bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship of negative affect and perceived sensitivity to symptom reporting following vaccination
Authors: Petrie Keith J. , Moss‐Morris Rona , Grey Corina , Shaw Marc
Published: February 2004

Background: The processes involved in how individuals attribute symptoms to illness are important for understanding the basis of symptom complaints. In a study of patients undergoing travel vaccination, we investigated the association of trait negative affect (NA) and perceived sensitivity to medicines to reported symptoms and symptoms attributed by the patient to treatment.

Methods: A sample of 121 patients attending a traveller's medical centre for vaccination prior to overseas travel completed a questionnaire prior to vaccination measuring trait NA, their perceived sensitivity to medicines, self‐rated health, as well as recent symptoms and doctor visits. Patients were assessed 20 min after the vaccination and again at seven days for their current symptoms and symptoms attributed to the vaccination.

Results: We found both the number of symptom complaints and symptoms attributed to the vaccination immediately after treatment to be significantly associated with patients' perceived sensitivity to medicines and recent symptom complaints. At seven days, symptom complaints were also associated with perceived sensitivity to medicine as well as trait NA, while symptoms attributed by patients to the vaccination at seven days were significantly related to trait NA. At the seven‐day assessment, high trait NA was predictive of associating a far wider range of general symptoms to the vaccination.

Conclusion: The results suggest that trait NA does not cause an increase in the reporting of physical symptoms in an illness or intervention that causes highly specific or immediate symptoms. However, trait NA plays an important role in the process of misattributing common symptoms to intervention or illness‐related causes and this process may help explain the association between trait NA and symptom reporting.
To be reassured or to understand? A dilemma in communicating normal cervical screening results
Authors: Michie Susan , Thompson Matthew , Hankins Matthew
Published: February 2004

Background: Receiving negative test results may be associated with two problems:

not being reassured and wanting further, unnecessary screening;

not understanding residual risk and not attending future recommended screening.

Aim: To test two hypotheses:

Emphasizing test accuracy and low residual risk when giving negative test results reduces a desire for further unnecessary screening, while also reducing a correct understanding of the meaning of the result.

The effect of emphasizing low risk on desire for future screening is mediated by lack of reassurance.

Design: Experimental, vignette‐based study, with a 2 × 2 factorial design.

Method: A sample of 184 women was asked to imagine that they had recently undergone a cervical screening test and received a normal result. They were given one of four hypothetical letters from their GP, differing in whether or not it emphasized test accuracy and low residual risk of developing cervical cancer. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing perceived risk, reassurance about test results, desire for further screening within six months and understanding of the test results.

Results: Emphasizing test accuracy and low residual risk increases desire for inappropriate screening while reducing the understanding of residual risk. These effects are interactive, in that presenting both together has a larger effect than the sum of the two individual effects. The effect of emphasizing low risk on desire for future screening was mediated by reassurance.

Conclusion: Emphasizing low residual risk and test accuracy is a double‐edged sword: it reduces a desire for unnecessary screening, but also reduces correct understanding of the result.
Rapid Detection and Differentiation of Human Pathogenic Orthopox Viruses by a Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Real-Time PCR Assay
Authors: Panning Marcus , Asper Marcel , Kramme Stefanie , Schmitz Herbert , Drosten Christian
Published: February 2004

Background: The orthopox viruses that are pathogenic for humans include variola major virus (VAR), monkeypox virus (MPV), cowpox virus (CPV), and to a lesser extent, camelpox virus (CML) and vaccinia virus (VAC). PCR is a powerful tool to detect and differentiate orthopox viruses, and real-time PCR has the further advantages of rapid turnaround time, low risk of contamination, capability of strain differentiation, and use of multiplexed probes.

Methods: We used real-time PCR with fluorescence resonance energy transfer technology to simultaneously detect and differentiate VAR, MPV, CPV/VAC, and CML. An internal control generated by cloning and mutating the PCR target gene facilitated monitoring of PCR inhibition in each individual test reaction.

Results: Strain differentiation results showed little interassay variability (CV, 0.4–0.6%), and the test was 100-fold more sensitive than virus culture on Vero cells. Low copy numbers of DNA could be detected with ≥95% probability (235–849 genome copies/mL of plasma).

Conclusions: The real-time PCR assay can detect and differentiate human pathogenic orthopox viruses. The use of an internal control qualifies the assay for high sample throughput, as is likely to be needed in situations of suspected acts of biological terrorism, e.g., use of VAR.
Model for Predicting the Impact of Gadolinium on Plasma Calcium Measured by the o-Cresolphthalein Method
Authors: Kang Hyunseok Peter , Scott Mitchell G , Joe Bonnie N , Narra Vamsi , Heiken Jay , Parvin Curtis A
Published: February 2004

Background: Gadolinium formulations, which are administered as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging examinations, interfere with colorimetric serum calcium determinations.

Methods: We performed an in vitro study to determine the extent to which three gadolinium formulations—gadodiamide (Omniscan), gadopentetate dimeglumine (Magnevist), and gadoversetamide (OptiMARK)—affect measurements by two methods that use o-cresolphthalein (Dade Behring, Inc. and Roche Diagnostics) and one that uses arsenazo dye (Equal Diagnostics). We also compared values from the o-cresolphthalein methods for 116 samples from patients administered gadodiamide.

