bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing alternative measures of microenterprise profits and net worth
Authors: Daniels Lisa
Published: September 2002

Using data from 448 microenterprises in Zimbabwe, this paper examines five alternative measures of profits and five alternative measures of net worth. The results show that the single‐question proxies are too difficult for proprietors to answer, whereas the most complex profit measures generate many negative estimates. The best measure of profits, based on three questions, could be answered by all proprietors and it avoids recall problems associated with sales and expenses. Among the net worth proxies, all of the measures are positively correlated. Nonetheless, the proxy based on fixed assets, accounts receivable, debt, and inventory, showed the highest correlation with the full measure of net worth. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural requirements for stable binding of technetium‐99m to derivatives of triglycine
Authors: Vanbilloen Hubert P. , Busson Roger , Verbruggen Alfons M.
Published: September 2002

To study the importance of the thiol function of mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3) for complexing technetium, we investigated a number of derivatives wherein the thiol function of MAG3, is replaced by other metal binding groups such as 3‐nitropropionyl, thiophene‐2‐carbonyl, pyrrole‐2‐carbonyl, acetoacetyl, hydroxyacetyl, picolyl or aminoacetyl. These groups have the potential to form a bond with Tc via a free electron pair or the loss of a proton.

3‐Nitropropionyltriglycine, thiophene‐2‐carbonyltriglycine and pyrrole‐2‐carbonyl‐triglycine were not able to form a single complex with 99mTc. Under the experimental conditions, acetoacetyltriglycine forms a rather unstable 99mTc‐complex. On the other hand, the acetoacetyl group possesses sufficient complexing capacity to serve as the fourth coordination site of a tetraligand with a strongly technetium binding thiol and two amides. Hydroxyacetyltriglycine and derivatives of MAG3 in which the thiol group is substituted by an aromatic amine, as in picolyltriglycine, or an aliphatic amine, as in tetraglycine and other tetrapeptides, form complexes with technetium‐99m which are stable for several hours. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of [13C6]‐ϵ‐caprolactam and [13C6]‐hexamethyleneimine
Authors: Ellames George J. , Herbert John M.
Published: September 2002

An efficient route is described for the preparation of [13C6]‐ϵ‐caprolactam (1b), and thence to [13C6]‐hexamethyleneimine (2b) hydrochloride. The sequence, from [13C6]‐phenol, uses a rhodium‐catalysed hydrogenation to generate labelled cyclohexanol, and thence cyclohexanone, whose oxime was subjected to a Beckmann rearrangement to give 1a. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of tritium labelled delta sleep‐inducing peptide
Authors: Giraud Matthieu , Morgat Jean‐Louis , Cavelier Florine , Martinez Jean
Published: September 2002

The α,β‐dehydro precursor of the delta sleep‐inducing peptide (DSIP) for tritiation was prepared prior to tritiation using a 3+6 fragment coupling strategy on a solid support. The first fragment, α,β‐dehydrotripeptide, was prepared in solution in five steps in 79% overall yield while the second fragment was obtained by a step by step peptide synthesis on a Wang resin using an Fmoc strategy. The α,β‐dehydrotripeptide was coupled to the fragment linked to the resin, followed by a deprotection/cleavage step to yield the α,β‐dehydro‐DSIP, 7. Catalytic reduction of unsaturated DSIP using tritium gas and palladium oxide as catalyst gave [3H]DSIP having a specific activity of 1.184 TBq/mmol(32 Ci/mmol). Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of the [3H] labelled potent and selective peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligand CB 34
Authors: Latrofa A. , Trapani G. , Franco M. , Harris M.J. , Serra M. , Biggio G. , Liso G.
Published: September 2002

The synthesis of the [3H] labelled peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) ligand CB 34, useful for binding assay, tissue distribution studies, and elucidation of the physiological role of PBR, is described. Catalytic reduction with 3H2 gas and 10% Pd/C catalyst of the key intermediate 2 afforded the product at a specific activity of 111 Ci/mmol. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and deuterium labeling of some 4‐phenyl, 3‐substituted isochromanes
Authors: Guyard Anne‐Laure , Valleix Alain , Rousseau Bernard , Cintrat Jean‐Christophe
Published: September 2002

The preparation of a number of 4‐phenyl isochromanes as well as the deuterated analogs is described using a simple strategy starting from easily obtained acetals. The diasteresoselectivity and the enantioselectivity of the adopted approach are both good. The deuterated analogs are prepared using tributyltin deuteride or triethyl deuterosilane. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of 4‐dihydroxyboryl‐2‐[18F]fluorophenylalanine with relatively high‐specific activity
Authors: Vähätalo Jyrki K. , Eskola Olli , Bergman Jörgen , Forsback Sarita , Lehikoinen Pertti , Jääskeläinen Juha , Solin Olof
Published: September 2002

