bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An experimental and theoretical study on the dissolution of mural fibrin clots by tissue‐type plasminogen activator
Authors: Wootton David M. , Popel Aleksander S. , Rita Alevriadou B.
Published: November 2004

During thrombolytic therapy and after recanalization is achieved, reduction in the volume of mural thrombi is desirable. Mural thrombi are known to contribute to rethrombosis and reocclusion. The lysis rate of mural thrombi has been demonstrated to increase with fluid flow in different experimental models, but the mechanisms responsible are unknown. An experimental and a theoretical study were developed to determine the contribution of outer convective transport to the lysis of mural fibrin clots. Normal human plasma containing recombinant tissue‐type plasminogen activator (tPA; 0.5 μg/mL) was (re)perfused over mural fibrin clots with fluorescently labeled fibrin at low arterial, arterial, or higher wall shear stresses (4, 18, or 41 dyn/cm2, respectively) and lysis was monitored in real time. Flow accelerated lysis, but significantly only at the highest shear stress: The average lysis front velocity was 3 × 10−5 cm/s at 41 dyn/cm2 vs. almost half of that at the lower shear stresses. Confocal microscopy showed fibrin fibers dissolving only in a narrow region close to the surface when permeation velocity was predicted to be low. A heterogeneous transport‐reaction finite element model was used to describe mural fibrinolysis. After scaling the effects of outer and inner convection, inner diffusion, and chemical reactions, a simplified inner diffusion/reaction model was used. Correlation to fibrin lysis data in purified systems dictated higher rates of plasmin(ogen) and tPA adsorption onto fibrin and a decreased catalytic rate of plasmin‐mediated fibrin degradation, compared with published parameters. At each shear stress, the model predicted a temporal pattern of lysis of mural fibrin (similar to that observed experimentally), and protease accumulation in a narrow fibrin region and significant lysis inhibition by plasma α2‐antiplasmin (according to the literature). Increasing outer convection accelerated mural fibrinolysis, but the model did not predict the big increase in lysis rate at the highest shear stress. At higher than arterial flows, additional mechanisms not accounted for in the current model, such as fibrin collapse at the fibrin front, may regulate the lysis of mural clots and determine the outcome of thrombolytic therapy. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 77: 405–419, 2002; DOI 10.1002/bit.10127
Inline characterization of cell concentration and cell volume in agitated bioreactors using in situ microscopy: Application to volume variation induced by osmotic stress
Authors: Camisard V. , Brienne J.‐P. , Baussart H. , Hammann J. , Suhr H.
Published: November 2004

A new in situ microscope (ISM) was developed and tested to perform in‐line monitoring of average cell volume and cell concentration in agitated cultures subjected to osmotic stress. The ISM is directly immersed into the agitated broth in a bioreactor and generates still images of cells by using pulsed luminescent diode illumination and a virtual probe volume defined by depth of focus. This technique allows the acquisition of microscopic still images without mechanical sampling techniques. The front end of the sensor fits into a standard 25‐mm port and it can be steam sterilized together with the bioreactor. The automatic image evaluation generates signals of the cell concentration and the average cell volume with a time resolution of a few minutes per data point (if a 200 MHz PC is used). Without the need for evaluation, the images can be acquired and stored at a rate of one image per 0.6 s. Hansenula anomala was cultivated as batch fermentation and monitored inline with the ISM. The ISM signal of the cell concentration agreed well with referential growth curves that were obtained from counting with a hemocytometer. The ISM signal of the average cell volume shows a gradual volume reduction as a result of the aging of the culture, and it monitors an abrupt and strong cell contraction if osmotic shocks are generated in the bioreactor. Systematic in vitro studies of osmotic shocks were performed by applying the ISM to agitated culture samples of H. anomala. The volume signal of H. anomala during osmotic shocks showed a very fast cell contraction within less than a second. Within half an hour after the shocks, no signal drifts were observed, which would indicate volume restoration. These findings suggest that the ISM volume signal can be used as an inline indicator of osmotic stress in cell cultures. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 78: 73–80, 2002; DOI 10.1002/bit.10178
Synthesis of isomaltooligosaccharides and oligodextrans in a recycle membrane bioreactor by the combined use of dextransucrase and dextranase
Authors: Goulas Athanasios K. , Cooper Julian M. , Grandison Alistair S. , Rastall Robert A.
Published: November 2004

A recycle ultrafiltration membrane reactor was used to develop a continuous synthesis process for the production of isomaltooligosaccharides (IMO) from sucrose, using the enzymes dextransucrase and dextranase. A variety of membranes were tested and the parameters affecting reactor stability, productivity, and product molecular weight distribution were investigated. Enzyme inactivation in the reactor was reduced with the use of a non‐ionic surfactant but its use had severe adverse effects on the membrane pore size and porosity. During continuous isomaltooligosaccharide synthesis, dextransucrase inactivation was shown to occur as a result of the dextranase activity and it was dependent mainly on the substrate availability in the reactor and the hydrolytic activity of dextranase. Substrate and dextranase concentrations (50–200 mg/mL−1 and 10–30 U/mL−1, respectively) affected permeate fluxes, reactor productivity, and product average molecular weight. The oligodextrans and isomaltooligosaccharides formed had molecular weights lower than in batch synthesis reactions but they largely consisted of oligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization (DP) greater than 5, depending on the synthesis conditions. No significant rejection of the sugars formed was shown by the membranes and permeate flux was dependent on tangential flow velocity. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Synergistic effect of shear stress and streptavidin‐biotin on the expression of endothelial vasodilator and cytoskeleton genes
Authors: Chan Bernard P. , Reichert William M. , Truskey George A.
Published: November 2004

