bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chromosomal localization, genomic organization, and developmental expression of the murine caveolin gene family (Cav‐1, ‐2, and ‐3)
Authors: Engelman Jeffrey A. , Zhang Xiao Lan , Galbiati Ferruccio , Lisanti Michael P.
Published: July 2002

Caveolins (Cav‐1, ‐2, and ‐3) are a gene family of cytoplasmic membrane‐anchored scaffolding proteins that: (i) help to sculpt caveolae membranes from the plasma membrane proper; and (ii) participate in the sequestration of inactive signaling molecules. In the adult, caveolin‐1 and ‐2 are co‐expressed and are most abundant in type I pneumocytes, endothelia, fibroblastic cells and adipocytes, while the expression of caveolin‐3 is restricted to striated muscle cells. However, little is known regarding the genomic organization and developmental expression of the caveolin gene family. Here, using the mouse as a model system, we examine the chromosomal localization, the detailed intron‐exon organization, and developmental expression pattern of the caveolin gene family. cDNAs encoding caveolin‐1, ‐2, and ‐3 were used as probes to isolate murine genomic clones containing these genes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis using these genomic clones as probes reveals that all three caveolin genes are localized to murine chromosome 6. Specifically, caveolin‐1 and ‐2 co‐localize to chromosomal region 6‐A2, while caveolin‐3 is located within the chromosomal region 6‐E1. Searches of the NCBI Human/Mouse Homology map indicate that murine region 6‐A2 corresponds to human chromosome 7q31. As this region (6‐A2/7q31) is the site of an as yet unidentified tumor suppressor gene(s), our mapping studies clearly define caveolin‐1 and caveolin‐2 as candidate genes that may be deleted at these loci. All three caveolin genes show similar intron‐exon organization, with the last exon of each gene encoding the bulk of the known caveolin functional domains. The boundary position of the last exon is essentially identical in all three caveolin genes, suggesting that they may have arisen through gene duplication events. Developmentally, all three caveolins were expressed late during mouse embryogenesis as assessed by Northern and Western blot analysis. We examined the localization of the caveolin proteins in sections of day 16 mouse embryos using a well‐characterized panel of antibody probes. Caveolin‐1 and ‐2 were most abundantly expressed in the developing lung parenchyma, while caveolin‐3 was most abundantly expressed in developing tissues that consist primarily of skeletal muscle cells. As the expression of all three caveolins in the adult is highest in terminally differentiated cell types, this is consistent with the idea that caveolins may be viewed as late markers of differentiation during embryogenesis.
Complex formation between calsequestrin and the ryanodine receptor in fast‐ and slow‐twitch rabbit skeletal muscle
Authors: Murray Brendan E. , Ohlendieck Kay
Published: July 2002

Linkage between the high‐capacity Ca2+‐binding protein calsequestrin and the ryanodine receptor is proposed to be essential for proper Ca2+‐release during skeletal muscle excitation‐contraction coupling. However, no direct biochemical evidence exists showing a connection between these high‐molecular‐mass complexes in native skeletal muscle membranes. Here, using immunoblot analysis of chemically crosslinked membrane vesicles enriched in triad junctions, we have demonstrated that a very close neighborhood relationship exists between calsequestrin and the ryanodine receptor in both main fiber types. Hence, the luminal Ca2+‐reservoir complex appears to be directly coupled to the membrane Ca2+‐release complex and oligomerization seems to be of functional importance.
Mitsugumin23, a novel transmembrane protein on endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear membranes
Authors: Nishi Miyuki , Komazaki Shinji , Iino Masamitsu , Kangawa Kenji , Takeshima Hiroshi
Published: July 2002

We report the identification using monoclonal antibody and the primary structure by cDNA cloning of mitsugumin23, a novel transmembrane protein with a molecular mass of ∼23 kDa from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. Mitsugumin23 possesses three putative transmembrane segments, and its carboxy‐terminal hydrophilic region exhibits sequence similarity with the tail‐end portion of the myosin heavy chain. Immunochemical analysis showed that this protein is distributed throughout the outer nuclear membrane and the sarcoplasmic reticulum including the terminal cisternae at the triad junction in skeletal muscle cells. Furthermore, RNA blotting and immunohistochemical experiments demonstrated that mitsugumin23 is distributed among a wide variety of cell types in various tissues. The distribution and primary structure indicate the possibility that mitsugumin23 interacts with cytoplasmic protein(s) and participates in a housekeeping function on the intracellular organelle membranes.
12‐Bromododecanoic acid binds inside the calyx of bovine β‐lactoglobulin
Authors: Qin Bin Y , Creamer Lawrence K , Baker Edward N , Jameson Geoffrey B
Published: July 2002

The X‐ray structure of bovine β‐lactoglobulin with the ligand 12‐bromododecanoic acid as a model for fatty acids has been determined at a resolution of 2.23 Å in the trigonal lattice Z form. The ligand binds inside the calyx, resolving a long‐standing controversy as to where fatty‐acid like ligands bind. The carboxylate head group lies at the surface of the molecule, and the lid to the calyx is open at the pH of crystallization (pH 7.3), consistent with the conformation observed in ligand‐free bovine β‐lactoglobulin in lattice Z at pH 7.1 and pH 8.2.
Activation of p42/p44 mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPK) and p38 MAPK by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is mediated through the death domain of the 55‐kDa TNF receptor
Authors: Boone Elke , Vandevoorde Veronique , De Wilde Gert , Haegeman Guy
Published: July 2002

