bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated measurement system using accelerometers and gyros as peripheral sensors to estimate the motional state of an elastic beam
Authors: Örtel Thorsten , Wagner Jörg F.
Published: March 2008

Integrated navigation devices for vehicle guidance are the most common example of an integrated motion measurement system combining the signals from an inertial measurement unit (IMU consisting of three accelerometers and three gyros) and a GPS receiver with a single antenna. For this, the vehicle is traditionally assumed to be a single rigid body with six motional degrees of freedom to be determined. During periods of low vehicle dynamics the common integrated navigation systems show, however, stability problems. Nevertheless, the stability of the system can be guaranteed by distributing sensors over the vehicle structure. In this case the rigid body assumption has to be expanded to take the distributed sensors and the flexibility of the structure into account.

Integrated systems in general are fusing different measuring signals by combining their benefits and blinding out their disadvantages. For instance, gyros and accelerometers are used to obtain reliable signals with a good time resolution. On the other hand, aiding sensors like radar units and strain gauges are known to be long‐term accurate. Furthermore, the kernel of such integrated systems consists of an extended Kalman filter that estimates the motion state of the structure. Besides the sensor signals, the basis for the filter is an additional kinematical model of the structure which has to be developed individually.

The example of the motion of an elastic beam being considered here is meant to be an approach to obtain motional measurements of a wing of a large airplane during flight. By means of a modal approach, a kinematical model of the beam was developed. This paper will compare integrated systems utilising accelerometers as peripheral sensors with systems using gyros and systems with a combination of both peripheral sensor types. Based on simulation the paper shows this approach, different sensor configurations, and estimated motion results of an elastic beam. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Locally supported spherical wavelets based on block grids
Authors: Schreiner Michael
Published: March 2008

This paper presents a method for approximating spherical functions from discrete data of a block–wise grid structure. The essential ingredients of the approach are scaling and wavelet functions within a biorthogonalisation process generated by locally supported zonal kernel functions. In consequence, geophysically and geodetically relevant problems involving rotation–invariant pseudodifferential operators become attackable. A multiresolution analysis is formulated enabling a fast wavelet transform similar to the algorithms known from classical tensor product wavelet theory. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
On geometric dynamics of rigid multi‐body systems
Authors: Stramigioli Stefano , Duindam Vincent
Published: March 2008

Standard methods to model multibody systems are aimed at systems with configuration spaces isomorphic to ℝn . This limitation leads to singularities and other artifacts in case the configuration space has a different topology, for example in the case of ball joints or a free‐floating mechanism. This paper discusses an extension of classical methods to allow for a very general class of joints, including all joints with a Lie group structure.

The model equations are derived using the Boltzmann‐Hamel equations and have very similar structure and complexity as obtained using classical methods, but they do not suffer from singularities. Furthermore, the equations are explicit differential equations that can be directly implemented in simulation software. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A label‐free quantification method by MS/MS TIC compared to SILAC and spectral counting in a proteomics screen
Authors: Asara John M. , Christofk Heather R. , Freimark Lisa M. , Cantley Lewis C.
Published: March 2008

In order to assess the biological function of proteins and their modifications for understanding signaling mechanisms within cells as well as specific biomarkers to disease, it is important that quantitative information be obtained under different experimental conditions. Stable isotope labeling is a powerful method for accurately determining changes in the levels of proteins and PTMs; however, isotope labeling experiments suffer from limited dynamic range resulting in signal change ratios of less than ∼20:1 using most commercial mass spectrometers. Label‐free approaches to relative quantification in proteomics such as spectral counting have gained popularity since no additional chemistries are needed. Here, we show a label‐free method for relative quantification based on the TIC from peptide MS/MS spectra collected from data‐dependent runs can be used effectively as a quantitative measure and expands the dynamic range over isotope labeling experiments allowing for abundance differences up to ∼60:1 in a screen for proteins that bind to phosphotyrosine residues.
Proteomic profiling reveals that Th2‐inducing dendritic cells stimulated with helminth antigens have a ‘limited maturation’ phenotype
Authors: Ferret‐Bernard Stéphanie , Curwen Rachel Sally , Mountford Adrian Paul
Published: March 2008

Dendritic cells (DCs) are important in the initiation of primary immune responses against pathogens. To aid understanding of how DCs guide T helper (Th)2‐type responses, we employed 2‐DE in association with MS/MS to identify proteins which characterise pro‐Th2 DCs (matured with zero‐to‐three hours released proteins (0–3hRP), released by Schistosoma mansoni cercariae) versus pro‐Th1 DCs (matured with lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and immature DCs. Software analysis of average 2‐DE gels (three replicates per DC type) showed many similarities in the pattern of spots between the three groups of DCs but also marked changes. The major and significant changes in protein expression mainly affected cytoskeletal proteins. Other differences included chaperone proteins and enzymes involved in protein folding, S100 calcium‐binding proteins, peroxiredoxin 1, superoxide dismutase 1, several annexins and arginase 1. Our study demonstrates that pro‐Th2 DCs matured with 0–3hRP exhibit a proteome that is intermediate between that of immature DCs and pro‐Th1 DCs. Finally, the differential regulation of protein spots identified by MALDI‐MS/MS as having cytoskeletal and morphological functions was confirmed by contrast, confocal and scanning electron microscopy examination of DCs. Together, our results support the view that Th2 differentiation results from a ‘limited maturation’ of DCs.
Protein labeling and biotinylation of peptides during spot synthesis using biotin p‐nitrophenyl ester (biotin‐ONp)
Authors: Winkler Dirk F. H. , McGeer Patrick L.
Published: March 2008

