Effective Only (effective + only)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Structure,activity analysis of the potentiation by aminothiols of the chromosome-damaging effect of bleomycin in G0 human lymphocytes

ENVIRONMENTAL AND MOLECULAR MUTAGENESIS, Issue 2 2001
George R. Hoffmann
Abstract The radioprotective aminothiols 2-[(aminopropyl)amino] ethanethiol (WR-1065) and cysteamine (CSM) potentiate the induction of chromosomal damage by the radiomimetic compound bleomycin (BLM) in G0 human lymphocytes. To investigate the mechanism of potentiation, we measured the clastogenic activity of BLM in the cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay in the presence and absence of amines, thiols, and aminothiols. The hydroxy analog of WR-1065, 2-(3-aminopropylamino) ethanol (WR-OH), potentiates BLM only slightly, indicating the critical nature of the thiol group. As thiols, WR-1065 and CSM may donate electrons for the activation of Fe+2 -BLM or for the regeneration of Fe+2 -BLM from inactive Fe+3 -BLM. The amines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine all potentiate BLM, but they are weaker potentiators than the aminothiols, and they are effective only at high concentrations. Their activity, like that of WR-OH, is probably a consequence of conformational alteration of DNA. Dithioerythritol (DTE) and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME), thiols lacking an amino group, are less effective potentiators of BLM than are the aminothiols. The thiol group of WR-1065 and CSM is therefore essential, but insufficient, for explaining the strong enhancement of BLM activity. The cationic nature of CSM and WR-1065, conferred by the amino groups, evidently concentrates the active thiol function at the site of BLM action on DNA. As expected on this basis, the diamine WR-1065 is a more effective potentiator of BLM than is the monoamine CSM, whereas cysteine and N -acetylcysteine (NAC), which lack a net positive charge, potentiate BLM only weakly. These studies suggest that potentiation of the clastogenic action of BLM by aminothiols can be explained by the combination of a thiol-mediated redox mechanism and an amine-mediated targeting of the thiol function to DNA. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 37:117,127, 2001 © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Effect of transition metal ions (cobalt and nickel chlorides) on intestinal iron absorption

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION, Issue 9 2004
G. O. Latunde-Dada
Abstract Background, Haem biosynthesis may regulate intestinal iron absorption through changes in cellular levels of ,-aminolaevulinic acid (ALA), haem and perhaps other intermediates. CoCl2 and NiCl2 are activators of haem oxygenase, the rate-limiting enzyme in haem catabolism. Co2+ and Ni2+ may also regulate and increase iron absorption through a mechanism that simulates hypoxic conditions in the tissues. Design, We assayed intestinal iron absorption in mice dosed with CoCl2 or NiCl2. The effects of these metal ions on splenic and hepatic levels of ALA synthase and dehydratase as well as urinary levels of ALA and phosphobilinogen were also assayed. Results, While Co2+ enhanced iron absorption when administered to mice at doses of 65, 125 and 250 µmoles kg,1 body weight, Ni2+ was effective only at the highest dose. Ni2+ but not Co2+ at the highest dose reduced urinary ALA in the treated mice. Both metals ions increased splenic expression of haem oxygenase 1 and iron regulated protein 1, proteins involved, respectively, in haem degradation and iron efflux. Co2+ induced erythropoietin expression. Conclusions, The data suggest that while the effect of Ni2+ on iron absorption could be explained by effects on ALA, the effect of Co2+ may not be explained simply by changes in haem metabolism; therefore, effects mediated by alterations of specific haemoproteins by mechanisms that simulate tissue hypoxia could be important. [source]


A comparative study on the effects of naltrexone and loratadine on uremic pruritus

EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2004
E. Legroux-Crespel
Two recent studies have provided opposite results on the efficacy of naltrexone on uremic pruritus. We have performed a third study. We compared efficacy and tolerance of naltrexone and loratadine on uremic pruritus. Among 296 hemodialysed patients, 65 suffered from uremic pruritus. 52 patients participated in the study. Patients were treated for 2 weeks with naltrexone (50 mg/day; 26 patients) or loratadine (10 mg/day; 26 patients), after a washout of 48 h. Pruritus intensity was scored by a visual analog scale (VAS). Adverse events were carefully searched. The two groups were statistically equivalent. There was no significant difference in the mean VAS scores after treatment, but naltrexone allowed a dramatic decrease of VAS sores (, > 3/10) in seven patients. Adverse events (mainly nausea and sleep disturbances) were observed in 10 of 26 patients. We could notice that 22% of hemodialysed patients suffered from uremic pruritus. Naltrexone was effective only in a subset of patients. Adverse events were very frequent. The differences of efficacy and tolerance between patients might be due to metabolism. Naltrexone might be considered as a second-line treatment. [source]