An alternative procedure to produce 4‐dihydroxyboryl‐2‐[18F]fluorophenylalanine ([18F]FBPA) for positron emission tomography studies in boron neutron capture therapy is described. Relatively high‐specific activity electrophilic radiofluorine is produced using a post‐target conversion of [18F]F– to [18F]F2. Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection is used to estimate the specific radioactivity of [18F]FBPA and to verify the quality control for chemical identity of the target compound. [18F]FBPA produced according to this method fulfilled the pharmaceutical quality requirements for an injection in patients. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reactions of actinide ions with ethylene oxide
Authors: Gibson John K.
Published: September 2002

Naked and oxo‐ligated actinide (An) monopositive ions were reacted with ethylene oxide, cyclo‐C2H4O (EtO). Along with An = U, Np, Pu and Am, ions of two lanthanide (Ln) elements, Ln = Tb and Tm, were studied for comparison. Metal and metal oxide ions, M+, MO+ and MO2+, were generated by laser ablation and immediately reacted with EtO. Unreacted and product ions were detected by time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. It was apparent that the overall reaction cross‐sections decreased in the order U+ ≥ Np+ > Pu+ > Am+. A primary reaction channel for each studied metal was the formation of MO+ from M+, in accord with the expected exothermicity of oxygen abstraction from EtO. For U, Np and Pu, the dioxides were also major products, indicating OAn+—O dissociation energies of at least 350 kJ mol−1, the energy required for O‐atom abstraction from EtO. For Am, Tb and Tm, the dioxides were only very minor products, reflecting the stabilities of the trivalent states and resistance to oxidation to higher valence states; the structures/bonding in these MO2+ are intriguing given that the formal pentavalent bonding state is effectively unattainable. It was demonstrated that EtO, unlike more thermochemically favorable but kinetically restricted O‐donors, is effective at achieving facile oxidation of actinide metal ions to the monoxide, and to the dioxide if the second O‐abstraction reaction is exothermic. Several intriguing minor products were also identified, most of which incorporate metal–oxygen bonding and are attributed to the oxophilicity of the f‐block elements; the contrast to the behavior of first‐row d‐block transition elements is striking in this regard. Particularly noteworthy was the formation of MH4+ (and MOH4+), evidently via abstraction of all four H atoms from a single C2H4O molecule; the structures/bonding in these novel ‘hydride’ species are indeterminate and warrant further attention. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of the electron affinities of α‐ and β‐naphthyl radicals using the kinetic method with full entropy analysis. The C — H bond dissociation energies of naphthalene
Authors: Lardin Harvey A. , Squires Robert R. , Wenthold Paul G.
Published: September 2002

The C — H bond dissociation energies for naphthalene were determined using a negative ion thermochemical cycle involving the gas‐phase acidity (ΔHacid) and electron affinity (EA) for both the α‐ and β‐positions. The gas‐phase acidity of the naphthalene α‐ and β‐positions and the EAs of the α‐ and β‐naphthyl radicals were measured in the gas phase in a flowing afterglow–triple quadrupole apparatus. A variation of the Cooks kinetic method was used to measure the EAs of the naphthyl radicals by collision‐induced dissociation of the corresponding α‐ and β‐naphthylsulfinate adducts formed by reactions in the flow tube portion of the instrument. Calibration references included both π and σ radicals, and full entropy analysis was performed over a series of calibration curves measured at collision energies ranging from 3.5 to 8 eV (center‐of‐mass). The measured EAs are 33.0 ± 1.4 and 31.4 ± 1.0 kcal mol−1 (1 kcal = 4.184 kJ) for the α‐ and β‐naphthyl radicals, respectively. The gas‐phase acidities for naphthalene were measured by the DePuy silane cleavage method, which utilizes the relative abundances of aryldimethylsiloxides and trimethylsiloxide that result from competitive cleavages from a proposed pentacoordinate hydroxysiliconate intermediate. The measured acidities are 394.0 ± 5.0 and 397.6 ± 4.8 kcal mol−1 for the α‐ and β‐ positions, respectively. The C — H bond dissociation energies calculated from the thermochemical cycle are 113.4 ± 5.2 and 115.4 ± 4.9 kcal mol−1 for the α‐ and β‐positions, respectively. These energies are, to within experimental error, indistinguishable and are approximately the same as the first bond dissociation energy for benzene. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of water‐soluble vitamins by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry using porphyrin matrices
Authors: Chen Yi‐Ting , Ling Yong‐Chien
Published: September 2002

The detection of water‐soluble vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12 and C by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) was attempted by studying 17 porphyrin matrices. Comparative studies of porphyrin matrices, useful mass spectral window, matrix/analyte molar ratio (M/A), ultraviolet–visible absorption characteristics and quantitative results were made. Most porphyrin matrices provide a useful mass spectral window in the low‐mass range. The optimal M/A increases with increasing molecular mass of the vitamin. Vitamin B12 possesses the highest molecular mass and requires a higher M/A. The presence of hydroxyl or carboxyl groups in the porphyrin is an indicator of a useful MALDI matrix. Vitamins B2 and B6 were readily ionized upon irradiation with a 337 nm laser without the use of any porphyrin matrix. Improved linearity and sensitivity of the calibration curves were obtained with samples prepared with a constant M/A. The limits of detection and quantitation are at the picomole level. The results indicate that MALDI‐TOFMS with porphyrin matrices is a rapid and viable technique for the detection of low molecular mass water‐soluble vitamins. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mass spectrometry of cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum(II) adducts with the dinucleosidemonophosphates d(ApG), d(GpG) and d(TpC) in an ion trap
Authors: Hagemeister Timo , Linscheid Michael
Published: September 2002

