bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validity and reproducibility of arterial pulse wave velocity measurement using new device with oscillometric technique: A pilot study
Authors: Naidu Madireddy Umamaheshwar Rao , Reddy Budda Muralidhar , Yashmaina Sridhar , Patnaik Amar Narayana , Rani Pingali Usha
Published: August 2005

Background

Availability of a range of techniques and devices allow measurement of many variables related to the stiffness of large or medium sized arteries. There is good evidence that, pulse wave velocity is a relatively simple measurement and is a good indicator of changes in arterial properties. The pulse wave velocity calculated from pulse wave recording by other methods like doppler or tonometry is tedious, time-consuming and above all their reproducibility depends on the operator skills. It requires intensive resource involvement. For epidemiological studies these methods are not suitable. The aim of our study was to clinically evaluate the validity and reproducibility of a new automatic device for measurement of pulse wave velocity that can be used in such studies.

Methods

In 44 subjects including normal healthy control and patients with coronary artery disease, heart brachial, heart ankle, brachial ankle and carotid femoral pulse wave velocities were recorded by using a new oscillometric device. Lead I and II electrocardiogram and pressure curves were simultaneously recorded. Two observers recorded the pulse wave velocity for validation and one observer recorded the velocity on two occasions for reproducibility.

Results and Discussion

Pulse wave velocity and arterial stiffness index were recorded in 24 control and 20 coronary artery disease patients. All the velocities were significantly high in coronary artery disease patients. There was highly significant correlation between the values noted by the two observers with low standard deviation. The Pearson's correlation coefficient for various velocities ranged from (r = 0.88–0.90) with (p < 0.0001). The reproducibility was also very good as shown by Bland-Altman plot; most of the values were lying within 2 SD. The interperiod measurements of pulse wave velocity were also significantly correlated (r = 0.71 – 0.98) (P < 0.0001). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was found to correlate significantly with heart brachial, heart ankle, brachial ankle pulse wave velocity and arterial stiffness index values. Reproducibility of our method was good with very low variability in both interobserver and interperiod analysis.

Conclusion

The new device "PeriScope" based on oscillometric technique has been found to be a simple, non-invasive and reproducible device for the assessment of pulse wave velocity and can be used to determine arterial stiffness in large population based studies.
Life and death of lymphocytes: a role in immunesenescence
Authors: Gupta Sudhir , Su Houfen , Bi Ruifen , Agrawal Sudhanshu , Gollapudi Sastry
Published: August 2005

Human aging is associated with progressive decline in immune functions, increased frequency of infections. Among immune functions, a decline in T cell functions during aging predominates. In this review, we will discuss the molecular signaling in two major pathways of apoptosis, namely death receptor pathway and mitochondrial pathway, and their alterations in both T and B lymphocytes in human aging with a special emphasis on naïve and different memory subsets of CD8+ T cells. We will also discuss a possible role of lymphocyte apoptosis in immune senescence.
(Re)form with Substance? Restructuring and governance in the Australian health system 2004/05
Authors: Rix Mark , Owen Alan , Eagar Kathy
Published: August 2005

The Australian health system has been the subject of multiple reviews and reorganisations over the last twenty years or more. The year 2004–2005 was no different.

This paper reviews the reforms, (re)structures and governance arrangements in place at both the national and state/territory levels in the last year. At the national level some progress has been made in 2004/05 through the Australian Health Ministers' Council and there is now a national health reform agenda, albeit not a comprehensive one, endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in June 2005. Quality and safety was an increasing focus in 2004–2005 at both the national and jurisdictional levels, as was the need for workforce reform. Although renewed policy attention was given to the need to better integrate and coordinate health care, there is little evidence of any real progress this last year. More progress was made on a national approach to workforce reform.

At the jurisdictional level, the usual rounds of reviews and restructuring occurred in several jurisdictions and, in 2005, they are organisationally very different from each other. The structure and effectiveness of jurisdictional health authorities are now more important. All health authorities are being expected to drive an ambitious set of national and local reforms. At the same time, most have now blurred the boundary between policy and service delivery and are devoting significant resources to centrally 'crisis managing' their service systems. These same reasons led to decentralisation in previous restructuring cycles. While there were many changes in 2004–2005, and a new national report to COAG on health reform is expected at the end of 2005, based on current evidence there is little room for optimism about the prospects for real progress.
Using prior distributions to synthesize historical evidence: comments on the Goodman–Sladky case study of IVIg in Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Greenhouse Joel B , Seltman Howard
Published: August 2005

One feature of the Bayesian approach is that it provides methods for synthesizing what is known about a question of interest and provides a formalism based on the laws of probability for incorporating this auxiliary knowledge into the planning and the analysis of the next study. In this comment, we use elements of the Goodman-Sladky case study to illustrate (1) the use of Bayesian methods to quantify historical information about an intervention through the specification of a prior distribution, (2) an approach to the analysis of the sensitivity of the conclusions of a Bayesian analysis to the specification of the prior distribution, and (3) we comment on the role of research synthesis for combining information about an intervention from different data sources as a tool to help summarize evidence about the intervention.
Quantification of microtubule nucleation, growth and dynamics in wound-edge cells
Authors: Salaycik Kimberly J. , Fagerstrom Carey J. , Murthy Kausalya , Tulu U. Serdar , Wadsworth Patricia
Published: August 2005

