bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of tiapride in agitated elderly outpatients: an open study
Authors: Tsolaki M.
Published: August 2002

The aim of this study was the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of tiapride 50–100 mg administered 3 times a day to elderly patients with aggressive behavior. Data from 425 questionnaires concerning aggressive behavior in Greek elderly patients were evaluated before and after treatment. The Brief Agitation Rating Scale (BARS), which has 10 items, was used to evaluate the effectiveness of tiapride. To test the overall effectiveness of the drug during the trial, the statistical method of repeated measures ANOVA was applied to the total score and the very small F‐value (p < 0.0005) led us to accept the hypothesis that tiapride significantly improves the condition of elderly patients with aggressive behavior. Only 6.2% of patients developed an adverse event during the trial. With 95% probability one may state that the probability of an adverse event occurring during the administration of tiapride is between 5% and 7.4%. We conclude that tiapride, apart from being very efficient in ameliorating aggressive behavior in elderly patients, is also very safe to administer. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zooplankton grazing dynamics: top‐down control of phytoplankton and its relationship to an estuarine habitat
Authors: Griffin Sandra L. , Rippingale Robert J.
Published: August 2002

Top‐down control of algal blooms was investigated in the Swan–Canning Estuary, to determine whether the resident zooplankton community was able to substantially reduce phytoplankton biomass through grazing, or whether high phytoplankton biomass effectively inhibited grazing. In situ grazing by zooplankton at two depths in the water column was measured over a diel period on six occasions and examined in relation to the biotic and abiotic habitat conditions.

Measured weight‐specific ingestion rates varied with phytoplankton and zooplankton species composition, but were significantly greater at the surface than at 5 m, close to the bottom (ranges of 1·59 to 252·41 and 0·51 to 28·99 µg phytoplankton C µg zooplankton C−1 day−1, respectively). There was no evidence of significant diel changes in ingestion rates of zooplankton. Phytoplankton biomass removed by in situ community grazing ranged between 0·9 and 45·0% of standing stock per hour. The maximum loss occurred when phytoplankton biomass ranged from 249·0 to 320·8 µg phytoplankton C l−1. Zooplankton grazing impact was negatively associated with high phytoplankton and low dissolved oxygen in bottom waters. The implications of, and mechanisms associated with, top‐down control of algal biomass in this estuary are discussed in relation to plankton succession and the physical environment. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tikhonov regularization as a tool for assimilating soil moisture data in distributed hydrological models
Authors: van Loon E. E. , Troch P. A.
Published: August 2002

Discharge, water table depth, and soil moisture content have been observed at a high spatial and temporal resolution in a 44 ha catchment in Costa Rica over a period of 5 months. On the basis of the observations in the first 3 months (period A), two distinct soil moisture models are identified and calibrated: a linear stochastic time‐varying state‐space model, and a geo‐statistical model. Both models are defined at various spatial and temporal resolutions. For the subsequent period of 2 months (period B), four different ways to predict the soil moisture dynamics in the catchment are compared: (1) the application of the dynamic models in open‐loop form; (2) a re‐calibration of the dynamic models with soil moisture data in period B, and subsequent prediction in open‐loop form; (3) prediction with the geo‐statistical models, using the soil moisture data in period B; (4) prediction by combining the outcomes of (1) and (3) via generalized cross‐validation. The last method, which is a form of data assimilation, compares favourably with the three alternatives. Over a range of resolutions, the predictions by data assimilation have overall uncertainties that are approximately half that of the other prediction methods and have a favourable error structure (i.e. close to Gaussian) over space as well as time. In addition, data assimilation gives optimal predictions at finer resolutions compared with the other methods. Compared with prediction with the models in open‐loop form, both re‐calibration with soil moisture observations and data assimilation result in enhanced discharge predictions, whereas the prediction of ground water depths is not improved. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinematic wave modelling in water resources: a historical perspective
Authors: Singh V. P.
Published: August 2002

The history of the kinematic wave theory and its applications in water resources are traced. It is shown that the theory has found its niche in water resources and its applications are so widespread that they may well constitute what may be termed ‘kinematic wave hydrology’. Few theories have been applied in hydrology and water resources as extensively as the kinematic wave theory. This theory, however, is not without limitations and when it is applied they must be so recognized. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Australian corporate rescue regime: bold experiment or sensible policy?
Authors: Anderson Colin
Published: August 2002

This paper takes its title from a paper given by the Honourable Justice Robert Austin, of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, to a conference on Key developments in Corporate Law and Equity in March 2001. In that speech he described Australia's corporate rescue regime as a “bold experiment”. This paper suggests that this is not a justified description and further that it is unlikely to end in the foreseeable future. The paper consists of a broad outline of how the system operates in Australia. It provides some commentary on the more significant features of the operation of Part 5.3A of the Corporations Law and considers suggestions that have been made in respect of reform of the legislation. The paper goes on to consider how the regime has been used since its introduction showing it is now the most widely used form of insolvency administration. The paper then examines briefly some of the attempts at evaluation of the regime. It concludes by suggesting that at this stage there is inadequate information to be conclusive as to the procedure's success or otherwise in fulfilling its aims of providing better returns to creditors. It is argued first, that the wide use of the procedure suggests that it is unlikely to be fundamentally altered in the near future. A further conclusion is that there is some soundness in the approach that the legislation takes in having less court control and a greater role played by the insolvency practitioner.
Cancer incidence in families with multiple glioma patients
Authors: Paunu Niina , Pukkala Eero , Laippala Pekka , Sankila Risto , Isola Jorma , Miettinen Helena , Simola Kalle O.J. , Helén Pauli , Helin Heikki , Haapasalo Hannu
Published: August 2002

