bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study of the role of leukotriene B4 in abnormal function of human subchondral osteoarthritis osteoblasts: Effects of cyclooxygenase and/or 5‐lipoxygenase inhibition
Authors: Paredes Yosabeth , Massicotte Frédéric , Pelletier Jean‐Pierre , Martel‐Pelletier Johanne , Laufer Stefan , Lajeunesse Daniel
Published: September 2002

Objective

To compare the effect of licofelone, NS‐398 (an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase 2 [COX‐2]), and BayX‐1005 (an inhibitor of 5‐lipoxygenase activating protein) on the production of leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and on cell biomarkers by human osteoarthritis (OA) subchondral osteoblasts.

Methods

Primary in vitro osteoblasts were prepared from subchondral bone specimens obtained from OA patients and autopsy subjects. LTB4 and PGE2 levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in conditioned media of osteoblasts incubated in the presence or absence of licofelone, NS‐398, or BayX‐1005. The effect of these drugs or of the addition of LTB4 on alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and osteocalcin release by OA and normal osteoblasts was determined. The presence of LTB4 receptors in normal and OA osteoblasts was evaluated by Western blot analysis.

Results

OA osteoblasts produced variable levels of PGE2 and LTB4 compared with normal osteoblasts. Licofelone, at the maximal dose used, inhibited production of PGE2 and LTB4 by OA osteoblasts by a mean ± SEM of 61.2 ± 6.4% and 67.0 ± 7.6%, respectively. NS‐398 reduced PGE2 production by 75.8 ± 5.3%. BayX‐1005 inhibited LTB4 production in OA osteoblasts by 38.7 ± 14.5% and marginally affected PGE2 levels (reduction of 14.8 ± 5.3%). Licofelone dose‐dependently stimulated 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D‐induced AP activity while inhibiting osteocalcin release. BayX‐1005 partly reproduced these effects, but NS‐398 failed to affect them. LTB4 dose‐dependently inhibited AP activity in OA osteoblasts, while its effect on osteocalcin depended on endogenous LTB4 levels in these cells. In normal osteoblasts, LTB4 dose‐dependently stimulated osteocalcin, whereas it failed to influence AP. LTB4 receptors BLT1 and BLT2 were present in normal and OA osteoblasts.

Conclusion

Licofelone inhibits the production of PGE2 and LTB4. Selective effects of licofelone on AP and osteocalcin occur via its role on LTB4 production. Because LTB4 can modify cell biomarkers in OA and normal osteoblasts, our results suggest licofelone could modify abnormal bone remodeling in OA.
Modelling recruitment training in mathematical human resource planning
Authors: Georgiou A. C. , Tsantas N.
Published: September 2002

This paper deals with mathematical human resource planning; more specifically, it suggests a new model for a manpower‐planning system. In general, we study a k‐classed hierarchical system where the workforce demand at each time period is satisfied through internal mobility and recruitment. The motivation for this work is based on various European Union incentives, which promote regional or local government assistance programs that could be exploited by firms not only for hiring and training newcomers, but also to improve the skills and knowledge of their existing personnel. In this respect, in our augmented mobility model we establish a new ‘training/standby’ class, which serves as a manpower inventory position for potential recruits. This class, which may very well be internal or external to the system, is incorporated into the framework of a non‐homogeneous Markov chain model. Furthermore, cost objectives are employed using the goal‐programming approach, under different operating assumptions, in order to minimize the operational cost in the presence of system's constraints and regulations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of flow regime on the architecture of a Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilm
Authors: Pereira Maria Olivia , Kuehn Martin , Wuertz Stefan , Neu Thomas , Melo Luis F.
Published: September 2002

A comparison of the effects of laminar versus turbulent flow regime on the characteristics of a single‐species biofilm is presented. The study was carried out by growing Pseudomonas fluorescens biofilms in a flow cell and studying the different layers of the biological matrix with a confocal laser‐scanning microscope. The following conclusions were obtained: i) a higher concentration of cells was found in the upper layers of the microbial films than in their inner layers, regardless of the flow regime; ii) the fraction of cells in the overall biofilm mass decreased with time as the film grew; and iii) under laminar flow the total number of cells was higher than in biofilms formed under turbulent flow, but the latter had a higher number of cells per unit volume. Such conclusions, together with the fact that the biofilms were more dense and stable when formed in contact with turbulent flows, favor the design of more compact and efficient biofilm reactors operating in turbulent conditions. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 78: 164–171, 2002; DOI 10.1002/bit.10189
Solar energy conversion by green microalgae: A photosystem for hydrogen peroxide production
Authors: de la Rosa F. F. , Montes O. , Galván F.
Published: September 2002

