bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hospital lymph node counts and survival after radical cystectomy
Authors: Hollenbeck Brent K. , Ye Zajoun , Wong Sandra L. , Montie James E. , Birkmeyer John D.
Published: December 2007

BACKGROUND.

Several studies suggest that patients in whom more lymph nodes are examined have improved survival after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. Despite growing calls for using lymph node counts as a hospital quality indicator, it has not been established that hospitals that obtain more lymph node have better outcomes.

METHODS.

Using the national Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare linked database (1992–2003), all patients undergoing radical cystectomy for cancer were identified (n = 3603). Hospitals were ranked and sorted into 3 evenly sized groups: low (no patients with ≥10 lymph nodes removed), medium (up to 20% of patients), and high (greater than 20% of patients). Survival rates were assessed for each hospital group, adjusting for potentially confounding patient and hospital characteristics.

RESULTS.

On average, low lymph node count hospitals had higher observed mortality rates compared with high lymph node count hospitals (unadjusted hazards ratio [HR], 1.25; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.13–1.39). Low lymph node count hospitals tended to treat patients who were older, had more comorbidity, were of lower socioeconomic status, had higher admission acuity, and had lower procedure volumes. After adjusting for these differences, low lymph node count hospitals tended to have slightly higher mortality (adjusted HR, 1.12; 95% CI, 0.99–1.27), although this finding did not reach statistical significance. Similar findings were evident when other thresholds (lymph node counts ≥5, ≥14, and ≥20) were used.

CONCLUSIONS.

Hospitals with high lymph node counts tend to have higher survival rates after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer. However, this effect is modest and is explained, in large part, by confounding patient and hospital factors. Cancer 2008. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Expression of receptors for glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor family ligands in sacral spinal cord reveals separate targets of pelvic afferent fibers
Authors: Forrest Shelley L. , Keast Janet R.
Published: December 2007

Nerve growth factor has been proposed to mediate many structural and chemical changes in bladder sensory neurons after injury or inflammation. We have examined the expression of receptors for the glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family within sensory terminals located in the sacral spinal cord and in bladder‐projecting sacral dorsal root ganglion neurons of adult female Sprague‐Dawley rats. Nerve fibers immunolabelled for GFRα1 (GDNF receptor), GFRα2 (neurturin receptor), or GFRα3 (artemin receptor) showed distinct distribution patterns in the spinal cord, suggesting separate populations of sensory fibers with different functions: GFRα1‐labeled fibers were in outer lamina II and the lateral‐collateral pathway and associated with autonomic interneurons and preganglionic neurons; GFRα2‐labeled fibers were only in inner lamina II; GFRα3‐labeled fibers were in lamina I, the lateral‐collateral pathway, and areas surrounding dorsal groups of preganglionic neurons and associated interneurons. Immunofluorescence studies of retrogradely labelled bladder‐projecting neurons in sacral dorsal root ganglia showed that ∼25% expressed GFRα1 or GFRα3 immunoreactivity, the preferred receptors for GDNF and artemin, respectively. After cyclophosphamide‐induced bladder inflammation, fluorescence intensity of GFRα1‐positive fibers increased within the dorsal horn, but there was no change in the GFRα2‐ or GFRα3‐positive fibers. These studies have shown that GDNF and artemin may target bladder sensory neurons and potentially mediate plasticity of sacral visceral afferent neurons following inflammation. Our results have also revealed three distinct subpopulations of sensory fibers within the sacral spinal cord, which have not been identified previously using other markers. J. Comp. Neurol. 506:989–1002, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bulbospinal neurons of the rat rostromedial medulla are highly collateralized
Authors: Lefler Ya'Ara , Arzi Anat , Reiner Keren , Sukhotinsky Inna , Devor Marshall
Published: December 2007

The rostromedial medulla participates in a large variety of sensory, motor, and autonomic functions. We asked whether individual bulbospinal neurons in this region have localized, target‐specific terminal arbors or whether they collateralize broadly in the spinal cord. Collateralization was quantified along three spinal axes, rostrocaudal, left‐right, and dorsoventral, by using double retrograde labeling. Fluorogold was applied to one target, and cholera toxin B chain (CTB) was applied to the second. We determined the prevalence of neurons that retrogradely label with both tracers in the constituent nuclei of the rostromedial medulla, the raphe nuclei, the gigantocellular reticular nucleus (Gi, bilaterally), the Gi pars alpha (GiA, bilaterally), and the midline medullary reticular formation. A large fraction of neurons in each of these nuclei had bulbospinal projections, ranging from ≥56% for the raphe nuclei to ≥14% for the Gi. For reasons discussed, these values are probably underestimates. Most of the neurons that projected to the lumbar spinal cord also projected to the cervical cord. Likewise, most neurons that projected to the ventral horn also had a collateral branch in the dorsal horn. However, relatively few had bilateral projections; most projected ipsilaterally or contralaterally. A considerable degree of collateralization was also seen among vestibulospinal neurons. The high level of collateralization of the descending projections of the rostromedial medulla suggests that neurons in this area ultimately act on peripheral target tissues or functions that are widely distributed in the body, or that they play a generalized modulatory role across functional modalities, rather than playing specific topographically delimited roles. J. Comp. Neurol. 506:960–978, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variational approach to the free‐discontinuity problem of inverse crack identification
Authors: Tsotsova R.
Published: December 2007

