bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant capacities of ascorbic acid, uric acid, α‐tocopherol, and bilirubin can be measured in the presence of another antioxidant, serum albumin
Authors: Ihara Hiroshi , Hashizume Naotaka , Hasegawa Toshio , Yoshida Mitsutaka
Published: January 2004

Human serum contains several antioxidants. The total antioxidant capacity (AOC) is the sum of all the antioxidant activities present in serum. The aim of our study was to investigate whether the AOC of bilirubin (BR), α‐tocopherol (TOH), ascorbic acid (AA), and uric acid (UA) could be measured with good precision and recovery in the presence of human serum albumin (HSA). We measured the AOC of each antioxidant using a Cobas Mira S instrument (Roche Diagnostic Systems, Montclair, NJ) by measuring the inhibitory effect of a given compound on the oxidation of the radical cations of 2,2′‐azino‐di‐(3‐ethylbenzthiazoline 6‐sulphonate) (ABTS) incubated with metmyoglobin and H2O2. The assay had a linear AOC response range of 27–2,000 μmol/L. The within‐ and between‐day coefficients of variation (CVs) did not exceed 3.4% and 4.2%, respectively. The AOC of albumin in serum is much greater than that of BR, TOH, AA, or UA owing to the substantially greater concentration of HSA in serum. An aliquot of a solution of AA, UA, BR, or TOH was added to HSA or distilled water, and the AOC was determined. The AOC of BR, TOH, AA, and UA increased in a linear way with increasing concentrations. However, we found that the magnitude of increase in the AOC of a mixture of HSA and any of these antioxidants was lower than the sum of the AOC of HSA and any one of the following: AA, UA, BR, or TOH (all expressed in μmol/L). J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:45–49, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Measurement of cytotoxic activity in experimental cancer
Authors: Delgado Andre Nayara , Sabbatini Barbosa Décio , Munhoz Egberto , Estevão Dirceu , Cecchini Rubens , Angelica Ehara Watanabe Maria
Published: January 2004

Several tumor cell systems have been developed for investigating the cytotoxic activity of different substances. The Ehrlich ascytic tumor (EAT) has been studied extensively and used to increase our comprehension of immunotherapy (Yamamoto and Naraparaju. Cancer Res 57:2187–2192, 1997). In this study, we evaluated the ability of an enzymatic method to assess cytotoxic tumor activity in vitro. To prepare cytotoxic cells, lymphoid cells isolated from the lymph nodes of C57BL/6 mice were activated with interleukin‐2 (IL‐2). The cytotoxic activity to EAT cells was assessed by an enzymatic test using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), an enzyme widely distributed in mammalian tissues which, in the presence of NAD/NADH, converts lactate to pyruvate. IL‐2 treatment of lymph node cells induced a greater percentage of lysis (75.47%) than effector cells that were not treated with IL‐2 (42.38%). This suggests that IL‐2 directly activates effector cells and not tumor cells. The results demonstrate that the LDH release‐measurement method can be utilized to assay cytotoxic cell‐mediated activity in which murine tumor cells act as the target. Levels of IL‐2 appear to have a direct correlation to cellular immunity and treatment with these substances may strengthen immune function and decrease the pace of disease development. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 18:27–30, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Surface segregation of silicon impurities in organic materials
Authors: Reijme M. A. , van der Gon A. W. Denier , Draxler M. , Gildenpfennig A. , Janssen F. J. J. , Brongersma H. H.
Published: January 2004

The present revolution in novel organic materials is driven by the synthesis of new materials exhibiting specific functional properties. Traces of silicon compounds are often present in these materials and, although the bulk concentrations of these impurities may be low, segregation can seriously modify the surface composition. Surfaces and interfaces play an important role in many applications, and the intrinsic properties of the materials are thus often obscured by the presence of segregated impurities.

By studying silicon impurity segregation in poly‐dialkoxy phenylenevinylene (PPV), polycarbonate and dendrimer macromolecules, we demonstrate how low‐energy ion scattering may be used to determine the surface impurity fraction and to observe which groups at the surface are shielded by the segregated species. We demonstrate that the performance of PPV‐ based light‐emitting diodes is significantly reduced for submonolayer coverages of siloxanes. We find that the kinetics of the segregation process depend strongly on the materials and the sample preparation conditions.

We find that the presence of solvents is needed to enable segregation at room temperature. Heating does enable siloxane impurity segregation in polycarbonate in the solid phase, whereas for polydimethylsiloxane in PPV films we find that segregation in the solid phase does not occur up to 200 °C. The siloxane molecules are found to segregate to preferential sites at the surface, shielding the polar groups. Finally, we demonstrate that purification of the surface is often possible through simple procedures that provide an easy way to study the intrinsic properties of the materials. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparative thickness measurements of SiO2/Si films for thicknesses less than 10 nm
Authors: Jach T. , Dura J. A. , Nguyen N. V. , Swider J. , Cappello G. , Richter C.
Published: January 2004

