bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ischemia sensitivity and motoneuron afterhyperpolarization in human motor units
Authors: Gossen E. Roderich , Ivanova Tanya D. , Garland S. Jayne
Published: June 2004

The purpose of this study was to examine whether motor units, grouped by speed of contraction in the human first dorsal interosseous muscle, differed in their sensitivity to ischemia and motoneuron afterhyperpolarization (AHP) time‐course. Motor units were recorded while subjects held an abduction force for approximately 10 min. Subsequently, subjects abducted for 4–5 min under ischemic conditions. Motor unit twitches derived using spike‐triggered averaging were allocated into “fast” or “slow” contracting groups based on twitch time to peak (TTP) force. Motor units in the “slow” group had a greater sensitivity to ischemia than the “fast” group. When upper and lower quartiles of TTP were compared, motor units with slow TTP had long AHP time‐constants (as estimated by an interspike interval histogram transform). Thus, motor units grouped by speed of contraction differed in both their sensitivity to ischemia and motoneuron AHP time‐course. This provides preliminary evidence that the estimated AHP time‐constant may be used to deduce motor‐unit type in humans. Muscle Nerve 30: 195–201, 2004
Muscle molecular phenotype after stroke is associated with gait speed
Authors: De Deyne Patrick G. , Hafer‐Macko Charlene E. , Ivey Frederick M. , Ryan Alice S. , Macko Richard F.
Published: June 2004

The disability of patients after stroke is generally attributed to upper motor neuron defects, but secondary changes in paretic muscle may enhance the disability. We analyzed the molecular phenotype and metabolic profile of the paretic and nonparetic vastus lateralis (VL) and we measured the severity of gait deficit in 13 patients at least 6 months after ischemic stroke. The results showed a significant increase in the proportion of fast myosin heavy chain (MHC, 68 ± 14%) in the paretic compared to the nonparetic VL (50 ± 13%). The specific activity of citrate synthase and glyceraldehyde phosphodehydrogenase was not significantly different between the two sides. The proportion of fast MHC was inversely associated with severity of gait deficit indexed by self‐selected walking speed in the paretic leg, but not the nonparetic leg. Our findings demonstrate significant and potentially modifiable secondary biologic changes in hemiparetic muscle phenotype that may contribute to the disability of stroke. Muscle Nerve 30: 209–215, 2004
Monocyte/macrophage differentiation in dermatomyositis and polymyositis
Authors: Rostasy Kevin M. , Piepkorn Martin , Goebel Hans‐Hilmar , Menck Sylvia , Hanefeld Folker , Schulz‐Schaeffer Walter J.
Published: June 2004

Recent advances have revealed significant differences in the pathogenesis of inflammatory myopathies. To determine whether different patterns of macrophage differentiation are a useful tool to delineate the major groups of inflammatory myopathies, the muscle biopsies of 11 patients with dermatomyositis and 12 patients with polymyositis were studied using different macrophage markers. In polymyositis, the early‐activation markers MRP14 and 27E10 stained the majority of macrophages, which were recognized by the pan‐macrophage marker Ki‐M1P and which were located primarily in the endomysium. In dermatomyositis, macrophages predominantly expressed the late‐activation marker 25F9 and were found mainly in the perimysium. Thus, the location and presence of different subsets of macrophages distinguish dermatomyositis and polymyositis. The predominance of early‐activated macrophages in polymyositis indicates a more acute disease process. The findings in dermatomyositis, by contrast, suggest a role of persistent monocytes/macrophages in the disease process. Muscle Nerve 30: 225–230, 2004
Prediction of voluntary activation, strength and endurance of elbow flexors in postpolio patients
Authors: Allen Gabrielle M. , Middleton J. , Katrak P. H. , Lord S. R. , Gandevia S. C.
Published: June 2004

To examine the long‐term effects of polio, maximal voluntary strength and voluntary activation of elbow flexor muscles of 177 patients from a postpolio clinic were investigated using twitch interpolation. Muscle endurance was studied in 142 patients during 45 min of submaximal exercise, and predictors of impaired muscle performance were investigated. Twenty‐nine of 177 patients (16.4%) had impaired voluntary drive to their elbow flexor muscles, but only 16 (9.0%) had markedly reduced elbow flexor strength, despite 74 (41.8%) reporting they were initially affected in their tested limb and 172 (97.2%) patients reporting new generalized symptoms. Seven patients had impaired muscle endurance in the tests of strength and voluntary drive. During the submaximal exercise, 16 patients (11.3%) had impaired peripheral muscle endurance with normal voluntary activation. These results confirm a low incidence of impaired upper‐limb muscle performance in postpolio patients, despite many patients having subjective symptoms consistent with postpolio syndrome. There was an increased relative risk for impaired muscle function in those patients with a subjective decrease in strength in the tested limb, a recent decline in activities of daily living in their tested limb, and who used orthotic devices in their tested limb. Monitoring of function in prior‐polio patients with impaired muscle performance may be useful, particularly when combined with investigation of other potential contributory factors to the functional impairment. Muscle Nerve 30: 172–181, 2004
Double‐blind randomized controlled trial of low‐level laser therapy in carpal tunnel syndrome
Authors: Irvine Jamie , Chong Su L. , Amirjani Nasim , Chan K. Ming
Published: June 2004

