Publications by Year: 2004

Kamberidou, Irene & Patsantaras, Nikolaos (2004). "Absolute Exclusion: Today’s Digital Exiles”.  Analysis Report, presentation as member of GEAG for the Gender eQuality Session, second Consultation Workshop on Gender and Technology, European Commission, Information Society Directorate-General Miniaturisation, Embedded Systems, Societal Applications, Oct. 15, 2004 Brussels.   **Includes Technoethics proposals and final Report on the Gender Workshop of October 15, 2004, list of participants, membership in Expert working group, inclusion/invitation to next meeting Jan. 2005 and letter of appreciation. ** member of GEAG-Gender Expert Action Group 

Adiponectin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone, is closely and inversely associated with insulin resistance and was recently found to be inversely and independently associated with endometrial cancer. Because insulin resistance in the setting of obesity has also been associated with the development of breast cancer, we have hypothesized that decreased adiponectin levels might underlie the association between breast cancer and obesity/insulin resistance. We evaluated the association of adiponectin with the occurrence of breast cancer in a case-control study comprising 174 women with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed breast cancer and 167 controls. We found an inverse, fairly strong, and statistically significant association of serum adiponectin with breast cancer (odds ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.71-0.99). Importantly, despite a fairly robust inverse association of adiponectin with breast cancer risk among postmenopausal women (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.67-1.00), no such significant association between adiponectin and breast cancer was found among premenopausal women. The observed associations were independent of possible effects of major components of the IGF system, leptin, body mass index, sociodemographic variables, and known risk factors for breast cancer. Future studies are needed to prove causality and provide further insights into both the mechanisms underlying the actions of this hormone and its potential role in breast cancer.

Purpose: Radical cystectomy represents the treatment of choice for muscle infiltrative bladder carcinoma. Adjuvant chemotherapy has been used to improve outcome after cystectomy. We report results in a prospective cohort of patients at high risk for relapse who were treated with the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin as adjuvant treatment following cystectomy for muscle invasive bladder cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 92 patients with extravesical tumor extension (pT 3b or greater) or lymph node involvement (N+) were treated with 4 cycles of paclitaxel at 175 mg/m2 and carboplatin (area under the curve 5 according to the Calvert formula) every 3 weeks following radical cystectomy. Patients were followed every 6 months thereafter. Results: Median followup was 36.6 months. Chemotherapy was well tolerated with 62% of patients receiving 100% of the expected chemotherapy doses without delays. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was reported in 19% of patients, while neutropenic fever was reported in 7%. Five-year overall, cause specific and disease-free survival was 28.9% (95% CI 14.8 to 43.0), 36.6% (95% CI 24.4 to 49.7) and 29% (95% CI 16.3 to 42.4), respectively. Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin is feasible and could be used as adjuvant treatment for high risk bladder carcinoma. Its true value should be assessed in prospective, randomized trials.

Purpose: Radical surgery represents the treatment of choice for carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Nevertheless, approximately 50% of patients with stage T ≥ 3 or lymph node involvement die from their disease, mainly as a result of the development of distant metastases. Therefore, there is a need for effective adjuvant systemic treatment. We prospectively studied a cohort of patients who underwent surgery for high-risk carcinoma of the upper urinary tract to assess the feasibility of the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin as adjuvant treatment. Patients and Methods: Thirty-six patients with tumor stage ≥ 3 or lymph node involvement were treated with four cycles of paclitaxel at 175 mg/m2 and carboplatin (area under the curve 5, Calvert Formula) every 3 weeks following surgery. Results: Median follow-up was 40.6 months. Chemotherapy was well tolerated with 32 patients (89%) receiving full carboplatin and paclitaxel doses without delays. The most frequent grade 3/4 toxicity was neutropenia (39%), which was complicated with fever in only one case (3%). Nonhematologic grade 3 or 4 toxicities were reported in only one case. Five-year survival was 52% (95% CI, 35% to 69%), while 5-year disease-free survival was 40.2% (95% CI, 15.8% to 64.6%). Local failure rate was 30%, as opposed to 17% of patients who developed distant metastases. No patients with grade 2 tumors relapsed during follow-up, as opposed to 60% of patients with grade 3 tumors. Conclusion: Adjuvant chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin is feasible and may reduce the risk of distant metastases in high-risk upper urinary tract carcinoma. © 2004 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

We consider the problem of dynamic admission control in a multi-class Markovian loss system receiving random batches, where each admitted class-i job demands an exponential service with rate μ, and brings a reward r i. We show that the optimal admission policy is a sequential threshold policy with monotone thresholds. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thalidomide, a glutamic acid derivative, was withdrawn from clinical use in 1962 due to its severe teratogenic effects. Its recent reinstitution in clinical practice was related to its benefits in leprosy and multiple myeloma. Moreover, the antiangiogenic and immunomodulatory properties of thalidomide have led to its evaluation in several malignant diseases, including myelofibrosis, renal cell cancer, prostate cancer, and Kaposi sarcoma. However, thalidomide use is associated with several side effects: somnolence and constipation are the most common, while deep vein thrombosis and peripheral neuropathy are the most serious. A combination of thalidomide with steroids or chemotherapy is being evaluated in several phase 2 studies. While it is not yet clear whether these combinations will enhance efficacy, they appear to increase the toxicity of thalidomide, and thalidomide analogs are being developed to minimize this toxicity. Ongoing studies will clarify the potential advantages of these agents in the treatment of neoplastic diseases. © 2004 by Elsevier Inc.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate age-related differentiation of immune response in newborns by measuring serum concentrations of interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) during the perinatal period. Subjects and methods: Fifty-seven healthy term neonates, their mothers and 25 healthy adults (controls) age-matched to the mothers were included in the study. Cytokine concentrations were measured in the umbilical cord (UC), and in first-day (1N) and fifth-day (5N) neonatal samples, compared with those in maternal serum (MS) and control serum samples. Results: Serum IL-2 concentrations in the UC were markedly elevated compared with those in MS and controls (p < 0.0001), decreasing significantly thereafter up to 5N (p < 0,001). IL-4 serum concentrations did not differ significantly between the UC, 1N and 5N samples; they were, however, markedly elevated compared with those in MS (p < 0.001, p < 0.0007 and p < 0.0001, respectively) and controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.01 and p < 0.006, respectively). IFN-γ serum concentrations were significantly lower in the UC compared with those in controls (p < 0.04), increasing significantly up to 5N (p < 0.03). Both IFN-γ/IL-2 and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratios increased significantly in 5N, compared with those in the UC (p < 0.001 and p < 0.03). Conclusion: Our findings indicate a differential cytokine balance at birth with enhanced expression of IL-2 and IL-4 against IFN-γ. However, a regularization of immune response seems to proceed quickly during the early neonatal life.

OBJECTIVE: Few previous studies have investigated the association between APOE genotype and brain activation during performance of cognitive tasks in healthy middle-aged and elderly subjects, and the results have been mixed. The authors investigated APOE-mediated differential brain activation in a group of healthy elderly subjects. METHODS: Using H215O positron emission tomography (PET), they imaged 32 healthy subjects (26 non-epsilon4 carriers and 6 epsilon4 carriers) performing a serial shape-recognition memory task under two conditions: Simple Demand (SD), in which one shape was presented in each study trial, and Titrated Demand (TD), in which study list length was adjusted so that each subject recognized words at approximately 75% accuracy. Multiple-regression analyses were performed, with the "activation" difference (TD-SD PET counts) as the dependent variable and the APOE genotype (presence versus absence of the epsilon4 allele) as the independent variable. RESULTS: Compared with non-carriers, epsilon4 carriers exhibited significantly decreased TD-SD activation differences in the left superior temporal, right superior frontal, left postcental, left precuneus, and posterior cingulate gyrus because epsilon4 carriers (versus non-carriers) showed increased activation during the SD and decreased activation during the TD condition. CONCLUSION: Patterns of brain activation during a nonverbal memory task differed as a function of APOE genotype and, therefore, of genetic risk for Alzheimer disease (AD). Differences in activation were not a reflection of task difficulty, but indicate memory-related altered cognitive processing. Brain regions with decreased activation in the epsilon4 subjects may result from subclinical incipient AD pathology and/or APOE-related neurophysiologic heterogeneity.

The mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) of the entomopathogenic fungus Lecanicillium muscarium (synonym Verticillium lecanii) with a total size of 24,499-bp has been analyzed. So far, it is the smallest known mitochondrial genome among Pezizomycotina, with an extremely compact gene organization and only one group-I intron in its large ribosomal RNA (rnl) gene. It contains the 14 typical genes coding for proteins related to oxidative phosphorylation, the two rRNA genes, one intronic ORF coding for a possible ribosomal protein (rps), and a set of 25 tRNA genes which recognize codons for all amino acids, except alanine and cysteine. All genes are transcribed from the same DNA strand. Gene order comparison with all available complete fungal mtDNAs-representatives of all four Phyla are included-revealed some characteristic common features like uninterrupted gene pairs, overlapping genes, and extremely variable intergenic regions, that can all be exploited for the study of fungal mitochondrial genomes. Moreover, a minimum common mtDNA gene order could be detected, in two units, for all known Sordariomycetes namely nad1-nad4-atp8-atp6 and rns-cox3-rnl, which can be extended in Hypocreales, to nad4L-nad5-cob-cox1-nad1-nad4-atp8-atp6 and rns-cox3-rnl nad2-nad3, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of all fungal mtDNA essential protein-coding genes as one unit, clearly demonstrated the superiority of small genome (mtDNA) over single gene comparisons.

Using H2(15)O PET, the authors imaged 13 patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) while performing a serial nonverbal recognition memory task. Patterns of brain activation differed as a function of APOE genotype: epsilon4 carriers exhibited lower activation in the left lingual gyrus and higher activation in left cuneus, precuneus, parahippocampal, and right precentral gyrus. The APOE genotype seems to play a role in cerebral physiologic activity even after onset of clinical manifestations of AD.

Summary. In this article, we explore the use of a parametric model (for analyzing survival data)which is defined to allow sensitivity analysis for the presence of informative censoring. The dependence between the failure and the censoring processes is expressed through a parameter δ and a general bias function B(t, θ). We calculate the expectation of the potential bias due to informative censoring, which is an overall measure of how misleading our results might be if censoring is actually nonignorable. Bounds are also calculated for quantities of interest, e.g., parameter of the distribution of the failure process, which do not depend on the choice of the bias function for fixed δ. An application that relates to systematic lupus erythematosus data illustrates how additional information can result in reducing the uncertainty on estimates of the location parameter. Sensitivity analysis on a relative risk parameter is also explored.

School-age children’s ability to distinguish among the concepts of aloneness, loneliness, and solitude was the focus of this study. This ability has been largely neglected by researchers. Also, the relation of this ability with self-reported loneliness was examined. Individual interviews were conducted with 180 second, fourth, and sixth graders from Athens, Greece. Their responses were qualitatively and quantitatively analysed. Results showed that school-age children were able to perceive the differences between aloneness and loneliness, although they frequently associated being alone with feeling lonely. Nearly half of them perceived the motivational dimension, which distinguishes voluntary from involuntary aloneness. The ability to recognise the existence of beneficial aloneness, that is, solitude, was extremely limited among second graders, but increased dramatically up to the beginning of adolescence. About two thirds of the total sample acknowledged the human desire to be alone. Girls were significantly more able than boys to perceive the differences between aloneness and loneliness, the motivational dimension, and the desire to be alone. More than two-thirds of the total sample had experienced loneliness, but this experience appeared to be unrelated to their understanding of the various aloneness concepts. Age and gender differences, as well as children’s various justifications of their responses, are discussed in the framework of the existing theoretical and research literature on children’s aloneness, loneliness, and solitude.

Pindar, one of the most fundamental representatives of Greek choral lyric poetry, which flourished in the Archaic period, is the exclusive poet of competitive (athletic) victory. This is due to the fact that his works, the Epinikian Odes, or paeans, have survived in their entirety and, chiefly, to the fact that the victories in the sacred contests, or games, served as cause for his poetic creations. Thus, despite the fact that he was a professional poet, Pindar nevertheless formulated the athletic ideal in accordance with his belief that the games comprise the continuity of the heroic past. This paper investigates Pindar’s ideas, which influence the way he views the competitive, or athletic, victory as a value. The term ‘value’ is used here in the sense of intellectual, spiritual, religious and political value, but also in the sense of personal honor and the honor of the family heritage. Consequently, although Pindar is emphatically the poet of joy, he nevertheless makes his moments even brighter with indirect comparisons of the distant past and future prospects, putting his entire character into his poetry. The poet - whose work, according to J.B. Bury, reflects the authentic quality of the Greek intellect– comes and goes between the world of religion and that of myth, using graphic descriptions in such a manner that they create a vivid mental picture, thus giving new character to a theme. Pindar, in completing his Ode to Victory (Niki) and idealizing the victors, cultivates and expresses the athletic ideal. At the same time, by uniting all the Greeks around the sacred games by virtue of his paeans, he renders himself somewhat of a national poet. His poetic word, based, as mentioned earlier, on a bright vision of reality but also on a low-key poetic tongue, formulates into a vision-depicting poetry which deserves, according to C.M. Bowra, to be considered as the earthly correlation to Apollo’s music and the song of the Muses on Mt. Olympus which Pindar himself considers the archetype of music at those supreme moments when all differences are resolved and all guilt is expiated by the power of the life-giving word.

We present first-principles calculations of ballistic spin injection in Fe/GaAs and Fe/ZnSe junctions with orientations (00 1), (111), and (I 10). We find that the symmetry mismatch of the Fe minority spin states with the semiconductor conduction states can lead to extremely high spin polarization of the current through the (001) interface for hot and thermal injection processes. Such a symmetry mismatch does not exist for the (I 11) and (I 10) interfaces, where smaller spin injection efficiencies are found. The presence of interface states at the Fermi energy is found to lower the current spin polarization.

To assess the effectiveness of calcium phosphate as a delivery system of teicoplanin, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus osteomyelitis was induced in 36 rabbits. Osteomyelitis was induced by inoculating 10 cfu of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolate into a 2-mm hole at the upper 1/3 of the femur for 3 weeks, when all animals had reoperations, and calcium phosphate cement with 3% teicoplanin was implanted. Animals were divided into six groups of six animals each, sacrificed at Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, respectively, after implantation. One rabbit in each group was used as a control. Substantial clinical improvement of the rabbits was observed after implantation, accompanied with sterile cultures of bone after the second week of treatment. Throughout the same period, 10 to 10 cfu/g of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolate was cultured from the control samples. Bacterial eradication signified a considerable decrease of the total histologic scores of osteomyelitis compared with controls, accompanied with newly growing host bone. The calcium phosphate with teicoplanin delivery system seems promising for treatment of bone infection attributable to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, this mixture allows filling of bone defects by new host bone.

We present B, V, R and I photometry for NGC 6779 (M56), a metal-poor globular cluster in the galactic halo. The observations were performed using the 1.3-m telescope at Skinakas Observatory, in Crete. The reddening of the cluster was found to be E(B-V) = 0.32 ± 0.02 [E(V-I) = 0.43 ± 0.02], significantly higher than previous estimates. The metal abundance of the cluster was derived from various parametrizations of red giant branch characteristics and it was found to be [Fe/H]ZW=-2.20 ± 0.12 dex on the Zinn-West metallicity scale, or [Fe/H]CG=-2.00 ± 0.21 dex on the Carretta-Gratton scale. The distance modulus of the cluster is estimated to be (m-M)V= 15.62 ± 0.26 (or 14.62, if we correct for the reddening to the cluster). The horizontal branch of NGC 6779 shows a clear gap at (B-V)o= 0.0. Finally, the revised value for the metallicity of NGC 6779 led to a revision of its age to 13 Gyr, using the age-index calibrations of Salaris & Weiss.

The paper presents an attempt to quantify the compliance of Greek companies with international best practices. Based on 37 indicators (composed out of 54 questions) it was found that Greek companies demonstrate a fairly satisfactory degree of compliance with OECD guidelines. Their weak points lie in: the role of stakeholders and corporate social responsibility; the organisation of CG; the effective role of the independent members of the board (which may be attributed to the small size of the pool of potential independent board members); disclosure of remuneration; and risk management. Methodologically, the merit of the exercise lies in its approach towards the creation of “collectively subjective” weightings, an effort to discuss the benefits of separating the rating of the market from the rating of companies and the discussion on typologies of work that can be effectively performed through rating exercises.

Acute appendicitis and blunt abdominal trauma are common surgical emergencies. Whether there is a causative relationship between these two entities has long been a subject of debate. A twenty-one-year-old male Japanese tourist presented with vague abdominal pain and dysuria that began after he had been beaten and robbed. No signs of trauma were detected on physical examination; however, there were diffuse abdominal sensitivity with maximal tenderness in the hypogastrium and rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant. Upon no improvement with medications within 24 hours, laparotomy was performed, which revealed an inflamed appendix, a few enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, and free peritoneal fluid that was found to be sterile. Following appendectomy, the diagnosis was confirmed by pathologic examination and the enlargement of the lymph node was attributed to non-specific reactive hyperplasia. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course, with relief of pain and fever.

The first l VRI CCD photometric observations of the eclipsing binary system OT Cep are presented. The new times of minima, combined with the existing ones, are used to determine a new ephemeris of the system. Our light curves are analyzed with light curve synthesis techniques to derive the first geometric and photometric elements of OT Cep. The possible evolutionary status of the system is also discussed.

New l BVRI CCD observations of the eclipsing binary NSV 223 are described, and a new ephemeris is proposed. The light curves are analyzed using the Wilson-Devinney light curve synthesis code, and the new geometric and photometric elements are derived. These elements, combined with the available spectroscopic data, yield the absolute system parameters, which make it possible to construct a model of the system.

This paper traces the steps in the changes of the Greek mood system, from the morphological one of Classical Greek, where mood was fused with tense and agreement within INFL, to the more syntactic one of Modern Greek, where mood occupies its own projection of MOODP. We show how the catastrophic loss of the morphological marking of the mood distinctions in the verb ending during the transition from Classical Greek to Hellenistic Koine was followed by (i) the emergence of a separate projection of a functional category MOOD inside the Comp-layer hosting the subjunctive/ indicative mood features followed by (ii) the grammaticalization of the conjunction hina to the subjunctive mood particle na and its transference from the C head to the separate MOOD head located between the C and the INFL heads and (iii) the subsequent relocation of the imperative from the INFL head to the MOOD head. We show that our analysis is consistent with the theories claiming that syntactic change is associated with formal features and the fixing of parameters.

The aim of this study was to explore and compare the magnitude and time-course of the shift in the angle-force curves obtained from maximal voluntary contractions of the elbow flexors, both before and 4 consecutive days after eccentric and isometric exercise. The maximal isometric force of the elbow flexors of fourteen young male volunteers was measured at five different elbow angles between 50° and 160°. Subjects were then divided into two groups: The eccentric group (ECC, n = 7) and the isometric group (ISO, n = 7). Subjects in the ECC group performed 50 maximal voluntary eccentric contractions of the elbow flexors on an isokinetic dynamometer (30°. s-1), while subjects in the ISO group performed 50 maximal voluntary isometric muscle contractions with the elbow flexors at a lengthened position. Following the ECC and ISO exercise protocols, maximal isometric force at the five angles, muscle soreness, and the relaxed (RANG) and flexed (FANG) elbow angles were measured at 24 h intervals for 4 days. All results were presented as the mean and standard error, and a quadratic curve was used to model the maximal isometric force data obtained at the five elbow angles. This approach not only allowed us to mathematically describe the angle-force curves and estimate the peak force and optimum angle for peak force generation, but also enabled us to statistically compare the shift of the angle-force curves between and within groups. A large and persistent shift of the angle-force curve towards longer muscle lengths was observed 1 day after eccentric exercise (P<0.01). This resulted in a ∼16° shift of the optimum angle for force generation, which remained unchanged for the whole observation period. A smaller but also persistent shift of the angle-force curve was seen after isometric exercise at long muscle length (P<0.05; shift in optimum angle ∼5°). ECC exercise caused more muscle damage than ISO exercise, as indicated by the greater changes in RANG and ratings of muscle soreness (P<0.05). It was suggested that the shift in the angle-force curve was proportional to the degree of muscle damage and may be explained by the presence of overstretched sarcomeres that increased in series compliance of the muscle. © Springer-Verlag 2004.

{The aim of this study was to explore and compare the magnitude and time-course of the shift in the angle-force curves obtained from maximal voluntary contractions of the elbow flexors, both before and 4 consecutive days after eccentric and isometric exercise. The maximal isometric force of the elbow flexors of fourteen young male volunteers was measured at five different elbow angles between 50° and 160°. Subjects were then divided into two groups: The eccentric group (ECC

{The aim of this study was to explore and compare the magnitude and time-course of the shift in the angle-force curves obtained from maximal voluntary contractions of the elbow flexors, both before and 4 consecutive days after eccentric and isometric exercise. The maximal isometric force of the elbow flexors of fourteen young male volunteers was measured at five different elbow angles between 50° and 160°. Subjects were then divided into two groups: The eccentric group (ECC

The equivalence of principal bundles with transitive Lie groupoids due to Ehresmann is a well-known result. A remarkable generalization of this equivalence, given by Mackenzie, is the equivalence of principal bundle extensions with those transitive Lie groupoids over the total space of a principal bundle, which also admit an action of the structure group by automorphisms. In this paper the existence of suitably equivariant transition functions is proved for such groupoids, generalizing consequently the classification of principal bundles by means of their transition functions, to extensions of principal bundles by an equivariant form of Čech cohomology.

Objective: We examined the association between climatologic parameters and daily admissions for non-fatal acute coronary syndromes (ACS) to emergency units of hospitals in the greater Athens area, from January 2001 to August 2002. Methods: Daily mean, maximum and minimum temperatures, relative humidity, wind speed, barometric pressure and a thermo-hydrological index (T.H.I.) were measured at the meteorological station of the Laboratory of Climatology of the Geology Department of the University of Athens. In addition, the daily number of admissions for acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina in the five major general hospitals in the greater Athens area was recorded. Generalized additive models (GAM) were applied to regress-time-series of daily numbers of outpatients with acute cardiac events against climatological variations, after controlling for possible confounders and adjustment for over dispersion and serial correlation. Results: Five thousand four hundred fifty-eight Athenians with non-fatal acute cardiac events were admitted to the selected hospitals during the period of the study, 4093 (75%) males and 1365 (25%) females. There was a negative correlation between hospital admissions and mean daily temperature (MDT) with a 1Β°C decrease in mean air temperature yielding a 5% increase in hospital admissions (P<0.05). This association was stronger in females and the elderly (P<0.01). Relative humidity was positively correlated with hospital admissions (P<0.05). Conclusion: Despite the relatively short study period (<2 years), these findings suggest a significant association between cold weather and increased coronary heart disease incidence, especially in the elderly and females. Β© 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND: One HIV-1 and HCV assay simultaneously detects HIV-1 and HCV RNA (Procleix, Chiron Corp.). The main intended use of the assay is the testing of blood and blood products in blood banking. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To evaluate the clinical sensitivity of the assay, 164 anti-HIV-1+ and 160 anti-HCV+ patients of different viral load were tested. The assay specificity was determined in 1000 HIV-1- and HCV-seronegative blood donors. The ability of the assay to detect different HCV genotypes was investigated in a total of 40 patients of different genotypes (1-4). Furthermore, to investigate the reduction of the HCV window phase before seroconversion, serial samples of 25 hemodialysis patients who seroconverted to anti-HCV were also tested. RESULTS: The assay detected all 60 HIV-1-infected patients with a viral load of greater than 50 copies per mL and 48 of 104 patients with a viral load of less than 50 copies per mL. Moreover, all 60 patients with an HCV RNA load of greater than 521 IU per mL and 7 of 100 patients with a viral load of less than 50 IU per mL tested positive. The assay specificity was found to be 100 percent. In addition, all 40 patients of different HCV genotypes were successfully detected. Finally, the median time that the assay detected HCV infection before second- and third-generation anti-HCV assay was found to be 183 and 91 days, respectively. CONCLUSION: The assay sensitivity and specificity, its ability to detect different HCV genotypes, and the significant reduction of window period of HCV infection further support its use for improving the safety of blood and blood products.

The main purpose of this paper, is to study the coastal morphology of the five largest islands in the Ionian Sea (Zante, Kefallinia, Ithaki, Leukas, Corfu) located in Western Greece, in relation to lithology, tectonic characteristics, general seismotectonic regime and marine processes of the area, and finally to locate sites of possible future coastal retreat. The predominant lithological formation of the coasts of Zante, Kefallinia, Ithaki and Leukas, is the carbonate rocks. The shores of Corfu island are composed mainly of Neogene and Quaternary formations. The morphology of the steep coastline is determined in general by offshore normal faults having NW-SE and N-S directions and the relief steepness is intensified by the high resistivity of the calcareous formations. The low relief coasts are common in areas where Quaternary deposits are dominant. Data derived from aerial and satellite images, large scale maps and detailed fieldwork mapping were treated by GIS. The upper coastal zone limit was extended up to the 20m contour line. A coastal hazard map was developed focusing on erosion prone areas. The most vulnerable were found to be the western coasts of Leukas, south Kefallinia, north Ithaki and north Corfu. Landslides and rockfalls are especially risky in western Leukas, northern Corfu and southernKefallinia.

Epidemiologic evidence suggests that higher occupational attainment and education, as well as increased participation in intellectual, social, and physical aspects of daily life, are associated with slower cognitive decline in healthy elderly and may reduce the risk of incident Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is also evidence from structural and functional imaging studies that patients with such life experiences can tolerate more AD pathology before showing signs of clinical dementia. It has been hypothesized that such aspects of life experience may result in functionally more efficient cognitive networks and, therefore, provide a cognitive reserve that delays the onset of clinical manifestations of dementia. In this article, we review some of the relevant literature of the noted associations between markers of cognitive reserve and AD and discuss the possible mechanisms that may explain these associations.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive reserve (CR) is the ability of an individual to cope with advancing brain pathological abnormalities so that he or she remains free of symptoms. Epidemiological data and evidence from positron emission tomography suggest that it may be mediated through education or IQ. OBJECTIVE: To investigate CR-mediated differential brain activation in Alzheimer disease (AD) subjects compared with healthy elderly persons. PARTICIPANTS: Using radioactive water positron emission tomography, we scanned 12 AD patients and 17 healthy elderly persons while performing a serial recognition memory task for nonverbalizable shapes under 2 conditions: low demand, in which one shape was presented in each study trial, and titrated demand, in which the study list length was adjusted so that each subject recognized shapes at approximately 75% accuracy. Positron emission tomographic scan acquisition included the encoding and recognition phases. A CR factor score that summarized years of education, National Adult Reading Test estimated IQ, and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised vocabulary subtest score (explaining 71% of the total variance) was used as an index of CR. Voxel-wise, multiple regression analyses were performed with the "activation" difference (titrated demand-low demand) as the dependent variables and the CR factor score as the independent one. Brain regions where regression slopes differed between the 2 groups were identified. RESULTS: The slopes were significantly more positive for the AD patients in the left precentral gyrus and in the left hippocampus and significantly more negative in the right fusiform, right middle occipital, left superior occipital, and left middle temporal gyri. CONCLUSION: Brain regions where systematic relationships (slopes) between subjects' education-IQ and brain activation differ as a function of disease status may mediate the differential ability to cope with (ie, delay or modify) clinical manifestations of AD.

Objectives. To evaluate prospectively the combination of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog with a somatostatin analog and dexamethasone in patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) in a randomized Phase II study. HRPC presents a challenging therapeutic problem. Salvage chemotherapy is the usual approach at this stage of the disease. The combination of a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog with a somatostatin analog and dexamethasone has produced objective clinical responses in HRPC. Methods. Forty patients with HRPC were randomized to receive one of two treatments. Group 1 underwent chemotherapy (estramustine 140 mg three times daily and etoposide 100 mg orally for 21 days) and group 2 the combination of a somatostatin analog (lanreotide 30 mg intramuscularly every 14 days) and dexamethasone (4 mg tapered to 1 mg), in addition to androgen ablation by orchiectomy or a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog (triptorelin 3.75 mg intramuscularly every 28 days). The clinical and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response, overall survival, time to progression, and toxicity were compared between the two groups. Results. The data of 20 patients in group 1 and 18 in group 2 were analyzed. The demographic and clinical data were similar in the two groups at study entry. A PSA response (decrease of greater than 50%) was observed in 45% of group 1 and 44% of group 2. The difference was not statistically significant. A partial clinical response was observed in 29% and 30% of groups 1 and 2, respectively. Again, the difference was not statistically significant. Changes in performance status and pain score during treatment were not significantly different in the two groups. Hematologic toxicity was more frequent in group 1 (80% of patients), and mild diabetes was more frequent in group 2 (22% of patients). The overall survival was 18.8 months in group 1 and 18 months in group 2 (not statistically significant). The time to progression was 6 versus 4 months and, in the PSA responder subgroup, it was 8 versus 7.7 months in groups 1 and 2, respectively (neither difference was statistically significant). Conclusions. The results of our randomized Phase II study indicated that the new combination treatment (luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog, somatostatin analog, and dexamethasone) may be equally effective as salvage chemotherapy in patients with HRPC in terms of the clinical and PSA response, overall survival, and time to progression. A larger prospective Phase III trial is required to confirm our observations. © 2004 Elsevier Inc.

Patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS), even after complete local disease control, often relapse locally or with distant metastases. This multicenter phase II study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and paclitaxel, as first-line treatment in patients with advanced STS. In all, 42 patients with locally advanced or metastatic STS, median age 54 years and median Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (PS) I were treated with PLD 45 mg m -2 and paclitaxel 150 mg m -2 every 28 days for a total of six cycles. Histological types included mainly leiomyosarcomas (43%), malignant fibrous histiocytomas (14%) and liposarcomas (12%). At study entry, 69% of patients had distant metastases, Overall response rate was 16%, including one complete (CR 2%) and six partial responses (PRs 14%), while an additional 14 patients had disease stabilization (SD 33%). At median follow-up 41.5 months, median time to progression (TTP) was 5.7 months with median overall survival (OS) 13.2 months. Grade 3-4 toxicities included neutropenia (17%), anaemia (15%), neurotoxicity (5%) and palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (9%). There were no treatment-related deaths. The combination of PLD and paclitaxel is a safe and well-tolerated regimen demonstrating modest efficacy as first-line treatment in patients with advanced STS.

During recent years Europe has been engaged in an educational reform that tends to change the whole educational system concerning higher education. The main issues of this reform are related to the free movement of labour and students across the member states. Hence, the need of comparative educational systems, levels, and degrees. The European Union and its executive bodies the European Council and European Commission have issued a series of declarations that are amalgamated in this chapter. The ideas behind these declarations formulate the framework of comparative educational systems that can have a significant impact on the global health informatics education.

The LCx HIV RNA quantitative assay (Abbott Laboratories, Delkenheim, Germany) was compared with the Versant HIV-1 RNA 3.0 (bDNA) assay (Bayer, Tarrytown, NY) and the COBAS Amplicor HIV-1 Monitor v1.5 test (Roche Diagnostics, Branchburg, NJ), using plasma samples of various viral load levels from HIV-1-infected patients. Considering the lower limit of the linear range of 50 copies/ml of both assays, the detection range of the LCx was 127/151 (84.1%) versus the 131/151 (86.8%) of the bDNA 3.0 assay, while overall agreement between the two assays was 93.4% (141/151). LCx and bDNA 3.0 results were found to be strongly correlated (r = 0.96). The fitted regression line was described by the equation log10(LCx copies/ml) = 0.05 + 1.06 x log10(bDNA 3.0 copies/ml) with 95% CI for the estimated slope and intercept at 1.01, 1.12 and -0.16, 0.26, respectively. Similarly, the detection range of the LCx was 115/148 (77.7%) versus the 128/148 (86.5%) of the Monitor v1.5 test. A 91.2% concordance (135/148) was observed between these two assays at a cut-off of 50 copies/ml. LCx and Monitor v1.5 results were highly correlated (r = 0.96). The fitted regression line was described by the equation log10(LCx copies/ml) = 0.06 + 1.03 x log(10)(Monitor v1.5 copies/ml) with 95% CI for the estimated slope and intercept at 0.97, 1.09 and -0.16, 0.28, respectively.

The magnetic properties of three mononuclear copper complexes where the metal ion is coordinated by Schiff base ligands have been investigated by magnetic susceptibility and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies. Significant extended magnetic coupling has been observed comprising competing antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic components, which are explained in terms of the interactions between copper ions mediated through the organic ligands. Distant substitutions in the ligand structure are suggested to affect critically the magnetic coupling leading to frustration effects on the cooperative transition that may develop under favorable structural conditions. The temperature dependence of intensity of the EPR line was studied in the temperature range 130-280K and fitted to the Curie-Weiss-type law. The consistency of magnetic and EPR results is discussed for the three investigated complexes. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Although multivariate analytic techniques might identify diagnostic patterns that are not captured by univariate methods, they have rarely been used to study the neural correlates of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or cognitive impairment. Nonquantitative H2(15)O PET scans were acquired during rest in 17 probable AD subjects selected for mild severity [mean-modified Mini Mental Status Examination (mMMS) 46/57; SD 5.1], 16 control subjects (mMMS 54; SD 2.5) and 23 subjects with minimal to mild cognitive impairment but no dementia (mMMS 53; SD 2.8). Expert clinical reading had low success in discriminating AD and controls. There were no significant mean flow differences among groups in traditional univariate SPM Noxel-wise analyses or region of interest (ROI) analyses. A covariance pattern was identified whose mean expression was significantly higher in the AD as compared to controls (P = 0.03; sensitivity 76-94%; specificity 63-81%). Sites of increased concomitant flow included insula, cuneus, pulvinar, lingual, fusiform, superior occipital and parahippocampal gyri, whereas decreased concomitant flow was found in cingulate, inferior parietal lobule, middle and inferior frontal, supramarginal and precentral gyri. The covariance analysis-derived pattern was then prospectively applied to the cognitively impaired subjects: as compared to subjects with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) = 0, subjects with CDR = 0.5 had significantly higher mean covariance pattern expression (P = 0.009). Expression of this pattern correlated inversely with Selective Reminding Test total recall (r = -0.401, P = 0.002), delayed recall (r = -0.351, P = 0.008) and mMMS scores (r = -0.401, P = 0.002) in all three groups combined. We conclude that patients with AD may differentially express resting cerebral blood flow covariance patterns even at very early disease stages. Significant alterations in expression of resting flow covariance patterns occur even for subjects with cognitive impairment. Expression of covariance patterns correlates with cognitive and functional performance measures, holding promise for meaningful associations with underlying biopathological processes.

In the present paper, we have calculated the outgoing longwave radiation at the top of the atmosphere (OLR at TOA) using a deterministic radiation transfer model, cloud data from ISCCP-D, and atmospheric temperature and humidity data from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis, for the seventeen-year period 1984-2000. We constructed anomaly time-series of the OLR at TOA, as well as of all of the key input climatological data, averaged in the tropical region between 20°N and 20°S. We compared the anomaly time-series of the model calculated OLR at TOA with that obtained from the ERBE S-10N (WFOV NF edition 2) non-scanner measurements. The model results display very similar seasonal and inter-annual variability as the ERBS data, and indicate a decadal increase of OLR at TOA of 1.9±0.2Wm-2/decade, which is lower than that displayed by the ERBS time-series (3.5±0.3Wm-2). Analysis of the inter-annual and long-term variability of the various parameters determining the OLR at TOA, showed that the most important contribution to the observed trend comes from a decrease in high-level cloud cover over the period 1984-2000, followed by an apparent drying of the upper troposphere and a decrease in low-level cloudiness. Opposite but small trends are introduced by a decrease in low-level cloud top pressure, an apparent cooling of the lower stratosphere (at the 50mbar level) and a small decadal increase in mid-level cloud cover.

The erosional processes depend on various variables such as lithology, topography,drainage system, rock structure and climatic conditions. The quantitative evaluation on some of the above geological and geomorphological parameters is of primaryimportance for the purpose of developing erosion risk maps. These maps can become useful tools for developing appropriate strategies on environmental protection, hazard assessment and regional planning. The island of Sifnos, in Cyclades, was chosen as a case study, where in the final map of the sub-basins of this island, erosion risk distribution is presented.

Thalidomide-based regimens (TBR) are now widely used for the treatment of refractory multiple myeloma and have shown significant activity in newly diagnosed patients. In some patients with secretory disease, we observed discrepancies between the reduction of the monoclonal protein levels and the plasma cell infiltration in the bone marrow and/or extramedullary sites of relapse after treatment with TBR. The purpose of this study was to assess the incidence and analysis of this phenomenon in all myeloma patients treated with TBR in our Institution. Patients and methods: We studied all patients who received TBRs and had a follow up time of at least 6 months. Partial response (PR) was defined as at least 50% reduction of serum myeloma protein and soft tissue plasmacytomas and/or > 90% reduction of Bence Jones protein excretion and minor response as a > 25% reduction of the serum myeloma protein or > 50% reduction of the Bence Jones myeloma protein. Results: Between July 1999 and July 2002 we treated 94 patients with advanced myeloma and 9 patients with newly diagnosed disease with TBR. Sixty-seven patients (66%) achieved either partial or minor response. In 4 patients (3 with advanced and 1 with newly diagnosed myeloma) the bone marrow was heavily infiltrated by plasma cells, despite a decrease of the paraprotein levels ranging from 38% to 68%. This discordance between monoclonal protein levels and bone marrow plasmacytosis was noted in 6% of patients rated as responders and in 11% of responding patients who actually had a repeat bone marrow assessment. Furthermore 6 responding patients, after achieving a PR which lasted between 5 and 9 months, relapsed with bone marrow (all cases), and extramedullary (2 cases) plasmacytosis, without increase of serum and/or urine monoclonal protein. This hyposecretory conversion was noted in 12.5% of relapsing patients. Conclusion: Our data indicate that after treatment with TBR some patients with myeloma show discordant responses of the monoclonal protein levels and the bone marrow or extramedullary plasmacytosis. If our data are confirmed, they may have practical implications for assessment of response and follow up of patients treated with TBR.

OBJECTIVES: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) may colonize haemodialysis patients, but their epidemiology in this population is not well defined. Within the few last years, VRE strains have emerged and are increasingly isolated in the nosocomial environment in Greece, but colonization of dialysis patients has never been evaluated before. This study sought to determine the epidemiology of VRE colonization within this high-risk population and define the risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 4 month period, rectal swabs or faecal specimens were collected from 334 consecutive outpatients, who were treated at four independent dialysis units located in the same area of Athens and referring patients to the same local hospital. The relatedness of isolates was defined by molecular typing, and demographic and clinical patient data were recorded. RESULTS: Thirteen multiresistant Enterococcus faecium vanA strains were isolated corresponding to a colonization frequency of 3.9%. They were separated into seven clusters: type A (two strains), type B (six strains) and types C to G (one strain each). Type B strains originated from three units, while a single unit demonstrated four type B and two type A strains. Univariate statistical analysis revealed that prior hospitalization (P=0.001), prior administration of antimicrobials (P=0.026) and male gender (P=0.019) were associated with VRE colonization. CONCLUSIONS: In Greece, haemodialysis patients are colonized with VRE at a low frequency. The predominance of one clone and its isolation from several units strongly indicate interfacility transmission of strains, most probably within a health care environment shared by all patients.

Rhinoviruses are the most common precipitants of the common cold and have been associated with different infections of the respiratory tract, such as otitis media and sinusitis. They have also been implicated in the induction of acute asthma exacerbations, most of which are preceded by a common cold. Although in several occasions, mainly in immunocompromised hosts, severe lower respiratory tract infections have been attributed to rhinovirus infections, it is still unclear whether and to what extent these viruses contribute as pathogens in community-acquired pneumonia. Current mechanistic data suggest that rhinoviruses could be the cause of pneumonia in immunocompetent subjects. This notion is supported by epidemiological evidence, however, more clinical studies are needed to assess the actual burden.

Purpose: The combination of methotrexate, vinblastine, doxorubicin, and cisplatin (MVAC) represents the standard regimen for inoperable or metastatic urothelial cancer, but its toxicity is significant. We previously reported a 52% response rate (RR) using a docetaxel and cisplatin (DC) combination. The toxicity of this regimen compared favorably with that reported for MVAC. We thus designed a randomized phase III trial to compare DC with MVAC. Patients and Methods: Patients with inoperable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma; adequate bone marrow, renal, liver, and cardiac function; and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≤ 2 were randomly assigned to receive MVAC at standard doses or docetaxel 75 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m 2 every 3 weeks. All patients received prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support. Results: Two hundred twenty patients were randomly assigned (MVAC, 109 patients; DC, 111 patients). Treatment with MVAC resulted in superior RR (54.2% v 37.4%; P = .017), median time to progression (TTP; 9.4 v6.1 months; P = .003) and median survival (14.2 v9.3 months; P = .026). After adjusting for prognostic factors, difference in TTP remained significant (hazard ratio [HR], 1.61; P = .005), whereas survival difference was nonsignificant at the 5% level (HR, 1.31; P = .089). MVAC caused more frequent grade 3 or 4 neutropenia (35.4% v 19.2%; P = .006), thrombocytopenia (5.7% v 0.9%; P = .046), and neutropenic sepsis (11.6% v 3.8%; P = .001). Toxicity of MVAC was considerably lower than that previously reported for MVAC administered without G-CSF. Conclusion: MVAC is more effective than DC in advanced urothelial cancer. G-CSF-supported MVAC is well tolerated and could be used instead of classic MVAC as first-line treatment in advanced urothelial carcinoma. © 2004 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) subtypes A and B are present either simultaneously or alternate during yearly epidemics. It is still not clear whether clinical severity of acute bronchiolitis differs between the two subtypes. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to subtype RSV in previously healthy infants hospitalized with RSV bronchiolitis during a winter epidemic. A severity index based on heart rate, respiratory rate, wheezing, difficulty in feeding and oxygen saturation was calculated upon admission. Infants infected with RSV subtype-A were found to have a significantly higher (more severe) clinical score than those infected with RSV-B. There was no statistically significant difference in duration of hospitalization or need of intensive care. Boys and infants younger than 3 months of age were also more severely affected than girls or older infants, respectively. These results support the notion that RSV-A-induced bronchiolitis is more severe than RSV-B-induced one, in agreement with the majority of previously published studies.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of estrogen replacement therapy (ERT), continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and tibolone on serum leptin levels in healthy postmenopausal women. Methods: Eighty-four healthy postmenopausal women aged 43-63 years were studied prospectively. Hysterectomized women (n=16) received conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) 0.625 mg. Women with an intact uterus were randomly allocated either to CEE+medroxyprogesterone acetate (CEE/MPA) 5 mg or tibolone 2.5 mg. Serum leptin levels were assessed at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. Results: The three groups did not differ with respect to age, body mass index (BMI) or baseline serum leptin levels. Overweight women (BMI>25 kg/m2) had higher baseline leptin levels (27.0±11.4 ng/ml) compared to their lean counterparts (BMI≤25 kg/m2; leptin: 16.5±8.1 ng/ml, P=0.0001). Neither CEE nor CEE/MPA had any effect on serum leptin levels at the end of 6 months either in overweight or in lean women (overweight: CEE baseline 34.4±13.3 ng/ml, 6 months 36.9±15.8, P=0.89, CEE/MPA baseline 22.4±9.8 ng/ml, 6 months 26.8±8.7 ng/ml, P=0.1; lean: CEE baseline 12.6±4.4 ng/ml, 6 months 13.2±5.8 ng/ml, P=0.36, CEE/MPA baseline 17.2±10.6 ng/ml, 6 months 18.8±8.8 ng/ml, P=0.31). Similarly serum leptin remained unchanged at the end of the study in both lean and overweight women on tibolone (overweight: baseline 22.9±8.1 ng/ml, 6 months 18.5±12 ng/ml, P=0.37; lean: baseline 13.2±5.6 ng/ml, 6 months 17.3±8.4 ng/ml). Conclusion: BMI is a strong determinant of serum leptin levels in healthy postmenopausal women. Neither ERT/HRT nor tibolone exert any effect on serum leptin after 6 months in lean or overweight postmenopausal women. Further studies are required to verify the exact role of estrogen and tibolone on leptin production and function in postmenopausal women. © 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Objective: To assess the effect of continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or tibolone on serum total homocysteine (tHcy) levels in postmenopausal women. Study design: Ninety-five postmenopausal women aged 41-68 years were included in the study. Seventy-three women with climacteric complaints, osteopenia or osteoporosis received either conjugated equine estrogens 0.625mg combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate 5mg (CEE/MPA, n=31) or tibolone 2.5mg (n=42). Twenty-two healthy women, matched for chronological and menopausal age, served as controls. Serum tHcy levels were assessed at baseline, 6, 12 and 18 months. Results: No difference was recorded between groups regarding demographic characteristics or mean baseline serum tHcy. Serum tHcy levels decreased significantly in the CEE/MPA compared to baseline (change at 18 months: -3.9%, P<0.05). The magnitude of the decrease was higher in the subgroup of women with baseline tHcy levels above the median (change at 18 months: -15.0%, P<0.01). No change in tHcy levels was detected in the tibolone group throughout the study period, either in the whole group (change at 18 months: 1.9%, NS) or in the subgroup with baseline tHcy levels above the median (change at 18 months: -3.23%, NS). Conclusion: Continuous CEE/MPA reduces tHcy especially in women with high pretreatment tHcy levels. Tibolone has no effect on serum tHcy levels at least during the first 18 months of therapy. Larger studies with longer follow-up are required to confirm these results. © 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

In this paper the area of the lakes Iliki and Paralimni are examined (Viotia). The research focuses on the influence of the tectonic on the morphological structure of the area and on the formation of the lakes, with fieldwork and the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems). For this purpose the azimuth directions ofthe rupture zones were calculated with the use of ‘geoline orientation’ algorithm. The analysis of the morphological slopes and of the aspect was performed with the use of the algorithm ‘Triangulation with smoothing’. The outcome of the fault direction concurs with the Pliocene faults direction, as well as the tectonic Fokiko - Viotiko trough direction. The Quaternary faults direction concurs with the recent rupturezone. In general, the dominating morphological slopes are of 0-10%, while the higher slopes are found at the north and east. The aspect that concerns the direction of the morphological slope concurs with the main rupture zone of the tectonic Fokiko - Viotiko trough direction, and the recent rupture zone. The orientation of Iliki lake corresponds to the former rupture zone; the orientation of Paralimni lake corresponds to the later one.

The spin-orbit interaction can cause a nonvanishing density of states (DOS) within the minority-spin band gap of half metals around the Fermi level. We examine the magnitude of the effect in Heusler alloys, zinc-blende half metals, and diluted magnetic semiconductors, using first-principles calculations. We find that the ratio of spin-down to spin-up DOS at the Fermi level can range from below 1% (e.g., 0.5% for NiMnSb) over several percents {[}4.2% for (Ga,Mn)As] to 13% for MnBi. This gives a spin polarization P at E-F ranging from above 99% for NiMnSb to Papproximate to92% for (Ga,Mn)As and to Papproximate to77% for MnBi.

Using steady, axisymmetric, ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) we analyze relativistic outflows by means of examining the momentum equation along the flow and in the transfield direction. We argue that the asymptotic Lorentz factor is γ∞∼μ-σ M , and the asymptotic value of the Poynting-to-matter energy flux ratio—the so-called σ function—is given by σ∞/(1 +σ∞) ∼σ M /μ, where σ M is the Michel’s magnetization parameter and μc 2 the total energy-to-mass flux ratio. We discuss how these values depend on the conditions near the origin of the flow. By employing self-similar solutions we verify the above result, and show that a Poynting-dominated flow near the source reaches equipartition between Poynting and matter energy fluxes, or even becomes matter-dominated, depending on the value of σ M /μ.

Using steady, axisymmetric, ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) we analyze relativistic outflows by means of examining the momentum equation along the flow and in the transfield direction. We argue that the asymptotic Lorentz factor is γ∞∼μ-σ M , and the asymptotic value of the Poynting-to-matter energy flux ratio—the so-called σ function—is given by σ∞/(1 +σ∞) ∼σ M /μ, where σ M is the Michel’s magnetization parameter and μc 2 the total energy-to-mass flux ratio. We discuss how these values depend on the conditions near the origin of the flow. By employing self-similar solutions we verify the above result, and show that a Poynting-dominated flow near the source reaches equipartition between Poynting and matter energy fluxes, or even becomes matter-dominated, depending on the value of σ M /μ.

The elaboration of analytical microzoning studies involves a multidisciplinary approach comprising geological, geotechnical, seismological, geophysical and dynamic soil analysis data. In an attempt to incorporate the maximum available amount of information and in the view of the continuously expanding use of GIS, as a tool for analyzing and integrating data, a new software environment called AUTOSEISMO-GEOTECH has been developed for handling these multi-parameter data. This user friendly package is presently implemented for the cities of Heraklion (Crete island) and Thiva (province of Beotia) in Greece.

Emerin is an inner nuclear membrane protein that is mutated or not expressed in patients with X-linked Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (X-EDMD/EMD). Cytoplasmic localization of emerin in cultured cells or tissues has been reported, although this remains a controversial issue. Tubular aggregates (TAs) are pathological structures seen in the sarcoplasm of human skeletal muscle fibers in various disorders. The TAs derive from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and represent, probably, an adaptive response of the SR to various insults to the muscle fibers. In the present study, we present immunohistochemical evidence of emerin expression in TAs. Muscle biopsies with tubular aggregates from four male, unrelated patients were studied. The percentage of muscle fibers containing TAs varied between 5 and 20%. Routine histochemistry revealed intense reaction of TAs with NADH-TR, AMPDA, and NSE, but not with COX, SDH, myosin ATPase (pH 9.4, 4.3, 4.6), PAS, and Oil red O staining. Immunohistochemical study revealed strong immunostaining of TAs with antibodies against emerin and 7 SERCA2-ATPase. Immunostaining of TAs was also seen with antibodies against heat shock protein and dysferlin, but not with antibodies to lamin A, dystrophin, adhalin, beta, gamma, delta sarcoglycans, and merosin. These results suggest that emerin, an inner nuclear membrane protein, is present at the TAs. The interpretation and significance of this finding is discussed in relation to experimental data suggesting that normal emerin localization at the inner nuclear membrane depends on lamin A and mutations in the N-terminal domain of emerin cause mislocalization of the protein to the sarcoplasmic membranes.

Water sampleswere collected for coccolithophore analysis at coastal environments, in August 2002, from 7 stations in the Gulf of Kastro (Andros Island, middle Aegean Sea, Eastern Mediterranean). The studies on coccolithophore regional dynamics in the middle Aegean Sea coastal environments have revealed a unique heterococcolith–holococcolith combination coccosphere indicating a life-cycle association of the taxa Syracosphaera halldalii in Gaarder and Hasle 1971 ex Jordan and Green 1994 and Calyptrolithina divergens var. tuberosa (Heimdal 1980) Jordan et al. 1993. Consequently their systematic taxonomy is emended and the name Syracosphaera halldalii is considered as the appropriate one for the well-established association.

Equation (5) in § 2 should readf(x)=[2xlnx+x+1-2x2+(4∊0γx)22(1+4∊0γx)(1-x)]P(1/4γ2,1,x),x=∊4∊0γ2(1-∊/γ),(5)as given by F. C. Jones (ApJ, 561, 111 [2001]). In our original paper, the factor (1-x) in the final term inside the bracket was missing. The correct form was used in all computations.

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in young children is most commonly associated with viral infections; however, the role of viruses in CAP of school-age children is still inconclusive.|Seventy-five school-age children hospitalized with CAP were prospectively evaluated for the presence of viral and bacterial pathogens. Nasopharyngeal washes were examined by polymerase chain reaction for viruses and atypical bacteria. Antibody assays to detect bacterial pathogens in acute-phase and convalescent-phase serum samples were also performed.|A viral infection was identified in 65% of cases. Rhinovirus RNA was detected in 45% of patients; infection with another virus occurred in 31%. The most common bacterial pathogen was Mycoplasma pneumoniae, which was diagnosed in 35% of cases. Chlamydia pneumoniae DNA was not detected in any patient; results of serological tests were positive in only 2 patients (3%). Mixed infections were documented in 35% of patients, and the majority were a viral-bacterial combination.|The high prevalence of viral and mixed viral-bacterial infections supports the notion that the presence of a virus, acting either as a direct or an indirect pathogen, may be the rule rather than the exception in the development of CAP in school-age children requiring hospitalization.

The European Communities Confederation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EC4) opened a Register for European Specialists in Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine in 1997. The operation of the Register is undertaken by a Register Committee (EC4RC). During the last 6 years more than 1500 specialists in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine have joined the Register. In this article a Code of Conduct for Registrants which was approved at the EC4 Register Committee meeting in Amsterdam, 8 November 2003 is presented. © 2004 by Walter de Gruyter.

The purpose of this paper is to present the evaluation of a web based nursing documentation system which helps nursing professionals and students to study ICNP Greek beta 2 version and to create nursing diagnoses, interventions and outcomes by selecting relevant terms from ICNP. This advanced web-based ICNP browser enables the authentication of the user, and the creation of a type of nursing care plan through the use of ICNP. It provides different ways for creating nursing diagnoses, interventions and outcomes, by selecting relevant ICNP terms through the tree-structure view, index and search components of the tool. The evaluation of this nursing documentation system is carried out by a survey among nursing professionals working in nursing units in hospitals. The results which have derived from this survey are presented. Moreover, conclusions regarding the future changes that should be made in the system are reported.

Eighteen subjects (ages 18-35) underwent event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (efMRI) while performing a delayed-match-to-sample (DMS) task before and immediately after 48 h of sustained wakefulness. The DMS trial events were: a 3-s study period of either a one-, three-, or six-letter visual array; a 7-s retention interval; and a 3-s probe period, where a button press indicated whether the probe letter was in the study array. Ordinal Trend Canonical Variates Analysis (OrT CVA) was applied to the data from the probe period for trials with six-letter study lists prior to and immediately following sleep deprivation to find an activation pattern whose expression decreased with sleep deprivation in as many subjects as possible, while being present in both conditions. The first principal component of the OrT analysis identified a covariance pattern whose expression decreased as a function of sleep deprivation in 17 of 18 subjects (p<0.001). While overall expression of the pattern showed a systematic decrease with sleep deprivation, the brain regions that make up the pattern show covarying increases and decreases in activation. Regions that decreased their activation were noted in the parietal (BA 7 and 40), temporal (BA 37, 38 and 39) and occipital (BA 18 and 19) lobes; regions that increased their activation were noted in the cerebellum, basal ganglia, thalamus and the anterior cingulate gyrus (BA 32). The reduction in pattern expression with sleep deprivation for each subject was related to the change in performance on the DMS task. Subject decreases in pattern expression were correlated with reductions in recognition accuracy (p<0.05), increased intra-individual variability in reaction time (p<0.005) and increased lapsing (p<0.005).

In this paper we are studying the erosional procedures on the basis of Geographical InformationSystems (GIS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods. More precisely we use fuzzy logic rules toestimate the erosion risk index for the surface rocks and a model of neural networks to spatially categorisethe erosion risk index. The described procedure is applied at Zakynthos island, where acomplete spatial database already exists.

Skeletal muscle differentiation is a complex, highly coordinated process that relies on precise temporal gene expression patterns. To better understand this cascade of transcriptional events, we used expression profiling to analyze gene expression in a 12-day time course of differentiating C2C12 myoblasts. Cluster analysis specific for time-ordered microarray experiments classified 2895 genes and ESTs with variable expression levels between proliferating and differentiating cells into 22 clusters with distinct expression patterns during myogenesis. Expression patterns for several known and novel genes were independently confirmed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and/or Western blotting and immunofluorescence. MyoD and MEF family members exhibited unique expression kinetics that were highly coordinated with cell-cycle withdrawal regulators. Among genes with peak expression levels during cell cycle withdrawal were Vcam1, Itgb3, Itga5, Vcl, as well as Ptger4, a gene not previously associated with the process of myogenesis. One interesting uncharacterized transcript that is highly induced during myogenesis encodes several immunoglobulin repeats with sequence similarity to titin, a large sarcomeric protein. These data sets identify many additional uncharacterized transcripts that may play important functions in muscle cell proliferation and differentiation and provide a baseline for comparison with C2C12 cells expressing various mutant genes involved in myopathic disorders.

In this study, we examined the hypothesis that dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) shares genetic risk factors with other diseases of presumed autoimmune etiology, and, therefore, the same multiple genes in combination with environmental factors lead to numerous different autoimmune diseases. In accordance with this hypothesis, we showed an increased prevalence of autoimmune diseases in first-degree relatives of patients with DCM. Also, T-cell activation, as reflected in high levels of the soluble interleukin-2 receptor, appears to identify patients with DCM with a clustering of autoimmune diseases

The development and application of a three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) model for a travelingwave heterojunction phototransistor (TW-HPT) are presented. The model is enhanced using effective permittivity schemes at the dielectric interfaces and special techniques for the treatment of very thin material sheets. The 3D fullwave electgromagnetic model allows the numerical calculation of the output photocurrent, electrical characteristic impedance, light absorption, microwave losses as well as microwave and optical dispersion. Run in a fast, parallel processing, machine the simulation herein allowed (for the first time, to the best of the authors' knowledge) the simultaneous investigation of the optical and microwave characteristics of the traveling-wave structure. This is in contrast to the approach followed by other researchers in the past, as well as by popular simulation packages, based on which results only for the microwave property can be obtained. Snapshots of the field propagation inside the device provide valuable insight into its passive behavior and clearly demonstrate the device's velocity mismatch between the optical signal and the photogenerated electrical pulse. Numerical results for the effective refractive indices of the optical and electrical wave quantify the difference in the velocities of the two waves.

Three-dimensional finite-difference time-domain modelling of a travelling-wave heterojunction phototransistor is presented. The electromagnetic model allows the simultaneous simulation of the optical and microwave properties of the travelling-wave structure. The results clearly demonstrate the effect of velocity mismatch between the optical wave and the photogenerated electrical wave.

Fiber dimensions and lignin and cellulose content of various highly productive, non-wood plants and agricultural residues were examined to assess their suitability for paper production. Plants like kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) and giant reed (Arundo donax L.) internodes gave very good derived values, especially slenderness ratio, which is directly comparable to some softwood and most hardwood species. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) stalks, miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus) and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) have shorter fibers resulting to poorer flexibility and Runkel ratios, but still satisfactory slenderness ratios. Finally, fibers from olive tree (Olea europea L.) and almond tree (Prunus dulcis L.) prunings presented relatively short and thick fibers producing the poorest derived values among all the species examined. Fiber dimensions did not differ significantly within each species, when samples from different stalks/branches or different positions (base, middle top) were examined. The only exception were cotton stalks, where those differences did not have any significant effect on fiber derived values. Chemical analysis of the raw plant materials revealed satisfactory levels of α-cellulose content (close to 40%) and Klason lignin content (<30%) compared to those of hardwoods and softwoods. Relatively increased (>25%) lignin content in miscanthus, switchgrass and almond prunings may require additional pulping time and chemical charge compared to those of other non-wood raw materials. Analysis of samples at various heights/lengths of the plant materials showed that lignin and cellulose content depends on tissue maturity, but does not change significantly within each species. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The g factor of the first 2+ state of radioactive 76Kr (T1/2=14.8 h) has been measured, extending the systematics of the previously measured stable 78,80,82,84,86Kr isotopes. The measurement was performed with a radioactive 76Kr ion beam applying projectile Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics combined with the transient magnetic field technique. The 76Kr beam was produced and accelerated in batch mode (re-cyclotron method) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 88-Inch Cyclotron. A total of three production and acceleration cycles yielded six hours of beam on target with peak rates of 108 particles/s. About 5.6×104 particle-? coincidence events were recorded. The g factor g(76Kr;2 +1)=+0.37(11) was obtained by direct comparison to the known g(78Kr;2+1) value re-measured immediately after the 76Kr runs with the same setup and under almost identical kinematic conditions. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND: While routine immunizations are very safe, their administration to healthy children requires minimization of immunization programmatic errors. In order to estimate the incidence and ascertain the nature of reported immunization errors in the Greek childhood population, we have undertaken a study using data from the National Poison Information Center in Greece, which also has the responsibility to address medication-induced errors. METHODS: All immunization errors concerning children and reported to the National Poison Information Center during the 2-yr period 1999-2000 were retrieved and the conditions of their occurrence were examined. The incidence of reported errors was calculated under the assumption that during each year 100,000 children are born in Greece, and during their childhood they receive a total of about 20 immunization doses of all childhood immunizations. RESULTS: There were 40 immunization errors reported, corresponding to a reported incidence of about 11 per million immunization doses. Of these errors, 20 concerned OPV, 13 DTP, 5 MMR, 1 Haemophilus influenza and 1 Hepatitis B immunizations. In 12 instances an erroneous route was used (out of which 11 concerned OPV), whereas overdose was documented in 13 instances (out of which 8 concerned OPV). The third most common error was administration of DTP instead of the recommended Td vaccine. No adverse patient outcomes were reported. CONCLUSIONS: In Greece, reported errors in immunization practice are relatively rare. Packaging modifications (about one in three errors in this study) of the OPV and DTP could further reduce their incidence.

We report on magnetic and magnetoresistance measurements in two categories of superconducting Nb films grown via magnetron sputtering and MgB2 bulk samples. In the first category, films of T-c = 9.25 K were produced by annealing during deposition. In these films, the magnetic measurements exhibited the so-called 'second magnetization peak' (SMP), which is accompanied by thermomagnetic instabilities (TMI). The characteristic field H-fj, where the first flux jump occurs, has been studied as a function of the sweep rate of the magnetic field. Interestingly, in the regime T < 6.4 K, the respective line H-fj(T) is constant, H-fj(T < 6.4 K) = 40 Oe. A comparison to TMI observed in MgB2 bulk samples is also performed. Our experimental findings cannot be described accurately by current theories on TMI. In the second category, films of T-c = 8.3 K were produced without annealing during deposition. In such films, we observed a peak effect (PE). In high magnetic fields the PE is accompanied by a sharp drop and a narrow hysteretic behaviour (DeltaT < 20 rnK) in the measured niagnetoresistance. In contrast to experimental works presented in the past, the comparison of our magnetic measurements with the magnetoresistance data suggests that the appearance of surface superconductivity rather than the melting transition of vortex matter is the cause of the observed behaviour.

The thermal reaction (at 140°C) of various 1′,2′-didehydro- 2′-deoxynucleosides afforded the corresponding furanyl nucleosides in good yields. The reaction kinetics were monitored by 1H NMR and the mechanism in terms of 'four-center complex fission' is discussed. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Health Informatics field is becoming more challenging as the globalization of economy, the advancement of the technology as well as innovative breakthroughs are being incorporated in the discipline. In Europe as well as in other countries the funding into the research areas of this field is increasing. In this chapter, a brief overview of the field as well the trends of Health Informatics are discussed with respect to the new dimensions that the education of the health care professionals has to tackle in the foreseeable future.

Objectives To evaluate, in a multicenter Phase II study, the safety and efficacy of the combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin, as first-line treatment in elderly and unfit patients with advanced bladder carcinoma. The toxicity of platinum-based chemotherapy combinations represents a common problem for elderly or unfit patients with advanced bladder carcinoma. Methods Patients with previously untreated inoperable or metastatic bladder carcinoma and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status greater than 2, age older than 75 years, or creatinine clearance of less than 50 mL/min were treated with carboplatin area under the curve 4 on day 1 and gemcitabine 1000 mg/m 2 on days 1 and 8, every 21 days for a total of six cycles. Results A total of 56 patients (48 men and 8 women, median age 75 years) were enrolled. Of these patients, 46% had a performance status of 2 to 3, 68% had a creatinine clearance of less than 50 mL/min, and 59% had distant metastases. The overall response rate was 36% (95% confidence interval 23.4% to 49.6%), and an additional 14 patients had disease stabilization (25%, 95% confidence interval 14.4% to 38.4%). The median time to progression was 4.8 months, the median overall survival was 7.2 months, and the 1-year survival rate was 26%. Grade 3 or 4 toxicity included anemia (18%); thrombocytopenia (16%); neutropenia (27%), with two episodes of febrile neutropenia requiring hospitalization; diarrhea (2%); and fatigue (5.5%). Two toxic deaths occurred during the study. Conclusions The combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin has some activity as first-line treatment of advanced bladder carcinoma in the elderly and those unfit for cisplatin-based chemotherapy, with manageable toxicity, and represents a reasonable choice for the treatment of such patients. © 2004 Elsevier Inc.

Καμπερίδου, Ειρήνη (2004). «Το Έμφυλο [υποκείμενο] και Ολυμπισμός». (Gender and Olympism) Εισήγηση στο 8ο Πανελλήνιου Συνέδριο Πτυχιούχων Φυσικής Αγωγής & Αθλητισμού (ΠΕΠΦΑ), [περίληψη στα πρακτικά τoυ συνεδρίου]  7-9 Μαίου 2004, Αθήνα. [M in Apella]  

• Kamberidou, I. (2004). Gender and Olympism [in Greek]. Presentation at the 8th Panhellenic Conference of the Graduates of Physical Ed. and Sport (PEPFA), 7-9 May 2004, Athens Greece. PEPFA  [M in Apella]

We develop a Green’s function multiple-scattering formalism for the calculation of the density of states and the local density of states of the elastic field in periodic and nonperiodic structures consisting of nonoverlapping scatterers in a homogeneous host medium. The formalism is based on concepts and techniques developed in relation to the similar problem of electrons in solids. We apply the method to a specific example which demonstrates the existence of virtual bound states of the elastic field localized about a plane of nonoverlapping steel spheres in polyester. These states are manifested as dips in the transmission spectrum of the monolayer. They develop into narrow frequency bands in a phononic crystal built by a succession of such planes.

Shell model calculations have been performed for low-excitation states in the Zr isotopes between 90Zr and 96Zr with an emphasis on the g factors and electromagnetic decay rates for the lowest 2+ and 3- states. Overall the 2+ states are reasonably well described. In contrast, the 3- states present a puzzle because the measured g factors imply a single-particle configuration whereas the experimental E3 transition rates imply collective structures that cannot be explained by shell model calculations. A consistent description of the 3 - states in 90Zr and 96Zr is sought in terms of coupling between the single-particle structure and a collective octupole vibration.

Secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis has been reported after infections in immunocompromised hosts or in association with several malignancies. We report a case of secondary hemophagocytic syndrome after chemotherapy for multiple myeloma, which responded dramatically to dexamethasone, etoposide, and cyclosporin A.

Advances in mathematics and physics that deal with fractal geometry, fractal kinetics and chaotic dynamics have offered new insights for complex, kinetic and dynamical phenomena. These concepts can be applied to describe the heterogeneous nature of drug processes in the human body. Using these concepts, all processes related to gastrointestinal drug absorption (i.e. dissolution or release, transit and uptake) are considered to take place in non-homogeneous, disordered media. In pharmacokinetic modeling, fractal spaces and branching transport networks, or stochastic models, replace the classical compartmental models. Classical pharmacodynamics relies on the suppression or amplification of a steady-state baseline; however, the underlying physiological systems are often much more complex. Therefore, tools of nonlinear dynamics are used to analyze the drug effect.

Objective: We conducted a phase II trial to evaluate the activity of oral letrozole in women with relapsed or recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: Twenty-seven patients were treated with letrozole at a dose of 2.5 mg once a day. Patients with measurable or evaluable disease (n = 21) and those with only increasing CA 125 serum levels (n = 6) were eligible. Paraffin-fixed histological sections from tumor specimens resected at the initial laparotomy were assessed for the presence of estrogen, and progesterone receptors. Results: Among the 21 patients with measurable or evaluable disease who were evaluated for response by WHO criteria, we observed one complete and two partial responses for an objective response rate of 15%. Using criteria for CA 125 response we obtained a marker response in 4 of 27 patients (15%), and the marker remained stable in 5 additional patients (18%). Letrozole treatment was generally well tolerated. No correlation was observed between tumor marker response or stabilization and either estrogen or progesterone receptor expression. Conclusion: The results of our study suggest that the aromatase inhibitor letrozole is an agent with some activity and limited toxicity for relapsed ovarian cancer. As we could not find any association between response and hormonal receptor expression, the underlying mechanisms of letrozole action have to be elucidated. Copyright © 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV), has been recently isolated from children with acute respiratory tract infections (RTIs), including bronchiolitis, and classified in the Pneumovirinae subfamily within the Paramyxoviridae family.|Since most bronchiolitis studies fail to detect any viral pathogen in part of the samples, we sought for the presence of hMPV in a well characterized bronchiolitis cohort.|Nasal washes were obtained from 56 children admitted to the hospital for acute bronchiolitis. RNA extraction and subsequent RT-PCR were used to detect hMPV, and correlated the presence of the virus with clinical characteristics of the disease.|PCR revealed the presence of hMPV in 16% of bronchiolitis cases, whereas respiratory syncytial virus (RSV; 67.9%) was the most frequently encountered viral pathogen. hMPV was identified either as a unique viral pathogen or co-existed with RSV, with whom they shared a similar seasonal distribution. There were no differences in disease characteristics, either clinical or laboratory, between bronchiolitis cases where hMPV was present and those caused by RSV or other viral pathogens. These findings suggest that hMPV is a common and important causative agent in infants with bronchiolitis, with clinical characteristics similar to that of RSV.

We demonstrate that hydromagnetic acceleration can be the driving mechanism of outflows in GRB sources. Using semianalytical solutions of the full set of the steady, axisymmetric, ideal hydromagnetic equations in flat spacetime -- i.e., solving the momentum equation along the flow as well as in the transfield direction -- we model the acceleration of the baryon/e±/photon fluid that emanates from a stellar-mass compact object/debris-disk system. We prove that for highly relativistic, multiple-shell outflows one can study the motion of each shell using steady-state equations. Employing a radially self-similar model, we find that the flow is initially thermally and subsequently magnetically accelerated. The Lorentz force is capable of transferring close to a half of the total energy of an initially Poynting-dominated flow to baryonic kinetic energy.

Using relativistic, steady, axisymmetric, ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), we analyze the super-Alfvénic regime of a pulsar wind by solving the momentum equation along the flow, as well as in the transfield direction. Employing a self-similar model, we demonstrate that ideal MHD can account for the full acceleration from high (>>1) to low (<<1) values of σ, the Poynting-to-matter energy flux ratio. The solutions also show a transition from a current-carrying to a return-current regime, partly satisfying the current-closure condition. We discuss the kind of boundary conditions near the base of the ideal MHD regime that are necessary in order to have the required transition from high to low σ in realistic distances and argue that this is a likely case for an equatorial wind. Examining the MHD asymptotics in general, we extend the analysis of Heyvaerts & Norman and Chiueh, Li, & Begelman by including two new elements: classes of quasi-conical and parabolic field line shapes that do not preclude an efficient and much faster than logarithmic acceleration, and the transition σ=σc after which the centrifugal forces (poloidal and azimuthal) are the dominant terms in the transfield force-balance equation.

Using relativistic, steady, axisymmetric, ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), we analyze the super-Alfvénic regime of a pulsar wind by solving the momentum equation along the flow, as well as in the transfield direction. Employing a self-similar model, we demonstrate that ideal MHD can account for the full acceleration from high (>>1) to low (<<1) values of σ, the Poynting-to-matter energy flux ratio. The solutions also show a transition from a current-carrying to a return-current regime, partly satisfying the current-closure condition. We discuss the kind of boundary conditions near the base of the ideal MHD regime that are necessary in order to have the required transition from high to low σ in realistic distances and argue that this is a likely case for an equatorial wind. Examining the MHD asymptotics in general, we extend the analysis of Heyvaerts & Norman and Chiueh, Li, & Begelman by including two new elements: classes of quasi-conical and parabolic field line shapes that do not preclude an efficient and much faster than logarithmic acceleration, and the transition σ=σc after which the centrifugal forces (poloidal and azimuthal) are the dominant terms in the transfield force-balance equation.

The study aimed to identify task-related brain activation networks whose change in expression exhibits subject differences as a function of differential susceptibility to sleep deprivation. Brain activity during a non-verbal recognition memory task was investigated in an event-related functional MRI paradigm both prior to and after 48 h of sleep deprivation. Nineteen healthy subjects participated. Regional covariance analysis was applied to data. An activation network pattern was identified whose expression decreased from pre- to post-sleep deprivation in 15 out 19 subjects (P < 0.05). Differential decrease in expression correlated with worsening performance in recognition accuracy (P < 0.05). Sites of de-activation were found in the posterior cerebellum, right fusiform gyrus and precuneus, and left lingual and inferior temporal gyri; increased activation was found in the bilateral insula, claustrum and right putamen. A network whose expression decreased after sleep deprivation and correlated with memory performance was identified. We conclude that this activation network plays a role in cognitive function during sleep deprivation.

Purpose. To set up a theoretical basis for identifying biowaivers among Class II drugs and apply the methodology developed to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs). Methods. The dynamics of the two consecutive drug processes dissolution and wall permeation are considered in the time domain of the physiologic transit time using a tube model of the intestinal lumen. The model considers constant permeability along the intestines, a plug flow fluid with the suspended particles moving with the fluid, and dissolution in the small particle limit. The fundamental differential equation of drug dissolution-uptake in the intestines is expressed in terms of the fraction of dose dissolved. Results. The fundamental parameters, which define oral drug absorption in humans resulting from this analysis, are i) the formulation-related factors, dose, particle radius size, and ii) the drug-related properties, dimensionless solubility/dose ratio (1/q), and effective permeability. Plots of dose as a function of (1/q) for various particle sizes unveil the specific values of these meaningful parameters, which ensure complete absorption for Class II drugs {[}(1/q) < 1]. A set of NSAIDs were used to illustrate the application of the approach in identifying biowaivers among the NSAIDs. Conclusions. The underlying reason for a region of fully absorbed drugs in Class II originates from the dynamic character of the dissolution-uptake processes. The dynamic character of the approach developed allows identification of biowaivers among Class II drugs. Several biowaivers among the NSAIDs were identified using solubility data at pH 5.0 and in fed-state-simulated intestinal fluid at pH 5.0. The relationships of formulation parameters, dose, particle radius, and the drug properties, dimensionless solubility/dose ratio (1/q), and permeability with the fraction of dose absorbed for drugs with low 1/q values {[}(1/q) < 1] can be used as guidance for the formulation scientist in the development phase.

Recurrent viral infections are frequently observed in children with atopic asthma. In this study we investigated the ability of the synthetic immunomodulator pidotimod to affect in vitro the phenotype and/or cytokine profile of blood cells in relation to atopic asthma. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 13 atopic asthmatic and 9 normal children and stimulated in culture with mitogen either in the presence or not of the drug. Expression of surface markers was evaluated by flow cytometry, and production of interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma was measured in supernatants. Pidotimod was able to down-regulate the expression of CD30 on cells from both atopic and normal subjects. Because CD30 has been associated with Th-2 cells, this observation supports the possibility of pidotimod being able to affect the Th-1/Th-2 balance in atopic asthma.

We report on combined resistance and magnetic measurements in a hybrid structure (HS) of randomly distributed anisotropic CoPt magnetic nanoparticles (MN) embedded in a 160 nm Nb thick film. Our resistance measurements exhibited a sharp increase at the magnetically determined bulk upper-critical fields H-c2(T). Above these points the resistance curves are rounded, attaining the normal state value at much higher fields identified as the surface superconductivity fields H-c3(T). When plotted in reduced temperature units, the characteristic field lines H-c3(T) of the HS and of a pure Nb film, prepared at exactly the same conditions, coincide for H<10 kOe, while for fields H>10 kOe they strongly segregate. Interestingly, the characteristic value H=10 kOe is equal to the saturation field H-sat(MN) of the MN. The behavior mentioned above is observed only for the case where the field is normal to the film's surface, while it is absent when the field is parallel to the film. Our experimental results suggest that the observed enhancement of surface superconductivity field H-c3(T) is possibly due to the not uniform local reduction of the external magnetic field by the dipolar fields of the MN.

The band gap of half-metallic ferromagnets can be affected by the spin-orbit coupling, which introduces there a small, but non-vanishing, density of states. We study this effect in the case of Heusler alloys. We find that, as a rule, the spin polarization in the middle of the gap decreases for compounds of heavier elements.

The European Union aims to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010. Nevertheless, half the Europe-25 Member States possess limited innovation capacities. This article argues that the co-evolution patterns of physical and social technologies indicate two possible scenarios: either the forward-looking elements will start a chain reaction mobilising the rest of the national system, as in Ireland; or the dynamic elements will integrate sectorally and transnationally to the global system, leaving the rest of the economy in a permanent low-cost and low-competitiveness trap. The former is a win-win scenario for the European system of innovation, whereas the latter is second-best.

A small aperture seismic array was installed by the University of Athens, in the area of Tripoli, Greece, on July 16th 2003, in order to test the performance of seismic array processing in the area of Greece and assess its contribution to earthquake location, especially in offshore areas not azimuthally covered by the existing, conventional seismological networks. The array consists of four three-component seismological stations, one of them in the middle of a small, almost equilateral triangle, formed by the deployment of the other three stations. Despite the fact that array siting is a compromise of array installation criteria, equipment safety and logistics, the test character of the experiment can be served successfully. The array transfer function depicts good azimuthal coverage nonetheless the existence of side-lobes and a rather wide main lobe is characteristic of spatial aliasing and low resolution in the two-dimensional wavenumber domain. The resolvable wavenumber passband of the array permits the determination of most of the common seismic body wave phases (Pn, Pg, Sn, Sg, etc.) for local and regional events in the area of Greece. Location of recorded events was performed using slowness and backazimuth data, calculated by f-k analysis of the seismic waveforms. Preliminary results have been compared to epicentres calculated by the Geodynamic Institute of the National Observatory of Athens. Although some differences are observed, these are not significant and location results as well as overall array performance can be improved by array calibration and travel-time, azimuth and slowness correction calculations.

Several studies have indicated that age, hemoglobin and serum albumin are among the most important prognostic factors for survival of patients with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM). Furthermore, recent data indicate that serum b2-microglobulin may be also significant. The recently proposed International Staging System (ISS) for multiple myeloma is based on serum albumin and b2-microglobulin. We designed a study to assess this model in patients with WM. Our analysis included 83 previously untreated patients with WM who required systemic treatment and in whom pretreatment values for both serum albumin and b2-microglobulin were available. Based on these variables the patients were stratified into three ISS stages. Stage I: albumin ≥ 3.5 g/dl and b2-microglobulin < 3.5 mg/dl, stage II: albumin < 3.5 g/dl and b2-microglobulin < 3.5 mg/gl or b2-microglobulin 3.5 - 5.5 mg/dl and stage III: b2-microglobulin > 5.5 mg/dl. Low albumin (3.5 g/dl) and high b2-microglobulin (≥ 3.5 mg/dl) were recorded in 45% and 52% of patients respectively. The distribution of patients in the three ISS stages was: stage I: 30%, stage II: 43% and stage III: 27%. The median overall survival from the date of treatment initiation was 115 months. The median survival according to ISS was not reached for stage I, 116 months for stage II and 54 months for stage III (P = 0.02). Our analysis indicated that the recently proposed ISS for multiple myeloma could stratify the patients with WM into three distinct subgroups with significantly different survival times. If this model is validated in independent series, it could provide a new staging system for WM based on readily available and reproducible variables. © 2004 Taylor & Francis Ltd.

We develop a method for the calculation of ballistic transport from first principles. The multiple scattering screened Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) method is combined with a Green-function formulation of the Landauer approach for the ballistic transport. We obtain an efficient O(N) algorithm for the calculation of ballistic conductance through a scattering region connected to semi-infinite crystalline leads. In particular we generalize the results of Baranger and Stone in the case of Bloch wave boundary conditions and, we discuss relevant properties of the S matrix. We consider the implications on the application of the formalism in conjunction with a cellular multiple scattering description of the electronic structure; and demonstrate the convergence properties concerning the angular momentum expansions.

This article deals with the economic exclusive zone delimitation agreement reached on the17th February 2003 between Cyprus and Egypt. It is the first agreement of this kind concluded in the Mediterranean, where delimitation issues are particularly delicate, not only because of the limited maritime space but also due to the particularly conflictual atmosphere which reigns notably in the Eastern basin of this sea.The article analyses, in the first place, the content of the agreement and the reactions generated by its conclusion. Furthermore, it argues on its side effects, namely the revival of the discourse concerning the exclusive economic zones issue in the Mediterranean sea.

The transport properties of pulsed-laser-deposited NiMnSb films on silicon as a function of film thickness were discussed. It was found that a low-temperature upturn was observed in the resistivity for film thicknesses of 130 nm and below. It was observed that as the film thickness decreased, the magnitude of both the resistivity upturn and the magnetoresistance increased. Analysis shows that the evolution of the field dependence of the magnetoresistance appeared similar to the silver chalcogenides and was indicative of a crossover from hole-dominated to electron-dominated transport as the temperature increased.

Using ideal magnetohydrodynamics we examine an outflow from a disk surrounding a stellar-mass compact object. We demonstrate that the magnetic acceleration is efficient (>~ 50% of the magnetic energy can be transformed into kinetic energy of γ > 102 baryons) and also that the jet becomes collimated to very small opening angles. Observational implications, focusing on the case of an initially neutron-rich outflow, are discussed in Königl's contribution.

Using ideal magnetohydrodynamics we examine an outflow from a disk surrounding a stellar-mass compact object. We demonstrate that the magnetic acceleration is efficient (>~ 50% of the magnetic energy can be transformed into kinetic energy of γ > 102 baryons) and also that the jet becomes collimated to very small opening angles. Observational implications, focusing on the case of an initially neutron-rich outflow, are discussed in Königl's contribution.

Leaves of Inula viscosa have been used in medicine from ancient times. Structures or cells with secreting activity were localized and a spectrum of products was histochemically identified within them. Leaf extracts were investigated with gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Calluses produced from leaf-cell cultures were also subjected to histochemical reagents and tested with GC-MS and TLC to investigate their secreting ability compared with that in leaves. Little-differentiated callus cells are synthetically active and produce, as do its leaf cells, numerous polar compounds that could be of pharmaceutical interest. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London.

We report a rare case of a 21-year-old man with leptospirosis mimicking acute pancreatitis and cholecystitis. This case report aims at pointing out the need of taking into consideration the possibility of leptospirosis in patients with an influenza-like syndrome, headache accompanied by acute abdominal pain and a suspicious exposure in order to prevent unnecessary surgical interventions.

The mean monthly shortwave (SW) radiation budget at the top of atmosphere (TOA) was computed on 2.5° longitude-latitude resolution for the 14-year period from 1984 to 1997, using a radiative transfer model with long-term climatological data from the International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP-D2) supplemented by data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction - National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP-NCAR) Global Reanalysis project, and other global data bases such as TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) and Global Aerosol Data Set (GADS). The model radiative fluxes at TOA were validated against Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) S4 scanner satellite data (1985-1989). The model is able to predict the seasonal and geographical variation of SW TOA fluxes. On a mean annual and global basis, the model is in very good agreement with ERBE, overestimating the outgoing SW radiation at TOA (OSR) by 0.93 Wm-2 (or by 0.92%), within the ERBE uncertainties. At pixel level, the OSR differences between model and ERBE are mostly within ±10 Wm-2, with ±5 Wm-2 over extended regions, while there exist some geographic areas with differences of up to 40 Wm-2, associated with uncertainties in cloud properties and surface albedo. The 14-year average model results give a planetary albedo equal to 29.6% and a TOA OSR flux of 101.2 Wm-2. A significant linearly decreasing trend in OSR and planetary albedo was found, equal to 2.3 Wm-2 and 0.6% (in absolute values), respectively, over the 14-year period (from January 1984 to December 1997), indicating an increasing solar planetary warming. This planetary SW radiative heating occurs in the tropical and sub-tropical areas (20° S-20° N), with clouds being the most likely cause. The computed global mean OSR anomaly ranges within ±4 Wm-2, with signals from El Niño and La Niña events or Pinatubo eruption, whereas significant negative OSR anomalies, starting from year 1992, are also detected.

There is growing evidence that relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei undergo extended (parsec-scale) acceleration. We argue that, contrary to some suggestions in the literature, this acceleration cannot be purely hydrodynamic. Using exact semianalytic solutions of the relativistic MHD equations, we demonstrate that the parsec-scale acceleration to relativistic speeds inferred in sources such as the radio galaxy NGC 6251 and the quasar 3C 345 can be attributed to magnetic driving. Additional observational implications of this model will be explored in future papers in this series.

There is growing evidence that relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei undergo extended (parsec-scale) acceleration. We argue that, contrary to some suggestions in the literature, this acceleration cannot be purely hydrodynamic. Using exact semianalytic solutions of the relativistic MHD equations, we demonstrate that the parsec-scale acceleration to relativistic speeds inferred in sources such as the radio galaxy NGC 6251 and the quasar 3C 345 can be attributed to magnetic driving. Additional observational implications of this model will be explored in future papers in this series.

The diamagnetic susceptibility of multiwall carbon nanotubes is studied as function of magnetic field and temperature. Both the low-field and the low-temperature susceptibility reveal a definite paramagnetic upturn in qualitative agreement with the Aharonov-Bohm effect. Analysis of the high-field magnetic susceptibility in terms of the orbital diamagnetism of quasi-two-dimensional graphite implies hole-doping and supports further the intrinsically divergent paramagnetic contribution of small metallic nanotubes. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The magnetic properties of two series of trivalent rare earth (R 3+) molecular complexes with hydrazone ligands (R=Ce, Pr, Dy, Ho, Er), adopting different crystal structures, have been investigated by static susceptibility measurements. At high temperatures, the magnetic response is dominated by the paramagnetic contribution of R3+ ions determined by the crystal-field interaction. At low temperatures (T<4K), an antiferromagnetic deviation is observed, most pronounced for the series with the heavier R3+ ions. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The magnetic properties of the Zr2FeV3O11 vanadate, characterized by a disordered distribution of diamagnetic Zn 2+ and high-spin Fe3+ ions, are studied using magnetization and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements. The dc susceptibility reveals antiferromagnetic interactions between Fe3 +spins with a Curie-Weiss temperature Θ = -58(1) K, followed by a transition to a frozen, spin-glass-like state at low temperature T f ≈ 2.55 K, indicating an inhomogeneous magnetic ground state. The temperature variation of the EPR parameters confirms the antiferromagnetic coupling of Fe3+ spins at high temperatures, while a distinct divergence is observed at T ≈ 55 K. This behavior is attributed to the inherent magnetic inhomogeneity of the system due to antiferromagnetic spin clusters.

We have grown films of the half-metallic ferromagnet NiMnSb on single crystals of the narrow gap semiconductor InSb by pulsed laser deposition. NiMnSb is a possible candidate for spin injection applications. The film depositions occurred at 200°C. X-ray diffraction studies indicate a high degree of (220) texture and no secondary phases. A saturation magnetization of four Bohr magnetons, μB. at 5 K and coercive fields down to 5 Oe at 300 K indicate the good quality of the films.

We study the magnetization and the magnetic phases of II-VI-based n-doped non-magnetic-semiconductor (NMS) / narrow to wide dilute-magnetic-semiconductor (DMS) / n-doped NMS quantum wells under in-plane magnetic field. The parallel magnetic field is used as a tool, in order to achieve non-step-like density of states in these -appropriate for conduction-band spintronics- structures.

Several epidemiological studies using sensitive detection methodologies have confirmed that the majority of acute asthma exacerbations follow upper respiratory tract infections–common colds. Most of these colds are due to human rhinoviruses (RVs). RVs are able to reach and replicate in epithelial cells of the lower airways and can activate these cells to produce pro-inflammatory mediators. Under some circumstances, RVs can also become cytotoxic to the epithelium. Atopic asthmatic individuals produce less interferon-gamma and more interleukin-10 than normal subjects in response to RV infection. Symptom severity as well as viral shedding after experimental RV infection, is inversely correlated with 'atopic' status, expressed as the interferon-gamma to interleukin-5 ratio. Expression of co-stimulatory molecules on immune cells is also affected in atopic asthmatics, suggesting an aberrant immune response to RV that may lead to suboptimal viral clearance and viral persistence. Some of the above effects can be reversed in vitro by corticosteroids, second-generation antihistamines or anti-oxidants; however, the optimal strategy for treating acute asthma exacerbations requires further research at both mechanistic and clinical levels.

This paper focuses on the question of discovering the keystone of the South-East (SE) Mediterranean geopolitical shell which is located on the crucial security problem faced by the state of Israel as well as on the question of how the Greek and Greek-Cypriot sides will cope with the impetuously immediate resolution of the Cyprus Issue in accordance with the Annan Plan on “a Comprehensive Settlement of the Cyprus Problem” which creates a new strategic image for Cyprus with significant medium and short term repercussions for the entire SE Mediterranean geopolitical complex-and the Greek-Turkish & Turkish-Cypriot relations. This paper’s conclusion is the proposal to politically handle all negotiations, namely to actually negotiate in principle-so that the Greek-Cypriot side shall not be held responsible for an a priori dismissal of the Annan Plan-but it is the author’s estimate that the Greek and Greek Cypriot sides should not have accepted the said plan on 12/12/2002 unless it has incorporated the modifications suggested herein.

From a sample of 304 carbon stars in the central parts of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), ~27 per cent have Merrill-Sanford (MS) bands of the SiC2 molecule. The data are based on a uniform set of spectra taken with 2dF on the Anglo-Australian Telescope, and give useful statistics on the incidence of MS bands and on their correlation (or otherwise) with other properties. All of these are red stars, cooler than 3100 K. The proportion of stars showing the bands is highest amongst the coolest stars, but not all very cool stars show the bands. There is no evidence that MS bands are more common in J-type stars (carbon stars with a high 13C/12C ratio) than in N-type carbon stars, at least within this sample of LMC stars. There is no apparent correlation with stellar variability, or between the photospheric temperature [as measured by (J-K)] and the occurrence of the `hot' MS bands from excited molecular states.

Two different approaches were used to study the kinetics of the enzymatic reaction under heterogeneous conditions to interpret the unusual nonlinear pharmacokinetics of mibefradil. Firstly, a detailed model based on the kinetic differential equations is proposed to study the enzymatic reaction under spatial constraints and in vivo conditions. Secondly, Monte Carlo simulations of the enzyme reaction in a two-dimensional square lattice, placing special emphasis on the input and output of the substrate were applied to mimic in vivo conditions. Both the mathematical model and the Monte Carlo simulations for the enzymatic reaction reproduced the classical Michaelis-Menten ( MM) kinetics in homogeneous media and unusual kinetics in fractal media. Based on these findings, a time-dependent version of the classic MM equation was developed for the rate of change of the substrate concentration in disordered media and was successfully used to describe the experimental plasma concentration-time data of mibefradil and derive estimates for the model parameters. The unusual nonlinear pharmacokinetics of mibefradil originates from the heterogeneous conditions in the reaction space of the enzymatic reaction. The modified MM equation can describe the pharmacokinetics of mibefradil as it is able to capture the heterogeneity of the enzymatic reaction in disordered media.

A new methodology is presented for the model estimation of an import-export pollution balance across country borders based on the classification of the synoptic scale atmospheric circulation. As an application, the transboundary transport of SO2 and NOx across the Greek borders is investigated for the year 1995. The annual total inflow-outflow fluxes were derived by weighting the model results with the annual relative frequency of the corresponding synoptic type appearance. The results of the new modelling method are similar to those following the day-by-day calculation of the inflow-outflow fluxes for the whole year 1995 using the same models. The advantage of the new methodology is that it is definitely less time-consuming than the day-by-day calculations. Hence, the proposed methodology can be employed as a practical tool for several applications requiring the implementation of complex models over longer time periods. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nemaline myopathy (NM) is a slowly progressive or nonprogressive neuromuscular disorder caused by mutations in genes encoding skeletal muscle sarcomeric thin filament proteins. It is characterized by great heterogeneity at the clinical, histopathological, and genetic level. Although multiple molecular pathways are commonly affected in all NM patients, little is known about the molecular characteristics of muscles from patients in different NM subgroups. We have analyzed a group of global gene expression data sets for transcriptional patterns characteristic of particular nemaline myopathy classes. Differential expression between disease subgroups was primarily seen in mitochondrial-, structural-, and transcription-related genes. Multiple lines of evidence support the hypothesis that muscles from cases with "nontyping" NM, although clinically classified as typical NM, share a unique pathophysiological state and are characterized by distinct patterns of gene expression. Determination of the specific molecular differences in NM subgroups may eventually lead to improved prognostic determinations and treatment of these patients.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of systemic chemotherapy on the monoclonal protein levels of patients with solid tumors who also have a monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). All patients with solid tumors who were referred to our department for consideration of systemic chemotherapy were evaluated with serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) for the presence of MGUS. When MGUS was confirmed with immunofixation, serial SPEP was performed during and after completion of chemotherapy. Over a 6-year period, 21 patients with solid tumors and MGUS were prospectively identified and assessed. At least 50% reduction of serum monoclonal protein was noted in 4 of 11 patients treated with paclitaxel or docetaxel with a platinum analogue and in 5 of 7 patients who received an irinotecan-containing regimen. Our data indicate that in MGUS patients treated with irinotecan-containing chemotherapy regimens, a high incidence of reduction in their monoclonal protein levels is observed. Since topotecan, another topoisomerase I inhibitor, has some activity in multiple myeloma, further evaluation of irinotecan may be warranted. Evaluation of larger numbers of MGUS patients treated with chemotherapy for their underlying malignancy may help identify "in vivo" potentially active agents and regimens for patients with overt myeloma. © Springer-Verlag 2004.

This article demonstrates morphometric methods by applying them to an orthodontic sample. A total of 150 pretreatment cephalograms of consecutive patients (84 female, 66 male) were traced and digitized. Fifteen points were used for the analysis. The tracings were superimposed by the Procrustes method, and shape variability was assessed by principal component analysis. Approximately 70% of the total sample variability was incorporated in the first 5 principal components. The most significant principal component, accounting for 29% of shape variability, was the divergence of skeletal pattern; the second principal component, accounting for 20% of shape variability, was the anteroposterior maxillary relationship. It is recommended that Procrustes superimposition and principal component analysis be incorporated into routine cephalometric analysis for more valid and comprehensive shape assessment.

BACKGROUND: Motor signs (MOSIs) are common in Alzheimer disease (AD) and may be associated with rates of cognitive decline, mortality, and cost of care. OBJECTIVE: To describe the progression and identify predictors of individual MOSIs in AD. METHODS: A cohort of 474 patients with AD at early stages was followed semiannually for up to 13.1 years (mean 3.6 years) in five centers in Europe and the United States. MOSIs were rated using a standardized portion of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Overall, 3,030 visits/assessments of MOSIs (average 6.4/patient) were performed. Prevalence and incidence rates were calculated, and cumulative risk graphs were plotted for individual non-drug-induced MOSI domains. Rates of change over time taking into account potential covariates were also estimated. With use of each MOSI domain as outcome in Cox models, predictors of MOSI incidence were identified. RESULTS: At least one MOSI was detected in 13% of patients at first examination and in 36% for the last evaluation. Total MOSI score increased at an annual rate of 3% of total possible score. Rates of annual change for speech/facial expression (4%), rigidity (2.45%), posture/gait (3.9%), and bradykinesia (3.75%) were of similar magnitude, and their occurrence increased from first (3 to 6%) to last (22 to 29%) evaluation. Tremor was less frequent throughout the course of the disease (4% at first and 7% at last evaluation) and worsened less (0.75% increase/year). CONCLUSIONS: Most motor signs occur frequently and progress rapidly in Alzheimer disease. Tremor is an exception in that it occurs less frequently and advances at slower rates.

We report on first-principles calculations for multilayers of zinc-blende half-metallic ferromagnets CrAs and CrSb with III-V and II-VI semiconductors, in the {[}001] orientation. We examine the ideal and tetragonalized structures, as well as the case of an intermixed interface. We find that, as a rule, half-metallicity can be conserved throughout the heterostructures, provided that the character of the local coordination and bonding is not disturbed. We describe a mechanism operative at the interfaces with semiconductors that can also give a non-integer spin moment per interface transition atom, and derive a simple rule for evaluating it.

We present the basic steps for the study of the linear near field absorption spectra of semiconductor quantum dots under magnetic field of variable orientation. We show that the application of the magnetic field alone is sufficient to induce -increasing the spot illuminated by the near field probe- interesting features to the absorption spectra.

Objectives: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been used to improve outcome after cystectomy or for selection for bladder preservation in patients with bladder cancer. We have shown encouraging results using docetaxel and cisplatin in patients with advanced urothelial cancer. We are reporting the results of a phase II study using this combination as neoadjuvant treatment in patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer. Methods: Fifty patients were treated with docetaxel and cisplatin at 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for 3 cycles prior to cystectomy. Median follow-up was 70.2 months. Results: Chemotherapy was well tolerated. 5-year survival and progression-free survival (PFS) were 51.92% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 37.76-66.08) and 52.47% (95%CI: 37.99-66.95). Multivariate analysis showed that clinical stage (cT) ≤ 3a was associated with improved 5-year survival (86.42% vs. 40.81%, p=0.027). Forty one patients underwent cystectomy. No tumor was found in 15 cases (36.6%). 5-year survival was 60.34% (95%CI: 52.2-68.48) and PFS was 57.11% (95%CI: 41.29-72.93). Absence of residual tumor was associated with improved 5-year survival (93.33% vs. 40.72%, p=0.031). Conclusions: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel and cisplatin is feasible and produced high pathological complete remission rate and excellent outcome in patients with no residual tumor. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

During two observational seasons of international campaign of YY Her we secured photometric data which covered the primary as well as the secondary minima and revealed unexpected outburst activity of this system.

Deep seismic and gravity measurements were conducted along profiles in CW Attica to investigate the subsurface structure of the area that suffered heavy damages after the Mw=5.9 of September, 7th 1999 earthquake. Within the framework of this investigation the following tasks were accomplished: a) Three long seismic lines of about 10km each, two of which in the epicentral area of Thriassion plain (west part of Athens) and one along the Parnitha Mtn-Penteli Mtn axis (central part of Athens) and b) eight gravity profiles, comprising 338 gravity measurements, four of which in the Thriassion plain, three in the meizoseismal area of Petroupoli, Aharnes and Thrakomacedones (east of Parnitha Mtn) and one along the Parnitha Mtn-Penteli Mtn axis.

Geopolitical and political reality as well as its proper reading were, are and will always be a challenge for all social and spiritual leaders. Today’s reality is characterised by the end of traditional hermeneutic systems, i.e. those stochastic examples from which the lot of social, political, economic and philosophical issues drew their “safe” and lucid answers. These traditional, holistic examples that were also used in the cases of individual national social formations as well as groups of national social formations were – roughly – the following two: the Socialist one and the Liberal one. The two conflicting worlds, the Eastern and Western ones respectively, rallied ideologically and geopolitically around these two axes. The government elites of the National Social Formations (NSF’s) that used to comprise these two worlds concur with this Procrustean division. The same phenomenon also characterized for nearly fifty years the respective political cultures and dominant ideologies as well as the geopolitical approaches of the said National Social Formations.

By using isothermal magnetization measurements in polycrystalline MgB2 samples, we estimate the H-c2(c) in the interval [0, T-c]. By combining these measurements to the estimated H-c2(ab) from the onset of the diamagnetic transition in isofield and isothermal magnetic measurements, an estimation of the anisotropy parameter can be achieved. The H-c2(c) values coming from high quality polycrystalline samples agrees nicely to those obtained on single crystals. Our results show a temperature variation of the gamma(T) = H-c2(ab) / H-c2(c) with gamma(T-c) approximate to 3.

We analyze the important changes induced in the density of states of narrow-to-wide conduction-band dilute magnetic semiconductor quantum wells subjected to an in-plane magnetic field, B. We show quantitatively that the DOS diverges significantly from the famous step-like two-dimensional electron gas form, by providing results for many values of B and grades of spatial localization. This introduces changes in the pertinent electronic properties. The self-consistent approach is indispensable and the eigenvalue problem has to be solved for each subband index i, spin σ, and in-plane wave vector, e.g. kx. We can select the appropriate parameters so that the structure is populated by carriers of spin-down or exploit the effect of the depopulation of the higher spin-subbands to eliminate carriers with spin-up.

Purpose. i) To develop novel approaches for the construction of bio-equivalence ( BE) limits incorporating both the intrasubject variability and the geometric mean ratio (GMR), and ii) to assess the performance of the novel approaches in comparison to several scaled BE procedures and the classic unscaled average BE. Methods. Plots of the BE limits or the extreme GMR values accepted as a function of the coefficient of variation ( CV) were constructed for published and the developed scaled procedures. Two-period crossover BE investigations with 12, 24, or 36 subjects were simulated with assumptions of a CV 10%, 20%, 30%, or 40%. The decline in the percentage of accepted studies was recorded as the true GMR for the two formulations was raised from 1.00 to 1.50. Acceptance of BE was evaluated by published and the developed scaled procedures, and, for comparison, by the unscaled average BE. Results. Two GMR-dependent BE limits are proposed for the evaluation of average BE: i) BELscG1 with Ln(Upper, Lower BE limit) = +/-{[}(5-4GMR)0.496s + Ln(1.25)], and ii) BELscG2 with Ln(Upper, Lower BE limit) = +/-{[}(3-2GMR)(0.496s + Ln(1.25))], where s is the square root of the intrasubject variance. The range of BE limits becomes narrower as GMR values deviate from unity, and increases with variability. The two new approaches exhibit the highest statistical power at low CV values. At high levels of variability, BELscG1 and BELscG2 show high statistical power, as well as the lowest percentages of acceptance among the scaled methods when GMR = 1.25. The latter becomes more obvious when a large number of subjects is incorporated in the studies. Conclusions. The GMR and CV estimates of the BE study can be used in conjunction with the GMR vs. CV plot for the assessment of average BE. The new approaches, BELscG1 and BELscG2, appear to be highly effective at all levels of variation investigated.

We recently found that female aromatase knockout (ArKO) mice that are deficient in oestradiol due to a targeted mutation in the aromatase gene show deficits in sexual behaviour that cannot be corrected by adult treatment with oestrogens. We determined here whether these impairments are associated with changes in general levels of activity, anxiety or 'depressive-like' symptomatology due to chronic oestrogen deficiency. We also compared the neurochemical profile of ArKO and wild-type (WT) females, as oestrogens have been shown to modulate dopaminergic, serotonergic and noradrenergic brain activities. ArKO females did not differ from WT in spontaneous motor activity, exploration or anxiety. These findings are in line with the absence of major neurochemical alterations in hypothalamus, prefrontal cortex or striatum, which are involved in the expression of these behaviours. By contrast, ArKO females displayed decreased active behaviours, such as struggling and swimming, and increased passive behaviours, such as floating, in repeated sessions of the forced swim test, indicating that these females exhibit 'depressive-like' symptoms. Adult treatment with oestradiol did not reverse the behavioural deficits observed in the forced swim test, suggesting that they may be due to the absence of oestradiol during development. Accordingly, an increased serotonergic activity was observed in the hippocampus of ArKO females compared with WT, which was also not reversed by adult oestradiol treatment. The possible organizational role of oestradiol on the hippocampal serotonergic system and the 'depressive-like' profile of ArKO females provide new insights into the pathophysiology of depression and the increased vulnerability of women to depression.

Using the first-principles layer-multiple-scattering method we developed in previous work, we analyze recent experimental data on the extinction of light by rectangular two-dimensional arrays of gold nanoparticles on a dielectric waveguide. The theoretical results reproduce accurately the measured spectra and provide a transparent physical picture of the underlying processes.

Ἡ ἠθικὴ πλευρὰ τοῦ ζητήματος, ὅπως καὶ τὸ ἀνακῦψαν ζήτημα τοῦ σεβασμοῦ τῶν διεθνῶν θεσμῶν καὶ τῆς διεθνοῦς νομιμότητας ἀπὸ πλευρᾶς τῆς βρετανο-ἀμερικανικῆς συμμαχίας ἔχει νομίζομε ἀναλυθεῖ καὶ ἀπαντηθεῖ καὶ μάλιστα ἐντόνως ἀπὸ τοὺς λαοὺς ὅλου τοῦ κόσμου καὶ βεβαίως καὶ ἀπὸ τὸν ἑλληνικὸ λαὸ σύσσωμο. Τὸ ζήτημα ὅμως τῆς γεωπολιτικῆς ἀναλύσεως ἀναφορικῶς πρὸς τὴν κατάσταση ἡ ὁποία θὰ προκύψει μετὰ ἀπὸ τὶς πολεμικὲς ἐπιχειρήσεις καὶ ἰδιαιτέρως οἱ ἐπιπτώσεις καὶ ἐπιδράσεις της στὴν ἑλληνικὴ πολιτικὴ ἀμύνης καὶ ἀσφάλειας πρέπει νὰ εἶναι ἀποτέλεσμα νηφαλίας σκέψεως, μὲ γνώμονα πάντοτε, τὰ ἐθνικὰ συμφέροντα.

Background: To compare survival between patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC) treated with epirubicin/paclitaxel (Taxol) or paclitaxel/carboplatin (Cp) chemotherapy. Patients and methods: From January 1999 to April 2002, 327 eligible patients with ABC were randomized to receive either paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 in a 3-h infusion followed by epirubicin (EPI) 80 mg/m2 (group A) or paclitaxel, as in group A, followed by Cp at an AUC of 6 mg × min/ml (group, B) every 3 weeks for six cycles. Results: After a median follow-up of 23.5 months, median survival was not significantly different between the two groups (22.4 months versus 27.8 months, P = 0.25), whereas median time to treatment failure was significantly longer in patients treated with paclitaxel/Cp (8.1 months in group A versus 10.8 months in group B, P=0.04). Both regimens were well tolerated. In total, 39 patients (24%) in group A and 46 (29%) in group B suffered at least one severe side-effect. Quality-of-life assessment and cost analysis did not reveal any significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the paclitaxel/Cp combination is an effective therapeutic alternative for patients with ABC in which anthracycline administration has the potential of being harmful. © 2004 European Society for Medical Oncology.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of virus infection of the human respiratory tract during the first two years of life, with virtually all children experiencing at least one infection within this period. Although this usually leads to mild respiratory illness, some infants develop more severe disease (bronchiolitis, pneumonia, etc.) affecting the lower airways and frequently requiring hospitalisation. There is evidence that bronchiolitis hospitalisations have increased during the last two decades and many of the hospitalised children develop wheezing later in life. The immune response to the virus is probably a major factor in the development or the expression of the pathological phenotype. In particular, a bias towards type-2 cytokine responses seems to be associated with more severe disease, whereas a type-1 response leads to more effective viral clearance and milder illness. Although the virus by itself triggers a type-1 response, a preexisting type-1 deficiency may contribute to the severity of the disease. In that sense, RSV bronchiolitis may serve as a marker, reflecting predisposition of the individual for virus induced wheezing early in life and/or asthma later in life.

A phase I pharmacokinetics and dose-finding study and a phase II study of the combination of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin HCI (PLD) and paclitaxel were conducted in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer (HNC). Sixty patients with recurrent or metastatic disease were enrolled in the study: 11 patients in the phase I study and 49 patients in the phase II study. In the phase I study, the initial dose level of PLD was 35 mg/m2 as a 1-h infusion with escalating increments of 5 mg/m2 until the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) was reached. A fixed dose of paclitaxel (175 mg/m 2) was administered as a 3-h infusion. The combination was administered every 28 days. Pharmacokinetic studies performed on 10 patients indicated that the sequence of drug administration did not cause clinically significant modifications in the pharmacokinetics of either drug. The MTD for PLD was 45 mg/m2 (dose level 3) and the dose-limiting toxicity was febrile neutropenia, occurring in three of five patients. The phase II dose of PLD was 40 mg/m2 (dose level 2) and a total of 214 cycles were delivered. Grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was observed in 26% patients and febrile neutropenia occurred in 16% of patients. Grade 3 palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (PPE) was recorded in only one patient. The overall response rate was 28% for patients with non-nasopharyngeal tumors [95% confidence interval (CI) 15-45%] and 28.6% for the study population (95% CI 17-43%). The median survival for the study population was 9.7 months; 1-year survival was 38%. We conclude that the recommended dose for the combination of PLD and paclitaxel is 40 and 175 mg/m2 every 28 days, without granulocyte colony stimulating factor support. The combination of paclitaxel with PLD demonstrated activity in recurrent or metastatic HNC, a favorable toxicity profile and relative ease of administration. © 2004 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Objective: Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) plasma levels are increased in patients with valvular heart disease. The present study investigates possible changes after mitral or aortic valve replacement (MVR, AVR). Methods: In this prospective study, ANP plasma levels were measured in 11 patients undergoing MVR for mitral stenosis, in 11 patients undergoing AVR for aortic valve stenosis, and in 6 patients without heart disease undergoing thoracotomy for lung resection (control group). Blood samples were collected preoperatively (1 day before), during, and 8 days after the operation by serial blood sampling and were determined by radioimmunoassay method. ANP values were correlated with the duration of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), the aortic cross-clamping time, and the left atrial filling pressures. Results: ANP plasma levels were increased in all patients with valvular heart disease preoperatively and did not change during anesthesia or CPB; nor were they correlated with CPB duration or atrial filling pressures. The left atriotomy did not alter ANP plasma levels. The intracardiac surgical manipulations as well as CPB did not influence the ANP secretion intraoperatively and during the first postoperative week. Patients who underwent lung resection showed no change of ANP plasma levels perioperatively. Conclusion: ANP levels are not altered during and 1 week after valve replacement and, therefore, do not reflect hemodynamic changes perioperatively. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

{Purpose. Better dosing is needed for antibiotics, including teicoplanin (TEI), to prevent emergence of resistant bacterial strains. Here, we assess the TEI pharmacokinetics (PK) related to a 10 mg/l minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) target in ICU children (4 to 120 months; n=20) with gram+infections. Methods. Standard administration of TEI was with three 10 mg/kg Q12h, loading infusions, and maintainance with 10 mg/kg or 15 mg/kg Q24h. During maintenance, 9 samples (3/day) were collected per patient and the PK analyzed with Nonlinear Mixed Effects Model (NONMEM). Results. Thirty-five percent of concentrations in older children (greater than or equal to2 months) vs. 8% in younger infants (<12 months) were below the target MIC. The global bicompartmental population PK parameters were {[}mean (interindividual CV%)] CL=0.23 l/h {[}72%]

This paper reports new photometric observations of minima of two very long-period eclipsing systems: AZ Cas (P=3402 °}) and EE Cep (P=2050 °). In order to match the observed depth of the primary minimum of AZ Cas we had to introduce a third light component. For EE Cep, the shape of the eclipse can be explained by a model that includes a dark precessing disk in the system.

The paper presents combined spectroscopic and photometric orbital solutions for five close binary systems: V 402Aur, SX Crv, V829 Her, VZ Lib and V753 Mon. The photometric data consist of new complete, multicolor light curves, while the spectroscopy has been recently obtained within the radial velocity program at the David Dunlap Observatory. For one target, SX Crv, new spectroscopic data were obtained using the 6.5 m Magellan telescope. A contact configuration was found through light curve modeling for all targets except V753 Mon. Our solution for V753 Mon resulted in a semidetached configuration with the slightly less massive component filling its Roche lobe.

Indicator dilution studies are used to provide estimates for several physiological parameters such as cardiac output as well as intra- and extravascular volumes. This study introduces a novel technique for the estimation of recirculatory parameters. A mathematical model based on a dispersion-convection partial differential equation (PDE), derived from the fractal geometry of the vascular tree and the hydrodynamics of the blood flow, is used to describe the spatiotemporal profile of tracers in the circulatory system. Initially, the equation is fitted to concentration-time (C, t) data of a tracer to derive the parameter estimates of the model equation; in a subsequent step, these estimates along with appropriate changes of the parameters of the PDE are used to generate the early concentration-time profile of a hypothetical appropriate tracer without recirculation. Thus, the area under the concentration-time curve of the first passage of the tracer is calculated and used for the estimation of various physiological parameters, including cardiac output, miscellaneous partial blood volumes, and the corresponding mean transit times. The procedure was applied successfully to literature data of various tracers from humans and dogs.

Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is a discrete subset of large B-cell lymphoma with unique clinicopathologic features. The question of optimal treatment emerges because it is an uncommon but not rare occurrence. A retrospective study was therefore conducted in a group of patients in Greece to evaluate the clinical features and treatment outcome in this disease. Twenty patients with PMBCL, with a median age of 42 years, treated at centers participating in the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group over the last 20 years, were reviewed. Thirteen (65%) had bulky disease at the time of presentation, 7 (35%) had superior vena cavae obstruction, and 15 (75%) had extranodal involvement. All received doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy, followed in 11 cases by mediastinal radiotherapy. With a median follow-up of 91 months, the median survival is 67.7 months. These data are consistent with those reported from other centers concerning the patient's characteristics, natural history, response pattern to chemoradiation therapy, and prognosis. Response to therapy proved of prognostic significance. A key question that remains is the prompt identification of patients who would benefit from innovative or more intensive therapies.

Background: High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplantation after initial cytoreductive chemotherapy with the combination vincristine, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (VAD) is considered an effective therapy for many patients with newly diagnosed, symptomatic multiple myeloma. Response to initial cytoreductive chemotherapy is important for the long-term outcome of such patients. Thalidomide has recently shown significant antimyeloma activity. We studied the efficacy and toxicity of the combination of a liposomal doxorubicin-containing VAD regimen with thalidomide, administered on an outpatient basis, as initial cytoreductive treatment in previously untreated patients with symptomatic myeloma. Patients and methods: Thirty-nine myeloma patients were treated with vincristine 2 mg intravenously (i.v.), liposomal doxorubicin 40 mg/m2 i.v. administered as single dose on day 1, and dexamethasone 40 mg per os daily for 4 days. Dexamethasone was also given on days 15-18 of the first cycle of treatment. The regimen was administered every 4 weeks for four courses. Thalidomide was given daily at a dose of 200 mg at bedtime. Response to treatment was evaluated after four cycles of treatment. After completion of four cycles, the patients were allowed to proceed to high-dose chemotherapy or to receive two additional cycles of the same treatment. Results: On an intention-to-treat basis, 29 of the 39 patients (74%) responded to treatment. Four patients (10%) achieved complete and 25 (64%) partial response. Three patients (8%) showed minor response and seven (18%) were rated as non-responders. Major grade 3 or 4 toxicities consisted of neutropenia (15%), thrombocytopenia (15%), deep vein thrombosis (10%), constipation (10%), skin rash (5%) and peripheral neuropathy (5%). Two patients (5%) experienced early death due to infection. Conclusions: The combination of vincristine, liposomal doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (VAD doxil) with thalidomide is an effective and relatively well-tolerated initial cytoreductive treatment.Prospective randomized studies are required in order to assess the effect of this regimen on the long-term outcome of patients with multiple myeloma.

The low-energy levels of 120Pd74 were populated by ? decay of 120Rh75, which was produced via projectile fragmentation of a 136Xe82 beam at 120 MeV/nucleon. Delayed ?-gated ? rays with energies of 438 and 618 keV were observed in coincidence with 120Rh75 fragments and assigned to the 21+ ? 0+ and 41+ ? 21+ transitions, respectively, in 120Pd74. Isomeric ?-ray transitions are also reported for 120Rh75 and 126Cd78. The low-energy structure of 120Pd74 shows remarkable similarity to those of the isotopic 108Pd62 and isotonic 128Xe74 suggesting that these nuclides share the same Z=50 and N=82 closed shell structures with neutron-rich 120Pd 74.

A batch mode process has been developed to produce a 76Kr (T1/2 = 14.8 h) radioactive ion beam at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 88-in. Cyclotron. First, a 6 particle ?A ? beam is run for 17 h to produce approximately 101476Kr atoms via the reaction 74Se(?, 2n)76Kr. Then, the krypton is separated from the target material and injected into the AECR-U ion source. Beam intensities as high as 3 × 108 particles per second are observed with an integrated beam current of 6(2) × 1011 particles per 24-h batch cycle. © 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic significance of the immunohistochemical expression of p53, bcl-2, c-erbB-2 and cathepsin-D in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: We analyzed 100 patients with ovarian carcinoma, FIGO Stage IC-IV who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery and received adjuvant chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and a platinum analogue (CP) (n = 46) or paclitaxel and a platinum analogue (TP) (n = 54). Immunohistochemical expression was studied on paraffin-embedded tissue from the primary tumor. Results: After a median follow-up of 55 months median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 16 and 41 months, respectively. Positive bcl-2 staining and absence of cathepsin-D expression were associated with an increased complete response rate in the CP group (p = 0.011 and p = 0.003) but not in the TP group. PFS and OS were not associated with the expression of any of the markers studied. FIGO stage (p = 0.006) and histology (p = 0.047) were the only independent prognostic factors for survival. Conclusion: Bcl2 and cathepsin D expression are associated with response to CP but not TP chemotherapy. P53, bcl-2, c-erb B-2 and cathepsin D expression was not correlated with PFS and OS in our study.

We examine how an in-plane magnetic field B modifies the density of states (DOS) in narrow-to-wide, conduction-band dilute-magnetic semiconductor quantum wells. We demonstrate that the DOS diverges significantly from the ideal steplike two-dimensional electron gas form and this causes severe changes to the physical properties, e.g., to the spin-subband populations, the internal and free energy, the Shannon entropy, and the in-plane magnetization M. We predict a considerable fluctuation of M in cases of vigorous competition between spatial and magnetic confinement.

Background: Small series and retrospective studies have suggested that treatment with gemcitabine may be associated with pulmonary toxicity. However, a prospective evaluation of cancer patients treated with gemcitabine-based chemotherapy without neoplastic involvement of the thorax and without administration of radiotherapy has not been performed. Patients and methods: To investigate this issue, 41 consecutive patients receiving gemcitabine and carboplatin underwent prospective evaluation of lung function, which included pulmonary symptoms, pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gases and radiographic studies. Assessment was performed before and after completion of chemotherapy in all patients. Patients with a substantial decline in diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), defined as a drop of ≥20%, were reassessed 2 months later. Results: After chemotherapy, there were no significant changes in forced vital capacity (FVQ, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, alveolar volume or total lung capacity. In contrast, there was a significant decline in DLCO (73 ± 22 versus 67 ± 24% predicted; P = 0.017) and in carbon monoxide transfer coefficient (KCO) (89 ± 24 versus 80 ± 24% predicted; P = 0.004). Arterial blood gases did not change following treatment. Ten of the 41 patients (24%) exhibited a substantial decline in DLCO, which, however, recovered within 2 months (DLCO at baseline, immediately after therapy and at 2 months after completion of treatment, 84 ± 14, 58 ± 16 and 77 ± 17% predicted, respectively; P < 0.001; baseline DLCO versus DLCO at 2 months, P > 0.05). Four of the 41 patients (10%) experienced dyspnea, which was self-limiting, with the exception of one patient who developed interstitial lung fibrosis. Among the various risk factors examined, older age, female gender and lower baseline DLCO were associated with more profound changes in DLCO post-treatment. Conclusions: This prospective analysis showed that the combination of gemcitabine and carboplatin induces a significant, but reversible, decrease in diffusion capacity, which is mostly asymptomatic. Thus, this regimen is safe as regards clinically significant lung toxicity. © 2004 European Society for Medical Oncology.

Pseudomonas luteola is uncommonly implicated in clinical infections, but it constitutes a significant nosocomial pathogen causing mainly infections associated with foreign material. This report describes an unusual case of a Pseudomonas luteola strain that infected and caused cutaneous abscess and bacteraemia in a previously healthy man.

Τα εκπαιδευτικά συστήματα κατά καιρούς ρυθμίζονται είτε για να διορθωθούν κάποιες ατέλειες της προηγούμενης ρύθμισης, είτε για να ανταποκριθούν σε νέες ανάγκες των καιρών. Οι ρυθμίσεις αυτές ονομάζονται συνήθως "εκπαιδευτικές μεταρρυθμίσεις"...Οι νέες τεχνολογίες μπορούν να προσφέρουν κάποιες δυνατότητες οι οποίες δε θα υπήρχαν χωρίς αυτές ή/ και θα κόστιζαν πολύ ακριβά...Το ερώτημα είναι μήπως η τεχνολογία φέρνει μαζί της το σπόρο μίας μεγάλης μεταρρύθμισης και όχι μίας μικρής ρύθμισης όπως αυτές που έγιναν κατά καιρούς...Η προσεχής μεταρρύθμιση φαίνεται ότι θα έχει πολλούς στόχους...Επομένως, το μελλοντικό σχολείο πρέπει να μεταπλασθεί σε "εργαστήριο γνώσης" όπου ο μαθητής παύει να είναι απλός θεατής και γίνεται "πρώιμος μέτοχος"...Τα παιδιά είναι περισσότερο έτοιμα από όλους μας για μία παρόμοια εναρκτήρια φάση της μεταρρύθμισης. Είναι απαραίτητη για να προχωρήσουν μπροστά οι ιδιαίτερα ταλαντούχοι μαθητές μας, αλλά θα επωφεληθούν σημαντικά και οι υπόλοιποι μαθητές για να γίνουν και αυτοί περισσότερο ταλαντούχοι...Το βιβλίο αυτό είναι αφιερωμένο σε νέες προσεγγίσεις της διδασκαλίας των μαθηματικών...Οι συγγραφείς του είναι όλοι άνθρωποι με μεγάλη εξειδίκευση και εμπειρία στα εκπαιδευτικά θέματα. Εντυπωσιάστηκα διαβάζοντας τις συνεισφορές τους λίγο πριν πάνε στο τυπογραφείο...

Introduction: Thalidomide is an oral agent with significant activity in one-third of patients with refractory myeloma. However, long-term continuous administration of thalidomide can be associated with significant side effects such as deep-vein thrombosis and peripheral neuropathy. Furthermore, it is not clear whether continuous administration of thalidomide is necessary for its antimyeloma effect. We performed a phase II study with a combination that was based on the intermittent administration of thalidomide. Materials and methods: A total of 53 patients with previously treated myeloma received cyclophosphamide 150 mg/m2 p.o. every 12 h before meals on days 1-5, thalidomide 400 mg p.o. in the evening on days 1-5 and 14-18 and dexamethasone 20 mg/m2 in the morning after breakfast on days 1-5 and 14-18 (CTD). The CTD combination was repeated every 28 days for three courses. Subsequently, responding patients were scheduled to receive maintenance treatment with monthly courses of CTD administered only for the first five days of each month. Results: On an intention-to-treat basis, 32 patients (60%) achieved a partial response with a median time to response of 1.5 months. Among the 43 thalidomide-naïve patients, 67% responded. Toxicities were mild or moderate and the cumulative incidence of deep-vein thrombosis and peripheral neuropathy was 4 and 2%, respectively. The median time to progression for responding patients was 12 months and the median overall survival for all patients was 17.5 months. Conclusion: The oral, outpatient pulsed CTD regimen is associated with significant activity in patients with previously treated multiple myeloma. The incidence of deep-vein thrombosis and peripheral neuropathy appears to be lower than expected when thalidomide is being administered on a continuous basis. © 2004 The European Hematology Association. All rights reserved.

Radial velocity measurements and sine-curve fits to the orbital velocity variations are presented for the eighth set of 10 close binary systems: AB And, V402 Aur, V445 Cep, V2082 Cyg, BX Dra, V918 Her, V502 Oph, V1363 Ori, KP Peg, and V335 Peg. Half of the systems (V445 Cep, V2082 Cyg, V918 Her, V1363 Ori, and V335 Peg) were discovered photometrically by the Hipparcos mission, and all systems are double-lined (SB2) contact binaries. The broadening function method permitted improvement of the orbital elements for AB And and V502 Oph. The other systems have been observed for radial velocity variations for the first time; in this group are five bright (V<7.5) binaries: V445 Cep, V2082 Cyg, V918 Her, KP Peg, and V335 Peg. Several of the studied systems are prime candidates for combined light and radial velocity synthesis solutions. Based on the data obtained at the David Dunlap Observatory, University of Toronto.

The regions around the doubly magic nuclei 100Sn and 78Ni are of great interest from a nuclear structure standpoint. These nuclei also play a key role in the astrophysical rp- and r-processes, respectively. Recently, nuclei in these regions were studied at the Coupled Cyclotron Facility at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The regions around the doubly magic nuclei 100Sn and 78Ni are of great interest from a nuclear structure standpoint. These nuclei also play a key role in the astrophysical rp- and r-processes, respectively. Recently, nuclei in these regions were studied at the Coupled Cyclotron Facility at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) at Michigan State University.

Background: Vinorelbine (VRL) has been shown to be active in hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) in phase II studies, alone or in combination. Its moderate toxicity profile is well tolerated in elderly patients. Patients and methods: Patients with metastatic prostate cancer, progressive after primary hormonal therapy, were randomised to receive intravenous VRL 30 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks, and hydrocortisone 40 mg/day or hydrocortisone alone until disease progression. Centres could choose to add aminoglutethimide 1000 mg/day to hydrocortisone as second-line hormone therapy (HT) for all their patients. Randomisation was stratified by centre. Further chemotherapy was allowed after progression. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). The final analysis was performed on a total of 414 patients. Reported results were all based on intention-to-treat analyses. All progressions and responses were reviewed by an independent panel. Results: PFS was significantly prolonged in the VRL plus HT arm compared with the HT alone arm, according to the statistical hypothesis of the protocol (P=0.055 in the two-sided log-rank test with a pre-specified significance level of 10%). The 6-month PFS rates were 33.2% versus 22.8%, and the median durations of PFS were 3.7 versus 2.8 months. In the multivariate Cox analysis, which included age, Karnofsky performance status (PS), haemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase at study entry and number of prior hormonal treatments, the P value was decreased to 0.005. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response rate (≥50% decline sustained for at least 6 weeks) was significantly higher for VRL plus HT compared with HT (30.1% versus 19.2%; P=0.01). Clinical benefit, defined as a decrease in pain intensity or analgesic consumption or an improvement of Karnofsky PS for at least 9 weeks, and at least stable assessment in the other two, was also more frequently observed in patients who received VRL plus HT versus HT alone (30.6% and 19.2%; P=0.008). There was no statistical difference in overall survival. Forty-three per cent of patients in the HT arm received at least one line of further chemotherapy after progression, compared with 28% of patients in the VRL-based arm. Aminoglutethimide did not seem to result in better efficacy for either arm. VRL plus HT was well tolerated, with a median administered relative dose intensity of 90%; grade 4 neutropenia occurred in 6.5% of patients and non-haematological toxicity was rare. Conclusions: The combination of VRL and hydrocortisone compared with hydrocortisone alone resulted in improved clinical benefit, PFS and PSA response rate. This therapeutic gain is similar to that previously reported with mitoxantrone in combination with low-dose corticosteroids. There was no gain in survival; however, the combination is well tolerated in this elderly group of patients, who often present cardiac co-morbidities, and therefore offers an active and safe therapeutic option for patients with hormone-refractory prostate cancer. © 2004 European Society for Medical Oncology.

A review of recent advances in spintronics is presented. We report the structural, magnetic, electrical and thermal properties of the ferromagnetic half-Heusler alloy NiMnSb grown by arcmelting. The bulk material is used to deposit highly crystalline thin films at low temperature (200°C) by Pulsed Laser Deposition (PLD). The structural and magnetic and transport properties of these films are nearly bulk-like suggesting that these films can be grown by PLD in multilayer structures for efficient spin injection in spintronics.

In this study, a comprehensive methodology for modelling the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic is proposed to predict the future disease burden and assess whether the recent decline in the incidence of HCV may affect the future occurrence of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases. Using the prevalence of HCV, the distribution of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients within the various transmission groups and their infection-onset times, it was possible to reconstruct the incident infections per year in the past that progressed to CHC in Greece. The natural history of the disease was simulated in subcohorts of newly infected subjects using transition probabilities derived either empirically between fibrosis stages 0-4 or from literature review. Annual estimates of the incidence and prevalence of CHC by fibrosis stage, HCC and mortality in Greece were obtained up to 2030. HCV incidence peaked in the late 1980s at five new infections/10,000 person-years. Under the assumption of 20-100% decline in HCV incidence after 1990, the cumulative number of incident cirrhosis and HCC cases from 2002-2030 was projected to be lower by 9.6-48.2% and 5.9-29.5%, respectively, than that estimated under the assumption of no decline. However, the prevalent cirrhotic/HCC cases and HCV-related deaths are predicted to decline in the next 30 years only under the assumption of complete elimination of new HCV infections after 1990. Despite the progress in the reduction of HCV transmission, primary prevention does not seem adequate to reverse the rise in the incidence of cirrhosis and HCC.

An attempt is made to examine the relationship of the surface circulation prevailing over Europe with the corresponding surface and 500 hPa over Greece by correlating Lamb weather types for western Europe and Hess and Brezowsky (HB) types for central Europe with those derived from a new classification scheme for the Greek area. It was found that it was difficult to formulate rules controlling the frequency distributions of the circulation types over the Greek area in relation to the circulation over western and central Europe. However, statistically significant correlation was found between certain types with high frequency, which is greater between Lamb and HB types with the surface circulation types over the Greek area, compared with 500 hPa circulation types. For the most correlated pairs, seasonal composites of mean sea-level pressure and 500 hPa geopotential height anomalies demonstrated that the formation of the circulation types over the Greek area depends on the extent, intensity of the anticyclonic or cyclonic centres, air mass characteristics, and stability profile in the lower troposphere over the regions examined, but especially over the central and eastern Mediterranean. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.

An attempt is made to examine rainfall variability over the Greek area in relation to 500 hPa atmospheric circulation. Daily precipitation series from 22 evenly distributed Greek stations have been used for the period 1958-2000, along with the classification scheme of daily circulation types at 500 hPa for the same period. The seasonal frequency and the trends of circulation types have been calculated. It was found that there is a general positive trend of anticyclonic circulation types and a negative one for cyclonic types. The seasonal trends of rainy days and the precipitation totals have also been calculated and analysed. A general decreasing tendency of winter rainfall is observed; the decreasing trend during autumn and spring is less significant. Concerning the frequency and intensity of rainfall per circulation type, a decreasing tendency becomes evident for the majority of the stations during winter, whereas there is an increasing tendency during autumn. A multiple regression-cross-validation model was developed using the seasonal frequency of circulation types as predictors and the seasonal rainfall totals as predictants. Only the winter modelled precipitation shows a good agreement with the observed precipitation, whereas for the other seasons the agreement is relatively poor. This could be caused by the influence of different factors that are not captured by the classification scheme used. The proposed model could serve as a circulation-based downscaling method that could be further applied to geopotential data available from general circulation models in order to study regional climatological consequences of future climate scenarios. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society.

Language relativism can be associated with two major conceptions: that “eachlanguage has or is a particular spirit” and that “each language has or is a—real or imagined—territory.” Spirituality and territoriality combined giverise to the ideology of a language as a realm. This ideology of Modern Greekas a regime language has become dominant after the official establishment of astandard norm (demotic) and the resolution of the perennial “GreekLanguage Question.” As it is evidenced by a host of “language issues” raisedin the Greek newspapers since 1976, relativism has determined what countedas a “language issue” that was worth publishing, which language issues wereeligible for public debates, and the extent to which language issues were allowedto penetrate “public opinion.”

There are observational indications that relativistic outflows in AGNs are accelerated over distances that far exceed the scale of the central engine. Examples include the radio galaxy NGC 6251, where knots in the radio jets were inferred to accelerate from ∼0.13 c at a distance of ∼0.53 pc from the galactic nucleus to ∼0.42 c at r=1.0 pc, and the quasar 3C 345, where the Lorentz factor of the radio knot C7 was deduced to increase from ∼ 5 to >10 as it moved from r=3 pc to r=20 pc}. It is argued, using exact semianalytic solutions of the relativistic MHD equations, that this behavior is a signature of magnetic acceleration. The same basic driving mechanism may apply to the relativistic jets in AGNs, gamma-ray burst sources, and microquasars.

There are observational indications that relativistic outflows in AGNs are accelerated over distances that far exceed the scale of the central engine. Examples include the radio galaxy NGC 6251, where knots in the radio jets were inferred to accelerate from ∼0.13 c at a distance of ∼0.53 pc from the galactic nucleus to ∼0.42 c at r=1.0 pc, and the quasar 3C 345, where the Lorentz factor of the radio knot C7 was deduced to increase from ∼ 5 to >10 as it moved from r=3 pc to r=20 pc}. It is argued, using exact semianalytic solutions of the relativistic MHD equations, that this behavior is a signature of magnetic acceleration. The same basic driving mechanism may apply to the relativistic jets in AGNs, gamma-ray burst sources, and microquasars.

Spherically symmetric hydrodynamical outflows accelerated thermally in the vicinity of a compact object are studied by generalizing an equation of state with a variable effective polytropic index, appropriate to describe relativistic temperatures close to the central object and nonrelativistic ones further away. Relativistic effects introduced by the Schwarzschild metric and the presence of relativistic temperatures in the corona are compared with previous results for a constant effective polytropic index and also with results of the classical wind theory. By a parametric study of the polytropic index and the location of the sonic transition it is found that space time curvature and relativistic temperatures tend to increase the efficiency of thermal driving in accelerating the outflow. Thus conversely to the classical Parker wind, the outflow is accelerated even for polytropic indices higher than 3/2. The results of this simple but fully relativistic extension of the polytropic equation of state may be useful in simulations of outflows from hot coronae in black hole magnetospheres.

We report on magnetic measurements as a function of field, temperature and time (relaxation) in superconducting Nb films of critical temperature T-c = 9.25 K. The magnetic measurements as a function of field exhibited a "second magnetization peak" (SMP) which in general is accompanied by thermomagnetic instabilities (TMIs). The lines H-smp(T) where the SMP occurs and the H-fj(T) where the first flux jump in the virgin magnetization curves is observed, end at a characteristic point (T-0, H-0) approximate to (7.2K, 80 Oe). Relaxation measurements showed that for T < T-0 approximate to 7.2 K the activation energy U-0 and the normalized relaxation rate S exhibit non-monotonic behavior as a function either of temperature or field. The extrema observed in U-0 and S coincide with the points H-on(T) or H-smp(T) of the SMP. In the regime T > T-0 approximate to 7.2 K both U-0 and S present a conventional monotonic behavior. These results indicate that the SMP behavior observed in Our Nb films is promoted by the anomalous relaxation of the magnetization. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of markers of bone remodelling, and osteoclast activation/function in patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). We have measured serum levels of soluble RANKL (sRANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1α), markers of bone resorption [N-telopeptide of collagen type-I (NTX), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase isoform-5b (TRACP-Sb)] and bone formation [bone-alkaline phosphatase (bALP)] in 40 MGUS patients. These parameters were compared with those of 42 newly diagnosed myeloma patients, and 45 healthy, gender- and age-matched controls. MGUS patients had elevated levels of NTX, sRANKL, and sRANKL/OPG ratio compared with controls (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, TRACP-5b, MIP-1α and NTX were decreased in patients with MGUS compared with myeloma patients (P < 0.001), while OPG and bALP were increased (P < 0.001). Serum levels of MIP-1α, as well as TRACP-Sb, and sRANKL/OPG ratio were reduced, while bALP was increased in MGUS patients, even when compared with myeloma patients who had stage I/II disease. These results demonstrate that increased osteoclastogenesis leading to increased bone resorption is present in MGUS but seems to be compensated for by normal bone formation, which is absent in MM. Furthermore MIP-1α, bALP, and sRANKL/OPG may be useful tools for distinguishing between cases of MGUS and early myeloma.

Optimization of methods for ruling out Bacillus anthracis leads to increased yields, faster turnaround times, and a lighter workload. We used 72 environmental non-B. anthracis bacilli to validate methods for ruling out B. anthracis. Most effective were the use of horse blood agar, motility testing after isolates had a 2-h incubation in trypticase soy broth, and screening isolates with a B. anthracis-selective agar.