bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Use of prescribed and non-prescribed medicines by the elderly: implications for who chooses, who pays and who monitors the risks of medicines
Authors: Ballantyne Peri J , Clarke Philippa J , Marshman Joan A , Victor J Charles , Fisher Judith E
Published: December 2005

Objective

To examine overall medicine use and the prevalence and distribution of use of the different types of medicines by the community dwelling elderly; and to discuss the implications of these use profiles for the health of this population.

Method

We examined aggregate levels of self-reported use of prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, and natural health products (NHPs) among community-dwelling elderly. Analysis focused on the relative balance of use of different types and combinations of medicines, and differences between five-year age categories, and sex.

Setting

Data are based on Canada's National Population Health Survey (1996/1997), and reflect population estimates of medicines use (over the previous two days) by elderly persons living in Ontario, Canada.

Key findings

In the total population, and in age- and sex-groups, a quarter of respondents reported using no medicines; use of OTC medicines (56%) was more prevalent than use of prescription medicines (48%). Seven per cent of respondents reported using NHPs. The proportions of elderly people using combinations of different types of medicines are reported.

Conclusion

The study findings place the use of prescription medicines by elderly people in the context of overall use of medicines. Over half of the study respondents were using one or more OTC medicines. There is a need for further examination of how individuals select and gain access to medicines of different types (distinguishing medicines selected for the patient and those selected by the patient), who pays for those medicines (distinguishing insured products and those purchased out-of-pocket), and what role pharmacists and other healthcare professionals ought to play in mediating the potential risks arising from medicine use in the elderly population.
Progress in patient counselling practices in Finnish community pharmacies
Authors: Puumalainen Inka I , Peura Sirpa H , Kansanaho Heli M , Benrimoj Charlie S I , Airaksinen Marja S A
Published: December 2005

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess progress in patient counselling practices in Finnish community pharmacies during a national four-year program (TIPPA) from 2000–2003 promoting enhanced pharmacist-customer communication about medicines.

Method

A pseudo customer method was applied. Four visits with four different scenarios were conducted in a convenience sample of 60 Finnish community pharmacies of different size and geographic location. In total there were 240 visits during each time point measured (baseline in 2000 and three annual follow-ups, n = 960). The pseudo customers presented three scenarios related to self-medication and one related to a prescription medicine with a new prescription (baseline and the second follow-up) or a repeat prescription of the same medication (the first and the third follow-up). A structured data form customised to each scenario was used to record the interaction.

Key findings

Baseline scores were generally low. In two of the four scenarios (one self-medication and one prescription) a statistically significant improvement (P < 0.05) was found in total scores between the baseline and the third follow-up. Aggregation of the scores of the three self-medication scenarios did not show any change in counselling practices between the baseline and the third follow-up, measured as mean total scores (P = 0.439).

Conclusions

Some improvements were found in pharmacists' counselling performance in relation to customers' requests for advice about nasal products and also when prescription scenarios were presented. However, pharmacists' counselling rates were low in relation to a repeat prescription or when a request was made to buy a specific medicine. Further attention needs to be paid to the latter two types of consultation.
A dictation system for reporting prescribing errors in community pharmacies
Authors: Kennedy Amanda G , Littenberg Benjamin
Published: December 2005

Objective

To pilot and evaluate dictation as a novel method of reporting prescribing errors in community pharmacies.

Setting

Seven community pharmacies in northwestern Vermont.

Method

An intervention reporting form was developed and implemented in seven community pharmacies. Using a crossover design, pharmacists reported by both dictation and paper methods for six weeks each. The primary objective was to determine if dictation stimulated more prescribing error reports than a paper-based reporting method. Secondary objectives included a qualitative assessment of dictation feasibility, pharmacist satisfaction with reporting in general, pharmacist preference for a dictation or paper reporting method, and a content description of the prescribing errors reported.

Key findings

Pharmacists completed a total of 72 reports, describing 80 interventions, during the 12-week study. Thirty-three reports were dictated and 39 were completed on paper (P= 0.56). There were no differences in completeness of reports between paper and dictation (P = 0.62). Seven out of the nine pharmacists (78%) stated they preferred the paper method to dictation.

Conclusion

Dictation does not appear to increase prescribing error reporting as compared with a paper method. Implementing dictation in community pharmacies proved feasible although most of the pharmacists in this study preferred the paper method. Further investigation to explore dictation as a useful technology in community pharmacies is warranted.
Drug-related problems in elderly general practice patients receiving pharmaceutical care†
Authors: Lau Elaine , Dolovich Lisa R
Published: December 2005

Objective

To describe the types of drug-related problems identified by pharmacists providing pharmaceutical care to elderly patients in the primary care or general medicine setting, and the impact of their recommendations on drug-related outcomes.

