levels that were 2–5 times higher than in unaffected streams. Furthermore, Cu, Ni and Zn concentrations exceeded 10 nmol L–1 in Blue Lake; these levels were 2–30 times higher than those in nearby, unaffected streams. Processes affecting the lake’s characteristics include evaporative concentration, and the oxidation and dissolution of locally derived sulfide and sulfate minerals. Localised acidification in surface and ground waters around the lake leads to the mobilisation of Zn and Ni, resulting in lake waters being strongly enriched in these trace metals (concentrations greater than 40 nmol L–1), whereas surrounding stream waters have much lower Ni and Zn concentrations (less than 5 nmol L–1). Ongoing evaporative concentration, and the continuing mobilisation of trace metals, implies that metal enrichment in lake waters will continue to occur. The present study demonstrated that the ‘benign’ process of alluvial gold mining can have significant chemical consequences in resulting water bodies.
The HP-1 maquette: From an apoprotein structure to a structured hemoprotein designed to promote redox-coupled proton exchange
Authors: Huang Steve S. , Koder Ronald L. , Lewis Mitchell , Wand A. Joshua , Dutton P. Leslie
Published: April 2004

Synthetic heme-binding four-α-helix bundles show promise as working model systems,
maquettes
, for understanding heme cofactor–protein assembly and function in oxidoreductases. Despite successful inclusion of several key functional elements of natural proteins into a family of heme protein maquettes, the lack of 3D structures, due principally to conformational heterogeneity, has prevented them from achieving their full potential. We report here the design and synthesis of HP-1, a disulfide-bridged two-α-helix peptide that self-assembles to form an antiparallel twofold symmetric diheme four-α-helix bundle protein with a stable conformation on the NMR time-scale. The HP-1 design strategy began with the x-ray crystal structure of the apomaquette L31M, an apomaquette derived from the structurally heterogeneous tetraheme-binding H10H24 prototype. L31M was functionally redesigned to accommodate two hemes ligated to histidines and to retain the strong coupling of heme oxidation-reduction to glutamate acid–base transitions and proton exchange that was characterized in molten globule predecessors. Heme insertion was modeled with angular constraints statistically derived from natural proteins, and the pattern of hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues on each helix was then altered to account for this large structural reorganization. The transition to structured holomaquette involved the alteration of 6 of 31 residues in each of the four identical helices and, unlike our earlier efforts, required no design intermediates. Oxidation-reduction of both hemes displays an unusually low midpoint potential (–248 mV vs. normal hydrogen electrode at pH 9.0), which is strongly coupled to proton binding, as designed.
Kusunda: An Indo-Pacific language in Nepal
Authors: Whitehouse Paul , Usher Timothy , Ruhlen Merritt , Wang William S.-Y.
Published: April 2004

The Kusunda people of central Nepal have long been regarded as a relic tribe of South Asia. They are, or were until recently, seminomadic hunter-gatherers, living in jungles and forests, with a language that shows no similarities to surrounding languages. They are often described as shorter and darker than neighboring tribes. Our research indicates that the Kusunda language is a member of the Indo-Pacific family. This is a surprising finding inasmuch as the Indo-Pacific family is located on New Guinea and surrounding islands. The possibility that Kusunda is a remnant of the migration that led to the initial peopling of New Guinea and Australia warrants additional investigation from both a linguistic and genetic perspective.
Accurate Identification of Novel Human Genes Through Simultaneous Gene Prediction in Human, Mouse, and Rat
Authors: Dewey Colin , Wu Jia Qian , Cawley Simon , Alexandersson Marina , Gibbs Richard , Pachter Lior
Published: April 2004

