bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Burma and U.S. Sanctions: Punishing an Authoritarian Regime
Authors: Seekins Donald M.
Published: June 2005

Sanctions imposed by the U.S. government against Burma in July 2003 have caused hardship for ordinary Burmese people without significantly impacting the State Peace and Development Council military regime. A new approach is needed in dealing with Burma that recognizes the shortcomings of both sanctions and “constructive engagement.”
The Political Logic of Economic Crisis in South Korea
Authors: Kim Jung
Published: June 2005

This article identifies the causal mechanisms for the 1997 economic crisis in South Korea. Focusing on constitutional design and electoral cycle, the analysis specifies institutional incentive structures that induced contradictory political behavior by the president and legislators. The economic crisis is thus explained by political dynamics.
Brahms's "Wiegenlied" and the Maternal Voice
Authors: Bottge Karen
Published: June 2005

Brahms's familiar "Wiegenlied" op. 49, no. 4 (1868) is emblematic of numerous nineteenth-century compositions that sonorously enact idealized images of the mother and child. Its back and forth harmonic movement imitates the phenomenal sensation of rocking, and its interlocking syncopations support and interact with the emotive declamation of the singer's voice. Because its musical features are so easily accessible, the "Wiegenlied" has escaped music-analytical attention, its deceptive simplicity seemingly transparent to our music-theoretical gaze. Yet, certain aspects of this music render our familiar analytical or critical strategies inadequate for explaining the intuitions we have about it, aspects that suggest tracing their connections within a broader cultural and musical context. My discussion of the lullaby draws from a number of cultural theorists--among them Friedrich Kittler, Michel Chion, Gilles DeLeuze, Flix Guattari, and Theodor W. Adorno--to theorize the power of the mother's voice (la voix maternelle) in forming lifelong vocal and musical connections. I provide a close reading of Alexander Baumann's "S'is Anderscht" (1842), the Austrian vocal duet that inspired Brahms's composition of the lullaby, and a critical comparison of it with the lullaby. Finally, after uncovering latent etymological sources of several key words in the lullaby's text, I offer a hermeneutic re-reading of the poem, one that ultimately undermines our casual assumptions of this simple childhood song.
FSH and testosterone signaling in Sertoli cells
Authors: Walker William H , Cheng Jing
Published: June 2005

Testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) are required to obtain full reproductive potential. In the testis, somatic Sertoli cells transduce signals from testosterone and FSH into the production of factors that are required by germ cells as they mature into spermatozoa. Recent advances in identifying new signaling pathways that are regulated by FSH and testosterone have allowed for refinement in the understanding of the independent, overlapping and synergistic actions of these hormones. In this review, we discuss the signaling pathways that are regulated by FSH and testosterone as well as the resulting metabolic and gene expression changes that occur as related to Sertoli cell proliferation, differentiation and the support of spermatogenesis.
Cytoskeleton localization in the sperm head prior to fertilization
Authors: Dvořáková Kateřina , Moore Harry D M , Šebková Nataša , Paleček Jiří
Published: June 2005

Three major cytoskeletal proteins, actin, tubulin and spectrin, are present in the head of mammalian spermatozoa. Although cytoskeletal proteins are implicated in the regulation of capacitation and the acrosome reaction (AR), their exact role remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to compare the distribution of the sperm head cytoskeleton before and after the AR in spermatozoa representing a range of acrosome size and shape. Spermatozoa from the human and three rodents (rat, hamster and grey squirrel) were fixed before and after the AR in appropriate mediumin vitro. Indirect immunofluorescent localization of cytoskeletal proteins was undertaken with antibodies recognizing actin, spectrin and α-tubulin. Preparations were counterstained with propidium iodide and examined by epifluorescent and confocal microscopy. Our results clearly demonstrated changes in localization of cytoskeleton during the AR, mainly in the apical acrosome with further changes to the equatorial segment and post-acrosomal regions. The pattern of cytoskeletal proteins in the sperm head of all the species was similar in respect to various sub-compartments. These observations indicated that the sperm head cortical cytoskeleton exhibits significant changes during the AR and, therefore, support the image of cytoskeletal proteins as highly dynamic structures participating actively in processes prior to fertilization.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) blockade of bovine preimplantation embryogenesis requires inhibition of both p38 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways
Authors: Madan Pavneesh , Calder Michele D , Watson Andrew J
Published: June 2005

Blastocyst formation, as a critical period during development, is an effective indicator of embryonic health and reproductive efficiency. Out of a number of mechanisms underlying blastocyst formation, highly conserved mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling has emerged as a major mechanism involved in regulating murine preimplantation embryo development. The objective of our study was to ascertain the role of MAPK signaling in regulating bovine development to the blastocyst stage. Using reverse transcriptase PCR and immunohistochemical staining procedures we have demonstrated that mRNA transcripts and polypeptides encoding p38 MAPK pathway constituents are detectable in preimplantation bovine embryos from the one-cell to the blastocyst stage. Further, the effects on bovine embryo development following inhibition of p38 α/β and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling by treatment with SB220025 and U0126, respectively, were investigated. Eight-cell bovine embryos (50 per group; three replicates) were placed into treatments consisting of synthetic oviductal fluid (SOF) medium: SOF + SB202474 (inactive analogue), SOF + SB220025, SOF + U0124 (inactive analogue), SOF + U0126, and SOF + SB220025 + U0126. Inhibition of p38 MAPK or ERK signaling individually did not affect development to the blastocyst stage. However, when both pathways were blocked simultaneously there was a significant reduction (P< 0.05) in blastocyst formation, cell number and immunofluorescence of phosphorylated downstream pathway constituents. We have determined that, in variance to what was observed during murine preimplantation development, bovine early embryos progress at normal frequencies to the blastocyst stage in the presence of p38 MAPK inhibitors.
STERILIZED in the Name of Public Health
Authors: Stern Alexandra Minna
Published: June 2005

