bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GAP‐43 heterozygous mice show delayed barrel patterning, differentiation of radial glia, and downregulation of GAP‐43
Authors: McIlvain Vera , McCasland James S.
Published: January 2006

GAP‐43 heterozygous (HZ) mice exhibit abnormal thalamocortical pathfinding, fasciculation, and terminal arborization at postnatal day 7 (P7). Here we tested whether these defects are correlated with delayed development of HZ cortical patterns. We assessed the rate of barrel segregation and radial glia differentiation in wild‐type (WT) and HZ cortices. Since GAP‐43 is involved in some forms of neural plasticity, we also compared the duration of the critical period for lesion‐induced plasticity in both genotypes. Cytochrome oxidase histochemistry revealed a delay of approximately 1 day in barrel pattern formation in GAP‐43 HZ mice. GAP‐43 WT barrels showed complete segregation between P2–P3, while HZ barrels did not reach the same level of segregation until P3–P4. We found a similar delay in the transformation of radial glia from monopolar to multipolar phenotypes, from P5 in WT to P7 in HZ cortex. Radial glial cells represent many of the neuronal progenitors in developing cortex and aid in cell migration. Thus, the delay in radial glial differentiation may contribute to the delay in HZ barrel segregation. Interestingly, we found no change in the extent of the critical period for HZ cortical responsiveness to early peripheral damage or in the time course of the cortical response. As expected, GAP‐43 expression in HZ cortex is significantly reduced early in development. However, HZ GAP‐43 expression remains at maximum levels after P9, when it is normally downregulated. As a result, HZ GAP‐43 expression is near‐normal by P26, by which time near‐normal barrel dimensions have been restored. Our findings indicate that GAP‐43 deficiency leads to early delays in barrel development and suggest that these failures are followed by homeostatic responses, including prolonged GAP‐43 expression. These compensatory mechanisms may rescue normal cortical reorganization in neonates and near‐normal barrel morphology and GAP‐43 expression in adulthood. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Membrangestützte Extraktion bei enzymatischen Reaktionen in Anwesenheit organischer Lösungsmittel
Authors: Pflieger C. , Becker M. , Beckmann D. , Frense D. , Hensel J. , Hornbogen T. , Lauckner G. , Lisicki D. , Zocher R.
Published: January 2006

Den vorgestellten Arbeiten liegt die Idee zugrunde, mit Hilfe einer Acetyltransferase, die kürzlich aus Taxus baccata isoliert werden konnte, Baccatin III kontinuierlich in einem Enzymreaktor herzustellen. Substrat der enzymatischen Umsatzreaktion ist das aus Eibenverschnitt gewonnene 10‐Deacetylbaccatin III. Ziel der Arbeiten ist die Ausbeutesteigerung und Kostenreduktion bei der Semisynthese von Paclitaxel, einem sehr wirksamen Cytostatika.
Relevanz eines informationstheoretischen Preprocessings bei der Prozessmodellierung mit Neuronalen Netzen
Authors: Machefer S. , Schnitzlein K.
Published: January 2006

Vorgestellt wird die Anwendung einer modernen Preprocessing‐Methodik zur simultanen Datenaufbereitung und Variablenselektion für die Prozessmodellierung mit Neuronalen Netzen. Durch Kombination statistischer Methoden mit Algorithmen der Informationstheorie nach dem Konzept der Entropie der Information kann die Informationsdichte des Modellinputs erhöht werden. Im Vergleich mit Modellen höherer Dimensionalität ergeben sich im vorliegenden Anwendungsbeispiel trotz einer dramatischen Verringerung von Datenzahl und Variablen keinerlei qualitative Einbußen. Das Verfahren bietet gegenüber einer Sensitivitätsanalyse deutliche Vorteile bezüglich Selektionseindeutigkeit und Schnelligkeit.
Widerstandsbeiwerte der mantelseitigen Ein‐ und Austrittsstutzen von Rohrbündelapparaten bei turbulenter Durchströmung
Authors: Gnielinski V.
Published: January 2006

Zur thermischen und hydraulischen Auslegung von Rohrbündel‐Wärmeübertragern ohne Umlenkeinrichtungen – mit einer nicht sehr großen Zahl von Rohren in der Praxis bei bestimmten Problemstellungen eingesetzt – sind die durch die Stutzen verursachten Druckverluste von Bedeutung. Widerstandsbeiwerte für die Ein‐ und Austrittsstutzen von Rohrbündelapparaten mit verschiedenen Anzahlen an Rohren unterschiedlicher Durchmesser und unterschiedlicher Anordnung im Bündel wurden daher in Abhängigkeit vom Stutzendurchmesser für zwei verschiedene Manteldurchmesser experimentell bestimmt.
An algorithm for the computation of the minimum distance of LDPC codes
Authors: Daneshgaran Fred , Laddomada Massimiliano , Mondin Marina
Published: January 2006

