bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High‐frequency constant‐current power supply in noncontact energy transfer system using immittance converter
Authors: Irie Hisaichi , Yabuuchi Tomohiro
Published: December 2006

Noncontact energy transfer systems are used in various fields in the industry. A high‐frequency constant current must be supplied to the feeder of noncontact energy transfer systems. This paper proposes a high‐frequency constant power supply for a noncontact energy transfer system using an immittance converter. When there are two or more pick‐up coils on the feeder, the output of one pick‐up coil does not affect other pick‐up coils on the feeder if the feeder current is constant. We proposed use of an immittance converter to transform the high‐frequency constant‐voltage source into a high‐frequency constant‐current source.

“Immittance converter” is a combined form of “impedance‐admittance converter.” The immittance converter has input impedance that is proportional to the admittance of the load connected across output terminals. In this converter, the output current is proportional to the input voltage and the input current is proportional to the output voltage. Consequently, it converts a constant‐voltage source into a constant‐current source and a constant‐current source into a constant‐voltage source.

This paper contains descriptions of the configuration of the new high‐frequency constant‐current power supply for noncontact energy transfer system, output characteristics versus excessive reactance and small frequency deviations for different values of the duty factor. The experimental results are also described. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 158(3): 81–89, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20438
Robust optimum design of SAW filters by the penalty function method
Authors: Tagawa Kiyoharu , Ohtani Toru , Igaki Tsutomu , Seki Syunichi , Inoue Katsumi
Published: December 2006

In order to increase the reliability of surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters, a robust optimum design technique is presented. The frequency response characteristics of SAW filters are governed primarily by their geometrical structures, that is, the configurations of the interdigital transducers (IDTs) and reflectors fabricated on piezoelectric substrates. To choose desirable structures of SAW filters through computer simulation, conventional design techniques utilize the equivalent circuit model of the IDT. However, they have rarely considered the accuracy of the underlying model, which may be degraded by the dispersion of the circuit parameters. In this paper, considering the errors of these parameters, the robust optimum design of SAW filters is formulated as a constrained optimization problem. Then, a penalty function method combined with an improved variable neighborhood search is proposed and applied to the problem. Computational experiments conducted on a practical design problem of a resonator type SAW filter demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 158(3): 45–54, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20469
Controlled Formation of Mixed‐Metal Macrocycles Using Dynamic Exchange Processes and Steric Constraints
Authors: Grote Zacharias , Scopelliti Rosario , Severin Kay
Published: December 2006

The exchange reaction of the trinuclear macrocycles [(C6H3iPr3)Ru(C5H3NO2)]3 (AAA) and [(cymene)Ru(C5H3NO2)]3 (BBB) has been studied. It was found that the equilibration proceeds in two steps and that the final mixture is completely dominated by the mixed‐metal macrocycles [{(C6H3iPr3)Ru}2{(cymene)Ru}(C5H3NO2)3] (AAB) and [{(C6H3iPr3)Ru}{(cymene)Ru}2(C5H3NO2)3] (ABB). The results are rationalized by assuming unfavorable steric interactions between adjacent (C6H3iPr3)Ru fragments. It is shown that interactions of this kind can be used to bias scramblingprocesses in such a way that mixed‐metal macrocycles are obtained in over 80 % yield. The structures of [{(C6Me6)Ru}{(C6H6)Ru}2(C5H3NO2)3] and [(Cp*Rh){(C6H6)Ru}2‐(C5H3NO2)3] have been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Synthesis, Structure and Reactivity of Trimethylsilyl‐Substituted Phosphametallocenes
Authors: Loschen Rebekka , Loschen Christoph , Frank Walter , Ganter Christian
Published: December 2006

New sterically crowded phosphaferrocene and ‐ruthenocene derivatives were synthesized via the 2,5‐bis(trimethylsilyl)phospholide anion 5. Their reactivity with regard to the exchange of the Me3Si groups for other functional groups was examined. X‐ray structures were determined for the mono‐ (6) and the 1,1′‐diphosphaferrocene (8). The activation barrier for ring–ring rotation in 8 was determined by NMR spectroscopy and supported by DFT calculations. Attempts to prepare 2,5‐difunctional phosphaferrocenes through electrophilic substitutions were unsuccessful, but yielded en route a new bidentate P,P ligand (3) and its Mo(CO)4 complex, which were both characterized by X‐ray diffraction. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Transient Amino‐Hydrazino‐Carbenes: A Radical Pathway for Intramolecular 1,2‐Migration Reactions
Authors: Cattoën Xavier , Gornitzka Heinz , Tham Fook S. , Miqueu Karinne , Bourissou Didier , Bertrand Guy
Published: December 2006

The transient amino‐hydrazino‐carbenes 2c–e are reported to undergo intramolecular 1,2‐migration reactions that proceed through a radical pathway according to DFT calculations. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2007)
Simultaneous determination of allantoin, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid in serum/plasma by CE
Authors: Caussé Elizabeth , Pradelles Aude , Dirat Béatrice , Negre‐Salvayre Anne , Salvayre Robert , Couderc François
Published: December 2006