Dual ligand treatment of streptavidin(SA)‐biotin and fibronectin (Fn) enhances the adhesion of endothelial cells (EC) onto synthetic surfaces and promotes the quiescent phenotype of adherent EC. The current study investigates the effect of the dual ligand on the expression of endothelial genes in static culture and under shear stress (4 h at 10 dynes/cm2). Expression of 23 genes in the classes of signaling, cytoskeleton/ECM, vasoregulation, and shear‐responsive were examined. Eight genes (argininosuccinate synthetase, K+ channel, TGFβ, Mn‐SOD, α‐tubulin, t‐PA, COX2, and eNOS) were significantly upregulated by shear stress. Two genes (caveolin‐1 and ET‐1) were downregulated by shear stress. Three genes (RhoA, elastin, α‐actinin) were upregulated by the dual ligand treatment in static culture, and four genes (FAK, elastin, COX2, and eNOS) were upregulated when the dual ligand and shear stress were applied simultaneously. Northern blot analyses on FAK, RhoA, elastin, and α‐actinin revealed similar results. The results suggest (1) the use of SA‐biotin to supplement EC adhesion enhances the integrity of the EC cytoskeleton by upregulating the expression of cytoskeleton/ECM genes, and (2) a likely relationship between the expression of cytoskeleton/ECM genes and the downstream events, such as the shear‐induced expression of eNOS and COX2 genes. Analyses presented in this study provide insights into the mechanism by which SA‐biotin‐supplemented EC mediate gene expression. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effective non‐viral leader for cap‐independent translation in a eukaryotic cell‐free system
Authors: Shaloiko L.A. , Granovsky I.E. , Ivashina T.V. , Ksenzenko V.N. , Shirokov V.A. , Spirin A.S.
Published: November 2004

The 61 nt 5′‐untranslated region (5′‐UTR) of mRNA encoding for a light‐emitting protein of hydroid polyp Obelia longissima, obelin, is shown to provide a high level of cap‐independent translation of heterologous mRNAs in cell‐free translation systems based on wheat germ extracts. The inhibition of translation typically observed when excess mRNA is present or produced in a eukaryotic system (the so‐called self‐inhibition phenomenon) is found abated with mRNA constructs carrying the obelin mRNA leader. The role of the sequestration of a limiting initiation factor, probably eIF4F, in the self‐inhibition phenomenon and the possible independence of the obelin mRNA leader from eIF4F are discussed. We propose the obelin mRNA leader be used for effective cap‐independent translation in eukaryotic cell‐free systems, including combined transcription‐translation systems with uncontrolled phage polymerase‐catalyzed accumulation of mRNA. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Strain improvement and metabolic flux analysis in the wild‐type and a mutant Lactobacillus lactis strain for L(+)‐lactic acid production
Authors: Bai Dong‐Mei , Zhao Xue‐Ming , Li Xin‐Gang , Xu Shi‐Min
Published: November 2004

The effects of initial glucose concentration and calcium lactate concentration on the lactic acid production by the parent strain, Lactobacillus lactis BME5‐18, were studied. The results of the experiments indicated that glucose and lactate repressed the cell growth and the lactic acid production by Lactobacillus lactis BME5‐18. A l(+)‐lactic acid overproducing strain, Lactobacillus lactis BME5‐18M, was screened by mutagenizing the parent strain with ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation and selecting the high glucose and lactate calcium concentration repression resistant mutant. Starting with a concentration of 100g L−1 glucose, the mutant produced 98.6 g L−1 lactic acid after 60 h in flasks, 73.9% higher than that of the parent strain. The l(+)‐lactic acid purity was 98.1% by weight based on the amount of total lactic acid. The culture of the parent strain could not be analyzed well by conventional metabolic flux analysis techniques, since some pyruvate were accumulated intracellularly. Therefore, a revised flux analysis method was proposed by introducing intracellular pyruvate pool. Further studies demonstrate that there is a high level of NADH oxidase activity (12.11 mmol mg−1 min−1) in the parent strain. The molecular mechanisms of the strain improvement were proposed, i.e., the high level of NADH oxidase activity was eliminated and the uptake rate of glucose was increased from 82.1 C‐mmol (g DW h)−1 to 98.9 C‐mmol (g DW h)−1 by mutagenizing the parent strain with UV, and therefore the mutant strain converts mostly pyruvate to lactic acid with a higher productivity (1.76 g L−1h−1) than the parent strain (0.95 g L−1h−1). © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Bacterial P450‐catalyzed polyketide hydroxylation on a microfluidic platform
Authors: Srinivasan Aravind , Bach Horacio , Sherman David H. , Dordick Jonathan S.
Published: November 2004

The incorporation of a multicomponent, cofactor‐dependant P450 into a microfluidic biochip is demonstrated. The PikC hydroxylase Streptomyces venezuelae was incorporated into a PDMS‐based microfluidic channel. The enzyme was immobilized to Ni‐NTA agarose beads via in situ attachment following the addition of the beads to the microchannel. The enzyme loading was ∼6 μg per mg of beads resulting in a microchannel loading of 10.7 mg/mL. This high enzyme loading enabled the rapid hydroxylation of the macrolide YC‐17 to methymycin and neomethymycin in about equal amounts with a conversion of >90% at a flow rate of 70 nL/min. This high reactivity allowed rapid hydroxylation reactions to be performed with short residence times, which is critical for complex enzymes with limited inherent stability. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of a selective cyclo-oxygenase 2 inhibitor on colonic anastomotic and skin wound integrity
Authors: Cahill R A , Sheehan K M , Scanlon R W , Murray F E , Kay E W , Redmond H P
Published: November 2004

Background

Selective inhibitors of inducible cyclo-oxygenase (COX-2) are of potential benefit in the perioperative period for both their analgesic and, perhaps, antineoplastic actions. However, their effects on laparotomy and intestinal wound healing are unknown.

