bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Resources Management in the Public Sector
Authors: Gowing Marilyn K. , Lindholm Mary Lou
Published: October 2002

This is the lead article for a special issue on “Human Resources Management in the Public Sector.”

The article describes how the special issue came about and presents a number of governmental initiatives

spearheaded by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, corporate HR for the federal government. This issue also

showcases one state and one municipal government with award‐winning HR departments. The special issue

highlights the empirical research supporting government competency models, innovative assessments, and surveys of

organizational culture and customer satisfaction. With nearly two million civilian employees, the federal

government is the largest employer in the country. This is a success story! © 2002 Wiley Periodicals,

Inc.
A common language for classifying and describing occupations: The development, structure, and application of the standard occupational classification
Authors: Pollack Leslie J. , Simons Craig , Romero Henry , Hausser Doris
Published: October 2002

Today's technology‐driven global economy forces job seekers, employees, human resources
professionals, and managers to work smarter and faster to take advantage of a changing labor market. A common
language for describing job titles and task/competency‐based occupational clusters will facilitate
crucial information sharing critical to meeting today's HR challenges. The Standard Occupational
Classification (SOC) captures the current occupational structure, and can be used by the public and
private sectors to share information on all types of jobs. This article discusses the development and applications
of the new SOC that will help job seekers, employees, human resources professionals, and management. © 2002
Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Human resources initiatives support Virginia Beach's transformation to a quality service system
Authors: Stackhouse Fagan D.
Published: October 2002

This article provides an overview of the evolution of the Virginia Beach Quality Service system and describes

how human resources' initiatives integrate into the citywide strategy. The city's strategy supports the

Virginia Beach City Council's “Destination Points” that are linked to the six city businesses

and common resources areas. The six businesses and common resource areas have associated outcomes with plans of

action and milestones to document results. Virginia Beach, the largest city in Virginia with a population of

approximately 435,000, received the U.S. Senate Productivity and Quality Award for Virginia in 1999. © 2002

Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A novel gene, NMES1, downregulated in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhou Jin , Wang Huixin , Lu Ailing , Hu Gengxi , Luo Aiping , Ding Fang , Zhang Jian , Wang Xiuqin , Wu Min , Liu Zhihua
Published: October 2002

To isolate genes with different expression levels in human esophageal SCC, SSH and reverse Northern were performed between cancer tissue and its normal counterpart. Among the differentially expressed genes identified, we report here cDNA corresponding to a 0.88 kb mRNA (NMES1), whose expression was observed in all 36 adjacent normal esophageal mucosae, while 31 (86%) matched cancer tissues showed a marked reduction or complete lack of its expression. Sequence analysis of its full‐length cDNA revealed a gene encoding a predicted polypeptide of 9 kDa. Northern blot showed that NMES1 was distributed mainly in the alimentary tract. The gene was mapped to 15q21.1 by screening the GenBridge 4 RH panel. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the downregulation of NMES1 in esophageal SCC at the protein level and showed that it is a nuclear protein. In situ hybridization revealed its different expression during mouse embryonic development, especially in bone, brain, stomach and intestine. The negative correlation of NMES1 expression with esophageal oncogenesis suggests its suppressive role in tumorigenesis of the esophagus, while the precise function of NMES1 still needs further investigation. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Phenylbutyrate inhibits the invasive properties of prostate and breast cancer cell lines in the sea urchin embryo basement membrane invasion assay
Authors: Dyer Erica S. , Paulsen Michelle T. , Markwart Sonja M. , Goh Meidee , Livant Donna L. , Ljungman Mats
Published: October 2002

Histone deacetylase inhibitors, such as phenylbutyrate, are currently undergoing clinical trials as potential anticancer agents. Phenylbutyrate can induce cell differentiation and apoptosis in a number of cancer cell types and can act in synergy with ionizing radiation and chemotherapy to induce apoptosis. We used the sea urchin embryo basement membrane invasion assay to show that phenylbutyrate potently inhibited the invasive properties of both prostate and breast cancer cells at clinically achievable doses. This inhibition was dose‐dependent and persisted for at least 24 hr after the drug was removed. These results suggest that in addition to activating apoptosis in cancer cells, phenylbutyrate may be used in prevention of metastatic disease. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Labeled EGFr‐TK irreversible inhibitor (ML03): In vitro and in vivo properties, potential as PET biomarker for cancer and feasibility as anticancer drug
Authors: Ortu Giuseppina , Ben‐David Iris , Rozen Yulia , Freedman Nanette M.T. , Chisin Roland , Levitzki Alexander , Mishani Eyal
Published: October 2002

