bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dust ( Glauser )
Authors: Frederick Samuel
Published: July 2022

This chapter addresses the complex ways in which dust, as well as sand, figures in the modernist crime fiction of Friedrich Glauser, where these fine particles of matter are ubiquitous, raising critical questions about the role of particulate matter as evidence and how such seemingly trivial matter might be collected and preserved to provide epistemological and forensic clarity. As quintessentially dispersed matter, dust and sand are fundamentally uncollectable. To gather them, therefore, is to fail to preserve their essential dispersal. To preserve this state, then, one must fail to gather them, which is precisely what Sergeant Studer does in Glauser's first two novels (both published in 1936), where the detective succeeds in preserving particulate, scattered evidence in its fundamental uncollectability. Such a mode of (un)collecting provides epistemic access to things as trivial matter and to things in their dispersal. The standard model of collecting denies us this access. Studer, in contrast, safeguards the trivial and the scattered by letting them be—letting them slip away.
Conclusion
Authors: Frederick Samuel
Published: July 2022

This concluding chapter reflects on how the individual case studies discussed in the previous chapters complicate the book's theoretical framework, especially with regard to the distinction between object and thing, but also in relation to practical realms of collecting. It considers the problem of ephemeral art and the unconventional museum space of Porto M., where the debris and lost belongings of refugees are put on display. We find here an especially poignant and problematic instance of how displacement informs collecting and how dispersal becomes a potentially hopeful condition as an escape from violence and oppression. The chapter then returns to Rainer Maria Rilke, whose early poem “You don't need to understand life” (Du mußt das Leben nicht verstehen, 1899) articulates an extreme view of collecting as not only impossible but also undesirable. Here Rilke ultimately rejects the imperative to collect while still insisting on the necessity of establishing a relation to things—by means of dispersal. This radical position allows the book's main arguments to be dialectically reformulated.
GABRP promotes CD44s-mediated gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Chen Chen , Wu Binfeng , Wang Mingge , Chen Jinghua , Huang Zhaohui , Shi Jin-Song
Published: July 2022

Background

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has the worst five-year overall survival rate among all cancer types. Acquired chemoresistance is considered one of the main reasons for this dismal prognosis, and the mechanism of chemoresistance is unknown.

Methods

We previously identified a subpopulation of chemoresistant CD44high-expressing PDAC cells. Subsequently, we selected the candidate gene, gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit Pi (GABRP), from three Gene Expression Omnibus datasets as the potential CD44 downstream target mediating the gemcitabine resistance. Loss and gain of function such as stable knockdown of CD44 by small hairpin (sh) RNA-mediated silencing technique and overexpression (O/E) of CD44s had been studied for comparing the gemcitabine resistance among CD44high-expressing cells, shCD44 cells, CD44low-expressing cells and O/E CD44s expressing cells. Functional assays including cell viability, colony formation, invasion, quantitative PCR and western blotting techniques were performed to validate the roles of CD44 and GABRP playing in mediating the gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer cells.

Results

CD44s depletion significantly reduced gemcitabine resistance in shCD44 single clone cells compared to CD44high-expressing cells. Knockdown of CD44 cells formed less colonies, became less invasive and remarkably decreased the mRNA level of GABRP. While overexpression of CD44s had the opposite effect on gemcitabine resistance, colony formation and invasive property. Of note, long term gemcitabine resistant pancreatic cancer cells detected increased expression of CD44 and GABRP. Clinically, GABRP expression was significantly upregulated in the tissues of patients with pancreatic cancer compared to the normal samples, and the overall survival rate of patients with low GABRP expression was longer. CD44 and GABRP co-expression was positively correlated in 178 pancreatic cancer patients.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that GABRP may serve as a CD44s downstream target to diminish gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic cancer, and both CD44s and GABRP molecules have the potential to become prognostic biomarkers for PDAC patients with gemcitabine resistance.
Tucuxi-BLAST: Enabling fast and accurate record linkage of large-scale health-related administrative databases through a DNA-encoded approach
Authors: Araujo José Deney , Santos-e-Silva Juan Carlo , Costa-Martins André Guilherme , Sampaio Vanderson , de Castro Daniel Barros , de Souza Robson F. , Giddaluru Jeevan , Ramos Pablo Ivan P. , Pita Robespierre , Barreto Mauricio L. , Barral-Netto Manoel , Nakaya Helder I.
Published: July 2022

Background

Public health research frequently requires the integration of information from different data sources. However, errors in the records and the high computational costs involved make linking large administrative databases using record linkage (RL) methodologies a major challenge.

Methods

We present Tucuxi-BLAST, a versatile tool for probabilistic RL that utilizes a DNA-encoded approach to encrypt, analyze and link massive administrative databases. Tucuxi-BLAST encodes the identification records into DNA. BLASTn algorithm is then used to align the sequences between databases. We tested and benchmarked on a simulated database containing records for 300 million individuals and also on four large administrative databases containing real data on Brazilian patients.