Methods

Forty adult Sprague–Dawley rats underwent laparotomy, descending colonic transection and handsewn reanastomosis. The animals were randomized to receive either a selective COX-2 inhibitor (rofecoxib, 10 mg/kg) or an equal volume of water by gavage before operation and then daily after surgery. Animals were killed after 3 or 7 days, and their wounds were evaluated by means of tensiometry (skin and colonic wounds) and bursting pressure measurement (colonic anastomoses). In addition, haematoxylin and eosin-stained intestinal sections were examined and scored by a blinded independent observer.

Results

Five animals that received rofecoxib had anastomotic leaks by day 7 compared with none in the control group (P = 0·048). Intact colonic suture lines were also significantly weaker in this group (tensile strength at day 3, P = 0·043; bursting pressure on days 3 and 7, both P = 0·019). Skin wound strengths were similar in the two groups at both time points.

Conclusion

Although beneficial in the treatment of pathological inflammation, selective COX-2 inhibitors may adversely affect colonic anastomotic healing.
Autopsy findings from 111 deaths in the 1999 Athens earthquake as a basis for auditing the emergency response
Authors: Papadopoulos I N , Kanakaris N , Triantafillidis A , Stefanakos J , Kainourgios A , Leukidis C
Published: November 2004

Background

The aim of the study was to assess the emergency response to an earthquake.

Methods

This retrospective study, based on formal autopsy findings from 111 earthquake-related deaths, evaluated demographic data, circumstances of death, rescue time, mechanisms of injury, causes of death, Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS 90) and Injury Severity Score (ISS) values, vital functions, co-morbidity and preventable deaths.

Results

The median extrication time for 99 of 102 victims buried or trapped in collapsed buildings was 2·1 (range 0·1–7·8) days. Deaths were cause by blunt injuries, asphyxia and myocardial infarction. Injuries impaired the airway, breathing, circulation, and brain or spinal functions in 10·5, 61·9, 46·6 and 57·1 per cent of the victims respectively. The 105 injured victims were classified into three main categories. The first comprised 36 victims (34·3 per cent) with injuries not compatible with life (ISS 75), the second included 38 victims (36·2 per cent) who suffered life-threatening injuries (ISS 9–74) but had no evidence of asphyxia, and the third category contained 31 victims (29·5 per cent) with findings of asphyxia and an ISS of 1–18. The reviewers concluded that 13 trauma-related deaths and 31 deaths from asphyxia were potentially preventable.

Conclusion

A method based on detailed evaluation of deaths provided information with which to audit the emergency response to an earthquake.
Effects of warm-up on exercise capacity, platelet activation and platelet–leucocyte aggregation in patients with claudication
Authors: Pasupathy S , Naseem K M , Homer-Vanniasinkam S
Published: November 2004

Background

The effects of exercise and warm-up were investigated in patients with claudication.

Methods

This case–control crossover study involved two treadmill exercise tests, one preceded by a warm-up. Exercise continued until maximal leg pain (patients with claudication) or exhaustion (controls). Blood was taken before, and 5 and 60 min after exercise for flow cytometric analysis of platelet activation and platelet–leucocyte aggregation.

Results

Both cohorts (eight patients with claudication of median age 63 years and eight healthy controls of median age 63·5 years) demonstrated improvement in exercise capacity after warm-up (13·1 per cent, P = 0·012 and 15·6 per cent, P = 0·008 respectively). Platelet activation increased after exercise in patients with claudication (fibrinogen binding: 1·11 per cent before exercise versus 2·63 per cent after exercise, P = 0·008; P-selectin: 0·68 versus 1·11 per cent, P = 0·028). Neither agonist stimulation nor warm-up altered this trend. Platelet–leucocyte (PLA) and platelet–neutrophil (PNA) aggregation were similarly increased immediately after exercise in patients with claudication (PLA: 7·6 versus 13·0 per cent, P = 0·004; PNA: 6·8 versus 10·2 per cent, P = 0·012). These remained high 60 min after exercise only in patients with claudication, but recovered to baseline levels when preceded by warm-up. Warm-up significantly desensitized PNA after stimulation with 10 µmol/l adenosine 5′-diphosphate at all time points.