The evaluation of the minimum distance of low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) codes remains an open problem due to the rather large dimension of the parity check matrixHassociated with any practical code. In this article, we propose an effective modification of the error impulse (EI) technique for computation of the minimum distance of the LDPC codes. The EI method is successfully applied to sub‐optimum decoding algorithms such as the iterative MAP decoding algorithm for turbo codes. We present novel modifications and extensions of this method to the sub‐optimum iterative sum‐product algorithm for LDPC codes. The performance of LDPC codes may be limited by pseudo‐codewords. There are, however, cases when the LDPC decoder behaves as a maximum‐likelihood (ML) decoder. This is specially so for randomly constructed LDPC codes operating at medium to high SNR values. In such cases, estimation of the minimum distancedmusing the error‐impulse method can be useful to assess asymptotic performance. In short, apart from theoretical interest in achievabledm, the technique is useful in checking whether an LDPC code is poor by virtue of having a lowdm. But, if a code has a highdm, simulations would still be needed to assess real performance. Copyright © 2006 AEIT.
Effect of indigenous stone bunding (kab) on crop yield at Mesobit‐Gedeba, North Shoa, Ethiopia
Authors: Alemayehu M. , Yohannes F. , Dubale P.
Published: January 2006

Stone bunding (kab) is an age‐old local conservation practice at Mesobit‐Gedeba. This study was conducted to assess the effect of this indigenous practice on crop yield. We compared original ground slope, terrace width, and slope position of the terraced area. The effect of slope width and slope position were found significant (p < 0·05) for both grain and biomass yields of the terraced sites. The mean grain and biomass yields decreased as the original ground slope of the terraced site increased. Both grain and biomass yields decreased with the width of the inter‐terrace area. Significant differences (p < 0·05) in mean grain and biomass yields were observed between the three slope positions. They decreased as one moved up the slope within the inter‐terrace area. In general, the study indicated that indigenous stone bunding has a positive effect on sorghum yield. Future studies should address different locations and crops and ways of integrating indigenous stone bunding with the current conservation programmes of the region. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dynamics of landuse/cover changes and degradation of Nairobi City, Kenya
Authors: Mundia C. N. , Aniya M.
Published: January 2006

Landuse/cover in Nairobi City is changing rapidly because of the increased interactions of human activities with the environment as population increases. We used multi‐temporal Landsat images (1976, 1988 and 2000) together with physical and socio‐economic data in a post‐classification analysis with GIS to map landuse/cover distribution and to analyse factors influencing the landuse/cover changes for Nairobi City. An unsupervised classification approach, which uses a minimum spectral distance to assign pixels to clusters, was used with the overall accuracy ranging from 87 per cent to 90 per cent. Landuse/cover statistics revealed that substantial landuse/cover changes have taken place and that the built‐up areas have expanded by about 47 km2over the study period (1976–2000). Forests have decreased substantially while agricultural lands have been on the increase. Rapid economic developments together with the increasing population were noted to be the major factors influencing rapid landuse/cover changes.

Urban expansion has replaced agricultural farmlands and other natural vegetation, thereby affecting habitat quality and leading to serious environmental degradation. The random, unplanned growths of environmentally degraded squatter settlements were noted to be emerging in the rural fringes. Successful planning of Nairobi's development will require reliable information about landuse/cover changes and factors influencing such changes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sexual health care in persons with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Servais Laurent
Published: January 2006

In the past, preventive health concerning sexuality of people with intellectual disabilities was addressed through surgical sterilization as part of nationwide eugenic programs in many countries. For more than 30 years now, it has come progressively to light in the scientific literature that, besides major ethical and legal problems, these programs also failed to assess many of the individual's needs in sexual health. The fact that an increasing number of people with intellectual disabilities live in the community rather than in institutions has heightened public awareness that these individuals have sexual expectancies, desires, and needs that must be supported through both education and health services. The emergence of AIDS, including descriptions of cases among people with intellectual disabilities, has further demonstrated that surgical sterilization cannot be considered a global option to achieve preventive sexual health. The aim of this paper is to review scientific studies that have assessed the expectancies and support needs of persons with intellectual disabilities in terms of sexual health. These needs vary widely from one individual to another, according to life milieu, level of disability, and potential comorbidity. From this review, it appears that hygiene management, global gynecological care, and prevention of unplanned pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and abuse have been frequently identified as areas in which the presence of intellectual disability dictates specific support needs. Different approaches that have been evaluated to address these issues will also be discussed. MRDD Research Reviews 2006;12:48–56. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cardiovascular disease prevalence and risk factors of persons with mental retardation
Authors: Draheim Christopher C.
Published: January 2006

This paper reviews the recent literature on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence, CVD‐related mortality, physiological CVD risk factors, and behavioral CVD risk factors in adults with mental retardation (MR). The literature on the potential influences of modifiable behavioral CVD risk factors and the physiological CVD risk factors are also reviewed. Adults with mild to moderate MR residing in community settings appear to have an elevated disease prevalence, elevated CVD‐related mortality, more adverse physiological CVD risk factors, and elevated behavioral risk compared to others with and without MR. Preliminary evidence supports the benefits of participating in the recommended physical activity levels and consuming the recommended diets to reduce the risk for CVD. The lack of large‐scale longitudinal or experimental research indicates a gap in the research. The development of research‐based, appropriate, primary prevention programs and intervention strategies aimed at lowering the risk for CVD is highly recommended. Programs should focus on educating individuals with MR along with direct care providers and family members on the importance of appropriate dietary concepts, physical activity habits, and regular health screenings by physicians. Programs should be individualized to regional and cultural issues. MRDD Research Reviews 2006;12:3–12. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence of maltreatment of people with intellectual disabilities: A review of recently published research
Authors: Horner‐Johnson Willi , Drum Charles E.
Published: January 2006

