Arabic is a strongly structured and highly derivational language. Arabic morphology and syntax provide the ability to add a large number of affixes to each word which makes combinatorial increment of possible words. In Arabic, passive voice is used as a writing style when: 1) the subject is unknown, 2) the subject is unimportant enough to be mentioned, or 3) the author wants to highlight the object. In this paper, the issues related to the recognition of the Arabic passive verbs which impact the automated understanding of Arabic sentences were addressed. An experiment using the Buckwalter Arabic morphological analyzers, one of the mature Arabic morphological analyzer, were conducted in order to highlight the limitations in the analysis of Arabic passive verbs. Results indicated that there exists a need for handling the problems related to the morphological analysis of passive verbs in order to improve the recognition accuracy of Arabic words.

Recently, extensive behavioral research has been conducted on the benztropine (BZT) analogs with the goal of developing successful therapeutics for cocaine abuse. The present study was conducted to characterize the contribution of dispositional factors in mediating the behavioral differences among the chloro BZT analogs and to identify cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in their metabolism. Bidirectional transport and efflux studies of four of the chloro BZT analogs were conducted. Screening with a panel of human and rat Supersomes was performed for 4',4''-diCl BZT. In addition, pharmacokinetic and brain distribution studies for 4'-Cl and 4',4''-diCl BZT in Sprague-Dawley rats were conducted. The permeability of the chloro analogs ranged from 8.26 to 32.23 and from 1.37 to 21.65 x 10(-6) cm/s, whereas the efflux ratios ranged from 2.1 to 6.9 and from 3.3 to 28.4 across Madin-Darby canine kidney-multidrug resistance 1 (MDCK-MDR1) and Caco-2 monolayers, respectively. The P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor verapamil reduced the efflux ratios and enhanced the absorptive transport of the chloro BZT analogs. 4',4''-diCl BZT was a substrate of human CYP2D6 and 2C19 and rat 2C11 and 3A1. The brain uptake for 4'-Cl and 4',4''-diCl BZT was comparable and higher than previously reported for cocaine (brain-to-plasma partition coefficient = 4.6-4.7 versus 2.1 for cocaine). The rank order for t(1/2) was 4',4''-diCl BZT > 4'-Cl BZT > cocaine and for steady-state volume of distribution was 4'-Cl BZT > 4',4''-diCl BZT > cocaine. In conclusion, the chloro analogs differ significantly in their clearance and duration of action, which correlates to their behavioral profiles and abuse liability. Furthermore, these results suggest that the distinctive behavioral profile of these analogs is not due to limited brain exposure.

Previous studies indicated that the chloro-benztropine analogs differed significantly in their cocaine-like activity, which was not expected based on the similarity in their in vitro binding affinity and functional potency at the dopamine transporter (DAT). The present study was designed to extend the understanding of the involvement of both pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic factors in mediating the behavioral differences among these analogs. The pharmacokinetics of 3'-chloro-3alpha-(diphenylmethoxy)tropane (3'-Cl BZT), the analog showing a cocaine-like behavioral profile in rodents, was compared with previously reported pharmacokinetic characteristics of cocaine and 4',4''-dichloro-3alpha-(diphenylmethoxy)tropane (4',4''-diCl BZT), an analog totally devoid of cocaine-like actions. Microdialysis studies in rats were conducted to determine whether 3'-Cl and 4',4''-diCl BZT differed significantly in their effect on nucleus accumbens extracellular dopamine levels, with cocaine serving as a reference. A mechanistic model based on DAT association/dissociation kinetics was used to describe the time delay between the plasma concentrations of the chloro-analogs and their dopaminergic effects. 3'-Cl BZT had plasma elimination half-life of 1.9 h versus 0.5 and 21.1 h for cocaine and 4',4''-diCl BZT, respectively. 4',4''-diCl BZT increased the DA levels at a slower rate and to a significantly lower extent relative to 3'-Cl BZT that were, in turn, lower than cocaine. The duration of dopamine elevation was as follows: 4',4''-diCl BZT > 3'-Cl BZT > cocaine. The model indicated faster association and dissociation with DAT for 3'-Cl BZT relative to 4',4''-diCl BZT. The present results indicate that behavioral differences among the chloro-analogs may be explainable based on both the dopamine and rate hypotheses of drug abuse.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the epidemiology of pancreatic cancer in Egypt.