A photosystem for solar energy conversion, comprised of a culture of green microalgae supplemented with methyl viologen, is proposed. The capture of solar energy is based on the Mehler reaction. The reduction of methyl viologen by the photosynthetic apparatus and its subsequent reoxidation by oxygen produces hydrogen peroxide. This is a rich‐energy compound that can be used as a nonpollutant and efficient fuel. Four different species of green microalgae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (21gr) C. reinhardtii (CW15), Chlorella fusca, and Monoraphidium braunii, were tested as a possible biocatalyst. Each species presented a different efficiency level in the transformation of energy. Azide was an efficient inhibitor of the hydrogen peroxide scavenging system while maintaining photosynthetic activity of the microalgae, and thus significantly increasing the production of the photosystem. The strain C. reinhardtii (21gr), among the species studied, was the most efficient with an initial production rate of 185 μmol H2O2/h · mg Chl and reaching a maximum of 42.5 μmol H2O2/mg Chl when assayed in the presence of azide inhibitor. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 74: 539–543, 2001.
Is ε4 allele of apolipoprotein associated with more severe end‐organ damage in essential hypertension?
Authors: Yilmaz Hülya , Isbir Turgay , Ağaçhan Bedia , Aydin Makbule
Published: September 2002

The aim of the present study comparing patients with mild to moderate hypertension with controls, was to explore a possible association between hypertension‐related target organ damage and evaluation found in the gene encoding apolipoprotein E (apo E) genotype. Detailed medical history was recorded and physical examination was performed for all patients in the study (88 hypertensives, 63 normotensive controls). PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism), and agarose gel electrophoresis techniques were used to determine the apo E genotypes. The frequencies of apo ε2, apo ε3, and apo ε4 alleles were 3.97, 88.06, and 9.95%, respectively in the hypertensive group. The frequencies of apo ε2, apo ε3, and apo ε4 alleles were 5.5, 92.0, and 2.38%, respectively in the control group. There were about twice as many individuals in the heterozygote hypertensive group who had apo E3/4 as compared to the control group (7.30 vs. 2.38%) (p = 0.07). The hypertensive patients who were carriers of the apo ε4 had significantly higher organ damage (left ventricular hypertrophy (p < 0.001). dilated left atrium (p < 0.05), retinopathy (p < 0.05)) as compared to those who were not carriers of apo ε4. These results showed a trend for the ε4 allele to be associated with a higher prevalence of target organ damage in patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Conserved and divergent patterns of Reelin expression in the zebrafish central nervous system
Authors: Costagli Arianna , Kapsimali Marika , Wilson Stephen W. , Mione Marina
Published: September 2002

The protein Reelin is suggested to function in cell–cell interactions and in mediating neuronal migrations in layered central nervous system structures. With the aim of shedding light on the development of the teleost telencephalon, which forms through the process of eversion and results in the formation of a nonlaminar pallium, we isolated a zebrafish ortholog of the reelin gene and studied its expression in developing and adult brain. The pattern of expression is highly dynamic during the first 24–72 hours of development. By 5 days postfertilization, high amounts of reelin mRNA are found in the dorsal telencephalon, thalamic and hypothalamic regions, pretectal nuclei, optic tectum, cerebellum, hindbrain, reticular formation, and spinal cord, primarily confined to postmitotic neurons. This pattern persists in 1‐ to 3‐month‐old zebrafish. This study, together with reports on reelin expression in other vertebrates, shows that reelin mRNA distribution is conserved in many regions of the vertebrate brain. A major exception is that reelin is expressed in the majority of the cells of the dorsal regions of the everted telencephalon in zebrafish embryos, whereas it is restricted to specific neuronal populations in the developing telencephalon of amniotes. To better understand the origin of these differences, we analyzed reelin expression in the telencephalon of an amphibian. Telencephalic reelin expression in Xenopus laevis shows more similarities with the sauropsidian than with the teleostean pattern. Thus, the differences in the telencephalic expression of reelin between teleosts and tetrapods are likely to be due to different roles for Reelin during eversion, a process that is specific for the teleost telencephalon. J. Comp. Neurol. 450:73–93, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Development and performance analysis of real‐world applications for distributed and parallel architectures
Authors: Fahringer T. , Blaha P. , Hössinger A. , Luitz J. , Mehofer E. , Moritsch H. , Scholz B.
Published: September 2002

Several large real‐world applications have been developed for distributed and parallel architectures. We examine two different program development approaches. First, the usage of a high‐level programming paradigm which reduces the time to create a parallel program dramatically but sometimes at the cost of a reduced performance; a source‐to‐source compiler, has been employed to automatically compile programs—written in a high‐level programming paradigm—into message passing codes. Second, a manual program development by using a low‐level programming paradigm—such as message passing—enables the programmer to fully exploit a given architecture at the cost of a time‐consuming and error‐prone effort. Performance tools play a central role in supporting the performance‐oriented development of applications for distributed and parallel architectures. SCALA—a portable instrumentation, measurement, and post‐execution performance analysis system for distributed and parallel programs—has been used to analyze and to guide the application development, by selectively instrumenting and measuring the code versions, by comparing performance information of several program executions, by computing a variety of important performance metrics, by detecting performance bottlenecks, and by relating performance information back to the input program. We show several experiments of SCALA when applied to real‐world applications. These experiments are conducted for a NEC Cenju‐4 distributed‐memory machine and a cluster of heterogeneous workstations and networks. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Involvement of histone deacetylase at two distinct steps in gene regulation during intestinal development in Xenopus laevis
Authors: Sachs Laurent M. , Amano Tosikazu , Rouse Nicole , Shi Yun‐Bo
Published: September 2002