Radiosynthesis of ML03 (N‐{4‐[(4,5‐dichloro‐2‐fluorophenyl)amino]quinazolin‐6‐yl}acrylamide), an irreversible EGFr‐TK inhibitor, was developed. Its in vitro and in vivo properties, its potential as PET biomarker in cancer and the feasibility of this type of compounds to be used as anticancer drug agents were evaluated. The compound was labeled with carbon‐11 at the acryloyl amide group, via automated method with high yield, chemical and radiochemical purities. ELISA carried out with A431 lysate showed high potency of ML03 with an apparent IC50 of 0.037 nM. The irreversible binding nature of ML03 was studied and 97.5% EGFr‐TK autophosphorylation inhibition was observed in intact A431 cells 8 hr post incubation with the inhibitor. Specific binding (67%) of [11C]ML03 was obtained in cells. An A431 tumor‐bearing rat model was developed and the validity of the model was tested. In biodistribution studies carried out with tumor‐bearing rats, moderate uptake was observed in tumor and high uptake in liver, kidney and intestine. In metabolic studies, fast degradation of [11C]ML03 was observed in liver and blood indicating a short half‐life of the compound in the body. PET scan with tumor‐bearing rats confirmed the results obtained in the ex vivo biodistribution studies. Although in vitro experiments may indicate efficacy of ML03, non‐specific binding, ligand delivery and degradation in vivo make ML03 ineffective as PET bioprobe. Derivatives of ML03 with lower metabolic clearance rate and higher bioavailability should be synthesized and their potential as anticancer drugs and PET bioprobes evaluated. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Expression of cadherin‐8 in renal cell carcinoma and fetal kidney
Authors: Blaschke Sabine , Mueller Claudia A. , Markovic‐Lipkovski Jasmina , Puch Sabine , Miosge Nicolai , Becker Volker , Mueller Gerhard A. , Klein Gerd
Published: October 2002

Cadherins represent a family of calcium‐dependent cell adhesion molecules with an important regulatory function for maintenance of tissue architecture. Alterations of cadherin expression have been demonstrated in the development and progression of different epithelial tumors. In renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the majority of tumors express N‐cadherin and cadherin‐6. Screening a series of 16 RCC cell lines for the expression of different novel type II cadherins by RT‐PCR revealed a complex pattern of cadherin expression: cadherins 6 and 14 were expressed in most of the RCC cell lines, whereas cadherins 11, 12 and 13 could not be detected at all. Interestingly, cadherin‐8, previously shown in mice to be restricted to the CNS and thymus during development, was detected by RT‐PCR, immunofluorescence and in situ hybridization in 4 of 16 RCC cell lines as well as in paraffin sections of the corresponding human RCC biopsies. In normal renal tissue, however, cadherin‐8 could be detected only during the early stages of kidney development. These results suggest that alterations of type II cadherin expression may play a role in RCC development. In particular, cadherin‐8 may be involved in both kidney morphogenesis as well as tumorigenesis in some types of RCC. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gene expression analysis of human thymoma correlates with tumor stage
Authors: Sasaki Hidefumi , Ide Nobuyuki , Fukai Ichiro , Kiriyama Masanobu , Yamakawa Yosuke , Fujii Yoshitaka
Published: October 2002

Thymoma is one of the most common solid tumors in the mediastinum. The recent development of high‐density oligonucleotide arrays provides a unique opportunity to generate gene expression profiles of cells from various stages of tumor progression as it occurs in actual neoplastic tissues. We used oligonucleotide arrays to monitor in vivo gene expression levels in early‐ (stage I or II) and late‐ (stage IVa) stage thymoma tissues in 36 patients. These in vivo gene expression profiles were verified by real‐time quantitative RT‐PCR using LightCycler. Using both methods, 2 candidate genes were identified that were more highly expressed in advanced‐stage thymomas. One was a well‐known gene, c‐JUN, and another was an unknown gene, AL050002. AL050002 expression, but not c‐JUN expression, was also correlated with the WHO classification (type B3 vs. type B1, B2 or AB). The combined use of oligonucleotide microarray and real‐time RT‐PCR analyses provides a powerful new approach to elucidate the in vivo molecular events correlated with tumor stage of thymoma. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Are there two sides to colorectal cancer?
Authors: Iacopetta Barry
Published: October 2002

Colorectal carcinomas (CRC) that arise proximal (right) or distal (left) to the splenic flexure exhibit differences in incidence according to geographic region, age and gender. Together with observations that tumours in the hereditary cancer syndromes HNPCC and FAP occur predominantly in the right and left colon, respectively, the existence of 2 categories of CRC based on site of origin in the large bowel was proposed more than a decade ago. Differences between normal right and left colonic segments that could favour progression through different tumourigenic pathways are summarized in this review. Accumulating evidence suggests that the risk of CRC conferred by various environmental and genetic factors is different for proximal and distal tumours. Right‐ and left‐sided tumours also exhibit different sensitivities to fluorouracil‐based chemotherapy. Such differences are probably related to the molecular characteristics of the tumours, with the microsatellite instability and CpG island methylator phenotypes being associated with right‐sided tumours and chromosomal instability with left‐sided tumours. Future molecular‐based classification systems for CRC that rely upon distinctive gene expression patterns may allow a clearer discrimination of subgroups than that provided by tumour site alone. Until then however, the existence of 2 broadly different groups of cancer defined by site of origin in the colon should be considered in the design of future epidemiologic studies as well as in the design of new clinical trials aimed at testing novel adjuvant therapies. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Electrophysiological analysis of synaptic interactions within peg sensilla of scorpion pectines
Authors: Gaffin Douglas D.
Published: October 2002

