bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Highly Enantioselective Epoxidation of 2‐Methylnaphthoquinone (Vitamin K3) Mediated by New Cinchona Alkaloid Phase‐Transfer Catalysts
Authors: Berkessel Albrecht , Guixà Maria , Schmidt Friederike , Neudörfl Jörg M. , Lex Johann
Published: March 2007

In the area of catalytic asymmetric epoxidation, the highly enantioselective transformation of cyclic enones and quinones is an extremely challenging target. With the aim to develop new and highly effective phase‐transfer catalysts for this purpose, we conducted a systematic structural variation of PTCs based on quinine and quinidine. In the total of 15 new quaternary ammonium PTCs, modifications included, for example, the exchange of the quinine methoxy group for a free hydroxyl or other alkoxy substituents, and the introduction of additional elements of chirality through alkylation of the alkaloid quinuclidine nitrogen atom by chiral electrophiles. For example, the well‐established 9‐ anthracenylmethyl group was exchanged for a “chiral” anthracene in the form of 9‐chloromethyl‐[(1,8‐S;4,5‐R)‐1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8‐octahydro‐1,4:5,8‐dimethanoanthracene. The asymmetric epoxidation of vitamin K3 was used as the test reaction for our novel PTCs. The readily available PTC 10 (derived from quinine in three convenient and high‐yielding steps) proved to be the most enantioselective catalyst for this purpose known to date: At a catalyst loading of only 2.50 mol %, the quinone epoxide was obtained in 76 % yield and with 85 % ee (previously: ≤34 % ee), using commercial bleach (aqueous sodium hypochlorite) as the oxidant. To rationalize the sense of induction effected by our novel phase‐transfer catalysts, a computational analysis of steric interactions in the intermediate chlorooxy enolate–PTC ion pair was conducted. Based on this analysis, the sense of induction for all 15 novel PTCs could be consistently explained.
Solid‐pseudopapillary tumor: A report of three cases in adult males diagnosed utilizing three different modalities
Authors: Rutland Beth , Pollock Jeffrey , Thompson Lee , Tucker J. Allan , Boudreaux Carole
Published: March 2007

Solid‐pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas is a rare neoplasm of uncertain origin with low malignant potential and often indolent behavior occurring predominantly in adolescent and young women. Here we report the cases of three adult males with pancreatic masses, one with metastasis, diagnosed as solid‐pseudopapillary tumor by cytology, electron microscopy (EM), and routine histology. This neoplasm is uncommon in both males and adults and uncommonly metastasizes. The cases reported emphasize the utility of different diagnostic modalities, and here we review the diagnostic features by cytology, EM, and routine histology to correctly characterize this neoplasm. It is extremely important to correctly diagnose this indolent neoplasm due to the excellent prognosis with surgical resection. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2007;35:234–238. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endocervical component in conventional cervical smears: Influence on detection of squamous cytologic abnormalities
Authors: Ribeiro Andrea Alves , Santos Sonia do Carmo Diniz dos , de Souza e Silva Sonia Regina Rosa , Nascimento Marcilene Aparecida do , Fonsechi‐Carvasan Gislaine Aparecida , Carneiro Megmar Aparecida Santos , Rabelo‐Santos Mayra , Rabelo‐Santos Silvia Helena
Published: March 2007

The objective of this study was to correlate the number of endocervical cells and the number of atypical cells in cervical smears with cytological abnormalities to verify if a higher number of endocervical cells would implicate in a higher number of squamous atypical cells. In this cross sectional study, it was made a blinded review of 294 conventional cervical smears. The consensus diagnoses reached by the blinded review by three observers included 213 low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSILs) and 81 high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs). In each cervical smear were computed the number of endocervical cells and the number of squamous atypical cells, and it was established the following score: one (0–5 cells); two (6–10 cells); three (11–25 cells); four (26–50 cells); and five (more than 50 cells). Compared to the smears with an account of endocervical cells classified in score 1 (0–5 cells), an account of more than 50 endocervical cells was significantly associated to the presence of at least 10 squamous atypical cells in the cervical smears (OR 2.87 95% CI 1.54–5.35). Data from this study suggest that there is a positive association between the number of endocervical cells and the number of squamous atypical cells suggestive of SIL. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2007;35:209–212. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Experimental myasthenia gravis in congenic mice. Sequence mapping and H‐2 restriction of T helper epitopes on the α subunits of Torpedo californica and murine acetylcholine receptors
Authors: Bellone Matteo , Ostlie Norma , Lei Sijin , Conti‐Tronconi Bianca M.
Published: March 2007

Immunization of mice with nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo electric organ (TAChR) causes a disease similar to human myasthenia gravis (experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis, EAMG). Susceptibility to EAMG correlates with the H‐2 haplotype. In this study we used overlapping synthetic peptide corresponding to the complete sequences of the α subunits from TAChR and murine muscle AChR (MAChR) to map T helper epitopes in congenic murine strains of different H‐2 haplotype. C57BL/6 and BALB/B mice (highly susceptible to EAMG) and BALB/c and CB17 mice (less susceptible to EAMG), immunized with TAChR, developed similar anti‐TAChR antibody titers and L3T4+ (T helper) cell sensitization. Different sequence segments of the TAChR α subunit were recognized by L3T4+ cells from strains of H‐2b and H‐2d haplotype. The sequence segments recognized by the H‐2d strains have the highest predicted propensity to form amphipatic α helices, while those recognized by the H‐2b strains do not.

