Showing papers by "University of Oviedo published in 2005"
TL;DR: It is demonstrated theoretically that organic spin valves, obtained by sandwiching an organic molecule between magnetic contacts, can show a large bias-dependent magnetoresistance and that this can be engineered by an appropriate choice of molecules and anchoring groups.
Abstract: The ability to manipulate electron spin in organic molecular materials offers a new and extremely tantalizing route towards spin electronics, both from fundamental and technological points of view. This is mainly due to the unquestionable advantage of weak spin–orbit and hyperfine interactions in organic molecules, which leads to the possibility of preserving spin-coherence over times and distances much longer than in conventional metals or semiconductors. Here we demonstrate theoretically that organic spin valves, obtained by sandwiching an organic molecule between magnetic contacts, can show a large bias-dependent magnetoresistance and that this can be engineered by an appropriate choice of molecules and anchoring groups. Our results, obtained through a combination of state-of-the-art non-equilibrium transport methods and density functional theory, show that although the magnitude of the effect varies with the details of the molecule, large magnetoresistance can be found both in the tunnelling and the metallic limit.
1,113 citations
TL;DR: The results indicate that unprocessed prelamin A and truncated lamin A act dominant negatively to perturb DNA damage response and repair, resulting in genomic instability which might contribute to laminopathy-based premature aging.
Abstract: Premature aging syndromes often result from mutations in nuclear proteins involved in the maintenance of genomic integrity. Lamin A is a major component of the nuclear lamina and nuclear skeleton. Truncation in lamin A causes Hutchinson-Gilford progerial syndrome (HGPS), a severe form of early-onset premature aging. Lack of functional Zmpste24, a metalloproteinase responsible for the maturation of prelamin A, also results in progeroid phenotypes in mice and humans. We found that Zmpste24-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) show increased DNA damage and chromosome aberrations and are more sensitive to DNA-damaging agents. Bone marrow cells isolated from Zmpste24−/− mice show increased aneuploidy and the mice are more sensitive to DNA-damaging agents. Recruitment of p53 binding protein 1 (53BP1) and Rad51 to sites of DNA lesion is impaired in Zmpste24−/− MEFs and in HGPS fibroblasts, resulting in delayed checkpoint response and defective DNA repair. Wild-type MEFs ectopically expressing unprocessible prelamin A show similar defects in checkpoint response and DNA repair. Our results indicate that unprocessed prelamin A and truncated lamin A act dominant negatively to perturb DNA damage response and repair, resulting in genomic instability which might contribute to laminopathy-based premature aging.
611 citations
TL;DR: The QTAM scheme is intimately linked with the atomistic picture of the chemical bond, not only allowing the separation of different two-body contributions to the interaction between a pair of atoms but also including an effective many-body contribution to the binding due to the deformation of the atoms within the many-electron system as compared to the free atoms.
Abstract: We make use of the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAM) to partition the total energy of a many-electron system into intra- and interatomic terms, by explicitly computing both the one- and two-electron contributions. While the general scheme is formally equivalent to that by Bader et al., we focus on the separation and computation of the atomic self-energies and all the interaction terms. The partition is ultimately performed within the density matrices, in analogy with McWeeny's Theory of Electronic Separability, and then carried onto the energy. It is intimately linked with the atomistic picture of the chemical bond, not only allowing the separation of different two-body contributions (point-charge-like, multipolar, total Coulomb, exchange, correlation, ...) to the interaction between a pair of atoms but also including an effective many-body contribution to the binding (self-energy, formally one-body) due to the deformation of the atoms within the many-electron system as compared to the free atoms. Many qualitative ideas about the chemical bond can be quantified using this scheme.
584 citations
TL;DR: The GSTM1 null genotypes increases the overall risk of bladder cancer, and the NAT2 slow-acetylator genotype increases risk particularly among cigarette smokers, providing compelling evidence for the role of common polymorphisms in the aetiology of cancer.
570 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the degree to which organizational learning influences business performance is investigated for 195 Spanish firms with more than 200 employees using the statistical technique of structural equation modeling, and the results provide support for the view that organizational learning contributes positively both to innovation and competitiveness and to economic/financial results.