Several studies have suggested that low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) is effective in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In a double‐blind randomized controlled trial of LLLT, 15 CTS patients, 34 to 67 years of age, were randomly assigned to either the control group (n = 8) or treatment group (n =7). Both groups were treated three times per week for 5 weeks. Those in the treatment group received 860 nm galium/aluminum/arsenide laser at a dosage of 6 J/cm2 over the carpal tunnel, whereas those in the control group were treated with sham laser. The primary outcome measure was the Levine Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire, and the secondary outcome measures were electrophysiological data and the Purdue pegboard test. All patients completed the study without adverse effects. There was a significant symptomatic improvement in both the control (P = 0.034) and treatment (P =0.043) groups. However, there was no significant difference in any of the outcome measures between the two groups. Thus, LLLT is no more effective in the reduction of symptoms of CTS than is sham treatment. Muscle Nerve 30: 182–187, 2004
Encoding of tensile stress and strain during stretch by muscle mechano‐nociceptors
Authors: Khalsa Partap S. , Ge Weiqing
Published: June 2004

Groups III and IV muscle mechano‐nociceptors (MNs) can be stimulated during noxious stretch, as may occur during hyperextension of a joint. However, the mechanical state (characterized by stress and strain) encoded by MNs during stretch has not previously been determined. The current study used an ex vivo gracilis muscle–nerve preparation in a rat model to apply either a uniform uniaxial or pseudo–shear‐loading paradigm. Single mechanically sensitive group III or IV MNs were mechanically stimulated while plane stress and strain were measured at the location of the MN's receptive field. Linear regression was used to evaluate the relationships between neural response and mechanical stress and strain. The mean neural response (threshold, 47.2 kPa; sensitivity, 0.05 Hz/kPa) was highly correlated to tensile stress, tensile strain, and in‐plane compressive strain but was significantly and substantially less correlated with shear strain. Although the overall stress and strain relationship was nonlinear, it was reasonably linear (r2 = 0.92) for levels suprathreshold for MNs. Hence, at tensile loads sufficient to stimulate MNs, the muscle was acting as a pseudo‐elastic tissue. Thus, muscle MNs encode noxious stretch differently than compression and exhibit different encoding of stretch than cutaneous MNs. Muscle Nerve 30: 216–224, 2004
Species differences in the regulation of tyrosine hydroxylase in Cnemidophorus whiptail lizards
Authors: Woolley Sarah C. , Crews David
Published: June 2004

Evolution of behavioral phenotype involves changes in the underlying neural substrates. Cnemidophorus whiptail lizards enable the study of behavioral and neural evolution because ancestral species involved in producing unisexual, hybrid species still exist. Catecholaminergic systems modulate the expression of social behaviors in a number of vertebrates, including whiptails, and therefore we investigated how changes in catecholamine production correlated with evolutionary changes in behavioral phenotype by measuring the size and number of catecholamine producing (tyrosine hydroxylase‐immunoreactive, or TH‐ir) cells across the reproductive cycle in females from two related whiptail species. Cnemidophorusuniparens is a triploid, parthenogenetic species that arose from hybridization events involving the diploid, sexual species C. inornatus. Prior to ovulation, females from both species display femalelike receptive behaviors. However, after ovulation, only parthenogenetic individuals display malelike mounting behavior. In all nuclei measured, we found larger TH‐ir cells in the parthenogen, a difference consistent with species differences in ploidy. In contrast, species differences in the number of TH‐ir cells were nucleus specific. In the preoptic area and anterior hypothalamus, parthenogens had fewer TH‐ir cells than females of the sexual species. Reproductive state only affected TH‐ir cell number in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), and C. uniparens individuals had more TH‐ir cells after ovulation than when previtellogenic. Thus, species differences over the reproductive cycle in the SNpc are correlated with species differences in behavior, and it appears that the process of speciation may have produced a novel neural and behavioral phenotype in the parthenogen. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 60: 360–368, 2004
6‐hydroxydopamine lesions in anuran amphibians: A new model system for Parkinson's disease?
Authors: Endepols Heike , Schul Johannes , Gerhardt H. Carl , Walkowiak Wolfgang
Published: June 2004

We investigated the effects of dopamine depletion on acoustically guided behavior of anurans by conducting phonotaxis experiments with female gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor) before and 90 min after bilateral injections of 3, 6, or 12 μg 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) into the telencephalic ventricles. In experiments with one loudspeaker playing back a standard artificial mating call, we analyzed the effects of 6‐OHDA on phonotactic response time. In choice tests we measured the degree of distraction from the standard call (20 pulses/s) by three different variants with altered pulse‐rate (30/s, 40/s, 60/s). Five days after experiments, brains were immunostained for tyrosine hydroxylase. Labeled neurons were counted in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, posterior tuberculum, interpeduncular nucleus, and locus coeruleus, and correlation between neuronal numbers and behavioral scores was tested. Response times increased together with 6‐OHDA concentrations, which was mainly due to longer immobile periods before the animals started movement. In choice tests the most irrelevant stimulus (60/s) distracted 6‐OHDA injected females from the standard stimulus, while sham injected controls were undistracted. The number of catecholaminergic neurons decreased with increasing 6‐OHDA concentration in the suprachiasmatic nucleus, posterior tuberculum, and interpeduncular nucleus. The normalized number of immunoreactive neurons in the posterior tuberculum was positively correlated with phonotaxis scores in the one‐speaker test, demonstrating that motor deficits are a function of tubercular cell loss. We conclude that bilateral 6‐OHDA lesions in anuran amphibians cause motor (difficulty to start movements) as well as cognitive symptoms (higher distraction by irrelevant stimuli) that have also been described for human Parkinson patients. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 60: 395–410, 2004
A freeform shape optimization of complex structures represented by arbitrary polygonal or polyhedral meshes
Authors: Shen Jie , Yoon David
Published: June 2004

