bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cover Picture: Macromol. Biosci. 4/2005
Authors: Ouhib Farid , Randriamahefa Solo , Wintgens Véronique , Guérin Philippe , Barbaud Christel
Published: April 2005

Cover: The Figure shows the structure of novel biodegradable block and statistical copolyesters composed of hydrophilic ((R,S)‐3,3‐dimethylmalic acid) and hydrophobic (hexyl (R,S)‐3,3‐dimethylmalate) repetitive units. These novel materials display amphiphilic properties and form micelles and nanoparticles usable as potential drug delivery system. Transmission electron microphotography shows regular spherical nanoparticles with mean size suitable for target molecules encapsulation. Micelles are characterized by the critical aggregation concentration determined by the plot of the ratio of two vibrational bands of pyrene (used as fluorescence probe) versus the concentration of the block copolyester. Further details can be found in the Full Paper by F. Ouhib, S. Randriamahefa, V. Wintgens, P. Guérin, and C. Barbaud on Page 299.
Observation of Regime III Crystallization in Polyethylene/Montmorillonite Nanocomposites
Authors: Xu Jun‐Ting , Zhao Yan‐Qin , Wang Qi , Fan Zhi‐Qiang
Published: April 2005

Summary: Exfoliated and intercalated polyethylene/montmorillonite (PE/MMT) nanocomposites with high MMT content were prepared by in situ polymerization. The isothermal crystallization kinetics of the nanocomposites were analyzed with Lauritzen–Hoffman regime theory. Regime III crystallization, which is difficult to observe in linear polyethylene, appears in the PE/MMT nanocomposites. The broader temperature range of regime III crystallization in PE/MMT nanocomposites shows that the mobility and reptation ability of the PE chains are greatly reduced by the MMT, especially in the intercalated nanocomposite.

Plots of ln K/n + U*/R(Tc − T0) against 1/Tc(ΔT)f for the intercalated and exfoliated PE/MMT nanocomposites.

magnified image

Plots of ln K/n + U*/R(Tc − T0) against 1/Tc(ΔT)f for the intercalated and exfoliated PE/MMT nanocomposites.
Fabrication of Metal‐Block‐Copolymer Composite Films by a Palladium‐Catalyzed Electroless Nickel‐Plating Process
Authors: Cheng Ya‐Jun , Renker Sabine , Sun Zaicheng , Gutmann Jochen S.
Published: April 2005

Summary: Homogeneous films of PI‐b‐PDMAEMA are prepared on top of silicon (100) substrates. The free film surface shows microdomains of PDMAEMA within a PI matrix. These microdomains act as templates for the highly site‐selective synthesis of metal nanoparticles via palladium‐catalyzed electroless nickel plating. The particle formation is studied by atomic force microscopy in tapping mode and implications for a redox reaction and a nanoparticle growth mechanism on the surface of nanopatterned films are discussed.

Chemical structure of the PI‐b‐PDMAEMA copolymer and AFM phase image of a PI‐b‐PDMAEMA film on Si (100) substrate.

magnified image

Chemical structure of the PI‐b‐PDMAEMA copolymer and AFM phase image of a PI‐b‐PDMAEMA film on Si (100) substrate.
Living Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Cyclic Esters with Epoxide‐Derived Titanium Alkoxides
Authors: Asandei Alexandru D. , Saha Gobinda
Published: April 2005

Summary: The TiIIICp2Cl‐catalyzed radical ring opening of epoxides produces Ti alkoxides which initiate the ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone. A linear dependence of $\overline M _{\rm n}$ on conversion, linear kinetics, low $\overline M _{\rm w} /\overline M _{\rm n}$ values, and the synthesis of block copolymers demonstrate a living process, while NMR spectroscopy confirms the presence of the initiator chain end. Epoxides are thus introduced as a new class of initiators for the Ti‐catalyzed living ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic esters.

The TiCp2Cl‐catalyzed radical ring opening of epoxides followed by the initiation of the living ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone.

magnified image

The TiCp2Cl‐catalyzed radical ring opening of epoxides followed by the initiation of the living ring‐opening polymerization of ε‐caprolactone.
Xanthate‐Mediated Living Radical Polymerization of Vinyl Acetate in Miniemulsion
Authors: Simms Ryan W. , Davis Thomas P. , Cunningham Michael F.
Published: April 2005

Summary: The MADIX/RAFT mechanism, employing a xanthate as the reversible chain‐transfer agent, has been shown to facilitate the living radical polymerization of vinyl acetate in miniemulsion. Methyl (ethoxycarbonothioyl)sulfanyl acetate (MESA) successfully mediated the polymerization which was initiated with either of the water‐soluble initiators 2,2′‐azobis{2‐[1‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐2‐imidazolin‐2‐yl]propane} dihydrochloride (VA‐060) or 2,2′‐azobis[2‐(2‐dimidazolin‐2‐yl)propane] dihydrochloride (VA‐044). The polymerizations exhibit living characteristics, demonstrated by the evolution of molecular weight distributions. The formulation of the miniemulsion produced stable latexes with no coagulum.

The number‐average molecular weight and PDI as a function of monomer conversion for the RAFT miniemulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate.