This work presents a computational strategy for identification of planar defects (cracks) in homogenous isotropic linear elastic solids. The underlying strategy is a regularizing variational approach based on the diffuse interface model proposed by Ambrosio and Tortorelli. With the help of this model, the sharp interface problem of crack identification is split into two coupled elliptic boundary value problems solved using the finite element method. Numerical examples illustrate the application of the proposed approach for effective reconstruction of the position and the shape of a single crack using only the information collected on the surface of the analyzed body. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Forgotten pioneers of color order. Part I: Gaspard Grégoire (1751–1846)
Authors: Kuehni Rolf G.
Published: December 2007

Some 100 years before Albert Munsell developed his color order system, French silk merchant and inventor of a technology for producing works of art in silk velours, Gaspard Grégoire, introduced a color order system based on the color attributes hue, (relative) chroma, and lightness. Conceived in the mid‐1780s, an atlas with 1350 samples was produced before 1813 and found use in French Royal manufacturing operations and educational institutions. It was followed a few years later by one with 343 samples. Grégoire's work was subsequently overshadowed by Michel‐Eugene Chevreul's more complicated and less intuitive hemispherical system of 1839. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 33, 5–9, 2008
A relationship between zero‐grayness luminance by Evans and perceived brightness of spectrum colors
Authors: Nayatani Yoshinobu , Sakai Hideki
Published: December 2007

An important finding in the present study is that “zero‐grayness luminance” proposed by Evans gives approximately the same perceived brightness for spectrum colors irrespective of hues. The luminance values with the same perceived brightness for spectrum colors are directly derived on the basis of VCC method proposed by the senior author. It corresponds to the spectral luminosity function Vb2(λ;VCC). In the study process, we had some doubts on the luminosity function CIE Vb2(λ) on the heterochromatic brightness match. In other words, CIE Vb2(λ) may not be used for scientific study. The problem is discussed in Appendix briefly. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 33, 19–26, 2008
The effect of experience on the development of tactual‐visual transfer in pigtailed macaque monkeys
Authors: Batterson Virginia Gunderson , Rose Susan A. , Yonas Albert , Grant Kimberly S. , Sackett Gene P.
Published: December 2007

The study described here is the first to experimentally demonstrate the effects of experience on the development of tactual‐visual transfer. Infant pigtailed macaque monkeys (Macaca nemestrina) were reared from birth to 2 months of age in special cages that allowed the separation of tactual and visual experience. When assessed on a battery of measures at the end of the 2‐month period, animals reared without the opportunity to integrate information across the two sensory modalities performed at chance levels on a paired‐comparison measure of tactual‐visual transfer and performed worse than controls in a visually guided reaching task. After living in the standard laboratory environment for 2 additional months, they were reassessed. While their visually guided reaching now no longer differed from that of controls, they continued to perform at chance on the tactual‐visual transfer assessment and their performance on this task was significantly worse than the control groups. Performance on visual acuity and visual recognition memory measures did not differ between groups at either age, suggesting that the deficit was limited to tactual‐visual functioning. The results are discussed in terms of a possible sensitive period during which specific environmental input is required for the development of normal tactual‐visual cross‐modal processing. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 88–96, 2008.
Exploratory behavior in mice selectively bred for developmental differences in aggressive behavior
Authors: Hood Kathryn E. , Quigley Karen S.
Published: December 2007

The development and expression of exploratory behavior was assessed in the Cairns lines of Institute for Cancer Research (ICR) mice that were selectively bred for differences in aggressive behavior, with a high‐aggressive 900 line, low‐aggressive 100 line, and control 500 line. Four paradigms were employed. Developmental changes were evident in the complex novel arena, with older males faster to contact a novel object, and ambulating more than young males. Within the control 500 line, older males showed longer latency to emerge from the home cage, and shorter latency to contact novel objects. In the 900 line, younger males showed this same pattern. R. B. Cairns proposed that line differences in aggressive behavior arise through alterations in developmental timing [Cairns et al. [1983] Life‐span developmental psychology (Vol. 5). New York: Academic Press; Gariépy et al. [2001] Animal Behaviour 61: 933–947]. The early appearance of mature patterns of exploratory behavior in 900 line males supports this interpretation. The 900 line males also appear to be behaviorally inhibited in novel settings such as the light–dark box and the neohypophagia paradigm, compared to the 500 and 100 lines (Experiments 1, 2, and 4). Moreover, in the most complex apparatus, the novel arena, 900 line males were slowest to exit the home cage, and fastest to contact a novel object. The apparent contrast in these parameters of exploratory behavior is discussed in relation to T. C. Schneirla's [1965 Advances in the study of behavior (Vol. 1). New York: PN Academic] approach–withdrawal theory. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 32–47, 2008.
A biological window on psychological development
Authors: Gariépy Jean‐Louis , Blair Clancy
Published: December 2007