Results: Magnevist did not affect any of the methods evaluated, whereas Omniscan and OptiMARK were identical in their effects. For the Dade method, the differences from the control sample were ≤4.0 and 7.0 mg/L at 0.25 and 0.5 mmol/L gadolinium, respectively. For the Roche method, the differences were 19, 9.0, and 5.0 mg/L at 0.5, 0.25, and 0.125 mmol/L gadolinium, respectively. Falsely increased calcium values were seen when samples were measured by the arsenazo-based method: differences were 6.0 and 3.0 mg/L at 1.0 and 0.5 mmol/L gadolinium. Using patient data collected at our institution, we were able to generate a model for predicting, from a patient’s glomerular filtration rate and the time elapsed since administration, the impact of Omniscan on calcium measurements by the o-cresolphthalein method from Roche Diagnostics.

Conclusions: The predictive model can be used to calculate, in patients who have received gadodiamide, the minimum length of time to wait before blood collection to avoid pseudohypocalcemia when the Roche o-cresolphthalein method is used.
Workbench zur Modellbildung, Simulation und Analyse zellulärer Systeme (Workbench for Model Set Up, Simulation, and Analysis of Cellular Systems)
Authors: Kremling Andreas , Klamt Steffen , Ginkel Martin , Gilles Ernst-Dieter
Published: February 2004

Die aktuelle Forschung in der molekularen Genetik und die Erfolge bei der Analyse von Genexpression und Proteinfunktion führen zu einer bisher unerreichten Fülle von Informationen über biologische Phänomene. Werkzeuge, die eine quantitative Beschreibung und Analyse ermöglichen, haben dabei eine entscheidende Bedeutung. Der Beitrag stellt Werkzeuge zur Modellerstellung, -simulation und -analyse vor, die bereits für eine Anzahl von biologischen Modellsystemen (Bakterien, Hefen) angewendet wurden. Das Werkzeug ProMoT dient zur automatischen Erstellung der Modellgleichungen, die anschliessend vom Gleichungslöser Diva numerisch untersucht werden können. Eine Analyse der Modellstruktur sowie die Berechnung von stationären Flüssen ist mit dem FluxAnalyzer möglich.
Tools für die Proteom-Analyse in silico
Authors: Pruess Manuela
Published: February 2004

Um die im Zuge der Genomsequenzierungen ständig anwachsende Datenmenge sinnvoll nutzen zu können, werden Tools zur in silico-Analyse sowohl einzelner Proteine als auch kompletter Proteome entwickelt. Spezialisierte Nukleinsäure- und Protein-Datenbanken sind wichtige Hilfsmittel für die Analyse, Charakterisierung und Klassifizierung von Proteinsequenzen. Im Gegensatz zu herkömmlichen Tools, deren Schwerpunkte auf dem Sequenzvergleich, der Strukturanalyse und -vorhersage oder der Erkennung spezifischer Regionen liegen, bieten übergreifende Datenbanken zur Proteomanalyse die Möglichkeit, unterschiedliche Arten von Informationen zu integrieren und damit umfassende statistische Analysen ganzer Proteome durchzuführen.
Genexpressionsanalyse komplexer klinischer Phänotypen mittels cDNS-Arrays (Gene Expression Profiling of Complex Clinical Phenotypes using cDNA-Arrays)
Authors: Heydebreck Anja von , Sperling Silke , Kaynak Bogac , Lehrach Hans , Vingron Martin
Published: February 2004

In einer genomweiten Genexpressionsstudie wurden normale und fehlgebildete menschliche Herzen mittels cDNS-Arrays untersucht. Statistische und bioinformatische Methoden wurden benutzt, um gewebe- und krankheitsspezifische Genexpressionsmuster zu identifizieren und funktionelle Genkategorien mit bestimmten Phänotypen zu assoziieren.
Differenzielle Proteomanalyse – Experimentelle Methoden, algorithmische Herausforderungen (Differential Analysis in Proteomics: Experimental Methods, Algorithmic Challenges)
Authors: Kohlbacher Oliver , Reinert Knut
Published: February 2004

Nach den großen Genomprojekten steht nun die Erforschung der Genprodukte, der Proteome, an. Die Proteomik verspricht neben fundamentalen Einsichten in die Funktionsweise des menschlichen Organismus, eine endlose Vielfalt von Applikationen in der medizinischen Diagnostik und Therapie. Wir beschreiben die derzeit gängigen experimentellen Techniken in der Proteomik. Diese Techniken erzeugen große Mengen komplexer Daten, die ohne geeignete Informatikmethoden nicht zu analysieren sind. Unter anderem kommen dabei Techniken aus dem Bereich der Statistik, des maschinellen Lernens, der Graphentheorie und der Bildverarbeitung zum Einsatz.
Middleware zur Realisierung offener Steuerungssoftware für hochdynamische Prozesse (Realizing Open Control Software for High Dynamic Processes with a Middleware)
Authors: Diethers Karsten , Finkemeyer Bernd , Kohn Nnamdi
Published: February 2004