The detection and fragmentation behaviour of adducts of the chemotherapeutic cis‐diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cisplatin) with the dinucleosidemonophosphates d(ApG), d(GpG) and d(TpC) as model compounds for DNA adducts in an ion trap with electrospray ionization were studied. Mainly the monofunctional adduct, the bifunctional adduct and the bifunctional adduct with platinum bridging two dinucleosidemonophosphates were detected. In addition, several more complex adducts were seen resulting from reactions among these species. Adduct formation was low in the case of d(TpC). Fragmentation could be controlled strongly by varying the temperature of the transfer capillary; furthermore, tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) experiments on both the monofunctional and the bifunctional adducts were performed. For the adducts of d(ApG) and d(GpG) losses of NH3 and HCl were the most dominant reactions, followed by the losses of one, then another two units of 98 amu from the sugar–phosphate backbone, whereas d(TpC)–Pt predominantly forms the dinucleosidemonophosphate. In the gas phase, the conversion of the monofunctional into the bifunctional adducts through binding to another site in the dinucleotide accompanied by loss of NH3 or HCl could also be observed. The removal of a ligand from the coordination sphere of the square‐planar platinum complexes appeared to be the crucial step for the induction of further fragmentation of the dinucleotide ligand. MSn experiments of the bifunctional adducts of d(ApG) and d(GpG) revealed different fragmentation pathways involving the loss of phosphoric acid, metaphosphoric acid, deoxyribose units (intact or dehydrated) and the nucleobases in different orders, leaving characteristic binding site‐determining fragments. Fragmentation of these ions was also performed, mainly resulting in fragmentation of the bases. The study confirmed the remarkable stability of the platinum–guanine bond compared with other nucleobases. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hepatitis B virus genotypes in Uzbekistan and validity of two different systems for genotyping
Authors: Kato Hideaki , Ruzibakiev Ruslan , Yuldasheva Nodira , Hegay Tatyana , Kurbanov Fuat , Achundjanov Bakhodir , Tuichiev Lazis , Usuda Sadakazu , Ueda Ryuzo , Mizokami Masashi
Published: September 2002

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been classified into seven genotypes, designated A–G. The HBV genotype has a characteristic geographical distribution. The Republic of Uzbekistan is located in the heart of Asia and has been considered to be a region with high endemicity of hepatitis viruses. However, the present distribution of hepatitis virus infection in this region is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of HBV genotypes and to elucidate the validity of two genotyping systems in Uzbekistan. Fifty‐four patients with hepatitis B surface antigen were investigated. HBV genotypes were determined by two methods: one based on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) targeting to S region, and another on enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using monoclonal antibodies to pre‐S2 region. Seven (13%) and 47 (87%) of the 54 subjects were classified into genotypes A and D, respectively. Dual infection of two viral populations of the same genotype was observed in one subject. No significant difference of ALT level (203.3 ± 244.7 vs. 190.6 ± 39.5) and HBeAg (42.9% vs. 42.6%) were found between genotypes A and D. In this study, the validity of the genotyping systems in this region was confirmed. J. Med. Virol. 67:477–483, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High prevalence of human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8) infection in south Texas children
Authors: Baillargeon Jacques , Leach Charles T. , Deng Jian‐Hong , Gao Shou‐Jiang , Jenson Hal B.
Published: September 2002

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV‐8), also known as Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus, is etiologically associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and other rare malignancies. HHV‐8 infection is common in certain areas of Africa and Italy, but occurs in only 0–15% of populations in North America and Europe. The epidemiology and prevalence of HHV‐8 infection among children in the United States has not been determined, but is assumed to be low based on limited studies. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and possible risk factors of HHV‐8 infection in children living in south Texas. Questionnaire data were collected and HHV‐8 serologic tests were performed from a consecutive, non‐probability sample of 123 healthy children (ages 4–13 years) attending general pediatric clinics in south Texas. Serum was tested for HHV‐8 antibodies by latent immunofluorescence assay and ORF65 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay confirmed by immunoblot. HHV‐8 prevalence and 95 percent confidence intervals were calculated using standard epidemiologic methods. Logistic regression was used to assess independent risk factors associated with HHV‐8 seropositivity. The overall prevalence of HHV‐8 infection was 26%. No statistically significant associations were exhibited between HHV‐8 prevalence and the variables under study. The prevalence of HHV‐8 infection among children in south Texas, particularly among those under the age of 12 years, indicates that non‐sexual transmission of this virus is likely to occur among this population. Future investigations of larger study samples will be necessary to develop an understanding of specific routes and risk factors of HHV‐8 transmission among children in south Texas. J. Med. Virol. 67:542–548, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection and characterisation of human astroviruses in children with acute gastroenteritis in Blantyre, Malawi
Authors: Cunliffe Nigel A. , Dove Winifred , Gondwe Jailosi S. , Thindwa Benson D.M. , Greensill Julie , Holmes Jennifer L. , Bresee Joseph S. , Monroe Stephan S. , Glass Roger I. , Broadhead Robin L. , Molyneux Malcolm E. , Hart C. Anthony
Published: September 2002