Amphibian metamorphosis is marked by dramatic thyroid hormone (T3)‐induced changes including de novo morphogenesis, tissue remodeling and organ resorption through programmed cell death. These changes involve cascades of gene regulation initiated by thyroid hormone and its receptors. Previous studies suggest that chromatin remodeling involving changes in core histone acetylation plays a fundamental role in transcriptional regulation. A basic model has been suggested where targeted histone deacetylation is involved in transcriptional repression and histone acetylation is involved in transcriptional activation. On the other hand, the developmental roles of histone acetylation remain to be elucidated. Here we demonstrate that tadpole treatment with trichostatin A, a specific potent histone deacetylase inhibitor, blocks metamorphosis. Gene expression analyses show that trichostatin A induces the release of T3‐response gene repression without affecting T3‐induction of direct T3‐response genes. However, the drug blocks the regulation of late T3‐response genes, which may be responsible for its inhibitory effects on metamorphosis. These data support a role of deacetylases in transcriptional repression by unliganded T3 receptor during premetamorphosis and another role at a downstream step of the gene regulation cascade induced by T3 during metamorphosis. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Can you ever be too old to be too thin? Anorexia nervosa in a 92‐year‐old woman
Authors: Mermelstein Hindi T. , Basu Ranita
Published: September 2002

Anorexia nervosa is a common psychiatric condition that most often affects young adults. If left untreated, it can have significant morbidity and mortality.

Methods and Discussion

In this report, we describe a woman first diagnosed with anorexia nervosa at age 92 and we discuss the relevant diagnostic and treatment‐related issues.

Conclusion

This case underscores the need to heighten diagnostic sensitivity for this and other eating disorders at any age. © 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 30: 123–2001.
On the accuracy of simplified methods for the analysis of isolated bridges
Authors: Franchin P. , Monti G. , Pinto P. E.
Published: September 2002

To foster the use of seismic isolation in structures, existing guidelines strive to formulate design methods which are simple and accessible to non‐specialized engineers. On the other hand, not all of the simplifying provisions adopted by the norms can be said to have been adequately tested to provide a consistent level of accuracy. The study attempts, in particular, to elucidate three aspects related to the methods of analysis for linear or linearized isolated bridges on which little or no advice can be found in the norms. The first one is about the way one has to account for the fact that damping matrices of isolated bridges are never of proportional type. The present study demonstrates, through a number of typical applications, that classical modal analysis, using real modes and the diagonal terms of the modal damping matrices, still provide a fully acceptable approximation. The second and third aspects are related to the use of linearization expressions extended to the analysis of hyperstatic bridges. Parametric analyses conducted in the study show that none of the formulas in current use gives satisfactory results for both the displacement and the force responses, a requirement for a reliable design of an isolated bridge. How to use the equivalent linear parameters, and in particular the isolators equivalent damping ratios, in the context of a modal analysis, is treated next. This problem is seldom if ever mentioned in the norms where at most a formula is given for constructing modal damping ratios based on the damping ratios of the isolators. A rational, approximate procedure is discussed in this paper, applicable to all types of structures with non‐proportional damping, which in the case of bridges can be shown to reduce to the expression provided in the Japanese bridge design guidelines. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Essential oil constituents of Melia dubia, a wild relative of Azadirachta indica growing in the Eastern Ghats of Peninsular India
Authors: Nagalakshmi M. A. H. , Thangadurai D. , Anuradha T. , Pullaiah T.
Published: September 2002

The leaf essential oil of Melia dubia Cav. (Meliaceae) has been studied by GC–MS. The leaf essential oil consists chiefly of monoterpenes (35.71%) and oxygenated monoterpenes (27.98%), accompanied by a relatively much smaller amount of alkanes (11.17%), sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (9.26%) and phenylpropanoids (3.90%). The monoterpene camphene occurs as a major constituent (21.68%) of this leaf essential oil. It is accompanied by a noticeable amount of α‐ and β‐pinene (3.12% and 5.13%, respectively) and a much smaller amount of sabinene (2.75%). The oxygenated monoterpenes are distinctly dominated by the presence of the bicyclic ketone camphor (17.85%), while iso‐borneol and borneol are detected in much smaller amounts (4.15% and 1.12%, respectively). Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Human LPP gene is fused to MLL in a secondary acute leukemia with a t(3;11) (q28;q23)
Authors: Dahéron Laurence , Veinstein Anne , Brizard Françoise , Drabkin Harry , Lacotte Laurence , Guilhot François , Larsen Christian Jacques , Brizard André , Roche Joelle
Published: September 2002