Middlewarelösungen haben sich in der Praxis bewährt, da sie einen transparenten Softwareentwurf und einen dynamischen Austausch von Softwarekomponenten ermöglichen. Bisherige Ansätze sind für viele Echtzeitanwendungen zu aufwändig und können nicht den Datendurchsatz von hochdynamischen Anwendungen leisten. Daher wird hier mit MiRPA eine leichtgewichtige, echtzeitfähige Middleware vorgestellt, die entsprechend hohe Datenraten erlaubt. Kernstück der Kommunikationsarchitektur ist ein Object Server, der Kommunikationsdienste, wie Nachrichten und kontrollierten Zugriff auf Shared Memory, bereitstellt. Ein auf IEEE1394-Standard (Firewire) aufsetzendes echtzeitfähiges Hochgeschwindigkeitsprotokoll (IAP) erlaubt den Zugriff auf verteilte Komponenten. MiRPA wurde insbesondere für den Einsatz innerhalb von Robotersteuerungen konzipiert und implementiert.
Stoffwechselanalyse: Der Weg vom Genom zum metabolischen Netzwerk (Pathway Analysis: On the Route from Genomics to Metabolic Networks)
Authors: Bertram Helge , Dandekar Thomas
Published: February 2004

Die Rekonstruktion von Stoffwechselwegen fußt auf genomischen und biochemischen Daten. Mit diesen Daten soll eine höhere Interaktionsebene zwischen Enzymen in einem spezifischen Genom dargestellt werden. Dabei geht es vor allem um Stoffwechselwege in einer Spezies oder einem Individuum (Patient). Es wird der Fluss der Metabolite in einem Netzwerk aus unterschiedlichen Stoffwechselwegen mit verschiedenen Werkzeugen wie zum Beispiel der Elementarmodenanalyse untersucht. So werden Schlüsselenzyme und potenzielle medizinische Ziele erkannt.
Lineshape and Moment Analysis in Isotropic and Anisotropic Interaction-Induced Light Scattering Spectra of Gaseous Helium
Authors: El-Kader M. S. A.
Published: February 2004

Calibrated Raman spectra of the helium gas diatom at room temperature (294.5 K) have recently been measured over a wide range of intensities, with polarizations of the incident beam parallel and perpendicular to the direction of observation. From the resulting spectra, the isotropic and anisotropic components are separated for the helium diatom. For direct comparison with the measurements, quantum mechanical lineshapes are computed using recent model of the interatomic potential and models of the diatom polarizability tensor invariants as input. New empirical trace and anisotropy parameters, consistent with the spectroscopic measurements, are thus obtained for the helium gas. We compare these where possible with the existing computations based on classical physics, utilizing the first few even moments of the isotropic and anisotropic spectra. Good agreement with ab initio results in the literature is obtained and profiles calculated with these models are in excellent agreement with experiments.
Rotational State Distribution of HBr+ Ions Formed by Resonance Enhanced Multiphoton Ionization
Authors: Penno Martin , Weitzel Karl-Michael
Published: February 2004

The rotational state distribution of HBr+ ions formed via a large number of pump lines in the f 3Δ2 ← 1Σ and the F 1Δ2 ← 1Σ REMPI spectrum has been derived from the analysis of state-selective predissociation spectra. For most pump lines in the two REMPI spectra molecular ions are formed in narrow state distributions with dominant contributions of two or three different rotational states. By choice of the appropriate pump line in the REMPI spectrum this state distribution can be shifted from N = 0 to about N = 10. The data provide evidence that REMPI spectroscopy is a viable tool for the formation of state-selected molecular ions.
Electrical Conductances of Some Alkali-Metal Salts in N,N-Dimethylacetamide–Water Mixture at 25 °C
Authors: Das Debashis , Das Bijan , Hazra Dilip K.
Published: February 2004

Precise measurements on electrical conductances of the solutions of lithium chloride (LiCl), lithium bromide (LiBr), lithium iodide (LiI), lithium perchlorate (LiClO4), lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF4), sodium bromide (NaBr), sodium tetraphenylborate (NaBPh4), potassium bromide (KBr), rubidium bromide (RbBr), cesium bromide (CsBr) and tetrabutylammonium bromide (Bu4NBr) in N,N-dimethylacetamide + water (50 v/v) mixture have been reported at 25 °C in the concentration range 0.02–0.05 mol dm−3. The conductance data have been analyzed by the 1978 Fuoss conductance–concentration equation in terms of the limiting molar conductance (Λ0), the association constant (K
A) and the association diameter (R). The limiting ionic conductances (λ0
±) have been estimated from the appropriate division of the limiting molar conductivity value of the “reference electrolyte” tetrabutylammonium tetraphenylborate (Bu4NBPh4). The electrolytes investigated here are found to be significantly dissociated in this solvent medium and all ions remain unsolvated in N,N-dimethylacetamide + water (50 v/v) mixed solvent system with exception of the lithium ion where significant solvation has been noticed. The results have been interpreted in terms of the specific constitutional and structural factors of the solvent and of the solute ions.
Thermodynamics of the Interaction between Electrolyte (CaCl2, NaCl, NaBr, NaI) and Monosaccharide (D-mannose, D-ribose) in Water at 298.15 K
Authors: Yang Lixia , Zhuo Kelei , Zhao Yang , Wang Jianji
Published: February 2004

