bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The occurrence of two types of hemopexin-like protein in medaka and differences in their affinity to heme
Authors: Hirayama Makoto , Kobiyama Atsushi , Kinoshita Shigeharu , Watabe Shugo
Published: March 2004

Full-length cDNA clones encoding two types of hemopexin-like protein,mWap65-1 and mWap65-2, were isolated from the HNI inbred line of medaka Oryzias latipes. The deduced amino acid sequence of mWap65-2 resembled mammalian hemopexins more closely than that of mWap65-1. Histidine residues required for the high affinity of hemopexins for hemes were conserved in mWap65-2, but not in mWap65-1. Surprisingly, mWap65-1, but not mWap65-2,showed heme-binding ability as revealed by hemin–agarose affinity chromatography, even though mWap65-1 lacked the essential histidine residues. Furthermore, RT-PCR analysis of different tissues demonstrated that the transcripts of mWap65-2 were restricted to liver, whereas those of mWap65-1 were found in various tissues including liver, eye, heart and brain. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that transcripts of mWap65-2were expressed earlier than those of mWap65-1 during ontogeny. However, the accumulated mRNA levels of both mWap65-1 and mWap65-2 did not differ significantly in fish acclimated to either 10°C or 30°C for 5 weeks. These characteristics suggest that the two proteins have different physiological functions and that mWap65-2 is not a hemopexin.
Structure–function analysis of the cysteine string protein inDrosophila: cysteine string, linker and C terminus
Authors: Arnold Christine , Reisch Natascha , Leibold Christian , Becker Sonja , Prüfert Kristina , Sautter Kerstin , Palm Dieter , Jatzke Susanne , Buchner Sigrid , Buchner Erich
Published: March 2004

Cysteine string proteins (CSPs) are conserved secretory vesicle proteins involved in regulating neurotransmitter and peptide release. While the function of the J-domain has been studied in detail, little is known about other conserved regions. We have constructed mutant genes coding for proteins with modified cysteine string, linker region or C terminus and transformed them into Csp null-mutant Drosophila. In the living animal,mutated CSP lacking all cysteines fails to associate with membranes, does not concentrate in synaptic terminals, and cannot rescue adult temperature-sensitive paralysis and short life span, both prominent null mutant phenotypes. A mutant protein with 5 instead of 11 string cysteines appears to be normally targeted but cannot rescue paralysis at 37°C. We propose that the cysteine string, in addition to its role in targeting, may be essential for a function of CSP that is dependent on the number of cysteines in the string. A deletion in the linker region or the C terminus does not affect CSP targeting, and function in adults is only marginally impaired.
Effect of serotonin on ciliary beating and intracellular calcium concentration in identified populations of embryonic ciliary cells
Authors: Doran Shandra A. , Koss Ron , Tran Cam Ha , Christopher Kimberly J. , Gallin Warren J. , Goldberg Jeffrey I.
Published: March 2004

Embryos of the pond snail Helisoma trivolvis express three known subtypes of ciliary cells on the surface of the embryo early in development:pedal, dorsolateral and scattered single ciliary cells (SSCCs). The pedal and dorsolateral ciliary cells are innervated by a pair of serotonergic sensory-motor neurons and are responsible for generating the earliest whole-animal behavior, rotation within the egg capsule. Previous cell culture studies on unidentified ciliary cells revealed that serotonin(5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) produces a significant increase in the ciliary beat frequency (CBF) in a large proportion of ciliary cells. Both Ca2+ influx and a unique isoform of protein kinase C (PKC) were implicated in the signal transduction pathway underlying the cilio-excitatory response to 5-HT. The goal of the present study was to characterize the anatomical and physiological differences between the three known populations of superficial ciliary cells. The pedal and dorsolateral ciliary cells shared common structural characteristics, including flat morphology, dense cilia and lateral accessory ciliary rootlets. By contrast, the SSCCs had a cuboidal morphology, reduced number of cilia, increased ciliary length and absence of lateral accessory rootlets. In cultures containing unidentified ciliary cells,the calcium/calmodulin-dependent enzyme inhibitor calmidazolium (2 μmol l–1) blocked the stimulatory effect of 5-HT (100 μmol l–1) on CBF. In addition, 50% of unidentified cultured cells responded to 5-HT (100 μmol l–1) with an increase in[Ca2+]i. To facilitate the functional analyses of the individual populations, we developed a method to culture identified ciliary subtypes and characterized their ciliary and calcium responses to 5-HT. In cultures containing either pedal or dorsolateral ciliary cells, 5-HT (100μmol l–1) produced a rapid increase in CBF and a slower increase in [Ca2+]i in all cells examined. By contrast,the CBF and [Ca2+]i of SSCCs were not affected by 100μmol l–1 5-HT. Immunohistochemistry for two putative 5-HT receptors recently cloned from Helisoma revealed that pedal and dorsolateral ciliary cells consistently express the 5-HT1Helprotein. Intense 5-HT7Hel immunoreactivity was observed in only a subset of pedal and dorsolateral ciliary cells. Cells neighboring the SSCCs,but not the ciliary cells themselves, expressed 5-HT1Hel and 5-HT7Hel immunoreactivity. These data suggest that the pedal and dorsolateral ciliary cells, but not the SSCCs are a homogeneous physiological subtype that will be useful for elucidating the signal transduction mechanisms underlying 5-HT induced cilio-excitation.
Renal stone analysis: why and how?
Authors: Kasidas G P , Samuell C T , Weir T B
Published: March 2004

Upper urinary tract stone disease is widespread in the developed world. On both clinical and economic grounds it is now accepted that evidence-based medical intervention is the only approach likely to make a significant impact on the incidence, and more importantly, the recurrence rates of this disease.