The mixed lineage leukemia, MLL, gene is frequently rearranged in patients with secondary leukemia following treatment with DNA topoisomerase II inhibitors. By FISH and Southern blot analyses we identified a rearrangement in the MLL gene due to a novel t(3;11)(q28;q23) chromosomal translocation in a patient who developed AML‐M5 3 years after treatment for a follicular lymphoma. Through inverse PCR, the LPP (lipoma preferred partner) gene on 3q28 was identified as the MLL fusion partner. LPP contains substantial identity to the focal adhesion protein, zyxin, and is frequently fused to HMGIC in lipomas. The breakpoint occurred in intron 8 of MLL and LPP. Two in‐frame MLL‐LPP transcripts, which fuse MLL exon 8 to LPP exon 9, were detected by RT‐PCR, although the smaller of these contained a deletion of 120 bp from the MLL sequence. The predicted MLL‐LPP fusion protein includes the A/T hook motifs and methyltransferase domain of MLL joined to the two last LIM domains of LPP. A reciprocal LPP‐MLL transcript, predicted to include the proline‐rich and leucine zipper motifs, and the first LIM domain of LPP were also detected by RT‐PCR. In summary, LPP is a newly identified MLL fusion partner in secondary leukemia resulting from topoisomerase inhibitors. The MLL‐LPP and LPP‐MLL predicted proteins contain many of the features present in other MLL rearrangements. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CDKN2A germline splicing mutation affecting both p16ink4 and p14arf RNA processing in a melanoma/neurofibroma kindred
Authors: Petronzelli Fiorella , Sollima Danila , Coppola Giuseppe , Martini‐Neri Maria Enrica , Neri Giovanni , Genuardi Maurizio
Published: September 2002

The CDKN2A locus encodes two tumor suppressor proteins, p16ink4 and p14arf, through use of alternative first exons. CDKN2A mutations detected in melanoma families are usually missense or nonsense changes which mainly impair p16ink4 function. Large genomic deletions spanning the entire locus have been observed in two pedigrees with melanomas and nervous tumors. We have detected a novel splice site mutation in a family with melanomas, neurofibromas, and multiple dysplastic nevi. Both alternative mRNAs produced by the mutant allele lacked shared sequences from exon 2, which encodes a substantial portion (>50%) of both p16ink4 and p14arf proteins. The development of neurofibromas can be explained by cooperative effects of combined inactivation of p16ink4 and p14arf or, alternatively, of p14arf alone. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Communication and Information Systems Infrastructure
Authors: Maughan George R.
Published: September 2002

A better conceptualization of a communication and information system’s infrastructure will help campus leaders plan more effectively.
Tamoxifen and toremifene treatment of breast cancer and risk of subsequent endometrial cancer: A population‐based case‐control study
Authors: Pukkala Eero , Kyyrönen Pentti , Sankila Risto , Holli Kaija
Published: September 2002

A population‐based case‐control study was performed to evaluate the risk of endometrial cancer related to tamoxifen or toremifene treatment. All patients with breast cancer diagnosis since 1980 in Finland who subsequently developed an endometrial cancer by the end of 1995 and 3 matched controls were identified among the 38,000 breast cancer patients of the Finnish Cancer Registry database. Detailed information on treatment of breast cancer and potential confounders was collected from hospital records. The OR for tamoxifen treatment (59 cases), adjusted for significant cofactors (increased risk associated with obesity, low parity and PR positivity) was 2.9 (95% CI 1.8–4.7). The OR for toremifene (3 cases) was 0.9 (95% CI 0.3–3.9). The OR related to adjuvant tamoxifen treatment reached its maximum 2–5 years after the beginning of treatment (OR 5.1, 95% CI 2.1–13), while the OR for tamoxifen used for palliative treatment of advanced breast cancer was especially high after a lag of over 5 years (OR 9.5, 95% CI 2.5–36). The risk increase due to tamoxifen was slightly higher if the age at initiation was below 55, and risk was more pronounced among patients with well‐differentiated endometrial cancer than patients with cancers of clinical grades 2 or 3. According to our results, treatment with tamoxifen increases the risk of endometrial cancer. Due to the rare use of toremifene up to the mid‐1990s, the risk assessment concerning it was inconclusive. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6 gene deletion and CYP2E1 genotypes on gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Tsukino Hiromasa , Kuroda Yoshiki , Qiu Delai , Nakao Hiroyuki , Imai Hirohisa , Katoh Takahiko
Published: September 2002

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2A6 and CYP2E1 are enzymes with a high ability to activate a nitrosamine, 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone (NNK), to its potent and ultimate carcinogens. The polymorphic CYP2A6 and CYP2E1 have been implicated in increased susceptibility to certain malignancies. In our study, 120 Japanese patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and 158 healthy controls were compared for frequencies of CYP2A6 and CYP2E1 genotypes. The frequency with which the subjects carried homozygotes of the CYP2A6 gene deletion allele, which causes lack of the enzyme activity, was significantly higher in the gastric cancer patients than in the healthy control subjects (OR = 3.14, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.05–9.41). Subdividing gastric adenocarcinoma according to tumor differentiation, patients with the well‐differentiated type were 4.9‐fold more likely to have the CYP2A6 homozygote deletion genotype (OR = 4.91, 95% CI 1.17–20.52). Stratifying by smoking status, we did not find the risk of CYP2A6 gene deletion allele in gastric adenocarcinoma. The CYP2E1 polymorphism detected by RsaI was not significantly different between gastric adenocarcinoma patients (40.8%) and the control population (44.3%). No statistically significant changes were observed when the CYP2E1 genotype was examined relative to tumor differentiation and smoking status. These results suggest that the CTY2A6 deletion is associated with gastric adenocarcinoma among Japanese populations. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Retinoic acid modulates the ability of macrophages to participate in the induction of the angiogenic phenotype in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liss Cory , Fekete Mary Jo , Hasina Rifat , Lingen Mark W.
Published: September 2002