We report on a comparative measurement of SiO2/Si dielectric film thickness (t < 10 nm) using grazing‐incidence x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, neutron reflectometry and spectroscopic ellipsometry. Samples with nominal thicknesses of 3–7 nm were characterized by XPS with grazing‐incidence x‐rays at 1.8 keV, by cold neutron reflectometry (λ = 0.475 nm) and by spectroscopic ellipsometry over 1.5 eV < E < 6.0 eV. The results show good agreement between the ellipsometry and grazing‐incidence XPS, with slightly lower values for the neutron reflectometry. The role of surface contamination in each type of measurement is discussed. Published in 2004 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Introduction to wavelet applications in surface spectroscopies
Authors: Charles Catherine , Leclerc Gervais , Pireaux Jean‐Jacques , Rasson Jean‐Paul
Published: January 2004

In experimental sciences, recorded data are often modelled as the noisy convolution product of an instrumental response with the ‘true’ signal. High‐resolution electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (HREELS) and x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) constitute two examples of this. A series of three papers is proposed about an estimation method of this ‘true’ signal in the particular cases of HREELS and XPS. This method uses wavelets that, as functions well localized in time and frequency, are properly adapted to signal analysis.

In this first article, the wavelet theory is introduced and its rapid expansion is justified by a comparison of the wavelet transform with the Fourier transform. Afterwards, in order to illustrate the efficiency of the wavelet approach, some wavelet‐based signal analysis tools are presented. These tools include: filtering of a noisy signal, localization of irregular signal structures such as singularities or peaks and deconvolution itself. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative surface chemical‐state microscopy by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy
Authors: Walton J. , Fairley N.
Published: January 2004

The realization of surface chemical‐state microscopy by x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy requires the resolution of overlapped chemical states, an adequate background description and the ability to quantify data. This can be achieved only by the acquisition and analysis of multi spectral data sets. Here we describe the software to perform this analysis, which is capable of allowing for small amounts of differential charging and for incorporation of knowledge about the sample. We demonstrate its use on a patterned silicon dioxide on silicon sample, and suggest ways to reduce oversampling and therefore acquisition times. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of highly resolved x‐ray photoelectron Cr 2p spectra obtained with a Cr2O3 powder sample prepared with adhesive tape
Authors: Ünveren E. , Kemnitz E. , Hutton S. , Lippitz A. , Unger W. E. S.
Published: January 2004

By using modern XPS systems it is possible to obtain spectra with well‐resolved spin orbit, multiplet and field splitting even with powder samples mounted using adhesive tape. Measurement of Cr2O3 powder with the latest generation of XPS spectrometers, which are able to analyse non‐conductive powders with ultimate energy resolution, revealed multiplet splitting features and satellite emission in the Cr 2p spectrum. Therefore, peak‐fit analysis of Cr 2p XPS spectra of Cr(III) compounds requires a more appropriate approach and common practice has to be reconsidered. One possible way to analyse this spectrum is proposed, based on the experimental and theoretical work of other authors. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Further neuroendocrine evidence of enhanced vasopressin V3 receptor responses in melancholic depression
Authors: DINAN T. G. , O'BRIEN S. , LAVELLE E. , SCOTT L. V.
Published: January 2004

Background. In situations of chronic stress vasopressin plays an important role in regulating the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. The aim of the current study was to investigate the role of anterior pituitary vasopressin V3 receptors in maintaining the hypercortisolism seen in melancholic depression.

Method. Fourteen patients with major depression and 14 age- and sex-matched healthy comparison subjects were recruited. Desmopressin (ddAVP) 10 μg was given intravenously and ACTH and cortisol release was monitored for 120 min.

Results. The mean±S.E.M. ACTH response in the depressives was 28·4±4·3 ng/l and in the healthy subjects was 18·8±4·9 ng/l (P=0·04). The mean±S.E.M. cortisol response in the depressives was 261·8±46·5 nmol/l and in the healthy subjects was 107·3±26·1 nmol/l (P<0·01).

Conclusions. Patients with major depression have augmented ACTH and cortisol responses to desmopressin indicating enhanced V3 responsivity.
Lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in first-degree relatives of bipolar patients
Authors: SOBCZAK S. , HONIG A. , CHRISTOPHE A. , MAES M. , HELSDINGEN R. W. C. , DE VRIESE S. , RIEDEL W. J.
Published: January 2004

Background. Lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased ratio of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids have been reported in unipolar and bipolar depressed patients. Changes in cholesterol and fatty acids have been suggested to affect membrane viscosity and consequently serotonergic neurotransmitter expression.

The goal of this study was to investigate whether lower baseline cholesterol and increased omega-6 and lower omega-3 fatty acids are present in healthy first-degree relatives of bipolar patients compared with controls and whether these changes were associated with neuroendocrine responses to an i.v. tryptophan challenge or mood.

Method. Baseline cholesterol, fatty acids and mood were determined in healthy first-degree relatives of patients with bipolar disorders (N=30) and healthy matched controls (N=15) (parallel-group design). Prolactin and cortisol were measured following tryptophan infusion.

Results. First-degree relatives showed significantly lower plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased total omega-6 fatty acids in phospholipids. Lower total omega-3 and higher total omega-6 fatty acids in phospholipids were positively correlated with peak prolactin response to tryptophan. Lower total omega-3 fatty acids in phospholipids and cholesteryl esters were associated with lower mood.