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The number‐average molecular weight and PDI as a function of monomer conversion for the RAFT miniemulsion polymerization of vinyl acetate.
Preheating Sensitization of a TATB Composition Part Three: Sensitization for Various Stimuli, Interpretation and Conclusions
Authors: Belmas Robert , Gautier Laurent , David Claire , Picart Didier , Le Gallic Christian , Lambert Philippe
Published: April 2005

Preheating induced sensitization has been commonly studied in the frame of SDT but a complete analysis in terms of pyrotechnic safety needs to take into account other kinds of stimuli like “moderate” mechanical ones (crushing, drops…︁), new thermal fluxes or combined insults. We present the results of connected studies and propose sensitization mechanisms based on these data and on previous chemical and microstructure characterizations.
Ignition and Growth Modeling of LX‐17 Hockey Puck Experiments
Authors: Tarver Craig M.
Published: April 2005

Detonating solid plastic bonded explosives (PBX) formulated with the insensitive molecule triaminotrinitrobenzene (TATB) exhibit measurable reaction zone lengths, curved shock fronts, and regions of failing chemical reaction at abrupt changes in the charge geometry. A recent set of “hockey puck” experiments measured the breakout times of diverging detonation waves at ambient temperature LX‐17 (92.5% TATB plus 7.5% Kel‐F binder) and the breakout times at the lower surfaces of 15 mm thick LX‐17 discs placed below the detonator‐booster plane. The LX‐17 detonation waves in these discs grow outward from the initial wave leaving regions of unreacted or partially reacted TATB in the corners of these charges. This new experimental data is accurately simulated for the first time using the Ignition and Growth reactive flow model for LX‐17, which is normalized to detonation reaction zone, failure diameter and diverging detonation data. A pressure‐cubed dependence for the main growth of reaction rate yields excellent agreement with experiment, while a pressure‐squared rate diverges too quickly and a pressure‐quadrupled rate diverges too slowly into the LX‐17 below the booster equatorial plane.
Laser Ignition of Pyrotechnics – Effects of Wavelength, Composition and Confinement
Authors: Ahmad Sheikh Rafi , Russell David Anthony
Published: April 2005

Ignition tests were carried out using three different laser systems and three different pyrotechnic compositions. Pyrotechnic materials investigated are: sulfur/charcoal/potassium nitrate based composition (gunpowder, GP), Shellac binder‐based boron/potassium nitrate composition (SR 44) and acaroid resin binder based magnesium/potassium nitrate composition (SR 371C). The laser sources were the multimode output from an Ar‐ion laser (λ=500 nm average), a high‐power commercial diode laser (λ=784 nm) and a small laser diode operating at around the same wavelength but controlled by a customized electronic circuitry. Lasers operating in the visible wavelength range provided more reproducible and quicker ignition than the infrared output from the diode lasers. It was found that unconfined gunpowder exhibits more reproducible ignition for both the visible and the infrared wavelengths compared to the other two compositions. The composition based on magnesium, SR 371C appeared to be very sensitive to laser intensity variations and gave erratic and therefore, irreproducible ignition delay times. The threshold laser energies to initiate reproducible ignition for the different wavelengths were measured and ignition maps were constructed. From these maps, the required laser power density for any value of the ignition delay time, i.e. laser energy density was determined. Tests were also conducted on gunpowder samples, partially confined in a modified pyrogen igniter capsule and a small laser diode. The diode was operated in single pulse mode using a current surge, which was much higher than the recommended value for CW operation. This provided ~1 W pulses at the end of a 1 mm diameter fiber optic cable and caused reproducible ignition in the semi‐confined pyrotechnic bed within the capsule. The threshold ignition energy under semi‐confined conditions was found to be substantially less than that required in the unconfined environment under similar experimental conditions.
Experimental and Theoretical Study of 1,5‐Diamino‐4‐H‐1,2,3,4‐Tetrazolium Perchlorate
Authors: Drake Gregory W. , Hawkins Tommy W. , Boatz Jerry , Hall Leslie , Vij Ashwani
Published: April 2005

The synthesis and characterization of 1,5‐diamino‐1,2,3,4‐tetrazolium perchlorate were carried out. Experimental evidence strongly supports the protonation of a nitrogen atom of the tetrazole ring, including the structure observed in a single crystal X‐ray diffraction study of the title compound. Quantum chemical calculations were performed at the CCSD(T)/6‐311G(2df, p)//MP2/6‐311G(d, p) level of theory to determine the relative energies of all possible N‐protonated structures of the 1,5‐diamino‐1,2,3,4‐tetrazole ring. The predicted geometry of the most stable isomer compares favorably with the experimentally observed structure.
Surgical treatment of hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Aun Frederico , Egdahl Richard H.
Published: April 2005

A dramatic rise in the number of diagnosed cases of hyperparathyroidism has been accompanied by significant progress in diagnostic and management techniques. Indications for parathyroid surgical exploration have been established for cases presenting with hypercalcemia and any of several clinical syndromes. Asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with the disease can be followed for longer intervals prior to surgery, but surgical treatment is recommended. Normocalcemic hyperparathyroidism with repeated renal stones exists as a disease entity and further investigation is needed to determine guidelines for operative treatment. Surgery is reserved for medically intractable cases in secondary hyperparathyroidism.

