bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NG‐Nitro‐L‐arginine Methyl Ester Inhibits Bone Metastasis after Modified Intracardiac Injection of Human Breast Cancer Cells in a Nude Mouse Model
Authors: Iwasaki Teruo , Higashiyama Masahiko , Kuriyama Keiko , Sasaki Akira , Mukai Mutsuko , Shinkai Kiyoko , Horai Takeshi , Matsuda Hikaru , Akedo Hitoshi
Published: August 2005

We investigated the effects of NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine‐methyI ester (L‐NAME), a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, on hone metastasis of human breast cancer, MDA‐231 cells. Tumor cells (2 × 105 cells in 0.2 ml of phosphate‐buffered saline; PBS) were injected through the diaphragm into the left ventricle of the heart of laparotomized nude mice (male 5‐week‐old ICR‐nu/nu). L‐NAME (2 mg/ mouse/injection in 0.1 ml of PBS) was given intraperitoneally to mice 6 h and 3 h before and immediately, 3 h, 6 h, 18 h and 21 h after the intraeardlac injection of tumor cells. As a control, 0.1 ml of PBS was injected instead of L‐NAME. The effect of NG‐nitro‐D‐arginine‐methyl ester CD‐NAME; 2 mg/mouse/injection), an inactive analogue of L‐NAME, was also investigated to evaluate the specificity of L‐NAME action. Radiographical examination 31 days after the tumor‐cell injection showed that the incidence and number of osteolytic bone metastases and the number of bones with metastasis in L‐NAME‐treated mice were significantly reduced compared with those in PBS‐treated mice (P<0,05). The differences between PBS‐treated and D‐NAME‐treated mice were not significant. Our findings suggest that specific and appropriate NOS inhibitors may represent a new pharmacological approach to therapy for cancer patients at risk of developing osteolytic bone metastases.
Cytotoxicity of Trimetrexate against Antifolate‐resistant Human T‐Cell Leukemia Cell Lines Developed in Oxidized or Reduced Folate
Authors: Miyachi Hayato , Takemura Yuzuru , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Ando Yasuhiko
Published: August 2005

Cytotoxicity of trimetrexate (TMQ), a lipophilic dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, was examined in antifolate‐resistant human T‐cell leukemia cell lines developed in oxidized or reduced folate. An approximately 60‐fold methotrexate (MTX)‐resistant subline was developed in oxidized folate (pter‐oylglutamic acid: PGA) (CCRF‐CEM/MTX60‐PGA) from human T‐cell leukemia cell line CCRF‐CEM; this line exhibited impaired membrane transport of the drug. Further enhancement of MTX resistance resulted in selection of an approximately 5000‐fold MTX‐resistant subline (CCRF‐CEM/ MTX5000‐PGA), which showed increased dihydrofolate reductase activity due to gene amplification in addition to further impairment of MTX transport. An approximately 140‐fold MTX‐resistant subline, and then a 1500‐fold MTX‐resistant subline were developed in reduced folate (10 nM leucovorin) (CCRF‐CEM/MTXm‐LV and CCRF‐CEM/MTX140‐LV); they exhibited increased dihydrofolate reductase due to gene amplification accompanied by increased intracellular drug accumulation of MTX. While CCRF‐CEM/MTX140‐LV and CCRF‐CEM/MTX1500‐LV cells showed cross‐resistance to TMQ, CCRF‐CEM/MTX60‐PGA and CCRF‐CEM/MTX5000‐PGA cells were at least as sensitive to TMQ as the parent cells. TMQ was more potent against approximately 200‐fold N10‐propargyl‐5,8‐dideazafolic‐acid (CB3717)‐resistant human T‐cell leukemia MOLT‐3 sublines developed in PGA (MOLT‐3/CB3717200‐PGA) or leucovorin (MOLT‐3/CB3717200‐LV), as compared to the parent cells; MOLT‐3/CB3717200‐PGA and MOLT‐3/CB3717200‐LV cells were resistant to CB3717 by virtue of impaired transport, only the former possessing gene amplification of thymidylate synthase. The Cytotoxicity of TMQ in both MOLT‐3/CB3717200‐PGA and MOLT‐3/CB3717200‐LV cells was reduced by addition of leucovorin in a dose‐dependent manner, suggesting intracellular folate deficiency as a cause of TMQ sensitivity. These results demonstrate that TMQ overcomes transport‐impaired antifolate resistance, irrespective of gene amplification of dihydrofolate reductase or thymidylate synthase. Types of folate used during the development of antifolate resistance seem to be important in relation to the mechanism of TMQ responsiveness as well as that of antifolate resistance.
Detection of MAGE‐4 Protein in the Sera of Patients with Hepatitis‐C Virus‐associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Tsuzurahara Shin‐ichi , Sata Michio , Iwamoto Osamu , Shichijo Shigeki , Kojiro Masamichi , Tanikawa Kyuichi , Itoh Kyogo
Published: August 2005