Electrochemical cells with a cation selective electrode (Ca–ISE, Na–ISE) versus an anion selective electrode (Cl–ISE, Br–ISE, I–ISE) as a reference electrode were used to determine the activity coefficients for electrolyte (CaCl2, NaCl, NaBr and NaI)–monosaccharide (D-mannose, D-ribose) systems in water at 298.15 K. The Gibbs free energy interaction parameters and salting constants were also evaluated. The results showed that the interaction of ribose is stronger than that of mannose with these electrolytes, and the interaction of calcium ion is stronger than that of sodium ion with these monosaccharides. These were discussed in terms of the stereochemistry of saccharide molecules and the structural interaction model.
A non‐parametric approach to software reliability
Authors: Gandy Axel , Jensen Uwe
Published: February 2004

In this paper we present a new, non‐parametric approach to software reliability. It is based on a multivariate counting process with additive intensity, incorporating covariates and including several projects in one model. Furthermore, we present ways to obtain failure data from the development of open source software. We analyse a data set from this source and consider several choices of covariates. We are able to observe a different impact of recently added and older source code onto the failure intensity. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On a cumulative damage process and resulting first passages times
Authors: Kahle Waltraud , Wendt Heide
Published: February 2004

The reliability of a product is often affected by a damage process. In this paper we consider a shock model where at random times a shock causes a random damage. The cumulative damage process is assumed to be generated by a position‐dependent marking of a doubly stochastic Poisson process. Some characteristics of this process are described. For general and special cases the probability that the damage process does not cross a certain threshold before a time t is calculated. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of steady system availability with imperfect repair
Authors: Cha Ji Hwan , Lee Sangyeol , Mi Jie
Published: February 2004

Availability is a very important measure of performance for a repairable system which can be in one of two states: operational and non‐operational. In this paper we compare steady system availabilities of two different systems which are subject to imperfect repair policy. Comparisons of the measure are made based on failure rate orderings, usual stochastic orderings, repair policy orderings and classifications of life distributions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical comparisons of approximations of geometric sums
Authors: Bon Jean‐Louis , Philippe Anne
Published: February 2004

The knowledge of the failure probability of industrial systems is now a crucial test of quality. But in practice, when components are repairable, two difficulties make actually untractable the explicit calculation. The first is the number of components and the second the general distribution of the lifetime or repairtime components. Even in the Markov case, the formulae are not convenient. Nevertheless, reliability engineers use simple exponential approximations with success. This can be explained by the decomposition in a geometric sum of the system lifetime and the closeness between geometric sum and exponential. Here we resume the available approximations and give numerical comparisons. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combinatorial approaches to Monte Carlo estimation of network lifetime distribution
Authors: Gertsbakh I. , Shpungin Y.
Published: February 2004

The purpose of this paper is estimating the lifetime distribution for two types of dynamic networks. The first one is a network, with edges existing in time, which may be erased independently of each other. The second one is a network with renewable edges. We consider effective Monte Carlo methods based on combinatorial approaches which were suggested earlier for estimating parameters of static networks. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Warranty cost analysis: non‐zero repair time
Authors: Chukova Stefanka , Hayakawa Yu
Published: February 2004

The main focus of this study is on the modelling of the warranty claims and evaluating the warranty expenses. The cost of each warranty claim depends on the non‐zero length of the repair time. Alternating renewal process is employed to model the operating and repair times. New results for alternating renewal process in finite horizon are derived. They are used to evaluate the warranty costs over the warranty period under non‐renewing free replacement policy and over the life cycle of the product. Examples are provided to illustrate the ideas. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal replacement policy for a series system with obsolescence
Authors: Mercier Sophie , Labeau Pierre‐Etienne
Published: February 2004

Most maintenance policies assume that failed or used components are replaced with identical units. Actually, such a hypothesis neglects the possible obsolescence of the components. When a new, more reliable and less consuming technology becomes available, a decision has to be made as for the replacement strategy to be used: old‐type components can all be immediately replaced, or new‐type units can be introduced progressively, each time a corrective action is undertaken. Partly corrective, partly preventive policies can also be envisioned.

