bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concentrations in Plasma, Urinary Excretion, andBactericidal Activity of Linezolid (600 Milligrams) versusThose of Ciprofloxacin (500 Milligrams) inHealthy Volunteers Receiving a Single OralDose
Authors: Wagenlehner Florian M. E. , Wydra Stephan , Onda Hajime , Kinzig-Schippers Martina , Sörgel Fritz , Naber Kurt G.
Published: November 2003

In
a randomized crossover study, 12 volunteers (6 males, 6 females)
received a single oral dose of 600 mg of linezolid or 500 mg of
ciprofloxacin to assess the concentrations in plasma (up to
24 h), urinary excretion (by high-pressure liquid
chromatography), and bactericidal titers in urine (UBT) at intervals up
to 120 h. The mean maximum concentration of linezolid in
plasma was 13.1 mg/liter, and that of ciprofloxacin was 2.46 mg/liter.
The median cumulative levels of renal excretion of the administered
dose of the parent drug were 44% for linezolid (range, 28 to
47%; mean ± standard deviation, 40% ±
7.8%) and 43% for ciprofloxacin (range, 20 to 56%;
mean ± standard deviation, 40% ± 9.3%).
The UBTs, i.e., the highest twofold dilution (with antibiotic-free
urine used as the diluent) of urine that was still bactericidal, were
determined for a reference strain and five gram-positive clinical
uropathogens for which the MICs of linezolid and
ciprofloxacin were as follows:
Staphylococcus aureus
ATCC
27278, 2 and 0.25 mg/liter, respectively;
Staphylococcus aureus
(methicillin susceptible), 1 and 16
mg/liter, respectively;
Staphylococcus aureus
(methicillin
resistant), 2 and 64 mg/liter, respectively;
Staphylococcus
saprophyticus
(methicillin susceptible), 1 and 0.25 mg/liter,
respectively;
Enterococcus faecalis
, 2 and 1 mg/liter,
respectively; and
Enterococcus faecium
, 2 and 1 mg/liter,
respectively. The median UBTs of linezolid measured within the first
6 h were 1:96 for each of the two enterococcal strains and
between 1:128 and 1:256 for the four staphylococcal strains. The median
UBTs of ciprofloxacin were 1:64 for the two enterococcal strains;
between 1:384 and 1:512 for the two ciprofloxacin-susceptible strains;
and 1 (bactericidal activity of undiluted urine only) and 1:2 for the
two resistant staphylococcal strains, respectively. The areas under the
UBT-time curve (AUBT) for linezolid and ciprofloxacin showed no
statistically significant (
P
< 0.05) differences
except for a better AUBT for linezolid for the two
ciprofloxacin-resistant staphylococcal strains. For linezolid there
were no statistically significant differences in UBTs or AUBTs for
ciprofloxacin-susceptible and -resistant strains. Thus, the
bactericidal activities of linezolid and ciprofloxacin against
susceptible strains in urine were comparable, whereas linezolid also
exhibited the same good bactericidal activity against
ciprofloxacin-resistant strains. Therefore, linezolid should be tested
for use as empirical treatment for complicated urinary tract infections
due to gram-positive uropathogens in an appropriate clinical
trial.
Artemether Bioavailability after Oral or IntramuscularAdministration in Uncomplicated FalciparumMalaria
Authors: Silamut Kamolrat , Newton Paul N. , Teja-Isavadharm Paktiya , Suputtamongkol Yupin , Siriyanonda Duangsuda , Rasameesoraj Maneerat , Pukrittayakamee Sasithon , White Nicholas J.
Published: November 2003

The
antimalarial activity of artemether following oral or intramuscular
administration in the plasma of 15 adults with acute uncomplicated
Plasmodium falciparum
malaria was measured by bioassay. The
peak concentrations in plasma following oral administration were higher
in patients with acute illness (median, 1,905 mmol of
dihydroartemisinin [DHA] equivalents per liter; range, 955 to
3,358 mmol of DHA equivalents per liter) than in patients in the
convalescent phase (median, 955 mmol of DHA equivalents per liter;
range, 576 to 1,363 mmol of DHA equivalents per liter), and clearance
(CL/F) was lower in patients in the acute phase (1.11 liters/kg/h;
range, 0.21 to 3.08 liters/kg/h) than in patients in the convalescent
phase (median, 2.76 liters/kg/h; range, 1.56 to 5.74 liters/kg/h)
(
P
≤ 0.008). Antimalarial activity in terms of the
peak concentration in plasma (
C
max
) after oral
administration was a median of 16 times higher than that after
intramuscular administration. The ratio of the area under the plasma
concentration-time curve during the first 24 h
(AUC
0-24
) after oral administration of artemether to the
AUC
0-24
after intramuscular administration was a median of
3.3 (range, 1 to 11) (
P
= 0.0001). In the acute phase,
the time to
C
max
was significantly shorter after
oral administration (median, 1 h; range, 0.5 to 3.0
h) than after intramuscular administration (median, 8 h;
range, 4 to 24 h) (
P
= 0.001). Intramuscular
artemether is absorbed very slowly in patients with acute
malaria.
5HT1A Serotonin Receptor Agonists InhibitPlasmodium falciparumby Blocking a MembraneChannel
Authors: Locher Christopher P. , Ruben Peter C. , Gut Jiri , Rosenthal Philip J.
Published: November 2003