Methods

Searches of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, HealthSTAR, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts electronic databases from 1990 to 2002 were conducted and a manual search of references from retrieved articles and references on file was performed. Large (n> 100) randomised, controlled studies comparing the provision of pharmaceutical care to usual care in seniors in primary care or general medicine settings were included. Two reviewers evaluated articles based on inclusion criteria and extracted data from the intervention arm of each study, resolving discrepancies by consensus. Nine original articles were included for analysis.

Key findings

The mean number of drug-related problems (DRPs) identified per patient was 3.2 and the mean number of recommendations made per patient was 3.3. The most common DRP identified was not taking/receiving a prescribed drug appropriately (35.2%, range 4.7–49.3%). The most common recommendations made involved patient education (37.2%, range 4.6–48.2%). Implementation rates were generally high for all types of recommendations, with the highest being for provision of patient education (81.6%). The small number of studies available examining measures of drug utilisation and costs, health services utilisation, and patient outcomes produced inconsistent results, making it difficult to draw conclusions.

Conclusions

Substantial numbers and a wide range of DRPs were identified by pharmacists who provided pharmaceutical care to seniors in the primary care and general medicine setting. Pharmacists' drug-therapy recommendations were well accepted; however, further study is needed to determine the impact of these recommendations on health-related outcomes.
An evaluation of pharmacist-written hospital discharge prescriptions on general surgical wards
Authors: Rahman Mohamed H , Green Christopher F , Armstrong David J
Published: December 2005

Objective

To evaluate the quality of pharmacist-written hospital discharge prescriptions (DPs) in comparison to those written by doctors.

Method

The study was carried out in two, week-long phases on the general surgical wards in one UK hospital. In phase 1, doctors wrote the DPs, which were then checked by the ward pharmacist. In phase 2, ward pharmacists wrote the DPs which were then checked by the patient's junior doctor. In both phases, the clinical dispensary pharmacist made their routine check of the prescription prior to dispensing. All interventions were recorded on a pre-piloted data collection form.

Key findings

In phase 1, doctors wrote 128 DPs; in phase 2, pharmacists wrote 133 DPs. There were 755 interventions recorded during phase 1 in comparison to 76 during phase 2. In phase 1, transcription errors accounted for 118 interventions, 149 were due to ambiguity/illegibility; 488 amendments were to facilitate the dispensing process e.g. clarification of patient, medical and drug details, and dosage form discrepancies. In phase 2, transcription errors accounted for one intervention, 50 interventions were due to ambiguities or illegibility; 25 amendments were to facilitate the dispensing process. During phase 2, doctors made 10 minor alterations to pharmacist-written DPs. On 52 occasions during phase 2, the ward pharmacist had to clarify, prior to writing the DP, either the dose of a drug, or, whether a drug should be continued on discharge, and if so, for what duration.

Conclusion

Pharmacist-written DPs contained considerably fewer errors, omissions and unclear information in comparison to doctor-written DPs. Doctors recorded no significant alterations when validating pharmacist-written DPs.
The development and validation of a screening tool for the identification of patients experiencing medication-related problems
Authors: Gordon Karen J , Smith Felicity J , Dhillon Soraya
Published: December 2005

Objective

Medication-related problems can adversely affect patients' health and treatment outcomes. While many authors have investigated the frequency of different types of medication-related problem, no studies have described the development and validation of a screening tool to identify patients who are experiencing medication-related problems. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a screening tool for the identification of patients experiencing medication-related problems.

Methods

Based on the literature, a screening tool was developed for this purpose. Patients prescribed a cardiovascular medicine, who were aged over 18 years, were recruited from four community pharmacies and five general practice surgeries in South London. Patients were interviewed with the screening tool in the pharmacies and surgeries. Subsequently in-depth interviews in patients' own homes were conducted to validate the findings and assess the effectiveness of the tool.

Key findings

Ninety-nine patients in the pharmacies and 122 in the surgeries were recruited and interviewed using the screening tool; 74 of these were identified with at least one medication-related problem. Seventy-eight participants (43 identified with at least one problem and 35 with no apparent problems) agreed to be interviewed in their own homes. In 83% of cases the screening tool correctly distinguished between patients with at least one medication-related problem and those identified with none. The screening tool was less likely than the home interview to pick up problems which required the patient to comment on the service of the surgery or pharmacy.

Conclusion

The screening tool could have a valuable role in identifying patients experiencing medication-related problems. Its focus on patients' perspectives is important in ensuring that service developments are responsive to the needs of consumers.
Professional ethics in pharmacy: the Australian experience
Authors: Chaar Betty , Brien Jo-anne , Krass Ines
Published: December 2005

Objective

The profession of pharmacy has the unique characteristic of having both professional and business orientations. There is today, in addition to this unique characteristic, a strong shift in pharmacy towards more involvement in patient-centred health care, and increased emphasis on the patient's best interests and autonomy, within a framework of what is known as ‘bioethics’. With this shift of professional focus comes a heightened level of responsibility due to increased expectations of the patient and greater involvement in healthcare and decision making at a personal level with the patient. There is therefore inherent in this increased involvement an increased propensity for ethical problems to arise. The aim of this study is to investigate the application of ethical theory in the practice of pharmacy in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 25 practitioners. The content of transcribed interviews was qualitatively analysed for emerging themes. Themes were identified by the primary researcher and independently validated by the other investigators.