Targeted medical prophylaxis requires reliable information on stone type which, when combined with relevant blood and urine analyses, allows identification of treatable risk factors. Data from an external quality assurance scheme indicate that stone analysis is poorly performed in many laboratories, and it is probable that this results in ill-informed patterns of investigation, inappropriate therapy, missed diagnoses of rarer causative disorders and wasteful further investigation of 'non-renal' stone artefacts.

Renal stone analysis is a specialist investigation requiring appropriate analytical and interpretative expertise if the information is to be used to enhance patient care. For those laboratories not able to offer this, for whatever reason, referral is the only defensible approach to service provision. The methods currently employed in many departments have no place in modern clinical biochemistry practice.
Cholinesterase: phenotyping and genotyping
Authors: Goodall Roberta
Published: March 2004

The plasma enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is of clinical interest because of the occurrence of genetic variants with decreased ability to hydrolyse, and therefore inactivate, muscle-relaxant drugs such as suxamethonium. Analysis of BChE involves the determination of both enzyme activity and biochemical phenotypes which are used to determine the risk of so-called 'scoline apnoea'. Problems in analysis arise from both the lack of a universally accepted reference method and the variety of substrates and conditions employed for the determination of activity and phenotypes. Phenotype is determined by the use of specific enzyme inhibitors that produce phenotype-specific patterns of 'inhibitor numbers'. DNA analysis is now possible, and true genotypes can be obtained. The nomenclature in use for cholinesterase studies can cause problems in interpretation and reporting as there is poor understanding of the difference between phenotype and genotype, and terms are often, inappropriately, transposed. Techniques for both biochemical and molecular analysis of the enzyme are discussed.
Measurement of urinary cystatin C by particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay: precision, interferences, stability and reference range
Authors: Herget-Rosenthal Stefan , Feldkamp Thorsten , Volbracht Lothar , Kribben Andreas
Published: March 2004

Background: Urinary excretion of the low molecular weight protein cystatin C is a marker of renal disorders and a good predictor of the severity of acute tubular necrosis. We evaluated the measurement of urinary cystatin C and determined its reference range.

Methods: Measurement of urinary cystatin C by particle-enhanced nephelometric immunoassay (PENIA) in 102 patients with various renal disorders and 133 healthy controls. We assessed the influence of pH and temperature, interferences on urinary cystatin C measurement, as well as cystatin C adsorption to plastic.

Results: The upper reference value for urinary cystatin C was 0.28 mg/L, independent of age and gender. Accuracy and linearity ( r2=0.996) were excellent. Intra- and inter-assay precision were ≤4.8% and ≤5.2%, respectively. Albumin (≤160 g/L), bilirubin (≤500 µmol/L) and haemoglobin (≤210 µmol/L) did not show interferences. Urinary cystatin C was stable, at urine pH≥5, at -20°C and 4°C for 7 days, and at 20°C for 48 h. Freezing and thawing did not influence urinary cystatin C concentration. There was no adsorption of cystatin C to plastic.

Conclusion: Urinary cystatin C measurement by PENIA is precise. High stability and no interference add to the practicability of urinary cystatin C as a routine biochemical test.
Spurious hyperphosphataemia caused by an IgA paraprotein: a topic revisited
Authors: Sinclair David , Smith Helen , Woodhead Pamela
Published: March 2004

Background: There are reports in the literature describing artefactually raised phosphate concentrations in serum samples of patients with myeloma. However, IgA paraproteins have been reported only rarely as a potential cause.

Methods: Following the detection of a grossly elevated phosphate concentration in a patient with an IgA paraprotein and another with an IgG paraprotein, we estimated phosphate concentrations in a further 73 patients with paraproteins using the Bayer ADVIA 1650 and Ortho Vitros 950 analysers. The latter method has been reported to be unaffected by pseudohyperphosphataemia.

Results: Deproteinization of the serum samples containing the IgA and IgG paraproteins showed that they were responsible for the interference. No significant difference in serum phosphate concentrations measured by the two analysers was noted for the larger study of serum IgG or IgM paraproteins. However, a statistically significant but clinically trivial difference in phosphate concentration was noted for serum IgA paraproteins, with the Ortho Vitros 950 giving slightly higher phosphate concentrations. Deproteinization of these samples yielded similar phosphate concentrations. Phosphate estimation in serum samples without paraproteins using both analysers yielded results that were not statistically different.