Mammalian cells develop a polarized morphology and migrate directionally into a wound in a monolayer culture. To understand how microtubules contribute to these processes, we used GFP-tubulin to measure dynamic instability and GFP-EB1, a protein that marks microtubule plus-ends, to measure microtubule growth events at the centrosome and cell periphery. Growth events at the centrosome, or nucleation, do not show directional bias, but are equivalent toward and away from the wound. Cells with two centrosomes nucleated approximately twice as many microtubules/minute as cells with one centrosome. The average number of growing microtubules per μm2 at the cell periphery is similar for leading and trailing edges and for cells containing one or two centrosomes. In contrast to microtubule growth, measurement of the parameters of microtubule dynamic instability demonstrate that microtubules in the trailing edge are more dynamic than those in the leading edge. Inhibition of Rho with C3 transferase had no detectable effect on microtubule dynamics in the leading edge, but stimulated microtubule turnover in the trailing edge. Our data demonstrate that in wound-edge cells, microtubule nucleation is non-polarized, in contrast to microtubule dynamic instability, which is highly polarized, and that factors in addition to Rho contribute to microtubule stabilization.
A Hip Wear Simulator with 100 Test Stations
Authors: Saikko V
Published: August 2005

A novel high-capacity hip wear simulator of the pin-on-disc type was designed, built, and validated. This so-called Super-CTPOD (circularly translating pin-on-disc) device has as many as 100 separate test stations, being an advanced version of the previously validated 12-station CTPOD. A validity test was done so that in all stations the specimens and the test conditions were as similar as possible. Hence, for the first time in this field, an adequate number of similar tests was done for a proper statistical analysis of wear data. The pins were conventional, gamma-sterilized ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, and the discs were polished CoCr. The lubricant was diluted calf serum and the test length 3 million cycles. In the course of the test, the pins became highly polished, whereas the discs remained practically unchanged. The majority of the polyethylene wear particles were rounded, with a mean diameter of 0.25 μm. The 100 wear factor values computed from the 100 steady state wear rate values of the pins were normally distributed, the mean ±95 per cent confidence interval being 1.63 ± 0.017 × 10−6 mm3/Nm. The standard deviation was 5.4 per cent of the mean. There were no outliers. The wear mechanisms and the wear factor agreed well with clinical findings. Altogether, the Super-CTPOD test system was shown to be a unique combination of validity, low variation, capacity, efficiency, reliability, productivity, economy, ease of operation, and compact size.
Effects of nucleotide substitution and modification on the stability and structure of helix 69 from 28S rRNA
Authors: SUMITA MINAKO , DESAULNIERS JEAN-PAUL , CHANG YU-CHENG , CHUI HELEN M.-P. , CLOS LAWRENCE , CHOW CHRISTINE S.
Published: August 2005

The helix 69 (H69) region of the large subunit (28S) rRNA of Homo sapiens contains five pseudouridine (Ψ) residues out of 19 total nucleotides (26%), three of which are universally or highly conserved. In this study, the effects of this abundant modified nucleotide on the structure and stability of H69 were compared with those of uridine. The role of a loop nucleotide substitution from A in bacteria (position 1918 in Escherichia coli 23S rRNA) to G in eukaryotes (position in 3734 in H. sapiens) was also examined. The thermodynamic parameters were obtained through UV melting studies, and differences in the modified and unmodified RNA structures were examined by 1H NMR and circular dichroism spectroscopy. In addition, a [1,3-15N]Ψ phosphoramidite was used to generate H69 analogs with site-specific 15N labels. By using this approach, different Ψ residues can be clearly distinguished from one another in 1H NMR experiments. The effects of pseudouridine on H. sapiens H69 are consistent with previous studies on tRNA, rRNA, and snRNA models in which the nucleotide offers stabilization of duplex regions through ΨN1H-mediated hydrogen bonds. The overall secondary structure and base-pairing patterns of human H69 are similar to the bacterial RNA, consistent with the idea that ribosome structure and function are highly conserved. Nonetheless, pseudouridine-containing RNAs have subtle differences in their structures and stabilities compared to the corresponding uridine-containing analogs, suggesting possible roles for Ψ such as maintaining translation fidelity.
A Gas-Phase Cell for Infrared Spectra of Sublimable Compounds
Authors: Taulane J. P. , Venkatachalapathi Y. V. , Goodman M.
Published: August 2005

We have designed and constructed a novel gas cell for infrared spectroscopic studies. Detailed features of the cell are described. Gas-phase spectra have been obtained for N-methylacetamide, camphorolactam, and acetyl-L-alanine-N-methylamide at elevated temperatures and high vacuum. The results show highly resolved spectra for cis and trans amide bonds.
Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Trace Elements in Carbonate Rocks
Authors: Johnson Robert G. , Palmer Curtis A. , Dennen Kris O. , Hearn Paul P.
Published: August 2005

A method for the energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence analysis of the trace elements Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, and Ba in carbonate rocks (limestone and dolomite) is described. This method utilizes silicate rock standards, loose powder samples, and a matrix correction based on scattered radiation. Values for several international carbonate rock standards are calculated and compare favorably with neutron activation analysis results.
Infrared Spectroscopic Studies of Poly(perfluoropropyleneoxide) on Gold Substrates: A Classical Dispersion Analysis for the Refractive Index
Authors: Pacansky J. , England C. D. , Waltman R.
Published: August 2005