Key findings

The majority of pharmacists interviewed in NSW Australia practised within a theoretical framework of ‘best interests of the patient’. Pharmacists experienced dilemmas in practice involving a number of ethical principles. Pharmacists relied on common sense to circumvent such dilemmas and never referred to their professional code of ethics. There appeared to be a general lack of training, and a varying perception of difficulty with decision making, regarding ethical dilemmas encountered, depending on issues such as legal requirements, personal opinions or financial demands.

Conclusion

Findings of this study indicated primarily that pharmacists in Australia regard the ethical principle of ‘best interest’ of the patient as the fundamental framework within which they practice. Pharmacists experience ethical dilemmas in practice, predominantly in the community setting, relying on logical reasoning, practical skills and personal morals to manage the situation, rather than consulting with a code of ethics. Also of significance in this study was the finding that financial pressure had a strong negative impact on the decision making and application of ethical principles of younger pharmacists in practice.
Effect of reminder cards on compliance with antihypertensive medication
Authors: da Costa Filipa Alves , Guerreiro José Pedro , de Melo Magda Nunes , Miranda Ana da Costa , Martins Ana Paula , Garçāo José , Madureira Brenda
Published: December 2005

Objective

Poor compliance to antihypertensive medications has been identified as a primary cause of uncontrolled blood pressure (BP), with consequent increases in hypertension-related morbidity and mortality. Therefore, any measure known to improve compliance should be encouraged. This study assessed the impact of reminder cards on compliance to antihypertensive therapy.

Method

A field trial was undertaken in pharmacies located in the districts of Lisbon and Porto. Eligible participants comprised those aged 30–74 years, prescribed an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) in monotherapy, and taken on a once-daily regimen. Patients were allocated to control group (CG) or intervention group (IG), the latter being provided with a reminder card, an alarm-type device due to remind the patient of the time to take his medication. Patients were monitored monthly during 3 months for compliance and blood pressure control.

Key findings

Seventy-one patients participated in the study (intervention: 35; control group: 36). Compliance was similar between the groups in the first 2 months of follow-up (97.1% IG vs 94.9% CG at first follow-up and 97.5% IG vs 94.2% CG at second follow-up) and higher in the intervention group at the end of the study (97.3% IG vs 87.3% CG; P = 0.011). There were no mean blood pressure differences between compliant and non-compliant subjects at the end of the study (P value for differences in systolic BP (Psyst) = 0.580; and P value for differences in diastolic BP (Pdlast) = 0.175).

Conclusion

This small-scale study indicates a possible positive impact on patients' compliance resulting from the use of reminder cards. However, this needs confirming in larger scale studies with longer monitoring periods.
Health promotion perceptions among community pharmacists in Nigeria
Authors: Oparah Azuka C , Okojie Obehi O
Published: December 2005

Objective

To explore the attitudes of Nigerian community pharmacists towards health promotion, to determine the importance pharmacists attach to health promotion behaviours and their perceived involvement in promoting them among their clients.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of community pharmacists in two Nigerian cities. Attitudes toward health promotion were assessed using a 24-item instrument. The importance pharmacists attach to healthy behaviours as well as their perceived involvement was assessed using a 23-item standard instrument. Interval data on questionnaire items were gathered on a Likert-type scale, and the demographic characteristics of the respondents were also profiled. Principal factor analysis employed Varimax rotation with Kaiser normalisation. Associations between demographic profile and responses were evaluated using Student's t test and one-way ANOVA.

Results

About 84% of the respondents indicated a favourable attitude towards health promotion. Nearly all the respondents (98%) were interested in health promotion services, and 94% indicated willingness to devote extra time to talk to patients. A majority (93%) reported willingness to retrain on health promotion. Lack of health promotion policy for pharmacists, and negative attitude towards the utilisation of pharmacy technicians were potential barriers. Pharmacists that were studied attached very high importance to 12 of the 23 widely advocated health promotion behaviours, and felt they should be very involved in seven of them. Medication-related counselling, use of condoms, and maintenance of blood pressure were perceived to be top priorities. Rating attitudinal scores, importance of healthy behaviours, and level of involvement were 94.07 ± 20.77, 99.22 ± 21.78, and 93.33 ± 24.01 respectively (range 23 to 115; midpoint 69). Perceived involvement had moderate correlation with the importance attached, r = 0.6488 (P = 0.0008).

