bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute confusional state in the elderly following hip surgery: incidence, risk factors and complications
Authors: Galanakis Patrizia , Bickel Horst , Gradinger Reiner , Von Gumppenberg Stephan , Förstl Hans
Published: September 2002

Objective

To determine incidence and risk factors for the development of postoperative acute confusional state (ACS) in the elderly.

Design

A prospective cohort study.

Setting

University hospital.

Patients

One hundred and five consecutive patients without ACS at baseline who underwent hip surgery because of hip fracture or elective hip replacement. All patients were 60 years or older.

Measurements

All patients underwent preoperative and daily postoperative evaluation by a research psychiatrist. Standardized instruments were used for cognitive screening, baseline assessment of depression, screening for alcohol abuse, comorbidity, and functional status. ACS was diagnosed by using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). Additional medical data were taken from patients' charts and anaesthetic records.

Results

Postoperative ACS developed in 23.8% of the study sample, in 40.5% of the hip fracture group and in 14.7% of the hip joint replacement group. The prevalence was highest between postoperative days 2 and 5. Multiple logistic regression analysis demonstrated the following risk factors of ACS: higher age (OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.07–1.22), prior cognitive impairment as measured by Mini‐Mental State Examination (OR = 1.32 for each point less, 95% CI 1.06–1.64), depression (OR = 3.67, 95% CI 1.12–12.02), low educational level (OR = 3.59, 95% CI 1.14–11.25), and preoperative abnormal sodium (OR = 4.32, 95% CI 1.01–18.38). Other risk factors showing statistically significant differences in the univariate analyses were: living in nursing home, vision or hearing impairment, higher comorbidity, regular use of psychotropic drugs before admission, fracture on admission, preoperative leucocytosis. A considerable proportion of patients with ACS showed self‐destructive behaviour postoperatively, whereas self‐destructive behaviour was not observed among non‐delirious patients.

Conclusions

ACS is common among elderly hip surgery patients. The occurrence of ACS is influenced by several predisposing and precipitating factors. Further knowledge of these risk factors will contribute to the early identification of high risk patients and to the development of preventive measures. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contribution of PTSD/POW history to behavioral disturbances in dementia
Authors: Verma Swapna , Orengo Claudia A. , Maxwell Rebecca , Kunik Mark E. , Molinari Victor A. , Vasterling Jennifer J. , Hale D. Danielle
Published: September 2002

As many World War II and Korean Conflict veterans suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) grow older, increasing numbers will be diagnosed with dementia. We retrospectively analyzed patients with dementia, comparing the behavioral disturbances of those with PTSD to those without PTSD. We hypothesized that due to the additive effect of the neurobiological and behavioral changes associated with PTSD and dementia, the dementia with PTSD group would show more agitation and disinhibition than the dementia without PTSD group. Sixteen patients with diagnoses of dementia and PTSD were matched on age and Mini‐Mental States Examination (MMSE) scores to 16 patients with dementia without PTSD. Demographic characteristics, co‐morbid diagnoses, global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), Cohen‐Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), and paranoid items of Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale for Schizophrenia (PANSS) were assessed. The patients with diagnoses of dementia with PTSD did not differ significantly in their clinical presentation, hospital course, and condition at discharge from patients with dementia without PTSD. Chi‐square analysis showed that significantly more subjects in the PTSD group were prescribed anti‐depressants compared to the non‐PTSD group. Interestingly, within the PTSD group, the subgroup of patients who were former prisoners of war had a significantly higher mean score for paranoia and significantly less verbal agitation. This pilot study reveals that a diagnosis of PTSD alone is not sufficient to influence behavior in veterans with dementia; however, we also present provocative results that patients with more severe trauma (POW) do have changes in their behavior. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Delirium in the non‐demented oldest old in the general population: risk factors and prognosis
Authors: Rahkonen Terhi , Eloniemi‐Sulkava Ulla , Halonen Pirjo , Verkkoniemi Auli , Niinistö Leena , Notkola Irma‐Leena , Sulkava Raimo
Published: September 2002

Background

The oldest old are prone to develop delirium. Studies into risk factors for delirium have been carried out predominantly in younger age groups. The aim of this population‐based follow‐up study was to investigate the risk factors for delirium requiring medical attention and subsequent prognosis in the non‐demented general population aged ≥ 85 years.

Method

The study included the non‐demented subjects in the population‐based Vantaa 85+ study. After the 3‐year observation period, 199 subjects (91% of those surviving) were re‐examined and their medical records were evaluated for episodes of delirium. The subjects were followed up with respect to mortality for another 2 years.

Results

During the 3‐year observational period, 20 subjects (10%) had been diagnosed as having had an episode of delirium. A Mini‐Mental State Examination score of < 24 (odds ratio (OR) 3.44, confidence interval (CI = 95%) 1.27–9.32) and high systolic blood pressure (OR 3.08, CI 1.08–8.79) were identified as independent risk factors for delirium. The association between the delirium episode and a new diagnosis of dementia was significant ( p = 0.001). The mortality rate was greater among those subjects who experienced delirium than among subjects without this syndrome ( p = 0.008).