Conclusions. Abnormalities of lower plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increased total omega-6 fatty acids in phospholipids in these subjects are in agreement with findings in bipolar and major depressed patients. Changes in fatty acids show an association with central serotonergic parameters. It is suggested that these abnormalities in cholesterol and fatty acids may constitute a trait marker for bipolar disorders.
The Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Clinician Rating (IDS-C) and Self-Report (IDS-SR), and the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology, Clinician Rating (QIDS-C) and Self-Report (QIDS-SR) in public sector patients with mood disorders: a psychometric evaluation
Authors: TRIVEDI M. H. , RUSH A. J. , IBRAHIM H. M. , CARMODY T. J. , BIGGS M. M. , SUPPES T. , CRISMON M. L. , SHORES-WILSON K. , TOPRAC M. G. , DENNEHY E. B. , WITTE B. , KASHNER T. M.
Published: January 2004

Background. The present study provides additional data on the psychometric properties of the 30-item Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS) and of the recently developed Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS), a brief 16-item symptom severity rating scale that was derived from the longer form. Both the IDS and QIDS are available in matched clinician-rated (IDS-C30; QIDS-C16) and self-report (IDS-SR30; QIDS-SR16) formats.

Method. The patient samples included 544 out-patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) and 402 out-patients with bipolar disorder (BD) drawn from 19 regionally and ethnicically diverse clinics as part of the Texas Medication Algorithm Project (TMAP). Psychometric analyses including sensitivity to change with treatment were conducted.

Results. Internal consistencies (Cronbach's alpha) ranged from 0·81 to 0·94 for all four scales (QIDS-C16, QIDS-SR16, IDS-C30 and IDS-SR30) in both MDD and BD patients. Sad mood, involvement, energy, concentration and self-outlook had the highest item-total correlations among patients with MDD and BD across all four scales. QIDS-SR16 and IDS-SR30 total scores were highly correlated among patients with MDD at exit (c=0·83). QIDS-C16 and IDS-C30 total scores were also highly correlated among patients with MDD (c=0·82) and patients with BD (c=0·81). The IDS-SR30, IDS-C30, QIDS-SR16, and QIDS-C16 were equivalently sensitive to symptom change, indicating high concurrent validity for all four scales. High concurrent validity was also documented based on the SF-12 Mental Health Summary score for the population divided in quintiles based on their IDS or QIDS score.

Conclusion. The QIDS-SR16 and QIDS-C16, as well as the longer 30-item versions, have highly acceptable psychometric properties and are treatment sensitive measures of symptom severity in depression.
Suicide at 50 years of age and older: perceived physical illness, family discord and financial strain
Authors: DUBERSTEIN P. R. , CONWELL Y. , CONNER K. R. , EBERLY S. , CAINE E. D.
Published: January 2004

Background. Mental disorders amplify suicide risk across the lifecourse, but most people with mental disorder do not take their own lives. Few controlled studies have examined the contribution of stressors to suicide risk.

Method. A case–control design was used to compare 86 suicides and 86 controls aged 50 years and older, matched on age, gender, race and county of residence. Structured interviews were conducted with proxy respondents for suicides and controls.

Results. Perceived physical illness, family discord and employment change amplified suicide risk after controlling for sociodemographic covariates and mental disorders that developed [ges ]1 year prior to death/interview. Only the effect of physical illness (OR 6·24, 95% CI 1·28–51·284) persisted after controlling for all active mental disorders.

Conclusions. Interventions to decrease the likelihood of financial stress and to help families manage discord and severe physical illness may effectively reduce suicides among middle-aged and older adults.
Saving clinicians' time by delegating routine aspects of therapy to a computer: a randomized controlled trial in phobia/panic disorder
Authors: MARKS I. M. , KENWRIGHT M. , McDONOUGH M. , WHITTAKER M. , MATAIX-COLS D.
Published: January 2004

Background. The demand for time-consuming psychotherapy of phobia/panic exceeds the supply of trained therapists. Delegating routine therapy aspects to a computer might ease this problem.

Method. Ninety-three out-patients with phobia or panic disorder were randomized in a 2[ratio ]2[ratio ]1 ratio to have self-exposure therapy guided either mainly by a stand-alone computer system (FearFighter) or entirely face-to-face by a clinician, or to have mainly computer-guided self-relaxation as a placebo. Both computer groups (FearFighter and relaxation) had brief back-up advice from a clinician. Primary outcome measures were self- and blind-assessor ratings of Main Problem and Goals, and Global Phobia.

Results. Drop-outs occurred significantly more often in the two self-exposure groups (43% if mainly computer-guided, 24% if entirely clinician-guided) than with self-relaxation (6%); the difference between the two self-exposure groups was not significant. Even with all drop-outs included, the mainly computer-guided exposure group and the relaxation group had 73% less clinician time per patient than did the entirely clinician-guided exposure group. The two self-exposure groups had comparable improvement and satisfaction at post-treatment and at 1-month follow-up, while relaxation was ineffective. Mean improvement on the primary outcome measures (self- and assessor-rated) was 46% computer, 49% clinician, 9% relaxation at post-treatment (week 10) and 58% computer, 53% clinician and −4% relaxation at 1-month follow-up (week 14). Mean effect sizes on the primary outcome measures were 2·9 computer, 3·5 clinician and 0·5 relaxation at post-treatment; and 3·7 computer, 3·5 clinician and 0·5 relaxation at 1-month follow-up. The assessor did not rate patients at follow-up.

