bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immunophenotyping of congenital leukemia
Authors: McCoy J. Philip , Overton W. Roy
Published: June 2005

Congenital leukemia is a rare but well‐documented disease in which a leukemic process is detected at birth or very shortly thereafter. An estimated 175–200 reports of congenital leukemia have appeared in the literature. The majority of the cases reported have not undergone thorough immunophenotyping, but rather have been assigned lineage based on cytochemical and morphological studies. Historically, a large proportion of congenital leukemias have been thought to be of the myeloid lineage, in contrast to pediatric leukemias in general, which are primarily lymphoid. The precise proportions of the lineage assignments may be distorted by the inclusion of cases of transient myeloproliferative disorders (TMD) as congenital leukemia. The immunophenotyping data available to date suggest that congenital leukemias are phenotypically heterogeneous, lacking any common distinguishing markers. The prognosis for congenital leukemias is usually poor if leukemoid reactive processes, such as TMD, are carefully excluded. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Congenital leukemia: Report of two cases
Authors: McCoy J. Philip , Travis Susan F. , Blumstein Linda , Birdsall Peggy B. , Schroeder Kathy , Overton W. Roy , McMorrow Lydia E. , Campbell Tamberly , Wineburg Marissa , Greenbaum Barbara H. , Hirsch Kenneth H. , Donaldson Milton H.
Published: June 2005

Congenital leukemia is a rare disease in which a leukemic process is present at birth or immediately thereafter. The majority of cases presented in the literature were reported prior to the availability of contemporary immunophenotyping methods, and lineage assignment was often made on the basis of morphology alone. Congenital leukemias may be of various lineages, although, historically, monocytic and myelomonocytic congenital leukemias appear to be the most prevalent. We present two cases of congenital leukemia with detailed immunophenotypic and cytochemical characterization. One case is of the lymphoid lineage, and the second is of myelomonocytic lineage. Neither patient displayed trisomy 21. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alterations in phenotype and cell‐surface antigen expression levels of human monocytes: Differential response to in vivo administration of rhm‐csf or rhgm‐csf
Authors: Schmid Ingrid , Baldwin Gayle C. , Jacobs Edwin L. , Isacescu Valentin , Neagos Negoita , Giorgi Janis V. , Glaspy John A.
Published: June 2005

We investigated, via multicolor flow cytometry, the in vivo effects of colony‐stimulating factors (CSFs) on cell size, frequencies, and expression of surface antigens on peripheral blood monocytes from melanoma patients treated concurrently with CSFs and tumor‐specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) R24. Recombinant human macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (rhM‐CSF) increased cell size, relative percentages of monocytes, percentages of CD14+, HLA‐DQ+, CD11b+, and CD16+ monocytes, and cell‐surface expressions of HLA‐DR and CD11b; rhM‐CSF also up‐regulated cell‐surface expression of CD14 on CD14brightCD16− monocytes. Recombinant human granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (rhGM‐CSF) increased cell size, percentages of CD14+, HLA‐DQ+, and CD11b+ monocytes, and cell‐surface expressions of HLA‐DR, HLA‐DQ, CD11b, and CD58. Relative percentages of monocytes and CD16+ cells and cell‐surface expression of CD14 on CD14brightCD16− monocytes decreased. In addition, monocytes derived from patients treated with rhM‐CSF showed functional activity when assayed in vitro for antibody‐dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). During treatment and coincident with increased CD16 expression, monocytes derived from rhM‐CSF patients had enhanced levels of cytotoxicity towards melanoma target cells compared to healthy controls and to patients treated with rhGM‐CSF. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peripheral blood cell preparation influences the level of expression of leukocyte cell surface markers as assessed with quantitative multicolor flow cytometry
Authors: Islam Dilara , Lindberg Alf A. , Christensson Birger
Published: June 2005

We have compared the influence of sample preparation upon the level of surface expression of T, B, and NK cell‐related antigens as assessed by flow cytometry. Lysed whole blood (WBL), Ficoll‐Paque separated peripheral blood lymphocyte (F‐PBL), and frozen peripheral blood lymphocyte (Fr‐PBL) were analyzed via single‐ and multicolor flow cytometry. The percentage of positive cells expressing the individual cell surface markers was not affected by the procedure for preparation of WBL, F‐PBL, and Fr‐PBL. In contrast, the fluorescence intensity level of individual cell surface markers varied depending on cell preparation. By using Quantum Simply Cellular (QSC) microbeads, the antibody binding capacity (ABC) of single‐color stained cells was quantified and compared. The amount of monoclonal antibody (MAb) anti‐CD3‐FITC bound to Fr‐PBL (mean ABC = 137,040) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) that the amounts bound to WBL (mean ABC = 112,410) and F‐PBL (mean ABC = 107,738). In multicolor analysis, the fluorescence intensity of CD3‐FITC and CD4‐FITC was significantly higher on Fr‐PBL than on WBL and F‐PBL; CD8‐PE and CD20‐PerCP was significantly higher on WBL. Furthermore, the intensity of CD3 and CD4 was different on T‐cell subsets. The intensity of CD3 staining in three‐color analysis was lower than with single‐color staining using the same fluorochrome.