Maltreatment can have a profound adverse effect on the health of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). People with ID may also be more likely to experience maltreatment than other groups. Historically, data on prevalence of maltreatment among people with ID have been sparse and methodologically weak but have suggested that the scope of the problem is considerable. Studies published between 1995 and 2005 were reviewed to determine estimated maltreatment prevalence among people with ID based on recent literature. Prevalence estimates for people with ID were compared to estimates for people with no disabilities and people with other types of disabilities. Only five studies provided maltreatment prevalence estimates for people with ID. The limited data suggest that maltreatment is more prevalent for people with ID than for people with no disabilities and may be higher for people with ID than for people with certain other disabilities. Most of the available research is still based on convenience samples. More population‐level data are needed to provide reliable estimates of the prevalence of this important health problem. MRDD Research Reviews 2006;12:57–69. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinicopathological phenotype of ALS with a novel G72C SOD1 gene mutation mimicking a myopathy
Authors: Stewart H.G. , Mackenzie I.R. , Eisen A. , Brännström T. , Marklund S.L. , Andersen P.M.
Published: January 2006

A 71‐year‐old woman with a family history of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) was investigated for symmetrical, proximal limb and abdominal muscle weakness. Initial examination showed mild proximal muscle weakness in the arms and legs, slightly elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) level, and normal electromyographic (EMG) findings. A myopathy was the presumed diagnosis. Over the next year, weakness became severe and tendon reflexes became unelicitable; no upper motor signs were present. EMG then showed acute and chronic denervation and a muscle biopsy showed target fibers and grouped atrophy. DNA analysis revealed a G72C CuZn‐superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mutation. Fasciculations were absent throughout the disease. The patient died 53 months after symptom onset and autopsy revealed loss of lower motor neurons (LMN) and SOD1‐positive inclusions. This case expands the phenotypic spectrum of ALS associated with SOD1 mutations to include presenting features that mimic a myopathy. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Mechanomyographic and electromyographic responses to eccentric muscle contractions
Authors: Coburn Jared W. , Housh Terry J. , Malek Moh H. , Weir Joseph P. , Cramer Joel T. , Beck Travis W. , Johnson Glen O.
Published: January 2006

Little is known regarding the modulation of torque during eccentric muscle actions. Mechanomyographic (MMG) and electromyographic (EMG) signals have been used to examine motor control strategies. The purpose of this study was to examine the MMG and EMG amplitude and frequency in relation to torque during eccentric muscle contractions. Eight women performed eccentric leg extension muscle contractions at 10–100% of peak torque (PT). A piezoelectric crystal contact sensor and bipolar surface electrodes were placed on the vastus medialis to detect the MMG and EMG signals. Polynomial regression analyses indicated that EMG amplitude (r2= 0.994) and MMG wavelet center frequency (CF) (r2= 0.846) increased linearly to 100% eccentric PT, whereas there were no significant relationships for EMG wavelet CF or MMG amplitude and eccentric torque. These results suggested that eccentric torque is primarily modulated through changes in motor unit firing rate. Muscle Nerve, 2006
Topotecan by 21‐day continuous infusion in children with relapsed or refractory solid tumors: A Children's Oncology Group study
Authors: Hawkins Douglas S. , Bradfield Scott , Whitlock James A. , Krailo Mark , Franklin Janet , Blaney Susan M. , Adamson Peter C. , Reaman Gregory
Published: January 2006

Purpose

The Children's Oncology Group conducted a phase II trial of 21‐day continuous infusion topotecan to determine the response rate in pediatric patients with recurrent or refractory malignant solid tumors.

Procedure

Patients with Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT), osteosarcoma (OS), soft tissue sarcomas (STS), medulloblastoma (MB)/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), astrocytoma, or neuroblastoma (NB) recurrent or refractory to conventional therapy, measurable disease, and adequate organ function were treated with topotecan 0.3 mg/m2/day by continuous intravenous infusion for 21 consecutive days, followed by 7 days without therapy prior to response assessment.

Results

Fifty‐five patients were enrolled; two were ineligible, two were removed from protocol therapy prior to evaluation for response, and one was inevaluable for response, leaving 53 and 50 patients evaluable for toxicity and response, respectively. Objective responses were seen in 2/20 patients with ESFT (both partial responses, 4 and 19 courses), 0/10 OS patients, and 0/12 STS patients. There were insufficient patients enrolled to determine the response rate for the MB/PNET, astrocytoma, and NB strata. The most common Grade 3 or 4 toxicities during the first course of therapy were thrombocytopenia (12/53), neutropenia (8/53), and fatigue (7/53).