Twenty‐four Finnish families with 2 or more glioma patients were identified through questionnaires sent to 369 consecutive glioma patients receiving surgery at Tampere University Hospital during 1983–94. To explore whether unusual cancer susceptibility is involved, the cancer risk of 2,664 family members was estimated using population‐based data from the Finnish Cancer Registry. Among the total cohort of relatives, 88 cancers were observed during 1953–97. The overall cancer risk among 12 families with juvenile onset gliomas was significantly decreased (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] 0.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.4–0.9). Among 12 families with adult onset gliomas, the overall cancer risk was equal to that of the reference population (SIR 1.1, 95% CI: 0.8–1.4) whereas the risk of skin melanoma (SIR 4.0, 95% CI: 1.5–8.8) and meningioma (SIR 5.5, 95% CI: 1.1–16) were significantly increased. Several other tumors, including those associated with neurofibromatosis 1 and 2, tuberous sclerosis and Li‐Fraumeni and Turcot syndromes were surveyed, but no elevated risks were observed. In conclusion, the presence of meningiomas and skin melanomas in glioma families may indicate a novel association as a cancer susceptibility trait. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Potentiating antitumor effects of a combination therapy with lovastatin and butyrate in the Lewis lung carcinoma model in mice
Authors: Giermasz Adam , Makowski Marcin , Kozłowska Ewa , Nowis Dominika , Maj Małgorzata , Jalili Ahmad , Feleszko Wojciech , Wójcik Cezary , Dąbrowska Anna , Jakóbisiak Marek , Gołąb Jakub
Published: August 2002

Lovastatin, the drug used for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, has previously been reported to exert antitumor activity in experimental murine models. Butyrate and butyric acid derivatives are well known to induce differentiation and apoptosis of tumour cells and also have recently gained acceptance as potential anticancer agents. In this study, we examined the antitumor effects of the combination of lovastatin and butyrate or its prodrug tributyrin in vitro and in vivo against a murine Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL). This combination therapy showed synergistic antitumor activity against 3LL cells in vitro. These effects were at least in part due to apoptosis induction that occurred after 12 hr of incubation with lovastatin and butyrate and was preceded by changes in cell cycle distribution of treated cells and expression of p21, p53 and cyclin D1. Remarkably, a systemic treatment of syngeneic mice inoculated with 3LL cells with both drugs resulted in significant tumour growth retardation. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Lysosomal proteases as potential targets for the induction of apoptotic cell death in human neuroblastomas
Authors: Castino Roberta , Pace Deborah , Démoz Marina , Gargiulo Marco , Ariatta Chiara , Raiteri Elisabetta , Isidoro Ciro
Published: August 2002

Neuroblastoma is the most common type of cancer in infants. In children this tumor is particularly aggressive; despite various new therapeutic approaches, it is associated with poor prognosis. Given the importance of endosomal‐lysosomal proteolysis in cellular metabolism, we hypothesized that inhibition of lysosomal protease would impact negatively on neuroblastoma cell survival. Treatment with E‐64 or CA074Me (2 specific inhibitors of cathepsin B) or with pepstatin A (a specific inhibitor of cathepsin D) was cytotoxic for 2 neuroblastoma cell lines having different degrees of malignancy. Cell death was associated with condensation and fragmentation of chromatin and externalization of plasma membrane phosphatidylserine, 2 hallmarks of apoptosis. Concomitant inhibition of the caspase cascade protected neuroblastoma cells from cathepsin inhibitor‐induced cytotoxicity. These data indicate that prolonged inhibition of the lysosomal proteolytic pathway is incompatible with cell survival, leading to apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells, and that the cathepsin‐mediated and caspase‐mediated proteolytic systems are connected and cooperate in the regulation of such an event. Since modern antitumor chemotherapy is aimed at restoring the normal rate of apoptosis in neoplastic tissues, the demonstration that endosomal‐lysosomal cathepsins are involved in this process may constitute a basis for novel strategies that include cathepsin inhibitors in the therapeutic regimen. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Specific induction of gadd45 in human melanocytes and melanoma cells after UVB irradiation
Authors: Pedeux Rémy , Lefort Karine , Cuenin Cyrille , Cortes Ulrich , Kellner Karine , Doré Jean‐François , Nakazawa Hisayoshi
Published: August 2002