Conclusions. Despite its (non-significantly) higher dropout rate, self-exposure therapy for panic/phobia cut clinician time per patient by 73% without losing efficacy when guided mainly by a computer rather than entirely by a clinician. The finding needs confirmation at a follow-up that is longer and includes a blind assessor. Self-relaxation had the highest rate of completers but was ineffective.
Does diagnosis determine delivery? The Islington study of older people's needs and health care costs
Authors: NELSON T. , FERNANDEZ J.-L. , LIVINGSTON G. , KNAPP M. , KATONA C.
Published: January 2004

Background. Little is known about the factors associated with the receipt of care by older people. This study investigates the use, costs and factors associated with service usage among people aged 65 or older living in inner London.

Method. A community-based survey, using questionnaires, examined psychiatric and physical morbidity, formal and informal care. The relationships between demographic, pathological features and the costs of health and social care were explored using multivariate regression.

Results. A total of 1085 people were interviewed at home of these 18% did not receive any service at all. The total cost of services per week for people with dementia was £109, with activity limitation £14 and with depression £12. The greatest effect of physical limitation was on the receipt of social care. Dementia had the strongest effect on receipt of social care services. Depression increased health care costs to a much greater degree than social care costs. Despite presenting to services, black elders received significantly less health care than other people with the same needs. Older people living alone were more likely to receive social care support and appeared less likely to use health services.

Conclusions. Physical dependency significantly affects both health and social care costs. Increasing cognitive impairment mainly leads to increasing social care costs. Overall costs are increased by physical dependency, dementia, depression, subjective health problems, living alone and are negatively affected by being black.
Cognitive changes after acute tryptophan depletion: what can they tell us?
Authors: RIEDEL WIM J.
Published: January 2004

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is known to play a role in a wide variety of functions including: mood, anxiety, sleep, aggression, sexual function and cognitive function. In the past decade, the sudden interest in acute amino acid depletion paradigms has stimulated the interest in studying the function of 5-HT in man in vivo. In particular, investigating the association of experimentally lowered 5-HT with cognition by measuring the influence of acute tryptophan depletion (ATD) on performance, and in some cases applying ATD as a challenge test using cognition as disease surrogate marker, have recently become popular. The crucial questions, ‘what can this method tell us about cognitive function in health and disease?’ and ‘what can ATD-induced cognitive changes tell us about health and disease?’ can only be answered after first considering basic assumptions about the method. These pertain to the derived questions, ‘is ATD a serotonergic manipulation?’, ‘is the placebo used in ATD an inactive treatment?’. Also, ‘are there specific cognitive markers of ATD?’. After a brief consideration of these issues, we will focus on the more clinical issues addressing the question whether ATD can be used as a challenge test, to indicate serotonergic vulnerability, using cognitive functions as surrogate measures of disease in particular.
An intercomparison of soil moisture fields in the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS)
Authors: Schaake John C. , Duan Qingyun , Koren Victor , Mitchell Kenneth E. , Houser Paul R. , Wood Eric F. , Robock Alan , Lettenmaier Dennis P. , Lohmann Dag , Cosgrove Brian , Sheffield Justin , Luo Lifeng , Higgins R. Wayne , Pinker Rachel T. , Tarpley J. Dan
Published: January 2004

The multiple‐agency/university North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) project is designed to provide enhanced soil and temperature initial conditions for numerical weather/climate prediction models. Currently, four land surface models (LSMs) are running in NLDAS both in retrospective mode and in real‐time mode. All LSMs are driven by the same meteorologic forcing data and are initiated at the same time with the same relative soil wetness. This study intercompares these NLDAS soil moisture fields with each other and with available observations. The total water storage and the storage variability range are the foci of the study. The mean statistical properties and the spatial variation of these soil moisture fields along with their temporal change are investigated. Model soil moisture fields are compared to soil moisture observations in Illinois. The storage variability range in Arkansas‐Red River basin is validated against a water balance diagnostic analysis using historical precipitation and streamflow data. There is better agreement between observed and simulated ranges of water storage variability than between observed and simulated amounts of total water storage. Significant differences are found between NLDAS‐simulated soil moisture fields from the different models. Total water storage is found to be highly model dependent. There is better agreement between models in the water total water storage range than in the model values of total water storage. Total water storage ranges agree best in humid areas where variation in water storage is strongly driven by variation in precipitation. In very dry areas, agreement between simulated water storage ranges is weak because model differences have as much influence on water storage range as climate variability in these areas. Finally, the spin‐up properties of the models and relationships between water storage properties and climate are investigated. The results of this study should provide important insights into the similarities and differences of the four LSMs in NLDAS. Differences in NLDAS soil moisture fields pose challenges to land surface modelers who intend to use soil moisture field from one model to initialize another model.
Negative entropy flow and its effect on the organization of synoptic‐scale severe atmospheric systems
Authors: Liu Chongjian , Liu Ying
Published: January 2004