Conclusion

Intravenous topotecan by 21‐day continuous infusion is tolerable in pediatric patients with recurrent or refractory solid tumors. Limited activity was seen in ESFT and further development of this topotecan schedule as a single agent is not warranted. Pediatric Blood Cancer 2006;47:790–794. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rough set‐based proteochemometrics modeling of G‐protein‐coupled receptor‐ligand interactions
Authors: Strömbergsson Helena , Prusis Peteris , Midelfart Herman , Lapinsh Maris , Wikberg Jarl E.S. , Komorowski Jan
Published: January 2006

G‐Protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are among the most important drug targets. Because of a shortage of 3D crystal structures, most of the drug design for GPCRs has been ligand‐based. We propose a novel, rough set‐based proteochemometric approach to the study of receptor and ligand recognition. The approach is validated on three datasets containing GPCRs. In proteochemometrics, properties of receptors and ligands are used in conjunction and modeled to predict binding affinity. The rough set (RS) rule‐based models presented herein consist of minimal decision rules that associate properties of receptors and ligands with high or low binding affinity. The information provided by the rules is then used to develop a mechanistic interpretation of interactions between the ligands and receptors included in the datasets. The first two datasets contained descriptors of melanocortin receptors and peptide ligands. The third set contained descriptors of adrenergic receptors and ligands. All the rule models induced from these datasets have a high predictive quality. An example of a decision rule is “IfR1_ligand(Ethyl)andTM helix 2 position 27(Methionine)thenBinding(High).” The easily interpretable rule sets are able to identify determinative receptor and ligand parts. For instance, all three models suggest that transmembrane helix 2 is determinative for high and low binding affinity. RS models show that it is possible to use rule‐based models to predict ligand‐binding affinities. The models may be used to gain a deeper biological understanding of the combinatorial nature of receptor‐ligand interactions. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Terminal‐group effects on the folding behavior of selected beta‐peptides
Authors: Gee Peter J. , van Gunsteren Wilfred F.
Published: January 2006

It has been suggested that the stability of a beta‐peptide helical fold is affected by the interplay between the electrical charge of terminal groups and the dipole due to the helical conformation, the so‐called charge‐dipole stabilization; the numerical simulations presented herein test that suggestion. The motions of two beta‐peptide oligomers, each of which has been shown by NMR spectroscopy to fold into a different helical conformation, have been simulated. The simulated motions bear out empirical observations as to the effect of chemical protection of terminal groups on the stability of beta‐peptide helical folds and they support the hypothesis of charge‐dipole stabilization. Proteins 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A glass‐like state in K4LiH3(SO4)4 crystal
Authors: Wiesner M. , Tylczyński Z. , Mróz B.
Published: January 2006

Results of a dielectric study of one‐component single crystal K4LiH3(SO4)4 (KLHS) indicate the existence of a glass‐like state as a result of competing interactions between two types of hydrogen bonds. Thee calculated activation energy is similar to that reported for other proton glass crystals and the temperature dependence of the order parameter, obtained from the cluster theory, has confirmed the glassy behaviour of the KLHS. A directional dependence of the glass‐like behaviour has been studied showing that in the temperature range 18–100 K the glassy state exists only in the [100] direction. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Reliability and Availability of Pod Propulsion Systems
Authors: Aksu Serap , Aksu Seref , Turan Osman
Published: January 2006

The application of pod propulsion in a number of vessel types has been increasing steadily over the last two decades. This increase is attributed to the great advantages being offered by pod propulsion systems such as high manoeuvring capability, low noise and vibration, low fuel consumption, etc. Despite these advantages, operators are cautious due to the encountered teething problems, especially in the very competitive passenger ship market, where reliability and the maintainability of the service are crucial. This paper presents a reliability assessment methodology and its application to a combined four‐pod propulsion system on a vessel equipped with two fixed‐ and two rotating‐pod units. The assessment methodology made use of Failure Mode and Effect Analysis, Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Markov Analysis complementarily. In the FTA, minimal cut set, reliability importance measure and availability analyses were also considered. From the quantitative reliability assessment, the calculated reliabilities of each fixed‐ and rotating‐pod unit, their components' reliabilities as well as the reliability of the combined four‐pod propulsion system showed good agreement with the acceptable reliability criteria suggested by the pod manufacturers/operators based on the service experience. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ab initio modeling of reaction of primary aliphatic diamines with CS2 in alkaline medium
Authors: Irgibaeva I. S.
Published: January 2006

Synthesis of bis‐derivatives of dithiocarbamatic structures was carried out with the use of some initial primary diamines in interactiing with carbon bisulfide (CS2) in the alkaline medium. Thus, the observance of various temperature modes results in different reaction products. In the present work, quantum chemical calculation was performed by the density functional theory (DFT) method in approximating B3LYP with the basic set LanL2DZ of modeling systems C2H4(NH2)2 + 2CS2 + 2KOH and C2H4(NH2)2 + CS2 + 2CH3COOH. As a result of the calculations, it has been established that ethylenediamine (EDA) does not interact directly with carbon bisulfide. This interaction occurs in the first case with two molecules of CS2 after the formation of an intermediate particle (chelating complex between bidentate ligands ethylenediamine with two molecules of potassium hydroxide, which promotes a separation of a proton from an amino group) and in the second case with one molecule of CS2 with rising of temperature, corresponding to the cis‐isomer EDA and its complexation with two molecules of an acetic acid. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Quantum Chem, 2006
Theoretical studies of the hydrolysis reaction of 5′‐AMP
Authors: Zhang Aihua , Li Lan , Sun Shujuan , Li Zonghe
Published: January 2006