Conclusion

Warm-up increased the exercise capacity of patients with claudication. Exercise induced a thromboinflammatory response, with PLA and PNA persistently increased after 60 min in patients with claudication, an effect diminished after warm-up.
Implementing chemicals policy: leaders or laggards?
Authors: Richards J. P. , Glegg G. A. , Cullinane S.
Published: November 2004

Prioritization of regulatory agency resources remains a key issue in the management of industrial pollution. This is likely to become increasingly important as a new EC chemicals policy is implemented and measures are introduced to achieve the OSPAR zero emissions target. The Environment Agency (England and Wales) has updated the Operator Pollution and Risk Assessment (OPRA) scheme, but it still includes no quantitative measurement of operator attitudes towards environmental regulation. This is important because regulated firms' attitudes are known to affect regulatory behaviour. This study explores the attitudes of environmental managers from 142 chemical sector companies regulated under Integrated Pollution Control. Analysis of responses from a questionnaire survey revealed a number of regulatory typologies. A ‘conservative’ cluster exhibited satisfaction with the current regulatory system and rejected change. ‘Progressive’ cluster members recognized shortcomings and welcomed change. This methodology could be used alongside OPRA to support decisions necessary to prioritize regulatory resources. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Neutrophils from Brazilian patients with Graves' disease: some biochemical and functional aspects
Authors: Russo‐Carbolante E. M. S. , Polizzelo A. C. M. , Azzolini A. E. C. S. , Maciel L. M. Z. , Lucisano‐Valim Y. M.
Published: November 2004

Graves' disease shows important systemic inflammatory complications and has been considered to be systemic autoimmune thyroid, skeletal muscle and connective tissue syndrome. Neutrophils participate in the pathophysiology of the two major immune and inflammatory manifestations of the disease, ophthalmopathy and myxedema, and may worsen the inflammatory picture. In this study we analysed some biochemical and functional aspects of neutrophils in Graves' disease patients to assess their participation in these processes. The results show that the complement and/or Fcγ receptor‐mediated oxygen radical production by neutrophils was increased when patient cells were compared with controls. However the percentage of cells expressing complement and IgG receptors and the per‐cell fluorescence, were similar, indicating that the increased oxidative burst was not due to an abnormal expression of mediating receptors. The production of hydrogen peroxide was also increased in hyperthyroid patient neutrophils as compared to controls. Conversely, antioxidant defences (superoxide dismutase activity and reduced glutathione content) in neutrophils from patients were not significantly different from healthy controls. The liberation of potent oxidative compounds together with the absence of adequate quenching of them by antioxidant mechanisms could be responsible for greater tissue damage in inflammatory conditions, as is the case in ophthalmopathy and myxedema patients. Considering our results and those of other workers, we encourage and suggest an associated antioxidant therapy to complement the conventional anti‐thyroid therapy, especially in obvious inflammatory cases and in individuals who smoke. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of Platinum Adducts with DNA Nucleotides and Nucleosides by Capillary Electrophoresis Coupled to ESI‐MS: Indications of Guanosine 5′‐Monophosphate O6–N7 Chelation
Authors: Warnke Ulrich , Rappel Christina , Meier Heiko , Kloft Charlotte , Galanski Mathea Sophia , Hartinger Christian G. , Keppler Bernhard K. , Jaehde Ulrich
Published: November 2004

DNA is the ultimate target of platinum‐based anticancer therapy. Since the N7 of guanine is known to be the major binding site of cisplatin and its analogues, adduct formation with model nucleotides, especially 2′‐deoxyguanosine 5′‐monophosphate (dGMP), has been studied in detail. During the last few years a coupled capillary eletrophoresis/electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry (CE/ESI‐MS) method has been advantageously used in order to separate and identify platinum adducts with nucleotides in submillimolar concentrations in aqueous solutions. Beside the bisadduct, [Pt(NH3)2(dNMP)2]2− (NMP=2′‐deoxynucleoside 5′‐monophosphate), and the well‐known monochloro and monohydroxo adducts, [Pt(NH3)2Cl(dNMP)]− and [Pt(NH3)2(dNMP)OH]−, respectively, a third kind of monoadduct species with a composition of [Pt(NH3)2(dNMP)]− can be separated by CE and detected through the m/z values measured with ESI‐MS. Different experimental setups indicate the existence of an O6–N7 chelate, whereas the formation of N7–αPO4 macrochelates or dinuclear species is unlikely. Additionally, offline MS experiments with 2′‐deoxyguanosine (dG) and stabilization of the controversially discussed O6–N7 chelate by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide support the assumption of the existence of O6–N7 chelation.
Function of lanGT3, a Glycosyltransferase Gene Involved in Landomycin A Biosynthesis
Authors: Luzhetskyy Andriy , Liu Tao , Fedoryshyn Marta , Ostash Bohdan , Fedorenko Viktor , Rohr Jürgen , Bechthold Andreas
Published: November 2004

The glycosyltransferase gene lanGT3, involved in the biosynthesis of the angucyclic antibiotic landomycin A, has been characterised by targeted gene deletion. A lanGT3 mutant was shown to produce landomycin E, which consists of a trisaccharide side chain attached to the polyketide moiety. Expression of lanGT3 in the mutant restored landomycin A production. Our results indicate that LanGT3 is responsible for the transfer of the fourth sugar during landomycin A biosynthesis.
Modified Oligonucleotides Containing Lithocholic Acid in Their Backbones: Their Enhanced Cellular Uptake and Their Mimicking of Hairpin Structures
Authors: Kim Su Jeong , Bang Eun‐Kyoung , Kwon Ho Jeong , Shim Joong Sup , Kim Byeang Hyean
Published: November 2004