Angiogenesis, an essential step in the development of neoplasia, is a complex process that involves the interaction of tumor cells with stromal cells. Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) can participate in the induction of angiogenesis and are of prognostic value in some neoplasms. Specimens from head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) often contain large numbers of TAMs. In addition, experimental evidence has demonstrated that HNSCC tumor cells can attract and activate macrophages to participate in the expression of the angiogenic phenotype. These findings suggest that antiangiogenic therapies for HNSCC must include strategies that will block the recruitment of macrophages into the tumor microenvironment. We investigated the ability of retinoic acid (RA) to modulate the ability of tumor cells to recruit and activate monocytes for participation in tumor angiogenesis. Owing to a decrease in the secretion of MCP‐1 and transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), tumor cells treated with RA were unable to induce peripheral blood monocyte (PBM) chemotaxis. Also, as a result of the decrease in TGF‐β1 secretion, RA‐treated tumor cells were unable to activate macrophages for secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8). In addition to its affects on tumor cells, RA also directly altered the ability of monocytes to participate in the tumor angiogenesis process. PBM exposed to RA were unable to migrate toward inducers of PBM such as MCP‐1 and TGF‐β1. Finally, RA decreased the ability of tumor‐activated macrophages to secrete IL‐8 and VEGF. These data demonstrate alternative mechanisms by which RA may modulate angiogenesis in the tumor microenvironment. In addition, it underscores the necessity to develop antiangiogenic treatment protocols that can block each of the ways in which new blood vessel growth is induced in tumor microenvironments. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Performance evaluation of rubber dam projects of Bangladesh in irrigation development
Authors: Saleh Abul Fazal M. , Mondal M. Shahjahan
Published: September 2002

Performance of the Bakkhali and Idgaon rubber dam projects of south‐eastern Bangladesh has been evaluated using some standard indicators, broadly classified into three groups: hydraulic, agricultural and socio‐economic. For the quantitative and qualitative assessment of the indicators, field measurements and a questionnaire survey were conducted during the 1998–99 irrigation season. Results of the analyses of hydraulic indicators showed that the relative water supply was adequate in the Bakkali project, but was inadequate in the Idgaon project. In both projects, water delivery performance was very low because target volumes were overestimated in the feasibility reports. The total water utilization in the Idgaon project was 28% lower compared to the Bakkhali project because of better management and deficit irrigation applied in the former. Agricultural performance, evaluated in terms of irrigated area, was very poor because of overestimation of the target command area in both projects, while the same evaluated in terms of crop yield and water productivity was satisfactory. Analyses of socio‐economic indicators showed that both the rubber dam projects were financially viable. A comparative capital and O&M cost analysis of different irrigation technologies has been carried out to ascertain the viability of rubber dam technology in irrigation development. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐linear error correction and the UK demand for broad money, 1878–1993
Authors: Teräsvirta Timo , Eliasson Ann‐Charlotte
Published: September 2002

In this paper we reconsider an error‐correction model of UK broad money demand by Ericsson, Hendry and Prestwich. Their model is non‐linear in both variables and parameters, and it can be viewed as an approximation to a smooth transition regression (STR) type specification. The corresponding STR model, when specified and estimated, fits the data better than the original model. Adopting a somewhat more general modelling approach leads to another STR model. This model variance dominates the other two, and the encompassing tests performed in this paper indicate that it is an improvement over the other two specifications. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A simple and efficient method for estimating the magnitude and precision of welfare changes: comment
Authors: Irvine Ian J. , Sims William A.
Published: September 2002

A recent article (Breslaw and Smith, 1995) published in this journal provided an iterative numerical technique for computing the welfare effects of price changes. In this note we take issue with the application used to demonstrate this technique. In particular, we show that the demands used are inappropriate and that the authors incorrectly interpret the precision of the estimates of welfare change. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Superiority of a functional leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation test over the white blood cell count to discriminate between mild and significant inflammatory response in patients with acute bacterial infections
Authors: Rogowski Ori , Rotstein Rivka , Zeltzer David , Misgav Sarit , Justo Daniel , Avitzour Daniel , Mardi Tamar , Serov Jacob , Arber Nadir , Berliner Shlomo , Shapira Itzhak
Published: September 2002