Abstract: Purpose – With the decline of some well‐established firms, the diminishing competitive power of many companies in an increasingly globalized market and the need for organizational renewal and transformation, interest in organizational learning has grown Senior managers in many organizations are convinced of the importance of improving learning in their organizations Therefore, it is necessary not only to clarify the concept of organizational learning, but also to establish the relationship between it and business performance This paper aims to explore this relationshipDesign/methodology/approach – The degree to which organizational learning influences business performance is investigated for 195 Spanish firms with more than 200 employees using the statistical technique of structural equation modelingFindings – The results provide support for the view that organizational learning contributes positively both to innovation and competitiveness and to economic/financial results Furthermore, the results s
498 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that melatonin modulates antioxidant enzyme activities via its interaction with calmodulin, which in turn inhibits downstream processes that lead to the inactivation of nuclear RORα melatonin receptor, which downregulates NF‐κB‐induced antioxidant enzyme expression.
Abstract: Melatonin, the main secretory product of the pineal gland, is known to collaborate against oxidative stress within cells, but its mechanism of action in terms of stimulating antioxidant enzymes remains unclear. Herein, we propose that melatonin modulates antioxidant enzyme activities via its interaction with calmodulin, which in turn inhibits downstream processes that lead to the inactivation of nuclear RORalpha melatonin receptor. Eventually, this nuclear transcription factor downregulates NF-kappaB-induced antioxidant enzyme expression. Therefore, the increment in antioxidant enzyme activities induced by melatonin involves the inhibition of the RORalpha pathway. Thus, in addition to its direct free radical scavenging activities, melatonin has important actions in oxidative defense by stimulating enzymes which metabolize free radicals and radical products to innocuous metabolites.
468 citations
TL;DR: These findings provide evidence for the existence of a checkpoint response activated by the nuclear abnormalities caused by prelamin A accumulation, and support the concept that hyperactivation of the tumour suppressor p53 may cause accelerated ageing.
Abstract: Zmpste24 (also called FACE-1) is a metalloproteinase involved in the maturation of lamin A (Lmna), an essential component of the nuclear envelope. Both Zmpste24- and Lmna-deficient mice exhibit profound nuclear architecture abnormalities and multiple histopathological defects that phenocopy an accelerated ageing process. Similarly, diverse human progeroid syndromes are caused by mutations in ZMPSTE24 or LMNA genes. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these devastating diseases, we have analysed the transcriptional alterations occurring in tissues from Zmpste24-deficient mice. We demonstrate that Zmpste24 deficiency elicits a stress signalling pathway that is evidenced by a marked upregulation of p53 target genes, and accompanied by a senescence phenotype at the cellular level and accelerated ageing at the organismal level. These phenotypes are largely rescued in Zmpste24-/-Lmna+/- mice and partially reversed in Zmpste24-/-p53-/- mice. These findings provide evidence for the existence of a checkpoint response activated by the nuclear abnormalities caused by prelamin A accumulation, and support the concept that hyperactivation of the tumour suppressor p53 may cause accelerated ageing.
439 citations
438 citations
TL;DR: It is proposed that the lack of core fucosylation of TGF-beta1 receptors is crucial for a developmental and progressive/destructive emphysema, suggesting that perturbation of this function could underlie certain cases of human emphySEma.