The surgical strategy should be based on the identification of all glands and, with few exceptions, only abnormal tissue should be resected. Mediastinal explorations are rarely needed and should always be preceded by careful localization studies. Surgical results are generally good, with low recurrence rates if definitive surgery is possible. Mortality and morbidity rates are also very low and, while the most common postoperative complication is temporary hypocalcemia, vocal cord paralysis is a rare but debilitating one.
The important influence of arterial blood gases on the prognosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Boix‐Ochoa J. , Natal A. , Canals J. , Seijo G. , Peguero G.
Published: April 2005

Arterial blood gases were measured preoperatively and postoperatively in 20 newborn infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia during spontaneous breathing or assisted ventilation. Of these 20 patients, 11 survived and 9 died. Arterial blood Pco2 levels of survivors (mean of 44.3 ± 7.9 mm Hg) were significantly lower (p <0.01) than those of nonsurvivors (mean of 61.3±15.4 mm Hg). Arterial blood Po2 levels of survivors (mean of 307.9+142.3) were very significantly higher (p<0.001) than those of nonsurvivors (mean of 49.8±14.2). All but 2 survivors had Po2 levels greater than 230 mm Hg in the preoperative period during breathing of 100% oxygen, while none of those who died had Po2 levels higher than 80 mm Hg.

From these results, it is concluded that the prognosis is excellent if the arterial blood Po2 and Pco2 levels are normal preoperatively, or if they can be brought into an acceptable range (Po2 above 230 mm Hg, Pco2 below 70 mm Hg) with oxygen therapy and/or assisted ventilation. On the other hand, if arterial Po2 cannot be raised to the acceptable level by respiratory therapy, a fatal outcome should be anticipated.
A review of 128 cases of posterior mediastinal goiter
Authors: De Andrade Mariano A.
Published: April 2005

In 9,100 thyroid operations performed between 1935 and 1975, the author treated over 1,300 patients with intrathoracic goiters, 128 of whom had posterior mediastinal goiters. In all patients, the posterior mediastinal goiter arose from the thyroid gland in the neck. The main symptoms were those resulting from compression of the trachea, bronchi, esophagus, and great vessels. Chest x‐rays showing displacement of mediastinal structures were the most helpful diagnostic studies. It was possible to remove the goiter entirely through a cervical approach in 122 of the 128 patients. Six patients required a combined cervicothoracic approach after exploration through the neck showed that it was not possible to safely perform a thyroidectomy. There was only one death in this group of 128 patients, all of whom were over the age of 50.
Postoperative ascending cholangitis following portoenterostomy for biliary atresia: Measures for control
Authors: Lilly John R. , Hitch David C.
Published: April 2005

Twenty‐five patients with biliary atresia were treated by a modification of Kasai's hepatic portoenterostomy operation. The midportion of the Roux‐en‐Y bilioenteric conduit was exteriorized as a Mikulicz anastomosis. This type of biliary reconstruction permitted precise analysis of the biliary drainage, including determinations of the concentrations and types of microorganisms infecting the bilioenteric conduit before, during, and after episodes of cholangitis.

Cholangitis was a universal complication in all patients having sustained bile drainage and, paradoxically, was a hallmark of a successful operation. Attacks of infection were frequent for the first 6 to 9 months. There was no correlation between types and amounts of bacteria in the bile drainage and episodes of cholangitis. Therefore, bile culture data were of no use in selection of specific antibiotic treatment. Nevertheless, antibiotics effective against enteric microorganisms usually cured the infection promptly. Maneuvers that may be helpful in lessening the incidence and severity of cholangitis during this early period consist of exteriorization of the bilioenteric conduit to ensure unimpeded flow of bile, use of choleretic agents, and preventive use of antibiotics.

A second period in which patients were at risk occurred 1–2 years after operation. In this instance, cholangitis was almost invariably a consequence of simple mechanical obstruction of the bilioenteric conduit. Early crushing of the Mikulicz spur and postponement of closure of the bilioenteric conduit were found to be important in prevention of cholangitis during this period.
Preliminary trial of a retroperitoneal approach for modified selective distal splenorenal shunt
Authors: Pera C. , Visa J. , Rodes J. , Teres J.
Published: April 2005

A modified selective splenorenal shunt without “portal‐azygos disconnection” through the left retroperitoneal approach was performed in 13 patients with cirrhosis of the liver and acute massive variceal hemorrhage. The anastomosis was end‐to‐side in 9 patients and end‐to‐end in 4 patients. All patients survived the operation. The post‐operative course was extraordinarily benign; none of the patients developed clinical manifestations or biological evidence of hepatic dysfunction attributable to the operation. The only patient who died had an acute massive hemorrhage in the third postoperative week. None of the 12 surviving patients experienced further gastrointestinal bleeding. Dissection of the splenic and renal veins through the posterior retroperitoneal approach is technically easy. It may be the only alternative approach for portosystemic decompression in patients with dense intra‐abdominal adhesions from previous operations involving the biliary tree or the upper gastrointestinal tract.

The retroperitoneal approach for modified selective splenorenal portosystemic decompression is an effective method in the treatment and prevention of gastroesophageal bleeding in cirrhotic patients.
Heterogeneity of gastrointestinal hormones
Authors: Rehfeld Jens F.
Published: April 2005

