bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tomato pectin methylesterase: Modeling, fluorescence, and inhibitor interaction studies—comparison with the bacterial (Erwinia chrysanthemi) enzyme
Authors: D'Avino Rossana , Camardella Laura , Christensen Tove M.I.E. , Giovane Alfonso , Servillo Luigi
Published: November 2003

The molecular model of Lycopersicon esculentum (tomato) pectin methylesterase (PME) was built by using the X‐ray crystal structure of PME from the phytopathogenic bacterium Erwinia chrysanthemi as a template. The overall structure and the position of catalytically important residues (Asp132, Asp 153, and Arg 221, located at the bottom of the active site cleft) are conserved. Instead, loop regions forming the walls of the catalytic site are much shorter and form a less deep cleft, as already revealed by the carrot PME crystal structure. The protein inhibitor of pectin methylesterase (PMEI) isolated from kiwi fruit binds tomato PME with high affinity. Conversely, no complex formation between the inhibitor and PME from E. chrysanthemi is observed, and the activity of this enzyme is unaffected by the presence of the inhibitor. Fluorescence quenching experiments on tomato PME and on PME‐PMEI complex suggest that tryptophanyl residues present in the active site region are involved in the interaction and that the inhibitor interacts with plant PME at the level of the active site. We also suggest that the more open active site cleft of tomato PME allows the interaction with the inhibitor. Conversely, the narrow and deep cleft of the active site of E. chrysanthemi PME hinders this interaction. The pH‐dependent changes in fluorescence emission intensity observed in tomato PME could arise as the result of protonation of an Asp residue with unusually high pKa, thus supporting the hypothesis that Asp132 acts as acid/base in the catalytic cycle. Proteins 2003;53:000–000. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A reduced protein model with accurate native‐structure identification ability
Authors: Betancourt Marcos R.
Published: November 2003

A protein model that is simple enough to be used in protein‐folding simulations but accurate enough to identify a protein native fold is described. Its geometry consists of describing the residues by one, two, or three pseudoatoms, depending on the residue size. Its energy is given by a pairwise, knowledge‐based potential obtained for all the pseudoatoms as a function of their relative distance. The pseudoatomic potential is also a function of the primary chain separation and residue order. The model is tested by gapless threading on a large, representative set of known protein and decoy structures obtained from the “Decoys ‘R’ Us” database. It is also tested by threading on gapped decoys generated for proteins with many homologs. The gapless threading tests show near 98% native‐structure recognition as the lowest energy structure and almost 100% as one of the three lowest energy structures for over 2200 test proteins. In decoy threading tests, the model recognized the majority of the native structures. It is also able to recognize native structures among gapped decoys, in spite of close structural similarities. The results indicate that the pseudoatomic model has native recognition ability similar to comparable atomic‐based models but much better than equivalent residue‐based models. Proteins 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Sequences of alamethicins F30 and F50 reconsidered and reconciled
Authors: Kirschbaum Jochen , Krause Corina , Winzheimer Ruth K. , Brückner Hans
Published: November 2003

From the culture broth of the mould Trichoderma viride, strain NRRL 3199, a microheterogeneous mixture of the membrane active 20‐residue peptaibol alamethicin (ALM) could be isolated. ALMs were isolated by XAD‐2 column chromatography and separated by silica gel chromatography and trichloromethane/MeOH gradient elution into an acidic and neutral group of peptides, named ALM F30 and ALM F50, respectively, according to their 100 Rf on TLC. Peptides ALM F50 were separated by semi‐preparative and analytical HPLC and subjected to ESI‐MS. Ten sequences of ALM F30 and their relative quantities could be determined. The major peptides ALM F30/3 (46%) and ALM F30/7 (40%), distinguished by Aib/Ala exchange in position 6, correspond to sequences described as ALM I and II occurring in the original alamethicin from Upjohn Company. Analogously, 13 sequences of the neutral peptide mixture named ALM F50 could be determined. The major peptide ALM F50/5 (75%) and the minor peptide ALM F50/7 (10%) are distinguished from ALM F30/3 and ALM F30/7 by having Gln17 in place of Glu17, the latter occurring in the F30 group. Notably, currently commercially available alamethicins (Fluka, Sigma) represent microheterogeneous mixtures of the neutral ALM F50 peptides with trace amounts of acidic ALM F30 peptides. Copyright © 2003 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantum chemistry application to H‐bonded ferroelectrics via mean field theory involving proton correlation
Authors: Dolin S. P. , Levin A. A. , Mikhailova T. Yu. , Solin M. V. , Strokach N. S. , Kirillova N. I.
Published: November 2003

A problem of entirely theoretical evaluation of ferroelectric characteristics of H‐bonded crystals is considered based on the quantum chemical calculations of different levels. This consideration employs the Ising‐type pseudospin formalism and treats the “zero‐dimensional” TKHS family crystals M3(H/D)(AO4)2 as convenient examples. Ab initio and post‐Hartree–Fock schemes are applied to calculate the parameters of pseudospin Hamiltonians. The simple mean (molecular) field approximation (MFA) and Bethe clusters approach (BCA), which partly takes into account proton–proton (deuteron–deuteron) correlations, are compared. It is found that both mean field approximations describe the unusual low‐temperature ferroelectric behavior of the TKHS‐like materials qualitatively well. MFA overestimates significantly the critical temperature Tc of the structural phase transition paraelectric phase—antiferroelectric phase. The use of BCA provides the Tc value much closer to the experimental data. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004
THE MARTIAL SPIRIT: YAO SOLDIERS IN BRITISH SERVICE IN NYASALAND (MALAWI), 1895–1939
Authors: MARJOMAA RISTO
Published: November 2003