Toidentify new leads for the treatment ofPlasmodiumfalciparummalaria, we screened a panel of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5HT]) receptor agonists and antagonists and determined their effects on parasite growth. The 5HT1A receptor agonists 8-hydroxy-N-(di-n-propyl)-aminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT), 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine, and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenylethylamine inhibited the growth ofP. falciparumin vitro (50% inhibitory concentrations, 0.4, 0.7, and 1.5 μM, respectively). In further characterizing the antiparasitic effects of 8-OH-DPAT, we found that this serotonin receptor agonist did not affect the growth ofLeishmania infantum,Trypanosomacruzi,Trypanosoma brucei brucei, orTrichostrongylus colubriformisin vitro and did not demonstrate cytotoxicity against the human lung fibroblast cell line MRC-5. 8-OH-DPAT had similar levels of growth inhibition against several differentP. falciparumisolates having distinct chemotherapeutic resistance phenotypes, and its antimalarial effect was additive when it was used in combination with chloroquine against a chloroquine-resistant isolate. In a patch clamp assay, 8-OH-DPAT blocked aP. falciparumsurface membrane channel, suggesting that serotonin receptor agonists are a novel class of antimalarials that target a nutrient transport pathway. Since there may be neurological involvement with the use of 8-OH-DPAT and other serotonin receptor agonists in the treatment of falciparum malaria, new lead compounds derived from 8-OH-DPAT will need to be modified to prevent potential neurological side effects. Nevertheless, these results suggest that 8-OH-DPAT is a new lead compound with which to derive novel antimalarial agents and is a useful tool with which to characterizeP. falciparummembrane channels.
Antimalarial Activities of Novel SyntheticCysteine ProteaseInhibitors
Authors: Lee Belinda J. , Singh Ajay , Chiang Peggy , Kemp Scott J. , Goldman Erick A. , Weinhouse Michael I. , Vlasuk George P. , Rosenthal Philip J.
Published: November 2003

Among
promising new targets for antimalarial chemotherapy are the cysteine
protease hemoglobinases falcipain-2 and falcipain-3. We evaluated the
activities of synthetic peptidyl aldehyde and α-ketoamide
cysteine protease inhibitors against these proteases, against cultured
Plasmodium falciparum
parasites, and in a murine malaria
model. Optimized compounds inhibited falcipain-2 and falcipain-3,
blocked hemoglobin hydrolysis, and prevented the development of
P.
falciparum
at nanomolar concentrations. The compounds were equally
active against multiple strains of
P. falciparum
with varied
sensitivities to standard antimalarial agents. The peptidyl inhibitors
were consistently less active against vinckepain-2, the putative
falcipain-2 and falcipain-3 ortholog of the rodent malaria parasite
Plasmodium vinckei
. The lead compound
morpholinocarbonyl-leucine-homophenylalanine aldehyde, which blocked
P. falciparum
development at low nanomolar concentrations, was
tested in a murine
P. vinckei
model. When infused continuously
at a rate of 30 mg/kg of body weight/day, the compound delayed the
progression of malaria but did not eradicate infections. Our data
demonstrate the potent antimalarial activities of novel cysteine
protease inhibitors. Additionally, they highlight the importance of
consideration of the specific enzyme targets of animal model parasites.
In the case of falcipains, differences between
P. falciparum
and rodent parasites complicate the use of the rodent malaria model in
the drug discovery
process.
Novel AntibacterialClass
Authors: Dandliker Peter J. , Pratt Steve D. , Nilius Angela M. , Black-Schaefer Candace , Ruan Xiaoan , Towne Danli L. , Clark Richard F. , Englund Erika E. , Wagner Rolf , Weitzberg Moshe , Chovan Linda E. , Hickman Robert K. , Daly Melissa M. , Kakavas Stephan , Zhong Ping , Cao Zhensheng , David Caroline A. , Xuei Xiaoling , Lerner Claude G. , Soni Niru B. , Bui Mai , Shen Linus L. , Cai Yingna , Merta Philip J. , Saiki Anne Y. C. , Beutel Bruce A.
Published: November 2003

We
report the discovery and characterization of a novel ribosome inhibitor
(NRI) class that exhibits selective and broad-spectrum antibacterial
activity. Compounds in this class inhibit growth of many gram-positive
and gram-negative bacteria, including the common respiratory pathogens
Streptococcus pneumoniae
,
Haemophilus influenzae
,
Staphylococcus aureus
, and
Moraxella catarrhalis
, and
are nontoxic to human cell lines. The first NRI was discovered in a
high-throughput screen designed to identify inhibitors of cell-free
translation in extracts from
S. pneumoniae.
The chemical
structure of the NRI class is related to antibacterial quinolones, but,
interestingly, the differences in structure are sufficient to
completely alter the biochemical and intracellular mechanisms of
action. Expression array studies and analysis of NRI-resistant mutants
confirm this difference in intracellular mechanism and provide evidence
that the NRIs inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by inhibiting
ribosomes. Furthermore, compounds in the NRI series appear to inhibit
bacterial ribosomes by a new mechanism, because NRI-resistant strains
are not cross-resistant to other ribosome inhibitors, such as
macrolides, chloramphenicol, tetracycline, aminoglycosides, or
oxazolidinones. The NRIs are a promising new antibacterial class with
activity against all major drug-resistant respiratory
pathogens.
Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Studyof Topical Application of the Immune Response ModulatorResiquimod in HealthyAdults
Authors: Sauder Daniel N. , Smith Michael H. , Senta-McMillian Therese , Soria Inmaculada , Meng Tze-Chiang
Published: November 2003