We describe a new method for simultaneously identifying novel homologous genes with identical structure in the human, mouse, and rat genomes by combining pairwise predictions made with the SLAM gene-finding program. Using this method, we found 3698 gene triples in the human, mouse, and rat genomes which are predicted with exactly the same gene structure. We show, both computationally and experimentally, that the introns of these triples are predicted accurately as compared with the introns of other ab initio gene prediction sets. Computationally, we compared the introns of these gene triples, as well as those from other ab initio gene finders, with known intron annotations. We show that a unique property of SLAM, namely that it predicts gene structuressimultaneouslyin two organisms, is key to producing sets of predictions that are highly accurate in intron structure when combined with other programs. Experimentally, we performed reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in both the human and rat to test the exon pairs flanking introns from a subset of the gene triples for which the human gene had not been previously identified. By performing RT-PCR on orthologous introns in both the human and rat genomes, we additionally explore the validity of using RT-PCR as a method for confirming gene predictions.
Evolution and Comparative Genomics of Odorant- and Pheromone-Associated Genes in Rodents
Authors: Emes Richard D. , Beatson Scott A. , Ponting Chris P. , Goodstadt Leo
Published: April 2004

Chemical cues influence a range of behavioral responses in rodents. The involvement of protein odorants and odorant receptors in mediating reproductive behavior, foraging, and predator avoidance suggests that their genes may have been subject to adaptive evolution. We have estimated the consequences of selection on rodent pheromones, their receptors, and olfactory receptors. These families were chosen on the basis of multiple gene duplications since the common ancestor of rat and mouse. For each family, codons were identified that are likely to have been subject to adaptive evolution. The majority of such sites are situated on the solvent-accessible surfaces of putative pheromones and the lumenal portions of their likely receptors. We predict that these contribute to physicochemical and functional diversity within pheromone-receptor interaction sites.
Visualization of Multiple Genome Annotations and Alignments With the K-BROWSER
Authors: Chakrabarti Kushal , Pachter Lior
Published: April 2004

We introduce a novel genome browser application, the K-BROWSER, that allows intuitive visualization of biological information across an arbitrary number of multiply aligned genomes. In particular, the K-BROWSER simultaneously displays an arbitrary number of genomes both through overlaid annotations and predictions that describe their respective characteristics, and through the multiple alignment that describes their global relationship to one another. The browsing environment has been designed to allow users seamless access to information available in every genome and, furthermore, to allow easy navigation within and between genomes. As of the date of publication, the K-BROWSER has been set up on the human, mouse, and rat genomes.
Insertions and Deletions Are Male Biased Too: A Whole-Genome Analysis in Rodents
Authors: Makova Kateryna D. , Yang Shan , Chiaromonte Francesca
Published: April 2004

It is presently accepted that, in mammals, due to the greater number of cell divisions in the male germline than in the female germline, nucleotide substitutions occur more frequently in males. The data on mutation bias in insertions and deletions (indels) are contradictory, with some studies indicating no sex bias and others indicating either female or male bias. The sequenced rat and mouse genomes provide a unique opportunity to investigate a potential sex bias for different types of mutations. Indeed, mutation rates can be accurately estimated from a large number of orthologous loci in organisms similar in generation time and in the number of germline cell divisions. Here we compare the mutation rates between chromosome X and autosomes for likely neutral sites in eutherian ancestral interspersed repetitive elements present at orthologous locations in the rat and mouse genomes. We find that small indels are male biased: The male-to-female mutation rate ratio (α) for indels in rodents is ∼2. Similarly, our whole-genome analysis in rodents indicates an approximately twofold excess of nucleotide substitutions originating in males over that in females. This is the same as the male-to-female ratio of the number of germline cell divisions in rat and mouse. Thus, this is consistent with nucleotide substitutions and small indels occurring primarily during DNA replication.
Reconstructing the Genomic Architecture of Ancestral Mammals: Lessons From Human, Mouse, and Rat Genomes
Authors: Bourque Guillaume , Pevzner Pavel A. , Tesler Glenn
Published: April 2004