The articles in this special issue of Developmental Psychobiology were presented in May 2005 at an international institute on developmental science hosted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Conducted annually at one of the participating universities, these meetings are intended to foster collaboration and build consensus on specific theoretical, methodological, and analytical issues faced by developmentally oriented researchers. The overall goal of the 2005 meeting, titled “Integrating Biology and Developmental Science,” was to identify different ways by which a developmental study of psychological phenomena in their joint biological and behavioral aspects may shed new light on their organization in the individual. The six contributions to this special issue illustrate how a biological window on developmental processes can further this scientific endeavor. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 1–3, 2008.
Endotoxin hyperresponsiveness upon CD4+ T cell reconstitution in lymphopenic mice: control by natural regulatory T cells
Authors: De Wilde Virginie , Benghiat Fleur Samantha , Novalrivas Magali , Lebrun Jean‐François , Kubjak Carole , Oldenhove Guillaume , Verdebout Jean‐Marc , Goldman Michel , Le Moine Alain
Published: December 2007

Natural CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (nTreg) have been shown to control graft‐versus‐host disease after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Herein, we considered the possibility that the beneficial action of nTreg upon immune reconstitution in lymphopenic hosts involves dampening of the inflammatory response induced by bacterial products. We first observed that transfer of syngeneic CD4+CD25– T cells in RAG‐deficient mice dramatically enhanced release of inflammatory cytokines and associated pathology upon endotoxin injection. Interferon (IFN)‐γ produced by T cells undergoing homeostatic proliferation was shown to be involved in the endotoxin hyperresponsiveness induced by CD4+ T cell reconstitution. Co‐transfer of CD4+CD25+ nTreg with CD4+CD25– T cells inhibited the expansion of IFN‐γ‐producing T cells and reduced endotoxin responses in RAG–/– mice. We conclude that (1) CD4+ T cell reconstitution sensitizes lymphopenic hosts to endotoxin‐induced pathology and (2) nTreg prevent this process by limiting the emergence of IFN‐γ‐producing cells.
Two Novel Flexible Multidentate Ligands for Crystal Engineering: Syntheses, Structures, and Properties of CuII, MnII Complexes with N‐[(3‐Carboxyphenyl)sulfonyl]glycine and N,N′‐(1,3‐Phenylenedisulfonyl)bis(glycine)
Authors: Ma Lu‐Fang , Wang Yao‐Yu , Wang Li‐Ya , Liu Jian‐Qiang , Wu Ya‐Pan , Wang Jian‐Ge , Shi Qi‐Zhen , Peng Shie‐Ming
Published: December 2007

One novel N‐[(3‐carboxyphenyl)sulfonyl]glycine (H3L1) ligand (1) was prepared in high yield, and its structure was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Reaction of H3L1 with Mn(ClO4)2·6H2O at different pH values gave two new dinuclear complexes: [Mn2(HL1)2(phen)4]·16H2O (2) and [Mn2L1(phen)4(H2O)]ClO4·3H2O (3) (phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline). Additionally, two copper(II) complexes, [K2Cu(L2)2(H2O)2]n (4) and [CuL2(H2O)]2·2H2O (5), involving another novel ligand, N,N′‐(1,3‐phenylenedisulfonyl)bis(glycine) (H2L2), were prepared by a one‐pot reaction of 1,3‐phenylenebis(sulfonyl chloride), glycine, and KOH or triethylamine in the presence of CuII ions. A self‐assembled (H2O)30 cluster containing a puckered (H2O)12 ring core was found in 2, which presents a new mode of association of water molecules not predicted theoretically or previously observed experimentally. Furthermore, 2 forms a 2‐D supramolecular structure through hydrogen bonding and unique π–π stacking interactions. In 3, there also exist discrete trimeric water clusters. The identity of the base determines the specific structural characteristics of 4 and 5. When potassium hydroxide was used for the synthesis of 4, it led to a 3‐D copper(II)–potassium(I) coordination polymer; when triethylamine was used, paddle‐wheel dinuclear units of copper(II) carboxylate were produced. Magnetic measurements show that there are weak antiferromagnetic interactions in 2–4. In 5 the χMT vs. T curve shows a minimum at 110 K and a climb from 110 K to 5 K, then a long‐range antiferromagnetic ordering occurs, as revealed by a decrease in χMT with T. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
The Oriented Self‐Assembly of Magnetic Fe3O4 Nanoparticles into Monodisperse Microspheres and Their Use as Substrates in the Formation of Fe3O4 Nanorods
Authors: Xi Guangcheng , Wang Chao , Wang Xing
Published: December 2007