The aim of this study was to determine whether MAGE‐4 protein is detectable in sera of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and other liver diseases. An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was employed for detection of MAGE‐4 protein in sera of liver disease patients, healthy men and women (control I) and those undergoing prostatic cancer screening (control II). MAGE‐4 protein levels in sera of patients with hepatitis C virus‐associated HCC (HCC‐C) (n=45, mean=2.160 ng/ml) and HCV‐associated cirrhosis (LC‐C) (n= 55, 1.072 ng/ml) were significantly higher (P< 0.0001) than those of control I (0.327 ng/ml) or control II (0.394 ng/ml). MAGE‐4 protein was positive in 21/45 (46.7%) HCC‐C patients and 18/55 (32.7%) LC‐C patients (cut‐off, mean plus 2 SD in healthy controls) but in 0/12 (0%) hepatitis B virus‐associated HCC (HCC‐B) patients, 3/49 (6.1%) hepatitis B virus‐associated LC (LC‐B) patients, 4/47 (8.5%) alcoholic liver disease patients, and 1/49 (2.0%) controls. Serum MAGE‐4 protein level may be useful as a marker for identification of LC‐C patients suffering from HCC that is undetectable by presently available methods.
The effect of tadalafil on the time to exercise‐induced myocardial ischaemia in subjects with coronary artery disease
Authors: Patterson Dean , Kloner Robert , Effron Mark , Emmick Jeffrey , Bedding Alun , Warner Margaret , Mitchell Malcolm , Braat Simon , MacDonald Thomas
Published: August 2005

Objective

To investigate the effect of tadalafil on the time to exercise‐induced myocardial ischaemia in subjects with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Background

CAD and erectile dysfunction (ED) share similar risk factors. It is important to know the cardiovascular effects of tadalafil in patients with CAD during physical exertion that is comparable with sexual activity.

Methods

A randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, two‐period, crossover study comparing the effects of tadalafil 10 mg and placebo on the time to exercise treadmill test (ETT)‐induced myocardial ischaemia in subjects with stable CAD (n = 23; age range: 53–75 years, all exhibited ST‐segment depression >1.5 mm at screening ETT at > 5METS). Haemodynamic responses to sublingual nitroglycerin (NTG) were assessed before and after ETT.

Results

Compared with placebo, tadalafil did not significantly affect the time to ETT‐induced ischaemia (13 min/31 s vs. 13 min/36 s, respectively). Before exercise, NTG evoked decreases in sitting systolic blood pressure (SBP) that were significantly greater when subjects received tadalafil compared with placebo, and after exercise, more subjects experienced a decrease in SBP <85 mmHg in response to NTG after taking tadalafil vs. placebo. When subjects received tadalafil compared with placebo, SBP was lower at rest (−7 mmHg; −12,‐2), during ETT (−10 mmHg; −16, −3), and after ETT (−13 mmHg; −19, −7).

Conclusion

Tadalafil did not significantly alter the time to ETT‐induced ischaemia compared with placebo in subjects with CAD. Tadalafil reduced resting and exercise SBP. Due  to the potential for hypotension, the concomitant use of nitrates and tadalafil is contraindicated.
Frequency of inhibitors of daphnid trypsin in the widely distributed cyanobacterial genus Planktothrix
Authors: Rohrlack Thomas , Christoffersen Kirsten , Friberg‐Jensen Ursula
Published: August 2005

Recent findings showed that inhibition of the digestive enzyme trypsin by cyanobacterial metabolites can result in the death of the microcrustacean Daphnia. Compounds that are active against daphnid trypsin can therefore be considered as potentially toxic to Daphnia. Here we reported on the frequency of such compounds in the widely distributed cyanobacterial genus Planktothrix. Of the 89 Planktothrix strains analysed, about 70% produced inhibitors of daphnid trypsin. The strains tested positive represented three common Planktothrix species and were isolated from diverse localities and geographical regions. Our findings suggest therefore that inhibitors of daphnid trypsin are common in Planktothrix and maybe other cyanobacterial genera. These compounds should therefore be considered in future studies on the chemical ecology of cyanobacteria.
The Impact of Mergers and Acquisitions on People at Work: Existing Research and Issues
Authors: Cartwright Sue , Cooper Cary L.
Published: August 2005

Despite the attention mergers and acquisition have received from financial and marketing strategists, the merger failure rate remains as high as ever. In light of the current wave of merger activity, it would seem an appropriate time to consider alternative explanations of merger failure, and assess the contribution which psychology can make to our understanding of mergers and acquisitions in addressing the essence of the activity; the positive combination of people and the fusion of organizational cultures.
Advertising and the Dynamics of Market Structure: The UK Car Industry, 1958–1983*
Authors: Geroski P. A. , Murfin A.
Published: August 2005

This paper looks at the effect of advertising on market share dynamics, developing a model that describes the mechanism by which advertising affects consumer choice and illustrating it with reference to the UK car market. Advertising shares are observed to be highly positively correlated with market shares, suggesting that advertising has both pro‐ and anti‐competitive effects. Advertising facilitates entry in as far as entrants can acquire market share through advertising, but it inhibits entry when an escalation in total industry advertising makes this acquisition prohibitively costly.
Causes of Disaster: Sloppy Management
Authors: Turner Barry A.
Published: August 2005

The loss of control associated with accidents and disasters can have severe negative consequences for the organizations involved. Some disasters are caused by inadequacies of management, or by unprofessional behaviour but others arise when disaster preconditions are generated as a result of the normal functioning of larger managerial and technical systems. During the incubation period preceding a major incident, therefore, two levels of correction need to be considered to avoid disasters. ‘Sloppy management’ of various kinds can be tackled by establishing, strengthening and asserting appropriate forms of management control. The system properties which constitute disaster preconditions are less immediately accessible to management control. At both levels managers in pursuit of high reliability should expect to have to make a range of trade‐offs.
Pharmacokinetics of acyclovir in adult horses
Authors: Wilkins Pamela A. , Papich Mark , Sweeney Raymond W.
Published: August 2005

Objective:To determine the pharmacokinetics of acyclovir administered intravenously (IV) and orally to healthy adult horses.