Results

Our method was able to overcome misspellings and typographical errors in administrative databases. In processing the RL of the largest simulated dataset (200k records), the state-of-the-art method took 5 days and 7 h to perform the RL, while Tucuxi-BLAST only took 23 h. When compared with five existing RL tools applied to a gold-standard dataset from real health-related databases, Tucuxi-BLAST had the highest accuracy and speed. By repurposing genomic tools, Tucuxi-BLAST can improve data-driven medical research and provide a fast and accurate way to link individual information across several administrative databases.
An Extension of the Mixed Effects Model that Includes Correlation within Group Errors
Authors: Nazir Nageena , Mir Shakeel Ahmad , Rather Zahoor Ahmed , Dar Masroor Ahmad
Published: July 2022

Mixed effect models allow for a great deal of flexibility in defining random outcomes, but they limit within-group errors to independent disbursed random variables with a zero mean and constant variance. In addition to its random outcomes for the implied structure, this model is expanded in this paper by including within-group correlated errors. We demonstrate how to accurately predict the model's parameters using a marginal maximum probability (ML) method. The model's accuracy is demonstrated by a real-world example. Additionally, we provide several instructions for correlation systems to represent serial and spatial correlation. Finally, we define how to combine variance features and correlation systems to flexibly model the within-group variance-covariance shape. We also discuss how the lme function can be used to maintain the prolonged linear mixed effects model. And, when compared to other models, the exponential spatial correlation version has the smallest AIC and BIC, making it appear to be the best within-group correlation model.
Lethal dose Examination and Effect of Different Part Extracts of Ageratum conyzoides L on Hematology and Serum Electrolytes of Streptozotocin Induce Diabetic Rats
Authors: Istifanus G. , Luka C. D. , Johnson T. O.
Published: July 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a disease condition caused by decreased insulin production in the pancreas or as a result of the inability of insulin to act on target tissues that activate the absorption of blood glucose. This subsequently leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood. Type 2 diabetes is the most recorded form of diabetes. It accounts for about 80% to 90% of all recorded forms of the disease. The use of plant medicines is a very common practice since ancient times and is considered a much safer and less expensive therapeutic strategy for the management and treatment of various diseases including DM. This study aims to investigate the antidiabetic effect of Ageratum conyzoides as claimed by herbal practitioners and to provide scientific evidence to back up the claim that the plant possesses antidiabetic activity. Standard procedures were deployed in the aqueous extraction of the different parts (leaf, flower, stem, root and all parts) of the plant. A lethal dose of the plant was determined using Lorke’s method. Subsequently, diabetes was induced into albino Wistar rats using streptozotocin at 55mg/kg. 40 rats weighing 180g to 240g were divided into eight groups A to H, and groups B to H were induced with diabetes. Groups A and B were labeled normal and diabetic respectively. C was treated standard drug (Metformin) at 1000mg/kg and groups D, E, F, G, and H were with treated flower, leaf, stem, root, and all parts extracts respectively at 2000mg/kg. Treatment in all groups was done for 28 days after which the rats were sacrificed and assayed for hematological and serum electrolytes. After DM was induced, rats were observed across groups for behavioral changes before, during and after treatment. LD50 of the aqueous extracts of A. conyzoides was found to be above 5000mg/kg. Significant differences were observed in the weights of the various groups at (p<0.05). Furthermore, Na+, K+, and Cl- levels reduced significantly (<0.05), after treatment. Finally, WBC and its indices reduced significantly (p<0.05) while RBC and its indices increased significantly (p<0.05) after treatment. These results show that A. conyzoides possess antihyperglycemic and antilipidemic at 2000mg/kg.
Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on Growth and Yield Attributes of Maize (Zea mays L.) Intercropping System with Green Gram under Island Ecosystem, A&N Islands
Authors: Pandey Sanjay Kumar , Swarnam Vikram Singh T. P. , Singh Viveka Nand , Kashyap Suraj
Published: July 2022

An experiment was conducted during Rabi season of dry months (January to April) of 2016 and 2017 at Field crops Experimental Research Farm Bloomsdale, Chouldhari, ICAR- CIARI, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands to study the Effect of Integrated Nutrient Management on growth and yield attributes of Maize (Zea mays L.) Intercropping System with green gram under Island Ecosystem. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications each consisting of two intercropping 1:1 and 2:2 ratios and eight nutrient sources. The main plots treatments include maize, green gram inter cropping ratio, with 8 nutrient applications. The results indicated that the intercropping of (Maize + Green gram (2:2) + 25% RDN through Urea + 75% N through Poultry Manure + 25% Gliricidia+ Azotobactor) series was found to be the most effective under experimental conditions, gave best result in term of growth yield and character which is statistically at par with N8(25% RDN through Urea + 50 % through PM + 25% Gliricidia + Azot), N7(25% RDN through Urea + 50% N through VC + 25% Gliricidia + Azot.) and N6(25% RDN through Urea +50% N through FYM + 25% Gliricidia + Azot.), gave the maximum net returns and maximum benefit: cost ratio.
A Comparison of Ivermectin and Non Ivermectin Based Regimen for COVID-19 in Abuja: Effects on Virus Clearance, Days-to-discharge and Mortality
Authors: Thairu Y. , Babalola O. E. , Ajayi A. A. , Ndanusa Y. , Ogedengbe J. O. , O. Omede
Published: July 2022

Aim: To compare outcomes from ivermectin (IVM) - and non-ivermectin (NIVM)-based treatments for COVID-19 in Abuja, Nigeria.