We conclude that particularly the method of cell preparation but also the selection of MAb combinations may influence the level of staining of certain lymphocyte antigens. This may be of relevance in the analysis of cellular activation and regulation of differentiation. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HLA‐B27 screening by flow cytometry
Authors: Lingenfelter Beth , Fuller Thomas C. , Hartung Leah , Hunter Jay , Wittwer Carl
Published: June 2005

A flow cytometric assay for lymphocyte HLA‐B27 expression using a two‐color direct immunofluorescent assay was compared to traditional microlymphocytotoxicity testing on 209 clinical samples. For the flow cytometric assay, whole blood was mixed with a monoclonal anti‐B27 conjugated to fluorescein‐isothiocyanate (FITC) and anti‐CD3 conjugated to phycoerythrin (PE). The samples were analyzed with flow cytometry by gating on CD3 positive events and anti‐B27 staining intensity was evaluated as median channel fluorescence of the histogram peak. The median channel fluorescence was least with B27 negative and B7 negative samples (84 ± 17), intermediate with samples that were B27 negative but B7 positive (118 ± 13), and greatest with samples that were B27 positive (155 ± 13). In addition to cross‐reactivity with the B7 antigen (n = 38), the monoclonal anti‐B27 cross‐reacted with HLA‐B37 positive samples (n = 3) and HLA‐B39 positive samples (n = 3). Using a median channel fluorescence cutoff of 136, 39 of the 40 B27 positive samples gave positive results in the flow cytometric assay for a sensitivity of 97.6%. The specificity was 95.9% with 7 false positives of 169 B27 negative samples. The flow cytometric HLA‐B27 assay is a convenient, useful screening test. For greatest specificity, samples positive by flow cytometry should be confirmed by conventional microlymphocytotoxicity or by use of other monoclonal antibodies directed against B27. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lymphocyte subset determination using a hematology analyzer
Authors: Hudson James C. , Brunhouse Robert F. , Garrison Connie , Rodriguez Carlos M. , Zwerner Robert , Russell Thomas R.
Published: June 2005

Anti‐CD4 antibody (T4)‐coated microspheres were used to label CD4 cells in whole blood. The mixture was lysed and analyzed by a modified Coulter VCS hematology analyzer, which differentiated microspherelabeled cells by a change in Coulter volume, conductance, and light scatter. %CD3+/CD4+ fluorescent values from a profile were compared to %CD4 values using the VCS‐microsphere method. CD3 gating was used to exclude CD4+ monocytes from the 9OLS‐FALS lymphocyte gate. The results correlated well (R = 0.996). The percentage of CD4+ lymphocytes from profile scatterplots and VCS scatterplots showed a line of regression close to the equivalence line (n = 76, slope = 0.96) when CD3 gating was used for the profile. These results suggest that CD3 gating, though necessary for 9OLS‐FALS scatterplots, may not be necessary for volume‐conductance‐light scatterplots. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Contribution of ploidy and cell kinetics from fine‐needle aspirates for the diagnosis of breast lesions: Study of 606 consecutive cases
Authors: Daidone Maria Grazia , Martelli Gabriele , Pilotti Silvana , Luisi Antonella , Fariselli Giuseppe , De Palo Giuseppe , De Yoldi Gianfranco Coopmans , Silvestrini Rosella
Published: June 2005

A total of 606 consecutive patients with palpable breast lesions underwent physical examination, mammography, and fine‐needle aspiration for cytologic and flow‐cytometric (FCM) DNA analyses. FCM determinations included DNA ploidy and the fraction of cells in S + G2 + M phases. Aneuploid clones were considered indicative of malignancy; diploid, rapidly proliferating (S + G2 + M > 12%) clones were considered suggestive of malignancy; and diploid, slowly proliferating clones were considered indicative of benignancy. Sensitivity, specificity, and the predictive accuracy for positive or negative results of FCM information were 82%, 90%, 93.1% and 69.8%, respectively. These values were lower than those observed for the three conventional diagnostic assays owing to the presence of false‐positive results (in 23 cases) or unassessable DNA plots (in 90 cases). FCM information alone detected five cases in which the other tests gave inconclusive results and in association to the conventional diagnostic triple test, increased the incidence of positive conclusive cases from 97.9% to 99.2%. However, further refinements are needed before this approach can be used as a routine diagnostic tool. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
B‐cell prolymphocytic leukemia expressing discordant myeloid‐associated antigens in simultaneous specimens from bone marrow and peripheral blood
Authors: Emery Christopher L. , Cleveland Ronald P.
Published: June 2005

The case of a 73‐year‐old man with B‐cell prolymphocytic leukemia (PLL) and rapid clinical demise is reported. Flow cytometric immunophenotyping results of specimens obtained from the patient demonstrated a monoclonal CD5 positive B‐cell population with myeloid‐associated marker expression, which was discordant: CD15 and CDllb were expressed in bone marrow leukemic cells, whereas peripheral blood leukemic cells showed virtually no expression of these markers. Discordant immunophenotyping results between bone marrow and peripheral blood cells have been reported recently. Additionally, investigators have associated expression of CD13 and CD11b by chronic B‐cell lymphoid leukemias with a more aggressive clinical course and shorter survival. Expression of these myeloid‐associated antigens by B‐cell prolymphocytes in PLL has not been widely reported. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a karyotype of 46,XY/?44,XYdel(1q),del (3p), whereas molecular genetic studies demonstrated immunoglobulin gene rearrangements in both heavy and light chain regions. Cytochemical staining for PAS (periodic acid‐Schiff), nonspecific esterase and methyl‐green‐pyronin was positive in leukemic cells. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Laboratory practices in reporting flow cytometry phenotyping results for leukemia/lymphoma specimens: Results of a survey
Authors: Hassett Joseph , Parker John
Published: June 2005

