bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring the impact of health research
Authors: Lavis John , Ross Suzanne , McLeod Christopher , Gildiner Alina
Published: June 2003

Measuring the decision-making impact of applied health research should constitute a core function for many research funders and research organizations. Different target audiences warrant different measures of impact. The target audiences for applied health research include the general public, patients (and their families), clinicians, managers (in hospitals, regional health authorities and health plans), research and development officers (in biotechnology firms) and public policy-makers (i.e. elected officials, political staff and civil servants). Making meaningful assessments within peer groups that fund or produce similar types of research knowledge for similar types of target audiences makes more sense than a one-size-fits-all approach to impact assessment. User-pull and interactive measures of impact (i.e. measures of cultural shifts that would facilitate the on-going use of research knowledge to inform decision-making) can supplement more traditional producer-push measures that assess researchers' active efforts to inform decision-making and the outcome of these efforts. Cultural shifts may include the creation of a research-attuned culture among decision-makers and a decision-relevant culture among researchers. Moving beyond whether research was used to examine how it was used is also important. Research knowledge may be used in instrumental, conceptual or symbolic ways. These actions, coupled with on-going refinements to the proposed assessment tool as research evidence evolves, would take us a long way towards assessment and accountability in the health sector.
Interventions to improve access to health and social care after discharge from hospital: a systematic review
Authors: Richards Suzanne , Coast Joanna
Published: June 2003

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness and costs of interventions intended to improve access to health and social care for older patients following discharge from acute hospitals.

Method: Systematic literature review, following NHS Centre for Reviews and Dissemination guidelines, of randomised controlled trials evaluating needs assessment methods and patient discharge co-ordinator roles. These services targeted patients aged 60 years and over and varied depending on whether or not they selected frail patients (e.g. those at risk of needing nursing home care). Outcomes assessed included: referrals to or use of health and social care (15 studies); mortality (13 studies); patients' functional health status and disability (13 studies); and patient perceptions of health (five studies), quality of life (three studies), cognitive functioning and psychological well-being (ten studies), social support (two studies) and the adequacy of services (four studies).

Results: Fifteen randomised controlled trials (23 papers), mainly from the USA, were identified. The interventions provided and patient groups targeted by these services were heterogeneous. There was, however, some evidence that services combining needs assessment, discharge planning and a method for facilitating the implementation of these plans were more effective than services that do not include the latter action.

Conclusions: The assessment of need may be insufficient in itself for the adequate provision of post-discharge care. Needs assessment should be combined with a service that facilitates the implementation of care plans.
Patients' views of explicit rationing: what are the implications for health service decision-making?
Authors: Devlin Nancy , Appleby John , Parkin David
Published: June 2003

Patient groups in England and Wales have expressed concerns about the decision-making processes of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE), the body responsible for explicit rationing. Five key issues were identified by the Multiple Sclerosis Society regarding NICE appraisals and guidance: they focus too narrowly on costs to the National Health Service; quality-adjusted life-years are an inadequate measure of health gain, particularly for long-term conditions; NICE takes too conservative a view of long-term benefits; NICE's cost-effectiveness threshold is inappropriate; and NICE evaluations fail to capture patients' personal experiences of their condition and treatments. We question the veracity of some of these arguments and, where appropriate, suggest ways in which NICE's processes might be strengthened.
The view of the General Medical Council
Authors: Chantler Cyril , O'Brien Jane
Published: June 2003

Information about a patient's health is recorded in order to provide for that patient's care. Most patients will not think about the other uses for their data and many assume that the information they provide will go no further than the health care professionals who have been caring for them.

Information collected about patients is essential for developments in our understanding of health and health care. Most patients will be happy to allow their data to be used for these purposes, once this has been explained. Health care professionals have an obligation to ensure that patients know when identifiable data about them are to be used and to get their agreement about making disclosures.

We know that this is not easily achieved; doctors, nurses and others providing care are already over-stretched. Patients may be anxious about their condition and treatment. They may not, for a variety of reasons, read leaflets or letters sent or given to them. This does not mean our obligations to respect patients by keeping them informed and seeking their agreement can be ignored. Openness about how health care professionals work and partnership with patients are essential to the continued trust of the public in the professions. The challenge is not to answer the question whether we need consent but rather how we can best obtain it.
Neue Methoden zur Bildung von (E)‐Alken‐Einheiten in makrocyclischen Naturstoffen
Authors: Prunet Joëlle
Published: June 2003

(E)‐Alken‐Einheiten sind ein häufiges Strukturmerkmal in natürlichen Makrocyclen. Zu den Reaktionen, die im Zuge einer Cyclisierung Doppelbindungen aufbauen können, gehört die klassische Horner‐Emmons‐Kupplung, die noch immer oft genutzt wird. Während des letzten Jahrzehnts haben sich Ringschluss‐Metathesen als besonders nützlich zur Synthese großer Ringe erwiesen, aber die selten vorhersagbare E/Z‐Selektivität hängt von vielen Faktoren ab, die in diesem Kurzaufsatz beschrieben werden. Die beste Lösung könnte ein zweistufiges Verfahren mit einer Ringschluss‐Alkinmetathese und nachfolgender stereoselektiver Reduktion der makrocyclischen Alkin‐Einheit zum Isomer mit E‐Doppelbindung sein.
Titelbild: Spirodiporphyrine – als zweikernige Metallkomplexe (Angew. Chem. 25/2003)
Authors: Vogel Emanuel , Michels Martin , Zander Lars , Lex Johann , Tuzun Nurcan S. , Houk Kendall N.
Published: June 2003