Conclusion

There is an indication that the Nigerian community pharmacists in this survey perceived an extended role in health promotion, especially medication-related activities. This is consistent with the philosophy of primary healthcare and pharmaceutical care.
Comparison of medication-prescribing patterns for patients in different social groups by a group of doctors in a general practice
Authors: Harding Jenifer Anne , McElnay James C
Published: December 2005

Objective

This study was designed to compare medication-prescribing patterns of five general practitioners (GPs) who served patients living in two different communities, one of which is more economically deprived.

Method

The study focused on cardiovascular and antibiotic prescribing. Practice population data including history of cardiovascular disease and records of medication prescribed were considered with public health and socio-economic statistics for each community.

Setting

The study practice serves 8300 patients in two clinics, Tipton and Gornal, 4 miles apart. Each has similar numbers of registered patients. Tipton is in one of England's most deprived areas, ranked 16 out of 354 in the Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2004, compared with Gornal which is situated in an area ranked 109.

Key findings

For each Tipton patient, mean prescribing costs were 37% higher and mean number of prescription items were 16% higher over the study period compared with Gornal. Although a higher incidence might be expected in Tipton, little difference in identified cardiovascular disease (CVD) was found between Tipton and Gornal, and prescribing rates of aspirin and statins were similar. Tipton patients with CVD were less likely to be prescribed antihypertensives especially calcium channel blockers (P = 0.003) and diuretics (P = 0.02). Tipton patients received on average 3.27 different cardiovascular drugs compared with 3.80 in Gornal (P = 0.004). In those aged 65 years and over, this reduced to 3.08 in Tipton compared with 3.82 in Gornal (P = 0.001). Tipton patients generally, and children specifically, were significantly more likely to receive antibiotic prescriptions (P <0.0001).

Conclusion

This study suggested that some prescribing patterns differed at the two clinics, which may reflect different behaviours by the GPs when prescribing in the two communities of different population need.
Generic medicines: perceptions of consumers in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Hassali Mohamed Azmi , Kong David C M , Stewart Kay
Published: December 2005

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore consumers' perceptions and opinions of generic medicines and to identify barriers to their use of generic medicines.

Method

A qualitative approach was used. A purposive sample of consumers, aged 22–80 years, living in the Melbourne, Australia, metropolitan area were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide.

Key findings

Sixteen consumers were interviewed. Thematic content analysis of the interviews identified four major themes: knowledge about generic medicines, acceptance of generics, non-acceptance of generics, and education needs pertaining to generic medicine use. In terms of knowledge, some consumers were not familiar with the term ‘generic medicines’, but were more familiar with the term ‘cheaper brand of medicine’. The major reason for acceptance of generic medicines among the consumers interviewed was cost. Positive encouragement from the healthcare providers was seen to influence generic medicine uptake by consumers. The major barriers to acceptance included influence from medical practitioners, side-effects from generic brands, and confusion that may arise from using different brands. To encourage future uptake of generics by consumers, some of the respondents recommended that education strategies be implemented by healthcare practitioners and governmental agencies to educate people on the safety and efficacy of generic medicines.

Conclusions

This study indicated that consumers interviewed generally had positive attitudes towards the use of generic medicines. The findings also suggest that direct patient education by the healthcare providers on issues relating to safety and efficacy of generic medicines could further enhance their uptake.
New Zealand pharmacy students' knowledge of health, healthcare and medicines issues in developing countries
Authors: Norris Pauline , Woodhouse Amy , Woods David
Published: December 2005

Objective

This study aimed to assess students' knowledge of health, healthcare and medicines in developing countries, as a first step toward developing appropriate teaching materials on these topics. Setting School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, New Zealand.

Method

A questionnaire was administered to second and third year pharmacy students at the University of Otago, in class time.

Key findings

Two hundred and three students completed the questionnaire (83% of 245). Students showed awareness of the nature of health problems in developing countries, though they tended to significantly underestimate the extent of these problems, and the extent of differences in life expectancy between the richest and poorest nations. Their knowledge and understanding of medicines issues was variable: 87% correctly indicated that oral rehydration in childhood diarrhoea would save many lives, but nearly half the students did not know that antibiotics could be purchased without a prescription in many developing countries, or thought that they could not. Students indicated considerable interest in working as a pharmacist in a developing country in the future, and in taking courses in international healthcare. New Zealand students tended to exhibit better knowledge of the development level of selected countries, and the extent of significant health problems, but less knowledge of medicines-related issues, and some more negative views of people in developing countries than students from outside New Zealand.

Conclusion

Students show interest in learning and working in developing countries, but there are gaps in their knowledge about health, healthcare and pharmacy in those countries. Stimulating student's interest and awareness of developing countries may contribute towards addressing the health professional ‘brain drain’ from developing to developed countries.
Primary care pharmacist workforce mobility: why do pharmacists want to work in primary care and how do these reasons differ for community and hospital pharmacists?
Authors: Mullen Rachel , Hassell Karen , Noyce Peter
Published: December 2005

Objective

The purpose of this study was to describe the migratory and working patterns of primary care pharmacists, to explore the reasons pharmacists changed jobs, and in particular to ascertain from which sector pharmacists moved into primary care.