Abstract: The core fucosylation (α1,6-fucosylation) of glycoproteins is widely distributed in mammalian tissues, and is altered under pathological conditions To investigate physiological functions of the core fucose, we generated α1,6-fucosyltransferase (Fut8)-null mice and found that disruption of Fut8 induces severe growth retardation and death during postnatal development Histopathological analysis revealed that Fut8-/- mice showed emphysema-like changes in the lung, verified by a physiological compliance analysis Biochemical studies indicated that lungs from Fut8-/- mice exhibit a marked overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), such as MMP-12 and MMP-13, highly associated with lung-destructive phenotypes, and a down-regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins such as elastin, as well as retarded alveolar epithelia cell differentiation These changes should be consistent with a deficiency in TGF-β1 signaling, a pleiotropic factor that controls ECM homeostasis by down-regulating MMP expression and inducing ECM protein components In fact, Fut8-/- mice have a marked dysregulation of TGF-β1 receptor activation and signaling, as assessed by TGF-β1 binding assays and Smad2 phosphorylation analysis We also show that these TGF-β1 receptor defects found in Fut8-/- cells can be rescued by reintroducing Fut8 into Fut8-/- cells Furthermore, exogenous TGF-β1 potentially rescued emphysema-like phenotype and concomitantly reduced MMP expression in Fut8-/- lung We propose that the lack of core fucosylation of TGF-β1 receptors is crucial for a developmental and progressive/destructive emphysema, suggesting that perturbation of this function could underlie certain cases of human emphysema
383 citations
TL;DR: The data indicate that the Wnt/β-catenin pathway is downregulated by the induction of DKK-1 expression, a mechanism that is lost in colon cancer.
Abstract: Wnt glycoproteins regulate homeostasis and development by binding to membrane Frizzled-LRP5/6 receptor complexes. Wnt signaling includes a canonical pathway involving cytosolic beta-catenin stabilization, nuclear translocation and gene regulation, acting as a co-activator of T-cell factor (TCF) proteins, and noncanonical pathways that activate Rho, Rac, JNK and PKC, or modulate Ca(2+) levels. DICKKOPF-1 (DKK-1) encodes a secreted Wnt antagonist that binds to LRP5/6 and induces its endocytosis, leading to inhibition of the canonical pathway. We show that activation of canonical signaling by Wnt1 or ectopic expression of active beta-catenin, TCF4 or LRP6 mutants induces transcription of the human DKK-1 gene. Multiple beta-catenin/TCF4 sites in the DKK-1 gene promoter contribute to this activation. In contrast, Wnt5a, which signals through noncanonical pathways, does not activate DKK-1. Northern and Western blot studies show that activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway by treatment with lithium or Wnt3a-conditioned medium, or by stable expression of either Wnt1 or beta-catenin, increases DKK-1 RNA and protein, thus initiating a negative feedback loop. However, we found that DKK-1 expression decreases in human colon tumors, which suggests that DKK-1 acts as a tumor suppressor gene in this neoplasia. Our data indicate that the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway is downregulated by the induction of DKK-1 expression, a mechanism that is lost in colon cancer.
376 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors used a panel database of 251 banks in 36 countries to analyze the impact of bank regulation on bank charter value and risk-taking, and found that regulatory restrictions increase banks' risktaking incentives by reducing their charter value, which increases their incentives to follow risky policies.
Abstract: This paper uses a panel database of 251 banks in 36 countries to analyze the impact of bank regulation on bank charter value and risk-taking. After controlling for deposit insurance and for the quality of a country's contracting environment, the results indicate that regulatory restrictions increase banks' risk-taking incentives by reducing their charter value. Banks in countries with stricter regulation have a lower charter value, which increases their incentives to follow risky policies. These results corroborate a negative relation between regulatory restrictions and the stability of a banking system. Deposit insurance has a positive influence on bank charter value, mitigating the risk-shifting incentives it creates. This positive influence disappears when we control for the possible endogeneity of deposit insurance.
TL;DR: Findings indicate that mutant PIK3CA is likely to function as an oncogene among ATC and less frequently well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas, and argue for a role of Pik3CA targeting in the treatment of ATC patients.
