bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Plants with traditional uses and activities, relevant to the management of Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders
Authors: Howes Melanie‐Jayne R. , Perry Nicolette S. L. , Houghton Peter J.
Published: January 2003

In traditional practices of medicine, numerous plants have been used to treat cognitive disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other memory related disorders. An ethnopharmacological approach has provided leads to identifying potential new drugs from plant sources, including those for memory disorders. There are numerous drugs available in Western medicine that have been directly isolated from plants, or are derived from templates of compounds from plant sources. For example, some alkaloids from plant sources have been investigated for their potential in AD therapy, and are now in clinical use (e.g. galantamine from Galanthus nivalis L. is used in the United Kingdom). Various other plant species have shown favourable effects in AD, or pharmacological activities indicating the potential for use in AD therapy. This article reviews some of the plants and their active constituents that have been used in traditional medicine, including Ayurvedic, Chinese, European and Japanese medicine, for their reputed cognitive‐enhancing and antidementia effects. Plants and their constituents with pharmacological activities that may be relevant to the treatment of cognitive disorders, including enhancement of cholinergic function in the central nervous system, anti‐cholinesterase (anti‐ChE), antiinflammatory, antioxidant and oestrogenic effects, are discussed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Standard Operating Procedures for clinical research personnel – Part 15
Authors: Bohaychuk Wendy , Ball Graham
Published: January 2003

This is the 15th in a series of articles containing proposals for wording and content of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for clinical research activities conducted by sponsors and Contract Research Organisations (CROs). The procedures include those required by the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many other guidelines and regulations, and ‘best practice’ observed by the authors. The model forms require modification for actual use. In this article, SOPs are presented for review of source documents and case report forms: source documents versus Case Report Forms [CRFs] (SOP 403) and source data verification and CRF review at study sites (SOP 404). (The full text of all 101 SOPs is available from the authors.) Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Principles in quality assurance. Part 2. Don't hide behind the regulations
Authors: Jones Anthony B.
Published: January 2003

In order to achieve and sustain effective compliance with the quality regulations, an understanding of the rationale for compliance must be developed throughout an organization. Developing such an organizational understanding is difficult to attain through training based solely on the text of the regulations or the company's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). These do have their place, but there is too much information, and the effects of training dissipate rapidly because personnel cannot effectively retain detailed information. In our organization, we undertook a process of simplification of the regulations, in an attempt to define the smallest number of basic quality principles that are embodied in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and associated regulations. The systematic application of these quality principles is a mechanism by which Quality Assurance (QA) can be clear and consistent in its monitoring and training activities. This process empowers all personnel to make correct compliance decisions without having to consult the detail of the regulations at every turn. The establishment and application of this concept at a bioanalytical contract research laboratory is described in this article. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interference avoidance and multiuser MIMO systems
Authors: Popescu Dimitrie C. , Rose Christopher
Published: January 2003

We apply interference avoidance methods to multiuser systems with multiple inputs and multiple outputs (MIMO) such as would be used on the uplink (or in overlapping downlink footprints) for satellite systems with multiple antennas. An arbitrary signal space can be used and the method can be applied to any MIMO system model regardless of the choice signal basis functions. Information is transmitted via multicode CDMA where symbols that comprise the data frame from a given user are ‘spread’ over the available dimensions using a precoding matrix. Optimal precoding matrices that maximize signal‐to‐interference plus noise‐ratio for all symbols/users are then obtained by application of distributed greedy interference avoidance methods. In general, algorithms based on greedy interference avoidance are different from water filling schemes. However, the codeword ensembles obtained provide similar simultaneous water filling solutions and thus maximize sum capacity. Numerical simulations have been performed and the signal‐to‐noise ratio distribution for receiver antennas and complementary cumulative distribution functions for sum capacity with optimal precoding matrices are also presented. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive parallel interference cancellation receiver in CDMA satellite system
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhu Jinkang
Published: January 2003

Future satellite communication systems will be characterized by broadband, multimedia services, and large capacity of mobile terminals. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) system with multiple spot‐beams per satellite using Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) is a good choice. In this paper, an adaptive parallel interference cancellation detector is proposed for reverse link with both intra‐beam and inter‐beam multiple access interference (MAI). The proposed linear adaptive receiver achieves essential advantages with respect to MAI with a little more complex than the conventional matched‐filter receiver. The receiver structure is all feed‐forward and more stable than many other multiuser detectors. We then study several adaptive algorithms with the aid of training sequence, and compare them with blind algorithm in order to find the good tradeoff among the performance, complexity and bandwidth‐extension. With only small modification, the receiver can work well in multirate cases which are usually hopeful in multimedia services. With the test of simulations under AWGN and time‐varying Rician channels, the proposed receiver can reach good performance with considerable increasing user capacity. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A low complexity partially adaptive CDMA receiver for downlink mobile satellite communications
Authors: Lin Gau‐Joe , Lee Ta‐Sung
Published: January 2003