In a 2‐year hospital‐based study of paediatric gastroenteritis in Blantyre, Malawi, astroviruses were detected by enzyme immunoassay in 15 (1.9%) of 786 inpatients and in 9 (2.3%) of 400 outpatients. Greater disease severity was noted in children coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Six human astrovirus (HAstV) genotypes were identified, including HAstV‐1 (25%), HAstV‐2 (21%), HAstV‐3 (25%), HAstV‐4 (13%), HAstV‐5 (4%), and HAstV‐8 (13%). Although astroviruses are not major causes of gastroenteritis among children admitted to hospital in Blantyre, concomitant HIV infection appears to be a risk factor for increased severity of disease. J. Med. Virol. 67:563–566, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular detection and sequence analysis of human caliciviruses from acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in Hungary
Authors: Farkas T. , Berke T. , Reuter G. , Szûcs G. , Matson D.O. , Jiang X.
Published: September 2002

Three viral gastroenteritis (VGE) outbreaks that occurred in 1998–1999, in Hungary were investigated for the presence of human caliciviruses (HuCVs). HuCVs in stool specimens were detected by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) using primer pair 289/290, which was designed based on the RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) sequence. RT‐PCR results were confirmed by sequencing showing that all three outbreak strains belonged to genogroup II of “Norwalk‐like viruses” (NLVs). Two strains had high sequence identity with strains in known genetic clusters (Hawaii and Lordsdale clusters). The third strain (MOH) had distinct RdRp sequence, sharing 77/86% (nt/aa) identity with Snow Mountain virus (SMV), the closest genogroup II virus. To characterize MOH further, we cloned, sequenced, and expressed in baculovirus its capsid gene. It had 75/79% (nt/aa) identity with SMV, but 97/98% (nt/aa) identity with NLV/Hillingdon/90/UK, a recently identified genetic cluster of HuCVs. The recombinant MOH (rMOH) capsid protein self‐assembled into virus‐like particles (VLPs), which is antigenically distinct from other recombinant HuCV capsid antigens available in our laboratory. Further study of this VLP will have important applications in antigenic characterization and diagnosis of HuCVs. J. Med. Virol. 67:567–573, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HPV16 and HPV18 in genital tumors: Significantly different levels of viral integration and correlation to tumor invasiveness
Authors: Badaracco Gianna , Venuti Aldo , Sedati Alfonso , Marcante Maria Luisa
Published: September 2002

The integration of the high‐risk HPV16 and HPV18 types into the cell genome is considered an important step in malignant transformation. The relationship between the physical status of the virus and clinical/pathological parameters was studied by type‐specific and multiplex PCR for E6, E2, and E1 sequences in 86 genital tumors from different sites, consisting of 69 invasive carcinomas (including 5 microinvasive carcinomas), 9 carcinomas in situ, 6 severe dysplasias, and 2 moderate dysplasias. Forty tumors contained HPV16 (46.6%), 7 HPV18 (8.1%), and 39 both viruses (45.3%). HPV16 DNA was found either as pure integrant (35.4%), or pure episome (36.7%), or a mixture of both (27.8%). Conversely, all 46 lesions containing HPV18 showed pure integrated forms. The physical status of both types was not related to the tumor site, the tumor/node/metastasis stage, or the histological differentiation grade of the invasive carcinomas. HPV16 integration was significantly associated with invasiveness. Interestingly, in double infections when HPV16 coexisted with HPV18, its genome was found more frequently in episomal form than in single infections where, conversely, it was mostly integrated (P < 0.0001), suggesting a sort of competition for cell integration sites. The complete HPV18 integration, even in pre‐neoplastic lesions, indicates a different behavior in genital transformation compared with HPV16 and may reflect a major aggressiveness of this viral type. In conclusion, virus typing in conjunction with the evaluation of the integration status may provide a better prognostic evaluation together with an improved diagnosis. J. Med. Virol. 67:574–582, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence and genotype distribution of cervical human papillomavirus infection: Comparison between pregnant women and non‐pregnant controls
Authors: Chan Paul K.S. , Chang Alexander R. , Tam Wing‐Hung , Cheung Jo L.K. , Cheng Augustine F.
Published: September 2002