Conclusions

Mild cognitive impairment and high systolic blood pressure were found to be risk factors for delirium requiring medical attention in the general non‐demented population aged ≥ 85 years. The study also highlights the significant association between delirium and a new dementia diagnosis in this age group. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
F‐18‐fluoro‐deoxy‐glucose positron‐emission tomography scanning in detection of local recurrence after radiotherapy for laryngeal/ pharyngeal cancer
Authors: Terhaard Chris H. , Bongers Vivian , van Rijk Peter P. , Hordijk Gerrit‐Jan
Published: September 2002

Background

The objective of this investigation was to determine whether F18‐fluoro‐deoxy‐glucose (FDG) positron‐emission tomography (PET) could differentiate between local recurrence and late radiation effects after radiotherapy for laryngeal/pharyngeal cancer.

Methods

In a prospective study of 75 patients (67 larynx, eight oro/hypopharynx), 160 laryngoscopies and 109 FDG PET scans were performed on the head and neck region. The mean follow‐up time after the first FDG PET scan was 23 months (minimum 1 year).

Results

Local recurrence was diagnosed in 37 patients: 19 after the first biopsy and 18 after follow‐up biopsies. For all of the negative initial FDG scans (27), the biopsies that were taken at the same time were negative and no recurrence was seen for at least 1 year. The first FDG scan was a true positive in 34 of 48 patients. In 12 of the 14 patients with false‐positive results, FDG scans were repeated; a decreased FDG uptake was found in 9 of the 12. The sensitivity and specificity of the first scan were respectively 92% and 63%; including subsequent FDG scans, the rates were 97% and 82%, respectively.

Conclusions

When a local recurrence is suspected after radiotherapy for cancer of the larynx/pharynx, an FDG PET scan should be the first diagnostic step. No biopsy is needed if the scan is negative. If the scan is positive and the biopsy negative, a decreased FDG uptake measured in a follow‐up scan indicates that a local recurrence is unlikely. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 933–941, 2001.
Short‐term and long‐term quality of life after neck dissection
Authors: Shah Samir , Har‐El Gady , Rosenfeld Richard M.
Published: September 2002

Introduction

Quality of life (QOL) is an important outcome measure in cancer therapy. Neck dissection (ND) morbidity has been well studied, but no study has focused on the quality of life after ND specifically.

Methods

Fifty‐one patients who have undergone ND completed a 6‐item quality‐of‐life survey with a 7‐point frequency and interference response scale. General QOL and comorbidity biases were evaluated with the SF‐12 questionnaire and the Charlson comorbidity index.

Results

The following symptoms were the most commonly experienced after surgery: neck tightness (71%), numbness or burning of the ear (57%), and shoulder discomfort (53%). However, interference with daily activities was reported by only 37%, 32%, and 33% of patients with these symptoms, respectively. Within 2 years of surgery, interference with daily activities decreased to 17%, 18%, and 12%, respectively. QOL after ND was negatively associated with previous radiation, previous chemotherapy, tumor stage, and more radical neck surgery but was positively associated with time after surgery. Shoulder discomfort and neck tightness had the greatest affect on QOL.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that patients should receive preoperative counseling regarding the morbidities from ND and the possible short‐term and long‐term impact on QOL. Further studies evaluating the relationship between primary tumor characteristics and quality of life after ND need to be undertaken. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 954–961, 2001.
Leakage around voice prosthesis in laryngectomees: Treatment with local GM‐CSF
Authors: Margolin Gregory , Masucci Giuseppi , Kuylenstierna Richard , Björck Gunnar , Hertegård Stellan , Karling Jonas
Published: September 2002

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of treating leakage around voice prosthesis by local injection of granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF).

Study Design

Three patients with nonhealing leaking tracheoesophageal (TE) fistula, resistant to common treatment, were treated with local GM‐CSF.

Material and Methods

Fistula size was measured and photo documented before and after treatment.

Result

In all three patients, the fistula shrank, and the leakage ceased. No side effects were observed.

Conclusion

Local injection with GM‐CSF seems to be a simple and effective way of decreasing a leaking TE‐fistula in laryngectomized patients. A great advantage was that the procedure could be done with the voice prosthesis in place. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 1006–1010, 2001.
A view model which accounts for the spatial fields of hippocampal primate spatial view cells and rat place cells
Authors: de Araujo I.E.T. , Rolls E.T. , Stringer S.M.
Published: September 2002

Hippocampal spatial view cells found in primates respond to a region of visual space being looked at, relatively independently of where the monkey is located. Rat place cells have responses which depend on where the rat is located. We investigate the hypothesis that in both types of animal, hippocampal cells respond to a combination of visual cues in the correct spatial relation to each other. In rats, which have a wide visual field, such a combination might define a place. In primates, including humans, which have a much smaller visual field and a fovea which is directed towards a part of the environment, the same mechanism might lead to spatial view cells. A computational model in which the neurons become organized by learning to respond to a combination of a small number of visual cues spread within an angle of a 30° receptive field resulted in cells with visual properties like those of primate spatial view cells. The same model, but operating with a receptive field of 270°, produced cells with visual properties like those of rat place cells. Thus a common hippocampal mechanism operating with different visual receptive field sizes could account for some of the visual properties of both place cells in rodents and spatial view cells in primates. Hippocampus 2001;11:699–706. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The new World Health Organization classification of lymphomas: the past, the present and the future
Authors: Chan John K. C.
Published: September 2002