During the colonial period, the Yao formed the main source of recruits for the King's African Rifles Nyasaland (Malawi) battalions. Originally, the main reason for the large number of Yao volunteers was probably the simple fact that the recruitment office was near Yao areas. However, due to prevailing racial ideals the British colonial military interpreted this as a sign of a ‘martial spirit’. This led to active encouragement to enlist the Yao, which in turn made military service ever more attractive among this group. They became the ‘martial race’ of Nyasaland, a concept which continued to affect British recruitment policies until the Second World War.
INTERPRETING RUPTURE IN ORAL MEMORY: THE REGIONAL CONTEXT FOR CHANGES IN WESTERN SERENGETI AGE ORGANIZATION (1850–1895)
Authors: SHETLER JAN BENDER
Published: November 2003

This essay argues that the apparent discrepancies between oral tradition and other kinds of historical evidence in the western Serengeti, Tanzania, result from a rupture in time and space. As people were incorporated into a meta-ethnic region to the east dominated by the Maasai in the last half of the nineteenth century, they created new ways of calculating time and organizing space based on new kinds of age-sets. Within this larger context of widespread disasters the small, unconsolidated western Serengeti ethnic groups that we now know as Nata, Ikoma, Ishenyi and Ngoreme formed their identities. New generational and gender contests of power came into play as western Serengeti peoples responded creatively to the pressures of the late nineteenth century by mobilizing their own internal cultural resources.
Localisation of “unseen” visual stimuli: Blindsight in normal observers?
Authors: Schärli H. , Brugger P. , Regard M. , Mohr C. , Landis Th.
Published: November 2003

We developed two experiments on normal subjects to simulate “blindsight”, i.e., above chance localization performance of visual stimuli without phenomenal awareness. In both experiments, visual targets were presented on a computer screen at one of six possible locations, followed by a metacontrast mask. Subjects (1) indicated whether they had seen the target stimulus or not, and (2) guessed at which location the stimulus had been presented. Fifty percent were blank trials. We found that even when subjects did not acknowledge the presence of a stimulus, they nevertheless guessed its location with above chance accuracy. Apparent motion improved both detection and localization performance. Subjective confidence was related to stimulus presence and localisation performance. Thus, simulated blindsight appeared to be based on residual conscious awareness.
Informative intervention to improve normative functioning and output of groups
Authors: Crott H. W. , Hansmann R.
Published: November 2003

Formal probability models of group decision making imply that the normative influence of large opinion factions tends to have a negative impact on the quality of decisions in difficult tasks and a positive impact in easy tasks that many people solve correctly. Consequently, an informative intervention (INFO) was developed that advises group members to evaluate task difficulty and to react correspondingly to normative majority or plurality influence. In the study, groups of 5 persons had to solve 2 types of intellective tasks: knowledge questions and logic problems. Compared to control groups, group members in the INFO condition were less overconfident, and achieved more correct group decisions.
Basal topography and ice flow in the Bailey/Slessor region of East Antarctica
Authors: Rippin D. M. , Bamber J. L. , Siegert M. J. , Vaughan D. G. , Corr H. F. J.
Published: November 2003

An airborne radio‐echo sounding campaign carried out in the upper reaches of Bailey Ice Stream and Slessor Glacier, in Coats Land, East Antarctica, has revealed that tributaries of enhanced flow lie within well‐defined basal troughs and are separated from each other by bed highs. These new data indicate significant differences in ice thickness compared with those estimated in the Bedmap database. A numerical modeling study has revealed that driving stresses are high enough to account for flow by ice deformation alone in intertributary areas. Most flow in the enhanced flow tributaries of Slessor Glacier may also be explained by ice deformation alone. However, although ice deformation is also significant in the Bailey Ice Stream tributary, a large amount of basal motion is also required to fully explain flow velocities here. It is proposed that the trough in which Bailey tributary lies is sufficiently deep that marine sediments may have accumulated here in preglacial times. Along with water produced by geothermal heating, frictional heating, and through a reduction in the pressure melting point, basal motion may therefore be facilitated by the presence of a deformable, saturated till layer at the bed.
Impact of lowland forests in England on water resources: Application of the Hydrological Land Use Change (HYLUC) model
Authors: Calder Ian R. , Reid Ian , Nisbet Thomas R. , Green Julian C.
Published: November 2003

The U.K. Government's 1995 White Paper on Rural England [Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1995] proposed a doubling of the area of woodland within England by the year 2045. Questions were later raised concerning the possible impacts on water resources of such a large change in land use. This paper presents results of field study investigations of the water use of grass, heath, oak, and pine vegetation at Clipstone Forest, Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom, which were used to calibrate the water use model HYLUC and derive predictions of the impact of different vegetation types on recharge in this locality. Average annual recharge plus runoff (millimeters) over a 32.5 year period and the uncertainties due to spatial sampling, calculated with the HYLUC model, were 136 ± 11 for the grass site, 122 ± 3 for the heath site, 76 ± 5 for the oak site, and 34 ± 8 and 38 ± 3 for two pine sites. In this region of Britain the long‐term recharge beneath pine is approximately one quarter that under grass and essentially only occurs in years of above average rainfall. Oak woodland is also predicted to have a significant impact by reducing recharge plus runoff by almost one half as compared with grassland.
S100C/A11 is a key mediator of Ca2+-induced growth inhibition of human epidermal keratinocytes
Authors: Sakaguchi Masakiyo , Miyazaki Masahiro , Takaishi Mikiro , Sakaguchi Yoshihiko , Makino Eiichi , Kataoka Noriyuki , Yamada Hidenori , Namba Masayoshi , Huh Nam-ho
Published: November 2003