Conclusion: On occasion, serum samples containing IgA paraproteins may give rise to erroneous phosphate concentrations when the Bayer ADVIA is used
Serum amyloid A, C-reactive protein and remnant-like lipoprotein particle cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary heart disease
Authors: Hamano M , Saito M , Eto M , Nishimatsu S , Suda H , Matsuda M , Matsuki M , Yamamoto S , Kaku K
Published: March 2004

Background: Serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) have been suggested to be involved in the process of coronary heart disease (CHD) and to be potential markers and/or predictors of CHD. Remnant-like lipoprotein particles (RLPs), which are regarded as atherogenic remnant lipoprotein, are reported to be increased in type 2 diabetic patients. We assessed the association of CHD with SAA, CRP and RLP-cholesterol in type 2 diabetic patients.

Methods: One hundred and twenty-six diabetic patients without CHD and 41 patients with CHD were recruited from our hospital. Plasma SAA was measured by the latex agglutination nephelometric immunoassay. Plasma high-sensitivity CRP was measured by a latex immunoturbidity method. Plasma RLP-cholesterol was measured by an immunoabsorption enzyme method.

Results: The mean standard deviation values of RLP-cholesterol in patients with and without CHD were 0.22 (0.26) mmol/L and 0.15 (0.10) mmol/L, respectively ( P <0.05). Median (interquartile ranges) for SAA in patients with and without CHD were 7.4 (4.2-11.2) mg/L and 3.9 (2.2-5.9) mg/L, respectively ( P <0.001). Median (interquartile ranges) for CRP in patients with and without CHD was 1.14 (0.45-2.08) mg/L and 0.43 (0.19-1.25) mg/L, respectively ( P <0.001). For all patients, the Spearman rank correlation statistics for RLP-cholesterol compared with SAA and with CRP were 0.213 ( P <0.05) and 0.301 ( P <0.01), respectively.

Conclusion: These data suggest that SAA, CRP and RLP-cholesterol are increased in type 2 diabetic patients with CHD, and that the inflammatory proteins correlate with remnant lipoprotein.
Genotyping of hepatitis C virus by melting curve analysis with SYBR Green I
Authors: Fujigaki Hidetsugu , Takemura Masao , Takahashi Kanako , Yamada Yasuhiro , Fujii Hidehiko , Wada Hisayasu , Saito Kuniaki , Ohnishi Hiroo , Seishima Mitsuru
Published: March 2004

Background: Recent studies have focused on whether different hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotypes are associated with different profiles of pathogenicity, infectivity, and response to antiviral therapy. We needed to develop a convenient screening test for HCV genotypes 1 and 2.

Method: We tested 55 patients with known chronic HCV infection. Viral RNA was extracted from serum samples using an automatic viral RNA purification system, and HCV genotypes were determined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction using LightCycler melting curve analysis with SYBR Green I.

Results: HCV RNA was detected in all samples and each genotype was determined. The mean (standard deviation) melting temperatures for subtypes 1b ( n = 32), 2a ( n = 15) and 2b ( n = 8) were 93.14°C (0.51°C), 91.08°C (0.49°C) and 91.77°C (0.27°C), respectively. Genotypes 1 and 2 were differentiated within 3 h by this method.

Conclusions: Our melting curve analysis is a rapid and convenient screening test for differential identification of HCV genotypes 1 and 2.
Assessment of thrombin in the urine of glomerulonephritic patients by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: Kitamoto Yasunori , Tomita Kimio , Imamura Takahisa
Published: March 2004

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that blood clotting occurs in inflamed glomeruli, although its role in the pathophysiology of glomerulonephritis remains to be elucidated. To address this issue, a simple and reliable method for evaluating clotting in glomeruli is necessary. Here, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for thrombin in urine to evaluate the degree of clotting activation in diseased glomeruli.

Methods: Monoclonal antibodies against human α-thrombin were raised and used for sandwich ELISA to measure thrombin. Thrombin was measured in urine samples from normal volunteers and from patients with glomerulonephritis or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).

Results: Thrombin antigen was not detected in the urine of healthy volunteers or of patients with DIC, but was detected in the urine from two-thirds of glomerulonephritic patients. The average concentration in positive samples was 3.79 µg/L. Urinary thrombin concentrations measured by ELISA correlated well with thrombin activities measured by hydrolysis of a synthetic substrate.

Conclusion: We suggest that thrombin antigen in urine measured by ELISA is not affected by systemic thrombin production in the vessels, and reflects blood clotting activation in glomerulonephritic lesions. A close relationship between urinary thrombin and glomerulonephritis indicates a possible involvement of clotting in disease development, and measurement of urinary thrombin may provide a real-time marker for monitoring renal diseases.
Micronutrient concentrations in patients with malignant disease: effect of the inflammatory response
Authors: Mayland C , Allen K R , Degg T J , Bennet M
Published: March 2004

Background: Micronutrient deficiencies may occur in patients with malignancy due to a variety of possible causes, including unbalanced dietary intake and adverse effects of treatment. In addition, many patients show signs of a chronic inflammatory response, which can affect circulating concentrations of certain vitamins and trace elements. Our aim was to examine the effect of the inflammatory response, as determined by plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations, on a range of micronutrients in patients with malignancy.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 50 patients with various malignancies for the measurement of vitamins A, E, C and B1, the trace elements copper, zinc, selenium and manganese and the inflammatory marker CRP. Vitamin A was measured as retinol and vitamin E as α-tocopherol. Vitamin C measurement included both ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid. The vitamins were assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography and the trace elements by atomic-absorption spectroscopy.