Biotin‐labeled peptides are used for numerous biochemical and microbiological applications. Due to the strong affinity of biotin to streptavidin, the detection of biotinylated molecules is very sensitive. A powerful technique for parallel synthesis and high‐throughput screening of peptides is the spot synthesis. One example for the use of spot synthesis is the screening of biotinylated peptides synthesized on cellulose membranes, which is particularly favorable for the investigation of protease cleavage sites. Additionally, in combination with biotinylated protein samples, the spot technique can be used for investigations of peptide–protein and protein–protein interactions. Here, we present our results of the use biotin p‐nitrophenyl ester (biotin‐ONp) in spot synthesis and as a reagent for biotin‐labeling of protein samples.
A mass spectrometric strategy for profiling glycoproteinoses, Pompe disease, and sialic acid storage diseases
Authors: Faid Valegh , Michalski Jean‐Claude , Morelle Willy
Published: March 2008

Glycoproteinoses, Pompe disease, and sialic acid storage diseases are characterized by a massive accumulation of unprocessed oligosaccharides and/or glycoconjugates in urine. The identification of these glycocompounds is essential for a proper diagnosis. In this study, we investigated the potential of MALDI‐TOF‐MS to identify glycocompounds present in urine from patients with different inborn errors of glycan metabolism. Urinary glycocompounds were permethylated, and analyzed using GC‐MS and MALDI‐TOF‐MS. In order to confirm tentative assignments, a second aliquot of urine was purified on a C18 Sep‐Pak cartridge and glycocompounds were desalted on a column of nonporous graphitized carbon. The glycocompounds were then sequentially on‐plate digested using an array of exoglycosidases. A range of disease‐specific oligosaccharides as well as glycopeptides was identified for all oligosacchariduria models. In addition, free sialic acid accumulated in urine from a patient suffering from French‐type sialuria, has been detected by a GC‐MS approach, which could be applied to other sialic acid storage diseases. This procedure is simple, and can be performed in few simple steps in less than 24 h. This current method can be applied for newborn screening for other inherited metabolic diseases as well as for assessing treatments in clinical trials.
Proteomics cataloging analysis of human expressed prostatic secretions reveals rich source of biomarker candidates
Authors: Li Runsheng , Guo Yan , Han Bang Ming , Yan Xiaowei , Utleg Angelita G. , Li Wei , Tu Lan Chun , Wang Jian , Hood Leroy , Xia Shujie , Lin Biaoyang
Published: March 2008

Expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) contain proteins of prostate origin that may reflect the health status of the prostate and be used as diagnostic markers for prostate diseases including prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer. Despite their importance and potential applications, a complete catalog of EPS proteins is not yet available. We, therefore, undertook a comprehensive analysis of the EPS proteome using 2‐D micro‐LC combined with MS/MS. Using stringent filtering criteria, we identified a list of 114 proteins with at least two unique‐peptide hits and an additional 75 proteins with only a single unique‐peptide hit. The proteins identified include kallikrein 2 (KLK2), KLK3 (prostate‐specific antigen), KLK11, and nine cluster of differentiation (CD) molecules including CD10, CD13, CD14, CD26, CD66a, CD66c, CD 143, CD177, and CD224. To our knowledge, this list represents the first comprehensive characterization of the EPS proteome, and it provides a candidate biomarker list for targeted quantitative proteomics analysis using a multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) approach. To help prioritize candidate biomarkers, we constructed a protein–protein interaction network of the EPS proteins using Cytoscape (www.cytoscape.org), and overlaid the expression level changes from the Oncomine database onto the network.
Polynomial inversion of the single transparent layer problem in ellipsometry in case of multiple measurements
Authors: Tsutsumanova G. G. , Tzonev A. N. , Russev S. C.
Published: March 2008

In a previous paper (J. P. Drolet et al., J. Opt. Soc. Am. A 11, 3284 (1994) [1]) it has been shown that for a single transparent layer the dielectric constant satisfies a fifth degree polynomial and the problem of extracting the layer refractive index and the thickness from a single ellipsometric measurement is then reduced to finding the roots of this polynomial. Here we extend this result in the case of multiple ellipsometric measurements, taken, e.g., at a different incidence angle, layer thickness, ambient and/or different wavelengths. It is shown that in these cases the minimization procedure for determining the layer thickness and the layer dielectric constant can also be reduced to a much simpler and stable procedure of finding the polynomial roots. This approach to the problem directly gives all possible solutions (global minima) without the need for initial guesses and parameter's ranges, thus avoiding inherent problems of the general minimization procedure. In addition, it is faster than the minimization procedure and is time deterministic, which makes it suitable for in‐situ and real time ellipsometric data reduction. Several methods based on this approach are considered and their performance and error propagation robustness evaluated and compared. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Surface solidification in liquid Ga‐Tl alloys
Authors: Bartel Kai , Freyland Werner , Nattland Detlef
Published: March 2008