Allantoin (All) is an oxidative end product of purines in mammals. The small amount of All present in human plasma or serum results from free radical action on urate and may provide a stable marker of in vivo free radical activity. Because free radicals have been implicated in the development and progression of atherosclerosis, this study focused on the metabolic compounds of the All pathway. We propose a new fast CE (CE/UV) method for the simultaneous determination of All, uric acid (UA), hypoxanthine (HX), and xanthine (X) in human plasma. These products were quantified in the plasma of patients with chronic renal failure before hemodialysis (n = 6), patients with chronic heart failure (n = 6) and controls (n = 6). The filtered plasma were diluted ten‐fold before the direct injection in CE/UV (195 nm), which allows separating the four compounds in less than 13 min. The metabolites were detectable at concentrations of 0.3–0.6 μmol/L. The method was linear over the range 0.5–150 μmol/L for All, HX, and X and 10–1500 μmol/L for UA (r > 0.99). The analytical performance of this method is satisfactory with intra‐assay CV < 3.4%, inter‐assay CV < 5% (HX and X < 7%), and recovery (93–101%). The proposed CE‐UV method appears to be a useful tool for studying physiological and pathological changes of HX, UA, and All levels in plasma samples, the latter being a possible indicator of free radical damage in vivo.
Detection of hexamethonium‐perchlorate association complexes using NACE‐MS
Authors: Groom Carl A. , Hawari Jalal
Published: December 2006

Perchlorate (ClO4+) and other chlorine oxide anions were observed to complex weakly with hexamethonium (1,6‐bis‐(trimethylammonium)‐hexane) in both aqueous and polar nonaqueous solvents. The resultant positively charged complexes were resolved by NACE using 2‐propanol/acetone electrolytes prior to mass spectrometric detection using an Agilent3DCE system coupled to a Bruker Esquire 3000+ quadrupole IT mass detector. Using electrokinetic injection, the method detection limit for perchlorate in nonaqueous media was 10 μg/L. The isotope patterns due to the presence of 35Cl and 37Cl in complex mass spectra allowed for unambiguous identification of perchlorate, chlorate (ClO3+), chlorite (ClO2+), and chloride (Cl+) in photoreaction samples.
Genetic analysis of human complement factor H polymorphisms
Authors: Susukida Rie , Kido Akira , Oya Masakazu , Mabuchi Tadashi
Published: December 2006

Human complement factor H (factor H) is polymorphic, with five previously reported FH alleles and three previously reported HF alleles (HF*A, HF*B, and HF*Q0). The relationship between the FH and HF alleles is not clear, and the genetic basis of factor H phenotypes has not yet been identified. In this study, nucleotide sequence analysis of complementary DNA (cDNA) from individuals with each HF phenotype identified seven mutated sites in the factor H gene. However, in four cases, the same cDNA sequence was observed in individuals with two different HF phenotypes. Western blotting and 2‐DE also showed that a 160 kDa protein corresponding to factor H was expressed in individuals with HF phenotypes. In addition, factor H cross‐reacting 45 and 42 kDa polypeptides were detected in individuals with HF A, HF B, or HF AB phenotypes, but not in individuals with the HF Q0 (a null allele) phenotype. Thus, HF phenotype did not correlate well with factor H gene or protein structural variation. Evidence is provided to support the hypothesis that the HF phenotypes do not correspond to polymorphism in factor H, but instead correspond to polymorphism in factor H‐related protein 1. A novel PCR‐RFLP method was developed and used to detect four polymorphisms (G257A, G1492A, A2089G, and G2881T) in the factor H gene in 54 unrelated Japanese individuals. This method could be useful for studies on genetic disease associated with these mutations.
Kohlrausch regulating function and other conservation laws in electrophoresis
Authors: Hruška Vlastimil , Gaš Bohuslav
Published: December 2006

The Kohlrausch regulating function (KRF) is a conservation law (conservation function), which is held in electrophoresis and which enables calculation of the so‐called adjusted concentrations of constituents. The KRF is not the only conservation function and, depending on the complexity of the electrophoretic system, other conservation laws may be obeyed having a broader range of applicability. The conservation laws are tightly related to system eigenmobilities and system zones (system peaks). In principle, no system eigenmobility is exactly zero, but in most practical cases at least one system's eigenmobility is close to zero. The existence of the close‐to‐zero eigenmobility inherently points to the existence of a conservation function and a system zone which is stationary. The stationary system zone is called injection zone, stagnant zone, water peak, or solvent dip. Electrophoretic (electromigration) systems can be divided into two types: (i) conservation systems, in which the absolute value of at least one system eigenmobility is close to zero and where at least one conservation law is obeyed and (ii) nonconservation systems, where no system eigenmobility is close to zero and no conservation law is obeyed. The paper reviews work dealing with conservation functions in electromigration, derives some “historical” conservation functions in a new way, derives several conservation functions for systems of multivalent electrolytes, and discusses electrophoretic systems that have nonconservation behavior. In some typical instances, the conservation functions are simulated by means of a dynamic simulation tool and depicted graphically.
Molecularly imprinted polymers as a tool for separation in CEC
Authors: Liu Zhao‐Sheng , Zheng Chao , Yan Chao , Gao Ru‐Yu
Published: December 2006