Laboratory directors who routinely utilize flow cytometry for at least part of their diagnostic evaluations in leukemias or lymphomas were surveyed by mail. The survey consisted of 12 questions about the flow cytometry procedures used by the laboratory in evaluating leukemias and lymphomas and on the format and content of their official report. It also requested an example of a typical leukemia/lymphoma report and solicited write‐in comments about additional important aspects of using flow cytometry to evaluate leukemias and lymphomas not covered by the questionnaire. The goal of the survey, which was sponsored by the Clinical Cytometry Society (CCS), was to document what directors of flow cytometry laboratories currently consider to be the appropriate contents of a clinical leukemia/lymphoma phenotyping analysis and in what manner and detail they report such flow cytometry results to clinicians. The survey indicated that a large number of markers are routinely evaluated to phenotype leukemias (mean = 19) and lymphomas (mean = 16). Light scatter gating, using CD45/14 to monitor the gate selected, is currently employed by a 2:1 ratio over the next most population gating strategy (CD45 vs. 90° LS). Peripheral blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid tissue constitute the majority of clinical specimens evaluated for leukemia and/or lymphoma. Two‐Color analysis, primarily for surface markers, is currently the standard method for flow cytometry measurements in routine diagnostic studies of leukemia and lymphoma. The official flow cytometry laboratory report is most commonly an individual‐lab‐generated, paper report form. A discussion of the potential benefits that might result from the development of improved computerized reporting software and from the increased use of antibody‐defined, lineage gating is offered. A composite report format is presented that demonstrates the flow measurements and quality control data included in the best of the example clinical reports submitted as part of the survey and considered important by a majority of our survey respondents. The example report is intended to be a basis for further discussion within the flow cytometry community on whether minimum reporting standards for leukemia and/or lymphoma flow cytometry results can and should be developed. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Flow cytometry in node‐positive breast cancer: Cancer and leukemia group B protocol 8869
Authors: Kute Timothy E. , Quadri Yasmeen , Muss Hyman , Zbieranski Nora , Cirrincione Constance , Berry Donald A. , Barcos Maurice , Liu Edison , Thor Ann P. , Koerner Frederick , Henderson I. Craig
Published: June 2005

This report describes a companion flow cytometry study (Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB)—8869) using tumors derived from patients enrolled in a large randomized clinical trial (CALGB—8541) performed on 1,572 patients with early stage, node‐positive breast cancer. The CALGB initiated an adjuvant breast cancer trial in 1985 to determine if dose intensification (dose of drug per unit time) of chemotherapy was related to relapse‐free and overall survival. Patients were randomized by pretreatment clinical variables to one of three different dosage regimens of chemotherapy. Using a tumor enrichment procedure, 442 paraffinembedded blocks were analyzed by flow cytometry, and S‐phase fraction (SPF) was analyzed by three different methods. Ploidy analysis was performed using standard procedures. Tissue from 90% of the patients was suitable for ploidy analysis, whereas only 68% could be assessed for SPF. With a median follow‐up time of 80 months, our results show that ploidy status had no clinical utility, whereas high SPF predicted poorer overall survival. The rectangular fit model for SPF was more predictive of outcome than both the area fit model and a computer fit model (modfit) for SPF. In univariate analysis, patients with a low SPF (< 10%) had a better prognosis than those patients with a high SPF (> 10%), but they responded equally well to the different treatment regimens. Patients with high SPF (> 10%) had longer relapse‐free and overall survival to high dose chemotherapy compared to low or standard dose chemotherapy. Multivariate analysis indicated that treatment intensity as well as the number of positive nodes, tumor size, steroid receptor status, and c‐erbB‐2 expression were significant in predicting overall and disease‐free survival. The multivariate analysis, however, revealed that SPF was significant in predicting overall but not disease‐free survival, but there was no longer any relationship among SPF, dose intensity, and outcome. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Origins and clinical implications of aneuploidy in early bladder cancer
Authors: Shackney Stanley E. , Berg George , Simon Sheryl R. , Cohen Jeffrey , Amina Suresh , Pommersheim William , Yakulis Robert , Wang Scott , Uhl Michelle , Smith Charles A. , Pollice Agnese A. , Hartsock Robert J.
Published: June 2005

Cytogenetic and flow cytometric studies in a variety of human solid tumors have suggested that gross aneuploidy may arise by a process of abrupt chromosome complement doubling followed by gradual chromosome loss. However, this sequence has not been demonstrated directly in serial studies in individual patients in vivo. The purpose of this study was to search for evidence of chromosome complement doubling and subsequent chromosome loss in flow cytometric ploidy patterns in serial bladder washings and/or biopsies from individual patients with early bladder cancer. Fifty‐two patients with noninvasive bladder cancer were followed with serial flow cytometric DNA studies for periods ranging from 5.1 to 42.7 months (median 15.1 months). Serial changes in DNA ploidy and S phase fractions were recorded and correlated with histologic and/or cytologic findings, response to treatment and clinical outcome. The data suggest a series of genetic evolutionary changes in early bladder cancer that include the initial development of peridiploid aneuploidy and repeated rounds of DNA content doubling with chromosome loss in patients with progressive disease. It is likely that gross DNA aneuploidy, and more specifically, DNA multiploidy and DNA hypertetraploidy, all arise by this mechanism. The sequence of DNA diploidy, peridiploid aneuploidy, neartetraploidy, hypotetraploidy and hypertetraploidy is associated with a progressive increase in S phase fraction, and with increasing tumor grade; late steps in this ploidy sequence were often present in tumors that were refractory to local therapeutic measures and tumors that developed deep tumor invasion and/or distant metastases. We conclude that DNA multiploidy and hypertetraploidy are markers of advanced stages of genetic evolution in human bladder cancer. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fluorescence image cytometry for measurement of nuclear DNA content in surgical pathology
Authors: Wang Naining , Pan Yi , Heiden Thomas , Tribukait Bernhard
Published: June 2005

A study was made on various methodological aspects of fluorescence image cytometry (FICM) for measurement of nuclear DNA content by using CCD cameras attached to an epifluorescence microscope. Cell nuclei of paraffin‐embedded specimens from mouse tissues and human prostate carcinomas were isolated and stained with 4′‐6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI). We found that fluorescence fading, lamp stability, and the homogeneity of the illumination can easily be controlled. A camera with a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 53 dB gave a slightly more precise measurement than did a 46‐dB camera. The linearity of the analysis results was very good. The coefficient of variation of mouse kidney standard cells in the DNA histograms was about 5% and 7.4% in histograms of prostate carcinoma biopsies. Stained cell nuclei can be stored for long periods at −20°C without impairment of quality. Comparative measurements of ploidy by FICM and flow cytometry confirmed the accuracy of the FICM analyses. Thus, FICM appears to be an easy method for quantifying the DNA content of visually inspected cell nuclei in surgical pathology. © 1995 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Fulvalenes
Authors: Halton Brian
Published: June 2005

The fulvalenes are the class of hydrocarbons obtained by formally cross‐conjugating two rings through a common exocyclic double bond. Although the first report of such a compound dates to 1915, study of the series began in earnest only in the 1950s, and even today many of the unsubstituted parent hydrocarbons remain unknown. The following report, the first to specifically address this class of molecules, summarises the information available from research published to the end of 2004 and offers some suggestions for future study. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
Hematological malignancies in the island of Sardinia, 1974–1993: age and sex distributions and temporal changes in incidence
Authors: Broccia G. , Deplano Wilma , Dessalvi P. , Giannico Barbara , Luxi G. , Chessa E. , Murru Antonietta
Published: June 2005

We have collected, by an active retrospective survey, all the cases of hematologic malignancies (HM) newly diagnosed during the time period 1974–1993 in the resident population of Sardinia. Diagnosis was deemed valid, after consultation of clinical records, in more than 90% of the 7264 collected cases. The number of newly diagnosed cases by year more than doubled during the 20‐year period investigated. This striking increase can be only partially accounted for by ageing of population. Indeed, age‐specific and age‐adjusted rates of most of HM increased during this period, although Hodgkin Disease (HD), Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) were notable exceptions. The observed increase in rates is likely, in a large part, to be fictitious, due to easier access to a health care system, which in the meantime, improved its diagnostic efficiency. This was particularly evident for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Multiple Myeloma (MM) and some others myelo‐ and lympho‐proliferative disorders, but its relevance declined after 1984–1989. A likely true increase in occurrence was evidenced for Non‐Hodgkin Lymphomas (NHL) and similarly, although to a lesser extent and more doubtful, for Myelodysplasias (MDS) and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). At the end of the studied period each type of HM presented age and sex distributions and age‐adjusted rates that show only minor differences from those reported for other western countries. No argument emerged to suggest that any genetic peculiarities of the Sardinian population might have affected the occurrence of HM. The confounding effects of improved diagnostic efficiency have prevented a reliable assessment of influence on incidences of environmental and socio‐economic changes that, in relatively recent times, have occurred in Sardinia. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chemical or microbiological models of secondary caries development around different dental restorative materials
Authors: Lobo Maristela M. , Gonçalves Reginaldo B. , Ambrosano Gláucia Maria B. , Pimenta Luiz André F.
Published: June 2005

This study evaluated artificial secondary caries around restorative materials, induced by means of chemical or microbiological models. The following materials were used randomly to restore 130 dental blocks: (1) zinc‐oxide eugenol‐free temporary filling: Coltosol (Coltène/Whaledent Inc.; n = 30), (2) silver amalgam: Permite C (SDI Limited, n = 20), (3) composite resin: Filtek™ Z250 (3M ESPE; n = 20), (4) glass‐ionomer cement: Fuji II (GC America Inc.; n = 20), (5) resin‐modified glass ionomer: Vitremer™ (3M ESPE; n = 20), and (6) polyacid modified resin: Dyract AP (Dentsply; n = 20). Ten specimens of Group 1 were kept in humidity, and had no carious formation (NC). Ten specimens of each group were submitted to pH cycling (CG, n = 60), and the others were immersed in a medium containing Streptococcus mutans and sucrose (BG, n = 60). Mineral content was determined by microhardness assessment, and lesion depth was measured in polarized light photomicrographs. In the chemical model (CG), mineral content values in the vicinities of restoration were high for Groups 5 (75.7 ± 11.9), 4 (70.8 ± 14.2), and NC (95.4 ± 3.8); intermediate for Groups 1 (55.8 ± 18.5), 6 (45.6 ± 11.0), and 2 (44.3 ± 11.2); and reduced for Group 3 (34.7 ± 9.7). In the microbiological model (BG), results were similar to CG, although there was less demineralization. The highest lesion depths were found for Groups 3 (182.3 ± 33.2) in CG and 6 (126.5 ± 42.8) in BG, when compared to Group 5 (114.6 ± 26.0 and 56.2 ± 33.2, respectively). In both models of caries induction, ionomeric materials showed a superior cariostatic effect when compared to the other restorative materials. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2005
Structure modification of UHMWPE used for total joint replacements
Authors: Nevoralová Martina , Baldrian Josef , Pospíšil Jan , Chodák Ivan , Horák Zdeněk
Published: June 2005

Modification of ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) consisting of a combination of γ irradiation and subsequent thermal treatment has been performed in order to investigate the reasultant changes to its supramolecular structure. In the first step the polymer was irradiated by γ rays at laboratory temperature under nitrogen. Five radiation doses (25, 50, 100, 150, and 200 kGy) were applied at two dose rates (0.25 and 2.5 kGy/h). In the second step the irradiated samples were thermally treated above the UHMWPE melting temperature. Insoluble fraction, crystallinity (fraction), and lamellar periodicity were determined as functions of dose and dose rate for irradiated samples before and after thermal treatment. Both modification steps were shown to produce substantial changes in the UHMWPE structure. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2005
Evaluation of load testing of postendodontic restorations in vitro: Linear compressive loading, gradual cycling loading and chewing simulation
Authors: Naumann Michael , Sterzenbach Guido , Pröschel Peter
Published: June 2005

This study introduces a modified dynamic testing mode with gradual load increase and examines whether this could be an alternative to customary methods of static loading or chewing simulation. Seventy‐two extracted human maxillary root‐canal–treated central incisors were randomly divided into six groups with 12 teeth each. Three groups were restored with titanium posts cemented with chemically curing resin cement. The other three groups were restored with glass‐fiber posts cemented with dual‐curing composite cement. All teeth were capped with full ceramic crowns. Both kinds of restoration were tested by linear compressive (static) loading, a modified gradual (cycling) dynamic loading, and by chewing simulation followed by static loading until failure occurred. The maximum load capacity was recorded. Statistical comparison showed that maximum load capacities of the same post material obtained from gradual dynamic loading did not differ significantly from that of linear compressive loading or of chewing simulation. In contrast, comparisons of different post materials under static loading resulted in significantly different load capacities. Dynamic testing with gradual load increase can be considered an economic alternative for chewing simulation, because it provides equivalent results. Both procedures, however, imply different conclusions than static loading with respect to post materials. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2005
Preparation and characterization of vinyltriethoxysilane grafted ethylene propylene diene terpolymer/linear low density polyethylene (EPDM‐g‐VTES/LLDPE) blends
Authors: Alagar M. , Abdul Majeed S. M. , Nagendiran S.
Published: June 2005

Graft polymerization of vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) onto ethylene‐propylene‐diene terpolymer (EPDM) was carried out in toluene using dicumylperoxide (DCP) as initiator. Effects of various parameters (EPDM content, VTES content, reaction time, reaction temperature and initiator concentration) on the grafting efficiency of VTES onto EPDM were investigated. At the optimum grafting efficiency conditions, EPDM‐g‐VTES was developed by melt mixing in a twin screw extruder and then linear (l), statically vulcanized (s) and dynamically vulcanized (d) blends of EPDM‐g‐VTES with linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) with varying percentage compositions were prepared by melt mixing in the twin screw extruder. The grafting of VTES onto EPDM and its crosslinking was confirmed by FT‐IR. The characterization of mechanical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break, Young's modulus and hardness, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis and morphology were studied and compared for the EPDM‐g‐VTES/LLDPE blends. The study reveals that the dynamically vulcanized blend improves the mechanical and thermal properties due to the presence of efficient interaction between component polymers when compared with other blends. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of chitosan derivatives supported palladium complexes and their catalytic behavior in the Heck reaction
Authors: Cui Yuanchen , Zhang Lei , Li Ying
Published: June 2005