An increase in extracellular Ca2+ induces growth arrest and differentiation of human keratinocytes in culture. We examined possible involvement of S100C/A11 in this growth regulation. On exposure of the cells to high Ca2+, S100C/A11 was specifically phosphorylated at 10Thr and 94Ser. Phosphorylation facilitated the binding of S100C/A11 to nucleolin, resulting in nuclear translocation of S100C/A11. In nuclei, S100C/A11 liberated Sp1/3 from nucleolin. The resulting free Sp1/3 transcriptionally activated p21CIP1/WAF1, a representative negative regulator of cell growth. Introduction of anti-S100C/A11 antibody into the cells largely abolished the growth inhibition induced by Ca2+ and the induction of p21CIP1/WAF1. In the human epidermis, S100C/A11 was detected in nuclei of differentiating cells in the suprabasal layers, but not in nuclei of proliferating cells in the basal layer. These results indicate that S100C/A11 is a key mediator of the Ca2+-induced growth inhibition of human keratinocytes in culture, and that it may be possibly involved in the growth regulation in vivo as well.
Distinct Roles for the AAA ATPases NSF and p97 in the Secretory Pathway
Authors: Dalal Seema , Rosser Meredith F. N. , Cyr Douglas M. , Hanson Phyllis I.
Published: November 2003

NSF and p97 are related AAA proteins implicated in membrane trafficking and organelle biogenesis. p97 is also involved in pathways that lead to ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis, including ER-associated degradation (ERAD). In this study, we have used dominant interfering ATP-hydrolysis deficient mutants (NSF(E329Q) and p97(E578Q)) to compare the function of these AAA proteins in the secretory pathway of mammalian cells. Expressing NSF(E329Q) promotes disassembly of Golgi stacks into dispersed vesicular structures. It also rapidly inhibits glycosaminoglycan sulfation, reflecting disruption of intra-Golgi transport. In contrast, expressing p97(E578Q) does not affect Golgi structure or function; glycosaminoglycans are normally sulfated and secreted, as is the VSV-G ts045 protein. Instead, expression of p97(E578Q) causes ubiquitinated proteins to accumulate on ER membranes and slows degradation of the ERAD substrate cystic-fibrosis transmembrane-conductance regulator. In addition, expression of p97(E578Q) eventually causes the ER to swell. More specific assessment of effects of p97(E578Q) on organelle assembly shows that the Golgi apparatus disperses and reassembles normally after treatment with brefeldin A and during mitosis. These findings demonstrate that ATP-hydrolysis-dependent activities of NSF and p97 in the cell are not equivalent and suggest that only NSF is directly involved in regulating membrane fusion.
Transcriptional Activation of a Constitutive Heterochromatic Domain of the Human Genome in Response to Heat Shock
Authors: Rizzi Nicoletta , Denegri Marco , Chiodi Ilaria , Corioni Margherita , Valgardsdottir Rut , Cobianchi Fabio , Riva Silvano , Biamonti Giuseppe
Published: November 2003

Heat shock triggers the assembly of nuclear stress bodies that contain heat shock factor 1 and a subset of RNA processing factors. These structures are formed on the pericentromeric heterochromatic regions of specific human chromosomes, among which chromosome 9. In this article we show that these heterochromatic domains are characterized by an epigenetic status typical of euchromatic regions. Similarly to transcriptionally competent portions of the genome, stress bodies are, in fact, enriched in acetylated histone H4. Acetylation peaks at 6 h of recovery from heat shock. Moreover, heterochromatin markers, such as HP1 and histone H3 methylated on lysine 9, are excluded from these nuclear districts. In addition, heat shock triggers the transient accumulation of RNA molecules, heterogeneous in size, containing the subclass of satellite III sequences found in the pericentromeric heterochromatin of chromosome 9. This is the first report of a transcriptional activation of a constitutive heterochromatic portion of the genome in response to stress stimuli.
Sleep Disturbance After Burn Injury
Authors: Boeve S. A. , Aaron L. A. , Martin-Herz S. P. , Peterson A. , Cain V. , Heimbach D. M. , Patterson D. R.
Published: November 2003

This study describes sleep disturbance and related factors in a group of 74 patients at 1 week after discharge using a sleep problems questionnaire developed by the authors. Results indicated that a significant proportion of patients reported a problem with their sleep (73%). Several items were identified as highly prevalent, including frequent nighttime awakenings (87%), napping during the daytime (65%), sleeping alone (64%), experiencing pain during the night (62%), and difficulties with sleep onset (62%). Results suggest numerous possible interventions to improve patients' sleep quality. The usefulness of a more extensive questionnaire was also indicated.
Educational Preparedness for Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists in Burn Care
Authors: Keller C. , Ward R. S.
Published: November 2003