Option Expensing and Managerial Equity Incentives

FINANCIAL MARKETS, INSTITUTIONS & INSTRUMENTS, Issue 3 2009
Yi Feng
We examine the impact of mandatory option expensing on managerial equity incentives. Though effective only after June 15, 2005, there is evidence that U.S. firms begin preparing for option expensing as early as 2002 by making changes to their equity incentive plans. We find that (1) CEO option incentives exhibit a sharp reversal during the period 1993-2005, with the median CEO option incentives increasing 25% a year before 2002 but declining 17% a year after 2001; (2) the reduction in option incentives after 2001 is larger for firms that use excessive levels of equity incentives prior to 2002; (3) firms make similar reductions to options granted to CEOs, other top executives and lower-level employees; (4) CEO stock incentives increase throughout the entire 13-year period, rising at an even greater rate after 2001; and (5) the increase in stock incentives after 2001 is far from offsetting the corresponding decrease in option incentives. These findings are robust to controls for firm and CEO characteristics and for concurrent regulatory, business and market events such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the option backdating scandal, and the 2000 stock market crash. We also provide a theoretical explanation for the documented changes in option incentives. [source]


New trends in urban development and public policy in eastern Germany: dealing with the vacant housing problem at the local level

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF URBAN AND REGIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2004
Birgit Glock
Supported by federal funds, many eastern German cities have started to address their acute vacant housing problem, and the new strategies attempt to pursue revitalization in especially consistent and comprehensive forms. This article offers evidence that current policies are not meeting their main objectives. Very little is being done in the older, inner-city neighbourhoods, although these have been given a top political priority in the planning process since they are perceived as one of the greatest economic and cultural assets of eastern Germany. Rather, the policies have been effective only in the large-scale housing estates, where local administrations and city governments meet ,big partners' with resources for action. Further, it is argued that present policy strategies focus too tightly on housing market issues alone. Many housing problems cannot be solved using housing market policy tools alone as vacancy is caused by the general trends of depopulation and deindustrialization in the region. Avec l'aide de financements fédéraux, de nombreuses grandes villes est-allemandes se sont attaquées à leur grave problème de logements inoccupés, et les nouvelles stratégies tentent une relance par des formules particulièrement vastes et cohérentes. Cet article démontre que les politiques actuelles n'atteignent pas leurs objectifs principaux. Très peu est fait dans les quartiers anciens déshérités, même si on leur a donné une priorité politique élevée dans le processus d'aménagement puisqu'ils sont en bonne place, dit-on, dans le patrimoine économique et culturel de l'Allemagne de l'Est. En revanche, les politiques publiques n'ont été efficaces que dans les projets de logements à grande échelle lorsque les administrations locales et autorités de la ville rencontrent des ,partenaires de poids' ayant des ressources pour agir. De plus, les stratégies politiques présentes s'attachent trop aux seuls aspects liés au marché du logement. Bien des problèmes d'habitat ne peuvent être résolus à l'aide d'outils de politique de marché puisque la vacance tient aux tendances générales à la dépopulation et à la désindustrialisation de la région. [source]


Environment and host-plant genotype effects on the seasonal dynamics of a predatory mite on cassava in sub-humid tropical Africa

AGRICULTURAL AND FOREST ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2009
Christine Zundel
Abstract 1,In tropical dry seasons, survival of small arthropods such as predatory mites is often negatively affected by low relative humidity (RH). For species that do not diapause or migrate to refuges, the ability of the habitat to mitigate climatic conditions becomes crucial. 2,The relative effect of macro-habitat (dry grassland hill, humid multiple cropping area, humid riparian forest) and microhabitat (host-plant genotypes with hairy, semi-hairy and glabrous apices) on the seasonal dynamics of the phytoseiid mite Typhlodromalus aripo, a predator of Mononychellus tanajoa on cassava, was examined in a field experiment during a dry season. The effect of RH and plant genotype on T. aripo egg survival was determined in an environment control chamber. 3,Predator abundance was higher in humid multiple cropping areas and on hairy cassava compared with the other habitat types and cassava genotypes. 4,Discriminant and regression analyses showed that the predator's dry season persistence was related to high RH, high plant vigour and hairy apices, but not to prey abundance. 5,In the controlled climate experiment, the effect of host-plant morphology was evident only at the intermediate RH level of 55%. An effect of apex hairiness was not found. 6,It is concluded that the effect of genotype on T. aripo persistence diminishes under low RH conditions, and that supportive effects of apex hairs become effective only in the field, probably through protection from wind and/or intraguild predation. Humid multiple cropping areas planted with hairy and vigorous cassava genotypes are suitable dry season reservoirs for T. aripo. [source]


