bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-commutator approximants
Authors: Maher P.
Published: September 2005

This paper deals with minimizing

‖
B
−
(

X
∗

X
−
X

X
∗

)

‖
p

\| B - (X^* X - X X^*) \|_p

, where

B
B

is fixed, self-adjoint and

B
∈

C

p

B \in \mathcal {C}_p

, and where

X
X

varies such that

B
X
=
X
B

BX = XB

and

X
∗

X
−
X

X
∗

∈

C

p

X^* X - X X^* \in \mathcal {C}_p

,

1
≤
p
>
∞

1 \leq p > \infty

. (Here,

C

p

\mathcal {C}_p

,

1
≤
p
>
∞

1 \leq p > \infty

, denotes the von Neumann-Schatten class and

‖
⋅

‖
p

\| \cdot \|_p

its norm.) The upshot of this paper is that

‖
B
−
(

X
∗

X
−
X

X
∗

)

‖
p

\| B - (X^* X - X X^*) \|_p

,

1
≤
p
>
∞

1 \leq p > \infty

, is minimized if, and for

1
>
p
>
∞

1 > p > \infty

only if,

X
∗

X
−
X

X
∗

=
0

X^* X - X X^* = 0

, and that the map

X
→
‖
B
−
(

X
∗

X
−
X

X
∗

)

‖
p
p

X \rightarrow \| B - (X^* X - X X^*) \|_p^p

,

1
>
p
>
∞

1 > p > \infty

, has a critical point at

X
=
V

X = V

if and only if

V
∗

V
−
V

V
∗

=
0

V^* V - V V^* = 0

(with related results for normal

B
B

if

p
=
1

p = 1

or

2
2

).
Linear functionals on the Cuntz algebra
Authors: Jeong Eui-Chai
Published: September 2005

For a pure state

p
′

p’

on

O

n

\mathcal {O}_n

, which is an extension of a pure state

p
p

on

U
H
F

n

\mathrm {UHF}_n

with the property that if

(

H

p
′

,

π

p
′

,

ω

p
′

)

(\mathcal {H}_{p’},\pi _{p’},\omega _{p’})

is a corresponding representation, then

π

p
′

(

U
H
F

n

)
=
B
(

H

p
′

)

\pi _{p’}(\mathrm {UHF}_n)=B(\mathcal {H}_{p’})

,

p
′

p’

induces a unital shift of

B
(

H

)

B(\mathcal {H})

of the Powers index

n
n

. We describe states

p
p

on

U
H
F

n

\mathrm {UHF}_n

by using sequences of unit vectors in

C

n

\mathbb {C}^n

. We study the linear functionals on the Cuntz algebra

O

n

\mathcal {O}_n

whose restrictions are the product pure state on

U
H
F

n

\mathrm {UHF}_n

. We find conditions on the sequence of unit vectors for which the corresponding linear functionals on

O

n

\mathcal {O}_n

become states under these conditions.
Weakly null sequences with an unconditional subsequence
Authors: Arvanitakis Alexander
Published: September 2005

In the present paper we provide sufficient conditions such that a normalized pointwise convergent to zero sequence in

C
(
K
,
X
)

C(K, X)

with

K
K

a compact space and

X
X

a Banach space has an unconditional subsequence. As a consequence we obtain that any such sequence of functions

(

f
n

)
n

(f_n)_n

with finite and uniformly bounded cardinality of their range admits an unconditional subsequence.
Convergence theorem for zeros of generalized Lipschitz generalized phi-quasi-accretive operators
Authors: Chidume C. , Chidume C.
Published: September 2005

Let

E
E

be a uniformly smooth real Banach space and let

A
:
E
→
E

A: E \rightarrow E

be a mapping with

N
(
A
)
≠
∅

N(A)\neq \emptyset

. Suppose

A
A

is a generalized Lipschitz generalized

Φ
\Phi

-quasi-accretive mapping. Let

{

a

n

}
,
{

b

n

}
,

\{a_{n}\}, \{b_{n}\},

and

{

c

n

}

\{c_{n}\}

be real sequences in [0,1] satisfying the following conditions: (i)

a

n

+

b

n

+

c

n

=
1

a_{n} + b_{n} + c_{n} = 1

; (ii)

∑
(

b

n

+

c

n

)
=
∞

\sum (b_{n} + c_{n} ) = \infty

; (iii)

∑

c

n

>
∞

\sum c_{n} > \infty

; (iv)

lim

b

n

=
0.

\lim b_{n} = 0.

Let

{

x

n

}

\{x_{n}\}

be generated iteratively from arbitrary

x

0

∈
E

x_{0}\in E

by
\[

x

n
+
1

=

a

n

x

n

+

b

n

S

x

n

+

c

n

u

n

,
n
≥
0
,

x_{n+1} = a_{n}x_{n} + b_{n}Sx_{n} + c_{n}u_{n}, n\geq 0,

\]
where

S
:
E
→
E

S: E\rightarrow E

is defined by

S
x
:=
x
−
A
x
 
∀
x
∈
E

Sx:=x-Ax ~\forall x\in E

and

{

u

n

}

\{u_{n}\}

is an arbitrary bounded sequence in

E
E

. Then, there exists

γ

0

∈
ℜ

\gamma _{0}\in \Re

such that if

b

n

+

c

n

≤

γ

0

 
∀
 
n
≥
0
,

b_{n} + c_{n} \leq \gamma _{0} ~\forall ~ n\geq 0,

the sequence

{

x

n

}

\{x_{n}\}

converges strongly to the unique solution of the equation

A
u
=
0

Au = 0

. A related result deals with approximation of the unique fixed point of a generalized Lipschitz and generalized

ϕ
\phi

-hemi-contractive mapping.
Skew category, Galois covering and smash product of a 𝑘-category
Authors: Cibils Claude , Marcos Eduardo
Published: September 2005