The background of physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT) students in burn care training may be variable during their professional education. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether professional programs in PT and OT are meeting the burn care educational needs of their students. PTs and OTs currently practicing in burn care were asked to give their opinion of the most important curricular topics related to burn care, report their perception of their own entry-level preparedness for burn care, recount therapy interns preparation for burn care internships, and recommend topics that should be included in a therapy program burn care curriculum. Therapists felt prepared in basic sciences and somewhat prepared in specific burn care practice topics. Study participants felt more prepared for burn practice if they completed an internship in burn care. Enhancing content on burn-related treatment interventions was the most common suggestion for curricular revision.
Differentiation and Barrier Formation of a Cultured Composite Skin Graft
Authors: Gragnani A. , Morgan J. R. , Ferreira L. M.
Published: November 2003

The differentiation and barrier formation of cultured composite skin grafts (CSGs) were assessed by histology and measurements of surface electrical capacitance (SEC) in vitro and in vivo. Keratinocytes cultured on the surface of acellular dermis were lifted to the air-liquid interface and analyzed for 30 days in vitro. Initially, SEC measurements of CSGs (n = 11) were high but quickly dropped between days 4 and 6 and remained steady for 30 days, indicating barrier formation by the epidermis. Histology of the CSGs (n = 6) demonstrated stratification of the epidermal cells and partial formation of the stratum corneum by day 3 that was complete by day 7. CSGs (n = 5) were transplanted to athymic mice, where they formed a stratified and differentiated epidermis. SEC measurements of CSGs remained low after transplant, suggesting that exposure to the air-liquid interface improved the maturation of CSGs in vitro prior to transplant.
Burn Centers Should Be Involved in Prevention of Occupational Electrical Injuries
Authors: Brandt Mary-Margaret , McReynolds Michael C. , Ahrns Karla S. , Wahl Wendy L.
Published: November 2003

Electrical injuries are uncommon, comprising 10% of our regional burn center admissions during a 9-year period. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, type, and location of occupation-related electrical injuries in an attempt to focus our injury prevention and outreach efforts. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with electrical injuries admitted to our burn center from January 1992 through March 2000, with focused analysis on those patients admitted with occupation-related electrical injuries. Of the 95 patients admitted for electrical burns, 81% (n = 77) were occupational injuries. This rate of injury suggests that prevention efforts should be directed at work sites and partnerships should be developed between burn centers and businesses to reduce the incidence of injuries.
Treatment of the Exposed Achilles Tendon Using Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: A Case Report
Authors: Heugel Judson R. , Parks Kare Sias , Christie Sara S. , Pulito Joseph F. , Zegzula Daniel H. , Kemalyan Nathan A.
Published: November 2003

Exposed tendons after burn injury create a surgical challenge for the treating physician. This is particularly true with regard to the exposed Achilles tendon. This case report reviews the nature of this challenge and traditional solutions, and describes the use of negative pressure wound therapy to facilitate coverage of the Achilles tendon. This therapy may provide a more appropriate therapeutic option for dealing with tendon exposure after severe burns.
The Development, Validation, and Testing of a Health Outcomes Burn Questionnaire for Infants and Children 5 years of Age and Younger: American Burn Association/Shriners Hospitals for Children
Authors: Kazis Lewis E. , Liang Matthew H. , Lee Austin , Ren Xinhua S. , Phillips Charlotte B. , Hinson Michelle , Calvert Catherine , Cullen Marc , Beth Daugherty Mary , Goodwin Cleon W. , Jenkins Marilyn , McCauley Robert L. , Meyer Walter J. , Palmieri Tina , Pidcock Frank , Reilly Debra , Warden Glenn , Wood David , Tompkins Ronald
Published: November 2003

The 12-member American Burn Association/Shriners Hospitals for Children Outcomes Task Force was charged with developing a health outcomes questionnaire for use in children 5 years of age and younger that was clinically based and valid. A 55-item form was tested using a cross-sectional design on the basis of a range of 184 infants and children between 0 and 5 years of age at 8 burn centers, nationally. A total of 131 subjects completed a follow-up health outcomes questionnaire 6 months after the baseline assessment. A comparison group of 285 normal nonburn children was also obtained. Internal consistency reliability of the scales ranged from 0.74 to 0.94. Tests of clinical validity were significant in the hypothesized direction for the majority of scales for length of hospital stay, duration since the burn, percent of body surface area burned, overall clinician assessment of severity of burn injury, and number of comorbidities. The criterion validity of the instrument was supported using the Child Developmental Inventories for Burn Children in early childhood and preschool stages of development comparing normal vs abnormal children. The instrument was sensitive to changes over time following a clinical course observed by physicians in practice. The Health Outcomes Burn Questionnaire for Infants and Children 5 years of age and younger is a clinically based reliable and valid assessment tool that is sensitive to change over time for assessing burn outcomes in this age group.
Use of an Improved Watusi Collar to Manage Pediatric Neck Burn Contractures
Authors: Hurlin Foley K. , Doyle B. , Paradise P. , Parry I. , Palmieri T. , Greenhalgh D. G.
Published: November 2003