A surface solidification transition in Ga‐rich Ga‐Tl alloys is observed employing spectroscopic and single wavelength kinetic ellipsometry. This transition occurs a few Kelvin above the liquidus line extending from the eutectic to the monotectic point. Between the respective temperatures (Teut=29.70 °C, Tmono=287 °C) solid Tl undergoes its α‐β‐transition in the alloy at a metatectic temperature of 223 °C. In this brief communication the peculiarities of the solid surface film formation associated with this α‐β‐transition is reported. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
A multi‐sensor study of Cl2 etching of polycrystalline Si
Authors: Klimecky Pete I. , Terry Fred L.
Published: March 2008

Cl2 chemistries are the basis for etching of polycrystalline Si and other conductive gate materials in Si CMOS integrated circuit fabrication. It is now well‐known that recombination of atomic Cl neutrals on the chamber walls influences the etch rate and thus leads to manufacturing reproducibility problems. In this work, we make use of multiple real‐time measurements to improve the understanding of the physical mechanisms for this effect. In particular, real‐time spectroscopic ellipsometry is used as both a poly‐Si etch rate monitor and as a virtual SiCl4 flow rate sensor. This aids in the quantitative interpretation of the optical emission spectroscopy data. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The water‐like film on water
Authors: Greef R. , Frey J. G.
Published: March 2008

We have used wavelength scanning close to the Brewster angle of water to determine the relative index of refraction between the surface film and the bulk liquid. The result is clearly that contrary to expectation, the surface film has a higher index than the bulk. This runs counter to molecular dynamics calculations which propose a tapering off of density, and by implication of refractive index. The finding may be more in line with recent suggestions that clusters of hydronium ions may dominate the structure close to the surface. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
In‐situ and real‐time monitoring of high barrier layers growth onto polymeric substrates
Authors: Georgiou D. , Logothetidis S. , Koidis C. , Laskarakis A.
Published: March 2008

In this work, in‐situ and real‐time Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE) has been implemented for the monitoring of the growth mechanisms of silicon oxide (SiOx) thin films onto flexible polymeric substrates. SiOx thin films are used as protective layers on flexible electronic devices in order to protect them from permeation of atmospheric O2 and H2O that induce corrosion effects to the active layers of these devices. The ellipsometric data were collected with an ultra‐fast Multiwavelength Spectroscopic Ellipsometer with 32 different wave lengths in the Vis‐fUV (3‐6.5 eV) energy range. The analysis of the real‐time SE measurements revealed significant information about the growth mechanism and showed different growth and deposition rates of SiOx onto Poly‐Ethylene Terephthalate, Poly‐Ethylene Naphthalate and organic‐inorganic substrates. Also, SE provided information about the time‐dependence of the optical parameters (energy gap, absorption peaks) and of SiOx stoichiometry and moreover about the effect of the substrate. Finally, the homogeneity of the SiOx thickness and optical properties gas been determined by mapping SE measurements. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Chemical analysis of functionalized polymer surfaces
Authors: Holländer Andreas , Kröpke Stefan , Pippig Falko
Published: March 2008

Over the last 40 years we have witnessed an impressive development of the tools for the analysis of polymer surfaces. However, there still are questions, which are very challenging and the quest of answering these questions means working at the frontier of current science. We discuss some general features of the surfaces of synthetic polymeric materials and the new features formed in surface treatments. It is extremely difficult and in many cases virtually impossible to determine the concentration of all the chemical species present in such complex materials. The determination of their vertical distribution, i.e. the depth profile of these concentrations, is even more complicated. A new situation has arose since more and more surface functionalization techniques have gone from the laboratory to the production line. Microarrays are a good example. The quality control of the production is a challenging and sometimes expensive task.

The combination of surface chemical reactions with instrumental techniques has been proven to be a valuable tool for surface analysis. After discussing some recent progress in that field we present examples that demonstrate a continuous progress in that field. The fluorescence dye Fluram can be used to determine the concentration of NH2 groups at a surface and their local density. Nitric oxide can be used to determine radicals in polymer surfaces, also in the presence of oxygen. The trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) derivatization of hydroxyl groups provides reliable data. The diffusion of fluoresceine isothiocyanate (FITC) labelled globuline was used to characterize the network density of surface coupled hydrogels. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Failure mechanisms in adhesively bonded aluminium: an XPS and PEELS study
Authors: Bland David J. , Kinloch Anthony J. , Stolojan Vlad , Watts John F.
Published: March 2008