Method

A self-completion postal questionnaire was used to gather quantitative data on current post and working practices and reasons for movement into the primary care sector, and semi-structured interviews to explore in more depth reasons for movement across sectors. Setting Primary care pharmacists in England in 2001.

Key findings

Just over half (52%) of the sample worked exclusively in primary care, having most likely left a post in hospital pharmacy, while almost half (48%) of the sample adopted a ‘portfolio’ pattern of working, where the primary care pharmacists have more than one job. This is most likely to be a locum position in community pharmacy. Pharmacists in this study were mostly attracted into primary care because they wanted to undertake more interesting work, make better use of their knowledge and get involved with the primary healthcare team. They left their previous place of work because they needed a change. The importance primary care pharmacists gave to each of these reasons differed, depending on the sector of employment they had left or continued to work in.

Conclusion

As a sector of practice, primary care is drawing pharmacists from both the community and hospital sectors of the profession. However, the impact on the hospital sector is more marked as pharmacists are leaving this sector completely, while primary care pharmacists are more likely to maintain their practice commitments in the much larger community sector.
Scottish community pharmacists' current involvement in and attitudes towards ‘extended service’ provision: a national survey
Authors: Inch Jackie , Bond Christine M , Lee Amanda J , Scott Anthony , Grant Aileen M
Published: December 2005

Objective

To determine Scottish community pharmacists' present involvement with ‘extended’ service provision, as outlined in ‘The right medicine’ policy document, as well as an insight into the attitudes of pharmacists in delivering such services.

Setting

All community pharmacists working in Scotland.

Method

A questionnaire was developed, piloted and refined before mailing to all community pharmacists working in Scotland (n = 1621). Two reminders were sent to non-responders. Data on current service provision was analysed using SPSS version 11 for windows.

Key findings

An overall response rate of 56.4% (914/1621) was achieved for pharmacists. The survey revealed that the majority of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed with the ‘key service areas’ being provided from community pharmacies. Some services were obviously agreed with more than others. In particular repeat dispensing and emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) were rated highly. Least agreement was provided for needle exchange and schemes for supporting carers.

Conclusion

There appears to be wide variation in current service provision in the ‘key service areas’ considered. The highest involvement included EHC and methadone supervision. The lowest involvement was for needle exchange and schemes for supporting carers. Community pharmacist's attitudinal ratings were generally positive towards the ‘key service areas’ suggested.
Synthesis of CdxZn1−xS Nanoparticles in Porous Vycol Glass by Reaction of Single-source Precursors
Authors: Wada Yuji , Niinobe Daisuke , Kaneko Masahiro , Tsukahara Yasunori
Published: December 2005

CdxZn1−xS nanoparticles incorporated in a nanoporous Vycor glass (PVG) were fabricated by incorporating and decomposing bis(N,N-diethyldithiocarbamato)cadmium and bis(N,N-dibutyldithiocarbamato)zinc sequentially. Fabrication of the alloy compound was confirmed by the shift in the X-ray diffraction pattern with respect to those of pure CdS and ZnS.
Selenium Distribution in Human Soft Tissue Determined by Using X-ray Scanning Analytical Microscope and X-ray Absorption Fine Structure Analysis
Authors: Uo Motohiro , Asakura Kiyotaka , Kohgo Takao , Watari Fumio
Published: December 2005

Se localilzation in the human oral mucosae which contain dental amalgam or dental silver alloy particles was analyzed by X-ray scanning analytical microscopy (XSAM). Se distribution was visualized, and the localization in the neighbor of amalgam or silver particles was confirmed. The chemical state of Se was analyzed by X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis. Se was estimated as the low valency state. The possibility of using XSAM and XAFS for the analysis of the distribution and chemical state of rarely contained elements in biological tissue was suggested.
Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Property of Manganese(II) Complex of 1,2-closo-Carboranyl Biradical with S = 3/2 Ground State
Authors: Iwahori Fumiyasu , Matsumura Kazunari , Yamashita Masahiro , Abe Jiro
Published: December 2005

Three-spin magnetic cluster consists of manganese(II) and ortho-carboranyl biradical OCB-BNN have been synthesized and characterized as the first example of the carborane containing paramagnetic complex. The crystal structure of discrete 1:1 complex Mn(hfac)2·OCB-BNN was unambiguously determined. In the crystal structure, OCB-BNN behaves as the molecular tweezers that bind to manganese(II) ion. The strong antiferromagnetic interaction (J/kB = −181(2) K) was found between nitronyl nitroxides and manganese(II) ion.
Tuning the Emission Color of Heavy Metal Complexes by Altering the Ligation of Metal with Carbon of Carbazole Unit
Authors: Zhang Xiaowei , Yang Chuluo , Chen Liang , Zhang Kai , Qin Jingui
Published: December 2005