TRIVARIATE SUPPORT OF FLAT-VOLATILITY FORWARD LIBOR RATES

MATHEMATICAL FINANCE, Issue 2 2010
Farshid Jamshidian
This paper investigates the multivariate support of forward Libor rates in the one-factor, constant volatilities Libor market model. The comparatively simple bivariate case was solved in Jamshidian (2008) in connection to the recent finding by Davis and Mataix-Pastor (2007) of positive probability of negative Libor rates in the swap market model. The approach here builds on Jamshidian (2008) but becomes really effective only in the trivariate case, and there particularly for a special "flat-volatility" case, leading to an analytic solution. The main idea is a certain recursion in the Libor market model by means of which the calculation of the support is reduced to a calculus of variation problem (with bounds on the slope). [source]


Building a Consistent and Reliable Expenditure Database

NEW DIRECTIONS FOR INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 106 2000
Kelli J. Armstrong
Campus cost studies are effective only when key constituencies have been involved in building the data elements that drive those studies. This chapter is a practical guide to that building process. [source]


Degradation of polyamide-6 by using metal salts as catalyst,

POLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 10-12 2002
a Klun
Abstract Polyamide-6 (PA-6) is a widely used polycondensation polymer that can be recycled by hydrolysis to its monomer ,-caprolactam. The reaction is normally catalyzed by mineral acids. Using microwaves as the source of heating, zinc chloride, acetate and triflate were evaluated as non-acid catalysts for the reaction. Gravimetric and electron spray ionization mass spectrometry analysis of reaction products showed ZnCl2 as the most effective salt catalyst. A 50wt% (versus PA-6) addition gave 75% water-soluble, low-molecular-weight oligomers, which is approximately 25% lower than when using phosphoric acid. The triflate salt was effective only when used as an addition to a mineral acid, whereas the acetate was ineffective. FTIR and NMR spectroscopy of degradation products showed that dissociated ions from ZnCl2 bind to the amide group of the polymer. Using the triflate salt no such interaction could be observed, indicating that the degradation and catalysis mechanisms differ with the chloride and triflate salt. Five water-stable lanthanide triflates showed no catalytic effect on the reaction. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Effect of diet and fenofibrate on lipid and glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes

PRACTICAL DIABETES INTERNATIONAL (INCORPORATING CARDIABETES), Issue 8 2001
MRCP, Ravi Sinha MB
Abstract The effect of dietetic advice on hyperlipidaemia in type 2 diabetic patients is uncertain. We have investigated this modality of treatment in 50 type 2 diabetic patients (24 female), mean (±SD) age 54±4 years and diabetes duration 5±4 years. All had a random plasma total cholesterol concentration of >6.5,mmol/L (mean 7.5±0.7,mmol/L). Three months after dietetic intervention, cholesterol fell to 7.1±1.1 (p=0.049), but triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were unchanged, as were HbA1c and body mass index (BMI). Thirteen (26%) patients reduced total cholesterol levels to <6.5,mmol/L on dietary treatment (,diet responders'). In this group there were significant improvements in total cholesterol (6.9±0.3 versus 5.9±0.6, p=0.03) and LDL-cholesterol (4.8±0.5 versus 4.1±0.5, p=0.003). This group had lower baseline total cholesterol levels than ,diet non-responders'. Multiple regression analysis revealed no association between diet response and baseline levels of HbA1c, BMI, age, sex, diabetes duration or compliance with dietetic advice. After two years of follow-up only four of these 13 ,diet responders' had cholesterol levels<6.5,mmol/L without drug treatment. ,Diet non-responders' at 3 months were treated with fenofibrate, which resulted in significant improvements in total cholesterol (7.6±0.9 before versus 6.8±1.1 after, p=0.012), LDL-cholesterol (5.2±0.8 before versus 4.6±0.8 after, p=0.019) and triglycerides (3.7±2.7 before versus 2.7±1.4 after, p=0.008). HDL cholesterol rose (1.0±0.3 before versus 1.1±0.3 after, p=0.048), and HbA1c also fell from 7.5±1.9 to 6.9±1.8 (p=0.024) on fenofibrate treatment. We conclude that dietary treatment of dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetes is effective only in a minority of patients, who are characterised by milder degrees of hypercholesterolaemia. Fenofibrate however was effective in improving dyslipidaemia, and was also associated with a reduction in HbA1c. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Long-Term Result of the New Endoscopic Vocal Fold Medialization Surgical Technique for Laryngeal Palsy,