In this paper we propose a new scheme for freeform shape optimization on arbitrary polygonal or polyhedral meshes. The approach consists of three main steps: (1) surface partitioning of polygonal meshes into different patches; (2) a new freeform perturbation scheme of using the Cox–de Boor basis function over arbitrary polygonal meshes, which supports multi‐resolution shape optimization and does not require CAD information; (3) freeform shape optimization of arbitrary polygonal or polyhedral meshes. Numerical experiments indicate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The relationship between prenatal and postnatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and cognitive, neuropsychological, and behavioral deficits: A critical appraisal
Authors: Cicchetti Domenic V. , Kaufman Alan S. , Sparrow Sara S.
Published: June 2004

Our purpose in this report is to evaluate scientifically that body of literature relating the effects of prenatal and postnatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) upon neurobehavioral, health‐related, and cognitive deficits in neonates, developing infants, children, and adults. The data derive from seven cohorts: six cohorts of mothers and their offspring who were exposed to PCBs, and one composed of adults who were also exposed to PCBs. We applied six fundamental sets of scientific criteria to evaluate the claims of each study deriving from each cohort: (1) The level of reliability and validity of assessment instruments; (2) The appropriateness of the reliability assessments made on study variables; (3) The adequacy of controlling for chance findings when multiple comparisons were made; (4) The necessity to distinguish between clinically meaningful and statistically significant results; (5) The level of success in controlling for fundamental confounding variables, and; (6) The extent to which studies were longitudinally designed and appropriately analyzed. We conclude that the studies of these cohorts failed to meet reasonable scientific standards. Studies deriving from the more recent cohorts used better research designs than those based on the early (about 1980) cohorts in Michigan and North Carolina, and produced occasional interesting hypotheses that need to be tested on new cohorts. However, the numerous claims and conclusions regarding the deleterious effects of maternal PCB exposure upon subsequent cognitive, neuropsychological, and behavioral development in their offspring, whether the exposure is in utero or postnatal, are not tenable; nor are the claims that PCBs affect the neuropsychological functioning of adults. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 589–624, 2004.
Commentary on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), toxins, and neuropsychological deficits: Good science is the antidote
Authors: Hebben Nancy
Published: June 2004

The seven cohort studies of the relation between prenatal and postnatal exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) to cognitive, neuropsychological and behavioral development have suggested that exposure to PCBs can cause persistent changes in cognitive functioning. D.V. Cicchetti, A.S. Kaufman, and S.S. Sparrow (this issue) apply six scientific criteria to the design, methodology, and data analysis of the seven cohort studies and demonstrate that numerous flaws limit the reliability and validity of the results and the subsequent conclusions that can be drawn. Their analysis highlights the following general issues for both clinical and research neuropsychologists: (a) self‐report may not be the most reliable indicator of exposure to a toxin or of history; (b) statistical results are limited by the appropriateness and reliability and validity of test instruments; (c) clinical examiners must be appropriately trained; (d) some significant findings occur by chance alone, and; (e) the error of overinterpretation of findings—statistical significance does not mean clinical significance and population statistics cannot be applied directly to individuals. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 681–685, 2004.
Relationship of perinatal PCB exposure to neurodevelopmental outcomes: Reply to appraisal
Authors: Gladen Beth C. , Rogan Walter J.
Published: June 2004

D.V. Cicchetti, A.S. Kaufman, and S.S. Sparrow (this issue) examine various technical issues related to six studies of perinatal PCB exposure and neurodevelopment and one study of adult PCB exposure and motor function. They raise questions about possible imperfections of the studies, but many of their assertions are unsupported or frankly incorrect, and they do little to assess the potential impact of the issues that they raise; we find none of their arguments about flaws in our study compelling. Their stated purpose is to scientifically evaluate the body of literature, but their narrow focus does not allow a genuine evaluation of the scientific evidence. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 687–691, 2004.
Evidence for neuropsychological effects of PCBs in environmental studies: Getting better all the time
Authors: Rice Deborah C.
Published: June 2004

This invited response to the paper by D.V. Cicchetti, A.S. Kaufman, and S.S. Sparrow (CKS), and the responses by the investigative teams of the studies criticized by them, addresses specific errors of logic and interpretation by CKS, and integrates comments made by the study investigators. CKS provide a flawed analysis of the literature on the neuropsychological effects of PCBs identified in epidemiological studies. Arguments regarding the inadequacy of study design and data analysis are for the most part factually in error, unimportant, superceded by later testing or analysis within a study, or if true, would bias results toward the null rather than finding spurious effects. They also fail to differentiate between small effects in an individual and the societal consequences of such effects, and fail to recognize the overall consistency of effects among studies. In fact, the literature is remarkably consistent in documenting adverse consequences of developmental exposure to PCBs in humans. In addition, contrary to assertions by CKS, developmental studies in monkeys documented cognitive effects at body burdens observed in human studies. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 693–707, 2004.
Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): Implications for school psychologists
Authors: Cook‐Cottone Catherine
Published: June 2004