Methods: Sixty-one consecutive virology-proven cases were recruited and managed with IVM-based regimes. A subsequent cohort of 26 patients was treated with NIVM due to physician preference, with varying combinations of lopinavir/ritonavir (Alluvia), remdesivir, azithromycin, and enoxapramin. All patients received zinc sulfate, vitamin C and supportive therapy. Propensity matching was carried out as indicated, and Repeat Measures Analysis of Variance (RMANOVA) allowing for time*treatment interaction was carried out for time dependent variables, deriving Likelihood Ratio (LR) and P values.

Main Outcome Measures: Change in cycle threshold (viral load) over time, positivity status by day 5, improvement in clinical status using myalgia scores, days to discharge (DTD), change in SpO2 and death.

Results: IVM was associated with a greater and faster reduction in viral clearance (LR=64.2 p< 0.0001 for the N gene): 31% and 95% were negative by days 5 and 14, respectively, versus 0% on NIVM. The mean DTD on IVM was 8.8 days versus 19.4 days, p< 0.0001. IVM proved significantly superior for Myalgia scores, LR= 23.45, P=0.0007. The mortality rate was 0/61 (0%) in IVM but 4/26 (15.3%) in NIVM. Three of the 4 deaths were in females, and 2 had been vaccinated, one fully. The SP02% increased significantly more on IVM (p < 0.0001 RMANOVA) than the NIVM group. C-reactive protein and D-dimer levels dropped significantly more sharply during IVM (P= 0.0068, 0.063), suggesting anti-inflammatory and antifibrinolytic activity.

Conclusions: The IVM-based regimen caused earlier discharge from treatment and reduced mortality, in addition to clinical and laboratory improvements. Vaccination did not protect some patients from SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection and mortality.
The light‐harvesting chlorophyll a‐c‐binding protein of dinoflagellates: a putative polyprotein
Authors: Hiller Roger G. , Wrench Pamela M. , Sharples Frank P.
Published: July 2002

The principle light‐harvesting chlorophyll a‐c‐binding protein of Amphidinium carterae of 19 kDa is encoded as a polyprotein translated from a 6.1 kb mRNA. The cDNA sequences indicate that each derived polypeptide is contiguous with the next and that the mature peptides are formed by cleavage at a C‐terminal arginine residue. Comparison of the amino‐acid sequences shows the Amphidinium protein to be most closely related to the fucoxanthin‐chlorophyll‐protein (Fcp) of Phaeodactylumand less related to the chlorophyll a‐b‐binding (Cab) proteins including those from Euglena.
Identification of a novel anti‐integrin monoclonal antibody that recognises a ligand‐induced binding site epitope on the β1 subunit
Authors: Mould A.Paul , Garratt Alistair N. , Askari Janet A. , Akiyama Steven K. , Humphries Martin J.
Published: July 2002

Integrins are the major family of receptors involved in the adhesive interactions of cells with extracellular matrix macromolecules. Although it is known that integrins can exist in active or inactive states, the molecular mechanisms by which integrin activity is modulated are poorly understood. A novel anti‐integrin monoclonal antibody, 12G10, that enhances α5β1‐fibronectin interactions has been identified. 12G10 binds to the β1 subunit and appears to recognise a region of the subunit that contains the epitopes of several previously described activating or inhibitory monoclonal antibodies. However, unlike other activating anti‐β1 antibodies, the binding of 12G10 to α5β1 is increased in the presence of ligands (fibronectin fragment or RGD peptide). This is the first report for the β1 integrin family of an antibody that recognises a ligand‐induced binding site, and further emphasises the functional importance of a specific region of the β1 subunit in regulating integrin‐ligand interactions.
Cloning, functional expression and tissue distribution of human α1C‐adrenoceptor splice variants
Authors: Hirasawa Akira , Shibata Katsushi , Horie Kuniko , Takei Yoshinori , Obika Kenji , Tanaka Teruo , Muramoto Noriyuki , Takagaki Kazuchika , Yano Junichi , Tsujimoto Gozoh
Published: July 2002

We report the cloning and characterization of two isoforms of human α
1C‐adrenoceptor cDNA (α
1C‐2, α
C‐3). These isoforms are generated by alternative splicing and differ from the clone we previously isolated (α
1C‐1) in their length and sequences of the C‐terminal domain. Tissue distribution of mRNAs showed that these variants co‐express with α
1C‐1 in the human heart, liver, cerebellum and cerebrum. Despite the structural differences, functional experiments in transfected CHO cells showed that the three isoforms have similar ligand binding properties, and all couple with phospholipase C/Ca2+ signaling pathway.
Activation of PPARδ alters lipid metabolism in db/db mice
Authors: Leibowitz Mark D. , Fiévet Catherine , Hennuyer Nathalie , Peinado-Onsurbe Julia , Duez Hélène , Berger Joel , Cullinan Catherine A. , Sparrow Carl P. , Baffic Joanne , Berger Gregory D. , Santini Conrad , Marquis Robert W. , Tolman Richard L. , Smith Roy G. , Moller David E. , Auwerx Johan
Published: July 2002

Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors (PPARs) are nuclear receptors, which heterodimerize with the retinoid X receptor and bind to peroxisome proliferator response elements in the promoters of regulated genes. Despite the wealth of information available on the function of PPARα and PPARγ, relatively little is known about the most widely expressed PPAR subtype, PPARδ. Here we show that treatment of insulin resistant db/db mice with the PPARδ agonist L‐165 041, at doses that had no effect on either glucose or triglycerides, raised total plasma cholesterol concentrations. The increased cholesterol was primarily associated with high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, as shown by fast protein liquid chromatography analysis. These data were corroborated by the chemical analysis of the lipoproteins isolated by ultracentrifugation, demonstrating that treatment with L‐165 041 produced an increase in circulating HDL without major changes in very low or low density lipoproteins. White adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity was reduced following treatment with the PPARδ ligand, but was increased by a PPARγ agonist. These data suggest both that PPARδ is involved in the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in db/db mice and that PPARδ ligands could potentially have therapeutic value.
Transition to a market and entrepreneurship: the systemic factors and policy options☆
Authors: Kolodko Grzegorz W.
Published: July 2002

The political and ideological concerns aside, the fundamental economic argument in favor of postsocialist transition to a market system has been a supposition that it will improve allocative efficiency and thus the competitiveness of the industries and standard of living of households. It is believed that the shift of property rights from the state to private sector must quickly facilitate such an improvement. Yet in the majority of cases, even after the first decade of transition, the economies have not returned to the path of sustainable growth. The countries tackling the issues of recovery and growth relatively better are these which were able to focus not only on de-nationalization of the state assets, but mainly on the development of venture entrepreneurship. The grass-rooted development of especially small and medium enterprises has contributed significantly to overcoming the transitional depression and then to recovery and fast growth. Yet to accomplish such a sequence specific systemic and policy conditions must be met. To facilitate such a path of development proper institutional arrangements must be executed by the governments, legal framework must be established and the government policies ought to support the rise and competitive performance of the small and medium enterprises (SME). Liberalization is a prerequisite of growth of this sector in transition economies, but is not a sufficient condition. The crucial factors involve the institutional arrangements.
Placebo‐controlled comparison of candoxatril, an orally active neutral endopeptidase inhibitor, and captopril in patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Northridge David B. , Currie Peter F. , Newby David E. , McMurray John J.V. , Ford Michael , Boon Nicholas A. , Dargie Henry J.
Published: July 2002

Aims:

To compare the effects on exercise capacity of the neutral endopeptidase inhibitor candoxatril, and the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor captopril, in patients with mild to moderate heart failure.

Methods:

In this multi‐centre double‐blind placebo controlled study, 60 patients with NYHA Class I–III heart failure were randomised to candoxatril 200 mg b.d. (n = 22), captopril 25–50 mg b.d. (n = 23) or placebo (n = 15), Treadmill exercise tests were carried out weekly during a 5‐week single‐blind placebo run‐in phase until a stable baseline was achieved, and repeated at 4 weekly intervals during the 12‐week double‐blind treatment phase.

Results:

Nine patients withdrew from the study — four candoxatril and five captopril. The placebo‐adjusted increase in exercise duration after 12 weeks was 56 s (95% CI, −26 to + 137 s; P = 0.12) with candoxatril and 37 s (− 40 to + 117 s; P = 0.29) with captopril.

Conclusions:

Both candoxatril and captopril were well tolerated and treadmill exercise duration appeared to increase during 12 weeks of therapy but this did not achieve statistical significance. This study tentatively suggests that in patients with heart failure, neutral endopeptidase inhibition may provide similar symptomatic benefits to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition.
Glass Transition and Thermal Stability of Lactase in Low‐Moisture Amorphous Polymeric Matrices
Authors: Mazzobre María Florencia , del Pilar Buera María , Chirife Jorge
Published: July 2002

The thermal stability of a commercial preparation of neutral lactase (β‐galactosidase) in low‐moisture amorphous polymeric matrices of maltodextrin (MD dextrose equivalent (D.E.) = 10.9) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP; MW 40 000) stored at various temperatures (T) was studied. The main objective was to analyze the usefulness of the glass transition temperature (Tg) as a parameter for predicting the thermal stability of lactase in low‐moisture glass‐forming matrices. Loss of enzyme activity was observed during storage in glassy conditions (either in PVP or MD matrices), suggesting that, although molecular mobility may be significantly decreased in the glassy state, the protein molecule is still mobile enough to lead to enzyme inactivation. The results indicated that the change from the glassy to the rubbery state of the PVP matrix, where the enzyme was embedded, was not reflected in drastic changes in the temperature dependence of the thermal inactivation rate, as expected if it could be only predicted on the basis of physical changes of the matrices. The plasticizing effect of water is not the only factor to take into account when considering enzymatic stability in heated low‐moisture amorphous systems.
Evaluation of the residual antigenicity and allergenicity of cow's milk substitutes by in vitro tests
Authors: Docena G. , Rozenfeld P. , Fernández R. , Fossati C. A.
Published: July 2002

Background:  This study aimed the to investigate presence of residual allergenic cow's milk proteins (CMP) in some milk substitutes employed in the treatment of cow's milk allergy (CMA). These allergens may interfere with the treatment, and elicit allergic reactions in sensitized individuals.

Methods:  The protein composition of the different extracts was evaluated by Lowry's method and tricine SDS‐PAGE. Different immunoenzymatic methods were used (ELISA, EAST and immunoblotting) to quantify total serum IgE and specific serum IgE, as well as to detect the presence of antigenic and allergenic components.

Results:  The results showed a higher protein content in mammalian milks (cow, sheep, mare, goat, and human) than in hydrolyzed substitutes (partially or extensively hydrolyzed casein or whey proteins). Residual native, processed, or contaminant polypeptides have been identified in the moderate hydrolysates, whereas extensive hydrolysates did not show the presence of residual components by immunoblotting. However, specific antibodies with capacity to bind to peptides have been detected by EAST and ELISA, suggesting that extensive hydrolysates contain residual peptides that preserve immunoreactive epitopes. We were unable to demonstrate either residual antigenicity or allergenicity in an amino‐acid‐based formula.

Conclusions:  Immunoenzymatic methods were used to detect the presence of cross‐reactive components in mammalian milks. Residual allergenic components from cow's milk could be identified in both the moderate and extensive hydrolysates analyzed. This information may be relevant to the treatment of CMA.
IgE‐mediated allergy to corn: a 50 kDa protein, belonging to the Reduced Soluble Proteins, is a major allergen
Authors: Pasini G. , Simonato B. , Curioni A. , Vincenzi S. , Cristaudo A. , Santucci B. , Peruffo A. Dal Belin , Giannattasio M.
Published: July 2002

Background: Although corn is often cited as an allergenic food, very few studies have been devoted to the identification of corn allergens and corn allergy has been rarely confirmed by double‐blind, placebo‐controlled food challenge (DBPCFC). Recently, Pastorello et al. (1) identified some salt‐soluble IgE‐binding proteins of corn flour as potential allergens. One of these, corresponding to corn Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP), appeared to be the major one. The aim of this study was to verify the clinical significance of the skin prick test (SPT) and CAP‐FEIA CAP‐System IgE fluozoenzyme immunosorbent assay (Pharmacia Diagnostic, Uppsala, Sweden) positivities to corn and to identify the presence of IgE‐binding proteins in the corn flour salt‐insoluble protein fractions (comprising up to 96% of the total protein) using sera of patients with DBPCFC‐documented food allergy to corn. In addition the effect of cooking and proteolytic digestion on the corn allergens was investigated.

Methods: Sixteen subjects with SPT and CAP‐FEIA positivities to corn flour were examined. Only six of them complained of suffering from urticaria and/or other symptoms after ingestion of corn‐based foods. The patients were food challenged with cooked corn flour (polenta). IgE‐binding proteins were detected by immunoblotting. The digestibility of the IgE‐binding proteins was examined during a pepsin attack followed by a pancreatin digestion performed on a cooked corn flour sample.

Results: Oral challenge was positive only for six patients with symptoms after ingestion of corn. A 50 kDa protein, belonging to the corn Reduced Soluble Protein (RSP) fraction was recognized by the serum IgE of all the DBPCFC‐positive subjects and resulted to be resistant to both heating and peptic/pancreatic digestion. SPT with the purified RSP fraction gave positive results for all of the DBPCFC‐positive patients examined.

Conclusions: SPT and CAP‐FEIA positivities to corn flour had no clinical significance for most of the patients and food allergy to corn has to be proved by DBPCFC. A salt‐unextractable protein of 50 kDa, belonging to the RSP fraction, represents a potential allergen in food hypersensitivity to corn because of its stability to cooking and digestion.
Biphasic regulation of extracellular-signal-regulated protein kinase by leptin in macrophages: role in regulating STAT3 Ser727 phosphorylation and DNA binding
Authors: O'ROURKE Lisa , SHEPHERD Peter R.
Published: July 2002

Activation of the transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) requires dimerization that is induced by phosphorylation of Tyr705, but its activity can be further modulated by phosphorylation at Ser727 in a manner that is dependent on cell context and the stimulus used. The role of STAT3 Ser727 phosphorylation in leptin signalling is currently not known. While cells transfected with the signalling-competent long form of the leptin receptor (ObRb) have been used to study leptin signalling, these are likely to be of limited use in studying STAT3 Ser727 phosphorylation due to the importance of cell background in determining the nature of the response. However, we have recently found that J774.2 macrophages endogenously express high levels of ObRb, and using these cells we find that leptin stimulates STAT3 phosphorylation on both Tyr705 and Ser727. The phosphorylation of Ser727 was not affected by rapamycin or the protein kinase C inhibitor H7 [1-(5-isoquinolinylsulphonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride]. While the MEK-1 [mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase)/extracellular-signal-related kinase (ERK) kinase-1] inhibitor PD98059 [(2-amino-3′-methoxyphenyl)oxanaphthalen-4-one] had no effect on leptin-stimulated phosphorylation of STAT3 Tyr705, it greatly attenuated leptin's effects on STAT3 Ser727 phosphorylation. Further, Ob's effect on the DNA binding activity of STAT3 was also greatly reduced at all time points by PD98059. Leptin-induced ERK activation in J774.2 cells shows a biphasic pattern, with an initial reduction in ERK phosphorylation for up to 10min following leptin stimulation, while at later time points phosphorylation of ERK was increased above basal levels. The increase in ERK activity corresponded with an increase in both phosphorylation of Ser727 and STAT3 DNA binding activity. These data provide the first evidence that ERK-mediated phosphorylation of Ser727 is required for full stimulation of STAT3 by leptin.
Diversity patterns in terrestrial dipteran communities
Authors: HO­Vemeyer Klaus.
Published: July 2002

1. Dipteran communities were studied in five terrestrial habitats [beech forest (BE), oak and hornbeam forest (OH), hedgerow (HE), meadow (ME), alder and willow forest (AW)] using emergence traps and diversity patterns of three trophic groups with soil‐dwelling larvae (zoophages, phytosaprophages and surface scrapers) were analysed in detail.