Pectines are unique, midventral sensory appendages that help direct mating and food‐finding behaviors in scorpions. Dense two‐dimensional arrays of bimodally sensitive (chemical and mechanical) peg sensilla form the primary sensory structures on pectines. Several qualities of peg sensilla make them well suited to electrophysiological investigation, including accessibility, stability of extracellular recordings, and the ease with which spiking cells can be identified and categorized. Cross‐correlations of spontaneous neural activity show signs of synaptic interactions between sensillar neurons in all species examined to date (Paruroctonus mesaensis,Hadrurus arizonensis,Centruroides vittatus) representing three families and two superfamilies. Both excitatory and inhibitory interactions have been observed, as well as possible dyadic synaptic arrangement. Computer simulations of cross‐correlograms are consistent with experimental data and may help provide additional insight into functionality of synaptic connections. Intra‐sensillar interactions, coupled with the topographic order of peg sensilla and their central nervous system projections, may allow scorpions to precisely resolve microfeatures of chemical stimuli. Future research directions include inter‐sensillar recordings to determine whether synaptic interactions extend between adjacent sensilla. Other unresolved questions that can be approached electrophysiologically are whether mechanosensory cells interact with chemosensitive cells and how the synaptic circuits function under specific chemical and mechanical stimulation. Microsc. Res. Tech. 58:325–334, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Efferent innervation of photoreceptors in spiders
Authors: Yamashita Shigeki
Published: October 2002

The anterior median (AM) eye of the nocturnal spider Araneus ventricosus showed a marked circadian oscillation of sensitivity, but that of the diurnal spider Menemerus confusus showed no circadian oscillation. The AM eyes of the noct/diurnal spiders Argiope amoena and A. bruennichii have two types of photoreceptor cells with different sensitivities. The more sensitive cells showed a circadian oscillation of sensitivity, but the less sensitive cells did not. The circadian sensitivity change of the eyes was controlled by efferent neurosecretory fibers in the optic nerve. Illuminating the brain increased the frequency of efferent impulses in the optic nerve of Argiope, showing that certain photosensitive neurons are present in the brain. However, it seemed that the cerebral photosensitive neurons may be different from the efferent neurosecretory cells. The response of the cerebral photosensitive neurons increased transiently following diminution of the light intensity striking the eyes. The interaction between the cerebral photosensitive neurons and the eyes seemed to play a role in increasing this response. Microsc. Res. Tech. 58:356–364, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Transfer of maternally administered fusogenic liposome‐DNA complexes into monkey fetuses in a pregnancy model
Authors: Hirano Makoto , Nakamura Shin , Mitsunaga Fusako , Okada Maki , Shimuzu Keiko , Imamura Takahisa
Published: October 2002

Background

Materno‐fetal transfer of intravenously administered liposome‐plasmid DNA complexes has been demonstrated only in mice. Studies on its materno‐fetal transfer in the pregnant monkey model is needed because of critical differences in placental structure between primates including humans and rodents.

Methods

The reporter plasmid pEGFP‐C1 was formulated in cationic lipid containing polybrene and vesicular stomatitis virus G protein. The fusogenic liposome‐plasmid DNA complexes were intradermally injected into pregnant common marmosets (N=2), a New World monkey, near term. DNA extracted from fetal tissues was subjected to PCR for detection of theegfpgene. Confocal microscopy and immunostaining were performed to determine the sites of transgene expression in the fetal organs.

Results

Theegfpgene was detected in fetal blood and major organs (heart, liver, lung). The encoded protein was mainly produced in the endothelial cells of blood vessels in the fetal lungs.

Conclusions

This is the first report on materno‐fetal transfer of intradermally administered fusogenic liposome‐plasmid DNA complexes and fetal expression of a transgene in primates. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zinc improves gene transfer mediated by DNA/cationic polymer complexes
Authors: Pichon Chantal , Guérin Brigitte , Réfrégiers Matthieu , Gonçalves Christine , Vigny Paul , Midoux Patrick
Published: October 2002

Background

The weak efficiency of plasmid transfer into the cytosol remains one of the major limiting factors to achieve an efficient transfection with DNA/cationic polymer complexes. We found that divalent metal Zn2+ can improve the polyfection efficiency, especially with DNA/histidylated polylysine (His‐pLK) complexes.

Methods and results

The supplementation of the transfection medium with 250 µM ZnCl2 increased the polyfection of human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cells with a plasmid encoding EGFP complexed with pLK, polyethyleneimine and His‐pLK. Zn2+ is more efficient on DNA/His‐pLK complexes: the number of EGFP‐positive cells increased from 1% to more than 40%. This phenomenon is selective to Zn2+ because no effect was obtained with other divalent cations. The effect of zinc varies from cell to cell. The binding of Zn2+ to histidyl residues might increase zinc endosomal concentration favoring membrane fusion. Flow cytometry and confocal microscopy studies clearly indicate that with His‐pLK, the plasmid is better delivered in the cytosol as well as in the cell nucleus in zinc‐treated cells. An investigation conducted with the histidine‐rich peptide H5WYG showed that zinc inhibits membrane permeabilization but promotes membrane fusion as evidenced by resonance energy transfer.