METHODS: We obtained detailed information on smoking, occupational, medical, and reproductive histories from 194 pancreatic cancer cases and 194 controls.

RESULTS: Compared with not smoking, smoking cigarettes alone or in conjunction with other smoking methods (eg, water pipe, cigar) was associated with an increased risk (odds ratio [OR], 4.5 and 7.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.9-10.7 and 3.0-20.6, respectively). Passive smoking was also a significant risk factor (OR, 6.0; 95% CI, 2.4-14.8). The risk of pancreatic cancer was elevated among subjects exposed to pesticides (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 0.97-7.2). A prior diagnosis of diabetes mellitus for a period of 10 years was associated with higher risk (OR, 5.4; 95% CI, 1.5-19.9). For women, having 7 or more live births and lactating for 144 months or longer were associated with a reduced risk (OR, 0.5 and 0.2; 95% CI, 0.2-1.3 and 0.1-0.9, respectively). No association was found between family history, allergy, or obesity and pancreatic cancer in Egypt.

CONCLUSIONS: Multiple tobacco consumption methods, passive smoking, pesticide exposures, and diabetes are associated with an increased risk for pancreatic cancer. Prolonged lactation and increased parity are associated with a reduced risk for pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Hyperthyroid patients commonly complain of generalized bony aches, which are frequently overlooked due to the more prominent symptoms of cardiovascular and nervous disturbances. Hyperthyroid patients are expected to have abnormal bone metabolism as part of the generalized hypermetabolic status. The aim of this study is to verify the presence of metabolic bone superscan in association with the hypermetabolic stats in various groups of hyperthyroidism. Secondly, to correlate these superscan features with the various laboratory results in hyperthyroid patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-five hyperthyroid patients confirmed by clinical and laboratory results were enrolled in this work. In all patients, a (99m)Tc-pertechnetate thyroid uptake scan was acquired. On a different day, total body bone scan was acquired three hours post IV injection of 555-925 MBq of (99m)Tc-MDP. Serum FT3, FT4, TSH, Ca++, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were monitored in all patients as markers of thyroid and bone metabolism. Ten cases with no thyroid diseases were included as a control group. Patients with thyroiditis or long history of antithyroid drugs for more than one year were excluded from the study.

RESULTS: The patients were subdivided into three groups: Graves disease (GD) (n = 30), toxic nodular goiter (TNG) (n = 10) and autonomous toxic adenoma (AT) (n = 5). The TSH for the whole group was significantly suppressed compared to the control group with higher suppression in the Graves disease group than in the TNG or AT groups. (99m)Tc-pertechnetate uptake values in the Graves disease group were significantly higher than the TNG and AT groups (p < 0.05). Metabolic superscan (MSS) was noted in 90% of the Graves cases, 20% in TNG and in none of the AT group. There were no significant differences regarding Ca+, AP and PTH between the Graves and non-Graves groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Disturbances in bone metabolism are more prevalent in Graves disease than in other types of hyperthyroidism. The addition of the bone scan to the diagnostic work up of patients with Graves disease is a sensitive indicator for metabolic bone changes and could help in the future management and follow up for this group of patients.

This study is concerned with the electrocatalytic evolution of oxygen gas at manganese oxide nanorods modified Pt, Au and GC electrodes in 0.5 M KOH solution. The electrochemical measurements revealed a significant enhancement of the electrocatalytic activity of the Pt, Au and GC electrodes towards the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) upon the electrodeposition of manganese oxide nanoparticles (nano-MnOx), that is, the onset potentials of the OER at the modified Pt, Au and GC electrodes are more negative by about 300, 550 and 300 mV, respectively, compared with the bare (i.e., unmodified) electrodes. MnOx is electrodeposited in a porous nano-texture structure which covers the entire surface of the substrates homogeneously. The MnOx of a single crystalline manganite phase (γ-MnOOH) plays a vital role as a catalytic mediator, which facilitates the charge transfer during the water oxidation into molecular oxygen and thus the OER is accomplished at less positive potentials. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The effect of rare-earth ions on the structural, magnetic and electrical properties of rare-earth-doped manganese-zinc ferrite is reported. The compounds with the formula Mn0.5Zn0.5R0.05Fe1.95O4 where R = Tb, La, Ce and Th, were prepared by the flash combustion technique. The prepared samples reveal that by introducing a relatively small amount of R(NO3)3 or R(Cl3) instead of Fe2O3, an important modification of both structure and physical properties was obtained. Curie temperature, effective magnetic moment, electrical resistivity, density, thermoelectric and lattice constant were directly affected by these substitutions either by their partial diffusion in the spinel lattice or the formation of the crystalline secondary phases (orthoferrite and/or garnet) on the grain boundaries which suppress the abnormal grain growth. Correlation between the ionic radii and the measured physical properties were studied. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.

