bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enterococcal meningitis caused by Enterococcus casseliflavus. First case report
Authors: Iaria Chiara , Stassi Giovanna , Costa Gaetano Bruno , Di Leo Rita , Toscano Antonio , Cascio Antonio
Published: January 2005

Background

Enterococcal meningitis is an uncommon disease usually caused by Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium and is associated with a high mortality rate. Enterococcus casseliflavus has been implicated in a wide variety of infections in humans, but never in meningitis.

Case presentation

A 77-year-old Italian female presented for evaluation of fever, stupor, diarrhea and vomiting of 3 days duration. There was no history of head injury nor of previous surgical procedures. She had been suffering from rheumatoid arthritis for 30 years, for which she was being treated with steroids and methotrexate. On admission, she was febrile, alert but not oriented to time and place. Her neck was stiff, and she had a positive Kernig's sign. The patient's cerebrospinal fluid was opalescent with a glucose concentration of 14 mg/dl, a protein level of 472 mg/dl, and a white cell count of 200/μL with 95% polymorphonuclear leukocytes and 5% lymphocytes. Gram staining of CSF revealed no organisms, culture yielded E. casseliflavus. The patient was successfully treated with meropenem and ampicillin-sulbactam.

Conclusions

E. casseliflavus can be inserted among the etiologic agents of meningitis. Awareness of infection of central nervous system with Enterococcus species that possess an intrinsic vancomycin resistance should be increased.
MDM2 negatively regulates the human telomerase RNA gene promoter
Authors: Zhao Jiangqin , Bilsland Alan , Jackson Katrina , Keith W Nicol
Published: January 2005

Background

We have previously demonstrated that NF-Y and Sp1 interact with the human telomerase RNA (hTR) promoter and play a central role in its regulation. We have also shown that pRB activates the hTR promoter, but the mechanism of pRb directed activation is unknown. It has recently been reported that pRB induces Sp1 activity by relieving inhibition mediated by mdm2. The aim was to investigate possible roles for mdm2 in hTR promoter regulation.

Methods

Chromatin immunoprecipitation was used to determine binding of mdm2 to the hTR promoter. Transfection and luciferase assays were used to investigate mdm2 repression of the promoter activity and interaction with known transcriptional modulators.

Results

Here we show using chromatin immunoprecipitation that mdm2 specifically binds the hTR promoter in vivo. Transient co-transfection experiments using an hTR promoter luciferase reporter construct show that hTR promoter activity is inhibited by over-expression of mdm2 in 5637 bladder carcinoma cells (p53 and pRB negative, low mdm2). Titration of mdm2 was able to antagonise activation of hTR promoter activity mediated by pRB or Sp1 over-expression, although in the presence of pRB, mdm2 could not repress promoter activity below basal levels. Using an Sp1 binding site mutation construct we showed that mdm2 repression did not absolutely require Sp1 binding sites in the hTR promoter, suggesting the possibility of pRB/Sp1 independent mechanisms of repression. Finally, we show that NF-Y mediated transactivation of the hTR promoter was also suppressed by mdm2 in a dose-dependent manner.

Conclusions

These studies suggest that mdm2 may inhibit the hTR promoter by multiple mechanisms. Mdm2 may directly repress activation by both pRB and Sp1, or activation by NF-Y. Furthermore, the ability of mdm2 to interact and interfere with components of the general transcription machinery might partly explain the general repressive effect seen here. Elucidation of new regulators affecting hTR basal promoter activity in cancer cells provides a basis for future studies aimed at improving our understanding of the differential hTR expression between normal and cancer cells.
Gene expression profiling revealed novel mechanism of action of Taxotere and Furtulon in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Li Yiwei , Hussain Maha , Sarkar Sarah H , Eliason James , Li Ran , Sarkar Fazlul H
Published: January 2005

Background

Both Taxotere and Capecitabine have shown anti-cancer activity against various cancers including prostate cancer. In combination, Taxotere plus Capecitabine has demonstrated higher anti-cancer activity in advanced breast cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms of action of Taxotere and Capecitabine have not been fully elucidated in prostate cancer.

Methods

The total RNA from PC3 and LNCaP prostate cells untreated and treated with 2 nM Taxotere, 110 μM Furtulon (active metabolite of Capecitabine), or 1 nM Taxotere plus 50 μM Furtulon for 6, 36, and 72 hours, was subjected to Affymetrix Human Genome U133A Array analysis. Real-time PCR and Western Blot analysis were conducted to confirm microarray data.

Results

Taxotere and Furtulon down-regulated some genes critical for cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, transcription factor, cell signaling, and oncogenesis, and up-regulated some genes related to the induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and differentiation in both cell lines. Taxotere and Furtulon also up-regulated some genes responsible for chemotherapeutic resistance, suggesting the induction of cancer cell resistance to these agents.

Conclusions

Taxotere and Furtulon caused the alternation of a large number of genes, many of which may contribute to the molecular mechanisms by which Taxotere and Furtulon inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells. This information could be utilized for further mechanistic research and for devising optimized therapeutic strategies against prostate cancer.
Acute weight gain, gender, and therapeutic response to antipsychotics in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Ascher-Svanum Haya , Stensland Michael , Zhao Zhongyun , Kinon Bruce J
Published: January 2005

Background

Previous research indicated that women are more vulnerable than men to adverse psychological consequences of weight gain. Other research has suggested that weight gain experienced during antipsychotic therapy may also psychologically impact women more negatively. This study assessed the impact of acute treatment-emergent weight gain on clinical and functional outcomes of patients with schizophrenia by patient gender and antipsychotic treatment (olanzapine or haloperidol).

Methods

Data were drawn from the acute phase (first 6-weeks) of a double-blind randomized clinical trial of olanzapine versus haloperidol in the treatment of 1296 men and 700 women with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders. The associations between weight change and change in core schizophrenia symptoms, depressive symptoms, and functional status were examined post-hoc for men and women and for each medication group. Core schizophrenia symptoms (positive and negative) were measured with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), depressive symptoms with the BPRS Anxiety/Depression Scale and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale, and functional status with the mental and physical component scores on the Medical Outcome Survey-Short Form 36. Statistical analysis included methods that controlled for treatment duration.

Results

Weight gain during 6-week treatment with olanzapine and haloperidol was significantly associated with improvements in core schizophrenia symptoms, depressive symptoms, mental functioning, and physical functioning for men and women alike. The conditional probability of clinical response (20% reduction in core schizophrenia symptom), given a clinically significant weight gain (at least 7% of baseline weight), showed that about half of the patients who lost weight responded to treatment, whereas three-quarters of the patients who had a clinically significant weight gain responded to treatment. The positive associations between therapeutic response and weight gain were similar for the olanzapine and haloperidol treatment groups. Improved outcomes were, however, more pronounced for the olanzapine-treated patients, and more olanzapine-treated patients gained weight.

Conclusions

The findings of significant relationships between treatment-emergent weight gain and improvements in clinical and functional status at 6-weeks suggest that patients who have greater treatment-emergent weight gain are more likely to benefit from treatment with olanzapine or haloperidol regardless of gender.
The stability of life satisfaction in a 15-year follow-up of adult Finns healthy at baseline
Authors: Koivumaa-Honkanen Heli , Kaprio Jaakko , Honkanen Risto J , Viinamäki Heimo , Koskenvuo Markku
Published: January 2005

Background

While physical health has improved considerably over recent decades in Finland, the disease burden of mental health, especially that of depression, has become increasingly demanding. However, we lack long-term data on the natural course of subjective well-being in the general population. The aim of this study was to investigate the long-term course of self-reported life satisfaction.

Methods

This was a 15-year prospective cohort study on a nationwide sample of adult Finnish twins (N = 9679), aged 18–45 and healthy at baseline, who responded to postal questionnaires in 1975, 1981 and 1990 including a 4-item life satisfaction scale (happiness/easiness/interest in life and feelings of loneliness). Life satisfaction score (range: 4–20) was classified into three categories: satisfied (4–6), intermediate (7–11) and dissatisfied group (12–20). The associations between life satisfaction scores during the follow-up were studied with linear/logistic regression.

Results

Moderate stability and only a slight effect of age or birth-cohort on mean life satisfaction score (LS) were detected. In 1990, 56% of all and 31% of the dissatisfied remained in the same LS category as at baseline. Only 5.9% of the study subjects changed from being satisfied to dissatisfied or vice versa. Correlations between continuous scores (1975, 1981 and 1990) were 0.3–0.4. Baseline dissatisfaction (compared to satisfaction) predicted dissatisfaction in 1981 (OR = 10.4; 95%CI 8.3–13.1) and 1990 (5.6; 4.6–6.8). Multiple adjustments decreased the risk only slightly.

Conclusions

Life satisfaction in adult Finns was moderately stable during 15 years. Among an identifiable group (i.e. the dissatisfied) life dissatisfaction may become persistent, which places them at a greater risk of adverse health outcomes.
Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a multidisciplinary intervention programme to prevent new falls and functional decline among elderly persons at risk: design of a replicated randomised controlled trial [ISRCTN64716113]
Authors: Hendriks Marike RC , van Haastregt Jolanda CM , Diederiks Joseph PM , Evers Silvia MAA , Crebolder Harry FJM , van Eijk Jacques ThM
Published: January 2005

Background

Falls are common among community-dwelling elderly people and can have a considerable impact on quality of life and healthcare costs. People who have sustained a fall are at greater risk of falling again.

We replicated a British randomised controlled trial which demonstrated the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary intervention programme to prevent falls.

The objective is to describe the design of a replication study evaluating a multidisciplinary intervention programme on recurrent falls and functional decline among elderly persons at risk. The study consists of an effect evaluation, an economic evaluation and a process evaluation.

Methods/design

The programme is aimed at community-dwelling elderly people aged 65 years or over who have visited an accident and emergency department (A&E department) or a general practitioners' cooperative (GP cooperative) because of a fall.

The design involves a two-group randomised controlled trial. Participants are followed for twelve months after baseline. The intervention programme consists of a detailed medical and occupational therapy assessment with referral to relevant services if indicated. People in the control group receive usual care.

The main outcome measures of the effect evaluation are number of falls and daily functioning. The economic evaluation will be performed from a societal perspective. A process evaluation will be carried out to evaluate the feasibility of the intervention programme.
Concepts of patients with alopecia areata about their disease
Authors: Firooz Alireza , Firoozabadi Mehdi Rashighi , Ghazisaidi Behnaz , Dowlati Yahya
Published: January 2005

Background

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common and chronic skin disease with an unknown etiology. It may significantly affect the patient quality of life. This study was designed to evaluate the illness perception in patients with AA.

Methods

A questionnaire consisting of 25 questions about causes, timeline, consequences and control of disease were given to 80 patients with AA attending a skin clinic in Tehran, Iran. The impact of age, gender, duration of disease, education, extent of disease and family history of AA were also assessed.

Results

Eighty patients (38 male and 42 female) with a mean age of 27.5 years (SD = 9.3) and disease duration of 7.8 years (SD = 7.7) completed the questionnaire. 76.9% of the patients believed that the role of stress was the cause of disease. 17.1 % believed genetic background to be the main cause, this found to be more frequent in patients with positive family history of AA. More than half of patients believed that their illness had major consequences on their lives and 40% of patients believed that their illness would be likely to be permanent rather than temporary, more in patients with longer duration of disease. Only 57.5% of patients considered their treatments to be effective.

Conclusion

AA may considerably affect various aspects of patients' lives. The patient knowledge about the causes and course of this disease is limited.
Selection and characterization of a promoter for expression of single-copy recombinant genes in Gram-positive bacteria
Authors: Provvedi Roberta , Maggi Tiziana , Oggioni Marco R , Manganelli Riccardo , Pozzi Gianni
Published: January 2005

Background

In the past ten years there has been a growing interest in engineering Gram-positive bacteria for biotechnological applications, including vaccine delivery and production of recombinant proteins. Usually, bacteria are manipulated using plasmid expression vectors. The major limitation of this approach is due to the fact that recombinant plasmids are often lost from the bacterial culture upon removal of antibiotic selection. We have developed a genetic system based on suicide vectors on conjugative transposons allowing stable integration of recombinant DNA into the chromosome of transformable and non-transformable Gram-positive bacteria.

Results

The aim of this work was to select a strong chromosomal promoter from Streptococcus gordonii to improve this genetic system making it suitable for expression of single-copy recombinant genes. To achieve this task, a promoterless gene encoding a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (cat), was randomly integrated into the S. gordonii chromosome and transformants were selected for chloramphenicol resistance. Three out of eighteen chloramphenicol resistant transformants selected exhibited 100% stability of the phenotype and only one of them, GP215, carried the cat gene integrated as a single copy. A DNA fragment of 600 base pairs exhibiting promoter activity was isolated from GP215 and sequenced. The 5' end of its corresponding mRNA was determined by primer extention analysis and the putative -10 and a -35 regions were identified. To study the possibility of using this promoter (PP) for single copy heterologous gene expression, we created transcriptional fusions of PP with genes encoding surface recombinant proteins in a vector capable of integrating into the conjugative transposon Tn916. Surface recombinant proteins whose expression was controlled by the PP promoter were detected in Tn916-containing strains of S. gordonii and Bacillus subtilis after single copy chromosomal integration of the recombinant insertion vectors into the resident Tn916. The surface recombinant protein synthesized under the control of PP was also detected in Enterococcus faecalis after conjugal transfer of a recombinant Tn916 containing the transcriptional fusion.

Conclusion

We isolated and characterized a S. gordonii chromosomal promoter. We demonstrated that this promoter can be used to direct expression of heterologous genes in different Gram-positive bacteria, when integrated in a single copy into the chromosome.
Patient involvement in medical decision-making and pain among elders: physician or patient-driven?
Authors: Borders Tyrone F , Xu Ke Tom , Heavner James , Kruse Gina
Published: January 2005

Background

Pain is highly prevalent among older adults, but little is known about how patient involvement in medical decision-making may play a role in limiting its occurrence or severity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether physician-driven and patient-driven participation in decision-making were associated with the odds of frequent and severe pain.

Methods

A cross-sectional population-based survey of 3,135 persons age 65 and older was conducted in the 108-county region comprising West Texas. The survey included self-reports of frequent pain and, among those with frequent pain, the severity of pain.

Results

Findings from multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that higher patient-driven participation in decision-making was associated with lower odds (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.75–0.89) of frequent pain, but was not significantly associated with severe pain. Physician-driven participation was not significantly associated with frequent or severe pain.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that patients may need to initiate involvement in medical decision-making to reduce their chances of experiencing frequent pain. Changes to other modifiable health care characteristics, including access to a personal doctor and health insurance coverage, may be more conducive to limiting the risk of severe pain.
Explaining inconsistencies between data on condom use and condom sales
Authors: Meekers Dominique , Van Rossem Ronan
Published: January 2005

Background

Several HIV prevention programs use data on condom sales and survey-based data on condom prevalence to monitor progress. However, such indicators are not always consistent. This paper aims to explain these inconsistencies and to assess whether the number of sex acts and the number of condoms used can be estimated from survey data. This would be useful for program managers, as it would enable estimation of the number of condoms needed for different target groups.