Controversies exist on the effect of pregnancy on human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. A cross‐sectional section study was conducted to compare the prevalence and genotype distribution of cervical HPV infection between pregnant and non‐pregnant women in Hong Kong. Cervical samples were collected from 308 pregnant women and from the same number of age‐matched controls recruited from a cervical cancer screening center located at the same hospital. HPV was detected by the polymerase chain reaction, followed by genotype identification by restriction fragment length polymorphism and direct sequencing analyses. The prevalence of HPV for pregnant women was 10.1%, without significant variation with age, gestation, gravidity and parity. The prevalence of HPV for non‐pregnant group was 11.4% and did not show significant difference when compared to the pregnant group either by overall or age‐stratified subgroup analyses. When the analysis was stratified according to the risk‐type of HPV infection, still no significant difference between pregnant and non‐pregnant groups was observed (all types: 10.1 vs. 11.4%, P = 0.602; high‐risk types: 5.8 vs. 7.8%, P = 0.338; low‐risk types: 1.0 vs. 2.9%, P = 0.080; unknown‐risk types: 3.2% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.105). The results of this study show no evidence for an influence of pregnancy on HPV prevalence, and a majority of HPV‐infected pregnant women had normal cervical cytology. HPV positive results in pregnant women per se should be managed conservatively. J. Med. Virol. 67:583–588, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of measles virus RNA in whole blood stored on filter paper
Authors: Katz Russell S. , Premenko‐Lanier Mary , McChesney Michael B. , Rota Paul A. , Bellini William J.
Published: September 2002

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of dried blood spots stored on filter paper as a means to provide specimens for virologic surveillance for measles virus (MV) in situations when the reverse cold chain is not available. Two single‐step RT‐PCR assays were evaluated for sensitivity of detection of MV nucleoprotein gene RNA. The more sensitive assay was then used to assess the stability of MV RNA in dried whole blood stored on filter paper. MV RNA was found to be stable in dried blood spots for up to 2 months at room temperature or 1 month at 37°C. As few as 100 infected human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) per blood spot could be detected using a single‐step RT‐PCR reaction and ethidium bromide detection. MV RNA was also detected in dried blood spots obtained from rhesus macaques after challenge with wild‐type MV. In the rhesus samples, the single‐step RT‐PCR reaction could detect approximately 103 TCID50 per blood spot, while nested PCR detected 3 TCID50 per blood spot. The results of this laboratory‐based study suggest that the use of dried blood spots stored on filter has the potential to improve virologic surveillance for MV in some areas, and they emphasize the need for continued testing under field conditions. J. Med. Virol. 67:596–602, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SEN virus infection does not affect the progression of non‐A to ‐E liver disease
Authors: Mikuni Morio , Moriyama Mitsuhiko , Tanaka Naohide , Abe Kenji , Arakawa Yasuyuki
Published: September 2002

SEN virus (SEN V) was discovered recently as a potential causative agent of non‐A, non‐B, non‐C, and non‐E (non‐A to ‐E) hepatitis. The aim of this study was to obtain information about the prevalence of this virus in Japan and its association with non‐A to ‐E liver disease. Sixty‐seven patients hospitalized for non‐A to ‐E liver disease, including hepatocellular carcinoma (19 patients), cirrhosis (7 patients), chronic hepatitis (18 patients), and acute hepatitis (23 patients), were tested, along with 49 blood donors. The patients were admitted to Nihon University Hospital between 1991 and 1998. SEN V DNA was detected by a nested polymerase chain reaction, targeting the 5′ untranslated region. SEN V DNA was detected in 14 of 49 (28.6%) blood donors and in 33 of 67 (49.3%) patients with non‐A to ‐E liver disease. The prevalence of SEN V DNA was similar among patients with various liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (42.1%), cirrhosis (57.1%), chronic hepatitis (55.6%) and acute hepatitis (47.8%) and among blood donors (28.6%). There were no significant differences in the clinical profiles of patients with SEN V DNA‐positive or ‐negative chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Similarly, there were no significant differences in the clinical profiles between patients with SEN V DNA‐positive and ‐negative acute hepatitis. In conclusion, SEN V infection is present among many blood donors and is common in patients with non‐A to ‐E liver disease. There are insufficient data to prove a causal role for SEN virus infection in non‐A to ‐E liver disease. J. Med. Virol. 67:624–629, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Maximum‐power operation of a stand‐alone PV system using fuzzy logic control
Authors: El‐Shafy A. Nafeh Abd , Fahmy F. H. , Abou El‐Zahab E. M.
Published: September 2002

The PV array has a unique operating point that can supply maximum power to the load. This point is called the maximum‐power point (MPP), and is located on the output characteristics of the array. The locus of this point varies, non‐linearly, with the unpredictable variations in the solar insolation and/or the cell temperature. Thus, to operate the PV array at its MPPs for every instant, the PV system must contain a maximum‐power point tracking (MPPT) controller. This article proposes the application of the fuzzy logic controller (FLC) to operate a suggested PV control system at the MPP of the array for every instant. The simulation of the system indicates that the use of the FLC gives good results for the MPPT. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Movement of endoplasmic reticulum in the living axon is distinct from other membranous vesicles in its rate, form, and sensitivity to microtubule inhibitors
Authors: Aihara Yuko , Inoue Takafumi , Tashiro Tomoko , Okamoto Koichi , Komiya Yoshiaki , Mikoshiba Katsuhiko
Published: September 2002