We investigated whether in EAMG T helper cells cross‐react with autologous AChR sequences, and a true break of the tolerance occurs. Overlapping synthetic peptides, corresponding to the complete sequence of MAChR α subunit, were used to test L3T4+ cell from mice immunized with TAChR. L3T4+ cell from H‐2b strains did not cross‐react with any murine peptide sequence, while L3T4+ cells from H‐2d mice were strongly stimulated by the peptide sequence Mα 304‐322, which is very similar to the homologous Torpedo peptide.
The in vitro production of cytokines by mucosal lymphocytes immunized by oral administration of keyhole limpet hemocyanin using cholera toxin as an adjuvant
Authors: Wilson A. Douglas , Bailey Michael , Williams Neil A. , Stokes Christopher R.
Published: March 2007

The in vitro production of a variety of cytokines by lymphocytes isolated from spleen mesenteric lymph node (MLN), Peyer's patches (PP) and lamina propria (LP) was measured, after oral immunization with keyhole limpet hemacyanin using cholera toxin as an adjuvant. LP responses were characterized by very high levels of interleukin (IL) 4, IL 5 and IL 6 with lower levels of IL 2 and interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ). The PP had lower levels of IL 4, IL 5 and IL 6 than LP but higher levels of IL 2, IFN‐γ was only present at very low levels in this organ. The MLN had a pattern of cytokine production similar to the PP but did produce IFN‐γ. The spleen produced all cytokines measured except IL 5. Antibody production was characterized by IgA in the LP and PP but IgG was the dominant isotype in the spleen, the MLN was a poor source of antibody‐producing cells. We interpret the results to show that (a) the LP response to cholera toxin/keyhole limpet hemocyanin is dominated by Th2‐type cytokines compared to a lower production of Th1 type and (b) that the PP has responses typical of an organ with a high proportion of resting lymphocytes which develop mainly into Th2‐types cells. The spleen is less dominated by Th2‐type cytokines than the mucosal sites and this difference is paralleled by IgA antibody production at the mucosal sites and IgG antibody dominance in the spleen.
Experimental Borrelia burgdorferi infection in inbred mouse strains: Antibody response and association of H‐2 genes with resistance and susceptibility to development of arthritis
Authors: Schaible Ulrich E. , Kramer Michael D. , Wallich Reinhard , Tran Thao , Simon Markus M.
Published: March 2007

We have investigated the specific humoral immune response and its correlation to the development of disease after experimental inoculation of B, burgdorferi in different inbred strains of mice. All mouse strains tested showed high levels of specific IgM antibodies during the initial 10 days of infection. Specific IgG antibodies predominantly of the IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 isotypes were found in increasing amounts by 14 days post infection. Antibody titers peaked at days 65 and 110. Particularly low titers of specific IgM and/or IgG antibodies were detected in sera of AKR/N and B10.BR mice. Antibodies specific for numerous B. burgdorferi antigens including the outer surface proteins A (31 kDa) and B (34 kDa) and a protein(s) of molecular mass of ∼40 kDa, most probably 41 kDa (flagellin) and/or 39 kDa (p39), were induced in all inbred mouse strains within 2 weeks inoculation albeit in varying concentrations. Later during infection, the patterns of antibody specificities were much more complex. With regard to development of disease all strains of mice tested fall into three groups: (a) mice of H‐2k haplotype (AKR/N, C3H/HeJ, C3H/HeN, B10.BR) developed a chronic progressive arthritis in the tibiotarsal joints, (b) mice of H‐2 haplotypes, H‐2b (C57BL/6), H‐2j (B10.WB), H‐2r (B10.R111) and H‐2s (B10.S) developed arthritis of variable duration and intensity which was not progressive and (c) mice of H‐2d haplotype (BALB/c, DBA/2, C.B‐17, B10.D2, Cal.20), irrespective of their background genes or Igh allotype, showed no clinical signs of arthritis at any time point following inoculation of B. burgdorferi organisms. The finding of similar patterns of apparently protective antibodies in all mouse strains tested together with the striking association between the H‐2d haplotype and resistance, and between the H‐2k haplotype and the occurence of B. burgdorferi‐induced e arthritis suggest a critical role of T cells in the development of the disease in mice.
Presentation of Leishmania donovani promastigotes occurs via a brefeldin A‐sensitive pathway
Authors: Lang Thierry , Kaye Paul M.
Published: March 2007

For the presentation of Leishmania promastigotes to polyclonal CD4+ T cells, a processing period within activated macrophages of 3–4 h is required. Presentation can be inhibited by both chloroquine and brefeldin A (BFA), the latter implicating a requirement for newly synthesized MHC class II molecules. This inhibition is both reversible and specific, in that BFA did not inhibit mixed lymphocyte reaction stimulation by these infected macrophages. Immunogold labeling demonstrated that class II was associated with the parasite‐containing phagolysosome. The level of class II was not significantly altered in BFA‐treated cells in the time period studied, suggesting that antigen may exist the phagolysosome and interact with class II in another cellular compartment.
Target cell‐induced T cell activation with bi‐ and trispecific antibody fragments
Authors: Jung Gundram , Freimann Uwe , Marschall Zofia Von , Reisfeld Ralph A. , Wilmanns Wolfgang
Published: March 2007