We describe a facile solvothermal route for the large‐scale preparation of ferromagnetic Fe3O4 sub‐micrometer spheres and nanorods by using FeCl3 as the iron source, oleic acid as the surfactant, and ethylene glycol as the reducing agent and solvent. The as‐synthesized Fe3O4 microspheres are composed of a mess of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with a size of 10 nm and have nearly monodisperse diameters that can be controlled in the range 100–410 nm. HRTEM images and SAED patterns show that these microspheres present a “single‐crystalline” nature, which can be attributed to the highly oriented assembly of the small Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Interestingly, by using the pre‐synthesized Fe3O4 microspheres as the growth substrate, single‐crystalline Fe3O4 nanorods can be formed on the surfaces of the microspheres. These nanorods are about 7–20 nm in diameter and 120–400 nm in length, and have smooth surfaces. The formation mechanisms of the Fe3O4 microspheres and nanorods have been investigated and discussed. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of the as‐synthesized microspheres and nanorods have also been investigated and the magnetization saturation values are 74.6 and 92.3 emu/g, respectively.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Statistical data processing of mobility curves of univalent weak bases
Authors: Šlampová Andrea , Boček Petr
Published: December 2007

This paper brings a new rigorous and complete statistical approach to the data processing of the mobility curves of univalent weak bases. This approach is based on application of the least square method to the equation of the related mobility curve. Thus, an equation for the best fit is derived and its mathematical solution is found. The solution brings best estimates of the mobility curve parameters, i.e., dissociation constant K and ionic mobility of the protonated base U. Further, explicit formulas have been derived for the calculation of related statistical parameters, i.e., SDs of effective mobility su, of the dissociation constant sK, and of ionic mobility of protonated base sU. The mathematical functions used in the above approach do not impose any limitations on the data used, i.e., the mobility and pH values used may be real numbers (positive, negative, zero).
Modelling spatio‐temporal variation in exposure to particulate matter: a two‐stage approach
Authors: Fanshawe T. R. , Diggle P. J. , Rushton S. , Sanderson R. , Lurz P. W. W. , Glinianaia S. V. , Pearce M. S. , Parker L. , Charlton M. , Pless‐Mulloli T.
Published: December 2007

Studies investigating associations between air pollution exposure and health outcomes benefit from the estimation of exposures at the individual level, but explicit consideration of the spatio‐temporal variation in exposure is relatively new in air pollution epidemiology. We address the problem of estimating spatially and temporally varying particulate matter concentrations (black smoke = BS = PM4) using data routinely collected from 20 monitoring stations in Newcastle‐upon‐Tyne between 1961 and 1992. We propose a two‐stage strategy for modelling BS levels. In the first stage, we use a dynamic linear model to describe the long‐term trend and seasonal variation in area‐wide average BS levels. In the second stage, we account for the spatio‐temporal variation between monitors around the area‐wide average in a linear model that incorporates a range of spatio‐temporal covariates available throughout the study area, and test for evidence of residual spatio‐temporal correlation. We then use the model to assign time‐aggregated predictions of BS exposure, with associated prediction variances, to each singleton pregnancy that occurred in the study area during this period, guided by dates of conception and birth and mothers' residential locations. In work to be reported separately, these exposure estimates will be used to investigate relationships between maternal exposure to BS during pregnancy and a range of birth outcomes. Our analysis demonstrates how suitable covariates can be used to explain residual spatio‐temporal variation in individual‐level exposure, thereby reducing the need to model the residual spatio‐temporal correlation explicitly. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Compressible two‐phase flow modelling based on thermodynamically compatible systems of hyperbolic conservation laws
Authors: Romenski E. , Drikakis D.
Published: December 2007

This paper outlines the development of a two‐phase flow model based on the theory of thermodynamically compatible systems of hyperbolic conservation laws. The conservative hyperbolic governing equations are numerically implemented in conjunction with the second‐order MUSCL method and the GFORCE flux, while for the reduced isentropic model the first‐order Godunov method is also derived. Results are presented for the water–air shock tube and water‐faucet test problems. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enhanced cytotoxicity of saporin by polyamidoamine dendrimer conjugation and photochemical internalization
Authors: Lai Ping‐Shan , Pai Chin‐Ling , Peng Cheng‐Liang , Shieh Ming‐Jium , Berg Kristian , Lou Pei‐Jen
Published: December 2007

Because of the lack of membrane binding subunit, type I ribosome‐inactivating proteins (RIPs) are not very toxic to cells unless action is taken to allow for toxin internalization to the cytosol. To overcome the potential barriers that greatly hinder the cellular uptake and intracellular release of saporin, a type I RIP, we used generation 4 polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer as the carrier to improve its endocytic uptake, passive tumor targeting, and implemented the photochemical internalization (PCI) technology to facilitate its cytosolic release. Our results showed that the cellular uptake of saporin was increased after conjugation with the PAMAM dendrimer and the cytotoxic effect was improved by more than 1 order of magnitude. The cytotoxicity of free saporin and PAMAM‐saporin was further enhanced by the PCI technology. PCI changed the mechanism of cellular uptake of free saporin and then caused more saporin entering into the cells. After the PCI treatment, PAMAM‐saporin was not only internalized into the cytosol but also efficiently entered the nuclei. Our results indicated that conjugating to PAMAM dendrimer is a possible approach to enhance the cellular uptake of saporin. PCI is a promising technology to significantly enhance the cytotoxicity of both free saporin and PAMAM‐saporin. Combining both polymer conjugation and PCI approaches may improve the efficacy of RIPs in cancer therapy. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 87A: 147–155, 2008
Evaluation of an innovative pediatric clerkship structure using multiple outcome variables including career choice
Authors: Matheny Antommaria Armand H. , Firth Sean D. , Maloney Christopher G.
Published: December 2007

BACKGROUND

Few studies have examined alternative structures for inpatient clerkships.