A novel CDMA receiver with enhanced interference suppression is proposed for pilot symbols assisted mobile satellite systems in the presence of frequency offset. The design of the receiver involves the following procedure. First, adaptive correlators are constructed at different fingers, based on the scheme of generalized sidelobe canceller (GSC), to collect the multipath signals and suppress multi‐access interference (MAI). In particular, a partially adaptive (PA) realization of the GSC correlators is proposed based on the Krylov subspace technique, leading to an efficient algorithm without the need of complicated matrix computations. Second, pilot symbols assisted frequency offset estimation, channel estimation and RAKE combining give the estimate of signal symbols. Finally, further performance enhancement is achieved by an iterative scheme in which the signal is reconstructed and subtracted from the GSC correlators input, leading to faster convergence of the receiver. The proposed low complexity PA receiver is suitable or the downlink of mobile satellite CDMA systems, and shown to outperform the conventional fully adaptive MMSE receiver by using a small number of pilot symbols. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimum filtration of NB interference in DS‐CDMA satellite systems
Authors: Pawelec Józef J. , Piotrowski Rafał
Published: January 2003

The narrow‐band interference can occur as an overlap of two system's bandwidths or as a result of co‐operation of several systems with partially joint bandwidths. It can be also a result of partial‐band jamming. There is no general method for combating this interference. Viterbi algorithm with interleaving fails in the case of DS‐CDMA. This paper presents a linear optimum method that exploits an old whitening phenomenon in a novel DSP framework. A short outline of the theory and a simulation example of DS‐BPSK detection in high‐pass noise are given. The obtained results show high effectiveness of the method. An example of its implementation into the concrete satellite receiver is presented. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo muscarinic 2 receptor imaging in cognitively normal young and older volunteers
Authors: Podruchny Teresa A. , Connolly Catherine , Bokde Arun , Herscovitch Peter , Eckelman William C. , Kiesewetter Dale O. , Sunderland Trey , Carson Richard E. , Cohen Robert M.
Published: January 2003

The precise effects of normal aging on the cholinergic system are unknown, as both in vitro and PET studies have shown conflicting results. In vivo determination of muscarinic receptor distribution and density has been hampered by both poor subtype selectivity and/or blood–brain barrier permeability of known ligands. Previous in vitro and in vivo work with the F‐18 labeled muscarinic agonist, 3‐(3‐ (3‐[18F]Flouropropyl)thio)‐1,2,5‐thiadiazol‐4‐yl)‐1,2,5,6‐tetrahydro‐1‐methylpyridine (18FP‐TZTP) suggested the use of 18FP‐TZTP to selectively quantify M2 receptors in humans. In this study, we used 18FP‐TZTP to infer M2 receptor avidity in the brains of 15 healthy younger subjects (mean age = 28.3 ± 5.5 years) and 20 healthy older subjects (mean age = 62.1 ± 7.7 years). Corrections for subject motion during the 120‐min acquisition and partial voluming (PVC) were performed. A one‐tissue compartment model was used to estimate the volumes of distribution (VT) of 18FP‐TZTP. Within both groups of subjects, volumes of distribution (K1/k2) in cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar areas were consistent with M2 receptor topography. Compared to younger subjects older subjects had significantly higher means and standard deviations for the volumes of distribution of 18FP‐TZTP throughout much of the cerebellum, cortex, and subcortex (Global Gray VT = 742 ± 163 in older subjects and 645 ± 74 in younger subjects, P < 0.03). Across all subjects 18FP‐TZTP, regional, and Global Gray distribution volumes were significantly correlated to age (Global Gray VT, r = 0.41, P < 0.01). A lower concentration of acetylcholine in the synapse of some older subjects is one possible explanation for the data. Synapse 48:39–44, 2003. Published 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
D1 dopamine receptor regulates alcohol‐motivated behaviors in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in alcohol‐preferring (P) rats
Authors: Eiler William J.A. , Seyoum Regat , Foster Katrina L. , Mailey Chaz , June Harry L.
Published: January 2003

Recent studies have implicated the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) as a potential brain substrate for mediating drug‐related behaviors. Neuroanatomical studies have demonstrated that reciprocal projections exist from the BST to the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a dopamine reward substrate proposed to play a role in alcohol abuse. In the present study, we evaluated the role of the D1 and D2 dopamine receptors of the BST in regulating alcohol and sucrose‐motivated behaviors. Alcohol‐preferring (P) rats were trained under an FR4 operant schedule to self‐administer either EtOH (10% v/v) or sucrose (2% w/v). Following training, we evaluated the capacity of a competitive D1 (SCH 23390; 0.5–20.0 μg) and a D2 (eticlopride; 0.5–20.0 μg) dopamine antagonist to selectively reduce EtOH‐maintained responding. Naltrexone, (5–30.0 μg), the nonselective opioid antagonist, was used as a reference agent. The results showed that SCH 23390 dose‐dependently reduced alcohol‐motivated responding. Responding was reduced with the 20.0 μg dose to about 97% of control levels. SCH 23390 also reduced sucrose responding; however, the magnitude of effects was substantially lower with the highest doses (2.5, 20.0 μg) (68–79% of control levels). In contrast, eticlopride failed to significantly alter alcohol responding and reduced sucrose responding only with the 10.0 μg dose. Unlike the dopamine antagonists, all naltrexone doses failed to alter EtOH or sucrose‐maintained responding. The results suggest a salient role for the D1, but not the D2 and opioid receptors in selectively modulating EtOH‐motivated behaviors in the BST. Synapse 48:45–56, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolation and characterization of the plasma membrane biotin transporter from Schizosaccharomyces pombe
Authors: Stolz Jürgen
Published: January 2003