Carvedilol is a beta(1)-, beta(2)-, and alpha(1)-adrenoreceptor blocker indicated for treatment of hypertension and mild-to-severe congestive heart failure. The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a single population model that describes S(-)-carvedilol pharmacokinetics from both the immediate-release (IR) and the new controlled-release dosage forms of the racemate. Carvedilol IR data (1270 measurements) were obtained from 2 open-label studies (50 mg/25 mg Q12 hours for 2 doses). Carvedilol CR data (2058 measurements) were obtained from an open-label, nonrandomized, dose-rising (10, 20, 40, and 80 mg), 4-period balanced crossover study. All data were simultaneously analyzed using NONMEM V. Leverage analysis and internal evaluations were conducted for the final model. A 2-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination provided the best fit. The model included different absorption rates (KAs) for the CR and IR morning (IR(AM)) and evening (IR(PM)) doses; incorporating change-points at certain times. Estimates of KAs indicated that the absorption was slower at equivalent times and extended for CR relative to IR carvedilol. Oral clearance of S(-)-carvedilol was 149 L/h. The IR(PM) and the CR doses had bioavailability (F(rel)) of 0.80 and 0.76, respectively, relative to the IR(AM) dose. The inter-subject variability in KAs was lower for the CR dosage form than the original IR dosage form. Estimation of interoccasion variability on KAs and F(rel) for the CR dosage form improved the fit. The model performed well in simulation and leverage analysis indicated its robustness. The model will be a useful tool for future simulation studies.

A series of W-type hexagonal ferrites with the composition BaCoZn1-xMgxFe16O27 (0≤x≤0.6) were prepared by the conventional ceramic method to study their structural and magnetic properties as a function of temperature and composition. The characterization using X-ray diffraction indicated that a hexagonal W-type single-phase structure and the effect of composition on the unit cell parameters, density and porosity was studied. The variation of the magnetic susceptibility (χM) with temperature for all the investigated samples in the temperature range (300-800 K) shows three regions of behavior that was explained on the basis of the distribution of Zn2+ and Mg2+ ions in the lattice and leads to the anomalous behavior of the effective magnetic moment μeff. The Curie temperature indicated that the critical concentration is at x=0.5. Paramagnetic nature of the samples above the Curie temperature is observed. The Curie Weiss constant θ calculated from the plot of 1/χM vs. T (K) is in agreement with the expected value. The effective magnetic moment μeff decreases with increasing the intensity of magnetic field. The possible mechanisms contributing to these properties are discussed in the text. © 2007.

A simple, rapid, and highly selective spectrophotometric method for the simultaneous analysis of ozone (O 3) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) is proposed. On the basis of the large difference in the reaction rates of O 3 and H 2O 2 with I -, a changed absorbance corresponding to the reactions of the two species with I - was observed. This method enables a highly selective simultaneous analysis of O 3 and H 2O 2 in their coexistence. Copyright © 2007 The Chemical Society of Japan.

A novel electrode, with the composition Si/TiOx/Pt/TaO x (TiOx: titanium oxide, TaOx: tantalum oxide), was fabricated by spin-coating, and its effectiveness at electrochemical ozone generation was compared with that of a traditional Pt plate electrode. The electrode achieved a high current efficiency (1.3%) at a low current density (30mA·cm-2). The results confirm that TaOx is effective for the ozone generation in electrochemical ozone generation. Copyright © 2007 The Chemical Society of Japan.