OBJECTIVE

Compare 2 inpatient clerkship structures using multiple outcome variables.

DESIGN

Prospective, randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Tertiary‐care, freestanding children's hospital.

SUBJECTS

All medical students enrolled in the third‐year pediatric clerkship in the 2001‐2003 academic years.

INTERVENTION

A clerkship structure consisting of an academic attending, a third‐year pediatric resident, and 4 third‐year medical students, but no interns.

MEASUREMENTS

Student end‐of‐rotation examinations, evaluations, a questionnaire, and career choices were used to evaluate the intervention. Patient logs and resource utilization were also assessed. Statistical analysis included evaluating differences between groups and measuring effect size.

RESULTS

Two hundred and three students were randomized. Compared with those on the traditional services, students on the intervention service encountered more key diagnoses in the patients they cared for (4.4 vs. 3.6, P < .01). These students also gave higher ratings to their overall attitude (4.48 vs. 4.26, P = .02) and input into patient care decisions (4.45 vs. 3.98, P < .01). More than twice as many students on the intervention service matched in pediatrics (OR 2.52, 95% confidence interval 0.99‐6.38). Multivariate analysis of length of stay and total charges for selected patients revealed similar outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

A third‐year pediatric clerkship that focuses on students is associated with increased satisfaction, higher interest in pediatrics, and consistent resource utilization. The intervention, therefore, merits continuation, whereas further research is required to identify which aspects of the intervention are responsible for its positive effects. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2007;2:401–408. © 2007 Society of Hospital Medicine.
A randomized clinical trial to compare the use of safety net enclosures with standard restraints in agitated hospitalized patients
Authors: Nawaz Haq , Abbas Atif , Sarfraz Asif , Slade Martin D. , Calvocoressi Lisa , Wild Dorothea M. G. , Tessier‐Sherman Baylah
Published: December 2007

BACKGROUND

Although hospitals attempt to minimize the use of restraints, certain cases require their application. For such patients, there is a need for novel, safe and more humane restraint systems.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the acceptability and efficacy of safe enclosures in agitated hospitalized patients.

DESIGN

Single‐centered randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Community hospital.

PATIENTS

Agitated hospitalized patients requiring restraint.

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomized to either standard restraints or the safe enclosure. We used the SOMA Safe Enclosure™.

MEASUREMENTS

Perception scores of relatives, physicians, and nurses; agitation scores of patients (assessed using the Agitated Behavior Scale (ABS) and the Alcohol Withdrawal Assessment Form (AWAF)); length of stay; time in restraints; total dose of medication used to treat agitation; and injuries.

RESULTS

Of the 49 patients randomized, 20 were assigned to the safe enclosure group and 29 were assigned to the standard restraint group. Relatives, physicians and secondary nurses rated the safe enclosure more positively than standard restraints (P < .001, P < .001, P = .023, respectively). There was no difference between groups in level of agitation (AWA at 48 hours, P = .8516; ABS at 48 hours, P = .3743); length of stay (P = .3077); time in restraints (P = .5745);or total dose of medication (anti‐anxiety medications, P = .5607; anti‐psychotic medications, P = .7858). There was one injury to a patient in the standard restraint group and none in the safe enclosure group.

CONCLUSIONS

For hospitalized patients requiring restraint, the SOMA Safe Enclosure™ is effective and more acceptable to relatives, physicians, and secondary nurses than currently used restraints. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2007;2:385–393. © 2007 Society of Hospital Medicine.
An electronic strategy to identify hospitalized heart failure patients
Authors: Halasyamani Lakshmi K. , Czerwinski Jennifer , Clinard Rosemary , Cowen Mark E.
Published: December 2007

BACKGROUND

A common challenge in improving performance measures regarding heart failure (HF) is identifying patients early in the course of their hospitalization so that multidisciplinary education and clinical interventions can be implemented. We describe the accuracy of using an electronic pharmacy‐based strategy to identify hospitalized patients likely to have a principal diagnosis of HF at discharge.

METHODS

We evaluated 2 strategies. The first used the receipt of an intravenous loop diuretic as a single predictor; the second incorporated additional lab, pharmacy, and demographic information in a multivariable general estimating equation.

RESULTS

Receipt of an intravenous diuretic predicted a discharge diagnosis of heart failure with a sensitivity of 0.89 and a specificity of 0.87. Adding age, B‐type natriuretic peptide level, previous hospitalizations, attending physician specialty, and receipt of spironolactone into the predictor improved the sensitivity to 0.91 and the specificity to 0.89.