Abstract: The phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) pathway is frequently activated in thyroid carcinomas through the constitutive activation of stimulatory molecules (e.g., Ras) and/or the loss of expression and/or function of the inhibitory PTEN protein that results in Akt activation. Recently, it has been reported that somatic mutations within the PI3K catalytic subunit, PIK3CA, are common (25-40%) among colorectal, gastric, breast, ovarian cancers, and high-grade brain tumors. Moreover, PIK3CA mutations have a tendency to cluster within the helical (exon 9) and the kinase (exon 20) domains. In this study, 13 thyroid cancer cell lines, 80 well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas of follicular (WDFC) and papillary (WDPC) type, and 70 anaplastic thyroid carcinomas (ATC) were investigated, by PCR-direct sequencing, for activating PIK3CA mutations at exons 9 and 20. Nonsynonymous somatic mutations were found in 16 ATC (23%), two WDFC (8%), and one WDPC (2%). In 18 of the 20 ATC cases showing coexisting differentiated carcinoma, mutations, when present, were restricted to the ATC component and located primarily within the kinase domain. Three cell lines of papillary and follicular lineage (K1, K2, and K5) were also found mutated. In addition, activation of Akt was observed in most of the ATC harboring PIK3CA mutations. These findings indicate that mutant PIK3CA is likely to function as an oncogene among ATC and less frequently well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas. The data also argue for a role of PIK3CA targeting in the treatment of ATC patients.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe in some depth one of the most accurate approaches developed so far for such purpose: the application of isotope dilution analysis to quantitative elemental speciation.
TL;DR: Density functional theory calculations indicate that the commensurate oxide is stabilized by carbonate ions (CO3(2-)).
Abstract: We present the first structure determination by surface x-ray diffraction during the restructuring of a model catalyst under reaction conditions, ie, at high pressure and high temperature, and correlate the restructuring with a change in catalytic activity We have analyzed the Pt(110) surface during CO oxidation at pressures up to 05 bar and temperatures up to 625 K Depending on the ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}/\mathrm{CO}$ pressure ratio, we find three well-defined structures: namely, (i) the bulk-terminated Pt(110) surface, (ii) a thin, commensurate oxide, and (iii) a thin, incommensurate oxide The commensurate oxide only appears under reaction conditions, ie, when both ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ and CO are present and at sufficiently high temperatures Density functional theory calculations indicate that the commensurate oxide is stabilized by carbonate ions (${\mathrm{CO}}_{3}^{2\ensuremath{-}}$) Both oxides have a substantially higher catalytic activity than the bulk-terminated Pt surface
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors demonstrate the influence porosity and fissuration exert on the physico-mechanical properties and durability of nine Portuguese ornamental granites with different petrographical and physical characteristics.
TL;DR: This paper investigated empirically the determinants of individuals' attitudes towards preventing environmental damage in Spain using data from the World Values Survey and European Values Survey for the periods 1990, 1995 and 1999/2000.
Abstract: This paper investigates empirically the determinants of individuals' attitudes towards preventing environmental damage in Spain using data from the World Values Survey and European Values Survey for the periods 1990, 1995 and 1999/2000 Compared to many previous studies, we present a richer set of independent variables and found that strongly neglected variables such as political interest and social capital have a strong impact on individuals' preferences to prevent environmental damage An interesting aspect in our study is the ability to investigate environmental preferences over time The results show strong differences over time Finally, using disaggregated data for Spanish regions, we also find significant regional differences
TL;DR: Water-soluble luminescent CdSe quantum dots surface-modified with 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate were synthesized for the selective determination of free cyanide in aqueous solution with high sensitivity via analyte-induced changes in their photoluminescence after photoactivation.
TL;DR: In this paper, the contributions of various source populations to the counts at frequen- cies of tens of GHz are discussed. But the authors focus on the contribution of the various sources to the detection of star-forming galaxies.
Abstract: We present detailed predictions of the contributions of the various source populations to the counts at frequen- cies of tens of GHz. New evolutionary models are worked out for flat-spectrum radio quasars, BL Lac objects, and steep- spectrum sources. Source populations characterized by spectra peaking at high radio frequencies, such as extreme GPS sources, ADAF/ADIOS sources and early phases of γ-ray burst afterglows are also dealt with. The counts of different populations of star-forming galaxies (normal spirals, starbursts, high-z galaxies detected by SCUBA and MAMBO surveys, interpreted as proto-spheroidal galaxies) are estimated taking into account both synchrotron and free-free emission, and dust re-radiation. Our analysis is completed by updated counts of Sunyaev-Zeldovich effects in clusters of galaxies and by a preliminary estimate of galactic-scale Sunyaev-Zeldovich signals associated to proto-galactic plasma.