Previously we proposed a concept for tumor immunotherapy in which two different bispecific antibody conjugates, an anti‐target × anti‐CD3 and an anti‐target × anti‐CD28 conjugate, induce the activation of resting human T cells upon binding to the respective tumor target cells. After in vivo application of these reagents, this model of a “target cell‐induced T cell activation” envisages the destruction of target cells by in situ activated T cells. Obviously however, for in vivo application, the use of Fc‐free antibody fragments is mandatory to prevent binding of the conjugates to Fc receptor‐positive cells which would lead to Fc‐mediated T cell activation. Here we report a simplification of published procedures for the generation of bispecific Fab‐hybrid fragments, univalent for each antigen. We demonstrate that an anti‐target × anti‐CD3/anti‐target × anti‐CD28 combination of such hybrids, as well as an identical combination of covalently coupled F(ab')2 fragments, mediate “target cell‐induced T cell activation” in an in vitro test system. Thus, these reagents may be capable of inducing an in situ activation of human T cells upon systemic in vivo application according to the concept outlined above. A trispecific conjugate with anti‐target, anti‐CD3‐and anti‐CD28 specificity appears to be unsuitable for this purpose because it activates resting T cells in soluble form without requiring immobilization through binding via its anti‐target portion.
A functional complex is formed in human T lymphocytes between the protein tyrosine phosphatase CD45, the protein tyrosine kinase p56lck and pp32, a possible common substrate
Authors: Schraven Burkhart , Kirchgessner Henning , Gaber Brigitte , Samstag Yvonne , Meuer Stefan
Published: March 2007

In vitro protein kinase assays of CD45 immunprecipitates prepared from digitonin lysates of resting human T lymphocytes resulted in exclusive tyrosine phosphorylation of a 32‐kDa protein (pp32). Reprecipitation of the in vitro phosphorylated proteins and Western blot analysis of whole CD45 immunoprecipitates employing antisera specifically directed at different protein tyrosine kinases demonstrated that the p56lck protein tyrosine kinase was responsible for in vitro phosphorylation of pp32. Since in vitro kinase assays of p56lck immunoprecipitates also resulted in phosphorylation of pp32, the present data strongly suggest that a functional complex is formed between CD45, p56lck and pp32. Such a notion is supported by the findings that phosphorylation of pp32 by p56lck correlated with expression of the CD45 molecules and that in vitro phosphorylated pp32 was completely dephosphorylated by purified CD45.
A possible novel pathway of regulation by murine T helper type‐2 (Th2) cells of a Th1 cell activity via the modulation of the induction of nitric oxide synthase on macrophages
Authors: Liew Foo Y. , Li Yun , Severn Aeison , Millott Stephanie , Schmidt Jerzey , Salter Mark , Moncada Salvador
Published: March 2007

Murine peritoneal macrophages activated with interferon (IFN)‐γ and lipopoly‐saccharide (LPS) produce high levels of nitric oxide (NO) and are efficient in killing the intracellular protozoan parasites Leishmania major in vitro. Earlier studies have shown that NO, whose synthesis in murine macrophages is catalyzed by an inducible enzyme NO synthase, plays a major effector role in the host resistance against microbial infection. We now show that both the NO synthesis and the leishmanicidal activity can be inhibited by prior treatment of the cells with recombinant interleukin 4 (IL 4). IL 4 treatment had no effect on the binding of IFN‐γ to macrophages but prevented the induction of NO synthase in these cells activated with IFN‐γ and LPS. Since IFN‐γ is produced by murine T helper type‐1 (Th1) cells, whereas IL 4 is secreted by Th2 cells, these results suggest a novel pathway by which Th2 cells regulate an activity of Th1 cells, namely by inhibiting the induction of NO synthase. These results may also account for the mechanism by which the disease‐promoting Th2 cells counteract the host‐protective effect of Th1 cells in leishmaniasis and other intracellular parasitic diseases.
Human CD4+CD45RO+ and CD4+CD45RA+ T cells synergize in response to alloantigens
Authors: Akbar Arne N. , Salmon Michael , Ivory Kamal , Taki Shinsuke , Pilling Darrell , Janossy George
Published: March 2007

Alloantigens, unlike recall antigens, activate both CD45RA+ (naive) and CD45RO+ (memory) CD4+ cells to the same extent. These T cell subsets may therefore interact with each other in response to alloantigens on transplanted grafts. We have investigated if the ability of activated CD4+CD45RA+ and CD4+CD45RO+ T cells to produce and respond to interleukin 2 (IL2) and IL4 may be involved in this interaction. After activation, both subsets up‐regulate their IL2 receptor (IL2R) and IL4R expression, yet IL4 substantially enhanced the proliferation of the CD4+CD45RA+ but not of the CD4+CD45RO+ T cell subset, while IL2 increased the proliferation of CD4+CD45RO+ but not of the CD4+CD45RA+ T cells. Significantly, the CD4+CD45RA+ T cells synthesized two‐ to threefold more mRNA for IL2 than the CD4+CD45RO+ subset, while the CD4+CD45RO+ T cells synthesized mRNA for IL4 and interferon‐γ exclusively. The addition of IL2 to alloactivated CD4+CD45RO+ T cells further up‐regulated their production of all three lymphokine mRNA; in contrast, IL4 induced an increase in mRNA for IL2 in only the alloactivated CD4+CD45RA+ subset. The reciprocity in the ability of both these CD4+ T cells to synthesize and respond to IL2 and IL4 may provide a rationale for the regulation of lymphokine interactions in vivo. Furthermore, the synergy between these subsets in response to alloantigens, which was directly quantitated by co‐culturing CD4+CD45RA+ and CD4+CD45RO+ cells together prior to activation, may potentiate the alloreactivity against transplanted grafts in vivo.
Phagocytosis enhances murine macrophage activation by interferon‐γ and tumor necrosis factor‐α
Authors: Corradin Sally Betz , Buchmüller‐Rouiller Yolande , Mauël Jacques
Published: March 2007