The REAL Classification of lymphomas, proposed in 1994, represents a new paradigm in lymphoma classification, consisting of a list of biologic entities defined by clinicopathologic and immunogenetic features. The non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas comprise precursor lymphoblastic and mature cell neoplasms of B, T or putative natural killer cell lineage. An individual entity can exhibit a range of morphologic appearances and a range of clinical behavior. The categories in Hodgkin's lymphomas are identical to the widely used Rye classification except for the additional of a new category termed ‘lymphocyte‐rich classical Hodgkin's lymphoma’. The REAL classification has been validated by a major multi‐institutional study involving 1378 cases (The Non‐Hodgkin's Lymphoma Classification Project), showing that it is both reproducible and clinically relevant. The new World Health Organization classification of hematopoietic and lymphoid tumors, to be published in 2001, is a joint project of the Society for Hematopathology and European Association of Hematopathologists, under the auspices of the World Health Organization. This classification includes not only lymphoid neoplasms, but also myeloid, histiocytic and mast cell neoplasms. The lymphoma component of the classification is merely an update of the REAL classification, with minor changes necessitated by new information that has become available since its proposal. A conceptual grouping of the non‐Hodgkin's lymphomas into four categories (indolent, aggressive, highly aggressive, and localized indolent) is also presented in this review. The next major impetus influencing the approach to lymphoma classification will no doubt be molecular genetics, in particular DNA microarrays, which will yield an enormous amount of new data that will aid in the understanding of lymphomas. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The platelet as a peripheral marker in psychiatric illness
Authors: Plein Helein , Berk Michael
Published: September 2002

The identification of peripheral markers of psychiatric illness is important if an improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases with overlapping symptomatology is desired. There are many disorders that not only have overlapping symptomatology, but also have similar biological disturbances. The functional capability of the neurons involved in the disease processes may be at the crux of the underlying pathology. The platelet intracellular calcium response to neurotransmitter stimulation has previously been used as a peripheral marker of psychiatric illness. This review discusses evidence in support of the extended use of the platelet as a peripheral marker. The use of the platelet intracellular calcium response to neurotransmitter stimulation as a state or trait marker in major depression, the specificity and selectivity of this response, and the possible use of the platelet as a peripheral marker in psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, mania and psychotic depression are shown. Finally, a proposed mechanism for the association between certain psychiatric disorders and cardiovascular disease is discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distribution of oxygen‐18 and deuterium in river waters across the United States
Authors: Kendall Carol , Coplen Tyler B.
Published: September 2002

Reconstruction of continental palaeoclimate and palaeohydrology is currently hampered by limited information about isotopic patterns in the modern hydrologic cycle. To remedy this situation and to provide baseline data for other isotope hydrology studies, more than 4800, depth‐ and width‐integrated, stream samples from 391 selected sites within the USGS National Stream Quality Accounting Network (NASQAN) and Hydrologic Benchmark Network (HBN) were analysed for δ18O and δ2H (http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/ofr/ofr00‐160/pdf/ofr00‐160.pdf). Each site was sampled bimonthly or quarterly for 2·5 to 3 years between 1984 and 1987. The ability of this dataset to serve as a proxy for the isotopic composition of modern precipitation in the USA is supported by the excellent agreement between the river dataset and the isotopic compositions of adjacent precipitation monitoring sites, the strong spatial coherence of the distributions of δ18O and δ2H, the good correlations of the isotopic compositions with climatic parameters, and the good agreement between the ‘national’ meteoric water line (MWL) generated from unweighted analyses of samples from the 48 contiguous states of δ2H=8·11δ18O+8·99 (r2=0·98) and the unweighted global MWL of sites from the Global Network for Isotopes in Precipitation (GNIP) of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) of δ2H=8·17δ18O+10·35.

The national MWL is composed of water samples that arise in diverse local conditions where the local meteoric water lines (LMWLs) usually have much lower slopes. Adjacent sites often have similar LMWLs, allowing the datasets to be combined into regional MWLs. The slopes of regional MWLs probably reflect the humidity of the local air mass, which imparts a distinctive evaporative isotopic signature to rainfall and hence to stream samples. Deuterium excess values range from 6 to 15‰ in the eastern half of the USA, along the northwest coast and on the Colorado Plateau. In the rest of the USA, these values range from −2 to 6‰, with strong spatial correlations with regional aridity. The river samples have successfully integrated the spatial variability in the meteorological cycle and provide the best available dataset on the spatial distributions of δ18O and δ2H values of meteoric waters in the USA. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A look inside ‘black box’ hydrograph separation models: a study at the Hydrohill catchment
Authors: Kendall Carol , McDonnell Jeffrey J. , Gu Weizu
Published: September 2002

Runoff sources and dominant flowpaths are still poorly understood in most catchments; consequently, most hydrograph separations are essentially ‘black box’ models where only external information is used. The well‐instrumented 490 m2 Hydrohill artificial grassland catchment located near Nanjing (China) was used to examine internal catchment processes. Since groundwater levels never reach the soil surface at this site, two physically distinct flowpaths can unambiguously be defined: surface and subsurface runoff. This study combines hydrometric, isotopic and geochemical approaches to investigating the relations between the chloride, silica, and oxygen isotopic compositions of subsurface waters and rainfall.