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is auxotrophic for biotin (vitamin H) and growth depends on biotin uptake over the plasma membrane. Here a biotin transport mutant of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used to identify the vht1+ gene encoding the Schizosaccharomyces pombe plasma membrane transport protein for biotin. SpVht1p belongs to the family of allantoate transporters and has only little sequence homology to the S. cerevisiae biotin transporter. Although having dissimilar primary structures, the biotin transporters in Sz. pombe and S. cerevisiae share similar biochemical properties and regulation. Like in S. cerevisiae, biotin uptake in Sz. pombe is a high‐affinity process, is optimal at acidic pH values and inhibited by protonophores, indicating that SpVht1p acts as a proton–biotin symporter. Desthiobiotin, the metabolic precursor of biotin, is also imported by SpVht1p. Deletion of vht1+ abolishes growth on low external concentrations of the vitamin, showing that vht1+ encodes the only protein that mediates biotin uptake in Sz. pombe. Expression of vht1+ is maximal at low external biotin concentrations, indicating that Sz. pombe can adjust the rate of biotin uptake to meet the requirement for the vitamin. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Function of Candida glabrata ABC transporter gene, PDH1
Authors: Izumikawa Koichi , Kakeya Hiroshi , Tsai Huei‐Fung , Grimberg Brian , Bennett John E.
Published: January 2003

The rapid increase in azole resistance during treatment of patients infected with Candida glabrata may be due to increased azole efflux mediated by ABC transporters, as occurs with increased expression of PDR5 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two known C. glabrata homologues of PDR5 influencing azole susceptibility are PDH1 (CgCDR2) and CgCDR1. Disruption of PDH1 in a cgcdr1::ura3 strain increased susceptibility to rhodamine 6G, cycloheximide and chloramphenicol, and also increased rhodamine 6G accumulation, all properties of pdr5 null mutants. Overexpression of PDH1 in S. cerevisiae complemented the pdr5 mutation by reversing susceptibility to rhodamine 6G, chloramphenicol and cycloheximide, as well as by decreasing rhodamine 6G intracellular concentration. Expression of PDH1 in a C. glabrata cgcdr1::ura3 pdh1Δ::ura3 mutant using a multicopy plasmid almost completely restored the wild‐type phenotype, showing that PDH1 at higher levels of expression can replace CgCDR1. Because PDH1 and CgCDR1 have both been reported to have upstream sequences similar to the Pdr1p‐ and Pdr3p‐binding elements of PDR5, we sought similarities in regulation between the three genes. Abundance of PDH1 and CgCDR1 mRNA in C. glabrata was increased by rhodamine 6G, cycloheximide and oligomycin, properties in common with PDR5. PDH1, CgCDR1 and PDR5 have striking similarities in function and regulation. Published in 2003 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estrogen regulation of Pak1 and FKHR pathways in breast cancer cells
Authors: Mazumdar Abhijit , Kumar Rakesh
Published: January 2003

Stimulation of p21‐activated kinase‐1 (Pak1) and estradiol‐estrogen receptor‐α in mammary cancer cells promotes cell survival. We sought to determine whether estrogen stimulates the Pak1 pathway. We found that estrogen rapidly activated Pak1 kinase activity in a phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase‐insensitive manner. Furthermore, estrogen induced phosphorylation and perinuclear localization of the cell survival forkhead transcription factor FKHR in the cytoplasm in a Pak1‐dependent manner. In addition, Pak1 directly interacted with FKHR and phosphorylated it. The noticed phosphorylation‐dependent exclusion of FKHR from the nucleus impaired the ability of FKHR to activate its target Fas ligand promoter containing the FKHR binding motif (FRE) in cells treated with estrogen or expressing catalytically active Pak1. In contrast, expression of the dominant‐negative auto‐inhibitory domain of Pak1 (Pak amino acids 83–149) promoted the ability of FKHR to activate transcription from FRE. Together, these results identify a novel signaling pathway linking estrogen action to Pak1 signaling, and Pak1 to FKHR, suggesting that Pak1 is an important mediator of estrogen's cell survival functions.
Molecular dynamics simulations of a K+ channel blocker: Tc1 toxin from Tityus cambridgei
Authors: Grottesi Alessandro , Sansom Mark S.P.
Published: January 2003