Electronic cell counters may underestimate the white blood cell count (WBCC) in the presence of aggregated leukocytes. In the present study we focused on the possibility of using a functional, as opposed to an anatomic, count to circumvent this eventual underestimation. A model of bacterial infection was used because of the importance of leukocytosis in the physician's clinical decision‐making process. There were 35 patients with low C‐reactive protein (CRP) concentrations (0.5–4.9 mg/dL), 45 with intermediate (5–9.9 mg/dL), and 120 with relatively high (>10 mg/dL) CRP concentrations. A significant (P=0.008) difference was noted between the state of leukocyte adhesiveness/aggregation in the peripheral blood of individuals with low CRP concentrations (3.5%±4.3%) and those with high CRP concentrations (7.4%±8%), while there was no significant difference in the respective number of WBCs per cubic millimeter (cmm) (11,600 ± 5,500 and 14,000 ± 7,200, respectively). We raise the possibility that a functional test might be superior over an anatomic count in patients with acute bacterial infection and a significant acute phase response. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electric arc furnace applications in treatment of combustion residues and valorisation of industrial by‐products
Authors: Lebrun F , Marzouk H , Pasquini P
Published: September 2002

Advances in environmental legislation encourage local communities and manufacturers to optimise waste management. Solid wastes and by‐products previously usually stocked, or dumped, are now subjected to new environmental and economical constraints. During the last few years, work by EDF Research and Development has developed new thermal processes dedicated to valorisation of industrial products including incineration residues and urban wastes. These processes guarantee the valorisation of more than 99% of the initial mass of the waste, by vitrification or high temperature treatment associated with granulation or metal extraction. Use of the electric arc furnace, a reliable process, has been selected and specifically optimised to provide the main structure of these processes. Mass ratio, efficiencies and product quality results will indicate the process performance, and the cost treatment will be specified. Bottom ashes, fly ashes from incineration, metallurgy by‐products and effluent treatment sludge became new raw materials as a result of different applications, of the electric arc furnace.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Retention of trace elements using fly ash in a coal gasification flue gas
Authors: Díaz‐Somoano Mercedes , Martínez‐Tarazona M Rosa
Published: September 2002

A fly ash sample was used as sorbent for trace element (As, Se, Cd and Zn) species at high temperatures in flue gases from coal gasification. The influence of temperature (550 and 750 °C) and gas composition (with and without H2S and HCl) on retention capacity was evaluated. It was concluded that this fly ash is an efficient sorbent for retaining As, Se, and Zn compounds in the gas phase from a coal gasification flue gas, retention capacities varying with temperature and gas composition.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Autocorrelation analysis of bone structure
Authors: Rotter M. , Berg A. , Langenberger H. , Grampp S. , Imhof H. , Moser E.
Published: September 2002

We propose a method called spatial autocorrelation analysis (SACA) to determine the spatial anisotropy of the trabecular bone in order to investigate osteoporosis. For demonstrating the potential of SACA we first evaluate the method on rectangular, simulated test patterns as a simple model for the anisotropic pore structure of the bone. As a next step towards biomedical application, photographic reference images of human vertebral bone were investigated by SACA. Osteoporotic bone structure could be clearly differentiated from non‐osteoporotic sample images. Moreover, for demonstration of the applicability and potential of the method for in vivo characterization of osteoporosis, the microstructure of the human calcaneus was investigated by MR‐microimaging on a young healthy male subject and an osteoporotic female. The measurements were performed using a high‐field (3T) whole‐body MR tomograph equipped with a special, strong head gradient system. The signal was acquired with a surface coil mounted on an in‐house‐built device for convenient immobilization of the subject's foot. Using a 3D gradient echo sequence a resolution of 0.254 × 0.254 × 2.188 mm3 was achieved in vivo. Selected images were inverted, gradient corrected for the inhomogeneous but sensitive detection by the surface coil, and subsequently analyzed by SACA. The anisotropy of bone structure detected by SACA is a possible candidate for noninvasive determination of the osteoporotic status, potentially complementing standard bone mineral density measurements. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;14:87–93. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clustering of nucleobases with alkali metals studied by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry: implications for mechanisms of multistrand DNA stabilization
Authors: Koch Kim J. , Aggerholm Tenna , Nanita Sergio C. , Graham Cooks R.
Published: September 2002

Self‐clustering of the five common nucleobases was investigated by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry and shown to provide insight into the non‐covalent interactions between identical bases. Alkali and ammonium cations significantly increase self‐aggregation of the nucleobases and lead to the formation of uniquely stable magic number clusters. Sodium adducts of guanine, thymine and uracil preferentially take the form of tetrameric (quartet) clusters. This gas‐phase result correlates with previously reported solution‐phase data on sodium cation stabilized guanosine, thymine and uracil quartet structures believed to be responsible for telomere stabilization. In the presence of potassium, cesium or ammonium cations, pentameric magic number clusters are formed from thymine and uracil, while in solution the nucleoside isoguanosine yields clusters of this favored size. The formation of magic number metaclusters occurs for thymine and uracil in the presence of ammonium cations. These doubly charged 10‐ and 15‐mers are tentatively attributed to the formation of pentamer/ammonium cation/ pentamer sandwich structures. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variant analysis and immunogenicity prediction of envelope gene of HCV strains from China
Authors: Cai Qian , Zhang XinXin , Tian LiFeng , Yuan Ming , Jin GenDi , Lu ZhiMeng
Published: September 2002