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthesized in the presence of a template which results in the formation of specific recognition cavities complementary to the template in shape and chemical functionality. One of the most successful application areas of MIPs is chromatographic sorbents, which are tailor‐made synthetic polymers for a given analyte. However, low efficiency of MIP columns is often observed because of slow kinetics of the template. CEC‐based MIPs are thought to improve efficiency of MIP‐based separation due to the enhanced flow dynamics of CEC. Another attractive feature is the miniaturized format of CEC, so that fewer templates or monomers for the molecular imprinting are consumed, a characteristic desired for ‘green chemistry'. The small dimensions of a capillary demand the development of novel polymer formats that can be applied to a miniaturized system. This review discusses the various formats, i.e., the micro‐ or nanoparticle, the coating and the monolith, for application in CEC as well as the use in MIP syntheses and characteristics.
Biospecific interaction (affinity) CEC and affinity nano‐LC
Authors: Okanda Fred M. , El Rassi Ziad
Published: December 2006

This review article is aimed at assessing the recent progress made in affinity nano‐LC and affinity CEC performed in capillaries and microchips. A variety of biospecific interactions is covered including lectin affinity, immunoaffinity, immobilized metal affinity, sugar‐based affinity, protein A affinity, protein G affinity, aptamer affinity, enzyme affinity, and other miscellanea. ACE involving affinity interaction in free solution is not covered in this review article. Also, affinity‐based separations involving chiral recognition are not the subject of this review article because they are the topic of a more specialized review article on chiral separations in this special issue. A total of 31 papers published in the period 1998–2006 have been discussed in this review article.
Two preconditioners for saddle point problems in fluid flows
Authors: de Niet A. C. , Wubs F. W.
Published: December 2006

In this paper two preconditioners for the saddle point problem are analysed: one based on the augmented Lagrangian approach and another involving artificial compressibility. Eigenvalue analysis shows that with these preconditioners small condition numbers can be achieved for the preconditioned saddle point matrix. The preconditioners are compared with commonly used preconditioners from literature for the Stokes and Oseen equation and an ocean flow problem. The numerical results confirm the analysis: the preconditioners are a good alternative to existing ones in fluid flow problems. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semi‐Lagrangian semi‐implicit time‐splitting scheme for the shallow water equations
Authors: Bourchtein A. , Bourchtein L.
Published: December 2006

Time‐splitting technique applied in the context of the semi‐Lagrangian semi‐implicit method allows the use of extended time steps mainly based on physical considerations and reduces the number of numerical operations at each time step such that it is approximately proportional to the number of the points of spatial grid. To control time growth of the additional truncation errors, the standard stabilizing correction method is modified with no penalty for accuracy and efficiency of the algorithm. A linear analysis shows that constructed scheme is stable for time steps up to 2h. Numerical integrations with actual atmospheric fields of pressure and wind confirm computational efficiency, extended stability and accuracy of the proposed scheme. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Free PSA isoforms and intact and cleaved forms of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor in serum improve selection of patients for prostate cancer biopsy
Authors: Steuber Thomas , Vickers Andrew , Haese Alexander , Kattan Michael W. , Eastham James A. , Scardino Peter T. , Huland Hartwig , Lilja Hans
Published: January 2007

Clinicians currently use simple cut‐points, such as serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) ≥≥4 ng/ml, to decide whether to recommend further work‐up for prostate cancer (PCa). As an alternative strategy, we evaluated multivariable models giving probabilities of a PCa diagnosis based on PSA and several circulating novel biomarkers. We measured total PSA, free PSA (fPSA), fPSA subfractions (single‐chain fPSA‐I and multichain fPSA‐N), total human glandular kallikrein 2 (hK2) and full‐length and cleaved forms of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) in pretreatment serum from 355 men referred for prostate biopsy. Age and total PSA were combined in a “base” regression model to predict biopsy outcome. We then compared this base model to models supplemented by various combinations of circulating markers, using concordance index (AUC) to measure diagnostic discrimination. PCa prediction was significantly enhanced by models supplemented by measurements of suPAR fragments and fPSA isoforms. Addition of these markers improved bootstrap‐corrected AUC from 0.611 for a cut‐point and 0.706 for the base model to 0.754 for the full model (p = 0.005). This improved diagnostic accuracy was also seen in subanalysis of patients with PSA 2–9.99 ng/ml and normal findings on DRE (0.652 vs. 0.715, p = 0.039). In this setting, hK2 did not add diagnostic information. Measurements of individual forms of suPAR and PSA isoforms contributed significantly to discrimination of men with PCa from those with no evidence of malignancy. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Naringin, a grapefruit flavanone, protects V79 cells against the bleomycin‐induced genotoxicity and decline in survival
Authors: Jagetia Abhinav , Jagetia Ganesh Chandra , Jha Shalini
Published: December 2006