Pediatric exposure to polychlorinated biphynels (PCBs) is a national health concern with significant implications for school psychologists. According to the healthcare collaboration model, the school psychologist plays a key role in the provision of services to children affected by environmental teratogens. To effectively function as healthcare collaborators, school psychologists must have an understanding of the nature of PCBs, the current state of PCB research, and implications for practice. This article provides a brief and critical update of empirical findings and posited developmental implications as well as an empirically guided overview of PCB‐related school psychology practice. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 709–714, 2004.
Modification of data processing and interpretation of results related to the use of multiparameter correlation analysis: introduction of additional characteristics and criteria. Part 1—Application to the treatment of solvent effects
Authors: Palm V. , Palm N. , Tenno T.
Published: June 2004

Several problems with multilinear regression analysis in chemistry are discussed. These problems are connected with the establishment of scales and their inclusion in the model of significant and, as usually desired, physically or chemically meaningful descriptors. The detection of abundant and interrelated descriptors and of the presence and the mode of elimination of strongly deviating data are discussed, as well as the estimation of absent values for incomplete (considering a set of rows treated) descriptor scales. They were studied using an incomplete data matrix for 359 solvent‐dependent processes and solvent parameter scales for 45 solvents. Some non‐traditional problems, related to the formalism of application of the basic principles of correlation analysis, are discussed and corresponding characteristics and criteria specified. A quantitative measure of the orthogonality of correlation matrices was introduced. As a result of the realization of this approach, it was found that for multiparameter correlation analyses of the solvent‐dependent processes under consideration, seven residual (i.e. free from mutual contributions) descriptors are significant and sufficient. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nucleophilic attack on ketene, 6‐methylene‐2,4‐cyclohexadienylideneketene, 6‐oxo‐2,4‐cyclohexadienylideneketene and 4‐oxo‐2,5‐cyclohexadienylideneketene: an ab initio study
Authors: Keeffe James R.
Published: June 2004

Nucleophilic attack of cyanide anion at the carbonyl carbon was studied computationally at the MP2/6–311+G** level for ketene and at the MP2/6–31+G* and MP2/6–31+G*//HF/6–31+G* levels for all four title compounds. Heats of addition were computed for formation of in‐plane adducts and perpendicular adducts where the terms ‘in‐plane’ and ‘perpendicular’ indicate the direction of nucleophilic attack relative to the ketene plane. Heats of activation were also computed for the two modes of attack. For ketene (1) the in‐plane adduct is favored by 37.6 kcal mol−1 and the in‐plane transition state by 18.8 kcal mol−1. For the 6‐methylene compound (2) the in‐plane adduct is favored by 20.1 kcal mol−1 and the in‐plane transition state by 7.3 kcal mol−1. For the 6‐oxo compound (3) the in‐plane adduct is more stable by 11.2 kcal mol−1 whereas the in‐plane transition state is preferred by 8.8 kcal mol−1. For the 4‐oxo compound (4) the in‐plane adduct is favored by 19.3 kcal mol−1 but its transition state by only 2.8 kcal mol−1. The in‐plane adduct for ketene is the enolate of acetyl cyanide while the perpendicular adduct is a pyramidalized carbanion attached to a cyanocarbonyl group. Calculated NPA charges support this conclusion. The perpendicular adduct is actually the transition state for rotation about the CC bond of the ketene moiety in the in‐plane adduct, and the 37.6 kcal mol−1 enthalpy difference is closely matched by the calculated activation enthalpy for rotation about the CC bond of acetaldehyde enolate: ΔH‡ = 33.6 kcal mol−1. The smaller differences found for in‐plane vs perpendicular adduct formation for the 6‐methylene, 6‐oxo and 4‐oxo compounds are correlated with decreases in bond length alternation within the six‐membered rings which occur upon addition of the nucleophile. Less alternation may be associated with an approach to aromaticity, hence an increase in stability. Both modes of attack lead to reduced bond length alternation, but the amount of alternation is lowered more for the perpendicular adducts than for the in‐plane adducts. Changes in the CO bond lengths are also diagnostic. For all four ketenes the ketenyl CO length in the in‐plane adducts is greater than in the perpendicular adducts reflecting more single bond (enolate) character in the former and more double bond (carbonyl) character in the latter. On the other hand the lengths of the 6‐oxo and 4‐oxo CO bonds in their in‐plane adducts are smaller than in the perpendicular adducts, consistent with increased conjugation with the oxo substituent in the latter. The greater NPA charge on the 6‐oxo and 4‐oxo oxygens of the perpendicular adducts supports this conclusion. Calculated enthalpies of activation are in the order ketene > 6‐methyleneketene > 6‐oxoketene, in qualitative agreement with experimentally determined rates of hydration. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phase behavior, crystallization, and morphology in thermosetting blends of a biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)‐type epoxy resin and poly(ϵ‐caprolactone)
Authors: Guo Qipeng , Slavov Sophie , Halley Peter J.
Published: June 2004