Als zweikerniger Nickelkomplex wurde das erste Spirodiporphyrinoid erhalten, ein Folgeprodukt der Chemie des „Figure‐Eight“‐Cyclooctapyrrols Octaphyrin‐(1.1.1.0.1.1.1.0). Ein Beispiel für dessen vielseitige Funktionalisierbarkeit ist das durch regioselektive Oxidation zugängliche Diketoderivat, das im Hintergrund des Titelbildes dargestellt ist. Nickelionen lösen bei dem Diketon eine Reaktionskaskade aus, die zu dem Nickelkomplex des Spirodicorrols führt. Näheres dazu findet sich in der Zuschrift von E. Vogel und K. N. Houk et al. auf S. 2964 ff.
Soluble and conductive polypyrrole copolymers containing silicone tegomers
Authors: Kızılcan Nilgün , Ustamehmetoğlu Belkıs , Öz Nesrin , Sezai Saraç A. , Akar Ahmet
Published: June 2003

Soluble and processable conductive copolymers of silicone tegomers and pyrrole were developed. This was easily accomplished by the oxidative polymerization of pyrrole monomer by Ce(IV) salt in the presence of silicone tegomers with hydroxyl chain ends. The resulting copolymers were soluble in dimethylformamide. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, 1H‐NMR, and four‐point probe conductivity, and their surface properties were investigated with contact‐angle measurements. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2896–2901, 2003
Novel amine preaccelerators for polyester resins
Authors: Kucharski Mieczysław , Duliban Jerzy , Chmiel‐Szukiewicz Elżbieta
Published: June 2003

The reactions between N,N‐dimethyl‐p‐phenylenediamine and ethylene or propylene oxide were carried out to obtain 3‐[p‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)phenyl]‐3‐azapentane‐1,5‐diol and 4‐[p‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)phenyl]‐4‐azaheptane‐2,6‐diol, respectively. The structures of the products were determined using elemental analysis, 1H‐NMR and IR spectroscopy techniques. The diols were incorporated into unsaturated polyester resins. The time of gelation and stability of the resins was observed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 2973–2976, 2003
Association of fluorescent probes 1‐anilinonaphthalene‐8‐sulfonate and 4,4′‐dianilino‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐5,5′‐disulfonic acid with T7 RNA polymerase
Authors: Ghosh Utpal , Das Mili , Dasgupta Dipak
Published: June 2003

T7 RNA polymerase is an enzyme that carries out transcription using DNA as the template and ribonucleotides as the substrates. Here we report the association of the polymerase with 1‐anilinonaphthalene‐8‐sulfonate (ANS) and 4,4′‐dianilino‐1,1′‐binaphthyl‐5,5′‐disulfonic acid (bis‐ANS), which are two fluorescent hydrophobic probes that are frequently used to study structural perturbations in proteins and intermediate states of proteins during folding and unfolding. Our results from the fluorescence titration data show that these two molecules bind to the enzyme with dissociation constants on the micromolar order. The results from the tryptic digestion of the enzyme in the absence and presence of the probes show that they inhibit the rate of tryptic digestion. Circular dichroism spectroscopic studies of the protein in the near UV region indicate that both probes induce tertiary structural changes in the polymerase. There is also a probe (ANS or bis‐ANS) induced inhibition of the enzymatic activity. All these results are attributed to association of the probes with the enzyme, leading to an alteration in the conformation of T7 RNA polymerase. This limits the use of these extrinisic probes to the study of the folding properties of the enzyme. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy), 2003
Raman microspectroscopic study of effects of Na(I) and Mg(II) ions on low pH induced DNA structural changes
Authors: Muntean C. M. , Segers‐Nolten G. M. J.
Published: June 2003

In this work a confocal Raman microspectrometer is used to investigate the influence of Na+ and Mg2+ ions on the DNA structural changes induced by low pH. Measurements are carried out on calf thymus DNA at neutral pH (7) and pH 3 in the presence of low and high concentrations of Na+ and Mg2+ ions, respectively. It is found that low concentrations of Na+ ions do not protect DNA against binding of H+. High concentrations of monovalent ions can prevent protonation of the DNA double helix. Our Raman spectra show that low concentrations of Mg2+ ions partly protect DNA against protonation of cytosine (line at 1262 cm−1) but do not protect adenine and guanine N(7) against binding of H+ (characteristic lines at 1304 and 1488 cm−1, respectively). High concentrations of Mg2+ can prevent protonation of cytosine and protonation of adenine (disruption of AT pairs). By analyzing the line at 1488 cm−1, which obtains most of its intensity from a guanine vibration, high magnesium salt protect the N(7) of guanine against protonation. A high salt concentration can prevent protonation of guanine, cytosine, and adenine in DNA. Higher salt concentrations cause less DNA protonation than lower salt concentrations. Magnesium ions are found to be more effective in protecting DNA against binding of H+ as compared with calcium ions presented in a previous study. Divalent metal cations (Mg2+, Ca2+) are more effective in protecting DNA against protonation than monovalent ions (Na+). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Biospectroscopy) 72: 000–000, 2003
Synthesis and characterization of 2,3‐di‐O‐alkylated amyloses: Hydrophobic substitution destabilizes helical conformation
Authors: Breitinger Hans‐Georg
Published: June 2003