The morphology and chemistry of the failure of adhesively bonded phosphoric acid anodising (PAA)‐treated aluminium alloy (2014A) has been investigated by XPS and transmission electron microscopy/parallel electron energy‐loss spectroscopy (TEM/PEELS). Cyclic fatigue tests were undertaken using tapered double cantilever beam joints in water. Specimens were prepared for analysis from the crack‐tip region and from areas ahead and behind the crack‐tip (i.e. the unfractured and the fatigue‐fractured and water‐exposed regions). A failure at the crack‐tip is shown by both XPS and energy‐filtered TEM (EFTEM) to be very close to the oxide/adhesive interface, but in the adhesive phase. Behind the crack‐tip, a failure surface devoid of adhesive residues, oxide hydration is observed. An observation made at regions well behind (10–15 mm) the crack‐tip indicates that mechanical damage of the hydrated layer occurs as a result of the cyclic‐fatigue displacement. These results indicate that hydration is a post‐failure event for the system under study in this work. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ex situ scanning tunneling microscopy study of Cu nanowires formed by electroless deposition at atomic‐step edges of flat Si(111) surfaces
Authors: Yoshimatsu Akina , Shigetoshi Takushi , Uchikoshi Junichi , Morita Mizuho , Arima Kenta
Published: March 2008

We immerse flattened H‐terminated Si(111) surfaces into Cu‐containing ultralow‐dissolved‐oxygen water. We confirm, by atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations, that Cu wires with the width of about 10 nm are formed at atomic‐step edges of the Si(111) surfaces. On the contrary, ex situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) images show grooves at step edges on this surface. Both XPS spectra of Cu signals and possible chemical reactions during the electroless deposition of Cu atoms at the step edges suggest that Si oxides underneath the Cu nanowires are the origin of the grooves in the STM images. Furthermore, we present the possibility of controlling the width of one‐dimensional Si oxides along the Cu nanowires at step edges by subsequent processes using oxidants. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetics corrosion process of carbon steel in hydrochloric acid in absence and presence of 2‐(cyclohexylaminomercapto) benzothiazole
Authors: Patru Samide Adriana , Bibicu Ion
Published: March 2008

The corrosion and inhibition behavior of carbon steel in 1 M HCl in the presence of 2‐(cyclohexylaminomercapto) benzothiazole (CMB) was investigated using weight‐loss measurements, galvanostatic polarization studies and UV‐VIS spectrophotometry. The morphology of a surface was analyzed by using Mössbauer spectroscopy. Some samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy. The inhibition efficiency increased with increasing CMB concentration and decreased with increasing temperature of the corrosion medium. The activation energy (Ea) was determined from Arrhenius equation. The activation enthalpy (ΔH0) and the activation entropy (ΔS0) were calculated from the diagram of the transition state. The experimental results suggest that the presence of CMB in the solution increases the surface coverage (θ) and therefore, indicates the adsorption of CMB. The adsorption of this compound on the metal surface is found to obey Langmuir's adsorption isotherm. The UV‐VIS spectrophotometry shows a decrease of the concentration of CMB in HCl solution after corrosion, indicating that an adsorption process occurs between an organic compound from aqueous phase and the electrode surface. From the Mössbauerspectroscopy studied at this stage, it is expected that the main product of corrosion is a nonstoichiometric amorphous Fe3+ oxyhydroxide, consisting of a mixture of α, β and γ‐FeOOH, where γ‐FeOOH is the main phase. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Short‐circuit diffusion of ultrasonic bonding interfaces in microelectronic packaging
Authors: Li Junhui , Han Lei , Zhong Jue
Published: March 2008

To enhance the development of ultrasonic bonding, an improved understanding of the process taking place at the bond interface is needed. In this article, cross‐section features of an ultrasonic bonding area were inspected using a high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). Results show that ultrasonic vibration activates dislocations inside the metal crystalline lattice, which are the fast diffusion channels. Diffusion mechanism of dislocation channels in ultrasonic bonding is more prominent than crystal diffusion when the temperature is relatively low. For the given ultrasonic bonding parameters, depth of atom diffusion at interface of ultrasonic bonding was about 200 nm, and it is an intermetallic compound of AuAl2 at AuAl diffusing interface. These will be helpful for further analysis. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Grain size, stress and surface roughness
Authors: Perron A. , Politano O. , Vignal V.
Published: March 2008

In this article, we report molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on the formation of roughness at the surface of strained polycrystalline aluminum samples at 300 K. The computed roughness increases as a function of applied strain but does not follow a linear law for all applied strains. A linear relationship with a small slope is obtained in the elastic domain. Then, the roughness increases rapidly with the applied strain in the plastic domain studied. Moreover, the surface roughness increases as a function of grain size (between 5 and 20 nm) in the plastic domain (<6%). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
What is the Evidence for Endoscopic Thyroidectomy in the Management of Benign Thyroid Disease?
Authors: Slotema E. Th. , Sebag F. , Henry J. F.
Published: March 2008

Background

Endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) is a demanding surgical technique in which dissection of the gland is entirely performed with an endoscope, in a closed area maintained by insufflation or mechanical retraction. ET by direct cervical approach (anterior or lateral) is minimally invasive, but ET using an extracervical access (chest wall, breast, or axillary) is not. No technique seems to be universally accepted yet. This review was designed to clarify the existing evidence for performing endoscopic thyroid resections in the management of benign thyroid nodules.

Methods

A database search was conducted in PubMed and Embase from which summaries and abstracts were screened for relevant data, matching our definition. Publications were further assessed and assigned their respective levels of evidence. Additional data derived from our own unit’s experience with endoscopic thyroidectomy were included.