Results: Concentrations of zinc and selenium below their respective reference ranges and copper and manganese above their respective reference ranges were commonly found in the cancer group. However, none of these elements showed any significant correlation with CRP ( P >0.01). Reduced levels of vitamin A, C and B1 were commonly found in the cancer group. Vitamins A and C showed a significant negative correlation with CRP ( rs=-0.66, P <0.0001 and rs=-0.53, P = 0.0005, respectively). Vitamin E showed no correlation with CRP.

Conclusion: The inflammatory response is a major consideration in the interpretation of vitamin A and C concentrations in patients with malignancy.
The predictive value of cumulative lactate dehydrogenase release within the first 72 h of acute myocardial infarction in patients treated with primary angioplasty
Authors: Elsman Peter , Zijlstra Felix , Miedema Kor , Hoorntje Jan C A , Dikkeschei Lambert D , Slingerland Robbert J , Reiffers Stoffer , de Boer Menko-Jan , Suryapranata Harry
Published: March 2004

Background: In patients with acute myocardial infarction, estimation of infarct size by cumulative lactate dehydrogenase release at 72 h (LDHQ72) is a simple and widely used method. Our objective was to study the value of estimating infarct size, by the cumulative release of LDH over 72, 60, 48 and 36 h in predicting left ventricular ejection fraction (LVef) and cardiac death at 1 year.

Methods: In the Zwolle Infarction Study infarct size estimated as LDHQ was calculated in 1224 patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction between December 1993 and June 2001. Patients were categorized as having small (LDHQ72<800 U/L), medium (LDHQ72 800-2500 U/L) or large (LDHQ72>2500 U/L) myocardial infarction.

Results: LDHQ72 was closely correlated with LDHQ60, LDHQ48 and LDHQ36 ( r = 0.998, 0.993 and 0.987, respectively, P <0.0001). The relations between LDHQ infarct size classification and mean LVef (51% vs 45% vs 35%, P <0.001) or cardiac death at 1 year (0-0.3% vs 0.7-1% vs 6-8%) showed a similar pattern, irrespective of whether LDH was measured up to 36, 48, 60 or 72 h.

Conclusion: Infarct size classification based on LDHQ36 is an objective and widely available method for early risk stratification in patients treated with primary angioplasty for acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
Major method-specific differences in the measurement of intact parathyroid hormone: studies in patients with and without chronic renal failure
Authors: Worth G K , Vasikaran S D , Retallack R W , Musk A A , Gutteridge D H
Published: March 2004

Background: Following the introduction of two-site immunometric assays for parathyroid hormone (PTH), the expectation of good inter-assay agreement has not been fulfilled. The reasons for this may include differences in standardization as well as fragment recognition between the assays.

Methods: PTH values for healthy individuals, patients with renal failure and patients with normal renal function and elevated parathyroid hormone (hPTH) were compared using two commercial two-site immunochemiluminometric assays (Bayer Magic-lite® and DPC Immulite 2000®).

Results: Immulite results had a mean value 50.4% greater than the corresponding Magic-lite values for the whole study population with individual values ranging from 17.5% below to 118.3% above the corresponding Magic-lite value. There was no significant difference in inter-assay bias between patients with renal failure and those with normal renal function, suggesting that variable cross-reactivity with circulating disease-specific PTH fragments was not the primary cause of the observed discrepancy. Cross-reactivity with the synthetic fragment hPTH (7-84) was 34±5% for Magic-lite and 62±2% for Immulite. We also studied the stability of synthetic hPTH on storage.

Conclusion: The instability of synthetic hPTH over extended storage periods may affect primary standard material. The consistent inter-assay differences and the over-recovery observed in external quality assessment programmes for the Immulite assay may have best been explained by differences in calibration and the relative cross-reactivities and/or kinetics of the two assay systems for specific parathyroid fragments.
Pseudohyperkalaemia at commercial laboratories in Japan: a questionnaire survey
Authors: Hira Kenji , Aoki Noriaki , Fukui Tsuguya
Published: March 2004

Background: Pseudohyperkalaemia caused by recentrifugation after storage or delay in separation of serum from blood cells is not uncommon. The purpose of this study was to audit pseudohyperkalaemia at commercial laboratories in Japan.

Methods: A questionnaire asking about how samples are handled for potassium measurement and information on pseudohyperkalaemia was sent to 431 commercial laboratories.

Results: A total of 263 (response rate 61%) questionnaires were returned and suitable for analysis. Pseudohyperkalaemia caused by recentrifugation was seen at 145 (70%) laboratories. Pseudohyperkalaemia caused by delay in separation of serum was also seen in many laboratories. Blood samples were centrifuged on site in only 46% of hospitals and in 17% of clinics served by these laboratories. The longest average time from venesection to centrifugation was 18 h. Although half the laboratories had asked their client facilities to centrifuge blood samples on site, very few complied.