In order to interpret reflectance infrared spectra for the three-layer system vacuum-poly(perfluoropropyleneoxide)-gold, it was necessary to carry out a classical dispersion analysis for the complex refractive index, n̂2, of poly(perfluoropropyleneoxide). Also, experimental data for the refractive index of gold, n̂3, in the infrared was fit to a polynomial to render the real and imaginary parts suitable for computer modeling. The refractive indexes were then used to compute the changes in the infrared reflectance spectra, via Maxwell's equations, as a function of film thickness and angle of incidence.
Magnetically Tailored, Atmospheric-Pressure Plasmas for Atomic Spectroscopy
Authors: Albers D. , Johnson E. , Tisack M. , Sacks R.
Published: August 2005

Three magnetic field-plasma configurations are used to study the interaction of external magnetic fields with analytically useful, atmospheric-pressure plasmas. A magnetic field normal to the electric field in the plasma produced by the capacitive discharge vaporization of a thin Ag film is used to obtain an ExB drift motion of the plasma. Photographs show that this drift motion can drastically alter the size, shape, and location of the plasma. The same plasma-generation technique is combined with a nonuniform magnetic field to obtain an adiabatic magnetic-mirror ion trap. Finally, the cylindrically symmetric plasma produced by the capacitive discharge vaporization of a thin metal wire or a bundle of graphite fibers is combined with an axial magnetic field to obtain a theta pinch of the plasma. In all cases, the plasma current is used to generate the magnetic field in a large air-core inductor surrounding the plasma. Radiative and electrical properties of these magnetically modified plasmas will be presented.
Far-IR Studies of Carbon Acid Complexes of 18-Crown-6
Authors: McKenna William P. , Eyring Edward M.
Published: August 2005

Bands in the far-IR spectra of 18-crown-6 complexes of nitromethane, acetronitrile, and malonodinitrile are attributed to hydrogen bonding. The vσ vibrational mode is assigned for these neutral complexes. Solution studies of the complexes in CHCl3 show that a substantial amount of both the nitromethane complex and the malonodinitrile complex remains intact. The acetonitrile complex, however, appears to dissociate in CHCl3.
Between-Lot Variation in External Quality Assessment of Glucose: Clinical Importance and Effect on Participant Performance Evaluation
Authors: Kristensen Gunn BB , Christensen Nina Gade , Thue Geir , Sandberg Sverre
Published: August 2005

Background: External quality assessment schemes (EQAS) are conducted to evaluate user performance (participant assessment) and to assess different methods and instruments (method assessment). The quality of control materials is crucial to achieving these goals. Inconsistencies in between-lot variations detected by use of different control and sample materials may affect EQAS outcomes.

Methods: For the Accu-Chek Sensor, Precision Xtra, Ascensia Elite, and HemoCue 201 glucometers, 3 different lots of glucose strips were used with each instrument. Method assessment results from analysis of capillary blood and 3 control materials were used to calculate between-lot differences. A simulation study was performed to evaluate the effect of between-lot variation on participant assessment results.

Results: With the Precision Xtra, the results obtained with EQA control material mirrored those obtained with capillary blood, but for the other instruments, we found between-lot differences of as much as 1.3 mmol/L, which were substantially greater than those found with capillary blood and of clinical importance at decision limits. The simulation study showed an effect on participant assessment results related to the target values, with the percentage of poor results decreasing (38%, 10%, and 4%) with the use of common, method-specific, and lot-specific target values, respectively.

Conclusions: Between-lot variation may influence participant EQA results for participant and method assessments. The clinical relevance of between-lot variation discovered in EQAS using noncommutable control materials should be examined by use of native blood samples.
Genetic Contributions to Human Gyrification: Sulcal Morphometry in Williams Syndrome
Authors: Kippenhan J. Shane , Olsen Rosanna K. , Mervis Carolyn B. , Morris Colleen A. , Kohn Philip , Meyer-Lindenberg Andreas , Berman Karen Faith
Published: August 2005

Although gyral and sulcal patterns are highly heritable, and emerge in a tightly controlled sequence during development, very little is known about specific genetic contributions to abnormal gyrification or the resulting functional consequences. Williams syndrome (WS), a genetic disorder caused by hemizygous microdeletion on chromosome 7q11.23 and characterized by abnormal brain structure and striking cognitive (impairment in visuospatial construction) and behavioral (hypersocial/anxious) phenotypes, offers a unique opportunity to study these issues. We performed a detailed analysis of sulcal depth based on geometric cortical surface representations constructed from high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging scans acquired from participants with WS and from healthy controls who were matched for age, sex, and intelligence quotient, and compared between-group differences with those obtained from a voxel-based morphometry analysis. We found bilateral reductions in sulcal depth in the intraparietal/occipitoparietal sulcus (PS) in the brains of participants with WS, as well as in the collateral sulcus and the orbitofrontal region in the left hemisphere. The left-hemisphere PS in the WS group averaged 8.5 mm shallower than in controls. Sulcal depth findings in the PS corresponded closely to measures of reduced gray matter volume in the same area, providing evidence that the gray matter volume loss and abnormal sulcal geometry may be related. In the context of previous functional neuroimaging findings demonstrating functional alterations in the same cortical regions, our results further define the neural endophenotype underlying visuoconstructive deficits in WS, set the stage for defining the effects of specific genes, and offer insight into genetic mechanisms of cortical gyrification.
Dual Modulation of Endocannabinoid Transport and Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase Protects against Excitotoxicity
Authors: Karanian David A. , Brown Queenie B. , Makriyannis Alexandros , Kosten Therese A. , Bahr Ben A.
Published: August 2005