Recent analysis of genome rearrangements in human and mouse genomes revealed evidence for more rearrangements than thought previously and shed light on previously unknown features of mammalian evolution, like breakpoint reuse and numerous microrearrangements. However, two-way analysis cannot reveal the genomic architecture of ancestral mammals or assign rearrangement events to different lineages. Thus, the “original synteny” problem introduced by Nadeau and Sankoff previously, remains unsolved, as at least three mammalian genomes are required to derive the ancestral mammalian karyotype. We show that availability of the rat genome allows one to reconstruct a putative genomic architecture of the ancestral murid rodent genome. This reconstruction suggests that this ancestral genome retained many previously postulated chromosome associations in the placental ancestor and reveals others that were beyond the resolution of cytogenetic, radiation hybrid mapping, and chromosome painting techniques. Three-way analysis of rearrangements leads to a reliable reconstruction of the genomic architecture of specific regions in the murid ancestor, including the X chromosome, and for the first time allows one to assign major rearrangement events to one of human, mouse, and rat lineages. Our analysis implies that the rate of rearrangements is much higher in murid rodents than in the human lineage and confirms the existence of rearrangement hot-spots in all three lineages.
BAC Resources for the Rat Genome Project
Authors: Osoegawa Kazutoyo , Zhu Baoli , Shu Chung Li , Ren Teresa , Cao Qing , Vessere Gery M. , Lutz Michelle M. , Jensen-Seaman Michael I. , Zhao Shaying , de Jong Pieter J.
Published: April 2004

Two 11-fold redundant bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) libraries (RPCI-32 and CHORI-230) have been constructed to support the rat genome project. The first library was constructed using a male Brown Norway (BN/SsNHsd) rat as a DNA source long before plans for rat genome sequencing had been launched. The second library was prepared from a highly inbred female (BN/SsNHsd/MCW) rat in support of the rat genome sequencing project. The use of an inbred rat strain is essential to avoid problems with genome assembly resulting from the difficulty of distinguishing haplotype variation from variation among duplicons. We have demonstrated the suitability of the library by using a detailed quality assessment of large insert sizes, narrow size distribution, consistent redundancy for many markers, and long-range continuity of BAC contig maps. The widespread use of the two libraries as an integral part of the rat genome project has led to the database annotations for many clones, providing rat researchers with a rich resource of BAC clones that can be screened in silico for genes of interest.
Characterization of Evolutionary Rates and Constraints in Three Mammalian Genomes
Authors: Cooper Gregory M. , Brudno Michael , Stone Eric A. , Dubchak Inna , Batzoglou Serafim , Sidow Arend
Published: April 2004

We present an analysis of rates and patterns of microevolutionary phenomena that have shaped the human, mouse, and rat genomes since their last common ancestor. We find evidence for a shift in the mutational spectrum between the mouse and rat lineages, with the net effect being a relative increase in GC content in the rat genome. Our estimate for the neutral point substitution rate separating the two rodents is 0.196 substitutions per site, and 0.65 substitutions per site for the tree relating all three mammals. Small insertions and deletions of 1–10 bp in length (“microindels”) occur at ∼5% of the point substitution rate. Inferred regional correlations in evolutionary rates between lineages and between types of sites support the idea that rates of evolution are influenced by local genomic or cell biological context. No substantial correlations between rates of point substitutions and rates of microindels are found, however, implying that the influences that affect these processes are distinct. Finally, we have identified those regions in the human genome that are evolving slowly, which are likely to include functional elements important to human biology. At least 5% of the human genome is under substantial constraint, most of which is noncoding.
Integrated and Sequence-Ordered BAC- and YAC-Based Physical Maps for the Rat Genome
Authors: Krzywinski Martin , Wallis John , Gösele Claudia , Bosdet Ian , Chiu Readman , Graves Tina , Hummel Oliver , Layman Dan , Mathewson Carrie , Wye Natasja , Zhu Baoli , Albracht Derek , Asano Jennifer , Barber Sarah , Brown-John Mabel , Chan Susanna , Chand Steve , Cloutier Alison , Davito Jonathon , Fjell Chris , Gaige Tony , Ganten Detlev , Girn Noreen , Guggenheimer Kurtis , Himmelbauer Heinz , Kreitler Thomas , Leach Stephen , Lee Darlene , Lehrach Hans , Mayo Michael , Mead Kelly , Olson Teika , Pandoh Pawan , Prabhu Anna-Liisa , Shin Heesun , Tänzer Simone , Thompson Jason , Tsai Miranda , Walker Jason , Yang George , Sekhon Mandeep , Hillier LaDeana , Zimdahl Heike , Marziali Andre , Osoegawa Kazutoyo , Zhao Shaying , Siddiqui Asim , de Jong Pieter J. , Warren Wes , Mardis Elaine , McPherson John D. , Wilson Richard , Hübner Norbert , Jones Steven , Marra Marco , Schein Jacqueline
Published: April 2004