Thermosetting blends of a biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol)‐type epoxy resin (PEG‐ER) and poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) (PCL) were prepared via an in situ curing reaction of poly(ethylene glycol) diglycidyl ether (PEGDGE) and maleic anhydride (MAH) in the presence of PCL. The miscibility, phase behavior, crystallization, and morphology of these blends were investigated. The uncured PCL/PEGDGE blends were miscible, mainly because of the entropic contribution, as the molecular weight of PEGDGE was very low. The crystallization and melting behavior of both PCL and the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segment of PEGDGE were less affected in the uncured PCL/PEGDGE blends because of the very close glass‐transition temperatures of PCL and PEGDGE. However, the cured PCL/PEG‐ER blends were immiscible and exhibited two separate glass transitions, as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis. There existed two phases in the cured PCL/PEG‐ER blends, that is, a PCL‐rich phase and a PEG‐ER crosslinked phase composed of an MAH‐cured PEGDGE network. The crystallization of PCL was slightly enhanced in the cured blends because of the phase‐separated nature; meanwhile, the PEG segment was highly restricted in the crosslinked network and was noncrystallizable in the cured blends. The phase structure and morphology of the cured PCL/PEG‐ER blends were examined with scanning electron microscopy; a variety of phase morphologies were observed that depended on the blend composition. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2833–2843, 2004
Two new radiological findings to improve the diagnosis of bronchial foreign‐body aspiration in children
Authors: Girardi Guido , Contador Ana M. , Castro‐Rodríguez José A.
Published: June 2004

Our objective was to report on two new chest X‐ray signs (hyperinflation or obstructive emphysema with atelectasis in the same hemithorax, and aeration within an area of atelectasis) in children with foreign‐body aspiration (FBA). We performed a retrospective review of clinical characteristics and chest X‐ray films of 133 children with FBA. Of 133 children, 45% were under 3 years old. History of a choking crisis was present in 101 (75.8%); however, it was only elicited upon follow‐up questioning in 33 children (32.7%). Early foreign‐body (FB) extraction (<24 hr) was performed in 17.3%; removal took place between 1–7 days in 29.3%. The site of aspirated FBs was bronchial in 78.9%, laryngeal in 6%, and tracheal in 4.5%, with mobile FB in the trachea/bronchi in 4.5%. The chest X‐ray was normal in 11.3%. Positive findings included: radiopaque FB (23.3%); hyperinflation or obstructive emphysema (21.8%); hyperinflation or obstructive emphysema with atelectasis in the same hemithorax (18%); lobar atelectasis (12.8%); whole‐lung atelectasis (6.8%); shift of mediastinal shadow (11%); and aeration within an area of atelectasis (6%). In conclusion, if a history of choking crisis is not present in a child with suspected FBA, two previously undescribed radiological signs (hyperinflation or obstructive emphysema with atelectasis in the same hemithorax, and aeration within an area of atelectasis) should be sought in order to improve the utility of chest‐X ray for early diagnosis of FBA. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nasal corticosteroids for children with snoring
Authors: Alexopoulos Emmanouel I. , Kaditis Athanasios G. , Kalampouka Efthimia , Kostadima Eleni , Angelopoulos Nikiforos V. , Mikraki Vasiliki , Skenteris Nikolaos , Gourgoulianis Konstantinos
Published: June 2004

Nasal corticosteroids improve polysomnography indices but not symptoms in children with mild to moderate sleep‐disordered breathing. We hypothesized that administration of nasal corticosteroids for 4 weeks to snoring children with only mild elevation in their apnea‐hypopnea index would improve both polysomnography findings and symptoms of sleep‐disordered breathing. Budesonide 50 mcg per nostril twice daily was administered for 4 weeks to children (2–14 years old) with habitual snoring and an apnea‐hypopnea index of 1–10 episodes/hr. Subjects were evaluated before treatment and at 2 weeks and 9 months after its completion. Primary outcome variables were changes in apnea‐hypopnea index and symptom score. Twenty‐seven children were studied. At 2 weeks, the mean apnea‐hypopnea index decreased from 5.2 (±2.2) episodes/hr to 3.2 (±1.5) episodes/hr, and median oxygen desaturation of hemoglobin index fell from 3.1 (0.4–8.2) to 1.9 (0.2–5.4) (P < 0.0001). Mean symptom score was 1.33 (±2.11) at baseline, and decreased to −0.008 (±2.24) at 2 weeks after treatment and to −1.08 (±1.75) at 9 months after treatment (P < 0.05). Four weeks of nasal budesonide improved both polysomnography findings and symptoms in children with mild sleep‐disordered breathing. The clinical effect is maintained for several months after treatment. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 38:161–167. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Treatment of experimental meconium aspiration syndrome with surfactant lung lavage and conventional vs. asymmetric high‐frequency jet ventilation
Authors: Sevecova‐Mokra Daniela , Calkovska Andrea , Drgova Anna , Javorka Michal , Javorka Kamil
Published: June 2004

Respiratory failure caused by meconium aspiration requires combined strategies. We hypothesized that surfactant lung lavage with asymmetric high‐frequency jet ventilation (AHFJV) can increase the removal of meconium and improve lung function. During conventional ventilation (CV), a suspension of human meconium (25 mg/ml, 4 ml/kg) was instilled into the tracheal tube of anesthetized rabbits to cause respiratory failure. Animals were then divided into four groups: saline lavage + CV (Sal‐CV), surfactant lavage + CV (Surf‐CV), saline lavage + HFJV (Sal‐HFJV), and surfactant lavage + HFJV (Surf‐HFJV). Lung lavage (10 ml/kg in 3 portions) was performed with diluted surfactant (Curosurf, 100 mg of phospholipids/kg) or saline during CV (frequency (f), 30/min; inspiration time (Ti), 50%) or AHFJV (f, 300/min; Ti, 70%). Animals were ventilated for an additional hour with either CV or HFJV (Ti, 50%). Surfactant lavage with both CV and AHFJV removed more meconium than saline lavage. However, the highest removal was found in the Surf‐HFJV group vs. all other groups (P < 0.05). The oxygenation index decreased after surfactant lavage in both groups compared to controls (P < 0.001), and more prominently in the Surf‐CV group. Elimination of CO2 was significantly higher in the Surf‐HFJV group vs. all other groups (P < 0.05). The ventilation efficiency index increased after lavage in both surfactant groups vs. saline controls (P < 0.05). Dynamic lung‐thorax compliance gradually increased, and right‐to‐left pulmonary shunts decreased in both surfactant groups vs. saline controls after lavage (P < 0.05). Combination of surfactant lavage with both CV and AHFJV was beneficial in rabbits with meconium aspiration syndrome. While AHFJV was more effective in the removal of meconium, CV had a more favorable effect on lung function in the postlavage period. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2004; 38:285–291. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Synthesis and phloem mobility of acidic derivatives of the fungicide fenpiclonil
Authors: Chollet Jean‐François , Rocher Françoise , Jousse Cyril , Delétage‐Grandon Céline , Bashiardes Georges , Bonnemain Jean‐Louis
Published: June 2004

A series of derivatives of the phenylpyrrole fungicide fenpiclonil was synthesized in which a carboxyl group was present at various sites of this non‐phloem‐mobile molecule. Using the Kleier model, all these acidic analogues were predicted to be moderately phloem‐mobile, especially the N‐substituted derivatives. One of these latter molecules, N‐carboxymethyl‐3‐cyano‐4‐(2,3‐dichlorophenyl)pyrrole, exhibited some fungicidal activity on the pathogenic fungus Eutypa lata, and was then tested as a phloem‐mobile pesticide in the Ricinus system. The compound was indeed mobile in the sieve tubes and was not degraded to fenpiclonil in the phloem sap under our experimental conditions. Its concentration in the sap was closely correlated to the percentage of the undissociated form of the molecule in the external medium, and was similar under acidic conditions (external pH 4.6–5.0) to that of the herbicide glyphosate. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Evaluation of the systemic activity of simeconazole in comparison with that of other DMI fungicides
Authors: Tsuda Mikio , Itoh Hiroyuki , Kato Shigehiro
Published: June 2004

The systemic activity of simeconazole (RS‐2‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)‐3‐trimethylsilylpropan‐2‐ol) in plants was compared with those of eight other sterol demethylation inhibitor (DMI) fungicides. Simeconazole prevented the infection of Blumeria graminis (DC) Speer f sp hordei Marchal on barley leaves within a radius of several centimeters from the edge of local treatment on the leaves when the compound was separated from the leaves by glass coverslips. This reveals that simeconazole has prominent vapour‐phase activity. Simeconazole showed excellent curative activity against barley powdery mildew when treated 1–3 days after inoculation. Furthermore, this indicates that simeconazole has notable translaminar activity because, when the compound was applied onto either the adaxial or abaxial leaf surface, it showed excellent efficacy against powdery mildew on the opposite side of the leaf surface of barley and cucumber. Simeconazole also showed excellent efficacy against barley powdery mildew by soil drench 24 h after inoculation. This suggests that simeconazole was absorbed very quickly into the barley plant after treatment. The permeability of the compound through cuticular membranes prepared from tomato fruits was about 20% at 22 h after the treatment and was much superior to that of the other DMI fungicides tested. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Systemic activity of simeconazole and its derivatives in plants
Authors: Tsuda Mikio , Itoh Hiroyuki , Kato Shigehiro
Published: June 2004

The systemic activity of simeconazole (RS‐2‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐1‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)‐3‐trimethylsilylpropan‐2‐ol) and a number of its derivatives in plants has been investigated to establish which portion of the structure of the molecule contributes to this outstanding activity. The results revealed that the hydroxyl group of the simeconazole moiety is essential for vapour‐phase activity and translocation from roots of the compound. They showed that the presence of a fluorine atom in the structure was not indispensable for vapour‐phase activity or translocation from roots, although the fluorine atom contributed to these systemic movements. In addition, it was found that the fungicidal activity of simeconazole against Rhizoctonia solani Kühn and Blumeria graminis DC f sp hordei Marchal is potentiated by the fluorine atom, since the activity of a compound which lacked fluorine in the 4‐position of the phenyl ring was inferior to that of simeconazole. A compound in which the silicon atom of simeconazole was replaced by a carbon atom showed lower antifungal activity than simeconazole, while phytotoxicity was caused in rice plants by soil drench of the compound. Therefore, the silicon atom of simeconazole may contribute to its selectivity between fungi and plants. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Attractiveness of brown rice baits to non‐target birds in harvested corn and soybean fields
Authors: Linz George M , Knutsen Gregory A , Homan H Jeffrey , Bleier William J
Published: June 2004