CONCLUSIONS

The receipt of intravenous loop diuretics is a reasonable and easily implemented screening test to identify patients likely to have a principal diagnosis of heart failure at discharge. The accuracy is improved by incorporating other electronically available variables. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2007;2:409–414. © 2007 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Ganglion ultrastructure in phylactolaemate Bryozoa: Evidence for a neuroepithelium
Authors: Gruhl Alexander , Bartolomaeus Thomas
Published: December 2007

In contrast to other Bryozoa, members of the subtaxon Phylactolaemata bear a subepithelial cerebral ganglion that resembles a hollow vesicle rather than being compact. In older studies this ganglion was said to originate by an invagination of the pharyngeal epithelium. Unfortunately, documentation for this is fragmentary. In chordates the central nervous system also arises by an invagination‐like process, but this mode is uncommon among invertebrate phyla. As a first attempt to gather more data about this phenomenon, cerebral ganglia in two phylactolaemate species, Fredericella sultana and Plumatella emarginata, were examined at the ultrastructural level. In both species the ganglion bears a small central lumen. The ganglionic cells are organized in the form of a neuroepithelium. They are polarized and interconnected by adherens junctions on their apical sides and reside on a basal lamina. The nerve cell somata are directed towards the central lumen, whereas the majority of nervous processes are distributed basally. Orientation of the neuroepithelial cells can be best explained by the possibility that they develop by invagination. A comparison with potential outgroups reveals that a neuroepithelial ganglion is at least derived. Since, however, a reliable phylogenetic system of the Bryozoa is missing, a decision on whether such a ganglion is apomorphic for Bryozoa or evolved within this taxon can hardly be made. J. Morphol., 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
AP/MALDI‐MS complete characterization of the proteolytic fragments produced by the interaction of insulin degrading enzyme with bovine insulin
Authors: Grasso Giuseppe , Rizzarelli Enrico , Spoto Giuseppe
Published: December 2007

The prominent role that insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) has in the clearance of insulin as well as of other molecules such as amyloid‐β has recently drawn much interest in the scientific community toward this protease. In order to give an insight into the manner of interaction of IDE with its substrates, several papers have focused on the structure of the IDE/insulin complex. In this scenario, although the cleavage sites involved in the interaction of insulin with IDE are known, a convenient experimental method that is able to identify in a complete and unambiguous way, all the peptide fragments generated by such interaction has yet to be found. MS‐based experiments have often represented to be invaluable tools for the assessment of the cleavage sites, but the reported MS‐spectra always show a partial coverage of all the peptide fragments generated by the enzyme interaction, lacking a complete characterization.

In this work, we report a new experimental procedure by which an unambiguous as well as complete assignment of all the peptide fragments generated by the interaction of insulin with IDE is described. Atmospheric pressure/matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization (AP/MALDI) mass spectra are reported and the data recorded, together with the introduction of a reduction/alkylation step, allows us to fully characterize the cleavage sites of the bovine insulin interacting with IDE. Different experimental conditions are screened and some insights into the IDE/insulin system regarding preference of the cleavage and its dependence on particular experimental conditions used are also given. Investigation on the tendency that different insulin fragments have toward aggregation is also carried out.

Good reproducibility, global and unambiguous assignment, low time‐consuming experimental procedure, and requirements of enzyme in small amounts are some of the advantages of the proposed AP/MALDI based approach. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Charge state effect on the zwitterion influence on stability of non‐covalent interaction of single‐stranded DNA with peptides
Authors: Alves Sandra , Woods Amina , Tabet Jean Claude
Published: December 2007

Negative ion ESI mass spectrometry was used to study the gas‐phase stability and dissociation pathways of peptide–DNA complexes. We show that bradykinin and three modified peptides containing the basic residue arginine or lysine form stable interactions with single‐stranded oligonucleotides. ESI‐MS/MS of complexes of T8 with PPGFSPFRR resulted in a major dissociation pathway through cleavage of the peptide covalent bond. The stability of the complex is due to electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged phosphate group and the basic side chain of the arginine and lysine residues as demonstrated by Vertes et al. and Woods et al. In fact, the present work establishes the role played by zwitterions on complex stabilisation. The presence of protons in nucleobase and/or amino acid contributes in reinforcing the strength of the salt bridge (SB) interaction. The zwitterionic form of the most basic of amino acid residues, arginine, is assumed to form a strong SB interaction to the negatively charged phosphate groups of DNA. This non‐covalent complex is stable enough to withstand disruption of the non‐covalent interaction and to first break the covalent bond. Moreover, the dependence of fragmentation patterns upon the complex charge state is explained by the fact that the net number of negative charges modulates the number of zwitterionic sites, which stabilise the complexes. Finally, the weak influence of the nucleobase is assumed by the existence of competition for proton addition between the nucleobase and the R/K side chain leading to a decrease in the stabilisation of the SB interaction. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Neoplastic conversion of human colon smooth muscle cells: No requirement for telomerase
Authors: Liang Sitai , Kahlenberg Morton S. , Rousseau Dennis L. , Hornsby Peter J.
Published: December 2007