Previously, we reported that exposure of bone marrow‐derived macrophages (MΦ) to a phagocytic stimulus in the simultaneous presence of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) induced these cells to generate nitrite (NO2−). This effect was achieved using both living (i.e. promastigotes of the protozoan parasite Leishmania enriettü) and inert (latex beads) particles. When the phagocytic stimulus was Leishmania, enhanced intracellular killing accompanied elevated NO2− secretion. As shown here, the capacity of phagocytosis to elicit NO2− production by IFN‐γ‐treated MΨ was inhibited by antibody to murine recombinant tumor necrosis factor‐α (rTNF‐α), suggesting that phagocytosis enabled IFN‐γ to activate MΨ via the induction of TNF‐α as an autocrine second signal, Mϕ NO2− production in response to rIFN‐γ and either exogenous TNF‐α or Leishmania was strongly enhanced by prostaglandin E2, consistent with such a mechanism, However, addition of either Leishmania promastigotes or latex beads to Mϕ cultures simultaneously exposed to both IFN‐γ and exogenous murine or human rTNF‐α further potentiated activation as measured by NO2− release. Furthermore, anti‐TNF antibody failed to inhibit Mϕ responses to rIFN‐γ and bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the presence or absence of Leishmania; also exogenous rTNF‐α did not significantly affect NO2− production by IFN‐γ/LPS cultures despite a strong enhancement by Leishmania. These results suggest that phagocytosis enhances Mϕ responses by a process more complex than the sole induction of TNF‐α. Phagocytosis also increased Mϕ NO2− production elicted by IFN‐γ plus TNF‐α in L‐arginine‐deficient media. These results indicate that phagocytosis may be an important mechanism of up‐regulating Mϕ microbicidal activity, and could be particularly relevant upon arginine depletion which occurs during an inflammatory response.
A pertussis toxin‐sensitive process controls thymocyte emigration
Authors: Chaffin Karen E. , Perlmutter Roger M.
Published: March 2007

Although it is well known that essentially all peripheral T cells are derived from bone marrow progenitors that mature in the thymus, the mechanism whereby thymocytes gain access to peripheral compartments is obscure. We have learned that this process is sensitive to pertussis toxin (PT). Transgenic ict‐PT mice were generated which express the catalytic subunit of P‐T in all thymocytes. In a previous study we observed that T cell receptor signaling is unimpaired in these cells despite the virtual elimination of their G1 protein signal transduction elements through endogenous PT activity. Here we demonstrate that mature T lineage cells accumulate in ick‐PT thymuses and fail to populate peripheral lymphoid organs. The accumulating cells closely resemble normal peripheral T lymphocytes with respect to cell surface phenotype and responses to allogeneic spleen cells, yet perform poorly in in vivo homing assays. This migratory defect does not result from deficient expression of common homing receptors or alterations in intracellular cAMP concentrations. Based on these results, we propose that a novel PT‐sensitive signaling pathway, almost certainly involving a G1 protein, is required for thymocyte emigration.
Screening gene expression libraries for epitopes recognized in Mycobacterium leprae by mouse T cells
Authors: Villarreal‐Ramos Bernardo , Sanchez‐Garcia Javier , Stoker Neil , Timms Emma , Chomer Deborah , Raff Kim , Mitchison N. Avrion
Published: March 2007

Parasite expression libraries have so far been screened with antibodies, DNA probes or T cell clones. Immunity to many parasites, such as Mycobacterium leprae, is largely mediated by T cells, and so the screening of such libraries for T cell epitopes is an important step toward the development of effective vaccines and diagnostic reagents. A new method for screening of λgt11 libraries with uncloned T cell populations is presented here, which takes advantage of the fact that the recombinant proteins contain β‐galactosidase as their leader peptide; this allows them to be semipurified by means of anti‐β‐galactosidase antibodies coated on the bottom of microtiter plate wells, within which a proliferation assay can then be carried out. Optimum conditions for the assay were determined, using the M. leprae 18‐kDa antigen as a test antigen.
Differential regulation of γ and δ T cell antigen receptor gene expression by phorbol esters and Ca2+ ionophores in the acute lymphocyte leukemia DND41 cell line
Authors: Martinez‐Valdez Hector , Takihara Yoshihiro , Champagne Eric , Minden Mark , Mak Tak W. , Cohen Amos
Published: March 2007

