bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase: a potential target for therapeutic gold
Authors: Hayman Alison R. , Cox Timothy M. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractGold compounds are disease‐modifying agents for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. They act on the immune system but the mechanism is not fully understood. Gold has been shown to affect antigen processing by T‐cells and also reduces expression of cytokines in macrophages. Tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), expressed by osteoclasts, macrophages and dendritic cells is an enzyme with roles in skeletal metabolism and the immune response. TRAP is able to degrade skeletal phosphoproteins including osteopontin, identical to the T‐cell cytokine, Eta‐1; we thus propose that TRAP regulates the Eta‐1 pathway common to the immune system and skeleton. We compared the distribution of osteopontin and TRAP in sections of 18‐day‐old embryonic mice by immunohistochemistry. Both proteins occurred in the same locations. To determine whether gold compounds exert their effects by modification of TRAP activity, we examined the action of gold chloride and the prodrugs, aurothioglucose and aurothiomalate on the dephosphorylation of osteopontin by TRAP. Aurothioglucose and aurothiomalate had little effect on phosphatase activity; gold chloride was a potent non‐competitive inhibitor (Ki < 47 × 10−9 M). These findings indicate a possible molecular mechanism for the action of therapeutic gold and further implicate TRAP in the control of immunity. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vibrational and Quantum‐Chemical Study of Nonlinear Optical Chromophores Containing Dithienothiophene as the Electron Relay
Authors: Casado Juan , Hernández Víctor , Kim Oh‐Kil , Lehn Jean‐Marie , López Navarrete Juan T. , Delgado Ledesma Salvador , Ponce Ortiz Rocío , Ruiz Delgado Mari Carmen , Vida Yolanda , Pérez‐Inestrosa E. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractA series of nonlinear optical (NLO) donor–acceptor (D–A) chromophores containing a fused terthiophene, namely dithienothiophene (DTT), as the electron relay, the same donor group, and acceptors of various strengths, has been investigated by means of infrared and Raman spectroscopies, both in the solid state as well as in a variety of solvents, to evaluate the effectiveness of the intramolecular charge transfer from the electron‐donor to the electron‐acceptor end groups. The Raman spectral profiles of these NLO‐phores measured from their dilute solutions have been found to be rather similar to those of the corresponding solids, and thus their intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) shows very little dependence on the solvent polarity. The experimental results obtained for the DTT‐containing NLO‐phore with a 4‐(N,N‐dibutylamino)styryl end group as the donor and a 2,2‐dicyanoethen‐1‐yl end group as the acceptor differ from those previously obtained for two parent “push–pull” chromophores with the same D–A pair but built‐up around either a bis(3,4‐ethylenedioxythienyl) (BEDOT) or a bithienyl (BT) electron relay. Vibrational spectroscopy shows that DTT is significantly more efficient as an electron relay than BT (which has the same number of conjugated CC bonds) or BEDOT (which can be viewed as a rigidified version of BT on account of noncovalent intramolecular interactions between heteroatoms of adjacent rings). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have also been performed on these NLO‐phores to assign their main electronic and vibrational features and to obtain information about their structures. An additional merit of these molecular materials was revealed by the infrared spectra of the DTT‐based NLO‐phores recorded at different temperatures. Thus, spectra recorded between −170 and 150 °C did not show any substantial change, indicating that the materials have a high thermal stability, which is of significance for their use as active components in optoelectronic devices.