The putative envelope protein E2 of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most variable antigenic fragment in the whole viral genome and is responsible mainly for the large inter‐ and intra‐individual heterogeneity of the infecting virus. To analyze variation and immunogenicity of HCV envelope genes of HCV strains from China, the serum samples from 12 Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C from 10 cities of China were amplified, sequenced directly, and compared with international strains reported previously. Variant analysis and immunogenicity prediction were then carried out with computer programs. The results suggested that HCV envelope genes show diversity in the north and the south of China and that they vary among different genotypes. Therefore, the diversity among different genotypes and derived areas should be calculated for HCV vaccine design; simultaneously, domains characterized by the hydrophilicity and the conserved immunogenicity could be targeted, for example, the domain of aa434–444, aa408–414, aa449–462 in the envelope region and aa399–406 in HVR1. These data may hold the key for future development of HCV vaccine in China. J. Med. Virol. 67:490–500, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sero‐epidemiological patterns of epstein‐barr and herpes simplex (HSV‐1 and HSV‐2) viruses in England and Wales
Authors: Morris Marianne C. , Edmunds W. John , Hesketh Louise M. , Vyse Andrew J. , Miller Elizabeth , Morgan‐Capner Peter , Brown David W.G.
Published: September 2002

The aim was to carry out a population‐based sero‐prevalence survey of Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) across a wide age range in England and Wales and to identify any associations between EBV and herpes simplex virus types one and two (HSV‐1 and 2). Sera from an age‐stratified sample of 2,893 individuals, submitted for diagnostic purposes to 15 public health laboratories in England and Wales in 1994, were tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody to EBV. The samples had been tested previously for IgG antibody to HSV‐1 and HSV‐2. The serological profile of EBV was consistent with an endemic infection with peaks in transmission in those less than 5 years old and in young adults. An age adjusted analysis found a significant association between EBV and HSV‐1 seropositivity that is most likely explained by similarities in their mode of transmission. The very low seroprevalence of HSV‐2 in this sample complicated the comparisons of EBV and HSV‐1 with HSV‐2. Any associations were most likely explained by chance. Given the association between EBV and HSV‐1, it is likely that recently documented epidemiological changes in HSV‐1 also apply to EBV. Continuing surveillance of these herpes viruses is necessary as the predicted changes could have a significant public health impact, especially in the young adult population. J. Med. Virol. 67:522–527, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serological examination of human herpesvirus 6 and 7 in patients with coronary artery Disease
Authors: Ihira Masaru , Yoshikawa Tetsushi , Ishii Junichi , Nomura Masanori , Hishida Hitoshi , Ohashi Masahiro , Enomoto Yoshihiko , Suga Sadao , Iida Keiji , Saito Yumiko , Nishiyama Yukihiro , Asano Yoshizo
Published: September 2002

Fifty‐three (96%) of 55 patients with coronary artery stenosis were positive for serum anti‐HHV‐6 IgG, and 50 (91%) of these patients had anti‐HHV‐7 IgG. The number of cases sero‐positive for HHV‐6 and ‐7 in the 54 age matched control volunteers was 52 (96%) and 53 (98%), respectively. No statistical difference in the sero‐prevalence of the viruses existed between the patients and the control group. The mean geometric titer (log10) of anti‐HHV‐6 IgG in both the patients and controls were the same (1.4) (P = 0.845), whereas anti‐HHV‐7 titers were 1.4 and 1.5, respectively (P = 0.161). Ten (18%) of the 55 patients had anti‐HHV‐6 IgM; eight (15%) of the 54 control volunteers were also positive (P = 0.636). Three (5%) of the 55 patients had anti‐HHV‐7 IgM, whereas 3 (6%) of the 54 control volunteers had detectable serum antibody (P = 0.691). Forty‐seven of the 55 patients were examined by follow‐up angiographic evaluation to clarify the association between viral infection and restenosis following balloon angioplasty. Fifteen of these patients developed restenosis, as determined by angiography. The mean geometric titer (log10) of anti‐HHV‐6 IgG were 1.3 and 1.4 in patients with restenosis and those without restenosis, respectively (P = 0.724). The mean geometric titer (log10) of anti‐HHV‐7 IgG in patients with restenosis was not significantly higher (1.5) than in patients without restenosis (1.3) (P = 0.099). Three (20%) of the 15 patients affected by restenosis had anti‐HHV‐6 IgM; five (16%) of the 32 control patients also had the antibody (P = 0.965). One (7%) of the 15 patients with restenosis and 2 (6%) of the 32 patients without restenosis had anti‐HHV‐7 IgM (P = 0.558). The present study demonstrates that HHV‐6 and ‐7 reactivation is not associated with the establishment of coronary artery stenosis and restenosis following balloon angioplasty. J. Med. Virol. 67:534–537, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An approach for the calculation of magnetic field within square spiral inductors at low frequency
Authors: Ibrahim Noureddin M. , Kuhn William B.
Published: September 2002