THE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 2 2006
Koichiro Nishiyama MD
Abstract Objective: The conventional surgical method for a case of unilateral laryngeal nerve paralysis with large glottal gap requires an external cervical incision. In the present study, we developed an endoscopic technique of vocal fold medialization that can make the external incision unnecessary. This procedure of autologous transplantation of fascia into the vocal fold (ATFV) was developed for the successful treatment of unilateral laryngeal nerve paralysis. However, the method seemed to be effective only for patients with a relatively mild glottal gap. Study Design and Methods: In the present study, we modified the method of medialization using the ATFV technique to obtain effective closure of a large glottal gap. To overcome this difficulty, an attempt was made to extend the site of transplantation more posteriorly so as to adduct the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage in the body of the vocal fold. Results: This new technique was applied to eight cases of patients with unilateral laryngeal paralysis with severe dysphonia. None of the patients showed any evidence of falling off of the graft. Elongation of the maximum phonation time and a decrease in airflow rate during phonation were obtained with improvement in voice quality in all patients 1 year after the surgery. Conclusions: This method, with its less invasive approach, proved to be useful for the treatment of large glottal gap due to unilateral laryngeal nerve paralysis. [source]


Therapeutic Targets in Liver Transplantation: Angiotensin II in Nonsteatotic Grafts and Angiotensin-(1,7) in Steatotic Grafts

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2009
I. Alfany-Fernandez
Numerous steatotic livers are discarded as unsuitable for transplantation because of their poor tolerance of ischemia-reperfusion(I/R). The injurious effects of angiotensin (Ang)-II and the benefits of Ang-(1,7) in various pathologies are well documented. We examined the generation of Ang II and Ang-(1,7) in steatotic and nonsteatotic liver grafts from Zucker rats following transplantation. We also studied in both liver grafts the effects of Ang-II receptors antagonists and Ang-(1,7) receptor antagonists on hepatic I/R damage associated with transplantation. Nonsteatotic grafts showed higher Ang II levels than steatotic grafts, whereas steatotic grafts showed higher Ang-(1,7) levels than nonsteatotic grafts. Ang II receptor antagonists protected only nonsteatotic grafts against damage, whereas Ang-(1,7) receptor antagonists were effective only in steatotic grafts. The protection conferred by Ang II receptor antagonists in nonsteatotic grafts was associated with ERK 1/2 overexpression, whereas the beneficial effects of Ang-(1,7) receptor antagonists in steatotic grafts may be mediated by NO inhibition. Our results show that Ang II receptor antagonists are effective only in nonsteatotic liver transplantation and point to a novel therapeutic target in liver transplantation based on Ang-(1,7), which is specific for steatotic liver grafts. [source]


Synthetic and antimicrobial studies on new gold(I) complexes of imidazolidin-2-ylidenes

APPLIED ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2004
smail Özdemir
Abstract Six new 1,3-diorganylimidazolidin-2-ylidene (NHC) gold(I) complexes of the type [Au(NHC)2]+ (1,6), were synthesized by reacting [AuCl(PPh)3] with 1,3-dimesitylimidazolidin-2-ylidene or bis(1,3-dialkylimidazolidin-2-ylidene). The complexes 1,6 were fully characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic data. The placement of mesityl or para-substituted benzyl groups on the nitrogen atoms of the ring of the complexes leads to the particularly active antibacterial agents evaluated in this work. It is worth noting that the p -methoxybenzyl derivative (2) inhibited the growth of Pseudomona aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 3.12 µg ml,1, 6.25 µg ml,1, 3.12 µg ml,1 and 3.12 µg ml,1 respectively. In contrast, the analogous p -dimethylaminobenzyl derivative (3) is effective only against Escherichia coli (MIC = 3.12 µg ml,1). Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Automated software development with XML and the Java* language

BELL LABS TECHNICAL JOURNAL, Issue 2 2000
Glenn R. Bruns
In software development with domain-specific languages (DSLs), one defines a requirements language for an application domain and then develops a compiler to generate an implementation from a requirements document. Because DSLs and DSL compilers are expensive to develop, DSLs are seen as cost effective only when many products of the same domain will be developed. In this paper, we show how the cost of DSL design and DSL compiler development can be reduced by defining DSLs as Extensible-Markup-Language (XML) dialects and by developing DSL compilers using commercial XML tools and the Java* language. This approach is illustrated through the Call View Data Language (CDL), a new DSL that generates provisioning support code and database table definitions for Lucent Technologies' 7R/EÔ Network Feature Server. [source]