Toxins that block voltage‐gated potassium (Kv) channels provide a possible template for improved homology models of the Kv pore. In assessing the interactions of Kv channels and their toxins it is important to determine the dynamic flexibility of the toxins. Multiple 10 ns duration molecular dynamics simulations combined with essential dynamics analysis have been used to explore the flexibility of four different Kv channel‐blocking toxins. Three toxins (Tc1, AgTx and ChTx) share a common fold. They also share a common pattern of conformational dynamics, as revealed by essential dynamics analysis of the simulation results. This suggests that some aspects of dynamic behaviour are conserved across a single protein fold class. In each of these three toxins, the residue exhibiting minimum flexibility corresponds to a conserved lysine residue that is suggested to interact with the filter domain of the channel. Thus, comparative simulations reveal functionally important conservation of molecular dynamics as well as protein fold across a family of related toxins.
Mouse brain serine racemase catalyzes specific elimination of L‐serine to pyruvate
Authors: Střı́šovský Kvido , Jirásková Jana , Bařinka Cyril , Majer Pavel , Rojas Camilo , Slusher Barbara S , Konvalinka Jan
Published: January 2003

D‐Serine was previously identified in mammalian brain and was shown to be a co‐agonist at the ‘glycine’ site of the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA)‐type receptors. Racemization of serine is catalyzed by serine racemase, a pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate‐dependent enzyme expressed mainly in brain and liver. NMDA receptor overactivation has been implicated in a number of pathological conditions and inhibitors of serine racemase are thus potentially interesting targets for therapy. We expressed recombinant mouse serine racemase in insect cells and purified it to near homogeneity. The enzyme is a non‐covalent homodimer in solution and requires divalent cations Mg2+, Ca2+ or Mn2+ for activity but not for dimerization. In addition to the racemization it also catalyzes specific elimination of L‐Ser to pyruvate. D‐Serine is eliminated much less efficiently. Both L‐serine racemization and elimination activities of serine racemase are of comparable magnitude, display alkaline pH optimum and are negligible below pH 6.5.
Interaction of the disordered terminal regions of flagellin upon flagellar filament formation
Authors: Gugolya Zoltán , Muskotál Adél , Sebestyén Anett , Diószeghy Zoltán , Vonderviszt Ferenc
Published: January 2003

Helical filaments of bacterial flagella are built up by a self‐assembly process from thousands of flagellin subunits. To clarify how the disordered terminal regions of flagellin interact upon filament formation, polymerization ability of various terminally truncated fragments was investigated. Fragments deprived of 19 N‐terminal residues were able to bind to the end of filaments, however, only a single layer was formed. Removal of C‐terminal segments or truncation at both ends resulted in the complete loss of binding ability. Our observations are consistent with the coiled‐coil model of filament formation, which suggests that the α‐helical N‐ and C‐terminal regions of axially adjacent subunits form an interlocking pattern of helical bundles upon polymerization.
Antibacterial activity of peptides derived from envelope glycoproteins of HIV‐1
Authors: Cole Alexander M. , Liao Hsiang-I , Ganz Tomas , Yang Otto O.
Published: January 2003

Recent reports have highlighted the anti‐HIV‐1 activities of defensins, whose structure and charge resemble portions of the HIV‐1 transmembrane envelope glycoprotein gp41. The current report explores the obverse, whether peptides derived from HIV‐1 envelope glycoproteins can exert antimicrobial activity. Fifteen‐residue peptides spanning the entire sequence of HIV‐1MN gp120 and gp41 were subjected to radial diffusion assays against laboratory strains of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes. Twenty‐four active peptides corresponded predominantly to membrane‐active domains of gp120 and gp41. Several peptides retained significant activity in higher ionic conditions and may serve as templates for the development of novel peptide antibiotics. The strategies employed herein could uncover additional antimicrobial peptides from envelope proteins of other lytic viruses.
Ubiquitin binding proteins protect ubiquitin conjugates from disassembly
Authors: Hartmann-Petersen Rasmus , Hendil Klavs B , Gordon Colin
Published: January 2003

As a step in their turnover proteins in eukaryotic cells are coupled to a small protein, ubiquitin, before they are recognised by 26S proteasomes and degraded. However, cells also contain many deubiquitinating enzymes, which can rescue proteins by cleaving off the ubiquitin chains. Here we report that three ubiquitin binding proteins, Rhp23, Dph1 and Pus1, from fission yeast can protect multiubiquitin conjugates against deubiquitination. This protection depends on the ubiquitin binding domains and may promote degradation of ubiquitinated proteins.
Solution structure of a tmRNA‐binding protein, SmpB, from Thermus thermophilus
Authors: Someya Tatsuhiko , Nameki Nobukazu , Hosoi Haruko , Suzuki Sakura , Hatanaka Hideki , Fujii Michiko , Terada Takaho , Shirouzu Mikako , Inoue Yorinao , Shibata Takehiko , Kuramitsu Seiki , Yokoyama Shigeyuki , Kawai Gota
Published: January 2003

Small protein B (SmpB) is required for trans‐translation, binding specifically to tmRNA. We show here the solution structure of SmpB from an extremely thermophilic bacterium, Thermus thermophilus HB8, determined by heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance methods. The core of the protein consists of an antiparallel β‐barrel twisted up from eight β‐strands, each end of which is capped with the second or third helix, and the first helix is located beside the barrel. Its C‐terminal sequence (20 residues), which is rich in basic residues, shows a poorly structured form, as often seen in isolated ribosomal proteins. The results are discussed in relation to the oligonucleotide binding fold.
Slow and persistent increase of [Ca2+]c in response to ligation of surface IgM in WEHI‐231 cells
Authors: Nam Joo Hyun , Yoon Sang Soon , Kim Tae Jin , Uhm Dae-Yong , Kim Sung Joon
Published: January 2003