2. Across habitats, sampling effort was a poor predictor of species richness, and species richness increased more steeply with sample size in the zoophages than in the phytosaprophages and surface scrapers.

3. Point diversity (S/trap) of phytosaprophages and surface scrapers increased (as predicted) with resource heterogeneity in the litter layer, but that of zoophages did not. It is suggested that this may be due to differential resource requirements of the three trophic groups during adult life.

4. Zoophages attained the highest and surface scrapers the lowest values of Shannon diversity, while phytosaprophages were intermediate.

5. Predator:prey ratios differed between habitats; they were particularly high in the meadow and low in the oak and hornbeam forest communities.

6. Species identity (Sorensen index) of soil‐dwelling Diptera arranged habitats in an order of decreasing similarity (BE–OH–HE–ME–AW), but percentage similarity indicated a closer relationship between the meadow and the hedgerow communities [BE–OH–AW–(HE–ME)]. Functional similarity, which was based on the proportional biomass of differently sized trophic groups, was highest between the BE and OH communities, i.e. in the habitats most similar in litter layer and vegetation structure.
The efficiency of systematic sampling in stereology — reconsidered
Authors: GUNDERSEN H. J. G. , JENSEN E. B. V. , KIÊU K. , NIELSEN J.
Published: July 2002

In the present paper, we summarize and further develop recent research in the estimation of the variance of stereological estimators based on systematic sampling. In particular, it is emphasized that the relevant estimation procedure depends on the sampling density. The validity of the variance estimation is examined in a collection of data sets, obtained by systematic sampling. Practical recommendations are also provided in a separate section.
Effect of maternal age, smoking and deprivation on birthweight
Authors: Bonellie
Published: July 2002

Low birthweight is often used as a health indicator. This paper reports the findings of a cohort study, which were analysed to determine the relationship, if any, between the age of the mother and birthweight given the mother’s smoking habits and the level of social deprivation of the mother’s place of residence. The data used were extracted from those data routinely collected by the Information and Statistics Division of the National Health Service, Scotland. Information on 178 801 singleton live births occurring between 1992 and 1994 was used in the analysis. The factors considered were those available directly from the official records. The level of social deprivation was measured using Carstairs index based on the postcode sector. Although younger and older mothers have lighter babies, on average, it was found that this effect can be largely explained by differences in the smoking habits and level of deprivation of the mothers. Birthweight, adjusted for gestational age, sex of the baby and parity of the mother, was significantly lower for babies born to mothers who smoked during pregnancy. It is clear, however, that the detrimental effect of smoking increases with the age of the mother. Although adjusted birthweight was lower for those in areas of high deprivation, this effect is small compared with the effect of smoking. Any attempt to decrease the percentage of low‐birthweight babies must focus on reducing the percentage of mothers who smoke.
Impact of crossing system on relative economic weights of traits in purebred pig populations
Authors: Wolfová M. , Nitter G. , Wolf J. , Fiedler J.
Published: July 2002

The relative economic importance of traits was calculated for various crossbreeding systems in pigs. The influence of the following three factors on the relation of standardised and discounted economic weights (SDEW) for reproduction and production traits was investigated: (i) the position of breeds in the crossing system, (ii) the use of breed‐sex groups for mating in different tiers and (iii) the level of the management input parameters. The SDEW for each trait was calculated as the product of the marginal economic value, the genetic standard deviation and the number of discounted expressions. The ratio of SDEW for reproduction traits to SDEW for production traits was from 3 : 1 to 3.7 : 1 which is about twice the value of the corresponding ratio of undiscounted standardized economic weights (1.7 : 1). There were small differences in the ratio of standardized economic weights for number born alive and average daily gain (SDEWR) between males and females used for mating in the same tiers within a given crossing system (less than 1%). In each breed‐sex group, there were significant differences in the SDEWR (up to 24%) dependent on the use of this group for mating in different tiers within a given crossing system or in different crossing systems. This means that clients at multiplier and commercial levels should rank the genetic merit of their breeding stock differently from that of a common breeding objective. In crossing systems with two dam breeds without reciprocal crossing, the SDEWR was higher in the breed used in granddam position than in the breed used in grandsire position (about 20% under Czech conditions). Changes in the management parameters had only a minor impact on the SDEWR.
Pituitary tuberculoma mimicking adenoma: Magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Kumar Navnit , Singh Surendra , Kuruvilla Asha
Published: July 2002

A case of a pituitary mass with clinical and MRI findings consistent with adenoma is presented. Transnasal transphenoidal excision biopsy showed it to be a pituitary tuberculoma. The patient was treated with antituberculous drugs, and a follow‐up MRI 18 months later showed good response. MRI features and a review of published reports of the sellar tuberculoma are briefly discussed.
The effect of oral selenium supplementation on human sperm motility
Authors: Scott  , Macpherson  , Yates  , Hussain  , Dixon
Published: July 2002

Objectives

 To determine whether the decline in selenium intake and selenium status in men in the West of Scotland might be a contributory factor to male subfertility.

Patients and methods

 Two semen samples were collected from patients attending a subfertility clinic and those patients with samples showing reduced motility were invited to participate in an ethically approved double‐blind clinically controlled trial with informed consent. Sixty‐nine patients were recruited and received either placebo, selenium alone or selenium plus vitamins A, C and E daily for 3 months. A further semen sample was collected at the end of the trial. Plasma selenium status was determined at the beginning and end of the trial period, as was total sperm density and motility.

Results

 Plasma selenium concentrations were significantly (P<0.001) higher in both selenium‐treated groups than in controls. No significant effect of treatment on sperm density was recorded. Sperm motility increased in both selenium‐treated groups, in contrast to a slight decline in the placebo group, but the difference was not significant. However, as the provision of additional vitamins had no effect on any variable measured it was considered justified to combine the two selenium‐treated groups and compare them with the placebo treatment. On this basis, selenium treatment significantly (P<0.002) increased plasma selenium concentrations and sperm motility (P=0.023) but sperm density was again unaffected. Five men (11%) achieved paternity in the treatment group, in contrast to none in the placebo group.

Conclusion

 This trial confirms the result of an earlier study, that selenium supplementation in subfertile men with low selenium status can improve sperm motility and the chance of successful conception. However, not all patients responded; 56% showed a positive response to treatment. The low selenium status of patients not supplemented again highlights the inadequate provision of this essential element in the Scottish diet.
The future of magnetic resonance‐based techniques in neurology
Authors:   European Federation of Neurological Societies Task Force
Published: July 2002

Magnetic resonance techniques have become increasingly important in neurology for defining:

1 brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve or muscle structure;

2 pathological changes in tissue structures and properties; and

3 dynamic patterns of functional activation of the brain.

New applications have been driven in part by advances in hardware, particularly improvements in magnet and gradient coil design. New imaging strategies allow novel approaches to contrast with, for example, diffusion imaging, magnetization transfer imaging, perfusion imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging. In parallel with developments in hardware and image acquisition have been new approaches to image analysis. These have allowed quantitative descriptions of the image changes to be used for a precise, non‐invasive definition of pathology. With the increasing capabilities and specificity of magnetic resonance techniques it is becoming more important that the neurologist is intimately involved in both the selection of magnetic resonance studies for patients and their interpretation. There is a need for considerably improved access to magnetic resonance technology, particularly in the acute or intensive care ward and in the neurosurgical theatre. This report illustrates several key developments. The task force concludes that magnetic resonance imaging is a major clinical tool of growing significance and offers recommendations for maximizing the potential future for magnetic resonance techniques in neurology.
XI MIGRAINE TRUST INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM, 9–12 September 1996 Abstracts of Papers Presented
Authors: Kennard C
Published: July 2002

The International Symposium in London, organized by The Migraine Trust, has been a regular biennial event for over twenty years. It has always provided an excellent forum for the dissemination of the latest observations in headache research. Now, through the generous cooperation of the Editor, the Trust is delighted to have the opportunity for the research to be presented in September to reach a wider audience by publication of the abstracts in this journal.
Divalproex Sodium in Migraine Prophylaxis
Authors: Klapper J ,   on behalf of the Divalproex Sodium in Migraine Prophylaxis Study Group
Published: July 2002

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of divalproex sodium (DVPX) when used as prophylactic monotherapy in patients with migraine. Design: Multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group. Patients were previously untreated or had failed no more than two adequate trials of prophylactic therapy. During the 4-week (single-blind) baseline, patients received placebo and completed a headache diary. Patients with two or more migraine attacks during the baseline were randomized to receive a DVPX daily dose of 500, 1000, or 1500 mg, or to placebo. The experimental phase (EP) lasted 12 weeks, the first 4 weeks for dose escalation to randomized dose, and the remaining 8 weeks for maintenance at that dose. The primary efficacy variable was 4-week migraine attack frequency during the EP. Results: One-hundred-and-seventy-six patients (44 placebo, 132 DVPX) were randomized; 171 provided efficacy data and 137 completed the study. During the EP, after adjustment for differences in baseline migraine attack frequencies, mean reductions in the DVPX groups were 1.7 (500 mg), 2.0 (1000 mg) and 1.7 (1500 mg) migraine attacks per 4 weeks compared to a mean reduction of 0.5 migraine attacks in the placebo group ( p 0.05 vs placebo). Forty-four to 45% of DVPX-treated patients, compared to 21% of patients in the placebo group achieved 50% reduction in their migraine attack frequencies ( p 0.05 vs placebo). The recommended initial dose of DVPX in migraine prophylaxis is 500 mg per day, although some patients may benefit from higher doses. Adverse events were similar in the DVPX and placebo treatment groups except for nausea, dizziness and tremor, in which incidence rates were significantly higher in the DVPX 1500 mg group (nausea was also higher in 500 mg group) than in the placebo group. Conclusion: Divalproex sodium is an effective prophylactic treatment in migraine and is generally well tolerated.
Possible Medication Errors in Home Healthcare Patients
Authors: Meredith Sarah , Feldman Penny H. , Frey Dennee , Hall Kathi , Arnold Kristina , Brown Nancy J. , Ray Wayne A.
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of possible medication errors in a population of older home healthcare patients according to expert panel objective criteria.

DESIGN: A cross‐sectional survey.

SETTING: Two of the largest urban home healthcare agencies in the United States.

PARTICIPANTS: Home healthcare patients age 65 and older admitted to selected offices of these agencies between October 1996 and September 1998.

MEASUREMENTS: We used two sets of consensus‐based expert panel criteria to define possible medication errors. The Home Health Criteria identify patients with patterns of medication use and signs and symptoms that indicate sufficient likelihood of a medication‐related problem to warrant reevaluating the patient. The Beers criteria identify medications that experts have deemed generally inappropriate for older patients.

RESULTS: The 6,718 study subjects took a median of five drugs; 19% were taking nine or more medications. A possible medication error was identified for 19% of patients according to Home Health Criteria, 17% according to the Beers criteria, and 30% according to either. Possible errors increased linearly with number of medications taken. When patients taking one to three medications were compared with those taking nine or more drugs, the percentages with possible errors were, respectively, 10% and 32% for the Home Health Criteria, 8% and 32% for the Beers criteria, and 16% and 50% for both.

CONCLUSION: Nearly one‐third of the home healthcare patients surveyed had evidence of a potential medication problem or were taking a drug considered inappropriate for older people. More‐effective methods are needed to improve medication use in this vulnerable population. J Am Geriatr Soc 49:719–724, 2001.
Cytoskeletal Drugs and Gravity‐Induced Lateral Auxin Transport in Rice Coleoptiles
Authors: Godbolé R. , Michalke W. , Nick P. , Hertel R.
Published: July 2002

Abstract: Gravity‐induced events such as amyloplast sedimentation and lateral auxin transport were probed with cytoskeletal drugs in coleoptiles of rice (Oryza sativa L.). Amyloplast sedimentation was retarded by taxol. Lateral transport of auxin (3H‐indoleacetic acid) was strongly inhibited by EPC (ethyl N‐phenylcarbamate), but only partially inhibited by taxol. 1 mM EPC reduced gravitropism while phototropism was not affected. The findings suggest that microtubules may transduce pressure or proximity of amyloplasts to the auxin exporter in the plasmalemma.
One step method to produce hydrogen by a triple stack amorphous silicon solar cell
Authors: Lin G. H. , Kapur M. , Kainthla R. C. , Bockris J. O’M.
Published: July 2002

A new direct one step method to split the water into hydrogen and oxygen by using a triple stack amorphous silicon solar cell with an n-i-p-n-i-p-n-i-p structure is reported. The ruthenium oxide layer, which is directly painted on the back surface of the solar cell, catalytically aids the evolution of the oxygen. The isolated islands of platinum deposited on the top side of the cell materially help the production of hydrogen. The conversion efficiency of 5% of solar to chemical energy in steady state is achieved under simulated AM1, 100 mW/cm2 solar radiation.
Role of the substrate in enhancing the magneto-optic response of ultrathin films: Fe on Au
Authors: Moog E. R. , Bader S. D. , Zak J.
Published: July 2002

Simulations are presented for the magneto-optic rotation and ellipticity as a function of Fe thickness in the 0–400 Å range for the system Fe on Au (100). The results, which are based on tabulated bulk optical constants, agree with recent experiments and explicitly demonstrate the role of the Au underlayer in enhancing the signal from the ferromagnetic overlayer.
X-pinch soft x-ray source for microlithography
Authors: Hammer D. A. , Kalantar D. H. , Mittal K. C. , Qi N.
Published: July 2002

A novel soft x-ray source for submicron resolution lithography is described. Exploratory experiments with the x-pinch dense plasma radiation source have been performed using a 500 kA, 40 ns pulsed power generator. About 33 J of magnesium K-shell radiation (1.3–1.5 keV) and 10 J of aluminum K-shell radiation (1.6–1.7 keV) have been produced in a source approximately 0.5 mm or less in diameter during a single pulse. The yield increased rapidly with current, implying the possibility of exposing a resist at a distance of 40 cm using a<750 kA pulser in as few as ten pulses.
Subpicosecond time-resolved studies of coherent phonon oscillations in thin-film YBa2Cu3O6+x (x<0.4)
Authors: Chwalek J. M. , Uher C. , Whitaker J. F. , Mourou G. A. , Agostinelli J. A.
Published: July 2002

We report the results of the first time-resolved observation of impulsively generated coherent optical phonon oscillations in the semiconducting cuprate compound YBa2Cu3O6+x (x<0.4). The oscillations, which were probed through time-resolved transmissivity modulation, had a period of 237 fs at room temperature, corresponding to a Raman active mode of A1g symmetry at 142 cm−1. No oscillations were observed in the superconducting form of Y-Ba-Cu-O either above or below Tc. The amplitude, frequency, and linewidth of this mode were measured over a temperature range from ∼7 K to room temperature.
Epitaxial growth of cubic and hexagonal GaN on GaAs by gas-source molecular-beam epitaxy
Authors: Okumura H. , Misawa S. , Yoshida S.
Published: July 2002

GaN epilayers were grown on GaAs substrates by gas-source molecular-beam-epitaxy technique using dimethylhydrazine as a nitrogen source. It was found that cubic GaN grows on GaAs (001) surfaces epitaxially, while hexagonal GaN grows on GaAs (111) surfaces, from the analyses of x-ray diffraction and reflection high-energy electron diffraction patterns. Cathodoluminescence measurements suggested that the band-gap energy of cubic GaN is around 0.37 eV larger than that of hexagonal GaN.