The purpose of our study was to analyze the p53‐mediated response of human melanocytes and human melanoma cells to UVB (natural environmental carcinogen) or UVC irradiation (experimental carcinogen). A semi‐quantitative RT‐PCR method was developed to allow the analysis of the expression of 5 p53 effector genes (p21WAF1, mdm2, cyclin G1, gadd45, bax) at the same time with a small amount of RNA (1 μg). In human melanocytic cells, the p53 downstream genes were found to be differentially activated after UVB and UVC irradiation. After UVB irradiation, p53 protein accumulation was sustained up to 48 hr that was not the case after UVC irradiation. Among the p53 effector genes tested, gadd45 was the only 1 to show a strong and specific induction after UVB irradiation. With high UVB doses, gadd45 was also the only gene to be transcribed. By contrast, after UVC irradiation, all the p53 effector genes tested were transcriptionally induced. Experiments conducted with fibroblasts and keratinocytes didn't show such a striking activation of gadd45 after UVB irradiation. These results point out the potential role of gadd45 in response to UVB irradiation in human melanocytes and the different p53‐mediated responses to different carcinogens. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of patient‐independent intrinsic error for a noninvasive frame for fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy
Authors: Miranpuri Amrendra S. , Tomé Wolfgang A. , Paliwal Bhudatt R. , Kesslering Christy , Mehta Minesh P.
Published: August 2002

The purpose of our study was to examine the extent of patient‐independent intrinsic error associated with multiple, repeat remounting of the Laitinen Stereoadapter. The Laitinen frame was repeatedly mounted on a solid water phantom and imaged using computed tomography (CT). The phantom contained five targets located in the center, anterior, right, left, and posterior orientations. The images were processed, fused, and analyzed on the Pinnacle™ 3‐D treatment planning system. The coordinate values (in the x, y, and z directions) for each target were determined for each mounting, and an absolute mean deviation was calculated for 11 repetitions. The mean deviation in the x, y, and z direction for the central and right target, and in the × and y direction for the posterior and anterior target was less than 2.0 mm. However, the mean error in the z direction of the anterior and posterior targets was 1.79 ± 1.02 mm and 2.20 ± 1.32 mm, respectively. Rotational misalignment during repeat frame fixation contributed to the observed deviations and in particular affected the antero‐posterior plane. With the exception of two occasions where an obvious mounting error occurred, a significant portion of error from remounting the Laitinen Stereoadapter is associated with the operator and the imaging process. The observation of an angular displacement around the axis through the earplugs suggests that a certain degree of rotational misalignment in daily remounting is possible. Targets in the antero‐posterior plane are most susceptible to localization error as a consequence of rotational misalignment. In summary, the overall error is within the limits of current imaging technology but not within submillimeter accuracy. Clinical application should take these errors into consideration when designing field margins. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of a new proliferation‐associated protein NET‐1/C4.8 characteristic for a subset of high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical carcinomas
Authors: Wollscheid Volker , Kühne‐Heid Rosemarie , Stein Ines , Jansen Lars , Köllner Susanne , Schneider Achim , Dürst Matthias
Published: August 2002

A large number of genes are known to be differentially expressed at distinct steps of carcinogenesis. By using a cell culture model system for cervical cancer, we had previously identified several genes that were more strongly expressed when comparing normal cervical epithelium with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer. In our study, we show that one of these genes, C4.8, is identical to NET‐1, which is a new member of the tetraspanin family of proteins. By generating a mouse polyclonal antiserum against the major extracellular domain of the protein, we could detect NET‐1/C4.8 expression both after ectopic expression of the gene in cell cultures and in cryostat sections of cervical biopsies. Moreover, immunohistochemic analyses of normal cervical epithelium, metaplasia, condyloma and CIN of different severity suggest that NET‐1/C4.8 expression is associated with neoplastic cell proliferation. Notably, expression of the protein throughout the entire epithelium is only evident for a subset of CIN3. The potential importance for this gene in cervical carcinogenesis is underlined by an invariably strong expression in all undifferentiated squamous cell cancers examined. This indicates that this gene may be of prognostic value. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Involvement of matrix metalloproteinase type‐3 in hepatocyte growth factor‐induced invasion of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Monvoisin Arnaud , Bisson Christèle , Si‐Tayeb Karim , Balabaud Charles , Desmoulière Alexis , Rosenbaum Jean
Published: August 2002

Intra‐hepatic invasion is a key feature of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression. We have shown that human liver myofibroblasts induce invasion of HCC cells through Matrigel, via the secretion of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). In our study, we investigated the role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) in HGF‐induced HCC cells invasion. Marimastat, a synthetic MMP inhibitor, dose‐dependently decreased HGF‐induced invasion of HepG2 cells with a maximum of 82.7 ± 13.3% at 20 μM. TIMP‐2, a natural inhibitor, decreased invasion up to 51.2 ± 11.2% at 200 ng/ml. To determine the target for these inhibitors, we examined MMP expression using RT‐PCR. MMPs 1, 7–9 and 10 were not expressed in HepG2 cells either in the absence or in the presence of HGF. MMP‐2 and MMP‐13 transcripts were detected in unstimulated cells but their expression was unchanged after exposition to HGF. MMP‐3 transcripts were undetectable in unstimulated HepG2 cells. They became clearly expressed in HGF‐stimulated cells, however, and this was confirmed by Northern blot. By Western blot, HGF dose‐dependently stimulated the secretion of pro‐MMP‐3 in the culture medium. The role of MMP‐3 in HGF‐induced invasion was directly confirmed by using an antibody to MMP‐3, that blocked invasion. Finally, RT‐PCR demonstrated MMP‐3 expression in 10/16 human HCCs tested, but not in normal liver. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that MMPs, most likely MMP‐3, mediate HGF‐induced invasion of HCC cells. The in vivo expression of MMP‐3 in HCC suggests a role for this protease in HCC progression. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of financial liberalization policies on financial development: evidence from developing economics
Authors: Arestis Philip , Demetriades Panicos , Fattouh Bassam , Mouratidis Kostas
Published: August 2002