The endocannabinoid system has been suggested to elicit signals that defend against several disease states including excitotoxic brain damage. Besides direct activation with CB1receptor agonists, cannabinergic signaling can be modulated through inhibition of endocannabinoid transport and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), two mechanisms of endocannabinoid inactivation. To test whether the transporter and FAAH can be targeted pharmacologically to modulate survival/repair responses, the transport inhibitorN-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-arachidonamide (AM404) and the FAAH inhibitor palmitylsulfonyl fluoride (AM374) were assessed for protection against excitotoxicityin vitroandin vivo. AM374 and AM404 both enhanced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation in cultured hippocampal slices. Interestingly, combining the distinct inhibitors produced additive effects on CB1signaling and associated neuroprotection. After an excitotoxic insult in the slices, infusing the AM374/AM404 combination protected against cytoskeletal damage and synaptic decline, and the protection was similar to that produced by the stable CB1agonist AM356 (R-methanandamide). AM374/AM404 and the agonist also elicited cytoskeletal and synaptic protectionin vivowhen coinjected with excitotoxin into the dorsal hippocampus. Correspondingly, potentiating endocannabinoid responses with the AM374/AM404 combination prevented behavioral alterations and memory impairment that are characteristic of excitotoxic damage. The protective effects mediated by AM374/AM404 were (1) evident 7 d after insult, (2) correlated with the preservation of CB1-linked MAPK signaling, and (3) were blocked by a selective CB1antagonist. These results indicate that dual modulation of the endocannabinoid system with AM374/AM404 elicits neuroprotection through the CB1receptor. The transporter and FAAH are modulatory sites that may be exploited to enhance cannabinergic signaling for therapeutic purposes.
Optimal consumption strategies under model uncertainty
Authors: Burgert Christian , Rüschendorf Ludger
Published: August 2005

In this paper we consider the problem of finding optimal consumption strategies in an incomplete semimartingale market model under model uncertainty. The quality of a consumption strategy is measured by not only one probability measure but as common in risk theory by a class of scenario measures. We formulate a dual version of the optimization problem and prove the existence of a saddle point and give a characterization of an optimal consumption strategy in terms of solutions of the dual problem. This generalizes results of Karatzas and Zitkovic (2003) for the optimal consumption problem under a fixed probability measure.
Probability of Fixation in a Heterogeneous Environment
Authors: Whitlock Michael C , Gomulkiewicz Richard
Published: August 2005

We investigate the probability of fixation of a new mutation arising in a metapopulation that ranges over a heterogeneous selective environment. Using simulations, we test the performance of several approximations of this probability, including a new analytical approximation based on separation of the timescales of selection and migration. We extend all approximations to multideme metapopulations with arbitrary population structure. Our simulations show that no single approximation produces accurate predictions of fixation probabilities for all cases of potential interest. At the limits of low and high migration, previously published approximations are found to be highly accurate. The new separation-of-timescales approach provides the best approximations for intermediate rates of migration among habitats, provided selection is not too intense. For nonzero migration and relatively strong selection, all approximations perform poorly. However, the probability of fixation is bounded above and below by the approximations based on low and high migration limits. Surprisingly, in our simulations with symmetric migration, heterogeneous selection in a metapopulation never decreased—and sometimes substantially increased—the probability of fixation of a new allele compared to metapopulations experiencing homogeneous selection with the same mean selection intensity.
Mitochondrial Genome Recombination in the Zone of Contact Between Two Hybridizing Conifers
Authors: Jaramillo-Correa Juan P , Bousquet Jean
Published: August 2005

Variation in mitochondrial DNA was surveyed at four gene loci in and around the zone of contact between two naturally hybridizing conifers, black spruce (Picea mariana) and red spruce (P. rubens) in northeastern North America. Most of the mtDNA diversity of these species was found in populations next to or into the zone of contact, where some individuals bore rare mitotypes intermediate between the common mitotypes observed in the allopatric areas of each species. Sequence analysis and tests for mtDNA recombination point to this phenomenon, rather than to recurrent mutation, as the most tenable hypothesis for the origin of these rare mitotypes. From the 10 mitotypes observed, at least 4 would be the product of recombination between 4 of the 5 putative ancestral mitotypes. Tests for cytonuclear disequilibrium and geographical structure of the putative recombinant mitotypes suggest that mtDNA recombination is not frequent and relatively recent on the geological time scale. mtDNA recombination would have been promoted by transient heteroplasmy due to leakage of paternal mtDNA since the Holocene secondary contact between the two species.
Genetic Modifier Screens on Hairless Gain-of-Function Phenotypes Reveal Genes Involved in Cell Differentiation, Cell Growth and Apoptosis in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Müller Dominik , Kugler Sabrina J , Preiss Anette , Maier Dieter , Nagel Anja C
Published: August 2005