Four novel carbazole-based Ir(III) and Pt(II) complexes exhibiting emission from blue-green to red have been synthesized and characterized. The prominent tuning of emission color has been achieved by altering the ligation of metal with carbon atom at 2 or 3 position of carbazole unit.
Near-field Imaging of Surface-enhanced Raman Active Sites in Aggregated Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Imura Kohei , Okamoto Hiromi , Hossain Mohammad K , Kitajima Masahiro
Published: December 2005

We observed near-field images of aggregates of gold nanospheres, by detecting TPI-PL from gold and Raman scattering from Rhodamine 6G adsorbed on the nanoparticles. The results were analyzed in relation to the localized Raman active site (hot spot) of surface-enhanced Raman scattering.
Photodimerization of Anthryl Moieties in a Poly(methacrylic acid) Derivative as Reversible Cross-linking Step in Molecular Imprinting
Authors: Matsui Jun , Ochi Yoshifumi , Tamaki Katsuyuki
Published: December 2005

A methodology for reversible molecular imprinting is presented. A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) is prepared by photo-cross-linking poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) with anthryl moieties as photo-cross-linking sites in the presence of an antimalarial drug cinchonidine as a template molecule, resulting in enhanced binding capacity to cinchonidine, compared with non-imprinted polymers. MIP is then “initialized” by exposure to shortwave UV that cleaves the anthracene-dimer-based cross-links, resulting in the reduced binding capacity comparable to the non-imprinted polymers.
Click Chemistry on Curdlan: A Regioselective and Quantitative Approach to Develop Artificial β-1,3-Glucans with Various Functional Appendages
Authors: Hasegawa Teruaki , Umeda Mariko , Numata Munenori , Fujisawa Tomohisa , Haraguchi Shuichi , Sakurai Kazuo , Shinkai Seiji
Published: December 2005

β-1,3-Glucans having various functional appendages (lactoside, ferrocene, pyrene, etc.) can be prepared in an convenient, quantitative, and regioselective manner through chemo-selective [3 + 2]-cycloadditions between 6-azido-6-deoxy-curdlan and various functional modules with a terminal alkyne.
Efficient Synthesis of a Group of Saponins via Orthogonal Protection–Deprotection Glycosylation
Authors: Hou Shujie , Zou Chuanchun , Zhou Liang , Lei Pingsheng , Yu Dequan
Published: December 2005

One new building block of tigogenyl glycoside with orthogonal protective groups has been efficiently synthesized. Using the building block as the key synthon, a small library of saponins with branched sugar moieties was built in an efficient way.
Rapid Entry to 1,4-Diazepane-2,5-dione from β-Amino Acids
Authors: Sathe Manisha , Ghorpode Ramarao , Kaushik Mahabir Parshad
Published: December 2005

A versatile method for the synthesis of conformationally constrained 1,4-diazepane-2,5-dione from β-amino acids is described. These heterocyclic compounds will be useful as a new platform for the synthesis of conformationally constraint peptidomimetics.
Single Molecular Morphology of Porphyrin/DNA Complex
Authors: Takatoh Chikako , Matsumoto Takuya , Kawai Tomoji , Saitoh Takayuki , Takeda Kazuyoshi
Published: December 2005

A Porphyrin/DNA complex stabilized by both ionic bonds and stacking of π conjugates is reported herein. Morphology observation on the single molecular level revealed that the complex exhibits rigid behavior and inhomogeneity with phase separation. These characteristics are the indication of the presence of stacking interaction between porphyrins along the DNA scaffold.
Probing the Micropores in Linde-type A Zeolites by Helium-3 NMR
Authors: Hayashi Shigenobu
Published: December 2005

NMR spectra of 3He introduced in Linde-type A zeolites have been traced, which show that chemical shifts depend on the cations incorporated in the micropore. The chemical shift reflects the interaction with cations, the magnitude of which depends on the effective channel dimensions. 3He NMR can probe the smaller pores with much shorter periods than the conventional 129Xe NMR.
Modeling of solid‐bowl batch centrifugation of flocculated suspensions
Authors: Stickland Anthony D. , White Lee R. , Scales Peter J.
Published: December 2005

Solid‐bowl batch centrifuges are used to thicken particulate and flocculated suspensions in many varied applications. The volume fraction dependent material parameters of compressive yield stress and hindered settling function are used to describe the solid‐liquid separation of a two‐phase system caused by centrifugal acceleration. The solution of the transient conservation of momentum and mass equations in radial coordinates gives the volume fraction distribution as a function of time for the two cases of the initial suspension networked or un‐networked. Analytical solutions are given for the equilibrium distribution and the small‐scale time dependence. The governing equations for the transient behaviors are solved using a 4th‐5th order Runge‐Kutta adaptive step‐size numerical method. The results show three zones of behavior: a consolidating bed, a sedimentation zone, and a clear‐liquor zone. The volume fraction within the sedimentation zone is constant for the initially networked case, and constant with radius but diminishing with time for the initially un‐networked case. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006
Bosma arhinia microphthalmia syndrome
Authors: Graham John M. , Lee John
Published: December 2005