Amylose was selectively alkylated in the 2,3‐O position of each anhydroglucose unit after trityl protection of the 6‐OH groups. Alkyl iodides of varying chain length (C2, C5, C8) were coupled to amylose, and degrees of substitution (DSs) were varied between 0.3 and 1.8, as assessed by NMR analysis. Increasing amounts of methyl groups per anhydroglucose unit increased solubility in nonaqueous media, while at the same time reducing the ability of modified amylose to form a complex with iodine. The tendency to form inclusion complexes with the surfactant N‐dodecyl pyridinium bromide decreased in the order β‐cyclodextrin ≫ amylose ∼ solubilized starch, indicating that the frozen macrocycle of β‐cyclodextrin was the most efficient inclusion host. Introduction of the bulky trityl group abolished the helical amylose conformation, which is not readily reassumed in the presence of hydrophobic substitution of the C2 and C3 positions. These results indicated that a polar outer surface is necessary but not sufficient for the formation of a stable amylose helix. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 69: 301–310, 2003
Performance assessment of kernel density clustering for gene expression profile data
Authors: Shu Guoping , Zeng Beiyan , Chen Yiping P. , Smith Oscar H.
Published: June 2003

Kernel density smoothing techniques have been used in classification or supervised learning of gene expression profile (GEP) data, but their applications to clustering or unsupervised learning of those data have not been explored and assessed. Here we report a kernel density clustering method for analysing GEP data and compare its performance with the three most widely‐used clustering methods: hierarchical clustering, K‐means clustering, and multivariate mixture model‐based clustering. Using several methods to measure agreement, between‐cluster isolation, and within‐cluster coherence, such as the Adjusted Rand Index, the Pseudo F test, the r2 test, and the profile plot, we have assessed the effectiveness of kernel density clustering for recovering clusters, and its robustness against noise on clustering both simulated and real GEP data. Our results show that the kernel density clustering method has excellent performance in recovering clusters from simulated data and in grouping large real expression profile data sets into compact and well‐isolated clusters, and that it is the most robust clustering method for analysing noisy expression profile data compared to the other three methods assessed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reproducibility assessment of independent component analysis of expression ratios from DNA microarrays
Authors: Kreil David Philip , MacKay David J. C.
Published: June 2003

DNA microarrays allow the measurement of transcript abundances for thousands of genes in parallel. Most commonly, a particular sample of interest is studied next to a neutral control, examining relative changes (ratios). Independent component analysis (ICA) is a promising modern method for the analysis of such experiments. The condition of ICA algorithms can, however, depend on the characteristics of the data examined, making algorithm properties such as robustness specific to the given application domain. To address the lack of studies examining the robustness of ICA applied to microarray measurements, we report on the stability of variational Bayesian ICA in this domain. Microarray data are usually preprocessed and transformed. Hence we first examined alternative transforms and data selections for the smallest modelling reconstruction errors. Log‐ratio data are reconstructed better than non‐transformed ratio data by our linear model with a Gaussian error term. To compare ICA results we must allow for ICA invariance under rescaling and permutation of the extracted signatures, which hold the loadings of the original variables (gene transcript ratios) on particular latent variables. We introduced a method to optimally match corresponding signatures between sets of results. The stability of signatures was then examined after (1) repetition of the same analysis run with different random number generator seeds, and (2) repetition of the analysis with partial data sets. The effects of both dropping a proportion of the gene transcript ratios and dropping measurements for several samples have been studied. In summary, signatures with a high relative data power were very likely to be retained, resulting in an overall stability of the analyses. Our analysis of 63 yeast wild‐type vs. wild‐type experiments, moreover, yielded 10 reliably identified signatures, demonstrating that the variance observed is not just noise. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Regio‐ and Stereoselective Reductive Coupling of Bicyclic Alkenes with Propiolates Catalyzed by Nickel Complexes: A Novel Route to Functionalized 1,2‐Dihydroarenes and γ‐Lactones
Authors: Rayabarapu Dinesh Kumar , Cheng Chien‐Hong
Published: June 2003

7‐Oxabenzonorbornadienes derivatives 1 a–d underwent reductive coupling with alkyl propiolates CH3CCCO2CH3 (2 a), PhCCCO2Et (2 b), CH3(CH2)3CCCO2CH3 (2 c), CH3(CH2)4CCCO2CH3 (2 d), TMSCCCO2Et (2 e), (CH3)3CCCO2CH3 (2 f) and HCCCO2Et (2 g) in the presence of [NiBr2(dppe)] (dppe=Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2), H2O and zinc powder in acetonitrile at room temperature to afford the corresponding 2alkenyl‐1,2‐dihydronapthalen‐1‐ol derivatives 3 a–n with remarkable regio‐ and diastereoselectivity in good to excellent yields. Similarly, the reaction of 7azabenzonorbornadienes derivative 1 e with propiolates 2 a, b and d proceeded smoothly to afford reductive coupling products 2alkenyl‐1,2‐dihydronapthalene carbamates 3 o–p in good yields with high regio‐ and stereoselectivity. This nickel‐catalyzed reductive coupling can be further extended to the reaction of 7oxabenzonorbornene derivatives. Thus, 5,6‐di(methoxymethyl)‐7‐oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐2‐ene (4) reacted with 2 a and 2 d to furnish cyclohexenol derivatives bearing four cis substituents 5 a and b in 81 and 84 % yield, respectively. In contrast to the results of 4 with 2, the reaction of dimethyl 7oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept‐5‐ene‐2,3‐dicarboxylate (6) with propiolates 2 a–d afforded the corresponding reductive coupling/cyclization products, bicyclo[3.2.1]γ‐lactones 7 a–d in good yields. The reaction provides a convenient one‐pot synthesis of γ‐lactones with remarkably high regio‐ and stereoselectivity.
Phosphadicarbaborane Analogues of Ferrocene: New Isomers of [closo‐(η5‐C5H5)FePC2B8H10]
Authors: Štíbr Bohumil , Holub Josef , Bakardjiev Mario , Pavlík Ivan , Tok Oleg L. , Wrackmeyer Bernd
Published: June 2003

