Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Possible Candidates (possible + candidate)
Terms modified by Possible Candidates Selected AbstractsTris(tropolonato)phenanthroline Lanthanide(III) Complexes as Photochemical DevicesEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 12 2006Laura Bertolo Abstract The tris-tropolonato erbium(III) complexes [Er(hino)3(phen)] and [{Er(hino)3}2(pdon)] (H-hino = 2-hydroxy-6-isopropylcyclohepta-2,4,6-trien-1-one; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; pdon = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione) have been prepared by reaction of [Er(hino)3]n with the appropriate chelating ligand in alcoholic solution. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, TG, ESI MS, 1H NMR, and IR spectroscopy, also by comparison with the properties of the analogous EuIII and YbIII complexes. The ESI-MS spectroscopy of the complex with the ditopic ligand pdon parallels the other physico-chemical data (IR, NMR), confirming the occurrence of a dinuclear entity. All the investigated ErIII complexes show efficient NIR emissions at about 1550 nm upon excitation at 355 nm in the UV ligand absorption band, emerging as possible candidate as active material for the realization of plastic amplifiers for telecommunications. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source] Inactivation of calcineurin by hydrogen peroxide and phenylarsine oxideFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 5 2000Evidence for a dithiol, disulfide equilibrium, implications for redox regulation Calcineurin (CaN) is a Ca2+ -and calmodulin (CaM)-dependent serine/threonine phosphatase containing a dinuclear Fe,Zn center in the active site. Recent studies have indicated that CaN is a possible candidate for redox regulation. The inactivation of bovine brain CaN and of the catalytic CaN A-subunit from Dictyostelium by the vicinal dithiol reagents phenylarsine oxide (PAO) and melarsen oxide (MEL) and by H2O2 was investigated. PAO and MEL inhibited CaN with an IC50 of 3,8 µm and the inactivation was reversed by 2,3-dimercapto-1-propane sulfonic acid. The treatment of isolated CaN with hydrogen peroxide resulted in a concentration-dependent inactivation. Analysis of the free thiol content performed on the H2O2 inactivated enzyme demonstrated that only two or three of the 14 Cys residues in CaN are modified. The inactivation of CaN by H2O2 could be reversed with 1,4-dithiothreitol and with the dithiol oxidoreductase thioredoxin. We propose that a bridging of two closely spaced Cys residues in the catalytic CaN A-subunit by PAO/MEL or the oxidative formation of a disulfide bridge by H2O2 involving the same Cys residues causes the inactivation. Our data implicate a possible involvement of thioredoxin in the redox control of CaN activity under physiological conditions. The low temperature EPR spectrum of the native enzyme was consistent with a Fe3+,Zn2+ dinuclear centre. Upon H2O2 -mediated inactivation of the enzyme no significant changes in the EPR spectrum were observed ruling out that Fe2+ is present in the active enzyme and that the dinuclear metal centre is the target for the oxidative inactivation of CaN. [source] A new model organism among the lower Bilateria and the use of digital microscopy in taxonomy of meiobenthic Platyhelminthes: Macrostomum lignano, n. sp. (Rhabditophora, Macrostomorpha)JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL SYSTEMATICS AND EVOLUTIONARY RESEARCH, Issue 2 2005P. Ladurner Abstract Macrostomum lignano n. sp. is a member of the Macrostomorpha, the basal-most subtaxon of the Platyhelminthes,Rhabditophora. This new species can be easily cultured in the laboratory and has been already the subject of several developmental/evolutionary studies. The small size, with only about 25 000 cells constituting the major bilaterian organ systems, makes this simultaneous hermaphrodite a possible candidate for a new model organism that is phylogenetically more basal than any of the model organisms currently used in such studies within the Bilateria. M. lignano belongs to the largest genus of the Macrostomorpha. Over 100 marine, fresh water and brackish water species are contained in the genus Macrostomum, some of them with worldwide distribution pattern. Within it, M. lignano is a member of the M. tuba -species group, which we have summarized here. In the species description, we have used a novel approach to document such small soft-bodied meiobenthic organisms: we provide extensive digital micrographical documentation, which are deposited as a CD together with the type material. Zusammenfassung Macrostomum lignano n. sp. gehört zu den Macrostomorpha, dem ursprünglichsten Subtaxon der Plathelminthes-Rhabditophora. An der neuen Art, die sich im Labor besonders einfach züchten lässt, wurden bereits zahlreiche entwicklungsbiologische und evolutionsbiologische Studien durchgeführt. Die kleinen simultan-hermaphroditischen Tiere, bei denen nur etwa 25'000 Zellen alle wichtigen Organsysteme der Bilateria ausbilden, sind für derartige Untersuchungen ein möglicher Modellorganismus, der phylogenetisch weit ursprünglicher ist als die üblichen Modellorganismen. Macrostomum ist die größte Gattung der Macrostomorpha. Sie umfasst mehr als 100 Meer-, Süss- und Brackwasser-Arten, einige