Results

Thirty mainly retrospective cohort studies have been published in which morbidity, such as unilateral vocal cord palsy, is poorly evaluated. ET takes from 90 to 280 minutes for lobectomy by cervical access and total thyroidectomy by chest wall approach, respectively. Cosmetic outcome in extracervical approach is less troubled by size of the resected specimen compared with direct cervical approach. Extracervical approach avoids a neck scar but implies invasiveness in terms of dissection and postoperative discomfort. Long‐term cosmetic outcome comparisons with conventional thyroidectomy have not been published.

Conclusions

Currently it is not possible to recommend the application of ET based on evidence. Reported complications stress the importance of advanced endoscopic skills. ET should only be offered to carefully selected patients and, therefore, a high volume of patients requiring thyroid surgery is needed. Superiority of endoscopic to conventional thyroidectomy has yet to be demonstrated. Possible advantages of endoscopic thyroid techniques and our patient’s desire for the highest cosmetic outcome possible justify further development of ET in expert hands of endocrine surgeons.
Outpatient intravenous diuretic therapy; potential for marked reduction in hospitalisations for acute decompensated heart failure
Authors: Ryder Mary , Murphy Niamh F. , McCaffrey Dermot , O'Loughlin Christina , Ledwidge Mark , McDonald Kenneth
Published: March 2008

Background:

Heart failure patients have frequent readmissions for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF).

Aims:

To examine the feasibility, safety and outcomes of outpatient intravenous (IV) diuretic therapy in treating ADHF.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients included in a hospital‐based heart failure disease management programme, who received outpatient IV diuretic therapy for the management of ADHF between 2002 and 2006. Changes in clinical and biochemical parameters from time of therapy to stability were measured.

Results:

One hundred and seven patients (mean age 71 ± 11 years) received outpatient IV diuretic therapy for ADHF IV diuretic administration reduced weight (p <0.001), blood pressure (p<0.01) and BNP (p=0.01). It increased urea (p=0.01) and creatinine (p=0.07). Seventy‐two percent of patients stabilised following IV diuretics and did not require admission. No patients were hospitalised for hypotension or hypokalaemia. One patient was hospitalised for renal failure. Two patients died post admission.

Conclusion:

Outpatient IV diuretic administration for ADHF is safe, cost effective and reduces hospitalisations. This service may expand the potential of a disease management programme to manage ADHF out of hospital and thereby reduce the hospital dependency of this condition.
A clinician's experience of using the Cardiac Reader NT‐proBNP point‐of‐care assay in a clinical setting
Authors: Alehagen U. , Janzon M.
Published: March 2008

The evaluation of natriuretic peptides has become increasingly valuable in a clinical setting, where information is often needed promptly.

Objectives:

To compare the usefulness of the recently released Roche Cardiac Reader® NT‐proBNP assay against the Roche Elecsys® NT‐proBNP laboratory system in a clinical setting.

Design and results:

Blood samples from 440 patients, who were either admitted with acute coronary syndromes or worsening heart failure, or who were heart failure outpatients, were evaluated. The relation between the two assays was analysed and the diagnostic concordance calculated. A good correlation was found between the assays (r = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94–0.97) with a diagnostic concordance of 93%. A separate analysis was performed in the range where most clinical decisions are made (60–3000ng/L), with a diagnostic concordance of 88%. The usefulness in a clinical setting where time is important was high.

Conclusion:

The Roche Cardiac Reader® NT‐proBNP assay has been evaluated in a clinical setting. The point‐of‐care method shows good results, although with a restricted analytical range, compared with the reference.
Long‐term outcome in diabetic heart failure patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy
Authors: Fantoni Cecilia , Regoli François , Ghanem Ali , Raffa Santi , Klersy Catherine , Sorgente Antonio , Faletra Francesco , Baravelli Massimo , Inglese Luigi , Salerno‐Uriarte Jorge A. , Klein Helmut U. , Moccetti Tiziano , Auricchio Angelo
Published: March 2008

Background:

Diabetes mellitus is an independent risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in heart failure (HF) patients.

Aims:

To compare functional and structural improvement, as well as long‐term outcome, between diabetic and non‐diabetic HF patients treated with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).

Methods:

We compared response to CRT in 141 diabetic and 214 non‐diabetic consecutive patients. Major events were; death from any cause, urgent heart transplantation and implantation of a left ventricular (LV) assist device. Frequencies of hospitalisation and defibrillator (CRT‐D) discharges were also analyzed.

Results:

CRT was able to significantly improve functional capacity, ventricular geometry and neurohumoral imbalance in both diabetic and non‐diabetic patients over a median follow‐up time of 34 months. Overall event‐free survival was similar in diabetic and non‐diabetic patients (HR 1.23, p=0.363), as was survival free from CRT‐D interventions (HR 1.72; p=0.115) and hospitalisations (HR 1.12; p=0.500). On multivariable analysis, NYHA class IV (p=0.002), low LV ejection fraction (p=0.002), absence of beta‐blocker therapy (p<0.001), impaired renal function (p=0.003), presence of an epicardial lead (p=0.025), but not diabetes (p=0.821) were associated with a poor outcome after CRT.