Overexpression of Hairless (H) causes a remarkable degree of tissue loss and apoptosis during imaginal development. H functions as antagonist in the Notch-signaling pathway in Drosophila, and the link to growth and apoptosis is poorly understood. To further our insight into H-mediated apoptosis, we performed two large-scale screens for modifiers of a small rough eye phenotype caused by H overexpression. Both loss- and gain-of-function screens revealed known and new genetic interactors representing diverse cellular functions. Many of them did not cause eye phenotypes on their own, emphasizing a specific genetic interaction with H. As expected, we also identified components of different signaling pathways supposed to be involved in the regulation of cell growth and cell death. Accordingly, some of them also acted as modifiers of proapoptotic genes, suggesting a more general involvement in the regulation of apoptosis. Overall, these screens highlight the importance of H and the Notch pathway in mediating cell death in response to developmental and environmental cues and emphasize their role in maintaining developmental cellular homeostasis.
Persistence Time of Loss-of-Function Mutations at Nonessential Loci Affecting Eye Color in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Yampolsky Lev Y , Allen Chenoa , Shabalina Svetlana A , Kondrashov Alexey S
Published: August 2005

Persistence time of a mutant allele, the expected number of generations before its elimination from the population, can be estimated as the ratio of the number of segregating mutations per individual over the mutation rate per generation. We screened two natural populations of Drosophila melanogaster for mutations causing clear-cut eye phenotypes and detected 25 mutant alleles, falling into 19 complementation groups, in 1164 haploid genomes, which implies 0.021 eye mutations/genome. The de novo haploid mutation rate for the same set of loci was estimated as 2 × 10−4 in a 10-generation mutation-accumulation experiment. Thus, the average persistence time of all mutations causing clear-cut eye phenotypes is ∼100 generations (95% confidence interval: 61–219). This estimate shows that the strength of selection against phenotypically drastic alleles of nonessential loci is close to that against recessive lethals. In both cases, deleterious alleles are apparently eliminated by selection against heterozygous individuals, which show no visible phenotypic differences from wild type.
A New Approach to Measuring the Action Spectrum for Singlet Oxygen Production by Human Retinal Lipofuscin
Authors: Avalle L. B. , Dillon J. , Tari S. , Gaillard E. R.
Published: August 2005

The human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) layer contains a complex mixture of components called lipofuscin; this mixture forms with age and with various genetic disorders such as Stargardt's disease. Its presence may contribute to retinal deterioration via several mechanisms including photochemical processes. In the lipofuscin mixture, both type I and II mechanisms have been identified, with the latter consisting of the generation of singlet oxygen. Several components of that mixture have been identified, most notably a bis‐retinoid pyridinium compound called A2E and its derivatives. Photo‐oxidative studies on the compound A2E have revealed that its dominant photochemical mechanism is via free radical or type I processes. Because singlet oxygen is an important photooxidative intermediate in tissue, its generation in the RPE may contribute to retinal maculopathies. It is therefore necessary to determine which specific component(s) in the lipofuscin mixture produce singlet oxygen upon excitation with light. This was ascertained by evaluating the action spectrum for singlet oxygen production for the whole lipofuscin mixture using time‐resolved spectroscopy. Singlet oxygen was generated by excitation of the sample at different wavelengths while maintaining a constant beam energy, and was directly detected by its phosphorescence decay at 1270 nm using a Ge photodiode. The action spectrum for singlet oxygen sensitization by the organic soluble portion of lipofuscin had an absorption maximum at ca 380 nm, which is to the blue of A2E (maximum at 430 nm). Compounds with a similar absorption maximum eluted in the HPLC earlier than A2E and were detected in human lipofuscin. The concentration of this component apparently increased in concentration in human RPE lipofuscin mixture as a function of age up to 90 years old.
Psychosexual impact of gynaecological malignancy
Authors: Kew Fiona M , Nevin James , Cruickshank Derek J
Published: August 2005

Despite being common, the impact of gynaecological malignancies on sexual functioning has been largely ignored. Many factors contribute to psychosexual morbidity in these patients, including premorbid sexual function and the physical and psychological effects of the disease and treatment(s). This review aims to highlight the factors that contribute to psychosexual morbidity and to discuss the management options that are available.
Outpatient hysteroscopy
Authors: Clark T Justin , Gupta Janesh K
Published: August 2005

Hysteroscopy (direct endoscopic visualisation of the endometrial cavity) is considered a safe and acceptable procedure and it is used extensively in Europe and North America for the evaluation of uterine bleeding disorders. Technological advances in instrumentation have allowed hysteroscopy to be performed in an outpatient setting, increasing its use in gynaecological practice. However, the role of outpatient hysteroscopy in the diagnosis of intrauterine structural pathology and serious endometrial diseases like cancer and hyperplasia is still debated. More recently, hysteroscopic surgical interventions have become feasible in the outpatient setting. This review explores these issues and outlines the current state of the art.
Making Audit Work
Authors: Wood Laurence
Published: August 2005