The effect of naringin, a grapefruit flavonone was studied on bleomycin‐induced genomic damage and alteration in the survival of cultured V79 cells. Exposure of V79 cells to bleomycin induced a concentration dependent elevation in the frequency of binucleate cells bearing micronuclei (MNBNC) and a maximum number of MNBNCs were observed in the cells treated with 50 μg ml−1 bleomycin, the highest concentration evaluated. This genotoxic effect of bleomycin was reflected in the cell survival, where a concentration dependent decline was observed in the cells treated with different concentrations of bleomycin. Treatment of cells with 1 mm naringin before exposure to different concentrations of bleomycin arrested the bleomycin‐induced decline in the cell survival accompanied by a significant reduction in the frequency of micronuclei when compared with bleomycin treatment alone. The cell survival and micronuclei induction were found to be inversely correlated. The repair kinetics of DNA damage induced by bleomycin was evaluated by exposing the cells to 10 μg ml−1 bleomycin using single cell gel electrophoresis. Treatment of V79 cells with bleomycin resulted in a continuous increase in DNA damage up to 6 h post‐bleomycin treatment as evident by migration of more DNA into the tails (% tail DNA) of the comets and a subsequent increase in olive tail moment (OTM), an index of DNA damage. Treatment of V79 cells with 1 mm naringin reduced bleomycin‐induced DNA damage and accelerated DNA repair as indicated by a reduction in % tail DNA and OTM with increasing assessment time. A maximum reduction in the DNA damage was observed at 6 h post‐bleomycin treatment, where it was 5 times lower than bleomycin alone. Our study, which was conducted on the basis of antioxidant, free radical scavenging and metal chelating properties of naringin demonstrates that naringin reduced the genotoxic effects of bleomycin and consequently increased the cell survival and therefore may act as a chemoprotective agent in clinical situations. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of the organ microenvironment in the biology and therapy of cancer metastasis
Authors: Fidler Isaiah J. , Kim Sun‐Jin , Langley Robert R.
Published: December 2006

By the time of diagnosis, primary neoplasms are biologically heterogeneous and contain subpopulations of cells with different metastatic potentials. The pathogenesis of a metastasis consists of many sequential steps that must be completed to produce clinically relevant lesions. During any of these steps, tumor cells interact with host factors in the microenvironment that the tumor cells can usurp. Treatment of metastasis can be directed against tumor cells and/or microenvironmental factors that support tumor growth, such as tumor‐associated blood vessels. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 927–936, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Apoptosis in medfly hemocytes is regulated during pupariation through FAK, Src, ERK, PI‐3K p85a, and Akt survival signaling
Authors: Mamali Irene , Tatari Marianthi N. , Micheva Ilina , Lampropoulou Maria , Marmaras Vassilis J.
Published: December 2006

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and its downstream signaling targets are implicated in the process of apoptosis induced by external stimuli, in several mammalian systems. In this report, we demonstrate, that medfly (Ceratitis capitata) hemocytes do undergo apoptosis during larval development. In particular, we show using Western blot, ELISA and flow cytometry analysis, that FAK expression silencing in transfected by FAK double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) hemocytes, enhances twofold hemocyte apoptosis, by signaling through Src, MEK/ERK, and PI‐3K/Akt signaling pathways. FAK expression silencing, in response to FAK dsRNA treatment, blocks partially the phosphorylation of its downstream targets. Pre‐incubation of hemocytes, with specific inhibitors of FAK downstream signaling molecules, demonstrated that all these inhibitors reduced hemocyte viability and enhanced the magnitude of apoptosis about threefold. This data suggest that these pathways contribute to hemocyte survival and/or death during development. The expression and phosphorylation of FAK, Src, PI‐3K p85a, Akt, and ERK signaling molecules appear to be dependent upon developmental stages. The expression and phosphorylation of the above signaling molecules, in annexin‐positive and annexin‐negative hemocytes is also distinct. The maximum expression and phosphorylation of FAK, Src, PI‐3K p85a, Akt, and ERK appeared in annexin‐positive hemocytes, in both early and late apoptotic hemocytes. The novel aspect of this report is based on the fact that hemocytes attempt to suppress apoptosis, by increasing the expression/phosphorylation of FAK and, hence its downstream targets signaling molecules Src, ERK, PI‐3K p85a, and Akt. Evidently, the basic survival pathways among insects and mammals appear to remain unchanged, during evolution. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 331–347, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Site‐specific proteolysis of cyclooxygenase‐2: A putative step in inflammatory prostaglandin E2 biosynthesis
Authors: Mancini Arturo , Jovanovic Dragan V. , He Qing W. , Di Battista John A.
Published: December 2006

Cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) catalyzes the rate‐limiting step in inflammatory prostanoid biosynthesis. Transcriptional, post‐transcriptional, and post‐translational covalent modifications have been defined as important levels of regulation for COX‐2 gene expression. Here, we describe a novel regulatory mechanism in primary human cells involving regulated, sequence‐specific proteolysis of COX‐2 that correlates with its catalytic activity and ultimately, the biosynthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Proinflammatory cytokines induced COX‐2 expression and its proteolysis into stable immunoreactive fragments of 66, 42–44, 34–36, and 28 kDa. Increased COX‐2 activity (PGE2 release) was observed coincident with the timing and degree of COX‐2 proteolysis with correlation analysis confirming a linear relationship (R2 = 0.941). Inhibition of induced COX‐2 activity with non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and COX‐2 selective inhibitors also abrogated cleavage. To determine if NSAID inhibition of proteolysis was related to drug‐binding‐induced conformational changes in COX‐2, we assayed COX‐inactive NSAID derivatives that fail to bind COX‐2. Interestingly, these compounds suppressed COX‐2 activity and cleavage in a correlated manner, thus suggesting that the observed NSAID‐induced inhibition of COX‐2 cleavage occurred through COX‐independent mechanisms, presumably through the inhibition of proteases involved in COX‐2 processing. Corroborating this observation, COX‐2 cleavage and activity were mutually suppressed by calpain/cathepsin protease inhibitors. Our data suggest that the nascent intracellular form of COX‐2 may undergo limited proteolysis to attain full catalytic capacity. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 425–441, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three‐dimensional investigation and scoring of extracellular matrix remodeling during lung fibrosis using multiphoton microscopy
Authors: Pena Ana‐Maria , Fabre Aurélie , Débarre Delphine , Marchal‐Somme Joëlle , Crestani Bruno , Martin Jean‐Louis , Beaurepaire Emmanuel , Schanne‐Klein Marie‐Claire
Published: December 2006