Conclusion: Pseudohyperkalaemia is not uncommon at commercial laboratories in Japan. Further efforts are necessary to avoid inappropriate handling at blood collection sites and in laboratories.
New approaches towards laboratory diagnosis of isolated sulphite oxidase deficiency
Authors: Sass Jörn Oliver , Nakanishi Toyofumi , Sato Takako , Shimizu Akira
Published: March 2004

Background: Molybdenum cofactor deficiency (resulting in combined deficiencies of the enzymes sulphite oxidase, xanthine dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase) and isolated sulphite oxidase deficiency are inherited metabolic diseases which follow an autosomal recessive trait of inheritance. Detection of these diseases in selective screening for inborn errors of metabolism is not easy because relevant metabolites are either not routinely determined or are unstable.

Methods: We have searched for additional markers for these diseases and studied plasma total homocysteine (determined by enzyme immunoassay) and S-sulphonation of transthyretin (assessed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry).

Results and conclusion: We found total homocysteine concentrations below the limit of quantification (<1 µmol/L) in all samples of patients with sulphite oxidase deficiency studied in this regard and that the proportion of S-sulphonated transthyretin is clearly increased in such samples. Our observations suggest additional tools for selective screening and diagnostic work-up of patients suspected of having sulphite oxidase deficiency.
2,8-Dihydroxyadenine renal stones in a 41-year-old man
Authors: Wilkinson Hazel , Samuell Colin , Stower Michael
Published: March 2004

A case is presented of a 41-year-old man with a history of recurrent renal stones over 10 years. Analysis of the stone showed that, although it gave a positive reaction with the non-specific phosphotungstic acid test, uricase failed to identify any urate present. Analysis in a reference laboratory confirmed its composition as dihydroxyadenine. Patients who are homozygous for the rare autosomal-recessive adenine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency, excrete large amounts of 2,8-dihydroxyadenine, which has poor solubility at normal urinary pH. Treatment with the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol induces a total cessation of stone formation. Increased awareness of the condition and knowledge of the limitations of some methods of laboratory analysis for renal stones should help to identify this type of stone and prevent renal damage.
The role of the biochemistry department in the diagnosis of pituitary apoplexy
Authors: Williams H R T , Oliver N S , Murphy F , Howell M , Badman M K , Hillson R M , Thomas D J B
Published: March 2004

A 47-year-old man presented with severe clinical hypoglycaemia. He had long-standing insulin-dependent diabetes with previously good glycaemic control. Intense headaches and vomiting initiated hospitalization. A brain computed tomography (CT) scan was normal, and a lumbar puncture showed elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein [0.67 g/L; normal range (NR) 0.15-0.45 g/L], suggesting resolving viral meningitis.

Routine thyroid function tests were abnormal (free thyroxine 10.6 pmol/L, NR 9-22.5 pmol/L; thyroid-stimulating hormone 0.16 mU/L, NR 0.35-5 mU/L). In the absence of evident thyroid therapy, the laboratory policy required an urgent cortisol assay to be added; this was very abnormal (42 nmol/L), suggesting hypopituitarism. Later analysis showed that concentrations of gonadotrophins and adrenocorticotrophin were low. An urgent pituitary magnetic resonance imaging scan revealed an unsuspected pituitary tumour with recent haemorrhage (pituitary apoplexy). The patient was given intravenous hydrocortisone and then stabilized on oral hydrocortisone, thyroxine and mesterolone. He made a full recovery and the hypoglycaemia resolved.

The normal brain CT scan was falsely reassuring and the CSF protein was not due to viral meningitis but to haemorrhage into the pituitary tumour. If laboratory policy had not required the urgent cortisol assay be added, the diagnosis of hypopituitarism would have been delayed or even missed altogether. This could have led to the death of the patient.
Topiramate increases biochemical risk of nephrolithiasis
Authors: Lamb Edmund J , Stevens Paul E , Nashef Lina
Published: March 2004

The incidence of renal stone disease in patients receiving topiramate (TopamaxTM) is 2-4 times that expected in the background population. This has been attributed to a weak carbonic anhydrase inhibitor effect, but published data are scant. Following three cases of renal stones in patients receiving topiramate, we evaluated biochemical risk for nephrolithiasis in eight further unselected patients. Most patients demonstrated inadequate urinary acidification and hypocitraturia; in some cases citrate was undetectable. Several patients also had other risk factors for nephrolithiasis, including increased urinary sodium, calcium and oxalate excretion. The biochemical changes induced by topiramate appear highly penetrant. Experience with this drug is relatively short-lived and it is being prescribed for long-term use in (often) relatively young patients. This report highlights the significantly increased metabolic risk of stone formation in patients receiving topiramate.
The contribution of metaphor and metonymy to delusions
Authors: Rhodes John E. , Jakes S.
Published: March 2004

This article investigates the possible role of metaphorical thinking in psychotic delusions. Twenty‐five participants with delusions were asked to give an account of how their ideas had formed and to describe recent experiences relevant to their delusional beliefs. The data suggest that for some participants there may have been a crucial period when the person has unusual experiences, psychosocial difficulties, and made attempts involving metaphor/metonymy to understand these experiences. Furthermore, some participants reported very recent unusual experiences using metaphorical terms, and we speculate on the possibility that the content of the metaphors contributes to a continuation of psychotic experience. The data form a series of case illustrations and are exploratory. No generalizations can be made, but the presence of significant metaphors and metonymy in 11 out of 25 case histories suggests the process may be an important one.