WEHI‐231 and Bal 17 B cell lines are representative models for immature and mature B cells, respectively. Their regulation of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]c) was compared using fura‐2 fluorescence ratiometry. The ligation of B cell antigen receptor (BCR) by anti‐IgM antibody induced a slow but large increase of [Ca2+]c in WEHI‐231 cells while not in Bal 17 cells. The thapsigargin‐induced store‐operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) of Bal 17 cells reached a steady state which was blocked by 2‐aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2‐APB). On the contrary, the thapsigargin‐induced SOCE of WEHI‐231 cells increased continuously, which was accelerated by 2‐APB. The increase of [Ca2+]c by BCR ligation was also enhanced by 2‐APB in WEHI‐231 cells while blocked in Bal 17 cells. The Mn2+ quenching study showed that the thapsigargin‐, or the BCR ligation‐induced Ca2+ influx pathway of WEHI‐231 was hardly permeable to Mn2+. The intractable increase of [Ca2+]c may explain the mechanism of BCR‐driven apoptosis of WEHI‐231 cells, a well‐known model of clonal deletion of autoreactive immature B cells.
Relevance of the proximal domain in the amino‐terminus of HERG channels for regulation by a phospholipase C‐coupled hormone receptor
Authors: Gómez-Varela David , Barros Francisco , Viloria Cristina G , Giráldez Teresa , Manso Diego G , Dupuy Silvia G , Miranda Pablo , de la Peña Pilar
Published: January 2003

We used Xenopus oocytes co‐expressing thyrotropin‐releasing hormone (TRH) receptors and human ether‐a‐go‐go‐related gene (HERG) K+ channel variants carrying different amino‐terminal modifications to check the relevance of the proximal domain for hormonal regulation of the channel. Deletion of the whole proximal domain (Δ138–373) eliminates TRH‐induced modifications in activation and deactivation parameters. TRH effects on activation are also suppressed with channels lacking the second half of the proximal domain or only residues 326–373. However, normal responses to TRH are obtained with Δ346–373 channels. Thus, whereas residues 326–345 are required for the hormonal modulation of HERG activation, different proximal domain sequences contribute to set HERG gating characteristics and its regulation by TRH.
In plants the alc gene expression system responds more rapidly following induction with acetaldehyde than with ethanol
Authors: Junker Björn H. , Chu Chengcai , Sonnewald Uwe , Willmitzer Lothar , Fernie Alisdair R.
Published: January 2003

It has recently been proposed that acetaldehyde is the physiological inducer of the alc gene system and hence indirectly the activator of the AlcA promoter in Aspergillus nidulans. Here we show that this chemical induces expression of a GUS (β‐D‐glucuronidase) reporter under the control of the alc gene system in transgenic potato tubers more rapidly than ethanol allowing tighter control of transgene expression. Furthermore by analysis of metabolite levels we demonstrate that the application of inducer has few effects on metabolism. We propose that this system is therefore ideal for the temporal regulation of important metabolic enzyme activities.
Interplay between hnRNP A1 and a cis‐acting element in the 3′ UTR of CYP2A5 mRNA is central for high expression of the gene
Authors: Glisovic Tina , Ben-David Yaacov , Lang Matti A. , Raffalli-Mathieu Françoise
Published: January 2003

Our previous evidence suggests that heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) A1 plays a part in the regulation of the Cyp2a5 gene by interacting with the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of the CYP2A5 mRNA. However, the exact role of this interaction is not clear. The aim of the present work was to gain further insight into the regulation process of Cyp2a5. For this purpose the 3′ UTR of CYP2A5 was fused to the coding region of luciferase mRNA. Luciferase recombinants containing either the full length 3′ UTR, or the 3′ UTR lacking a previously described 71 nucleotide (nt) region (the hnRNP A1 primary binding site), were transiently expressed in cells expressing or lacking hnRNP A1. The expression of the luciferase recombinants was examined both at mRNA and enzyme activity levels. The results disclosed that the presence of hnRNP A1 was required for the high expression of the recombinant carrying the full length 3′ UTR of CYP2A5. Deletion of the hnRNP A1 primary binding site dramatically modified the expression pattern: the mRNA levels and luciferase activities of the deletion mutant were independent from hnRNP A1. These results conclusively demonstrate that the 71 nt region in the 3′ UTR of CYP2A5 mRNA can confer hnRNP A1‐dependent regulation to a gene. In addition, comparison of RNA levels and luciferase activities suggested that regions flanking the hnRNP A1 binding site could regulate translation of the CYP2A5 mRNA. These results are consistent with a model in which the binding of hnRNP A1 to the 71 nt putative hairpin‐loop region in the CYP2A5 mRNA 3′ UTR upregulates mRNA levels possibly by protecting the mRNA from degradation.
17β‐Oestradiol attenuates nucleotide excision repair
Authors: Evans Mark D , Butler John M , Nicoll Karen , Cooke Marcus S , Lunec Joseph
Published: January 2003