Toward a 6π+6π Zwitterion or a Bioinhibitors‐Related OH‐Substituted Aminoquinone: Identification of a Key Intermediate in Their pH Controlled Synthesis
Authors: Braunstein Pierre , Siri Olivier , Taquet Jean‐philippe , Yang Qing‐Zheng 
Published: June 2004

AbstractTheir pH‐controlled reactivity places the N,N′‐dialkyl‐2‐amino‐5‐lithium alcoholate‐1,4‐benzoquinonemonoimines [C6H2(NHCH2R′) (NCH2R′)(O)(OLi)] 7 (R′=tBu) and 8 (R′=p‐C6H4‐tBu) at the crossroads of a new versatile strategy for the preparation of two very different classes of substituted quinones. We describe new 2‐(N‐alkyl)amino‐5‐hydroxy‐1,4‐benzoquinones, which are parent molecules to biologically active substituted aminobenzoquinones, for which changes of the N‐substituent will become readily possible. The results of the first X‐ray structural determination of such compounds ([C6H2(NHCH2tBu)(OH)(O)2] 13) are also reported and we compare the influence of the number of N‐substituents of the C6 ring on the supramolecular networks resulting from self‐assembling of 13, zwitterionic N,N′‐dineopentyl‐2‐amino‐5‐alcoholate‐1,4‐benzoquinonemonoiminium [C6H2(${^{\underline{.....}}}$NHCH2tBu)2(${^{\underline{.....}}}$O)2] 9 and N,N′,N′′,N′′′‐tetraneopentyl‐2,5‐diamino‐1,4‐benzoquinone diimine [C6H2(NHCH2tBu)2(NCH2tBu)2] 15.
Natural history of bone complications in men with prostate carcinoma initiating androgen deprivation therapy
Authors: Krupski Tracey L. , Smith Matthew R. , Chan Lee Won , Pashos Chris L. , Brandman Jane , Wang Qin , Botteman Marc , Litwin Mark S. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDAs evidence accumulates in favor of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in patients with recurrent or metastatic prostate carcinoma, concern has increased regarding bone loss associated with therapeutic hypogonadism. The current study described the natural history of bone complications in men with prostate carcinoma who have initiated ADT.METHODSUsing 1992–2001 claims data from a 5% national random sample of Medicare beneficiaries, the authors identified men with prostate carcinoma who initiated ADT between 1992 and 1994. They analyzed inpatient, outpatient, and physician claims for bone complications over 7 subsequent years. They stratified the quartile of patients who survived longest into 2 cohorts: those who had received ADT for longer than and those who had received ADT for shorter than the median of 697 days. They evaluated the cumulative proportions of patients in each cohort with claims for pathologic fractures, osteoporosis/osteopenia, and nonpathologic fractures.RESULTSIn the 1992–1994 sample, 4494 men with prostate carcinoma initiated ADT. Of these, 1126 survived > 2028 days (5.5 years). During the first 3 years of evaluation, the proportion of bone events was similar for men with shorter durations of ADT and men with longer durations of ADT. However, by 7 years, more men in the longer ADT cohort (45%) had sustained at least 1 pathologic or nonpathologic fracture compared with men in the shorter ADT cohort (40%).CONCLUSIONSIn the current study, men with prostate carcinoma were found to be at risk for adverse bone effects from both the disease and the treatment. These longitudinal data revealed that fractures are common in this patient population and appear to be linked to the duration of ADT. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
A relevant immunomagnetic assay to detect and characterize epithelial cell adhesion molecule‐positive cells in bone marrow from patients with breast carcinoma
Authors: Choesmel Valérie , Anract Philippe , Høifødt Hanne , Thiery Jean‐Paul , Blin Nathalie 
Published: June 2004

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe efficient detection and characterization of micrometastatic cells in the bone marrow of patients with breast carcinoma are of prognostic and therapeutic importance. The technique used must overcome the challenges that result from the small number of target cells (1 per 1 million hematopoietic cells) and the heterogeneous expression of micrometastatic cell markers. In this study, the authors assessed and improved the current methods for purifying and characterizing rare disseminated carcinoma cells.METHODSThe authors developed a single‐step assay that does not require density‐gradient separation. This assay can be performed directly on crude human bone marrow aspirates and is based on the use of immunomagnetic beads coated with an antibody that recognizes an epithelial cell‐surface epitope, the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). To determine the specificity of the assay, the authors evaluated bone marrow specimens from 46 control patients.RESULTSThe novel method was highly reproducible and was capable of detecting as few as 10 carcinoma cells among 50 million hematopoietic cells. The yield was nearly 100%, with only 0.01% nonspecific cell draining. The authors found that 68 ± 51 cells were trapped per 50 million cells in control crude aspirates and that density‐gradient separation increased this number by 2‐fold to 29‐fold. These trapped cells expressed EpCAM, represented 1.4 × 10−4 % of the sample, and were characterized as of hematopoietic cell origin (CD45 positive) or progenitor cell origin (CD34 positive).CONCLUSIONSThe authors developed a highly efficient and reproducible, single‐step immunomagnetic assay that may be performed directly on crude human bone marrow aspirates. The authors believe the current study is the first to demonstrate that some rare bone marrow cells (CD45‐positive or CD34‐positive cells) may express EpCAM and, to some extent, may contaminate the purified micrometastatic cell fraction. Thus, a universal marker for micrometastatic cells remains to be discovered. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Vereinfachte Bemessungsverfahren für bewehrtes Mauerwerk
Authors: Graubner Carl‐Alexander , Glock Christian 
Published: June 2004

AbstractFür die Abschätzung der Wandverformungen und der daraus resultierenden Zusatzschnittgrößen nach Theorie II. Ordnung von schlanken Mauerwerkswänden wird das im Stahlbetonbau bewährte Modellstützenverfahren auf den Mauerwerksbau übertragen, so daß sich der Knicksicherheitsnachweis wie bisher auf einen Querschnittsnachweis an der maßgebenden Stelle unter Berücksichtigung der Schnittgrößen nach Theorie II. Ordnung reduziert. Vorteil gegenüber der bisherigen Näherungslösungen entsprechend DIN 1053‐3 /1/ und EC 6 /4/, /5/ ist einerseits die Konsistenz zu den Bemessungsnormen des Stahlbetonbaus und andererseits die Möglichkeit einer getrennten Berücksichtigung der Imperfektion und der Einflüsse aus Theorie II. Ordnung.Für die Biegebemessung von bewehrten Mauerwerksquerschnitten werden allgemeingültige Bemessungsgleichungen vorgestellt, mit denen die erforderliche Bewehrung mittels einfacher Gleichungen geschlossen ermittelt werden kann. Vorteil der Bemessungsgleichungen ist zum einen die mögliche Anpassung an beliebige Materialansätze mittels weniger Materialkennwerte, so daß diese für verschiedene Mauerwerksarten gemäß EC 6 /4/, /5/ und DIN 1053‐3 /1/ angewendet werden können. Andererseits ist es nicht mehr notwendig, Bemessungstabellen zu verwenden, da die Bewehrung direkt ohne Iteration der Dehnungsebene berechnet werden kann. Da die Gleichungen auch für die Dimensionierung von Stahlbetonquerschnitten nach DIN 1045‐1 /9/ und EC 2 /10/ anwendbar sind, ist abermals die Konsistenz der Bemessungsnormen von bewehrtem Mauerwerk und Beton gewährleistet.
Local smoothing with robustness against outlying predictors
Authors: Einbeck Jochen , André Carmen D. S. , Singer Julio M. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractOutlying pollutant concentration data are frequently observed in time series studies conducted to investigate the effects of atmospheric pollution on mortality/morbidity. These outliers may severely affect the estimation procedures and even generate unexpected results like a protective effect of pollution. Although robust methods have been proposed to downweight the effect of outliers in the response variable distribution, little has been done to handle outlying explanatory variable values. We consider a robust local polynomial smoothing technique which may be useful for such purposes. It is based on downweighting points with a small design density and may also be used as a diagnostic tool to identify outliers. Using data from a study conducted in São Paulo, Brazil, we show how an unexpected form of the relative risk curve of mortality attributable to pollution by SO2obtained via nonrobust methods may be completely reversed when the proposed technique is employed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Space–time modeling of rainfall data
Authors: Velarde Luis Guillermo Coca , Migon Hélio S. , Pereira Basilio de B. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractClimate variables assume non‐negative values and are often measured as zero. This is just the case when the rainfall level, in the dry season, is measured in a specified place. Then, the stochastic modeling demands the inclusion of a probability mass point at the zero level, and the resulting model is a mixture of a continuous and a Bernoulli distribution.In this article, spatial conditional autoregressive effects dealing with the idea that neighbors present similar responses is considered and the response level is modeled in two stages. The aim is to consider spatial interpolation and prediction of levels in a Bayesian context. Data on weekly rainfall levels measured in different stations at the central region of Brazil, an area with two well‐marked seasons, will be used as an example. A method for comparing models, based on the deviance function, is also implemented. The main conclusion is that the use of space–time models improves the modeling of hydrological and climatological variables, allowing the inclusion of real life considerations such as the influence of other covariates, space dependence and time effects such as seasonality. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Data analysis of environmental air pollutant monitoring systems in Europe