We collect data on a number of financial restraints, including restrictions on deposit and lending interest rates and reserve and liquidity requirements, from central banks of six developing countries. We estimate the effects of these policies on financial development, controlling for the effect of economic development and using standard econometric techniques. We find that the effects of financial policies vary considerably across our sample of countries. Our findings demonstrate that financial liberalisation is a much more complex process than has been assumed by earlier literature and its effects on financial development are ambiguous. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Editorial introduction: European migration: flows, structures and regulation
Authors: Lazaridis Gabriella , Williams Allan M.
Published: August 2002

It is now widely accepted, and commented on, that both within Europe and beyond, not only are millions on the move, but there have been fundamental changes in the very nature of migration and mobility. The large‐scale uprooting of people leading to forced migration, the rapid increase of legal and illegal migration of skilled and unskilled people to the growth poles of the global economy, the rapid increase in temporary mobility of both manual labour and service providers, and the growing significance of consumption‐led migration are all intimately linked to the processes of globalisation and restructuring in global and European political, economic, social and cultural relations since the late 1980s/early 1990s. It is not only the geography of flows which has been and is being transformed, but also the channels and structures – what Urry (2000) terms the ‘scapes’ – which mediate and are reshaped by these flows. The ‘scapes’ are being recast in part by technological changes in transport and communication, opening up new ways of travel and working, but they are also part of and subject to the systems which regulate migration and mobility. In part these are defined by national and supranational systems of regulation, including both the barriers to flows and the rights of permanent residence and citizenship. But they are also conditioned by the creation and renewal of informal migrant networks across space, and the ‘grey’ area of regulation constituted by the role of organised crime in the trafficking in people. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detoxification of lantana hepatotoxin, lantadene A, using Alcaligenes faecalis
Authors: Singh Anita , Sharma Om P. , Kurade Nitin P. , Ojha Sudarshan
Published: August 2002

Detoxification of lantadene A (LA), the hepatotoxin from Lantana camara var. aculeata, by the bacterial strain Alcaligenes faecalis has been investigated. Lantadene A induced hepatotoxicity concomitant with increases in plasma bilirubin, blood plasma enzymes and histopathological lesions that typify lantana toxicity. The extract of fermentation broth in which LA was incubated with A. faecalis did not elicit any alterations in blood enzyme prolife or liver histopathology, which were comparable with the control group. It is concluded that A. faecalis detoxified LA and no noxious product was formed on incubation of LA with A. faecalis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Allergenicity testing of supermethrin, phenoxyacetic acid and DNCB using in vivo and in vitro modifications of the local lymph node assays, maximization and epicutaneous testing
Authors: Kuricova M. , Tulinska J. , Kubova J. , Liskova A. , Fuortes L.
Published: August 2002

The purpose of this study was to compare two methods of testing for allergenicity: in vivo and in vitro modifications of local lymph node assays (LLNA) in mice and the maximization and epicutaneous skin tests in guinea pigs as per the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (1981). Two pesticides—the synthetic pyrethroid insecticide supermethrin (SM) and the herbicide phenoxyacetic acid (PAA)—were evaluated using this testing battery. 1‐Chloro‐2,4‐dinitrobenzene (DNCB) was selected as a reference allergen for the local lymph node assay.

In vitro modification of LLNA proliferative response per standard cell count in lymphocyte cultures derived from treated Balb/c mice did not differ from control mice. Results of the in vivo modification showed that treatment with 50% PAA and 50% SM resulted in a lower proliferation response of lymphocytes in lymph nodes compared with control animals. The vigour of the proliferative response varied more in in vivo modification of LLNA. Stimulation indices were <3, so PAA and SM did not indicate classification as allergens.

Lymphocyte proliferation in 1% DNCB‐activated lymph nodes was approximately fivefold higher than in those derived from control mice. Proliferation response in vitro calculated as stimulation index was higher in DNCB‐treated mice than those observed in vivo, but differences were not dramatic.

Auricular lymph node weight and cellularity in mice treated with PAA and SM were similar to controls. The DNCB stimulation index for lymph node cellularity was 5.5. Lymph node weight was three times higher in comparison with controls.

In the maximization test in guinea pigs SM and PAA acid resulted in 40% and 50% of animals demonstrating sensitization, respectively. Epicutaneous administration resulted in weaker reaction. Both SM and PAA are mildly strong sensitizers by this battery. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Renal extracellular matrix alterations in lead‐treated rats
Authors: Sánchez Sara , Aguilar Rossana Pérez , Genta Susana , Aybar Manuel , Villecco Evelina , Riera Alicia Sánchez
Published: August 2002

Although the nephrotoxic effects of lead are well documented, the subcellular mechanisms of its action on the kidney remain unclear. The aim of the present work was to investigate the effects of chronic lead exposure on the expression of laminin‐1 and fibronectin in the kidney of lead‐treated rats. Western immunoblotting of the kidney extracts revealed that experimental exposure to lead resulted in a marked decrease in the intensity of the bands corresponding to laminin‐1 and an increase in the intensity of the band corresponding to fibronectin. Immunohistochemical studies demonstrated a weak labelling to laminin‐1 and a strong labelling to fibronectin in all renal basement membranes together with a decrease in their thickness. Other ultrastructural alterations found were a diminution in the amount of endothelial fenestrae, an increased fusion of foot processes in epithelial cells of the glomerulus and the presence of intranuclear inclusion bodies in the proximal tubule cells. Lead intoxication might be responsible for the above alterations in the renal extracellular matrix that could play an important role in the pathogenesis of lead nephropathy. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Short‐term oral toxicity of gasohol in female rats
Authors: Poon R. , Yagminas A. , Singh A. , Valli V. E. , Chu I.
Published: August 2002

The systemic toxicity of gasohol (10% ethanol in gasoline by volume) in female rats following 4‐week oral administration was studied. Female Sprague‐Dawley rats (198±14 g) were divided into four groups of ten animals each. The low‐ and medium‐dose groups received by gavage corn oil containing gasoline/ethanol at 16/1.8 and 160/18 (mg kg−1 body weight), respectively, for 28 consecutive days. The high‐dose animals were administered gasoline/ethanol at 1600/180 mg kg−1 on the first day and the dose was reduced to 800/90 mg kg−1 for the rest of the study period. Control animals received corn oil only. Urine was obtained from all rats after weeks 1, 2 and 4 for biochemical analysis. At termination of the study, kidneys of four rats from each group were examined by electron microscopy. Body weight gains, organ weights, tissue and organ histopathology, serum biochemistry, hematology, liver enzymes and biochemistry were determined in the remaining six animals of each group. No treatment‐related changes were observed in the following endpoints: body weight gain or relative weights of the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen and thymus. A significant increase in pentoxyresorufin O‐deethylase (PROD) and benzoylresorufin O‐dealkylase (BROD) activities was detected in the high‐dose animals, whereas ethoxyresorufin O‐deethylase (EROD) activity was unchanged. Treatment with gasohol did not produce any significant changes in hematology and serum clinical chemistry parameters. Biomarkers of oxidative stress such as serum and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and liver glutathione also were unaffected by treatments. Urinary ascorbic acid was elevated markedly in the medium‐ and high‐dose groups following the first, second and fourth weeks of treatment. Urine hippuric acid was increased significantly in the high‐dose groups. A dose‐related increase in urinary aldehydes also was observed in animals after the first, second and fourth week of treatment. Interestingly, a separate 1‐week dosing study revealed that the increase in urinary aldehydes was associated with gasoline and not with ethanol treatment. In the high‐dose animals slight increases in urinary protein and N‐acetylglucosaminidase activity were observed after week 1 but not after week 2 or week 4. No histopathological changes were detected in the liver, kidneys, stomach, brain, lungs or other tissues examined. Electron microscopic examination of the kidneys also did not reveal any abnormalities. It was concluded that short‐term oral administration of gasoline/ethanol at 800/90 mg kg−1 produced a biochemical response in the liver but no adverse effects in the kidneys and lungs. The biological significance of elevated urinary aldehydes at gasoline/ethanol concentrations of 160/18 mg kg−1 and higher remains to be studied. Copyright © 2001. Crown in the right of Canada. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neutral red uptake inhibition in adhered and adhering rat hepatoma‐derived Fa32 cells to predict human toxicity
Authors: Dierickx Paul J. , Scheers Ellen M.
Published: August 2002

The cytotoxicity of the MEIC (Multicentre Evaluation of In vitro Cytotoxicity) reference chemicals was investigated by measuring the neutral red uptake inhibition in adhered and adhering rat hepatoma‐derived Fa32 cells. The adhered cells were seeded and then treated and the adhering cells were treated simultaneously upon seeding. Five of the 44 test chemicals were twofold more toxic in adhering cells; ethylene glycol was 28‐fold more toxic and mercuric chloride was 5.2‐fold more toxic than in adhered cells. The cytotoxicity of dithiothreitol was altered in the same way as that of ethylene glycol, probably by interacting with calcium. When the neutral red uptake inhibition was compared with human toxicity, the correlation coefficient for adhering cells was almost identical to that obtained previously in human hepatoma‐derived Hep G2 cells and slightly higher for adhered cells. The Hep G2 assay was the best acute in vitro assay for the prediction of human toxicity within the MEIC study. An obviously better correlation was obtained when the strong intoxicant mercuric chloride was withdrawn from the comparison, both for the adhered and the adhering cells. Altogether, the results can be integrated very well with the basal cytotoxicity concept. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biodegradation of carbonate apatite/collagen composite membrane and its controlled release of carbonate apatite
Authors: Matsumoto T. , Okazaki M. , Inoue M. , Ode S. , Chang‐Chien C. , Nakao H. , Hamada Y. , Takahashi J.
Published: August 2002

The aim of this study was to investigate the biodegradation of carbonate apatite (CO3Ap)/collagen composite membrane as a new guided tissue regeneration membrane in vivo and to estimate its controlled release of CO3Ap in vitro. To control the biodegradation of the guided tissue regeneration membrane and to promote hard tissue regeneration in the periodontal region, we added CO3Ap into the collagen membrane. To investigate the biodegradation of CO3Ap/collagen composite membranes, the prepared membranes (CO3Ap:0, 10 wt %) were cut into 5 × 5 × 0.1 mm and subcutaneously implanted into the backside of male rats under general anesthesia. The explanted membranes were investigated histologically. To estimate their controlled release of CO3Ap in vitro, the membranes (CO3Ap 0–10 wt %, 5 × 5 × 0.1 mm) were immersed into collagenase solution and compulsorily dissolved for 48 h. Histological results suggested that the membrane had a good biocompatibility and the biodegradable period was shortened with the presence of CO3Ap. In the solubility experiments of the membrane, eluted Ca concentrations gradually increased with total dependence on the dissolution of the collagen membrane. Our study demonstrated that the biodegradation time can be controlled by CO3Ap contents in the membrane and CO3Ap could be released from the membrane with the biodegradation period. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 60: 651–656, 2002
Adsorption characteristics of human plasma fibronectin in relationship to cell adhesion
Authors: Kowalczyńska Hanna M. , Nowak‐Wyrzykowska Małgorzata , Dobkowski Jacek , Kołos Robert , Kamiński Jarosław , Makowska‐Cynka Alicja , Marciniak Ewa
Published: August 2002

Adsorption of human plasma fibronectin (FN) on nonsulfonated and sulfonated polymer surfaces was studied, by using a polyclonal antiserum to FN and the ELISA method. ELISA signal was recorded as a function of FN concentration in solutions. The concentration dependence of FN binding shows the saturation effect in the range 5–10 μg/mL. ELISA data are discussed in the terms of a self‐assembled monolayer and different conformations of the FN molecule.

The early adhesion of L1210 cells to polymer surfaces after prior adsorption of FN on these surfaces was studied under static conditions. In the case of FN adsorbed on sulfonated surfaces, the relative number of adhering cells increased with the increase of the interfacial surface tension (i.e., the cell adhesion depends on the surface density of sulfonic groups). However, in the case of FN adsorbed on nonsulfonated surfaces, the relative number of adhering cells was low and independent on the interfacial surface tension.

The α5β1‐integrin blocking by a monoclonal antibody resulted in a strong inhibition of the cell adhesion to FN adsorbed on sulfonated polymer surfaces. This indicates that cell adhesion to FN adsorbed on these surfaces is mostly mediated by the α5β1‐integrin. In contrast, in the case of FN adsorbed on nonsulfonated surfaces the cell adhesion was not inhibited by the α5β1‐integrin blocking. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 61: 260–269, 2002
Color characteristics of low‐chroma and high‐translucence dental resin composites by different measuring modes
Authors: Lee Yong‐Keun , Lim Bum‐Soon , Kim Cheol‐We , Powers John M.
Published: August 2002

The objective of the described research was the evaluation of the effects of the differences in the color‐measuring geometry (SCE, SCI) and the standard illuminant on the color and color change after polymerization and thermocycling of resin composites. White, translucent, and conventional shades of two brands of resin composites were measured before and after polymerization and after thermocycling according to the CIE L*a*b* color scale on a reflection spectrophotometer with SCE and SCI geometry under the standard illuminants A, D65, and C. Under both SCE and SCI modes, the color differences (ΔE*) of specimens between the values measured under illuminants A and D65 or A and C were larger than those between D65 and C in unpolymerized, polymerized, and thermocycled conditions. With SCE geometry, ΔE* after polymerization of the white shade group was 8.7–9.8 under D65, and was higher than the conventional shade group (p < 0.05) in both materials. With SCE geometry, ΔE* between polymerized and thermocycled white, translucent shade was 4.4–7.1 under D65. With SCI geometry, the results were in general agreement with those of SCE mode. After polymerization, ΔE* measured under illuminant A was generally higher than that under D65 or C (p < 0.01). After thermocycling, the color change was different depending on the color‐measuring geometry and standard illuminant. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res (Appl Biomater) 58: 613–621, 2001
Beneficial effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor on hepatotoxicity induced by allyl alcohol
Authors: Alam Khurshid , Nagi Mahmoud N. , Al‐Shabanah Othman A. , Al‐Bekairi Abdullah M.
Published: August 2002

The effect of aminoguanidine (a selective inhibitor of inducible nitric oxide synthase) on allyl alcohol‐induced liver injury was assessed by the measurement of serum ALT and AST activities and histo‐ pathological examination. When aminoguanidine (50–300 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to mice 30 min before a toxic dose of allyl alcohol (75 μL/kg, i.p.), significant changes related to liver injury were observed. In the presence of aminoguanidine the level of ALT and AST enzymes were significantly decreased. All symptoms of liver necrosis produced by allyl alcohol toxicity almost completely disappeared when animals were pretreated with aminoguanidine at 300 mg/kg. Depletion of hepatic glutathione as a consequence of allyl alcohol metabolism was minimal in mice pretreated with aminoguanidine at 300 mg/kg. It was found that the inhibition of toxicity was not due to alteration in allyl alcohol metabolism since aminoguanidine did not effect alcohol dehydrogenase activity both in vivo and in vitro. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 15:317–321, 2001
TCDD‐mediated oxidative stress in male rat pups following perinatal exposure
Authors: Slezak B. P. , Hamm J. T. , Reyna J. , Hurst C. H. , Birnbaum L. S.
Published: August 2002