In this paper we consider categories over a commutative ring provided either with a free action or with a grading of a not necessarily finite group. We define the smash product category and the skew category and we show that these constructions agree with the usual ones for algebras. In the case of the smash product for an infinite group our construction specialized for a ring agrees with M. Beattie’s construction of a ring with local units. We recover in a categorical generalized setting the Duality Theorems of M. Cohen and S. Montgomery (1984), and we provide a unification with the results on coverings of quivers and relations by E. Green (1983). We obtain a confirmation in a quiver and relations-free categorical setting that both constructions are mutual inverses, namely the quotient of a free action category and the smash product of a graded category. Finally we describe functorial relations between the representation theories of a category and of a Galois cover of it.
Discreteness and simplicity of the spectrum of a quasilinear Sturm-Liouville-type problem on an infinite interval
Authors: Drábek Pavel , Kufner Alois
Published: September 2005

We present sufficient conditions on the coefficients to get the discreteness and simplicity of the spectrum of a quasilinear Sturm-Liouville-type problem on an infinite interval. This condition appears to be necessary and sufficient for the compact embedding of certain weighted spaces. Our result generalizes those which are known from linear theory.
Unimodular functions and interpolating Blaschke products
Authors: Hjelle Geir
Published: September 2005

The result by Bourgain that every unimodular function

ψ
\psi

on the unit circle can be factored as

ψ
=

e

i

v
~

B
1

B
¯

2

\psi = e^{i \tilde v} B_1 \overline B_2

with

B
1

B_1

and

B
2

B_2

Blaschke products can be improved. We show that the same result holds with

B
1

B_1

and

B
2

B_2

interpolating Blaschke products. This will at the same time be a refinement of Jones’s result that every unimodular function can be approximated in the

H
∞

H^\infty

-norm by a ratio of interpolating Blaschke products.
An elementary proof for a characterization of *-isomorphisms
Authors: Kulkarni S. , Nair M. , Namboodiri M.
Published: September 2005

We give an elementary proof of a result which characterizes onto *-isomorphisms of the algebra

B
L
(
H
)

BL(H)

of all the bounded linear operators on a Hilbert space

H
H

. A known proof of this result (Arveson, 1976) relies on the theory of irreducible representations of

C
∗

C^*

-algebras, whereas the proof given by us is based on elementary properties of operators on a Hilbert space which can be found in any introductory text on Functional Analysis.
Spectral pictures of 𝐴𝐵 and 𝐵𝐴
Authors: Harte Robin , Kim Young , Lee Woo
Published: September 2005

The spectral pictures of productsABABandBABAof Banach space operators are compared; in particular when one of them is ‘of index zero’.
Representing conditional expectations as elementary operators
Authors: Pereira Rajesh
Published: September 2005

Let

A

\mathcal {A}

be a

C

∗

C^{*}

-algebra and let

B

\mathcal {B}

be a

C

∗

C^{*}

-subalgebra of

A

\mathcal {A}

. We call a linear operator from

A

\mathcal {A}

to

B

\mathcal {B}

an elementary conditional expectation if it is simultaneously an elementary operator and a conditional expectation of

A

\mathcal {A}

onto

B

\mathcal {B}

. We give necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a faithful elementary conditional expectation of a prime unital

C

∗

C^{*}

-algebra onto a subalgebra containing the identity element. We give a description of all faithful elementary conditional expectations. We then use these results to give necessary and sufficient conditions for certain conditional expectations to be index-finite (in the sense of Watatani) and we derive an inequality for the index.
Topological invariance of the sign of the Lyapunov exponents in one-dimensional maps
Authors: Bruin Henk , Luzzatto Stefano
Published: September 2005

We explore some properties of Lyapunov exponents of measures preserved by smooth maps of the interval, and study the behaviour of the Lyapunov exponents under topological conjugacy.
A note on the stability of local zeta functions
Authors: Vassilev Dimiter
Published: September 2005

We show the existence of an interval of stability under small perturbations of local zeta functions corresponding to non-trivial local solutions of an elliptic equation with Lipschitz coefficients. Résumé. Nous démontrons l’existence d’un intervalle de stabilité pour la fonction zêta associée à une équation uniformément elliptique du second ordre à coefficients lipschitziens.
𝐴𝐹-algebras and the tail-equivalence relation on Bratteli diagrams
Authors: Exel R. , Renault J.
Published: September 2005

We show that the

C
∗

C^*

-algebra associated to the tail-equivalence relation on a Bratteli diagram, according to a procedure recently introduced by the first-named author and A. Lopes, is isomorphic to the

A
F

AF

-algebra of the diagram. More generally we consider an approximately proper equivalence relation

R

=

⋃

n
∈

N

R

n

\mathcal {R}=\bigcup _{n\in \mathbb {N}}\mathcal {R}_n

on a compact space

X
X

for which the quotient maps

π
n

:
X
→
X

/

R

n

\pi _n\colon X\to X/\mathcal R_n

are local homeomorphisms. We show that the algebra associated to

R

\mathcal {R}

under the above-mentioned procedure is isomorphic to the groupoid

C
∗

C^*

-algebra

C
∗

(

R

)

C^*(\mathcal {R})

.
Topological entropy and AF subalgebras of graph 𝐶*-algebras
Authors: Jeong Ja , Park Gi
Published: September 2005

Let

A

E

\mathcal A_E

be the canonical AF subalgebra of a graph

C
∗

C^*

-algebra

C
∗

(
E
)

C^*(E)

associated with a locally finite directed graph

E
E

. For Brown and Voiculescu’s topological entropy

h
t
(

Φ
E

)

ht(\Phi _E)

of the canonical completely positive map

Φ
E

\Phi _E

on

C
∗

(
E
)

C^*(E)