Thermal isomerisation of the ferraphosphadicarbaborane [1‐Cp‐closo‐1,2,4,5‐FePC2B8H10] (1a; Cp = η5‐C5H5−) at elevated temperatures (180−350 °C) leads to the formation of three new isomeric complexes. These were characterized by multinuclear (1H, 11B, 31P, and 13C) NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as [1‐Cp‐closo‐1,2,3,8‐FePC2B8H10] (1b), [1‐Cp‐closo‐1,10,2,4‐FePC2B8H10] (1c), and closo‐[1,2,4,10‐FePC2B8H10] (1d). The formation of 1b is accompanied by an unusual agglomeration of the P and C heteroatoms. Complexes 1b and 1c have also been isolated as side products from the direct reaction between nido‐[7,8,9‐PC2B8H11] (2) and [CpFe(CO)2]2 in refluxing mesitylene, and 1a and 1b from the pyrolysis of [7‐Fp‐(η1‐nido‐7,9,10‐PC2B8H10)] [3; Fp = CpFe(CO)2] at 350 °C. NMR intercomparisons of all five [1‐Cp‐closo‐FePC2B8H10] isomers thus far isolated have been made. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)
Stereoisomer Discrimination Through π‐Stacking Interactions in Spirocyclic Phosphazenes Bearing 2,2′‐Dioxybiphenyl Units
Authors: Gabino A. Carriedo  , Garcia‐Alonso Francisco J. , García‐Alvarez Jose L. , Pappalardo Giuseppe C. , Punzo Francesco , Rossi Patrizia
Published: June 2003

The molecular structure of the 2,2′‐dioxybiphenyl spirocyclic tetrachlorocyclotriphosphazene [N3P3Cl4(O2C12H8)] (3) was determined by X‐ray crystallography. The structure and conformation of 3 in the crystal are compared and discussed with respect to those of its analogues trispiro and dispiro derivatives, [N3P3(O2C12H8)3] (1) and [N3P3Cl2(O2C12H8)2] (2), respectively. Both the (R) and (S) stereoisomers are present in the lattice of 3 as arranged in pairs (R)···(S) held together through sandwich‐type π‐stacking interactions of the (C7−C12)/(C7−C12)′ phenyl rings of the 2,2′‐dioxybiphenyl groups. The polymer‐like assembly of 2 was formed by interactions between the (R) and (S) portions of two meso molecules [in the sequence ···(R)···(S)···(R)···(S)···(R)···(S)···]. In this case, the pertinent phenyl rings involved in the noncovalent π‐interactions assume a parallel‐displaced configuration. To the best of our knowledge, no chiral discrimination in cyclic phosphazenes has been hitherto described, and the present findings provide the first evidence for the discrimination of stereoisomers in spirophosphazenes and the noncovalent forces that govern the chiral recognition in these systems. The energy of the π‐stacking interaction increases with increasing number of 2,2′‐dioxybiphenyl groups; i.e., on passing from 3 to 2. In the case of molecule 1, the discrimination of enantiomers does not take place at all because the π‐stacking interaction becomes impossible because of steric hindrance. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)
The Reactivity of Allyl and Olefin‐Hydride Niobocene Derivatives Towards Isocyanides. X‐ray Crystal Structure of [Nb(η5‐C5H4SiMe3)2{η3‐CH(R)CHCH(R)}] (R = SiMe2tBu)
Authors: del Hierro Isabel  , Fernández‐Galán Rafael , Prashar Sanjiv , Antiñolo Antonio , Fajardo Mariano , Rodríguez Ana M. , Otero Antonio
Published: June 2003

The new allylniobocene complexes [NbCp′2(η3‐CHRCHCHR′)] [Cp′ = η5‐C5H4SiMe3; R = R′ = SiMe2tBu (1); R = H, R′ = SiPh3 (2)] have been prepared and characterised. The molecular structure of 1 has been determined by X‐ray diffraction studies, which confirm that the allyl ligand is η3‐bonded to the metal centre. The reactivity of the niobocene complexes 1, 2, [NbCp′2H(η2‐CH2=CH2)] (3), and [NbCp′2(η3‐CH2CHCH2)] (4) towards aliphatic, tBuNC, nBuNC, and aromatic, CNC6H3Me2‐2,6, isocyanide compounds has been studied. From these reactions the new alkylniobocene [NbCp′2(CH2CH3)(CNR)] [R = tBu (5), C6H3Me2‐2,6 (6), nBu (7)], η1‐allylniobocene derivatives [NbCp′2(η1‐CH2CHCHSiPh3)(CNC6H3Me2‐2,6)] (8), and a family of the first neutral η1‐iminoacylniobocene complexes [NbCp′2{η1‐C(=NR)R′}(CNR)] (R = C6H3Me2‐2,6, R′ = Et (9); R = nBu, R′ = Et (10); R = C6H3Me2‐2,6, R′ = CH2CH=CHSiPh3 (11); R = C6H3Me2‐2,6, R′ = CH2CH=CH2 (12)] were prepared. (© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2003)
The volatile composition of samples from the blend of monovarietal olive oils and from the processing of mixtures of olive fruits
Authors: Angerosa Franca , Basti Carla
Published: June 2003