The role of telomerase as an essential requirement for the neoplastic conversion of human cells has been controversial. In the model of conversion of normal human cells to cancer cells by the combination of simian virus 40 (SV40) early region genes and oncogenic Ras (H‐RasG12V), telomerase (hTERT) was originally described as essential in conjunction with these other genes. Here we used primary cultures of colon smooth muscle cells isolated from surgical specimens. SV40 large T antigen (TAg) and oncogenic RasG12V were introduced into the cells by retroviral transduction and cells were rapidly transplanted into the subrenal capsule space in immunodeficient mice, without selection in culture. Malignant tumors were formed from transduced cells. Extensive invasion into the kidney occurred even when tumors were small; in contrast, at the same tumor size, oncogene‐expressing fibroblasts did not show much invasion. Increased invasiveness was also observed in vitro. However, cells in these cancers showed morphological evidence of crisis, consistent with their lack of telomerase. These experiments on human colon smooth muscle cells support the concept that RasG12V and SV40 TAg form a minimal set of genes that can convert normal human cells to cancer cells without a requirement for hTERT. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Deformity of lumbar spine after selective dorsal rhizotomy for spastic cerebral palsy
Authors: Li Zhiyong , Zhu Jiakai , Liu Xiaolin
Published: December 2007

To observe the effect of selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR) on the deformity of the lumbar spine, a retrospective review was conducted from October 1992 to December 2002 on children who had undergone SDR in our department, and in whom preoperative and postoperative spine radiographs had been obtained. The angles of hyperlordolysis were measured. The study group comprised 219 patients, in which 61 cases were followed up and examined between May 2004 and February 2005. The mean age at surgery was 6.9 years (range 3–20 years), with a mean time to recent follow‐up radiographs of 6.3 years (5–9 years). A total 219 children underwent laminectomy from L2‐S1. Scoliosis existed in one case, and two cases of L5 spondylolysis were detected before surgery. One case presented lumbar hyperlordosis. After SDR, 10 cases showed distinctively abnormal walking posture of hyperlordolysis. Compared with the preoperative angle of hyperlordolysis, the angle was improved after the operation. Among them, four patients developed spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis (grade I). We also observed that one case developed lumbar kyphosis deformity. In conclusion, cerebral palsy patients may develop spinal deformity. Some cases showed distinctively abnormal walking posture of hyperlordolysis, and they developed spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis after surgery. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2008.
Heat transfer in composite materials with Stefan–Boltzmann interface conditions
Authors: Gufan Yang , Masahiro Yamamoto , Jin Cheng
Published: December 2007

In this paper, we discuss nonstationary heat transfer problems in composite materials. This problem can be formulated as the parabolic equation with Stefan–Boltzmann interface conditions. It is proved that there exists a unique global classical solution to one‐dimensional problems. Moreover, we propose a numerical algorithm by the finite difference method for this nonlinear transmission problem. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crack growth analysis using mesh superposition technique and X‐FEM
Authors: Nakasumi Shogo , Suzuki Katsuyuki , Ohtsubo Hideomi
Published: December 2007

In this paper, a new approach to crack propagation analysis for large scale or complicated geometry structures is presented. That is the connection of mesh superposition technique and the extended finite element method. The former is a technique that increases the accuracy of analysis locally by superimposing additional mesh of higher resolution onto the mesh that represents the rough deformation of the structure. In this technique, the boundaries and nodes of both meshes do not have to coincide with each other. In the latter technique, the discontinuity across the crack segment and singularity around the crack tips are represented in the approximation by enriching the nodal degrees using partition of unity condition. This technique does not require meshes to conform to the crack geometry and this enables crack propagation procedure with no re‐meshing process by connecting both techniques, it becomes possible to analyse crack growth models of large scale and complicated shape with highly flexible modelling and no remeshing process. By using this approach, some numerical examples are analysed and appropriate results are obtained. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robust and efficient CAD topology generation using adaptive tolerances
Authors: Patel Paresh S. , Marcum David L.
Published: December 2007

A topology generation algorithm, commonly known as geometry repairing/healing, is presented to detect commonly found geometrical and topological issues like cracks, gaps, overlaps, intersections, T‐connections and no/invalid topology in the model, process them and build correct topological information. The present algorithm is based on the iterative vertex pair contraction and expansion operations calledstitchingandfilling, respectively. The algorithm closes small gaps/overlaps via thestitchingoperation and fills larger gaps by adding faces through thefillingoperation to process the model accurately. Moreover, the topology generation algorithm can process manifold as well as non‐manifold models, which makes the procedure more general and flexible. Most of the existing techniques use a constant tolerance for topology generation and suffer from the reliability issues and cannot preserve small details of the same size of gaps/overlaps. This algorithm uses an automatic and adaptive tolerance that enhances reliability of the process and preserves small features in the model. In this way, the combination of generality, accuracy, reliability and efficiency of this algorithm seems to be a significant improvement over existing techniques. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Convergence of asynchronous variational integrators in linear elastodynamics
Authors: Focardi Matteo , Mariano Paolo Maria
Published: December 2007