Their enhanced cell permeability and their ability to mimic DNA structures make modified oligodeoxyribonucleotides (ODNs) very important substances for increasing our understanding of cell biology and for therapeutic applications. Lithocholic acid is a hydrophobic secondary bile acid that is a substrate of nuclear Pregnane X receptor (PXR). We designed and synthesized novel lithocholic acid‐based ODNs (L‐ODNs) by using a new phosphoramidite derived from lithocholic acid. By comparing data obtained from circular‐dichroism, melting‐point, and theoretical studies, we believe that these L‐ODNs adopt DNA hairpin structures. Furthermore, L‐ODNs have enhanced cellular uptake properties with respect to regular ODNs. To demonstrate their enhanced cell permeabilities, we carried out cellular uptake experiments of L‐ODNs in HeLa cells. By attaching fluorescein as a fluorescence label and using confocal microscopy, we observed that the permeability of L‐ODNs is much higher than that of natural ODNs.
Boiling Heat Transfer Enhancement of Water/Salt Mixtures on Roll‐Worked Enhanced Tubes in Compact Staggered Tube Bundles
Authors: Liu Z.‐H. , Qiu Y.‐H.
Published: November 2004

An experimental study was performed for the boiling heat transfer enhancement of water/salt mixtures on both plane and roll‐worked enhanced tubes in compact staggered tube‐bundle evaporators under atmospheric and increased pressure conditions. The effects of tube spacing, position of tubes, test pressure and salt‐water concentration on the boiling heat transfer characteristics in restricted spaces of compact tube bundles consisting of plane and roll‐worked tubes were investigated. The experimental results indicate that the single roll‐worked tubes in a bulk liquid have a greater boiling heat transfer promotion than the single plane tubes. For the plane tubes in compact tube bundles, the effect of tube spacing on the boiling heat transfer is very significant. The boiling heat transfer has a maximum enhancement when the optimum tube spacing is selected. For the roll‐worked tubes in compact bundles, the effect of tube spacing on the boiling heat transfer is also significant as the tube spacing is small. The boiling heat transfer still has a maximum value and a compound enhancement effect of the boiling heat transfer from both the optimum tube spacing and the surface treatment is observed for the enhanced tube bundles.
Reactor Modeling of Gas‐Phase Polymerization of Ethylene
Authors: Kiashemshaki A. , Mostoufi N. , Sotudeh‐Gharebagh R. , Pourmahdian S.
Published: November 2004

A model is developed for evaluating the performance of industrial‐scale gas‐phase polyethylene production reactors. This model is able to predict the properties of the produced polymer for both linear low‐density and high‐density polyethylene grades. A pseudo‐homogeneous state was assumed in the fluidized bed reactor based on negligible heat and mass transfer resistances between the bubble and emulsion phases. The nonideal flow pattern in the fluidized bed reactor was described by the tanks‐in‐series model based on the information obtained in the literature. The kinetic model used in this work allows to predict the properties of the produced polymer. The presented model was compared with the actual data in terms of melt index and density and it was shown that there is a good agreement between the actual and calculated properties of the polymer. New correlations were developed to predict the melt index and density of polyethylene based on the operating conditions of the reactor and composition of the reactants in feed.
The Influence of the External Imprinted Flow Field on Capillary Instability Driven Jet Breakup
Authors: Fischer P. , Maruyama K. , Windhab E.J.
Published: November 2004

The breakup of a flowing liquid jet surrounded by a second flowing liquid is governed by capillary instabilities. These instabilities are caused by minor perturbations in the flow field that build up sinusoidal waves at the jet interface and eventually break it up. The phenomenon of such fatal wavelengths was described first by Lord Rayleigh and later extended by several authors to quiescent and flowing liquid‐liquid systems. The jet formation in a co‐flowing environment was only recently investigated. Originating from the forced breakup of liquid jets in air, this paper reports on the breakup mechanism of liquid jets surrounded by a fluid. By using different flow cells and consequently different flow profiles along the jet trajectory, the breakup mechanism given by the material and process parameters could be excited or suppressed. Two questions concerning droplet generation and the droplet size distribution are addressed: the suppression of the fatal wavelength in transient flow fields and the use of external flow fields to support the fatal wavelength.
Modeling of the Wall Effect in Packed Bed Adsorption
Authors: Kwapinski W. , Winterberg M. , Tsotsas E. , Mewes D.
Published: November 2004

A model developed for catalytic packed bed reactors and consistently accounting for the influence of the tube wall on porosity, flow and transport phenomena is used in order to simulate the operation of packed bed adsorbers. By comparison of simulation results with reduced versions of the model the influence of the wall on the adsorber performance is worked out and found to be major at low ratios between tube and particle diameter. The interaction between maldistribution, thermal effects and intraparticle resistances in such adsorber tubes is discussed.
Numerical Simulation of Particle Wall Adhesion in Gas‐solid Flows
Authors: Heinl E. , Bohnet M.
Published: November 2004

Concerning the interaction between a disperse and continuous phase in dilute pneumatic conveying numerical research has been implemented. Until now no numerical investigations exist concerning pneumatic conveying of adhesive particles. Particle wall adhesion involves an additional pressure drop that is neither wanted nor calculable. This work introduces a possibility for modeling particle wall adhesion and its implementation in FLUENTs CFD‐code.
Health promotional education: differences between school nurses' health counselling and teachers' health instruction in the finnish ENHPS
Authors: Tossavainen Kerttu , Turunen Hannele , Jakonen Sirkka , Vertio Harri
Published: November 2004