During a 120 mm storm over a 24 h period in 1989, 55% of event water input infiltrated and added to soil water storage; the remainder ran off as infiltration‐excess overland flow. Only about 3–5% of the pre‐event water was displaced out of the catchment by in‐storm rainfall. About 80% of the total flow was quickflow, and 10% of the total flow was pre‐event water, mostly derived from saturated flow from deeper soils. Rain water with high δ18O values from the beginning of the storm appeared to be preferentially stored in shallow soils. Groundwater at the end of the storm shows a wide range of isotopic and chemical compositions, primarily reflecting the heterogeneous distribution of the new and mixed pore waters. High chloride and silica concentrations in quickflow runoff derived from event water indicate that these species are not suitable conservative tracers of either water sources or flowpaths in this catchment. Determining the proportion of event water alone does not constrain the possible hydrologic mechanisms sufficiently to distinguish subsurface and surface flowpaths uniquely, even in this highly controlled artificial catchment. We reconcile these findings with a perceptual model of stormflow sources and flowpaths that explicitly accounts for water, isotopic, and chemical mass balance. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity in commodity spot prices
Authors: Beck Stacie
Published: September 2002

Muth's (1961) rational expectations model of commodity markets implies that inventory carryover creates ARCH processes in prices. The model also indicates that the expected price variance is an explanatory variable in price regressions. Hypotheses were tested on price data of twenty commodities using a variation of Engle et al. (1987) ARCH–M technique. An ARCH process was found in storable and not in non‐storable commodity data, as expected. However, changes in expected price variance have no significant impact on price. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modulation of intestinal and liver fatty acid‐binding proteins in Caco‐2 cells by lipids, hormones and cytokines
Authors: Dubé Nadia , Delvin Edgard , Yotov Wagner , Garofalo Carole , Bendayan Moise , Veerkamp Jacques H. , Levy Emile
Published: September 2002

Intestinal and liver fatty acid binding proteins (I‐ and L‐FABP) are thought to play a role in enterocyte fatty acid (FA) trafficking. Their modulation by cell differentiation and various potential effectors was investigated in the human Caco‐2 cell line. With the acquisition of enterocytic features, Caco‐2 cells seeded on plastic progressively increased L‐FABP quantities, whereas I‐FABP was not detectable even very late in the maturation process. On permeable filters that improved differentiation markers (sucrase, alkaline phosphatase, transepithelial resistance), Caco‐2 cells furthered their L‐FABP content and expressed I‐FABP. Western blot analysis showed a significant increase in I‐ and L‐FABP expression following an 8‐hour incubation period with butyric acid, oleic acid, and phosphatidylcholine. However, in all cases, I‐FABP levels were higher than L‐FABP concentrations regardless of the lipid substrates added. Similarly, hydrocortisone and insulin enhanced the cellular content of I‐ and L‐FABP whereas leptin triggered I‐FABP expression only after an 8‐hour incubation. Finally, tumor necrosis factor‐α was more effective in increasing the cytosolic amount of I‐FABP levels. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that I‐FABP expression is limited to fully differentiated Caco‐2 cells and can be more easily regulated than L‐FABP by lipids, hormones, and cytokines. J. Cell. Biochem. 81: 613–620, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ras‐induced colony formation and anchorage‐independent growth inhibited by elevated expression of Purα in NIH3T3 cells
Authors: Barr Sharon M. , Johnson Edward M.
Published: September 2002

Levels of Purα, a conserved, sequence‐specific single‐stranded DNA and RNA binding protein, fluctuate during the cell cycle, declining at the onset of S‐phase and peaking at mitosis. In early G1 Purα is associated with the hypophosphorylated form of the retinoblastoma protein, Rb. Microinjection of purified Purα into NIH3T3 cells arrests the cell cycle at either G1/S or G2/M checkpoints with distinct morphological consequences. Here we ask whether expression of Purα can affect colony formation and anchorage‐independent growth in ras‐transformed NIH3T3 cells. Two to five‐fold elevated levels of Purα in stably‐transfected cell lines retard entry into and progression through S phase in both ras‐transformed and non‐transformed cells. Purα significantly inhibits colony formation by ras‐transformed cells but not by non‐transformed cells. In addition, cells transfected to express Purα formed only about 1/5 the number of large colonies in soft agar as control‐transfected cells, demonstrating a marked inhibition of anchorage‐independent growth by Purα. Biochemical analysis of nuclear and cytoplasmic Purα proteins and confocal microscopic analysis of Purα location indicate that access of Purα to the nucleus is controlled by both protein modification and sequence domains within the protein. Analyses of deletion mutants identify Purα domains mediating nuclear exclusion, including several potential destruction motifs and a PEST sequence at aa's 215–231. In the nucleus Purα colocalizes with CDK2 and cyclin A. Purα and cyclin D1, however, do not colocalize in the nucleus. At mitosis Purα is visualized about the condensed chromosomes and in the cytoplasm, where it colocalizes with cyclin B1. The data indicate that the ability of Purα to interact with proteins regulating cell proliferation and transformation is controlled by signals that govern its intracellular localization. J. Cell. Biochem. 81: 621–638, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electromagnetic initiation of transcription at specific DNA sites
Authors: Blank Martin , Goodman Reba
Published: September 2002