The organization of collagen during fibrotic processes is poorly characterized because of the lack of appropriate methodologies. Here we show that multimodal multiphoton microscopy provides novel insights into lung fibrosis. We characterize normal and fibrotic pulmonary tissue in the bleomycin model, and show that second‐harmonic generation by fibrillar collagen reveals the micrometer‐scale three‐dimensional spatial distribution of the fibrosis. We find that combined two‐photon excited fluorescence and second‐harmonic imaging of unstained lung tissue allows separating the inflammatory and fibrotic steps in this pathology, underlining characteristic features of fibroblastic foci in human Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis samples. Finally, we propose phenomenological scores of lung fibrosis and we show that they unambiguously sort out control and treated mice, with a better sensitivity and reproducibility in the subpleural region. These results should be readily generalized to other organs, as an accurate method to assess extracellular matrix remodeling during fibrosis. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Six‐color segmentation of multicolor images in the infection studies of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Ma Bin , He Feng , Jablonska Jadwiga , Winkelbach Simon , Lindenmaier Werner , Zeng An‐Ping , Dittmar Kurt E.J.
Published: December 2006

Multiple immunofluorescent staining is a powerful strategy for visualizing the spatial and temporal relationship between antigens, cell populations, and tissue components in histological sections. To segment different cell populations from the multicolor image generated by immunostaining based on color addition theory, a systems approach is proposed for automatic segmentation of six colors. After image acquisition and processing, images are automatically segmented with the proposed approach and six‐pseudo channels for individual or colocalized fluorescent dye are generated to distinguish different cell types. The principle of this approach is the classification of each pixel into one of six colors (red, green, blue, yellow, magenta, and cyan) by choosing the minimal angular deviation between the RGB vector of the given pixel and six classically defined edge vectors. In the present infection studies of Listeria monocytogenes, the new multicolor staining methods based on the color addition were applied and the proposed color segmentation was performed for multicolor analysis. Multicolor analysis was accomplished to study the migration and interaction of Listeria and different cell subpopulations such as CD4CD25 double positive T regulatory cells; we also visualized simultaneously the B cells, T cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and Listeria in another experiment. After Listeria infection, ERTR9 macrophages and dendritic cells formed cluster with Listeria in the infection loci. The principle of color addition and the systems approach for segmentation may be widely applicable in infection and immunity studies requiring multicolor imaging and analysis. This approach can also be applied for image analysis in the multicolor in vivo imaging, multicolor FISH or karyotyping or other studies requiring multicolor analysis. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Alternative care giving in the context of Aids in southern Africa: complex strategies for care
Authors: van Blerk Lorraine , Ansell Nicola
Published: December 2006

This paper examines the various mechanisms by which alternative care giving occurs in the context of the AIDS pandemic in southern Africa. High infection rates and the clustering of illness and death among families and communities, has resulted in large numbers of orphans coupled with an extended family support system which is already over‐burdened and in some cases disintegrating. Drawing on a series of case studies from qualitative research carried out with young people, aged between 10 and 17 years, and their guardians in urban and rural communities in Malawi and Lesotho, the changing nature and increasing complexity of family, household and community relationships around care giving are discussed. The concept of inter‐generational contracts as a mechanism through which extended families operate is used to explore the diverse arrangements for the care of young people, and their increased involvement as carers for family and surrogate family members. The paper identifies three ways in which contracts are changing in relation to orphan care. For many there is a reduction in the time frame within which contracts take place, the contracts have become more explicit and there is an emerging inequality in the provision of resources related both to the stigmatisation of orphans and the greater impoverishment of care givers. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mapping the grassroots: NGO formalisation in Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: Moore Sarah , Winders Jamie , Fröhling Oliver , Jones John Paul , Roberts Susan M.
Published: December 2006

Using data compiled from two surveys of non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) in the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, we analysed regional variations in the degree of ‘formalisation’ among NGOs operating in the state. Formalisation is shown to vary from regions with a weak grassroots sector but a top‐heavy concentration of activities undertaken by more formalised NGOs, to those with a strong grassroots base but a smaller number of more formalised organisations. These structures do not appear to correlate with either levels of poverty or proportion of indigenous population, but instead with unique geo‐historical conditions in each region. We conclude by reflecting on the broader implications of these structures, particularly in the context of neoliberal state policies. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Managing new‐style currency crises: the swan diagram approach revisited
Authors: Rajan Ramkishen S.
Published: December 2006

The new‐style currency crises that have afflicted a number of developing and emerging economies of late are characterised by sudden stops in capital inflows and adverse balance sheet effects. Given the potential high costs of these crises, there remains an ongoing debate on how they might best be managed when they do arise. This paper argues that the age‐old Swan diagram, appropriately modified, is able to provide useful insights into how a country might manage a new‐style crisis via a combination of adjustment (which involves expenditure switching and reducing polices) and financing. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing interventions to improve child nutrition: a theory‐based impact evaluation of the Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Project
Authors: White Howard , Masset Edoardo
Published: December 2006