2,3,7,8‐Tetrachlorododibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) is a highly persistent trace environmental contaminant and is one of the most potent toxicants known. Exposure to TCDD has been shown to cause oxidative stress in a variety of animal models. In this study, pregnant Long Evans rats were dosed with 1 μg TCDD/kg on gestational day (GD) 15 so as to investigate oxidative stress in the liver of male pups following gestational exposure to TCDD. Lipid peroxidation (TBARS), production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and total glutathione (GSH) were assayed to identify changes in oxidative stress parameters in the pup liver at GD 21 and postnatal days (PND) 4, 25, 32, 49, and 63. Mean ROS levels in pups were elevated at all time points tested with a significant elevation at PND 4 and PND 25. However, pup hepatic lipid peroxidation was unchanged throughout the time course. In addition, hepatic total GSH levels were not significantly changed although the means for the TCDD‐treated groups were less than those of the controls at all time points except PND 49. The results indicate that although the levels of ROS are increased following gestational/lactational exposure, this increase does not translate to direct oxidative damage or significant changes to endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms. Further investigation into the effect of gestational/lactational exposure in pups should include additional endpoints for further characterization of the time course of the response, the effect upon extrahepatic tissues, and investigation of differences between male and female offspring. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 16:49–52, 2002; Published online in Wiley Interscience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.10024
Why Is “Integrated” ABC Better?
Authors: Keys David E. , LeFevre Robert J.
Published: August 2002

Traditionally, the various parts of an organization have been assumed to be independent. This was done mainly to
simplify calculations, though the assumption is almost always inaccurate in reality. But computer technology now
makes it possible to account for the many interrelationships of activities. The explicit consideration of these
interrelationships in product and service costing can be referred to as integrated activity‐based costing. By
measuring these interrelationships, managers can better understand the parts of an organization, how they relate
with each other, and how they can be integrated into the entire organization. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals,
Inc.
Intangible Asset Accounting: How Do Worldwide Rules Differ?
Authors: Bean LuAnn , Jarnagin Bill D.
Published: August 2002

The quest to account for intangible assets has sparked debate both here and abroad. With so many
cross‐border and domestic U.S. mergers, what do the latest changes mean for today's financial
executive? © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Southeast asia: The next M&A hotspot?
Authors: Metwalli Ali M. , Tang Roger Y.W.
Published: August 2002

Many analysts believe Southeast Asia could be the site of an economic boom in the coming years. But what has
been happening with M&A activity? And will expansion continue? The authors take a detailed look
at several countries in the region, and offer some practical suggestions for potential investors.
© 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Direct effect of a gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist on the growth of canine mammary tumour cells
Authors: Pagnini Ugo , Florio Salvatore , Crispino Luca , Pagnini Giuseppe , Colangelo Donato , Rocco Daniela , Pacilio Carmen , Pacilio Maria , Macaluso Marcella , Giordano Antonio
Published: August 2002

Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist exert “in vivo” an inhibitory action on the growth of hormone‐dependent canine mammary tumours (Lombardi et al. [1999] J. Vet. Pharmacol Ther. 22(1):56–61). The present experiments have been performed “in vitro” in order to investigate the mechanisms involved in this direct antiproliferative action of GnRH agonists. In particular, the aim was to study whether these compounds might exert their antiproliferative effect by interfering with the stimulatory action of epidermal growth factor (EGF). To this purpose, the effects of GnRH agonist, Goserelin (GnRH‐A), on the mitogenic action of EGF, on EGF‐activated intracellular signaling mechanisms (intracellular calcium and nitric oxide production) as well as on ATP induced cell proliferation and signalling, and on the binding of EGF receptors have been evaluated in primary culture of canine mammary tumour cells. The results of these “in vitro” studies show that GnRH‐A counteracts the mitogenic action of EGF and ATP, decreases the EGF/ATP‐induced calcium signalling and reduces EGF binding, probably by means of NO‐induced [Ca2+]idownregulation. These data suggest that GnRH agonists may inhibit the proliferation of the tumour cells by interfering with the stimulatory action of EGF. J. Cell. Biochem. 85: 470–481, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Single‐stranded nucleic acid‐binding protein, Purα, interacts with RNA homologous to 18S ribosomal RNA and inhibits translation in vitro
Authors: Gallia Gary L. , Darbinian Nune , Jaffe Neil , Khalili Kamel
Published: August 2002

Purα is a highly conserved, eukaryotic sequence‐specific DNA‐ and RNA‐binding protein involved in diverse cellular and viral functions including transcription, replication, and cell growth. Purα exerts its activity in part by interacting with other viral and cellular proteins. One such protein is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type I regulatory protein Tat. Earlier studies have demonstrated that this interaction is mediated by Purα‐associated RNA (PARNA) and that RNA immunopurified from mammalian expressed Purα was capable of reconstituting the interaction between these two proteins. In the current study, we characterize four RNA species which were immunopurified with Purα. Northern blot analysis with one of the PARNAs revealed a highly abundant signal of ∼2.0 kilobases (kb) present in all cell lines tested. Sequence analysis of each of the four PARNA clones revealed a high homology to different regions of the human 18S ribosomal RNA sequence. Based on this homology, we investigated the influence of Purα on translation. Luciferase assays were performed after coupled in vitro transcription/translation reactions with a vector containing a luciferase reporter construct and increasing concentrations of BSA, GST, and GST‐Purα. Inclusion of GST‐Purα in these reactions resulted in a dose‐dependent inhibition of luciferase activity. Similar inhibition was observed with in vitro translation reactions performed with in vitro transcribed luciferase RNA and increasing concentrations of GST‐Purα. In control experiments, inclusion of increasing concentrations of GST‐Purα with luciferase protein resulted in no effect on luciferase activity. Taken together, these data demonstrate that Purα inhibits translation reactions in vitro. Moreover, this Purα‐mediated inhibition of translation can be abrogated by HIV‐1 Tat protein. J. Cell. Biochem. 83: 355–363, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Analysis of altered gene expression in rat soleus muscle atrophied by disuse
Authors: Cros Nathalie , Tkatchenko Andrei V. , Pisani Didier F. , Leclerc Lilian , Léger Jean J. , Marini Jean‐François , Dechesne Claude A.
Published: August 2002

The present study involved a global analysis of genes whose expression was modified in rat soleus muscle atrophied after hindlimb suspension (HS). HS muscle unloading is a common model for muscle disuse that especially affects antigravity slow‐twitch muscles such as the soleus muscle. A cDNA cloning strategy, based on suppression subtractive hybridization technology, led to the construction of two normalized soleus muscle cDNA libraries that were subtracted in opposite directions, i.e., atrophied soleus muscle cDNAs subtracted by control cDNAs and vice versa. Differential screening of the two libraries revealed 34 genes with altered expression in HS soleus muscle, including 11 novel cDNAs, in addition to the 2X and 2B myosin heavy chain genes expressed only in soleus muscles after HS. Gene up‐ and down‐regulations were quantified by reverse Northern blot and classical Northern blot analysis. The 25 genes with known functions fell into seven important functional categories. The homogeneity of gene alterations within each category gave several clues for unraveling the interplay of cellular events implied in the muscle atrophy phenotype. In particular, our results indicate that modulations in slow‐ and fast‐twitch‐muscle component balance, the protein synthesis/secretion pathway, and the extracellular matrix/cytoskeleton axis are likely to be key molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy. In addition, the cloning of novel cDNAs underlined the efficiency of the chosen technical approach and gave novel possibilities to further decipher the molecular mechanisms of muscle atrophy. J. Cell. Biochem. 83: 508–519, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New approach to free energy of solvation applying continuum models to molecular dynamics simulation
Authors: Gonçalves Paulo F. B. , Stassen Hubert
Published: August 2002

A new approach to the calculation of the free energy of solvation from trajectories obtained by molecular dynamics simulation is presented. The free energy of solvation is computed as the sum of three contributions originated at the cavitation of the solute by the solvent, the solute‐solvent nonpolar (repulsion and dispersion) interactions, and the electrostatic solvation of the solute. The electrostatic term is calculated based on ideas developed for the broadly used continuum models, the cavitational contribution from the excluded volume by the Claverie‐Pierotti model, and the Van der Waals term directly from the molecular dynamics simulation. The proposed model is tested for diluted aqueous solutions of simple molecules containing a variety of chemically important functions: methanol, methylamine, water, methanethiol, and dichloromethane. These solutions were treated by molecular dynamics simulations using SPC/E water and the OPLS force field for the organic molecules. Obtained free energies of solvation are in very good agreement with experimental data. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 23: 706–714, 2002
Equilibrium inversion barrier of NH3 from extrapolated coupled‐cluster pair energies
Authors: Klopper Wim , Samson Claire C. M. , Tarczay György , Császár Attila G.
Published: August 2002

The basis‐set convergence of singlet and triplet pair energies of coupled‐cluster theory including single and double excitations is accelerated by means of extrapolations based on the distinct convergence behaviors of these pairs. The new extrapolation procedure predicts a nonrelativistic Born–Oppenheimer inversion barrier of 1767±12 cm−1 for NH3. An effective one‐dimensional, vibrationally averaged barrier of 2021±20 cm−1 is obtained when relativistic effects (+20 cm−1), Born–Oppenheimer diagonal corrections (−10 cm−1), and zero‐point vibrations (+244 cm−1) are accounted for. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1306–1314, 2001
Pitch tournament designs and other BIBDs—existence results for the case ν = 8n
Authors: Abel R. Julian R. , Finizio Norman J. , Greig Malcolm , Lewis Scott J.
Published: August 2002

A pitch tournament is a resolvable or near resolvable(ν,8,7) BIBD that satisfies certain criteria in addition to theusual condition that ν ≡ 0 or 1 (mod 8). Here we establish that for the case ν = 8n the necessary condition forpitch tournaments is sufficient for all n > 1615, with at most 187 smaller exceptions. This complements our earlier study of the ν = 8n + 1 case, where we established sufficiency for all n > 224, with at most 28 smaller exceptions. The four missing cases for (ν,8,7) BIBDs are provided, namely ν∈{48,56,96,448}, thereby establishing that the necessary existence conditions are sufficient without exception. Some constructions for resolvable designs are also provided, reducing the existence question for (ν,8,7) RBIBDs to 21 possible exceptions. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Combin Designs 9: 334–356, 2001