In the mouse fibrosarcoma cell line L929sA, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) stimulates activation of the stress‐responsive p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), as well as the classical p42 and p44 MAPK. TNF signaling can be mediated by p55 or p75 TNF receptors. Here, we demonstrate that TNF‐R55 is sufficient to activate p42/p44 MAPK and p38 MAPK. Moreover, by expressing different membrane‐bound or purely cytoplasmic truncations of TNF‐R55, we show that the intracellular death domain of TNF‐R55 is the crucial domain involved. The cytoplasmic membrane‐proximal region of TNF‐R55, known to induce neutral sphingomyelinase activation, is not required for activation of p38 MAPK or p42/p44 MAPK.
Transport of organic anions by the lysosomal sialic acid transporter: a functional approach towards the gene for sialic acid storage disease
Authors: Havelaar Adrie C. , Beerens Cecile E.M.T. , Mancini Grazia M.S. , Verheijen Frans W.
Published: July 2002

Transport of sialic acid through the lysosomal membrane is defective in the human sialic acid storage disease. The mammalian sialic acid carrier has a wide substrate specificity for acidic monosaccharides. Recently, we showed that also non‐sugar monocarboxylates like l‐lactate are substrates for the carrier. Here we report that other organic anions, which are substrates for carriers belonging to several anion transporter families, are recognized by the sialic acid transporter. Hence, the mammalian system reveals once more novel aspects of solute transport, including sugars and a wide array of non‐sugar compounds, apparently unique to this system. These data suggest that the search for the sialic acid storage disease gene can be initiated by a functional selection of genes from a limited number of anion transporter families. Among these, candidates will be identified by mapping to the known sialic acid storage disease locus.
Cyclic stretch induces both apoptosis and secretion in rat alveolar type II cells
Authors: Edwards Yasmin S , Sutherland Leanne M , Power John H.T , Nicholas Terence E , Murray Andrew W
Published: July 2002

We examined the effects of short‐term cyclic stretch on both phosphatidylcholine (PC) secretion and apoptosis in primary cultures of rat alveolar type II cells. A 22% cyclic stretch (3 cycles/min) was applied to type II cells cultured on silastic membranes using a Flexercell strain unit. This induced, after a lag period of about 1 h, a small, but significant release of [3H]PC from prelabelled cells. In addition, stretch increased nuclear condensation, the generation of oligosomal DNA fragments and the activation of caspases. Similar responses were triggered by sorbitol‐induced osmotic shock, but not by the secretagogue ATP. We conclude that stretch can induce both apoptosis and PC secretion in alveolar type II cells and propose that these diverse responses occur within the lung as a consequence of normal respiratory distortion of the alveolar epithelium.
Direct NMR observation of the Cys‐14 thiol proton of reduced Escherichia coli glutaredoxin‐3 supports the presence of an active site thiol‐thiolate hydrogen bond
Authors: Nordstrand Kerstin , Åslund Fredrik , Meunier Sylvie , Holmgren Arne , Otting Gottfried , Berndt Kurt D
Published: July 2002

The active site of Escherichia coli glutaredoxin‐3 (Grx3) consists of two redox active cysteine residues in the sequence ‐C11‐P‐Y‐C14‐H‐. The 1H NMR resonance of the cysteine thiol proton of Cys‐14 in reduced Grx3 is observed at 7.6 ppm. The large downfield shift and NOEs observed with this thiol proton resonance suggest the presence of a hydrogen bond with the Cys‐11 thiolate, which is shown to have an abnormally low pK
a value. A hydrogen bond would also agree with activity data of Grx3 active site mutants. Furthermore, the activity is reduced in a Grx3 H15V mutant, indicating electrostatic contributions to the stabilization of the Cys‐11 thiolate.
N‐acetylserotonin is a better extra‐ and intracellular antioxidant than melatonin
Authors: Wölfler Albert , Abuja Peter M , Schauenstein Konrad , Liebmann Peter M
Published: July 2002

Both melatonin and its precursor N‐acetylserotonin have been reported to exert antioxidant properties both in vitro and in vivo. Since little is known about their antioxidant activity in lymphocytes, we investigated their effects on spontaneous and on oxidant‐induced reactive oxygen species formation in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in comparison to the antioxidant trolox, a water‐soluble analogue of α‐tocopherol. Both melatonin and N‐acetylserotonin exhibited antioxidant properties against t‐butylated hydroperoxide‐ and diamide‐induced reactive oxygen species formation in peripheral blood lymphocytes. N‐acetylserotonin turned out to be about three times more effective than melatonin. In resting cells, the intracellular reactive oxygen species concentration was only decreased by N‐acetylserotonin and trolox, melatonin had no effect. In t‐butylated hydroperoxide‐mediated cell death, N‐acetylserotonin was as effective as trolox in protecting peripheral blood lymphocytes from cell death and required 10‐fold lower concentrations than melatonin. Furthermore, in an aqueous cell‐free solution, the capacity of N‐acetylserotonin to scavenge peroxyl radicals was much higher than that of melatonin. These results clearly indicate N‐acetylserotonin to be a much better antioxidant than melatonin.
Ovarian size and response to laparoscopic ovarian electro‐cauterization in polycystic ovarian disease
Authors: Alborzi S , Khodaee R , Parsanejad M.E
Published: July 2002