Authors: Voigt Kristina , Welzl Gerhard , Brüggemann Rainer 
Published: June 2004

AbstractPublic access to information about the environment is being strengthened across Europe. The concept of public's right to information gives the basis for the access to environmental information. In this paper the quality of air pollutant monitoring systems in the 15 European member states is analyzed. For pragmatic reasons only the capitals are looked upon. Comprehensive data on environmental monitoring programs concerning air pollutants like ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxide (NO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO), and sometimes suspended dust, benzene and other environmental chemicals are available on the free Internet. As different monitoring information systems exist in the European member states a comparison of these systems with their pros and cons is of great interest to the public. Environmental air pollutant monitoring systems in the capitals of the 15 EEC member countries (objects) are evaluated by applying 5 evaluation criteria for the differentiation of these systems. The scores run from 0 = insufficient, 1 = medium, to 2 = excellent.Different data‐analysis methods will be applied. As order theory is still not sufficiently presented in the scientific literature, a short overview about the so‐called Hasse diagram technique and POSAC method is outlined. In several steps the data‐matrix is analyzed coming to the conclusion that all methods (additionally PCA is used) identify one criterion as specifically important. Not unexpected, each method has its own advantage. The aim of this data‐analysis is the evaluation of the publicly available air quality monitoring systems in Europe with their pros and cons. This might help the interested public to find and understand the information given on the Internet. Furthermore our evaluation approach might give some recommendations for an improvement of the air quality monitoring systems. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Composition and in vitro toxicity of the essential oil of Tagetes terniﬂora HBK. (Asteraceae)
Authors: De Feo Vincenzo , Urrunaga Soria Emma , Urrunaga Soria Rosa , Pizza Cosimo 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe essential oil from aerial parts of Tagetes terniﬂora HBK. (Asteraceae) was obtained by hydrodistillation. The oil content was 0.15% (v/w), on a fresh weight basis. The oil composition was analysed by GC and GC/MS. Sixty‐ﬁve compounds were identiﬁed accounting for 96.1% of the oil. Tagetones (22.4%), ocimenes (20.6%) and ocimenones (15.9%) predominated in the oil, with (E)‐β‐ocimene (12.8%) and trans‐tagetone (10.7%) as the main compounds. The oil contained considerable amounts of limonene (3.9%), isomenthone (3.1%), and of spathulenol (2.7%) in sesquiterpenoidic fraction. cis‐(4.1%) and trans‐Anethole (2.1%) are the main constituent of the phenylpropanoid group. A preliminary in vitro toxicity test, carried out with Artemia salina, showed an ED50 value of the essential oil of 3.16 µg/ml. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Differential effects of fluvoxamine, paroxetine and milnacipran for depression, especially with regard to age
Authors: Morishita Shigeru , Arita Seizaburo 
Published: June 2004

AbstractIntroductionSelective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and dual serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are the most commonly prescribed classes of antidepressants, yet it is not known whether one is superior to the other. It seems that an investigation of the characteristics of patients being treated with SSRIs and SNRIs would be useful in determining which patients would be most likely to benefit from these antidepressant medications.AimsThe purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the response to fluvoxamine, paroxetine and milnacipran treatment for depression with regard to patient age.MethodsA retrospective cohort analysis was carried out among depression outpatients treated in the Department of Psychiatry, Kawasaki Medical School Hospital, Kurashiki, Japan, in 2001. A total of 159 patients who met the criteria and who were receiving fluvoxamine, paroxetine and milnacipran were identified. To examine the influence of antidepressants with regard to patient age, the response rate of patients aged 50 years or older was compared with that of those aged 49 years or younger.ResultsIn patients aged 49 years or younger, the clinical effect of fluvoxamine was greater than that of the other antidepressants. Conversely, in those aged 50 years or older, milnacipran had a tendency to be more effective than the others.ConclusionsThe differential response of SSRIs and SNRIs with regard to age should help to guide clinicians in determining the selection of antidepressants for depression. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aspiration biopsy using new ceramic‐coated stainless steel puncture needle