Audit is now a statutory requirement in almost all NHS departments. Its aim is to set standards and improve performance in order to achieve clinical excellence; however, audit often fails to meet these targets. This article discusses the different processes involved in conducting an effective audit and highlights some of the problems that are often encountered in the process.
Influence of synthetic aggregates on expansion due to alkali–silica reaction
Authors: Juenger M. C. G. , Ostertag C. P.
Published: August 2005

Alkalis that are present naturally in cement react expansively with some siliceous aggregates, causing cracking in concrete. This paper investigates the effects of replacing a small amount (5%) of reactive aggregate in mortar with a synthetic aggregate on expansion under accelerated testing conditions for alkali–silica reaction (modified ASTM C 1260). It was found that 5% replacement of sand with an inert aggregate (sintered alumina) had no effect on expansion; replacement with a lightweight aggregate (sintered, pulverised fly ash) decreased expansion by 30%; and replacement with a sintered microcrystalline silica aggregate reduced expansion by 80% during the 14-day period monitored by the test.
Value of baseline positron emission tomography for predicting overall survival in patient with nonmetastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction carcinoma
Authors: Hong David , Lunagomez Simon , Kim E. Edmund , Lee Jeffery H. , Bresalier Robert S. , Swisher Stephen G. , Wu Tsung‐Tse , Morris Jeffery , Liao Zhongxing , Komaki Ritsuko , Ajani Jaffer A.
Published: August 2005

BACKGROUND

The value of baseline positron emission tomography (PET) for predicting overall survival (OS) or disease‐free survival (DFS) is unclear in patients with nondistant metastatic (locoregional only) esophageal carcinoma. The authors tested the hypothesis that, in this setting, the number of PET abnormalities (NPA) would correlate with OS and DFS.

METHODS

The authors of the current study analyzed patients with localized esophageal carcinoma (Stages II and III) who had a baseline PET and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) and were all treated with chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery. The standardized uptake value (SUV) of PET avid lesions were evaluated for: SUV of the primary, NPA, peak SUV, and total SUV. Correlations were performed with baseline EUS results, OS, DFS, and clinical and pathologic response.

RESULTS

Forty‐seven patients who underwent chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery were analyzed. Most patients had clinical Stage III cancer. NPA was significantly associated with OS (Cox model, P = 0.02; log‐rank test, P = 0.04) and DFS (P = 0.04). Patients with NPA > 1 had a death hazard ratio of 4.49 (reference, NPA = 1). In a multivariate analysis, NPA was independently predictive of OS (P = 0.03). Alternatively, SUV of the primary tumor, peak SUV, total SUV, and EUS clinical stage did not correlate with the type of response, OS or DFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Data from the current study suggest that for nondistant metastatic esophageal carcinoma, baseline PET can predict patient outcome. Baseline NPA (> 1), reflecting the regional nodal metastases, is an independent predictor of OS. Baseline PET may become a useful stratification factor in randomized trials and for individualizing therapy. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Is the Aromatic Fragment of Piano‐Stool Ruthenium Compounds an Essential Feature for Anticancer Activity? The Development of New RuII‐[9]aneS3 Analogues (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 17/2005)
Authors: Serli Barbara , Zangrando Ennio , Gianferrara Teresa , Scolaro Claudine , Dyson Paul J. , Bergamo Alberta , Alessio Enzo
Published: August 2005

The cover picture shows the X‐ray structures of some new half‐sandwich (or piano‐stool) RuII‐[9]aneS3 complexes ([9]aneS3 = 1,3,7‐trithiacyclononane) against a background of cells in culture. The complexes of the type [RuCl2(L)([9]aneS3)], [RuCl(L)2([9]aneS3)][CF3SO3], and [Ru(dmsoS)(L)2([9]aneS3)][CF3SO3]2 (L = 1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphaadamantane, PTA; (L)2 = 2 PTA or chelating N‐ligand) were prepared from Ru‐[9]aneS3‐dmso precursors and structurally characterized, both in solution and in the solid state. Some of them are analogues of known cytotoxic half‐sandwich RuII(η6‐arene) organometallic compounds of the type [RuCl(en)(η6‐arene)][PF6] and [RuCl2(PTA)(η6‐arene)], in which the aromatic fragment is replaced by the sulfur macrocycle [9]aneS3 while the rest of the coordination sphere is left unchanged. Preliminary in vitro tests performed on some complexes against the mouse adenocarcinoma cancer cell line (TS/A) and the human mammary normal cell line (HBL‐100) showed that, in general, the Ru‐[9]aneS3 compounds have a cytotoxicity comparable to that of the corresponding organometallic analogues. These results suggest that the aromatic fragment of the piano‐stool RuII compounds is not an essential feature for the in vitro anticancer activity, and it might be effectively replaced by another face‐capping ligand with a low steric demand, such as [9]aneS3. Details are discussed in the article by E. Alessio et al. on p. 3423 ff. This work was performed within the framework of COST Action D20, a collaboration between WG 0001 and WG 0005.
Hamilton's Principle for a Set of Nonlinear Heat Conduction
Authors: Gambár Katalin , Márkus Ferenc
Published: August 2005