The relation between the entropy exchange of an open atmospheric system in non‐equilibrium conditions with its environment and the organization of the system is examined in terms of the theory of dissipative structures. In this paper, the integrative form of the entropy balance equation in a form suitable for describing the entropy budget of an atmospheric system as a whole is derived starting from the Gibbs relation, and, as examples, the entropy flows of a West Pacific typhoon and a Bay of Bengal cyclone are calculated. The results show that negative entropy flows have an important effect on the organization of atmospheric dissipative structures and that the evolution of negative entropy flows is a good indicator of the life cycle of an atmospheric system.
Meteorological predictions for the Beagle 2 mission to Mars
Authors: Rafkin Scot C. Randell , Michaels Timothy I. , Haberle Robert M.
Published: January 2004

A general circulation and mesoscale model are used to predict the weather at the Beagle 2 landing site. The afternoon high temperature predicted by the general circulation model varies from 237 to 243 K over the duration of the primary mission. The overnight low temperature is 193 K ± 2 K. Near surface wind speeds remain below 15 ms−1 at all times. The mesoscale model predicts a wind maximum at the top of the ∼4 km deep convective boundary layer. Gravity waves are evident in the free atmosphere above the PBL. The overall weather pattern is dominated by upslope and downslope circulations, but these are modulated by changes in the large‐scale circulation.
Heliospheric solar wind turbulence model with implications for ab initio modulation of cosmic rays
Authors: Parhi S. , Bieber J. W. , Matthaeus W. H. , Burger R. A.
Published: January 2004

Cosmic rays as they pass through the heliosphere carry information about the properties and structure of the heliosphere and undergo modulation due to interaction with small‐scale and large‐scale solar wind structures, including turbulence. Here, governing equations for correlation length, variance, and temperature are described to account for turbulence in the heliosphere. This extends a one‐dimensional (radial) turbulence code in a simple way to produce a two‐dimensional (radial, latitudinal) code valid in the heliosphere spanning from close to the Sun up to 100 AU. The resulting two‐dimensional version of the turbulence code is then integrated into an ab initio modulation code. The diffusion coefficients are calculated using our present understanding of the turbulence, not using ad hoc assumptions as have been reported in the past. By advancing such a theory for solar wind turbulence, we describe its implications for cosmic rays. The resulting radial profile in the equatorial plane and spectrum in the equatorial plane at various radial distances compare well with observations.
Low‐energy particle response to CMEs during the Ulysses solar maximum northern polar passage
Authors: Lario D. , Decker R. B. , Roelof E. C. , Reisenfeld D. B. , Sanderson T. R.
Published: January 2004

Near the end of 2001, the Ulysses spacecraft transited the northern polar regions of the heliosphere, above heliographic latitudes of 71°N. During this period (September–November 2001), Ulysses remained immersed in polar coronal hole solar wind flow and observed five intense solar energetic particle events and five interplanetary coronal mass ejections. We study the effects that the passage of these ejecta produced on the low‐energy (77 keV to 20 MeV) ion and near‐relativistic (38–315 keV) electron populations. Whereas observations at the heliocentric distance of ∼1 AU and in the ecliptic plane usually show low‐energy ion intensity depressions associated with the passage of fast ejecta, observations for the five ejecta at high heliographic latitudes and in high‐speed solar wind streams showed increases in the low‐energy ion intensities. The observation of energetic particle intensity enhancements at the entry of Ulysses into these five ejecta was due to (1) the lack of an intense shock‐accelerated population propagating outside the ejecta, (2) the efficient confinement of low‐energy ions within the ejecta, and (3) the effects that local magnetic structures have on particle transport. At 1 AU and in the ecliptic plane, low‐energy ion intensities usually peak at the arrival of shocks and the highest intensities are observed outside the coronal mass ejections. At high heliographic latitudes and in high‐speed solar wind streams, however, the shocks were not efficient accelerators of energetic particles, and consequently the highest intensities were observed inside the coronal mass ejections. We discuss the possible origins of the energetic particles observed inside the ejecta, the possible mechanisms for confining these particles within the ejecta, and the effects that magnetic field structures had on modulating the energetic particle intensities observed by Ulysses.
A statistical study of oxygen freezing‐in temperature and energetic particles inside magnetic clouds observed by Ulysses
Authors: Rodriguez L. , Woch J. , Krupp N. , Fränz M. , von Steiger R. , Forsyth R. J. , Reisenfeld D. B. , Glaßmeier K.‐H.
Published: January 2004

Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections (ICMEs) have proven to be very complex phenomena, not easy to unveil using a single set of observations. We combine Ulysses observations of medium energy particles, solar wind plasma parameters, magnetic field, and charge state distributions of heavy ions in order to identify and characterize CME ejecta in the heliosphere. We focused on a special class of ICMEs, so‐called magnetic clouds (MC). The large number of MCs detected by Ulysses allowed us to perform a statistical analysis of the freezing‐in temperature and energetic particle population within MCs. Based on a larger statistical set of events covering a full solar cycle and all heliolatitudes, we can confirm previous findings of a significant temperature increase within MCs. Furthermore, we found that this increase occurs at all latitudes and phases of the solar cycle. Intensities of medium‐energy particles are generally depleted or not changed inside the MCs. This behavior is, again, found at all latitudes and solar cycle phases.
Atmospheric and oceanic excitation of length‐of‐day variations during 1980–2000
Authors: Gross Richard S. , Fukumori Ichiro , Menemenlis Dimitris , Gegout Pascal
Published: January 2004

Although nontidal changes in the Earth's length‐of‐day on timescales of a few days to a few years are primarily caused by changes in the angular momentum of the zonal winds, other processes can be expected to cause the length‐of‐day to change as well. Here the relative contribution of upper atmospheric winds, surface pressure, oceanic currents, and ocean‐bottom pressure to changing the length‐of‐day during 1980–2000 is evaluated using estimates of atmospheric angular momentum from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis project, estimates of the angular momentum of the zonal winds in the upper atmosphere from the United Kingdom Meteorological Office, and estimates of oceanic angular momentum from the Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean consortium's simulation of the general circulation of the oceans. On intraseasonal timescales, atmospheric surface pressure, oceanic currents, and ocean‐bottom pressure are found to be about equally important in causing the length‐of‐day to change, while upper atmospheric winds are found to be less important than these mechanisms. On seasonal timescales, the upper atmospheric winds are more important than the sum of currents and bottom pressure in causing the length‐of‐day to change and, except at the annual frequency, are even more important than surface pressure changes. On interannual timescales, oceanic currents and ocean‐bottom pressure are found to be only marginally effective in causing the length‐of‐day to change.
Modeling study of talik freeze‐up and permafrost response under drained thaw lakes on the Alaskan Arctic Coastal Plain
Authors: Ling Feng , Zhang Tingjun
Published: January 2004

Numerical simulations were conducted to investigate the long‐term impact of thaw lake drainage on the thermal regime of ground under and around drained thaw lakes on the Alaskan Arctic Coastal Plain. The numerical model used in this study is a two‐dimensional unsteady finite element model for heat transfer with phase change under a cylindrical coordinate system. The initial conditions are the simulated ground thermal regime and talik thickness data at year 3000 under a thaw lake with long‐term mean lake bottom temperatures of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0°C near Barrow, Alaska. The simulated results indicate that lake drainage leads to a rapid freeze‐up of talik and a substantial decrease in permafrost temperatures under the former lake bottom. The initial ground temperature conditions have significant influence not only on the talik freeze‐up time, but also on the permafrost temperature decrease processes. After thaw lake drainage, taliks with thicknesses of 28, 43, and 53 m under the lake will freeze‐up completely by 40, 106, and 157 years, and the corresponding ratios of upward and downward freeze‐up depths for the three simulation cases are 1: 8.0, 1: 7.6, and 1: 6.1, respectively. After completion of talik freeze‐up, permafrost temperatures still decreased with time and gradually reached a relatively stable value, depending on the initial ground temperature and the distance to the former lake bottom.
The neuropathology of frontotemporal lobar degeneration with respect to the cytological and biochemical characteristics of tau protein
Authors: Taniguchi S. , McDonagh A. M. , Pickering‐Brown S. M. , Umeda Y. , Iwatsubo T. , Hasegawa M. , Mann D. M. A.
Published: January 2004

Pathological examinations, using a panel of tau and other antibodies, were performed on the brains from 55 consecutively acquired cases of frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Clinically, these comprised 31 cases of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), 10 cases of motor neurone disease inclusion dementia (MNDID), seven cases of progressive aphasia (PA), four cases of semantic dementia (SD) and three cases of progressive apraxia (PAX). Tau pathology, in the form of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and glial cell tangles, was present in six cases of FTD with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17, five of these cases resulting from +16 splice‐site mutation and one from +13 mutation in the tau gene. The insoluble tau proteins were comprised mostly of four‐repeat (4‐R) isoforms. Eight other cases of FTD, one of PA and all three cases of PAX showed tau‐positive inclusions (Pick bodies) and swollen cells (Pick cells), characteristic of Pick's disease. In these cases, the insoluble tau proteins were present in most instances as three‐repeat (3‐R) tau isoforms, although two cases with a mixture of 3‐R and 4‐R isoforms were seen. One other case of FTD showed an unusual pathology characterized by massive extracellular deposition of tau protein, composed of 4‐R tau isoforms, within white matter without neuronal or glial cell inclusions. However, 33 (60%) of 55 FTLD cases showed no tau pathology in the brain, except for the rare NFTs, composed of a mix of 3‐R and 4‐R isoforms, in some of the more elderly cases. Of these 33 cases, 13 had FTD, 10 had MNDID, six had PA and four had SD. The pathological changes present were those of a superficial cortical laminar microvacuolation with mild subpial and subcortical gliosis; the 10 MNDID cases had ubiquitin‐positive inclusions in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. These 33 nontau FTLD cases, along with five Alzheimer's disease (AD) and six Huntington's disease (HD) cases with severe pathology, showed a variable loss of soluble tau proteins, broadly comparable with the extent of neuronal loss from the cortex and loss of the intracortical perikaryal marker, NeuN, but unrelated to proteins within afferent projection fibres such as neurofilament and α‐synuclein. Levels of tau mRNA were decreased in parallel in the tau‐negative FTLD cases and in the severe AD and HD cases. Hence, the loss of tau from these 33 nontau FTLD cases is just one aspect of a neurodegenerative process that destroys many components of the nerve cell machinery and does not represent a specific disordering of the cell's ability to form tau proteins or incorporate these into microtubules.
Differential expression of LMO4 protein in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Leuba G. , Vernay A. , Vu D. , Walzer C. , Belloir B. , Kraftsik R. , Bouras C. , Savioz A.
Published: January 2004