Objectives: To evaluate endocrine and ovulatory changes in polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) in relation to patients’ ovarian size. Methods: Three hundred and seventy‐one women with clomiphene citrate‐resistant PCOD underwent laparoscopic ovarian cauterization [type I or typical with ovarian volume >8 cm3 or cross‐sectional area >10 cm2 (n=211), type II with normal size ovary (n=160)]. Serum levels of LH, FSH, DHEAS, PRL, and T before and 10 days after ovarian cautery, spontaneous and induced ovulation and pregnancy rates were compared. Results: Both groups responded to therapy in a similar manner, with a marked decrease in LH, FSH, DHEAS and T levels, with ovulation rates in type I 90.99%, type II 88.75% and pregnancy rates, 73.45% and 71.25%, respectively, with no statistical differences. Conclusions: Hormonal changes, ovulation and pregnancy rates were similar in the two types of PCOD, therefore it can be concluded that ovarian size is not a prognostic factor for response of PCOD patients to laparoscopic ovarian electro‐cauterization.
Business process reengineering: A tutorial on the concept, evolution, method, technology and application
Authors: Grover Varun , Malhotra Manoj K
Published: July 2002

It is ironical that while much is being discussed about business process reengineering (BPR), most companies are still searching for methods to better manage radical change. Academics are studying the phenomenon but precious little has been published. Many basic questions remain unanswered. What does reengineering involve? Are there methods for effectively accomplishing BPR? Why is it so popular? Is there a logic behind reengineering? Is BPR fundamentally different from old Taylorian approaches to industrial engineering based on task decomposition and specialization? Is BPR the same as TQM, restructuring, etc.? What is the relationship between process redesign and organizational structures? How do we best plan, organize and control BPR efforts? Under what conditions will BPR be most effective? Answers to these questions are neither easy nor direct. However, this tutorial seeks to address them in a systematic, comprehensive and unbiased manner. In doing so, the tutorial will attempt to synthesize a variety of material from both practitioner and academic literature sources into a coherent précis that defines and discusses BPR in a language palatable to both the manager and the academic. A variety of frameworks will be presented to clarify the nature of the phenomenon as prescribed (in theory) and as companies are learning about it (in practice). The objective of this tutorial is to inform rather than provide an academic discourse.
Linking the customer contact model to service quality
Authors: Soteriou Andreas C , Chase Richard B
Published: July 2002

One of the defining characteristics of services is the existence of some form of contact between the customer and the service firm during the service production process. In the 1980s, customer contact (CC) became an important dimension in virtually all service taxonomies. Its importance to perceived service quality (SQ) was also recognized, but the direct linkage between CC and SQ was difficult to determine without an operational definition of CC. In 1995, Kellogg and Chase addressed this issue and developed an empirically derived operational measure of contact. In this paper, we employ the Kellogg/Chase measures as the basis for a conceptual model linking the CC dimensions of communication time and intimacy with SQ. We assert that ‘desirable’ levels of these contact dimensions do exist and present hypotheses as to the nature of their relationship. We report results from an empirical study undertaken in a hotel environment which support the existence of such desirable contact levels. Managerial implications and future research are also discussed.
A replication study of a theory of quality management underlying the Deming management method: insights from an Italian context
Authors: Rungtusanatham Manus , Forza Cipriano , Filippini Roberto , Anderson John C
Published: July 2002

We present research that contributes to the debate on the universal applicability of quality management, and in doing so, subject the ‘one size fits all’ assumption underlying quality management to an empirical examination. Specifically, with the exception of enhancements in instrumentation, we attempted to replicate, as closely as possible, Anderson et al.'s (1995) empirical evaluation of a Deming‐based theory of quality management. In our replication, we applied path analysis to secondary, plant‐level data provided by a stratified sample of plants in three different industries in Italy. The path analytical results from the current replication study were compared against those reported in Anderson et al. (1995), which used data from U.S.‐based plants. These results were then discussed in the context of conducting and interpreting cross‐cultural quality management research. We concluded with the need for more replication studies in the quality management discipline and with implications for research and practice.
World class manufacturing: an investigation of Hayes and Wheelwright's foundation
Authors: Flynn Barbara B , Schroeder Roger G , Flynn E.James
Published: July 2002

Although Hayes and Wheelwright originally coined the term ‘world class manufacturing’, the global manufacturing environment has undergone many changes since their work. In the study, we seek to determine whether the practices which they described are still relevant in today's manufacturing environment. We also look at their list of competitive priorities and examine whether they function as tradeoffs, as Hayes and Wheelwright suggested, or whether there are synergies between them. The World Class Manufacturing (WCM) Project data set, comprised of plants in the machinery, electronics and transportation components industries, was used to construct measures to correspond to the practices and performance measures suggested by Hayes and Wheelwright. The results indicated that Hayes and Wheelwright's practices were related to competitive performance, and that the addition of new manufacturing practices resulted in further improvements in competitive performance. Thus, Hayes and Wheelwright's practices are robust and have provided a foundation for the use of new manufacturing practices. In addition, there was strong support for the notion that the use of world class manufacturing practices, alone and in combination with new manufacturing practices, leads to the achievement of simultaneous competitive advantages, supporting the synergies perspective.
A theoretical framework for analyzing the dimensions of manufacturing flexibility
Authors: Koste Lori L , Malhotra Manoj K
Published: July 2002