Within the setting of linear elastodynamics of simple bodies, we prove that the discrete action functional obtained by following the scheme of asynchronous variational integrators converges in time. The convergence in space is assured by standard arguments when the finite element mesh is progressively refined. Our strategy exploits directly the action functional. In particular, we show that, if the asynchronicity of time steps and nodal initial data satisfy a boundedness condition, any sequence of stationary points of the discrete action functional is pre‐compact in the weak−* W1,∞ topology and all its cluster points are stationary points for the continuous (in time) action. In this sense our proof is new with respect to existing ones. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
For the inf‐sup condition on mesh‐dependent norms on a nonconvex polygon
Authors: Choi Sungkyu , Kweon Jae Ryong
Published: December 2007

It is shown that the inf‐sup condition, called the Babuska–Brezzi condition, is valid for certain mesh‐dependent norms on a nonconvex polygonal domain. A bilinear form that is derived by inserting the corner singularity expansion into the Laplace equation is considered. A mesh‐dependent fractional norm related to the least order of the corner singularity at a concave vertex is considered. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2008
Shape memory effect and reversible phase crystallization process in SMPU ionomer
Authors: Zhu Yong , Hu Jinlian , Choi Ka‐fai , Meng Qinghao , Chen Shaojun , Yeung Kwok‐wing
Published: December 2007

It is the first attempt to reveal the effect of reversible phase crystallization process on shape memory effect in shape memory polyurethane (PU) ionomer. Thereof the cyclic tensile testing was conducted with various cooling time to fix the temporary deformation for assessing shape memory function. The crystallization process of the reversible phase, poly (ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) in shape memory PU ionomers composed of different ionic group contents, 1,4‐butanediol, 4,4′‐methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) and PCL, was investigated by using isothermal crystallization kinetics under the thermal routine similar to that for the cyclic tensile testing. The results demonstrate that the ionic groups within hard segments significantly slow down the crystal growth of the reversible phase. When the physical crosslink is strong enough, the crystallization rate would be a predominant factor determining the shape fixity ratio after various cooling time. Instead, when physical crosslink is weakening, the influence of crystallization rate is much less on the cooling time dependence of fixity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Emulsion electrospinning: composite fibers from drop breakup during electrospinning
Authors: Angeles Melissa , Cheng Hsin‐Ling , Velankar Sachin S.
Published: December 2007

We evaluate the feasibility of electrospinning oil‐in‐water type emulsions. The emulsions had an aqueous solution of polyethylene oxide (PEO) as the continuous phase, and either mineral oil or a polystyrene (PS) in toluene solution as the drop phase. The Taylor cones and electrified liquid jets were stable even when the emulsion drops were as large as a few‐ten microns in diameter. The resulting electrospun PEO fibers incorporated the dispersed phase of the emulsion in the form of drops (in case of mineral oil), or in the form of solid particles (in case of PS). Mineral oil drops appear to be completely encapsulated in the PEO fibers, whereas the PS particles are either incompletely encapsulated, or covered by only a very thin layer of PEO. Calculations show that in both cases, the initially large emulsion drops are broken during the electrospinning process. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of a comprehensive transcranial doppler screening program for children with sickle cell anemia
Authors: McCarville M. Beth , Goodin Geoffrey S. , Fortner Gail , Li Chin‐Shang , Smeltzer Matthew P. , Adams Robert , Wang Winfred
Published: December 2007

Background

Although transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) screening is effective in identifying children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) who are at high risk of stroke, not all children are screened. In 2003, we instituted a comprehensive TCD screening program designed to screen all at‐risk children treated at our sickle cell center.

Procedure

We evaluated the efficacy of our program by comparing the number of patients screened per year and incidence of first stroke across three periods defined by TCD usage: (1) pre‐dating TCD screening, (2) sporadic TCD screening, and (3) comprehensive TCD screening.

Results

During Period 2, an average of 52 patients/year were screened. In Period 3, an average of 95 patients/year were screened representing 99% of the at‐risk population. Eighteen strokes occurred in Period 1, 22 in Period 2 and three in Period 3. The first stroke incidence was significantly lower in Period 3 compared to Periods 1 and 2 (P = 0.047). Furthermore, of the 25 patients in Periods 2 and 3 who had stroke, only six had received TCD screening (four in Period 2, two in Period 3). These six either declined prophylactic transfusion therapy (n = 2), had co‐existing stroke risk factors (n = 2), or did not return for appropriate TCD follow‐up (n = 2). Therefore, strokes that occurred were not the result of a failure of TCD screening per se.

Conclusions

It is possible to perform TCD screening of most children with SCA. TCD screening is effective in reducing first stroke incidence in these children. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:818–821. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.