Initiation of transcription by electromagnetic (EM) fields offers an insight into mechanism. EM field stimulated transcription appears to require specific DNA sequences, and these bases may be sites where EM fields generate large repulsive forces between chains by accelerating electrons that move within DNA. We can estimate the repulsion between chains by assuming that electron affinity is a measure of electron density at each base, and inversely related to the velocity of electrons (and the force). The repulsive force can be compared to the attraction between chains due to H‐bonds. From the difference between repulsion and attraction, we show that sites rich in C and T, as in the specific sequences, would be more likely to come apart in EM fields. These calculations suggest a plausible mechanism for initiation of transcription by EM fields, and provide a rationale for specific sequences to function as EM field response elements. Electron flow could also be a factor in DNA chain melting due to Joule heating. J. Cell. Biochem. 81: 689–692, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Semiempirical implementation of strictly localized geminals for analysis of molecular electronic structure
Authors: Tokmachev A. M. , Tchougréeff A. L.
Published: September 2002

Approximate electronic trial wave function taken as the antisymmetrized product of strictly localized geminals (APSLG) is implemented for semiempirical analysis of molecular electronic structure of “organic” compounds and for calculations of their heats of formation. This resulted in an O(N)‐scaling method. Using the MINDO/3 form of the semiempirical Hamiltonian with reparameterized βAB values in combination with the APSLG form of the wave function yields the computational procedure BF'98. Calculations on the heats formation and the equilibrium geometries for a wide range of molecules show that the APSLG‐MINDO/3 approach is more favorable than its self‐consistent field‐based counterpart. Also, the APSLG formalism allows to interpret molecular electronic wave function in chemically sensible terms. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 752–764, 2001
Performance characteristics of a transcription‐mediated nucleic acid amplification assay for qualitative detection of hepatitis C virus RNA
Authors: Ross R.S. , Viazov S.O. , Hoffmann S. , Roggendorf M.
Published: September 2002

The detection of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA by nucleic acid amplification techniques is the method of choice to differentiate between ongoing and past infection, and can be used to monitor the course of HCV infection. In this study, we evaluated the performance characteristics of a newly developed transcription‐mediated amplification (TMA)‐based assay, the VERSANT® HCV RNA qualitative assay, which was designed to qualitatively detect HCV RNA. Samples tested by the TMA assay included 100 HCV antibody negative sera; serial dilutions of an HCV genotype 1a panel; the WHO HCV RNA standard 76/790; an HCV genotyping panel; and 150 clinical specimens, including sera from patients who had received α?interferon (IFN) treatment or liver transplants. TMA test results were compared with the Cobas Amplicor® HCV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. The analytical specificity of the HCV?TMA assay was > 98%. No carry‐over contaminations were observed. The assay demonstrated an analytical sensitivity of 100% at 41 HCV RNA copies/mL (genotype 1a panel) and 5 IU/mL (WHO standard), respectively. HCV genotypes and subtypes did not affect the results. Qualitative RNA detection by diagnostic Amplicor® PCR and TMA was in agreement in > 97% of all 150 clinical samples tested. In our study, the TMA‐based assay proved to be a specific and sensitive method for qualitative HCV RNA detection. The test may turn out to be an attractive alternative to already established techniques for HCV?RNA amplification in routine clinical laboratories. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 15:308–313, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Serum antioxidant and cholesterol levels in patients with different types of cancer
Authors: Abiaka Clifford , Al‐Awadi Farida , Al‐Sayer Hilal , Gulshan Sima , Behbehani Abdulla , Farghally Medhat , Simbeye Amos
Published: September 2002