Burns to the neck present a serious challenge to the pediatric burn team. Even when full neck range of motion is maintained, scarring may lead to banding and a loss of the neck's natural contour. Conventional thermoplastic neck conformers have been used to maintain neck position and provide pressure to maturing scars, but they are rigid and limit functional mobility. This is of particular concern in the pediatric population where limiting neck mobility can disrupt the development of sensory and motor patterns that are essential to normal developmental progression. The Multi-Ring Watusi collar is a flexible neck orthosis that allows mobility and provides circumferential pressure to the neck. We modified this collar to improve its comfort, cosmetic appearance and ease in donning/doffing. The improved Watusi collar is a flexible splint that supports neck position, provides circumferential pressure, and allows for functional neck mobility.
Serious Occupational Burn Injuries Treated at a Regional Burn Center
Authors: Taylor Allison J. , McGwin Gerald , Cross James M. , Smith Donald R. , Birmingham Barbara R. , Rue Loring W.
Published: November 2003

This article will present the epidemiology of occupational burn injuries among patients admitted to a regional burn center. Patients admitted to University of Alabama at Birmingham University Hospital Burn Center between November 1994 and December 1999 for occupational burn injuries were studied. Descriptive statistics were generated for demographic, clinical, and outcome characteristics. Approximately one-quarter of all burn center admissions had sustained occupational burn injuries. The most common burns were flame, electrical, and scald burns. The most heavily represented occupations were “manufacturing” (19.1%), “electrician” (16.2%), and “laborer” (16.2%). Burn type varied with occupation. Over $16 million in hospital charges was accrued by patients sustaining occupational burn injuries. Understanding the epidemiology of serious burn injuries in the workplace is crucial to directing prevention efforts toward worker groups at highest risk.
Differential Effects of Two Different Routes of Immunization on Protection Against Gram-Negative Sepsis by a Detoxified Escherichia coli J5 Lipopolysaccharide Group B Meningococcal Outer Membrane Protein Complex Vaccine in a Burned Mouse Model
Authors: Neely Alice N. , Bhattacharjee Apurba K. , Babcock George F. , Holder Ian A. , Cross Alan S.
Published: November 2003

Gram-negative sepsis causes morbidity and mortality in burned patients. To determine whether immunization with core endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide) via one of two routes could protect burned mice from septic death, mice were immunized either three times subcutaneously (SC) or one time intramuscularly (IM) then two times intraperitoneally (IP) with a core-lipopolysaccharide vaccine. Control mice were immunized with either saline or an irrelevant antigen. Postimmunization, mice were immunocompromised with a 15% TBSA flame burn and challenged subeschar with Klebsiella pneumoniae or Escherichia coli. Vaccine immunization improved the survival of both E. coli- and K. pneumoniae- challenged mice when given SC but not when given IM, IP. Postimmunization, total immunoglobulin titers were elevated over preimmune titers, but titers in IM, IP-immunized mice were higher than those in SC-immunized mice. Both isotyping and flow cytometry studies indicated that sera from mice immunized via IM, IP opsonized better than sera from mice immunized via SC. Hence, this vaccine provided route-specific protection of burned mice against gram-negative sepsis; its mechanism of action was not solely dependent upon increased immunoglobulin titers or phagocytosis.
National Analgesia Prescribing Patterns in Emergency Department Patients With Burns
Authors: Singer A. J. , Thode H. C.
Published: November 2003

Previous studies suggest that many patients with burns receive inadequate analgesia. A secondary analysis of the 1992 to 1999 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (a national, weighted sample of emergency department [ED] encounters) was performed to estimate national analgesia prescribing patterns in ED patients with burns. In 1999, there were 21,103 patient encounters sampled from 376 EDs, resulting in an estimated 102.8 million ED visits in 1999. One hundred thirty-eight patients in the sample (0.7%) had burns for an estimated 827,000 annual burns. Patient mean age was 28 years. Forty-three percent were female, 25% were children under 18 years of age, and 81% were white. Pain assessments were performed in about half of the patients, and only half of the patients received analgesics. Analgesia administration did not differ by year, sex, age, race, ethnicity, geographic location, or insurance payment type, yet it was more likely with increased pain. We conclude that many patients with burns do not have documentation of pain assessment or analgesia administration while in the ED.
The Utility of D-Dimer Levels in Screening for Thromboembolic Complications in Burn Patients
Authors: Wahl Wendy L. , Brandt Mary-Margaret , Ahrns Karla , Corpron Cynthia A. , Franklin Glen A.
Published: November 2003

Recent studies confirm that thromboembolic complications in burn patients are higher than previously reported. Swelling, pain, and erythema are not useful indicators of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in burned extremities. We propose that D-dimer levels may be useful in determining which patients would benefit from further screening for DVT. Thirty adult hospitalized burn patients were screened for DVT with duplex ultrasound on admission and then weekly until discharge. D-dimer levels were measured at the same intervals. Seven patients developed 11 cases of DVT. The mean time to DVT diagnosis was 6.7 days. D-dimer levels were elevated in 86% of DVT patients at week 1, with a negative predictive value of 94%. The evaluation of elevated D-dimer levels at week 1 may be a useful screening tool for detecting DVT in the burn population.
Playing with Fire: Images of Fire on Toy Packaging
Authors: Curri Terese B. , Palmieri Tina L. , Aoki Traci H. , Kaulkin Camille K. , Lunn Melen E. , Gregory Catherine M. , Greenhalgh David G.
Published: November 2003