Conclusions:

Diabetic HF patients treated with CRT had a very favourable functional and survival outcome, which was comparable to non‐diabetic patients.
Prognostic impact of NT‐proBNP and renal function in comparison to contemporary multi‐marker risk scores in heart failure patients
Authors: Pfister Roman , Diedrichs Holger , Schiedermair Anne , Rosenkranz Stephan , Hellmich Martin , Erdmann Erland , Schneider Christian Alfons
Published: March 2008

Background:

Multi‐marker risk scores accurately predict prognosis in heart failure patients but calculation is complex.

Aims:

To compare the prognostic accuracy of the Seattle Heart Failure Survival Score (SHFS) and a model derived from the CHARM programme, with laboratory parameters NT‐proBNP and glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Methods and results:

In a sample of 290 heart failure patients, 39 patients died, 22 were hospitalised with acute heart failure and 4 underwent urgent cardiac transplantation during a median follow‐up of 498 days. NT‐proBNP, GFR, CHARM and SHFS showed an AUC for an endpoint during 1‐year of 0.80, 0.72, 0.79 and 0.69, respectively. The hazard ratio for an endpoint during follow‐up was 2.1, 2.6, 1.9 and 2.1 per 1 SD increase of log NT‐proBNP and CHARM and per 1 SD decrease of GFR and SHFS, respectively. In multivariate analysis, log NT‐proBNP and GFR added independent prognostic information to CHARM and SHFS, respectively.

Conclusion:

NT‐proBNP and GFR independently predicted endpoint‐free survival in systolic heart failure patients, with NT‐proBNP being superior and equally predictive to the SHFS and CHARM score, respectively. Assessment of both laboratory markers can simplify prognostic stratification, addition to multi‐marker scores should be evaluated.
NeuroQuick – A novel bedside test for small fiber neuropathy?
Authors: Haussleiter Ida S. , Richter Helmut , Scherens Andrea , Schwenkreis Peter , Tegenthoff Martin , Maier Christoph
Published: March 2008

Background: An appropriate bedside test for small fiber neuropathy does not exist so far. Cold hypaesthesia occurs as an early onset symptom, and the new handheld device NeuroQuick (NQ) was recently claimed to be a valid and reliable screening tool for its quantitative assessment.

Aims: Comparison of the NQ with standardized quantitative sensory testing (QST) in patients suffering from chronic painful dysaesthesia with and without pathological cold detection threshold (CDT).

Methods: Forty‐one patients with and without diabetes mellitus displaying chronic painful dysaesthesia were included (18 men, 55.8±13 years). According to the German network protocol QST was performed in the body area with the severest symptoms and at the opposite side as control after thorough clinical–neurological examination. The NeuroQuick, developed as quantitative bedside testing of cold thermal perception based on the wind chill, was used subsequently.

Results: DT was pathologically increased in 14 and within normal range in 27 patients; NQ values were pathological in 9 and non‐pathological in 32 patients. Thus NQ obtained 7.4% false positive and 50% false negative results in detecting cold hypaesthesia, corresponding to 92.6% specificity, 50% sensitivity and a positive and negative predictive value of 78%, respectively.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the NeuroQuick is not an adequate screening device for cold hypaesthesia in patients with chronic neuropathic pain. It exhibits a high specificity but only low sensitivity in the identification of such small fiber dysfunction; a reliable and valid screening tool should necessarily provide opposite features.
Quantitative somatic sensory testing and functional imaging of the response to painful stimuli before and after cingulotomy for obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD)
Authors: Greenspan Joel D. , Coghill Robert C. , Gilron Ian , Sarlani Eleni , Veldhuijzen Dieuwke S. , Lenz Frederick A.
Published: March 2008

The middle cingulate cortex (MCC) has been implicated in pain processing by studies of cingulotomy for chronic pain and imaging studies documenting increased MCC blood flow in response to acute pain. The only previous report of quantitative sensory testing following cingulotomy described increased intensity and unpleasantness ratings of painful hot and cold stimuli in a single patient with psychiatric disease. We now report a case in which perception of pain and temperature was assessed before and after cingulotomy for obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD). Positron emission tomographic (PET) studies of the blood flow response to acute pain were carried out using a single subject design which allowed for statistical evaluation of postoperative blood flow changes in this case.

Postoperatively, the patient demonstrated increased intensity and unpleasantness ratings of painful thermal waterbath stimuli. The PET studies demonstrated preoperative contact heat pain‐evoked activation of the bilateral MCC/SMA (supplementary motor area) and the left (contralateral) fronto‐parietal operculum. Postoperative pain‐evoked activation was demonstrated in the right (ipsilateral) parasylvian cortex but not of the MCC/SMA. Prior studies of forebrain lesions, and of cortical synchrony during the application of painful stimuli suggest the presence of functional connectivity between components of the MCC/SMA and the fronto‐parietal opercula. Therefore present results suggest that cingulate lesions disinhibit ipsilateral parasylvian cortex and so are independent evidence of functional connectivity between these cortical areas, the defining characteristic of modules in a pain network.
Activation of the farnesoid X receptor represses PCSK9 expression in human hepatocytes
Authors: Langhi Cédric , Le May Cédric , Kourimate Sanae , Caron Sandrine , Staels Bart , Krempf Michel , Costet Philippe , Cariou Bertrand
Published: March 2008