TL;DR: The present work suggests melatonin and its metabolites as a new class of potential anti-inflammatory agents without the classical side effects due to COX-1 inhibition, andCOX-2 and iNOS as molecular targets for either melatonin or its metabolites AFMK and AMK.
TL;DR: RD is either a primary or a secondary laminopathy, caused by dominant de novo LMNA mutations or, more frequently, recessive null ZMPSTE24 mutations, most of which lie in a mutation hotspot within exon 9.
Abstract: Restrictive dermopathy (RD) is characterized by intrauterine growth retardation, tight and rigid skin with prominent superficial vessels, bone mineralization defects, dysplastic clavicles, arthrogryposis and early neonatal death. In two patients affected with RD, we recently reported two different heterozygous splicing mutations in the LMNA gene, leading to the production and accumulation of truncated Prelamin A. In other patients, a single nucleotide insertion was identified in ZMPSTE24. This variation is located in a homopolymeric repeat of thymines and introduces a premature termination codon. ZMPSTE24 encodes an endoprotease essential for the post-translational cleavage of the Lamin A precursor and the production of mature Lamin A. However, the autosomal recessive inheritance of RD suggested that a further molecular defect was present either in the second ZMPSTE24 allele or in another gene involved in Lamin A processing. Here, we report new findings in RD linked to ZMPSTE24 mutations. Ten RD patients were analyzed including seven from a previous series and three novel patients. All were found to be either homozygous or compound heterozygous for ZMPSTE24 mutations. We report three novel 'null' mutations as well as the recurrent thymine insertion. In all cases, we find a complete absence of both ZMPSTE24 and mature Lamin A associated with Prelamin A accumulation. Thus, RD is either a primary or a secondary laminopathy, caused by dominant de novo LMNA mutations or, more frequently, recessive null ZMPSTE24 mutations, most of which lie in a mutation hotspot within exon 9. The accumulation of truncated or normal length Prelamin A is, therefore, a shared pathophysiological feature in recessive and dominant RD. These findings have an important impact on our knowledge of the pathophysiology in Progeria and related disorders and will help direct the development of therapeutic approaches.
TL;DR: Overall, 17/36 cases showed at least 1 of the molecular alterations studied here, which makes the PI 3‐kinase‐initiated signaling pathway one of the most frequently altered in HNSCC.
Abstract: We investigated the status of the PI 3-kinase/AKT/PTEN signaling pathway in a series of 117 head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) in a search for molecular alterations in genes/proteins with potential prognostic value. For this purpose, PIK3CA and AKT2 gene amplification was assessed by multiplex and Quantitative Real-Time PCR. Protein expression of AKT, p-AKT, p110alpha and PTEN was determined by Western blot. PTEN allelic loss was evaluated by microsatellite analysis. PTEN-exon 5 was screened for point mutations by PCR-SSCP. Homozygous deletions were determined by multiplex PCR. PIK3CA gene was amplified in 43/117 (37%) fresh tumor samples, a frequency that did not differ from that found in archival premalignant tissues: 15/38 (39%); 12/40 (30%) fresh tumors harbored AKT2 gene amplification. AKT was found activated in 6/36 (17%) fresh tumor samples, when compared to their normal tissue counterparts. Of these 6 cases, 1 showed p110alpha overexpression and 5 displayed PTEN protein downregulation. Neither allelic loss (found in 11/77 informative cases) nor point mutations or homozygous deletions accounted for the reduced PTEN protein expression observed in our tumor series. The histologically normal mucosa of 4 patients displayed some of the molecular alterations analyzed. Dysregulation of the PI 3-K/AKT/PTEN pathway might contribute to early HNSCC tumorigenesis and might constitute a potential clinical target. Overall, 17/36 (47%) cases showed at least 1 of the molecular alterations studied here, which makes the PI 3-kinase-initiated signaling pathway one of the most frequently altered in HNSCC.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied the localization properties of weak solutions to the Dirichlet problem for the degenerate parabolic equation u t - div ( | u | γ ( x, t ) ∇ u ) = f, with variable exponent of nonlinearity γ.