,
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="h t left-parenthesis normal upper Phi Subscript upper E Baseline right-parenthesis equals h t left-parenthesis normal upper Phi Subscript upper E Baseline vertical-bar Subscript script upper A Sub Subscript upper E Subscript Baseline right-parenthesis equals h Subscript l Baseline left-parenthesis upper E right-parenthesis equals h Subscript b Baseline left-parenthesis upper E right-parenthesis">

h
t
(

Φ
E

)
=
h
t
(

Φ
E

|

A

E

)
=

h
l

(
E
)
=

h
b

(
E
)

ht(\Phi _E)=ht(\Phi _E|_{\mathcal A_E})=h_l(E)=h_b(E)

is known to hold for a finite graph

E
E

, where

h
l

(
E
)

h_l(E)

is the loop entropy of Gurevic and

h
b

(
E
)

h_b(E)

is the block entropy of Salama. For an irreducible infinite graph

E
E

, the inequality
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="h Subscript l Baseline left-parenthesis upper E right-parenthesis less-than-or-equal-to h t left-parenthesis normal upper Phi Subscript upper E Baseline vertical-bar Subscript script upper A Sub Subscript upper E Subscript Baseline right-parenthesis">

h
l

(
E
)
≤
h
t
(

Φ
E

|

A

E

)

h_l(E)\leq ht(\Phi _E|_{\mathcal A_E})

has recently been known. It is shown in this paper that
\[
<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" alttext="h t left-parenthesis normal upper Phi Subscript upper E Baseline vertical-bar Subscript script upper A Sub Subscript upper E Subscript Baseline right-parenthesis less-than-or-equal-to max left-brace right-brace comma of hhb left-parenthesis right-parenthesis upper E comma of hhb left-parenthesis right-parenthesis times times tE comma">

h
t
(

Φ
E

|

A

E

)
≤
max
{

h
b

(
E
)
,

h
b

(

t

E
)
}
,

ht(\Phi _E|_{\mathcal A_E})\leq \max \{ h_b(E), h_b(\,{}^{t}E)\},

\]
where

t

E

{}^tE

is the graph

E
E

with the direction of the edges reversed. Some irreducible infinite graphs

E
p

 
(
p
>
1
)

E_p\ (p>1)

with

h
t
(

Φ
E

|

A

E
p

)
=
log
⁡
p

ht(\Phi _E|_{\mathcal A_{E_p}})=\log p

are also examined.
Best bounds for approximate identities in ideals of the Fourier algebra vanishing on subgroups
Authors: Forrest Brian , Spronk Nicolaas
Published: September 2005

In this paper we show that if

G
G

is an amenable locally compact group and if

H
H

is a closed subgroup, then the ideal

I
(
H
)

I(H)

has an approximate identity of norm

2.
2.

If

H
H

is not open, this bound is the best possible.
Upper estimates for the energy of solutions of nonhomogeneous boundary value problems
Authors: Castro Alfonso , Clapp Mónica
Published: September 2005

We establish upper bounds for the energy of critical levels of the functional associated to a perturbed superlinear elliptic boundary value problem. We show that the perturbed problem satisfies the estimates obtained by Bahri and Lions (1988) for the symmetric problem. We use these estimates to prove the existence of nonradial solutions to a radial elliptic boundary value problem. Our results fill a gap in an earlier paper by Aduén and Castro.
A note on Selmer groups of abelian varieties over the trivializing extensions
Authors: Ochi Yoshihiro
Published: September 2005

We prove that for any abelian variety

A
A

defined over a number field

K
K

that is not isogenous to a product of CM elliptic curves, the pontrjagin dual of the Selmer group of the abelian variety over the trivializing extension

K
(
A
[

p
∞

]
)

K(A[p^\infty ])

has no nonzero pseudo-null submodules.
On regularity criteria in terms of pressure for the Navier-Stokes equations in ℝ³
Authors: Zhou Yong
Published: September 2005

In this paper we establish a Serrin-type regularity criterion on the gradient of pressure for the weak solutions to the Navier-Stokes equations in

R

3

\mathbb {R}^3

. It is proved that if the gradient of pressure belongs to

L

α
,
γ

L^{\alpha ,\gamma }

with

2

/

α
+
3

/

γ
≤
3

2/\alpha +3/\gamma \leq 3

,

1
≤
γ
≤
∞

1\leq \gamma \leq \infty

, then the weak solution is actually regular. Moreover, we give a much simpler proof of the regularity criterion on the pressure, which was showed recently by Berselli and Galdi (Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 130 (2002), no. 12, 3585–3595).
Universal approximation of symmetrizations by polarizations
Authors: Schaftingen Jean
Published: September 2005

Any symmetrization (Schwarz, Steiner, cap or increasing rear- rangement) can be approximated by a universal sequence of polarizations which converges in

L

p

\mathrm {L}^p

norm for any admissible function in

L

p

\mathrm {L}^p

for

1
≤
p
>
+
∞

1 \le p > +\infty

and uniformly for admissible continuous functions. A new Pólya-Szegö inequality is proved for the increasing rearrangement.
Phosphorylation of N-Cadherin-associated Cortactin by Fer Kinase Regulates N-Cadherin Mobility and Intercellular Adhesion Strength
Authors: Sayegh Tarek Y. El , Arora Pamela D. , Fan Lingzhi , Laschinger Carol A. , Greer Peter A. , McCulloch Christopher A. , Kapus Andras
Published: September 2005