Resiquimod
is a Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and TLR8 agonist that is a potent
inducer of alpha interferon (IFN-α) and other cytokines. The
effects of multiple applications of resiquimod gel were assessed in a
randomized, single-blind, dose-ranging, placebo-controlled study with
41 healthy subjects. Over a 3-week period, 1-g doses of resiquimod or
vehicle gel (3:1 randomization) were applied to a 50-cm
2
area of the upper arm according to the following regimens: 0.25%
applied for 8 h two times per week, 0.05% applied for
8 h two times per week, 0.05% applied for 8
h three times per week, and 0.01% applied for 24 h
three times per week. Skin biopsy specimens were obtained prior to the
application of the first dose and after the completion of application
of the last dose. Dosing with 0.01 and 0.05% resiquimod was well
tolerated, but that with 0.25% was not; a dose-response
relationship for local adverse effects was observed. The
level of systemic exposure during multiple topical dosings was<1% of the applied dose. A significant increase in
responders after completion of application of the last dose was
observed for serum IFN and the interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist
(
P
< 0.01, Fisher's exact test). Increased levels
of mRNA for IL-6, IL-8, IFN-α, and Mx (an
IFN-α-inducible protein) were seen in posttreatment biopsy
specimens from the group receiving 0.25% resiquimod compared to
the levels seen in specimens from the group receiving vehicle only
(
P
< 0.01, Wilcoxon rank sum test). A
dose-response-related increase in CD3-positive cells consistent with
T-lymphocyte infiltration and a decrease in CD1a-positive
cells, consistent with emigration of Langerhans' cells, were
observed in treated skin. This study suggests that resiquimod is a
potent topically active immune response modifier that significantly
enhances the cutaneous immune
response.
Activity of9-(S)-[3-Hydroxy-2-(Phosphonomethoxy)Propyl]AdenineagainstSchistosomiasis mansoniinMice
Authors: Botros Sanaa , William Samia , Hammam Olfat , Zídek Zden˘ek , Holý Antonín
Published: November 2003

The activity of the acyclic nucleotide analogue 9-(S)-[3-hydroxy-2-(phosphonomethoxy)propyl]adenine [(S)-HPMPA] againstSchistosoma mansoniwas investigated in mice. The compound was injected intraperitoneally, usually on two or five consecutive days, at 10 to 20 mg/kg of body weight/day. The treatment started before, at the time of, and after the onset of egg laying (oviposition) byS. mansoni. The animals were killed from 7 to 40 days after the cessation of treatment. Significant reductions in the total numbers of female and coupled worms were found. Female fecundity and both hepatic and intestinal egg loads were suppressed. These effects were more pronounced with dosing regimens launched before the time of oviposition. The complete disappearance of immature eggs and a significant reduction to the complete absence of mature eggs, with 99 to 100% of the eggs being dead, were produced. No hepatic egg-induced granulomas were present in mice treated at the time of oviposition, and the granulomas were smaller in mice treated beforeS. mansonioviposition. These preliminary findings extend the knowledge of the antiparasitic properties of (S)-HPMPA.
Acquired Macrolide Resistance Genes in Pathogenic
Neisseria
spp. Isolated between 1940 and1987
Authors: Cousin Sydney , Whittington William L. H. , Roberts Marilyn C.
Published: November 2003

Seventy-six
Neisseria gonorrhoeae
isolates, isolated between 1940 and
1987, and seven
Neisseria meningitidis
isolates, isolated
between 1963 and 1987, were screened for the presence of acquired
mef
(A),
erm
(B),
erm
(C), and
erm
(F)
genes by using DNA-DNA hybridization, PCR analysis, and sequencing. The
mef
(A),
erm
(B), and
erm
(F) genes were all
identified in a 1955
N. gonorrhoeae
isolate, while the
erm
(C) gene was identified in a 1963
N. gonorrhoeae
isolate. Similarly, both the
mef
(A) and
erm
(F) genes
were identified in a 1963
N. meningitidis
isolate. All four
acquired genes were found in later isolates of both species. The
mef
(A) gene from a 1975
N. gonorrhoeae
isolate was
sequenced and had 100% DNA and amino acid identity with the
mef
(A) gene from a 1990s
Streptococcus pneumoniae
isolate. Selected early isolates were able to transfer their acquired
genes to an
Enterococcus faecalis
recipient, suggesting that
these genes are associated with conjugative transposons. These isolates
are the oldest of any species to carry the
mef
(A) gene and
among the oldest to carry these
erm
genes.
Singleand Double Mutations in
gyrA
but Not in
gyrB
AreAssociated with Low- and High-Level Fluoroquinolone Resistance in
Helicobacterpylori
Authors: Tankovic Jacques , Lascols Christine , Sculo Quentin , Petit Jean-Claude , Soussy Claude-James
Published: November 2003

In
one French hospital the rate of resistance to ciprofloxacin in
Helicobacter pylori
was 3.3% (2 of 60 strains) in 1999.
The six resistant clinical strains (four from 1996 and two from 1999)
and three ciprofloxacin-selected single-step mutants studied carried
one
gyrA
mutation but none in
gyrB
. Clinafloxacin and
garenoxacin were the most active fluoroquinolones against these
mutants. Occurrence of a second
gyrA
mutation was associated
with high MICs of all fluoroquinolones
tested.
MolecularEpidemiology of orf513-Bearing Class 1 Integrons in MultiresistantClinical Isolates from ArgentineanHospitals
Authors: Arduino Sonia M. , Catalano Mariana , Orman Betina E. , Roy Paul H. , Centrón Daniela
Published: November 2003

The
spread of orf513-bearing class 1 integrons is associated with
bla
CTX-M-2
in gram-negative clinical isolates in
Argentina, with In35 being the most frequently found integron
(74%). Among 65 isolates without
bla
CTX-M-2
,
only one harbored a novel orf513-bearing class 1 integron with the
dfrA3b
gene. The finding of orf513 not associated with class 1
integrons in two gram-positive strains indicates the widespread
occurrence of this putative site-specific
recombinase.
Structures,Locations, and Transfer Frequencies of Genetic Elements ConferringHigh-Level Gentamicin Resistance in
Enterococcusfaecalis
Isolates inGreece
Authors: Daikos George L. , Bamias George , Kattamis Christos , Zervos Marcus J. , Chow Joseph W. , Christakis George , Petrikkos George , Triantafyllopoulou Penelope , Alexandrou Helen , Syriopoulou Vassiliki
Published: November 2003