Epidemiological studies strongly suggest associations between chronic exposure to endogenous oestrogens and the development of breast and gynaecological tumours. Two mechanisms by which 17β‐oestradiol (E2) may enhance tumorigenesis are: (i) enhancement of cell proliferation and (ii) the production of reactive, genotoxic metabolites. Here we suggest an additional mechanism, inhibition of DNA repair. The removal of UV‐induced thymine dimers from human keratinocytes, reflective of nucleotide excision repair, was significantly attenuated by treatment of cells with E2. In contrast, treatment with 17α‐oestradiol had no effect. Mechanisms are proposed for this effect of E2, which may contribute to its carcinogenic potential.
Female offenders referred for community‐based mental health service as compared to other service‐referred youth: correlates of conviction
Authors: Walrath Christine , Ybarra Michele , Wayne Holden E , Manteuffel Brigitte , Santiago Rolando , Leaf Philip
Published: January 2003

Data from a large federally supported national evaluation of system‐of‐care community mental health services were analysed to identify correlates of conviction. Female adolescents with a reported history of criminal conviction (n=88) were compared to three other service‐referred youth groups: females without conviction histories (n=664), males with conviction histories (n=199), and males without conviction histories (n=1230) for possible differences in number and type of family, individual, and school‐related life challenges. Multinomial regression analyses were first used to compare the quantity of child and family correlates in each conviction group, and then to test specific correlates in the individual, family, and school domains. The conditional odds of reporting a high vs. low number of child correlates was found to be significantly greater for females with a history of conviction compared to all other groups, over and above the number of family risk factors. Further, service‐referred females with a conviction history, when compared to other service‐referred youth groups, were much more likely to report having experienced a living instability (e.g. history of running away, multiple living arrangements) and personal adverse life events (e.g. history of drug and alcohol use, sexual abuse). Implications for community‐based interventions and treatment are discussed.
The mental health of young people attending a Youth Offending Team: a descriptive study
Authors: Stallard Paul , Thomason Jane , Churchyard Sally
Published: January 2003

This study documents the health needs of young offenders aged 10–17 attending a community Youth Offending Team (YOT). All young people known to a YOT on a selected date were identified. Health information was collected via semi‐structured interviews and standardized questionnaires. Potential mental health problems that required further specialist assessment were identified in 56% of those assessed. Alcohol was consumed more than twice per week by 68%, with 47% having recently smoked cannabis, and, 11% recently using heroin, methadone or crack cocaine. Use of secondary health‐care services was common although contact with primary‐care services was less frequent with almost half having no contact with a GP in the past year. The process of meeting the physical and mental health needs of young offenders in the community is discussed.
The effectiveness of individual and group‐based parenting programmes in improving outcomes for teenage mothers and their children: a systematic review
Authors: Coren Esther , Barlow Jane , Stewart‐Brown Sarah
Published: January 2003

There is evidence from a range of studies showing adverse child outcomes for the children of teenage parents. Parenting programmes are increasingly being used to promote the well‐being of parents and children, and this review aims to establish whether they can improve outcomes for teenage parents and their children. The findings of the review are based on 14 studies that used varying study designs, and are therefore limited. The results suggest, however, that parenting programmes can be effective in improving a range of psychosocial and developmental outcomes for teenage mothers and their children. Further research is needed.
Insight in obsessive–compulsive disorder: a study of an Italian sample
Authors: Marazziti Donatella , Dell’Osso Liliana , Di Nasso Elena , Pfanner Chiara , Presta Silvio , Mungai Francesco , Cassano Giovanni B.
Published: January 2003

Insight is a complex phenomenon that can be interpreted according to a dimensional model. Given the controversial data of insight in obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), our study aimed to investigate insight in an Italian sample of patients with OCD by means of the specific item on the Yale–Brown obsessive–compulsive scale (Y-BOCS) and to explore the possible correlations between it and clinical features. One hundred and seventeen out-patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of OCD and different comorbid psychiatric disorders were included in the study and assessed by means of the Y-BOCS, Hamilton rating scale for depression (HRSD) and the global clinical impression. The results showed that almost 50% of the patients had an excellent level of insight and 15% had a little or no insight. No correlation between levels of insight and clinical features was observed, except for a negative trend with the presence of somatic obsessions. In addition, a trend towards a lower level of insight was observed in those bipolar patients with a positive history of repeated manic or hypomanic episodes. Further studies seem to be necessary in order to establish whether or not OCD patients with poor insight represent a distinct sub-group of patients.
Self-experienced vulnerability, prodromal symptoms and coping strategies preceding schizophrenic and depressive relapses
Authors: Bechdolf Andreas , Schultze-Lutter Frauke , Klosterkötter Joachim
Published: January 2003

For the first time, the present study explores pre-episodic disturbances, i.e. self-experienced vulnerability and prodromal symptoms, and related coping strategies preceding schizophrenic and depressive relapses. After complete recovery from the acute episode, 27 patients with recurrent schizophrenic and 24 patients with recurrent depressive episodes were assessed retrospectively for pre-episodic disturbances and related coping strategies with the “Bonn scale for the assessment of basic symptoms—BSABS”. All (100%) of the schizophrenic and 23 (96%) of the depressive patients showed pre-episodic disturbances. Patients with schizophrenia showed significantly more often an increased emotional reactivity and certain perception and thought disturbances. Depressive patients reported significantly more often an impaired tolerance to certain stress and disorders of emotion and affect. Sixty-three percent of the schizophrenics and 87% of the depressives reacted to pre-episodic disturbances with coping strategies. The pre-episodic disturbances in patients with schizophrenia could be described in terms of mild psychotic productivity, those in depressives in terms of mild depressive syndrome. Future studies will have to show if these findings can be replicated in first episode or initial prodromal state samples and if the assessment of mild psychotic productivity and mild depressive syndrome can be used for early diagnosis and early intervention in schizophrenia and depression.
Clinical and psychosocial outcome of patients affected by panic disorder with or without agoraphobia: results from a naturalistic follow-up study
Authors: Carpiniello Bernardo , Baita Antonella , Carta Mauro Giovanni , Sitzia Rossella , Macciardi Adolfo Maria , Murgia Stefano , Altamura Alfredo Carlo
Published: January 2003

Objective:

A clinical and psychosocial follow-up study of a cohort of 85 patients affected by panic disorder (PD) with or without agoraphobia was performed an average of 40 months after initial observation and following a mean duration of illness of 8 years.

Methods:

Eighty-five out of 130 patients affected by PDs with or without agoraphobia according to DSM-III R criteria, examined between 1990 and 1995 at an outpatient clinic were re-examined in 1997/1998 using the same standardized clinical evaluation performed on admission. Patients also underwent a structured diagnostic interview (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, MINI) and psychosocial evaluation (Scale of Sheehan’s Disability Scale, DISS, Baker and Intagliata’s Satisfaction with Life Domains Scale, SLDS).

Results:

At follow-up, the percentage of patients who had either improved or were in remission was considerably higher among those initially diagnosed as PD with respect to those diagnosed as panic disorder with agoraphobia (PDA): Thirty-eight percent of PD and 20.6% of PDA patients were in clinical remission. Mild panic symptoms and phobic avoidance were found in the majority of patients who were still symptomatic (respectively 71% and 57%). Approximately 60% of patients reported a significant difficulty in performing daily activities and 40% expressed dissatisfaction in at least 50% of life domains considered. Seventy-two percent of subjects examined were still undergoing pharmacological treatment at the time of follow-up.

Conclusions:

The findings of the study are suggestive of a chronic illness with a significant impact on everyday quality of life of patients.
The prognostic importance of heart failure and age in patients treated with primary angioplasty
Authors: Henriques Jose P.S. , Zijlstra Felix , de Boer Menko‐Jan , van't Hof Arnoud W.J. , Gosselink A.T. Marcel , Dambrink Jan‐Henk E. , Suryapranata Harry , Hoorntje Jan C.A.
Published: January 2003

Background:

Effective risk stratification is essential in the management of patients with acute myocardial infarction. Available models have not yet been studied and validated in patients treated with primary angioplasty for acute myocardial infarction.

Methods:

The prognostic value of heart failure defined by Killip class and age upon admission and the impact of success and failure of the angioplasty procedure was studied in 1702 consecutive patients treated with primary angioplasty.

Findings:

The combination of Killip class and age is a strong predictor of 30‐day mortality and categorizes patients in subgroups with 30‐day mortality risk ranging from 0.5 to 70%. Angioplasty failure results in a high 30‐day mortality, in particular in patients with Killip class ≥II and/or age ≥70 years. A large majority of patients (72%), characterized by Killip class I and age <70 years, can be identified with a 0.5% risk of death at 30 days.

Interpretation:

The presence of heart failure (Killip class) and age predicts 30‐day mortality in patients on their way to the catheterization laboratory for primary angioplasty. This simple and effective early risk stratification, in combination with success and failure of the primary angioplasty, can be used to direct subsequent patient management.
Angular distribution of H2 molecules scattered from the Pd(111) surface
Authors: Díaz C. , Busnengo H. F. , Martin F. , Salin A.
Published: January 2003

We study the scattering of H2 (v=0,J=0) molecules by the Pd(111) surface using classical trajectory methods. We show that the variation of the reflectivity with incidence angle can be explained with the combination of two processes: “dynamic trapping” and “direct dissociation” that verify total and normal energy scaling, respectively. The presence of the dissociation channel barely affects the angular distribution of scattered molecules. In the patterns of final angular distributions, the main difference, with respect to atom scattering, is a strong momentum transfer from motion normal to the surface toward molecular rotation.
25 ns software correlator for photon and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy
Authors: Magatti Davide , Ferri Fabio
Published: January 2003