The hydrolysis reaction mechanisms of the phosphate group, with and without an adenosine connected to it, have been theoretically investigated at the B3LYP/6‐31G** level. It is found that each reaction is single‐channel with a two‐step process. When H2O approaches the phosphate group, a penta‐coordinated intermediate (IM1‐a) is formed first, followed by the H transfer reaction with PO broken at the same time. This process belongs to the addition‐elimination process, similar to the carboxylate. In addition, the solvent effect has been studied by the polarizable continuum model (PCM). Our present calculations have rationalized and verified all the possible reaction channels. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
Periodane—An unexpectedly stable molecule of unique composition
Authors: Krüger Thomas
Published: January 2006

Structure, bonding characteristics, and reaction energies as well as optical, vibrational, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) properties of the hitherto unknown molecule LiBeBCNOF, called periodane, have been calculated by quantum chemical methods. It can be shown that periodane is stable enough to be produced and identified experimentally. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2006
TOF‐SIMS studies of yttria‐stabilised zirconia
Authors: Hansen Karin Vels , Norrman Kion , Mogensen Mogens
Published: January 2006

The surface of an as‐polished and an as‐sintered yttria‐stabilised zirconia pellet was analysed with XPS and TOF‐SIMS (depth profiling and imaging) in order to study the distribution of impurities. The polished sample was slightly contaminated with Na, K, Mg and Ca. The sintered sample showed a thin surface film of segregated species, especially Na, Si and Al. Below the surface film, it was found that the grain boundaries were filled with impurities. The chemical compositions of the as‐polished and as‐sintered surfaces are very different and the surface state should be considered when performing electrochemical measurements. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modelling competing risks in cancer studies
Authors: Klein John P.
Published: January 2006

Competing risks arise commonly in the analysis of cancer studies. Most common are the competing risks of relapse and death in remission. These two risks are the primary reason that patients fail treatment. In most medical papers the effects of covariates on the three outcomes (relapse, death in remission and treatment failure) are model by distinct proportional hazards regression models. Since the hazards of relapse and death in remission must add to that of treatment failure, we argue that this model leads to internal inconsistencies. We argue that additive models for either the hazard rates or the cumulative incidence functions are more natural and that these models properly partition the effect of a covariate on treatment failure into its component parts. We illustrate the use and interpretation of additive models for the hazard rate or for the cumulative incidence function using data from a study of the efficacy of two preparative regimes for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spermidine inhibits transient and stable ribosome subunit dissociation
Authors: Umekage So , Ueda Takuya
Published: January 2006

Recent light‐scattering experiments and sucrose density gradient centrifugational analyses suggested that the 70S ribosome undergoes RRF‐ and EF‐G‐triggered transient subunit dissociation that is followed by IF3‐induced stable dissociation. However, the experimental conditions did not include the ubiquitous cellular polyamine spermidine, which is required for efficient translation. We found that when spermidine was present, the transient dissociation was inhibited. Moreover, the published experiments used ribosome concentrations that were far lower than the physiological concentration. We found that when spermidine and higher ribosome concentrations were included in the experimental conditions, only very limited stable subunit dissociation was observed. These results suggest that neither transient nor stable dissociation occurs under physiological conditions applied here.
Functional impacts of non‐synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms: Selective constraint and structural environments
Authors: Bao Lei , Cui Yan
Published: January 2006

In this work, we studied the correlations between selective constraint, structural environments and functional impacts of non‐synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs). We found that the relation between solvent accessibility and functional impacts of nsSNPs is not as simple as generally thought. Finer structural classifications need to be taken into account to reveal the complex relations between the characteristics of a structure environment and its influence on the functional impacts of nsSNPs. We introduced two parameters for each structural environment, consensus residue percentage and residue distribution distance, to characterize the selective constraint imposed by the environment. Both parameters significantly correlate with the functional bias of nsSNPs across the structural environments. This result shows that selective constraint underlies the bias of a structural environment towards a certain type of nsSNPs (disease‐associated or benign).
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor‐deficient mice are resistant to ovariectomy‐induced bone loss
Authors: Oshima Shigeki , Onodera Shin , Amizuka Norio , Li Minqi , Irie Kazuharu , Watanabe Satoshi , Koyama Yoshikazu , Nishihira Jun , Yasuda Kazunori , Minami Akio
Published: January 2006

A link between macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and estrogen has recently emerged. We examined the involvement of MIF in osteoporotic changes in bone after ovariectomy (OVX), and revealed that MIF‐deficient mice (MIF‐KO) were completely protected from this phenomenon. The increase in osteoclast number per bone surface and serum IL‐1β levels, which were observed in wild‐type mice after OVX, did not occur in MIF KO. Our data suggest that MIF plays an important role in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis, and could be a novel target for the treatment of this disease.
Proteome analysis of rat liver mitochondria reveals a possible compensatory response to endotoxic shock
Authors: Miller Ingrid , Gemeiner Manfred , Gesslbauer Bernd , Kungl Andreas , Piskernik Christina , Haindl Susanne , Nürnberger Silvia , Bahrami Soheyl , Redl Heinz , Kozlov Andrey V.
Published: January 2006