The volatile fraction deriving from the lipoxygenase pathway of samples obtained by processing olive fruits of 2 cultivars in known proportions was compared with that of samples deriving from the blending of oils extracted from the same cultivars and in the same proportions. The varieties considered for the mixtures were Coratina and Koroneiki, Coratina and Frantoio, and Dritta and Bosana, respectively.

The results confirmed that the accumulation of each volatile compound from the lipoxygenase pathway in the monovarietal oils was different and closely dependent on the genetic store of each variety. The concentrations of the mentioned compounds appeared to change in a way proportional to the percent of each monovarietal oil in the samples obtained by blending 2 monovarietal oils. Instead, the oils obtained by processing mixtures of fruits from the 2 corresponding cultivars showed a striking accumulation of volatile compounds, especially of C6‐compounds, which reached higher concentration at different percentages depending on the cultivars processed.
Effects of microwave treatment on the oxidative stability of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) oils and the molecular species of their triacylglycerols
Authors: Yoshida Hiromi , Hirakawa Yuki , Tomiyamaa Yuka , Mizushina Yoshiyuki
Published: June 2003

Peanut seeds (Arachis hypogaea) were roasted for 6, 12, 20, or 30 min at a frequency of 2450 MHz using a microwave oven. The quality characteristics and the compositions of the oils, i.e. their tocopherol distributions and the molecular species of the triacylglycerols (TAGs) were investigated. These results were compared with those of an unroasted oil sample. Only minor increases (p <0.05) in chemical and physical properties of the oils, such as the carbonyl value, the p‐anisidine value and the color development occurred after a prolonged roasting period. Compared to the original level, more than 92 wt‐% tocopherols remained after 30 min of roasting. A modified thin‐layer chromatography argentation procedure provided 12 different groups of TAGs, based on both the degrees of unsaturation and the total fatty acid chain‐length. Although significant increases (p <0.05) generated in these chemical and physical changes of the oils after 20 min of roasting, no significant loss (p >0.05) was observed in the molecular species of the TAGs during microwave roasting. These results indicate that phospholipids may be attributed to the quality characteristics of peanut oils during microwave roasting.
Toolbox for modification of the lecithin headgroup
Authors: Doig Steven D. , Diks Rob M. M.
Published: June 2003

In an effort to produce structurally divergent lecithins for testing of their functional properties and use in food products, several tools have been developed to carry out modifications in the polar head group distribution of the native phospholipids in soybean lecithin. These tools include physical, chemical and enzymatic techniques. Using a combination of acetone de‐oiling, ethanol fractionation, N‐acetylation and enzymatic hydrolysis and transphosphatidylation with a phospholipase D from Streptomyces sp., a set of lecithins with modified head group distributions were produced. The kinetics of the enzymatic head group hydrolysis and transphosphatidylation was studied in detail. Reaction rates and selectivity (transphosphatidylation / hydrolysis) were affected by both lecithin concentration and donor alcohol concentration. Hydrolysis, forming phosphatidic acid, was strongly dependent on both concentrations, whilst transphosphatidylation, forming phosphatidyl glycerol (or phosphatidyl ethanolamine or phosphatidyl serine), was only influenced by the donor alcohol. This resulted in a reduction in selectivity at high initial lecithin concentrations and suggested the use of a reactant feeding strategy. Enrichment of the phosphatidyl choline content of native soybean lecithin was achieved by ethanol fractionation and phosphatidyl inositol enrichment was by N‐acetylation with acetic anhydride followed by de‐oiling. The application of these tools, together with others designed to modify the fatty acid composition of phospholipids, was used to produce 10‐100 g quantities of divergent lecithins and can be routinely used at lab‐scale.
Measurement of dissociation constants of inhibitors binding to Src SH2 domain protein by non‐covalent electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Bligh S. W. Annie , Haley Terry , Lowe Peter N.
Published: June 2003