The
elements conferring high-level gentamicin resistance in 64 clinical
isolates of
Enterococcus faecalis
were characterized by PCR
and by restriction enzyme hybridization analysis of genomic and plasmid
DNA. There was a strong association between gentamicin resistance and
the
aac(6′)-aph(2"
) gene carried on
IS
256
-based elements with different structures, locations, and
transfer
characteristics.
LinezolidPenetration into Bone and Joint Tissues Infected withMethicillin-ResistantStaphylococci
Authors: Kutscha-Lissberg Friedrich , Hebler Ute , Muhr Gert , Köller Manfred
Published: November 2003

Penetration
of linezolid into bone and joint tissues was studied by
high-performance liquid chromatography in 13 patients suffering from
implant-associated infections with methicillin-resistant staphylococci.
Mean concentrations of linezolid in infected tissues were greater than
10 mg/liter in a sampling time range of 35 to 124 min after
administration of the preoperative dose, except in bone specimens,
where they reached 3.9 ± 2.0
mg/liter.
Efficacyof Voriconazole in Treatment of Systemic Scedosporiosis inNeutropenicMice
Authors: Capilla Javier , Serena Carolina , Pastor F. Javier , Ortoneda Montserrat , Guarro Josep
Published: November 2003

We
have evaluated the efficacy of voriconazole (VRC) in a murine model of
systemic infection by
Scedosporium apiospermum
. The survival
of mice treated with VRC at 5, 20, or 40 mg/kg/day was greater than
that of the control group (
P
≤ 0.0009). VRC reduced
the tissue burden in the spleen and brain (
P
< 0.001
in both organs) in comparison with that of the control
group.
Efficacyof Sulforaphane in EradicatingHelicobacter pyloriin HumanGastric Xenografts Implanted in NudeMice
Authors: Haristoy Xavier , Angioi-Duprez Karine , Duprez Adrien , Lozniewski Alain
Published: November 2003

Sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate abundant in the form of its glucosinolate precursor in broccoli sprouts, has shown in vitro activity againstHelicobacter pylori. We evaluated the effect of sulforaphane in vivo against this bacterium by using human gastric xenografts in nude mice.H. pyloriwas completely eradicated in 8 of the 11 sulforaphane-treated grafts. This result suggests that sulforaphane might be beneficial in the treatment ofH. pylori-infected individuals.
InVitro Susceptibility Testing of
Geotrichum capitatum
:Comparison of the E-Test, Disk Diffusion, and Sensititre ColorimetricMethods with the NCCLS M27-A2 Broth Microdilution ReferenceMethod
Authors: Girmenia C. , Pizzarelli G. , D'Antonio D. , Cristini F. , Martino P.
Published: November 2003

The
in vitro activities of amphotericin B, flucytosine, fluconazole,
itraconazole, and voriconazole against 23 isolates of
Geotrichum
capitatum
were determined by the National Committee for Clinical
Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) M27-A2 microdilution method and the
Sensititre and agar diffusion methods. Amphotericin B and voriconazole
appeared to be the more active drugs. Sensititre showed the highest
rates of agreement with the NCCLS M27-A2
method.
Orally Administered CpG Oligodeoxynucleotide Induces Production of CXC and CC Chemokines in the Gastric Mucosa and Suppresses Bacterial Colonization in a Mouse Model ofHelicobacter pyloriInfection
Authors: Raghavan S. , Nyström J. , Fredriksson M. , Holmgren J. , Harandi A. M.
Published: November 2003

Bacterial DNA and unmethylated CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) are known to be potent stimulators of the innate immune system in vitro and in vivo. We therefore investigated if oral administration of CpG ODN could enhance innate immunity in the gastric mucosa and control the extent ofHelicobacter pyloriinfection in mice. Intragastric administration of a single dose of CpG ODN significantly increased local production of the CC chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α), MIP-1β, and RANTES and the CXC chemokine gamma interferon-inducible protein 10 in the stomach and/or the small intestine. Importantly, intragastric administration of CpG ODN to mice with an already establishedH. pyloriinfection, in the absence of any coadministered antigen, was found to reduce the bacterial load in the stomach compared to the load inH. pylori-infected control mice, while similar administration of non-CpG ODN had no effect on the bacterial load. The reduction in the bacterial numbers in the stomachs of mice treated with CpG ODN was associated with enhanced infiltration of immune cells and increased RANTES production in the gastric mucosa compared to the infiltration of immune cells and RANTES production inH. pylori-infected control animals. These findings suggest that intragastric administration of CpG ODN without antigen codelivery may represent a valuable strategy for induction of innate immunity againstH. pyloriinfection.
EFFICIENT QUANTUM ALGORITHMS FOR SOME INSTANCES OF THE NON-ABELIAN HIDDEN SUBGROUP PROBLEM
Authors: IVANYOS GÁBOR , MAGNIEZ FRÉDÉRIC , SANTHA MIKLOS
Published: November 2003

In this paper we show that certain special cases of the hidden subgroup problem can be solved in polynomial time by a quantum algorithm. These special cases involve finding hidden normal subgroups of solvable groups and permutation groups, finding hidden subgroups of groups with small commutator subgroup and of groups admitting an elementary Abelian normal 2-subgroup of small index or with cyclic factor group.
ENCRYPTION OF QUANTUM INFORMATION
Authors: BOUDA JAN , BUŽEK VLADIMÍ R.
Published: November 2003