We end by outlining a theoretical model of how metaphors might contribute to the formation of delusions: it is suggested that delusional statements are intended to be literal statements, but report on experiences transformed by metaphorical meaning. This transformation involves the ‘fusion’ of conceptual domains.
The quest for well‐being: A qualitative study of the experience of taking antipsychotic medication
Authors: Carrick Rachael , Mitchell Annie , Powell Richard A. , Lloyd Keith
Published: March 2004

Antipsychotic medication is integral to the treatment of severe and enduring mental health problems (e.g. schizophrenia). Such medication is associated with significant adverse side effects that can affect treatment adherence. To date there have been few attempts to analyse qualitatively service users’ experience of taking antipsychotic medication. This study, conducted in Exeter, South West England, investigates the subjective experience of side effects of antipsychotic medication to gain a greater understanding of service users' experiences and to gain insights into adherence issues. Data were analysed using a variant of grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss, 1967) and a model of the experience of taking antipsychotic medication was constructed. The interview schedule was then refined and further interviews (including a focus group) were conducted among a diverse sample recruited from local day centres. Results indicated that people taking antipsychotic medication do not see side effects and symptoms as separate issues. Instead, they describe drugs as ‘good’ or ‘terrible’—an indication of the total impact of their treatment. The model constructed reflects this, having the core concept of Well‐being: that is, normality of function, feeling and appearance to the outside world. Major themes relating to this core category were managing treatment, evaluating treatment and understanding of the situation. Implications for medication adherence and clinical practice, including drug choice, are discussed, and the doctor‐patient relationship is also considered.
An examination of parenting experiences in male perpetrators of domestic violence: A qualitative study
Authors: Worley Kierron O. , Walsh Susan , Lewis Kathryn
Published: March 2004

Early experiences have been found to have an enduring long‐term impact on adult relationships. The coexistence of love and violence is evident in attachment patterns across the life‐span, and in adulthood is particularly apparent in domestically violent partnerships. The aim of the study was to examine in depth the early parenting experiences of men who are domestically violent. Seven male participants who were on probation orders for domestic violence were interviewed using the Adult Attachment Interview. The data were analysed qualitatively and the results indicated that all of the men had experienced unloving, rejecting and dangerous parenting. Participants minimized their own violence upon their female partners despite having recently completed an anti‐violence training intervention. Clinical implications, particularly the need to examine the efficacy of treatment with domestically violent men, are discussed.
Personality disorder clusters and the Defence Style Questionnaire
Authors: Sinha Birendra K. , Watson David C.
Published: March 2004

This research examined the relative contribution of 20 defence mechanisms assessed by the 40‐item Defence Style Questionnaire (DSQ‐40) as discriminating variables in predicting membership in personality disorder (PD) clusters. The odd, dramatic and anxious clusters of DSM‐III‐R and the detached, dependent, independent and ambivalent groups of Millon were used as PD types. PDs were assessed by the Coolidge Axis II Inventory and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory—II in a non‐clinical sample. Results of discriminant function analysis provide empirical support for the usefulness of both DSM and Millon classification schemes. The DSM's odd cluster and Millon's ambivalent types are classified most accurately with the CATI. The MCMI‐II classifies most accurately the DSM's odd and dramatic, and Millon's independent and ambivalent, personality types.
The big idea: Clients' perspectives of change processes in cognitive therapy
Authors: Clarke Helen , Rees Anne , Hardy Gillian E.
Published: March 2004

This study reports on analyses carried out by the authors on five ‘end of therapy’ evaluations conducted with clients who had received a brief course of cognitive therapy for depression. The clients’ evaluation was based on Elliott's (1996) Change Interview Schedule. The transcripts were then analysed using grounded theory methods, and arranged into 10 categories and three category clusters. The category clusters included ‘the listening therapist’, ‘the big idea’ and ‘feeling more comfortable with self’. Clients' reported cognitive and emotional processes fit with Stiles et al.'s (1990) assimilation model.
Validity of a measure of readiness to recover in Spanish adolescent patients with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Serrano E. , Castro J. , Ametller L. , Martínez E. , Toro J.
Published: March 2004

The objective of the present study was to evaluate readiness to recover in adolescent patients with anorexia nervosa with a Spanish version of the Anorexia Nervosa Stages of Change Questionnaire (ANSOCQ). Three measures—the ANSOCQ, the Eating Disorders Inventory—2 (EDI‐2) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)—were administered to a group of 70 anorexia nervosa patients (mean age = 15.6 yrs) who were receiving treatment at a specialized eating disorder unit and had reached different stages of the treatment programme. The ANSOCQ was administered again after one week in 42 patients to evaluate test‐retest reliability. The ANSOCQ demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach's α = .94) and one week test‐retest reliability (r = .90). Negative, significant correlations were found between the ANSOCQ and several scales on the EDI‐2 (r between –.50 and –.72) and the BDI (r = –.68). The Spanish version of the ANSOCQ seems a reliable instrument to evaluate readiness to recover in adolescents with anorexia nervosa.
Client‐centred therapy, post‐traumatic stress disorder and post‐traumatic growth: Theoretical perspectives and practical implications
Authors: Joseph Stephen
Published: March 2004