Despite prevention efforts designed to teach children that fire is not a toy, each year hundreds of children, primarily male, are injured while playing with fire. Mass-produced toys and games shape children's behaviors, and the fire images on toy packaging may send the message that fire is fun rather than dangerous. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of male fire-related injuries at our burn center and to investigate the use of fire images in toy packaging. An aisle-by-aisle search was conducted at a national toy store. Toys with fire images on their packaging were identified. Target gender and the setting in which the fire was displayed also were recorded. Only toys with clearly visible flames on their packaging were included. We reviewed our TRACS database from April 1997 to May 1999 for fire-related injuries to children admitted to our institution as a result of playing with fire. Review of toy stores revealed 404 toys with packaging containing fire images. Of these, 97% (393 of 404) were targeted to males. Video games were the leading category of flame-related packaging (208 of 404), followed by toy car/truck displays (84 of 404). Packaging for girls' toys had safe and contained settings, whereas boys' toys used settings that were uncontrolled and associated with speed and weapons. A total of 59 children, 52 males and 7 females, with a mean age of 10 ± 0.6 years and mean TBSA burn of 12.3 ± 2.1% were admitted to our facility with fire-related injuries during the study interval. Children imitate life with toys and use play to experiment with new behavior. Boys are receiving a powerful, consistent message from images of fire on toy packaging. These advertisements may help to contribute to the higher incidence of fire-related injuries in boys.
Transcardiopulmonary Thermal Dye Versus Single Thermodilution Methods for Assessment of Intrathoracic Blood Volume and Extravascular Lung Water in Major Burn Resuscitation
Authors: Küntscher Markus V. , Czermak Christoph , Blome–Eberwein Sigrid , Dacho Andreas , Germann Günter
Published: November 2003

The purpose of this study was to compare the approximated values for intrathoracic blood volume (ITBV) and extravascular lung water (EVLW) obtained from a single indicator dilution to the exact data measured by double-indicator dilution. Eighteen patients with an average TBSA of 46.3% (range, 26 to 67%) and an average abbreviated burn severity index of 8.7 (range, 7 to 11) were included into a intraindividual comparative prospective study over a 20-month period. The COLD Z-021 system (Pulsion® Medical Systems, Munich, Germany) was used to obtain both the exact measurements, as well as the estimated values for ITBV and EVLW. Two hundred ninety intraindividually comparative measurements were performed during the first 4 days after the burn injury. A good correlation between both techniques was shown for ITBVI (0.77;P < .01) for the overall measurements. However, the overall bias demonstrated a standard deviation higher than the mean value (−87.4 ± 136 ml/m2), and precision for the estimated values for ITBVI was poor (−491 to 783 ml/m2). Additional analyses demonstrated a poor but significant correlation for low states of ITBV (r = .37;P < .01), but no significant correlations were found between the techniques for normal and high ITBV states. Thus, the approximated ITBV obtained from single thermodilution should not be used to guide volume therapy in major burn resuscitation. Furthermore, the EVLW is neither suitable for diagnostic use nor for therapeutic decisions because it is calculated on the basis of the poorly estimated values for ITBV in single thermodilution. Transcardiopulmonary single thermodilution is not suitable to assess intrathoracic blood volume and extravascular lung water in burn shock. However, the method is suitable to assess cardiac output and its derived parameters in burn resuscitation as shown in previous studies. It still must be proven whether the exactly measured ITBV obtained from transcardiopulmonary double-indicator dilution is superior to the commonly used parameters to guide major burn resuscitation.
Four-Year Review of Burns as an Etiologic Factor in the Development of Long Bone Fractures in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Mayes Theresa , Gottschlich Michele , Scanlon Jennifer , Warden Glenn D.
Published: November 2003

Reduced bone density has been documented in children after burns. This loss of bone may place children at heightened risk for fractures. The medical records of all acutely injured patients with burns in excess of 40% TBSA burn admitted to our institution between January 1, 1997, through December 31, 2000, were reviewed for fracture incidence. Patients with fractures sustained during the course of initial trauma were not included in the review. One hundred four records were reviewed. These patients had a mean age of 6.7 ± 0.51 years, (range, 0.2 to 18.0) and a mean %TBSA burn of 59.9 ± 1.60 (range, 40 to 98) with a mean full-thickness %burn of 51.7 ± 2.16 (range, 0 to 95). Fifteen long bone fractures were documented in six patients during the review time frame. All fractures were initially suspected by physical therapy personnel upon regularly scheduled therapy sessions and subsequently verified by x-ray. All fractures identified by this review occurred in children less than 3 years of age. Most fractures were noted during the rehabilitation phase of injury (range, 73 to 283 days after burn) once wounds were more than 95% healed, except for one child, who sustained multiple fractures during the acute recovery phase at a referring hospital. A 5.8% incidence of fractures was noted in patients with burns in excess of 40% (6 of 104 admissions). The etiology of the fractures is unknown, although the hormonal milieu postburn, depressed vitamin D status, inadequate protein intake, and decreased weight-bearing activity are potential contributory factors. In addition, infants and toddlers tend to provide more resistance to therapy because of an inherent lack of cognition. This may account for the increased breaks in this population.
The Methamphetamine Burn Patient
Authors: Warner P. , Connolly J. P. , Gibran N. S. , Heimbach D. M. , Engrav L. H.
Published: November 2003

Early aggressive fluid resuscitation has significantly decreased the morbidity and mortality associated with volume losses from large burns. Although most patients are adequately resuscitated using the Parkland formula, we noted increased fluid requirements for shock resuscitation in patients involved in methamphetamine laboratory explosions. Because predominant users are young healthy individuals in their 20s and 30s, we had not anticipated burn shock resuscitation failures in this patient group. We reviewed our experience with burn patients with documented methamphetamine use to determine whether this patient group presents new dilemmas to the burn surgeon. A 2-year retrospective study of 30 patients (15 methamphetamine users, 15 controls) revealed that the methamphetamine burn patient requires two to three times the standard Parkland formula resuscitation. In this study, methamphetamine burns larger than 40% TBSA had a 100% mortality.
A Double-Blind Study of the Analgesic Efficacy of Oral Transmucosal Fentanyl Citrate and Oral Morphine in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Burn Dressing Change and Tubbing
Authors: Robert Rhonda , Brack Amanda , Blakeney Patricia , Villarreal Cynthia , Rosenberg Laura , Thomas Christopher , Meyer Walter J.
Published: November 2003

Burn wound care is extremely painful. The pain leads to added anxiety and therefore a distressing treatment that can negatively impact healing. Pain and anxiety management with oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate was compared with this institution's standard procedural pain medication, morphine. With a double-blinded, reverse crossover, time-randomized, and placebo-controlled design, the efficacy of morphine and fentanyl citrate was assessed with patients undergoing two consecutive days of tubbing. Pain and anxiety was assessed before, during, and after the tubbing procedure using the Faces Pain Rating Scale (Whaley and Wong, 1987) and the Fear Thermometer (Silverman and Kurtines, 1996). Data were analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance. Pain and anxiety appeared better managed with fentanyl citrate. Generalization is limited by small sample size, yet findings warrant additional investigation.
The Safety of Adding Bupivacaine to the Subcutaneous Infiltration Solution Used for Donor Site Harvest
Authors: Fischer C. G. , Lloyd S. , Kopcha R. , Warden G. D. , McCall J. E.
Published: November 2003

Pain is a major problem for patients with burns. Donor sites are a significant source of this pain. In this investigation we hypothesized that bupivacaine infiltration of the donor site before skin harvest would prove to be a safe technique as determined by the measurement of blood levels of bupivacaine at various time intervals after infiltration. Fourteen patients were enrolled and studied. Average age was 14.3 ± 3.1 years, weight was 43.1 ± 9.1 kg, and donor site size was 6.3 ± 2.0% TBSA. Mean dose of bupivacaine infused was 1.86 ± 0.21 mg/kg. Maximum mean bupivacaine blood level was 0.39 ± 0.09 μg/ml. The highest level measured in any one patient was 1.2 μg/ml; 4.0 μg/ml is considered to be the safe upper limit in children. Time to maximum blood level was 8.9 ± 1.7 hours after infusion. Twelve of the 14 patients had measurable blood levels of bupivacaine at 24 hours after infusion. The maximum bupivacaine level was found to correlate significantly with both the mg/kg of bupivacaine infused (r = .60, P = .04) and the donor site size (r = 0.81, P = 0.002). Bupivacaine at a dose of slightly less than 1.9 mg/kg added to donor site infiltration solution is safe, as demonstrated by low blood levels and the absence of clinical signs of toxicity.
Correlation of Bronchoalveolar Lavage with Radiographic Evidence of Pneumonia in Thermally Injured Children
Authors: Ramzy Peter I. , Jeschke Marc G. , Wolf Steven E. , Swischuk Lennard , Heggers John P. , Herndon David N.
Published: November 2003

The diagnosis of pneumonia in the critically ill patient is very difficult because the usual signs and symptoms are unreliable in the intensive care setting. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a diagnostic tool with a reported sensitivity of 70%. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and specificity of BAL in severely burned pediatric patients. An analysis was performed in which BAL cultures were compared and correlated to chest radiographs. Patient characteristics, such as age, sex, burn size, depth of burn, and the presence of inhalation injury were evaluated. Over a period of 18 months, 58 thermally injured children were identified who underwent 101 BALs. The mean age was 6.5 ± 5 years, mean TBSA was 39 ± 27%, and inhalation injury was diagnosed in 20 patients (35%). Of 101 BALs, 48 were positive, and of the 101 chest radiographs, 20 demonstrated signs of pneumonia. Ten of those were associated with a positive BAL and 10 with a negative BAL. Thus, the positive predictive value of BAL was 21%, whereas the negative predictive value was 81%. Interestingly 80% of patients with tracheobronchitis from inhalation injury demonstrated a positive BAL. We conclude that in pediatric burn patients BAL correlates poorly with radiographic signs of pneumonia.
Planning and policy issues in academic libraries in Tanzania
Authors: Nawe Julita
Published: November 2003

This paper highlights factors that influence planning in academic libraries. It highlights institutional politics, inadequate planning skills and financial constraints as major challenges. Recent global developments have necessitated strategic planning. Strategic planning by its nature requires the involvement of stakeholders. Involvement of stakeholders provides opportunities for libraries to have constant contact with stakeholders for forming required alliances for mutual benefits. The paper discusses the processes involved in drawing up a Five Year Rolling Strategic Plan at the University of Dar es Salaam and highlights the achievements of the Institutional Transformation Programme at both the University of Dar es Salaam level and the Library. It concludes by recommending the need for taking a more holistic approach in dealing with partnership issues.
Vasopressin‐induced taurine efflux from rat pituicytes: a potential negative feedback for hormone secretion
Authors: Rosso Lia , Peteri‐Brunbäck Brigitta , Poujeol Philippe , Hussy Nicolas , Mienville Jean‐Marc
Published: November 2003