The purpose of this study was to determine whether bile acids (BAs) modulate hepatic pro‐protein convertase subtilisin/kexin 9 (PCSK9) gene expression. Immortalized human hepatocytes were treated with various BAs. Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) treatment specifically decreased both PCSK9 mRNA and protein contents. Moreover, activation of the BA‐activated farnesoid X receptor (FXR) by its synthetic specific agonist GW4064 also decreased PCSK9 expression. Of functional relevance, coadministration of CDCA counteracted the statin‐induced PCSK9 expression, leading to a potentiation of LDL receptor activity. This study suggests that a transcriptional repression of PCSK9 by CDCA or FXR agonists may potentiate the hypolipidemic effect of statins.
Transcriptional changes in response to growth ofArabidopsisin high external calcium
Authors: Chan Catherine W.M. , Wohlbach Dana J. , Rodesch Matthew J. , Sussman Michael R.
Published: March 2008

Transcriptional responses to growth in high environmental calcium concentrations were characterized and compared between wild‐type and mutantArabidopsisplants containing a knockout mutation in the gene encoding a cyclic nucleotide‐gated channel (CNGC2). We show that the transcriptional profile ofcngc2plants grown in normal media resembled that from wild‐type plants grown under elevated exogenous calcium conditions. The mutant grown in high‐calcium media exhibited transcriptional changes not seen in the wild‐type. The pattern of transcription suggests that adaptation to high external calcium overlaps with responses towards various biotic and abiotic stresses.
Enhanced binding of TBK1 by an optineurin mutant that causes a familial form of primary open angle glaucoma
Authors: Morton Simon , Hesson Luke , Peggie Mark , Cohen Philip
Published: March 2008

TANK‐binding kinase 1 (TBK1) was identified as a binding partner for Optineurin (OPTN) in two‐hybrid screens, an interaction confirmed by overexpression/immunoprecipitation experiments in HEK293 cells and by coimmunoprecipitation of endogenous OPTN and TBK1 from cell extracts. A TBK1 binding site was located between residues 1‐127 of OPTN, residues 78‐121 displaying striking homology to the TBK1‐binding domain of TANK. The OPTN‐binding domain was localised to residues 601‐729 of TBK1, while TBK1[1‐688] which cannot bind to TANK, did not interact with OPTN. The OPTN[E50K] mutant associated with Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG) displayed strikingly enhanced binding to TBK1, suggesting that this interaction may contribute to familial POAG caused by this mutation.
Residue 134 determines the dimer–tetramer assembly of nucleoside diphosphate kinase from moderately halophilic bacteria
Authors: Tokunaga Hiroko , Ishibashi Matsujiro , Arisaka Fumio , Arai Shigeki , Kuroki Ryota , Arakawa Tsutomu , Tokunaga Masao
Published: March 2008

Halomonas nucleoside diphosphate kinase (HaNDK) forms a dimeric assembly and Pseudomonas NDK (PaNDK) forms a tetrameric assembly. The mutation of Glu134 to Ala in HaNDK resulted in the conversion of the native dimeric structure to the tetramer assembly. Conversely, the mutation of Ala134 to Glu in PaNDK lead to the conversion from the tetramer to the dimer assembly, indicating that a single amino acid substitution at position 134 results in an alteration of the oligomeric structure of NDK. By modeling the structure of HaNDK and PaNDK based on the crystal structure of Myxococcus NDK, we showed that Glu134 exerts sufficient repulsive forces to disrupt the dimer–dimer interaction and prevent the formation of the tetramer.
A text‐mining perspective on the requirements for electronically annotated abstracts
Authors: Leitner Florian , Valencia Alfonso
Published: March 2008

We propose that the combination of human expertise and automatic text‐mining systems can be used to create a first generation of electronically annotated information (EAI) that can be added to journal abstracts and that is directly related to the information in the corresponding text. The first experiments have concentrated on the annotation of gene/protein names and those of organisms, as these are the best resolved problems. A second generation of systems could then attempt to address the problems of annotating protein interactions and protein/gene functions, a more difficult task for text‐mining systems. EAI will permit easier categorization of this information, it will help in the evaluation of papers for their curation in databases, and it will be invaluable for maintaining the links between the information in databases and the facts described in text. Additionally, it will contribute to the efforts towards completing database information and creating collections of annotated text that can be used to train new generations of text‐mining systems. The recent introduction of the first meta‐server for the annotation of biological text, with the possibility of collecting annotations from available text‐mining systems, adds credibility to the technical feasibility of this proposal.
Quantification of plasma reduced glutathione, oxidized glutathione and plasma total glutathione in healthy cats
Authors: Denzoin Laura A. , Franci Rodolfo J. , Tapia Maria O. , Soraci Alejandro L.
Published: March 2008