We study in detail the problem of encryption of quantum information. We present an attack on a private quantum channel (PQC) which applies when partial classical description of a ciphertext is known (the so-called known-ciphertext attack) and we show how this situation can be avoided. The quantum analogue of the known plaintext attack is also discussed. We determine how correlations between quantum systems can be encrypted and we conclude that two PQCs on the subsystems form a PQC on the whole composite system. Finally, some applications of the PQC are suggested and a security of a noisy channel is discussed.
GOLOMB RULERS AND DIFFERENCE SETS FOR SUCCINCT QUANTUM AUTOMATA
Authors: BERTONI ALBERTO , MEREGHETTI CARLO , PALANO BEATRICE
Published: November 2003

Given a function p : N → [0,1] of period n, we study the minimal size (number of states) of a one-way quantum finite automaton (Iqfa) inducing the stochastic event ap + b, for real constants a>0, b≥0, a+b≤1.

First of all, we relate the estimation of the minimal size to the problem of finding a minimal difference cover for a suitable subset of Zn.

Then, by observing that the cardinality of a difference cover Δ for a set A ⊆ Zn, must satisfy [Formula: see text], we investigate the class of sets A admitting difference covers of cardinality exactly [Formula: see text].

We relate this problem with the efficient construction of Golomb rulers and difference sets. We design an algorithm which outputs each of the Golomb rulers (if any) of a given set in pseudo-polynomial time. As a consequence, we obtain an efficient algorithm that construct minimal difference covers for a non-trivial class of sets. Moreover, by using projective geometry arguments, we give an algorithm that, for any n=q2+q+1 with q prime power, constructs difference sets for Zn in quadratic time.
BINARY NEURAL NETWORK TRAINING ALGORITHMS BASED ON LINEAR SEQUENTIAL LEARNING
Authors: WANG DI , CHAUDHARI NARENDRA S.
Published: November 2003

A key problem in Binary Neural Network learning is to decide bigger linear separable subsets. In this paper we prove some lemmas about linear separability. Based on these lemmas, we propose Multi-Core Learning (MCL) and Multi-Core Expand-and-Truncate Learning (MCETL) algorithms to construct Binary Neural Networks. We conclude that MCL and MCETL simplify the equations to compute weights and thresholds, and they result in the construction of simpler hidden layer. Examples are given to demonstrate these conclusions.
STIEFEL-MANIFOLD LEARNING BY IMPROVED RIGID-BODY THEORY APPLIED TO ICA
Authors: FIORI SIMONE , ROSSI ROBERTO
Published: November 2003

In previous contributions we presented a new class of algorithms for orthonormal learning of a linear neural network with p inputs and m outputs, based on the equations describing the dynamics of a massive rigid frame in a submanifold of ℛp. While exhibiting interesting features, such as intrinsic numerical stability, strongly binding to the orthonormal submanifolds, and good controllability of the learning dynamics, tested on principal/independent component analysis, the proposed algorithms were not completely satisfactory from a computational-complexity point of view. The main drawback was the need to repeatedly evaluate a matrix exponential map. With the aim to lessen the computational efforts pertaining to these algorithms, we propose here an improvement based on the closed-form Rodriguez formula for the exponential map. Such formula is available in the p=3 and m=3 case, which is discussed with details here. In particular, experimental results on independent component analysis (ICA), carried out with both synthetic and real-world data, help confirming the computational gain due to the proposed improvement.
A SOM PROJECTION TECHNIQUE WITH THE GROWING STRUCTURE FOR VISUALIZING HIGH-DIMENSIONAL DATA
Authors: WU ZHENG , YEN GARY G.
Published: November 2003

The Self-Organizing Map (SOM) is an efficient tool for visualizing high-dimensional data. In this paper, an intuitive and effective SOM projection method is proposed for mapping high-dimensional data onto the two-dimensional grid structure with a growing self-organizing mechanism. In the learning phase, a growing SOM is trained and the growing cell structure is used as the baseline framework. In the ordination phase, the new projection method is used to map the input vector so that the input data is mapped to the structure of the SOM without having to plot the weight values, resulting in easy visualization of the data. The projection method is demonstrated on four different data sets, including a 118 patent data set and a 399 checical abstract data set related to polymer cements, with promising results and a significantly reduced network size.
Effects of Oral Administration of Gardeniae fructus Extract and Intravenous Injection of Crocetin on Lipopolysaccharide- and Prostaglandin E2-induced Elevation of Aqueous Flare in Pigmented Rabbits
Authors: Nagaki Yasunori , Hayasaka Seiji , Abe Tomohiro , Zhang Xue-Yun , Hayasaka Yoriko , Terasawa Katsutoshi
Published: November 2003