Previous work on the whole neurohypophysis has shown that hypotonic conditions increase release of taurine from neurohypophysial astrocytes (pituicytes). The present work confirms that taurine is present in cultured pituicytes, and that its specific release increases in response to a hypotonic shock. We next show that vasopressin (VP) and oxytocin (OT) also specifically release taurine from pituicytes. With an EC50 of ∼2 nm, VP is much more potent than OT, and the effects of both hormones are blocked by SR 49059, a V1a receptor antagonist. This pharmacological profile matches the one for VP‐ and OT‐evoked calcium signals in pituicytes, consistent with the fact that VP‐induced taurine efflux is blocked by BAPTA‐AM. However, BAPTA‐AM also blocks the taurine efflux induced by a 270 mosmol l−1 challenge, which per se does not evoke any calcium signal, suggesting a permissive role for calcium in this case. Nevertheless, the fact that structurally unrelated calcium‐mobilizing agents and ionomycin are able to induce taurine efflux suggests that calcium may also play a signalling role in this event. It is widely accepted that in hypotonic conditions taurine exits cells through anionic channels. Antagonism by the chloride channel inhibitors 4,4′‐diisothiocyanatostilbene‐2,2′‐disulphonic acid (DIDS) and 5‐nitro‐2‐(3‐phenylpropylamino)‐benzoic acid (NPPB) suggests the same pathway for VP‐induced taurine efflux, which is also blocked in hypertonic conditions (330 mosmol l−1). Moreover, it is likely that the osmosensitivity of the taurine channel is up‐regulated by calcium. These results, together with our in situ experiments showing stimulation of taurine release by endogenous VP, strengthen the concept of a glial control of neurohormone output.
β2‐Agonist administration reverses muscle wasting and improves muscle function in aged rats
Authors: Ryall James G. , Plant David R. , Gregorevic Paul , Sillence Martin N. , Lynch Gordon S.
Published: November 2003

The β2‐adrenoceptor agonist (β2‐agonist) fenoterol has potent anabolic effects on rat skeletal muscle. We conducted an extensive dose–response study to determine the most efficacious dose of fenoterol for increasing skeletal muscle mass in adult rats and used this dose in testing the hypothesis that fenoterol may have therapeutic potential for ameliorating age‐related muscle wasting and weakness. We used adult (16‐month‐old) rats that had completed their growth and development, and old (28‐month‐old) rats that exhibited characteristic muscle wasting and weakness, and treated them daily with either fenoterol (1.4 mg kg−1, i.p), or saline vehicle, for 4 weeks. Following treatment, functional characteristics of fast‐twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and predominantly slow‐twitch soleus muscles of the hindlimb were assessed in vitro. Untreated old rats exhibited a loss of skeletal muscle mass and a decrease in force‐producing capacity, in both fast and slow muscles, compared with adult rats (P < 0.05). However, there was no age‐associated decrease in skeletal muscle β‐adrenoceptor density, nor was the muscle response to chronic β‐agonist stimulation reduced with age. Thus, muscle mass and force‐producing capacity of EDL and soleus muscles from old rats treated with fenoterol was equivalent to, or greater than, untreated adult rats. The increase in mass and strength was attributed to a non‐selective increase in the cross‐sectional area of all muscle fibre types, in both the EDL and soleus. Fenoterol treatment caused a small increase in fatiguability due to a decrease in oxidative metabolism in both EDL and soleus muscles, with some cardiac hypertrophy. Further studies are needed to fully separate the desirable effects on skeletal muscle and the undesirable effects on the heart. Nevertheless, our results demonstrate that fenoterol is a powerful anabolic agent that can restore muscle mass and strength in old rats, and provide preliminary evidence of therapeutic potential for age‐related muscle wasting and weakness.
Constitutive nitric oxide production in bovine aortic and brain microvascular endothelial cells: a comparative study
Authors: Kimura Chiwaka , Oike Masahiro , Ohnaka Keizo , Nose Yoshiaki , Ito Yushi
Published: November 2003

Vascular endothelium constitutively generates nitric oxide (NO) in large vessels and induces a relaxation of smooth muscle cells. However, little is known about the production of NO in microvessels, where smooth muscle layers are thin or absent. In this study, we have compared the constitutive production of NO in bovine brain microvascular endothelial cells (BBECs) with that in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs). ATP, acetylcholine (ACh) and A23187 induced Ca2+ transients both in BBECs and BAECs. In contrast, although ATP and A23187 evoked a similar degree of [Ca2+]i increase in both types of cell, they failed to induce NO production in BBECs, as measured with an NO‐sensitive fluorescent dye DAF‐2, whereas in BAECs there was an increase in DAF‐2 fluorescence. Hypotonic stress induced ATP release and subsequent NO production in BAECs, but not in BBECs. We have developed an in vitro model vessel system that consists of aortic smooth muscle cells embedded in a collagen gel lattice and overlaid with endothelial cells. Precontracted gels showed relaxation in response to ACh, when BAECs were overlaid. However, ACh‐induced relaxation was not observed in BBEC‐overlaid gels. Expression of eNOS protein as well as cellular uptake of l‐[3H]arginine were significantly lower in BBECs than in BAECs. These results indicate that Ca2+‐dependent NO production is at an undetectable level in BBEC, for which at least two factors, i.e. low levels of eNOS expression and l‐arginine uptake, are responsible.