A mass spectrometric protocol for identifying ligands with a wide range of affinities (3–101 µM) and quantitative spectral analysis for non‐covalent interactions have been developed using Src SH2 as a target. Dissociation constants of five compounds, three with a phospho moiety, one with a sulphonic acid group and one with carboxylic acid groups only, were determined using one‐ligand one‐binding‐site, two‐ligands one‐binding site and one‐ligand two‐binding‐sites models. The Kd values determined by ESI‐MS of the three compounds containing the phospho moiety (3.2–7.9 µM) were comparable to those obtained from a solution equilibrium fluorescence polarization assay. The compound with a sulphonate group is a much weaker binding ligand (Kd = 101 µM by ESI, ≫300 µM by FP) towards the Src SH2 protein. Two complexes with different stoichiometric ratios 1:1 and 2:1 (ligand–protein) were observed by ESI‐MS for the ligand GIXXX630X. Analysis of binding isotherms indicated the presence of two binding sites for the ligand with Kd values of 9.3 and 193 µM. These data confirmed that, for these polar compounds, non‐covalent ESI‐MS can measure affinity which very closely reflects the affinity measured under true solution equilibrium conditions. ESI‐MS has several key advantages over many solution methods: it can identify the existence of and measure the affinity of complexes other than simple 1:1 ligand–enzyme complexes. Moreover, ESI‐MS competition experiments can be readily performed to yield data on whether two ligands bind simultaneously or competitively at the same time as measuring the affinity of the ligand. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Change of soil hydrological properties of fens as a result of soil development
Authors: Schindler Uwe , Behrendt Axel , Müller Lothar
Published: June 2003

This study deals with the change and evaluation of hydrological properties of peat soils (Histosols) in the course of soil development. Ash content, volumetric water content, and dry bulk density, unsaturated hydraulic conductivity, water retention function, and wetting properties were measured for 84 fen sites in 19 fen regions of North‐Eastern Germany. Soil development resulted in porosity decrease. On the contrary, the macropore space and the capillary rise increased. With the start of consolidation processes and the development of segregation structure, a'noticeable reduction of the macropores and unsaturated hydraulic conductivity were observed. In course of soil development and decreasing of aggregate size, these processes reversed. Both parameters increased from segregation structure horizon to earthyfied fen and weak moorshyfied fen horizon, until they partly exceeded the starting values of pedogenetic almost unchanged fen in strongly moorshyfied stadium. Differences in wetting properties of peat could not be explained by the changes of peat properties in the course of soil development.
Laser‐Doppler flowmetry is reliable for early diagnosis of small‐bowel acute rejection in the mouse
Authors: Dindelegan George , Liden Hans , Kurlberg Göran , Oltean Mihai , Nilsson Ola , Åneman Anders , Lycke Nils , Olausson Michael
Published: June 2003

The purpose of the study was to investigate intestinal mucosal perfusion in mouse small‐bowel transplantation (SBT), using laser‐Doppler flowmetry. Heterotopic SBT was performed in syngeneic and allogeneic combinations. Mucosal perfusion was measured both in the native and in the grafted intestine at time of surgery and at 1, 3, 6, and 8 days postoperatively. Histology specimens were obtained at the same time and graded for rejection. No rejection was seen in the syngeneic group at any of the time points studied. The allografts displayed significant decreased mucosal perfusion on postoperative days 3, 6, and 8. Rejection was histologically evident on postoperative days 6 and 8. Laser‐Doppler perfusion in the rejecting intestinal allograft was decreased before onset of histological features of rejection. Mucosal blood flow measured by laser‐Doppler could be used as an early indicator of acute rejection in SBT. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 23:233–238 2003
A novel defected ground structure to improve the output power of a VCO
Authors: Liu H. W. , Sun X. W. , Cheng Z. Q. , Li Z. F.
Published: June 2003

In this paper, a novel defected ground structure (DGS), connected in parallel to two periodic structures with different center frequencies of the stopband, is proposed for increasing the output power of a voltage‐controlled oscillator (VCO) in microstrip circuits. To evaluate the effects of DGS on the output power, two GaAs field‐effect transistor (FET) VCOs have been designed and fabricated. One of them has a 50Ω microstrip line with DGS at the output section, while the other has only a 50Ω straight line. Measured results show that DGS rejects the second harmonic at the output and yields improved output power by 1–5%. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 38: 279–281, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11038
Reflection and anomalous behavior of refractive index in defect photonic band gap structure
Authors: Srivastava Sanjeev K. , Ojha S. P.
Published: June 2003

This paper describes the reflectivity properties of layer‐by‐layer‐based photonic band gap (PBG) structures with a defect in their normal structures. The defect is created by the removal of a single material slab. To calculate reflectivity, we use a 2 × 2 matrix formulation. The defective PBG structure gives nearly 100% reflections in the near‐infrared region in addition to some parts of the visible region of the wavelengths for all possible angles, and thus acts as broadband reflector. Also, we study the anomalous behavior of the refractive index in these structures and find that the effective refractive index neff ≪ 1 nears the band edges. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 38: 293–297, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11041
Use of B‐spline curves and genetic algorithms to reduce the sidelobe level in array‐patterns
Authors: Lue Wen‐Chia , Hsu Fang
Published: June 2003

A method of minimizing the sidelobe level for linear array patterns by amplitude‐only adjustment in element excitations, which involves combining B‐spline techniques and genetic algorithms, is considered. We demonstrate this technique using a 30‐element linear array. It is also capable of limiting the coupling effects between adjacent elements. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 38: 308–311, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11045
Bistatic phase function and fast solution of scattering by 2D random distributed scatterers
Authors: Guo Jianjun , Tsang Leung , Chang A. T. C. , Li Q. , Huang C.‐C. , Ding K.‐H.
Published: June 2003

We present large‐scale Monte Carlo simulation results of the phase functions in multiple scattering by dense media of small 2D particles. Solution of the Foldy–Lax equations with large number of unknowns is done efficiently using the sparse‐matrix canonical‐grid (SMCG) method. The SMCG method facilitates the use of FFT and results in an N log N‐type efficiency for CPU and O(N) for memory. This dependence is demonstrated by the simulation of CPU time using up to 50000 particles that are randomly distributed through random walk in a large area of 400 square wavelengths. The bistatic phase functions for a random medium are computed. The phase function converges with the number of particles and the number of realizations. The simulation results indicate that the nonsticky particles, sticky particles, and independent scattering have similar angular distribution patterns of the phase functions. However, the dense sticky particles show stronger scattering than the independent scattering, while the dense nonsticky particles have smaller scattering than that of the independent scattering. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 38: 313–317, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.11047
Structural proteome of human colostral fat globule membrane proteins
Authors: Fortunato Donatella , Giuffrida Maria Gabriella , Cavaletto Maria , Garoffo Lorenza Perono , Dellavalle Giuseppina , Napolitano Lorenzo , Giunta Carlo , Fabris Claudio , Bertino Enrico , Coscia Alessandra , Conti Amedeo
Published: June 2003

Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) contains proteins derived from the apical membrane of secreting epithelial cells of the mammary gland. Between 2–4% of total human milk protein content is associated with the fat globule fraction, as MFGM proteins. While MFGM proteins have very low classical nutritional value, they play important roles in various cell processes and defence mechanisms for the newborn. To date, fewer than 30 human MFGM proteins have been identified and characterized, either by immunological methods or by Edman sequencing and mass spectrometry. This study aimed to update the structural proteome of human colostral MFGM proteins and to create an annotated two‐dimensional electrophoresis (2‐DE) MFGM protein database available on‐line. More than one hundred 2‐DE spots derived from human colostral MFGM proteins were investigated by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry and proteins were identified by three different software packages available on the web (PeptIdent, MS‐Fit and ProFound); uncertain identifications were solved by nanoelectrospray ionization‐ion trap mass spectrometry using SEQUEST software.
Unique scanning capabilities of a new hybrid linear ion trap mass spectrometer (Q TRAP) used for high sensitivity proteomics applications
Authors: Le Blanc J. C. Yves , Hager James W. , Ilisiu A. M. Patricia , Hunter Christie , Zhong Feng , Chu Ivan
Published: June 2003

The unique scanning capabilities of a hybrid linear ion trap (Q TRAP) mass spectrometer are described with an emphasis on proteomics applications. The combination of the very selective triple quadrupole based tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) scans with the very sensitive ion trap product ion scans allows rapid identification of peptides at low concentrations derived from post‐translationally modified proteins on chromatographic time scales. The Q TRAP instrument also offers the opportunity to conduct a variety of ion processing steps prior to performing a mass scan. For example, the enhancement of the multiple‐charge ion contents of the ion trap can be performed resulting in a survey mass spectrum dominated by double‐ and triple‐charge peptides. This facilitates the identification of relevant biological species in both separated and unseparated peptide mixtures for further MS/MS experiments.
Pulmonary glial heterotopia in a monoamniotic twin
Authors: Morgan Terry , Anderson Jodee , Jorden Michelle , Keller Kathy , Robinson Terry , Hintz Susan
Published: June 2003

Brain heterotopia in the lungs is rare, but when it occurs in an otherwise healthy newborn, it presents a difficult diagnostic problem and uncertain pathophysiology. We report on a 2‐week‐old premature infant who presented with respiratory distress and widespread cystic lung changes identified by chest imaging studies. Autopsy demonstrated that the cyst walls were composed of well‐differentiated neuroglial tissue, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The cysts were partially lined by bronchial epithelium and contained keratinous debris. For the first time, we demonstrate that the debris stain for human chorionic gonadotropin, compatible with aspirated amnion. There were no other congenital abnormalities. Her monoamniotic twin was anencephalic and died at birth. Although the etiology of glial heterotopia in the lungs is unknown, the majority of cases are associated with anencephalic newborns. Some authors postulated that this heterotopia may therefore be a consequence of fetal aspiration of brain tissue. Other possibilities include glial predominant teratomas, hamartomatous malformations, and abnormal neural crest migration. Our review of the 21 cases reported over the past century suggests that in utero aspiration of glial cells, or abnormal neural crest migration, are the most likely explanations for this rare and fatal disease. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:162–166. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hypercapnic acidosis and compensated hypercapnia in control and pulmonary hypertensive piglets
Authors: Lee K. Jane , Hernandez Guillermo , Gordon John B.
Published: June 2003

Low tidal volume/inspiratory pressure ventilator strategies result in hypercapnia, which has been shown to increase pulmonary vasomotor tone. This may be particularly detrimental in infants and children with preexistent pulmonary hypertension. In this study, a piglet model of chronic hypoxia‐induced pulmonary hypertension was used to test the hypotheses that: 1) the effects of hypercapnic acidosis are exaggerated by preexistent pulmonary hypertension; and 2) the pulmonary hemodynamic effects of hypercapnic acidosis are attenuated by normalizing pH. Pulmonary hypertension was induced by 2 weeks of hypoxia. Hemodynamic responses were measured in control and pulmonary hypertensive piglets during both normoxia and hypoxia under normocapnic, hypercapnic acidotic, and compensated hypercapnic conditions. We found that: 1) hypercapnic acidosis increased both normoxic and hypoxic pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI) in control piglets; 2) the pressor effects of hypercapnia were not attenuated by infusing bicarbonate to normalize the pH; and 3) piglets with chronic hypoxia‐induced pulmonary hypertension had elevated baseline normoxic and hypoxic PVRI, but responded to hypercapnic acidosis and compensated hypercapnia in a similar way to control piglets. These data suggest that acute hypercapnic acidosis may have deleterious effects on the pulmonary hemodynamics of normal and pulmonary hypertensive subjects which may not be acutely reversed by buffering the pH. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2003; 36:94–101. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The bovine lung 20S proteasome binding to reversible inhibitors: modulation by sodium ion
Authors: Eleuteri Anna Maria , Angeletti Mauro
Published: June 2003

The effect of sodium ion on the inhibition exerted by Cbz‐Leu‐Leu‐Leu‐CHO on the chymotrypsin‐like activity of the 20S proteasome isolated from bovine lung was investigated. The experimental data were analyzed using a standard linkage formalism. The calculated equilibrium affinity constants for the sodium ion binding to the free‐enzyme and the inhibitor‐bound enzyme are compatible to other well‐characterized ion‐involving heterotropic systems. The functional interdependence between the binding events played by the inhibitor and the sodium ion conforms to a heterotropic modulatory mechanism.
Adaptive evolution in the snake venom Kunitz/BPTI protein family
Authors: Župunski Vera , Kordiš Dušan , Gubenšek Franc
Published: June 2003

Snake venoms are rich sources of serine proteinase inhibitors that are members of the Kunitz/BPTI (bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor) family. However, only a few of their gene sequences have been determined from snakes. We therefore cloned the cDNAs for the trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors from a Vipera ammodytes venom gland cDNA library. Phylogenetic analysis of these and other snake Kunitz/BPTI homologs shows the presence of three clusters, where sequences cluster by functional role. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences from the snake Kunitz/BPTI family shows that positive Darwinian selection was operating on the highly conserved BPTI fold, indicating that this family evolved by gene duplication and rapid diversification.
Disruption of the Plasmodium falciparum 2‐Cys peroxiredoxin gene renders parasites hypersensitive to reactive oxygen and nitrogen species
Authors: Komaki-Yasuda Kanako , Kawazu Shin-ichiro , Kano Shigeyuki
Published: June 2003

In parasitism, Plasmodium falciparum is exposed to toxic reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species (RNS). Peroxiredoxins (Prx) are ubiquitously distributed antioxidant enzymes. In bacteria and yeast, Prx have also been implicated in detoxifying RNS. Here, we used a gene targeting strategy to investigate the physiological role of 2‐Cys Prx of P. falciparum, PfTPx‐1, in living parasite cells. The PfTPx‐1‐null parasite line was more sensitive to paraquat (a superoxide donor) and sodium nitroprusside (a nitric oxide donor), than wildtype. These findings suggest that PfTPx‐1 protects the parasite cells from oxidative and nitrosative stresses.
Smad6 is induced by BMP‐2 and modulates chondrocyte differentiation
Authors: Li Xeufeng , Ionescu Andreia M. , Schwarz Edward M. , Zhang Xinping , Drissi Hicham , Puzas J. Edward , Rosier Randy N. , Zuscik Michael J. , O'Keefe Regis J.
Published: June 2003

BMPs regulate cartilage differentiation and have been approved for clinical use as stimulators of bone repair. BMP signaling is complex and there are multiple potential points of regulation, including modulation of Smad signaling, which is inhibited by both Smad6 and Smad7. In the current manuscript we assessed the expression and biological function of Smad6 during chondrocyte differentiation. We found that the induction of chondrocyte differentiation by BMP‐2 in chicken sternal embryonic chondrocytes was accompanied by a marked increase in Smad6 mRNA and protein levels. A morpholino antisense oligonucleotide complementary to Smad6 reduced the expression of Smad6 protein and enhanced the stimulatory effect of BMP‐2 on both colX and alkaline phosphatase activity. In contrast, over‐expression of Smad6 blocked BMP‐2 mediated induction of the type X collagen promoter, b2‐640 Luc. Therefore, expression studies as well as gain and loss of function experiments suggest that Smad6 participates in an important negative feedback loop whereby BMP‐2 mediated effects on chondrocyte differentiation are reduced by induction of Smad6. Additional studies are required to determine the extent to which this pathway participates in pathologic processes involving cartilage. © 2003 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Susceptibility to neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism—age and increased substantia nigra echogenicity as putative risk factors
Authors: Jabs Burkhard Emanuel , Bartsch Andreas Joachim , Pfuhlmann Bruno
Published: June 2003

Objective

Patients treated by neuroleptics often develop neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism (NIP) to a varying extent. The reasons for this are discussed controversially in the literature. Previous transcranial sonography (TCS) findings of the substantia nigra (SN) in patients with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease suggest a correlation of echogenicity with nigrostriatal dysfunction.

Methods

One hundred psychiatric patients receiving neuroleptics were included. They underwent clinical examination for NIP (Simpson and Angus-scale) and, independently, TCS of the SN. History of smoking habits and medication were taken from the patient’s chart.

Results

We found a significant positive association of the prevalence of NIP with age (P < 0.01) and the echogenic area of the SN (P < 0.05). Neither type nor dosage of the neuroleptics was found to have any significant impact on the occurrence of NIP. Smokers displayed lower prevalence of NIP (P < 0.05) and lower EPS scores (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that age and increased size of SN echogenicity are possible risk factors for NIP. In contrast, smoking seems to have a certain protecting effect.