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is the major membranous component present throughout the axon. Although other membranous structures such as synaptic vesicles are known to move via fast axonal transport, the dynamics of ER in the axon still remains unknown. To study the dynamics of ER in the axon, we have directly visualized the movement of two ER‐specific membrane proteins, the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium‐ATPase and the inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor, both of which were tagged with green fluorescence protein (GFP) and expressed in cultured chick dorsal root ganglion neurons. In contrast to GFP‐tagged synaptophysin that moved as vesicles at 1 μm/sec predominantly in the anterograde direction in the typical style of fast axonal transport, the two ER proteins did not move in a discrete vesicular form. Their movement determined by the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching technique was bi‐directional, 10‐fold slower (∼0.1 μm/sec), and temperature‐sensitive. The rate of movement of ER was also sensitive to low doses of vinblastine and nocodazole that did not affect the rate of synaptophysin‐GFP, further suggesting that it is also distinct from the well‐documented movement of membranous vesicles in its relation with microtubules. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:236–246, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine transporter expression in residual dopaminergic neurons: Potential contributors to spontaneous recovery from experimental Parkinsonism
Authors: Rothblat David S. , Schroeder J.A. , Schneider J.S.
Published: September 2002

1‐Methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahyrdropyridine (MPTP)‐exposed cats develop severe Parkinsonism that spontaneously resolves in 4–6 weeks. The present study examined the extent to which compensatory changes in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT) gene and protein expression may underlie this behavioral recovery. In normal cats, TH and DAT protein levels were higher in the dorsal vs. ventral striatum. Expression of DAT and TH mRNA was higher in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) than in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In symptomatic parkinsonian animals, DAT and TH protein levels were significantly decreased in all striatal areas studied. TH and DAT mRNA expression in residual SNc neurons were decreased a mean 32% and 38%, respectively. DAT gene expression in residual VTA neurons in symptomatic animals was decreased 30% whereas TH gene expression was unaffected. In spontaneously recovered cats, TH protein levels were significantly higher than the levels in symptomatic cats only in the ventral striatum, whereas no increase in DAT protein levels were observed in any striatal area. Residual neurons in most ventral mesencephalic regions of recovered cats had increased TH mRNA expression but not increased DAT gene expression, compared with symptomatic animals. Thus, increased TH protein and mRNA and suppression of DAT protein and mRNA expression in the striatum and ventral mesencephalon were associated with functional recovery from MPTP‐induced parkinsonism. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:254–266, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vitro generation and transplantation of precursor‐derived human dopamine neurons
Authors: Sánchez‐Pernaute Rosario , Studer Lorenz , Bankiewicz Krys S. , Major Eugene O. , McKay Ronald D.G.
Published: September 2002

The use of in vitro expanded human CNS precursors has the potential to overcome some of the ethical, logistic and technical problems of fetal tissue transplantation in Parkinson disease. Cultured rat mesencephalic precursors proliferate in response to bFGF and upon mitogen withdrawal, differentiate into functional dopamine neurons that alleviate motor symptoms in Parkinsonian rats (Studer et al. [1998] Nat. Neurosci. 1:290–295). The successful clinical application of CNS precursor technology in Parkinson disease will depend on the efficient in vitro generation of human dopaminergic neurons. We demonstrate that human dopamine neurons can be generated from both midbrain and cortical precursors. Transplantation of midbrain precursor‐derived dopamine neurons into Parkinsonian rats resulted in grafts rich in tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons 6 weeks after transplantation. No surviving tyrosine hydroxylase positive neurons could be detected when dopamine neurons derived from cortical precursors were grafted. Our data demonstrate in vitro derivation of human dopamine neurons from expanded CNS precursors and encourage further studies that systematically address in vivo function and clinical potential. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:284–288, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Age‐dependent and tissue‐specific CAG repeat instability occurs in mouse knock‐in for a mutant Huntington's disease gene
Authors: Ishiguro Hiroshi , Yamada Kouji , Sawada Hirohide , Nishii Kazuhiro , Ichino Naohiro , Sawada Makoto , Kurosawa Yoshikazu , Matsushita Natsuki , Kobayashi Kazuto , Goto Jun , Hashida Hideji , Masuda Naoki , Kanazawa Ichiro , Nagatsu Toshiharu
Published: September 2002

Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the expansion of CAG repeats in exon 1 of the HD gene. To clarify the instability of expanded CAG repeats in HD patients, an HD model mouse has been generated by gene replacement with human exon 1 of the HD gene with expansion to 77 CAG repeats. Chimeric proteins composed of human mutated exon 1 and mouse huntingtin are expressed ubiquitously in brain and peripheral tissues. One or two CAG repeat expansion was found in litters from paternal transmission, whereas contraction of CAG repeat in litters was observed through maternal transmission. Elderly mice show greater CAG repeat instability than younger mice, and a unique case was observed of an expanded 97 CAG repeat mouse. Somatic CAG repeat instability is particularly pronounced in the liver, kidney, stomach, and brain but not in the cerebellum of 100‐week‐old mice. The same results of expanded CAG repeat instability as observed in this HD model mouse were confirmed in the human brain of HD patients. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)‐positive cells have been found to be increased in the substantia nigra (SN), globus pallidus (GP), and striatum (St) in the brains of 40‐week‐old affected mice, although without neuronal cell death. The CAG repeat instability and increase in GFAP‐positive cells in this mouse model appear to mirror the abnormalities in HD patients. The HD model mouse may therefore have advantages for investigations of molecular mechanisms underlying instability of CAG repeats. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:289–297, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Regulation of pp60c‐src synthesis in rat hippocampal slices by in vitro ischemia and glucocorticoid administration
Authors: Barr Christina S. , Dokas Linda A.
Published: September 2002