Novel developments on cervical length screening and progesterone for preventing preterm birth

BJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009
V Berghella
Cervical length (CL) measured by transvaginal ultrasound is an effective screening test for the prevention of preterm birth (PTB). The criteria for an effective screening test are all met by CL. It studies an important condition (PTB); it is safe and acceptable by >99% of women; it recognises an early asymptomatic phase that precedes PTB by many weeks; it has a well-described technique, is reproducible, is predictive of PTB in all populations studies so far; and, perhaps most importantly, it has been shown that ,early' treatment is effective in prevention. These two interventions, effective only in specific populations, are ultrasound-indicated cerclage and vaginal progesterone. [source]


Trends in primary androgen depletion therapy for patients with localized and locally advanced prostate cancer: Japanese perspective

CANCER SCIENCE, Issue 4 2006
Hideyuki Akaza
It has been conventionally accepted that primary androgen depletion therapy (PADT) is effective only as a palliative treatment against localized prostate cancer (LPC) and locally advanced prostate cancer (LAPC), like its effect against advanced (metastatic) prostate cancer. In Japan, however, PADT has long been the treatment of choice for LPC and LAPC. The frequency of PADT being chosen to treat LPC and LAPC is also on the rise in clinical practice in the USA. Very little evidence to support this trend has so far been available. A study on the outcomes of endocrine therapy is currently being conducted in Japan by the Japanese Prostate Cancer Surveillance Group. Results of several domestic and overseas randomized trials have recently been published, and evidence for the efficacy of PADT in LPC and LAPC has been accumulating. The effectiveness of PADT in LAPC, in particular, is worthy of attention. There is a possibility that therapeutic strategies for LPC and LAPC may change dramatically in the near future. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 243 , 247) [source]


TOCOTRIENOL OFFERS BETTER PROTECTION THAN TOCOPHEROL FROM FREE RADICAL-INDUCED DAMAGE OF RAT BONE

CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PHARMACOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 9 2005
NS Ahmad
SUMMARY 1.,Free radicals generated by ferric nitrilotriacetate (FeNTA) can activate osteoclastic activity and this is associated with elevation of the bone resorbing cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 and IL-6. In the present study, we investigated the effects of 2 mg/kg FeNTA (2 mg iron/kg) on the levels of serum IL-1 and IL-6 with or without supplementation with a palm oil tocotrienol mixture or ,-tocopherol acetate in Wistar rats. 2.,The FeNTA was found to elevate levels of IL-1 and IL-6. Only the palm oil tocotrienol mixture at doses of 60 and 100 mg/kg was able to prevent FeNTA-induced increases in IL-1 (P < 0.01). Both the palm oil tocotrienol mixture and ,-tocopherol acetate, at doses of 30, 60 and 100 mg/kg, were able to reduce FeNTA-induced increases in IL-6 (P < 0.05). Therefore, the palm oil tocotrienol mixture was better than pure ,-tocopherol acetate in protecting bone against FeNTA (free radical)-induced elevation of bone-resorbing cytokines. 3.,Supplementation with the palm oil tocotrienol mixture or ,-tocopherol acetate at 100 mg/kg restored the reduction in serum osteocalcin levels due to ageing, as seen in the saline (control) group (P < 0.05). All doses of the palm oil tocotrienol mixture decreased urine deoxypyridinoline cross-link (DPD) significantly compared with the control group, whereas a trend for decreased urine DPD was only seen for doses of 60 mg/kg onwards of ,-tocopherol acetate (P < 0.05). 4.,Bone histomorphometric analyses have shown that FeNTA injections significantly lowered mean osteoblast number (P < 0.001) and the bone formation rate (P < 0.001), but raised osteoclast number (P < 0.05) and the ratio of eroded surface/bone surface (P < 0.001) compared with the saline (control) group. Supplementation with 100 mg/kg palm oil tocotrienol mixture was able to prevent all these FeNTA-induced changes, but a similar dose of ,-tocopherol acetate was found to be effective only for mean osteoclast number. Injections of FeNTA were also shown to reduce trabecular bone volume (P < 0.001) and trabecular thickness (P < 0.05), whereas only supplementation with 100 mg/kg palm oil tocotrienol mixture was able to prevent these FeNTA-induced changes. [source]