davon mit weltweiter Verbreitung. Innerhalb der Gattung ist M. lignano der M. tuba -Artengruppe zuzurechnen, die zusammenfassend dargestellt wird. Zur Charakterisierung dieser meiobenthischen neuen Art wird als neuartige Dokumentationsform digitales Bildmaterial verwendet, das als CD zusammen mit dem Typenmaterial hinterlegt wird. [source] Suppression of the human spinal H-reflex by propofol: a quantitative analysisACTA ANAESTHESIOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2006J. H. Baars Background:, The spinal cord is an important site of anaesthetic action because it mediates surgical immobility. During anaesthesia with volatile anaesthetics, it has been shown that the suppression of the spinal H-reflex correlates with surgical immobility. To evaluate whether the H-reflex could also be a possible candidate for monitoring immobility during propofol anaesthesia, this study assessed the concentration-dependent suppression of the H-reflex by propofol. To discriminate different effect sites, the individual concentration response-curves and the t1/2ke0 of the H-reflex have been compared with those of two EEG parameters. Methods:, In 18 patients, anaesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol infused using a target-controlled infusion pump at stepwise increasing and decreasing plasma concentrations between 0.5 and 4.5 mg/l. The H-reflex of the soleus muscle was recorded at a frequency of 0.1 Hz. Calculated propofol concentrations and H-reflex amplitude were analysed in terms of a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PKPD) model with a sigmoid concentration-response function. Results:, For slowly increasing propofol concentrations, computer fits of the PKPD model for H-reflex suppression by propofol yielded the following median parameters: EC50 1.1 (0.8,1.7) mg/l, slope parameter 2.4 (2.0,3.7), and a t1/2ke0 of 6.7 (2.8,7.5, 25,75% quantiles) min. For the bispectral index, the t1/2ke0 was 2.2 (1.8,3.1) min and for the spectral edge frequency at the 95th percentile of the power spectrum 2.8 (1.9,3.2) min. Conclusions:, Propofol, unlike sevoflurane, suppresses the spinal H-reflex at concentrations far lower than the C50 skin incision. The differences in t1/2ke0 -values indicate the presence of different effect compartments for effects on the H-reflex and the EEG. [source] Acotiamide (Z-338) as a possible candidate for the treatment of functional dyspepsiaNEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY & MOTILITY, Issue 6 2010H. Suzuki Abstract Acotiamide hydrochloride is a novel upper gastrointestinal (GI) motility modulator and stress regulator currently being developed for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD). The mechanism underlying the enhancement of GI motility by this agent has been proposed to be based on its muscarinic antagonism and inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase activity. Pathophysiological studies showed that acotiamide significantly improved both delayed gastric emptying and feeding inhibition in restraint stress-induced model, but did not affect both normal gastric emptying and feeding in intact animals, indicating that acotiamide exerted effects only on the impaired gastric emptying and feeding behavior. According to the clinical pilot study in Europe, acotiamide, at the dose of 100 mg t.i.d., showed to improve the symptoms and quality of life of patients with FD, indicating the need for larger scale symptomatic studies on the efficacy of acotiamide in patients with FD. The recent phase II studies conducted in Japan presented in this issue of the journal also confirmed that acotiamide, at the optimal dose of 100 mg, has potential therapeutic efficacy, especially for meal-related FD symptoms. Although a phase III study is on going, acotiamide is now expected as a novel treatment option for FD. [source] Half-metallic ferromagnetism in wurtzite SrCPHYSICA STATUS SOLIDI (B) BASIC SOLID STATE PHYSICS, Issue 1 2008Chang-wen Zhang Abstract The first-principles full potential linearized augmented plane-wave method within density-functional theory is used to investigate electronic structure and magnetism of wurtzite (WZ) crystal structure SrC. It is shown that the WZ SrC is a true half-metallic ferromagnet with a magnetic moment of 2,B per formula unit. The large HM gaps (0.72 eV) and robustness of half-metallicity with respect to the lattice change make it possible candidate grown epitaxially on appropriate substrates in the form of films thick enough, and therefore should be useful in spintronics and other related applications. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW ALEXANDER OF APHRODISIAS INSCRIPTIONBULLETIN OF THE INSTITUTE OF CLASSICAL STUDIES, Issue 1 2005R. W. SHARPLES It does, however, show conclusively for the first time that his post was at Athens, and strongly suggests that at the end of the second century AD the term diadokhos ,successor' was applied to the imperially appointed holders of the chairs of philosophy at Athens. It also provides us with a possible candidate for the authorship of works attributed to Alexander of Aphrodisias but not apparently by him, notably On fevers. [source] Amrubicin, a novel 9-aminoanthracycline, enhances the antitumor activity of chemotherapeutic agents against human cancer cells in vitro and in vivoCANCER SCIENCE, Issue 3 2007Mitsuharu Hanada Amrubicin, a completely synthetic 9-aminoanthracycline derivative, is an active agent in the treatment of untreated extensive disease-small-cell lung cancer and advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Amrubicin administered intravenously at 25 mg/kg substantially prevented the growth of five of six human lung cancer xenografts established in athymic nude mice, confirming that amrubicin as a single agent was active in human lung tumors. To survey which antitumor agent available for clinical use produces a synergistic interaction with amrubicin, we examined the effects in combinations with amrubicinol, an active metabolite of amrubicin, of several chemotherapeutic agents in vitro using five human cancer cell lines using the combination index (CI) method of Chou and Talalay. Synergistic effects were obtained on the simultaneous use of amrubicinol with cisplatin, irinotecan, gefitinib and trastuzumab, with CI values after 3 days of exposure being <1. Additive effect was observed with the combination containing vinorelbine with CI values indistinguishable from 1, while the combination of amrubicinol with gemcitabine was antagonistic. All combinations tested in vivo were well tolerated. The combinations of cisplatin, irinotecan, vinorelbine, trastuzumab, tegafur/uracil, and to a lesser extent, gemcitabine with amrubicin caused significant growth inhibition of human tumor xenografts without pronouncedly enhancing body weight loss, compared with treatment using amrubicin alone at the maximum tolerated dose. Growth inhibition of tumors by gefitinib was not antagonized by amrubicin. These results suggest that amrubicin appears to be a possible candidate for combined use with cisplatin, irinotecan, vinorelbine, gemcitabine, tegafur/uracil or trastuzumab. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 447,454) [source] Expression and function of Wnt5a in the development of the glandular stomach in the chicken embryoDEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, Issue 4 2006Dwi Listyorini The epithelium of the chicken embryonic glandular stomach (proventriculus) differentiates into both a glandular and a luminal epithelium, the cells of which express specific marker genes. The subsequent formation and differentiation of the glands then proceed under the influence of the mesenchyme. To search for possible candidates for the mesenchymal factors involved, we have now investigated the expression and function of Wnt5a in this process. Our current results show that Wnt5a is expressed in the mesenchyme during active gland formation and that overexpression of this gene in ovo results in the increased and ectopic expression of some of the marker genes of the luminal and glandular epithelia. In particular, the overexpression of Wnt5a markedly enhances the expression of the embryonic chicken pepsinogen gene, a marker of the glandular epithelium, indicating its role as a mesenchymal factor that regulates the differentiation of the proventricular epithelium. [source] Problem of Distinguishing False-Positive Tests from Acute or Transient Helicobacter pylori InfectionsHELICOBACTER, Issue 2 2006Zhannat Z. Nugalieva Abstract Background:, Reliable detection of acute Helicobacter pylori infections remains problematic. The high prevalence of false-positive non-invasive tests in low H. pylori prevalence populations makes identification of acute and transient infections difficult. Methods:, We explored the use of serum pepsinogens (PG) for diagnosis of acute infection in patients following H. pylori challenge such that the onset of the infection was known. We then compared those findings to a group of children with presumed acute infections defined as a positive urea breath test (UBT) and negative IgG serology. Results:, We examined the pattern and calculated cut-off values of PG levels in 18 adult volunteers with known acute H. pylori infection. We then compared the results with sera from nine symptomatic children with presumed acute H. pylori infection and a matched control group of nine children who did not meet criteria for acute H. pylori infection. In acute infection, both PGI and II levels increased following H. pylori infection reaching a peak by 2 weeks post-infection. The frequency of a positive test defined as a value > mean +2 SD was 17, 71, and 94% at week 1, 2, and 4 post-infection, respectively. Only one child with presumed acute H. pylori infection had an elevated serum PGI and one had an elevated PGII. Five of the children had follow-up UBTs and four were negative consistent with the diagnosis of false-positive UBT. H. pylori infection was confirmed in the child with an elevated PGI level. Conclusions:, These data suggest that a single positive noninvasive test in populations of low prevalence is most likely a false-positive result. This suggests that a single positive test requires confirmation preferably using a test that measures a different parameter (e.g., UBT confirmed by stool antigen test). It appears that most "transient"H. pylori infections are diagnosed on the basis of false-positive tests. PG levels are possible candidates as the confirmatory test. [source] Porcine ESTs detected by differential display representing possible