Organ failure induced by endotoxic shock has recently been associated with affected mitochondrial function. In this study, effects of in vivo lipopolysaccharide‐challenge on protein patterns of rat liver mitochondria in treated animals versus controls were studied by two‐dimensional electrophoresis (differential image gel electrophoresis). Significant upregulation was found for ATP‐synthase α chain and superoxide dismutase [Mn]. Our data suggest that endotoxic shock mediated changes in the mitochondrial proteome contribute to a compensatory reaction (adaptation to endotoxic shock) rather than to a mechanism of cell damage.
The Manchester operation for uterine prolapse
Authors: Ayhan A. , Esin S. , Guven S. , Salman C. , Ozyuncu O.
Published: January 2006

Objective

To evaluate the clinical characteristics, complications, and satisfaction scores of patients who underwent the Manchester operation.

Methods

This retrospective observational study evaluated data from 204 women who underwent the Manchester operation at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, from January 1985 to April 2004.

Results

Mean age was 34.68 ± 4.24 years and parity 2.47 ± 0.96; 85.8% of the patients were premenopausal; 176 patients (86.28%) had grade 3 and 28 (13.72%) had grade 2 uterine prolapse; 95.1% of the patients had associated cystoceles and 51.3% had associated rectoceles; and 81.4% had urinary incontinence. Regarding early postoperative complications, 27 patients (13.23%) had febrile morbidity; retroperitoneal hematoma occurred in 1 patient (0.49%); urinary retention occurred in 45 patients (22.05%), and cervical stenosis occurred in 23 patients (11.27%). At 1 year, 1 patient had undergone abdominal hysterectomy because of unsuccessful cervical dilatation; and a mean of 3.6 years following the operation, 8 patients (3.9%) had undergone the tension‐free vaginal tape procedure plus a vaginal hysterectomy for recurrent stress urinary incontinence and uterine prolapse. The mean satisfaction/acceptance score for the operation was 8.52 ± 2.13 (range, 2–10).

Conclusion

A high degree of acceptance/satisfaction and a low morbidity rate show the Manchester operation to be a good option for the treatment of uterine prolapse in women who wish to keep their uterus.
Abrupt climate change: An alternative view
Authors: Wunsch Carl
Published: January 2006

Hypotheses and inferences concerning the nature of abrupt climate change, exemplified by the Dansgaard–Oeschger (D–O) events, are reviewed. There is little concrete evidence that these events are more than a regional Greenland phenomenon. The partial coherence of ice core δ18O and CH4 is a possible exception. Claims, however, of D–O presence in most remote locations cannot be distinguished from the hypothesis that many regions are just exhibiting temporal variability in climate proxies with approximately similar frequency content. Further suggestions that D–O events in Greenland are generated by shifts in the North Atlantic ocean circulation seem highly implausible, given the weak contribution of the high latitude ocean to the meridional flux of heat. A more likely scenario is that changes in the ocean circulation are a consequence of wind shifts. The disappearance of D–O events in the Holocene coincides with the disappearance also of the Laurentide and Fennoscandian ice sheets. It is thus suggested that D–O events are a consequence of interactions of the windfield with the continental ice sheets and that better understanding of the wind field in the glacial periods is the highest priority. Wind fields are capable of great volatility and very rapid global-scale teleconnections, and they are efficient generators of oceanic circulation changes and (more speculatively) of multiple states relative to great ice sheets. Connection of D–O events to the possibility of modern abrupt climate change rests on a very weak chain of assumptions.
Judicialising and (de) Criminalising Domestic Violence in Latin America
Authors: Macaulay Fiona
Published: January 2006

This article analyses the specific ways in which Latin American countries have judicialised domestic violence over the last decade. In particular, it highlights the new definitions of spousal abuse and procedures adopted in both criminal and non-criminal courts. The region has seen two countervailing tendencies, the first to criminalise, through penal code definitions and higher penalties, the second to divert this offence into legal arenas that tend, either implicitly or explicitly, towards effective decriminalisation and downgrading of this form of social violence due to their emphasis on conciliation and transactional procedures. This has resulted, in many cases, in a two-track, hybridised treatment of domestic violence that is ultimately unsatisfactory in meeting the various needs of women victims.
Reflections on Sweden's Measures against Men's Violence against Women
Authors: Leander Karen
Published: January 2006

The major reform package adopted by the Swedish Government in the late 1990s to counteract men's violence against women has now been evaluated seven years on. The original reform included legislative changes, as well as assignments to public authorities with an emphasis on improving encounters between abused women and representatives of the various authorities. The evaluation inquiry has identified pervasive shortcomings in the implementation of the reform package. Areas of special concern include the low priority given to the issue and the lack of guidelines, of continuity, of adequate resources, and, not least, of a ‘shared perspective’ on the causes and impact of men's violence against women. Future discussions and efforts will also be informed by, yet another, and slightly more recent government commissioned report on gender equality that includes an extensive discussion about men's violence against women and advocates a more eclectic approach than advocated by the evaluation inquiry.
Watching Over the Rights of Women
Authors: Jones Helen , Wachala Kas
Published: January 2006