We have investigated the role of two signal transduction pathways on the regulation of the γ and δ T cell antigen receptor (TcR) gene expression, in the acute lymphocytic leukemic cell line DND41. Protein kinase C (PKC) activation, and intracellular free Ca2+ mobilization, initiated by phorbol esters and calcium ionophores, respectively, not only acted independently but, more interestingly, their effects were antagonistic, suggesting a role for these signals during T cell differentiation. The Ca2+ ionophore, ionomycin, increased the levels of intracellular free Ca2+ and induced the expression of the γ and δ chains of the T cell antigen receptor in a concentration‐dependent manner. The phorbol ester 12‐myristate 13‐acetate down‐regulated the basal γ TcR expression with marginal effect on δ TcR mRNA, but diminished the induction of both γ and δ TcR, initiated by the Ca2+ ionophore. These antagonistic effects of the two arms of the phospholipase C‐mediated signal transduction pathways, i.e. PKC activation and increased intracellular free Ca2+, were specific to the regulation of the γ and δ TcR, since the same signals exerted a synergistic effect on the mRNA levels of interleukin 2 receptor. These data confirm our hypothesis that the antagonistic regulation on the γ and δ TcR gene expression by phorbol esters and calcium ionophores occurs in the same cell, and stresses the biological significance of PKC activation and intracellular free calcium mobilization during intrathymic differentiation and selection.
Single‐Crystal Structure and Magnetic Behavior of a Molecule‐Based Ferrimagnet Mn[Mn0.2Cr0.8(CN)6]·4H2O
Authors: Shen Xiao‐Ping , Li Yi‐Zhi , Song You , Xu Zheng , Guo Guo‐Cong
Published: March 2007

The compound with the stoichiometry MnIII[MnIII0.2CrIII0.8(CN)6]·4H2O (1), which was prepared by slow diffusion of an aqueous solution of K3[Cr(CN)6] and a methanol solution of [Mn(saltn)]ClO4 [saltn = N,N′‐1,3‐propylenebis(salicylideneiminato) dianion] through a U‐shaped tube containing silica gel, has been characterized by elemental analysis, ICP analysis, XPS, single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis, and magnetic measurements. The complex has a face‐centered cubic lattice analogous to Prussian blue and indicates ferrimagnetic ordering below Tc = 63 K. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Simultaneous determination of myo‐inositol and scyllo‐inositol by MEKC as a rapid monitoring tool for inositol levels
Authors: Tzeng Huey‐Fen , Chen Jin‐Yi , Huang Shih‐Wei , Wang Yu‐Jing , Yang Chung‐Shi
Published: March 2007

A simple and rapid MEKC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of myo‐inositol, scyllo‐inositol, and glucose. Prior to electrophoretic separation, the nonfluorescent inositols and glucose were derivatized by N‐methylisatoic anhydride at 25°C for 10 min so that they could be detected by a fluorescence detector during separation. The good separation with high efficiency by MEKC was achieved in 13 min with a glycine buffer containing SDS and PEG 4000. Several parameters affecting the separation were studied, including the pH of BGE, the concentrations of glycine, SDS, and PEG 4000, and the applied voltage. Using glycerol as an internal standard, the linear ranges of the method for myo‐inositol, scyllo‐inositol, and glucose were 0.03–10, 0.01–5, and 0.05–20 mM; the concentration LODs of myo‐inositol, scyllo‐inositol, and glucose were 0.020, 0.0078, and 0.026 mM, respectively. The method was applied to analyze extracellular myo‐inositol and glucose in the microdialysates from rat brain cortex of ischemia animal model and intracellular myo‐inositol and scyllo‐inositol in the rat brain extract.
Measuring the shortage of medical practitioners in rural and urban areas in developing countries: a simple framework and simulation exercises with data from India
Authors: Katrak Homi
Published: March 2007

This paper suggests a simple framework to estimate the shortage of medical practitioners in rural and urban areas in developing countries. Shortages are defined with respect to four main considerations. The overall numbers and also the different categories of practitioners in the rural and urban areas, the relatively greater difficulties of access in the rural areas (which reduce the number of accessible practitioners) and the greater health hazards in those areas (which lead to greater need for medical treatment).

The quantitative effect of these factors is examined by undertaking simulation exercises with data for the Ujjain district in Madhya Pradesh state, India and also data for that state. The simulations turned up the following results. The un‐weighted total number of practitioners, per head of population, is relatively greater in the rural areas; this is because of the relatively large numbers of the unqualified doctors in those areas. On the other hand, a ‘quality adjusted’ total, with lower weights for the unqualified doctors, found little overall difference between the rural and urban areas. Third, allowance for rural–urban differences in the difficulties of access showed that the number of accessible practitioners is much lower in the rural areas. Fourth, rural–urban differences in the incidence of health hazards and estimates of the need for medical treatment also showed a marked shortage of practitioners in the rural areas.