Conclusions

Data reported here imply that the addition of zinc ions in the transfection medium can trigger an increase of the fusion of endosomes containing polyplexes which is more effective in the presence of histidine‐rich molecules. Consequently, the amount of plasmid in the cytosol available to reach the nucleus is increased leading to an improvement of polyfection. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hepatitis C virus particles of different density in the blood of chronically infected immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients: Implications for virus clearance by antibody
Authors: Pumeechockchai W. , Bevitt D. , Agarwal K. , Petropoulou T. , Langer B.C.A. , Belohradsky B. , Bassendine M.F. , Toms G.L.
Published: October 2002

The purpose of this study was to analyse the influence of the humoral immune response on the generation and clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA containing particles in the blood of chronically infected patients. Blood samples were fractionated by sequential flotation ultracentrifugation and HCV RNA was recovered in three fractions: low density of < 1.063 g/ml, intermediate density of 1.063–1.21 g/ml, and high density of > 1.21 g/ml. Serum low‐density lipoproteins co‐fractionated with the low‐density particles, and high‐density lipoproteins co‐fractionated with the intermediate‐density particles. Immunoglobulins were found exclusively in the high‐density fractions. In patients with congenital immunodeficiencies, with no or low serum antibodies to the virus, mean HCV RNA titres were equal in each fraction, at approximately 105 IU/ml. In antibody‐positive, immunocompetent patients, however, virus titres in the low‐density fraction and those in the high‐density fraction were reduced or absent in most patients, suggesting that virus particles in these fractions are subject to antibody‐mediated clearance. Particles of intermediate density were approximately equal in titre in both patient groups, suggesting that these particles are neither generated by, nor cleared, as a result of the humoral immune response. Immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that particles of intermediate density were not complexed with either high‐density lipoprotein or immunoglobulins. Elucidation of the mechanisms by which these particles are generated and maintained in the blood may provide valuable insight into the mechanism of virus persistence. J. Med. Virol. 68:335–342, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular epidemiological analysis of community circulating respiratory syncytial virus in rural South Africa: Comparison of viruses and genotypes responsible for different disease manifestations
Authors: Venter M. , Collinson M. , Schoub B.D.
Published: October 2002

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe lower respiratory tract infection in children in both the industrialized and developing world. Most molecular epidemiological studies have, until now, focused on isolates from hospitalized infants in industrialized countries. Limited data have been available with regard to community circulating RSV, especially from Africa. The present study compares RSV isolates from infants attending rural community clinics in the Northern province of South Africa, with isolates from hospitalized infants in Soweto, near Johannesburg, South Africa, during the same period. A multiplex nested polymerase chain reaction was developed for analyzing the clinical specimens, a technique that permits subtyping and nucleotide sequence analysis of the second variable region of the G‐protein gene. Community‐ and hospital‐based isolates from young children in South Africa, as well as isolates from Mozambique were compared phylogenetically. One subgroup B community isolate was identified that had a G‐protein truncated by approximately 35 amino acids, however, the other community isolates were not significantly different from hospital isolates. Evidence was found that the same RSV genotypes and viruses could cause mild upper respiratory tract infections or lower respiratory tract infections or severe RSV in young infants. J. Med. Virol. 68:452–461, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The epidemiology of mental retardation: Challenges and opportunities in the new millennium
Authors: Leonard Helen , Wen Xingyan
Published: October 2002

There are a number of problems and challenges in relating the science of epidemiology to mental retardation (MR). These relate to how MR is defined and classified and how these definitions may change over time. These as well as other differences in ascertainment sources and methods need to be considered when comparing MR prevalence over time and place. On the other hand, advances in technology also provide new and efficient methods of data collection both by data linkage and by use of web‐based methods to study rare diseases.

While prevalence studies have not been individually reviewed, we have examined the range of data including recent studies relating to how prevalence differs according to age, gender, social class and ethnicity. Some problems with available etiological classification systems have been identified. Recent etiological studies, most of which use different classification systems, have been reviewed and explanations have been postulated to account for differences in results. Individual risk factors for MR are considered whilst the option of considering a population as opposed to a high risk strategy to MR prevention is raised. This might well involve improving the social milieu surrounding the occurrence of individual risk factors.