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of extracts of Coptidis rhizoma, Phellodendri cortex and Gardeniae fructus, which are medicinal herbs in Orengedoku-to (Huanglin-Jie-Du-Tang in Chinese), and crocetin (a major component of Gardeniae fructus) on experimental elevation of aqueous flare in pigmented rabbits. To produce aqueous flare elevation, 0.5 μg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected into the ear vein, or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) 25 μg/ml, was applied to the cornea by means of a glass cylinder. Animals were pretreated by oral administration of 150 g/day of food containing 0.15% (w/w) extract powder of Coptidis rhizoma, 0.10% (w/w) extract powder of Phellodendri cortex or 0.15% (w/w) extract powder of Gardeniae fructus for 4 days, or by intravenous injection of crocetin, 0.3, 3, 30 or 300 μg/kg, 30 minutes before aqueous flare elevation. Aqueous flare was measured with a laser flare-cell meter. Aqueous flare intensity was expressed as the area under the curve (AUC) in arbitrary units. The AUC of LPS- and PGE2-induced aqueous flare elevation was 4685 and 1386 arbitrary units, respectively. Pretreatment by oral administration of 0.15% (w/w) extract of Coptidis rhizoma or 0.10% (w/w) extract of Phellodendri cortex did not inhibit LPS-induced aqueous flare elevation. Pretreatment by oral administration of 0.15% extract of Gardeniae fructus suppressed LPS-induced aqueous flare elevation (AUC: 1411 arbitrary units). Pretreatment by intravenous injection of 3, 30 or 300 μg/kg of crocetin-inhibited LPS-induced aqueous flare elevation in a dose-dependent manner. Pretreatment with 3 or 30 μg/kg of crocetin did not inhibit PGE2-induced aqueous flare elevation, but 300 μg/kg of crocetin inhibited PGE2-induced aqueous flare elevation (AUC: 918 arbitrary units).
Protective Effect of Nigella sativa Seeds Against Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Liver Damage
Authors: Al-Ghamdi Mastour S.
Published: November 2003

It has been reported that Nigella sativa oil possesses hepatoprotective effects in some models of liver toxicity. However, it is N. sativa seeds that are used in the treatment of liver ailments in folk medicine rather than its oil. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the aqueous suspension of N. sativa on carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)-induced liver damage. Aqueous suspension of the seeds was given orally at two dose levels (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) for five days. CCL4 (250 μl/kg intraperitoneally/day in olive oil) was given to the experimental group on days 4 and 5, while the control group was only treated with the vehicles. Animals treated with CCL4 showed remarkable centrilobular fatty changes and moderate inflammatory infiltrate in the form of neutrophil and mononuclear cells when compared to the controls. This effect was significantly decreased in animals pretreated with N. sativa. Histopathological or biochemical changes were not evident following administration of N. sativa alone. Serum levels of aspartic transaminase (AST), and L-alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were slightly decreased while lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was significantly increased in animals treated with CCL4 when compared to the control group. LDH was restored to normal but ALT and AST levels were increased in animals pretreated with N. sativa. In conclusion, N. sativa seeds appeared to be safe and possibly protective against CCL4-induced hepatotoxicity. However, further studies may still be needed prior to supporting its use in folk medicine for hepatic diseases.
The Evaluation of Chinese Herbal Medicine Effectiveness on Periodontal Pathogens
Authors: Chan You , Lai Chern-Hsiung , Yang Hui-Wen , Lin Yuh-Yie , Chan Chi-Ho
Published: November 2003

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of herbal medicines in treating periodontal diseases. Three Chinese herbal composites [Conth Su (CS), Chi Tong Ning (CTN) and Xi Gua Shuang (XGS)], widely used for prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases, and the major components of these composites were tested for their ability to: (1) alleviate disease progression of experimental periodontitis in hamsters, (2) inhibit bacterial growth, and (3) induce mutations. Our results indicate that in treating experimental periodontitis, there were no significant differences between the animal groups with or without the use of Chinese herbal medicines in terms of the degree of inflammation, alveolar bone resorption, and rate of repair. However, hamsters treated with CS presented earlier regenerative epithelium. CTN demonstrated superior bacterial inhibition ability among all tested herbs (MIC 0.025 g/ml); CS showed good anti-bacterial abilities at a concentration of 0.05 g/ml. It is interesting to note that while both CS and CTN were capable of inhibiting bacterial growth, none of the individual herb components showed comparable bacterial inhibition abilities. None of the tested herbal composites or their components showed signs of inducing cell mutations using the Ames test. These results indicated that traditional Chinese herbal medicines, which have been used to treat periodontal diseases for hundreds of years by Chinese people, can effectively inhibit bacterial growth without causing cell mutation. Further investigation into their possible clinical applications in periodontal therapy is encouraged.
Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extract of the Lotus Leaf (Nelumbo nucifera Gertn.)
Authors: Wu Ming-Jiuan , Wang Lisu , Weng Ching-Yi , Yen Jui-Hung
Published: November 2003

In this study, hydrogen peroxide ( H 2 O 2)-mediated Caco-2 cytotoxicity was employed to investigate the potential antioxidant activity of the methanol extract from the lotus leaf (Nelumbo nucifera Gertn.). A dose-dependent protective effect against reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced cytotoxicity was observed when Caco-2 cells were treated with 10 mM H 2 O 2 in combination with the methanol extract of the lotus leaf (0.1–0.3 mg/ml). However, no significant effect was found when co-treating Caco-2 cells with 10 mM H 2 O 2 and α-tocopherol. In vitro assay revealed that the extract exhibited scavenging activities on free radicals and hydroxyl radicals, and metal binding ability as well as reducing power, which may explain in part the mechanism behind the extract's ability to protect cells from oxidative damage. In addition, the extract also exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activities against hemoglobin-induced linoleic acid peroxidation and Fenton reaction-mediated plasmid DNA oxidation.
Retrospective Survey on Therapeutic Efficacy of Qigong in Korea
Authors: Lee Myeong Soo , Hong Sung-Soo , Lim Hyun-Ja , Kim Hye-Jung , Woo Won-Hong , Moon Sun-Rock
Published: November 2003

Qigong is a complementary intervention for preventing and curing disease, and protecting and improving health through regulation of body and mind. Recently, we have been studying the psychoneuroimmunological effects of Qigong on the promotion of health. However, there are not many studies on the therapeutic efficacy of Qigong on various symptoms in Korea, hence the need to survey the clinical efficacy of Qigong. To evaluate the impact of Qigong in health care we categorized its effectiveness on the basis of ten years of subjects' memoranda. Among the 768 subjects, the motivation for doing Qigong was mostly to attend to health problems (81.5%), and males were more likely to use Qigong than females. The most improved symptoms were associated with psychological and musculoskeletal problems. Furthermore 66.9% of subjects reported improvements of perceived physical health and 40.3% of perceived psychological health. Other symptoms reduced by Qigong were pain (43.1%), fatigue (22.1%), and insomnia (8.7%). Wound healing was also surveyed (n = 332), and 84% of respondents reported improvement in recovery time, 66.6% reported reduced inflammation after Qigong and 50.3% reported no scarring as compared to before. In addition, 59.9% of respondents reported an increase in resistance to the common cold after four months of Qigong. The limitation of the study is that it is a retrospective survey on the basis of trainees' experiences of Qigong. Although this may constitute a potential bias, the study despite its limitations does provide precious empirical evidence of the effectiveness of Qigong.
Use of Acupressure to Improve Gastrointestinal Motility in Women After Trans-abdominal Hysterectomy
Authors: Chen Li-Li , Hsu Sheng-Feng , Wang Min-Hung , Chen Chao-Ling , Lin Yue-Der , Lai Jim-Shoung
Published: November 2003

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupressure on gastrointestinal (GI) motility in women after trans-abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). Patients were randomly assigned into two groups of 21 and 20 patients each. The experimental group received acupressure for 3 minutes at each of three meridian points: Neiguan (PC-6), Zusanli (ST-36) and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). The control group received 3 minutes of acupressure on sham points. Acupressure was performed twice a day. A questionnaire was used to determine patients' satisfaction prior to and after afternoon acupressure. GI contractions were measured with a multifunctional stethoscope before and after acupressure. Acupressure of these three meridian points significantly (p < 0.05) increased GI motility in the experimental group, but there was little change in the control group (p > 0.05). Our conclusions are that non-invasive acupressure of these meridian points can significantly improve GI motility and can be incorporated into the technical curriculum and clinical education program of nursing schools. Patients and their family members can be taught to continue this procedure at home to enhance GI motility in patients who have undergone TAH.
COSMIC EVOLUTION IN GENERALISED BRANS–DICKE THEORY
Authors: SAHOO B. K. , SINGH L. P.
Published: November 2003

We have studied the generalised Brans–Dicke theory and obtained exact solutions of a(t), ϕ(t) and ω(t) for different epochs of the cosmic evolution. We discuss how inflation, deceleration, cosmic acceleration can result from this solution. The time variation of G(t) is also examined.
EXTRACTION OF PARTON DISTRIBUTIONS FROM LATTICE QCD
Authors: DETMOLD W. , MELNITCHOUK W. , THOMAS A. W.
Published: November 2003

We review the calculation of moments of both the polarized and unpolarized parton distribution functions of the nucleon in lattice QCD, and in particular their extrapolation to the physical region. We also discuss the reconstruction of the x dependence of the valence quark distributions in the nucleon from a finite number of lattice moments.
HORIZONS AND PLANE WAVES: A REVIEW
Authors: HUBENY VERONIKA E. , RANGAMANI MUKUND
Published: November 2003

We review the attempts to construct black hole/string solutions in asymptotically plane wave spacetimes. First, we demonstrate that geometries admitting a covariantly constant null Killing vector cannot admit event horizons, which implies that pp-waves cannot describe black holes. However, relaxing the symmetry requirements allows us to generate solutions which do possess regular event horizons while retaining the requisite asymptotic properties. In particular, we present two solution generating techniques and use them to construct asymptotically plane wave black string/brane geometries.
RESULTS FROM SUPER-KAMIOKANDE ON ATMOSPHERIC NEUTRINO AND LIMITS ON MATTER INSTABILITY
Authors:   FOR THE SUPER-KAMIOKANDE COLLABORATION, SAJI C.
Published: November 2003

Latest atmospheric neutrino results from 1489 days exposure of the Super-Kamiokande detector are presented. Our data are well explained by two flavor νμ↔ντ oscillations. In the three flavor oscillation case, the result shows no evidence for non zero θ13. Other models, ντ-νs admixture and neutrino decay, are strongly constrained. Moreover, the appearance searches for tau neutrino interactions are performed. Our data are consistent with ντ appearance. For the nucleon decay, p → e+π0 and [Formula: see text] are searched for, but no evidence for nucleon decays has been found. Experimental lower limits for nucleon partial lifetime are obtained to be 5.7×1033 years for p → e+π0 and 2.0×1033 years for [Formula: see text].
OSCILLATION INVESTIGATIONS IN SOUDAN 2: ATMOSPHERIC νμ → ντ AND ${\rm n} \to \bar{n}$ IN IRON
Authors: MANN ANTHONY , SANCHEZ MAYLY , KAFKA TOMAS
Published: November 2003

The 5.90 fiducial kiloton-year exposure of the Soudan-2 iron tracking calorimeter is analyzed for effects of neutrino oscillations. Using fully contained single track, single shower and multiprong events, we determine the atmospheric νμ/νe ratio-of-ratios in the sub-GeV Eν regime to be R=0.68±0.12±0.06. Assuming this anomalously low R-value to be the result of νμ flavor disappearance via νμ → ντ oscillation, we distribute fully contained and partially contained events into bins of log (L/Eν) and fit to oscillation hypotheses using extended maximum likelihood. The region in the ( sin 22θ, Δm2) plane allowed at 90% CL is obtained using the Feldman-Cousins procedure: 0.52< sin 2 2θ≤1.0 and 3×10-4<Δm2<2×10-2 eV 2.

A different oscillation process which could occur in our contained event samples is baryon instability in the form of neutron-antineutron oscillations. Our search requires candidate [Formula: see text] occurrences to have ≥ 4 prongs (tracks and showers) and to have kinematics compatible with [Formula: see text] annihilation within a nucleus. We observe five candidate events, with estimated atmospheric neutrino plus cosmic ray backgrounds totalling 4.5 ± 1.2 events. Previous experiments with smaller exposures observed no candidates, with estimated background rates similar to this experiment. We set a lifetime lower limit at 90% CL for the [Formula: see text] oscillation time in iron: TA(Fe)>7.2×1031 years. The corresponding lower limit for oscillation of free neutrons is [Formula: see text] seconds.
MINOS: THE PHYSICS PROGRAM AND THE CONSTRUCTION STATUS
Authors:   For MINOS Collaboration: The MINOS Collaboration includes research groups from Argonne National Laboratory, University of Athens, Brookhaven National Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, University of Cambride, University of Campinas, College de France, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Harvard University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Indiana University, ITEP Moscow, Lebedev Institute, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University College London, Macalester College, University of, LANG KAROL
Published: November 2003

The MINOS experiment will study muon neutrino oscillations in the range of parameter space implied by the measurements with atmospheric neutrinos. The two magnetized toroidal tracking calorimeters, 1 kton at Fermilab and 5.4 kton in the Soudan Mine 735-km away, are constructed out of extruded scintillator strips and use wavelength-shifting and clear fibers read out by multi-anode photomultipliers. The far detector is now more than 3/4 completed and commenced collecting cosmic ray data. The neutrino beamline and the near detector will be finished by the end of 2004. In addition, a calibration detector was also constructed and exposed to the test beams. Over the last two years the entire project has progressed on schedule and budget and with most of the civil construction out of the way the road to this interesting physics program is finally cleared.
IMPLICATIONS FROM CURRENT DATA FOR NEUTRINO MASSES AND MIXING, AND SOME SENSITIVITIES OF FUTURE EXPERIMENTS
Authors: WHISNANT K.
Published: November 2003

Current constraints on neutrino mass and mixing parameters are briefly reviewed, and the prospects for future measurements in long-baseline neutrino experiments are discussed. Parameter degeneracies are a generic problem in the three–neutrino analysis of long-baseline neutrino appearance measurements, and can lead to different inferred values for the neutrino mixing angle θ13 and often mix CP violating and CP conserving solutions. Possible experimental strategies for reducing or eliminating such degeneracies and/or the CP confusion are discussed.
NEUTRINO MASSES WITH DYNAMICAL ELECTROWEAK SYMMETRY BREAKING
Authors: APPELQUIST THOMAS
Published: November 2003

In this talk I discuss the problem of accounting for light neutrino masses in theories with dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking. I will first describe this problem generally in a class of extended technicolor (ETC) models, describing the full set of Dirac and Majorana masses that arise in such theories. I will then present an explicit model exhibiting a combination of suppressed Dirac masses and a seesaw involving dynamically generated condensates of standard-model singlet, ETC-nonsinglet fermions. Because of the suppression of the Dirac neutrino mass terms, a seesaw yielding realistic neutrino masses does not require superheavy Majorana masses; indeed, the Majorana masses are typically much smaller than the largest ETC scale.
SYMMETRIES OF NEUTRINO MIXING
Authors: HARRISON P. F. , SCOTT W. G.
Published: November 2003

Encouraged by the phenomenological success of the tri-bimaximal hypothesis, we postulate that the neutrino mass matrix in the lepton flavour basis is an S3 group matrix in the natural representation of S3. This immediately requires one neutrino to be trimaximally mixed, as suggested by the solar neutrino data. We go on to postulate that the charged-lepton mass matrix in the neutrino mass-basis is an S3 class matrix in the natural representation of the S3 class-algebra, leading to exact tri-bimaximal mixing which is compatible with data overall. The above two postulates are mutually consistent, and imply that the neutrino mass matrix in the flavour basis is an S3⊃S2 class operator, in the natural representation of the S3 group (the S2 being associated with mu-tau interchange). Thus the tri-bimaximal mixing matrix is seen to be closely related to the S3 group characters, and may be properly regarded as simply the table of induction coefficients for the [2]×[1]=[3]+[21] induced representation of S3.
LOCAL SYMMETRIES BEYOND THE STANDARD MODEL INDICATED BY NEUTRINO RESULTS
Authors: MOHAPATRA R. N.
Published: November 2003

The present atmospheric neutrino oscillation data viewed within the context of see-saw mechanism for small neutrino masses, requires right handed neutrino masses (MR) around the conventional GUT scale i.e. 1015 to 1016 GeV. This raises a new hierarchy puzzle i.e. why MR≪Mpℓ? This can be interpreted as an indication in favor of new local symmetries around MR. In this paper, we argue that depending on the nature of neutrino mass patterns, this symmetry could either be: (i) the local B-L symmetry arising from a larger symmetry group such as in the left-right symmetric model of weak interactions, grand unified SO(10) models etc. or (ii) a local horizontal symmetry group SU(2)H operating on the fermions of the first two generations which is often invoked to understand the generation puzzles. We discuss some simple consequences of these symmetries and propose experimental for these ideas.
PROSPECTS FOR CONVENTIONAL LONG-BASELINE OSCILLATION EXPERIMENTS AND COMPARISON WITH A NEUTRINO FACTORY
Authors: HARRIS DEBORAH A.
Published: November 2003

The field of neutrino oscillation physics is changing dramatically from one of exploration of an unexpected phenomenon to real measurements of the leptonic mixing and mass matrices. As the purposes of oscillation experiments change the detector and beamline requirements also change, such that future experiments are not simple extensions of the current round of experiments. This report discusses what the challenges in the next step are, what beamline techniques have been suggested to meet these challenges, and finally, what the detector possibilities are for precision measurments.