Cortactin regulates the strength of nascent N-cadherin-mediated intercellular adhesions through a tyrosine phosphorylation-dependent mechanism. Currently, the functional significance of cortactin phosphorylation and the kinases responsible for the regulation of adhesion strength are not defined. We show that the nonreceptor tyrosine kinase Fer phosphorylates cadherin-associated cortactin and that this process is involved in mediating intercellular adhesion strength. In wild-type fibroblasts N-cadherin ligation-induced transient phosphorylation of Fer, indicating that junction formation activates Fer kinase. Tyrosine phosphorylation of cortactin after N-cadherin ligation was strongly reduced in fibroblasts expressing only catalytically inactive Fer (D743R), compared with wild-type cells. In wild-type cells, N-cadherin-coated bead pull-off assays induced fourfold greater endogenous N-cadherin association than in D743R cells. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching showed that GFP-N-cadherin mobility at nascent contacts was 50% faster in wild-type than D743R cells. In shear wash-off assays, nascent intercellular adhesion strength was twofold higher in wild-type than D743R cells. Cortactin recruitment to adhesions was independent of Fer kinase activity, but was impacted by N-cadherin ligation-provoked Rac activation. We conclude that N-cadherin ligation induces Rac-dependent cortactin recruitment and Fer-dependent cortactin phosphorylation, which in turn promotes enhanced mobilization and interaction of surface expressed N-cadherin in contacting cells.
Was in Den Endlosen Debatten um die Neuregelung   Der Deutschen Rechtschreibung Immer Wieder Vergessen Wird1
Authors: Sitta Horst
Published: September 2005

In den Debatten um die deutsche Rechtschreibung werden wichtige Fakten immer wieder vergessen oder ausgeblendet, mehr oder weniger systematisch. Um sie soll es in diesem Beitrag gehen. Es sind dies:

Die alte Rechtschreibung war keineswegs die gute, alte, bewährte Rechtschreibung, als die sie heute gern dargestellt wird.

Die diversen Kommissionen, die die Neuregelung erarbeitet und ihre Einführung begleitet haben, hatten einen klaren (staatlichen) Auftrag, und der ging in Richtung Vereinfachung.

Anders, als der Öffentlichkeit vorgegaukelt wird, sind im Regelwerk nach 1996 keine Regeln verändert worden (ausgenommen das, was nach dem 4. Bericht im Juni 2004 durch die KMK an Änderungen beschlossen worden ist).

Die Erfahrungen mit der Neuregelung in der staatlichen Verwaltung und an den Schulen sind gut.

Das literarische und feuilletonistische Milieu, das die Neuregelung auf besonders unappetitliche Weise bekämpft, gibt vor, es sei in seiner kreativen Entfaltungsmöglichkeit beschnitten. Das Gegenteil ist der Fall.

Es wird der Eindruck erweckt, wer mit der Neuregelung nicht zufrieden ist, dem gehe die Reform zu weit. Wir haben deutliche Anzeichen dafür, dass einer nicht geringen Anzahl von Schreibenden und Lesenden die Neuregelung nicht weit genug geht.

Eine Rechtschreibreform reformiert die Rechtschreibung. Mehr nicht.
Recht und Schlecht – Die ‘Rechtschreibereform’: Ein Augenzeugenbericht
Authors: Sparschuh Jens
Published: September 2005

Schon der Begriff ‘Rechtschreibereform’ ist irreführend. Es handelt sich hier eben nicht allein um die bis zum Überdruß zitierte Schifffahrt mit drei ‘f’. Es geht vielmehr um einen tiefen, mutwilligen Eingriff in die Struktur der Sprache: Syntax (z.B. über Kommaregeln) und Semantik (z.B. über Getrennt‐ und Zusammenschreibung) sind betroffen. Welche Auswirkung die nun entstandene Sprachverwirrung auf die Arbeit eines zeitgenössischen Schriftstellers hat, wird in diesem empirischen Erlebnisbericht beleuchtet.
‘Belämmerter Tollpatsch’: Beispiele Als Schlüsselwörter im Diskurs Über Die Rechtschreibreform
Authors: Stenschke Oliver
Published: September 2005

‘Ich schreibe “Schifffahrt” weiter mit 2 ‘f ’’– solche und ähnliche Aussagen sind typisch für den Diskurs über die Rechtschreibreform. Doch warum wird ständig über Schifffahrt, Stängel und ähnliche Beispiele gesprochen, die man im Alltag fast nie schreibt? Und warum ist der Diskurs mit so vielen Emotionen verbunden? Auf der Basis eines umfangreichen Korpus – mit 733 Zeitungsartikeln aus den Jahrgängen 1994 bis 1999 der Pressetitel Focus, Spiegel und Süddeutsche Zeitung– konzentriert sich der im Beitrag dargestellte Auszug meiner Analyse des Rechtschreibdiskurses auf dessen Selektivität und Emotionalität. Die Selektivität des Diskurses schlägt sich in einer Reihe von Beispielen nieder, die unter anderem aufgrund ihres häufigen Vorkommens als Schlüsselbeispiele des Diskurses angesehen werden können. Sie repräsentieren einerseits den Wissensausschnitt, der dem Diskurspublikum im Rahmen des diskursiven Wissenstransfers vermittelt wird. Andererseits wird die Emotionalität des Diskurses dadurch befördert, dass beispielsweise eine neue Schreibweise wie belämmert als Pars pro toto für die Rechtschreibreform verwendet wird, eine Bewertung zum Ausdruck bringt oder offensichtlich allein aus (ortho)graphischen Gründen in teilweise sehr bemüht formulierten Schlagzeilen vorkommt. Insgesamt kann man daher bei Beispielen wie dass, Stängel, Spagetti, Schifffahrt und Tollpatsch von Schlüsselwörtern des Diskurses sprechen.
‘Sonst Kann Jeder Schreiben, Wie er will …’?:1 Orthography, Legitimation and the Construction of Publics?>Orthography, Legitimation and the Construction of Publics
Authors: Johnson Sally
Published: September 2005