The purpose of the study was to describe school nurses' (N=24) and teachers' (N=25) opinions of how the health‐related goals in their counselling and instruction were attained and to find out the possible differences between the two groups in the Finnish European Network of Health Promoting Schools. The data were collected by a questionnaire and analysed statistically. Some significant differences existed. School nurses ranked non‐intoxicant use, human growth and development and life control highest in their health counselling, whereas teachers underlined health maintenance and well‐being, respect for other people and non‐intoxicant use. School nurses' health counselling covered disease prevention and treatment better compared to teachers' health instruction, whereas health maintenance and well‐being, environmental health, first aid and safety and respect for other people were covered better in teachers' health instruction. Teachers were more promotional and community‐oriented, while school nurses emphasised a more preventive and individually oriented approach.
Reaktoreinsatz zum parallelen Testen homogener Katalysatoren
Authors: Bluhm M. , Albers J. , Dinjus E. , Döring M.
Published: November 2004

No abstracts.
Zum Einfluss eines Multimode‐Mikrowellenfeldes auf V2O5‐Trägerkatalysatoren bei heterogenen Gasphasenoxidationen
Authors: Fälsch S. , Scholz P. , Ondruschka B.
Published: November 2004

No abstracts.
Simulation der Aggregatstruktur bei der Fällung schwerlöslicher Substanzen
Authors: Schlomach J. , Kind M.
Published: November 2004

No abstracts.
Betrieb und Wartung von Rückkühlanlagen
Authors: Birle H.
Published: November 2004

No abstracts.
Neuartiges Verfahren zur extraktiven Isolierung von organischen Komponenten aus Ganzzell‐Biotransformationen
Authors: Jörg G. , Leppchen K. , Bertau M. , Daußmann T.
Published: November 2004

No abstracts.
Familial and second gastric carcinomas
Authors: Hemminki Kari , Jiang Yongwen
Published: November 2004

BACKGROUND

Familial risks in gastric carcinoma have been assessed mainly through case–control studies based on reported but not medically verified carcinomas in family members. Reliable data on familial risks are needed for prevention and clinical decisions.

METHODS

The authors used the nationwide Swedish Family‐Cancer Database on 10.2 million individuals and more than 34,000 gastric carcinomas to calculate standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for gastric carcinoma in offspring, from birth to 66 years old, by carcinomas in family members. In addition, SIRs for second gastric carcinomas were analyzed.

RESULTS

Standardized incidence ratios for gastric carcinoma were 1.31 (95% CI, 0.97–1.70) and 1.47 (95% CI, 1.08–1.92) when a parent presented with gastric carcinoma or gastric adenocarcinoma, respectively. The risk was 1.59 (95% CI, 1.10–2.16) in offspring whose diagnosis was at ages older than 50 years. Offspring risk from parental corpus carcinoma was of borderline significance whereas that from cardia carcinoma was below unity. The sibling risk for gastric carcinoma was 3.16 (95% CI, 1.35–5.72) and 5.75 (95% CI, 2.07–11.26) when diagnosed before age 50. The population attributable proportion of familial gastric carcinoma was 0.45%. Risks for second gastric carcinomas were increased in men and women after esophageal and skin carcinomas, and after non‐Hodgkin lymphoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that environmental factors, perhaps Helicobacter pylori infections are the main reason for familial clustering of gastric carcinoma. The population attributable proportion of familial gastric carcinoma is much lower than that cited in the literature. The patterns of multiple carcinomas suggest that immunologic factors modulate susceptibility to gastric carcinoma. Cancer 2002;94:1157–65. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10322
Low expression of p27Kip1 is associated with tumor size and poor prognosis in patients with renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Migita Toshiro , Oda Yoshinao , Naito Seiji , Tsuneyoshi Masazumi
Published: November 2004

BACKGROUND

Proliferative activity in tumors depends on regulation of the cell cycle. p27Kip1 (p27) plays a pivotal role as a negative regulator of the cell cycle. A decrease in p27 expression has been reported in many kinds of tumors, but little is known regarding p27 in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

METHODS

Expression of p27 and the related cyclins (cyclin A, cyclin E, and cyclin D1) was examined immunohistochemically in 67 patients with of clear cell RCC. The Ki‐67 labeling index (MIB‐1 LI) and clinicopathologic parameters related to a poor prognosis also were analyzed. To determine their prognostic significance, univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed.

RESULTS

In tumors, there was considerable immunoreactivity for cyclin A, cyclin D1, and MIB‐1, and the mean values for each were 1.08%, 16.1%, and 1.5%, respectively. Cyclin E expression was rare. The expression of p27 was correlated strongly with the expression of cyclin A (correlation coefficient, 0.432; P < 0.0004) and cyclin D1 (correlation coefficient, 0.476; P < 0.0004). Also, an inverse correlation was present between p27 expression and tumor size (P = 0.0377). In univariate analysis, the unfavorable prognostic factors were high TNM stage (P < 0.0001), large tumor size (P = 0.0016), high histologic grade (P = 0.0104), and low p27 expression (P < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis, high TNM stage (P = 0.0035) and low p27 expression (P = 0.0235) were independent prognostic factors for disease specific survival in patients with RCC.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that low p27 expression may be a significant and independent, unfavorable prognostic factor in patients with renal cell carcinoma. Cancer 2002;94:973–9. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10338
Cyclical change of hMSH2 protein expression in normal endometrium during the menstrual cycle and its overexpression in endometrial hyperplasia and sporadic endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Hamid Atia A. , Mandai Masaki , Konishi Ikuo , Nanbu Kanako , Tsuruta Yuko , Kusakari Takashi , Kariya Masatoshi , Kita Masato , Fujii Shingo
Published: November 2004

BACKGROUND

The role of hMSH2 protein, one of the major DNA repair proteins, until now, had not been elucidated in terms of normal endometrial function during the menstrual cycle. The current study was designed to address this issue and to determine whether the expression of hMSH2 is altered in the course of endometrial carcinogenesis.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical reactivity with a monoclonal antibody against the hMSH2 protein was examined in endometrial tissue specimens from 45 patients with normal endometrium, 51 patients with endometrial hyperplasia, and 27 patients with endometrial carcinoma. Immunohistochemical expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) also was studied in the same samples as a measure of the proliferative activity and was compared with hMSH2 expression in each sample.