As part of the effort to sequence the genome ofRattus norvegicus, we constructed a physical map comprised of fingerprinted bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones from the CHORI-230 BAC library. These BAC clones provide ∼13-fold redundant coverage of the genome and have been assembled into 376 fingerprint contigs. A yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) map was also constructed and aligned with the BAC map via fingerprinted BAC and P1 artificial chromosome clones (PACs) sharing interspersed repetitive sequence markers with the YAC-based physical map. We have annotated 95% of the fingerprint map clones in contigs with coordinates on the version 3.1 rat genome sequence assembly, using BAC-end sequences and in silico mapping methods. These coordinates have allowed anchoring 358 of the 376 fingerprint map contigs onto the sequence assembly. Of these, 324 contigs are anchored to rat genome sequences localized to chromosomes, and 34 contigs are anchored to unlocalized portions of the rat sequence assembly. The remaining 18 contigs, containing 54 clones, still require placement. The fingerprint map is a high-resolution integrative data resource that provides genome-ordered associations among BAC, YAC, and PAC clones and the assembled sequence of the rat genome.
Inhibin α and β expression in ovarian stromal tumors and their histological equivalences
Authors: Çiriş Metin , Erhan Yildiz , Zekioglu Osman , Bayramoglu Hatice
Published: April 2004

Inhibin is a heterodimeric protein hormone that appears to be a sensitive immunohistochemical marker of sex cord‐stromal tumors. Although sex cord‐stromal tumors can usually be distinguished from ovarian epithelial tumors or their metastases by morphology or by using antibodies against intermediate filaments, the diagnosis remains difficult in rare situations in such cases as sarcomatoid granulosa‐theca cell tumors, ovarian small cell carcinomas, or soft‐tissue sarcomas. The purposes of this study were to examine inhibin α and β immunoreactivity in a wide range of gonadal stromal neoplasms and to assess its value in the differential diagnosis of problematic tumors.

A total of 108 paraffin‐embedded ovarian and extraovarian tumors were examined immunohistochemically by using anti‐α inhibin and anti‐β inhibin. Inhibin α immunostaining was identified in 46 (81%) of 57 gonadal stromal tumors, one (14%) of seven endometrial stromal tumors, and one (50%) of two primary ovarian carcinoid tumors. Inhibin β immunostaining was detected in 55 (96%) of 57 gonadal stromal tumors, two (29%) of seven endometrial stromal tumors, one (50%) of two dysgerminomas, and in all of two (100%) primary ovarian carcinoid tumors. Inhibin α expression was not detected in any ovarian surface epithelial tumor cells. Some surface epithelial tumors showed stromal inhibin α (15% of cases) and inhibin β (48% of cases) positivity. Weak immunoreactivity for inhibin β was found in most (83% of cases) ovarian surface epithelial tumors. Two ovarian Burkitt lymphomas were negative for inhibin α and β.