The Community‐Based Nutrition Component of the Bangladesh Integrated Nutrition Project sought to improve nutritional status through nutritional counselling and supplementary feeding for malnourished children and pregnant women. This paper presents a theory‐based impact evaluation of this programme. Both counselling and feeding suffered from problems of inappropriate targeting strategies and a failure to reach intended groups. While counselling has changed women's knowledge it has had less of an impact on behaviour. There is a knowledge‐practice gap, which is explained by resource constraints faced by women, including lack of time, which prevent them from putting the advice into practice. The impact of the project on anthropometric outcomes of infants, children and mothers has not been large. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Why have the members gone? Explanations for dropout from a community‐based insurance scheme
Authors: Sinha Tara , Ranson M. Kent , Patel Falguni , Mills Anne
Published: December 2006

A common challenge faced by voluntary community based insurance (CBI) schemes is ensuring re‐enrolment of their members. This study examines factors that may explain dropout from a CBI scheme targeting poorer self‐employed women in Gujarat. Members who exited from the scheme were poorer and less educated; had weaker links with the promoting institution; and used the scheme less in the preceding year. The primary reason for dropping out was that members were not contacted by programme staff to re‐enrol. Scheme administrators can reduce dropout rates by maintaining better contact with scheme members and systematically seeking them out at the time of enrolment. Such relatively simple improvements in scheme administration can enhance the efficiency and equity of the scheme. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Study by liquid secondary ion and electrospray mass spectrometry of synthesized and formed‐in‐source metallocorroles
Authors: Barata J. F. B. , Barros C. M. , Santana‐Marques M. G. O. , Neves M. G. P. M. S. , Faustino M. A. F. , Tomé A. C. , Ferrer Correia A. J. , Cavaleiro J. A. S.
Published: December 2006

Liquid secondary ion and electrospray mass spectrometry were used to study the complexation in‐source of 5,10,15‐tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrole with several divalent transition‐metal ions. The metallocorrole ions formed in‐source were identified by comparing their product ion mass spectra with the spectra of the same ions formed from metallocorroles obtained from classical procedures. Positive metallocorrole ion formation is accompanied by oxidation of the metal centre. Mechanisms were proposed for the oxidation processes, and data from negative‐ion spectra reinforced these mechanisms. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Apoptosis‐associated gene expression in HIV‐infected patients in response to successful antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Balestrieri Emanuela , Grelli Sandro , Matteucci Claudia , Minutolo Antonella , d'Ettorre Gabriella , Di Sora Fiorella , Montella Francesco , Vullo Vincenzo , Vella Stefano , Favalli Cartesio , Macchi Beatrice , Mastino Antonio
Published: December 2006

The simultaneous expression of 19 apoptosis‐related genes was analyzed by RNA‐protection assay in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of HIV‐infected patients before and during successful antiretroviral therapy (ART). After 12 months of therapy, the expression of the pro‐apoptotic genes FAS, FAS‐L, FAF‐1, FADD, CASPASE‐8, DR3, TRAIL, TNFR‐1, TRADD, and BAX was significantly downregulated with respect to time 0, while that of BCL‐2, BCL‐XL, and MCL‐1 was significantly upregulated. The data suggest that inhibition of cell death in HIV‐positive patients under successful therapy is the result of a complex network of multifactor signaling, correlated with both death and survival of lymphocytes. J. Med. Virol. 79:111–117, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efficacy and safety of tenofovir double‐dose in treatment‐experienced HIV‐infected patients: The tenoplus study
Authors: Dominguez Stephanie , Ghosn Jade , Peytavin Gilles , Izzedine Hassan , Wirden Marc , Ktorza Nadine , Miller Michael , Aubron‐Olivier Camille , Trylesinski Aldo , Calvez Vincent , Deray Gilbert , Katlama Christine
Published: December 2006

Drug resistance is an increasing problem in the treatment of HIV infection. Tenofovir has been shown to inhibit HIV replication even with thymidine‐associated resistance mutations (TAMs) if they are limited to two or less. Double‐dose of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) (600 mg QD) was used to determine weather the drug could be virologically effective in patients harbouring HIV‐strains resistant to nucleoside analogues (NRTI). A pilot, open, non‐comparative add‐on study, where patients failing a current antiretroviral regimen, with at least two TAMs, and naive for tenofovir, were given tenofovir 600 mg once‐daily for 4 weeks, in addition to their current failing antiretroviral regimen. The primary end‐point was the percentage of patients with plasma viral load (VL) reduction of at least 0.8 log10 between baseline and week 4 (W4). Ten patients were enrolled. At baseline, the median viral load was 3.66 log10 copies/ml (range 3.13–4.03) and the median CD4 cell count was 407/mm3 (range 136–1102). The percentage of patients with reduction the viral load ≥0.8 log10 was 40% at W4. After 4 weeks of treatment with tenofovir 600 mg, the median decrease in the viral load was −0.61 log10 (range −0.05; −0.88) and the median gain of CD4 was +109/mm3. Despite a twofold increase tenofovir plasma concentrations, no serious drug‐related adverse event were recorded except for one patient experiencing an de Fanconi syndrome at week 2. This add‐on pilot study supports the concept of double dose tenofovir to virologically overcome the decreased sensitivity of NRTI‐resistant viruses. However, the safety of this regimen needs to be considered carefully. J. Med. Virol. 79:105–110, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Seroprevalence of Hepatitis‐B infection amongst Taiwanese university students 18 years following the commencement of a national Hepatitis‐B vaccination program
Authors: Su Fu‐Hsiung , Chen Jong‐Dar , Cheng Shu‐Hsing , Lin Ching‐Hung , Liu Yi‐Hui , Chu Fang‐Yeh
Published: December 2006