Serum antioxidant (urate, α‐tocopherol) activity and cholesterol concentration in 142 patients of Indian and Arab (Kuwaitis and other Arabs) origin with different types of cancer (breast, colon, stomach, thyroid, oral, rectal, pancreatic, and renal) were compared to 100 age‐ and sex‐matched control subjects. Values were expressed as medians (interquartile range). Urate concentration was significantly decreased in male patients compared to male controls (P < 0.0001) and in female patients and female breast cancer cases compared to female controls; P < 0.0001 and P = 0.001, respectively. α‐Tocopherol concentration decreased significantly in total cancer, stomach, colon, rectal, and breast cancer cases than the controls; P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P = 0.012, and P = 0.022, respectively. Cholesterol concentration decreased significantly in stomach, oral, colon, and total cancer cases compared to the controls; P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, P = 0.002, and P = 0.012, respectively. Among controls, females had significantly (P < 0.0001) lower concentrations of α‐tocopherol than males. Among patients, cholesterol, urate, and α‐tocopherol concentrations decreased significantly in smokers than in nonsmokers; P < 0.0001, P = 0.004, and P = 0.047, respectively. Generally, changes in α‐tocopherol/cholesterol ratios mimicked changes in α‐tocopherol concentration. Concentrations of all parameters decreased significantly in male patients compared to male controls. Age was positively associated with all three analytes with respect to the controls. α‐Tocopherol correlated with cholesterol in cancer patients (r = 0.367; P < 0.0001) and with urate in the controls (r = 0.342; P < 0.0001). The data suggest cancer‐related diminished synthesis of cholesterol and, generally, a greater antioxidant burden for α‐tocopherol than urate in cancer‐generated oxidative stress. The increased incidence of pancreatic cancer in Kuwaitis warrants further study. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 15:324–330, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
HLA‐antibody testing: The immune phagocytosis inhibition test is superior to the PRA‐STAT and NIH lymphocytotoxic test with respect to specificity
Authors: Flesch Brigitte K. , Philipp Miriam , Cassens Uwe , Neppert Jürgen
Published: September 2002

We compared the specificity and sensitivity of four different methods for the detection of antibodies specific for HLA antigens. The NIH version of the complement‐dependent cytotoxic test (CDC) was used as the gold standard to which we compared two Fcγ receptor (FcγR)‐dependent immune phagocytosis inhibition tests (IPI) and one commercial enzyme‐labelled immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with soluble HLA class I‐antigen preparations bound to the plate (PRA‐STAT). Both IPI tests are based on the fact that HLA‐antibodies specifically bind to antigens on the monocyte surface via their Fab portion, and in so doing block a neighbouring FcγR with their Fc region. This blockade prevents phagocytosis of IgG‐coated red blood cells (RBCs), which can be measured either microscopically (IPIm) or photometrically (IPIp). The four assays were used in blind tests on 20 human alloantisera or monoclonal antibodies with known HLA‐antigen reactivities. Additionally, two monoclonal antibodies and one human serum were titrated to elucidate the sensitivity of each test. After all tests were completed, the identities of the samples were disclosed. Both IPI methods detected and identified all clinically relevant HLA class I and class II specific antibodies. In contrast, the CDC was not able to detect noncytotoxic HLA‐antibodies and HLA class II specific antibodies; however, it detected clinically insignificant IgM lymphocytotoxins. The PRA‐STAT assay enabled identification of all cytotoxic and noncytotoxic IgG antibodies with specificity for HLA‐class I antigens. With respect to sensitivity, the CDC and the IPI methods were superior to the PRA‐STAT. These facts demonstrate the advantage of IPI methods in the detection of clinically relevant HLA‐antibodies. J. Clin. Lab. Anal. 15:334–341, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Family and community characteristics: Risk factors for violence exposure in inner‐city youth
Authors: Sheidow Ashli J. , Gorman‐Smith Deborah , Tolan Patrick H. , Henry David B.
Published: September 2002

Although research has found that urban youth experience excessive levels of community violence, few studies have focused on the factors that alter the risk of exposure to violence. The current study investigates the relation between neighborhood and violence exposure and between family functioning and risk for exposure to violence in different types of poor, urban neighborhoods. Participants were 249 inner‐city African American and Latino males ages 13–17 and their primary caregivers who participated in the Chicago Youth Development Study. The interaction between family functioning and neighborhood type accounted for increased exposure to violence. The greatest increases occurred among struggling families residing in inner‐city neighborhoods with high levels of social organization. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Zeolite synthesis from coal fly ash for the removal of lead ions from aqueous solution
Authors: Scott Jason , Guang Deyan , Naeramitmarnsuk Kornrat , Thabuot Mallika , Amal Rose
Published: September 2002

Fly ash samples from the Bayswater and Eraring power plants, located in New South Wales, Australia, were used in a preliminary study on zeolite synthesis by hydrothermal treatment with sodium hydroxide under various conditions. The treated fly ash was tested for the ability to remove lead ions from aqueous solution. Both fly ashes were partially converted to zeolite. The zeolites formed under the experimental conditions were zeolite Na‐P1 and sodalite octahydrate for the Bayswater ash and phillipsite, zeolite X, zeolite Na‐P1 and sodalite octahydrate for the Eraring ash. The type of zeolite formed was dependent on the treatment time and sodium hydroxide concentration. In the case of the Bayswater ash, zeolite Na‐P1 was formed by treatment with 4 mol dm−3 NaOH for 48 h while treatment with 5 mol dm−3 NaOH for 96 h produced sodalite octahydrate at the expense of zeolite Na‐P1. In the case of the Eraring ash, phillipsite was formed following treatment with 3 mol dm−3 NaOH, zeolite X and zeolite Na‐P1 were formed following treatment with 4 mol dm−3 NaOH and sodalite octahydrate was formed following treatment with 5 mol dm−3 NaOH. A maximum cation exchange capacity of ∼400 meq/100 g was achieved by both treated ash samples. Treatment of a solution with a lead ion concentration of 120 ppm using 0.5 g of both treated ash samples (S/L ratio = 0.25 g/100 cm3) achieved complete removal in 5 min, whereas treatment with 0.1 g of each material (S/L ratio = 0.05 g/100 cm3) achieved complete lead ion removal after 24 h.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Dynamics of penicillin G hydrolysis in an electro‐membrane reactor
Authors: Pr̆ibyl Michal , Chmelíková Růz̆ena , Hasal Pavel , Marek Milos̆
Published: September 2002