The impact of biotechnological advances such as antenatal and neonatal screening and assisted reproduction on MR are discussed. The issue of how inequalities in access to technology may impact on case identification and even have the potential to further widen inequalities is raised. The importance of extending the use of epidemiological tools to study the social, health and economic burden of MR is also emphasized. However, in order to apply to MR the “prevention‐intervention‐research” cycle, which surely underpins all epidemiology, it is vital to ensure that the methodological challenges we raise are adequately addressed. MRDD Research Reviews 2002;8:117–134. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Environmental factors associated with a spectrum of neurodevelopmental deficits
Authors: Mendola Pauline , Selevan Sherry G. , Gutter Suzanne , Rice Deborah
Published: October 2002

A number of environmental agents have been shown to demonstrate neurotoxic effects either in human or laboratory animal studies. Critical windows of vulnerability to the effects of these agents occur both pre‐ and postnatally. The nervous system is relatively unique in that different parts are responsible for different functional domains, and these develop at different times (e.g., motor control, sensory, intelligence and attention). In addition, the many cell types in the brain have different windows of vulnerability with varying sensitivities to environmental agents. This review focuses on two environmental agents, lead and methylmercury, to illustrate the neurobehavioral and cognitive effects that can result from early life exposures. Special attention is paid to distinguishing between the effects detected following episodes of poisoning and those detected following lower dose exposures. Perinatal and childhood exposure to high doses of lead results in encephalopathy and convulsions. Lower‐dose lead exposures have been associated with impairment in intellectual function and attention. At high levels of prenatal exposure, methylmercury produces mental retardation, cerebral palsy and visual and auditory deficits in children of exposed mothers. At lower levels of methylmercury exposure, the effects in children have been more subtle. Other environmental neurotoxicants that have been shown to produce developmental neurotoxicity include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dioxins, pesticides, ionizing radiation, environmental tobacco smoke, and maternal use of alcohol, tobacco, marijuana and cocaine. Exposure to environmental agents with neurotoxic effects can result in a spectrum of adverse outcomes from severe mental retardation and disability to more subtle changes in function depending on the timing and dose of the chemical agent. MRDD Research Reviews 2002;8:188–197. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The epidemiology of the epilepsies in children
Authors: Cowan Linda D.
Published: October 2002

The epilepsies are a heterogeneous collection of neurological conditions and syndromes characterized by recurrent, unprovoked, paroxysmal seizure activity. There are several types of epileptic seizures and syndromes that are unique to children, including infantile spasms, Lennox‐Gastaut syndrome and absence seizures. Febrile seizures and neonatal seizures, while not epilepsy, are relatively common types of seizures in infants and children and are likely markers of risk of later epilepsy. Thus, it is important to consider the epidemiological features of the epilepsies as they occur specifically in infants and children. The purpose of this review is to summarize what is currently known about the epidemiology of the childhood epilepsies and to identify promising areas for further population‐based studies. The epilepsies are an important cause of neurological morbidity in children. The average annual rate of new cases (incidence) of epilepsy is approximately 5‐7 cases per 10,000 children from birth to age 15 years, and in any given year, about 5 of every 1,000 children will have epilepsy. There is evidence that the incidence of the epilepsies in some populations of children may be decreasing over time, and this possibility merits further investigation. Factors that are known to increase risk of the epilepsies in children include congenital malformations of the central nervous system (CNS), moderate or severe head trauma, CNS infections, certain inherited metabolic conditions, and genetic factors. However, these account for only 25% to 45% of cases, and thus, the etiology of most cases of the epilepsies remains obscure. The paucity of well‐controlled etiological studies is due largely to formidable methodological problems in conducting epidemiological studies of the epilepsies. The prognosis for seizure control is generally good, although children with remote symptomatic seizures and those with additional neurological disabilities do less well. MRDD Research Reviews 2002;8:171–181. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical, urodynamic, and manometric findings in women with combined fecal and urinary incontinence
Authors: Lacima Gloria , Espuña Montserrat , Pera Miguel , Puig‐Clota Montserrat , Quintó Llorenç , García‐Valdecasas Juan Carlos
Published: October 2002

Aims

To determine the prevalence of fecal incontinence in patients with urinary incontinence, who were referred for urodynamic evaluation, and to compare clinical and manometric findings between double incontinence and isolated fecal incontinence.

Methods

Nine hundred women with urinary and/or fecal incontinence were prospectively investigated. Patients with double incontinence (group 1) were compared with 38 women with isolated fecal incontinence (group 2). Clinical data regarding obstetric and urogynecologic history, bowel habit, and type of fecal incontinence were collected. Urodynamics and anal manometry were performed.

Results

Seventy‐eight patients (8.7%) presented double incontinence. A history of vaginal delivery and chronic straining was more frequent in patients with double incontinence (P=0.043). No differences were found in the severity of fecal incontinence. Physical examination showed a greater prevalence of rectocele (54% vs. 12%) in group 1. On urodynamics, 80% of women with double incontinence had stress urinary incontinence. Rectal sensation testing revealed a significantly higher rate of hyposensitivity in group 2 (22% vs. 43%).

Conclusions

This study supports a close association between combined stress urinary and fecal incontinence, history of vaginal delivery, and chronic straining.. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:464–469, 2002. © Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
African Americans with cancer: The relationships among self‐esteem, locus of control, and health perception
Authors: Swinney* Jean E.
Published: October 2002

The purpose of this study was to describe and examine the relationships among self‐esteem, locus of control, and perceived health status in African Americans with cancer and to identify predictors of perceived health status. A convenience sample of 95 oncology outpatients at two large medical facilities completed the Tennessee Self‐Concept Scale, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale, and the Cantril Ladder, a measurement of perceived health. In an audiotaped interview two open‐ended questions were used to clarify participants' Cantril Ladder scores. A significant positive relationship was discovered between self‐esteem and powerful others health locus of control (p < .05). Participants tended to view God as the Powerful Other capable of influencing their health and well‐being. Self‐esteem and an internal health locus of control were found to account for 23% of the perceived variance in health status. In addition, interview data indicated that participants with normal to high levels of self‐esteem and an internal health locus of control perceived their state of health and well‐being positively. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 25:371–382, 2002
Choroid plexus cysts in the mid‐trimester fetus—practical application suggests superiority of an individualized risk method of counseling for trisomy 18
Authors: Bird L. M. , Dixson B. , Masser‐Frye D. , Mestre L. , Ribas L. , Mullen L. , Kalla K. , Carder K. , Huslig M. , Catanzarite V. A. , Jones M. C.
Published: October 2002

An erratum has been published for this article in Prenatal Diagnosis 23 (3) 2003, 268.

Objectives

Analysis of a referral population of patients with choroid plexus cysts (CPCs) was performed to compare an average risk method of counseling to an individualized risk method.

Methods

A total of 395 patients referred to a Prenatal Diagnosis Center were included, of whom 341 had isolated CPCs and 54 had associated ultrasound abnormalities. For isolated CPCs, an average risk of 1/150 for aneuploidy was compared to an individualized risk assessment [prior risk as determined by maternal age or serum screening multiplied by the likelihood ratio established by Gupta et al. (1997)]. Accuracy, cost, and procedure‐related losses were assessed.

Results

Both methods resulted in 100% sensitivity. The individualized method resulted in greater specificity, decreased costs, and (theoretically) fewer procedure‐related pregnancy losses.

Conclusions

An individualized risk method of counseling utilizing the likelihood ratios established by Gupta et al. (1997) was superior to an average risk method for assessing trisomy 18 risk in the setting of CPC detected in mid‐trimester. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Preparation of high‐temperature polyurethane by alloying with reactive polyamide
Authors: Takeichi Tsutomu , Suefuji Kyoko , Inoue Kazuto
Published: October 2002

A series of novel poly(urethane amide) films were prepared by the reaction of a polyurethane (PU) prepolymer and a soluble polyamide (PA) containing aliphatic hydroxyl groups in the backbone. The PU prepolymer was prepared by the reaction of polyester polyol and 2,4‐tolylenediisocyanate and then was end‐capped with phenol. Soluble PA was prepared by the reaction of 1‐(m‐aminophenyl)‐2‐(p‐aminophenyl)ethanol and terephthaloyl chloride. The PU prepolymer and PA were blended, and the clear, transparent solutions were cast on glass substrates; this was followed by thermal treatments at various temperatures to produce reactions between the isocyanate group of the PU prepolymer and the hydroxyl group of PA. The opaque poly(urethane amide) films showed various properties, from those of plastics to those of elastomers, depending on the ratio of the PU and PA components. Dynamic mechanical analysis showed two glass‐transition temperatures (Tg's), a lower Tg due to the PU component and a higher Tg due to the PA component, suggesting that the two polymer components were phase‐separated. The rubbery plateau region of the storage modulus for the elastic films was maintained up to about 250 °C, which is considerably higher than for conventional PUs. Tensile measurements of the elastic films of 90/10 PU/PA showed that the elongation was as high as 347%. This indicated that the alloying of PU with PA containing aliphatic hydroxyl groups in the backbone improved the high‐temperature properties of PU and, therefore, enhanced the use temperature of PU. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3497–3503, 2002
Crystallization and morphology of poly(ethylene‐2,6‐naphthalene dicarboxylate) in the presence of nucleating agents
Authors: Gao Xia , Liu Ruigang , Jin Manna , Bu Haishan
Published: October 2002

The crystallization and morphology of poly(ethylene‐2,6‐naphthalene dicarboxylate) (PEN) containing, as nucleating agents, a sodium salt of a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid or a sodium salt of a copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic acid, were investigated with differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and small‐angle light scattering. The nucleating agents accelerated the crystallization rate at high temperatures by decreasing the surface free energy barrier hindering nucleation. Meanwhile, the nucleating agents with flexible chains could also improve the mobility of the PEN chains and increase the crystallization rate at low temperatures. Hedrites were observed when PEN was crystallized at high temperatures, whereas crystallization at low temperatures led to the formation of spherulites. Similar but smaller morphologies were obtained in the presence of nucleating agents. With nucleating agents, the spherulites formed at low temperatures were less perfect, although the optical properties of the spherulites were not influenced. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2387–2394, 2002
Coping and health‐related quality of life in men with prostate cancer randomly assigned to hormonal medication or close monitoring
Authors: Green Heather J. , Pakenham Kenneth I. , Headley Betty C. , Gardiner Robert A.
Published: October 2002