RESULTS

The functional layer of normal endometrium displayed cyclic changes in hMSH2 protein expression during the menstrual cycle, showing positive expression in the proliferative phase and becoming weak to negative in the secretory phase. This expression pattern was similar to that of PCNA. Sixty‐three percent of endometrial carcinomas showed strong positivity for both hMSH2 and PCNA expression, and 7.4% had an intensity of hMSH2 protein expression similar to that found in normal proliferative endometrial glandular cells. There was only 1 sample (3.7%) that was completely negative for hMSH2 expression, and 26% of samples were weakly positive for PCNA and hMSH2 protein. All simple hyperplasias and the majority of complex and atypical hyperplasias showed positive immunoreactivity for hMSH2 and PCNA.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that hMSH2 protein expression changes during the menstrual cycle in parallel with proliferative activity. In most patients with sporadic endometrial carcinoma, the expression of hMSH2 protein is consistent with PCNA expression. In contrast, loss of hMSH2 expression is observed rarely in patients with sporadic endometrial carcinoma. Cancer 2002;94:997–1005. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10341
Polymerase chain reaction on blood for the diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in cancer patients
Authors: Raad Issam , Hanna Hend , Sumoza David , Albitar Maher
Published: November 2004

BACKGROUND

The premortem diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is difficult to make and often missed. Several retrospective studies have suggested that Aspergillus polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed on serum or whole blood is useful in diagnosing IPA. Two prospective studies confirmed this finding but included a small number of IPA cases.

METHODS

The current study was performed to determine the diagnostic role of Aspergillus PCR performed on whole blood specimens from 54 patients with cancer and pulmonary infiltrates for which bronchoscopy with fungal stains and cultures were performed. PCR through amplified Aspergillus mitochondrial DNA and alkaline protease genes was performed on whole blood samples.

RESULTS

The cohort in the current study was comprised of 4 patients with definite IPA, 7 patients with probable IPA, 7 patients with possible IPA, and 36 control patients with no evidence of IPA. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values all were 100% for definite IPA cases and 57%, 100%, 100%, and 92%, respectively, for each of the probable and possible IPA cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Aspergillus PCR on whole blood samples is highly sensitive for the detection of IPA and is predictive for IPA. The sensitivity appears to be correlated with the certainty of diagnosis as proven by tissue invasion. Cancer 2002;94:1032–6. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10349
A multiinstitutional, concurrent chemoradiation trial of strontium‐89, estramustine, and vinblastine for hormone refractory prostate carcinoma involving bone
Authors: Akerley Wallace , Butera James , Wehbe Terek , Noto Richard , Stein Barry , Safran Howard , Cummings Frank , Sambandam Sundaresan , Maynard John , Di Rienzo Gregory , Leone Louis
Published: November 2004

BACKGROUND

Estramustine phosphate (EMP) and vinblastine have radiosensitizing properties and significant activity against hormone refractory prostate carcinoma. Strontium‐89 is a palliative agent that acts as a selective radiation source for bone metastasis. The combination of EMP, vinblastine, and strontium‐89 was developed to exploit the potential for radiosynergy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Forty‐four patients at the Brown Oncology Group affiliated hospitals were treated with oral EMP 600 mg/m2 daily on Weeks 1–4 and 7–10, vinblastine 4 mg/m2 intravenously once each week on Weeks 1–4 and 7–10, and strontium‐89 2.2 MBq/kg on Day 1. Courses were repeated every 12 weeks. Response assessment was based on a change in the serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels, correlated with change in measurable disease and bone scan appearance.

RESULTS

A greater than or equal to 50% decline in PSA for at least 6 weeks was observed in 21 patients (48%, 95% confidence interval, 33–62%). Median duration of response was 23 weeks (range, 6–70.8 weeks). The median survival was 13 months with 1‐ and 2‐year survival rates of 55% and 25%, respectively. After completion of protocol therapy, a retrospective review showed that only nine patients received subsequent palliative external beam radiation after progression.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of strontium‐89 to the regimen of EMP and vinblastine can be delivered safely and in repeated doses, provides effective palliation, and may decrease the need for future radiation therapy. A randomized trial is necessary to quantify these effects. Cancer 2002;94:1654–60. © 2002 American Cancer Society.