The competitive environment of today has generated an increased interest in flexibility as a response mechanism. While the potential benefits of flexibility are familiar, the concept of flexibility itself is not well‐understood. Neither practitioners nor academics agree upon, or know, how flexibility can be gauged or measured in its totality. Consequently, this study seeks to provide a framework for understanding this complex concept and to create a theoretical foundation for the development of generalizable measures for manufacturing flexibility. With this objective in mind, we first critically examine diverse streams of literature to define four constituent elements of flexibility: range‐number (R‐N), range‐heterogeneity (R‐H), mobility (M), and uniformity (U). The R‐H element is new, and has not been proposed before in prior literature. These four elements can be applied to consistently define different types or dimensions of flexibility. Definitions for 10 flexibility dimensions pertaining to manufacturing are thus obtained. These definitions serve a dual purpose. First, they capture the domain of flexibility. Second, we show in this study how these definitions can be used to generate scale items, thereby facilitating the development of generalizable manufacturing flexibility measures. Several research avenues that can be explored once such measures are developed are also highlighted.
Homology of lubricin and superficial zone protein (SZP): Products of megakaryocyte stimulating factor (MSF) gene expression by human synovial fibroblasts and articular chondrocytes localized to chromosome 1q25
Authors: Jay Gregory D. , Tantravahi Umadevi , Britt Deborah E. , Barrach Hans J. , Cha Chung‐Ja
Published: July 2002

We have previously identified megakaryocyte stimulating factor (MSF) gene expression by synovial fibroblasts as the origin of lubricin in the synovial cavity. Lubricin is a mucinous glycoprotein responsible for the boundary lubrication of articular cartilage. MSF has a significant homology to vitronectin and is composed of 12 exons. RNA was purified from human synovial fibroblasts and articular chondrocytes grown in vitro from tissue explants obtained from subjects without degenerative joint disease. RT‐PCR was used with multiple complimentary primer pairs spanning the central mucin expressing exon 6 of the MSF gene and individual exons on both the N‐ and C‐terminal sides of exon 6. Exons 2, 4 and 5 appear to be variably expressed by synovial fibroblasts and articular chondrocytes. Lubricating mucin, in the form of MSF, is expressed by both chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts in vitro. Both lubricin and superficial zone protein (SZP), a related proteoglycan, share a similar primary structure but could differ in post‐translational modifications with O‐linked oligosaccharides which are predominant in lubricin and with limited amounts chondroitin and keratan sulfate found in SZP. Since most of the MSF exons are involved in the expression of lubricating mucin, a strong homology to vitronectin persists. It is therefore appropriate to consider that both SZP and lubricin occupy a new class of biomolecules termed tribonectins. Screening of a human genome bacterial artificial chromsome (BAC) library with a cDNA primer pair complimentary for exon 6 identified two clones. Both clones were complimentary for chromosome 1q25 by in situ hybridization. This same locus was previously implicated in camptodactyl‐arthropathy‐pericarditis syndrome (CAP) by genetic mapping. It is hypothesized that CAP, a large joint arthropathy, may be associated with ineffective boundary lubrication provided by synovial fluid. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Injuries produced by blunt trauma to the human patellofemoral joint vary with flexion angle of the knee
Authors: Atkinson Patrick J. , Haut Roger C.
Published: July 2002

Patellofemoral joint impact trauma during car accidents, sporting activities, and falls can produce acute gross fracture of bone, microfracture of bone, and soft tissue injury. Field studies of car accidents, however, show that most patellofemoral traumas are classified as ‘subfracture’ level injuries. While experimental studies have shown that the influence of flexion angle at impact is not well understood, flexion angle may influence injury location and severity. In the current study, 18 pairs of isolated human cadaver knees were subjected to blunt impact at flexion angles of 60°, 90°, or 120°. One knee from each cadaver was sequentially impacted until gross fracture of bone was produced. The contralateral knee was subjected to a single, subfracture impact at 45% of the impact energy producing fracture in the first knee. The fracture experiments produced gross fracture of the patella and femoral condyles with the fracture plane positioned largely within the region of patellofemoral contact. The fracture location and character changed with flexion angle; at higher flexion angles the proximal pole of the patella and the femoral condyles were more susceptible to injury. For the 90° flexion angle, the patella was fractured centrally, while at 60° the distal pole fractured transversely at the insertion of the patellar tendon. In addition, the load magnitude required to produce fracture increased with flexion angle. In the ‘subfracture’ knees, injuries were documented for all flexion angles: occult microfractures of the subchondral and trabecular bone and fissures of the articular surface. Similar to the fracture‐level experiments, the injuries coincided with the patellofemoral contact region. These data show that knee flexion angle plays an important role in impact related knee trauma. Such data may be useful in the clinical setting, as well as in the design of injury prevention strategies. © 2001 Orthopaedic Research Society. Punlished by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Borna disease virus and psychiatry
Authors: Taieb O. , Baleyte J.M. , Mazet P. , Fillet A.M.
Published: July 2002

Borna disease virus (BDV), a noncytolytic neurotropic nonsegmented negative-stranded RNA virus with a wide geographic distribution, infects several vertebrate animal species and causes an immune-mediated central nervous system (CNS) disease with various manifestations, depending on both host and viral factors. In animal infections, BDV can persist in the CNS and induce alterations in brain cell functions, neurodevelopmental abnormalities and behavioral disturbances. An association between BDV and psychiatric disorders (essentially schizophrenia and affective disorders) has been suggested by some serologic and molecular studies but further investigations are required to substantiate the possible contribution of this virus to the pathogenesis of these disorders.
Dimensional structure and diagnostic specificity of the Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire
Authors: Maβ R , Haasen C , Krausz M
Published: July 2002

The Frankfurt Complaint Questionnaire (FCQ) is a widely used method to investigate non-psychotic subjective experiences of schizophrenics. Less is known about its dimensional structure. Therefore, principal components analyses (PCA) were conducted with the FCQ data of 505 schizophrenics and 187 alcoholics. Furthermore, results of a former analysis using item-to-item comparisons between schizophrenics and alcoholics were examined. PCA yielded two factors called ‘dysphoric concomitants of severe illness particularly impairing concentration’ and ‘subjective experiences of perceptual uncertainties’. Neither of the factors was specific to schizophrenia. The item comparisons suggest that only a group of eight FCQ items (subscale ‘FCQ-S’) is specific to schizophrenia while ten items (‘FCQ-A’) are related more to alcoholism. The validity of FCQ-S and FCQ-A was confirmed: schizophrenics reached high scores in FCQ-S and low scores in FCQ-A; alcoholics scored high in FCQ-A and low in FCQ-S; schizophrenics with an additional alcohol disorder scored high in both of the subscales. It is concluded that direct group comparisons seem to be promising for the identification of non-psychotic subjective phenomena which are characteristic for schizophrenia.
Patients who attempted suicide and failed to attend mental health centres
Authors: Jauregui J. , Martínez M.L. , Rubio G. , Santo-Domingo J.
Published: July 2002

Different studies report non-attendance to treatment of between 20 to 70% of patients after a suicide attempt. However, few studies have analyzed the characteristics of this non-attending population. To determine therefore the characteristics or profile of individuals who do not attend outpatient centres to which they are referred after a suicide attempt, we performed this study.

A total of 232 patients who had attended the Emergency Department of our general hospital were interviewed. Instruments used included the suicide risk scale, the violent behaviour scale, the impulsivity scale, the hopelessness scale, and the Beck's depression scale.

Seventy-three percent of the sample did not attend the mental health centre to which they had been referred. In comparison to the attending group, the non-attending group had the following characteristics: unmarried, residing in an urban area, took less precautions not to be discovered, were more critical of the attempt, and the purpose of the attempt was to resolve a conflict. Our data emphasize the importance of social and interpersonal aspects in determining the nature of the psychiatric care required by these types of patients.
From the Editor Vol 9 No 4
Authors: Lahey Karen Eilers
Published: July 2002

NA
From the Editor Vol 6 No 3
Authors: Lahey Karen Eilers
Published: July 2002

NA
Incorporating Historical Investment Performance in Projecting Life Insurance Cash Values
Authors: Pritchett S. Travis
Published: July 2002

The projection of current investment experience in life insurance sales illustrations dur- ing the historically high interest rate environment of the 1980s in the U. S. has led to consumer dissatisfaction and lawsuits against life insurers and agents. As interest rates fell after 1985, insurers were unable to credit returns near the maximums illustrated earlier. New regulations still allow projections at essentially the latest current invest- ment returns, along with showing guaranteed and intermediate values. The question raised in this article is: Can history help the financial planner determine a range of credible investment return assumptions for projecting cash values? Conclusions are based on the results of basing projections on historical investment experience.
Letter from the Editor Vol 7 No 4
Authors: Lahey Karen Eilers
Published: July 2002

NA
From the Editor Vol 8 No 1
Authors: Lahey Karen Eilers
Published: July 2002

NA
The impact of heart failure on prognosis of diabetic and non‐diabetic patients with myocardial infarction: a 15‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Melchior Thomas , Rask‐Madsen Christian , Torp‐Pedersen Christian , Hildebrandt Per , Køber Lars , Jensen Gunnar
Published: July 2002

Background:

Information about the occurrence of heart failure in the acute phase of myocardial infarction (MI) in diabetic patients and its impact on prognosis are sparse.

Aim:

The purpose of the present study was to describe how MI patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) differed from MI patients without DM with respect to the occurrence of heart failure and with respect to the influence of heart failure on mortality during follow‐up 30 days extending to 15 years.

Methods:

The study is a retrospective long‐term follow‐up of prospectively recorded data concerning 1954 consecutive cases of MI admitted to one coronary care unit (CCU) between 1979 and 1983. DM was diagnosed in 10% (n=194), with 17% (n=33) on insulin therapy. Patients with DM comprised of a higher proportion of women (DM 36% vs. no DM 26%, P<0.001) compared with non‐diabetic patients. Baseline risk factors were more prevalent in the patients with DM. The cumulative incidence of heart failure was higher among patients with than without DM (DM 54% vs. no DM 34%, P<0.001). The incidence of life‐threatening arrhythmias were similar in both groups. Only 2% of patients with DM and heart failure survived 10 years of follow‐up compared with 15% of the non‐diabetic patients with heart failure (P<0.001). In multivariate analysis DM was not independently associated with 30 days mortality. During long‐term follow‐up DM was an important risk factor for mortality independent on the presence of heart failure.

Conclusion:

DM disposes to the development of heart failure. In acute myocardial infarction diabetic patients with heart failure have a worse prognosis than non‐diabetic patients with heart failure.
Different baseline sympathovagal balance and cardiac autonomic responsiveness in ischemic and non‐ischemic congestive heart failure
Authors: Malfatto Gabriella , Branzi Giovanna , Gritti Selene , Sala Luca , Bragato Renato , Perego Giovanni Battista , Leonetti Gastone , Facchini Mario
Published: July 2002

Background:

A profound autonomic unbalance is present in heart failure: its correlation with the etiology of the disease has never been investigated.

Aims:

We characterized the sympatho‐vagal balance and autonomic responsiveness of 42 patients (21 with ischemic heart failure, 21 with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy). Patients had comparable NYHA class, ejection fraction, exercise pVO2, exercise ventilatory response, incidence of β‐blocking treatment. None showed periodic breathing or nocturnal arterial desaturation.

Methods:

Heart rate variability was assessed in the time and frequency domain during: (1) 10 min of quiet supine resting and free breathing; (2) 10 min of regular breathing at a frequency of 20 acts/min (‐ parasympathetic stimulus); and (3) 10 min of active standing (‐ sympathetic stimulus). The ratio of the low‐ to high‐frequency components of each autospectrum obtained in the frequency domain (LF/HF) was used as an index of sympathovagal balance.

Results:

Patients with ischemic heart failure had a greater baseline sympathetic activation (higher LF/HF) than those with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, maintaining some parasympathetic responsiveness as well (reduced LF/HF with regular breathing).

Conclusions:

There is a distinct autonomic control according to the etiology of heart failure, a finding that may help understanding its pathophysiology, and could be useful in the clinical management of patients.
Beneficial effect of carvedilol on heart rate response to exercise in digitalised patients with heart failure in atrial fibrillation due to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: A.K. Agarwal , P. Venugopalan
Published: July 2002

Fourteen digitalised patients diagnosed with heart failure (NYHA Functional class II) with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in chronic established atrial fibrillation were administered carvedilol in addition to their anti‐heart failure medications in an attempt to improve their heart rate control. Fourteen matched patients who did not receive carvedilol acted as control subjects. Patients treated with carvedilol showed significantly reduced resting heart rates (10–36%), maximal heart rates on exercise (5–20%) and an increased exercise time (2–30%) on treadmill stress tests (all P ‐ 0.001). Ventricular ectopic activity was also diminished. This was associated with symptomatic improvement in effort intolerance and palpitations. NYHA functional class, left ventricular dimensions and ejection fractions did not improve during the study period of 3 months. Thus, addition of carvedilol to digoxin had a beneficial effect on exercise tolerance in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in atrial fibrillation by virtue of an improved heart rate control both at rest and on exercise. Carvedilol was well tolerated despite impaired myocardial function.
Evaluation of left ventricular function and mitral regurgitation during left ventricular‐based pacing in patients with heart failure
Authors: Yves Etienne , Mansourati Jacques , Touiza Abdelkader , Martine Gilard , Bertault‐Valls Valérie , Guillo Philippe , Jacques Boschat , Blanc Jean Jacques
Published: July 2002

Background:

Beneficial effects of left ventricular (LV)‐based pacing on acute hemodynamic parameters were reported in several series, but only a few studies examined the long‐term effects of this new pacing procedure.

Aims:

To assess long‐term effects of permanent LV‐based pacing on LV function and mitral regurgitation (MR) in patients with refractory congestive heart failure (CHF).

Methods:

A prospective evaluation of LV function and MR was performed in 23 patients with severe but stable CHF and left bundle branch block (mean QRS: 186±31 ms) by radionuclide and echocardiographic techniques at baseline and 6 months after implantation of a permanent LV‐based (LV alone: 13 patients; biventricular: 10 patients) pacemaker programmed either in a DDD mode (sinus rhythm; n ‐ 14) or in a VVIR mode (atrial fibrillation; n ‐ 9).

Results:

Compared to baseline, the 6 months follow‐up visit demonstrated a significant increase in radionuclide derived LV ejection fraction from 23.3±7 to 26.2±7% (P < 0.01) and in echocardiographic LV fractional shortening from 13±4 to 16±6% (P < 0.05), without any change in cardiac index, a significant decrease in LV end‐diastolic diameter (from 73.2±6 to 71.2±7 mm; P < 0.05), end‐systolic diameter (from 63.6±6 to 60.2±8 mm; P < 0.05) and color Doppler MR jet area (from 11.5±6 to 6.6±4 cm1; P < 0.001). A comparison of patients with LV pacing alone and patients with biventricular pacing showed similar beneficial effects of pacing on MR severity in the two subgroups and a non‐significant trend for a better improvement of LV function during biventricular pacing.

Conclusion:

Thus, in patients with severe CHF and left bundle branch block, permanent LV‐based pacing may significantly improve LV systolic function and decrease MR.
Update of REACH‐1 and MERIT‐HF clinical trials in heart failure
Authors: Mylona Panayiota , Cleland John G.F. ,   On behalf of the Cardio.net Editorial Team
Published: July 2002

Background:

This article reviews the design and results of REACH‐1 (Research on Endothelin Antagonism in Chronic Heart Failure) and MERIT (Metoprolol controlled and Extended release, Randomised Intervention Trial in congestive Heart Failure), two recently reported clinical trials that investigated, respectively, the role of a non‐selective endothelin antagonist (bosentan) and of a β‐selective blocker for the treatment of heart failure. Results: The REACH‐1 trial demonstrated that initiation of bosentan therapy is associated with an increased risk of worsening heart failure. However, long‐term therapy with bosentan may have improved symptoms and favourably altered the progression of heart failure. The MERIT‐HF clinical trial indicated that β‐blockade using metoprolol confers a significant beneficial effect on total mortality in patients with stable chronic heart failure.
Breastfeeding Duration among Low Income Women
Authors: Milligan Renee A. , Pugh Linda C. , Bronner Yvonne L. , Spatz Diane L. , Brown Linda P.
Published: July 2002

Breastfeeding has been identified as a possible deterrent to the development of osteoporosis and breast cancer in women. In addition, infants who are breastfed exclusively for at least 4 months reportedly have fewer incidence of SIDS, ear infection, diarrhea, and allergies. Further, low income women who breastfeed may be empowered by the experience. Increasing the frequency and duration of breastfeeding is recognized as a national priority, particularly for low income, minority women. Yet, recent national data indicate that in 1997, only 16.5% of low income mothers breastfed for at least 6 months. Short breastfeeding duration in low income women may be due to problems unique to them; thus, consistent and comprehensive breastfeeding support should be provided by midwives, nurses, lactation consultants, and peer counselors who are skilled in culturally sensitive management of lactation within the context of limited financial and social resources. This article focuses on the benefits of breastfeeding, and factors that may influence its duration. It also explores culturally relevant strategies as well as suggested interventions to increase breastfeeding duration among low‐income women.
EXAMINATION ADAPTATION: TRANSLATING THE NATIONAL NURSE‐MIDWIFERY/MIDWIFERY CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION
Authors: Fullerton Judith T. , Parker Katherine W. , Gross Leon J.
Published: July 2002

The national certification examination in nurse‐midwifery/midwifery was adapted to the Puerto‐Rican Spanish language. Specific attention was paid to creating a version of the examination that was both culturally and linguistically relevant, while remaining appropriately representative of national standards of practice. The procedures used in translation and cultural adaptation are described. The process used in review of the examination followed usual and customary practice. This included consideration of item critiques received from candidates (qualitative data) and the computation of standard measures of item performance, including item difficulty indices and the standard error of measurement (quantitative data). Additional analyses conducted for this specific purpose included the calculation of an index of differential item performance between both language versions. All measures of assessment indicated that the adapted language version was of high quality and psychometrically equivalent to the English language version, which was the comparison standard.
The Circle of Safety: A Tool for Clinical Preceptors
Authors: Hunter Lauren P. , Burst Helen Varney
Published: July 2002

The Circle of Safety is a tool for all clinical faculty, regardless of profession and regardless of locale. Applying principles of teaching‐learning, the Circle of Safety was originally developed by the author for use by clinical preceptors in nurse‐midwifery education. Its purpose is to provide a structure that removes a major obstacle to learning and facilitates student efforts to learn in accord with an individual's pattern of learning.
Methodological approach to create an atlas using a commercial auto‐contouring software
Authors: Casati Marta , Piffer Stefano , Calusi Silvia , Marrazzo Livia , Simontacchi Gabriele , Di Cataldo Vanessa , Greto Daniela , Desideri Isacco , Vernaleone Marco , Francolini Giulio , Livi Lorenzo , Pallotta Stefania
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The aim of this work was to establish a methodological approach for creation and optimization of an atlas for auto‐contouring, using the commercial software MIM MAESTRO (MIM Software Inc. Cleveland OH).

Methods

A computed tomography (CT) male pelvis atlas was created and optimized to evaluate how different tools and options impact on the accuracy of automatic segmentation. Pelvic lymph nodes (PLN), rectum, bladder, and femurs of 55 subjects were reviewed for consistency by a senior consultant radiation oncologist with 15 yr of experience. Several atlas and workflow options were tuned to optimize the accuracy of auto‐contours. The deformable image registration (DIR), the finalization method, the k number of atlas best matching subjects, and several post‐processing options were studied. To test our atlas performances, automatic and reference manual contours of 20 test subjects were statistically compared based on dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and mean distance to agreement (MDA) indices. The effect of field of view (FOV) reduction on auto‐contouring time was also investigated.

Results

With the optimized atlas and workflow, DSC and MDA median values of bladder, rectum, PLN, and femurs were 0.91 and 1.6 mm, 0.85 and 1.6 mm, 0.85 and 1.8 mm, and 0.96 and 0.5 mm, respectively. Auto‐contouring time was more than halved by strictly cropping the FOV of the subject to be contoured to the pelvic region.

Conclusion

A statistically significant improvement of auto‐contours accuracy was obtained using our atlas and optimized workflow instead of the MIM Software pelvic atlas.
Evaluation of deep learning‐based auto‐segmentation algorithms for delineating clinical target volume and organs at risk involving data for 125 cervical cancer patients
Authors: Wang Zhi , Chang Yankui , Peng Zhao , Lv Yin , Shi Weijiong , Wang Fan , Pei Xi , Xu X. George
Published: November 2020

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy of a deep learning‐based auto‐segmentation mode to that of manual contouring by one medical resident, where both entities tried to mimic the delineation "habits" of the same clinical senior physician.

Methods

This study included 125 cervical cancer patients whose clinical target volumes (CTVs) and organs at risk (OARs) were delineated by the same senior physician. Of these 125 cases, 100 were used for model training and the remaining 25 for model testing. In addition, the medical resident instructed by the senior physician for approximately 8 months delineated the CTVs and OARs for the testing cases. The dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and the Hausdorff Distance (HD) were used to evaluate the delineation accuracy for CTV, bladder, rectum, small intestine, femoral‐head‐left, and femoral‐head‐right.

Results

The DSC values of the auto‐segmentation model and manual contouring by the resident were, respectively, 0.86 and 0.83 for the CTV (P < 0.05), 0.91 and 0.91 for the bladder (P > 0.05), 0.88 and 0.84 for the femoral‐head‐right (P < 0.05), 0.88 and 0.84 for the femoral‐head‐left (P < 0.05), 0.86 and 0.81 for the small intestine (P < 0.05), and 0.81 and 0.84 for the rectum (P > 0.05). The HD (mm) values were, respectively, 14.84 and 18.37 for the CTV (P < 0.05), 7.82 and 7.63 for the bladder (P > 0.05), 6.18 and 6.75 for the femoral‐head‐right (P > 0.05), 6.17 and 6.31 for the femoral‐head‐left (P > 0.05), 22.21 and 26.70 for the small intestine (P > 0.05), and 7.04 and 6.13 for the rectum (P > 0.05). The auto‐segmentation model took approximately 2 min to delineate the CTV and OARs while the resident took approximately 90 min to complete the same task.

Conclusion

The auto‐segmentation model was as accurate as the medical resident but with much better efficiency in this study. Furthermore, the auto‐segmentation approach offers additional perceivable advantages of being consistent and ever improving when compared with manual approaches.
Bifunctional Bis‐benzophenone as A Solid Additive for Non‐Fullerene Solar Cells
Authors: Fan Pu , Sun Wenjian , Zhang Xiaohua , Wu Yao , Hu Qin , Zhang Qing , Yu Junsheng , Russell Thomas P.
Published: November 2020

Simultaneously improving efficiency and stability is critical for the commercial application of non‐fullerene acceptor polymer solar cells (NFA‐PSCs). Multifunctional solid additives have been considered as a potential route to tune the morphology of the active layer and optimize performance. In this work, photoinitiator bifunctional bis‐benzophenone (BP‐BP) is used as a solid additive, replacing solvent additives, in the PBDB‐T:ITIC NFA system. With the addition of BP‐BP, the intermolecular π–π stacking of PBDB‐T and morphology is improved, leading to more balanced carrier transport and more effective exciton dissociation. Devices fabricated with BP‐BP show a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 11.89%, with enhanced short‐circuit current (Jsc), and fill factor (FF). Devices optimized with BP‐BP show excellent reproducibility, insensitivity to thickness, and an improved thermal stability under atmospheric conditions without encapsulation. This work provides a new strategy for the application of solid additives in NFA‐PSCs.
Photosynthetic Nanomaterial Hybrids for Bioelectricity and Renewable Energy Systems
Authors: Kim Yong Jae , Hong Hyeonaug , Yun JaeHyoung , Kim Seon Il , Jung Ho Yun , Ryu WonHyoung
Published: November 2020

Harvesting solar energy in the form of electricity from the photosynthesis of plants, algal cells, and bacteria has been researched as the most environment‐friendly renewable energy technology in the last decade. The primary challenge has been the engineering of electrochemical interfacing with photosynthetic apparatuses, organelles, or whole cells. However, with the aid of low‐dimensional nanomaterials, there have been many advances, including enhanced photon absorption, increased generation of photosynthetic electrons (PEs), and more efficient transfer of PEs to electrodes. These advances have demonstrated the possibility for the technology to advance to a new level. In this article, the fundamentals of photosynthesis are introduced. How PE harvesting systems have improved concerning solar energy absorption, PE production, and PE collection by electrodes is discussed. The review focuses on how different kinds of nanomaterials are applied and function in interfacing with photosynthetic materials for enhanced PE harvesting. Finally, the review analyzes how the performance of PE harvesting and stand‐alone systems have evolved so far and its future prospects.