Prostatic carcinoma and its treatment have been associated with adverse effects on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). Individual differences in appraisal and coping have been suggested to mediate these HRQoL outcomes. A randomized trial of 65 men with non‐localized prostate cancer compared several treatments and tested associations between appraisal, coping, and HRQoL. These patients, and 16 community volunteers matched for age and general health, undertook psychosocial assessments before treatment and after 6 months of treatment. Compared with baseline assessments, men on hormonal treatments reported impaired sexual function. Groups did not differ on emotional distress, existential satisfaction, subjective cognitive function, physical symptoms, or social and role functioning. For individuals, hormonal treatments were more frequently associated with decreased sexual, social and role functioning, but were also associated with improved physical symptoms. In hierarchical regression analysis, HRQoL was lower for men who had more comorbid illnesses, a history of neurological dysfunction, higher threat appraisals, or higher use of coping strategies at baseline. These results showed that pharmacological hormonal ablation for prostate cancer can improve or decrease HRQoL in different domains. HRQoL in men with prostate cancer was associated more strongly with appraisal and coping than with medical variables. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combining the GOR V algorithm with evolutionary information for protein secondary structure prediction from amino acid sequence
Authors: Kloczkowski A. , Ting K.‐L. , Jernigan R.L. , Garnier J.
Published: October 2002

We have modified and improved the GOR algorithm for the protein secondary structure prediction by using the evolutionary information provided by multiple sequence alignments, adding triplet statistics, and optimizing various parameters. We have expanded the database used to include the 513 non‐redundant domains collected recently by Cuff and Barton (Proteins 1999;34:508–519; Proteins 2000;40:502–511). We have introduced a variable size window that allowed us to include sequences as short as 20–30 residues. A significant improvement over the previous versions of GOR algorithm was obtained by combining the PSI‐BLAST multiple sequence alignments with the GOR method. The new algorithm will form the basis for the future GOR V release on an online prediction server. The average accuracy of the prediction of secondary structure with multiple sequence alignment and full jack‐knife procedure was 73.5%. The accuracy of the prediction increases to 74.2% by limiting the prediction to 375 (of 513) sequences having at least 50 PSI‐BLAST alignments. The average accuracy of the prediction of the new improved program without using multiple sequence alignments was 67.5%. This is approximately a 3% improvement over the preceding GOR IV algorithm (Garnier J, Gibrat JF, Robson B. Methods Enzymol 1996;266:540–553; Kloczkowski A, Ting K‐L, Jernigan RL, Garnier J. Polymer 2002;43:441–449). We have discussed alternatives to the segment overlap (Sov) coefficient proposed by Zemla et al. (Proteins 1999;34:220–223). Proteins 2002;49:154–166. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Discriminative ability with respect to amino acid types: Assessing the performance of knowledge‐based potentials without threading
Authors: Kuznetsov Igor B. , Rackovsky S.
Published: October 2002

We present a novel method designed to analyze the discriminative ability of knowledge‐based potentials with respect to the 20 residue types. The method is based on the preference of amino acids for specific types of protein environment, and uses a virtual mutagenesis experiment to estimate how much information a given potential can provide about environments of each amino acid type. This allows one to test and optimize the performance of real potentials at the level of individual amino acids, using actual data on residue environments from a dataset of known protein structures. We have applied our method to long‐range and medium‐range pairwise distance‐dependent potentials. The results of our study indicate that these potentials are only able to discriminate between a very limited number of residue types, and that discriminative ability is extremely sensitive to the choice of parameters used to construct the potentials, and even to the size of the training dataset. We also show that different types of pairwise distance potentials are dominated by different types of interactions. These dominant interactions strongly depend on the type of approximation used to define residue position. For each potential, our methodology is able to identify a potential‐specific amino acid distance matrix and a reduced amino acid alphabet of any specified size, which may have implications for sequence alignment and multibody models. Proteins 2002;49:266–284. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Role of C‐terminal region of Staphylococcal nuclease for foldability, stability, and activity
Authors: Hirano Satoshi , Mihara Ken'ichi , Yamazaki Yoichi , Kamikubo Hironari , Imamoto Yasushi , Kataoka Mikio
Published: October 2002

The role of the C‐terminal region of Staphylococcal nuclease (SNase) was examined by deletion mutation. Deletions up to eight residues do not affect the structure and function. The structure and enzymatic activity were partially lost by deleting Ser141‐Asn149 (Δ141–149), and deletion of Trp140‐Asn149 (Δ140–149) resulted in further loss of structure and activity. A 13‐residue deletion showed the same effect as the 10‐residue deletion. Both Ser141Gln and Ser141Ala mutations for an eight‐residue deletion mutant did not alter properties as well as Ser141A1a for full‐length SNase. In contrast, Trp140Ala mutation for Δ141–149 shows the same effect as the deletion of Trp140. Trp140Ala mutation for full‐length SNase causes the loss of native structure. These observations indicate the significance of the 140th and the 141st residues. The side‐chain of the 140th residue is required to be tryptophan; however, the backbone of the 141st residue is solely critical for foldability, but the side‐chain information is not crucial. All of the mutants that take a non‐native conformation show enzymatic activity and inhibitor‐induced folding, suggesting that foldability is required for the activity. Proteins 2002;49:255–265. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of time and concentration on mortality of phosphine‐resistant Sitophilus oryzae (L) fumigated with phosphine
Authors: Daglish Gregory J , Collins Patrick J , Pavic Hervoika , Kopittke Rosemary A
Published: October 2002