Inhibin α is a sensitive immunohistochemical marker of gonadal stromal tumors and is of value in the differential diagnosis of ovarian neoplasia. Inhibin β is a nonspecific marker for ovarian neoplasms, showing expression on tumor and stromal cells of different epithelial or stromal tumors.
Clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic characteristics of Scandinavian women with PCOS
Authors: Vanky Eszter , Kjøtrød Sigrun , Salvesen Kjell Åsmund , Romundstad Pål , Moen Mette Haase , Carlsen Sven Magnus
Published: April 2004

Background.  The aim was to investigate the clinical, biochemical and ultrasonographic characteristics of Scandinavian women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and to see whether there were any differences between eumenorrhoic and oligoamenorrhoic women.

Methods.  Eighty women aged between 18 and 40 years with PCOS were investigated in a prospective study. The inclusion criteria were polycystic ovaries (PCO), body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m2 and at least one of the following: testosterone >2.5 nmol/L, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) <30 nmol/L, fasting C‐peptide >1.0 nmol/L, oligoamenorrhea or hirsutism.

Results.  Eumenorrhoic and oligoamenorrhoic women with PCOS did not differ in age, age at menarche, blood pressure, BMI, free testosterone index (FTI), insulin C‐peptide or fasting glucose. A thicker endometrium and a smaller ovarian volume were found in eumenorrhoic compared to oligoamenorrhoic patients. There was linear association between BMI and the number of diagnostic criteria met.

Conclusion.  BMI was associated with the severity of the PCOS. There were no differences in basic clinical and biochemical parameters between eumenorrhoic and oligoamenorrhoic patients with PCOS.
Placing the View from Nowhere: Historical and Sociological Problems in the Location of Science
Authors: Shapin Steven
Published: April 2004

Over the past two decades broadly geographical sensibilities have become prominent in the academic study of science. An account is given of tensions in science studies between transcendentalist conceptions of truth and emerging localist perspectives on the making, meaning and evaluation of scientific knowledge. The efficient spread of scientific knowledge is not a phenomenon that argues against the applicability of geographical sensibilities towards science but actually calls for an even more vigorous project in the geography of knowledge.
Discourse on the Docks: Containerization and Inter‐Union Work Disputes in US Ports, 1955–85
Authors: Herod Andrew
Published: April 2004

Research on labour markets has often focused on the economics of work location. Far less attention has been paid to how labour markets are constructed discursively. In this paper, I analyse how the creation of rival discourses concerning traditions of work were central elements in the efforts of two unions to structure local labour markets, in order to retain work for their members in the face of technological innovation. The struggle between the two unions centred on their abilities to construct rival discourses concerning the historical geography of work in the industry. These formed the basis for judicial interpretations concerning whether the actions of the dockers' union represented a legal work preservation action or an illegal work acquisition measure. Such interpretations shaped the subsequent evolution of work and labour markets in the industry. The ability of economic actors to shape discourse in their favour can be a powerful force in the regulation of local labour markets, and thus in the production of economic landscapes.
Urban Food Systems and the Poor in Developing Countries
Authors: Smith David W
Published: April 2004

In many cities in developing countries, hunger and malnutrition are common amongst the poor, even when food is relatively abundant. Over the past two decades, a considerable literature has accumulated on the problems associated with rapid urbanization in developing countries – a literature that for the most part has neglected the important dimension of urban food systems and how these link production and consumption networks at local, regional and global levels. Similarly, whilst there is a newly burgeoning literature on global food systems, the contextual role of the urbanization process is rarely addressed. This paper attempts to fuse these two major areas of geographical investigation to highlight the issues that need to be addressed in future research programmes so that improved diets become accessible to all urban dwellers.
Mechanisms of Failure and Slope Development in Rock Masses
Authors: Kimber Owen G , Allison Robert J , Cox Nicholas J
Published: April 2004