We calculate the Lagrangian for certain type of differential equations of nonlinear heat conduction, applying potential function method introduced previously. On the other hand, we point out that these kind of nonlinear parabolic differential equations describe Markovian processes in a new phase space.
Cycling Co-Evolution Resulting from Genetic Adaptation in Two-Person Zero-Sum Games
Authors: Salamon David , Salamon Peter
Published: August 2005

We consider two populations co-evolving with fitness defined by the payoff in a two-person zero-sum game. We show that such situations lead to spontaneous and sustained oscillations iff the optimal strategy of the game is mixed.
‘Classified at random by veritable illiterates’: the taking of the Spanish census of 1920 in Guipúzcoa province
Authors: WALTON JOHN K. , TIDSWELL DAVID
Published: August 2005

This article offers an approach through administrative and cultural history to the problems associated with gathering and processing data for the Spanish national census of 1920, and by implication for earlier Spanish censuses. It focuses on the Basque province of Guipúzcoa, making use of correspondence between the central statistical office in Madrid, the provincial jefe de estadística and the localities, and of reports on three problematic towns within the province. The issues that emerge regarding ‘undercounting’, the definition of administrative boundaries and the classification of demographic characteristics are set in the wider context of census-taking practices and problems elsewhere in Spain and in other cultures.
Experimental Stroke Induces Massive, Rapid Activation of the Peripheral Immune System
Authors: Offner Halina , Subramanian Sandhya , Parker Susan M , Afentoulis Michael E , Vandenbark Arthur A , Hurn Patricia D
Published: August 2005

Clinical experimental stroke induces injurious local brain inflammation. However, effects on the peripheral immune system have not been well characterized. We quantified mRNA and protein levels for cytokines, chemokines, and chemokine receptors (CCR) in brain, spinal cord, peripheral lymphoid organs (spleen, lymph node, blood, and cultured mononuclear cells from these sources), and blood plasma after reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) or sham treatment in male C57BL/6 mice. Middle cerebral artery occlusion induced a complex, but organ specific, pattern of inflammatory factors in the periphery. At both 6 and 22 h after MCAO, activated spleen cells from stroke-injured mice secreted significantly enhanced levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-6, MCP-1, and IL-2. Unstimulated splenocytes expressed increased chemokines and CCR, including MIP-2 and CCR2, CCR7 & CCR8 at 6 h; and MIP-2, IP-10, and CCR1 & CCR2 at 22 h. Also at 22 h, T cells from blood and lymph nodes secreted increased levels of inflammatory cytokines after activation. As expected, there were striking proinflammatory changes in postischemic brain. In contrast, spinal cord displayed suppression of all mediators, suggesting a compensatory response to intracranial events. These data show for the first time that focal cerebral ischemia results in dynamic and widespread activation of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and CCR in the peripheral immune system.
Microspore‐derived embryogenesis in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.): subcellular rearrangements through development
Authors: Bárány Ivett , González‐Melendi Pablo , Fadón Begoña , Mitykó Judit , Risueño María C. , Testillano Pilar S.
Published: August 2005

Background information. In vitro‐cultured microspores, after an appropriate stress treatment, can switch towards an embryogenic pathway. This process, known as microspore embryogenesis, is an important tool in plant breeding. Basic studies on this process in economically interesting crops, especially in recalcitrant plants, are very limited and the sequence of events is poorly understood. In situ studies are very convenient for an appropriate dissection of microspore embryogenesis, a process in which a mixture of different cell populations (induced and non‐induced) develop asynchronically.

Results. In the present study, the occurrence of defined subcellular rearrangements has been investigated during early microspore embryogenesis in pepper, an horticultural crop of agronomic interest, in relation to proliferation and differentiation events. Haploid plants of Capsicum annuum L. (var. Yolo Wonder B) have been regenerated from in vitro anther cultures by a heat treatment at 35°C for 8 days. Morphogenesis of microspore‐derived embryos has been analysed, at both light and electron microscopy levels, using low‐temperature‐processed, well‐preserved specimens. The comparison with the normal gametophytic development revealed changes in cell organization after embryogenesis induction, and permitted the characterization of the time sequence of a set of structural events, not previously defined in pepper, related to the activation of proliferative activity and differentiation. These changes mainly affected the plastids, the vacuolar compartment, the cell wall and the nucleus. Further differentiation processes mimicked that of the zygotic development.

Conclusions. The reported changes can be considered as markers of the microspore embryogenesis. They have increased the understanding of the mechanisms controlling the switch and progression of the microspore embryogenesis, which could help to improve its efficiency and to direct strategies, especially in agronomically interesting crops.
Role of resistin in obesity, insulin resistance and Type II diabetes
Authors: Kusminski Christine M. , Mcternan Philip G. , Kumar Sudhesh
Published: August 2005

Resistin is a member of a class of cysteine-rich proteins collectively termed resistin-like molecules. Resistin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity-mediated insulin resistance and T2DM (Type II diabetes mellitus), at least in rodent models. In addition, resistin also appears to be a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Taken together, resistin, like many other adipocytokines, may possess a dual role in contributing to disease risk. However, to date there has been considerable controversy surrounding this 12.5 kDa polypeptide in understanding its physiological relevance in both human and rodent systems. Furthermore, this has led some to question whether resistin represents an important pathogenic factor in the aetiology of T2DM and cardiovascular disease. Although researchers still remain divided as to the role of resistin, this review will place available data on resistin in the context of our current knowledge of the pathogenesis of obesity-mediated diabetes, and discuss key controversies and developments.
Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis does not alter the decrease in pre-capillary resistance in the human calf in response to small cumulative increases in venous congestion
Authors: Anderson Stephen I. , Brown Margaret D.
Published: August 2005

The decrease in pre-capillary resistance in the human calf during gradual cumulative increases in venous congestion pressure has been proposed to represent vasodilator signalling between the venous and arterial microcirculations. The present study investigated whether prostaglandins are involved in this local flow regulation by measuring calf blood flow and microvascular filtration capacity using strain gauge plethysmography in young male subjects before (baseline) and after taking either ibuprofen, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis (1600 mg over 2 days), or placebo. At baseline, inflation of a thigh cuff to 50 mmHg in steps of 10 mmHg, each held for 5 min, did not decrease arterial inflow, confirming a reduction of pre-capillary resistance. Ibuprofen reduced resting calf blood flow by 35% (P<0.001), but flow at a Pcuff (cuff pressure) of 50 mmHg was 97% of this value, i.e. pre-capillary resistance had decreased to the same extent as before inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. Ibuprofen also reduced microvascular filtration capacity (2.98±1.20 compared with 3.71±0.89 ml·min−1·100 ml−1·mmHg−1×10−3; P<0.05), probably due to a combination of reduced arterial inflow and lower venous pressure (8.5±5.2 compared with 12.6±2.8 mmHg; P<0.05) that moderated capillary hydrostatic pressure to override direct effects of inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis on permeability. Placebo was without effect on any measurement. It is unlikely therefore that prostaglandin-mediated vasodilator signals, which have been demonstrated between paired veins and arteries, are important in local vasodilation in response to venous congestion.
Ideal pulse-tube refrigerators with real gases
Authors: Will M. E. , de Waele A. T. A. M.
Published: August 2005

The factor of 100 difference between experiments and theory in the coefficient of performance (COP) of pulse-tube refrigerators is always attributed to the nonideal behavior of these devices. We show that the thermodynamic properties of the nonideal working fluid have a profound influence on the COP, explaining one order of magnitude of the observed discrepancy and thus posing more realistic limitations for technological improvements. However, our analysis also shows that the real gas properties of the working fluid can even result in a higher value than predicted, opening prospects for improvements.
Ultrahigh-speed etching of organic films using microwave-excited nonequilibrium atmospheric-pressure plasma
Authors: Yamakawa Koji , Hori Masaru , Goto Toshio , Den Shoji , Katagiri Toshirou , Kano Hiroyuki
Published: August 2005

An ultrahigh etch rate (24μm∕min at 155°C and 0.3mm∕min at 325°C) of an organic film was successfully achieved using a microwave-excited nonequilibrium atmospheric-pressure plasma source employing He and O2 gases. This has the potential to be applied to various kinds of fabrication of structures for microelectromechanical systems and bionanotechnology. A stable glow discharge was realized between the narrow gap (200μm) electrodes covered with a dielectric film in atmospheric pressure. The etching characteristics were investigated by changing the O2 flow rate and the distance of the substrate from the electrode. In order to clarify the ultrahigh etching mechanism, in situ diagnostic methods, including two-dimensional imaging of optical emissions in the plasma with an intensified charge-coupled device camera, electron-density evaluation using the Stark-broadened profile of the hydrogen Balmer beta line in optical emission spectroscopy, and two dimensional spatial distribution of ozone density measured with ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy, have been performed. It was found that O atoms were the dominant etching species for ultrahigh-speed etching of the organic film, and the effect of ozone on the etching process was negligible.
Er 3 + fluorescence in rare-earth aluminate glass
Authors: Weber Richard , Hampton Scott , Nordine Paul C. , Key Thomas , Scheunemann Richard
Published: August 2005

Er 3 + ion fluorescence was excited with a 980-nm pump laser in Er-doped rare-earth aluminate (REAl) glasses with Er-dopant concentrations from 0.5–30mol% (oxides basis). The spectral and decay characteristics were measured at ∼1550nm from Er3+I13∕24 and at ∼2750nm from Er3+I11∕24. Red and green light emissions were also observed, from Er3+F9∕24 and S3∕24+H11∕22, respectively. The fluorescence decay rates are described by a model that yields an accurate fit of results at Er concentrations from 0.5to7mol%. The radiative lifetime of Er3+I13∕24 in Er:REAl glass is 6.12±0.26ms. Hydroxyl ion quenching occurs at a rate given by 9.88×10−20 aOHnEr Hz, where aOH is the glass absorption coefficient (in cm−1) at a wavelength of 2950nm and nEr is the total Er ion concentration. The I13∕24 upconversion rate constant increases with the Er concentration to 1.35+0.05×10−18cm3∕s at and above 7-mol% Er2O3. Er3+I11∕24 fluorescence decays primarily by multiphonon quenching to I13∕24, at 7700±800Hz, a rate that is slightly less than in tellurite glasses. The addition of 20-mol% silica to the glass has only a small influence on the fluorescence decay rates and greatly improves glass formation from the liquid to allow melting and casting of Er-doped REAl glass from platinum crucibles. The application of these Er-doped glasses in laser and optical device applications is briefly discussed.