Design:Random cross‐over with an approximate 1‐week washout period between trials.

Setting:University veterinary medical teaching hospital.

Animals:Six healthy adult research herd horses.

Interventions and main results:Acyclovir was administered IV (10 mg/kg in 1 L isotonic crystalloid solution over 60 minutes) and orally (20 mg/kg) to healthy adult horses. Plasma samples were obtained and acyclovir concentrations were determined by high‐pressure liquid chromatography. Peak concentration (mean±SD) for IV acyclovir was 13.74±5.88 μg/mL at the completion of the 1‐hour infusion. The half‐life of the distribution phase (α) was 0.16 hours while the half‐life of the elimination phase (β) was 9.6 hours. The steady‐state volume of distribution was 3.93±1.21 L/kg. We were unable to measure pharmacokinetics after PO acyclovir as plasma concentrations were below the lower limits of detection in all 6 horses.

Conclusions:IV administration of acyclovir to healthy adult horses achieves concentrations within the sensitivity range described for equine herpes virus‐type 1. The oral bioavailability of acyclovir in horses is low and additional studies are required.
An exploratory open‐label trial of aripiprazole as an adjuvant to clozapine therapy in chronic schizophrenia
Authors: Henderson D. C. , Kunkel L. , Nguyen D. D. , Borba C. P. , Daley T. B. , Louie P. M. , Freudenreich O. , Cather C. , Evins A. E. , Goff D. C.
Published: August 2005

Objective:  We conducted this 6‐week open‐label trial to examine the effects of adjunctive aripiprazole in clozapine‐treated subjects on weight, lipid and glucose metabolism, as well as positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Method:  Ten clozapine‐treated subjects received aripiprazole augmentation; eight completed the 6‐week trial and two ended at week 4. Eighty percent were male, the mean age was 38.7 ± 8.9 years and the mean clozapine dose was 455 ± 83 mg daily.

Results:  There was a significant decrease in weight (P = 0.003), body mass index (P = 0.004), fasting total serum cholesterol (P = 0.002) and total triglycerides (P = 0.04) comparing baseline to study endpoint. There was no significant change in total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale scores.

Conclusion:  This combination may be useful for clozapine‐associated medical morbidity and must be studied in placebo‐controlled double‐blind randomized trials to determine efficacy and safety.
Modelling of stream fishes in the Great Plains, USA
Authors: Oakes R. M. , Gido K. B. , Falke J. A. , Olden J. D. , Brock B. L.
Published: August 2005

Abstract – Predicting species distributions has important implications for the conservation and management of freshwater fishes, particularly in areas such as the Great Plains, USA where human impacts have resulted in extirpations and declines for numerous native species. There are a number of statistical approaches for constructing distributional models; the accuracy of each is likely dependent on the nature of the environmental gradients, species responses to those gradients and the spatial extent of the modelling. Thus, it is important to compare multiple approaches across species and habitats to identify the most effective modelling approach. Using geographical information system (GIS) derived characteristics of stream segments as predictors, we tested the model performance of three methodologies – linear discriminant function analysis, classification trees and artificial neural networks (ANN) – for predicting the occurrence of 38 fish species in a Great Plains river basin. Results showed that all approaches predicted species occurrences with relatively high success. ANN generally were the best models, in that they generated the most significant models (35 of 38 species) and most accurately predicted species presence for the greatest number of species (average correct classification = 81.1%). The importance of GIS variables for predicting stream fish occurrences varied among species and modelling techniques, but were generally strong predictors of species distributions, including the federally endangered Topeka shinerNotropis topeka. In summary, predictive models should be viewed as both competitive and complementary methodologies for establishing quantitative linkages between fish species and their environment. Our study demonstrates the potential utility of such an approach for guiding conservation efforts for stream fishes of the Great Plains, USA.
Anaerobic Biodegradation of MTBE at a Gasoline Spill Site
Authors: Wilson John T. , Adair Cherri , Kaiser Philip M. , Kolhatkar Ravi
Published: August 2005

To manage risk or to implement natural attenuation as a remedy, regulatory agencies must understand the processes that attenuate methyl‐tert‐butyl ether (MTBE) in ground water. Most case studies and laboratory studies in the literature indicate that natural biodegradation is not important; however, recent reports indicate that natural biodegradation of MTBE plays an important role under certain conditions. In an MTBE plume at a retail gasoline station in Parsippany, New Jersey, the long‐term monitoring data indicated that the concentration of MTBE was slowly declining over time in the wells that were within the footprint of the plume. The ratio of tert‐butyl alcohol (TBA) to MTBE increased with distance from the source area, and the ratio of TBA to MTBE in individual monitoring wells in the plume increased over time. This anecdotal evidence of natural biodegradation of MTBE to TBA at field scale was confirmed with a microcosm study. Core material from the interior of the plume was used to construct the microcosms. Following an initial lag period of 58 d, the concentration of MTBE decreased from more than 1460 μg/L to less than 10 μg/L within 199 d of incubation. As concentrations of MTBE declined in the microcosms, concentrations of TBA increased. The decrease in concentration of MTBE in the microcosms could be accounted for by an increase in the concentration of TBA.
Comparative bioinformatic analysis of genes expressed in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedlings
Authors: Melotto Maeli , Monteiro-Vitorello Claudia B , Bruschi Adriano G , Camargo Luis E.A
Published: August 2005