The molecular heterogeneity of gastrointestinal hormones is reviewed. The phenomenon of heterogeneity is characteristic of all secreted proteins, including macromolecules like albumin and immunoglobulins, as well as protein and polypeptide hormones. Heterogeneity reflects basal mechanisms involved in ribosomal biosynthesis, posttranslational cleavage and modification, as well as degradation in peripheral tissue of biologically important substances. Thus far, all gastrointestinal hormones have displayed heterogeneity. The degree of heterogeneity reported has varied for the individual gut hormones. The most extensively studied hormones, such as gastrin and insulin, have displayed a high degree of heterogeneity, and similar heterogeneity will probably emerge for the remaining hormones when they have been studied in greater detail. Based on the extent of molecular difference, a distinction between macro‐ and microheterogeneity is proposed. Macroheterogeneity indicates a difference in molecular size of several (two or more) amino acids, while microheterogeneity indicates modifications of single amino acid residues. Molecular heterogeneity has implications regarding extraction, measurement, and evaluation of the action of the individual gut hormones. Thus, extraction may require several different procedures in order to identify all the molecular forms of a hormone. Measurement in blood and other biological fluids requires careful evaluation of the specificity of the assays towards the different molecular forms of a hormone in order to evaluate its physiological role. Consequently, understanding of the significance of gut hormones in gastrointestinal disease requires further clarification of their heterogeneous nature.
Radioimmunoassay of gastrointestinal hormones
Authors: Rayford Phillip L. , Hejtmancik Kelly , Thompson James C.
Published: April 2005

Since 1968, radioimmunoassays have been developed for major gastrointestinal hormones (gastrin, cholecystokinin, secretin, and gastric inhibitory peptide) and for many substances in the gastrointestinal tract that await full hormonal status (vasoactive intestinal peptide, motilin, pancreatic polypeptide, enteroglucagon, serotonin, prostaglandins, inter alia). Although reports between laboratories on the circulating levels of gastrin and gastric inhibitory polypeptide are in relatively good agreement, wide discrepancies exist in reported values of secretin and cholecystokinin. Reports on qualitative responses of these hormones to various stimuli, however, appear to be consistent between laboratories. A review of some of the studies of radioimmunoassay techniques for gastrointestinal hormones permits analysis of some of the technical problems that can be encountered.
Neurohormonal interactions in the stomach and pancreas
Authors: Konturek Stanisław J.
Published: April 2005

Current concepts of the regulation of gastric and pancreatic secretion suggest a striking degree of interdependence between the autonomic nerves and gastrointestinal hormones. These neurohormonal secretory mechanisms are of two types, the first originating centrally to mediate the cephalic phase, the second originating in the wall of the alimentary canal where both neural and hormonal mechanisms are activated during gastric and intestinal phases of secretory stimulation. Vagal activation by sham feeding or glucopenic agents results in the release of gastrin, direct stimulation of oxyntic glands, and sensitization of these glands to other endogenous stimulants. In man, vagal activation provokes a marked gastric secretory response that is only slightly affected by resection of the antrum and duodenal bulb, suggesting that vagal‐gastrin release contributes to, but is not essential for, the gastric response to vagal stimulation. Furthermore, atropine and vagotomy enhance rather than inhibit the release of gastrin, which suggests both stimulatory and inhibitory components in the action of the vagus on gastrin release. Atropine and vagotomy are also known to suppress the pancreatic response to intestinal stimulants without affecting the action of exogenous hormones (cholecystokinin and secretin) on the pancreas. These effects have been attributed to the removal of vagal facilitation of release of intestinal hormones and/or the interruption of vago‐vagal enteropancreatic reflexes involved in postprandial pancreatic stimulation. Recently, several hormonal peptides (VIP, somatostatin, gastrin, enkephalin) were found in the neurons of the gut (often referred to as purinergic nerves). These peptides may be delivered to the responding secretory cells not only by classical endocrine paths, but also by neurocrine and paracrine modes. The interplay with other neural and hormonal mechanisms and the physiologic roles of the peptides in the regulation of gastric and pancreatic secretion remain to be determined.
Mesenteric infarction
Authors: Rius Xavier , Escalante Jose F. , Llaurado Jose M. , Jover Jose , La Calle Jorge Puig
Published: April 2005

This is a review of 46 patients with intestinal infarction who underwent emergency surgery over a 10‐year period. These operations constituted 0.38% of the acute abdominal operations performed during that period. Overall mortality rate was 84.7%, but varied according to the cause of acute intestinal infarction. The prognosis was significantly related to the patient's age and time lapse between clinical onset and operation. Diabetes, hypertension, obesity, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, vague abdominal pain, and chronic diarrhea were common findings in nearly all the cases of arterial thrombosis. Severe hemodynamic alterations either of cardiac origin or due to shock were important etiologic factors in cases of nonocclusive mesenteric infarction. A potentially embolic cardiopathy existed in all except 1 patient with arterial embolism, and predisposing factors were present in all except 2 patients with venous thrombosis. At the present time, 3 patients are alive but under medical and dietary support. Only those patients in good general condition without chronic systemic diseases, who receive early surgical treatment, have any chance of surviving this disorder.
Prophylactic gastric operations in uremic patients prior to renal transplantation
Authors: Linder Malte M. , Kösters Winfried , Rethel Rainer
Published: April 2005

Gastroduodenal bleeding or perforation occurs in 3.5–60% of renal transplant patients. The mortality rate of this complication ranges from 35 to 75%. Experience with 61 chronic hemodialysis patients being prepared for renal transplantation is presented. History, endoscopy, and gastric analysis disclosed a considerable risk of gastroduodenal complications in 20 transplant candidates, defined as a history, presence, or sequelae of ulcer disease or hyperchlorhydria. These 20 patients underwent prophylactic gastric surgery. Lower risk patients were treated by selective proximal vagotomy, and higher risk patients underwent a selective gastric vagotomy plus Billroth I gastric resection. Follow‐up for 11–34 months showed no mortality and no gastroduodenal symptomatology. A kidney transplant has been performed to date in 15 of the patients who had prophylactic gastric surgery, and none of them developed gastroduodenal complications during follow‐up of 6–30 months after transplantation. Of 29 patients who were not believed to be at risk for gastroduodenal complications and did not have prophylactic gastric surgery, 3 bled from duodenal ulcers after renal transplantation, 1 with fatal outcome.
Surgical management of unstable angina
Authors: Hatcher Charles R. , King Spencer B. , Kaplan Joel A.
Published: April 2005