candidates for the trait ,eye muscle area'JOURNAL OF ANIMAL BREEDING AND GENETICS, Issue 1 2000By S. Ponsuksili In order to identify ESTs which represent possible candidates for carcass traits in pigs, the differential display approach was used. F2 animals of a resource population and pure-bred German Landrace (DL) pigs were selected for the trait ,eye muscle area' in order to build up groups of three high and three low performing individuals within each population. To increase the probability that differentially expressed DNA fragments were not found due to the genetic background but due to differences in a few genes affecting the trait of interest, siblings were included in the high and in the low performing groups. RNA was isolated from M. longissimus dorsi and four ,intra-litter constrasting pools' were prepared: high performing F2, low performing F2, high performing DL and low performing DL. Differential display banding patterns were produced using (d)T11VA (V:A,C,G) and 20 arbitrary primers. Comparing the banding patterns of the four RNA pools revealed 27 nonshared bands. Here we report on the analysis of seven of these bands, including sequencing, search for homology and mapping using a somatic cell hybrid panel. Two clones showed high homology to known genes, two were homologous to an EST and a SINE sequence. Three clones did not show any homology. Differential expression was tested by semiquantitative reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction (RT,PCR) and could be confirmed for six clones. [source] Cytosolic NADP phosphatases I and II from Arthrobacter sp. strain KM: Implication in regulation of NAD+/NADP+ balanceJOURNAL OF BASIC MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2004Shigeyuki Kawai NADP phosphatase (NADPase) is an enzyme that converts NADP+ into NAD+ through dephosphorylation of NADP+, and is considered to be one of the possible candidates for regulation of the NAD+/NADP+ balance in vivo. In order to obtain an intrinsic NADPase, the NADP+ -degrading activity in a membrane-free cell extract of a Gram-positive bacterium, Arthrobacter sp. strain KM, was first assessed and demonstrated to be mainly achieved through the NADPase reaction, indicating NADPase is essential for degradation of NADP+ and therefore for regulation of the NAD+/NADP+ balance in cytosol. Then, the isolation of cytosolic NADPase was attempted using NADP+ as a substrate. Two NADPase isozymes, designated as NADPases I and II, were purified from the cell extract of the bacterium, and were indicated to be the sole cytosolic NADPases regulating the balance of NAD+/NADP+. NADPases I and II are homodimers of 32 and 30 kDa subunits, respectively, and most active at pH 7,8. The N-terminal amino acid sequences of the two enzymes are similar to each other. Among the biological substrates tested, both enzymes showed the highest activity toward NADP+ and NADPH. AMP, ADP, and pyridoxal 5,-phosphate were also dephosphorylated, but to lower extents. Comparison of the features of NADPases I and II with those of other acid phosphatases possessing NADPase activity suggested that NADPases I and II are novel enzymes participating in regulation of the NAD+/NADP+ balance in the cytosol. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] Modulation of sulfur mustard induced cell death in human epidermal keratinocytes using IL-10 and TNF-,,,JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2005Aziz Qabar Abstract We compared the effects of overexpressing a tightly regulated anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin 10 (IL-10), and the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-,) on sulfur mustard induced cytotoxicity in human epidermal keratinocytes. Both cytokines were overexpressed when compared with the cells transfected with the empty vector as determined by quantitative ELISA. Cells overexpressing interleukin 10 suppressed the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 8 and interleukin 6 following exposure to 50,300 ,M sulfur mustard. These cells exhibited delayed onset of sulfur mustard induced cell death. On the other hand, cells overexpressing tumor necrosis factor alpha induced a sustained elevation in both interleukin 6 and 8 expression following exposure to 50,300 ,M sulfur mustard. These cells were sensitized to the effects of sulfur mustard that resulted in an increased sulfur mustard induced cell death. Normal human epidermal keartinocytes treated with sulfur mustard exhibited elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha expression and increased activity of nuclear factor kappa B. Gene array data indicated that cells overexpressing interleukin 10 induced several genes that are involved in growth promotion and cell-fate determination. We, therefore, identify IL-10 and TNF-, signal transduction pathways and their components as possible candidates for early therapeutic intervention against sulfur mustard induced cell injury. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 19:213,225, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/jbt.20089 [source] Substituent effects on conformational preference in , -substituted , -fluorophenylacetic acid methyl ester model systems for chiral derivatizing agentsJOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 10 2009Riadh Sahnoun Abstract In connection with study of chiral derivatizing agents (CDAs) for NMR determination of absolute configuration of organic compounds, factors controlling the conformational preference between syn - and anti -forms in , -substituted , -fluorophenylacetic acid methyl ester (FC(X)(Ph)COOMe) model systems were theoretically investigated. Substituents X at the stereogenic carbon atom were X,=,H, CCH and CH3, the electronic and steric properties of which were significantly different from each other. The model system with X,=,CCH and that with X,=,CH3 were found to be possible candidates for fluorine-containing CDAs. The syn conformation is stable compared with the anti one by 0.7,kcal,mol,1 for the ester with X,=,CCH. On the other hand, the anti conformation is stable compared with the syn one by 0.5,kcal,mol,1 for the ester with X,=,CH3. Both natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis and deletion of selected orbitals based on the donor,acceptor NBO scheme were adopted for semi-quantitative estimation of factors responsible for the conformational preference as well as a qualitative inspection of occupied canonical molecular orbitals (MOs). It was shown that [,,(,*,+,,*)(CO)] and [,,,*(Ph) and ,(Ph),,*] hyperconjugations are the main factors controlling the conformational preferences between the syn and anti conformations. Other types of effects such as electrostatic effects were also investigated. The role of the fluorine atom was also clarified. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Possible role of dermoscopy in the detection of a primary cutaneous melanoma of unknown originJOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY & VENEREOLOGY, Issue 3 2006M Stante Abstract For 2,8% of patients with metastatic melanoma, cutaneous and mucosal clinical examination does not lead to diagnosis of the primary tumour, which remains unknown. We report the case of a 41-year-old male patient who had received a diagnosis of metastatic melanoma after histological examination of an enlarged axillary lymph node, without previous detection of the primary lesion at his first dermatological examination. No pigmented skin lesions located in the anatomical area potentially drained by the affected axillary basin showed clinical features suggestive of a melanoma. Neither did the so-called ,ugly duckling' sign help us to identify the melanoma, because of the presence of a large number of clinically similar, common or slightly atypical melanocytic lesions located in that area. After dermoscopic examination we were able to narrow the field of possible candidates for excision to four lesions, selected on the basis of their dermoscopic features. Histological examination revealed the primary melanoma (superficial spreading melanoma (SSM), level III, thickness 0.5 mm) , located on the back , and three naevi with atypia. Preoperative distinction of the melanoma from the other three lesions was not possible because of the lack of well-established features of malignancy, even at dermoscopic analysis (,featureless' melanoma). Dermoscopy may thus play a role in the detection of a clinically unknown primary melanoma by narrowing the field of lesions to be removed for histological examination, saving many unnecessary excisions that would otherwise be inevitable. [source] On Some Characteristics of Ti Oxynitrides Obtained by Pulsed Magnetron SputteringPLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue S1 2007Mariana Braic Abstract TiOxNy coatings were investigated as possible candidates for ion diffusion barrier layers. The elemental and phase composition, texture, hardness, adhesion, and corrosion resistance of the coatings were analyzed. The ion release in Ringer solution for uncoated and coated samples were also determined. The film properties were found to significantly depend on the reactive gas composition (O2/N2 ratio). The coatings proved to enhance the corrosion protection and to reduce the ion release of the uncoated specimens. [source] State organisations as agencies: an identifiable and meaningful focus of research?PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & DEVELOPMENT, Issue 2 2004Ian ThynneArticle first published online: 22 APR 200 This article addresses the designation and study of state agencies as an important component of modern governance. It recognises that the recent interest in agencies has not been accompanied by any agreement on what actually constitutes an agency. In response, it distinguishes several types of organisations as possible candidates for agency status and thereafter classifies different applications of agencies in terms of these types. Two types are singled out for attention, with relevant lines of research being suggested. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The in vitro Inhibitory Potential of Trade Herbal Products on Human CYP2D6-Mediated Metabolism and the Influence of EthanolBASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 5 2007Bent H. Hellum Herbal components were extracted from commercially available products in a way that ensured the same composition of constituents in the extract as in the original trade products. c-DNA baculovirus expressed CYP2D6 was used with dextromethorphan as substrate. Quinidine was included as a positive control inhibitor. A validated high performance liquid chromatography methodology was used to quantify the formation of dextrorphan (product of dextromethorphan O-demethylation). Ethanol showed a biphasic effect on CYP2D6 metabolism, increasing initially the CYP2D6 activity with 175% of control up to a concentration of 1.1%, where after ethanol linearly inhibited the CYP2D6 activity. All the investigated herbs inhibited CYP2D6 activity to some extent, but only St. John's wort, common sage and common valerian were considered possible candidates for in vivo clinically significant effects. They showed IC50 values of 0.07 ± 7 × 10,3 mg/ml, 0.8 ± 0.05 mg/ml and 1.6 ± 0.2 mg/ml, respectively. St. John's wort inhibited CYP2D6-mediated metabolism in an uncompetitive manner, while common valerian and common sage in a non-competitive manner demonstrated interherb differences in inhibition patterns and differences when compared to the more homogenous competitive inhibitor quinidine. Common valerian was the only herb that showed a mechanistic inhibition of CYP2D6 activity and attention should be paid to a possible toxicity of this herb. [source] Effects of short-term W-CDMA mobile phone base station exposure on women with or without mobile phone related symptomsBIOELECTROMAGNETICS, Issue 2 2009Toshiaki Furubayashi Abstract To investigate possible health effects of mobile phone use, we conducted a double-blind, cross-over provocation study to confirm whether subjects with mobile phone related symptoms (MPRS) are more susceptible than control subjects to the effect of electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted from base stations. We sent questionnaires to 5,000 women and obtained 2,472 valid responses from possible candidates; from these, we recruited 11 subjects with MPRS and 43 controls. There were four EMF exposure conditions, each of which lasted 30 min: continuous, intermittent, and sham exposure with and without noise. Subjects were exposed to EMF of 2.14 GHz, 10 V/m (W-CDMA), in a shielded room to simulate whole-body exposure to EMF from base stations, although the exposure strength we used was higher than that commonly received from base stations. We measured several psychological and cognitive parameters pre- and post-exposure, and monitored autonomic functions. Subjects were asked to report on their perception of EMF and level of discomfort during the experiment. The MPRS group did not differ from the controls in their ability to detect exposure to EMF; nevertheless they consistently experienced more discomfort, regardless of whether or not they were actually exposed to EMF, and despite the lack of significant changes in their autonomic functions. Thus, the two groups did not differ in their responses to real or sham EMF exposure according to any psychological, cognitive or autonomic assessment. In conclusion, we found no evidence of any causal link between hypersensitivity symptoms and exposure to EMF from base stations. Bioelectromagnetics 30:100,113, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Reduction of a set of elementary modes using yield analysisBIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOENGINEERING, Issue 2 2009Hyun-Seob Song Abstract This article proposes a new concept termed "yield analysis" (YA) as a method of extracting a subset of elementary modes (EMs) essential for describing metabolic behaviors. YA can be defined as the analysis of metabolic pathways in yield space where the solution space is a bounded convex hull. Two important issues arising in the analysis and modeling of a metabolic network are handled. First, from a practical sense, the minimal generating set spanning the yield space is recalculated. This refined generating set excludes all the trivial modes with negligible contribution to convex hull in yield space. Second, we revisit the problem of decomposing the measured fluxes among the EMs. A consistent way of choosing the unique, minimal active modes among a number of possible candidates is discussed and compared with two other existing methods, that is, those of Schwartz and Kanehisa (Schwartz and Kanehisa, 2005. Bioinformatics 21: 204,205) and of Provost et al. (Provost et al., 2007. Proceedings of the 10th IFAC Symposium on Computer Application in Biotechnology, 321,326). The proposed idea is tested in a case study of a metabolic network of recombinant yeasts fermenting both glucose and xylose. Due to the nature of the network with multiple substrates, the flux space is split into three independent yield spaces to each of which the two-staged reduction procedure is applied. Through a priori reduction without any experimental input, the 369 EMs in total was reduced to 35 modes, which correspond to about 91% reduction. Then, three and four modes were finally chosen among the reduced set as the smallest active sets for the cases with a single substrate of glucose and xylose, respectively. It should be noted that the refined minimal generating set obtained from a priori reduction still provides a practically complete description of all possible states in the subspace of yields, while the active set covers only a specific set of experimental data. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;102: 554,568. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||