To rapidly and cost-effectively generate gene expression data, we developed an annotated unigene database of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). In this study, 3 cDNA libraries were constructed from the bean breeding line SEL1308, 1 from young leaf and 2 from seedlings inoculated or not inoculated with the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum (Sacc. & Magnus) Briosi & Cavara, which causes anthracnose in common bean. To this date, 5255 single-pass sequences have been included in the database after selection based on sequence quality. These ESTs were trimmed and clustered using the computer programs Phred and CAP3 to form a unigene collection of 3126 unique sequences. Within clusters, 318 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 68 insertions–deletions (indels) were found, indicating the presence of paralogous gene families in our database. Each unigene sequence was analyzed for possible function using their similarity to known genes represented in the GenBank database and classified into 14 categories. Only 314 unigenes showed significant similarities to Phaseolus genomic sequences and P. vulgaris ESTs, which indicates that 90% (2818 unigenes) of our database represent newly discovered common bean genes. In addition, 12% (387 unigenes) were shown to be specific to common bean. This study represents a first step towards the discovery of novel genes in beans and a valuable source of molecular markers for expressed gene tagging and mapping.Key words: expressed sequence tag (EST), Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, Phaseolus vulgaris, simple sequence repeat (SSR), single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP).
Transformation of a monoterpene ketone, piperitenone, and related terpenoids using Mucor piriformis
Authors: Thulasiram Hirekodathakallu V , Madyastha K Madhava
Published: August 2005

Biotransformation of piperitenone (I), 5,5-dimethyl-2-(1-methylethylidene)-cyclohexanone (II), and 2-(1-ethyl-1-propylidene)-5-methylcyclohexanone (III) was studied using a versatile fungal strain, Mucor piriformis. The organism initiates transformation of these compounds by hydroxylation at the allylic positions or at the tertiary carbon. Transformation of piperitenone (I) by this strain yielded 5-hydroxypiperitenone (Ic), 7-hydroxypiperitenone (Id), 7-hydroxypulegone (Ie), 10-hydroxypiperitenone (If), and 4-hydroxypiperitenone (Ig) as metabolites. It was possible to block some of the metabolic activities of the organism through structural modification of piperitenone (I). This was evidenced by the fact that biotransformation of 5,5-dimethyl-2-(1-methylethylidene)-cyclohexanone (II) yielded 5,5-dimethyl-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-2-cyclohexen-1-one (IIb) and 5,5-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-2-(1-methylethylidene)-cyclohexanone (IIa), whereas 2-(1-ethyl-1-propylidene)-5-methylcyclohexanone (III) yielded 6-(1-ethyl-1-propylidene)-5-methyl-2-cyclohexen-1-one (IIIb) and 6-(1-ethyl-1-propylidene)-5-hydroxy-5-methylcyclohexanone (IIIa) as metabolites. Based on the identification of the metabolites, pathways for the biotransformation of I, II, and III have been proposed. The mode of biotransformation of these compounds by M. piriformis also compared to their modes of metabolism in the rat system.Key words: piperitenone, monoterpene ketone, biotransformation, fungal system, metabolites.
Antifungal susceptibility and genotypical pattern ofMicrosporum canisstrains
Authors: Brilhante R S.N , Cordeiro R A , Medrano D J.A , Monteiro A J , Sidrim J J.C , Rocha M F.G
Published: August 2005

Dermatophytes are a group of fungi that are capable of invading keratinized tissues of humans and other animals. Antifungal susceptibility analysis and genetic studies by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), have been used to detect polymorphism as well as determining the possible resistance of dermatophytes to antifungals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible correlation between the antifungal susceptibility and genotypical pattern of Microsporum canis strains isolated in dogs and cats with dermatophytosis in Northeast Brazil. The antifungal susceptibility study was conducted using the broth microdilution test with griseofulvine, ketoconazole, itraconazole, and fluconazole. The genotypical analysis was performed using the RAPD method. The antifungal susceptibility analysis showed that all the strains of M. canis analyzed (n = 22) were sensitive to griseofulvine (0.25 µg/mL ≤ minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ≤ 1 µg/mL), ketoconazole (0.25 µg/mL ≤ MIC ≤ 2 µg/mL), itraconazole (0.25 µg/mL ≤ MIC ≤ 1 µg/mL), and fluconazole (1 µg/mL ≤ MIC ≤ 16 µg/mL). The RAPD results showed that all analyzed strains are genetically similar. Thus, based on antifungal susceptibility analysis and RAPD data, a possible correlation can be shown between the antifungal susceptibility and the genotypical pattern of the strains of M. canis from Northeast Brazil.Key words: Microsporum canis, antifungal susceptibility testing, RAPD.
Effect of some pharmaceutical excipients on the survival of probiotic vaginal lactobacilli
Authors: Zárate Gabriela , Tomás María Silvina Juárez , Nader-Macias María Elena
Published: August 2005

Lactobacilli are the predominant microorganisms of the vaginal bacterial microbiota, and they play a major role in the maintenance of a healthy urogenital tract. In consequence, the interest in their potential use as probiotics has significantly increased during the last decade. In the present study we assessed the influence of different excipients on the survival of 4 probiotic vaginal lactobacilli incorporated into glycerinated gelatin ovules and stored at 5 °C for 60 d. Results showed that viability after storage was a strain-dependent characteristic, but inclusion of ascorbic acid significantly increased survival in 3 of the 4 strains tested. The best survival was observed for Lactobacillus salivarius CRL 1328 in ovules containing skimmed milk. No significant differences in viability were observed between control ovules (glycerogelatin base without excipients) and those containing lactose or Tween 80 for any of the strains tested. Lactobacillus acidophilus CRL 1259 and Lactobacillus crispatus CRL 1266 were, respectively, the most resistant and sensitive strains to the storage with the different substances. In conclusion, these results provide a basis for selecting excipients to improve the survival of lactobacilli in a probiotic product, in an attempt to ensure the delivery of an adequate number of viable cells to the urogenital tract.Key words: vaginal lactobacilli, pharmaceutical excipients, probiotics, viability.
REPRESENTATION OF NONCOMMUTATIVE PHASE SPACE
Authors: LI KANG , WANG JIANHUA , CHEN CHIYI
Published: August 2005