Based upon the Stokes micro-continuum theory, the problem of lubrication of finite hydrodynamic journal bearing lubricated by magnetic fluids with couple stresses is investigated. By taking into account the couple stresses due to the microstructure additives and the magnetic effects due to the magnetization of the magnetic fluid, modified Reynolds equation is obtained. The effects of couple stresses are studied by defining the couple stress parameter L that can be considered as a measure of the chain length of the additive molecule. The magnetic effects of the magnetic fluid are investigated by the magnetic coefficient γ. Using the finite-difference technique and for different values of couple stress parameter and magnetic coefficient, the Reynolds equation is solved, and pressure distributions are obtained. The bearing static characteristics namely load carrying capacity, attitude angle, friction coefficient, and side leakage flow are determined. The results indicate that the influence of couple stresses and magnetic effects on the bearing characteristics are significantly apparent. It is concluded that fluids with couple stresses are better than Newtonian fluids. The improvement of the bearing characteristics is enhanced if the magnetic effects are present.

A cheap spin-coated Si/TiOx/Pt/TiOx electrode is fabricated and proved to possess an excellent catalysis for ozone electrogeneration. A high current efficiency of 2.5% was obtained at 33 mA cm-2 in 10 mM HClO4 at room temperature. Copyright © 2007 The Chemical Society of Japan.

A commercial Nafion 112 membrane loaded with the catalysts and catalysts' support in a segmented way was used for a H2/air PEM fuel cell. On this membrane, the anodic and cathodic catalysts with their support were loaded on five consecutive places in a back to back style forming five catalyst islands of same dimensions on each side of the membrane. So, five sub-fuel cells were existed in one fuel cell compartment. These subcells are connected ionically but not electronically. The polarization behavior for these subcells was measured separately when the other subcells were at a zero load and simultaneously when they were polarized at the same load. Also, the temperature gradient within this segmented PEM fuel cell was measured in front of cathode side of the sub-fuel cells when hydrogen and air gases were flown in a parallel or opposite direction to each other. Temperature gradients were correlated with the observed performance of the fuel cell. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

BACKGROUND: The lack of anatomical details in standard (131)Iodine whole body scanning ((131)I WBS) interferes with the proper localization of metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) lesions. In addition, nearby or overlapping variable physiological distribution of (131)I may affect the specificity of (131)I uptake, giving indeterminate results. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the clinical usefulness of simultaneous co-registration of (99m)Tc MDP bone scanning as an anatomical landmark with (131)I scanning in the evaluation of metastatic DTC.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients (16 females and 9 males, mean age +/- SD = 52 +/- 13 years) with metastatic DTC (17 papillary, 8 follicular), were included. Whole body scanning using a 256 x 1024 matrix and an 8 cm/min scan rate were obtained 48 hours after oral administration of 185-370 MBq 131I and 2 hours after IV administration of 185-370 MBq (99m)Tc MDP using a dual head gamma camera equipped with high energy parallel hole collimators. Occasionally, additional simultaneous co-registration of localised detailed images was also performed using a 256 x 256 matrix size. The two planar images were fused with optional fusion of SPECT images. The data from standard (131)I scanning and fused (131)I/ (99m)Tc-MDP scanning were separately assessed by two nuclear medicine physicians. Fusion images were considered to improve image interpretation in comparison with standard (131)I scanning when they provided better localization of lesions.

RESULTS: All lesions in the present study were validated by radiological images and clinical follow up for at least 12 months. Forty-eight metastatic lesions were confirmed as follows: 2 in the skull, 10 in the neck, 20 in the thorax, 12 in the pelvic-abdominal region and 4 in the extremities. Standard (131)I WBS showed 54 extra-thyroidal foci with 8 false positive lesions of which 2 were located in the scalp and 6 in the pelvic-abdominal region extra-skeleton (i.e. sensitivity 100%, specificity 86%). Out of the 48 validated lesions, 16 were indeterminately localized: 10 in the thorax (3 mediastinal nodal lesions, 5 vertebral lesions and 2 ribs) and 6 in the pelvic-abdominal region (2 upper sacral, 2 sacroiliac region and 2 ischial bone). Fusion images confirmed the precise localization of the pathological uptake in the validated 48 lesions (sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%). There were 2 (4%) indeterminate lesions in fused planar imaging that were clearly localized via fused SPECT images.

CONCLUSIONS: Fusion images using simultaneous co-registration of (131)I and (99m)Tc MDP scanning is a simple and feasible technique that improves the anatomically limited interpretation of scintigraphy using (131)I alone in patients with metastatic differentiated thyroid carcinoma. The diagnostic advantage of this technique seems to be more apparent in the thoracic and pelvic- abdominal regions in contrast to the neck and extremities.