The molecular bases of late‐onset and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) still have to be unraveled. Among putative candidates for molecular variations in AD, we propose LMO4 protein, a transcription regulator, involved in multiple protein complexes. We investigated changes in LMO4 immunoreactivity in vulnerable brain regions of AD cases and controls of comparable age. Immunocytochemical analysis revealed a high level of LMO4 expression in the entorhinal cortex (EC) and in the CA1 hippocampal region of the control brains and a consistent decrease in the AD brains, correlated with the amount of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) degenerating neurones and the severity of senile plaques deposition. The decrease in LMO4 immunoreactivity resulted both from weaker immunoreactive signals and from a loss of immunoreactive neurones. LMO4 immunocytochemical staining appeared not to be colocalized with NFT in a majority of neurones. Its expression was weak in the dentate gyrus and stronger in CA3–4, two regions with no or low numbers of NFT, but there was no decrease in AD compared to control cases. In the frontal cortex, the ventro‐infero‐median region (area 12) showed a greater LMO4 expression than the polar one (area 9), but no decrease in AD was observed. As LMO4 has been proposed to inhibit cellular differentiation, it can be hypothesized that a reduced expression is associated in EC and CA1 with attempts of diseased neurones to differentiate (e.g. compensatory neuritogenesis). Taken together, these data indicate that LMO4 protein is involved in the complexity of the disease phenotype, at least as a secondary factor.
Trafficking of superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (Combidex) from brain to lymph nodes in the rat
Authors: Muldoon L. L. , Varallyay P. , Kraemer D. F. , Kiwic G. , Pinkston K. , Walker‐Rosenfeld S. L. , Neuwelt E. A.
Published: January 2004

Central nervous system (CNS) drainage may occur via connections to the vasculature, but in animal models up to 50% occurs via perivascular, perineural and primitive lymphatic drainage to cervical lymph nodes. We evaluated efflux of particles from the brain to cervical lymph nodes in normal rats, using Combidex iron oxide‐based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) agent. After intracerebral, intraventricular, intracarotid or intravenous injection of Combidex in normal Long Evans rats, particle localization was assessed by MRI and histochemistry for iron and the dextran coat (n = 27). Intraventricular or intracerebral injection, but not intracarotid administration of Combidex (100 µg), resulted in MRI signal changes in the deep cervical lymph nodes around the carotid artery, and, less strongly, in the superficial cervical nodes. Within 2 h of Combidex administration, iron was histologically localized in cervical lymph nodes, with patched staining of capsule and peripheral sinus consistent with delivery via multiple afferent lymphatic vessels. Lymph node staining in groups receiving CNS Combidex was significantly different from controls (P < 0.0001) and was significantly localized in the deep vs. superficial cervical lymph nodes (P = 0.0003). The trafficking of the superparamagnetic iron particles from the CNS in the rat could be visualized by MRI and histology. Combidex provides a powerful tool to rapidly assess drainage of virus‐sized particles from the CNS.
Cutaneous Lymphangiosarcoma in a Young Dog: Clinical, Anatomopathological and Lectinhistochemical Description
Authors: Diessler M. E. , Castellano M. C. , Massone A. R. , Portiansky E. L. , Allende M. G. , Idiart J. R. , Gimeno E. J.
Published: January 2004

Lymphangiosarcoma is a rare tumour in domestic animals arising from lymphatic endothelial cells. Occasionally, microscopic differentiation with haemangiosarcoma may be difficult. The aim of the present study was to describe a lymphangiosarcoma in a 1‐year‐old female Doberman Pinscher dog and to characterize its lectinhistochemical binding pattern as compared with that of haemangiosarcoma. The dog was presented because of a cutaneous painful swelling located in the left axilla. Histological diagnosis confirmed lymphangiosarcoma. The dog was killed. Necropsy revealed mediastinal lymph nodes’ involvement. Twenty lectins were tested in tissue sections of this case as well as in four haemangiosarcomas from other dogs. Staining intensity was issued upon optical density determinations. Percentage of lectinhistochemical staining area was also conducted. RCA‐I showed the most intense and wide distributed labelling pattern for lymphangiosarcoma. PHA‐E was the counterpart for haemangiosarcoma. Should similar results be obtained in further studies, such differences could aid in the differential diagnosis between lymphangiosarcoma and haemangiosarcoma when histological pictures were not conclusive.
Impaired Pancreatic Endocrine and Exocrine Responses in Growth‐Retarded Piglets
Authors: Harada E. , Shizuyama M. , Ihara N. , Takeuchi T.
Published: January 2004