The representations of the algebra of coordinates and momenta of noncommutative phase space are given. We study, as an example, the harmonic oscillator in noncommutative space of any dimension. Finally the map of Schrödinger equation from noncommutative space to commutative space is obtained.
NEUTRINO ASYMMETRY AROUND BLACK HOLES: NEUTRINOS INTERACT WITH GRAVITY
Authors: MUKHOPADHYAY BANIBRATA
Published: August 2005

Propagation of fermions in curved spacetime generates gravitational interaction due to coupling of its spin with spacetime curvature connection. This gravitational interaction, which is an axial-four-vector multiplied by a four-gravitational vector potential, appears as a CPT violating term in the Lagrangian which generates an opposite sign and thus an asymmetry between the left-handed and the right-handed partners under the CPT transformation. In the case of neutrinos, this property can generate neutrino asymmetry in the Universe. If the background metric is of the rotating black hole, i.e. the Kerr geometry, this interaction for the neutrino is nonzero. Therefore the dispersion energy relation for the neutrino and its anti-neutrino are different which gives rise to the difference in their number densities and neutrino asymmetry in the Universe in addition to the known relic asymmetry.
LARGE-QTW-BOSON PRODUCTION AT THE TEVATRON
Authors: KIDONAKIS NIKOLAOS , VERA AGUSTíN SABIO
Published: August 2005

The production of W bosons at large transverse momentum at the Tevatron is dominated by soft-gluon corrections. In this talk we present a calculation of these corrections at next-to-next-to-leading order. The corrections enhance the transverse momentum distribution of the W while reducing the scale dependence.
Prospects of a Search for Neutral, Long-Lived Particles using Photon Timing at CDF
Authors: WAGNER PETER , TOBACK DAVID
Published: August 2005

We present the prospects of searches for neutral, long-lived particles which decay to photons using their time of arrival measured with a newly installed EMTiming system at CDF. Using GMSB [Formula: see text] models we estimate the expected 95% confidence level exclusion regions as a function of the neutralino mass and lifetime. We find that a combination of single photon and diphoton analyses should allow the Tevatron in run II to easily extend the exclusion regions from ALEPH at LEP II, and cover parts of the theoretically favored [Formula: see text] GMSB parameter space.
Single- and Multi-Photon Events with Missing Energy in e+e- Collisions at LEP
Authors:   for the LEP Collaborations., GATAULLIN MARAT
Published: August 2005

A brief review of searches for physics beyond the Standard Model using single- and multi-photon events with missing energy at LEP is given here. These include searches for supersymmetry, large extra dimensions, and anomalous neutrino production. Recent results from all four LEP experiments are presented, including improved limits on the new scale of gravity for models with large extra dimensions and the most precise direct measurement of the number of light neutrino species. Status and prospects of the LEP combined searches are also discussed.
SUSY SEARCHES USING THE ATLAS DETECTOR AT THE LHC
Authors:   on behalf of the ATLAS Collaboration., KRIEGER PETER W.
Published: August 2005

We discuss the status of preparations for SUSY searches at ATLAS. This includes inclusive techniques designed for discovery of SUSY via missing energy signatures, and prospects for measurements of SUSY model parameters such as sparticle masses. Results of the analysis of 5 fb-1 of fully simulated Monte Carlo data are shown.
COSMIC SUPERSTRINGS REVISITED
Authors: POLCHINSKI JOSEPH
Published: August 2005

It is possible that superstrings, as well as other one-dimensional branes, could have been produced in the early universe and then expanded to cosmic size today. I discuss the conditions under which this will occur, and the signatures of these strings. Such cosmic superstrings could be the brightest objects visible in gravitational wave astronomy, and might be distinguishable from gauge theory cosmic strings by their network properties.
PLANCK MASS PLASMA ANALOG OF STRING THEORY
Authors: WINTERBERG F.
Published: August 2005

In recent years there had been a growing interest in analog models of general relativity, with certain superfluid solutions simulating black hole solutions of Einstein's gravitational field equation. The quantization of a superfluid, composed of discrete particles (helium atoms), treated as a nonrelativistic many body problem does not lead to divergencies as the quantization of Einstein's field equations. Quantization of gravity is possible in string theory, but only if one introduces the daring hypothesis of higher dimensions. But if the gravitational field is made up of discrete elements as superfluid helium is made up of helium atoms, then gravity can be quantized without difficulty in three space and one time dimension. Such a hypothesis, of course, implies that Lorentz invariance is a dynamic symmetry caused by real rod and clock deformations, as it was assumed in the pre-Einstein theory of relativity by Lorentz and Poincaré, which required the existence of an aether. Making the hypothesis that this aether is a kind of superfluid plasma made up of positive and negative Planck mass particles interacting with the Planck force over a Planck length, one obtains an analog of the standard model, including gravity, which can be quantized as a nonrelativistic many body problem. In this model nonrelativistic vortex rings in three space dimensions and one time dimension simulate the relativistic theory of closed strings in ten space-time dimensions. But because in the vortex lattice, one obtains a large dimensionless number conceivably advancing our understanding of the finestructure constant.
Semileptonic decays of D, B, K mesons and the full CKM matrix from unquenched lattice QCD
Authors:   for the Fermilab Lattice, MILC, and HPQCD Collaborations., Okamoto Masataka
Published: August 2005