The main implication of the results is that developmental efforts in the rural areas, including improvements in transport facilities and reduction of health hazards, would help to greatly reduce the shortage of practitioners in those areas. Training programmes to improve the quality of practitioners in the rural areas are also required. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Amplicon profiles in ovarian serous carcinomas
Authors: Nakayama Kentaro , Nakayama Naomi , Jinawath Natini , Salani Ritu , Kurman Robert J. , Shih Ie‐Ming , Wang Tian‐Li
Published: March 2007

Ovarian serous carcinoma is the most common and lethal type of ovarian cancer and its molecular etiology remains poorly understood. As an ongoing effort to elucidate the pathogenesis of ovarian serous carcinomas, we assessed the DNA copy number changes in 33 high‐grade serous carcinomas and 10 low‐grade serous tumors by using a genome‐wide technique, single nucleotide polymorphism array, performed on affinity‐purified tumor cells from fresh surgical specimens. Compared to low‐grade tumors, high‐grade serous carcinomas showed widespread DNA copy number changes. The most frequent alterations were in loci harboring candidate oncogenes: cyclin E1 (CCNE1), AKT2, Notch3 and PIK3CA as well as in novel loci, including 12p13, 8q24, 12p13 and 12q15. Seven amplicons were selected for dual color fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis in ∼90 high‐grade serous carcinomas and 26 low‐grade serous tumors, and a high level of DNA copy number gain (amplification) was found in CCNE1, Notch3, HBXAP/Rsf‐1, AKT2, PIK3CA and chr12p13 occurring in 36.1%, 7.8%, 15.7%, 13.6%, 10.8% and 7.3% of high‐grade serous carcinomas. In contrast, we did not observe high level of ERBB2 amplification in any of the samples. Low‐grade tumors did not show DNA copy number gain in any of the loci, except in 2 (8%) of 24 low‐grade tumors showing low copy number gain in the Notch3 locus. Taken together, our results provide the first comprehensive analysis of DNA copy number changes in highly pure ovarian serous carcinoma. These findings may have important biological and clinical implications. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
How to tell the difference between a cat and a dog?
Authors: Razavi Nima , Samei Golnoosh , Alipour Masoud , Farhadi Ali
Published: March 2007

The aim of this work is to present a method in computer vision for model‐based object recognition by integration of texture, color, and partial silhouette matching cues. As a test problem, a challenging task of distinguishing between cats and dogs are proposed. No condition is imposed on the images. In spite of high intraclass variability of two classes (especially dogs), accuracy rate of over 92% is achieved. A novel method for integration of color information to textures is also presented. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 16, 234–239, 2006
A spin glass model of a Markov random field
Authors: Caputo B.
Published: March 2007

This paper presents a novel algorithm for robust object recognition. We propose to model the visual appearance of objects via probability density functions. The algorithm consists of a fully connected Markov random field with energy function derived from results of statistical physics of spin glasses. Markov random fields and spin glass energy functions are combined together via nonlinear kernel functions; we call the model Spin Glass–Markov Random Field. Full connectivity enables to take into account the global appearance of the object, and its specific local characteristics at the same time, resulting in robustness to noise, occlusions, and cluttered background. We show with theoretical analysis and experiments that this new model is competitive with state‐of‐the‐art algorithms. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 16, 181–188, 2006
Vision in the real world: Finding, attending and recognizing objects
Authors: Björkman Mårten , Eklundh Jan‐Olof
Published: March 2007

In this paper we discuss the notion of a “seeing” system that uses vision to interact with its environment. The requirements on such a system depend on the tasks it is involved in and should be evaluated with these in mind. Here we consider the task of finding and recognizing objects in the real world. After a discussion of the needed functionalities and issues about the design we present an integrated real‐time vision system capable of finding, attending and recognizing objects in real settings. The system is based on a dual set of cameras, a wide field set for attention and a foveal one for recognition. The continuously running attentional process uses top‐down object characteristics in terms of hue and 3D size. Recognition is performed with objects of interest foveated and segmented from its background. We describe the system structure as well as the different components in detail and present experimental evaluations of its overall performance. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol, 16, 189–208, 2006
Curcumin reduces indomethacin‐induced damage in the rat small intestine
Authors: Sivalingam Nageswaran , Hanumantharaya Raghunath , Faith Minnie , Basivireddy Jayasree , Balasubramanian K. A. , Jacob Molly
Published: March 2007

Non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in clinical medicine. Their utility is, however, often limited by the adverse effects they produce in the gastrointestinal tract. Oxidative stress has been shown to occur in the small intestine in response to the oral administration of indomethacin, an NSAID commonly used in toxicity studies. In view of this, the effect of curcumin, an agent with anti‐oxidant properties, was evaluated on indomethacin‐induced small intestinal damage in a rat model. Rats were pretreated with various doses of curcumin (20 mg kg−1, 40 mg kg−1 and 80 mg kg−1) before administering indomethacin at 20 mg kg−1. Various parameters of oxidative stress and the extent of small intestinal damage produced by indomethacin, with and without pretreatment with curcumin, were measured. Macroscopic ulceration was found to occur in the small intestine in response to indomethacin. The viability of enterocytes from indomethacin‐treated animals was significantly lower than those from control animals. Drug‐induced oxidative stress was also evident as seen by increases in the levels of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl and in activities of pro‐oxidant enzymes such as myeloperoxidase and xanthine oxidase in indomethacin‐treated rats. Concomitant decreases were seen in the activities of the antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase in these animals. Pretreatment with curcumin was found to ameliorate these drug‐induced changes. Thus, curcumin appears to hold promise as an agent that can potentially reduce NSAID‐induced small intestinal damage. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protective effect of ethyl pyruvate on msP rat leukocytes damaged by alcohol intake
Authors: Fedeli Donatella , Falcioni Giancarlo , Olek Robert A. , Massi Maurizio , Cifani Carlo , Polidori Carlo , Gabbianelli Rosita
Published: March 2007

Alcohol consumption for long periods negatively influences physiological functions of many cells, and leads to organ damage. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species produced by ethanol metabolism cause adverse effects that might be alleviated by simultaneous treatment with various antioxidants. Here, the ability of ethyl pyruvate (EP) to reduce ethanol‐induced oxidative stress was evaluated.

Chemiluminescence studies show that EP has a higher capacity than pyruvate to scavenge hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anions. In order to evaluate whether EP can exert a protective effect against ethanol, rats were offered 10% ethanol in drinking burettes, containing or not different concentrations of EP (0.3%, 1% and 3%). The comet assay was employed to quantify the alcohol‐induced DNA damage in rat lymphocytes. This test is a promising tool for the estimation of DNA damage at the single cell level. A significant protective effect of EP was observed in rat groups treated with this antioxidant, compared with those drinking only ethanol.

Since EP has been shown to decrease the expression of numerous pro‐inflammatory mediators, the monocyte respiratory burst was evaluated. The activation of monocyte NADPH oxidase by phorbol esters (PMA) showed that superoxide anion production was higher in the ethanol group than in the control group. The presence of EP considerably reduced superoxide anion production. In conclusion, hypotheses on possible mechanisms of action of EP on rat white blood cells are proposed. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Apium graveolens modulates sodium valproate‐induced reproductive toxicity in rats
Authors: Hamza Alaaeldin A. , Amin Amr
Published: March 2007

Sodium valproate (VPA), a common treatment of epilepsy and other diseases, is known to have severe toxic effects on testis both in experimental animals and in humans. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of Apium graveolens (AG) against the VPA‐induced testis injury. Testicular toxicity was induced by the administration of VPA (500 mg/kg/day) once daily for 7 consecutive days. Protective group received daily doses (200 mg/kg/day) of AG crude extract for 23 days prior to VPA administration. VPA‐induced reproductive toxicity was assessed based on the weight of testes, sperm analysis, and serum concentrations of sexual hormones. The relative weights of testes and epididymes and the sperm numbers viability were all decreased following the valproate administration. Testosterone levels dropped while follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level increased following the drug administration. Severe histopathological changes in testis were observed such as degeneration of seminiferous tubules and depletion of germ cells. These biochemical and histological changes were also associated with alterations of oxidative stress markers. Levels of malondialdehyde have increased, while superoxide dismutase activity has decreased. Pretreatment with A. graveolens extract has effectively alleviated most of the VPA‐induced effects suggesting a protective role of A. graveolens extract against experimental VPA‐induced toxicity. Apigenin content was estimated and was shown as a major fraction of the A. graveolens extract. J. Exp. Zool. 307A:199–206, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hyper‐Archimedean BL‐algebras are MV‐algebras
Authors: Turunen Esko
Published: March 2007

Generalizations of Boolean elements of a BL‐algebra L are studied. By utilizing the MV‐center MV(L) of L, it is reproved that an element x ∈ L is Boolean iff x ∨ x * = 1. L is called semi‐Boolean if for all x ∈ L, x * is Boolean. An MV‐algebra L is semi‐Boolean iff L is a Boolean algebra. A BL‐algebra L is semi‐Boolean iff L is an SBL‐algebra. A BL‐algebra L is called hyper‐Archimedean if for all x ∈ L, xn is Boolean for some finite n ≥ 1. It is proved that hyper‐Archimedean BL‐algebras are MV‐algebras. The study has application in mathematical fuzzy logics whose Lindenbaum algebras are MV‐algebras or BL‐algebras. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Shoenfield is Gödel after Krivine
Authors: Streicher Thomas , Kohlenbach Ulrich
Published: March 2007

We show that Shoenfield's functional interpretation of Peano arithmetic can be factorized as a negative translation due to J. L. Krivine followed by Gödel's Dialectica interpretation. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A note on the complex semi‐definite matrix Procrustes problem
Authors: Kiskiras J. , Halikias G. D.
Published: March 2007

This note outlines an algorithm for solving the complex ‘matrix Procrustes problem’. This is a least‐squares approximation over the cone of positive semi‐definite Hermitian matrices, which has a number of applications in the areas of Optimization, Signal Processing and Control. The work generalizes the method of Allwright (SIAM J. Control Optim. 1988;26(3):537–556), who obtained a numerical solution to the real‐valued version of the problem. It is shown that, subject to an appropriate rank assumption, the complex problem can be formulated in a real setting using a matrix‐dilation technique, for which the method of Allwright is applicable. However, this transformation results in an over‐parametrization of the problem and, therefore, convergence to the optimal solution is slow. Here, an alternative algorithm is developed for solving the complex problem, which exploits fully the special structure of the dilated matrix. The advantages of the modified algorithm are demonstratedviaa numerical example. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does federally subsidized rental housing depress neighborhood property values?
Authors: Ellen Ingrid Gould , Schwartz Amy Ellen , Voicu Ioan , Schill Michael H.
Published: March 2007

Few communities welcome federally subsidized rental housing, with one of the most commonly voiced fears being reductions in property values. Yet there is little empirical evidence that subsidized housing depresses neighborhood property values. This paper estimates and compares the neighborhood impacts of a broad range of federally subsidized rental housing programs, using rich data for New York City and a difference‐in‐difference specification of a hedonic regression model. We find that federally subsidized developments have not typically led to reductions in property values and have, in fact, led to increases in some cases. Impacts are highly sensitive to scale, though patterns vary across programs. © 2007 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Should you turn yourself in? The consequences of environmental self‐policing
Authors: Stafford Sarah L.
Published: March 2007

Facilities that self‐police under the Environmental Protection Agency's Audit Policy are eligible for reduced penalties on disclosed violations. This paper investigates whether self‐policing has additional consequences; in particular, whether self‐policing reduces future enforcement activity. Using data on U.S. hazardous waste enforcement and disclosures, I find that facilities that self‐police are rewarded with a lower probability of inspection in the future, although facilities with good compliance records receive a smaller benefit than facilities with poor records. Additionally, facilities that are inspected frequently are more likely to disclose than facilities that face a low probability of inspection. The results suggest that facilities may be able to strategically disclose in order to decrease future enforcement. © 2007 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Are management‐based regulations effective? Evidence from state pollution prevention programs
Authors: Bennear Lori Snyder
Published: March 2007

This paper evaluates a recent innovation in regulating risk called management‐based regulation. Traditionally, risk regulation has either specified a particular means of achieving a risk‐reduction goal or specified the goal and left the means of achieving that goal up to the regulated entity. In contrast, management‐based regulation neither explicitly imposes the means, nor the ends. Rather, what is required is that each regulated entity review its production processes and develop a set of goals and procedures that will reduce risk. I evaluate the effectiveness of management‐based regulation by taking advantage of policy variation that occurred when 14 states adopted such regulations for toxic chemical control in the 1990s. Using panel data for just over 31,000 manufacturing plants in the United States, I investigate whether facilities subject to management‐based regulations had larger changes in total quantities of toxic chemical releases, engaged in more pollution prevention activities, or reported fewer toxic chemicals to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI). The results indicate that management‐based regulation has had a measurable positive effect on the environmental performance of manufacturing plants. In particular, plants subject to management‐based regulation experienced larger decreases in total pounds of toxic chemicals released and were more likely to engage in source reduction activities. © 2007 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Citizen groups and scientific decisionmaking: Does public participation influence environmental outcomes?
Authors: Daley Dorothy M.
Published: March 2007

This paper explores the influence of local community groups on agency decisionmaking at hazardous waste sites nationwide. The central purpose of this research is to examine the relative influence of two forms of public participation at Superfund sites: Community Advisory Groups (CAGs) and Technical Assistance Grants (TAGs). When citizens mobilize and become involved in the decisionmaking process via CAGs and TAGs, are outcomes systematically different when compared to hazardous waste sites where citizen groups are not active? I utilize a treatment effects regression analysis to isolate the impact of these groups on remedy selection at Superfund sites while adjusting for the non‐random formation of local interest groups. The results suggest that even when controlling for other factors that may guide agency decisionmaking, such as site characteristics, the Environmental Protection Agency is more likely to choose health protective clean‐up approaches when CAGs and TAGs have formed at Superfund sites. © 2007 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
Yeast proteome map (update 2006)
Authors: Perrot Michel , Guieysse‐Peugeot Anne‐Laure , Massoni Aurélie , Espagne Christelle , Claverol Stéphane , Silva Raquel Monteiro , Jenö Paul , Santos Manuel , Bonneu Marc , Boucherie Hélian
Published: March 2007

To improve the potential of two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis for proteomic investigations in yeast we have undertaken the systematic identification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae proteins separated on 2‐D gels. We report here the identification of 187 novel protein spots. They were identified by two methods, mass spectrometry and gene inactivation. These identifications extend the number of protein spots identified on our yeast 2‐D proteome map to 602, i.e. nearly half the detectable spots of the proteome map. These spots correspond to 417 different proteins. The reference map and the list of identified proteins can be accessed on the Yeast Protein Map server (www.ibgc.u‐bordeaux2.fr/YPM).
Nonisothermal crystallization and melting behavior of a luminescent conjugated polymer, poly(9,9‐dihexylfluorene‐alt‐co‐2,5‐didecyloxy‐1,4‐phenylene)
Authors: Yang Gui‐Zhong , Chen Xiaolei , Wang Weizhi , Wang Min , Liu Tianxi , Li Chun‐Zhong
Published: March 2007

The nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of a luminescent conjugated polymer, poly(9,9‐dihexylfluorene‐alt‐co‐2,5‐didecyloxy‐1,4‐phenylene) (PF6OC10) with three different molecular weights was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry under different cooling rates from the melt. With increasing molecular weight of PF6OC10, the temperature range of crystallization peak steadily became narrower and shifted to higher temperature region and the crystallization rate increased. It was found that the Ozawa method failed to describe the nonisothermal crystallization behavior of PF6OC10. Although the Avrami method did not effectively describe the nonisothermal crystallization kinetics of PF6OC10 for overall process, it was valid for describing the early stage of crystallization with an Avrami exponent n of about 3. The combined method proposed in our previous report was able to satisfactorily describe the nonisothermal crystallization behavior of PF6OC10. The crystallization activation energies determined by Kissinger, Takhor, and Augis‐Bennett models were comparable. The melting temperature of PF6OC10 increased with increasing molecular weight. For low‐molecular‐weight sample, PF6OC10 showed the characteristic of double melting phenomenon. The interval between the two melting peaks decreased with increasing molecular weight, and only one melting peak was observed for the high‐molecular‐weight sample. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 976–987, 2007