Bosma et al. [1981] delineated a syndrome affecting two unrelated males with severe hypoplasia of the nose and eyes, palatal abnormalities, deficient taste and smell, inguinal hernias, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with cryptorchidism, and normal intelligence. Other patients with this syndrome have been reported as cases of arhinia with associated defects. During embryonic development, the nasal placodes form 28 days after conception shortly after the optic vesicles makes contact with the overlying surface ectoderm at 26–27 days, and both layers invaginate to form the eyes between 34 and 44 days. Mice with homozygous mutations of Pax6, manifest underdevelopment of ocular and nasal structures, and a network of developmentally regulated genes function downstream of Pax6 to form nasal, ocular, and pituitary structures. These genes represent candidate genes for this disorder, and familial recurrence of Bosma syndrome has been reported to occur. This report describes two sporadic unrelated cases of this rare syndrome and briefly reviews the findings in previously reported cases. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐resolution X‐ray computed tomography scanning of primate copulatory plugs
Authors: Parga Joyce A. , Maga Murat , Overdorff Deborah J.
Published: December 2005

In this study, high‐resolution computed tomography X‐ray scanning was used to scan ring‐tailed lemur (Lemur catta) copulatory plugs. This method produced accurate measures of plug volume and surface area, but was not useful for visualizing plug internal structure. Copulatory plug size was of interest because it may relate to male fertilization success. Copulatory plugs form from coagulated ejaculate, and are routinely displaced in this species by the penis of a subsequent mate during copulation (Parga [2003] Int. J. Primatol. 24:889–899). Because one potential function of these plugs may be to preclude or delay other males' successful insemination of females, we tested the hypothesis that larger plugs are more difficult for subsequent males to displace. Plugs were collected opportunistically upon displacement during data collection on L. catta mating behavior on St. Catherines Island, Georgia (USA) during two subsequent breeding seasons. Copulatory plugs exhibited a wide range of volumes: 1,758–5,013.6 mm3 (n = 9). Intraindividual differences in plug volume were sometimes greater than interindividual differences. Contrary to predictions, larger plugs were not more time‐consuming for males to displace via penile intromission during copulation. Nor were plugs with longer vaginal residence times notably smaller than plugs with shorter residence times, as might be expected if plugs disintegrate while releasing sperm (Asdell [1946] Patterns of Mammalian Reproduction; Ithaca: Comstock). We found a significant inverse correlation between number of copulatory mounts leading to ejaculation and copulatory plug volume. This may indicate that if males are sufficiently sexually aroused to reach ejaculation in fewer mounts, they tend to produce ejaculates of greater volume. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Computerized restoration of nonhomogeneous deformation of a fossil cranium based on bilateral symmetry
Authors: Ogihara Naomichi , Nakatsukasa Masato , Nakano Yoshihiko , Ishida Hidemi
Published: December 2005

We developed a computerized method of correcting plastic deformation of a fossil skull, based on bilateral symmetry with respect to the midsagittal plane, and applied this method to reconstruction of a fossilized Proconsul heseloni cranium (KNM‐RU‐7290A). A three‐dimensional (3D) model of the fossil was generated using consecutive cross‐sectional images retrieved from computed tomography. 3D coordinates of anatomical landmarks that should be located on the midsagittal plane and pairs of landmarks that should be symmetrical with respect to this plane were acquired. These landmarks were then repositioned so that geometrical constraints were satisfied, while translated distances of landmarks were minimized. We adopted a thin‐plate spline function to mathematically describe the 3D nonlinear volumetric transformation between acquired and repositioned landmarks. Using this function, the entire fossil shape was transformed, and the effect of reversing the deformation could be visualized. The results indicated that the proposed method was effective in eliminating nonhomogeneous deformation of the fossil skull. The antemortem appearance of the skull cannot be completely restored by this method alone, due to methodological limitations. However, the presented method has a role as an adjunct in complementing conventional restoration techniques on account of its objective nature. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2006. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Three‐dimensional fiber architecture of the nonpregnant human uterus determined ex vivo using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Weiss Stephan , Jaermann Thomas , Schmid Peter , Staempfli Philipp , Boesiger Peter , Niederer Peter , Caduff Rosmarie , Bajka Michael
Published: December 2005