In Taiwan, the nation‐wide Hepatitis‐B virus (HB) vaccination program was first launched in July 1984 and was directed to those infants born to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carrier mothers in Taiwan. From July 1986 onwards, all infants born in Taiwan were immunized against HB. This study examined the HB‐infection status amongst students at a Taiwanese university 18 years subsequent to the implementation of universal HB vaccination. A total of 1,969 new university entrants in 2005 were grouped into 1 of 3 distinct birth cohorts according to their HB‐vaccination schedule (cohort‐1 students born prior to July 1, 1984; cohort‐3 students born subsequent to June 30, 1986) and were examined for their serum HBsAg, antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti‐HBs), and antibody to hepatitis B core antigen (anti‐HBc) status. Immunity arising from vaccination was defined as an anti‐HBs level 10 mIU/ml. We observed a trend toward a decreasing anti‐HBc‐positive rate and a decreasing HBsAg carrier rate from, respectively, 26.5 and 8.7% for cohort‐1 to 4.7 and 1.7% for cohort‐3 students. The prevalence of students featuring seronegativity for all three HB markers increased from 12.3% for cohort‐1 to 48.8% for cohort‐3 individuals. Amongst the 1,695 subjects revealing seronegativity for HBsAg and anti‐HBc, their anti‐HBs level was analyzed according to their birth year. The prevalence of students featuring a non‐protective anti‐HBs level increased from 11.9% for birth‐year 1984 individuals to 48.2% for birth‐year 1987 students. The introduction of HB vaccine has effectively reduced the transmission of HBV infection in Taiwan, 18 years subsequent to the commencement of the universal HB‐vaccination program. A “waning‐off” effect of anti‐HBs seropositivity acquired from the HB vaccination program has also been observed. J. Med. Virol. 79:138–143, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A novel, sensitive, and specific RT‐PCR technique for quantitation of hepatitis C virus replication
Authors: Carrière Matthieu , Pène Véronique , Breiman Adrien , Conti Filoména , Chouzenoux Sandrine , Meurs Eliane , Andrieu Muriel , Jaffray Patrick , Grira Lilia , Soubrane Olivier , Sogni Philippe , Calmus Yvon , Chaussade Stanislas , Rosenberg Arielle R. , Podevin Philippe
Published: December 2006

The detection of negative‐strand hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA is a hallmark of replication. A highly sensitive and specific method is required to quantify the very low level of replication inherent to in vitro infection systems. Based on reverse transcription with a tagged primer in the 5′ non‐coding region of the HCV genome, followed by a nested PCR with a second round of real‐time PCR, a novel method is described with improved sensitivity for negative‐strand HCV RNA quantification. The lower detection level was 25 copies per reaction of negative‐strand HCV RNA, even in the presence of 1 × 105 copies of positive‐strand HCV RNA. This protocol was applied to the detection of negative HCV strand RNA in the liver of HCV‐infected patients as well as in primary human hepatocytes infected in vitro. In both models, and particularly in each of three, independent in vitro infection experiments, this assay permitted the quantitation of HCV replication. J. Med. Virol. 79:155–160, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Human herpesvirus 8 and human herpesvirus 2 infections in prison population
Authors: Sarmati L. , Babudieri S. , Longo B. , Starnini G. , Carbonara S. , Monarca R. , Buonomini A.R. , Dori L. , Rezza G. , Andreoni M. ,   Gruppo di Lavoro Infettivologi Penitenziari (GLIP)
Published: December 2006

Incarcerated persons have high rates of infectious diseases. Few data on the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases in prisoners are available. This multi‐center cross‐sectional study enrolled 973 inmates from eight Italian prisons. Demographic and behavioral data were collected using an anonymous standardized questionnaire and antibodies to HIV, HCV, HBV, HSV‐2, and HHV‐8 were detected in a blood sample obtained from each person at the time of the enrollment in the study. Two hundred and two out of the 973 subjects (20.7%) had antibodies against HHV‐8. HHV‐8‐seropositive subjects were more likely to be older than 30 years with a higher educational level. HHV‐8 infection was associated significantly with HBV (P < 0.001) and HSV‐2 (P = 0.004) seropositivity and with previous imprisonments. Multivariate analysis showed that HHV‐8 infection in Italian inmates was associated with HBV (P < 0.001) and HSV‐2 (P = 0.002) seropositivity otherwise among foreigners inmates HHV‐8 was significantly associated with HBV infection (P = 0.05). One hundred and eighty‐six (21.2%) prisoners had anti‐HSV‐2 antibodies. At multivariate analysis HSV‐2‐positivity was significantly associated with HIV (P < 0.001) and HHV‐8 infections (P = 0.003), whereas it was inversely associated with HCV infection (0.004). A relatively high seroprevalence of HHV‐8 and HSV‐2 among Italian prison inmates was found. The association of HHV‐8 and HSV‐2 infections suggest sexual transmission of these viruses among Italian prison inmates. J. Med. Virol. 79:167–173, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased prevalence of varicella zoster virus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Mancuso Roberta , Delbue Serena , Borghi Elisa , Pagani Elisabetta , Calvo Maria Gaetana , Caputo Domenico , Granieri Enrico , Ferrante Pasquale
Published: December 2006