This article examines the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) to critically consider its effectiveness as a bill of rights for women. After having discussed the need for such a convention for women it examines the vital role that non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play in the implementation of the Convention. As of March 2005, 180 countries – 90 per cent of the members of the United Nations – were party to this Convention. However, the document is one of the most highly reserved international human rights instruments and although many nations have ratified the Convention they have done so conditionally. Despite these reservations, women's NGOs have used CEDAW as a powerful tool to effect change. Yet, whilst CEDAW has been heralded as a significant step in the development of international human rights, women across the globe still suffer abuse because they are women. There is a need therefore to suggest ways forward in order to ensure the improvement of human rights for women.
Antibiotika in der Schwangerschaft
Authors: Leitich
Published: January 2006

Antibiotika zählen zu den häufigen, in der Schwangerschaft eingenommenen Medikamenten. Je nach Wirkstoff können Antibiotika entweder gefahrlos eingenommen werden oder aber auch zu schweren mütterlichen und kindlichen Nebenwirkungen führen. Daraus folgt, dass neben der gezielten Indikationsstellung, die für alle Medikamente in der Schwangerschaft gilt, Wissen über das unterschiedliche Risikopotential der einzelnen Wirkstoffe bzw. Wirkstoffgruppen erforderlich ist. Dieser Artikel ist eine Übersicht über die wichtigsten Antibiotika und deren Risikopotential in der Schwangerschaft, wobei zur Beurteilung der Sicherheit der Wirkstoffe die Klassifikation der U.S. Food and Drug Administration verwendet wird. Obwohl einige Wirkstoffe in der Schwangerschaft kontraindiziert sind, steht zur Behandlung bakterieller Infektionen eine gute Auswahl von sicheren Antibiotika zur Verfügung, wobei Beta-Lactam-Antibiotika – soweit wie möglich – die erste Wahl darstellen. Bei der Auswahl von Wirkstoffen innerhalb einer Wirkstoffgruppe sollten eher ältere Wirkstoffe bevorzugt werden, soweit dies vom Wirkungs- und Nebenwirkungsprofil vertretbar ist, weil durch den längeren Beobachtungszeitraum eine bessere Risikoabschätzung möglich ist.
Supplementation with Tomato-Based Products Increases Lycopene, Phytofluene, and Phytoene Levels in Human Serum and Protects Against UV-light-induced Erythema
Authors: Aust Olivier , Stahl Wilhelm , Sies Helmut , Tronnier Hagen , Heinrich Ulrike
Published: January 2006

Carotenoids are suitable photoprotectants, and β-carotene supplements are used for protection against ultraviolet (UV) light-induced erythema. Protective effects are also observed when carotenoids are provided with the diet. Here, we investigated the photoprotective effects of synthetic lycopene in comparison with a tomato extract (Lyc-o-Mato®) and a drink containing solubilized Lyc-o-Mato® (Lyc-o-Guard-Drink). With these different sources, the volunteers ingested similar amounts of lycopene (about 10 mg/day). After 12 weeks of supplementation, significant increases in lycopene serum levels and total skin carotenoids were observed in all groups. Significant increases in the serum levels of phytofluene and phytoene occurred in the Lyc-o-Mato and the Lyc-o-Guard-Drink group. At weeks 0, 4, and 12 an erythema was induced with a solar light simulator. Dorsal skin of each subject was irradiated with 1.25 minimal erythemal dose (MED). Reddening of the skin was evaluated before and 24 hours after irradiation by chromametry and expressed as positive a-values (red/green-axis). Δ a-values (difference of a-value before irradiation and after 24 hours) were used as an index of erythema intensity. A decrease in the Δ a-value from week 0 to week 12, indicating prevention of erythema formation, was observed in all groups. Compared to week 0, the Δ a-value at week 12 was 25% lower in the synthetic lycopene group. The protective effect was more pronounced in the Lyc-o-Mato (38%) and Lyc-o-Guard-Drink (48%) groups. In the two latter groups, phytofluene and phytoene may have contributed to protection. Both of these carotenoids exhibit absorption maxima at wavelengths of UV light. Absorption of UV light protects skin from photodamage and might explain the differences observed between groups.
Treatment of therapy-refractive ulcera cruris of various origins with autologous keratinocytes in fibrin sealant
Authors: Johnsen  , Ermuth  , Tanczos  , Bannasch  , Horch  , Zschocke  , Peschen  , Schöpf  , Vanscheidt  , Augustin
Published: January 2006