Analysis of penicillin G hydrolysis in a membrane reactor with membrane‐entrapped penicillin G acylase is performed using a mathematical model of the reactor system. An electric field imposed to the reactor is considered to enhance transport rates of reaction components and reaction rate. Diffusion, electrophoretic migration and electro‐osmotic flux across the membrane are considered. The analysis focuses on possible effects of the principal operational parameters (electric field intensity, inlet substrate concentration, membrane thickness) on reactor performance. Multiplicities of steady states are frequently encountered. The membrane reactor performance can be easily targeted towards the required reaction regime by applying a constant or periodically varying electric field to the system. The periodic alternation of the polarity of the electric field substantially increases the effectiveness factor of penicillin hydrolysis compared with the steady state operation. Proper adjustments of electric field intensity may also compensate for the decay in enzyme activity.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Seasonal changes in the preferred body temperature, cardiovascular, and respiratory responses to hypoxia in the toad, Bufo paracnemis
Authors: Bícego‐Nahas Kênia Cardoso , Gargaglioni Luciane Helena , Branco Luiz Guilherme Siqueira
Published: September 2002

Estivation is accompanied by a reduction of oxygen consumption in amphibians during drought. We tested the hypothesis that, during the dry season, the toad Bufo paracnemis selects a lower preferred body temperature (Tb), and would be less sensitive to hypoxia, than during its active period. Therefore, during winter (dry season in São Paulo state, Brazil) and summer, we measured the effects of hypoxia (7% inspired O2) on preferred Tb. Additionally, pulmonary ventilation, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen consumption were also measured in toads at 15 and 25°C. Blood gases were measured at 25°C. Oxygen consumption was significantly higher during summer in toads at 25°C. Under normoxia, preferred Tb was higher during summer than during winter, and hypoxia caused a drop in preferred Tb during both seasons. In both seasons, toads at 15°C showed reduced pulmonary ventilation, heart rate, and blood pressure, and hypoxia had no effect. At 25°C during summer only, hypoxia caused an increase in ventilation. Season had no effect on blood gases. We conclude that B. paracnemis displays an endogenous seasonal pattern of thermoregulation and control of ventilation. The decreased preferred Tb and the physiological responses to hypoxia may be beneficial to toads encountering drought and when food is not available. J. Exp. Zool. 289:359–365, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Almost all graphs with high girth and suitable density have high chromatic number
Authors: Osthus Deryk , Prömel Hans Jürgen , Taraz Anusch
Published: September 2002

Erdös proved that there exist graphs of arbitrarily high girth and arbitrarily high chromatic number. We give a different proof (but also using the probabilistic method) that also yields the following result on the typical asymptotic structure of graphs of high girth: for all ℓ ≥ 3 and k ∈ ℕ there exist constants C1 and C2 so that almost all graphs on n vertices and m edges whose girth is greater than ℓ have chromatic number at least k, provided that $C_{1}n\,\leq\, m\,\leq\, C_{2}n^{\ell /(\ell -1)}$. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Graph Theory 37: 220–226, 2001
Intellectual disability and the myth of the changeling myth
Authors: Goodey C. F. , Stainton Tim
Published: September 2002

This article investigates the historical sources for the idea of the “changeling” or substitute child as an explanation for congenital intellectual disability. Pre‐modern sources for this idea are elite and theological as much as popular and folkloric, nor do they refer to intellectual disability in any sense recognizable to us. Rather, both the concept of intellectual disability and the notion of a transhistorical changeling myth emerge from the historical core of modern psychology. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Assessors and use of assessment centre dimensions: a fresh look at a troubling issue*
Authors: Lievens Filip
Published: September 2002

Previous studies on the construct validity of assessment centres have generally produced puzzling results. The premise of this study is that these prior studies were relatively one‐sided. Actually, most previous studies were field studies, which typically used the multitrait–multimethod approach to distinguish between two sources of variance (i.e., exercises and dimensions). Therefore, this study aims to shed light on the issue of assessment centre construct validity by addressing substantive and methodological concerns inherent in previous research. In this study, 85 industrial and organizational psychology students and 39 managers rated videotaped assessment centre candidates in three exercises on six dimensions. Results from generalizability analyses showed that assessors' ratings were relatively veridical. In addition, when assessors rated candidates whose performances varied across dimensions and whose performances were relatively consistent across exercises, they were reasonably able to differentiate among the various dimensions. They also rated such candidate profiles similarly on the various dimensions across exercises. When assessors rated a candidate profile without clear performance fluctuations across dimensions, distinctions about dimensions were more blurred. Results from student and managerial assessors were similar, although managers distinguished somewhat less between the various dimensions. The research and practical implications of these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Precipitation and atmospheric circulation patterns at mid‐latitudes of Asia
Authors: Aizen Elena M. , Aizen Vladimir B. , Melack John M. , Nakamura Tsutomu , Ohta Takeshi
Published: September 2002