Unstable angina pectoris encompasses a broad spectrum of clinical subsets with varying prognoses. It is impossible to identify which patients have severe obstructive coronary disease and, therefore, coronary arteriography should be employed. In patients with severe obstructive disease, coronary bypass surgery has resulted in dramatic symptomatic improvement and has improved the survival of patients with 2‐and 3‐vessel disease, as compared to medically treated groups. Aggressive preoperative medical management coupled with improved anesthetic and surgical techniques have aided in the salvage of these unstable patients.
Noninvasive radionuclide procedures for diagnosis and management of myocardial ischemia
Authors: Jones Robert H. , Rerych Stephen K. , Newman Glenn E. , Scholz Peter M. , Howe W. Robin , Oldham H. Newland , Goodrich Jack K. , Sabiston David C.
Published: April 2005

Three noninvasive radionuclide techniques are of value in diagnosis and management of patients with myocardial ischemia.201Thallium is an analogue of potassium that is distributed in myocardial tissue in proportion to regional blood flow following intravenous administration. Studies obtained using this agent during rest and exercise identify regions of myocardial fibrosis and ischemia and provide a functional assessment of regional blood flow. Improvement in the distribution of regional myocardial perfusion has been documented following coronary artery bypass grafting, and the procedure may have practical importance in the postoperative assessment of patients.99mTechnetium pyrophosphate is a radiopharmaceutical that localizes in acutely infarcted myocardial tissue and is of particular benefit in the diagnosis of postoperative myocardial infarction. Documentation of acute myocardial infarction by this method is indicated in patients in whom the diagnosis cannot be confirmed by electrocardiograms or other clinical modalities. Radionuclide angiocardiography is a third radionuclide technique that holds great promise in the management of patients with myocardial ischemia. A single bolus injection of tracer with rapid recording of precordial counts using a computerized gamma camera provides measurement of individual chamber transit times and mean volumes, cardiac output, and ventricular volumes and ejection fraction. The study provides serial measurements of cardiac function and permits evaluation of the cardiac response to acute exercise stress. Patients with myocardial ischemia acutely dilate the left ventricle in response to increased cardiac work load, and the magnitude of dilatation appears to be related to the magnitude of ischemia. Successful myocardial revascularization reverses the abnormal response to exercise, and greatly improved left ventricular function can be documented during exercise following coronary artery bypass grafting.
A method of valvuloplastic esophagogastrostomy to prevent reflux after proximal gastrectomy
Authors: Seta Koichi , Higuchi Takahiro , Watanabe Masatoshi , Hatafuku Tetsuhiko
Published: April 2005

This is a report of our new method of valvuloplastic esophagogastrostomy for the prevention of postoperative reflux esophagitis, and the clinical results in 10 patients. After proximal resection of the stomach, the medial side of the cut end of the gastric remnant is closed in the usual fashion. The mucosal layer of the lateral side of the gastric remnant is partially closed, but the seromuscular layers are left open. The esophagus is anastomosed to the gastric remnant mucosa, which is inverted so as to form a mucosal valve. The seromuscular layers of the gastric remnant are then wrapped around the distal esophagus, similar to a Nissen fundoplication, so as to create an artificial fundus. The intragastric esophageal wall facing the fundus acts as a long oneway flap valve to prevent reflux. The 10 patients who have undergone valvuloplastic esophagogastrostomy have remained free of postoperative complications due to reflux. X‐ray fluoroscopy and esophagoscopy done at the time of discharge from the hospital revealed no evidence of reflux or esophagitis. Withdrawal pH studies performed in 5 of the patients showed a sharp rise in pH starting at the site of the anastomosis. Withdrawal intraluminal pressure studies performed in 7 patients showed a high pressure zone with a mean pressure of 11.3 mm Hg and a mean length of 4.0 cm. These results indicate that the new method of esophagogastrostomy effectively prevented postoperative reflux esophagitis after conventional methods of proximal gastric resection.
Prevention of the pancreatic complications after surgical procedures of the pancreas
Authors: Kinami Yoshio , Miyazaki Izuo , Kawamura Makoto , Sugii Mamoru , Sakane Yoshihiro , Shinmura Koji
Published: April 2005

In order to find a way to prevent postoperative complications believed to be caused by pancreatic enzymes, we studied the effects on the pancreas of 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), daunomycin (DAU), actinomycin D (ACD), vincristine (VCR), and methotrexate (MTX), all of which have an inhibitory effect on protein synthesis. The effects of these drugs were tested on the exocrine cells of Donryu rats and in 12 patients who had had surgical procedures for pancreatic diseases. In control experiments, the uptake of labeled amino acid and autoradiographic studies showed that enzyme synthesis by pancreatic exocrine cells was diminished transiently after surgery but recovered in a short time. All of the drugs produced a decrease of75Se‐selenomethionine uptake in the pancreas.3H‐leucine uptake in the pancreatic protein fraction and autoradiographic studies showed a significant reduction of radioactivity and a decrease of grain counts on zymogen granules in rats treated with 5‐FU and VCR. On the basis of these experimental results, 5‐FU was selected as the most favorable drug. Of 12 patients treated with 5‐FU, one developed a small pancreatic fistula for a short period of time and another had leakage from a pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy. The others had no postoperative complications even when operations were performed in the presence of pancreatitis. 5‐FU produced a decrease in the amount of protein and the activity of amylase in pancreatic juice obtained postoperatively from a catheter in the pancreatic duct of several patients.
On global smooth solutions to the 3D Vlasov–Nordström system
Authors: Pallard Christophe
Published: April 2005

The Vlasov–Nordström system is a relativistic model describing the motion of a self-gravitating collisionless gas. A conditional existence result for global smooth solutions was obtained in [Comm. Partial Differential Equations 28 (2003) 1863–1885]. We give a new proof for this result.

Le système de Vlasov–Nordström est un modèle relativiste décrivant l'évolution d'un ensemble de particules massives soumises au champ gravitationnel qu'elles génèrent collectivement. Un théorème d'existence conditionnelle a été démontré dans [Comm. Partial Differential Equations 28 (2003) 1863–1885]. Nous donnons ici une nouvelle preuve de ce résultat.
Concentration phenomena for solutions of superlinear elliptic problems
Authors: Molle Riccardo , Passaseo Donato
Published: April 2005

In this paper we look for positive solutions of the problem

−\mathrm{\Delta }u + \lambda u = u^{p−1}

in

Ω

,

u = 0

on

∂Ω

, where

Ω

is a bounded domain in

\mathbb{R}^{n}

,

n⩾3

,

p > 2

and

λ

is a positive parameter. We describe new concentration phenomena, which occur as

\lambda \rightarrow + \infty

, and exploit them to construct (for

λ

large enough) positive solutions that concentrate near spheres of codimension 2 as

\lambda \rightarrow + \infty

; these spheres approach the boundary of

Ω

as

\lambda \rightarrow + \infty

. Notice that the existence and multiplicity results we obtain hold also in contractible domains arbitrarily close to starshaped domains (no solution can exist if

p⩾\frac{2n}{n−2}

and

Ω

is starshaped, because of Pohožaev's identity). The method we use is completely variational and based on a blow up analysis in the equivariant setting. In order to avoid concentration phenomena near points and to overcome some difficulties related to the lack of compactness, we first modify the nonlinear term in a suitable region, then we solve the modified problem by minimizing the related energy functional on a suitable infinite dimensional manifold and, finally, we show that the solutions of the modified problem solve also our problem, for

λ

large enough, because they are localized in the prescribed region where the nonlinear term has not been modified.

Nous démontrons l'existence de solutions positives pour le problème

−\mathrm{\Delta }u + \lambda u = u^{p−1}

en

Ω

,

u = 0

sur

∂Ω

, où

Ω

est un domaine borné de

\mathbb{R}^{n}

,

n⩾3

,

p > 2

et

\lambda > 0

. Nous décrivons de nouveaux phénomènes de concentration qui apparaissent quand

\lambda \rightarrow + \infty

. Grâce à ceux-ci nous construisons des solutions positives pour

λ

assez grand donc qui se concentrent près des sphères de codimention 2 quand

\lambda \rightarrow + \infty

; ces sphères approchent du bord de omega quand

\lambda \rightarrow + \infty

. Il faut remarquer que l'existence de solutions est prouvée pour des domaines qui peuvent être arbitrairement proches de domaines étoilés (quand

p⩾\frac{2n}{n−2}

et

Ω

est étoilé il n'y a pas de solutions, ce qui se déduit de l'identité de Pohožaev). La méthode que nous suivons pour la démonstration est complètement variationnelle. Pour surmonter les difficultés liées à la présence d'opérateurs non compacts, d'abord nous modifions le terme non linéaire ; ensuite nous trouvons des solutions du problème modifié en minimisant la fonctionnelle de l'énergie sur une varieté de dimension infinie ; enfin nous démontrons que les solutions du problème modifié sont aussi solutions du problème original, parce-qu'elles sont localisées, dans la région où le terme non linéaire n'a pas été modifié.
The N137 and P140 amino acids in the p51 and the P95 amino acid in the p66 subunit of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) reverse transcriptase are instrumental to maintain catalytic activity and to design new classes of anti‐HIV‐1 drugs
Authors: Auwerx Joeri , Van Nieuwenhove Joke , Rodríguez-Barrios Fátima , de Castro Sonia , Velázquez Sonsoles , Ceccherini-Silberstein Francesca , De Clercq Erik , Camarasa María-José , Perno Carlo-Federico , Gago Federico , Balzarini Jan
Published: April 2005

Amino acids N137 and P140 in the p51 subunit of HIV‐1 reverse transcriptase (RT) are part of the β7–β8‐loop that contributes to the formation of the base of the non‐nucleoside RT inhibitor (NNRTI)‐binding pocket and makes up a substantial part of the dimerization interface. Amino acid P95 in p66 also markedly contributes to the dimerization binding energy. Nine RT mutants at amino acid 137 were constructed bearing the mutations Y, K, T, D, A, Q, S, H or E. The prolines at amino acid positions 95 and 140 were replaced by alanine in separate enzymes. We found that all mutant RT enzymes showed a dramatically decreased RNA‐dependent DNA polymerase activity. None of the mutant RT enzymes showed marked resistance against any of the clinically used NNRTIs but they surprisingly lost significant sensitivity for NRTIs such as ddGTP. The denaturation analyses of the mutant RTs by urea are suggestive for a relevant role of N137 in the stability of the RT heterodimer and support the view that the β7–β8 loop in p51 is a hot spot for RT dimerization and instrumental for efficient polymerase catalytic activity. Consequently, N137 and P140 in p51 and P95 in p66 should be attractive targets in the design of new structural classes of RT inhibitors aimed at compromising the optimal interaction of the β7–β8 loop in p51 at the p66/p51 dimerization interface.
A novel neurotrophic role of secretory phospholipases A2 for cerebellar granule neurons
Authors: Arioka Manabu , Cheon So-hyun , Ikeno Yutaka , Nakashima Satoru , Kitamoto Katsuhiko
Published: April 2005

Cultured cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) require membrane depolarization or neurotrophic factors for their survival in vitro and undergo apoptosis when deprived of these survival‐promoting stimuli. Here, we show that secretory phospholipases A2s (sPLA2s) rescue CGNs from apoptosis after potassium deprivation. The neurotrophic effect required the enzymatic activity of sPLA2s, since catalytically inactive mutants of sPLA2s failed to protect CGNs from apoptosis. Consistently, the ability of sPLA2s to protect CGNs from apoptosis correlated with the extent of sPLA2‐induced arachidonic acid release from live CGNs. The survival‐promoting effect of sPLA2 was inhibited by depletion of extracellular Ca2+ or by the presence of L‐type Ca2+ channel blocker nicardipine, suggesting that Ca2+ influx occurs upon sPLA2 treatment. Among the mammalian sPLA2s tested, only group X sPLA2, but not group IB nor IIA sPLA2s, displayed neurotrophic activity. These results suggest a novel, unexpected neurotrophin‐like role of sPLA2 in the nervous system.
The interaction of the hnRNP family member E1B‐AP5 with p53
Authors: Barral Paola M. , Rusch André , Turnell Andrew S. , Gallimore Phillip H. , Byrd Philip J. , Dobner Thomas , Grand Roger J.A.
Published: April 2005

Adenovirus early region 1B‐associated protein 5, E1B‐AP5, a member of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) family, was originally isolated on the basis of its ability to bind to the adenovirus 5 early region1B55K protein. Here, it has been demonstrated that E1B‐AP5 interacts with mutant and wild‐type p53 from human cells in pull‐down assays using GST‐E1B‐AP5. This interaction has been confirmed by co‐immunoprecipitation studies and pull‐down experiments with in vitro translated E1B‐AP5 and GST‐p53. The binding site for E1B‐AP5 has been mapped to the C‐terminal region of p53. In reciprocal experiments, it has been shown that several regions of E1B‐AP5 bound to p53 although it is probable that a major site of interaction is located between amino acids 395 and 732 of E1B‐AP5. In reporter assays, E1B‐AP5 inhibited p53 transcriptional activity although not as efficiently as the Ad5E1B55K protein. Transfection of E1B‐AP5 into human tumour cells affected the cellular response to UV radiation, such that, although p53 expression was induced, little change in the level of p53‐inducible genes could be observed.
Long CGG‐repeat tracts are toxic to human cells: Implications for carriers of Fragile X premutation alleles
Authors: Handa Vaishali , Goldwater Deena , Stiles David , Cam Margaret , Poy George , Kumari Daman , Usdin Karen
Published: April 2005

People with 59–200 CGG · CCG‐repeats in the 5′ UTR of one of their FMR1 genes are at risk for Fragile X tremor and ataxia syndrome. Females are also at risk for premature ovarian failure. These symptoms are thought to be due to the presence of the repeats at the DNA and/or RNA level. We show here that long transcribed but untranslated CGG‐repeat tracts are toxic to human cells and alter the expression of a wide variety of different genes including caspase‐8, CYFIP, Neurotensin and UBE3A.
Consistency of genome‐based methods in measuring Metazoan evolution
Authors: Zdobnov Evgeny M. , von Mering Christian , Letunic Ivica , Bork Peer
Published: April 2005

Seven distinct genome‐wide divergence measures were applied pairwise to the nine sequenced animal genomes of human, mouse, rat, chicken, pufferfish, fruit fly, mosquito, and two nematode worms (Caenorhabditis briggsae and Caenorhabditis elegans). Qualitatively, all of these divergence measures are found to correlate with the estimated time since speciation; however, marked deviations are observed in a few lineages. The distinct genome divergence measures also correlate well among themselves, indicating that most of the processes shaping genomes are dominated by neutral events. The deviations from the clock‐like scenario in some lineages are observed consistently by several measures, implicitly confirming their reliability.
Feline pyothorax: A retrospective study of 27 cases in Australia
Authors: Barrs Vanessa R. , Allan Graeme S. , Martin Patricia , Beatty Julia A. , Malik Richard
Published: April 2005