Background: Evaluation of the effects of cultivated, subconfluent, autologous keratinocytes in fibrin sealant (BioSeed®-S) on the healing of therapy-refractive chronic wounds. Patients and methods: Open observational study in 60 patients with chronic leg ulcers and impaired wound healing of various origins. After whole-skin excision and cultivation of the autologous keratinocytes, the suspended cells were applied to the preconditioned wound in fibrin sealant. Wound epithelization and wound size were recorded at defined times. Results: Fifty-two of the 60 participating patients could be evaluated. After 6 weeks, 29 ulcers (55.8%) were healed. The mean epithelization increased between the 8th and 42nd postoperative day from 23% to 62.5%. In 50.0% of the patients, global assessment of the wound showed a high degree of epithelization or healing after 42 days. In 32.6 % of treated patients, improvement was observed, while no healing tendency was to be found in 17.4%. Conclusion: The present observational study indicates that the transplantation of autologous keratinocytes suspended in fibrin sealant could be of advantage in the treatment of refractive leg ulcers.
Endotension – a late complication successfully treated by open repair
Authors: Papavasssiliou  , Sayers  , Fishwick  , Vorou  , Bell  , Thompson
Published: January 2006

Endotension is a late complication following endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). A 83-year-old male had a successful endovascular repair of a 5.6 cm diameter AAA. During the follow-up period it was marked that the aneurysm continued to increase in size, became 6.6 cm maximal diameter and pulsatile with no evidence of endoleak. On laparotomy no endoleak was identified and the graft was left in situ. Postoperatively and on follow-up the patient remains asymptomatic while the aneurysm continued to appear shrunk.
A Tale of Two Colons and Two Cancers
Authors: Gervaz  , Bühler  , Scheiwiller  , Morel
Published: January 2006

The central hypothesis explored in this paper is that colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease. The initial clue to this heterogeneity was provided by genetic findings; however, embryological and physiological data had previously been gathered, showing that proximal (in relation to the splenic flexure) and distal parts of the colon represent distinct entities. Molecular biologists have identified two distinct pathways, microsatellite instability (MSI) and chromosomal instability (CIN), which are involved in CRC progression. In summary, there may be not one, but two colons and two types of colorectal carcinogenesis, with distinct clinical outcome. The implications for the clinicians are two-folds; 1) tumors originating from the proximal colon have a better prognosis due to a high percentage of MSI-positive lesions; and 2) location of the neoplasm in reference to the splenic flexure should be documented before group stratification in future trials of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage II and III colon cancer.
Antezedente Effektrepräsentationen in der Verhaltenssteuerung
Authors: Kunde Wilfried
Published: January 2006

Zusammenfassung. Im Allgemeinen führen wir motorische Aktivitäten aus, ohne darüber nachzudenken, durch welche mentalen Zustände wir unseren Körper willentlich in Bewegung versetzen. Was sind dies für Zustände? Sowohl klassische als auch moderne Formulierungen der ideo-motorischen Hypothese nehmen an, dass es sich um Vorstellungen der sensorischen Effekte der auszuführenden Bewegungen handelt. Der Artikel gibt einen Überblick über den Stand der Forschung zu dieser Annahme. Neben Belegen dafür, dass die Wahrnehmung von Effekten zur Aktivierung der sie verursachenden Bewegungen führt (Induktion), wird schwerpunktmäßig Evidenz dafür vorgestellt, dass Willkürbewegungen tatsächlich eine endogene Aktivierung von Effektrepräsentationen (Antizipation) vorausgeht. Diese Arbeiten erlauben es, eine Reihe von Eigenschaften antizipativer Effektrepräsentationen in der Bewegungssteuerung zu isolieren. Die Gesamtheit der Befunde untermauert die Annahme, dass Repräsentationen sensorischer Effekte unumgängliche Antezedenzien willkürlicher Bewegungen sind. Ein Verständnis willkürlichen Verhaltens wird daher ohne die Untersuchung derartiger Effektrepräsentationen nicht möglich sein.
Die Entwicklung der Leistungsmotivation im Vorschulalter
Authors: Holodynski Manfred
Published: January 2006

Zusammenfassung. Die experimentelle Studie prüft die Annahmen zweier Entwicklungsmodelle leistungsmotivierten Handelns im Vorschulalter. Nach dem Entwicklungsmodell von Stipek soll leistungsmotiviertes Handeln bereits im Vorschulalter soweit internalisiert sein, dass Stolz und Scham als dessen Indikatoren auch unabhängig von der Anwesenheit und sozialen Bewertung wertgeschätzter Anderer auftreten können. Demgegenüber soll nach dem Entwicklungsmodell von Holodynski die Anwesenheit Anderer als leibhaftige Repräsentanten von Leistungsmaßstäben noch erforderlich sein, um bei Vorschulkindern leistungsmotiviertes Handeln hervorzurufen. Je 19 Jungen und Mädchen im Alter von 42 bis 81 Monaten bearbeiteten Puzzleaufgaben in Anwesenheit eines Erwachsenen (Sozialbedingung) und allein (Alleinbedingung). Zusätzlich wurden ihre leistungsthematischen Vorerfahrungen in einer vorauslaufenden Intervention (wertschätzend-erfolgsorientiertes vs. neutral-misserfolgsorientiertes Erwachsenenverhalten) gezielt variiert. Die Kinder zeigten nur in einer Sozialbedingung Stolz bzw. Scham, d.h. leistungsmotiviertes Handeln. Sie waren dort auch erheblich ausdauernder und tolerierten mehr Misserfolge als in einer Alleinbedingung, wobei diese Effekte vom Ausmaß erlebter Wertschätzung in den Interventionsgruppen positiv moderiert wurden.