When the recent reform of German orthography was challenged before the ‘Bundesverfassungsgericht’ in 1998, the judges emphasised that individuals within the wider speech community were free to continue writing as they pleased, even after 2005, when the seven‐year interim period for the reform's introduction came to an end. Yet in this regard the Court's ruling appeared to contradict the stated aims of the reformers that the new orthographic guidelines should serve as a ‘blueprint’ for usage within the wider speech community, thereby helping to preserve the unity of the written language in the longer term. In this paper, I propose that underpinning the apparent tension between the Court ruling of 1998 and the aims of the reformers is a complex political debate about the relationship between state and speech community that displays the classic features of a Habermasian ‘legitimation crisis’. It is a tension, therefore, that can be fruitfully explored with reference to recent work in sociolinguistics and linguistic anthropology that draws on Habermasian notions of the public sphere as a site for the enactment of ‘language ideological debates’. By attending to the way in which ‘publics’– particularly speech (or writing) communities – are invoked in such debates, much can be learned about the means by which the state attempts to resolve problems of legitimation in areas of language policy such as this, albeit without necessarily achieving satisfactory closure.
Agglomeration economies and location choice: Foreign direct investment in Hungary1
Authors: Boudier‐Bensebaa Fabienne
Published: September 2005

Since the beginning of the transition process, Hungary has attracted a significant amount of foreign direct investment (FDI), although this is unevenly distributed among the twenty Hungarian counties. This paper examines the determinants of FDI at a regional level in Hungary and more particularly assesses the importance of agglomeration effects among determinants. A panel model of the location determinants of FDI in Hungary is developed and estimated. Empirical testing suggests that counties with higher labour availability, greater industrial demand and higher manufacturing density attract more FDI. Surprisingly, higher unit labour costs attract FDI. In addition, inter‐industrial agglomeration economies and infrastructure availability are found to be important.
Management of intracranial fungal infections in patients with haematological malignancies
Authors: Mattiuzzi Gloria , Giles Francis J.
Published: September 2005

The incidence of, and mortality associated with, invasive fungal infections remains far higher than hoped. As a consequence of the overall increase in the incidence of such infections over time, the incidence of central nervous system (CNS) fungal infections is also increasing and, despite improvements in diagnostic techniques and the introduction of novel antifungal agents, therapy for CNS infections is still associated with discouragingly poor results. In patients with haematological malignancies, opportunistic infections with Candida or Aspergillus remain the most common infections affecting the CNS; however, opportunistic infections with less well‐known fungi are becoming more common and must be considered in the differential diagnosis. New techniques for the early diagnosis of invasive fungal infections are emerging. Pharmacologic options for treating invasive fungal infections have also improved during the past few years, with new drugs becoming available that have broader antifungal spectra and better safety profiles. Other novel treatment approaches, such as combination therapy, are also being explored. Early investigations have produced encouraging results; however, large, prospective studies involving many patients are necessary to validate the widespread use of these approaches. This review analyses the existing guidelines for treatment of CNS fungal infections and the literature available on the use of new drugs to generate sets of recommendations for treatment of these life‐threatening infections in patients with haematological malignancies.
Update on the diagnosis and management of pulmonary embolism
Authors: Garcia David , Ageno Walter , Libby Edward
Published: September 2005

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and often fatal disease. In the US, an estimated 40–53 people per 100 000 are diagnosed with PE annually and approximately 60 000 die from the disease. Diagnosis is difficult because symptoms are non‐specific; however, a quick and accurate diagnosis is critical because, with appropriate therapy, the risk of recurrent (and potentially fatal) PE can be greatly reduced. Recent publication of prediction rules and improved non‐invasive diagnostic tools have simplified diagnostic algorithms for PE. The efficacy of the standard treatment for PE, initial administration of continuous i.v. unfractionated heparin overlapped with long‐term oral anticoagulation, is well established. However, newer treatment options such as low‐molecular‐weight heparins and the pentasaccharides may offer similar efficacy with improved convenience.
Central nervous system chemoprophylaxis in non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: current practice in the UK
Authors: Cheung C. W. , Burton C. , Smith P. , Linch D. C. , Hoskin P. J. , Ardeshna K. M.
Published: September 2005

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a well‐recognised complication. There is no consensus regarding indications for prophylaxis or a standard CNS chemoprophylaxis regimen. Current UK practice was evaluated using a questionnaire. A total of 223 questionnaires were sent to clinicians who administered chemotherapy to patients with NHL; 158 (71%) evaluable questionnaires were returned. The overwhelming majority of respondents used prophylaxis in all cases of lymphoblastic lymphoma (97%) and Burkitt lymphoma (96%). Ninety‐six per cent of respondents required risk factors to be present before prophylaxis was initiated in cases of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma. The commonest risk factor was site of involvement (paranasal sinus 88%, testicular 85%, orbital cavity 78%, bone marrow 65% and bone 28%). Other risk factors included stage IV, high International Prognostic Index score, >1 extranodal site and raised lactate dehydrogenase levels (34%, 21%, 16% and 10%). A total of 82% did not give prophylaxis in follicular lymphoma and 90% used intrathecal chemotherapy as their preferred method of prophylaxis. The most popular regimen was 12·5 mg methotrexate with each cycle of chemotherapy for six courses. Thirty‐nine per cent used systemic chemotherapy for CNS prophylaxis either alone (4%) or as an adjunct to intrathecal prophylaxis (35%). These variations in the indications and methods of prophylaxis indicate that this subject deserves further review.
Potentiation of in vitro ara‐C cytotoxicity by ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors, cyclin‐dependent kinase modulators and the DNA repair inhibitor aphidicolin in paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Hubeek I. , Peters G. J. , Broekhuizen A. J. F. , Sargent J. , Gibson B. E. S. , Creutzig U. , Kaspers G. J. L.
Published: September 2005

To modulate in vitro cytarabine (ara‐C) resistance we combined ara‐C with six potential resistance modifiers in 10 paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) patient samples (methyl thiazol tetrazolium assay). Drug interactions were determined by median drug effect analysis. Co‐incubation of ara‐C/aphidicolin showed strong synergism. The combinations of ara‐C/cladribine and ara‐C/gemcitabine were synergistic. Nearly additive and moderately synergistic interactions were observed between ara‐C/flavopiridol and ara‐C/UCN‐01. The combination of ara‐C/decitabine was antagonistic. In conclusion, favourable interactions were observed between ara‐C and aphidicolin, cladribine, gemcitabine and also with flavopiridol and UCN‐01, supporting the evaluation of these combinations in clinical trials with AML patients.
Cytomorphological study of soft tissue neoplasms: role of fluorescent immunocytochemistry in diagnosis
Authors: Rekhi B. , Bhatnagar D. , Bhatnagar A. , Saxena S.
Published: September 2005

Objectives:  Exact categorization of soft tissue tumours (STTs) on smears requires application of various ancillary techniques. This study was aimed at evaluating the role of fluorescent immunocytochemistry (FICC) in cyto‐diagnosis of 30 STT cases.