In exploring the history of involuntary sterilization in California, I connect the approximately 20 000 operations performed on patients in state institutions between 1909 and 1979 to the federally funded procedures carried out at a Los Angeles County hospital in the early 1970s.

Highlighting the confluence of factors that facilitated widespread sterilization abuse in the early 1970s, I trace prosterilization arguments predicated on the protection of public health.

This historical overview raises important questions about the legacy of eugenics in contemporary California and relates the past to recent developments in health care delivery and genetic screening.
Injuries at Work in the US Adult Population: Contributions to the Total Injury Burden
Authors: Smith Gordon S. , Wellman Helen M. , Sorock Gary S. , Warner Margaret , Courtney Theodore K. , Pransky Glenn S. , Fingerhut Lois A.
Published: June 2005

Objectives. We estimated the contribution of nonfatal work-related injuries on the injury burden among working-age adults (aged 18–64 years) in the United States.

Methods. We used the 1997–1999 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to estimate injury rates and proportions of work-related vs non–work-related injuries.

Results. An estimated 19.4 million medically treated injuries occurred annually to working-age adults (11.7 episodes per 100 persons; 95% confidence interval [CI]=11.3, 12.1); 29%, or 5.5 million (4.5 per 100 persons; 95% CI=4.2, 4.7), occurred at work and varied by gender, age, and race/ethnicity. Among employed persons, 38% of injuries occurred at work, and among employed men aged 55–64 years, 49% of injuries occurred at work.

Conclusions. Injuries at work comprise a substantial part of the injury burden, accounting for nearly half of all injuries in some age groups. The NHIS provides an important source of population-based data with which to determine the work relatedness of injuries. Study estimates of days away from work after injury were 1.8 times higher than the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) workplace-based estimates and 1.4 times as high as BLS estimates for private industry. The prominence of occupational injuries among injuries to working-age adults reinforces the need to examine workplace conditions in efforts to reduce the societal impact of injuries.
Which Patients First? Setting Priorities for Antiretroviral Therapy Where Resources Are Limited
Authors: McGough Laura J. , Reynolds Steven J. , Quinn Thomas C. , Zenilman Jonathan M.
Published: June 2005

The availability of limited funds from international agencies for the purchase of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment in developing countries presents challenges, especially in prioritizing who should receive therapy. Public input and the protection of human rights are crucial in making treatment programs equitable and accountable. By examining historical precedents of resource allocation, we aim to provoke and inform debate about current ARV programs.

Through a critical review of the published literature, we evaluate 4 precedents for key lessons: the discovery of insulin for diabetes in 1922, the release of penicillin for civilian use in 1943, the development of chronic hemodialysis programs in 1961, and current allocation of liver transplants. We then describe current rationing mechanisms for ARVs.
Public Health Nurses for Virginia’s Future: A Collaborative Project to Increase the Number of Nursing Students Choosing a Career in Public Health Nursing
Authors: Moon Martha W. , Henry JoAnne K. , Connelly Karen , Kirsch Phyllis
Published: June 2005

A shift in the role of public health practice in the United States to population-focused care, together with demographic shifts increasing the diversity and age of the population, has created a need for a public health workforce more highly skilled in community and population-based practices. Despite this need, few changes have been made in the pattern of field placements for nursing students, in part because many public health nurses in population-focused roles are unfamiliar with models of successful student fieldwork in their areas.

We describe the Public Health Nurses for Virginia’s Future project, a successful project undertaken by nurse educators and public health leaders to increase the number of highly qualified graduates working in state and local health departments.
Ethical Goals of Community Consultation in Research
Authors: Dickert Neal , Sugarman Jeremy
Published: June 2005

In response to the traditional emphasis on the rights, interests, and well-being of individual research subjects, there has been growing attention focused on the importance of involving communities in research development and approval.

Community consultation is a particularly common method of involving communities. However, the fundamental ethical goals of community consultation have not been delineated, which makes it difficult for investigators, sponsors, and institutional review boards to design and evaluate consultation efforts.

Community consultation must be tailored to the communities in which it is conducted, but the purposes of consultation—the ethical goals it is designed to achieve—should be universal. We propose 4 ethical goals that give investigators, sponsors, institutional review boards, and communities a framework for evaluating community consultation processes.
CINRG randomized controlled trial of creatine and glutamine in Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Escolar Diana M. , Buyse Gunnar , Henricson Erik , Leshner Robert , Florence Julaine , Mayhew Jill , Tesi‐Rocha Carolina , Gorni Ksenija , Pasquali Livia , Patel Kantilal M. , McCarter Robert , Huang Jennifer , Mayhew Thomas , Bertorini Tulio , Carlo Jose , Connolly Anne M. , Clemens Paula R. , Goemans Nathalie , Iannaccone Susan T. , Igarashi Masanori , Nevo Yoram , Pestronk Alan , Subramony S. H. , Vedanarayanan V. V. , Wessel Henry ,   CINRG Goup
Published: June 2005

We tested the efficacy and safety of glutamine (0.6gm/kg/day) and creatine (5gm/day) in 50 ambulant boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy in a 6‐month, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Drug efficacy was tested by measuring muscle strength manually (34 muscle groups) and quantitatively (10 muscle groups). Timed functional tests, functional parameters, and pulmonary function tests were secondary outcome measures. Although there was no statistically significant effect of either therapy based on manual and quantitative measurements of muscle strength, a disease‐modifying effect of creatine in older Duchenne muscular dystrophy and creatine and glutamine in younger Duchenne muscular dystrophy cannot be excluded. Creatine and glutamine were well tolerated. Ann Neurol 2005;58:151–155
Increased levels of serum protein oxidation and correlation with disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Morgan Philip E. , Sturgess Allan D. , Davies Michael J.
Published: June 2005

Objective

To examine protein oxidation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to correlate levels of protein oxidation products with disease activity.

Methods

Serum was collected from SLE patients and healthy control subjects. Protein‐bound carbonyls and the pro‐oxidant enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Protein thiols were quantified using 5,5′‐dithionitrobenzoic acid. Protein‐bound amino acids and methionine, tyrosine, and phenylalanine oxidation products were quantified by acid hydrolysis and high‐performance liquid chromatography. Disease activity was assessed by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Levels of anti–double‐stranded DNA (anti‐dsDNA) antibodies were measured by radioimmunoassay.

Results

Compared with control subjects, SLE patients exhibited elevated levels of protein carbonyls (0.108 ± 0.078 versus 0.064 ± 0.028 nmoles/mg of protein; P = 0.046), decreased levels of protein thiols (3.9 ± 1.1 versus 4.9 ± 0.7 nmoles/mg of protein; P = 0.003), decreased levels of protein‐bound methionine (P = 0.0007), and increased levels of protein‐bound methionine sulfoxide (P = 0.0043) and 3‐nitrotyrosine (P = 0.0477). SLE patients with high SLEDAI scores or elevated anti‐dsDNA antibody levels exhibited increased oxidation compared with patients with low SLEDAI scores or low antibody levels. Serum MPO levels were decreased in SLE patients (P = 0.03), suggesting that this enzyme is not responsible for the enhanced protein oxidation.

Conclusion

We found elevated levels of multiple markers of protein oxidation in sera from SLE patients compared with controls, and these levels correlated with disease activity. The findings suggest that protein oxidation may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic organ damage in SLE.
NF‐κB protects Behçet's disease T cells against CD95‐induced apoptosis up‐regulating antiapoptotic proteins
Authors: Todaro Matilde , Zerilli Monica , Triolo Giovanni , Iovino Flora , Patti Mariella , Accardo‐Palumbo Antonina , Gaudio Francesca di , Turco Maria Caterina , Petrella Antonello , Maria Ruggero de , Stassi Giorgio
Published: June 2005

Objective

To determine whether prolongation of the inflammatory reaction in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) is related to apoptosis resistance and is associated with the up‐regulation of antiapoptotic factors.

Methods

The percentage of cell death was evaluated by flow cytometry in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 35 patients with BD and 30 healthy volunteers. The expression levels of antiapoptotic factors and NF‐κB regulatory proteins were measured using Western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses. To down‐regulate NF‐κB nuclear translocation, BD T lymphocytes were exposed in vitro to thalidomide and subjected to transfection with NF‐κB small interfering RNA.

Results

Although CD95 is highly expressed in BD T cells, the absence of sensitivity to CD95‐induced apoptosis observed may be attributable to the inhibitory action of antiapoptotic genes. Immunoblot analysis for major antiapoptotic proteins showed considerable up‐regulation of the short form of cellular FLIP (cFLIP) and Bcl‐xL in BD activated T cells, while levels of Bcl‐2, caspase 3, and caspase 8 in activated T cells from patients with BD were comparable with those in activated T cells from normal donors. Moreover, expression of IKK and IκB was up‐regulated, whereas NF‐κB translocated to the nucleus in BD T cells, suggesting that NF‐κB activation may modulate the expression of antiapoptotic genes. Interestingly, thalidomide and NF‐κB small interfering RNA down‐regulated cFLIP and Bcl‐xL expression levels and sensitized BD activated T cells to CD95‐induced apoptosis.

Conclusion

Taken together, these results indicate that NF‐κB contributes to the regulation of the apoptosis‐related factors and death receptors leading to apoptosis resistance in BD T cell subsets. Our results suggest that NF‐κB plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of BD, and that its pharmacologic control could represent a key strategy in modulating specific immune‐mediated disease.
Sociodemographic determinants of cancer treatment health literacy
Authors: Gansler Ted , Henley S. Jane , Stein Kevin , Nehl Eric J. , Smigal Carol , Slaughter Edwin
Published: June 2005

BACKGROUND

Ethnic and racial disparities in cancer outcomes are often attributed to sociodemographic factors, including income, education, insurance status, and access to quality cancer care. Less attention has been directed toward other possible contributors, such as misconceptions about cancer and its treatment.

METHODS

Nine hundred fifty‐seven U.S. adults who reported that they had never been diagnosed with cancer were identified and surveyed using a random digit dialing telephone survey. Sociodemographic associations with endorsement of five misconceptions about cancer treatment were evaluated by weighted logistic regression.

RESULTS

The most prevalent misconception, “Treating cancer with surgery can cause it to spread throughout the body,” was endorsed as true by 41% of the respondents. The second most prevalent misconception, “The medical industry is withholding a cure for cancer from the public in order to increase profits, ” was identified as true by 27%. The statement, “Pain medications are ineffective against cancer pain, ” was accurately rejected by 68% of the respondents, and 89% of the respondents correctly disagreed with the statement, “All you need to beat cancer is a positive attitude, not treatment. ” Eighty‐seven percent of the respondents were able to identify the statement, “Cancer is something that cannot be effectively treated,” as false. Respondents who were older, nonwhite, Southern, or indicated being less informed about cancer endorsed the most misconceptions.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of at least three of the five cancer misconceptions was unacceptably high, and varied by several sociodemographic factors. These beliefs may increase the risk for cancer morbidity and mortality because of poor adherence to treatment regimens. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
A rejuvenation method for poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide)‐coated glass microfluidic chips
Authors: Ma Rubin , Crabtree H. John , Backhouse Christopher J.
Published: June 2005

As microfluidic chips come to integrate the higher levels of functionality required for the implementation of advanced bioanalytical protocols, a crucial factor is that of cost. Although glass chips provide advantages in multilayer integrations, their cost is far higher than that of polymer chips. However, a simple and effective rejuvenation protocol for glass microchips may enable higher levels of integration and functionality on glass microchips. Here we present a method to rejuvenate glass microchips that had been used for capillary electrophoresis to the extent that their performance was degraded. This degradation was due to one of the two mechanisms: (i) a deterioration of the polymer coating on the inner surface of the microchannel or (ii) an aging of the glass substrate. Using the method presented here, we have rejuvenated more than 50 such “aged” microchips. The performance of these microchips was fully restored after the rejuvenation and lasted for hundreds of DNA separation runs. Our experiments indicate that the loss of resolution in microchip separations was not associated with glass aging, but was due to the degradation of the polymer coating on the inner surface of microchannels. This suggests that it is possible to extend the microchip lifetime “forever” using the rejuvenation protocol and that the exploration of higher levels of integration and functionality on glass microchips (or of hybrid structures involving materials capable of withstanding the reagents and elevated temperatures used) is feasible.
Benchmark dose estimation based on epidemiologic cohort data
Authors: Morales Knashawn H. , Ryan Louise M.
Published: June 2005

Risk assessments based on epidemiologic studies are becoming increasingly common in evaluating environmental health risks and setting health standards. This article will discuss and compare some of the available methods for exposure–response modeling and risk estimation based on environmental epidemiologic studies with age‐specific incidence and mortality data. Recommendations will be made regarding approaches that can be used in practice. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling and predicting complex space–time structures and patterns of coastal wind fields
Authors: Fuentes Montserrat , Chen Li , Davis Jerry M. , Lackmann Gary M.
Published: June 2005

A statistical technique is developed for wind field mapping that can be used to improve either the assimilation of surface wind observations into a model initial field or the accuracy of post‐processing algorithms run on meteorological model output. The observed wind field at any particular location is treated as a function of the true (but unknown) wind and measurement error. The wind field from numerical weather prediction models is treated as a function of a linear and multiplicative bias and a term which represents random deviations with respect to the true wind process. A Bayesian approach is taken to provide information about the true underlying wind field, which is modeled as a stochastic process with a non‐stationary and non‐separable covariance. The method is applied to forecast wind fields from a widely used mesoscale numerical weather prediction (NWP) model (MM5). The statistical model tests are carried out for the wind speed over the Chesapeake Bay and the surrounding region for 21 July 2002. Coastal wind observations that have not been used in the MM5 initial conditions or forecasts are used in conjunction with the MM5 forecast wind field (valid at the same time that the observations were available) in a post‐processing technique that combined these two sources of information to predict the true wind field. Based on the mean square error, this procedure provides a substantial correction to the MM5 wind field forecast over the Chesapeake Bay region. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tumor protein D52 (TPD52) is overexpressed and a gene amplification target in ovarian cancer
Authors: Byrne Jennifer A. , Balleine Rosemary L. , Fejzo Marlena Schoenberg , Mercieca Janelle , Chiew Yoke‐Eng , Livnat Yael , St. Heaps Luke , Peters Gregory B. , Byth Karen , Karlan Beth Y. , Slamon Dennis J. , Harnett Paul , Defazio Anna
Published: June 2005

Recurrent chromosome 8q gain in ovarian carcinoma is likely to reflect the existence of multiple target loci, as the separate gain of chromosome bands 8q21 and 8q24 has been reported in independent studies. Since tumor protein D52 (TPD52) has been identified as a chromosome 8q21 amplification target in breast and prostate carcinoma, we compared TPD52 expression in normal ovarian epithelium (n = 9), benign serous adenomas (n = 11), serous borderline tumors (n = 6) and invasive carcinomas of the major histologic subtypes (n = 57) using immunohistochemistry. These analyses revealed that all normal ovarian epithelium samples and benign serous tumors were predominantly TPD52‐negative, whereas TPD52 was overexpressed in most (44/57; 77%) ovarian carcinomas regardless of histologic subtype. TPD52 subcellular localization was predominantly cytoplasmic, although nuclear localization was also frequently observed in mucinous and clear cell carcinomas. In an independent cohort of stage III serous carcinomas (n = 18), we also directly compared in situ TPD52 expression using immunohistochemistry and TPD52 copy number using interphase FISH analyses. This revealed that TPD52 dosage and TPD52 expression were significantly positively correlated. TPD52 therefore represents a novel molecular marker in ovarian cancer, which is broadly expressed across the different histologic subtypes and whose upregulation frequently reflects increased TPD52 copy number. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
PPARγ‐dependent effects of conjugated linoleic acid on the human glioblastoma cell line (ADF)
Authors: Cimini AnnaMaria , Cristiano Loredana , Colafarina Sabrina , Benedetti Elisabetta , Di Loreto Silvia , Festuccia Claudio , Amicarelli Fernanda , Canuto Rosa Angela , Cerù Maria Paola
Published: June 2005

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to exert beneficial effects against carcinogenesis, atherosclerosis and diabetes. It has been demonstrated that CLA modulates lipid metabolism through the activation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs). The PPAR family comprises 3 closely related gene products, PPAR α, β/δ and γ, differing for tissue distribution, developmental expression and ligand specificity. It has also been demonstrated that activated PPARγ results in growth inhibition and differentiation of transformed cells. These observations stimulated a great interest toward PPARγ ligands as potential anticancer drugs to be used in a differentiation therapy. Glioblastomas are the most commonly diagnosed primary tumors of the brain in humans. The prognosis of patients with high‐grade gliomas is poor and only marginally improved by chemotherapy. The aim of this work was to study the effects of CLA and of a specific synthetic PPARγ ligand on cell growth, differentiation and death of a human glioblastoma cell line as well as on parameters responsible for the metastatic behavior of this tumor. We demonstrate here that CLA and PPARγ agonist strongly inhibit cell growth and proliferation rate and induce apoptosis. Moreover, both treatments decrease cell migration and invasiveness. The results obtained show that CLA acts, directly or indirectly, as a PPARγ activator, strongly suggesting that this naturally occurring fatty acid may be used as brain antitumor drug and as a chemopreventive agent. Moreover, the γ‐agonist, once experimented and validated on man, may represent a useful coadjuvant in glioblastoma therapy and in the prevention of recurrences. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A model for studying epithelial attachment and morphology at the interface between skin and percutaneous devices
Authors: Knowles Negar G. , Miyashita Yuko , Usui Marcia L. , Marshall Andrew J. , Pirrone Annalisa , Hauch Kip D. , Ratner Buddy D. , Underwood Robert A. , Fleckman Philip , Olerud John E.
Published: June 2005

Percutaneous devices are indispensable in modern medicine, yet complications from their use result in significant morbidity, mortality, and cost. Bacterial biofilm at the device exit site accounts for most infections in short‐term devices. We hypothesize that advanced biomaterials can be developed that facilitate attachment of skin cells to percutaneous devices, forming a seal to preclude bacterial invasion. To study the skin/biomaterial interface systematically, we first identified biomaterials with physical properties compatible with histological processing of skin. Second, we developed an organ culture system to study skin response to implants. Organ cultures implanted with porous poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [poly(HEMA)] or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) could easily be evaluated histologically with preservation of the skin/biomaterial interface. Epithelial cells migrated down the cut edges of the biomaterial in a pattern seen in marsupialization of percutaneous devices in vivo. This in vitro model maintains skin viability and allows histologic evaluation of the skin/biomaterial interface, making this a useful, inexpensive test‐bed for studies of epidermal attachment to modified biomaterials. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2005
De‐esterification of pectin by alkali, plant and fungal pectinmethylesterases and effect on molecular weight
Authors: Hunter Janice L , Wicker Louise
Published: June 2005

Commercial high methoxyl pectin was de‐esterified using chemical saponification or by pectinmethylesterases. A commercial fungal pectin methyl esterase (PME) (EC 3.1.1.11), free of polygalacturonase, or a citrus Valencia PME was used to de‐esterify pectin enzymatically to a targeted degree of esterification. The apparent molecular weight of pectin did not change by extended times of Valencia PME treatment and ranged from 154100 to 183500. Fungal PME‐modified pectins had moderately increased apparent molecular weight that ranged from 123900 to 169800. The increase in molecular weight was attributed to aggregation. The molecular weight of pectins that were de‐esterified by alkali decreased from about 156200 to 91200. Citrus Valencia or fungal PME modification alters the charge of pectin without loss of high molecular weight. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Detection and classification of latent defects and diseases on raw French fries with multispectral imaging
Authors: Noordam Jacco C , van den Broek Willie HAM , Buydens Lutgarde MC
Published: June 2005

This paper describes an application of both multispectral imaging and red/green/blue (RGB) colour imaging for the discrimination between different defect and diseases on raw French fries. Four different potato cultivars generally used for French fries production are selected from which fries are cut. Both multispectral images and RGB colour images are classified with parametric and non‐parametric classifiers. The effect of applying different preprocessing techniques on the spectra was also investigated. The best classification results in terms of accuracy, yield and purity are obtained with a modified version of standard normal variate (snv_mod) preprocessing for different classifiers and potato cultivars. The classification results of the multispectral images are compared with RGB images. The results show that the support vector classifier gives the best classification performance for the snv_mod preprocessed multispectral images and k‐nearest neighbours classifier gives the best classification performance for raw RGB images. The detection of the latent greening defect in French fries with the exploration of multispectral images shows the additional value of multispectral imaging for French fries. A comparison between the multispectral images and the RGB colour images confirms this since this type of defect is not visible in the colour images. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
Cover Picture: Macromol. Chem. Phys. 13/2005
Authors: Fritzinger Bernd , Scheler Ulrich
Published: June 2005

Cover: The figure shows the molar‐mass dependence of the hydrodynamic radius for a series of poly(amidoamine) dendrimers investigated by diffusion NMR, sketched at the bottom. The scaling exponent describing the use of space in the dendrimers growth is derived and it is found that, for the dendrimers with a tetrafunctional core, it exceeds the dimension of the embedding space, thus implying that the growth of the molecule is limited. Further details can be found in the Full Paper by B. Fritzinger and U. Scheler* on page 1288.
Steady states for polytropic equation of self‐gravitating gas
Authors: Raczyński Andrzej
Published: June 2005

The paper contains the results concerning the existence of stationary solutions to a non‐linear non‐local problem which describes behaviour of self‐interacting particles with polytropic density–pressure relationship assumed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The tanh method: a tool for solving certain classes of non‐linear PDEs
Authors: Malfliet W.
Published: June 2005

The tanh (or hyperbolic tangent) method is a powerful technique to look for travelling waves when dealing with one‐dimensional non‐linear wave and evolution equations. In particular, this method is well suited for those problems where dispersion, convection and reaction–diffusion play an important role. To show the strength of this method we study a coupled set (the so‐called Boussinesq equations) which arises in the theory of non‐linear dispersive water waves. As a result, a solitary wave profile is found which generalizes an earlier result, the famous Korteweg‐de Vries solitary wave solution. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Presence and maturity of dendritic cells in melanoma lymph node metastases
Authors: Polak Marta E , Johnson Penny , Palma Silvana Di , Higgins Bernie , Hurren Jeremy , Borthwick Nicola J , Jager Martine J , Mccormick Deirdre , Cree Ian A
Published: June 2005

Immune avoidance mechanisms play a key role in the successful dissemination of melanoma. One mechanism whereby this could be achieved is by interfering with dendritic cell (DC) presentation of tumour‐associated antigens to naïve T cells. In particular, immature DCs characterized by the absence of accessory molecules are known to be immunosuppressive and to be involved in the induction of tolerance. The present study has investigated the presence and activation status of DCs within melanoma metastases in the regional lymph nodes. Using image analysis techniques, the expression of Factor XIIIa (FXIIIa), CD40, CD83 and HLA‐DR and the morphological features of DCs were examined in paraffin sections from 26 lymph nodes containing melanoma metastases. DCs expressing FXIIIa were found in 70% of the lymph nodes. The number of DCs identified was generally small but there were more concentrated areas of DCs designated as hotspots. In these areas of high FXIIIa staining, the percentage area occupied by DCs varied between 0.1% and 10%. The majority of FXIIIa‐positive cells did not express the DC maturation markers CD83 or CD40 and morphologically were rounded with few dendrites, indicating that they were immature. The cells did, however, express high levels of HLA‐DR, suggesting that they have the ability to present antigen but lack the accessory molecules required to initiate an immune response. Immature DCs, characterized by phenotypic and morphological features, are therefore present within the tumour deposits in lymph nodes infiltrated by melanoma and may specifically modulate the anti‐melanoma immune response. Copyright © 2005 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic analysis of synaptosomes using isotope‐coded affinity tags and mass spectrometry
Authors: Schrimpf Sabine P. , Meskenaite Virginia , Brunner Erich , Rutishauser Dorothea , Walther Pascal , Eng Jimmy , Aebersold Ruedi , Sonderegger Peter
Published: June 2005

Synaptosomes are isolated synapses produced by subcellular fractionation of brain tissue. They contain the complete presynaptic terminal, including mitochondria and synaptic vesicles, and portions of the postsynaptic side, including the postsynaptic membrane and the postsynaptic density (PSyD). A proteomic characterisation of synaptosomes isolated from mouse brain was performed employing the isotope‐coded affinity tag (ICAT) method and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). After isotopic labelling and tryptic digestion, peptides were fractionated by cation exchange chromatography and cysteine‐containing peptides were isolated by affinity chromatography. The peptides were identified by microcapillary liquid chromatography‐electrospray ionisation MS/MS (μLC‐ESI MS/MS). In two experiments, peptides representing a total of 1131 database entries were identified. They are involved in different presynaptic and postsynaptic functions, including synaptic vesicle exocytosis for neurotransmitter release, vesicle endocytosis for synaptic vesicle recycling, as well as postsynaptic receptors and proteins constituting the PSyD. Moreover, a large number of soluble and membrane‐bound molecules serving functions in synaptic signal transduction and metabolism were detected. The results provide an inventory of the synaptic proteome and confirm the suitability of the ICAT method for the assessment of synaptic structure, function and plasticity.
Fair trade and ethical trade: are there moves towards convergence?
Authors: Smith Sally , Barrientos Stephanie
Published: June 2005

Fair trade and ethical trade have traditionally had quite different aims, scope and modalities, the former principally focused on terms of trade with small scale producers and the latter on working conditions in mainstream production. Global value chain analysis suggests that this coincided with different forms of governance in the chain: fair trade reflecting relational governance based on trust and mutual dependence, while ethical trade was incorporated into the industrial coordination of buyer‐driven, modular value chains. This paper explores the potential for greater synergy between the two as a result of recent developments, taking UK supermarket value chains as a case study. We conclude that convergence may occur in some supermarket chains, in a context of relational governance, while in others ethical trade and fair trade will remain inherently different. Whether and how convergence occurs will depend largely on the prevailing culture, values and strategies of the supermarket concerned. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
The role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the investigation of lactic acidosis and inborn errors of energy metabolism
Authors: Gadian D. G. , Leonard J. V.
Published: June 2005

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides a non‐invasive method of investigating disordered energy metabolismin vivo. Here, we briefly outline some MRS studies of skeletal muscle and brain metabolism that have been carried out in patients with inborn errors of energy metabolism. We concentrate in particular on the use of1H MRS for the detection of elevated brain lactate in these patients.
Liver enzyme activities in hyperphenylalaninaemia due to a defective synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterin
Authors: Dhondt J. ‐L. , Cotton R. G. H. , Danks D. M.
Published: June 2005

This report confirms the accumulation of neopterin and the low biopterin concentration in the liver of a “biopterin‐synthetase” deficient patient. Enzymatic studies suggest that the defect lies between the “X”‐compound (6‐pyruvoyl‐tetrahydropterin?) and tetrahydrobiopterin and that pterin found in the patient's liver arises from the “X”‐compound.
Brain amino acid abnormalities in pyruvate carboxylase deficiency
Authors: Perry T. L. , Haworth J. C. , Robinson B. H.
Published: June 2005

Amino acids were measured in several regions of autopsied brain from an infant who died with congenital lactic acidosis due to pyruvate carboxylase deficiency (McKusick 26615), as well as in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of four living infants with this disorder. Glutamine content was greatly reduced in all brain regions, while glutamic acid and proline contents were elevated. The γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) content was normal in brain. Glutamine concentrations in CSF and plasma were also decreased in the living patients. Glutamine may serve as a pool to provide glutamate and GABA for use as neurotransmitters, and to provide α‐ketoglutarate for the tricarboxylic acid cycle when oxaloacetate can no longer be formed directly from pyruvate.
Pipecolic acid levels in serum and urine from neonates and normal infants: Comparison with values reported in Zellweger syndrome
Authors: Govaerts L. , Trijbels F. , Monnens L. , van Raay‐Selten A.
Published: June 2005

Pipecolic acid (PA) excretion from normal newborn, preterm and/or small‐for‐dates infants has been determined and correlated with gestational age, sex and age after birth. An effect of fetal sex was not detectable. Only small‐for‐dates infants with a gestational age of >34–37 weeks had a lower urinary excretion of PA than the appropriate‐for‐dates infants with the same gestational age. Preterm infants had a higher excretion of PA than term neonates. PA excretion of infants decreases with age after birth. This higher excretion in “younger” infants can be explained by a higher serum concentration and less efficient tubular reabsorption. PA level in serum and urine remains a valuable tool for the confirmation of the clinical diagnosis of Zellweger syndrome when gestational age and age after birth are taken into consideration. No PA was detected in serum or urine of four children suffering from hyperthyroidism.
Propionic acidaemia presenting with pancytopaenia in infancy
Authors: Sweetman L. , Nyhan W. L. , Cravens J. , Zomer Y. , Plunket D. C.
Published: June 2005

A 2‐month‐old infant presented with vomiting, lethargy and pancytopaenia. She was found to have propionic acidaemia, and the activity of propionyl‐CoA carboxylase in cultured fibroblasts was defective (McKusick 23200). Abnormal amounts of glycine, 3‐hydroxypropionate, methylcitrate, tiglylglycine, propionylglycine, 2‐methylacetoacetate, 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxybutyrate, 3‐oxovalerate and 3‐hydroxyvalerate were found in body fluids. It appears that the organic acidaemia leads to an inhibition in the maturation of cells in the bone marrow.
Comparison of the substrate 4‐Methylumbelliferyl‐α‐l‐iduronide with phenyl‐α‐l‐iduronide for the diagnosis of Hurler's disease in cultured cells
Authors: Butterworth J. , Broadhead D. M.
Published: June 2005

4‐Methylumbelliferyl‐α‐l‐iduronide provided a more sensitive method than phenyl‐α‐l‐iduronide for the estimation of α‐l‐iduronidase in cultured cells and could be used to diagnose Hurler's disease. The 4‐methylumbelliferyl derivative was no more useful than the phenyl derivative for the detection of heterozygotes. All ten lysosomal enzymes tested could be used as reference enzymes when cell extracts were prepared by freeze/thawing in distilled water, but onlyN‐acetyl‐β‐d‐glucosaminidase could be used for extracts prepared by freeze/thawing in formate buffer pH 3.5 containing 150 mmol/l sodium chloride.
Metabolism of collagen in aspartylglycosaminuria: Urinary excretion of hydroxyproline
Authors: Näntö‐Salonen K. , Autio S. , Härö E. , Kivimäki T. , Koskela S. ‐L. , Näntö V. , Penttinen R.
Published: June 2005

Aspartylglycosaminuria (AGU) is a lysosomal storage disorder of glycoprotein degradation characterized by severe mental retardation and connective tissue alterations. We have previously described low collagen production in skin fibroblast cultures from AGU patients. In the present work we showed that the urinary excretion of hydroxyproline (total, non‐dialysable and free hydroxyproline as indicators of collagen metabolism) was reduced in young AGU patients in comparison with age‐matched controls. In adult patients no significant difference was detected. The results support the view that reduced collagen production is associated with the connective tissue abnormalities in this disorder.
Biotinidase deficiency: Clinical course and biochemical findings
Authors: Schubiger G. , Caflisch U. , Baumgartner R. , Suormala T. , Bachmann C.
Published: June 2005

The biotin responsive late‐onset multiple carboxylase deficiency (McKusick 25327) has recently been shown to be due to biotinidase deficiency (EC 3.5.1.12; Wolfet al., 1983a). This affects the regeneration of biotin from biocytin so that biotin is not available for the mitochondrial carboxylases. In consequence the metabolism of propionylcoenzyme A, 3‐methylcrotonylcoenzyme A and pyruvate is hampered. Symptoms which are considered to be characteristic of this condition are muscular hypotonia, ataxia, seizures, alopecia and seborrhoeic dermatitis. We report a case who presented only with exanthema and seizures during an acute febrile illness.
Cholesterol and prostaglandin synthesis by cultured human skin fibroblasts in the alagille syndrome involving paucity of interlobular bile ducts
Authors: Dupont J. , Raulin J. , Gautier M. , Lapous D. , Loriette C. , Kuan S. , Stewart J. , Krumhardt B.
Published: June 2005

Children with Alagille syndrome show high serum cholesterol (15–20 mmol/L). To establish correlation of this unusual level of cholesterol with the regulation of cholesterol metabolism, 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase (HMGR) activity and synthesis of cholesterol, fatty acids and acidic steroids from [14C]acetate were determined in cultured skin fibroblasts from 2–3‐year old children. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis and nucleic acid synthesis were determined in cells when they were growing in medium containing normal, Alagille or fetal bovine serum. These values were similar to values of controls.

HMGR activity was found to be similar in cells of control and children with the syndrome, whether the cells were incubated in lipoprotein‐deficient or normal medium. Incorporation of acetate into cholesterol was inhibited to a greater extent by lipoprotein‐containing medium in control than in children with the syndrome. Fatty acid synthesis was similar in all conditions. 1–7% of the recovered lipid radioactivity in cells and medium separated as acidic steroids.

Serum from a donor patient, when included in the medium, did not affect PGE2 or nucleic acid synthesis compared with normal human or fetal bovine serum. The data suggest that cells of children with Alagille syndrome may have a membrane defect of transfer of cholesterol (LDL receptor defect) leading to excessive cholesterol synthesis. Also, synthesis of acidic steroids (bile acid‐like material) and their secretion into the medium occurs in normal fibroblasts and those from children with the syndrome.
Complementation studies in human and caprine β‐mannosidosis
Authors: Hu P. , Wenger D. A. , van Diggelen O. P. , Kleijer W. J.
Published: June 2005

Cell fusions were performed to investigate the possible involvement of different gene mutations in five patients with isolatedβ‐mannosidosis and a patient with a combined deficiency ofβ‐mannosidase and heparan sulphate sulphamidase. In none of the combinations of cell lines wasβ‐mannosidase activity restored in the fused cell culture. Similarly, no complementation of sulphamidase activity was observed after fusion of cells with the combined deficiency and cells with isolated sulphamidase deficiency (mucopolysaccharidosis type IIIA). The absence of complementation suggests that the combined deficiency is not caused by a defect in one common factor affecting the two enzymes: The results rather indicate a rare coincidence of two independent mutations which are allelic with the mutation in the respective conditions with isolated enzyme deficiencies.