Arbitrary null-subject constructions are a common property of null- subject languages. Their semantic and syntactic properties have been studied in the Principles and Parameters framework and have been attributed to the assignment of an arbitrary index at the Logical Form as a consequence of their licensing by the interaction of theta and case theory at the level of Deep Structure. In this paper we review the semantic and syntactic properties of arbitrary null-subjects in Greek and we try to analyse these properties in terms of the more general licensing principles of null-subjects and indefiniteness.
Nursing Information System (NIS) is a part of a health care information system that deals with nursing aspects, particularly the maintenance of the nursing record. The several objectives that a Nursing Information system should meet in order to succeed its aims, cover the users' needs and operate properly are described. The functions of such systems, which combine with the basic tasks of the nursing care process, are examined. As Nursing Information System is part of the health care and hospital information system, the different strategies and approaches for designing and developing Hospital Information Systems followed from the decade of 1970 until the recent decade of 1990, are presented. The three main approaches followed were the "centralized approach", the "departmental approach", and the "distributed approach". The advantages and drawbacks of each different approach are examined. For the implementation or upgrade of Nursing Information System a NIS committee comprised by different health care professionals, is necessary to be formed. The implementation and upgrade of a Nursing Information System follows some specific phases. These steps, include planning phase, analysis phase, design phase, development phase, implementation phase, and upgrade phase. A paragraph at the end of this chapter summarizes the future trends of Nursing Information Systems.
A series of 99mTcO[SN(R)S][S] complexes carrying the 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine moiety on the tridentate ligand [SN(R)S] was synthesized. For structural characterization and for in vitro binding assays the analogous oxorhenium complexes were prepared. As demonstrated by appropriate competition binding tests in rat hippocampal preparations, all oxorhenium analogues showed affinity for the 5-HT(1A) receptor binding sites with IC(50) values at the nanomolar range (IC(50)= 5.8-103 nM). All 99mTcO[SN(R)S]/[S] complexes showed significant brain uptake in rats at 2 min p.i. (0.24-1.31% ID). However, a clear correlation between distribution of radioactivity in the brain and distribution of 5-HT(1A) receptors could not be established.
Among the most important aspects of the atmospheric pollution problem are the anthropogenic impacts on the stratospheric ozone layer, the related trends of the total ozone content drop and the solar ultraviolet radiation enhancement at the Earth’s surface level.During September 2002, the ozone hole over the Antarctic was much smaller than in the previous six years. It has split into two separate holes, due to the appearance of sudden stratospheric warming that has never been observed before in the southern hemisphere.The analysis of this unprecedented event is attempted, regarding both the meteorological and photochemical aspects, in terms of the unusual thermal field patterns and the induced polar vortex disturbances.
Lugo Mirón S. Panorama actual del teatro en Grecia. Estudios neogriegos: Revista científica de la Sociedad Hispánica de Estudios Neogriegos. 2002;4-5:123–131.
We conducted a phase III study in patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma (ACC). The total number of patients randomized from October 1993 until July 1998 was 192, whereas therapy was started on 179 and 158 (82.3%) have been evaluable. The treatment schedules consisted of weekly bolus administration for 6 weeks of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 600 mg/m2 (arm I) versus 5-FU (500 mg/m2) intravenous bolus and interferon-α, 5 MU subcutaneously, three times a week (arm II) versus leucovorin 200 mg/m2 in 2-hour infusion and 5-FU 500 mg/m2 intravenous bolus at the midtime of leucovorin infusion (arm III) followed by a 2-week rest period. Treatment was continued for six cycles or until progression. This study failed to show any superiority of the modulated 5-FU versus single administration of 5-FU. There were no significant differences between the three arms in the overall response rate (10.3% versus 11.3% versus 12.9%, p = 0.95), the time to tumor progression (median, 3.9 versus 3.8 versus 6.0 months, p = 0.59), or survival duration (median, 14.7 versus 12.4 versus 16.3 months, p = 0.71). The incidence of severe (grades III and IV) toxicity was significantly higher in patients in arm II and III (24.5% and 18.6%) versus arm I (6.0%) (p = 0.01). Because modulated 5-FU failed to show superiority versus 5-FU, new agents and new strategies are needed for the treatment of advanced colorectal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVES: We sought to investigate the effects of physical training on circulating proinflammatory cytokines and the soluble apoptosis mediators Fas (sFas) and Fas ligand (sFasL) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). BACKGROUND: Recent investigations have shown an overexpression of circulating proinflammatory cytokines and soluble apoptosis mediators in patients with CHF, which may be related to their exercise intolerance and clinical deterioration. METHODS: Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), soluble TNF receptors I and II (sTNF-RI and sTNF-RII, respectively), interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), sFas and sFasL were measured in 24 patients with stable CHF (New York Heart Association functional class II/III; left ventricular ejection fraction 23.2 +/- 1.3%) and in 20 normal control subjects before and after a 12-week program of physical training in a randomized, crossover design. Functional status of patients with CHF was evaluated by using a cardiorespiratory exercise test to measure peak oxygen consumption (VO2max). RESULTS: Physical training produced a significant reduction in plasma levels of TNF-alpha (7.5 +/- 1.0 pg/ml vs. 4.6 +/- 0.7 pg/ml, p < 0.001), sTNF-RI (3.3 +/- 0.2 ng/ml vs. 2.7 +/- 0.2 ng/ml, p < 0.005), sTNF-RII (2.6 +/- 0.2 ng/ml vs. 2.3 +/- 0.2 ng/ml, p = 0.06), IL-6 (8.3 +/- 1.2 pg/ml vs. 5.9 +/- 0.8 pg/ml, p < 0.005), sIL-6R (34.0 +/- 3.0 ng/ml vs. 29.2 +/- 3.0 ng/ml, p < 0.01), sFas (5.5 +/- 0.7 ng/ml vs. 4.5 +/- 0.8 ng/ml, p = 0.05) and sFasL (34.9 +/- 5.0 pg/ml vs. 25.2 +/- 4.0 pg/ml, p < 0.05), as well as a significant increase in VO2max (16.3 +/- 0.7 ml/kg per min vs. 18.7 +/- 0.8 ml/kg per min, p < 0.001). Good correlations were found between a training-induced increase in VO2max and a training-induced reduction in levels of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha (r = -0.54, p < 0.01) and the apoptosis inducer sFasL (r = -0.57, p < 0.005) in patients with CHF. In contrast, no significant difference in circulating cytokines and apoptotic markers was found with physical training in normal subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Physical training reduces plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines and the sFas/sFasL system in patients with CHF. These immunomodulatory effects may be related to the training-induced improvement in functional status of patients with CHF
The development of new hydrogen selective neutral carriers based on 3-hydroxypicolinic acid derivatives, and its application to pH selective liquid membrane ISE based on these compounds is described. The optimization of the sensor has been based on the use of different plasticizers, additives, and mole ratios of the picolinate derivatives. Based on these results it is shown that the membrane composition can be adjusted for the measurement of pH at very low pH values (down to pH -0.5) and up to at least pH 10. The ability of the presented carriers to measure hydrogen activities up to 3N gives new directions in the use of these sensors for a variety of critical applications.
We report on the second peak line H-sp and the possible phases of vortex matter near T-c for a detwinned underdoped YBa2Cu3O7-delta single crystal. Our local ac and dc permeability measurements revealed that the second peak line H-sp does not terminate either at the critical temperature or on the irreversibility line H-irr. Pronounced hysteretic behavior is observed in the regime below the second peak line H-sp. Below (above) a characteristic field the end point of the second peak differs from (coincides with) the irreversibility point, H(end point)not equalH(irr) (H(end point)equivalent toH(irr)). A possible reentrance of a dynamically ordered solid phase in the high-temperature regime near the irreversibility line is discussed.
Several famous athletes have been affected by ALS, and some epidemiologic studies have indicated that vigorous physical activity (heavy labor or athletics) is a risk factor for the disease. In a case-control study of 279 patients with motor neuron diseases and 152 with other neurologic diseases, the authors found that subjects with motor neuron diseases were more likely than controls to report they had always been slim or they had been varsity athletes. For slimness, the odds ratio (OR) was 2.21; 95% CI, 1.40 to 3.47. For varsity athletics, the OR was 1.70; CI, 1.04 to 2.76.
Micro-Raman measurements under hydrostatic pressures up to 6GPa have been carried out on high-quality La2-xSrxCuO4 polycrystalline compounds with Sr concentration up to x=0.45. The zz scattering polarization has been investigated, where two strong modes due to La/Sr and the apex oxygen, and (in the low Sr concentrations) the soft mode at ≃100cm-1 are observed. The frequency of the strong modes increases almost linearly with pressure for the Sr concentrations studied. Modifications in the increment rate dω/dp and the phonon width have been detected depending on the amount of doping. For x=0.45 a considerable increase in the width of both strong phonons with pressure was found, which must reflect a separation into phases, since this concentration is close to the solubility limit. The relative intensity of the strong phonons was investigated in connection with its correlation to the transition temperature.
The case is described of a 36 year-old man who presented with progressive proximal muscle weakness and weight loss. His serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels were markedly elevated. The muscle biopsy showed lipid storage myopathy. The muscle carnitine concentration was extremely low (5.6% of normal levels), establishing the diagnosis of myopathic carnitine deficiency. The disorder was considered as primary because there were no indications of any other identifiable condition which could result in a secondary carnitine deficiency. The patient was treated with oral L-carnitine (2 g per day) and showed rapid improvement. Primary myopathic carnitine deficiency is a curable disorder and therefore it should always be considered as a potential diagnosis in cases of myopathy in young adults.
The treatment of patients with recurrent low-grade lymphoma with the combination of fludarabine, mitoxantrone and dexamethasone has been associated with significant activity but has also caused frequent infectious complications. We designed a phase II study for previously untreated patients with the combination of fludarabine and mitoxantrone but without steroids. Our aim was to assess the activity of this combination as primary treatment for low-grade lymphoma and to avoid the additional immunosuppression induced by dexamethasone. Twenty seven patients with low-grade lymphoma received fludarabine 25 mg/m2/day IV on days 1-3 and mitoxantrone 10 mg/m2 IV on day 1. The treatment was repeated every 28 days for a maximum of six cycles. Twenty patients (74%) achieved an objective response including 12(44%) complete and 8(30%) partial responses. The main toxicity was grade III or IV neutropenia, which occurred in 40% of patients but there were no severe opportunistic infections. The median time to progression for all patients was 32 months. With a median follow-up of 33.4 months, six patients have died and the probability of survival at 3 years is 75%. We conclude that the fludarabine and mitoxantrone regimen is safe and effective for newly diagnosed patients with low-grade lymphoma who require treatment. Prospective randomized trials are needed in order to assess the impact of this treatment on patients' survival.
Malomed BA, Frantzeskakis DJ, Nistazakis HE, Yannacopoulos AN, Kevrekidis PG. Pulled fronts in the Cahn-Hilliard equation. Physics Letters, Section A: General, Atomic and Solid State Physics [Internet]. 2002;295:267-272. Website
Malomed BA, Frantzeskakis DJ, Nistazakis HE, Yannacopoulos AN, Kevrekidis PG. Pulled fronts in the Cahn-Hilliard equation. Physics Letters, Section A: General, Atomic and Solid State Physics [Internet]. 2002;295:267-272. Website
Rhinoviruses are the major cause of common colds and of asthma exacerbations. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) has a central role in airway inflammation and is the receptor for 90% of rhinoviruses. Rhinovirus infection of airway epithelium induces ICAM-1. Because redox state is directly implicated in inflammatory responses via molecular signaling mechanisms, here we studied the effects of reducing agents on rhinovirus-induced ICAM-1 expression, mRNA up-regulation, promoter activation, and nuclear factor activation. To investigate the effects of rhinovirus infection on the intracellular redox balance, we also studied whether rhinovirus infection triggers the production of reactive oxygen species. We found that reduced (GSH) but not oxidized (GSSG) glutathione (1-100 microM) inhibited in a dose-dependent manner rhinovirus-induced ICAM-1 up-regulation and mRNA induction in primary bronchial and A549 respiratory epithelial cells. GSH but not GSSG also inhibited rhinovirus-induced ICAM-1 promoter activation and rhinovirus-induced NF-kB activation. In parallel, we found that rhinovirus infection induced a rapid increase of intracellular superoxide anion that was maximal at the time of NF-kB activation. This oxidant generation was completely inhibited by GSH. We conclude that redox-mediated intracellular pathways represent an important target for the therapeutic control of rhinovirus-induced diseases.
In response to the Israeli-Turkish strategic partnership of the 1990s Greece was driven closer than ever before to Israel. By the end of the 1990s it was clear that Athens had reached a turning point in its policy towards Israel. The PASOK government wished to maintain Greece's traditionally good relations with the Arabs. Nevertheless, it was ready to risk upsetting them in the pursuit of a good relationship with Israel. The promotion of relations with Jerusalem (underdeveloped for over 40 years), was understood to serve national policy goals. It was viewed as part of Greece's strategy towards Turkey (Greece's perennial adversary), as well as of its policy of full alignment with the US and its EU partners. Developments in the regional environment and the ability of the Greek government to respond to opportunities will determine whether Greek-Israeli relations could grow in substance.
Rhinovirus (RV) infection is the commonest trigger of acute asthma exacerbations; however, the immune response to these viruses and any potential implications in the mechanisms leading to asthma exacerbations are not well understood.|To assess the effects of in vitro RV infection on the phenotype and expression of costimulatory molecules on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from normal and atopic asthmatic subjects, as a model for RV antigen presentation.|PBMC from seven normal and seven asthmatic subjects were exposed to one infectious unit/cell of RV16 for 48 h. Surface expression of CD25, CD28, CD40, CD54, CD80, CD86 and CTLA-4 was evaluated on CD3, CD4, CD8, CD14 and CD19 PBMC subpopulations by three-colour flow cytometry.|No changes in the percentage of CD3, CD4, CD8 or CD19 were observed. CD14 was significantly reduced by the infection and this was more pronounced in normal subjects. On Th cells CTLA-4 was increased after RV infection only in the asthmatic group. Levels of CD80 and CD86 in the control cultures were lower in the asthmatic group. RV infection induced a significant increase of CD80 on monocytes and of CD86 on B cells, which occurred in both groups but were less marked in atopic asthmatic subjects.|Exposure of PBMC to RV is able to activate the antigen presentation machinery. Differences between normal and atopic asthmatic individuals are compatible with the hypothesis that an aberrant immune response to RV may be involved in the development of acute exacerbations in atopic asthmatic subjects.
OBJECTIVE: The etiology of most cases of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) has not been elucidated. We have undertaken an investigation in Greece to determine the risk profile of adult de-novo MDS.
METHODS: A case-control investigation was conducted in a large Veterans' hospital over a five-year period, covering 84 MDS cases and 84 age- and gender-matched controls with minor non-neoplastic non-infectious conditions from the same study base. Cases and controls reported to the medically trained principal investigator lifestyle characteristics and medical histories, with emphasis on autoimmune disorders and allergic conditions.
RESULTS: Alcohol intake and tobacco smoking jointly increased significantly the risk of MDS (odd ratio contrasting ever smokers and regular drinkers of at least one glass per day to never smokers and drinkers of less than one glass per day: 9.54. 95% CI 3.52-25.82) whereas each of these factors alone had limited effect. There was also evidence that autoimmune conditions, but not allergic disorders, were positively associated with MDS risk, irrespective of their occurrence during the recent (less than ten years) or the remote (more than ten years) past (OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.15-9.74; OR 3.50, 95% CI 1.19-10.26, respectively).
CONCLUSION: We found evidence that both exogenous and endogenous factors may play a role in the etiology of the so-called "de novo" myelodysplastic syndromes, but these findings need further confirmation.