Corticosteroids, released from the adrenal gland in response to stress, bind to receptors that act as transcription factors to alter gene expression and, subsequently, protein synthesis. Using [35S]‐methionine‐cysteine incorporation to measure protein synthesis in hippocampal slices incubated under ischemic conditions, synthesis of 60 kDa and 78 kDa proteins decreases 4 hr after in vivo administration of corticosterone to rats. The former protein has been identified by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation to be the proto‐oncogene, pp60c‐src. In the absence of prior glucocorticoid administration, ischemic conditions increase the amount of immunoreactive pp60c‐src in membranes of hippocampal slices. Chronic exposure to elevated titers of glucocorticoids has been demonstrated to result in cell loss as well as in reduced neuronal plasticity and regeneration. Given the involvement of pp60c‐src in synaptic plasticity and cell growth, glucocorticoid‐mediated reduction in its synthesis is a potential molecular marker for stress‐induced alterations in brain function. J. Neurosci. Res. 65:340–345, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Atmospheric circulation and surface temperature in Europe from the 18th century to 1995
Authors: Slonosky V.C. , Jones P.D. , Davies T.D.
Published: September 2002

The relationship between surface atmospheric circulation and temperature in Europe from the 1770s to 1995 is examined using correlation analysis. The atmospheric circulation is represented by six indices: the three leading principal components (PCs) of an empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of 20 European pressure series from 1822 to 1995, which represent the central tendency of European pressure (EOF 1), a zonal circulation pattern (EOF 2) and a meridional pattern (EOF 3), a North Atlantic zonal index constructed from Gibraltar and Reykjavik pressure series for 1821–1995; a Western European zonal index constructed from Madrid, Barcelona, Lund and Trondheim for 1786–1995; and an index constructed from Paris and London, 1774–1995. Eight long temperature series from northwestern and central Europe were correlated with these circulation indices. European temperatures in general had the highest correlations with the zonal circulation indices in winter, with almost 70% of the variability in the temperature records explained by variations in the zonal index. The correlation coefficients between PC 3 (representing meridional circulation) and temperatures were highest in spring and autumn, particularly for Scandinavia. Running correlation series calculated over 25‐year windows reveal significant non‐stationarities in the relationship between surface temperature and atmospheric circulation on decadal time scales, suggesting caution must be used in extrapolating current relationships between circulation and temperature for future climate predictions based on downscaling or past palaeoclimatic reconstructions. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society
Evolution of tropical and extratropical precipitation anomalies during the 1997–1999 ENSO cycle
Authors: Curtis Scott , Adler Robert , Huffman George , Nelkin Eric , Bolvin David
Published: September 2002

The 1997–1999 El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) period was very powerful, but also well observed. Multiple satellite rainfall estimates combined with gauge observations allow for a quantitative analysis of precipitation anomalies in the tropics and elsewhere accompanying the 1997–1999 ENSO cycle. An examination of the evolution of the El Niño and accompanying precipitation anomalies revealed that a dry Maritime Continent (MC) preceded the formation of positive sea‐surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Thirty‐ to sixty‐day oscillations in the winter of 1996–1997 may have contributed to this lag relationship. Furthermore, westerly wind burst events may have maintained the drought over the MC. The warming of the equatorial Pacific was then followed by an increase in convection. A rapid transition from El Niño to La Niña occurred in May 1998, but as early as October–November 1997, precipitation indices captured substantial changes in Pacific rainfall anomalies. The global precipitation patterns for this event were in good agreement with the strong consistent ENSO‐related precipitation signals identified in earlier studies. Differences included a shift in precipitation anomalies over Africa during the 1997–1998 El Niño and unusually wet conditions over northeast Australia during the later stages of the El Niño. Also, the typically wet region in the north tropical Pacific was mostly dry during the 1998–1999 La Niña. Reanalysis precipitation was compared with observations during this time period and substantial differences were noted. In particular, the model had a bias towards positive precipitation anomalies and the magnitudes of the anomalies in the equatorial Pacific were small compared with the observations. Also, the evolution of the precipitation field, including the drying of the MC and eastward progression of rainfall in the equatorial Pacific, was less pronounced for the model compared with the observations. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society
A reconstruction of Madras (Chennai) mean sea‐level pressure using instrumental records from the late 18th and early 19th centuries
Authors: Allan Rob J. , Reason Chris J. C. , Carroll Penny , Jones Phil D.
Published: September 2002

In and around the Indian Ocean basin, historical records documenting observations of climatic variables such as rainfall, surface‐air and sea‐surface temperature, and atmospheric pressure can be found in various publications by the European colonial powers of the time. However, it is only the most accessible of these records from the mid‐to‐late 1800s that have been transferred into electronic form and used in any contemporary climatic studies. A longer‐term set of observations from the observatory at Madras (now Chennai), set up by the English East India Company, was found to have the potential to provide useful climatic data back to 1796.