A 25 ns time resolution, multi-tau software correlator developed in LABVIEW based on the use of a standard photon counting unit, a fast timer/counter board (6602-PCI National Instrument) and a personal computer (PC) (1.5 GHz Pentium 4) is presented and quantitatively discussed. The correlator works by processing the stream of incoming data in parallel according to two different algorithms: For large lag times (τ⩾100 μs), a classical time-mode (TM) scheme, based on the measure of the number of pulses per time interval, is used; differently, for τ⩽100 μs a photon-mode (PM) scheme is adopted and the time sequence of the arrival times of the photon pulses is measured. By combining the two methods, we developed a system capable of working out correlation functions on line, in full real time for the TM correlator and partially in batch processing for the PM correlator. For the latter one, the duty cycle depends on the count rate of the incoming pulses, being ∼100% for count rates ⩽3×104 Hz, ∼15% at 105 Hz, and ∼1% at 106 Hz. For limitations imposed by the fairly small first-in, first-out (FIFO) buffer available on the counter board, the maximum count rate permissible for a proper functioning of the PM correlator is limited to ∼105 Hz. However, this limit can be removed by using a board with a deeper FIFO. Similarly, the 25 ns time resolution is only limited by maximum clock frequency available on the 6602-PCI and can be easily improved by using a faster clock. When tested on dilute solutions of calibrated latex spheres, the overall performances of the correlator appear to be comparable with those of commercial hardware correlators, but with several nontrivial advantages related to its flexibility, low cost, and easy adaptability to future developments of PC and data acquisition technology.
Modeling of the three-body effects in the Ar2O− trimer from ab initio calculations
Authors: Jakowski Jacek , Chałasiński Grzegorz , Cybulski S. M. , Szczȩśniak M. M.
Published: January 2003

Three-body nonadditive effects in the Ar2O− trimer have been calculated ab initio by means of the fourth-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory, the coupled cluster theory with the single, double, and noniterative triple excitations, and the intermolecular Møller–Plesset perturbation approach. The genuine three-body effects have been separated from the two-body orientational nonadditivity. The latter arises in this system due to the rotation of the singly occupied p-symmetry orbital from the Σ and Π symmetries in the dimer to the A1, B1, and B2 symmetries of the trimer. It is responsible for the collinear form of the trimer. In general, the total three-body effect has been found to be determined by the induction nonadditivity, but the exchange effects become important in the short range. Several models of the total three-body effect have been proposed and fitted to ab initio calculations.
An aerodynamic levitation system for drop tube and quenching experiments
Authors: Arai Yasutomo , Paradis Paul-François , Aoyama Tomotsugu , Ishikawa Takehiko , Yoda Shinichi
Published: January 2003

This article describes an aerodynamic levitation system for the processing and study of undercooled insulator materials by drop tube and quenching experiments. Its operation principle relies on a convergent-divergent type aerodynamic levitator made of two halves that can be quickly separated along a plane collinear with gas flow through the action of air-actuated pistons. This article reports the concept of this new levitator and presents the proof of the technical feasibility of contactlessly melting, undercooling, and accurately free falling alumina samples. Short duration microgravity conditions could therefore be accessed with this system for a superheated or undercooled insulator sample. In addition, sample behavior in terms of position stability and rotation was investigated. It was found that tilt of the diffuser permitted sample rotation control. Moreover, experiments showed promise for the control of the cooling rate and the selection of the temperature at which quenching occurs due to the addition of computer-controlled hammer/anvil-type device, from which thin alumina strips were obtained. The paper further highlights the unique advantages of this novel facility and its potential uses for drop calorimetry of refractory or corrosive materials. Finally, it briefly addresses issues that need to be improved, especially in the context of thermophysical properties measurements.
A technique to measure Poisson’s ratio of ultrathin polymeric films using atomic force microscopy
Authors: Bhushan Bharat , Mokashi Prasad S. , Ma Tiejun
Published: January 2003

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to measure Poisson’s ratio of ultrathin polymeric films used as substrates in magnetic tapes. A technique has been developed to measure the longitudinal and lateral displacements under uniaxial loading of the films on a microscale. Uniaxial tension is applied by means of a tensile stage. Surface height profiles obtained from the AFM images of unstretched and stretched samples are used to monitor the changes in displacements of the polymer samples in the longitudinal and lateral directions simultaneously. Standard polyethylene terephthalate, tensilized polyethylene terephthalate, and tensilized polyethylene naphthalate films are used to demonstrate the technique.
Method and apparatus to measure electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency and its shielding characteristics in broadband frequency ranges
Authors: Hong Y. K. , Lee C. Y. , Jeong C. K. , Lee D. E. , Kim K. , Joo J.
Published: January 2003

We have designed and manufactured a flanged coaxial line as a sample holder for measuring the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding efficiency (SE) of planar materials in broadband frequency ranges up to 18 GHz. Connecting the samples holder to a vector network analyzer (50 MHz⩽M⩽13.5 GHz), we measured the S (scattering)-parameters and the EMI SE of copper (Cu) as a highly conducting material and emeraldine salt form of polyaniline (PAN–ES) as an intermediately conducting one. The measured EMI SEs of the materials from 50 MHz to 13.5 GHz were compared with those obtained from the conventional ASTM D4935-99 method and theoretical simulation using dc conductivity. We observed that the EMI SEs measured by using both experimental techniques agree with each other in the common frequency range (50 MHz∼1.5 GHz). The EMI shielding characteristics of samples such as the contribution of absorption and reflection to total EMI SE were analyzed through the measured S parameters.