We consider the effect of different approximations to the dielectric function of a silver sphere on the absorption of light by two-dimensional and three-dimensional periodic and non-periodic arrays of non-overlapping silver spheres in a host dielectric medium. We also present some results on the band structure and the absorption coefficient of light by photonic crystals consisting of non-overlapping silver-coated spheres in a dielectric medium.
Using the multiple-scattering formalism we developed in a previous work, and extended here, we analyze available experimental data on the transmission of longitudinal waves in the system: water-slab of polyester-water, the slab of polyester having a plane of glass or lead or steel spheres in the middle. The theoretical results reproduce accurately the measured spectra and provide a transparent physical picture of the underlying processes. In particular, the dips in the observed spectra are attributed to multiple wave scattering between the spheres, and are related to hybridization-induced gaps in the frequency band structure of the longitudinal elastic modes of a corresponding infinite crystal.
Solitary bone and extramedullary plasmacytomas are rare plasma cell proliferative disorders. Their diagnosis is based on histologic confirmation of monoclonal plasma cell infiltration of a single disease site and on the exclusion of systemic myeloma. For both entities, the treatment of choice is localized radiotherapy. With modern radiotherapy and with a total dose of at least 4000 cGy, the risk for local recurrence is less than 5%. There is no role for systemic chemotherapy in the management of these disorders. Approximately 30% of patients with solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) remain disease-free for several years; some of these patients may be cured. Patients with the best prognosis are those in whom the monoclonal protein disappears by 1 year after radiotherapy. The prognosis of patients with solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (SEP) appears to be better than for patients with SBP because approximately 70% of patients with SEP remain disease-free at 10 years. With more sensitive staging procedures, the diagnosis of SBP and SEP may become less common, but the number of patients with prolonged stability and cure may increase.
The purpose of this chapter is to present a conceptual framework that applies to almost all statistical procedures discussed so far in this text. We also describe briefly, using a conceptual framework only, some of the more advanced techniques used in medicine.
We propose that the internal energy of the gamma-ray burst (GRB) blast waves, thought to be stored in the form of relativistic protons comoving with the blast wave, is converted explosively (i.e., on light crossing timescales) into relativistic electrons of the same Lorentz factor, which are responsible for the production of observed prompt γ-ray emission of the burst. This conversion is the result of the combined effects of the reflection of photons produced within the flow by upstream located matter, their reinterception by the blast wave, and their eventual conversion into e+e- pairs in interactions with the relativistic protons of the blast wave (via the pγ-->pe+e- reaction). This entire procedure is contingent on two conditions on the relativistic protons: a kinematic one imposed by the threshold of the pγ-->pe+e- reaction and a dynamic one related to the column density of the postshock matter to the same process. This latter condition is in essence identical to that of the criticality of a nuclear pile, hence the terminology. It is argued that the properties of relativistic blast waves operating under these conditions are consistent with GRB phenomenology, including the recently found correlation between quiescence periods and subsequent flare fluence. Furthermore, it is shown that, when operating near threshold, the resulting GRB spectrum produces its peak luminosity at an energy (in the lab frame) E~=mec2, thereby providing an answer to this outstanding question of GRBs.
An efficient route for the synthesis of enantiopure unnatural α-amino acids and 2-amino alcohols was developed. The synthesis is based on the Wittig-type olefination of 3-benzyloxy-2-(tertbutoxycarbonylamino)propanal with various ylides.
An efficient synthesis of (S)-α-amino oleic acid was developed. The fully protected FA derivative was obtained in four steps starting from methyl (2S)-2-[bis(tert-butoxycar-bonyl)amino]-5-oxopentanoate. These steps are (i) olefination of the starting aldehyde with the appropriate phosphonate anion, (ii) hydrogenation of the double bonds, (iii) controlled reduction of ω-ethyl ester to an aldehyde in the presence of α-methyl ester, and (iv) a Wittig reaction of the latter aldehyde with the suitable ylide. Free α-amino oleic acid was prepared after deprotection of the amino group followed by saponification in a total yield of 24%. N-tert-Butoxycarbonyl-protected amino oleic acid and the corresponding amino alcohol were prepared in high yield. The structures of the products have been established by various spectroscopic techniques.
We present a systematic method for constructing two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equilibria with compressible flow in Cartesian geometry. This systematic method has already been developed in spherical geometry and applied in modelling solar and stellar winds and outflows (Vlahakis & Tsinganos \cite{Vlahakis98}) but is derived here in Cartesian geometry in the context of the solar atmosphere for the first time. Using the method we find several new classes of solutions, some of which generalise known solutions, including the Kippenhahn & Schlüter (\cite{Kippenhahn57}) and Hood & Anzer (\cite{Hood90}) solar prominence models and the Tsinganos et al. (\cite{Tsinganos93}) coronal loop model with flow, and some of which are completely new. Having developed the method in full and summarised the several classes of solutions, we explore in a some detail one of the classes to illustrate the general construction method. From one of the new classes of solutions we calculate two loop-like solutions, one of which is the first exact two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium with trans-Alfvénic flow.
We present a systematic method for constructing two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equilibria with compressible flow in Cartesian geometry. This systematic method has already been developed in spherical geometry and applied in modelling solar and stellar winds and outflows (Vlahakis & Tsinganos \cite{Vlahakis98}) but is derived here in Cartesian geometry in the context of the solar atmosphere for the first time. Using the method we find several new classes of solutions, some of which generalise known solutions, including the Kippenhahn & Schlüter (\cite{Kippenhahn57}) and Hood & Anzer (\cite{Hood90}) solar prominence models and the Tsinganos et al. (\cite{Tsinganos93}) coronal loop model with flow, and some of which are completely new. Having developed the method in full and summarised the several classes of solutions, we explore in a some detail one of the classes to illustrate the general construction method. From one of the new classes of solutions we calculate two loop-like solutions, one of which is the first exact two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic equilibrium with trans-Alfvénic flow.
Nistazakis HE, Kevrekidis PG, Malomed BA, Frantzeskakis DJ, Bishop AR. Targeted transfer of solitons in continua and lattices. Physical Review E - Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics [Internet]. 2002;66. Website
Nistazakis HE, Kevrekidis PG, Malomed BA, Frantzeskakis DJ, Bishop AR. Targeted transfer of solitons in continua and lattices. Physical Review E - Statistical Physics, Plasmas, Fluids, and Related Interdisciplinary Topics [Internet]. 2002;66. Website
Introduction: During the last few years epirubicin (E) and mitoxantrone (M) (Novantrone) have been used in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), because of their favorable principal profile. In particular, M has less severe non-hematological toxicity. Patients and methods: A randomized multicenter phase III study was conducted in order to compare the efficacy and toxicity of CEOP and CNOP in intermediate- and high-grade NHL. CEOP (arm A) consisted of cyclophosphamide 1000 mg m-2, vincristine 2 mg, E 70 mg m-2 on day 1 and prednisone 60 mg on days 1-7. The CNOP regimen (arm B) was identical to CEOP except for replacement of E by M at a dose of 12 mg m-2. Randomization was stratified according to stages I-IV. From September 1993 to March 1999, 249 patients registered for the trial. Patient characteristics were equally distributed in the two arms, except for age and International Prognostic Index (IPI) groups. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in the rates of complete (CR) and partial response (PR). The overall response rate was 78% in arm A (57% CR, 21% PR) and 82% in arm B (60% CR, 22% PR). With a median follow-up time of 47.3 months, the median survival was not reached in arm A, while it was 39.5 months in arm B (P=0.09). Three-year survival rates were 62.5% for CEOP and 51.5% for CNOP. There was no significant difference regarding the time to progression between the two groups (29.7 vs. 18.5 months); furthermore the median duration of CRs was 71.6 and 49 months for CEOP and CNOP, respectively (P=0.07). The therapeutic efficacies of both regimens were equivalent among the four IPI groups. More alopecia was observed in arm A. WHO grade >2 neutropenia was more frequent in arm B. Supportive treatment with G-CSF was given to 22 and 24 patients, respectively. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in terms of overall response rates, overall survival and time to progression between CEOP and CNOP in the treatment of intermediate- and high-grade NHL. Patients with low or low intermediate IPI risk treated with either CEOP or CNOP showed significantly better survival, response rates and time to progression than those with high intermediate or high IPI risk. Therefore, new improved therapeutic approaches should be developed for the treatment of high IPI risk patients.
Background: The usefulness of tumor volumetry in ovarian epithelial cancer has never been intensively investigated. The aim of the present study was to determine the value of quantitative analysis of tumor volume as a predictive method for response to treatment and as a prognostic method for disease outcome. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five women with advanced ovarian cancer who presented with measurable disease on CT scan prior to chemotherapy were retrospectively studied. The patients were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 113.36 weeks. An independent radiologist identified and delineated tumor contours in each slice of sequential CT scans before and after therapy. Volumetry was measured with a three-dimensional approach by utilizing a digitizer and a specific algorithm on a software computed program. Results: Data were analyzed according to initial and to residual tumor volumes. Patients with low initial volume of <52 cm3 exhibited higher responses (p<0.01), while patients with medium (52-165 cm3) or high (> 165 CM3) initial tumor volume had a shorter time to progression (p<0.01). Patients without or with low residual volume of <35 cm3 were found to have a longer time to progression (p<0.05) and longer survival (p<0.01 and p<0.05). In addition, serum CA 125 levels followed precisely tumor volumetry for both initial and residual disease. Conclusion: Tumor volumetry in advanced ovarian cancer was found to have predictive value for response to platinum-based chemotherapy. Initial tumor volume has prognostic significance only for the time to progression, whereas residual tumor volume has for both time to progression and survival.
We study the spin-dependent transport in expitaxial Ferromagnet/Insulator/Ferromagnet junctions. Firstly we show that the tunneling through the insulator can be described by the complex band structure of the insulator in the gap region, i.e. by the metal-induced gap states. Since the imaginary part of the Bloch vector describes the decay of the wave function, we calculate the spectrum of the decay parameters K for several semiconductors. For large thicknesses the state with the smallest K-value dominates the current. In the second part we present the results of ground state calculation for Fe/ZnSe/Fe(001) and related junctions. We obtain a rather localized charge transfer from the interface Fe layer to the neighbouring semiconductor layer, which is largest for the low-valent termination. Moreover we find that the local moments at the interface depend sensitively on the lattice parameter chosen. Finally, we show that in the minority band at E(F) an Fe interface state exists, which deeply penetrates into the barrier.
Per poter trattare adeguatamente questo problema dai molteplici aspetti, dobbiamo dapprima affrontare le seguenti tre questioni, di concerto nondimeno con l’ulteriore questione che riguarda la volontà americana di esercitare la propria egemonia politico-militare nell’area eurasiatica e nel suo complemento marittimo, il Mediterraneo.
The average pressure distribution at mean sea level and the vertical structure of synoptic scale surface cyclones (with central pressure less than 1000 hPa) that occur in the Mediterranean region is studied for a 40 year period (1958-1997) on a seasonal and daily basis. The cyclonic occurrences are studied in three regions of enhanced cyclonic activity: gulf of Genoa, Southern Italy and Cyprus. The cyclones are identified with the aid of an objective method based on grid point values, available every 6 hours. The analysis revealed different characteristics of the cyclones that occur in the three regions, reflecting the different mechanisms that are responsible for their occurrence in each region. For the Genoa region the cyclone pressure minimum is located over the gulf, associated with orographic forcing, while surface dynamics occur further south. Over Southern Italy, the pressure minimum covers a wide area, whilst the surface dynamics are found to act in the same region, becoming more important in winter and spring. The pressure minimum of cyclones over Cyprus is located over the land during winter and spring and is influenced by surface dynamics and orography.
We develop a two-stage multiple-scattering formalism for the calculation of photonic bands generated by chains of defects in photonic crystals consisting of nonoverlapping spheres, and for the calculation of the transmission of light through straight and bent waveguides of such chains. We apply the method to a specific example which demonstrates that transmission through a bent waveguide occurs with the same efficiency as for a straight waveguide.
The wreath with which the victors in the Olympic Games are crowned today is neither a contemporary custom nor a tradition that simply accompanies a formal ritual. On the contrary, this tradition can be traced back into the distant past, with its roots in very old customs, back when truth and reason were sweetly mixed with imagination and myth. This paper follows the importance of the crowning of the victor in athletic competitions, or games, linking this event with its multiple manifestations in various events of modern-day cultural reality.
The wreath of the competition winners has, as such, different moral symbolisms, some of which have been lost with the passage of time while others survived and have been passed on to the present. These symbolisms trace back to the age of mythology, back to when every natural phenomenon took on metaphysical dimensions. These magical interpretations are the remnants of tree worship, then when the non-civilized man believed in the theory of "animism". Later, these theories of the beneficial effects of the sacred branch or protection from bad influences were concealed under an agricultural nature of the economy and corresponding beliefs were incorporated. Later, animism evolved into poly-theism, giving religious content to these perceptions, such as that of forgiveness, an idea that does not belong to the field of magic, but religion. Other important values are those of chastity, of catharsis, and the symbol of world peace, that survive to our days, despite their tough competition from the financial value that athletic victories mean today. In general, however, the symbolisms and above interpretations of the competition victor’s crowning wreath confirm the theory that athletics is a “microcosm”, and a mirror of social development that reflects the course of society.
Το άρθρο αναφέρεται στα κυριότερα σημεία του ομότιτλου συνεδρίου που έλαβε χώρα στο Νταβός της Ελβετίας τον Σεπτέμβριο του 2001. Περιγράφονται με συντομία οι απόψεις των εισηγητών, σημαντικών επιστημόνων που ασχολούνται με βιοηθικά θέματα σ’ όλο τον κόσμο. Τέλος, αναφέρονται τα πορίσματα του συνεδρίου.
THE WOMEN BEHIND THE VEIL - Οι γυναίκες «πίσω από το πέπλο»Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2002). Η Ταύτιση των Περιηγητριών με το «Άλλο» στην Οθωμανική Κοινωνία. Οι γυναίκες «πίσω από το πέπλο». ΜΑΚΕΔΝΟΝ, Περιοδική Επιστημονική Έκδοση της Παιδαγωγικής Σχολής Φλώρινας του Α.Π.Θ., Δέκατο Τεύχος, Καλοκαίρι 2002: 149-160. [IN GREEK], [O. inAPELLA]
****Kamberidou, Irene (2002). Lady Travellers Identify with the “the Other” in Ottoman Society: the Women "behind the veil". MAKEDNON, a scientific publication of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, (1), 149-160. [O. in APELLA]
Το άρθρο αποτελεί τη δημοσίευση της εισήγησης που έγινε στη διημερίδα για την κλωνοποίηση στην Κύπρο, τον Ιούλιο του 2002. Η αναπαραγωγική κλωνοποίηση καταδικάζεται απερίφραστα, ενώ η θεραπευτική κλωνοποίηση, αν και βασίζεται στο δικαίωμα του ενήλικα ασθενούς να θεραπευτεί, δεν θα πρέπει να συνεπάγεται την καταστροφή των εμβρύων. Η ισορροπία στα δύο αυτά δικαιώματα στη ζωή του ενήλικα ασθενούς και του πρώιμου εμβρύου, είναι ευαίσθητη και είναι προτιμότερο να προβληθούν άλλοι θεραπευτικοί τρόποι που δεν θα χρησιμοποιούν έμβρυα.
Η εργασία διερευνά το αθλητικό φαινόμενο ως κοινωνικό μόρφωμα, υπό τους όρους του κερδώου προσώπου που στο σύγχρονο κόσμο τείνει να υπονομεύσει όχι μόνο αυτό καθεαυτό το αθλητικό πνεύμα, αλλά και το σύστημα αξιών της κοινωνίας γενικότερα. Τα ερωτήματα που τίθενται είναι: σε τι συνίσταται ο κερδώος χαρακτήρας του σύγχρονου αθλητισμού, ποια είναι τα αίτια του φαινομένου αγοραπωλησίας της αθλητικής νίκης και, τελικά, εάν υπάρχουν και ποιοι είναι οι τρόποι αντιμετώπισης του προβλήματος αυτού. Με βάση τα σύγχρονα δεδομένα στην εργασία εκτιμάται ότι υπάρχει δυνατότης να αναιρεθεί το κερδώο πρόσωπο του αθλητισμού και να προσλάβει ο αθλητισμός το αυθεντικό περιεχόμενό του. Απαραίτητη προϋπόθεση προς τούτο, όμως, είναι η ριζική αναδόμηση της κοινωνικής δομής και του αξιακού συστήματος της κοινωνίας, με την ταυτόχρονη ριζική μεταρρύθμιση της παιδείας, προκειμένου η παιδεία από θεραπαινίς του συστήματος που είναι σήμερα να καταστεί δημιουργός νέων αξιών.
The aim of the present study was to investigate a) which kinds of the infant's behaviour kindergarten teachers identify most often as problem behaviour, and b) which kinds of interventions teachers implement to deal with the problem behaviours. Although there is a large body of research on this issue concerning elementary and high-school teachers, this is not the case for kindergarten teachers. The sample consisted of 131 kindergarten teachers from a post-training program at the University of Athens. They were asked to describe in written form a recent problem behaviour of an infant in their school and the interventions they tried. The qualitative and quantitative analyses of the written descriptions revealed the most common problem behaviours of the infants from the teacher’s viewpoint, and the corresponding interventions. The way kindergarten teachers describe the infant’s problem behaviour, the way they organize their interventions, the quality of the interventions, the teachers’ attitudes toward the effectiveness of their interventions, as well as their overall attitudes toward the problem behaviour are discussed and interpreted in light of their implications for teacher education and counseling programs.
Advances in computer vision have started to infiltrate the specialty of orthodontics. During the past few years, a number of new products have appeared that are capable of extracting the 3-dimensional (3-D) structure of an object just by "looking." Examples include laser scanners for creating 3-D models of the face, and hand-held scanners for creating virtual models of the teeth. Such noninvasive methods will surely evolve rapidly and be applied to a multitude of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, changing the way we think and practice. This article introduces the basic principles behind such technology so that we can better appreciate its advantages, limitations and possibilities. From the large number of methods for acquiring 3-D shapes from images, 4 were selected and are described below. For more comprehensive coverage, see the book by Klette et al (1).
A brief introduction of the layer-Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker method for calculations of the frequency band structure of photonic crystals and of the transmission and reflection coefficients of light incident on slabs of such crystals is followed by two applications of the method. The first relates to the frequency band structure of metallodi-electric composites and demonstrates the essential difference between cermet and network topology of such composites at low frequencies. The second application is an analysis of recent measurements of the reflection of light from a slab of a colloidal system consisting of latex spheres in air.
We investigated the short-term effects of synoptic and mesoscale atmospheric circulation types on mortality in Athens, Greece. The synoptic patterns in the lower troposphere were classified in 8 a priori defined categories. The mesoscale weather types were classified into 11 categories, using meteorologic parameters from the Athens area surface monitoring network; the daily number of deaths was available for 1987-1991. We applied generalized additive models (GAM), extending Poisson regression, using a LOESS smoother to control for the confounding effects of seasonal patterns. We adjusted for long-term trends, day of the week, ambient particle concentrations, and additional temperature effects. Both classifications, synoptic and mesoscale, explain the daily variation of mortality to a statistically significant degree. The highest daily mortality was observed on days characterized by southeasterly flow [increase 10%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 6.1-13.9% compared to the high-low pressure system), followed by zonal flow (5.8%; 95% CI, 1.8-10%). The high-low pressure system and the northwesterly flow are associated with the lowest mortality. The seasonal patterns are consistent with the annual pattern. For mesoscale categories, in the cold period the highest mortality is observed during days characterized by the easterly flow category (increase 9.4%; 95% CI, 1.0-18.5% compared to flow without the main component). In the warm period, the highest mortality occurs during the strong southerly flow category (8.5% increase; 95% CI, 2.0-15.4% compared again to flow without the main component). Adjusting for ambient particle levels leaves the estimated associations unchanged for the synoptic categories and slightly increases the effects of mesoscale categories. In conclusion, synoptic and mesoscale weather classification is a useful tool for studying the weather-health associations in a warm Mediterranean climate situation.
Haisjackl M, Hiesmayr M, Søgaard P, Kim WY, Jensen HK, Mortensen P, Pedersen AK, Kristensen BØ, Egeblad H, Chen L-C, et al.Author Index Vol. 95, 2001. Cardiology. 2001;95:217–217.
Statistical estimates of earthquake magnitudes are unreliable when based on very few historical data. Additional sources of information, such as geological data, are then necessary to update estimates of seismicity parameters. The Bayesian probability theory is a tool to combine prior information of seismicity obtained from geological data with historical observations. This theory is tested in the case of the Inner Messiniakos fault zone, southern Greece, for the estimation of the probability of occurrence of strong earthquakes. Prior estimates of seismicity are developed from slip rate measurements, obtained from offsets of geological formations, on the basis of both onshore and offshore neotectonic data. The analysis emphasizes the importance of the input seismicity parameters, particularly the significance of the upper bound magnitude in the estimation of the seismic potential of active faults
Background: To better understand the molecular background of B-cell overactivity characterizing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we examined the expression of the CD22 co-receptor and of kinase Lyn, which are involved in signaling inhibitory pathways, in B cells from patients with SLE. Methods: Two-color flow cytometry was used to study the expression of surface antigens on freshly isolated peripheral B cells from patients with SLE, disease-control patients, and healthy volunteers. Intracellular kinases Lyn and Syk were analyzed using Western immunoblots, and differences at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level were evaluated using semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Expression of B-cell surface CD22 was intact in patients with SLE, but expression of the B-cell kinase Lyn was significantly decreased in resting, as well as in anti-sIgM-stimulated B-cell-enriched cell lysates obtained from 66% of patients with SLE. Lyn deficiency was disease-specific and unrelated to disease activity. Expression of B-cell kinase Syk was similar in all study groups. Semiquantitative PCR revealed that Lyn mRNA was significantly decreased in lupus patients with decreased Lyn protein expression, suggesting that Lyn deficiency may be caused at least in part by defects at the transcription level. Conclusions: Decreased expression of Lyn in some patients with SLE represents a B-cell defect that may enhance our understanding of SLE molecular pathogenesis by providing rational therapeutic targets.
By including Klein-Nishina effects, we generalize previous calculations of the beaming pattern of photons produced by inverse Compton scattering. For an isotropic distribution of soft photons upscattered by nonthermal electrons with a power-law density distribution n(γ)~γ-p, embedded in a plasma moving with relativistic bulk speed, we show that the observed radiation intensity is proportional to D3+p, where D is the Doppler boosting factor. This agrees with previous computations performed in the Thomson limit, where the observed spectral index is α=(p-1)/2 and the beaming pattern is D4+2α. Independent of D, Klein-Nishina effects limit the location of the peak energy ∊peakmec2 of the observed spectral energy distribution such that ∊peak<~1/∊0, where ∊0 is the energy of the seed photons in units of mec2. Assuming that the seed photons originate in the broad-line region, we demonstrate that the GeV emission of blazars is significantly modified by Klein-Nishina effects, the spectrum being softer than that calculated in the Thomson limit. We further show that the change in the spectral index of the inverse Compton emission across ∊peak can exceed the value of 0.5 predicted by computations performed in the Thomson limit. The model spectra agree with OSSE and COMPTEL limits on this break without invoking the effects of differential absorption at the edge of a gamma-ray photosphere.
In this article, we will present the ‘Cadastre Grid Software’ (version 3) and its new enchanced functions and capabilities. This new version has already been used on a variety of applications, including archaeology (investigations on cadastre detection), geology (analysis on tectonic fault directions) and geomorphology (drainage system analysis). Moreover, we will describe the use of ‘Cadastre Grid Software’ in combination with MapInfo GIS, in order to extract primary data from maps (topographic, pedological, etc.), aerial photos and satellite images. Cadastre lines and grids extracted using the ‘Cadastre Grid Software’, are then processed with MapInfo GIS, enabling comparisons among different models or study areas, e.g. Bezier’s and Patra’s cadastres.
In this paper I address some of the problems that the historical development of science poses for a realist and discuss whether a realist construal of scientific activity is conducive to historiographical practice. First, I discuss, by means of historical examples, Ian Hacking's defense of entity realism. Second, I try to show, drawing on Kuhn's recent work on incommensurability, that the realism problem is relevant to historiography and that a realist position entails a particular historiographical strategy, which faces problems. Finally, I suggest that for historiographical purposes an agnostic attitude with respect to scientific theories and unobservable entities is the most appropriate.
This paper suggests that there is no universal model we can use to quantify the impact of R&D on growth and competitiveness. The design and effectiveness of policies are crucial in this relationship and their effects may be anything from a spectacular success to total misallocation of resources. Selected variables are suggested for benchmarking, such as business R&D, a good share of new-technology based (small) firms and bigger companies, the education and mobility of the labour force and the creation of effective intermediaries that facilitate interaction, as well as a process of restructuring. However, dangers are also associated with such a benchmarking approach, if recommendations neglect path dependencies and apparently best practices are transferred without adaptation.
Fassouliotis D. {Charged TGC from 1999 DELPHI data}. {Particles and fields. Proceedings, Meeting, DPF 2000, Columbus, USA, August 9-12, 2000}. 2001;A16S1A:299-301.
Levels of circulating interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and IL-10, measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were significantly higher in patients with cat scratch disease (CSD) than in healthy control subjects; no induction of IL-12 was observed, and levels of interferon-gamma and IL-4 were generally not detectable. This is the first report showing increased circulating cytokine levels in patients with CSD. The induction of these mediators can partly explain some clinical and pathological features of the disease.
The term nemaline myopathy (NM) encompasses a heterogeneous group of disorders of primary skeletal muscle weakness characterized by the presence of nemaline rods in muscles of affected individuals. Disease severity is variable and unpredictable, with prognosis ranging from neonatal death to almost normal motor function. Recent advances in the identification of NM disease genes demonstrate that NM is a disease of the skeletal muscle sarcomere and, in particular, of the thin filaments. These findings are starting to alter the approach that neurologists and geneticists take to diagnosing and counseling patients with NM, and could lead to insights into specific directed therapies in the future.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of an air-circulating cooling blanket for reducing body temperature in febrile neuro-ICU patients treated with acetaminophen.
METHODS: Two-hundred twenty consecutively admitted neuro-ICU patients whose tympanic membrane temperature reached or exceeded 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C) were randomly assigned to receive acetaminophen (650 mg every 4 hours) alone (n = 107) or acetaminophen plus air blanket therapy (n = 113). After 24 hours of treatment, the authors compared the proportion of subjects who attained treatment success (T < or = 99 degrees F) or treatment failure (T > or = 101 degrees F for 2 consecutive hours) using the chi(2) test and the time to reach these endpoints using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.
MAIN RESULTS: Air blanket therapy resulted in a small increase in the proportion of subjects with treatment success (44% versus 36%, chi(2) p = 0.19, log rank p = 0.10) and a similar small reduction in the proportion of patients with treatment failure (42% versus 53%, chi(2) p = 0.11, log-rank p = 0.21), compared with treatment with acetaminophen alone. Approximately one third of patients in both groups remained febrile after randomization and "failed" after the first 2 hours of treatment. Twelve percent of patients assigned to air blanket therapy refused or were unable to tolerate treatment, compared with 2% of patients treated with acetaminophen alone (p = 0.005).
CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with an air-circulating cooling blanket did not effectively reduce body temperature in febrile neuro-ICU patients treated with acetaminophen. More effective interventions are needed to maintain normothermia in patients at risk for fever-related brain damage.
Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of gemcitabine and ifosfamide as a second-line treatment for advanced urothelial cancer. Patients and methods: Thirty-four patients with metastatic urothelial cancer previously treated with cisplatin (CDDP)/ carboplatin (CBDCA) and/or taxanes-based chemotherapy were studied. Gemcitabine was administered at a dose of 800 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 and ifosfamide at a dose of 2 g/m2 on days 1 and 8 with adequate amount of Mesna, every three weeks. Hematopoietic growth factors were given between days 3 to 5 and 12 to 16 to maintain the treatment schedule. Results: On an intent to treat basis, there was one complete response (CR) (3%) (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0% to 10%) and six partial responses (PR) (18%) (95% CI: 7% to 34%), inducing an objective respo̊nse rate (RR) of 21% (95% CI: 9% to 38%); 12 (35%) patients achieved a stable disease (SD) and 15 (44%) a progressive disease (PD). The median time to tumor progression (TTP) was four months (range, 0.52 to 21.6 months) and the median survival nine months (range 0.52 to 28 months). This regimen also provided the opportunity for symptomatic improvement of pain, dysuria, haematuria and leg oedema. Grade 3-4 neutropenia was experienced by 9 (27%) patients, grade 3-4 anemia by 6 (18%) and grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia by 4 (12%). Six patients were hospitalized due to febrile neutropenia. Despite the prophylactic use of hematopoietic growth factors, 8 (23.5%) patients required dose reduction due to myelosuppression. Grade 3 alopecia occurred in 14 (41%) patients, grade 3-4 nausea in 1 (3%), grade 2 fever in 3 (9%), grade 2-3 diarrhea in 2 (6%) and grade 2 allergic reaction in 1 (3%). Conclusion: We conclude that the combination of gemcitabine and ifosfamide is an active salvage regimen for the treatment of urothelial cancer and that the treatment also has a tolerable toxicity profile; it warrants further investigation in combination with CDDP in chemotherapy-naïve patients.
Multi-state models defined in terms of CD4 counts are useful for modelling HIV disease progression. A Markov model with six progressive CD4-based states and an absorbing state (AIDS) was used to estimate the cumulative probability of progressing to AIDS in 158 HIV-1 infected haemophiliacs with known seroconversion (SC) dates. A problem arising in such analysis is how to define CD4-based states, since this marker is subject to measurement error and short timescale variability. Four approaches were used: no smoothing, ad hoc smoothing (to move to a later/previous state two consecutive measurements to later/previous states are needed), kernel smoothing and random effects (RE) models. The estimates were compared with the Kaplan-Meier estimate based solely on data concerning time to AIDS. There was an apparent lack of agreement between the Kaplan-Meier and the "no smoothing" estimate. With the exception of the "no smoothing" method, "ad hoc", kernel and RE estimates fell within the range of the 95 per cent CIs of the Kaplan-Meier curve. Simulations demonstrated that the use of raw CD4 counts provides overestimated transition intensities. Compared to the kernel method, ad hoc is easier to implement and overcomes the problem of the choice of bandwidth. The RE approach leads to simple models, since it usually results in very few transitions to previous states, and can handle individuals with sparse data by smoothing their predictions towards the population mean. Ad hoc was the method that performed better, in terms of bias, than the other smoothing approaches.
During the last years, a number of assays have been developed aiming at predicting the most effective chemotherapy regimen for each individual, avoiding possible toxicity of ineffective drugs. In the present study we have used an in vitro chemosensitivity/chemoresistance assay in order to evaluate cytotoxic treatment in ovarian and breast cancer patients. The assay was applied in 77 ovarian and breast cancer samples and the observed in vitro responses to various chemotherapeutic drugs or combinations of drugs were then correlated to the in vivo responses and the overall clinical data of the examined patients. Direct comparison was possible for 25 cases. The overall positive predictive value of the assay was 50% and the negative predictive value was 57%. However, it was observed that the positive predictive value for ovarian patients was 69% and that the negative predictive value for breast patients was 100%. Therefore this study indicates that although in vitro chemosensitivity/chemoresistance is a valuable assay, further analysis and implications of other factors are required for a general evaluation of cytotoxic treatment for patients with ovarian and breast cancer.
In this case study, we describe the symptoms, neuropsychological testing, and brain pathology of a retired mason's assistant with cortical basal ganglionic degeneration (CBGD). CBGD is an extremely rare neurodegenerative disease that is categorized under both Parkinsonian syndromes and frontal lobe dementias. It affects men and women nearly equally, and the age of onset is usually in the sixth decade of life. CBGD is characterized by Parkinson's-like motor symptoms and by deficits of movement and cognition, indicating focal brain pathology. Neuronal cell loss is ultimately responsible for the neurological symptoms.
We present the results of a wide-aperture seismic onshore–offshore study (Crete Seismic Experiment) in the Cretan region as part of the Hellenic arc compressional system. Three seismic lines were carried out on and around the island of Crete in order to investigate the crustal structure of the region. Up to 119 three-component recording stations were deployed on each profile that observed seismic energy generated by a 48-l airgun array and eight 20-kg landshots. A total of 6208 shots were fired. Upon completing the fieldwork, the vertical components of all stations were evaluated; 300 Common-Receiver-Gather (CRG) sections of the ocean bottom seismographs (OBS) and land stations as well as 100 Common-Source-Gather (CSG) sections of the land shots and selected airgun shots were compiled and modeled in order to generate a 2D P-wave velocity–depth model for each profile. The accuracy of the model depends on the depth and position along the profiles and does not exceed 5% for both depth and P-wave velocity. We identified strong lateral variations in crustal and sedimentary thickness mainly in a north–south direction but also along strike (east–west). The crust is continental and has a maximum thickness of 32.5 km below northern central Crete. Its subdivision in an upper (vp = 5.8–6.3 km/s, locally up to 6.5 km/s) and a lower (vp = 6.4–6.9 km/s) part is justified by a first-order discontinuity with vp-velocity a contrast of up to 0.6 km/s. The eastern part of Crete shows a significantly thinner crust of 24 to 26 km. To the North, the crustal thickness decreases to 15 km below the central Cretan Sea. The prominent decrease of the Moho depth north of central Crete is interpreted to represent the northern end of a microcontinent that was subducted in Oligocene times and later surfaced by ‘buoyant escape’ (Sto¨ckhert et al., 1999; Thompson et al., 1999). The P–T–t–D history of the high-pressure rocks of Crete, Greece: denudation by buoyant escape. In: Exhumation Processes: Normal Faulting, Ductile Flow and Erosion. Ring, U., Lister, G.,Willet, S., Brandon, M. (Eds.), Spec. Publ. of the Geol. Soc. of London,p. 154]. To the south and southwest of the island, the continental crust gradually thins to a minimum of 17 km and atapproximately 100 km off the southern coast of Crete, it is in contact with oceanic crust below the Mediterranean Ridge. Upper mantle velocities were determined to be 7.7 km/s below the Cretan Sea and 8.0 km/s south of Crete. Below the continental Cretan crust, a 6- to 7-km-thick layer with vp-velocities between 6.6 and 7.1 km/s was identified on each line and could be followed by reflections to a depth of 42 km. It is decoupled from the overlying continental crust at central Crete and is interpreted as oceanic crust presently under subduction towards the NNE below the Aegean Sea.
Local Hall probe ac permeability and global dc SQUID magnetization measurements were used to construct the phase diagram of the vortex matter for two HgBa2CuO4+delta single crystals with different amounts of disorder. Emphasis was given near T-c and for low magnetic fields H-dc < 1 kOe. For the nearly optimally doped crystal with T-c = 94.8 K, the second peak line H-sp and the respective onset line H-min of the magnetization loops end at (T*, H*) = (88 K, 2 kOe) on the irreversibility line, while for the crystal of lower T-c (= 89.9 K) decreases monotonically and terminates just below T-c In addition, for the crystal with T-c = 89.9 K the local permeability measurements (as a function of temperature or dc magnetic field) revealed a peak in the screening current just below the onset of the diamagnetic screening. The possible sublimation character of the melting transition, the two-stage melting scenario and a Bragg to vortex glass transition are discussed. The different behaviours observed between the two crystals is attributed to the different amount of disorder.
The rapid development of information technology and the multiple usage of Information Systems make indisputable their appliance in all the sectors including the Nursing Service area. Information Systems that have been developed for the Nursing Service Administration are extremely useful in the processing and the categorisation of a large number of information, providing significant advantages such as information storage, information availability, information precision and reliability. In addition, the appliance of Information Systems provides important advantages in the administration of the nursing personnel's data, contributing to the improvement of the operating effectiveness of the Nursing Service. This paper describes the development and the evaluation of an Information System for the Nursing Service Administration that classifies all the information related to the nursing personnel and helps the administration to handle the appropriate nursing data. The method of Life Cycle Model was decided as the most appropriate for the development of the System, because of the important advantages that it offers. For the evaluation of our own designed system we based on the standards, which are used for evaluating Information Systems in general. The evaluation of this Information System is carried out by a survey among the undergraduate and the postgraduate students of the Nursing Department of the University of Athens and the Nursing Personnel of a number of Hospitals. Useful conclusions have been derived concerning those characteristics, which should be fulfilled by the system. Important conclusions have been also drown out concerning the dependencies of the variables under study, the future readjustments of the system, and the general perception of the newcomers in health profession towards the application of the information technology.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity and toxicity profile of dose-dense sequential chemotherapy with epirubicin (EPI) and paclitaxel in advanced breast cancer (ABC). From January to September 1997, 41 patients with recurrent or metastatic (stage IV) breast cancer were enrolled in the study. Their median age was 57 (range, 33-77) years and median performance status 0 (range, 0-2). Twenty patients had received adjuvant chemotherapy. The chemotherapeutic regimen consisted of 4 cycles of EPI 110 mg/m2 every 2 weeks followed by 4 cycles of paclitaxel, 225 mg/m2 over 3 hours every 2 weeks. G-CSF was administered prophylactically on days 2-10 of each cycle. 34 (83.0%)patients completed all 8 cycles of chemotherapy. A total of 304 cycles were administered, 259 (85.0%) of them at full dose. Thirty (10.0%) cycles were delivered with a delay. The relative median dose intensities of EPI and paclitaxel were 0.95. Most common grade 3-4 side effects were anemia (15.0%) neutropenia (12.0%), thrombocytopenia (5.0%), nausea/vomiting (10.0%), febrile neutropenia (7.5%), and alopecia (90.0%). Overall, 8 (19.5%) patients achieved a complete and 15 (36.5%) a partial response. Median duration of response was 8.4 (range, 3.1-15.5+) months. After a median follow-up of 18.5 months, median time to progression was 8.7 (range, 0.5-21+) months; median survival has not been reached yet. Dose-dense sequential chemotherapy with EPI and paclitaxel shows promising activity as first-line treatment in ABC. Randomized studies comparing this type of chemotherapy with the classical administration of the two drugs together every 3 weeks are ongoing.
Time series analysis of 6 nights of CCD observations of WZ Sge after it's unexpected superoutburst on July 23, 2001 has shown highly asymmetric periodic variations with a period 0.0566513(22)deg, full amplitude 0.218(4)m and a very high asymmetry M-m=0.670(9), a secondary minimum 0.38P after the main one. The initial epochs are Tmax=BJD 2452118.7483(3) and Tmin=BJD 52118.7670(2). The characteristics of the phase light curve are listed. In addition, we have found superhumps with a semi-amplitude of 0.021(2)m and an ephemeris Tmax,sh=BJD 2452117.6830(8)+0.057435(45)d E. Other peaks at 21 and 25 minutes possibly correspond to quasi-periodic oscillations with an effective semi-amplitude of 0.014m.
Rhinoviruses have been recently associated with the majority of asthma exacerbations for which current therapy is inadequate. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) has a central role in airway inflammation in asthma, and it is the receptor for 90% of rhinoviruses. Rhinovirus infection of airway epithelium induces ICAM-1. Desloratadine and loratadine are compounds belonging to the new class of H(1)-receptor blockers. Anti-inflammatory properties of antihistamines have been recently documented, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are not completely defined.|We have investigated the effects of desloratadine and loratadine on rhinovirus-induced ICAM-1 expression, mRNA upregulation, and promoter activation.|Cultured primary bronchial or transformed (A549) respiratory epithelial cells were pretreated with desloratadine and loratadine for 16 hours and infected with rhinovirus type 16 for 8 hours. ICAM-1 surface expression was evaluated with flow cytometry, and ICAM-1 mRNA was evaluated with specific RT-PCR. In A549 cells promoter activation was evaluated with a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay, and binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B in nuclear extracts was evaluated with an electrophoretic mobility shift assay.|Desloratadine and loratadine (0.1-10 micromol/L) inhibited rhinovirus-induced ICAM-1 upregulation in both primary bronchial or transformed (A549) respiratory epithelial cells. In A549 cells the 2 compounds showed a dose-dependent inhibition with similar efficacy (inhibitory concentration of 50%, 1 micromol/L). Desloratadine and loratadine also inhibited ICAM-1 mRNA induction caused by rhinovirus infection in a dose-dependent manner, and they completely inhibited rhinovirus-induced ICAM-1 promoter activation. Desloratadine also inhibited rhinovirus-induced nuclear factor kappa B activation. Desloratadine and loratadine had no direct effect on rhinovirus infectivity and replication in cultured epithelial cells.|These effects are unlikely to be mediated by H(1)-receptor antagonism and suggest a novel mechanism of action that may be important for the therapeutic control of virus-induced asthma exacerbations.
Stacking faults appear to be the most common type of defect in inverted opals which are good candidates for photonic crystals with absolute gaps in the visible range of light. In this Letter we present for the first time a systematic study of the effect of stacking faults on the optical properties of self-assembled photonic crystals, by means of large-scale transmittance calculations for macroscopic slabs of inverted opals with randomly distributed stacking faults. We show that frequency gaps, as seen in optical transmission experiments, will in general appear wider in the presence of stacking faults. We attribute the above to Anderson localization of light due to disorder.
Concentrated polycrystalline DyBa2Cu3O6+cursive Greek chi compounds are studied by X-band EPR spectroscopy. A broad resonance line due to the highly anisotropic EPR spectrum of Dy3+ ions is identified on several specimens at low temperatures. Powder simulation of the EPR spectra complies with the ground Kramers doublet predicted by crystal field analysis of Dy3+ ions. Calculations of the second and fourth moments of the resonance lines due to the dipole-dipole interactions of Dy3+ indicate the presence of substantial exchange narrowing of the dipolar-broadened EPR linewidth.
The local ac and dc magnetic response in an untwinned YBa2Cu3O7-delta crystal has been measured using a microscopic Hall sensor. Due to the low pinning energy at elevated temperatures (near T-c), the ac response of the platelet-shaped crystal is governed by the geometrical barrier. From the field where the first vortex penetrates into the center of the crystal we estimated the first critical field (H-c1). The temperature variation of H-c1 near T-c is compatible with a strongly type-H superconductor, where the fluctuations in the order parameter (Psi) are those of an uncharged superfluid of the three dimensional XY model. In order to extract a reasonable value for the London penetration length at T=0 K, a value c(0)=3 is needed for the core contribution of the line energy of the vortex.
OBJECTIVE: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) among children may be a rare outcome of a delayed non-specific infection in situations of overall low herd immunity. We evaluated the hypothesis as to whether newly diagnosed ALL cases, compared to their controls, are characterized by lower herd immunity, as reflected in a more seronegative spectrum to several agents, with the exception of a strongly positive response to a single infectious agent, assumed to trigger ALL.
METHODS: The study included 94 incident cases of ALL, from all pediatric hematology-oncology units of Greece, and 94, matched for age and gender, controls hospitalized with minor non-infectious conditions. The past exposure to common infections was assessed using 10 serological markers.
RESULTS: There was little evidence for an association of ALL with the serology of any of the studied infectious agents among the very young children. In contrast, among children aged 5 years or older, leukemia was inversely associated with seropositivity to Epstein-Barr virus, human herpes virus-6, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and parvovirus B19.
CONCLUSIONS: Among children aged 5 years or older the risk of leukemia may be higher when the low herd immunity for several agents is challenged by late infection from an agent that, as a rule, would attack children at a younger age.
We evaluated the efficacy and tolerance of the combination of docetaxel and vinorelbine as first line treatment in metastatic breast cancer (MBC). These agents have different mechanisms of action and both are active in advanced breast cancer. Thirty-nine chemotherapy-naive for metastatic disease patients were treated on an out-patient basis with vinorelbine 20mg/m2 i.v. on days 1 and 8 and docetaxel 85mg/m2 i.v. on day 8, every 3 weeks. Twenty-one (53.8%) patients had locoregional disease, 30 (76.9%) had distant metastases and 20 (51.3%) had visceral metastases. The intent-to-treat objective response rate (RR) was 48.75% (19 out of 39 patients; 95% confidence interval (CI), 32.4% to 65.2%). Four patients (10.25%) achieved a complete response (CR) (95% CI, 2.9% to 24.2%) and 15 (38.5%) a partial response (PR) (95% CI, 23.4% to 55.4%). The median duration of response was 4 months, the median time to progression (TTP) was 6 months and the median survival-time was 11.3 months. Grade 3 and/or 4 (3/4) anemia and thrombocytopenia occurred in 7.7% and 5.1% of patients, respectively. Twelve (30.7%) patients developed grade 3/4 neutropenia and 7 (17.9 %) were complicated with fever. Grade 3/4 diarrhea, nausea-vomiting, fatigue and constipation were not a problem. Alopecia was universal. Grade 3/4 neurotoxicity was evident in 2.6% of patients. None of the patients developed allergic reaction or fluid retention. There was one treatment-related death due to grade 4 neutropenia and sepsis. Conclusion: This combination of docetaxel and vinorelbine, a non-anthracycline-containing regimen, is a moderately effective regimen for the treatment of chemotherapy-naive breast cancer patients with metastases, causing only mild to moderate toxicity.
The g factors of the 2+1 and 4+1 states in 78,80,82,84,86Kr have been measured for tne first time, using Coulomb excitation of isotopic Kr beams and the transient field technique. The measured g factors of 2+1 states in 78.80.82Kr are well described, in both magnitude and progression with neutron number, by the IBA-II model. Whereas the lighter isotopes show a dominant collective structure with g factor values close to Z/A, the large g(2-1) = 1.12(14) value of 86Kr, with its closed N = 50 shell, is unequivocally dominated by specific proton configurations. The g factor of the 2+1 state in 84Kr, with two holes in the Ig9/2 neutron orbit, reflects both proton and neutron components in the wave function. In addition, the lifetimes of several 2+1 and 4+1 states were remeasured by the Doppler shift attenuation method, yielding values which, in some cases, differ from those in the literature.
Purpose, To develop the physiologically sound concept of fractal volume of drug distribution, nu (f) and evaluate its utility and applicability in interspecies pharmacokinetic scaling. Methods, Estimates for nu (f) of various drugs in different species were obtained from the relationship: nu (f) = (nu - V-pl) V-ap-V-pl/V-ap + Vpl where nu is the total volume of the species (equivalent to its total mass assuming a uniform density 1g/mL), V-pl is the plasma volume of the species and V-ap is the conventional volume of drug distribution. This equation was also used to calculate the fractal analogs of various volume terms of drug distribution (the volume of central compartment, V-c. the steady state volume of distribution, V-ss, and the volume of distribution following pseudodistribution equilibrium, V-z). The calculated fractal volumes of drug distribution were correlated with body mass of different mammalian species and allometric exponents and coefficients were determined. Results, The calculated values of nu (f) for selected drugs in humans provided meaningful and physiologically sound estimates for the distribution of drugs in the human body. For all fractal volume terms utilized, the allometric exponents were found to be either one or close to unity. The estimates of the allometric coefficients were found to be in the interval (0,1). These decimal values correspond to a fixed fraction of the fractal volume term relative to body mass in each one of the species. Conclusions. Fractal volumes of drug distribution scale proportionally to mass. This confirms the theoretically expected relationship between volume and mass in mammalian species.
In this paper we study a situation in which a broker must manage the procurement of a short-life-cycle product. As the broker observes demand for the item, she learns about the demand process. However, as is often the case in practice, it becomes either more difficult or more expensive to procure the item as the selling season advances. Thus, the broker must trade off higher procurement costs against the benefit of making ordering decisions with better information about demand. Problems of this type arise, for example, in the travel industry, where a travel agent's cost of procuring airline and hotel reservations increases as the date of a vacation package approaches. We develop a newsvendor-like characterization of the optimal procurement policy. In a numerical analysis, we demonstrate how broker procurements tend to cluster just before price increases and how brokers can benefit from explicitly considering the effects of information about demand in their ordering policies.
Nistazakis HE, Frantzeskakis DJ, Malomed BA, Kevrekidis PG. Head-on collisions of ring dark solitons. Physics Letters, Section A: General, Atomic and Solid State Physics [Internet]. 2001;285:157-164. Website
Nistazakis HE, Frantzeskakis DJ, Malomed BA, Kevrekidis PG. Head-on collisions of ring dark solitons. Physics Letters, Section A: General, Atomic and Solid State Physics [Internet]. 2001;285:157-164. Website
Preliminary evidence suggests that high-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous or allogeneic stem cell transplantation may be effective in some patients with resistant Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia. During the last 10 years, seven patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia have received transplants at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, four with autologous and three with allogeneic stem cells. Four patients achieved partial remission, and three patients have remained alive for at least 2 years. Our data confirm the feasibility of high-dose therapy in patients with macroglobulinemia and support the need for prospective studies of this modality in patients with chemosensitive disease.
Objective - The purpose of this study was to evaluate thyroid function and TSH and cortisol (F) secretion in hyperandrogenemic women with nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NC-CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency (Group A) when compared with women with hyperandrogenemic symptoms (menstrual irregularities, hirsutism, acne, seborrhea and sterility) of other etiologies (Group B). Methods - Seventy-two women were subjected to stimulation of the adrenal cortex with i.v. ACTH administration in the early proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. Basal plasma TSH, T3, T4, and FTI as well as basal and ACTH-stimulated plasma F and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels were determined. Results - According to internationally accepted criteria and HLA haplotyping, we diagnosed 28 NC-CAH patients as well as affected heterozygotes of the disease. No significant difference was found in the plasma T3, T4, or FTI or F concentrations between the women of the two groups. On the contrary, plasma TSH levels were significantly lower in patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency when compared to the women with hyperandrogenemic symptoms of other etiologies. Conclusion - The results of this study support a dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroidal axis due to altered ACTH secretion patterns.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the two main manifestations of adolescent egocentrism, that is, the imaginary audience and the personal fable, in relation to the frequency of risk behavior and risk perception. The contribution of this study is the empirical test of Elkind's Piagetian formulation (1967, 1978) about the relation between these factors, for the first time in a broad age range, with most of the existing egocentrism instruments, and for a variety of risk behaviors. ln a sample of 297 Greek adolescents 11-18 years old it was found that only certain dimensions of the personal fable had a positive correlation with the frequency of risk behavior and a negative correlation with risk perception. Contrary to our prediction, the imaginary audience in the form of heightened self-consciousness had a negative correlation with the frequency of risk behavior. Age and gender differences were also found. The limitations set by the somewhat low reliability of some egocentrism instruments are discussed, as well as a broader multivariate interpretation of adolescent risk-taking behavior, part of which is egocentrism. Finally, the implications of the results for health education programs are presented.
Clinical outcomes were assessed in 68 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma of high or intermediate tumor mass that had responded to VAD or dexamethasone-based therapy and were consolidated with early intensive therapy and autologous stem cell transplantation. Results were compared with those of 50 comparable patients who refused or were unable to receive intensive treatment for socioeconomic reasons. Following high-dose therapy, the rate of CR increased from 6 to 37%, with median survival prolonged by 10 months. Survival of 21 patients with disease converted from PR to CR (median 8.3 years) was significantly longer than that of similarly-treated patients who remained in PR (median 5.0 years). CR of myeloma represents the major surrogate marker of long survival and the primary goal of myeloablative treatment for patients in PR. Twelve of 18 patients with rapid reduction of myeloma protein (T1/2 < 0.5 months), and myeloma protein reduction to <1.0 g/dl after primary therapy achieved CR (67%), identifying pretransplant features favorable to intensive therapy. Among 35 patients with slower reduction or higher residual myeloma protein, CR occurred in eight patients (23%) (P < 0.01), for whom other treatments should be considered. The kinetics of response to initial therapy should be considered in selecting patients more likely to achieve CR and consequent long survival after intensive treatment.
The word ‘actually’ often refers to what is in fact the case, but it also often points to what would have been the case in a possible situation that is being envisaged. To capture such nuances, the formal languages discussed in the paper add subscripts to modal operators; in the model theory the subscripts allow an actuality operator to turn the evaluation of a formula to a world introduced by a preceding possibility or necessity operator having the same subscript. The paper covers both propositional and predicate logic and proves the completeness of axiomatizations that extend standard modal systems beginning with K.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether leisure activities modify the risk for incident dementia.
BACKGROUND: Although high educational and occupational attainments have been associated with reduced risk of incident dementia, the relation between leisure activities and dementia risk has not been adequately investigated.
METHODS: A total of 1,772 nondemented individuals aged 65 years or older, living in northern Manhattan, New York, were identified and followed longitudinally in a community-based cohort incidence study. Subjects' leisure activities at baseline were assessed, annual examinations with the same standardized neurologic and neuropsychological measures were performed for up to 7 years (mean 2.9 years), and incident dementia was assessed as the main outcome measure. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for age, ethnic group, education, and occupation, were used to estimate the relative risk (RR) of incident dementia associated with high leisure activities.
RESULTS: Of the 1,772 subjects, 207 became demented. The risk of dementia was decreased in subjects with high leisure activities (RR, 0.62; 95% CI 0.46 to 0.83). The association of high leisure with decreased RR of incident dementia was present even when baseline cognitive performance, health limitations interfering with desired leisure activities, cerebrovascular disease, and depression were considered.
CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that engagement in leisure activities may reduce the risk of incident dementia, possibly by providing a reserve that delays the onset of clinical manifestations of the disease.
We report that the intermediate amplitude delta Scuti star V 1162 Ori has changed its main pulsational period in the course of the year 2000. This new period change falls in a sequence of period changes observed during the last 5 years. While the average amplitude value of all our new data, 63 mmag, fits a cyclic amplitude variation suggested by Arentoft et al. (2001), splitting the data up in smaller subsets discloses significant deviations from regularity, with stretches of constant amplitude during short intervals of time. The new data show that the amplitude of one of the secondary frequencies, f2, has in 3 years dropped from more than 3 mmag to now about 1 mmag, and that the previously obtained f5 probably is a 1 d-1 alias of the real frequency. We present the newly acquired times of minimum and maximum light as support for subsequent observing campaigns. Based on observations obtained at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), Athens University Observatory, the Danish 1.5 m telescope at ESO, La Silla, Chile, and Beersel Hills Observatory.
UNLABELLED: Two infants with recurrence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis are reported. Both patients developed HSV encephalitis during their neonatal period and were treated with iv acyclovir. Long-term oral acyclovir prophylaxis was given thereafter. At the age of 8 and 11 months respectively, both babies, while under oral acyclovir prophylaxis, presented a second episode of HSV encephalitis. An inadequate dose of suppressive oral acyclovir therapy may be responsible for the recurrence of encephalitis in these two babies. CONCLUSION: The present observations emphasise the need for very long follow-up of any infant who has suffered from neonatal herpes simplex virus encephalitis and the need for careful prospective controlled studies in order to define the appropriate treatment regimen (initial plus prophylaxis) for neonates with herpes simplex virus infections.
We study theoretically the local absorption spectra of single and double semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), in the linear regime. The three-dimensional confinement leads to an enhancement of the Coulomb correlations, while the spectra depend crucially on the size of the ‘local’ probe. We show that because of such Coulomb correlations the intensity of certain optical peaks as a function of the resolution can exhibit an unexpected non-monotonic behavior for spatial resolutions comparable with the excitonic Bohr radius. We finally discuss the optical near-field properties of coupled QDs for different coupling strengths.
We investigate optical near‐field spectra of single and coupled semiconductor quantum dots. An enhanced role for the Coulomb correlations is predicted, and it is shown that the spectra depend crucially on the spatial resolution of the “local” probe. The intensity of certain optical peaks as a function of the resolution exhibits an unexpected non‐monotonic behavior, which is identified as a fingerprint of Coulomb interactions in zero‐dimensional nanostructures.
To evaluate the safety and antiviral action of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) in HIV-1 infection, we undertook a proof of concept study in 27 treatment-naive patients. Eligible patients comprised two groups: the IFN-alphaT group (n = 17), which received 5 MIU IFN-alpha s.c. daily for 32 consecutive days, and the IFN-alphaNT group (n = 10), which did not receive IFN-alpha prior to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which was commenced on day 28 in both groups. IFN-alphaTreatment was well tolerated in 14 of the 17 patients of the IFN-alphaT group who completed the study. The mean HIV RNA reduction in the IFN-alphaT group on day 14 was 1.1 log(10). Viral load suppression was inversely associated with baseline viral load (p = 0.031). Four weeks after initiation of HAART, IFN-alphaT and IFN-alphaNT group patients had 2.40 and 1.82 log(10) HIV RNA reduction from baseline, respectively (p < 0.001). There was no evidence of cross-resistance with existing antiretrovirals in patients with HIV-RNA rebound after initial plasma viral load decline > or = 1 log(10) during IFN-alpha monotherapy. Thus, low daily IFN-alpha exhibits potent anti-HIV-1 activity in vivo without serious adverse effects. These properties render IFN-alpha an attractive candidate for further assessment as a constituent of HAART.
Using relativistic, axisymmetric, ideal MHD, we examine the outflow from a disk around a compact object, taking into account the baryonic matter, the electron-positron/photon fluid, and the large-scale electromagnetic field. Focusing on the parameter regime appropriate to γ-ray burst outflows, we demonstrate, through exact self-similar solutions, that the thermal force (which dominates the initial acceleration) and the Lorentz force (which dominates farther out and contributes most of the acceleration) can convert up to ~50% of the initial total energy into asymptotic baryon kinetic energy. We examine how baryon loading and magnetic collimation affect the structure of the flow, including the regime where emission due to internal shocks could take place.
Using relativistic, axisymmetric, ideal MHD, we examine the outflow from a disk around a compact object, taking into account the baryonic matter, the electron-positron/photon fluid, and the large-scale electromagnetic field. Focusing on the parameter regime appropriate to γ-ray burst outflows, we demonstrate, through exact self-similar solutions, that the thermal force (which dominates the initial acceleration) and the Lorentz force (which dominates farther out and contributes most of the acceleration) can convert up to ~50% of the initial total energy into asymptotic baryon kinetic energy. We examine how baryon loading and magnetic collimation affect the structure of the flow, including the regime where emission due to internal shocks could take place.
Objective: To assess the usefulness of Mucin-like carcinoma-associated antigen (MCA) in monitoring pregnant patients with breast cancer. Study design: Maternal serum (MS) and amniotic fluid (AF) antigen values were measured by an enzyme immunoassay in 30 pregnant women during the second trimester, in 28 during the third and in 26 at parturition. Sera only from 26 women in the first trimester and from 26 healthy, non-pregnant women (controls) were also analyzed. Results: Maternal serum MCA concentrations increased significantly with gestational age (p<0.0001). The frequency of elevated serum values was 5% in the first, 35% in the second and 100% in the third trimester and at parturition. Antigen values in AF were markedly higher than those in MS (p<0.0001) and increased also significantly with advancing gestation (p<0.0001). A strong correlation was observed between MS and AF antigen values (r=0.77, p<0.0001). Maternal serum values at parturition were dependent on the mode of delivery, being higher in the cases who delivered vaginally, compared to those delivered by elective caesarean section (p<0.006). Conclusion: Our data suggest that pregnancy affects significantly maternal serum MCA. Consequently, MCA seems to be a non-reliable marker in monitoring pregnant patients. Copyright ?? 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.
The theory of nonlinear dynamical systems (chaos theory), which deals with deterministic systems that exhibit a complicated, apparently random-looking behavior, has formed an interdisciplinary area of research and has affected almost every field of science in the last 20 years. Life sciences are one of the most applicable areas for the ideas of chaos because of the complexity of biological systems. It is widely appreciated that chaotic behavior dominates physiological systems. This is suggested by experimental studies and has also been encouraged by very successful modeling. Pharmacodynamics are very tightly associated with complex physiological processes, and the implications of this relation demand that the new approach of nonlinear dynamics should be adopted in greater extent in pharmacodynamic studies. This is necessary not only for the sake of more detailed study, but mainly because nonlinear dynamics suggest a whole new rationale, fundamentally different from the classic approach. In this work the basic principles of dynamical systems are presented and applications of nonlinear dynamics in topics relevant to drug research and especially to pharmacodynamics are reviewed. Special attention is focused on three major fields of physiological systems with great importance in pharmacotherapy, namely cardiovascular, central nervous, and endocrine systems, where tools and concepts from nonlinear dynamics have been applied.
We examine the optical properties of metals containing a periodic arrangement of nonoverlapping spherical mesopores, empty or filled with a dielectric material. We show that a slab of such a porous metal transmits light over regions of frequency determined by the dielectric constant of the cavities and the fractional volume occupied by them, with an efficiency, which is many orders of magnitude higher than predicted by standard aperture theory. Also, the system absorbs light efficiently over the said regions of frequency unlike the homogeneous metal.
PURPOSE: Preclinical and phase I clinical data suggest that 9-nitrocamptothecin (9NC) is an agent with potential anticancer activity. A phase II study was undertaken in order to evaluate the potential benefit of oral 9NC administration in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. This was the first clinical study of 9NC in Europe.
METHODS: A total of 19 consecutive patients with locally advanced or metastatic adenocarcinoma were enrolled (8 males and 11 females, aged 37-73 years). The patients were given 9NC orally five times a week, once a day. The end-points of this study were toxicity, objective response rate, subjective response rate (i.e. pain control, performance status and body weight), and survival.
RESULTS: An objective response was documented in 4 of the 14 evaluable patients (28.6%), while a subjective response was observed in 13 patients (92.9%). Overall median survival was 21 weeks (31 weeks in the group of 14 patients evaluable for response), and the 1-year survival was 16.7% and 23.1%, respectively. Toxicity leading to temporary discontinuation of 9NC was encountered in seven patients (36.8%), all related to a prior dose increase, while milder toxicity was observed in eight patients (42.1%).
CONCLUSIONS: 9NC administered orally to patients with advanced pancreatic cancer gave promising results, while the toxicity of the therapy was mild and readily overcome. A larger scale clinical trial should be organized in order to establish the potential benefit of 9NC in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
AIMS: Previous studies have shown an abnormal expression of cellular adhesion molecules and cytokines in chronic heart failure, which may be related to endothelial dysfunction characterizing this syndrome. Our study investigates the effects of physical training on serum activity of some peripheral inflammatory markers associated with endothelial dysfunction, such as granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) in patients with chronic heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum levels of GM-CSF, MCP-1, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 were determined in 12 patients with stable chronic heart failure (ischaemic heart failure: 6/12, dilated cardiomyopathy: 6/12, New York Heart Association: II-III, ejection fraction: 24+/-2%) before and after a 12-week programme of physical training in a randomized crossover design. In addition, the functional status of chronic heart failure patients was evaluated by using a cardiorespiratory exercise stress test to measure peak oxygen consumption. Physical training produced a significant reduction in serum GM-CSF (28+/-2 vs 21+/-2 pg. ml(-1), P<0.001), MCP-1 (192+/-5 vs 174+/-6 pg. ml(-1), P<0.001), sICAM-1 (367+/-31 vs 314+/-29 ng. ml(-1), P<0.01) and sVCAM-1 (1247+/-103 vs 1095+/-100 ng. ml(-1), P<0.01) as well as a significant increase in peak oxygen consumption (14.6+/-0.5 vs 16.5+/-0.5 ml. kg(-1)min(-1), P<0.005). A significant correlation was found between the training-induced improvement in peak oxygen consumption and percentage reduction in soluble adhesion molecules sICAM-1 (r=-0.72, P<0.01) and sVCAM-1 (r=-0.67, P<0.02). CONCLUSION: Physical training affects beneficially peripheral inflammatory markers reflecting monocyte/macrophage-endothelial cell interaction. Training-induced improvement in exercise tolerance is correlated with the attenuation of the inflammatory process, indicating that inflammation may contribute significantly to the impaired exercise capacity seen in chronic heart failure
The prevalence of TT virus (TTV) infection in various population groups from Athens, Greece, was assessed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two primer sets from distinct regions of the genome: the conventional set derived from the open reading frame-1 (ORF-1) and the new, highly sensitive set targeting the region that includes the TATA signal localized upstream of ORF-2. Based on both primer sets, TTV DNA was detected in 42/50 (84.0%) healthy individuals, 42/50 (84.0%) chronic hepatitis C patients, 31/39 (79.5%) acute non-A-E hepatitis patients (group I), 14/16 (87.5%) renal failure patients with acute non-A-E hepatitis (group II), 47/50 (94.0%) intravenous drug users (IVDU), 36/50 (72.0%) hemophiliacs, and 21/31 (67.7%) hemodialysis patients. The presence of TTV was not associated with any particular risk group, and no differences were observed in relation to demographic, biochemical and virological characteristics between TTV DNA-positive and -negative patients. TTV did not seem to have a profound effect on the course of chronic C or acute non-A-E hepatitis either. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that TTV strains circulating in the greater metropolitan area of Athens belong not only to the G1 and G2 genotypes that are encountered worldwide, but also to G3 and to G5 that are found mainly in Europe and Asia, respectively. Further studies will shed light on the role of this highly prevalent virus.
A cross-sectional study was carried out in employees of 17 Greek companies with the aim of assessing the prevalence of hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus, identifying associated prognostic/risk factors and evaluating the effectiveness of a questionnaire as a pre-screening tool. All participants were asked to complete a questionnaire and a random sample of them was asked to provide a blood sample for hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to hepatitis C (anti-HCV) testing. Individual questions or combinations of them were evaluated in terms of their ability to detect HBV or HCV(+) cases. Of 9085 eligible employees, 6074 (67%) completed the questionnaire. Of 990 samples obtained, 19.9% were anti-HBc(+), 2.6% HBsAg(+) and 0.5% anti-HCV(+). All anti-HCV(+) cases had multiple parenteral risk factors. Multiple logistic regression identified associations between anti-HBc and older age, family members with chronic hepatitis, job category and history of transfusion before 1992. HBsAg(+) was associated with older age and history of transfusion before 1992. None of the risk/prognostic factors had sufficient sensitivity and specificity for HBV but report of at least one risk factor identified all HCV(+) cases. Anti-HCV screening of those with at least two parenteral risk factors not only identified all anti-HCV(+) cases but also resulted in 86% decrease in the screening cost. Under the light of recent treatment advances, targeted questionnaire-based screening of asymptomatic people may prove to be a cost-effective way to face hepatitis C.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is still associated with high morbidity and mortality even though there has been significant progress in the field of pancreatic surgery and postoperative follow-up. The pancreatoenteric anastomosis, regardless of the technique used, is a major cause for both morbidity and mortality after Whipple procedure. To overcome all problems resulting from anastomotic leakage, we used external drainage of the pancreatic duct.
METHODS: In 24 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in our Department from 1986 to 1995, a modification to the standard Whipple procedure was performed. Instead of pancreaticoenteric anastomosis, external drainage of the pancreatic duct remnant was performed. The pancreatic duct was intubated with a silastic tube, the external end of which was sutured to the skin. All patients received substitution therapy with pancreatic enzymes.
RESULTS: Mortality in our group of patients was 4%. No complications due to the external drainage of the pancreatic duct were reported, while no patient developed diabetes mellitus after surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: External drainage of the pancreatic duct remnant can be used alternatively to pancreatoenteric anastomosis after pancreatoduodenectomy. The technique is safe and simple to perform and appears to reduce overall operative time. It may be an option for patients with significant comorbidity and/or intraoperative hemodynamic instability which mandates expeditious completion of the operation.
Human rhinoviruses (RVs) are the most common precipitants of asthma exacerbations. RV infection of bronchial epithelium results in local airway inflammation inducing eosinophil recruitment and activation. Induction of eosinophil chemoattractants could represent a central mechanism, as well as a prime target for intervention.|To assess the effect of RV infection on mRNA expression and production of eosinophil chemoattractants by bronchial epithelial cells in-vitro.|BEAS-2B cells were infected with major and minor RVs and the mRNA expression of IL-8, RANTES, MIP-1alpha, eotaxin, eotaxin-2, MCP-2, MCP-3 and MCP-4 was assessed by reverse transcription PCR. In cases where mRNA induction was observed, a fluoroimmunoassay was used to confirm protein production. To assess the virus-specificity of the observed reactions, cells were also exposed to inactivated RVs.|RV infection was able to up-regulate mRNA expression of IL-8, RANTES, MIP-1alpha, eotaxin and eotaxin-2, did not affect MCP-4, while MCP-2 and MCP-3 were not expressed either at baseline or after virus infection. Protein production was confirmed for IL-8, RANTES and eotaxin, but not for MIP-1alpha. When RVs were inactivated cytokine up-regulation was almost completely lost.|Infection of bronchial epithelial cells with RVs results in the production of a wide array of mediators that are able to chemoattract eosinophils. These include the eosinophil-specific molecules eotaxin and eotaxin-2, in addition to IL-8 and RANTES, which are the most abundant. Eosinophil recruitment after RV infection of bronchial epithelium could represent a central event in the pathogenesis of virus-induced asthma exacerbations.
Viral respiratory infections have been related to asthma in several ways. It is well established that viral common colds precipitate exacerbations of asthma. Severe bronchiolitis in early life is related to subsequent wheezing and therefore may represent a marker of susceptibility to asthma; alternatively, it could be involved in the initiation of the disease. Finally, it is possible that some infections may protect from the development of asthma and allergies by promoting a type-1 host response. However, whether respiratory or other viruses could mediate such a protective effect is debated. The design and implementation of novel anti- or proviral strategies targeting asthma depends on the resolution of these questions. This review presents current evidence on the epidemiologic correlations and proposed mechanisms for the involvement of viral infections in the development and progression of asthma.
A detailed analysis of the aftershock sequence of the September 7, 1999 Athens earthquake was performed in order to define the fault planes activated during this sequence and study the tectonic regime of the area. Calculated fault plane solutions were verified by the composite solutions and the application of the principal parameters method. The combined results indicate a uniform tectonic status in the western part of the aftershock area, with normal faulting of WNW-ESE trend and an average dip of 60Ί and a more complex one in the eastern part, where the azimuths of the activated fault planes vary and a transverse antithetic fault is also active. This variation could possibly imply a variation of the local stress field.
Seismic anisotropy, deduced from SKS splitting measured at 25 stations installed in the Aegean, does not show a homogeneous pattern. It is not restricted to the North Anatolian Fault but is distributed over a region several hundreds kilometers wide. Little anisotropy is observed in continental Greece or along the Hellenic arc; however, significant anisotropy is observed in the north Aegean Sea. Large values of delay times suggest that anisotropy is due to a long path within the upper mantle and to strong intrinsic anisotropy. Our results, both in fast polarization directions and in values of delay time, do not support the idea that anisotropy is associated with inherited tectonic fabric nor are they consistent with the present-day Aegean motion relative to an absolute frame. In contrast, the direction of fast polarization and the magnitude of delay times correlate well with the present-day strain rate observed at the surface deduced from both geodetic measurements and seismicity. This anisotropy is not horizontally restricted to major surface faults but is spread over a wide region.
An association between symptomatic carotid stenosis and recent infection with Chlamydia pneumoniae is reported. Thirty-five patients (20 symptomatic and 15 asymptomatic) with carotid stenosis of 70% to 90% underwent carotid endarterectomy. Endarterectomy was performed without patch and shunt; the average occlusion time of the internal carotid artery was 14 ±3 min. The atheromatic plaque and a portion of the thyroid artery were examined with polymerase chain reaction and peripheral vein blood was obtained for serologic detection of systematic infection, and lgG and lgM antibodies to C. pneumoniae by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Twenty of 35 patients (57.1%) had increased titers of IgG antibodies to C. pneumoniae. Eight patients revealed IgG plus lgM antibodies; two of the eight had IgG, IgM, and positive findings on polymerase chain reaction. No C. pneumoniae was detected on the thyroid arteries. Sixty-five percent (13/20) of the patients with increased IgG antibodies to C. pneumoniae, 87.5% (7/8) with lgG + lgM, and 100% with lgG + lgM + positive polymerase chain reaction were symptomatic. Plaque morphology in association with symptoms did not reveal a significant correlation between soft plaques and symptoms, whereas the majority of the symptomatic patients had plaques of type III-V. Patients having recent contamination and positive polymerase chain reaction had a significant relationship between C. pneumoniae infection and symptomatic carotid disease. This supports the hypothesis that C. pneumoniae infection can produce a kind of instability of the carotid plaque. The results of this study demonstrate that patients with advanced atherosclerotic carotid disease have an increased incidence of C. pneumoniae infection. Recent infection could be responsible for instability of the carotid plaque, causing cerebral ischemic episodes.
The soft tissue profile has been studied extensively in orthodontics, primarily from lateral cephalometric radiographs, under the assumption that the form of the soft tissue outline largely determines the esthetics of the whole face. The purpose of this study was to assess the relative contribution of the shape of the soft tissue profile outline on the attractiveness of the face, as seen from the profile view. Pretreatment color profile facial photographs of 20 female patients were used. The photographs were scanned, and the soft tissue outlines were digitized. The average outline of the 20 original photographs was then calculated and used as a template for modifying the photographs with computer warping methods. This resulted in 20 warped photographs, all with the same soft tissue outline. Three additional photographs were constructed with 1 face-the composite average of the 20 original photographs-and 3 hairstyles from 3 of the original pictures. The photographs were printed and presented to 10 laypersons and 10 orthodontists for scoring. Scoring was performed on 2 occasions separated by at least 1 week. On the first occasion, the original photographs of 10 of the patients and the warped photographs of the other 10 patients were shown. At the next session, the remaining 10 original and 10 warped photographs were shown. The 3 composite photographs were interspersed with the 20 pictures shown to the judges in each scoring session. Judges were asked to score facial attractiveness on a scale of 0 to 10. The judges were unaware of both the computer modification of the photographs and the purpose of the study. Good agreement was noted between the judges, although the orthodontists tended to be more influenced by the profile outline than did the laypersons. The 3 averaged composite photographs were consistently given the highest scores. The modified photographs were given higher scores than their original counterparts, showing that facial attractiveness is influenced by soft tissue outline form. However, the score improvement was not sufficient to reach the level of the composite images, especially for faces initially judged as being unattractive. This shows that factors other than profile outline shape may be more influential in facial esthetics.
In this work we report on the crystal growth process, the crystal structure and the phase diagram of HgBa2CuO4+chi high T-e superconductor. Precise global DC magnetization measurements, using a SQUID magnetometer, have been performed, on two single crystals in magnetic fields parallel to the c-axis (H \ \ c) with T-c = 95 and 89.9 K, respectively. The irreversibility curve H-irr(T) decreases exponentially up to a temperature T* and after it changes slope abruptly. The magnetization curves at a fixed temperature as a function of magnetic field show two peaks, namely H-fp(T) and H-sp(T). (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The g factors of the 4+1 and 6+1 states in 144,148Nd, the 4+1 state in 146Nd and the 6+1 , 8+1 , and 10+1 states in 150Nd have been measured for the first time by projectile Coulomb excitation coupled to the transient field technique. The g factors of the 2+1 states of 144,146,148,150Nd have been remeasured with high precision. The data clearly indicate that, while 148,150Nd are well described by collective excitations, the structure of the low lying levels in the lighter isotopes is dominated by the 2f7/2 neutron configuration.
Palynological studies of cored lacustrine sediments from the late Quaternary of Lake Kastoria, northern Greece, revealed a Late Glacial interval with abundant dinoflagellate cysts. Cyst assemblages include two identifiable species, Spiniferites cruciformis and Gonyaulax apiculata. The presence of the fresh water species G. apiculata is consistent with the lacustrine setting of these deposits, but that of S. cruciformis is anomalous. Previously, this species has only been recorded in abundance from presumed brackish marine sediments from the Black Sea and Marmara Sea sediments where geochemical data clearly record brackish salinities. Therefore, it has been regarded as a low salinity cyst type with a wide range of morphological variation that some workers have suggested to reflect salinity fluctuations. Specimens from Greece display only part of the range of morphological variability previously described from these (brackish) marine settings. Encountered morphological variation includes ellipsoidal/pentameral and cruciform endocyst shapes with rare intermediate shapes, and highly variable septa development. Specimens characterized by extremely reduced ornamentation known from (brackish) marine environments have not been recorded. Our records of S. cruciformis indicate that: (1) it could thrive in fresh water conditions; and (2) that apparently most of the strong morphological variations of the cysts are an intrinsic phenomenon for this taxon, and may only partly be linked to salinity variations as suggested earlier. We suggest that S. cruciformis essentially is a fresh water taxon, and that its records in (brackish) marine environments, with the exception of specimens with strongly reduced ornamentation, may be due to transportation, to short-lived fresh water surface conditions in such environments, or to tolerance of the species to brackish conditions.
The pharmacokinetics of cyclosporin (CsA) are unusual because of several heterogeneous features which include the presence of more than one conformer, considerable accumulation, in erythrocytes and lipoproteins, extensive plasma protein binding, distribution into deep tissues, biliary secretion and hepatic clearance involving a large number of metabolites. In this study, a stochastic compartmental model was developed to describe the heterogeneous elimination kinetics of CsA. This new approach relies on a probabilistic transfer model with a gamma distributed probability intensity coefficient for drug elimination. For comparative purposes both the stochastic model and compartmental deterministic models were fitted to real post infusion data from patients receiving CsA as a 2-hr intravenous infusion. The criteria for selecting the best model showed that the stochastic model, although simpler than the compartmental deterministic models, is more flexible and gives a better fit to the kinetic data of CsA than the compartmental deterministic models. The stochastic model with a random rate intensity coefficient adequately describes the heterogeneous pharmacokinetics of CsA.
In the present study we examine the notion ‘subject’ in finite clauses in Greek, a null-subject language, and we investigate the connection between the rich morphological marking of subject-agreement on the verb and the definition of this notion. We propose that ‘subject’ in Greek should be analysed as a discontinuous element which consists of a null nominal element in the SpecTP position satisfying the Extended Projection Principle (EPP), associated with a pro at the relevant theta-position inside the VP. We argue that this analysis has not only the theoretical advantage of maintaining the universally strong value of EPP, but also, perhaps more importantly, the descriptive advantage of providing a satisfactory explanation for a number of apparent idiosyncrasies of Greek constructions.
Haisjackl M, Hiesmayr M, Søgaard P, Kim WY, Jensen HK, Mortensen P, Pedersen AK, Kristensen BØ, Egeblad H, Chen L-C, et al.Subject Index Vol. 95, 2001. Cardiology. 2001;95:218–218.
We present a modified method of preparation of the new superconductor MgB2. The polycrystalline samples were characterized using X-ray and magnetic measurements. The surface barriers control the isothermal magnetization loops in powder samples. In bulk as prepared samples we always observed symmetric magnetization loops indicative of the presence of a bulk pinning mechanism. Magnetic relaxation measurements in the bulk sample reveal a crossover of surface barrier to bulk pinning.
A general method for the synthesis of enantiopure non-natural α-amino acids is described. The key intermediate tert-butyl (2S)-2-[bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]-5-oxopentanoate was obtained from l-glutamic acid after suitable protection and selective reduction of the γ-methyl ester group by DIBALH. Wittig reaction of this chiral aldehyde with various ylides led to a variety of δ,ε-unsaturated α-amino acids. This methodology was applied to the synthesis of (S)-2-amino-oleic acid.
Binliff J, Evelpidou N, Farinetti E, Music B, Riznar I, Sbonias K, Sigalos L, Slapsak B, Stissi V, Vassilopoulos A. The Tanagra Survey - Report on the 2001 season. Pharos. 2001;IX:33-74.
Background: Thalidomide is effective in approximately 30% of patients with refractory multiple myeloma. Dexamethasone is active in 25% of patients with disease resistant to alkylating agents. We investigated the combination of thalidomide with dexamethasone as salvage treatment for heavily pretreated patients with multiple myeloma, in order to assess its efficacy and toxicity. Patients and methods: Forty-four patients with refractory myeloma were treated with thalidomide, 200 mg p.o. daily at bedtime, with dose escalation to 400 mg after 14 days, and dexamethasone, which was administered intermittently at a dose of 20 mg/m2 p.o. daily for four days on day 1-4, 9-12, 17-20, followed by monthly dexamethasone for four days. Patients' median age was 67 years. All patients were resistant to standard chemotherapy, 77% were resistant to dexamethasone-based regimens and 32% had previously received high-dose therapy. Results: On an intention-to-treat basis twenty-four patients (55%) achieved a partial response with a median time to response of 1.3 months. The thalidomide and dexamethasone combination was equally effective in patients with or without prior resistance to dexamethasone-based regimens and in patients with or without prior high-dose therapy. Toxicities were mild or moderate and consisted primarily of constipation, morning somnolence, tremor, xerostomia and peripheral neuropathy. The median time to progression for responding patients is expected to exceed 10 months and the median survival for all patients is 12.6 months. Conclusions: The combination of thalidomide with dexamethasone appears active in patients with refractory multiple myeloma. If this activity is confirmed, further studies of this combination as second-line treatment for patients resistant to conventional chemotherapy, and as primary treatment for patients with active myeloma, should be considered.
Ferroelectric domain kinetics on cleaved triglycine sulfate, quenched at different temperatures in the ferroelectric phase, is investigated in situ by scanning force microscopy in the dynamic contact mode. Thermally activated domain growth and dynamic scaling, in accordance with theoretical predictions for quenched disorder due to random-bond defects, is inferred from the temporal evolution of the spatial correlation functions and the related characteristic length scale.
The study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an intensive, tri-alkylator conditioning regimen, consisting of thiotepa, busulfan and cyclophosphamide (TBC), prior to autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and to analyze factors associated with outcome. One hundred and twenty patients with MM received high-dose chemotherapy with TBC followed by autologous bone marrow (n = 24) or peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) transplantation (n = 96). Fifty-four patients had chemosensitive disease and 66 had refractory disease at the time of transplantation. The overall response rate was 81% and the complete remission (CR) rate was 26%. Patients with chemosensitive disease had a CR rate of 52% vs 5% for patients with refractory disease. Multivariable analysis determined disease status at transplant as the factor most likely associated with long survival. Estimated median survival was 48, 35 and 9 months for patients with chemosensitive, primary refractory or disease in refractory relapse, respectively. Short interval from diagnosis to transplant among patients with primary refractory disease and younger age were also favorable prognostic factors for survival. Patients with refractory disease pre-transplant who achieved remission criteria rapidly after treatment had a worse outcome than the slow responders. Treatment-related mortality with the introduction of PBSC and better supportive care was 4.8%. In conclusion, TBC is an effective and relatively well-tolerated intensive conditioning regimen in patients with MM. A more favorable outcome was observed in patients with chemosensitive disease and with early treatment for primary refractory disease. TBC merits further study in these subgroups and comparison with alternative regimens in prospective studies is warranted.
Cat scratch disease (CSD) commonly manifests as regional self-limited lymphadenitis. However, dissemination of the infection to distant multiple sites may occur even in immunocompetent patients. We report a series of 11 children with fever and extralymphocutaneous manifestations of CSD, in order to highlight potential multiorgan involvement in patients with febrile CSD. To be eligible for enrollment, patients had to present with involvement of sites other than regional lymph nodes. The diagnosis was based on suggestive clinical criteria, histological findings and positive serology. The utilization of ultrasound imaging revealed hepatic lesions in 3 children and splenic lesions in 8 children, whereas osteolytic lesions were observed in 4 children by bone scan. Hepatic or splenic involvement was not suggested by clinical signs or biochemical investigation in 2/3 and 6/8 children, respectively. Bone involvement was supported either by relative symptoms or signs. Our findings indicate that, in the presence of fever, extralymphocutaneous manifestations have to be anticipated in patients with clinically suspected CSD. The systematic use of imaging modalities in patients with serologically documented Bartonella henselae infection could contribute to a better understanding of the clinical spectrum of CSD.
We present the results of multisite observations of the delta Scuti star V 1162 Ori. The observations were done in the period October 1999-May 2000, when 18 telescopes at 15 observatories were used to collect 253 light extrema during a total of 290 hours of time-series observations. The purpose of the observations was to investigate amplitude and period variability previously observed in this star, and to search for low-amplitude frequencies. We detect, apart from the main frequency and its two first harmonics, four additional frequencies in the light curves, all with low amplitudes (1-3 mmag). Combining the present data set with data obtained in 1998-99 at ESO confirms the new frequencies and reveals the probable presence of yet another pulsational frequency. All five low-amplitude frequencies are statistically significant in the data, but at least one of them (f5) suffers from uncertainty due to aliasing. Using colour photometry we find evidence for a radial main frequency (f1), while most or all low-amplitude frequencies are likely non-radial. We show that the main frequency of V 1162 Ori has variable amplitude and period/phase, the latter is also displayed in the O-C diagram from light extrema. The amplitude variability in our data is cyclic with a period of 282 d and a range of nearly 20 mmag, but earlier amplitude values quoted in the literature cannot be explained by this cyclic variation. O-C analysis including data from the literature show that the period of V 1162 Ori displays a linear period change as well as sudden or cyclic variations on a time scale similar to that of the amplitude variations. Based on observations obtained at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), Athens University and Kryonerion Observatories, European Southern Observatories (ESO: applications ESO 62H-0110, 64H-0065 and 64L-0182), Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísica (Brazil), Xinglong, Beersel Hills, Ege University, San Pedro Martir, Merate, Mt. Laguna, Siding Spring, Sierra Nevada, Braeside and Lick Observatories. Table 2 is only available in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/374/1056
V1162 Ori is a delta Scuti star with variable period and amplitude. To analyse data acquired in the years 1998-2000, the data were subdivided in smaller subsets to take the amplitude and period variability into account. Four different ways of subdividing the data discussed in the paper are outlined in this table 2. A database containing the observations of V1162 Ori is in preparation; it will be published in the Journal of Astronomical data (http://www.vub.ac.be/STER/JAD/jad.htm). (2 data files).
We present a theory of electron, electromagnetic, and elastic wave propagation in systems consisting of non-overlapping scatterers in a host medium. The theory provides a framework for a unified description of wave propagation in three-dimensional periodic structures, finite slabs of layered structures, and systems with impurities: isolated impurities, impurity aggregates, or randomly distributed impurities. We point out the similarities and differences between the different cases considered, and discuss the numerical implementation of the formalism.
Η παρούσα εισήγηση συντάχθηκε μετά από πρόσκληση του προέδρου της Ειδικής Συνοδικής Επιτροπής Βιοηθικής, νυν Σεβασμιωτάτου Μεσογαίας και Λαυρεωτικής κ. Νικολάου, ως συμμετοχή στον τόμο, τον οποίο αναμενόταν να εκδοθεί από την Εκκλησία της Ελλάδος για την υποβοηθούμενη αναπαραγωγή. Ωστόσο, λόγω της καθυστέρησης και αναβολή της έκδοσής αυτής, κρίθηκε σωστό να δημοσιευθεί στο περιοδικό Θεολογία. Οι απόψεις των ετεροδόξων εξετάσθηκαν και συμπεριλαμβάνονται ήδη στη διδακτορική διατριβή μας, ενώ πρωτότυπο είναι το μέρος που εξετάζει τις απόψεις των άλλων μονοθεϊστικών θρησκειών και αποτελεί παράμετρο που δεν είχε εξετασθεί έως τότε.
This article is based on the assumption that psychotherapy should operate as an open system in order to improve its effectiveness. This assumption originates from cybernetics and systems theory. The degree to which the "openings" in psychotherapy enhance its effectiveness must be put under systematic empirical investigation. The aim of this article is to discuss several examples of "openings" that reflect the systemic perspective of the cognitive-behavioral methods, as well as the postmodern approach to psychotherapy, in which the cognitive and the systemic aspects are interwoven. These "openings" are evident in the cognitive behavioral family therapy (three models are presented), as well as in the management of problematic situations in the school and in the community (consultation). Moreover, we elaborate on the systemic "openings" with regard to some central concepts of both the systemic and cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy, such as symptom, reinforcement, reframing, circular causality, and resistance.
We consider the combined problem of pricing and ordering for a perishable product with unknown demand distribution and censored demand observations resulting from lost sales, faced by a monopolistic retailer. We develop an adaptive pricing and ordering policy with the asymptotic property that the average realized profit per period converges with probability one to the optimal value under complete information on the distribution. The pricing mechanism is modeled as a multiarmed bandit problem, while the order quantity decision, made after the price level is established, is based on a stochastic approximation procedure with multiplicative updates.
Very little is known about genetic abnormalities involved in the development of pilocytic astrocytoma, the most frequently occurring brain tumour of childhood. We have analysed 48 pilocytic astrocytoma specimens using comparative genomic hybridization. Only five of 41 tumours from children showed abnormalities detectable by comparative genomic hybridization, and in each case this represented gain of a single chromosome. Interestingly, two of seven tumours from adults showed abnormalities, which were multiple and relatively complex. Six of the seven tumours showing abnormalities were from female patients (two adults and four children). The most frequently detectable abnormality was gain of 9q34.1-qter, which was present in three cases (two adult and one paediatric).
Testicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is an uncommon disease and its outcome following chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy has been variable. A retrospective analysis was performed on 26 patients with primary testicular lymphoma treated predominantly with anthracycline-based chemotherapy between 1984 and 1999. The patients' median age was 60 years (range 19-82 years) with 17 (65.4%) patients being older than 60 years. Four (15.4%) patients had constitutional B symptoms. There were 11 (42.3%) patients with high grade lymphoma, 12 (46.2%) with intermediate grade, 1 (3.8%) with low grade and 2 (7.7%) were not classified. According to the Ann-Anbor staging system, 18 patients (69.2%) had early (stage I/II) and 8 (30.8%) advanced (stage III/IV) disease. Chemotherapy was administered to 24 patients including 22 patients who received anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Two stage IEA patients were treated with orchidectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy to the regional lymph nodes without systemic chemotherapy. Chemotherapy alone resulted in a complete remission (CR) in 14 (58.3%) of 24 patients and partial remission in 1 (4.2%), amounting to an overall response rate (RR) of 62.5%. Of the 5 stage I patients who had chemotherapy on an adjuvant basis, 4 (80%) had CR/no evidence of disease. Of the 11 stage II patients, 8 (72.7%) achieved CR and 1 (9.1%) PR (overall RR of 81.8%). CR was obtained in 2 (25%) of 8 stage III/IV patients. Both patients remain disease free for 26 and 65 months. Excluding the 5 stage I patients, chemotherapy resulted in a CR in 10/19 (52.6%) patients and a PR in 1/19 (5.2%), inducing an overall RR of 57.8%. The mean duration of response was 75 months (range 8-145.5+ months). After a median follow-up of 87 months (range 0.13-145.5+ months) the median survival time was 31 months (range 0.13-145.5+ months) and the median time to progression (TTP) 17 months (range 0.13-145.5+ months). The median TTP was significantly higher in early disease compared to that of advanced disease (52 vs. 3 months, p = 0.02). Of the 3 patients who relapsed following disease-free status, CNS involvement occurred in 2 stage II patients and contralateral testis involvement in 1 stage IEA, respectively. The latter remained disease free for 2 years following orchidectomy alone. The other 2 patients who relapsed did not respond to salvage chemotherapy and died. There was no significant relationship between the values of LDH and β2-microglobulin with the outcome except for ESR which was significantly related with the CR (p = 0.005) or RR (p = 0.005). In conclusion, patients with primary testicular lymphoma have a poor outcome, despite the treatment with anthracycline-containing regimens. Treatment with anthracycline-based chemotherapy is recommended in patients at early stages. In advanced disease, more intensive or investigational regimens should be considered. Because the relapse rate in the CNS and contralateral testis is quite high in most studies, prophylactic CNS treatment and radiotherapy to the other testis should be included in the management of testicular lymphoma. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Germline mutations in BRCA1 gene account for varying proportions of breast/ovarian cancer families, and demonstrate considerable variation in mutational spectra coincident with ethnic and geographical diversity. We have screened for mutations the entire coding sequence of BRCA1 in 30 breast/ovarian cancer women with family history of two or more cases of breast cancer under age 50 and/or ovarian cancer at any age. Genomic DNA from patient was initially analyzed for truncating mutations in exon 11 with PTT followed by DNA sequencing. In the cases where no frameshift mutation was observed in exon 11, all other exons were screened with direct sequencing. Two novel (3099delT, 3277insG) and three already described (3741insA, 1623del5-TTAAA, 5382insC-twice) truncating mutations were identified. In addition, 6 point mutations (L771L, P871L, E1038G, K1183R, S1436S, S1613G) which are already classified as polymorphisms were identified. Three unclassified intronic variants (IVS16-68 G>A, IVS16-92 G>A, IVS18+65G>A) were also detected. These results show that BRCA1 deleterious mutations are present in a fraction (20%) of Greek breast/ovarian cancer families similar to other European countries. Mutations were detected in high- (>/=3 members) as well as in moderate-risk (2 members) families. This is the first report of BRCA1 mutation analysis in Greece
Non-African Burkitt's lymphoma is a rare disease among adults without AIDS. Among 1352 Greek adult patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 24 cases (1.8%) were classified as Burkitt's (BL) or Burkitt-like (BLL) lymphoma. Eleven cases fulfilled the criteria of BL and 13 of BLL. No statistical differences were found in the general characteristics of the two groups at the time of diagnosis. Extranodal involvement was a common finding in both groups and bulky disease (> 10 cm) was observed in almost one half of the patients. The majority of the patients were treated with intensive, although different, protocols. After induction treatment, complete remission (CR) was achieved in 14 patients (60.8%). CR was reached in all cases with stage I-II, while in stage IV the CR rate was 30.4%. The median overall survival was 27 months. The median survival for BL was 13 months compared to 27 months in the BLL group (P = 0.34). The data of the present retrospective analysis, indicated that there were not significant clinical differences between BL and BLL variants. Since BLL is still a non-reproducible category in the REAL classification, all BL variants must be treated uniformly with intensive protocols. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.
AIMS: To assess the effect of simvastatin, hormone replacement therapy and their combination on soluble cell adhesion molecules and plasma lipids, in hypercholesterolaemic post-menopausal women with coronary artery disease. METHODS: We studied 16 post-menopausal women with coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolaemia (total cholesterol >200mg x dl(-1) and LDL cholesterol >130 mg x dl(-1)). We compared simvastatin (20 mg daily) with hormone replacement therapy (0.625 mg conjugated oestrogen and 2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate daily) and their combination, in a randomized, crossover, placebo controlled study. Each treatment period was 8 weeks long with a 4 week washout interval between treatments. Circulating cell adhesion molecules and plasma lipids were evaluated at the end of each treatment period. RESULTS: All three active treatments--simvastatin, hormone replacement therapy and the combination therapy--significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol, compared to placebo (P<0.001). Only hormone replacement therapy, alone and in combination with simvastatin, significantly decreased lipoprotein(a) when compared to placebo (P<0.05), whereas simvastatin had no significant effect. Likewise, hormone replacement therapy and the combination therapy significantly reduced the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM-1) plasma levels (P=0.03 and P=0.02, respectively), while simvastatin, which was superior to hormone replacement therapy in lowering total and LDL cholesterol, did not modify ICAM-1 levels; the combination therapy was not more effective than hormone replacement therapy alone in ICAM-1 reduction. Neither the effect, on any treatment when compared to placebo, of VCAM-1 nor E-selectin levels differed significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Hormone replacement therapy may limit the inflammatory response to injury by modulating the expression of cell adhesion molecules from the endothelial cells, possibly in association with lipoprotein (a) reduction
To the purpose of investigating the changes effected on the game of volleyball by the enforcement of the new scoring rules we recorded the duration of each set, the match duration (MD) and the total match duration (TMD) of the games of the A1 and A2 categories of men and women for the 1997-1998 period in Greece, when the matches were played according to the old rules and the 1998-1999 period in Greece and Cyprus, after the enforcement of the new regulations. The reduction of the mean set duration and consequently of the mean game duration as well the reduction of the variability of the respective times was reasonably evident. This was followed by a greater percentage of games finishing with a score of 3-2. Countries with a marked difference of level exhibited different time characteristics. However the variability owed to the randomness of the set aggregate can only be eliminated by the specification of the number of sets played per game, while the variability of the set duration can be extinguished only by reverting the set to a fixed time duration. This will lead to volleyball games, which are both entertaining and fascinating to watch both on the court and on the TV. Keywords: Volleyball, match duration, set duration.
The determination of the alkaloids reserpine, rescinnamine and yohimbine based on a chemiluminogenic reaction with potassium permanganate in the presence of polyphosphoric acid is described. The investigation was carried out using a batch and a flow injection chemiluminometer. Both approaches were accurate and precise, allowing the measurement of reserpine within the ranges 0.100-3.00 and 0.050-3.00 micrograms ml-1 with RSD values for 1.00 microgram ml-1 of 1.91 and 0.33% (n = 8) with the batch and the flow injection manifold, respectively. The procedure was successfully applied to formulations after extraction of reserpine with chloroform, with recoveries from commercial formulations within the range 95.2-99.0%.
AIM: The aim of this study was to detect circulating anti-carcinoembryonic antigen antibodies (anti-CEA) in breast cancer patients and to evaluate their clinical and prognostic significance.
METHODS: Fifty-two breast cancer patients and 28 controls were included in this study. Detection of anti-CEA antibodies was performed using a modified enzyme linked immunoassay (ELISA). Sensitivity, specificity and usefulness index of anti-CEA antibodies were compared to those of CEA. The correlation of anti-CEA antibodies with survival and recurrence-free survival was tested with univariate and multivariate analysis.
RESULTS: Anti-CEA was present in 57% of breast cancer patients and in 11% of controls. The sensitivity and usefulness index of anti-CEA were significantly better than those of CEA. The specificity of anti-CEA antibodies was less than that of CEA, the difference not being statistically significant. Anti-CEA antibodies were an independent statistically significant, favourable factor in recurrence-free survival.
CONCLUSION: Anti-CEA antibodies circulate in breast cancer patients. They could be used as a more sensitive tumour marker than CEA. Their presence is associated with improved recurrence-free survival. These results should be confirmed in a larger series.
Gemcitabine plus paclitaxel and paclitaxel plus carboplatin are active and well tolerated in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer, showing similar rates of response and survival. The Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group conducted a randomized phase III trial comparing gemcitabine plus paclitaxel with paclitaxel plus carboplatin. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups. Group A received paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 plus carboplatin (area under the curve = 6) on day I. Group B received paclitaxel in identical fashion to group A plus gemcitabine 1,000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. A minimum of two cycles and a maximum of six cycles was allowed. To date, 127 eligible patients (63 in group A and 64 in group B) have been randomized; the median follow-up time is 4.6 months. Preliminary results suggest that both combinations can be given in full doses and are well tolerated. Grade 3/4 neutropenia was mild but more prominent in group A (10% v 3%, respectively) while thrombocytopenia was not significant for either group. Moreover, severe neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, or cardiac toxicity has not been observed in the vast majority of patients in either group. Although patients in group B experienced higher response rates (37.5%) than those in group A (21.8%), the difference between the groups was not statistically significant. Definite conclusions about this study cannot be made until more data are available. Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company.
OBJECTIVES: Maternal serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were evaluated in preeclampsia to investigate whether these molecules could be helpful with regard to this pregnancy complication. STUDY DESIGN: The study population was composed of 30 preeclamptic patients with a mean gestational age of 35.5 ± 4.6 weeks and 20 age-matched and gestational age-matched normotensive uncomplicated pregnancies (controls). Blood samples from 7 of the 30 preeclamptic patients and 15 of the 20 controls in the second trimester were also analyzed. Data were analyzed by parametric methods. RESULTS: Significantly higher maternal serum sVCAM-1 levels were found in both groups of preeclamptic patients with and without fetal growth restriction (981 ± 145 ng/ml; n = 13;p < 0.0005 and 846 ± 84 ng/ml;p < 0.02, respectively) compared with controls (668 ± 186 ng/ml). In contrast, no significant difference was found in maternal serum sICAM-1 levels between preeclamptic and nonnotensive pregnancies, or in both adhesion molecules (1) in the controls between second and third trimester samples and (2) in the second trimester between pregnant women who developed preeclampsia later and gestational age-matched controls. CONCLUSION: These findings show a selective significant elevation of maternal serum sVCAM-1 in preeclampsia, with the highest values in cases complicated with fetal growth restriction, perhaps reflecting its angiogenic function. Hence, sVCAM-1 could be helpful in the diagnosis of this fetal complication in preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS) II scoring systems in a single intensive care unit (ICU), independent from the ICUs of the developmental sample; and to compare the performance of APACHE II and SAPS II by means of statistical analyses in such a clinical setting.
DESIGN: Prospective, cohort study.
SETTING: A single ICU in a Greek university hospital.
PATIENTS: In a time interval of 5 yrs, data for 681 patients admitted to our ICU were collected. The original exclusion criteria of both systems were employed. Patients <17 yrs of age were dropped from the study to keep compatibility with both systems. Eventually, a total of 661 patients were included in the analysis.
INTERVENTIONS: Demographics, clinical parameters essential for the calculation of APACHE II and SAPS II scores, and risk of hospital death were recorded. Patient vital status was followed up to hospital discharge.
MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Both systems showed poor calibration and underestimated mortality but had good discriminative power, with SAPS II performing better than APACHE II. The evaluation of uniformity of fit in various subgroups for both systems confirmed the pattern of underprediction of mortality from both models and the better performance of APACHE II over our data sample.
CONCLUSIONS: APACHE II and SAPS II failed to predict mortality in a population sample other than the one used for their development. APACHE II performed better than SAPS II. Validation in such a population is essential. Because there is a great variation in clinical and other patient characteristics among ICUs, it is doubtful that one system can be validated in all types of populations to be used for comparisons among different ICUs.
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among competitive worries, sport confidence, and performance of young athletes. Participants were 143 young swimmers aged 11 to 12 years. The athletes completed trait and state questionnaires (competitive worries and sport confidence) in noncompetitive and competitive conditions, respectively. The results indicated: (a) significant relationships among trait and state characteristics and between trait General Self-confidence and performance ratings in both races as well as between performance ratings in Races 1 and 2; (b) significant differences in state variables among athletes with moderate or high and low scores on the trait variables; (c) significant differences in performance among athletes with moderate or high and low scores on the trait General Self-confidence and trait Positive Thinking in Race 1 and on variables trait General Self-confidence, state General Self-confidence, and state Positive Thinking Race 2; and (d) trait General Self-confidence and trait Confidence in Unfavorable Situations were the most important predictors of young swimmers’ performances. These results may be useful in application to competitive sports for young athletes. They may help in psychodiagnostic procedures and may be used for both the content and the direction of individual programs for psychological preparation of young athletes.
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among competitive worries, sport confidence, and performance of young athletes. Participants were 143 young swimmers aged 11 to 12 years. The athletes completed trait and state questionnaires (competitive worries and sport confidence) in noncompetitive and competitive conditions, respectively. The results indicated: (a) significant relationships among trait and state characteristics and between trait General Self-confidence and performance ratings in both races as well as between performance ratings in Races 1 and 2; (b) significant differences in state variables among athletes with moderate or high and low scores on the trait variables; (c) significant differences in performance among athletes with moderate or high and low scores on the trait General Self-confidence and trait Positive Thinking in Race 1 and on variables trait General Self-confidence, state General Self-confidence, and state Positive Thinking Race 2; and (d) trait General Self-confidence and trait Confidence in Unfavorable Situations were the most important predictors of young swimmers’ performances. These results may be useful in application to competitive sports for young athletes. They may help in psychodiagnostic procedures and may be used for both the content and the direction of individual programs for psychological preparation of young athletes.
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among competitive worries, sport confidence, and performance of young athletes. Participants were 143 young swimmers aged 11 to 12 years. The athletes completed trait and state questionnaires (competitive worries and sport confidence) in noncompetitive and competitive conditions, respectively. The results indicated: (a) significant relationships among trait and state characteristics and between trait General Self-confidence and performance ratings in both races as well as between performance ratings in Races 1 and 2; (b) significant differences in state variables among athletes with moderate or high and low scores on the trait variables; (c) significant differences in performance among athletes with moderate or high and low scores on the trait General Self-confidence and trait Positive Thinking in Race 1 and on variables trait General Self-confidence, state General Self-confidence, and state Positive Thinking Race 2; and (d) trait General Self-confidence and trait Confidence in Unfavorable Situations were the most important predictors of young swimmers’ performances. These results may be useful in application to competitive sports for young athletes. They may help in psychodiagnostic procedures and may be used for both the content and the direction of individual programs for psychological preparation of young athletes.
We investigate the importance of metal-induced gap states for the tunneling of metal electrons through epitaxial insulator films. By introducing an imaginary part kappa to the wave vector in order to describe the decay of the wave function in the insulator, we obtain the complex band structure in the gap region. The spectrum of the decay parameters kappa is calculated for the semiconductors Si, Ge, GaAs, and ZnSe. in most cases, for large enough film thicknesses the tunneling is dominated by states of normal incidence on the interface. Possible exceptions are considered. Based on our conclusions, we discuss the spin-dependent tunneling in Fe/semiconductor/Fe (001) junctions.
The present study examines the genetic variability and the taxonomic relationships among five lacertid species, i.e. Podarcis taurica, P. milensis, P. peloponnesiaca, Lacerta graeca and Algyroides moreoticus, representing the three main genera of this family in Europe. The last four of the above species are endemic to Greece and three of them live sympatrically in Peloponnisos. These relationships were studied by allozyme analysis. Of the loci analyzed, the Mpi-1 locus was found to be a convenient molecular marker for discrimination of the genera Podarcis (allele a), Lacerta (allele b) and Algyroides (allele c). The values of Nei’s genetic distances between the examined species ranged from 0.025 to 0.484. According to the UPGMA-dendrogram plotted using the Nei’s genetic distances, two species groups are formed indicating that the genera Lacerta and Algyroides show a stronger relationship to one another than either does to Podarcis. These results are in agreement with DNA sequence data but are not in accordance with previous electrophoretic and immunological studies, which suggest that Lacerta is more closely related to Podarcis than to Algyroides. The studied Podarcis taxa were found to be close relatives (Nei’s distances <0.18), especially P. taurica and P. milensis. These values are lower than those usually given in the literature for the distinction of lacertid species.
Rhinoviruses are associated with the majority of asthma exacerbations. To date, the pathogenesis of virus-induced asthma exacerbations is still unclear, and no safe effective therapy is available. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) has a central role in inflammatory cell recruitment to the airways in asthma and is the receptor for 90% of rhinoviruses. We have previously shown that rhinovirus infection of lower airway epithelium induces ICAM-1 expression by a transcriptional mechanism that is critically nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent.|The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of systemic (hydrocortisone [HC], dexamethasone [DM]) and topical (mometasone furoate [MF]) corticosteroids on rhinovirus-induced ICAM-1 up-regulation.|Cultured primary bronchial or transformed (A549) respiratory epithelial cells were pretreated with corticosteroids for 16 hours and infected with rhinovirus type 16 for 8 hours. ICAM-1 surface expression was evaluated by flow cytometry. In A549 cells ICAM-1 messenger RNA was evaluated by specific reverse transcription-PCR and promoter activation by chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assay.|We observed inhibition of rhinovirus-induced ICAM-1 up-regulation with corticosteroid pretreatment in both primary bronchial epithelial and A549 cells. In A549 cells systemic and topical corticosteroids demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition with similar efficacy (inhibitory concentration 50% 10(-10) mol/L, 10(-11) mol/L, and 10(-11) mol/L for HC, DM, and MF respectively). MF also inhibited ICAM-1 messenger RNA induction by rhinovirus infection in a dose-dependent manner. MF completely inhibited rhinovirus-induced ICAM-1 promoter activation. HC, DM, and MF had no direct effect on rhinovirus infectivity and replication in cultured cells.|Corticosteroids decrease rhinovirus-induced ICAM-1 up-regulation in respiratory epithelial cells and modulate pretranscriptional mechanisms. This effect may be important for the therapeutic control of virus-induced asthma exacerbations.
The magnetic critical behavior in the series La-0.67(BaxCa1-x)(0.33)MnO3 (0 less than or equal to x less than or equal to 1) of manganese perovskites is studied by means of DC magnetic measurements. As Ca ions are substituted by the larger Ba ions, the transition temperature increases from 265 to 340 K as a result of structural changes. Arrott plots show that only in samples with x greater than or equal to 0.25 the magnetic properties follow the behavior expected for a conventional second-order ferromagnetic transition. The values of critical exponents (beta, gamma) estimated by modified Arrott plots are found to lie between those predicted for a 3D-Heisenberg model and those of mean field theory. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
We report here the results of a tomographic lithospheric study in the area of the Corinth and Evvia rifts (Greece), designed to constrain the mechanism of continental extension. Sixty seismological stations were deployed in the area for a period of 6 months, and 177 teleseismic events were recorded by more than five stations and gave more than 2000 travel time residuals (P and PKP phases), which were inverted to image the velocity structure down to 200 km depth. We use both a linear and a nonlinear method to invert the data set. The main result is a long-wavelength positive velocity anomaly located in the upper mantle, which is interpreted as the subducted African lithosphere. The subducted lithosphere is well defined from ∼7O km depth down to 200 km. From synthetic tests as well as from the amplitude of the anomaly (more than +7%) we conclude that the subduction continues below 200 km. In addition, a second positive velocity anomaly of about +4% from the surface down to 40 km depth, located north of the Gulf of Corinth, has been found. This is interpreted as the result of a crustal thinning of several kilometers (∼5 km), shifted to the north from the Gulf of Corinth and trending obliquily NW-SE. We suggest that this crustal thinning is mainly related to the Miocene widespread extension in the Aegean and that the Quaternary Corinth rift initiated where the crust was already thinned. The different styles of deformation of the eastern and western part of the rift are consistent with this interpretation. No clear velocity anomaly can be related to the Evvia rift.