This work tackles this issue in the case of a series system made of n identical and independent components with a constant failure rate. It provides, under given modelling assumptions, the fully analytical expression of the mean total cost induced by each possible strategy, as well as the optimal replacement policy, as a function of the problem parameters. This is performed by accounting for different costs for preventive or corrective replacements, with some economical dependence between replacements, different energy consumption rates for old‐type and new‐type components as well as a discount rate. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scavenging of reactive oxygen species by N‐substituted indole‐2 and 3‐carboxamides
Authors: Aboul‐Enein Hassan Y. , Kruk Irena , Lichszteld Krzysztof , Michalska Teresa , Kladna Aleksandra , Marczynski Slawomir , Ölgen Süreyya
Published: February 2004

Indole‐2 and 3‐carboxamides (IDs) are proposed to be selective cyclooxygenase inhibitors. Since cyclooxygenase‐1 may be involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, we hypothesize that these indole derivatives have antioxidative properties. We have employed chemiluminescence (CL) and electron spin resonance (ESR) spin trapping to examine this hypothesis. We report here the results of a study of reactivity of 10 selected indole derivatives towards ROS. The following generators of ROS were applied: potassium superoxide (KO2) as a source of superoxide radicals (O2·−), the Fenton reaction (Co‐EDTA/H2O2) for hydroxyl radicals (HO·), and a mixture of alkaline aqueous H2O2 and acetonitrile for singlet oxygen (1O2). Hydroxyl radicals were detected as 5,5‐dimethyl‐1‐pyrroline‐N‐oxide (DMPO) spin adduct, whereas 2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐piperidine (TEMP) was used as a detector of 1O2. Using the Fenton reaction, 0.5 mmol/L IDs were found to inhibit DMPO‐ȮH radical formation in the range 7–37%. Furthermore the tested compounds containing the thiazolyl group also inhibited the 1O2‐dependent TEMPO radical, generated in the acetonitrile + H2O2 system. About 20% inhibition was obtained in the presence of 0.5 mmol/L IDs. 1 mmol/L IDs caused an approximately 13–70% decrease in the CL sum from the O2·− generating system (1 mmol/L). The aim of this paper is to evaluate these indole derivatives as antioxidants and their abilities to scavenge ROS. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evolution of beetle bioluminescence: the origin of beetle luciferin
Authors: Day John C. , Tisi Laurence C. , Bailey Mark J.
Published: February 2004

Bioluminescence, the conversion of chemical energy into light in living organisms, is dependent on two principal components, an enzyme luciferase and the substrate luciferin. In beetles, the enzyme luciferase has been extensively studied, with signiﬁcant enzymological, sequence and structural data now available. Furthermore, the enzyme has been employed in a remarkable number of important applications, from microbial detection and medical imaging to GM gene expression studies. However, there is little information regarding the biosynthesis of beetle luciferin, and here we review the literature and speculate as to its evolutionary origins. Luciferin consists of a benzothiazole moiety attached to a thiazole carboxylic acid moiety, the former being rarely observed in nature but the latter being observed in a broad range of biologically derived molecules. Benzothiazoles are, however, observed in melanogenesis and we speculate as to whether this may be relevant to the understanding of luciferin biosynthesis in beetles. This review examines recent novel insights into beetle luciferin recycling and we assess a range of possible biosynthetic mechanisms. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence reaction of lucigenin with isatin at a platinum electrode
Authors: Qi Honglan , Zhang Chengxiao
Published: February 2004

The electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) reaction of lucigenin with isatin was investigated at a platinum electrode in a neutral aqueous solution. The ECL intensity of lucigenin at −0.65 V was greatly enhanced by isatin, and the ECL intensity was about 50 times higher than that of lucigenin without isatin. The enhanced ECL was believed to be produced by the chemiluminescence reaction between reduced lucigenin and superoxide anion that was generated by the reaction of electrochemically reduced isatin with dissolved oxygen. The conditions for the determination of isatin were optimized. Under the optimized condition, the enhanced ECL intensity vs. isatin concentration was linear in the range 4.8 × 10−7−1.9 × 10−5 g/mL; with a detection limit of 3.3 × 10−8 g/mL, and the relative standard derivation 1.0 × 10−6 g/mL isatin was 3.8%. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determination of sulphite using an immobilized enzyme with ﬂow injection chemiluminescence detection
Authors: Yaqoob M. , Nabi A. , Waseem A. , Masoom‐Yasinzai M.
Published: February 2004

A ﬂow injection method is reported for the determination of sulphite‐based on chemiluminescent detection. Hydro‐gen peroxide is produced from sulphite using on‐line covalently bound immobilized sulphite oxidase packed in a mini‐column, which was mixed downstream and detected via cobalt(II)‐catalysed chemiluminescent oxidation of luminol. The limit of detection (2 × standard deviation of the blank) was 1 × 10−3 mmol/L with sample throughput 60 h−1. The calibration data was linear over the range of 0.2–1.0 mmol/L with relative standard deviation (n = 4) in the range 0.9–2.0%. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of E. coli in beach water within 1 hour using immunomagnetic separation and ATP bioluminescence
Authors: Lee JiYoung , Deininger Rolf A.
Published: February 2004