This paper examines the mechanisms of failure in jointed rock slopes. The distribution of discontinuities is a significant control of rock‐mass stability, determining the mechanism by which blocks fail from a cliff, and the consequent slope development through time. It is often assumed that the principles of single‐block movements are geomechanically similar to those of larger, multiple‐block rock‐mass failures, under a given set of boundary conditions and controlling variables. Results presented here, based on computer modelling using the Universal Distinct Element Code (UDEC), show that such assumptions are not always correct. After a theoretical modelling exercise, real‐world rock slopes were studied from the Portland Limestone outcrop of the Isle of Purbeck, England. There is good association between the theoretical results and model output for the fieldsites. The conclusions are thus useful in enhancing knowledge of jointed rock‐mass failure conditions, and improving understanding of rock‐slope development.
Private Profits – Public Drought: The Creation of a Crisis in Water Management for West Yorkshire
Authors: Haughton Graham
Published: April 2004

This paper examines the political and corporate constructions of the 1995–96 drought crisis in West Yorkshire, when an unprecedented public furore was provoked by the threat of water‐supply cut‐offs. A key outcome of this process was a profound crisis of confidence over the governance of water resources, which can be linked to the privatization of the industry and, more broadly, to the processes of redrawing the boundaries of the state. The water industry illustrates the contestability of neoliberal reforms seeking to inspire market‐led growth with minimal government intervention. In particular, political dogma about the anticipated benefits of market competitiveness failed adequately to take into account public concern for the ‘common good’.
Assessing Poverty and Poverty Alleviation: Evidence from West Bengal
Authors: Williams Glyn
Published: April 2004

Recent interest in poverty and poverty relief has included debates that have moved beyond narrow concerns of consumption and income generation. Sen's research on entitlements and capabilities revolutionized approaches to poverty in the 1980s, and his work has itself been open to critical appraisals that have stressed empowerment and vulnerability as issues of equal importance. Some of these theoretical debates are briefly reviewed here, after which the frameworks for analysis that they suggest are applied to the study of rural poverty in West Bengal. The two tasks that the paper then sets itself are to illustrate the empirical value of broader conceptualizations of poverty, and to highlight the methodological difficulties that they raise.
Towards a Regional Renaissance? Reconfiguring and Rescaling England's Economic Governance
Authors: Jones Martin , MacLeod Gordon
Published: April 2004

Recent years have witnessed a tremendous academic and political appeal to the regional scale as the key with which to rear economic and social revitalization. Learning from exemplars such as Baden Württemberg, certain proponents of a purported ‘new regionalism’ advocate that the economic and democratic deficit in less‐favoured regions may be revitalized by fostering a series of interacting social, economic and institutional networks. This paper provides a discussion of some of the more sophisticated approaches heralding a regional renaissance. These are then deployed through a case study of the restructuring and rescaling of England's economic governance in the late 1990s via the establishment of Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). Focusing on the experience of the North‐West region, their analysis reveals that, whilst useful as a form of contextualizing regional transformation and governance, the new regionalist approaches are unable to provide a rigorous framework through which to consider England's own peculiar regional ‘resurgence’. In turn, the authors call for a serious consideration of the state as a critical animateur in both structuring and scaling economic and civic life. The paper concludes that in future research, a lack of sensitivity to situated path‐dependent regional economic and political geographies may serve to reproduce the ‘fantasies’ inherent in some earlier (post‐Fordist)‘transition models'.
Deconstructing Discourses of Drought
Authors: Bakker Karen
Published: April 2004

A debate on Haughton G 1998 Private profits ‐ public drought: the creation of a crisis in water management for West Yorkshire Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers 23 4 419–33
Vagal innervation of the air sacs in a songbird, Taenopygia guttata
Authors: Kubke M. Fabiana , Ross Jacqueline M. , Wild J. Martin
Published: April 2004

The air sacs of birds are thin‐walled chambers connected to the lung that act as bellows in the ventilatory mechanism. Physiological evidence exists to suggest that they may contain receptors that are innervated by the vagus nerve, but no morphological study has examined the vagal innervation of these putative structures. To do this, we injected the cervical vagus nerve with choleragenoid and examined the innervation of the air sacs using light and confocal microscopy. We identified vagally innervated structures in the air sac wall that resemble the neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs) described in the airways of many vertebrates. Although NEBs have been proposed to have a dual chemoreceptive and mechanoreceptive role, their specific function in the air sacs of birds remains unclear.
Influence of a detergent on skin response to methyldibromo glutaronitrile in sensitized individuals
Authors: Pedersen Line Kynemund , Haslund Pia , Johansen Jeanne Duus , Held Elisabeth , Vølund Aage , Agner Tove
Published: April 2004