Methods

We use data from six Demographic and Health Surveys to estimate the total annual number of sex acts and number of condoms used. Estimates of the number of sex acts are based on self-reported coital frequency, the proportion reporting intercourse the previous day, and survival methods. Estimates of the number of condoms used are based on self-reported frequency of use, the proportion reporting condom use the previous day and in last intercourse. The estimated number of condoms used is then compared with reported data on condom sales and distribution.

Results

Analysis of data on the annual number of condoms sold and distributed to the trade reveals very erratic patterns, which reflect stock-ups at various levels in the distribution chain. Consequently, condom sales data are a very poor indicator of the level of condom use. Estimates of both the number of sexual acts and the number of condoms used vary enormously based on the estimation method used. For several surveys, the highest estimate of the annual number of condoms used is tenfold that of the lowest estimate.

Conclusions

Condom sales to the trade are a poor indicator of levels of condom use, and are therefore insufficient to monitor HIV prevention programs. While survey data on condom prevalence allow more detailed monitoring, converting such data to an estimated number of sex acts and condoms used is not straightforward. The estimation methods yield widely different results, and it is impossible to determine which method is most accurate. Until the reliability of these various estimation methods can be established, estimating the annual number of condoms used from survey data will not be feasible. Collecting survey data on the number of sex acts and the number of condoms used in a fixed time period may enable the calculation of more reliable estimates of the number of sex acts and condoms used.
Risk adjustment methods for Home Care Quality Indicators (HCQIs) based on the minimum data set for home care
Authors: Dalby Dawn M , Hirdes John P , Fries Brant E
Published: January 2005

Background

There has been increasing interest in enhancing accountability in health care. As such, several methods have been developed to compare the quality of home care services. These comparisons can be problematic if client populations vary across providers and no adjustment is made to account for these differences. The current paper explores the effects of risk adjustment for a set of home care quality indicators (HCQIs) based on the Minimum Data Set for Home Care (MDS-HC).

Methods

A total of 22 home care providers in Ontario and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) in Manitoba, Canada, gathered data on their clients using the MDS-HC. These assessment data were used to generate HCQIs for each agency and for the two regions. Three types of risk adjustment methods were contrasted: a) client covariates only; b) client covariates plus an "Agency Intake Profile" (AIP) to adjust for ascertainment and selection bias by the agency; and c) client covariates plus the intake Case Mix Index (CMI).

Results

The mean age and gender distribution in the two populations was very similar. Across the 19 risk-adjusted HCQIs, Ontario CCACs had a significantly higher AIP adjustment value for eight HCQIs, indicating a greater propensity to trigger on these quality issues on admission. On average, Ontario had unadjusted rates that were 0.3% higher than the WRHA. Following risk adjustment with the AIP covariate, Ontario rates were, on average, 1.5% lower than the WRHA. In the WRHA, individual agencies were likely to experience a decline in their standing, whereby they were more likely to be ranked among the worst performers following risk adjustment. The opposite was true for sites in Ontario.

Conclusions

Risk adjustment is essential when comparing quality of care across providers when home care agencies provide services to populations with different characteristics. While such adjustment had a relatively small effect for the two regions, it did substantially affect the ranking of many individual home care providers.
Lessons learnt from the painful shoulder; a case series of malignant shoulder girdle tumours misdiagnosed as frozen shoulder
Authors: Quan Gerald MY , Carr Derek , Schlicht Steven , Powell Gerard , Choong Peter FM
Published: January 2005

Adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder is a common condition characterized by shoulder pain and stiffness. In patients in whom conservative measures have failed, more invasive interventions such as arthrographic or arthroscopic distension can be very effective in relieving symptoms and improving range of movement. However, absolute contraindications to these procedures include the presence of neoplasia around the shoulder girdle. We present five cases referred to our institution where the diagnosis of shoulder joint malignancy was delayed, following prolonged, ineffective treatment for frozen shoulder. These cases highlight the importance of careful review of the radiology and the need for reconsideration of the diagnosis in refractory "frozen shoulder".
Inhibition of early steps in the lentiviral replication cycle by cathelicidin host defense peptides
Authors: Steinstraesser Lars , Tippler Bettina , Mertens Janine , Lamme Evert , Homann Heinz-Herbert , Lehnhardt Marcus , Wildner Oliver , Steinau Hans-Ulrich , Überla Klaus
Published: January 2005

Background

The antibacterial activity of host defense peptides (HDP) is largely mediated by permeabilization of bacterial membranes. The lipid membrane of enveloped viruses might also be a target of antimicrobial peptides. Therefore, we screened a panel of naturally occurring HDPs representing different classes for inhibition of early, Env-independent steps in the HIV replication cycle. A lentiviral vector-based screening assay was used to determine the inhibitory effect of HDPs on early steps in the replication cycle and on cell metabolism.

Results

Human LL37 and porcine Protegrin-1 specifically reduced lentiviral vector infectivity, whereas the reduction of luciferase activities observed at high concentrations of the other HDPs is primarily due to modulation of cellular activity and/ or cytotoxicity rather than antiviral activity. A retroviral vector was inhibited by LL37 and Protegrin-1 to similar extent, while no specific inhibition of adenoviral vector mediated gene transfer was observed. Specific inhibitory effects of Protegrin-1 were confirmed for wild type HIV-1.

Conclusion

Although Protegrin-1 apparently inhibits an early step in the HIV-replication cycle, cytotoxic effects might limit its use as an antiviral agent unless the specificity for the virus can be improved.
Dutch women with a low birth weight have an increased risk of myocardial infarction later in life: a case control study
Authors: Tanis Bea C , Kapiteijn Kitty , Hage Ronella M , Rosendaal Frits R , Helmerhorst Frans M
Published: January 2005

Background

To investigate whether low birth weight increases the risk of myocardial infarction later in life in women.

Methods

Nationwide population-based case-control study. Patients and controls: 152 patients with a first myocardial infarction before the age of 50 years in the Netherlands. 568 control women who had not had a myocardial infarction stratified for age, calendar year of the index event, and area of residence.

Results

Birth weight in the patient group was significantly lower than in control women (3214 vs. 3370 gram, mean difference -156.3 gram (95%CI -9.5 to -303.1). The odds ratio for myocardial infarction, associated with a birth weight lower than 3000 gram (20th percentile in controls) compared to higher than 3000 gram was 1.7 (95%CI 1.1–2.7), while the odds ratio for myocardial infarction for children with a low birth weight (< 2000 g) compared to a birth weight ≥ 2000 g was 2.4 (95%CI 1.0 – 5.8). Both figures did not change after adjustment for putative confounders (age, education level, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and family history of cardiovascular disease).

Conclusions

Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction before age of 50 in Dutch women.
HIV-1 resistance conferred by siRNA cosuppression of CXCR4 and CCR5 coreceptors by a bispecific lentiviral vector
Authors: Anderson Joseph , Akkina Ramesh
Published: January 2005

Background

RNA interference (RNAi) mediated by small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) has proved to be a highly effective gene silencing mechanism with great potential for HIV/AIDS gene therapy. Previous work with siRNAs against cellular coreceptors CXCR4 and CCR5 had shown that down regulation of these surface molecules could prevent HIV-1 entry and confer viral resistance. Since monospecific siRNAs targeting individual coreceptors are inadequate in protecting against both T cell tropic (X4) and monocyte tropic (R5) viral strains simultaneously, bispecific constructs with dual specificity are required. For effective long range therapy, the bispecific constructs need to be stably transduced into HIV-1 target cells via integrating viral vectors.

Results

To achieve this goal, lentiviral vectors incorporating both CXCR4 and CCR5 siRNAs of short hairpin design were constructed. The CXCR4 siRNA was driven by a U6 promoter whereas the CCR5 siRNA was driven by an H1 promoter. A CMV promoter driven EGFP reporter gene is also incorporated in the bispecific construct. High efficiency transduction into coreceptor expressing Magi and Ghost cell lines with a concomitant down regulation of respective coreceptors was achieved with lentiviral vectors. When the siRNA expressing transduced cells were challenged with X4 and R5 tropic HIV-1, they demonstrated marked viral resistance. HIV-1 resistance was also observed in bispecific lentiviral vector transduced primary PBMCs.

Conclusions

Both CXCR4 and CCR5 coreceptors could be simultaneously targeted for down regulation by a single combinatorial lentiviral vector incorporating respective anti-coreceptor siRNAs. Stable down regulation of both the coreceptors protects cells against infection by both X4 and R5 tropic HIV-1. Stable down regulation of cellular molecules that aid in HIV-1 infection will be an effective strategy for long range HIV gene therapy.
Prescription channeling of COX-2 inhibitors and traditional nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a population-based case–control study
Authors: Moride Yola , Ducruet Thierry , Boivin Jean-François , Moore Nicholas , Perreault Sylvie , Zhao Sean
Published: January 2005

This pharmacoepidemiologic study was conducted to determine whether risk factors for upper gastrointestinal bleeding influenced the prescription of cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitors and traditional nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at the time when COX-2 inhibitors were first included in the formulary of reimbursed medications. A population-based case–control study was conducted in which the prevalence of risk factors and the medical histories of patients prescribed COX-2 inhibitors and traditional nonselective NSAIDs were compared. The study population consisted of a random sample of members of the Quebec drug plan (age 18 years or older) who received at least one dispensation of celecoxib (n = 42,422; cases), rofecoxib (n = 25,674; cases), or traditional nonselective NSAIDs (n = 12,418; controls) during the year 2000. All study data were obtained from the Quebec health care databases. Adjusting for income level, Chronic Disease Score, prior use of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid, acetaminophen, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, prescriber specialty, and time period, the following factors were significantly associated with the prescription of COX-2 inhibitors: age 75 years or older (odds ratio [OR] 4.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.95–4.51), age 55–74 years (OR 3.23, 95% CI 3.06–3.40), female sex (OR 1.52, 95% CI 1.45–1.58), prior diagnosis of gastropathy (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.08–1.36) and prior dispensation of gastroprotective agents (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.47–1.67). Patients who received a traditional nonselective NSAID recently were more likely to switch to a coxib, especially first-time users (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.93–2.43). Associations were significantly greater for celecoxib than rofecoxib for age, chronic NSAID use, and last NSAID use between 1 and 3 months before the index date. At the time of introduction of COX-2 inhibitors into the formulary, prescription channeling could confound risk comparisons across products.
Claudin 7 expression and localization in the normal murine mammary gland and murine mammary tumors
Authors: Blackman Brigitte , Russell Tanya , Nordeen Steven K , Medina Daniel , Neville Margaret C
Published: January 2005

Introduction

Claudins, membrane-associated tetraspanin proteins, are normally associated with the tight junctions of epithelial cells where they confer a variety of permeability properties to the transepithelial barrier. One member of this family, claudin 7, has been shown to be expressed in the human mammary epithelium and some breast tumors. To set the stage for functional experiments on this molecule, we examined the developmental expression and localization of claudin 7 in the murine mammary epithelium and in a selection of murine mammary tumors.

Method

We used real-time polymerase chain reaction, in situ mRNA localization, and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to examine the expression and localization of claudin 7. Frozen sections were examined by digital confocal microscopy for colocalization with the tight-junction protein ZO1.

Results

Claudin 7 was expressed constitutively in the mammary epithelium at all developmental stages, and the ratio of its mRNA to that of keratin 19 was nearly constant through development. By IHC, claudin 7 was located in the basolateral part of the cell where it seemed to be localized to discrete vesicles. Scant colocalization with the tight-junction scaffolding protein ZO1 was observed. Similar results were obtained from IHC of the airway epithelium and some renal tubules; however, claudin 7 did partly colocalize with ZO1 in EPH4 cells, a normal murine mammary cell line, and in the epididymis. The molecule was localized in the cytoplasm of MMTV-neu and the transplantable murine tumor cell lines TM4, TM10, and TM40A, in which its ratio to cytokeratin was higher than in the normal mammary epithelium.

Conclusion

Claudin 7 is expressed constitutively in the mammary epithelium at approximately equal levels throughout development as well as in the murine tumors examined. Although it is capable of localizing to tight junctions, in the epithelia of mammary gland, airway, and kidney it is mostly or entirely confined to punctate cytoplasmic structures, often near the basolateral surfaces of the cells and possibly associated with basolateral membranes. These observations suggest that claudin 7 might be involved in vesicle trafficking to the basolateral membrane, possibly stabilizing cytoplasmic vesicles or participating in cell–matrix interactions.
Impact of a nurses' protocol-directed weaning procedure on outcomes in patients undergoing mechanical ventilation for longer than 48 hours: a prospective cohort study with a matched historical control group
Authors: Tonnelier Jean-Marie , Prat Gwenaël , Le Gal Grégoire , Gut-Gobert Christophe , Renault Anne , Boles Jean-Michel , L'Her Erwan
Published: January 2005

Introduction

The aim of the study was to determine whether the use of a nurses' protocol-directed weaning procedure, based on the French intensive care society (SRLF) consensus recommendations, was associated with reductions in the duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay in patients requiring more than 48 hours of mechanical ventilation.

Methods

This prospective study was conducted in a university hospital ICU from January 2002 through to February 2003. A total of 104 patients who had been ventilated for more than 48 hours and were weaned from mechanical ventilation using a nurses' protocol-directed procedure (cases) were compared with a 1:1 matched historical control group who underwent conventional physician-directed weaning (between 1999 and 2001). Duration of ventilation and length of ICU stay, rate of unsuccessful extubation and rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia were compared between cases and controls.

Results

The duration of mechanical ventilation (16.6 ± 13 days versus 22.5 ± 21 days; P = 0.02) and ICU length of stay (21.6 ± 14.3 days versus 27.6 ± 21.7 days; P = 0.02) were lower among patients who underwent the nurses' protocol-directed weaning than among control individuals. Ventilator-associated pneumonia, ventilator discontinuation failure rates and ICU mortality were similar between the two groups.

Discussion

Application of the nurses' protocol-directed weaning procedure described here is safe and promotes significant outcome benefits in patients who require more than 48 hours of mechanical ventilation.
A universal method for automated gene mapping
Authors: Zipperlen Peder , Nairz Knud , Rimann Ivo , Basler Konrad , Hafen Ernst , Hengartner Michael , Hajnal Alex
Published: January 2005

Small insertions or deletions (InDels) constitute a ubiquituous class of sequence polymorphisms found in eukaryotic genomes. Here, we present an automated high-throughput genotyping method that relies on the detection of fragment-length polymorphisms (FLPs) caused by InDels. The protocol utilizes standard sequencers and genotyping software. We have established genome-wide FLP maps for both Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster that facilitate genetic mapping with a minimum of manual input and at comparatively low cost.
Trouble in the heartland: GIS and its critics in the 1990s
Authors: Schuurman Nadine
Published: January 2005

GIS eased into geography without much discord until the 1990s, when a flurry of commentaries about the relative merits of GIS made their way into a number of geographic journals. The ensuing decade was marked by varying degrees of friction between GIS practitioners and their critics in human geography. Despite the methodological chasm between the two groups, little discussion of the implications of these differences has ensued. This article fills that gap with a historiographic examination of critiques of GIS. Critiques of GIS are organized into three waves or periods, each characterized by distinct arguments. The first wave, from 1990 to 1994, was marked by the intensity of debate as well as an emphasis on positivism. By 1995, the conversation waned as the number of critics grew, while GIS practitioners increasingly declined comment. This second wave marked the initiation of a greater degree of co-operation between GIS scholars and their critics, however. With the inception of the National Center for Geographic Information Analysis (NCGIA) Initiative 19, intended to study the social effects of GIS, many critics began to work closely with their peers in GIS. In the third wave, critiques of GIS expressed a greater commitment to the technology. Throughout the decade, debates about the technology shifted from simple attacks on positivism to incorporating more subtle analyses of the effects of the technology. These critiques have had considerable effect on the academic GIS community but are presently constrained by limited communication with GIS practitioners because of the absence of a common vocabulary. I argue that, if critiques of GIS are to be effective, they must find a way to address GIS researchers, using the language and conceptual framework of the discipline.
A Practical Synthesis and Estrogenic Activity of 5-Hydroxy-1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,3-trimethylindan, a Contaminant in Industrial Grade Bisphenol A
Authors: Terasaki Masanori , Shiraishi Fujio , Nishikawa Tomohiro , Morita Masatoshi , Makino Masakazu
Published: January 2005

A practical synthesis of 5-hydroxy-1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,3-trimethylindan was achieved from α-methylstyrene. The starting compound was dimerized in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid to produce 1-phenyl-1,3,3-trimethylindan. Aromatic nitration of the phenylindane was carried out using a mixture of nitric acid and acetic anhydride. The nitro group was then converted to hydroxyl via reduction and a diazonium salt sequence to form 5-hydroxy-1-(4′-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3,3-trimethylindan. The estrogenicity of the product was 8.7 times that of BPA. Our finding has demonstrated the endocrine-disrupting properties of the product.
Efficient Method for the Esterification of Carboxylic Acids with Alcohols Using Di-2-thienyl Carbonate Promoted by Catalytic Amounts of DMAP and Hf(OTf)4
Authors: Oohashi Yoshiaki , Fukumoto Kentarou , Mukaiyama Teruaki
Published: January 2005

Esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols including bulky secondary ones by using an equimolar amount of di-2-thienyl carbonate (2-DTC) in the presence of a catalytic amount of 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP) followed by addition of a catalytic amount of hafnium(IV) trifluoromethanesulfonate (Hf(OTf)4) afforded the corresponding esters in good to high yields.
Selective Glucose Sensing Utilizing Complexation with Fluorescent Boronic Acid on Polycation
Authors: Kanekiyo Yasumasa , Tao Hiroaki
Published: January 2005

A novel sensing system for selective glucose detection has been established based on the 1:2 complex formation between glucose and fluorescent boronic acid in the presence of polycation which results in the emergence of excimer emission.
Phenol Hydroxylation Catalyzed by the Rare Earth-adulterated Copper-containing Hydrotalcites
Authors: Chen Chunxia , Xu Chenghua , Feng Liangrong , Suo Jishuan , Qiu Fali
Published: January 2005

Owing to the fact that the presence of the Cu+ species in La–Cu–HTLcs/H2O2 system is detected by the X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), the generation of HO• radicals is deduced to be carried out by the reaction of HO–Cu+–OH species with H2O2.
Synthesis and Properties of Nb-containing Mesoporous Materials with Bimodal Pores Using TEOS and Layered Perovskite K2NbO3F
Authors: Ogasawara Masataka , Kato Sumio , Tsukidate Hiroshi , Akaogi Takahiro , Moriya Yoshio , Nakata Shinichi
Published: January 2005

We synthesized Si–Nb-mesoporous materials using TEOS, layered perovskite K2NbO3F, and HDTMACl as starting materials. TEM-EDX and IR spectra measurements indicated that niobium was introduced in the silica framework, forming Si–O–Nb bond. Mesopores due to the templating effect of HDTMA formed in the nanoparticle, thus producing a bimodal mesoporous material.
Lead Halide-based Layered Perovskites Incorporated with a p-Terphenyl Laser Dye
Authors: Sakai Ken-ichi , Sonoyama Takuya , Tsuzuki Takeo , Ichikawa Musubu , Taniguchi Yoshio
Published: January 2005

An attempt to incorporate a representative laser dye, p-terphenyl, into the layered organic–inorganic perovskite structure was made. From PbX2 (X = Cl, Br) and the corresponding 4,4″-bis(2-aminoethyl)-p-terphenyl (AETP) hydrogen halide salt (AETP-2HX), two kinds of AETP-PbX4 crystals were prepared, and their structural and optical properties were investigated. Emission color of the crystals was fluorescent blue for X = Cl, while phosphorescent orange for X = Br, suggesting different emission processes dependent on the different energy levels of PbX4 perovskite layers.
Raphide Crystal Structure in Agave Tequilana Determined by X-ray Originating from Synchrotron Radiation
Authors: Tadokoro Makoto , Ozawa Yoshiki , Mitsumi Minoru , Toriumi Kohshiro , Ogura Tetsuya
Published: January 2005

The first single crystal structure of small natural raphides in an agave plant is completely determined using an intense X-ray originating from a synchrotron radiation. The SEM image shows that the tip of the crystal is approximately hundreds of nanometer in width sharply grow to stick to the tissue of herbivorous vermin. Furthermore, the crystal develops cracks that propagate at an inclination of approximately 45° towards the direction of crystal growth such that the crystal easily splits into small pieces in the tissue.
Housing-related activity in rats: effects on body weight, urinary corticosterone levels, muscle properties and performance
Authors: Spangenberg E.M.F. , Augustsson H. , Dahlborn K. , Essén-Gustavsson B. , Cvek K.
Published: January 2005

The cage systems commonly used for housing laboratory rats often result in sedentary and overweight animals, as a consequence of restricted opportunities for physical activity combined with ad libitum feeding. This can have implications both for animal well-being and for the experimental outcome. Physical activity has several known positive effects on health and lifespan, and physical fitness might therefore be incorporated into the animal welfare concept. The aim of this study was to investigate if and how pen housing affects the physical activity and fitness of rats. Thirty-two juvenile male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to two different housing systems for a 4-week period. Sixteen rats were kept individually in standard Makrolon type III cages (42 × 26 × 18 cm) furnished with black plastic tubes (singly-housed, SI). The remaining rats were kept in groups of eight, housed in large floor pens (150 × 210 cm), which were furnished with various objects to increase environmental complexity (pen-housed, PH). The body weight gain, and food and water intake of the rats were measured. During weeks 3 or 4, home cage behaviour, urinary cortiosterone/creatinine ratios (CO/CR), and muscle strength on an inclined plane, were measured. Enzyme activities and glycogen content were measured in tissue samples from m. triceps brachii taken after euthanization at the end of the study. There were no significant differences between groups for food and water intake, but PH rats weighed 14% less than SI rats after 4 weeks, and PH rats also had a more diverse behavioural pattern than SI rats. PH rats had significantly higher oxidative capacity (28% more citrate synthase (CS)) and greater glycogen content (28%) in their muscle samples than SI rats. The PH rats performed significantly better on the inclined plane, both in the muscle strength test (mean angle 75 ± 0.5° for PH rats and 69 ± 0.4° for SI rats) and the endurance strength test (mean time 233 ± 22 s for PH rats and 73 ± 14 s for SI rats). There was a negative correlation between body weight and results on the inclined plane for the PH rats. There were no significant differences between housing types with respect to CO/CR ratios. In conclusion, the large pen represents an environment that stimulates physical activity and more varied behaviour, which should be beneficial for the welfare of the animal.
Performance evaluation of IVC systems
Authors: Brandstetter H. , Scheer M. , Heinekamp C. , Gippner-Steppert C. , Loge O. , Ruprecht L. , Thull B. , Wagner R. , Wilhelm P. , Scheuber H.-P.
Published: January 2005

An expert Working Group was set up in December 2000 to develop recommendations for users and industry on the evaluation of proper function and operation of individually ventilated cage (IVC) systems. The full report of their recommendations is in two parts—'Part 1: Test Instructions' and 'Part 2: Evaluation Criteria'—both of which have been published in full on the Laboratory Animals Ltd website. They can be found at http://www.lal.org.uk/IVC/index.html. Evaluation of and feedback on the recommendations to further refine their use and scientific basis is encouraged. This Summary Report provides a brief overview of the background to the development of the full report and the issues it addresses.
A new airway device for small laboratory animals
Authors: Imai A. , Eisele P.H. , Steffey E.P.
Published: January 2005

There is a need for a device for improved management of the airway of small laboratory animals during general anaesthesia. This report introduces such a device, referred to here as the airway device (AD). The AD has some similarity to the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) developed for human patients, but the mask portion of the device is specifically designed for small laboratory animals. In addition, the device has an oesophageal extension and unlike the LMA does not have a cuff associated with the mask. This report also shares experience of tests of one prototype AD with six New Zealand white rabbits. The AD was used for administering isoflurane and its effectiveness was evaluated during conditions of spontaneous and controlled intermittent positive pressure ventilation. The results provide encouragement for further development of the AD for airway management of small laboratory animals.
Power System Fault Ride through Capabilities of Induction Generator Based Wind Turbines
Authors: Holdsworth L. , Charalambous I. , Ekanayake J. B. , Jenkins N.
Published: January 2005

Until recently it has been accepted that induction generator based wind turbines are disconnected from the power system in the event of a network disturbance. However, the increasing trend of connecting high penetrations of wind farms to transmission networks has resulted in the transmission system operators revising their grid codes for the connection of large MW capacity wind farms. These documents now require wind turbines to remain connected for a specified voltage disturbance on the network. Much of the wind generation plant being developed will use either fixed speed induction generator (FSIG) or doubly fed induction generator (DFIG) based wind turbines. The ability of induction generator based wind turbines to remain connected through power system disturbances is discussed. A control loop for a ‘fast pitching’ blade angle control strategy to provide a power system fault ride-through capability for induction generator based wind turbines is also described. A case study of a FSIG wind turbine with the ‘fast pitching’ initiating logic and control scheme is investigated.