The magnetic field distribution within a square spiral inductor is investigated in this paper by summing closed‐form expressions for the fields from each segment. Plots illustrating the variation of the normally directed B‐field penetrating the surface of the spiral traces are then developed for a variety of perspectives. The expressions and insight gained represent an essential step in developing a detailed model of effects such as current crowding, which significantly limit the spiral's performance in practical circuits. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐range predictability of Zimbabwe summer rainfall
Authors: Unganai L. S. , Mason S. J.
Published: September 2002

The potential for long‐range prediction of Zimbabwe summer rainfall is investigated using an analysis of variance approach. It is assumed that the variance between seasons (inter‐annual variability) is made up of two components: the climate noise (intra‐seasonal variability) and signal (any variance above the noise). The magnitude of the climate noise is estimated by computing the variance of time‐averaged rainfall data based on a statistical model whose parameters are derived from observed daily values at each station. Results from the study indicate that up to approximately 70% of the total variance in Zimbabwe summer rainfall is potentially predictable at long range. Predictability is greatest during the last half of the rainy season, January to March, and much lower during October to December. The south section of the country shows relatively more predictability than the north. Comparisons between signal and noise are discussed in the context of long‐range predictability. The natural variability (noise) is proposed as a lower limit of the standard error of the estimate for any long‐range precipitation forecast for the country. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society.
Measurement of aqueous glucose in a model anterior chamber using Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Lambert James L. , Morookian John Michael , Sirk Shannon J. , Borchert Mark S.
Published: September 2002

Many laboratories have been developing techniques that might be applied toward a non‐invasive device that could optically measure aqueous humor glucose in the eye as a surrogate for blood glucose. We have configured a confocal Raman microscope that is capable of acquiring the Raman spectra of the aqueous humor in vivo. However, because of the potential for optical toxicity, a major design consideration is evaluating the tradeoff between the energy of exposure and measurement accuracy. Toward this end, we have developed a physical model of the anterior chamber in the eye for studying the feasibility of using a confocal Raman microscope for determining the concentration of glucose and other metabolites. The Raman spectrum of aqueous humor closely resembles the spectrum of its four primary Raman scatterers, (glucose, urea, lactate and ascorbate) mixed in normal saline. Aqueous mixtures of these analytes were placed under a contact lens resting on a quartz plate to form a physical model of the anterior chamber filled with aqueous humor. Calibration standards were prepared by non‐collinearly varying the measured concentrations of the analytes over a range of 0–13 times the mean physiological levels found in aqueous humor. A confocal microscope was used to acquire spectra using an excitation wavelength of 785 nm. The accuracy to which the concentration with analytes could be optically measured was evaluated using the partial least‐squares (PLS) algorithm and spectral datasets collected using exposure energies of 75, 150, 300, 900, and 1800 mJ. The optimum standard error of prediction (SEP) obtained for glucose was 34.3 mg dl−1 (2.72% of full range) using a 12‐factor PLS model calculated using intensity‐normalized spectra acquired over a free spectral range of 400–1800 cm−1 with 900 mJ excitation energy. Clinically acceptable predictability (4.6%) was obtained with 300 mJ total excitation energy. Similar results were obtained for urea (SEP = 8.84 mg dl−1, 1.88%), ascorbate (SEP = 17.1 mg dl−1, 8.22%) and lactate (SEP = 82.9 mg dl−1, 7.59%) using 900 mJ exposure. Our results suggest that Raman spectroscopy may provide a feasible method of non‐invasive glucose measurement if ocular toxicity can be avoided. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Natural variations and reproducibility of in vivo near‐infrared Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy of normal human skin
Authors: Knudsen L. , Johansson C. K. , Philipsen P. A. , Gniadecka M. , Wulf H. C.
Published: September 2002

We examined variations of in vivo near‐infrared Fourier transform Raman spectra on healthy human skin. Diurnal and day‐to‐day variation, variation between persons, variation between different spots in the same body region and variation in spectra obtained on the same spot was studied in 13 volunteers. In 140 volunteers we examined variations in Raman spectra caused by skin pigmentation. In our spectral analysis we concentrated on the wavenumbers and relative intensities of the water band around 3250 cm−1, the amide I and amide III bands in the regions around 1645–1680 and 1230–1300 cm−1, respectively, and on the wavenumbers of the strong bands at 1450 and 2940 cm−1 that were used as reference bands. The results showed a diurnal variation and interpersonal variation in relative water intensity. In relative amide I intensity there was a variation between persons and between repeated measurements on the same spot. Between persons the variation might arise from different hydration of proteins, but it is difficult to explain why this variation is seen when repeated measurements are made on the same spot. Day‐to‐day variations were seen in the relative amide III intensity. Variations in amide III band wavenumbers were seen between persons, probably because of different collagen structure. Pigmentation did not influence wavenumbers or intensities considerably, but a regression analysis showed a correlation between background height and pigmentation. The conclusion of our study is that Raman spectra obtained on healthy human skin are reproducible and show mostly small variations. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.