DOI 10.1002/cncr.10437
2‐Chloroethyl‐3‐sarcosinamide‐1‐nitrosourea (SarCNU) inhibits prostate carcinoma cell growth via p53‐dependent and p53‐independent pathways
Authors: Huynh Hung , Nguyen Thanh Hung , Panasci Lawrence , Do PhucTien
Published: November 2004

BACKGROUND

Prostate carcinoma is the most commonly occurring malignancy in men. Although 2‐chloroethyl‐3‐sarcosinamide‐1‐nitrosourea (SarCNU), an analog of the chloroethylnitrosoureas, has been used in the treatment of advanced solid tumors, the molecular mechanisms underlying the antineoplastic activity of this agent are not well understood. In the current study, the authors sought to investigate the effects of SarCNU on prostate carcinoma cell growth in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

Male SCID mice underwent subcutaneous implantation (on both flanks) of human CWR‐22 and CWR‐22R prostate carcinoma xenografts. Mice were treated with either vehicle or 60 or 80 mg SarCNU per kg body weight for 5 days, with tumor growth being assessed every 3 days. Animals were sacrificed 21 days after the final injection, and tumors subsequently were collected, weighed, and processed for analysis. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to obtain data on the localization of p53 and p21Cip1/Waf1. Cell counting, terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end‐labeling (TUNEL) assays, cell cycle analyses, Western blotting, and in vitro kinase assays were performed to determine the effects of SarCNU on growth, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, cell cycle–regulated protein levels, and Cdc‐2 activity, respectively.

RESULTS

SarCNU reduced tumor incidence and inhibited the growth of CWR‐22 and CWR‐22R xenografts. In addition, treatment with this agent led to increases in p21Cip1/Waf1 levels and p53 phosphorylation at Ser15. In vitro administration of SarCNU to cells with wild‐type p53 (LNCaP and primary CWR‐22 cells) and cells with mutant p53 (PC‐3 cells) resulted in G2/M arrest and the reduction of cellular Cdc‐2 activity. Up‐regulation of p53 levels, p53 phosphorylation at Ser15, and p21Cip1/Waf1 levels in primary CWR‐22 and LNCaP cells, as well as up‐regulation of Cdc‐2 phosphorylation at Tyr15 in PC‐3 cells, was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

SarCNU induced G2/M arrest in prostate carcinoma cells via p53‐dependent up‐regulation of p21Cip1/Waf1 and p53‐independent phosphorylation of Cdc‐2 at Tyr15. These findings suggest a potential role for SarCNU in the treatment of prostate malignancies. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Attitude dead reckoning in a collaborative virtual environment using cumulative polynomial extrapolation of quaternions
Authors: Chui Yim‐Pan , Heng Pheng‐Ann
Published: November 2004

In this paper, we propose a new attitude dead‐reckoning paradigm in a collaborative virtual environment (CVE). We derive a general polynomial construction scheme of attitude trajectory that uses a number of previous packets in order to extrapolate the future trajectory of objects by quaternion representation. The scheme allows consecutive attitudes received from the network to propagate in a smooth manner. This cumulative trajectory construction scheme helps in developing our adaptive prediction and convergence mechanism of the overall estimation paradigm.

Aiming to facilitate the remote rendering of objects, our proposed cumulative polynomial extrapolation technique provides a robust management of rotational states of objects and at the same time reduces the bandwidth consumption compared with the traditional method. By devising a quaternion‐based attitude estimation paradigm, the complete predictive management for shared states is built; this permits us to estimate rotational trajectory of objects as well as camera views. The proposed algorithm can perform remote rendering accurately in the presence of network latency. Experiments are carried out to illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed algorithm. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HLA real‐time extension
Authors: Zhao Hui , Georganas Nicolas D.
Published: November 2004

The IEEE 1516 Standard ‘High Level Architecture (HLA)’ and its implementation ‘Run‐Time Infra‐structure (RTI)’ defines a general‐purpose network communication mechanism for Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS). However, it does not address real‐time requirements of DIS. Current operating system technologies can provide real‐time processing through some real‐time operating systems (RTOSs) and the Internet is also moving to an age of Quality of Service (QoS), providing delay and jitter bounded services. With the availability of RTOSs and IP QoS, it is possible for HLA to be extended to take advantage of these technologies in order to construct an architecture for Real‐Time DIS (RT‐DIS). This extension will be a critical aspect of applications in virtual medicine, distributed virtual environments, weapon simulation, aerospace simulation and others.

This paper outlines the current real‐time technology with respect to operating systems and at the network infrastructure level. After summarizing the requirements and our experiences with RT‐DIS, we present a proposal for HLA real‐time extension and architecture for real‐time RTI. Similar to the growth of real‐time CORBA (Common Object Request Broker) after the mature based CORBA standard suite, Real‐Time HLA is a natural extension following the standardization of HLA into IEEE 1516 in September 2000. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is prediction possible? Chaotic behavior of Multiple Equilibria Regulation Model in cellular automata topology
Authors: Katerelos Ioannis D. , Koulouris Andreas G.
Published: November 2004

In this article, we present the Multiple Equilibria Regulation (MER) Model in cellular automata topology. As argued in previous explorations of the model, for certain parameter values, the behavior of the system exhibits transient chaos (namely, the system is unpredictable but ends in a final steady state). In order to approach empirical reality, we introduce a cellular automata topology. Examining the outcome of the simulations leads us to conclude that for certain parameter values tested, the system yields chaotic behavior. Thus, cellular automata contribution has proven crucial, because the introduced topology converts the behavior of the system from transient chaos to “pure” chaos, i.e., the system is not only unpredictable on the long run but, in addition, it will never rest in a final steady state. According to these findings, authors argue the theoretical hypothesis that the urge for “prediction” in social sciences should be reconsidered in terms of “predictability horizon”. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 10: 23–36, 2004