The contamination of beach waters occurs from the discharge of storm water and sanitary sewer overﬂows containing faecal material. Additional faecal material derives from discharge of animals and waterfowl. In order to protect public from exposure to faecal‐contaminated water, it is required to test enteric indicators in beach water. The problem is that the traditional culture‐based methods cannot meet this goal because it takes too long (>24 h), so the results are not available until a day later. A rapid method for testing beach water for Escherichia coli within 1 h has been developed. Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and ATP bioluminescence were used for selective capture and quantiﬁcation, respectively. This rapid method was compared to the current method (m‐TEC) using beach water samples. The beach samples were preﬁltered with a 20 µm pore size ﬁlter in order to remove algae, plant debris and large particles. The results showed that the preﬁltration step did not trap the bacteria which were present in the original water samples. The preﬁltered water was then passed through a 0.45 µm pore size ﬁlter for concentration. The deposited bacteria were resuspended and then mixed with superparamagnetic polystyrene beads (diameter of 0.6 µm) that were coated with E. coli antibodies. After IMS, the quantiﬁcation of the E. coli was done by ATP bioluminescence. The results obtained with IMS‐ATP bioluminescence correlated well with the plate count method (Rsq = 0.93). The detection limit of the assay was about 20 CFU/100 mL, which is well below the US EPA limits for recreational water. The entire procedure can be completed in less than 1 hour. The necessary equipment is portable and was tested on‐site. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Luminol‐, isoluminol‐ and lucigenin‐enhanced chemiluminescence of rat blood phagocytes stimulated with different activators
Authors: Pavelkova Martina , Kubala Lukas
Published: February 2004

Luminol‐, isoluminol‐ or lucigenin‐enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) was used to measure the production of reactive oxygen species by rat blood leukocytes. Opsonized zymosan (OZ), phorbol‐12‐myristate‐13‐acetate (PMA), calcium ionophore A23187 (Ca‐I) or N‐formyl‐Met‐Leu‐Phe (fMLP) were used as activators. The CL signal of isolated blood leukocytes decreased in rank order of luminol > isoluminol > lucigenin. The kinetic proﬁles of luminol‐ and isoluminol‐enhanced CL were similar upon stimulation by each activator tested. The remarkably higher luminol and isoluminol CL responses were obtained after OZ stimulation when compared with other activators. However, when lucigenin was used, the PMA‐ and OZ‐stimulated CL were comparable. The presence of plasma increased OZ‐activated CL because of the enhanced phagocytosis of OZ. This was demonstrated by determining the phagocytosis of the ﬂuorescent OZ using a ﬂow cytometer. In contrast, the presence of plasma decreased PMA‐activated CL, due to the antioxidant properties of plasma as determined by the CL method. As far as whole blood is concerned, only OZ activated luminol‐enhanced CL was reliable. Blood volumes over 5 µL decreased CL activity due to the scavenging ability of erythrocytes. The results suggest that 0.5 µL whole blood is sufﬁcient for routine luminol‐enhanced CL analysis of whole blood oxidative burst in rats. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Shape and weight concern and self‐esteem as mediators of externalized self‐perception, dietary restraint and uncontrolled eating
Authors: Ross Melanie , Wade Tracey D.
Published: February 2004

Objective:

This study investigated mediational processes by which variables may work together to increase the likelihood of dietary restraint and uncontrolled eating, guided by the framework suggested by the cognitive model.

Method:

Female university students aged between 18 and 25 years (N = 111) completed the Silencing the Self Scale, and measures of self‐esteem, weight concern, shape concern and dietary restraint, as well as a measure of uncontrolled eating.

Results:

Self‐esteem partially mediated the relationship between externalized self‐perception and a combined measure of weight and shape concern, which in turn fully mediated the relationship between self‐esteem and both dietary restraint and uncontrolled eating. Dietary restraint did not mediate the relationship between weight and shape concern and uncontrolled eating.

Discussion:

The results support the validity of the cognitive model of bulimia nervosa and are consistent with externalized self‐perception being an early risk factor for disturbed eating patterns, in line with earlier theorizing. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Day clinic or inpatient care for severe bulimia nervosa?
Authors: Zeeck Almut , Herzog Thomas , Hartmann Armin
Published: February 2004

Objective:

Treating severe eating disorders in a day treatment programme has advantages, but also limitations compared with inpatient settings. A day clinic can provide intense, specialized psychotherapy while patients stay in their social context.

Method:

The integrated treatment programme of the day clinic in Freiburg, which has a psychodynamic background, will be presented. In an exploratory study a group of consecutively treated bulimic patients (N = 18) was matched with an inpatient sample (N = 18) and examined concerning short‐term course. Symptomatology was evaluated again in a 1.5‐year follow‐up.

Results:

At discharge, 27.8 per cent of the day clinic patients and 33.3 per cent of the inpatients showed complete remission and 22.2 vs. 38.9 per cent partial remission—50 vs. 27.8 per cent still fulfilled DSM‐IV criteria for the last 4 weeks of treatment. At follow‐up, 50 per cent of the day clinic patients showed complete remission, 28.6 per cent partial remission and 21.4 per cent were still fully symptomatic. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Nocturnal eating: prevalence, features and night sleep among binge eating disorder and bulimia nervosa patients in Israel
Authors: Tzischinsky O. , Latzer Y.
Published: February 2004

Objective:

Nocturnal Eating Syndrome (NES) is a rare clinical syndrome comprising both eating and sleeping disorders. Binge Eating Disorder (BED) and Bulimia Nervosa (BN) have similar clinical features characterized by uncontrolled binge eating episodes. Nocturnal Eating Syndrome among BED and BN patients entails binge eating episodes after sleep onset. The aim of this study was to examine differences between BN and BED patients with respect to nocturnal sleep‐related eating disorders.