Glutathione is an important intracellular tripeptide with multiple functions. Abnormal glutathione metabolism is thought to play an important role in various diseases of cats. However, no data regarding concentration of plasma glutathione are available for domestic cats. This study discusses the development of a rapid, simple high pressure liquid chromatography method for measurement of reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSH) and total glutathione (GSHt) in plasma, for the purpose of establishing baseline data for future studies. The mean concentrations of GSH, GSSH and GSHt were 4.51±1 μM; 19.44±3.79 μM (expressed as GSH equivalent) and 23.59±3.89 μM, respectively. This is the first report of plasma glutathione concentrations in this species.
Splenic foreign body in a cat
Authors: Culp William T.N. , Aronson Lillian R.
Published: March 2008

An 8-year-old domestic shorthair cat was evaluated for a several day history of anorexia and vomiting. Abdominal distention was noted on physical examination and diagnostics including abdominal radiographs and abdominal ultrasound demonstrated the presence of free fluid in the peritoneal cavity. Septic peritonitis was diagnosed on cytologic evaluation of the peritoneal fluid. The cat was taken to surgery and a foreign body composed of plant material was found embedded within the spleen. A splenectomy was performed and both open and active peritoneal drainages were used to successfully treat this case.
Initial Loss of Productive Days and Income Among Women Seeking Induced Abortion in Cambodia
Authors: Potdar Rukmini , Fetters Tamara , Phirun Lam
Published: March 2008

The study describes the loss of productive time and income related to abortion care and care‐seeking among 110 women presenting at public and private sector abortion providers in Cambodia. Data were collected through women's exit interviews, and descriptive analysis was used to examine lost time and income against a number of explanatory variables, such as gestational age of pregnancy, type of abortion provider and facility, type of uterine evacuation procedure, number of health visits, and the woman's occupation. Results indicate that lost time and earnings increase with the number of visits to obtain the termination, gestational age, and selection of a private physician or non‐governmental organization clinic. Lost time and earnings also vary by the woman's type of employment. The study underscores the need for safer, accessible, and more affordable abortion services in order to ensure that these services are available for all women. Even in the Cambodian context, where abortion is unrestricted during the first trimester of pregnancy, the study findings show that the process of searching for and obtaining high‐quality abortion care was unnecessarily complicated and costly to women and their household members.
Personal Protection: Vicarious Liability as Applied to the Various Business Structures
Authors: Winrow Brian , Winrow Amanda R.
Published: March 2008

Within the field of midwifery, the issue of vicarious liability has become an emerging issue. The doctrine of respondeat superior imputes liability to an employer without direct negligence. While the issue of vicarious liability has been explored in the past, those studies were focused on the vicarious liability of certified nurse‐midwives/certified midwives (CNMs/CMs) for the negligence of their employees. This article explores the issue of vicarious liability under the doctrine of respondeat superior as applied within a practice consisting of two or more co‐owners. This issue is of heightened importance, because CNMs/CMs increasingly enter into ventures with other CNMs/CMs in order to pool their resources. Many CNMs/CMs unsuspectingly assume the risks for the malpractice of their colleagues. This increased risk can be minimized by forming their practice as a limited liability entity, thus avoiding personal liability for the malpractice of their co‐owner(s).
Reliability of a Perinatal Outcomes Measure: The Optimality Index–US
Authors: Seng Julia S. , Mugisha Emeline , Miller Janis M.
Published: March 2008

The Optimality Index–US, a recently developed perinatal clinimetric index, has been validated with both clinical and research databases. Documentation of the reliability of the instrument for medical record abstraction is needed. This paper reports outcomes of interrater reliability assessments conducted for two projects. Abstraction was supervised by the same investigator, but staffed by different coders who had a variety of qualifications (perinatal nurse, nurse‐midwife, clinical trial professional, student research assistants). Medical records were entirely paper at one site and partially electronic at another. Reliability (reproducibility) was assessed via percent agreement between pairs of coders on charts randomly selected for audits. Mean percentage agreement was 92.7% in both projects with a range from 89.1% to 97.8% in the first project, and a range from 88.5% to 96.2% in the second project. The sources of error differed between clinician and lay abstractors, but the number of errors did not differ. The average time per chart was assessed in the first project. Once proficiency was achieved, the average time needed to complete coding was 24 minutes, with some additional time needed for ordering paper charts. These analyses indicate that excellent reproducibility can be achieved with the Optimality Index–US.
Do Women Comply with Recommendations for Papanicolaou Smears Following Colposcopy? A Retrospective Study
Authors: Martin Jennifer Tirrell
Published: March 2008

The objective of this study was to determine compliance with follow‐up serial Papanicolaou smears after the completion of colposcopic examination and treatment as required in women with abnormal Papanicolaou smears. Following a retrospective chart review, data were selected from 103 charts of women who had undergone colposcopy. Patient compliance with the treatment plan was tracked for 18 months. Compliance was defined as having at least two cervical cancer screenings performed in the year and a half following colposcopy. Thirty‐two percent of the study population complied with the plan of care. Eighty‐six percent of those patients who had at least one Papanicolaou smear in the 18 months following colposcopy had no progression of dysplasia. Less than one‐third of the patients in this study population followed the recommendations given to them after their colposcopic examination and treatment. Health care providers will be aware of the low percentage of patient follow‐up as well as the importance of educating patients about prevention of cervical cancer and reducing risk of cervical dysplasia.