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the combined effect of the preservative methyldibromo glutaronitrile (MDBGN) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) on the elicitation response of allergic contact dermatitis. 20 volunteers with contact allergy to MDBGN were patch tested with 5 concentrations (10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 p.p.m.) of MDBGN alone and in combination with 0.25% SLS on the upper arms for 24 h. Skin reactions were evaluated by clinical scoring, and data were evaluated by logistic dose–response models. Additionally, evaluation of skin reactions was performed by measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin colour. Measurements were obtained at baseline and at D3 and D7. As evaluated by clinical assessment, allergic reactions to MDBGN were elicited at lower concentrations when applied in combination with SLS than when applied alone. The response was augmented by a factor of 6.4. An increased response to combined exposure to SLS and MDBGN as compared with MDBGN alone was confirmed by TEWL and colour measurements. Effects of exposure time and concentration of the detergent are discussed. In conclusion, an augmented response was found after concurrent application of MDBGN and SLS. The response was augmented by a factor of 6.4, with confidence limits of 2.8–14.6 (P < 0.0001). This result is important in relation to the determination of threshold values and the risk assessment of contact allergens in consumer and industrial products, where allergens are often present in combination with surfactants.
Reproducibility of patch tests: comparison of identical test allergens from different commercial sources
Authors: Schiessl Claudia , Wolber Carola , Strohal Robert
Published: April 2004

The reproducibility of patch tests is an important determinant of the clinical value of this diagnostic procedure. The aim of the present study was to delineate comparatively the efficiency and reproducibility of identical test reagents from 2 different commercial sources. Purchased in duplicate from brial and Boots‐Hermal, 30 allergens from the European standard and an extension series were simultaneously applied to Finn Chambers® and affixed next to each other. Out of 2070 paired patch tests in 71 patients, 97.2% presented with concordant‐negative results. 60 patch tests were classified as allergic with 95% concordant‐positive results. From these paired positive patches, a subgroup of 13 (22.8%) corresponding allergens presented with minor differences in the visible strength of the allergic reaction. Generated by cobalt chloride, formaldehyde and 2‐bromo‐2‐nitropropane‐1,3‐diol in 1 patient each, discordant results, i.e. 1 positive and 1 negative test in parallel, were found in only 5%. Taken together, we were able to demonstrate that patch test preparations from 2 different companies exhibited a high level of reproducibility. This standardized quality of test reagents from different suppliers provides useful information on several aspects of everyday practice.
Expression of insulin‐like growth factor‐I receptor in primary cutaneous carcinomas
Authors: Keehn Connie A. , Saeed Sadia , Bickle Kelly , Khalil Farah K. , Morgan Michael B.
Published: April 2004

Background:  Insulin‐like growth factor‐I (IGF‐I) is the principal mediator of growth hormone, exerting its effects through binding of the insulin‐like growth factor‐I receptor (IGF‐IR). Post‐receptor activation leads to the production of transcription factors involved in cell proliferation, differentiation, transformation, and survival. Data indicate that IGF‐IR is involved in tumorigenesis. To our knowledge, this receptor has not been previously studied in primary cutaneous carcinomas.

Methods:  Twenty‐five cases of primary cutaneous carcinomas consisting of three keratoacanthoma‐type squamous cell carcinomas (KAs), two squamous cell carcinomas in situ (SCCs in situ), eight squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), three conventional basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), two morpheaform basal cell carcinomas (M‐BCCs), and seven Merkel cell carcinomas (MCCs) were analyzed for IGF‐IR immunohistochemical expression using IGF‐IR mouse monoclonal antibody (dilution 1 : 50) using the avidin–biotin–peroxidase complex method.