In practice it is not unusual for client‐centred therapists to work with people who have experienced traumatic events. However, client‐centred therapy is not usually considered within texts on traumatic stress and questions have been raised over the appropriateness of client‐centred therapy with trauma survivors. The present study shows how, although he was writing well before the introduction of the term ‘posttraumatic stress disorder’, Carl Rogers provided a theory of therapy and personality that contains an account of threat‐related psychological processes largely consistent with contemporary trauma theory. Rogers' theory provides the conceptual underpinnings to the client‐centred and experiential ways of working with traumatized people. Furthermore, Rogers' theory provides an understanding of post‐traumatic growth processes, and encourages therapists to adopt a more positive psychological perspective to their understanding of how people adjust to traumatic events.
Effect of the destructive disagreement belief on relationship satisfaction with a romantic partner or closest friend
Authors: Cramer Duncan
Published: March 2004

This study tested the rational‐emotive‐behaviour theory hypothesis that, when imagining having a serious disagreement with one's romantic partner or closest friend, imagining believing the rational belief that disagreement is not destructive will lead to less dissatisfaction with either relationship than imagining endorsing the irrational belief that disagreement is destructive. The influence of demand characteristics on such an effect was assessed with two counter‐demand control conditions. Undergraduates (106 women and 44 men) were assigned randomly to one of five conditions in a pretest/post‐test design. The belief appeared to be effectively manipulated. Post‐test relationship satisfaction was significantly higher in the rational condition than in the control or irrational condition. These results were not affected by the counter‐demand instructions and suggest that this rational belief may reduce relationship dissatisfaction during disagreements.
Controlling the Morphology of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes by Sequential Catalytic Growth Induced by Phosphorus
Authors: Jourdain V. , Stéphan O. , Castignolles M. , Loiseau A. , Bernier P.
Published: March 2004

The use of phosphorus as a co‐catalyst enabling modification of the kinetic equilibrium between the elementary growth steps of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and induction of a mechanism of sequential catalytic growth is reported. The mechanism produces nanotube‐based filaments periodically inserted with catalyst nanoparticles, which resemble nanoscale matches (see Figure).
Solution‐Processed, Organophilic Membrane Derived from a Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity
Authors: Budd P. M. , Elabas E. S. , Ghanem B. S. , Makhseed S. , McKeown N. B. , Msayib K. J. , Tattershall C. E. , Wang D.
Published: March 2004

A polymer with a rigid, randomly contorted molecular structure (see Figure), incorporating fused rings connected by spiro‐centres, may be precipitated or cast from solution to give microporous powders and membranes stable up to temperatures of 350 °C, with apparent surface areas > 600 m2 g–1. Organophilic membranes may be formed, as demonstrated by the separation of phenol from water by pervaporation.
Microwave Absorption Enhancement and Complex Permittivity and Permeability of Fe Encapsulated within Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Che R. C. , Peng L.‐M. , Duan X. F. , Chen Q. , Liang X. L.
Published: March 2004

CNT/crystalline Fe nanocomposites (see Figure) have excellent microwave‐absorption characteristics. This absorption property is shown to result from the confinement of crystalline Fe in carbon nanoshells, deriving mainly from magnetic rather than electric effects—the complex permittivity and permeability depend both on the shape and phase of the CNT/Fe nanocapsulates.
A report on the first year of the INitiative for the Evaluation of XML retrieval (INEX'02)
Authors: Kazai Gabriella , Lalmas Mounia , Fuhr Norbert , Gövert Norbert
Published: March 2004

The INitiative for the Evaluation of XML retrieval (INEX) aims at providing an infrastructure to evaluate the effectiveness of content‐oriented XML retrieval systems. To this end, in the first round of INEX in 2002, a test collection of real world XML documents along with a set of topics and respective relevance assessments have been created with the collaboration of 36 participating organizations. In this article, we provide an overview of the first round of the INEX initiative.
A classification of author co‐citations: Definitions and search strategies
Authors: Rousseau Ronald , Zuccala Alesia
Published: March 2004

The term author co‐citation is defined and classified according to four distinct forms: the pure first‐author co‐citation, the pure author co‐citation, the general author co‐citation, and the special co‐author/co‐citation. Each form can be used to obtain one count in an author co‐citation study, based on a binary counting rule, which either recognizes the co‐citedness of two authors in a given reference list (1) or does not (0). Most studies using author co‐citations have relied solely on first‐author co‐citation counts as evidence of an author's oeuvre or body of work contributed to a research field. In this article, we argue that an author's contribution to a selected field of study should not be limited, but should be based on his/her complete list of publications, regardless of author ranking. We discuss the implications associated with using each co‐citation form and show where simple first‐author co‐citations fit within our classification scheme. Examples are given to substantiate each author co‐citation form defined in our classification, including a set of sample Dialog™ searches using references extracted from the SciSearch database.
Design of cataloging rules using conceptual modeling of cataloging process
Authors: Taniguchi Shoichi
Published: March 2004