Brown rice is used as a bait‐carrier for the avicide DRC‐1339 (3‐chloro‐4‐methylaniline) when baiting blackbirds (Icteridae). In March and April 1996 and 1997, we assessed non‐target granivorous bird use of rice‐baited plots placed in harvested corn and soybean fields in eastern South Dakota for 168 observation hours. In both years combined, we identified 10 and 14 granivorous species in corn and soybean fields, respectively. In 1996 (X = 0.2, SE = 0.04) and 1997 (X = 1.2, SE = 0.38), total numbers of granivores min−1 were similar between crops (P ≥ 0.322). In 1996, bird numbers were higher (P = 0.069) in rice‐baited fields (X = 0.3, SE = 0.07) than in unbaited reference fields (X = 0.1, SE = 0.04). In 1997, bird numbers (X = 1.2, SE = 0.38) did not differ between treatments (P = 0.456). Our data show that small numbers of non‐target birds visited the rice‐baited plots. However, total number of different individual birds using the plots was unknown. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparative analysis of neonicotinoid binding to insect membranes: II. An unusual high affinity site for [3H]thiamethoxam in Myzus persicae and Aphis craccivora
Authors: Wellmann Henning , Gomes Marilyne , Lee Connie , Kayser Hartmut
Published: June 2004

Neonicotinoids represent a class of insect‐selective ligands of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Imidacloprid, the first commercially used neonicotinoid insecticide, has been studied on neuronal preparations from many insects to date. Here we report first intrinsic binding data of thiamethoxam, using membranes from Myzus persicae Sulzer and Aphis craccivora Koch. In both aphids, specific binding of [3H]thiamethoxam was sensitive to temperature, while the absolute level of non‐specific binding was not affected. In M persicae, binding capacity (Bmax) for [3H]thiamethoxam was ca 450 fmol mg−1 of protein at 22 °C and ca 700 fmol mg−1 of protein at 2 °C. The negative effect of increased temperature was reversible and hence not due to some destructive process. The affinity for [3H]thiamethoxam was less affected by temperature: Kd was ca 11 nM at 2 °C and ca 15 nM at 22 °C. The membranes also lost binding sites for [3H]thiamethoxam during prolonged storage at room temperature, and upon freezing and thawing. In A craccivora, [3H]thiamethoxam was bound with a capacity of ca 1000 fmol mg−1 protein and an affinity of ca 90 nM, as measured at 2 °C. Overall, the in vitro temperature sensitivity of [3H]thiamethoxam binding was in obvious contrast to the behaviour of [3H]imidacloprid studied in parallel. Moreover, the binding of [3H]thiamethoxam was inhibited by imidacloprid in a non‐competitive mode, as shown with M persicae. In our view, these differences demonstrate that thiamethoxam and imidacloprid, which represent different structural sub‐classes of neonicotinoids, do not share the same binding site or mode. This holds also for other neonicotinoids, as we report in a companion article. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Repellency of aerosol and cream products containing fennel oil to mosquitoes under laboratory and field conditions
Authors: Kim Soon‐Il , Chang Kyu‐Sik , Yang Young‐Cheol , Kim Byung‐Seok , Ahn Young‐Joon
Published: June 2004

The repellency of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller)‐containing products (5% aerosol and 8% cream) against mosquitoes was compared with those of citronella oil, geranium oil and deet, as well as three commercial repellents, Baby Keeper® cream containing IR3535, MeiMei® cream containing citronella and geranium oils, and Repellan S® aerosol containing 19% N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide (deet) under laboratory and field conditions. In a laboratory study with female Aedes aegypti (L), fennel oil exhibited good repellency in a release‐in‐cage test and repellency in skin and patch tests of the oil was comparable with those of citronella and geranium oils. In paddy field tests with five human volunteers, 5% and 8% fennel oil‐containing aerosol and cream produced 84% and 70% repellency, respectively, at 90 min after exposure, whereas Baby Keeper cream and MeiMei cream gave 71% and 57% repellency at 90 min after exposure, respectively, and Repellan S aerosol gave 89% repellency at 210 min. The species and ratio of mosquitoes collected were the genera Culex (44.1%), Anopheles (42.2%), Aedes (7.8%) and Armigeres (5.9%). Fennel oil‐containing products could be useful for protection from humans and domestic animals from vector‐borne diseases and nuisance caused by mosquitoes. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Cyclic peptides selected by phage display mimic the natural epitope recognized by a monoclonal anti‐colicin A antibody
Authors: Coulon Stephane , Metais Jean‐Yves , Chartier Martine , Briand Jean‐Paul , Baty Daniel
Published: June 2004

A 10‐mer random peptide library displayed on filamentous bacteriophage was used to determine the molecular basis of the interaction between the monoclonal anti‐colicin A antibody 1C11 and its cognate epitope. Previous studies established that the putative epitope recognized by 1C11 antibody is composed of amino acid residues 19–25 (RGSGPEP) of colicin A. Using the phage display technique it was confirmed that the epitope of 1C11 antibody was indeed restricted to residues 19–25 and the consensus motif RXXXPEP was identified. Shorter consensus sequences (RXXPEP, RXXEP, KXXEP) were also selected. It was also demonstrated that the disulfide bond found in one group of the selected peptides was crucial for 1C11 antibody recognition. It was shown that cyclization of the peptides by disulfide bond formation could result in a structure that mimics the natural epitope of colicin A. Copyright © 2004 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Positronium at polymeric surface
Authors: Rathore M. K. , Shrivastava S. B. , Rathore V.
Published: June 2004

Annihilation of slow positrons at a polymeric surface has been discussed in terms of positron diffusion and trapping of positronium into free volume holes. The above model has been used to calculate the ortho‐positronium lifetime (τ3) in polystyrene (PS), epoxy resin film, polyurethane (PU) and polytetrafluroethylene (PTFE) as a function of temperature, incident positron energy and mean implantation depth. The results have been compared with the experimental observations of other authors. The variation inτ3with respect to temperature clearly demonstrates a discontinuity in the curve atTgcorresponding to the glass transition temperature. The variation of calculatedτ3shows that the lifetime increases significantly aboveTghowever, belowTgit increases only slowly. This is a direct consequence of the change in the size of free volume holes. TheTghas been found to be dependent both on positron energy and density of the polymer. Large variation inτ3has been observed at low energies suggesting a significant structure of free volume holes near the surface. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Dielectric relaxation and ionic conductivity studies of the mixed crystal (NH4)3H(SO4)1.42(SeO4)0.58
Authors: Louati B. , Guidara K. , Gargouri M.
Published: June 2004

The temperature and frequency dependent complex impedance of (NH4)3H(SO4)1.42(SeO4)0.58(NHSSe) was measured. The temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity of the sample crystal in the different phases follows the Arrhenius law. The real part of the permittivity constant is analysed in term of a dipole oscillator and the imaginary part with the Cole‐Cole formalism. In the temperature range from 299 to 326 K, the activation energy obtained from complex permittivity (E0 = 0.30 ± 0.03 eV) and modulus spectra (Em = 0.26 ± 0.02 eV) are close, suggesting that the H+ ion transport is probably due to a hopping mechanism. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Use of Wannier‐type atomic orbitals in LCAO and plane wave calculations: Chemical bonding in MgO crystal
Authors: Evarestov R. A. , Smirnov V. P. , Tupitsyn I. I. , Usvyat D. E.
Published: June 2004

LCAO and plane wave (PW) DFT calculations of the electronic structure of the ionic crystal MgO are performed. Local characteristics of the electronic structure of this crystal are obtained using the traditional approaches and the method based on Wannier‐type atomic orbitals (WTAOs). It is demonstrated for the first time that the results of the WTAO population analysis for both types of the basis (LCAO and PW) correctly exhibit the ionic nature of chemical bonding in this crystal. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Reproducibility of clinical data I: continuous outcomes
Authors: Blackman Nicole Jill‐Marie
Published: June 2004

Across a variety of clinical settings, repeated measurements on an individual, obtained under identical circumstances, often differ from one another. This implies the measurements lack perfect reproducibility. Topics related to reproducibility of clinical measurements are introduced in this paper. In this first of two parts, continuous outcomes are addressed. The intraclass correlation coefficient, ρ, has been the traditional coefficient of reproducibility for continuous outcomes. The importance of ρ regarding observations on an individual, and observations among populations, is outlined. Estimation and inferential procedures for ρ are reviewed and worked examples are provided. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reproducibility of clinical data II: categorical outcomes
Authors: Blackman Nicole Jill‐Marie
Published: June 2004

In this second part of this paper, reproducibility of discrete ordinal and nominal outcomes is addressed. The first part deals with continuous outcomes, concentrating on intraclass correlation (ρ) in the context of one‐way analysis of variance. For categorical data, the focus has generally not been on a meaningful population parameter such as ρ. However, intraclass correlation has been defined for discrete ordinal data, ρc, and for nominal data, κI. Therefore, a unified approach to reproducibility is proposed. The relevance of these parameters is outlined. Estimation and inferential procedures for ρc and κI are reviewed, together with worked examples. Topics related to reproducibility that are not addressed in either this or the previous paper are highlighted. Considerations for designing reproducibility studies and for interpreting their results are provided. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The analysis of the AB/BA cross‐over trial in the medical literature
Authors: Senn Stephen , Lee Sally
Published: June 2004

The evolution of opinion as to how to analyse the AB/BA cross‐over trials is described by examining the recommendations of three key papers. The impact of these papers on the medical literature is analysed by looking at citation rates as a function of various factors. It is concluded that amongst practitioners there is a highly imperfect appreciation of the issues raised by the possibility of carry‐over. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adjusted homogeneity tests of odds ratios when data are clustered
Authors: Song James X.
Published: June 2004

Three modified tests for homogeneity of the odds ratio for a series of 2 × 2 tables are studied when the data are clustered. In the case of clustered data, the standard tests for homogeneity of odds ratios ignore the variance inflation caused by positive correlation among responses of subjects within the same cluster, and therefore have inflated Type I error. The modified tests adjust for the variance inflation in the three existing standard tests: Breslow–Day, Tarone and the conditional score test. The degree of clustering effect is measured by the intracluster correlation coefficient, ρ. A variance correction factor derived from ρ is then applied to the variance estimator in the standard tests of homogeneity of the odds ratio. The proposed tests are an application of the variance adjustment method commonly used in correlated data analysis and are shown to maintain the nominal significance level in a simulation study. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.