We use lattice QCD to fully determine the CKM matrix. |Vcd|, |Vcs|, |Vub|, |Vcb| and |Vus| are, respectively, directly determined with our lattice results for form factors of semileptonic D → πlν, D → Klν, B → πlν, B → Dlν and K → πlν decays. The accuracy is comparable to that of the Particle Data Group averages. In addition, |Vud|, |Vtb|, |Vts| and |Vtd| are determined by using unitarity of the CKM matrix and the experimental result for sin (2β). In this way, we obtain all 9 CKM matrix elements, where the only theoretical input is lattice QCD.
Effective Abelian-Higgs Theory from SU(2) gauge field theory
Authors: DZHUNUSHALIEV VLADIMIR , SINGLETON DOUGLAS , DHOKARH DANNY
Published: August 2005

In the present work we show that it is possible to arrive at a Ginzburg-Landau (GL) like equation from pure SU (2) gauge theory. This has a connection to the dual superconducting model for color confinement where color flux tubes permanently bind quarks into color neutral states. The GL Lagrangian with a spontaneous symmetry breaking potential, has such (Nielsen-Olesen) flux tube solutions. The spontaneous symmetry breaking requires a tachyonic mass for the effective scalar field. Such a tachyonic mass term is obtained from the condensation of ghost fields.
MEASUREMENT OF CP ASYMMETRY IN $B^0 \to f_0 K^0_S$, B0 → ϕK0 AND $B^0 \to K^+K^-K^0_S$ DECAYS
Authors:   On behalf of the BaBar Collaboration., KUTTER PAUL E.
Published: August 2005

We present results on time-dependent CP asymmetries in [Formula: see text] and B0 → K+K-K0. The measurements use a data sample consisting of approximately [Formula: see text] and 227(B0 → K+K-K0) million B-meson pairs recorded at the ϒ(4S) resonance with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B-meson Factory at SLAC. From a time-dependent maximum likelihood fit, we measure for [Formula: see text]: the mixing-induced CP violation parameter [Formula: see text] and the direct CP violation parameter Cf0K = -0.24 ± 0.31 ( stat ) ± 0.15 ( syst ). From a simultaneous fit to [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] decays, we find: [Formula: see text] and CϕK = 0.00 ± 0.23 ( stat ) ± 0.05 ( syst ). For [Formula: see text] decays with [Formula: see text] decays excluded, we find: [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. From the [Formula: see text] decays with [Formula: see text] decays excluded, we extract the fraction of CP-even final states from angular moments feven = 0.89 ± 0.08 ± 0.06.
DALITZ PLOT ANALYSES OF CHARMLESS B DECAYS
Authors:   On Behalf of the BABAR Collaboration., YU ZHITANG
Published: August 2005

We present preliminary results of maximum-likelihood Dalitz plot analyses performed by the BABAR Collaboration of the charmless hadronic decays B0 → K+π-π0, B+ → K+π-π+, and B+ → π+π-π+. We report inclusive decay rates, as well as fractions and phases for intermediate resonant decays. We also report CP-violating charge asymmetries for intermediate resonant decays of neutral B mesons.
CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM LIMITS IN BOHMIAN QUANTUM COSMOLOGY
Authors: SHOJAI FATIMAH , SHIRINIFARD ABBAS
Published: August 2005

In this paper we have investigated the classical limit in Bohmian quantum cosmology. It is observed that in the quantum regime where the quantum potential is greater than the classical one, one has an expansion in terms of negative powers of the Planck constant. But in the classical limit there are regions having positive powers of the Planck constant, and regions having negative powers and also regions having both. The conclusion is that the Bohmian classical limit cannot be obtained by letting the Planck constant goes to zero.
INFERRING PROTEIN-PROTEIN INTERACTIONS FROM MESSENGER RNA EXPRESSION PROFILES WITH SVM
Authors: CAI JUN , HUANG YING , JI LIANG , LI YANDA
Published: August 2005

In post-genomic biology, researchers in the field of proteome focus their attention on the networks of protein interactions that control the lives of cells and organisms. Protein-protein interactions play a useful role in dynamic cellular machinery. In this paper, we developed a method to infer protein-protein interactions based on the theory of support vector machine (SVM). For a given pair of proteins, a new strategy of calculating cross-correlation function of mRNA expression profiles was used to encode SVM vectors. We compared the performance with other methods of inferring protein-protein interaction. Results suggested that, through five-fold cross validation, our SVM model achieved a good prediction. It enables us to show that expression profiles in transcription level can be used to distinguish physical or functional interactions of proteins as well as sequence contents. Lastly, we applied our SVM classifier to evaluate data quality of interaction data sets from four high-throughput experiments. The results show that high-throughput experiments sacrifice some accuracy in determination of interactions because of limitation of experiment technologies.
SYMMETRIZATION AND MINIMAX PRINCIPLES
Authors: VAN SCHAFTINGEN JEAN
Published: August 2005

We develop a method to prove that some critical levels for functionals invariant by symmetry obtained by minimax methods without any symmetry constraint are attained by symmetric critical points. It is used to investigate the symmetry properties of solutions of elliptic partial differential equations with Dirichlet or Neumann boundary conditions. It is also an alternative to concentration-compactness for some symmetric elliptic problems.
LINEAR VS. NONLINEAR EFFECTS FOR NONLINEAR SCHRÖDINGER EQUATIONS WITH POTENTIAL
Authors: CARLES RÉMI
Published: August 2005

We review some recent results on nonlinear Schrödinger equations with potential, with emphasis on the case where the potential is a second order polynomial, for which the interaction between the linear dynamics caused by the potential, and the nonlinear effects, can be described quite precisely. This includes semi-classical régimes, as well as finite time blow-up and scattering issues. We present the tools used for these problems, as well as their limitations, and outline the arguments of the proofs.
Simulation of Dendritic CaV1.3 Channels in Cat Lumbar Motoneurons: Spatial Distribution
Authors: ElBasiouny Sherif M. , Bennett David J. , Mushahwar Vivian K.
Published: August 2005

We used computer simulations to study the dendritic spatial distribution of low voltage-activated L-type calcium (CaV1.3 type) channels, which mediate hysteretic persistent inward current (PIC) in spinal motoneurons. This study was prompted by the growing experimental evidence of the functional interactions between synaptic inputs and active conductances over the motoneuron dendritic tree. A compartmental cable model of an adult cat α-motoneuron was developed in NEURON simulation environment constituting the detailed morphology of type-identified triceps surae α-motoneuron and realistic distribution of group Ia afferent-to-motoneuron contacts. Simulations of different distributions of CaV1.3 channels were conducted and the resultant behavior was compared to experimental data. Our results suggest that CaV1.3 channels do not uniformly cover the whole motoneuron dendritic tree. Instead, their distribution is similar to that of synaptic contacts. We found that CaV1.3 channels are primarily localized to a wide intermediate band overlapping with the dendritic Ia-synaptic territory at dendritic distances of 300 to 850 μm (0.62 ± 0.21λ) from the soma in triceps surae α-motoneurons. These findings explain the functional interaction between synaptic inputs and the CaV1.3 channels over the motoneuron dendritic tree.
Preliminary Results of Suburothelial Injection of Botulinum A Toxin in the Treatment of Chronic Interstitial Cystitis
Authors: Kuo Hann-Chorng
Published: August 2005

Purpose: Treatment of interstitial cystitis is usually not successful in eradicating bladder pain and increased bladder capacity. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of suburothelial injection of botulinum A toxin in patients with chronic interstitial cystitis. Methods: Eight women and 2 men with chronic interstitial cystitis who had failed conventional treatments were enrolled in this study. In 5 patients, 100 units of botulinum A toxin was injected suburothelially into 20 sites, and an additional 100 units was injected into the trigone in the other 5 patients. Therapeutic outcome including functional bladder capacity, number of daily urinations, bladder pain, and urodynamic changes were compared between baseline and 3 months after treatment. Results: In 2 patients bladder pain and urinary frequency were improved 3 months after treatment. Mild difficulty in urination was reported by 7 patients. Functional bladder capacity recorded in a voiding diary was significantly increased (155 ± 26.3 vs. 77 ± 27.1 ml, p < 0.001), and the frequency of daily urinations (18 ± 7.7 vs. 24.2 ± 10.3, p = 0.025) and the pain score (2.4 ± 1.6 vs. 3.2 ± 1.1, p = 0.003) were mildly but significantly reduced after treatment. Only the cystometric capacity improved significantly (287 ± 115 vs. 210 ± 63.8 ml, p = 0.05) in urodynamic results. Trigonal injection had no therapeutic effect on symptom or urodynamic improvement. No adverse effect was reported. Conclusions: The clinical result of suburothelial botulinum A toxin injection was disappointing. None of the patients was symptom free and only a limited improvement in bladder capacity and pain score was achieved in 2 patients.
Stroke Units, Tissue Plasminogen Activator, Aspirin and Neuroprotection: Which Stroke Intervention Could Provide the Greatest Community Benefit?
Authors: Gilligan Amanda K. , Thrift Amanda G. , Sturm Jonathan W. , Dewey Helen M. , Macdonell Richard A.L. , Donnan Geoffrey A.
Published: August 2005

Background: Although a number of acute stroke interventions are of proven efficacy, there is uncertainty about their community benefits. We aimed to assess this within a defined population. Methods: Eligibility for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), aspirin, stroke unit management and neuroprotection were assessed among incident stroke cases within the community-based North East Melbourne Stroke Incidence Study. Results: Among 306,631 people, there were 645 incident strokes managed in hospital. When eligible patients were extrapolated to the Australian population, for every 1,000 cases, 46 (95% CI 17–69) could have been saved from death or dependency with stroke unit management, 6 (95% CI 1–11) by using aspirin, 11 (95% CI 5–17) or 10 (95% CI 3–16) by using tPA at 3 and 6 h, respectively. Conclusions: Although tPA is the most potent intervention, management in stroke units has the greatest population benefit and should be a priority.
Fatigue at Long-Term Follow-Up in Young Adults with Cerebral Infarction
Authors: Naess Halvor , Nyland Harald I. , Thomassen Lars , Aarseth Jan , Myhr Kjell-Morten
Published: August 2005