The effects of exposure period and phosphine concentration on mortality of susceptible and resistant Sitophilus oryzae (L) were investigated. Although S oryzae is one of the world's most serious pests of stored grain there are few data on the practical significance of phosphine resistance in this species. The strains investigated were an Australian susceptible strain, a homozygous resistant strain exhibiting a level of resistance common in Australia and an unselected field strain from China with a much stronger resistance. Fumigations were carried out at 25 °C on adults and mixed‐age cultures. For adults of all three strains and mixed‐age cultures of the susceptible and resistant Australian strains, the relationship between concentration and time could be described by equations of the form Cnt = k. In all cases n < 1, indicating that time was a more important variable than concentration. In all fumigations of adults the resistant strains were harder to kill than the susceptible strain. However, in fumigations of mixed‐age cultures, which contained the tolerant pupal stage, the difference between susceptible and resistant strains was more pronounced at lower concentrations than higher concentrations. For example, at 0.02 mg litre−1 the estimated LT99.9 for mixed‐age cultures of the Australian resistant strain (27 days) is 3.4 times that of the susceptible strain (8 days), but at 1 mg litre−1 there is no difference between the two strains (4 days). Limited data on the Chinese resistant strain supported this finding. Twenty‐three days exposure at 0.02 mg litre−1 had no effect on mixed‐age cultures of this strain, but there were no survivors after 5 days exposure to 1 mg litre−1.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
On the mechanism of selectivity of the corn herbicide BAS 662H: a combination of the novel auxin transport inhibitor diflufenzopyr and the auxin herbicide dicamba
Authors: Grossmann Klaus , Caspar Günter , Kwiatkowski Jacek , Bowe Steven J
Published: October 2002

BAS 662H, a 1:2.5 combination of the semicarbazone‐type auxin transport inhibitor diflufenzopyr and the auxin herbicide dicamba, is used as a post‐emergence herbicide in corn. The combination has been observed to provide more effective broadleaf weed control and improved tolerance in corn than typical rates of dicamba used alone. In order to analyze this phenomenon, the uptake, translocation, metabolism and action of both compounds, applied alone and in combination, were investigated in Amaranthus retroflexus L, Galium aparine L and corn (Zea mays L). When plants at the third‐leaf stage were foliarly treated with diflufenzopyr and dicamba equivalent to field rates of 100 and 250 gha−1, respectively, diflufenzopyr synergistically increased dicamba‐induced 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid (ACC) synthase activity and ethylene formation in G aparine and even more in A retroflexus, followed by accumulations of (+)‐abscisic acid (ABA) in the shoot tissue within 20 h. This correlated with subsequent growth inhibition, hydrogen peroxide overproduction and progressive tissue damage. Diflufenzopyr also enhanced the activity of other auxin herbicides, such as quinclorac and picloram, and of the synthetic auxin, 1‐naphthaleneacetic acid. After foliar and root application of [14C]diflufenzopyr, alone or as BAS 662H, considerably lower tissue concentrations and systemic translocation of radioactivity beyond treated plant parts were found in corn, compared to G aparine and particularly A retroflexus. Furthermore, diflufenzopyr decreased foliar uptake of [14C]dicamba by c 50% selectively in corn, compared to the treatment alone. Metabolism of [14C]diflufenzopyr was more rapid in corn than in the weed species. In combination, the two compounds had no mutual effect on their metabolic degradation. In BAS 662H, diflufenzopyr synergizes the herbicidal activity of dicamba in sensitive weed species. In corn this effect is prevented by a more rapid metabolism of diflufenzopyr, coupled with lower uptake and translocation. Selectivity of BAS 662H is additionally favoured by a higher crop tolerance to dicamba because of reduced foliar uptake of this herbicide in corn under the influence of diflufenzopyr.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Long‐term impacts of an organophosphate‐based regime of pesticides on field and field‐edge Collembola communities
Authors: Frampton Geoff K
Published: October 2002

During a 6‐year study, effects of two contrasting regimes of pesticide use on pitfall and suction catches of Collembola were monitored in an arable field under a rotation of grass and winter wheat. Current farm practice (CFP) represented conventional fungicide and herbicide use plus applications of organophosphorus (OP) insecticides, whereas reduced input approach (RIA) utilised minimum inputs of fungicides and herbicides and excluded any use of insecticides. Compared with RIA, the CFP regime caused a substantial decline in the abundance and diversity of Collembola in the field, including the local disappearance of one species, without recovery during the study. At the field edge, which was protected during OP applications by a 6‐m unsprayed buffer zone, effects of the CFP regime were less severe, and were not persistent in the long term. Some Collembola species occurred only in field‐edge samples. Pitfall and suction sampling yielded remarkably similar patterns of catches, indicating that pitfall trapping may be appropriate for detecting long‐term changes in collembolan abundance caused by intensive agricultural management practices.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry