bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NETWORK DECONTAMINATION IN PRESENCE OF LOCAL IMMUNITY
Authors: LUCCIO FABRIZIO , PAGLI LINDA , SANTORO NICOLA
Published: May 2007

We consider the problem of decontaminating a network infected by a mobile virus. The goal is to perform the task using as small a team of antiviral agents as possible, avoiding recontamination of disinfected areas. In all the existing literature, it is assumed that the immunity level of a decontaminated site is nil; that is, a decontaminated node, in absence of an antiviral agent on site, may be re-contaminated by any infected neighbour. The network decontamination problem is studied here under a new model of immunity to recontamination: we consider the case when a decontaminated vertex, after the cleaning agent has gone, will become recontaminated only if a majority of its neighbours are infected. We study the impact that the presence of local immunity has on the number of antiviral agents necessary to decontaminate the entire network. We establish both lower and upper bounds on the number cleaners in the case of (multidimensional) toroidal meshes, graphs of vertex degree at most three (e.g., cubic graphs, binary trees, etc.), and of tree networks. In all cases the established bounds are tight. All upper-bound proofs are constructive; i.e., we exhibit decontamination protocol achieving the claimed bound. We also analyze the total number of moves performed by the agents, and establish tight bounds in some cases.
SOFTWARE DIVERSITY-BASED ACTIVE REPLICATION AS AN APPROACH FOR ENHANCING THE PERFORMANCE OF ADVANCED SIMULATION SYSTEMS
Authors: QUAGLIA FRANCESCO
Published: May 2007

Active replication has been widely explored to achieve fault tolerance and to improve system availability, especially in service oriented applications. In this paper we explore software diversity-based active replication in the context of advanced simulation systems, with the aim at improving the timeliness for the production of simulation output. Our proposal is framed by the High-Level-Architecture (HLA), namely a middleware based standard for simulation package interoperability, and results in the design and implementation of an Active Replication Management Layer (ARML) targeted to off-the-shelf SMP computing systems. This layer can be interposed in between each simulator instance and the underlying HLA middleware component, in order to support the execution of diversity-based active replicas of a same simulation package in a totally transparent manner. Beyond presenting the replication framework and the design/implementation of ARML, we also report the results of an experimental evaluation on a case study, quantifying the benefits from our proposal in terms of both simulation execution speed and performance guarantees vs tunable software parameters. (Free software releases of ARML can be found at the URL ).
Theory of Quantum Transport in Two-Dimensional Graphite
Authors: ANDO TSUNEYA
Published: May 2007

A brief review is given on electronic and transport properties of a two-dimensional honeycomb lattice from a theoretical point of view. The topics include the symmetry crossover among symplectic, unitary, and orthogonal due to the presence of special time reversal symmetry and the topological anomaly giving rise to various zero-mode anomalies and peculiar magnetotransport.
GRAPHENE IN EXTREMELY HIGH MAGNETIC FIELDS
Authors: Jiang Z. , Zhang Y. , Tan Y.-W. , Jaszczak J. A. , Stormer H. L. , Kim P.
Published: May 2007

We have studied the quantum Hall (QH) effect in two-dimensional electrons and holes in high quality graphene samples in strong magnetic fields up to 45 T. A distinctive half-integer QH effect is discovered at high magnetic fields, with QH plateaus appearing at filling factors ν = ±4(|n| + 1/2), where n is the Landau level (LL) index. This finding is consistent with theoretical predictions. In addition, in the extreme magnetic quantum limit with magnetic fields up to 45 T, we observe LL splittings in graphene at filling factors ν = 0,±1,±4. Further detailed investigation shows that the presence of the ν = 0,±1 QH states indicates the n = 0 LL at the charge neutral Dirac point splits into four sublevels, lifting both the sublattice and the spin degeneracy, while the QH states at ν = ±4 can be attributed to lifting of the spin degeneracy of the n = ±1 LLS.
GRAPHENE AND THE QUANTUM SPIN HALL EFFECT
Authors: KANE C. L.
Published: May 2007

We show that the intrinsic spin orbit interaction in a single plane of graphene converts the ideal two dimensional semi metallic groundstate of graphene into a quantum spin Hall (QSH) state. This novel electronic phase shares many similarities with the quantum Hall effect. It has a bulk excitation gap, but supports the transport of spin and charge in gapless "spin filtered" edge states on the sample boundary. We show that the QSH phase is associated with a Z2 topological invariant, which distinguishes it from an ordinary insulator. The Z2 classification, which is defined for any time reversal invariant Hamiltonian with a bulk excitation gap, is analogous to the Chern number classification of the quantum Hall effect. We argue that the QSH phase is topologically stable with respect to weak interactions and disorder. The QSH phase exhibits a finite (though not quantized) dissipationless spin Hall conductance even in the presence of weak disorder, providing a new direction for realizing dissipationless spin transport. We will discuss various proposals for experimentally observing the QSH phase, along with generalizations of this effect in three dimensional systems.
EXCITON BOUND TO MAGNETIC IMPURITIES IN TWO DIMENSION SYSTEMS UNDER STRONG MAGNETIC FIELD
Authors: DAHAN PINCHAS
Published: May 2007

The possibility of excitons bound to magnetic impurities in a two-dimensional system quantized by a strong magnetic field is considered. We show that the Landau quantization leads to dramatic changes in the structure of these bound excitons. Such changes are due primarily to a lower symmetry, which lifts the selection rules in the hybridization integrals, and in turn leads to a threshold van Hove singularity of the density of states in a two-dimensional system. Hence, a bound exciton with zero angular momentum, m = 0, is captured by a spin selective potential of the deep impurity levels.
MAGNETOPOLARON EFFECT ON SILICON AND OXYGEN DONORS IN GAN
Authors: WYSMOLEK A. , STĘPNIEWSKI R. , POTEMSKI M. , CHWALISZ-PIĘTKA B. , PAKUŁA K. , BARANOWSKI J. M. , LOOK D. C. , PARK S. S. , LEE K. Y.
Published: May 2007

Luminescence experiments in magnetic fields up to 28 T on a freestanding gallium nitride ( GaN ) sample and a heteroepitaxial GaN layer lightly doped with silicon are presented. In these samples, the principal D0X recombination channel is accompanied by two electron satellites (TES), which involve the excited donor states as well as by the longitudinal-optic (LO) phonon replica of the principal transitions. When the internal donor excitations are magnetically tuned into resonance with the LO-phonon excitation, the intensity of TES is strongly enhanced and clear avoided-crossings between the LO-phonon replica of the principal D0X transition and TES involving highly excited states of oxygen and silicon are resolved. The observed behavior is explained in terms of resonant interaction between LO-phonons and donor-bound electrons. It is found that the resonant magnetopolaron interaction is stronger for the oxygen as compared to the silicon donor.
FREE AND DONOR-BOUND CHARGED MAGNETOEXCITONS IN QUANTUM WELLS
Authors: DZYUBENKO ALEXANDER B. , COSMA DIANA A. , Yu. SIVACHENKO ANDREY
Published: May 2007

We consider eigenstates and magneto-optical transitions of free and donor-bound spin-singlet and spin-triplet charged magnetoexcitons in quasi-two-dimensional quantum wells. We show that the bright singlet state remains always bound while spin-triplet dark and bright states become unbound when the distance to the donor ion becomes smaller than certain critical values, which depend on the magnetic field strength. We demonstrate that main magneto-photoluminescence lines of free and donor-bound charged excitons exhibit very similar features. However, shake-up processes in photoluminescence of free trions are strictly prohibited. Therefore, shake-up transitions are distinct features indicating that symmetry-breaking mechanisms are present in the system.
HIGH-MAGNETIC-FIELD SPECTROSCOPY OF InGaAs-AlAs/InP QUANTUM-CASCADE LASER
Authors: Semtsiv M. P. , Dressler S. , Masselink W. T. , Fedorov G. , Smirnov D.
Published: May 2007

The magnetic-field dependence of the mid-infrared quantum-cascade laser emission spectra is used to identify the particular Wannier-Stark states responsible for the laser action in two different laser designs. The active regions in both QCLs are based on the bound-to-continuum design, but have differing degrees of coupling between the injector miniband and the bound state. The effects of the magnetic field and the injection-barrier width on the emission wavelength indicates that the laser emission in the QCL with less coupling between the injector and the bound state originates from a transition between the injector and extractor minibands. The transition from injector miniband to extractor miniband has both a lower energy and a lower oscillator strength than the transition originating from the bound state, but dominates because of the low population of the upper bound state. This result has important implications for further miniband engineering of QCL active regions for laser action at the shortest possible wavelengths. New quantum-cascade laser sample, designed regarding the high-magnetic-field spectroscopy results mentioned above, indeed operates at shorter wavelength and demonstrates outstanding performance up to room temperature.
SPIN POLARIZATION IN SEMIMAGNETIC CdMnSe/ZnSe QUANTUM DOTS WITH ZERO EXCITON g FACTOR
Authors: SCHMIDT T. , WORSCHECH L. , SCHEIBNER M. , SLOBODSKYY T. , MOLENKAMP L. W. , FORCHEL A.
Published: May 2007

We have investigated the degree of circular polarization (ρ) in the emission of semimagnetic CdMnSe/ZnSe quantum dots (QDs) with Mn contents of nominally 0, 1 and 2 %. Circularly polarized excitation was used to control the polarization of the excited carriers. The g factors were determined from the dependence of ρ on the magnetic field strength. We demonstrate that in QDs with 1 % Mn the exciton g factor is vanishingly small. We also present measurements on the excitation power dependent changes of the polarization. A direct heating mechanism is identified as origin of the drastic enhancement of the g factor by ramping up the excitation power. For high laser powers the exciton g factor increases by a factor of 30. In addition, by comparing the luminescence polarization of QDs with 2 % Mn and without Mn a sign reversal of the g factor was observed.
SPIN CONFIGURATION IN THE ELECTRON MOLECULE IN FEW-ELECTRON QUANTUM DOTS IN STRONG MAGNETIC FIELDS — SUPERPOSITION OF MULTIPLE CONFIGURATIONS
Authors: MAKSYM PETER A. , ARITA RYOTARO , AOKI HIDEO
Published: May 2007

Electron correlation in molecular quantum dot states is examined with an exact dot model and a Hubbard model. The orbital and spin angular momentum of a 5-electron dot in the ν < 1 regime are consistent with the occurrence of a superposition 4- and 5-fold configurations. Hubbard model correlation functions are calculated for these configurations. Spin summed pair correlation functions agree well with the exact results but there are differences in the spin resolved functions.
BIFURCATIONS OF HOMOCLINIC ORBIT CONNECTING TWO NONLEADING EIGENDIRECTIONS
Authors: ZHANG TIANSI , ZHU DEMING
Published: May 2007

Bifurcations of homoclinic orbit connecting the strong stable and strong unstable directions are investigated for four-dimensional system. The existence, numbers, co-existence and incoexistence of 1-homoclinic orbit, 2n-homoclinic orbit, 1-periodic orbit and 2n-periodic orbit are obtained, and the bifurcation surfaces (including codimension-1 homoclinic bifurcation surfaces, double periodic orbit bifurcation surfaces, homoclinic-doubling bifurcation surfaces, period-doubling bifurcation surfaces and codimension-2 triple periodic orbit bifurcation surface, and homoclinic and double periodic orbit bifurcation surface) and the existence regions are also located.
SYMMETRY AND SYNCHRONY IN COUPLED CELL NETWORKS 2: GROUP NETWORKS
Authors: ANTONELI FERNANDO , STEWART IAN
Published: May 2007

This paper continues the study of patterns of synchrony (equivalently, balanced colorings or flow-invariant subspaces) in symmetric coupled cell networks, and their relation to fixed-point spaces of subgroups of the symmetry group. Let Γ be a permutation group acting on the set of cells. We define the group network [Formula: see text], whose architecture is entirely determined by the group orbits of Γ. We prove that if Γ has the "balanced extension property" then every balanced coloring of [Formula: see text] is a fixed-point coloring relative to the automorphism group of the group network. This theorem applies in particular when Γ is cyclic or dihedral, acting on cells as the symmetries of a regular polygon, and in these cases the automorphism group is Γ itself. In general, however, the automorphism group may be larger than Γ. Several examples of this phenomenon are discussed, including the finite simple group of order 168 in its permutation representation of degree 7. More dramatically, for some choices of Γ there exist balanced colorings of [Formula: see text] that are not fixed-point colorings. For example, there exists an exotic balanced 2-coloring when Γ is the symmetry group of the two-dimensional square lattice. This coloring is doubly periodic, and its reduction modulo 8 leads to a finite group with similar properties. Although these patterns do not arise from fixed-point spaces, we provide a group-theoretic explanation of their balance property in terms of a sublattice of index two.
CHAOS AND TWO-TORI IN A NEW FAMILY OF 4-CNNS
Authors: YANG XIAO-SONG , HUANG YAN
Published: May 2007

In this paper we demonstrate chaos, two-tori and limit cycles in a new family of Cellular Neural Networks which is a one-dimensional regular array of four cells. The Lyapunov spectrum is calculated in a range of parameters, the bifurcation plots are presented as well. Furthermore, we confirm the nature of limit cycle, chaos and two-tori by studying Poincaré maps.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE RÖSSLER SYSTEM IN PARAMETER SPACE
Authors: CASTRO VICTOR , MONTI MARCO , PARDO WILLIAM B. , WALKENSTEIN JONATHAN A. , ROSA EPAMINONDAS
Published: May 2007

We characterize the Rössler system by means of a map associating colors to various intervals of largest Lyapunov exponent values in parameter space. This color map allows quick access to quantitative information about the dynamics of the system. The map also permits parameter space navigation while intentionally maintaining the system in a desired state, and avoiding regions where the system's behavior would be undesirable. In addition, the map exhibits a rich structure of stability clusters composed of affine-similar repetitions of basic elementary cells called "swallows." These cells, until recently, have been known to be associated with discrete maps only.
Synaptic Transmission at the Calyx of Held Under In Vivo–Like Activity Levels
Authors: Hermann Joachim , Pecka Michael , von Gersdorff Henrique , Grothe Benedikt , Klug Achim
Published: May 2007

One of the hallmarks of auditory neurons in vivo is spontaneous activity that occurs even in the absence of any sensory stimuli. Sound-evoked bursts of discharges are thus embedded within this background of random firing. The calyx of Held synapse in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) has been characterized in vitro as a fast relay that reliably fires at high stimulus frequencies (≤800 Hz). However, inherently due to the preparation method, spontaneous activity is absent in studies using brain stem slices. Here we first determine in vivo spontaneous firing rates of MNTB principal cells from Mongolian gerbils and then reintroduce this random firing to in vitro gerbil brain stem synapses at near-physiological temperature. After conditioning synapses with afferent fiber stimulation for 2 min at Poisson averaged rates of 20, 40, and 60 Hz, we observed a number of differences in the properties of synaptic transmission between conditioned and unconditioned synapses. Foremost, we observed reduced steady-state EPSC amplitudes that depressed even further during an embedded short-stimulation train of 100, 300, or 600 Hz (a protocol that thus simulates in vitro what probably occurs at the in vivo MNTB after a short sound stimulus in a silent background). Accordingly, current-clamp, dynamic-clamp, and loose-patch recordings revealed a number of action potential failures at the postsynaptic cell during high-frequency–stimulation trains, although the initial onset of evoked activity was still transmitted with higher fidelity. We thus propose that some in vivo auditory synapses are in a tonic state of reduced EPSC amplitudes as a consequence of high spontaneous spiking and this in vivo–like conditioning has important consequences for the encoding of signals throughout the auditory pathway.
Prognostic Effect of DNA Aneuploidy from Bladder Washings in Superficial Bladder Cancer
Authors: Puntoni Matteo , Zanardi Silvia , Branchi Daniela , Bruno Silvia , Curotto Antonio , Varaldo Marco , Bruzzi Paolo , Decensi Andrea
Published: May 2007

Background: Superficial (papillary) bladder cancer is associated with progression and death from muscle-invasive bladder cancer, but no reliable predictors of the outcomes have been identified.

Methods: We analyzed the long-term prognostic effect of DNA flow cytometry in bladder washings from 93 subjects with previously resected Ta and T1 bladder tumors who participated in a chemoprevention trial of the synthetic retinoid fenretinide. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression were used to determine the prognostic effect of DNA aneuploidy on cancer progression and mortality in conjunction with conventional clinical factors after a median of 11.5 years (interquartile range, 9.5-11.7 years).

Results: Overall, 58 of 93 (62%) specimens were DNA aneuploid at baseline. Progression-free survival was significantly shorter in subjects with stage T1 [hazard ratio (HR), 31.6; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 2.6-386.1; P < 0.001] and in subjects with baseline DNA aneuploid washing (HR, 10.5; 95% CI, 1.1-126.1; P = 0.03). The risk of death was also greater for stage T1 tumors (HR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.04-6.7; P = 0.04). DNA aneuploidy was a significant prognostic factor also for overall survival (HR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.0-9.0; P = 0.05). Fenretinide treatment had no significant effect on cancer progression and death.

Conclusions: DNA aneuploidy in washings from endoscopically normal bladder is a significant predictor of progression and death in addition to tumor stage. This biomarker may help to identify and monitor a high-risk group who may benefit from a chemoprevention intervention. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(5):979–83)
Atypia in Random Periareolar Fine-Needle Aspiration Affects the Decision of Women at High Risk to Take Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer Chemoprevention
Authors: Goldenberg Vanessa K. , Seewaldt Victoria L. , Scott Victoria , Bean Gregory R. , Broadwater Gloria , Fabian Carol , Kimler Bruce , Zalles Carola , Lipkus Isaac M.
Published: May 2007

Random periareolar fine-needle aspiration (RPFNA) is a research procedure designed to (a) evaluate short-term breast cancer risk in women at high risk for developing breast cancer, and (b) track response to chemoprevention. Of import, cellular atypia in breast RPFNA is prospectively associated with a 5.6-fold increase in breast cancer risk in women at high risk. Among 99 women attending a clinic for high-risk breast cancer, we explored the effects of RPFNA cytology results on decision making pertaining to the use of tamoxifen for breast cancer chemoprevention. No patient with nonproliferative or hyperplastic cytology subsequently elected to take tamoxifen. Only 7% of subjects with borderline atypia elected to take tamoxifen. In contrast, 50% with atypia elected to take tamoxifen. These results suggest that the provision of a biomarker of short-term risk can affect the motivation to take tamoxifen for chemoprevention. This conclusion is informative given that tamoxifen, due to its side effects, is often underused by women at high risk of developing breast cancer. Further research is needed to determine the mechanisms through which RPFNA results affect the decision to use tamoxifen, or any other breast cancer chemopreventive agent. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(5):1032–4)
Is TGFBR1*6A a Susceptibility Allele for Nonsyndromic Familial Colorectal Neoplasia?
Authors: Daley Denise , Morgan Wendi , Lewis Susan , Willis Joseph , Elston Robert C. , Markowitz Sanford D. , Wiesner Georgia L.
Published: May 2007

Our analysis definitely excludes the possibility of the TGFBR1*6A allele increasing the risk of colorectal neoplasia in our sample population. A recent study validating linkage of colorectal cancer to chromosome 9q also excluded the TGFBR1*6A allele as a disease-causing variant in that sample. We conclude that there remains an unidentified susceptibility locus in the region 9q22.2-31.2. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(5):892–4)
Reproductive History and Risk of Second Primary Breast Cancer: The WECARE Study
Authors: Largent Joan A. , Capanu Marinela , Bernstein Leslie , Langholz Bryan , Mellemkjær Lene , Malone Kathleen E. , Begg Colin B. , Haile Robert W. , Lynch Charles F. , Anton-Culver Hoda , Wolitzer Abigail , Bernstein Jonine L.
Published: May 2007

Background: Women with an initial breast cancer diagnosis are at elevated risk of developing subsequent cancer in the contralateral breast. Studies of reproductive factors and contralateral breast cancer (CBC) have provided inconsistent results.

Methods: We employed a case-control study nested within five population-based cancer registries in the United States and Denmark to examine associations between reproductive history and CBC risk. Cases were women with asynchronous CBC who had their first primary invasive breast cancer before age 55 years. Two controls, who had only one primary breast cancer diagnosis, were individually matched to each case on age and year of diagnosis, race, and registry. A total of 694 case-control triplets and 11 case-control pairs were enrolled. Information regarding possible CBC risk factors was obtained via telephone interviews. Multivariable conditional logistic regression was used to estimate rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) associated with risk factors of interest.

Results: Increasing number of full-term pregnancies (FTP) was inversely associated with CBC risk (P trend, 0.001). Women who reported menarche before age 13 years had an increased risk of CBC (RR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.01-1.58). Age at first FTP, breastfeeding history, and age at menopause were not significantly associated with CBC risk.

Conclusions: These results suggest age at menarche and parity, which are established risk factors for first primary breast cancer, are associated with CBC, whereas other reproductive risk factors associated with first primary breast cancer, such as age at first FTP, are less important factors in the development of CBC. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(5):906–11)
Expression of Cytochrome P450 1B1 and Catechol-O-Methyltransferase in Breast Tissue and Their Associations with Breast Cancer Risk
Authors: Wen Wanqing , Ren Zefang , Shu Xiao Ou , Cai Qiuyin , Ye Chuanzhong , Gao Yu-Tang , Zheng Wei
Published: May 2007

Cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) and catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) are important estrogen-metabolizing enzymes that may affect breast cancer risk. Few studies have directly measured the expression of CYP1B1 and COMT genes in breast tissue samples. The subjects in this study were a subgroup of participants of the Shanghai Breast Cancer Study including 64 patients diagnosed with breast cancer and 68 patients diagnosed with benign breast diseases (BBD) who provided samples of tumor tissue and adjacent nontumor tissue to the study. We compared CYP1B1 and COMT mRNA expression in tumor tissue and adjacent nontumor tissue in both breast cancer patients and BBD patients. High levels of CYP1B1 expression and low levels of COMT expression in adjacent nontumor tissue were associated with a significantly increased breast cancer risk in a nonlinear manner. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (in parentheses) for the midpoints of the first, second, fourth, and fifth quintiles of gene expression levels compared with the overall median levels in BBD subjects were 0.21 (0.07-0.67), 0.81 (0.69-0.95), 1.20 (1.05-1.38), and 1.55 (1.12-2.15) for CYP1B1 and 1.72 (1.17-2.55), 1.19 (1.05-1.35), 0.83 (0.73-0.95), and 0.78 (0.65-0.93) for COMT, respectively. These results support the hypothesis that the formation and accumulation of catechol estrogens in breast tissue through increased CYP1B1 expression and reduced COMT expression may play a significant role in breast cancer risk. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(5):917–20)
Wheat IgE-Mediated Food Allergy in European Patients: α-Amylase Inhibitors, Lipid Transfer Proteins and Low-Molecular-Weight Glutenins
Authors: Pastorello Elide A. , Farioli Laura , Conti Amedeo , Pravettoni Valerio , Bonomi Simona , Iametti Stefania , Fortunato Donatella , Scibilia Joseph , Bindslev-Jensen Carsten , Ballmer-Weber Barbara , Robino Anna M. , Ortolani Claudio
Published: May 2007

Background: Three main problems hamper the identification of wheat food allergens: (1) lack of a standardized procedure for extracting all of the wheat protein fractions; (2) absence of double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge studies that compare the allergenic profile of Osborne’s three protein fractions in subjects with real wheat allergy, and (3) lack of data on the differences in IgE-binding capacity between raw and cooked wheat. Methods: Sera of 16 wheat-challenge-positive patients and 6 patients with wheat anaphylaxis, recruited from Italy, Denmark and Switzerland, were used for sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis/immunoblotting of the three Osborne’s protein fractions (albumin/globulin, gliadins and glutenins) of raw and cooked wheat. Thermal sensitivity of wheat lipid transfer protein (LTP) was investigated by spectroscopic approaches. IgE cross-reactivity between wheat and grass pollen was studied by blot inhibition. Results: The most important wheat allergens were the α-amylase/trypsin inhibitor subunits, which were present in all three protein fractions of raw and cooked wheat. Other important allergens were a 9-kDa LTP in the albumin/globulin fraction and several low-molecular-weight (LMW) glutenin subunits in the gluten fraction. All these allergens showed heat resistance and lack of cross-reactivity to grass pollen allergens. LTP was a major allergen only in Italian patients. Conclusions: The α-amylase inhibitor was confirmed to be the most important wheat allergen in food allergy and to play a role in wheat-dependent exercise-induced anaphylaxis, too. Other important allergens were LTP and the LMW glutenin subunits.
The International Study of Wheezing in Infants: Questionnaire Validation
Authors: Mallol Javier , García-Marcos Luis , Aguirre Viviana , Martinez-Torres Antonela , Perez-Fernández Virginia , Gallardo Alejandro , Calvo Mario , Rosario Filho Nelson , Rocha Wilson , Fischer Gilberto , Baeza-Bacab Manuel , Chiarella Pascual , Pinto Rosario , Barria Claudio
Published: May 2007

Background: There are no internationally validated questionnaires to investigate the prevalence of infant wheezing. This study was undertaken to validate a questionnaire for the International Study on the Prevalence of Wheezing in Infants (Estudio Internacional de Sibilancias en Lactantes, EISL). Material and Methods: Construct and criterion validity were tested for the question ‘Has your baby had wheezing or whistling in the chest during his/her first 12 months of life?’. Construct validity (i.e. the ability of parents and doctors to refer to the same symptoms with the same words) was tested in a sample of 50 wheezing and 50 non-wheezy infants 12–15 months of age in each of 10 centres from 6 different Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking countries. Criterion validity (i.e. the ability of parents to correctly detect the symptom in the general population) was evaluated in 2 samples (Santiago, Chile and Cartagena, Spain) of 50 wheezing and 50 non-wheezing infants (according to parents) of the same age, randomly selected from the general population, who were later blindly diagnosed by a paediatric pulmonologist. Results: Construct validity was very high (ĸ test: 0.98–1) in all centres. According to Youden’s index, criterion validity was good both in Cartagena (75.5%) and in Santiago (67.0%). Adding questions about asthma medication did not improve diagnosis accuracy. Conclusions: The EISL questionnaire significantly distinguished wheezy infants from healthy ones. This questionnaire has a strong validity and can be employed in large international multicentre studies on wheezing during infancy.
Endogenous Interleukin-10 Produced by Antigen-Irrelevant Cells Promotes the Development of Experimental Murine Allergic Conjunctivitis
Authors: Fukushima Atsuki , Sumi Tamaki , Fukuda Ken , Kumagai Naoki , Nishida Teruo , Ueno Hisayuki
Published: May 2007

Interleukin (IL)-10 is known to act as an immunoregulatory cytokine in both T helper cell 1 (Th1)- and Th2-mediated immune responses. Here, we ask whether IL-10 regulates the development of experimental allergic conjunctivitis (EC), a Th2-mediated inflammatory disease. Wild-type (WT) and IL-10 knockout (IL-10 KO) mice were immunized with ragweed (RW) and then repeatedly challenged with RW in eye drops. Twenty-four hours after the final challenge, conjunctivas were harvested for histological analysis, while the blood and spleens were used to determine the RW-specific immunoglobulin levels in serum and proliferation or cytokine responses and splenocyte transfer, respectively. The IL-10 KO mice had significantly less severe EC (as determined by conjunctival eosinophil infiltration) than the WT mice and evinced greater RW-specific splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production. However, the RW-specific immunoglobulin levels of the two strains did not differ. When the splenocytes from RW-primed WT mice were transferred into IL-10 KO or WT mice, the IL-10 KO mice showed significantly less conjunctival eosinophil infiltration. In contrast, when the splenocytes from RW-primed IL-10 KO or WT mice were transferred into WT mice, both splenocyte populations generated equivalent severe EC. These data indicate that IL-10 does not serve as an immunoregulatory cytokine in the development of EC. Instead, it appears that IL-10 produced by antigen-irrelevant cells acts in the effector phase to promote the development of EC.
Comparison of Two Antacid Preparations on Intragastric Acidity – A Two-Centre Open Randomised Cross-Over Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Sulz M.C. , Manz M. , Grob P. , Meier R. , Drewe J. , Beglinger C.
Published: May 2007

Background: Rennie® and Riopan Gel® are 2 of the most well-known and popular over-the-counter antacids; for heartburn symptoms, pain relief is fast with both preparations. A direct comparison with respect to intragastric acidity has not been done yet. The aim of our study was therefore to compare the effects of both preparations on intragastric acidity of fasting volunteers. Methods: The study was conducted as an open, randomised, placebo-controlled, 2-centre cross-over study. On different days, 24 healthy adult volunteers (11 males and 13 females) received equimolar acid-neutralising amounts of either Riopan Gel (800 mg magaldrate) or 2 tablets of Rennie (680 mg calcium carbonate and 80 mg magnesium carbonate) or no drug (control) with a wash-out period of at least 4 days between applications. The intragastric pH was measured for 3 h by intragastric pH-metry. The primary endpoint was the median time lag before intragastric pH >3.0 was reached for 10 consecutive min after drug administration. Results: For both antacids, the median pH during the first 30 min after drug administration was statistically significantly different from placebo (p < 0.05), but there was a statistically significant increase in pH during the first 5 min for Riopan Gel only. Conclusion: Compared to placebo, both antacids (Rennie and Riopan Gel) have short-lasting effects on intragastric acidity. There is no statistically significant difference between the 2 preparations, except in the first 5 min, indicating a faster onset of action for Riopan Gel. We conclude that the antacid formulation (tablet or liquid) has little influence on intragastric acidity.
Thalamotomy for Alleviation of Intractable Pain
Authors: Uematsu S.
Published: May 2007

Seventeen patients had thalamotomies for alleviation of pain due to malignancy since January, 1970. In 12 of them, thalamic electrodes were implanted through occipital burr-holes for subsequent radiofrequency thalamotomies. In 4 cases, the lesions were made by the bifrontal approach, and one case was approached from the left occipital and right frontal. The target in 14 cases was the vicinity of the centromedianum; in 3 cases the target was the zona incerta or the nucleus ventralis posterior lateralis. The size of the lesions was 2 × 6 mm in 10 cases, 8.5 × 11.5 mm in 6 cases, and 7 × 10 mm in one case. Three of the 17 cases required no analgesia between thalamotomy and death. In these cases, thalamic lesions were made in the vicinity of the ventrocaudalis parvo-cellularis and centromedianum. Six cases required non-narcotic analgesics; the lesions were located in the vicinity of the centromedianum in all cases. The remaining 8 patients required narcotics. The lesions of all except one were made outside of centromedianum.
Effects of Stimulation in the Mesial Temporal Lobe in Persons with Bitemporal Epilepsy
Authors: Nashold B.S. , Wilson W.P. , Flanigin H.
Published: May 2007

Persons suffering from intractable bitemporal epilepsy present one of the most difficult therapeutic problems. This report concerns five patients with intractable bitemporal epilepsy who have been followed over a number of years and who have not responded to drug therapy. Because recurrence of the seizures repeatedly produced serious physical and psychological limitations in the life of these patients, depth electrodes were implanted in each temporal lobe in the amygdala and hippocampal areas in an effort to determine a possible focal site for the origin of their clinical seizures. Detailed EEG recordings and direct electrical stimulations of the temporal lobe were carried out. Only the effects of stimulation will be reported here. Electrical stimulation was carried out in the amygdala and hippocampal regions while the patients were alert and cooperative. Stimulation of the amygdala produced motor, sensory, autonomic and memory and emotional changes. These changes included adversive head and eye movements, olfactory sensations, vasoconstriction, tachycardia, confusion and feelings of fear. Hippocampal stimulation resulted in motor movements, sensory changes such as paresthesias and contralateral paresthesias. Simultaneous stimulation of the hippocampal regions resulted in a complex motor and sensory change associated with postictal confusion. Unilateral stereotactic lesions of the temporal lobe involved in the clinical focus have resulted in definite improvement in the frequency of seizures in three of the patients. No serious complications have been noted related to the procedure with the longest follow-up now 5 years.
Variations in Motility Associated with Striatal Acetylcholine Levels
Authors: Szekely E.G. , Lombard S.A. , Hasse G.R.
Published: May 2007

In the course of investigations of interstriatal relationships, studied with electrical stimulation, small unilateral lesions were placed into the dorsomedial reticular formation of rats at the superior collicular level. Following the placement of these lesions, the amplitudes of the summed and averaged interstriatal responses were greatly increased. A clinical correlate was reduction of the speed of locomotion, at times advancing to complete akinesia, catatonia, and frequently generalized clonus. The acetylcholine (Ach) level (as determined in five control animals) rose from the mean striatal level of 6.5 µg/g (±1.02) by 100% to 13.3 µg/g (±1.16) 6–8 h after the reticular lesion was placed. The Ach level was determined according to the method of Crossland after the animals were killed in liquid nitrogen. We then placed in a series of other rats large lesions into the amygdaloid complex, including the origin of the stria terminalis. Catalepsy did not occur when this procedure was followed by injury to the midbrain tegmentum. These rats showed spontaneous locomotion, and clonic seizures appeared only infrequently. In these animals, the mean amount of Ach in the striata was only slightly elevated to 7.1 µg/g (±0.76). The elevation of Ach in the striate, produced in the previous set of experiments by lesions in the reticular formations, was prevented by the prior placement of amygdaloid lesions. In addition, the amygdaloid lesion prevented an increase of amplitude of the interstriatally evoked and recorded responses. Symmetrel (amantadine hydrochloride) is known to enhance dopamine turnover in the striata of untreated rats. It also increases spontaneous running speed during the initial dosages. Thereafter, repeated daily administration of large doses of Symmetrel was followed by decreased locomotion and eventually bradykinesia or akinesia with rigidity. In these rats, the striatal Ach level increased to 10.7 µg/g (± 0.92). Since the above mentioned experimental catatonia developed as a consequence of striatal excitation associated with Ach increase, we followed this line of experiments in another group of rats with subcutaneous injections of small amounts of bulbocapnine measuring 11.5 µg/g (±0.91). This finding raised the possibility that the catatonia produced by bulbocapnine is the consequence of an elevation in the striatal levels of Ach and accompanying physiological events in the striatal system. The catatonia produced by the various manipulations described could be reversed by the injection of 80–100 mg L-dopa in solution, i.p. and sometimes locomotor activity was even greater than that observed in the control period.
Multiple Sequential Stereotaxic Surgery for Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Heimburger Robert F.
Published: May 2007

The increasing safety and benefit shown from symmetrically bilateral simultaneous stereotaxic surgeries for cerebral palsy has suggested combining the benefits of lesioning multiple areas in the same patient. Unilateral dentateotomy helps to relax the spasticity of infantile spastic hemiplegia. Bilateral simultaneous dentateotomy as suggested by Fraioli and Balasubramaniam has increased the benefit for cerebral diplegia over that derived from unilateral staged destruction of both dentate nuclei. Bilateral simultaneous posterior thalamotomy which includes portions of centrum medianum and pulvinar provides good relaxation of the lower extremities and trunk in the spastic cerebral palsied child who has little or no voluntary or involuntary movement. Choreoathetoid quadriplegic cerebral palsied patients obtain some benefit from each of these procedures primarily in trunk stabilization. They do not obtain as much improvement in extremity control as those whose problem is primarily spasticity without much involuntary movement. Recently lesions in the putamen (putamenotomy) have improved voluntary control and decreased athetosis of the upper extremities. These procedures have been used in a variety of sequences.
Stereotaxic Thalamotomy for Intractable Pain
Authors: Watkins E.S.
Published: May 2007

The treatment of intractable pain in patients who have a normal life expectancy has presented great difficulties in view of the propensity of the nervous system to recover from therapeutic surgical lesions which may provide only temporary benefit to the individual. It is generally accepted that peripheral interruptions, e.g., neurectomy, rhizotomy and ventrolateral cordotomy, are unlikely to be permanently effective in the control of such painful states as anaesthesia dolorosa, post-herpetic neuralgia, post-cordotomy dysaesthesia, etc. Interruptions more central in the neural organization have been sought in consequence. Since 1961, 25 patients with benign causes of intractable pain have been treated stereotaxically with posterior-medial thalamotomy, and a long-term follow-up of the results beneficial and otherwise can now be given. The surgical lesions have been placed in relation to the position of the centro-medianum parafascicularis nuclear complex [Andrew and Watkins, 1969]. The placement of the lesions was originally empirical in nature, but a rational basis related to current anatomical and physiological concepts of the pathophysiology of intractable pain may now be offered.
Stereotactic Treatment of Action Myoclonus in a Case of Combined Status marmoratus and Multiple Sclerosis (Part 1 of 2)
Authors: Hassler R. , Schmidt K. , Riechert T. , Mundinger F.
Published: May 2007

A patient, who suffered from nonprogressive athetotic-myoclonic hyperkinesia of the left arm and spastic paresis of the underdeveloped left leg since early childhood, experienced a febrile episode at the age of 23, after which a weakness and ataxia of the right limbs with frequent falling persisted; at the age of 28, he developed a right-sided rigidity, tremor at rest and mask-like face as sequelae of encephalitis disseminata exacerbations. The violent intention myoclonus of the left side of the body could be abolished by stereotactic coagulation in the V.o.p and V.o.a and zona incerta until death 11 days later. The athetotic myoclonic hyperkinesia is the consequence of a left-sided severe status marmoratus of the right putamen with extensive loss of nerve cells and shrinkage. The additional nerve cell loss in the right substantia nigra due to demyelinating encephalitic foci did not produce Parkinson symptoms, because these require a normal striatum. This loss did, however, exaggerate the original hyperkinesia to a violent intention myoclonus, which was abolished by interruption of dentatothalamic afferents to the V.o.p nucleus and of pallidothalamic afferents to the V.o.a nucleus. The Parkinson syndrome of the right side is due to demyelinating foci of different ages. The Parkinson symptoms were manifest on the right side, because the left status marmoratus did not severely reduce the striatal nerve cells. In this case, there is no indication that the introduction of the stereotactic electrode has precipitated new demyelinating foci.
Single-Centre Results of Treatment of Retroperitoneal and Mesenteric Cystic Lymphangiomas
Authors: Su Chih-Ming , Yu Ming-Chin , Chen Huang-Yang , Tseng Jeng-Hwei , Jan Yi-Yin , Chen Miin-Fu
Published: May 2007

Background: Intra-abdominal cystic lymphangiomas are rare and usually present as benign large cystic masses. The treatment of choice of mesenteric and retroperitoneal cystic lymphangiomas is surgical resection. Methods: Seventeen adults, 11 male and 6 female, with a median age of 39 years were investigated. Presentation, treatment, and outcomes of the mesenteric and retroperitoneal cystic lymphangiomas were analyzed. Results: The most common symptom was abdominal pain. The median tumour size was 12.0 cm in diameter. Patients with retroperitoneal lymphangiomas were younger (p = 0.043). However, 4 out of 8 patients with the mesenteric type required bowel resection (p = 0.064). Magnetic resonance imaging allowed a good differentiation of cystic and septal structures. No postoperative complications occurred, but patients with mesenteric types had longer postoperative stays (7.0 vs. 13.5 days; p < 0.001). The long-term outcome of both groups was satisfactory. Conclusions: The surgical results were good with symptom relief. Bowel resection was common in mesenteric cystic lymphangiomas. Because of its higher resolution, magnetic resonance imaging is suggested.
Botulinum Toxin A Injection in ISDN Ointment-Resistant Chronic Anal Fissures
Authors: Witte M.E. , Klaase J.M.
Published: May 2007

Background: In the treatment of chronic anal fissures (CAFs), surgical sphincterotomy is more commonly being replaced by chemical sphincterotomy. After the good results of our pilot study including 32 patients, we now describe the effect of botulinum toxin A (BT-A) in a consecutive series of 100 patients with isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) ointment-resistant CAFs. Methods: From October 2002 until August 2005, 100 patients (52 males, 48 females) with a median age of 45 (20–79) years were treated with an injection of 40–100 IU BT-A (Dysport®, Ipsen, The Netherlands) in the internal anal sphincter. Results: After a median follow-up of 10 (4–38) months, 77 of the 100 CAFs (77%) were cured. 20 patients were given a second injection, 1 a third and 1 a fourth injection. In 11 patients a fissure recurred (14%). In 1 patient (1%) there was temporary incontinence due to flatus. Conclusion: With an early response rate of 77% and an overall success rate of 66%, BT-A injections appear to be effective in patients with ISDN ointment-resistant CAFs if initial non-responders are retreated. These results are in concordance with the results of our pilot study. It is a simple technique with little or no side effects, that does not compromise future treatments. Its place in the first-line treatment of CAFs should be investigated further.
Upregulation of CD4+ NKT Cells Is Important for Allograft Survival in Staphylococcal-Enterotoxin-B-Treated Rats after High-Risk Corneal Transplantation
Authors: Jie Ying , Pan Zhiqiang , Xu Liang , Chen Yu , Zhang Wenhua , Wu Yuying , Peng Hong
Published: May 2007

Objective: To study the role of CD4+ natural killer T (NKT) cells in staphylococcal-enterotoxin-B (SEB)-treated rats after high-risk corneal transplantation. Method: Fisher 344 donor corneas were transplanted into Lewis recipients. Corneal neovascularization was induced by sutures. All the recipients were randomly divided into 3 groups. The SEB group was intraperitoneally injected with SEB at a concentration of 75 µg/kg. The drug combination group received SEB and dexamethasone at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. The control group received saline buffer. All transplants were evaluated for 30 days. Ten days after transplantation, 3 recipients in each group were sacrificed for immunological study. Result: The survival time of the allografts in the SEB group was 12.50 ± 1.41 days, much longer than in the control group (7.30 ± 0.67 days) and the drug combination group (10.38 ± 3.07 days). The lymphocyte proliferation ability was the weakest and the percentage of CD4+ NKT cells in both the spleen and the mandibular lymph nodes was the highest in the SEB group, while the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ cells was the lowest in the drug combination group. IL-2 in the aqueous humor and the serum was lower while IL-10 was higher in the SEB group than in the other 2 groups. Conclusion: SEB prolongs allograft survival in rat high-risk corneal transplantation. This effect seems to be mediated by the upregulation of CD4+ NKT cells.