Method:

Twelve BED and 10 BN patients suffering from nocturnal binge eating were studied. All patients were monitored by the Actigraph for 1 week and completed the Mini‐Sleep Questionnaire in addition to providing demographic and clinical data.

Results:

The objective sleep monitoring presented no significant differences between BN and BED despite differences in demographic and clinical data.

Discussion:

To our knowledge, this study is the first investigation to compare BED and BN patients who suffered from nocturnal binge eating episodes. The results may represent a new subgroup of nocturnal sleep and eating disorders. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Drop‐out from inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa: can risk factors be identified at point of admission?
Authors: Surgenor Lois J. , Maguire Sarah , Beumont Pierre J. V.
Published: February 2004

Despite renewed interest in drop‐out from eating disorders treatment, few studies have investigated the issue in respect to the most expensive and intensive form of treatment, that is, inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN). This study investigates whether risk of treatment drop‐out can be determined from information routinely collected at point of admission. Using information from a multi‐site database collected in Australia and New Zealand, demographic and clinical data at point of admission were collated for 213 inpatient treatment episodes. One in five admissions ended with the patient unilaterally deciding to leave treatment without clinician endorsement. A lower body mass index, AN purging subtype and active fluid restriction made significant independent contributions to this risk. Drop‐out remains a highly disruptive method of discharge and while there is utility in predicting those most at risk, few variables commonly collated by clinicians contribute to their identification. The implications for clinical practice and future research are discussed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Eating disorders in Scotland: needs assessment at a national level
Authors: Carter Harden , Millar Harry
Published: February 2004

In Scotland, services for people with eating disorders are recognized to be limited and poorly developed. During 2001 the Scottish Mental Health and Well Being Group established a Short Life Working Group on Eating Disorders to provide a rapid overview of the scale of the problem and to outline a strategy for service developments. For Scotland, with total population of some 5 million, prevalence estimates suggest that some 1200 women aged 15 to 24 years suffer from anorexia nervosa, and around 4700 suffer from bulimia nervosa. Among young people aged 11 to 15 years an estimated 600 girls suffer from an eating disorder. The Short Life Working Group has outlined a five‐tiered model for service development. This has been incorporated into the National Mental Health Framework for Scotland as a model for NHS Boards to adopt in their future health strategies. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Anorexia nervosa subtypes and the big five personality factors
Authors: Bollen Elke , Wojciechowski Franz Laurens
Published: February 2004

Objective

This study investigated the relationship between the Big Five personality factors and anorexia nervosa and its subtypes.

Method

71 patients with anorexia nervosa, restricting subtype (AN‐R) and 29 patients with anorexia nervosa, binge‐eating/purging subtype (AN‐BP) filled in the NEO‐Five Factor Inventory. The results of the two AN groups were compared with each other, and with those of an historical control group (N = 1390).

Results

Compared to AN‐BP, AN‐R had significantly higher scores on the factors Conscientiousness and Agreeableness. While levels of Neuroticism were similar in AN‐R and AN‐BP, both had significantly higher scores on Neuroticism compared to the normal controls.

Discussion

The present results confirm that AN‐R and AN‐BP can be meaningfully distinguished, not only on basis of eating disorder symptoms, but also on basic personality variables. The high levels of general psychological distress and emotional instability in both subtypes of AN compared to normal controls, strongly suggest that the focus of treatment of AN should not be limited to disordered eating behaviours and cognitions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
The impact of a motivational assessment interview on initial response to treatment in adolescent anorexia nervosa
Authors: Gowers S. G. , Smyth B.
Published: February 2004

This study was a pilot for a larger study to evaluate a time‐limited outpatient programme for adolescent anorexia nervosa, to explore the ability of an assessment interview to change self‐reported motivation and ascertain the extent to which this predicted engagement with treatment and early behavioural change. Forty‐two adolescents with anorexia nervosa rated their motivation for change before and after attending a new‐style assessment interview. Initial (6 week) effectiveness of the programme was evaluated by measuring engagement with treatment, weight change, clinician (HoNOSCA) and self‐rated (EDI, MFQ, HoNOSCA‐SR) outcome measures, overall and in relation to motivational status. The assessment interview significantly improved motivation. Motivational category after interview was unrelated to physical status, cognition or general functioning but predicted engagement with treatment. Whilst for the whole sample, treatment produced physical, cognitive and general improvements at 6 weeks, motivational status was a powerful predictor of weight gain. A client‐centred assessment interview engaged 80% in an outpatient programme based on CBT. Motivational enhancement may improve engagement and specifically result in behavioural change and early weight gain. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
The prevalence of eating pathology and its relationship to knowledge of eating disorders among high school girls in Japan
Authors: Nishizono‐Maher Aya , Miyake Yuko , Nakane Akira
Published: February 2004