Abstract: We study the localization properties of weak solutions to the Dirichlet problem for the degenerate parabolic equation u t - div ( | u | γ ( x , t ) ∇ u ) = f , with variable exponent of nonlinearity γ . We prove the existence and uniqueness of weak solutions and establish conditions on the problem data and the exponent γ ( x , t ) sufficient for the existence of such properties as finite speed of propagation of disturbances, the waiting time effect, finite time vanishing of the solution. It is shown that the solution may instinct in a finite time even if γ ≡ γ ( x ) ⩽ 0 in the problem domain but max γ = 0 .
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors discuss the relationship between market orientation and organizational learning and, in particular, the former's contribution to the generation of double-loop learning, departing from the principles of RBV, consider market orientation a resource capable of generating higher order organizational learning.
TL;DR: A biological process based on combinatorial biosynthesis for the production of indolocarbazole compounds (or their precursors) in engineered microorganisms as a complementary approach to chemical synthesis is reported.
Abstract: Rebeccamycin and staurosporine are natural products with antitumor properties, which belong to the family of indolocarbazole alkaloids. An intense effort currently exists for the generation of indolocarbazole derivatives for the treatment of several diseases, including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we report a biological process based on combinatorial biosynthesis for the production of indolocarbazole compounds (or their precursors) in engineered microorganisms as a complementary approach to chemical synthesis. We have dissected and reconstituted the entire biosynthetic pathway for rebeccamycin in a convenient actinomycete host, Streptomyces albus. This task was achieved by coexpressing different combinations of genes isolated from the rebeccamycin-producing microorganism. Also, a gene (staC) was identified in staurosporine-producing microbes and was shown to have a key role to differentiate the biosynthetic pathways for the two indolocarbazoles. Last, incorporation of the pyrH and thal genes, encoding halogenases from different microorganisms, resulted in production of derivatives with chlorine atoms at novel positions. We produced >30 different compounds by using the recombinant strains generated in this work.
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01 Jan 2005TL;DR: In this paper, a classification of currency crisis consequences based on the entropic analysis of a macroeconomic variable uniquely, without any further assumption, is proposed, and the entropy information carried by the real exchange rate time series serves to order the sampled countries.
Abstract: We propose a classification of currency crisis consequences based on the entropic analysis of a macroeconomic variable uniquely, without any further assumption. The entropy information carried by the real exchange rate time series serves to order the sampled countries. We show that this ranking is highly correlated with the annual minimum growth of gross domestic product, a proxy used to quantify real currency crisis effects. We compare this criterion against that most currently used, variance based methodology. In addition, cross-country correlations support the hierarchical ordering based on the entropic criterion.
TL;DR: In this article, the influence of sales promotion on consumer brand choice behavior is investigated. But, although they may reach their objective in the short term, when the longer term is considered there are undesirable consumer actions.
Abstract: Purpose – This study evidences the influence that sales promotion has on brand choice behaviour. Establishments wish to influence consumers' buying behaviour, and thus they launch strong promotional campaigns or introduce changes in their price policies, among other actions. However, they are not always capable of achieving their goal, since, although they may reach their objective in the short term, when the longer term is considered there are undesirable consumer actions.Design/methodology/approach – The problem of consumer brand choice can be adequately described with logit models that allow the use of discrete dependent variables. The probability that the consumer chooses a brand depends directly on the capacity of satisfaction that the brand holds for him/her. In this case, the dependent variable is the brand, and the independent variables are price, reference price, losses and gains, and the different types or techniques of sales promotion. With the aim of obtaining the necessary information for the...
TL;DR: An overview of recent progress in molecular imprinting in sol-gel matrices, the potential analytical applications of these tailor-made materials and their limitations, with the aim of drawing attention to useful information and to enhancing interest in this practically unexplored but promising field is given in this article.
Abstract: Since its inception five decades ago, imprinted sol-gel materials went practically unnoticed, until in the 1970s the conceptual introduction of molecular imprinting in synthetic polymers triggered a new interest in this field. The recent growth in interest in organic–inorganic hybrid materials prepared by sol-gel chemistry and the development of a variety of new strategies for imprinting polymeric matrices have led to a growing activity in what became known as molecularly imprinted sol-gel materials. This paper intends to give an overview of recent progress in molecular imprinting in sol-gel matrices, the potential analytical applications of these tailor-made materials and their limitations, with the aim of drawing attention to useful information and to enhancing interest in this practically unexplored but promising field.
TL;DR: In this article, the use of water-soluble luminescent CdSe quantum dots (QDs), whose surface was modified either with 2-mercaptoethane sulphonic acid or with 2mercaptosophane acyclic acid, was investigated for the sensitive and selective determination of copper(II) ions in aqueous solutions.
TL;DR: In this article, the DELPHI data was combined with earlier data to search for phenomena beyond the Standard Model and the measured number of light neutrino families was consistent with three and the absence of an excess of events beyond that predicted by the standard model processes was used to set limits on new physics.
Abstract: The production of single- and multi-photon events has been studied in the reaction e+e- -> gamma (gamma) + invisible particles. The data collected with the DELPHI detector during the years 1999 and 2000 at centre-of-mass energies between 191 GeV and 209 GeV was combined with earlier data to search for phenomena beyond the Standard Model. The measured number of light neutrino families was consistent with three and the absence of an excess of events beyond that predicted by the Standard Model processes was used to set limits on new physics. Both model-independent searches and searches for new processes predicted by supersymmetric and extra-dimensional models have been made. Limits on new non-standard model interactions between neutrinos and electrons were also determined.
TL;DR: The current Euro Heart Survey on coronary revascularization was performed in the era of bare metal stenting and provides a global European picture of the invasive approach to patients with established coronary artery disease.
Abstract: AIMS: The purpose of the Euro Heart Survey Programme of the European Society of Cardiology is to evaluate to which extent clinical practice endorses existing guidelines as well as to identify differences in population profiles, patient management, and outcome across Europe. The current survey focuses on the invasive diagnosis and treatment of patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS AND RESULTS: Between November 2001 and March 2002, 7769 consecutive patients undergoing invasive evaluation at 130 hospitals (31 countries) were screened for the presence of one or more coronary stenosis >50% in diameter. Patient demographics and comorbidity, clinical presentation, invasive parameters, treatment options, and procedural techniques were prospectively entered in an electronic database (550 variables+29 per diseased coronary segment). Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were evaluated at 30 days and 1 year. Out of 5619 patients with angiographically proven coronary stenosis (72% of screened population), 53% presented with stable angina while ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was the indication for coronary angiography in 16% and non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction or unstable angina in 30%. Only medical therapy was continued in 21%, whereas mechanical revascularization was performed in the remainder [percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in 58% and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in 21%]. Patients referred for PCI were younger, were more active, had a lower risk profile, and had less comorbid conditions. CABG was performed mostly in patients with left main lesions (21%), two- (25%), or three-vessel disease (67%) with 4.1 diseased segments, on average. Single-vessel PCI was performed in 82% of patients with either single- (45%), two- (33%), or three-vessel disease (21%). Stents were used in 75% of attempted lesions, with a large variation between sites. Direct PCI for STEMI was performed in 410 cases, representing 7% of the entire workload in the participating catheterization laboratories. Time delay was within 90 min in 76% of direct PCI cases. In keeping with the recommendations of practice guidelines, the survey identified under-use of adjunctive medication (GP IIb/IIIa receptor blockers, statins, and angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitors). Mortality rates at 30 days and 1 year were low in all subgroups. MACE primarily consisted of repeat PCI (12%). CONCLUSION: The current Euro Heart Survey on coronary revascularization was performed in the era of bare metal stenting and provides a global European picture of the invasive approach to patients with CAD. These data will serve as a benchmark for the future evaluation of the impact of drug-eluting stents on the practice of interventional cardiology and bypass surgery.