Two kinds of chitosan derivatives, crosslinked chitosan and crosslinked chitosan condense with salilylaldehyde, supported palladium complexes (CL‐CTS‐Pd and CL‐S‐CTS‐Pd) were synthesized and characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), etc. These complexes are efficient catalysts for the Heck reaction under atmospheric conditions and can be easily recovered and reused. The detailed studies show that the catalyst CL‐S‐CTS‐Pd is much more efficient than CL‐CTS‐Pd under the same conditions. CL‐S‐CTS‐Pd keeps its catalytic activity in the Heck reaction of acrylic acid with iodobenzene even at a low temperature (60°C) or with tiny amounts of the catalyst (0.05 mol%Pd). Yields of making cinnamic acid were even as high as 75.3% in the Heck reaction of acrylic acid with iodobenzene using CL‐S‐CTS‐Pd that was recovered 10 times. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, characterization, and morphology of p‐toluene sulfonic acid‐doped polyaniline: A material for humidity sensing application
Authors: Kulkarni Milind V. , Viswanath Annamraju Kasi , Aiyer R. C. , Khanna P. K.
Published: June 2005

Polyaniline (PANI) doped with p‐toluene sulfonic acid was synthesized by chemical polymerization method using (NH4)2S2O8 as an oxidizing agent. This is a single step polymerization process for the direct synthesis of the conducting emeraldine salt (ES) phase, without the need of doping, dedoping, and redoping of the polymer. Presence of a free carrier tail at higher wavelength, characteristic of extended coil conformation along with a sharp polaronic peak is observed in the UV–vis spectrum of doped PANI in m‐cresol solvent. FT‐IR studies show the characteristic peaks of ES phase along with a sharp peak at 1120 cm−1 representing vibration band of the dopant ion. Clumps of small fibers resulting in a sponge‐like structure was observed under scanning electron microscope. Thermal studies revealed a three‐step decomposition pattern. Conductivity is found to increase with an increase in the temperature showing “thermal activation behavior.” Decrease in resistance with increasing humidity is observed in a broad range of humidity. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2161–2169, 2005
Copolyimide imidization induced by far‐infrared radiation
Authors: Lu Yun‐Hua , Zhan Mao‐Sheng
Published: June 2005

The copolyimides derived from 3,4′‐oxidianiline (ODA), 4,4′‐oxydiphthalic anhydride (ODPA) and 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyl dianhydride (BPDA) were synthesized in N,N‐dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) by a two‐step method. To control molecular weight, phthalic anhydride (PA) was used as an end‐capping reagent. The effect of far‐infrared radiation (FIR) on imidization of copolyimides was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and was compared to conventional electrothermal imidization. The effect of imidization time and film thickness on weight loss of imidization process was also studied. The results show that the FIR can accelerate the imidization process of copolyimides compared with the conventional electrothermal treatment especially during the primary curing period. Weight loss of thin film is faster than that of thick film. In addition, molecular weight will influence the imidization process. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2154–2160, 2005
Free C2F4 Jet Deposition of Thin PTFE‐like Films
Authors: Rebrov Aleksei K. , Sharafudinov Rustam S. , Shishkin Andrey V. , Timoshenko Nikolai I.
Published: June 2005

Summary: This work studied the possibility of thin PTFE‐like film deposition, from a supersonic jet of PTFE decomposition products down to the monomer state. One of the most important features of gas‐jet deposition is the use of a monomer gas as a precursor with its polymerization on a surface. Under certain conditions, partial polymerization is possible in an adiabatically expanding supersonic jet. Another important feature of this method is the unique possibility of controlling the deposition process by changing parameters of the gas flow and the state of the substrate.

Structure of a PTFE‐like film obtained from a He‐C2F4 jet.

magnified image

Structure of a PTFE‐like film obtained from a He‐C2F4 jet.
Generalized Calabi‐Yau compactifications with D‐branes and fluxes
Authors: Louis J.
Published: June 2005

We review some aspects of generalized Calabi‐Yau compactifications with D‐branes and Fluxes
Stabilization of moduli by fluxes
Authors: Behrndt K.
Published: June 2005

In order to fix the moduli, non‐trivial fluxes are an essential input.
In this talk I summarize different aspects of compactifications in the
presence of fluxes, as there is the relation to generalized
Scherk‐Schwarz reductions and gauged supergravity, but also the
description of flux‐deformed geometries in terms of G‐structures and
intrinsic torsion.
Fluxes and gaugings: N = 1 effective superpotential
Authors: Derendinger J.‐P. , Kounnas C. , Petropoulos P.M. , Zwirner F.
Published: June 2005

We illustrate the correspondence between the N =1 superstring compactifications with fluxes, the N = 4 gauged supergravities and the superpotential and Kähler potential of the effective N = 1 supergravity in four dimensions. In particular we derive, in the presence of general fluxes, the effective N = 1 supergravity theory associated to the type IIA orientifolds with D6 branes, compactified on T6/(Z2× Z2). We construct explicit examples with different features: in particular, new IIA no‐scale models, new models with cosmological interest and a model which admits a supersymmetric AdS4 vacuum with all seven main moduli (S, TA, UA,A = 1,2,3) stabilized.
Retrodifferentiation and reversibility of aging: forever young?
Authors: Hass Ralf
Published: June 2005

Maturation of stem cells or precursor cells is associated with the acquisition of certain properties finally resulting in specifically functional cell types within the diverse tissues. This maturation process requires distinct steps of differentiation and is accompanied by a constantly increasing process of aging paralleled by a progressively reduced proliferative capacity. The eventually growth arrested and terminally differentiated cells perform their appropriate specific functions associated with developing senescence by STASIS (stress or aberrant signaling‐inducing senescence) and/or by replicative senescence. Finally, elimination via apoptosis concludes their life span. However, nature also provides a surprise within this concept of life: Sometimes, differentiation and aging steps are reversible. A biological phenomenon of completely reversible differentiation events has been characterized as retrodifferentiation rather than dedifferentiation. Thus, all morphological and functional properties of retrodifferentiated and previously more undifferentiated cells are indistinguishable. Consequently, reversible differentiation may simultaneously be associated with a reversibility of the aging process and therefore, contributes to longevity and rejuvenation. Tissue renewals or regenerative potential for tissue‐specific requirements, if not sufficiently compensated by the appropriate stem cells, may necessitate the generation of undifferentiated precursors by retrodifferentiation followed by a subsequent transdifferentiation process with the consequence of cell type conversion which also includes the risk for tumor development. This interference with the normal biological clock mediated by threshold effects in certain individual cells, raises important questions: What signals trigger retrodifferentiation and what would be the finite life span of cells with a retrodifferentiation capacity?
A constrained hybrid Monte‐Carlo algorithm and the problem of calculating the free energy in several variables
Authors: Hartmann C. , Schütte C.
Published: June 2005

We consider the problem of computing molecular free energy profiles along several orthogonal reaction coordinates by means of constrained simulations. The reaction coordinates define families of submanifolds, and the mean force along the reaction coordinates is the averaged force acting vertically to the submanifold. We give a rigorous justification for the calculation of the mean force along the constrained coordinates, and provide a concise geometrical interpretation of the different contributions to the mean force in terms of the extrinsic geometry of the submanifold. From this we are able derive a hybrid Monte‐Carlo‐based algorithm that can be used to compute expectation values from constrained simulations such as the mean force in the context of thermodynamic free energy statistics.
Comparison of impact of EMCV replication on the nuclear apparatus of NIH 3T3 and HEp‐2 cells
Authors: Karalyan Z.A. , Jaghatspanyan N.G. , Gasparyan M.H. , Hakobyan L.A. , Abroyan L.O. , Ter‐Pogossyan Z.R. , Kamalyan L.A. , Karalova E.M.
Published: June 2005

We have investigated differences between the actions of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) on cytometric indices in cultured NIH 3T3 and HEp‐2 cells, which are characterized by different levels of transformation. HEp‐2 cells surviving 48 h after EMCV infection showed lower nuclear ploidy, reduced nuclear area, fewer nucleoli and a higher percentage of euploid cells. There was a significant increase of nucleolar/nuclear DNA 6–24 h after EMCV infection. However, EMCV had markedly different effects on NIH 3T3 cells: there was a consistent increase in population ploidy, but the average number of nucleoli and the number of euploid cells in the population remained constant. The nucleolar/nuclear DNA ratio was almost unchanged. These different viral effects might be explained by the contrasting levels of differentiation of the cultured cell lines. The number of nucleoli does not depend on the amount of nuclear DNA in either viral‐infected or intact cells but on the euploidy‐to‐aneuploidy ratio. The ratio of the sums of the nucleolar perimeters to the nuclear perimeter increases linearly with the number of nucleoli per nucleus in both intact and virus‐infected cells. In both cell lines, the amount of DNA per nucleolus decreases as the number of nucleoli increases.
Fibro-Osseous Pseudotumour of the Digit –Amputation for a Benign but Aggressive Lesion
Authors: COLEMAN R. A.
Published: June 2005

Fibro-osseous pseudotumour is a rare, benign lesion which behaves aggressively and is, therefore, commonly misdiagnosed as a malignancy. Fibro-osseous pseudotumour shares many features with myositis ossificans and many consider it to be a subcutaneous variant of the latter. Early diagnosis and treatment by excision to normal tissue margins is important to preserve function and avoid digital amputation. We report a case of fibro-osseous pseudotumour of the finger which required ray amputation due to rapid progression of the lesion.
Late Quaternary climate-driven environmental change in the Larsemann Hills, East Antarctica, multi-proxy evidence from a lake sediment core
Authors: Hodgson Dominic A. , Verleyen Elie , Sabbe Koen , Squier Angela H. , Keely Brendan J. , Leng Melanie J. , Saunders Krystyna M. , Vyverman Wim
Published: June 2005

Little is known about the response of terrestrial East Antarctica to climate changes during the last glacialâ€“interglacial cycle. Here we present a continuous sediment record from a lake in the Larsemann Hills, situated on a peninsula believed to have been ice-free for at least 40,000 yr. A mutli-proxy data set including geochronology, diatoms, pigments and carbonate stable isotopes indicates warmer and wetter conditions than present in the early part of the record. We interpret this as Marine Isotope Stage 5e after application of a chronological age-depth model and similar ice core evidence. Dry and cold conditions are inferred during the last glacial, with lake-level minima, floristic changes towards a shallow water algal community, and a greater biological receipt of ultraviolet radiation. During the Last Glacial Maximum and Termination I the lake was perennially ice-covered, with minimal snowmelt in the catchment. After ca. 10,500 cal yr B.P., the lake became seasonally moated or ice-free during summer. Despite a low accumulation rate, the sediments document some Holocene environmental changes including neoglacial cooling after ca. 2450 cal yr B.P., and a gradual increase in aridity and salinity to the present.
Remembering in times of misery: can older people in South Africa ‘get through’?
Authors: VAN DONGEN ELS
Published: June 2005