The authors investigated for thinness and related eating pathology among high school girls in Japan in relation to their knowledge of eating disorders. In a Tokyo high school, the Eating Disorder Inventory‐2 and the Child Depression Inventory were completed by girls aged 13–14 years (n = 243) and 15–16 years (n = 291), together with questionnaires on their knowledge of eating disorders. Japanese teenagers are comparable to Western college students in the distribution of the drive for thinness scores. Senior high school girls show a stronger drive for thinness but this is not closely related to their BMI. Among junior high school girls, the degree of thinness is related to a higher BMI. Subjects who have had personal contact with eating disordered patients have the highest drive for thinness. Both age and knowledge are related to school children's attitudes to eating disorders. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Reduced bone mineral density in bulimia as well as anorexia nervosa
Authors: Morris Jane , Tothill Peter , Gard Maisie , McPhail Karen , Hannan James , Cowen Stephen , Freeman Chris
Published: February 2004

We conducted a case controlled study to examine bone mineral density (BMD) in 47 women with bulimia nervosa, 51 with anorexia nervosa, 45 women recovered from past eating disorders, and 40 healthy controls. Lumbar spine and whole body BMD were measured by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. In contrast with previous studies, we found that subjects with active bulimia nervosa, even with no previous history of anorexia, had lower whole body and lumbar spine BMD than controls, although higher than in anorexia. Non‐traumatic spinal fractures were detected in two anorexic subjects and two bulimic subjects, but none of the controls. Assessment of BMD should be considered in patients with severe bulimia as well as anorexia nervosa. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
The effect of prenatal care on birthweight: a full‐information maximum likelihood approach
Authors: Rous Jeffrey J. , Jewell R. Todd , Brown Robert W.
Published: February 2004

This paper uses a full‐information maximum likelihood estimation procedure, the Discrete Factor Method, to estimate the relationship between birthweight and prenatal care. This technique controls for the potential biases surrounding both the sample selection of the pregnancy‐resolution decision and the endogeneity of prenatal care. In addition, we use the actual number of prenatal care visits; other studies have normally measured prenatal care as the month care is initiated. We estimate a birthweight production function using 1993 data from the US state of Texas. The results underscore the importance of correcting for estimation problems. Specifically, a model that does not control for sample selection and endogeneity overestimates the benefit of an additional visit for women who have relatively few visits. This overestimation may indicate ‘positive fetal selection,’ i.e., women who did not abort may have healthier babies. Also, a model that does not control for self‐selection and endogenity predicts that past 17 visits, an additional visit leads to lower birthweight, while a model that corrects for these estimation problems predicts a positive effect for additional visits. This result shows the effect of mothers with less healthy fetuses making more prenatal care visits, known as ‘adverse selection’ in prenatal care. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comprehensive decision analytical modelling in economic evaluation: a Bayesian approach
Authors: Cooper Nicola J. , Sutton Alex J. , Abrams Keith R. , Turner David , Wailoo Allan
Published: February 2004

Decision analytical models are widely used in economic evaluation of health care interventions with the objective of generating valuable information to assist health policy decision‐makers to allocate scarce health care resources efficiently. The whole decision modelling process can be summarised in four stages: (i) a systematic review of the relevant data (including meta‐analyses), (ii) estimation of all inputs into the model (including effectiveness, transition probabilities and costs), (iii) sensitivity analysis for data and model specifications, and (iv) evaluation of the model. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how the individual components of decision modelling, outlined above, may be addressed simultaneously in one coherent Bayesian model (sometimes known as a comprehensive decision analytical model) and evaluated using Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation implemented in the specialist software WinBUGS. To illustrate the method described, it is applied to two illustrative examples:

(1) The prophylactic use of neurominidase inhibitors for the prevention of influenza.

(2) The use of taxanes for the second‐line treatment of advanced breast cancer.

The advantages of integrating the four stages outlined into one comprehensive decision analytical model, compared to the conventional ‘two‐stage’ approach, are discussed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Labor market costs of illness: prevalence matters
Authors: DeLeire Thomas , Manning Willard
Published: February 2004

We present a model of the labor market effects of health impairments. In particular, we describe several economic models in which health affects worker productivity and the demand for and supply of market labor services. These models provide a framework for estimating the social cost of prevalent health impairments – a necessary step in conducting cost–benefit analyses and in determining the cost‐effectiveness of potential health interventions from a broader social perspective. Our approach suggests that several measures used in the literature provide an incomplete and systematically biased assessment of the economic impact of health impairment or of the treatment of illness and impairment. The problem arises because of the reliance on an approximation at the firm level and from the bias from the neglect of the effect of impairment in shifting the labor market equilibrium. If the illness is prevalent, the effects on labor market equilibrium wage rates could be substantial. In addition, many analyses also ignore the effects of illness on producers' surplus. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of stated preference methods for estimating monetary values
Authors: Ryan Mandy
Published: February 2004

This paper presents a comparison of willingness to pay (WTP) estimates generated from a dichotomous choice (DC) contingent valuation experiment and a choice experiment (CE). The study was conducted with subjects undergoing assisted reproductive techniques in the Grampian area of Scotland. Subjects first completed a DC WTP questionnaire. They were sent a CE questionnaire two months later. Welfare estimates for the DC WTP study and CE were not significantly different. Important research questions are raised concerning the validity of the various approaches to estimating WTP. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.