Methods:  Thirty cases of soft tissue tumours were included in the present study. All cases were subjected to routine Giemsa and Papanicolaou stain. Extra smears were made and kept for fluorescent immunostaining. A panel of cytoskeletal antibodies, tagged with FITC (Fluorescein isothyocynate), was employed in all these cases. Fluorescent immunostained smears were examined under Zeiss Confocal Laser scanning microscope, using double immunofluorescence (red‐green). Finally, all cases were subjected to biopsy and again immunoperoxidase staining.

Results:  Among the 30 cases in the present study, unaided cytological diagnoses ranged from ‘spindle cell’ tumour in four (13.3%) cases, benign and malignant spindle cell tumour in 17 (56.6%) cases, to malignant mesenchymal tumour in nine (30%) cases. FICC helped in further correct categorization of 25/30 (83.3%) cases viz. leiomyoma (three), benign neurogenic tumour (six), schwannoma (one), dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (three), synovial sarcoma (two), rhabdomyosarcoma (two), malignant fibrous histiocytoma (five) and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (three). Aggressive fibromatosis was found to be a missed diagnosis in two cases. Overall concordance between cyto‐diagnosis with FICC, and histopathology results was 83.3% (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:  Fluorescent immunocytochemistry is a significant ancillary technique for making a rapid and specific diagnosis of STT, as required for their timely management. Incorporation of a wide panel of antibody markers with clinico‐cytological correlation is recommended in forming an exact diagnosis in these cases.
Mesonephric hyperplasia can cause abnormal cervical smears: report of three cases with review of literature
Authors: Hejmadi R. K. , Gearty J. C. , Waddell C. , Ganesan R.
Published: September 2005

Background:  Hyperplastic mesonephric remnants are an incidental finding in occasional uterine or cervical surgical specimens. We describe three cases in which such remnants were postulated to be the source of abnormal glandular cells in cervical smears.

Cases:  In all three cases abnormal glandular cells were seen in cervical smears. Subsequent histology showed the presence of hyperplastic mesonephric remnants that communicated with the endocervical canal and were likely to be the source of the abnormal glandular cells. We believe that the key features of these cells, which may aid their distinction from other causes of glandular abnormalities, are their loose clustering, lack of significant anisocytosis and cuboidal outlines.

Conclusion:  We aim to document mesonephric hyperplasia as a possible source for abnormal glandular cells in cervical smears.
Utility and diagnostic accuracy of fallopian tube touch imprint cytology
Authors: Aali B. S. , Malekpour R. , Nakheii N. , Mehdizadeh A.
Published: September 2005

Objective:  To determine the diagnostic accuracy of cytology smears in distinguishing between tube and non‐tube structures.

Methods:  One hundred cytology smears of fallopian tube and non‐tube structures (vessels, round and ovarian ligaments) were prepared from surgically removed uterus and fallopian tube specimens and stained by the Papanicolaou method. The slides were reviewed blindly by pathologists and interpreted as tube or non‐tube structures. The results were compared to the histological examination of the same specimens.

Findings:  Results indicated an overall accuracy of 97% with a specificity of 98% and sensitivity of 96% for cytology smears, taking histology as the gold standard. Positive and negative predictive values were 96.1% and 97.9%, respectively.

Conclusion:  Cytology smears are a convenient and cost effective tool for laboratory confirmation of tubal sterilization. This method can reduce the costs of laboratory examination, especially in developing countries, where tubal sterilizations are done in large cohorts. However, histological slides remain the gold standard in cases of medicolegal problems.
Increased expression of 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in type 2 diabetic myotubes
Authors: Abdallah B. M. , Beck‐Nielsen H. , Gaster M.
Published: September 2005

Background  Alterations in glucocorticoid hormone metabolism in skeletal muscle have been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome. Circulating glucocorticoids consist of inactive cortisone and active cortisol interconverted in various tissues by the enzyme 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD). This study aims to investigate whether human myotubes established from healthy obese and matched obese type 2 diabetic (T2D) subjects reveal differences in the expression level of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and 11β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD1 and HSD2), and to investigate whether chronic exposure to cortisone affects glucose transport.

Methods  In myotubes established from T2D and healthy control subjects we determined the mRNA expression of HSD1, HSD2, GR and determined basal and insulin‐stimulated glucose uptake in myotubes precultured with cortisone, cortisol and the HSD1 inhibitor, carbenoxolone for four days.

Results  Myotubes established from T2D subjects showed an increased expression of HSD1 mRNA, but with no differences in mRNA of GRα, LXRα and LXRβ, whereas HSD2 mRNA was not expressed. Cortisone reduced glucose uptake in diabetic myotubes and the cortisone effect could be abolished by the HSD1 inhibitor carbenoxolone.

Conclusions  Our study shows that cortisone reduces glucose uptake in diabetic myotubes and that this effect seems mediated by an increased mRNA HSD1 expression emphasizing that the local conversion of inactive to active glucocorticoids may be important in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance.
High prevalence of vasomotor reflex impairment in newly diagnosed leprosy patients
Authors: Illarramendi X. , Bührer‐Sékula S. , Sales A. M. , Bakker M. I. , Oliveira A. , Nery J. A. C. , Oskam L. , Wilder‐Smith A. , Sampaio E. P. , Sarno E. N.
Published: September 2005

Background  Initial nerve damage in leprosy occurs in small myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers. Early detection of leprosy in the peripheral nervous system is challenging as extensive nerve damage may take place before clinical signs of leprosy become apparent.