The alteration of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine secretory responses induced by secretagogues and neural input was investigated in post‐weaning growth‐retarded (GR) piglets. Blood and pancreatic juice were collected from these animals (6–8‐weeks old). Plasma insulin and pancreatic digestive enzymes induced by nutrients, drugs and vagal stimulation were measured biochemically. The pancreas was inspected by immunohistochemical analysis. In GR piglets, the plasma glucose and insulin concentrations at the resting state were very low, and the secretory response was also markedly reduced, with maximum inhibition of 90% by glucose administration and 83% by arginine administration. The insulin secretion was not increased by 2‐deoxy‐D‐glucose administration in GR piglets. The pancreatic juice secretions induced by vagal stimulation and secretagogues in GR piglets were not different from those induced in the control piglets. However, amylase activity in the pancreatic juice and in the pancreas was significantly decreased in GR piglets, although trypsin and chymotrypsin activities were not different. In the immunohistochemical analysis, the numbers of islets and the staining degree for insulin antibody also declined in the pancreases of GR piglets. These results indicated the reduction of insulin and amylase secretions from the pancreas in GR piglets, suggesting that a dysfunction of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine secretion during growth after weaning may be an important factor in the induction of growth retardation in piglets.
An In vitro Study on Spontaneous Cervical Contractility in the Cow During Oestrus and Diestrus
Authors: Hirsbrunner G. , Reist M. , Keller C. , Steiner A.
Published: January 2004

Cervical smooth muscle specimens were collected from slaughtered cows in oestrus and diestrus. Longitudinal and circular specimens were mounted in organ baths and after equilibration time and 2 g pre‐load, their physiologic isometric contractility was recorded for 2.5 h. Area under the curve (AUC), maximal amplitude (Amax), mean amplitude (Amean) and minimal amplitude (Amin) were studied. Differences between cycle phases, between muscle layers and over the recorded time periods were statistically evaluated using linear mixed‐effect models. In the cow, physiologic contractility of the cervix decreased significantly over time for all variables evaluated (time as covariate on a continuous scale). Furthermore, for Amax, there was a tendency for an influence of muscle layer (longitudinal > circular). Contractility was not influenced by cycle phases.
Surgical Treatment of Gastric Impaction in Farmed Ostriches
Authors: Komnenou A. Th. , Georgiades G. K. , Savvas I. , Dessiris A.
Published: January 2004

Partial or complete impaction of the proventriculus and/or the ventriculus is usually seen in juvenile ostriches. Common impaction materials include stones, sand, hay stems and leaves, and even plastic and metallic objects. Six live ostriches showing signs of impaction and three dead ones suspected to have impacted stomachs were presented to the Department of Clinical Sciences of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The birds manifested anorexia, whitish and decreased urine output, scant defecation, unwillingness to rise and consume water. Clinical examination revealed distended and firm proventriculi, while radiographs showed foreign objects in the proventriculi of all birds and the ventriculus of one of them. The living birds were successfully treated surgically and medically. Autopsy of the three dead ostriches revealed severe dehydration and impaction of the stomachs. Bacteriological and parasitological examination was negative. Amendments in management practices were important to minimize losses caused by impaction of the stomachs in ostriches, while proventriculotomy remains the most effective approach to the problem.
Cardiovascular causes of airway compression
Authors: Kussman Barry D. , Geva Tal , McGowan Francis X.
Published: January 2004

Compression of the paediatric airway is a relatively common and often unrecognized complication of congenital cardiac and aortic arch anomalies. Airway obstruction may be the result of an anomalous relationship between the tracheobronchial tree and vascular structures (producing a vascular ring) or the result of extrinsic compression caused by dilated pulmonary arteries, left atrial enlargement, massive cardiomegaly, or intraluminal bronchial obstruction. A high index of suspicion of mechanical airway compression should be maintained in infants and children with recurrent respiratory difficulties, stridor, wheezing, dysphagia, or apnoea unexplained by other causes. Prompt diagnosis is required to avoid death and minimize airway damage. In addition to plain chest radiography and echocardiography, diagnostic investigations may consist of barium oesophagography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography, cardiac catheterization and bronchoscopy. The most important recent advance is MRI, which can produce high quality three‐dimensional reconstruction of all anatomic elements allowing for precise anatomic delineation and improved surgical planning. Anaesthetic technique will depend on the type of vascular ring and the presence of any congenital heart disease or intrinsic lesions of the tracheobronchial tree. Vascular rings may be repaired through a conventional posterolateral thoracotomy, or utilizing video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) or robotic endoscopic surgery. Persistent airway obstruction following surgical repair may be due to residual compression, secondary airway wall instability (malacia), or intrinsic lesions of the airway. Simultaneous repair of cardiac defects and vascular tracheobronchial compression carries a higher risk of morbidity and mortality.