In order to investigate the possible involvement of viruses in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the study evaluated the presence of viral genomic sequences in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as markers of viral replication within the central nervous system (CNS). A total of 85 CSF samples were collected from 38 MS patients, 28 patients with other neurological diseases and 19 subjects without neurological diseases. Using nested‐PCR, the investigation focused on the presence of human herpes virus DNA, including herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV‐1) and 2 (HSV‐2), the Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human herpes virus 6 (HHV‐6) and JC virus (JCV). All the CSF samples from the individuals without neurological diseases were negative for viral DNA. Genomic sequences of HSV‐1, HCMV, EBV, HHV6, and JCV were found in patients with MS and other neurological diseases without significant differences between the two groups. VZV DNA was detected more frequently (P < 0.05) in the MS group (31.6%), particularly among the relapsing‐remitting MS patients (43.5%), compared with patients with other neurological diseases (10.7%). In addition, the results indicated that JCV and HHV‐6 were replicating actively in the CNS of a small, but significant number of patients with MS and other neurological diseases. Most importantly, the study revealed a high frequency of VZV DNA in the CSF of patients with MS, suggesting a possible role of this virus in the pathogenesis of MS. J. Med. Virol. 79:192–199, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular epidemiology of human adenovirus isolated from children hospitalized with acute respiratory infection in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Moura Patrícia O. , Roberto Adriana F. , Hein Noely , Baldacci Evandro , Vieira Sandra E. , Ejzenberg Bernardo , Perrini Priscila , Stewien Klaus E. , Durigon Edison L. , Mehnert Dolores U. , Hársi Charlotte M.
Published: December 2006

In a study of acute respiratory disease, two collections of nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were obtained from children hospitalized at the Pediatric Clinic of the University Hospital, São Paulo, in 1995 and 2000. Adenovirus was detected in 33 (8.2%) of 401 children followed. These viruses were isolated in HEp‐2, HEK‐293, or NCI‐H292 cells and serotyped by neutralization. The genome types were determined after restriction analyses of the genomic DNA extracted from infected cells. Nineteen isolates were characterized as Human adenovirus B, genome types HAdV‐3a, HAdV‐7h, and HAdV‐7h1; 11 as Human adenovirus C, genome types HAdV‐1D10, HAdV‐2D25, HAdV‐5D2, and HAdV‐6D3. Our findings show that species C adenoviruses present an endemic infection pattern, with co‐circulation of different serotypes and genome types; no new genomic variant was observed. Species B adenoviruses showed epidemic infection patterns, with shifts in the predominant genome type. The isolates from 1995 belong to genome type 7h, or the variant 7h1, with a clear substitution of the type 7b, prevalent in São Paulo for more then 10 years. In 2000, the variant 7h1 predominated and the emergence of the type 3a was observed. Almost 10 years passed between the identification of HAdV‐7h in Argentina and its detection in São Paulo. The geographic isolation of these two countries was reduced by the increase in population mobility due to growing commercial relationships. J. Med. Virol. 79:174–181, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolation and identification of adenovirus from conjunctival scrapings over a two‐year period (between 2001 and 2003) in Yokohama, Japan
Authors: Matsui Kiyohiko , Saha Sukumar , Saitoh Masaaki , Mizuki Nobuhisa , Itoh Norihiko , Okada Eiichi , Yoshida Atsushi , Xin Ke‐Qin , Nishio Osamu , Okuda Kenji
Published: December 2006

Over a 2‐year period between 2001 and 2003, a total of 115 conjunctival scrapings were collected from patients with keratoconjuctivitis from several hospitals in Yokohama, Japan. Out of 115, 94 (82.4%) cases of adenoviruses were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR); 60 (52.1%) by cell culture isolation; and 16 (14.0%) by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serotypes were determined by PCR‐ restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR‐RFLP) and by the neutralization test (NT). PCR‐RFLP was performed using a combination of endonucleases such as HhaI, AluI, and HaeIII. Of the 94 PCR‐positive samples, the serotypes of 91 (96.8%) were identified by PCR‐RFLP analysis (adenovirus 3: 50%, 4: 11%, and 8: 32%). Out of the 115 samples, 60 samples were identified by the neutralization (adenovirus 3, 4, 7, and 8). When both PCR‐RFLP and the neutralization techniques were used, 53.2%, 11.7%, 1.1%, and 34% of the samples were identified as adenovirus 3, 4, 7, and 8, respectively. In contrast to the results of a nationwide surveillance report, adenovirus 3 was found as a major cause of keratoconjunctivitis in the Yokohama area. The nationwide surveillance report did not reflect accurately the epidemiological situation in the local area. In order to obtain surveillance data that would be useful for the prevention of an adenovirus conjunctivitis epidemic, it seems that local epidemiology is more important than that nationwide surveillance. J. Med. Virol. 79:200–205, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.