Pyothorax was diagnosed in 27 cats between 1983 and 2002. In 21 (78%) of the cases, pleural fluid culture and/or cytology was consistent with a mixed anaerobic bacterial infection of oropharyngeal origin. In six cases (22%), infection was caused by unusual pathogens or pathogens of non-oropharyngeal origin, including a Mycoplasma species, Cryptococcus gattii, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus. The overall mortality rate was 22%. Treatment was successful in 18 of 19 cases (95%) where closed thoracostomy tubes were inserted. One case resolved only after thoracotomy. Actinomyces species were isolated in three cases and in contrast to dogs where thoracotomy is recommended, they were resolved with tube thoracostomy. Mechanical complications occurred in 58% of the cats with indwelling chest tubes. Probable mechanisms of pleural space infection were identified in 18 cats (67%) including haematogenous infection ( n=1), direct inoculation of bacteria into the pleural space ( n=1), intrathoracic oesophageal rupture ( n=1) and parapneumonic extension of infection ( n=15; 56%). Of the latter, perioperative aspiration was suspected in two cats, parasitic migration in two and antecedent upper respiratory tract infection was implicated in seven. Parapneumonic spread of infection after colonisation and invasion of lung tissue by oropharyngeal flora appears to be the most frequent cause of feline anaerobic polymicrobial pyothorax and contests the widespread belief that direct inoculation of pleural cavity by bite wounds is more common.
IGF‐I activates PKB and prevents anoxic apoptosis in Achilles tendon cells
Authors: Scott Alexander , Khan Karim M. , Duronio Vincent
Published: April 2005

Anoxia and apoptosis are both implicated in chronic tendon pathology, however the influence of anoxia on the viability of tendon cells is not known. The objectives of the current study were to (i) investigate the effect of oxygen withdrawal on the viability of porcine Achilles tendon cells (ATCs), and (ii) examine the ability of IGF‐I, a factor with known regenerative properties in tendon, to prevent ATC death. Cultured ATCs were enclosed in an anaerobic chamber. The mechanism of cell death was examined by flow cytometry of ATCs double labeled with Annexin‐V and propidium iodide (PI). Caspase activity was determined by a fluorometric assay, and nuclear morphology was examined by Hoechst staining. The cell death induced by anoxia was time‐dependent, and was characterized by phosphatidylserine exposure on the outer membrane, caspase activation and DNA fragmentation. Death was inhibited by the addition of IGF‐I in a dose‐dependent manner. The ability of IGF‐I to activate the pro‐survival PKB pathway in ATCs was inhibited by LY294002, indicating the importance of P13K in the response of ATCs to IGF‐I. These data suggest that cell death induced by lack of oxygen is predominantly apoptotic and can be prevented by pro‐survival IGF‐I signaling. This mechanism may contribute to the beneficial effect of IGF‐I on tendon. © 2005 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The metaphysics of the national interest and the ‘mysticism’ of the nation-state: reading Hans J. Morgenthau
Authors: Pin-Fat Véronique
Published: April 2005

The centrality of the national interest to Morgenthau's political realism is well known yet often lamented for its lack of clarity. This article offers a grammatical reading in order to highlight the Platonic and Aristotelian roots of the metaphysical assumptions that inform the national interest in Morgenthau's work and to show that, despite his continuous injunctions against the dangers of utopianism, he fails to escape them himself. Ultimately, his attempts to insulate us against the possibility of totalitarianism leads us back into its violent embrace via a ‘mysticism’ that defines a role for the nation-state as the embodiment of eternal moral truths and values.
Continuity and change in British liberal internationalism, c. 1900–1930
Authors: Sylvest Casper
Published: April 2005

This article is concerned with the historical trajectory and legacy of British liberal internationalist ideas in the opening three decades of the twentieth century. Despite this body of ideas being a major force behind the establishment of International Relations (IR) in Britain following the Great War, only scant attention is paid to its pre-war configuration. The article attempts to remedy this gap by focusing on internationalist thought prior to and during the war. It is argued that internationalist ideas during the Great War accelerated a drift towards institutional arguments, which are herein distinguished from moral arguments, and that the concept of anarchy played a major role in this shift in internationalist ideas. While the transformation of liberal internationalist ideas during the war constitutes a central backdrop to the early practices of British IR, it should not overshadow the powerful, underlying continuity in ethico-political convictions entertained by internationalists before and after the Great War.
The politics of global environmental governance: the powers and limitations of transfrontier conservation areas
in Central America
Authors: Duffy Rosaleen
Published: April 2005

This article examines the concepts and practices of global governance as a definitively liberal project. It provides an analysis of how TFCAs intersect with wider neoliberal debates about the efficacy of global environmental governance, and explores the power and limitations of that governance. In particular, this article investigates the complex local contexts which global environmental governance schemes such as TFCAs encounter; in so doing it highlights the ways that local activities subvert and challenge global-level conservation schemes. Through an analysis of transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) in Central America, it contends that specific forms of global environmental governance require some rethinking to accommodate their potentially fragile and uneven nature, and that it is more open, opaque or uneven than many theorists suggest.
The house that Chuck built: twenty-five years of reading Charles Beitz
Authors: Brown Chris
Published: April 2005

On the face of it, this might seem a somewhat frivolous, not to say over-familiar, title for an essay on the influence of Charles Beitz's Political Theory and International Relations (hereafter, PTIR); Beitz, however, will recognise the implicit comparison between his work and John Rawls's A Theory of Justice, and will accordingly, I hope, forgive the familiarity. But, accepting that this is a title that conveys respect, it might still be argued to be inappropriate on the rather different grounds that it substantially overstates the influence of PTIR. Can it really be the case that this relatively short (under 200 pages) volume with an over-ambitious title ‘changed the subject’ in the way that A Theory of Justice certainly did a few years earlier? Obviously the subject in question – international political theory – is rather more limited than the whole world of at least Anglo-American political theory that was changed by Rawls's work, but such a claim can, I think, be defended.