Authors: Fukuda Hiroyuki , Inokuti Yukio 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the medical applicability of a newly developed ceramic‐coated stainless steel puncture needle for performing liver biopsies. A ceramic coating was applied to a stainless steel needle using a high‐density plasma coating technique. The collected specimen was dipped in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin, sliced into 4 μm‐thick sections, and stained with hematoxylin‐eosin (HE). Tissue specimens were observed under a low vacuum of 664 Pa using an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM‐2700). The surface of the tissue severed by the ceramic‐coated needle was smoother than that by the stainless steel 21G ultrasonic biopsy needle according to microscopic image stained with HE, interference microscopic images, and ESEM images. In conclusion, damage to samples collected by the ceramic‐coated needle is less than that by the ordinary needle. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 71B: 392–397, 2004
Overfull conjecture for graphs with high minimum degree
Authors: Plantholt Michael 
Published: June 2004

AbstractChetwynd and Hilton showed that any regular graph G of even order n which has relatively high degree $\Delta (G)\,\ge\,((\sqrt{7}- 1)/2)\, n$ has a 1‐factorization. This is equivalent to saying that under these conditions G has chromatic index equal to its maximum degree $\Delta(G)$. Using this result, we show that any (not necessarily regular) graph G of even order n that has sufficiently high minimum degree $\delta(G)\,\ge\,(\sqrt{7}/3)\,n$ has chromatic index equal to its maximum degree providing that G does not contain an “overfull” subgraph, that is, a subgraph which trivially forces the chromatic index to be more than the maximum degree. This result thus verifies the Overfull Conjecture for graphs of even order and sufficiently high minimum degree. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 47: 73–80, 2004
Evaluation of the female urethra with intraurethral magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Macura Katarzyna J. , Genadry Rene , Borman Tracy L. , Mostwin Jacek L. , Lardo Albert C. , Bluemke David A. 
Published: June 2004

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to demonstrate feasibility of intraurethral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for in vivo assessment of the female urethra and to determine the anatomy of the urethra and periurethral attachments as depicted using an endourethral MR coil. Twenty‐three continent volunteers were studied with a 14F endourethral MR coil. Intraurethral MRI allowed detailed visualization and measurements of the muscular layers of the urethral sphincter and permitted the evaluation of supporting ligaments. This technique may become useful in the evaluation of anatomical defects associated with female urethral sphincter deficiency. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:153–159. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
In vivo detection of hemorrhage in human atherosclerotic plaques with magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Cappendijk Vincent C. , Cleutjens Kitty B.J.M. , Heeneman Sylvia , Schurink Geert Willem H. , Welten Rob J.Th.J. , Kessels Alfons G.H. , van Suylen Robert J. , Daemen Mat J.A.P. , van Engelshoven Jos M.A. , Kooi M. Eline 
Published: June 2004

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the performance of high‐resolution T1‐weighted (T1w) turbo field echo (TFE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the identification of the high‐risk component intraplaque hemorrhage, which is described in the literature as a troublesome component to detect.Materials and MethodsAn MRI scan was performed preoperatively on 11 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy because of symptomatic carotid disease with a stenosis larger than 70%. A commonly used double inversion recovery (DIR) T1w turbo spin echo (TSE) served as the T1w control for the T1w TFE pulse sequence. The MR images were matched slice by slice with histology, and the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) of the MR images were calculated. Additionally, two readers, who were blinded for the histological results, independently assessed the MR slices concerning the presence of intraplaque hemorrhage.ResultsMore than 80% of the histological proven intraplaque hemorrhage could be detected using the TFE sequence with a high interobserver agreement (Kappa = 0.73). The TFE sequence proved to be superior to the TSE sequence concerning SNR and CNR, but also in the qualitative detection of intraplaque hemorrhage. The false positive TFE results contained fibrous tissue and were all located outside the main plaque area.ConclusionThe present study shows that in vivo high‐resolution T1w TFE MRI can identify the high‐risk component intraplaque hemorrhage with a high detection rate in patients with symptomatic carotid disease. Larger clinical trials are warranted to investigate whether this technique can identify patients at risk for an ischemic attack. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2004;20:105–110. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.