In this study, atmospheric pressure data recorded at the Madras Observatory, and at other climate stations in or near Madras, and in India, were recovered and examined for their quality and veracity. From the old observatory publications, pre‐1841 records (that is prior to those documented in standard data compilations) were quality controlled, and the full record from 1796 was then reduced to mean sea level, standard gravity and 24 h means to produce a 205 year set of monthly observations. This monthly mean sea‐level pressure (MSLP) record was correlated with monthly or seasonally stratified instrumental indices of the El Niño southern oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon and all‐India rainfall, and a seasonally stratified palaeoclimatic reconstruction of the southern oscillation index. In general, the Madras MSLP record is shown to be robust over time, and thus a useful long‐term measure of fluctuations in the ENSO phenomenon across the Indian Ocean basin and of the Indian summer monsoon. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society.
Foraminifera, testate amoebae and diatoms as sea‐level indicators in UK saltmarshes: a quantitative multiproxy approach
Authors: Gehrels W. Roland , Roe Helen M. , Charman Dan J.
Published: September 2002

The vertical distribution of foraminifera, testate amoebae and diatoms was investigated in saltmarshes in the Taf estuary (south Wales), the Erme estuary (south Devon) and the Brancaster marshes (north Norfolk), to assess the use of multiproxy indicators in sea‐level reconstructions. A total of 116 samples were subjected to regression analyses, using the program calibrate, with duration of tidal flooding as the dependent variable. We found that the relationship between flooding duration and taxa was strongest for diatoms and testate amoebae and weakest for foraminifera. The vertical range of testate amoebae in saltmarshes is small. Their lower tolerance limit in present‐day saltmarshes occurs where tides cover the marsh less than a combined total of 7 days (1.9%) in a year. However, they are important sea‐level indicators because information for sea‐level reconstruction is best derived from sediments that originate in the highest part of the intertidal zone. Diatoms span the entire sampled range in intertidal and supratidal areas, whereas the upper limit of foraminifera is found very close to the highest astronomical tide level. Local training sets provide reconstructions with higher accuracy and precision than combined training sets, but their use is limited if they do not represent adequate modern analogues for fossil assemblages. Although analyses are time consuming, a regional training set of all three groups of micro‐organisms yields highly accurate (r2 = 0.80) and precise (low value of root mean square error) predictions of tidal level. This approach therefore could improve the accuracy and precision of Holocene sea‐level reconstructions. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detecting Holocene movements of the woodland–steppe ecotone in northern China using discriminant analysis
Authors: Liu Hongyan , Cui Haiting , Huang Yongmei
Published: September 2002

Discriminant functions link vegetation zones and surface pollen along the woodland–steppe ecotone in northern China. These links were utilised to reconstruct palaeovegetation using fossil pollen data from four lake sediment sites within the ecotone. Holocene movements of the vegetation zones were derived from the above results and were interpreted as the results of climatic, topographic and edaphic factors. This study shows that climatic change was the driving factor for ecotonal movement, but that the positions of vegetational zones were nevertheless controlled by topographical and edaphic conditions, and consequently boundaries between different vegetational zones responded individualistically. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes of treelines and alpine vegetation in relation to post‐glacial climate dynamics in northern Fennoscandia based on pollen and chironomid records
Authors: Seppä Heikki , Nyman Marjut , Korhola Atte , Weckström Jan
Published: September 2002

Palaeoclimatic records derived from a variety of independent proxies provide evidence of post‐glacial changes of temperature and soil moisture in northern Fennoscandia. We use pollen percentage, pollen influx, stomatal and chironomid records from Toskaljavri, a high‐altitude lake in northern Finland, to assess how treelines and alpine vegetation there have responded to these climate changes. The evidence suggests that the cool, moist climate of the early Holocene supported birch forest in the area 9600 cal. yr BP onwards and that a rise of temperature triggered the immigration of pine at 8300 cal. yr BP. At 6100–4000 cal. yr BP altitudinal treeline in the area was formed by pine, in contrast to the modern situation where mountain birch reaches a higher elevation. Alpine vegetation also demonstrates clear changes. Plant communities typical of dry, oligotrophic heaths of northern Fennoscandia expanded during the dry climatic period at 7000–4000 cal. yr BP and decreased in response to cooler and moister conditions after 4000 cal. yr BP. Alpine plant communities favouring moist sites show an inverse pattern, expanding after a change towards moister climate after 4000 cal. yr BP. In a redundancy analysis (RDA), a statistically significant proportion of the variability in the total chironomid assemblages was captured by changes in the pollen types reflecting alpine vegetation typical of moist sites. Although chironomid community changes appeared to follow the major patterns in the alpine vegetation succession, the present study does not support a direct link between the changing treeline position and chironomid stratigraphy. Rather, the data indicate that the terrestrial and aquatic environments have each responded directly to the same ultimate cause, namely changing Holocene climate. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.