Background: To study the impact of fatigue in young ischaemic stroke patients. Methods: The Fatigue Severity Scale score was obtained in 192 patients (mean time 6.0 years after the stroke) and 212 controls. Results: Fatigue was associated with cerebral infarction in a multivariate analysis of patients and controls (p = 0.002). Fatigue was independently associated with unfavourable functional outcome (p = 0.001), depression (p < 0.001), and basilar artery infarction through interaction with the modified Rankin Scale score (p = 0.047) in patients. Conclusion: Fatigue is frequent in young adults with cerebral infarction. Stroke-related factors independently associated with fatigue include functional outcome. Stroke location may influence fatigue.
Genetic Risk Factors of Amyloidogenesis in Familial Mediterranean Fever
Authors: Delibaş Ali , Öner Ayşe , Balcı Banu , Demircin Gülay , Bülbül Mehmet , Bek Kenan , Erdoğan Özlem , Baysun Şahika , Yilmaz Engin
Published: August 2005

Background/Aims: Evaluation of the risk factors, and phenotype-genotype correlation of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) gene (MEFV) and serum amyloid A1 (SAA1) gene polymorphisms in renal amyloidosis. Methods: We investigated MEFV and SAA1 genotypes (α, β, and γ isoforms) in 50 FMF patients and 50 healthy children. Tel-Hashomer criteria were used for the diagnosis and severity scoring of FMF. Results: The most common MEFV mutation and SAA1 genotype were M694V/M694V (n = 26/50) and SAA1 α/α (n = 26/50), respectively. Positive family history for amyloidosis was significantly higher (p < 0.001) with more severe clinical course (p = 0.006) in the amyloidosis group than the non-amyloid group. In M694V/M694V mutation, erysipelas-like skin erythema (p = 0.029), arthritis (p = 0.004), arthralgia (p < 0.001) were significantly more frequent with higher severity scores (p = 0.008) than the patients with other mutations. Comparison of the SAA1 α/α genotype with other genotypes revealed more frequent arthritis (p = 0.003) in the SAA1 α/α genotype. In amyloidosis group patients having both M694V/M694V and SAA1 α/α genotypes were the largest subgroup (n = 14, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis for amyloidosis corrected risk revealed a 1.2 times increase in M694V/M694V, a 2.4 times increase in SAA1 α/α genotypes and a 2.5 times increase when both are together. Conclusion: Positive family history for amyloidosis and presence of SAA1 α/α genotype in M694V/M694V mutation may predispose to amyloidosis by increasing the clinical severity. Therefore, in such children early colchicine treatment might be recommended even if they are asymptomatic.
Urinary Liver-Type Fatty Acid-Binding Protein: Discrimination between IgA Nephropathy and Thin Basement Membrane Nephropathy
Authors: Nakamura Tsukasa , Sugaya Takeshi , Ebihara Isao , Koide Hikaru
Published: August 2005

Background: Microscopic hematuria without proteinuria is a common clinical finding in cases of immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy and of thin basement membrane nephropathy. Liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) is expressed in renal proximal tubules and is reported to be a useful marker of the progression of chronic glomerulonephritis. Aim: To assess urinary L-FABP levels for differential diagnosis in patients with microscopic hematuria but without proteinuria. Methods: This was a multi-center retrospective study. Thirty adult patients who underwent renal biopsy for microscopic hematuria and 20 healthy adult volunteers were included in this study. Urinary L-FABP levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared, particularly between those diagnosed with IgA nephropathy and those diagnosed with thin basement membrane nephropathy. Results: Twelve (40%) patients had IgA nephropathy, 6 (20%) had thin basement membrane nephropathy and 12 (40%) had normal biopsy findings. The urinary L-FABP level was significantly higher in patients with IgA nephropathy (38.4 ± 26.8 µg/g Cr) than in healthy subjects (5.8 ± 4.0 µg/g Cr) (p < 0.01); however, the level in patients with thin basement membrane nephropathy or normal biopsy results was comparable to that in healthy subjects. Follow-up data were available for 11 of the 12 patients with IgA nephropathy who initially had no proteinuria. After 24 months, 4 of the 11 were found to have proteinuria, and the urinary L-FABP level had increased from 40.6 ± 30.5 µg/g Cr to 58.8 ± 40.5 µg/g Cr (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our data suggest that the urinary L-FABP level can be used to discriminate between IgA nephropathy and thin basement membrane nephropathy in patients with microscopic hematuria.
The Use of Multiple Evaluation Approaches in Program Evaluation
Authors: Bledsoe Katrina L. , Graham James A.
Published: August 2005

The authors discuss the use of multiple evaluation approaches in conducting program evaluations. Specifically, they illustrate four evaluation approaches (theory-driven, consumer-based, empowerment, and inclusive evaluation) and briefly discuss a fifth (use-focused evaluation) as a side effect of the use of the others. The authors also address the usefulness of a multimethod research design with these approaches, especially in developing responsive evaluations (to both communities and organizations). Finally, the authors address some of the benefits and challenges of working with the four different evaluative approaches in a community program, and they discuss the value of using multiple approaches in the evaluation field.
Concept Mapping as a Technique for Program Theory Development
Authors: Rosas Scott R.
Published: August 2005

The emergence of theory-driven evaluation has drawn attention to the need for practical ways for evaluators to construct program theory to achieve the benefits of the approach. This article illustrates the use of concept mapping as a technique to explicate underlying program theory in the context of family support programs. In this example, 29 professional staff members from a statewide family support program brainstormed 96 specific benefits for participant families. Fourteen direct service staff members sorted and rated the items and interpreted the map produced by multidimensional scaling analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. Some of the benefits of the technique for evaluators conducting theory-driven evaluations are highlighted. These include helping evaluators decide what to measure, capturing the complexity of programs in the context of implementation, and managing good stakeholder-evaluator relations. The general limitations and issues of concept mapping as it applies to theory development are also discussed.