Analyses of the coupling between large‐scale atmospheric patterns and modifications of regional precipitation regimes at seasonal and annual time scales in different terrain of mid‐latitudes in Asia, including western Siberia, Tien Shan and Pamir mountains, and plains of middle Asia and Japanese Islands, were examined based on data from 57 and 88 hydro‐climatic stations with 100 and 60 year records, respectively. For the past 100 years, a positive trend in precipitation was revealed in western Siberia, northern regions of Tien Shan and Japanese Islands. North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and West Pacific Oscillation (WPO) indices have inverse associations, with average amount of precipitation in western Siberia and in mountains and plains of middle Asia, and positive correlation in central and western regions of Japanese Islands. The Pacific North American (PNA) index is positively correlated with annual precipitation over most of the Japanese Islands. Northern Asian (NA) positive anomalies lead to decrease in winter precipitation in the western and eastern regions of Japanese Islands. We did not find significant impact of PNA or NA on precipitation in middle Asia. We suggest that during the last century, impacts of the western jet stream increased in the northern regions of Tien Shan and Japanese Islands, and weakened in the eastern Japanese Islands. There is a suggestion that conditions are more favourable for precipitation development over continental regions of Asia when the Siberian High is positioned further to the east than further to the west. During dominant development of a zonal atmospheric pattern, the annual and seasonal precipitation decreased over most regions in continental Asia and central Japan. Copyright © 2001 Royal Meteorological Society
Using the standardized precipitation index for flood risk monitoring
Authors: Seiler R. A. , Hayes M. , Bressan L.
Published: September 2002

Flood risk and the critical time of occurrence are difficult to monitor and detect. The availability and application of adapted indices may allow not only continuous monitoring of hydrological conditions in flood‐prone areas, but also the potential threat of possible flood events in order to promote preventive actions to mitigate the impacts of the phenomenon. The standardized precipitation index (SPI) was developed for drought detection and monitoring. However, because of its characteristics, the SPI can also be used as a tool to monitor wetter‐than‐normal conditions. The aim of this paper, based on the recurrent floods affecting the southern Cordoba Province in Argentina, is to analyse the potential of the SPI as a tool for monitoring flood risk in that region. Results indicate that the SPI satisfactorily explains the development of conditions leading up to the three main flood events to occur in the region during the past 25 years. This fact supports the proposal for applying the SPI as an effective component of a regional system for climate risk monitoring. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society.
Marine conditions in central Sweden during the early Preboreal as inferred from a stable oxygen isotope gradient
Authors: Schoning Kristian , Klingberg Fredrik , Wastegård Stefan
Published: September 2002

The marine benthic fauna and the δ18Ocof foraminifers and ostracods from six sites situated on a west–east transect through central Sweden have been analysed in order to estimate the palaeosalinity and palaeocirculation in this shallow‐marine environment. The measurements have been undertaken on material from the early Preboreal, when the Baltic Basin was in contact with the North Sea through straits in central Sweden. The δ18Ocvalues have a more negative value towards the east, indicating decreasing salinity. This was the result of limited possibilities for marine water to penetrate into the Baltic Basin and the mixing with freshwater from the melting Fennoscandian ice‐sheet. Four water masses existed in the area: a surface layer of freshwater, marine water from the North Sea, brackish–marine intermediate water on the Swedish west coast and brackish Yoldia Sea water in the Baltic Basin. The chronology is based on radiocarbon dates of marine fossils and, at one site, on the occurrence of the Vedde Ash (10 400–10 30014C yr BP). This is the first record from marine settings in Sweden. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of legume processing on calcium, iron and zinc contents and dialysabilities
Authors: Sebastiá Vicente , Barberá Reyes , Farré Rosaura , Lagarda María Jesús
Published: September 2002

Legumes are a good source of calcium, iron and zinc, but are also a source of phytates and dietary fibre components that can negatively affect the bioavailability of these minerals. To estimate the latter, an in vitro dialysis method can be applied that gives the dialysability of a mineral as an estimate of its availability for absorption. Calcium, iron and zinc contents and dialysabilities in three legumes (beans, chickpeas and lentils) and the effects of cooking treatments and industrial processing on these parameters were studied. Beans had the highest calcium content (1.54 g kg−1 dry matter (DM)) and chickpeas the lowest iron content (46.9 mg kg−1 DM), whilst the zinc contents were similar in all three raw legumes (33.7–36.9 mg kg−1 DM). Traditional and microwave cooking reduced the mineral contents by 9.7–36.4% for calcium, 14.2–31% for iron and 11.1–28.9% for zinc. The dialysabilities of calcium with respect to the values for the raw products were also reduced by these cooking techniques. Industrially processed legumes had higher dialysabilities of calcium, iron and zinc than traditionally or microwave cooked legumes.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry