bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychopathy and violent behaviour in abused and neglected young adults
Authors: Weiler Barbara Luntz , Widom Cathy Spatz
Published: March 2006

The interrelationships among early childhood victimisation, psychopathy and violence were examined in a sample of previously abused and neglected individuals (n = 652) and a matched control group (n = 489). Measures of psychopathy, assessed utilising Hare's Psychopathy Checklist (PCL‐R), and violence (based on official arrest and self‐report information) were included in a series of multivariate analyses. Victims of childhood abuse and/or neglect had significantly higher PCL‐R scores than persons in a matched control group, despite controls for demographic characteristics and criminal history. PCL‐R scores predicted official and self‐reported violence. Childhood victimisation was a significant predictor of violence; however, when PCL‐R scores were introduced, childhood victimisation was no longer significant. Findings demonstrate a clear connection between early childhood victimisation and psychopathy and suggest that the relationship between childhood victimisation and violence in some individuals may be mediated through psychopathy. A number of potential mechanisms are suggested to explain these linkages. Copyright © 1996 Whurr Publishers Ltd.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Acyl Protein Thioesterase 1 (APT1) Inhibitors
Authors: Biel Markus , Deck Patrick , Giannis Athanassios , Waldmann Herbert
Published: March 2006

Lipid‐modified proteins play decisive roles in important biological processes such as signal transduction, organisation of the cytoskeleton and vesicular transport. Lipidation of these proteins is essential for correct biological function. Among the modifications with lipids, prenylation and myristoylation are well understood. However, the machinery of palmitoylation is still under investigation. Recently, an enzyme, acyl protein thioesterase 1 (APT1), that may play a regulatory role in the palmitoylation cycle of H‐Ras and G‐protein α subunits, was purified. Motivated by this work, several inhibitors of APT1 were designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated leading to highly active compounds.
Nanocrystalline Lanthanide Nitride Materials Synthesised by Thermal Treatment of Amido and Ammine Metallocenes: X‐ray Studies and DFT Calculations
Authors: Baisch Ulrich , Pagano Sandro , Zeuner Martin , Barros Noémi , Maron Laurent , Schnick Wolfgang
Published: March 2006

The decomposition process of ammine lanthanide metallocenes was studied by X‐ray diffractometry, spectroscopy and theoretical investigations. A series of ammine‐tris(η5‐cyclopentadienyl)lanthanide(III) complexes 1‐Ln (Lanthanide (Ln)=Sm, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb) was synthesised by the reaction of [Cp3Ln] complexes (Cp=cyclopentadienyl) with liquid ammonia at −78 °C and structurally characterised by X‐ray diffraction methods, mass spectrometry and vibrational (IR, Raman) spectroscopy. Furthermore, amido‐bis(η5‐cyclopentadienyl)lanthanide(III) complexes 2‐Ln (Ln=Dy, Ho, Er, Yb) were synthesised by heating the respective ammine adduct 1‐Ln in an inert gas atmosphere at temperatures of between 240 and 290 °C. X‐ray diffraction studies, mass spectrometry and vibrational (IR, Raman) spectroscopy were carried out for several 2‐Ln species and proved the formation of dimeric μ2‐bridged compounds. Species 1‐Ln are highly reactive coordination compounds and showed different behaviour regarding the decomposition to 2‐Ln. The reaction of 1‐Ln and 2‐Ln with inorganic bases yielded lanthanide nitride LnN powders with an estimated crystallite size of between 40 and 90 nm at unprecedented low temperatures of 240 to 300 °C. Temperature‐dependent X‐ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations were performed and showed that the decomposition reaction yielded nanocrystalline material. Structural optimisations were carried out for 1‐Ln and 2‐Ln by employing density functional (DFT) calculations. A good agreement was found between the observed and calculated structural parameters. Also, Gibbs free energies were calculated for 1‐Ln, 2‐Ln and the pyrolysis reaction to the nitride material, and were found to fit well with the expected ranges.
Self‐Assembly of Amylin(20–29) Amide‐Bond Derivatives into Helical Ribbons and Peptide Nanotubes rather than Fibrils
Authors: Elgersma Ronald C. , Meijneke Tania , Posthuma George , Rijkers Dirk T. S. , Liskamp Rob M. J.
Published: March 2006

Uncontrolled aggregation of proteins or polypeptides can be detrimental for normal cellular processes in healthy organisms. Proteins or polypeptides that form these amyloid deposits differ in their primary sequence but share a common structural motif: the (anti)parallel β sheet. A well‐accepted approach for interfering with β‐sheet formation is the design of soluble β‐sheet peptides to disrupt the hydrogen‐bonding network; this ultimately leads to the disassembly of the aggregates or fibrils. Here, we describe the synthesis, spectroscopic analysis, and aggregation behavior, imaged by electron microscopy, of several backbone‐modified amylin(20–29) derivatives. It was found that these amylin derivatives were not able to form fibrils and to some extent were able to inhibit fibril growth of native amylin(20–29). However, two of the amylin peptides were able to form large supramolecular assemblies, like helical ribbons and peptide nanotubes, in which β‐sheet formation was clearly absent. This was quite unexpected since these peptides have been designed as soluble β‐sheet breakers for disrupting the characteristic hydrogen‐bonding network of (anti)parallel β sheets. The increased hydrophobicity and the presence of essential amino acid side chains in the newly designed amylin(20–29) derivatives were found to be the driving force for self‐assembly into helical ribbons and peptide nanotubes. This example of controlled and desired peptide aggregation may be a strong impetus for research on bionanomaterials in which special shapes and assemblies are the focus of interest.
Surfactant‐Assisted Hollowing of Cu Nanoparticles Involving Halide‐Induced Corrosion–Oxidation Processes
Authors: Huang Chih‐Chia , Hwu Jih Ru , Su Wu‐Chou , Shieh Dar‐Bin , Tzeng Yonhua , Yeh Chen‐Sheng
Published: March 2006

We have demonstrated a simple fabrication of hollow nanoparticles by halide‐induced corrosion oxidation with the aid of surfactants. Cuprous oxide Cu2O nanoshells can be generated by simply mixing Cu nanoparticles with alkyltrimethylammonium halides at 55 °C for 16 min. The hollowing mechanism proposed is that absorption of surfactants onto the Cu surface facilitates the formation of the void interior through an oxidative etching process. Upon extending the reaction up to 4 h, fragmentation, oxidation, and self‐assembly were observed and the CuO ellipsoidal structures were formed. The headgroup lengths of the surfactants influenced the degree of CuO ellipsoidal formation, whereby longer surfactants favored the generation of ellipsoids. Optical absorption measured by UV‐visible spectroscopy was used to monitor both oxidation courses of Cu→Cu2O and Cu2O→CuO and to determine the band‐gap energies as 2.4 eV for Cu2O nanoshells and 1.89 eV for CuO ellipsoids. For the contact‐angle measurements, the wettability changed from hydrophilicity (18°) to hydrophobicity (140°) as the Cu2O nanoshells shifted to CuO ellipsoids.
Bidentate Phosphorus Baskets by Intramolecular Phosphinidene Addition
Authors: van Assema Sander G. A. , Ehlers Andreas W. , de Kanter Frans J. J. , Schakel Marius , Spek Anthony L. , Lutz Martin , Lammertsma Koop
Published: March 2006

Intramolecular phosphinidene addition to the CC bond of Mo‐complexed, seven‐membered phosphorus heterocycles affords three novel [(diphos)Mo(CO)4] complexes (18–20). The three bidentate phosphorus baskets differ in the composition of the seven‐membered ring: one of the phosphorus atoms is flanked by CH2, NCH3, or O. The unsaturated tetrahydrophosphepine precursors are synthesized by either ring‐closing metathesis (C and N derivatives) or by a cyclization sequence (O derivative). The crystal structures of the nitrogen‐ (19) and oxygen‐containing (20) baskets have relatively small P‐Mo‐P angles of 76.240(13)° and 77.626(12)°, respectively, and complex 20 has slightly shortened MoP bond lengths.
Ligand Cleavage Put into Reverse: PC Bond Breaking and Remaking in an Alkylphosphane Iron Complex
Authors: Kohl Stephan W. , Heinemann Frank W. , Hummert Markus , Bauer Walter , Grohmann Andreas
Published: March 2006

Complex formation between FeX2⋅6 H2O (X=BF4 or ClO4) and the pyridine‐derived tetrapodal tetraphosphane C5H3N[CMe(CH2PMe2)2]2 (1) in methanol proceeds with solvent‐induced cleavage of one PMe2 group. Depending on the reaction temperature and the nature of the counterion, iron(II) is coordinated, in distorted square‐pyramidal fashion, by the anionic remainder of the chelating ligand, C5H3N[CMe(CH2PMe2)2][CMe(CH2PMe2)(CH2−)] (NP3C− donor set: X=BF4, −50 °C: 2; X=ClO4, RT: 4) or its protonated form C5H3N[CMe(CH2PMe2)2][CMe(CH2PMe2)(CH3)], in which the methyl group is in agostic interaction with the metal centre (X=BF4, RT: 3; X=ClO4, +50 °C: 5). A monodentate phosphinite ligand Me2POMe, formed from the cleaved PMe2 group and methanol, completes the coordination octahedron in both cases. Working in CD3OD (X=BF4, RT) gives the deuterium‐substituted analogue of 3, with ligands L(CH2D) (L=residual chelating ligand) and Me2POCD3. A mechanism for the observed phosphorus–carbon bond cleavage is suggested. Complex 2, when isolated at −50 °C, is stable in the solid state even at room temperature. The reaction of 2 in methanol with carbon monoxide (10.5 bar) at elevated temperature forms, in addition to as yet unidentified side products, the carbonyl complex [(1)Fe(CO)](BF4)2 (7), in which the previous PC bond cleavage has been reversed, reforming the original tetrapodal pentadentate NP4 ligand 1. All compounds have been fully characterised, including X‐ray structure analyses in most cases.
A Model of the Chemical Bond Must Be Rooted in Quantum Mechanics, Provide Insight, and Possess Predictive Power
Authors: Poater Jordi , Solà Miquel , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias
Published: March 2006

In this response to the preceding paper by Bader, we show that the core arguments and statements presented in the latter are flawed. We argue that it is insufficient for a model of the chemical bond to be rooted in quantum mechanics. A good model must in addition provide insight and possess predictive power. Our molecular orbital (MO) model of the chemical bond, in particular, the associated energy–decomposition approach satisfies all these conditions. On the other hand, Atoms‐in‐Molecules (AIM) theory is only rooted in quantum mechanics as far as its mathematical framework is concerned. The physical status of its central concepts is not so clear. In particular, “bond paths” and “bond critical points” are once more confirmed not to be indicators of a stabilizing interaction. Moreover, AIM theory lacks any predictive power. We also address specific questions raised in the preceding paper. Finally, interpreting chemical bonding implies choosing a perspective on this phenomenon. That there are many perspectives is a matter of fact and this is in no way unphysical. What is unscientific is to claim uniqueness and truth for one of these choices, namely AIM, and to dismiss on this ground all other approaches.
Introduction to diffusion tensor imaging mathematics: Part III. Tensor calculation, noise, simulations, and optimization
Authors: Kingsley Peter B.
Published: March 2006

The mathematical aspects of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (DTMRI, or DTI), the measurement of the diffusion tensor by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are discussed in this three‐part series. Part III begins with a comparison of different ways to calculate the tensor from diffusion‐weighted imaging data. Next, the effects of noise on signal intensities and diffusion tensor measurements are discussed. In MRI signal intensities as well as DTI parameters, noise can introduce a bias (systematic deviation) as well as scatter (random deviation) in the data. Propagation‐of‐error formulas are explained with examples. Step‐by‐step procedures for simulating diffusion tensor measurements are presented. Finally, methods for selecting the optimal b factor and number of b = 0 images for measuring several properties of the diffusion tensor, including the trace (or mean diffusivity) and anisotropy, are presented. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 28A: 155–179, 2006
High histologic and overall response to dose intensification of ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine in patients with high‐risk ewing sarcoma family tumors
Authors: Milano Giuseppe Maria , Cozza Raffaele , Ilari Ilaria , De Sio Luigi , Boldrini Renata , Jenkner Alessandro , De Ioris Maretta , Inserra Alessandro , Dominici Carlo , Donfrancesco Alberto
Published: March 2006

BACKGROUND

Ewing sarcoma (ES) and extraosseous ES/primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET) share histopathologic features of the ES family of tumors (ESFT). The authors report on their results from a regimen of ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (ICE) with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and vincristine (CAV) dose intensification in patients with high‐risk ESFT.

METHODS

Since 1990, patients with ESFT and with 1 or more of the following risk factors were reviewed: tumor volume > 200 mL, tumor site with a poor prognosis, and pulmonary and/or bone marrow metastases.

RESULTS

Thirty‐six patients with ESFT who were involved in the study were divided into 2 arms of 18 patients each. One group received treatment with various regimens, and the other group received treatment with ICE plus CAV. The disease was brought under control more rapidly in the latter patients, for whom surgery was more easily feasible, and up to 90% of patients achieved a major response, with an estimated 3‐year overall survival rate of 67% ± 12%.

CONCLUSIONS

The current results showed that ICE plus CAV was tolerated well and was effective in the studied subset of tumors, indicating that dose intensification correlates with better disease control, a high percentage of necrosis, and conservative surgery in patients with high‐risk ESFT. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Comparison of two antibodies for immunohistochemical evaluation of epidermal growth factor receptor expression in colorectal carcinomas, adenomas, and normal mucosa
Authors: Bhargava Rohit , Chen Beiyun , Klimstra David S. , Saltz Leonard B. , Hedvat Cyrus , Tang Laura H. , Gerald William , Teruya‐Feldstein Julie , Paty Philip B. , Qin Jing , Shia Jinru
Published: March 2006

BACKGROUND

Immunohistochemical staining for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been used as a criterion for the selection of patients with colon cancer for anti‐EGFR therapy. Two antibodies, the PharmDx kit and the 31G7 clone, are used commonly for immunohistochemistry by various laboratories. No comparative studies on the performance of these 2 antibodies are available.

METHODS

EGFR status was evaluated in 744 tissue microarray core samples from primary and metastatic colorectal carcinomas, colorectal adenomas, and normal colorectal mucosa with both the PharmDx kit and the clone 31G7 monoclonal antibodies. The stains were compared for staining intensity by using an automated image‐analysis system. The intensity of positive staining (brown color) was measured on a scale from 0 to 255.The staining intensity also was scored manually as 0, 1 +, 2 +, and 3 +.

RESULTS

Statistically, the median staining intensities scored by the automated system between the 2 antibodies did not differ significantly, although, within each category of samples (normal, adenoma, carcinoma, and metastases), the PharmDx antibody staining was slightly more intense than the clone 31G7 antibody staining. There was a linear correlation between automated image‐analysis and manual scoring categories. The median automated image‐analysis intensity scores for the 4 manual scoring categories with the PharmDx kit were as follows: 0 staining, 67.5; 1 + staining, 75.5; 2 + staining, 89.6; and 3 + staining, 106.0. The median automated image‐analysis intensity scores for the 4 manual scoring categories with the clone 31G7 antibody were as follows: 0 staining, 71.3; 1 + staining, 73.6; 2 + staining, 84.6; and 3 + staining, 99.1. The classification of tumors as EGFR‐negative (0 staining) or positive (1 +, 2 +, or 3 + staining) was concordant in 151 of 160 carcinomas (94.4%) with 2 antibodies using manual scoring. Five samples (3%) that scored 1 + with the PharmDx kit antibody scored 0 with the clone 31G7 antibody; whereas 4 samples (2.5%) that scored 1 + with the clone 31G7 antibody scored 0 with the PharmDx kit antibody.

CONCLUSIONS

The EGFR expression results obtained by immunohistochemistry using both the EGFR PharmaDx kit and the 31G7 clone were comparable. Either antibody may be used for immunohistochemical detection of EGFR in colorectal carcinomas. In addition, manual scoring had an excellent correlation with automated scoring. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Mature results from a randomized Phase II trial of cisplatin plus 5‐fluorouracil and radiotherapy with or without tirapazamine in patients with resectable Stage IV head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Authors: Le Quynh‐Thu , Taira Al , Budenz Sherie , Jo Dorie Mary , Goffinet Don R. , Fee Willard E. , Goode Richard , Bloch Daniel , Koong Albert , Martin Brown J. , Pinto Harlan A.
Published: March 2006

BACKGROUND

The objective of this article was to report the results from a randomized trial that evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of adding tirapazamine (TPZ) to chemoradiotherapy in the treatment of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC).

METHODS

Sixty‐two patients with lymph node‐positive, resectable, TNM Stage IV HNSCC were randomized to receive either 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy (TPZ, cisplatin, and 5‐fluorouracil [5‐FU]) followed by simultaneous chemoradiotherapy (TPZ, cisplatin, and 5‐FU) or to receive the same regimen without TPZ. Patients who did not achieve a complete response at 50 Grays underwent surgical treatment. Stratification factors for randomization included tumor site, TNM stage, and median tumor oxygen tension. The primary endpoint was complete lymph node response.

RESULTS

The addition of TPZ resulted in increased hematologic toxicity. There was 1 treatment‐related death from induction chemotherapy. The complete clinical and pathologic response rate in the lymph nodes was 90% and 74% for the standard treatment arm and the TPZ arm, respectively (P= .08) and 89% and 90% at the primary site in the respective treatment arms (P= .71). The 5‐year overall survival rate was 59%, the cause‐specific survival rate was 68%, the rate of freedom from recurrence was 69%, and the locoregional control rate was 77% for the entire group. There was no difference with regard to any of the outcome parameters between the 2 treatement arms. The significant long‐term toxicity rate also was found to be similar between the 2 arms.

CONCLUSIONS

The addition of TPZ increased hematologic toxicity but did not improve outcomes in patients with resectable, Stage IV HNSCC using the protocol administered this small randomized study. The combination of induction and simultaneous chemoradiotherapy resulted in excellent survival in these patients. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Respective clustering of unfavorable and favorable cytogenetic clones in myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia with homozygosity for JAK2V617F and response to erythropoietin therapy
Authors: Tefferi Ayalew , Strand Jacob J. , Lasho Terra L. , Elliott Michelle A. , Li Chin‐Yang , Mesa Ruben A. , Dewald Gordon W.
Published: March 2006

BACKGROUND

Patients who have myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM) display recurrent, albeit nonspecific cytogenetic abnormalities that are diverse prognostically. For the current study, the authors explored the relation between specific cytogenetic clones and JAK2V617F mutational status in patients with MMM and the effects on treatment response to erythropoietin (Epo).

METHODS

Concomitantly collected blood granulocytes and bone marrow were processed for JAK2V617F mutation analysis and cytogenetic studies, respectively. Genomic DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, and fluorescent dye chemistry sequencing was performed by using the same primers that were used for amplification.

RESULTS

Among 105 study patients, cytogenetic abnormalities were detected in 47 patients (45%), and the JAK2V617F mutation was detected in 52 patients (50%). Comparison of mutational frequencies between favorable (normal, sole 13q−, or 20q− clones; n = 70 patients) and unfavorable (all other abnormalities; n = 35 patients) cytogenetic categories revealed a significantly different incidence of homozygous JAK2V617F between them (9% vs. 23%, respectively; P = .04). Furthermore, the mutant allele coexisted with several recurrent cytogenetic lesions. Among 25 patients who received Epo either alone (n = 17 patients) or in combination with hydroxyurea (n = 8 patients), 4 patients (16%) achieved a response, and none of them were homozygous for JAK2V617F. Conversely, a response was more likely (P = .0001) in the presence of favorable cytogenetic abnormalities (i.e., 3 of 4 responders carried sole 13q− or 20q− clones).

CONCLUSIONS

Unfavorable and favorable cytogenetic clones in MMM clustered with homozygosity for JAK2V617F and treatment response to Epo‐based therapy, respectively. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Is T classification still correlated with lymph node status after preoperative chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer?
Authors: Kim Duck‐Woo , Kim Dae Yong , Kim Tae Hyun , Jung Kyung Hae , Chang Hee Jin , KyungSohn Dae , Lim Seok‐Byung , Choi Hyo Seong , Jeong Seung‐yong , Park Jae‐Gahb
Published: March 2006

BACKGROUND

It is well known that the risk of lymph node involvement increases according to pathologic T classification in rectal cancers, but to the authors' knowledge, the correlation between risk of lymph node involvement and ypT classification in rectal cancers treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) remains unclear. The current study investigated the correlation between tumor involvement in regional lymph nodes and rectal mural tumor status in patients who underwent preoperative CRT for rectal cancer.

METHODS

Between October 2001 and February 2005, 282 patients underwent preoperative CRT followed by proctectomy for locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma. Correlations between lymph node status and ypT classification, Dworak regression grade, and magnetic resonance (MR) volumetry findings were explored.

RESULTS

Lymph nodes harboring tumors were found in 87 of 282 (30.9%) patients. The rate of lymph node involvement was found to be correlated with ypT‐classification (P < .001); positive lymph nodes were detected in 1 of 45 (2.2%) ypT0 patients, 1 of 13 (7.7%) ypT1 patients, 13 of 77 (16.9%) ypT2 patients, 69 of 140 (49.3%) ypT3 patients, and 3 of 7 (42.9%) ypT4 patients. The rate of lymph node involvement decreased as Dworak regression grade increased (P < .001); tumor‐harboring lymph nodes were found in 62.3% of Grade 1 patients, 31.4% of Grade 2 patients, 16.1% of Grade 3 patients, and 2.2% of Grade 4 patients. There were no differences noted with regard to MR volumetry findings, including mean volume of pre‐ or post‐CRT tumor and the tumor volume reduction rate between lymph node‐negative and lymph node‐positive patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathologic T classification is still the most reliable predictor of lymph node metastasis in rectal cancer patients who have undergone preoperative CRT. The risk of lymph node metastasis was found to be 3.4% in rectal cancer that had regressed to ypT0 or ypT1. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Quenching Echo Modulations in NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Dittmer Jens , Bodenhausen Geoffrey
Published: March 2006

In NMR spectroscopy, homonuclear scalar couplings normally lead to modulations of spin echoes that tend to interfere with the accurate determination of transverse relaxation rates by Carr–Purcell–Meiboom–Gill (CPMG) multiple refocusing experiments. Surprisingly, the echo modulations are largely cancelled when the refocusing pulses applied to the coupling partner deviate slightly from ideal π rotations due to tilted effective radio‐frequency (RF) fields, even at offsets that are much smaller than the radio‐frequency amplitude. Experiments and simulations illustrate these effects for two‐spin IS systems containing donor and acceptor 15N nuclei I=N D and S=NA in RNA Watson–Crick base pairs with homonuclear scalar couplings JIS=2hJ(ND, NA) across the hydrogen bonds.
Conformational Reorientation of Immunoglobulin G During Nonspecific Interaction with Surfaces
Authors: Rankl Michael , Ruckstuhl Thomas , Rabe Michael , Artus Georg R. J. , Walser Andreas , Seeger Stefan
Published: March 2006

To achieve a better understanding of the nonspecific adsorption process of proteins on solid surfaces, the mechanism of this interaction was investigated by a model system comprising the structurally flexible (“soft”) protein goat anti‐rabbit immunoglobulin G and a set of chemically defined surfaces. The thermodynamic properties of both protein and surfaces were derived from contact angle measurements by applying the Lifshitz–van der Waals acid–base approach, and the Gibbs free enthalpy of interaction was calculated. The protein shows two conformational states, one hydrophobic and the other hydrophilic. The interaction energy indicates that the hydrophobic conformation favorably adsorbs onto the surfaces. With real‐time binding kinetics, measured by a supercritical angle fluorescence biosensor, we show that during the nonspecific adsorption the protein performs a reorientation in its three‐dimensional amino acid structure from a hydrophilic to a hydrophobic molecular structure. Unlike the rates of adsorption and desorption, the transition rate is independent of the type of surface and only influenced by the structural reorganization of the protein.
Bayes model averaging of cyclical decompositions in economic time series
Authors: Kleijn Richard , van Dijk Herman K.
Published: March 2006

A flexible decomposition of a time series into stochastic cycles under possible non‐stationarity is specified, providing both a useful data analysis tool and a very wide model class. A Bayes procedure using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is introduced with a model averaging approach which explicitly deals with the uncertainty on the appropriate number of cycles. The convergence of the MCMC method is substantially accelerated through a convenient reparametrization based on a hierarchical structure of variances in a state space model. The model and corresponding inferential procedure are applied to simulated data and to cyclical economic time series like US industrial production and unemployment. We derive the implied posterior distributions of model parameters and some relevant functions thereof, shedding light on several key features of economic time series. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring welfare effects in models with random coefficients
Authors: Meijer Erik , Rouwendal Jan
Published: March 2006

In economic research, it is often important to express the marginal value of a variable in monetary terms. In random coefficient models, this marginal monetary value is the ratio of two random coefficients and is thus random itself. In this paper, we study the distribution of this ratio and particularly the consequences of different distributional assumptions about the coefficients. It is shown that important characteristics of the distribution of the marginal monetary value may be sensitive to the distributional assumptions about the random coefficients. The median, however, is much less sensitive than the mean. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Women entrepreneurs in the Gambia: challenges and opportunities
Authors: Della‐Giusta Marina , Phillips Christine
Published: March 2006

This article reviews the literature on women entrepreneurs in developing countries and presents evidence from a case study undertaken during 2001 and 2002 in Gambia examining the challenges facing women entrepreneurs in the small enterprise sector. The article attempt to discuss the gendered nature of the barriers to survival and growth, particularly the low productivity of sectors in which women entrepreneurs operate, the difficulty in accessing capital for expansion and the need to reconcile business with domestic activities and the propensity to view business as part of an overall livelihood diversification strategy. The article argues that further to addressing specific gender needs of women entrepreneurs, policy and support mechanisms must be sensitive to and geared towards both enterprises with potential and aspirations for growth and diversification and those whose primary objective is that of sustaining livelihoods. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lack of inhibitory interaction between somatosensory afferent inputs and intracortical inhibitory interneurons in focal hand dystonia
Authors: Simonetta‐Moreau Marion , Lourenço George , Sangla Sophie , Mazieres Leonor , Vidailhet Marie , Meunier Sabine
Published: March 2006

We looked for an impaired interaction in the primary motor cortex between intracortical inhibitory circuits and circuits fed by somatosensory inputs in patients with writer's cramp. Short‐interval intracortical inhibition (sICI) to wrist extensor carpi radialis muscle (ECR) was conditioned by stimulation of antagonist muscle afferents and sICI to first dorsal interosseus (FDI) muscle by homotopic cutaneous afferents stimulation. sICI was assessed at rest and during a tonic contraction of the target muscle. Eighteen patients with writer's cramp (10 having a wrist dystonic posture in flexion during writing and 8 in extension) were compared to 14 control subjects. Peripheral inputs decreased sICI in control subjects. This decrease was lost in patients in both FDI and ECR, regardless of the wrist dystonic posture. By contrast, contraction‐induced depression of sICI appeared dependant on the dystonic status of the muscle: depression of sICI to ECR was abolished in patients with wrist dystonic posture in flexion, but not in patients with dystonic posture in extension, sICI even giving way to motor‐evoked potential facilitation. Loss of interaction between interneurons mediating sICI and peripheral inputs probably belongs to the initial abnormalities underlying dystonia. Lack of peripherally induced sICI modulation may oppose wrist and/or hand muscles synergies. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Association between vestibuloocular reflex suppression during smooth movements of the head and attention deficit in progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Di Fabio Richard P. , Zampieri Cris , Tuite Paul , Konczak Jürgen
Published: March 2006

With head movement, suppression of vestibular inputs during visual exploration is necessary not only for reorienting gaze, but also to direct attention to new visual targets. People with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) have difficulty suppressing the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) and it was hypothesized that the magnitude of VOR suppression deficit correlates with the degree of degradation of attention and visuospatial performance. We evaluated cognitive and visuomotor function in 8 subjects with PSP (4 men and 4 women; ages 59–83 years). Gaze control was studied by measuring the accuracy of eye–head coordination during passive vertical and horizontal head‐on‐trunk movements. Fixation was assessed when subjects viewed either an earth‐fixed or head‐fixed target. A gaze fixation score (GFS) was calculated to represent the amount of error between eye and head movement in each plane (eye–head root mean square error normalized to the range of head rotation). The vertical but not horizontal GFS during attempted suppression of the VOR was significantly related to attention (r = −0.70; P = 0.05) and visuospatial ability (r = −0.76; P = 0.03). These findings suggest that the ability to suppress the VOR during vertical smooth movements of the head is associated with the magnitude of cognitive deficit in PSP. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Characterization of nigrostriatal dysfunction in spinocerebellar ataxia 17
Authors: Salvatore Elena , Varrone Andrea , Sansone Valeria , Nolano Maria , Bruni Amalia C. , De Rosa Anna , Santoro Lucio , Pappatà Sabina , Filla Alessandro , De Michele Giuseppe
Published: March 2006

Extrapyramidal signs are a main feature of spinocerebellar ataxia 17 (SCA17). However, the extent of dopaminergic dysfunction and its correlation with parkinsonian signs are not fully understood. In order to define this, we investigated five subjects from three different families with a pathological CAG/CAA expansion in the TATA‐binding protein gene (SCA17), ranging from asymptomatic carrier to patient with advanced disease, by FP‐CIT SPECT. Nigrostriatal dysfunction was present in patients manifesting a fully developed phenotype but not in preclinical and early stages. Dopamine transporter reduction was symmetrical and uniform in caudate and putamen and it correlated with the clinical severity of ataxia. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Minimal clinically important change in urinary incontinence detected by a quality of life assessment tool in overactive bladder syndrome with urge incontinence
Authors: Homma Yukio , Koyama Nobuyuki
Published: March 2006

Aims

The objective of this research was to detect a minimal clinically important change (MCIC) in frequency of incontinence episodes in Japanese patients with overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) based on the change in domain scores of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL).

Methods

The patients (n = 659) enrolled for the 8 weeks, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study of an oxybutynin transdermal patch were used for the analysis. The endpoints of the study were the change in frequency of incontinence episodes and the domain scores of King's health questionnaire (KHQ) from baseline to the end of treatment. To search a threshold of the change of incontinence frequency that apparently improves patient's quality of life (QOL), we calculated mean changes of selected five KHQ domain scores for nine patient groups divided by the amount of change of incontinence frequency. A minimum value of the change of incontinence frequency in the groups with apparent improvement in the QOL scores was defined as an MCIC of incontinence frequency.

Results

The apparent improvement of KHQ domain scores was seen in the patient groups whose incontinence episodes decreased more than three times per week (/w) after treatment. This result was common in almost all domain scores, but more relevant for the domains related to patients' life limitations.

Conclusion

Japanese OAB patients can feel their QOL improved if their incontinence episodes decrease more than 3 times/w. This suggests that the reduction of ‘3 times /w’ is an MCIC of incontinence frequency for Japanese OAB patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 25:228–235, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neurological diseases that cause detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractile function
Authors: Yamamoto Tatsuya , Sakakibara Ryuji , Uchiyama Tomoyuki , Liu Zhi , Ito Takashi , Awa Yusuke , Yamanishi Tomonori , Hattori Takamichi
Published: March 2006

Aims

Detrusor hyperactivity with impaired contractile function (DHIC) was originally described in elderly women. It has not previously been well known whether neurological diseases cause DHIC. We investigated which neurological diseases commonly cause DHIC in our laboratory.

Materials and Methods

We searched for DHIC in our laboratory's computerized database of 1,514 case records, which included a lower urinary tract (LUT) symptom questionnaire and urodynamic study results. DHIC was defined as the presence of both (1) detrusor overactivity during the storage phase, and (2) underactive detrusor contraction during the evacuation phase.

Results

Two hundred and seventeen patients met the criteria for DHIC: 122 men and 95 women; mean age, 63 years. The neurological diseases that caused DHIC included Parkinsonian syndrome (18%), multiple system atrophy (18%), progressive supranuclear palsy/corticobasal degeneration (14%), multiple cerebral infarction (MCI) (12%), multiple sclerosis/acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (18%), spinal cord lesions (15%), and cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CS) (10%).

Conclusions

The present study revealed that a wide spectrum of neurological disorders could cause DHIC. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Diabetes, established renal failure and the risk to the lower limb
Authors: Hinchliffe RJ , Jeffcoate WJ , Game FL
Published: March 2006

The aim of this article is to review the extent of the association between established renal failure, foot ulcers, gangrene and amputation in diabetes, and to consider the possible mechanisms and clinical implications. In order to do this we used our personal knowledge of the literature, supplemented by searches of Medline and PubMed using appropriate key words. The available literature confirms the close association between established renal failure, peripheral vascular disease, foot ulcers, gangrene and amputation, and indicates that this association is between three and five times greater in diabetes. Once they occur, foot complications are associated with a high mortality. There are multiple possible mechanisms underlying the association, and these include those leading to accelerated peripheral arterial disease, as well as the anaemia and metabolic features of renal failure. There is also evidence that the process of dialysis is itself associated with worsening tissue hypoxia. The results of lower limb revascularisation in established renal failure are poor. We conclude that there is a need for further detailed studies into the factors leading to this association, as well as into the effectiveness of potential interventions. The place of pre‐emptive vascular intervention needs to be established. In the meantime, all those responsible for the management of impending and established renal failure in diabetes should remain aware of the possibility of foot disease and should ensure that a structured programme of preventive foot care is implemented. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Penile gangrene: a rare complication of diabetes mellitus
Authors: Dogru T , Bulucu F , Sonmez A , Yilmaz MI , Demiriz M , Caglar K
Published: March 2006

The progressive vaso‐occlusive changes that occur in diabetes mellitus and end stage renal disease may result in penile necrosis, an uncommon urological condition. Patients with penile necrosis are reported to have poor outcomes and, because of the limited number of cases, the best treatment is unclear. We present a case of penile gangrene with end stage renal disease due to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prescribing for chronic heart failure in Europe: does the country make the difference? A European survey
Authors: Sturm H.B. , van Gilst W.H. , Veeger N. , Haaijer‐Ruskamp F.M.
Published: March 2006

Purpose

International differences in prescribing patterns for chronic heart failure (CHF) have been demonstrated repeatedly. It is not clear whether these differences arise entirely from patient characteristics or factors related to the country itself, such as health care systems or culture. We aim to assess the role of countries in this international variation, aside from the role of patient characteristics.

Methods

In this European primary care practice survey (from 1999/2000) 11062 CHF patients from 14 countries were included. The influence of country (corrected for patient characteristics) on prescribed drug regimes was assessed by multinomial logistical regression.

Results

Prescribing of guideline‐recommended drug regimes ranged from 28.1% in Turkey to 61.8% in Hungary. Including additional regimes justifiable by patients' co‐morbidities, increased overall ‘rational’ prescribing by 11%, but differences among countries remained similar. Multivariate analysis for one‐drug and two‐drug regimes explained between 35% and 42% of the total variance, country contributed 7%–8% (p < 0.005). Countries determined the number of drugs used and the likelihood of individual drug regimes. For example, in Czech Republic digoxin alone was more likely to be given than the recommended ACE‐inhibitors (OR: 3.45; 95%CI: 2.56–4.64), while the combination of digoxin with ACE‐inhibitors was as likely as the recommended combination of ACE‐inhibitors and β‐blockers (OR: 1.17; 95%CI: 0.88–1.55).

Conclusion

Country of residence clearly influenced prescribed drug volume and choice of drug regimes. Therefore, optimal CHF management cannot be achieved without considering country specific factors. It remains to be established which factors within health‐care systems are responsible for these effects. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lithographic design of photosensitive polyarylates based on reaction development patterning
Authors: Oyama Toshiyuki , Kitamura Akira , Sato Eiichi , Tomoi Masao
Published: March 2006

The factors affecting pattern‐forming properties in reaction development patterning were examined with polyarylates with various bisphenol moieties. The developability of the photosensitive polyarylates was dependent on the properties of the subtituent (R) in the bisphenol moieties. The development time decreased in the following order: RC(CH3)2 > fluorenyl unit ≫ phenolphthalein unit > C(CF3)2 > SO2. This order agreed with that of the reactivity between the polyarylates and ethanolamine, and these orders can be explained by pKa of the bisphenol used to prepare the polyarylates. The development with NH2R′OH resulted in successful positive‐tone pattern formation. However, pattern formation with the developers containing NH2R′OCH3 was unsuccessful. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2694–2706, 2006
Confinement of polystyrene at interfaces: Consequences on chain orientation
Authors: Elzein Tamara , Kreim Virginie , Bistac Sophie
Published: March 2006

The knowledge of the structure and orientation of polymer chains adsorbed at an interface could be of major importance to predict the level of interfacial interactions and adhesion that depend strongly on the properties of the interface formed between the two materials (polymer and substrate) brought into contact. In this work, we were interested to study thin films of atactic polystyrene after adsorption (spin‐coating) on two chemically different substrates (inert and OH‐grafted gold substrates). The main aim is to analyze the resulting anisotropy due to the confinement in a quasi‐bidimensional geometry, as well as to investigate the incidence of the interfacial interactions, potentially established between the polymer and the surface, on the chain organization. Our infrared spectroscopy results allowed us to access the adsorption model of polystyrene chains and to highlight the relation between chain orientation and interfacial acid–base interactions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1268–1276, 2006
Phase morphology and rheological properties of metallocene‐catalyzed linear low‐density polyethylene with a small amount of diatomite/oligomer hybrids
Authors: Liu Xiaolong , Chen Jinyao , Li Huilin
Published: March 2006

The effects of diatomite/oligomers hybrids on the phase morphology and rheology of metallocene‐catalyzed linear low‐density polyethylene (mLLDPE) were investigated. The interfacial tension between the components of the mLLDPE/hybrids influenced the dispersion of the filler and oligomer in the matrix and thus the ultimate rheological properties. Polyethylene wax (PEW) oligomer had good compatibility with the mLLDPE matrix. When a diatomite/PEW hybrid (HD‐b) was added, PEW and diatomite were dispersed separately in the mLLDPE matrix. PEW acted as a plasticizer whereas diatomite acted as a filler in mLLDPE/HD‐b. No synergetic effect was observed for HD‐b on the viscosity reduction of mLLDPE. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) oligomer was incompatible with mLLDPE but had good affinity to diatomite particles. With the addition of a diatomite/PEG hybrid, a special phase morphology with an encapsulation structure with a rigid core of diatomite and a shell of PEG lubricant formed. This special phase morphology reduced the viscosity of mLLDPE significantly; that is, the addition of diatomite/PEG had a synergetic effect on the viscosity reduction of mLLDPE in comparison with the addition of PEG alone. The effect of the interfacial tension between the components of the mLLDPE/hybrid system on the rheological properties of mLLDPE was investigated. For hybrids to exhibit a synergetic effect on the viscosity reduction of the polymer matrix, they needed to fulfill the following conditions: (1) the fillers had to have good affinity to the oligomer and (2) the oligomer had to be incompatible with the polymer matrix. According to the principles, diatomite was blended with oxidized polyethylene wax (OPEW). This proved that the diatomite/OPEW hybrid exhibited a synergetic effect on the viscosity reduction of polyoxymethylene. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1287–1295, 2006
Tilted lamellae in an affinely deformed 3D macrolattice and elliptical features in small‐angle scattering
Authors: Murthy N. S. , Grubb D. T.
Published: March 2006

Lamellar reflections in small‐angle X‐ray and neutron scattering patterns of uniaxially drawn semicrystalline polymers appear to fall on elliptical or hyperbolic arcs. We attribute this to a 3D lattice of tilted lamellae, a macrolattice. Affine deformation of this lattice, such as during uniaxial draw, moves and spreads the reflections along elliptical arcs, and nonaffine deformation, such as during rolling, moves and spreads the reflections along an arc that deviates from an ellipse. Discrete reflections are the product of two functions: the elliptical trace that is the Fourier transform of the affinely deformed lattice and the radial streak that is the Fourier transform of the individual lamella in the reciprocal space. Four‐point patterns are obtained if the lamellar‐surface normal is tilted away from the fiber‐axis, and two‐point patterns if it is not. This model is used to discuss the transformation between four‐ and two‐point patterns and other changes in lamellar morphology that occur during drawing and annealing of oriented semicrystalline polymers. The deformation of the macrolattice of crystalline lamellae, need not be correlated to the tilt of the lamellae. The tilt of the lamellae is shown to be important. It reflects the cross‐sectional area mismatch at the lamellar surface between crystalline stems and amorphous chains segments, and this indicates the internal strain in the interfibrillar amorphous regions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 1277–1286, 2006