The global muscle and collagen fiber orientation in the human uterus has been analyzed hitherto by various standard microscopic techniques. However, no widely accepted model of the fiber architecture of the myometrium could be acquired. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the uterus by magnetic resonance (MR) diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in a 3D macroscopic approach. Ex vivo MR DTI measurements were performed on five uteri from nonpregnant patients. The main diffusion directions reflecting the orientation of directional structures in the examined tissues were determined from diffusion‐weighted spin‐echo measurements. A fiber tracking algorithm was used to extrapolate the fiber architecture. The method was validated against histological slides and indirectly through the analysis of leiomyomas, which exhibit less anisotropy than normal myometrium. Significant anisotropy was found in most regions of all examined nonpregnant human uteri. But only two systems of fibers were found running circularly along the intramural part of the uterine tubes. They merged caudally and built a close fitting envelope of circular layers around the uterine cavity. On the cervix, circular fibers were observed in the outer part as well as mostly longitudinal fibers in the inner part. These results confirm the existence of directional structures in the complex fiber architecture of the human uterus. They also indicate that MR DTI is a beneficial and complementary tool to standard microscopic techniques to determine the intrinsic fiber architecture in human organs. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Very low mass stars in binaries: a theoretical look
Authors: Delgado‐Donate E. J. , Clarke C. J.
Published: December 2005

We have undertaken a series of hydrodynamic + N ‐body simulations in order to explore the binary properties of young stars. We find that multiple stars are a natural outcome of collapsing turbulent flows, with a high incidence of N > 2 multiples, specially among the higher mass objects. We find a positive correlation of multiplicity with primary mass and a companion frequency that decreases with age, during the first few Myr after formation. Binary brown dwarfs are rarely formed, in conflict with observations. Brown dwarfs as companions are predominantly found orbiting binaries or triples at large separations. The paucity of ultra low mass and low mass ratio binaries has been investigated further, and we tentatively conclude that their formation is intricately related to an appropriate selection of initial conditions and an accurate modelling of disc accretion and evolution. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
M dwarfs: planet formation and long term evolution
Authors: Adams F. C. , Bodenheimer P. , Laughlin G.
Published: December 2005

The first part of this paper discusses how planet formation proceeds in the disks orbiting M dwarf stars. These environments are different from those associated with solar‐type stars in several ways: The planet forming clock (set by orbits) runs slower, the disks are more prone to evaporation, the supply of raw material is lower, the snowline is closer in, and planetary systems are more easily disrupted. Because of these considerations, red dwarfs are less likely to harbor giant planets, but can readily produce smaller planets. The second part of this paper describes stellar evolution calculations for M dwarfs, which live far longer than the current age of the universe. These diminutive stellar objects remain convective over most of their lives, continue to burn hydrogen for trillions of years, and do not experience red giant phases in their old age. Instead, red dwarfs turn into blue dwarfs and finally white dwarfs. This work also shows (in part) why larger stars become red giants. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Spitzer discovery of very low luminosity objects
Authors: Kauffmann J. , Bertoldi F. , Evans N. J. , The c2d Collaboration
Published: December 2005

The Spitzer Space Telescope allows for the .rst time to search systematically for very low luminosity (≲0.1 L⊙) objects (VeLLOs) associated with dense molecular cores. They may be the .rst candidate Class 0 sources with sub‐stellar masses. We describe such a source in the dense molecular core L1148. VeLLO natal cores show properties that are unusual for star‐forming cores. The low luminosity and in some cases the lack of prominent out.ow could be the result of the small gas supply near the VeLLO. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Theoretical modelling of optical and IR spectra of brown dwarfs and ultracool dwarfs
Authors: Pavlenko Y. V.
Published: December 2005

The current state of theoretical modelling of the spectra of cool dwarfs and ultracool objects are discussed. Fits of synthetical spectral energy distributions (SEDs) in the optical and IR spectral regions to observed spectra show problems of theoretical modelling. Problems of interpretation of observed spectra are more obvious for the case of L and T dwarfs. Still even for late‐M dwarfs the situation is far from being perfect. Some examples of the .ne analysis of the spectra of ultracool dwarfs are presented. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Analysis of the conformational profile of trishomocubane amino acid dipeptide
Authors: Bisetty Krishna , Govender Penny , Kruger Hendrik G.
Published: December 2005

4‐Amino‐(D3)‐trishomocubane‐4‐carboxylic acid is a constrained α‐amino acid residue that exhibits promising conformational characteristics, i.e., helical and β‐turns. As part of the development of conformational guidelines for the design of peptides and protein surrogates, the conformational energy calculations on trishomocubane using molecular mechanics and ab initio methods are presented. The Cα carbon of trishomocubane forms part of the cyclic structure, and consequently a peptidic environment was simulated with an acetyl group on its N‐terminus and a methylamide group on its C‐terminus. Ramachandran maps computed at the molecular mechanics level using the standard AMBER (parm94) force field libraries compared reasonably well with the corresponding maps computed at the Hartree Fock level, using the 6‐31G* basis set. Trishomocubane peptide (Ac‐Tris‐NHMe) is characterized by four low energy conformers corresponding to the C7ax, C7eq, 310, and αL helical structures. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 81: 339–349, 2006

This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com