Patients and methods  In order to determine the prevalence of, and factors associated with, peripheral autonomic nerve dysfunction in newly diagnosed leprosy patients, 76 Brazilian patients were evaluated prior to treatment. Skin vasomotor reflex was tested by means of laser Doppler velocimetry. Blood perfusion and reflex vasoconstriction following an inspiratory gasp were registered on the second and fifth fingers.

Results  Vasomotor reflex was impaired in at least one finger in 33/76 (43%) patients. The fifth fingers were more frequently impaired and suffered more frequent bilateral alterations than the second fingers. Multivariate regression analysis showed that leprosy reaction (adjusted odds ratio = 8·11, 95% confidence interval: 1·4–48·2) was associated with overall impaired vasomotor reflex (average of the four fingers). In addition, palmar erythrocyanosis and an abnormal upper limb sensory score were associated with vasomotor reflex impairment in the second fingers, whereas anti‐phenolic glycolipid‐I antibodies, ulnar somatic neuropathy and a low finger skin temperature were associated with impairment in the fifth fingers.

Conclusions  A high prevalence of peripheral autonomic dysfunction as measured by laser Doppler velocimetry was observed in newly diagnosed leprosy patients, which is clinically evident late in the disease. Autonomic nerve lesion was more frequent than somatic lesions and was strongly related to the immune‐inflammatory reaction against M. leprae.
Gender‐specific expression of liver organic anion transporters in rat
Authors: Rost D. , Kopplow K. , Gehrke S. , Mueller S. , Friess H. , Ittrich C. , Mayer D. , Stiehl A.
Published: September 2005

Background  Sex differences in drug pharmacokinetics have been well recognized and gender has been considered a risk factor for adverse events to medications. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gender on the expression of hepatocellular transport proteins involved in uptake and secretion of organic anions in rat.

Materials and methods  Expression of the rat liver organic anion transporting polypeptides (Oatps) and multidrug resistance proteins (Mrps) was analysed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR), immunoblot analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy in male and female rats. Regulation of these transport proteins in response to the steroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) was investigated.

Results  In untreated rats, protein expression significantly differed between genders being higher (Mrp2, Mrp3), comparable [Oatp1a1 (Oatp1); Oatp1b2 (Oatp4)] or lower [Oatp1a4 (Oatp2)] in female than in male rat. DHEA treatment over 3 days (100 mg d−1) led to a further increase in Mrp3 expression only in female rats. Mrp2 expression was not influenced by DHEA treatment. Oatp1a1 and Oatp1b2 were significantly down‐regulated after DHEA treatment in both male and female rats. In contrast, Oatp1a4 was down‐regulated in male rats only.

Conclusions  In rat, liver transport proteins of the Oatp and Mrp family are expressed and regulated in a gender‐specific manner according to sexual differences in the hepatic metabolism of steroids and drugs. These findings may partly explain the well‐known sex differences in hepatic handling of organic anions.
Alcohol and arterial wave reflections in middle aged and elderly men
Authors: Van Trijp M. J. C. A. , Bos W. J. W. , Van Der Schouw Y. T. , Muller M. , Grobbee D. E. , Bots M. L.
Published: September 2005

Background  Augmentation index (AIx) is a measure of arterial wave reflection, providing information on the workload of the heart. and is a possible marker for cardiovascular disease risk. The relation of alcohol consumption with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is U‐shaped with a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption. The relation of alcohol consumption level with AIx has not been widely investigated, which prompted this study of the relation of alcohol consumption with AIx in a population‐based cohort of men aged 40–80 years.

Methods  Three hundred and seventy‐four men (mean age 60·5 years) participated in this cross‐sectional study. Alcohol consumption and smoking habits were determined through a validated questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were drawn and analyzed for glucose and lipid levels and AIx was estimated by radial applanation tonometry using the SphygmoCor Device. The resultant data were analyzed using linear regression models.

Results  Age, height, heart rate, blood pressure, packyears, current smoking, presence of CVD and hypertension were independently related to AIx. The relation of alcohol consumption with AIx was U‐shaped, with a significantly lower AIx in the group drinking 4–8 glasses/week (difference = −2·91%, 95% CI [−5·65; −0·18]) relative to those drinking 0–3 glasses/week. Additional adjustment for current smoking did not change this relationship, but adjustment for pulse wave velocity attenuated the relation.

Conclusions  In a population‐based cohort of men aged 40–80 years the relation of alcohol consumption level with AIx was U‐shaped, further expanding the evidence for vascular protective effects of moderate alcohol intake.
Determination of a reference value for NG, NG‐dimethyl‐L‐arginine in 500 subjects
Authors: Schulze F. , Maas R. , Freese R. , Schwedhelm E. , Silberhorn E. , Böger R. H.
Published: September 2005

Background  Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) acts as an endogenous inhibitor of NO‐synthase. In the last years ADMA has emerged as a cardiovascular risk factor. The aim of this study was to determine a reference value for ADMA.

Methods  Plasma samples of 500 healthy subjects in the 19–75 year age group were analyzed. Exclusion criteria from this study were smoking, any known significant disease, body‐mass‐index (BMI) above 30 kg m−2, elevated plasma lipid levels, impaired renal function, hypertension, and intake of any medication. The ADMA levels were determined by ELISA, (DLD Diagnostics, Hamburg, Germany).

Results  Mean ADMA plasma concentration of the total population was 0·69 µmol L−1 (SD 0·20) and 95% of the measured values were in the range from 0·36 µmol L−1 to 1·17 µmol L−1. Women below 50 years of age had lower ADMA levels than men below 50 years of age [0·62 (0·17) µmol L−1 vs. 0·69 (0·19) µmol L−1; P = 0·001] and woman above 50 years of age had higher ADMA levels than men above 50 years of age [0·80 (0·22) µmol L−1 vs. 0·73 (0·20) µmol L−1; P = 0·036].

 A regression analysis of ADMA levels and age was performed for each sex. The regression factor was r = 0·444 for women in a squared regression model (P < 0·001) and r = 0·212 for men in a linear regression model (P < 0·001).

Conclusion  The study was able to define a reference value for ADMA plasma levels with 0·36–1·17 µmol L−1 and found sex dependent correlations between ADMA and age. Women showed a significant increase in ADMA plasma levels with onset of menopause.
Apolipoprotein B: a clinically important apolipoprotein which assembles atherogenic lipoproteins and promotes the development of atherosclerosis
Authors: OLOFSSON S.‐O. , BORÈN J.
Published: September 2005

Apolipoprotein (apo) B exists in two forms apoB100 and apoB48. ApoB100 is present on very low‐density lipoproteins (VLDL), intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL) and LDL. ApoB100 assembles VLDL particles in the liver. This process starts by the formation of a pre‐VLDL, which is retained in the cell unless converted to the triglyceride‐poor VLDL2. VLDL2 is secreted or converted to VLDL1 by a bulk lipidation in the Golgi apparatus. ApoB100 has a central role in the development of atherosclerosis. Two proteoglycan‐binding sequences in apoB100 have been identified, which are important for retaining the lipoprotein in the intima of the artery. Retention is essential for the development of the atherosclerotic lesion.
NblC, a novel component required for pigment degradation during starvation in Synechococcus PCC 7942
Authors: Sendersky Eleonora , Lahmi Roxane , Shaltiel Judith , Perelman Alexander , Schwarz Rakefet
Published: September 2005

Adjustment of photosynthetic light harvesting to ambient conditions is essential to allow efficient energy capturing and to prevent surplus excitation and the cellular damage resulting from it. Degradation of the cyanobacterial light harvesting complex, the phycobilisome, is a general acclimation response occurring under various stress conditions. This study identifies a novel component, NblC, which mediates phycobilisome degradation under nitrogen, sulphur and phosphorus starvation. Our study indicates the requirement of NblC for efficient expression of nblA, an essential component of the degradation pathway; accumulation of nblA transcripts upon nutrient starvation was impaired in the NblC‐mutant. Furthermore, expression of NblC under the control of a foreign promoter resulted in accumulation of nblA transcripts and degradation of the light harvesting complex. Transcription of nblC is induced upon nutrient starvation, suggesting the requirement of elevated levels of NblC under these conditions. Importantly, NblC could not exert its positive effect on nblA expression in the absence of the response regulator NblR. Sequence alignment suggests kinase motifs as well as homology of NblC to anti‐sigma factors. Accordingly, we suggest a mode of action for this newly identified modulator, which provides new insights into regulation of gene expression in response to environmental stimuli.
Ng‐MIP, a surface‐exposed lipoprotein of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, has a peptidyl‐prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) activity and is involved in persistence in macrophages
Authors: Leuzzi Rosanna , Serino Laura , Scarselli Maria , Savino Silvana , Fontana Maria Rita , Monaci Elisabetta , Taddei Annarita , Fischer Gunter , Rappuoli Rino , Pizza Mariagrazia
Published: September 2005

Macrophage infectivity potentiators (MIPs) are a family of surface‐exposed virulence factors of intracellular microorganisms such as Legionella, Chlamydia and Trypanosoma. These proteins display peptidyl‐prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) activity that is inhibited by immunosuppressants FK506 and rapamycin. Here we describe the identification and characterization in Neisseria gonorrhoeae of Ng‐MIP, a surface‐exposed lipoprotein with high homology to MIPs. The protein is an homodimer with rapamycin‐inhibited PPIase activity confirming that it is a functional member of the MIP family. A knock‐out strain, generated by deletion of the mip gene in N. gonorrhoeae F62 strain, was evaluated for its role in infection of mouse and human macrophages. We show that Ng‐MIP promotes the intracellular survival of N. gonorrhoeae in macrophages, highlighting a possible role of this protein in promoting the persistence of gonococcal infection.
Serine proteases from two cell types target different components of a complex that governs regulated intramembrane proteolysis of pro‐σK during Bacillus subtilis development
Authors: Zhou Ruanbao , Kroos Lee
Published: September 2005

Upon starvation Bacillus subtilis undergoes a developmental process involving creation of two cell types, the mother cell and forespore. A signal in the form of a serine protease, SpoIVB, is secreted from the forespore and leads to regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) of pro‐σK, releasing active σK into the mother cell. RIP of pro‐σK is carried out by a membrane‐embedded metalloprotease, SpoIVFB, which is inactive when bound by BofA and SpoIVFA. We have investigated the mechanism by which this complex is activated. By expressing components of the signalling pathway in Escherichia coli, we reconstructed complete inhibition of pro‐σK RIP by BofA and SpoIVFA, and found that SpoIVB serine protease activity could partially restore RIP, apparently by targeting SpoIVFA. Pulse‐chase experiments demonstrated that SpoIVFA synthesized early during B. subtilis sporulation is lost in a SpoIVB‐dependent fashion, coincident with the onset of pro‐σK RIP, supporting the idea that SpoIVB targets SpoIVFA to trigger RIP of pro‐σK. Loss of BofA depended not only on SpoIVB, but also on CtpB, a serine protease secreted from the mother cell. CtpB appeared to cleave BofA near its C‐terminus upon coexpression in E. coli, and purified CtpB degraded BofA. We propose that RIP of pro‐σK involves a three‐step proteolytic cascade in which SpoIVB first cleaves SpoIVFA, CtpB then cleaves BofA and finally SpoIVFB cleaves pro‐σK.