This article proposes a method to design cataloging rules by utilizing conceptual modeling of the cataloging process and also by applying the concept “orientedness.” It also proposes a general model for the cataloging process at the conceptual level, which is independent of any situation/system or cataloging code. A design method is made up of the following phases, including the development of a general model. Functional and non‐functional requirements are first specified by use of orientedness. Also, cataloger tasks are defined, which are constituents of the cataloging process. Second, a core model is built, which consists of (1) basic event patterns under each task, (2) action patterns applicable to each event, and (3) orientedness involved in an event‐action pair. Third, the core model is propagated to reflect the characteristics of an individual data element and also a certain class of materials. Finally, the propagated model is defined by choosing pairs of event and action patterns in the model while referring to orientedness indicated in each event‐action pair, in order to match a particular situation. As a result, a set of event‐action pairs reflecting specific requirements through categories of orientedness is obtained, and consistent and scalable design can, therefore, be attained.
Measuring retrieval effectiveness: A new proposal and a first experimental validation
Authors: Mea Vincenzo Della , Mizzaro Stefano
Published: March 2004

Most common effectiveness measures for information retrieval systems are based on the assumptions of binary relevance (either a document is relevant to a given query or it is not) and binary retrieval (either a document is retrieved or it is not). In this article, these assumptions are questioned, and a new measure named ADM (average distance measure) is proposed, discussed from a conceptual point of view, and experimentally validated on Text Retrieval Conference (TREC) data. Both conceptual analysis and experimental evidence demonstrate ADM's adequacy in measuring the effectiveness of information retrieval systems. Some potential problems about precision and recall are also highlighted and discussed.
Impact of polymer surface affinity of novel antifouling agents
Authors: Dahlström Mia , Jonsson Per R. , Lausmaa Jukka , Arnebrant Thomas , Sjögren Martin , Holmberg Krister , Mårtensson Lena G.E. , Elwing Hans
Published: March 2004

In a previous study we found two agents, the α2‐agonist medetomidine ((±)‐4‐[1‐(2,3‐dimethylphenyl)ethyl]‐1H‐imidazole) and the α2‐agonist clonidine (2‐(2,6‐dichloroanilino)‐2‐imidazoline), that specifically and efficiently impede settlement of the barnacle Balanus improvisus, one of the most serious biofouling organisms in Swedish waters. Medetomidine, but not clonidine, is known to adsorb to solid polystyrene (PS) surfaces in the presence of salt, a feature that is of particular interest in attempts to develop an efficient antifouling surface. We show that medetomidine, but not clonidine, has a significant ability to adsorb to untreated (hydrophobic) PS in two different incubation media: filtered seawater (FSW) and deionized water (mQ). At negatively charged (hydrophilic) PS, medetomidine displays a strong interaction with the surface in both incubation media. At the hydrophilic PS, clonidine also displays a significant interaction with the surface when incubated in mQ and a weaker, but not significant, interaction when incubated in FSW. By studying the effects of time, incubation media, and pH on the adsorption of medetomidine and clonidine, we suggest that medetomidine is associated to hydrophobic PS by means of hydrophobic interactions, while the adsorption of medetomidine and clonidine to hydrophilic PS contains elements of electrostatic interaction. Using time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF‐SIMS) we detected only weak signals from medetomidine on the hydrophobic PS surfaces, while strong medetomidine signals were observed on hydrophilic PS. This suggests that the adsorbed medetomidine, to a greater extent, desorbed from the hydrophobic rather than from the hydrophilic PS surfaces during exposure to vacuum. The strong surface affinity of medetomidine on both types of surfaces and the preserved antifouling activity are valuable features in designing a marine coating. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Purified tomato polygalacturonase activity during thermal and high‐pressure treatment
Authors: Verlent I. , Van Loey A. , Smout C. , Duvetter T. , Hendrickx M. E.
Published: March 2004

Extracted tomato polygalacturonase was purified by cation‐exchange chromatography (and gel filtration) and characterized for molar mass, isoelectric point, as well as optimal pH for polygalacturonase activity. The enzymatic reaction of purified tomato polygalacturonase on polygalacturonic acid as substrate was investigated during a combined high‐pressure/temperature treatment in a temperature range of 25° to 80°C and in a pressure range of 0.1 to 500 MPa at pH 4.4 (the pH of tomato‐based products). The optimal temperature for initial tomato polygalacturonase activity in the presence of polygalacturonic acid at atmospheric pressure is about 55° to 60°C. The optimal temperature for initial tomato polygalacturonase activity during processing shifted to lower values at elevated pressure as compared with atmospheric pressure, and the catalytic activity of pure tomato polygalacturonase decreased with increasing pressure, which was mostly pronounced at higher temperatures. The elution profiles of the degradation products on high‐performance anion‐exchange chromatography indicated that for both thermal and high‐pressure treatment all oligomers were present in very small amounts in the initial stage of polygalacturonase activity. The amounts of monomer and small oligomers increased with increasing incubation times, whereas the amount of larger oligomers decreased due to further degradation. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.