Results:  Normal epidermis was negative for IGF‐IR expression. Normal eccrine glands and outer root sheath strongly expressed IGF‐IR. All KAs, SCCs in situ, SCCs, and BCCs were negative for IGF‐IR expression. Six of seven (86%) of the MCCs stained with IGF‐IR strongly, showing cell membrane accentuation and a perinuclear dot‐like pattern.

Conclusion:  The data suggest that IGF‐IR immunopositivity in MCCs might constitute a diagnostic tool in discriminating between SCCs and BCCs. Although the possible pathogenic significance of the perinuclear dot‐like staining pattern observed in these neoplasms is unknown, its pattern is similar to what has been previously described with cytokeratin‐20 immunostaining.
Sclerotic fibroma‐like change in various neoplastic and inflammatory skin lesions: is sclerotic fibroma a distinct entity?
Authors: High Whitney A. , Stewart David , Essary Lydia R. , Kageyama Nicole P. , Hoang Mai P. , Cockerell Clay J.
Published: April 2004

Abstract:  Sclerotic fibroma was first described in association with Cowden's disease by Weary et al. in 1972. In 1989, Rapini and Golitz detailed 11 cases of solitary sclerotic fibroma (SFS) in the absence of Cowden's disease, suggesting the term SFS of the skin. Classic histological features include hypocellular, hyalinized bands of collagen sharply demarcated from the surrounding skin. Numerous authors have described sclerotic fibroma‐like changes in other entities including melanocytic nevi, dermatofibromas, lipomas, tendon sheath fibromas, giant cell collagenomas, neurofibromas, angiofibromas, erythema elevatum diutinum, and folliculitis. Dissension has arisen, with some dermatopathologists asserting that sclerotic fibroma is just an evolutionary end‐point of a previous lesion. Others contend that SFS is a distinct lesion and cite recurrent cases and/or proliferation marker studies to corroborate this view. We detail the histopathological findings of lesions consistent with the classic description of SFS and compare these to sclerotic changes observed in an intradermal nevus, blue nevus, erythema elevatum diutinum, neurofollicular hamartoma, angiofibroma, neurofibroma, accessory nipple, and dermatofibromas. Sclerotic fibroma‐like change may be seen in a variety of lesions and may represent a common reaction pattern in the skin.
Programme Evaluation with Multiple Treatments
Authors: Frölich Markus
Published: April 2004

Abstract. This paper reviews the main identification and estimation strategies for microeconometric policy evaluation. Particular emphasis is laid on evaluating policies consisting of multiple programmes, which is of high relevance in practice. For example, active labour market policies may consist of different training programmes, employment programmes and wage subsidies. Similarly, sickness rehabilitation policies often offer different vocational as well as non‐vocational rehabilitation measures. First, the main identification strategies (control‐for‐confounding‐variables, difference‐in‐difference, instrumental‐variable, and regression‐discontinuity identification) are discussed in the multiple‐programme setting. Thereafter, the different nonparametric matching and weighting estimators of the average treatment effects and their properties are examined.
What Price Drug Use? The Contribution of Economics to an Evidence‐Based Drugs Policy
Authors: MacDonald Ziggy
Published: April 2004

Abstract.  This paper presents a review of the recent economics literature in the area of illicit drug use. Particular attention is paid to the economics of addiction and the rational addiction model, the welfare economics framework for analysing the social costs of drug use, and the attempts that have been made by economists to evaluate recent or proposed policy interventions. A dominant theme in this review is the problem of poor data availability. This is particularly true when it comes to implementing the Rational Addiction model, but it is also apparent in the literature on estimating the costs of illicit drug use to society as a whole. One of the main conclusions of this review is that until recently public policy has not been particularly influenced by research carried out by economists. It is not clear whether this is because economists have had to grapple with inadequate data, and hence their conclusions are couched in uncertainty, or whether it is because drugs researchers have assumed a very limited role for economists in their analysis.