This paper reports a study of the situations of disadvantaged older people in contemporary South African townships. It draws from their own accounts that were collected through ethnographic research in day centres and care homes. Most of the informants had experienced a succession of serious material, psychological, social and cultural losses. Their lives had been characterised by violence, inequality, disruption and poverty. A dominant theme in their accounts is that they can hardly ‘get through’ their lives. Their thankless, even alienated, situations are not only a function of personal losses but also have much to do with the recent political and social history of South Africa. The colonial and Apartheid eras have by and large been excluded from the country's collective memory, with the result that older people's experiences of those times are not valued as affirmational reminiscence or for shaping a kin group's common identity. Expressed recollections have acquired a different function, of being a means of articulating moral judgements on the present. The result is that memories, rather than bringing the generations together, have the opposite effect and widen the gap in understanding between the older and younger generations. This in turn has serious effects on older people's wellbeing. The silencing of memories reflects the society's radical break with the past, which has made it difficult for younger people to mourn or sympathise with older people's losses. While far from helpless victims, many of the older township residents lack meaningful frames by which to locate themselves in contemporary South African society.
Attributes of age-identity
Authors: BOWLING ANN , SEE-TAI SHARON , EBRAHIM SHAH , GABRIEL ZAHAVA , SOLANKI PRIYHA
Published: June 2005

Chronological age can be an unsatisfactory method of discriminating between older people. The lay concept of how old people actually feel may be more useful. The aim of the analyses reported in this paper was to investigate indicators of age-identity (or subjective age) among a national random sample of people aged 65 or more years living at home in Britain. Information was initially collected by home interview and a follow-up postal questionnaire 12–18 months later. The age that respondents felt was a more sensitive indicator than chronological age of many indicators of the respondents’ health, psychological and social characteristics. Multiple regression analysis showed that baseline health and functional status, and reported changes in these at follow-up, explained 20.4 per cent of the variance in self-perceived age. Adding baseline mental health (anxiety/depression), feelings and fears about ageing at follow-up explained a further 0.8 per cent of the variance, making the total variance explained 21.2 per cent. It is concluded that measures of physical health and functional status and their interactions influenced age-identity. Mental health status and psychological perceptions made a small but significant additional contribution.
Hotspots: are some areas of sewer network prone to re-infestation by rats (Rattus norvegicus) year after year?
Authors: CHANNON D. , CHANNON E. , ROBERTS T. , HAINES R.
Published: June 2005

The records of sewer baiting work for three London boroughs were examined to see whether there were locations that exhibited ‘rat’ (Rattus norvegicus) activity more often than would be expected by chance, a feature we dubbed ‘hotspots’. More than 100 000 baiting records were checked covering 15 years of the London Borough of Enfield (Enfield) and 5 years each of the London Borough of Barnet (Barnet), and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC). The additional boroughs were included for comparison to see whether any effect observed was confined to Enfield or was a feature that could be found in both inner and outer city locations. Each borough was divided into kilometre squares corresponding with those found both on Ordnance Survey maps and also Thames Water Utilities Asset maps. The number of records per square were logged and then the number of positive records for all the manholes in that square on a year-on-year basis. We examined 350 km2 in Enfield, 377 km2 in Barnet and 66 km2 in RBKC. The data were subjected to a weighted analysis (i.e. allowing for the number of manholes per square and the varying total rat population from year to year). Some areas were shown to exhibit significantly higher amounts of activity than others suggesting that their distribution is not random and that there must be environmental and other factors, which make certain locations attractive to rats. Squares with very high activity, repeating year-on-year, ‘hotspots’, were found in all three boroughs, suggesting that the phenomena are widespread.
Comparing Shigella waterborne outbreaks in four different areas in Greece: common features and differences
Authors: KOUTSOTOLI A. D. , PAPASSAVA M. E. , MAIPA V. E. , ALAMANOS Y. P.
Published: June 2005

In Greece the public health surveillance for most infectious diseases, including shigellosis, is not well developed. However, four waterborne outbreaks of shigellosis have been recorded in Greece in the last three decades, in different areas of the country, under different environmental and socioeconomic conditions. This study presents the epidemiological characteristics of these four outbreaks in order to examine common points and differences and to investigate their possible association with environmental and socioeconomic conditions. All four outbreaks were caused by Shigella sonnei and related to drinking water. Epidemic curves, distribution of cases by age and gender, hospitalization rates, environmental conditions and laboratory results were compared. The outbreaks seemed to correspond to two different ‘models’ presenting two characteristic types of epidemic waves related to specific environmental conditions. The attack rates for the general population varied from about 9 to 13% and were similar for both sexes. Children were affected mostly. In these outbreaks there was a strong suspicion of contamination of the water distribution system from the sewage network, highlighting the importance of environmental health control measures.