bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ten‐year follow‐up of Parkinson's disease patients randomized to initial therapy with ropinirole or levodopa
Authors: Hauser Robert A. , Rascol Olivier , Korczyn Amos D. , Jon Stoessl A. , Watts Ray L. , Poewe Werner , De Deyn Peter P. , Lang Anthony E.
Published: September 2007

In a 5‐year, double‐blind study, subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD) who were randomized to initial treatment with ropinirole had a significantly lower incidence of dyskinesia compared with subjects randomized to levodopa, although Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores were significantly more improved in the levodopa group. Subjects who completed the original study were eligible to participate in a long‐term extension study conducted according to an open, naturalistic design and were evaluated approximately every 6 months until they had been followed for a total of 10 years. Comparing subjects randomized to initial treatment with ropinirole (n = 42) and levodopa (n = 27), the incidence of dyskinesia was significantly lower in the ropinirole group (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1, 1.0; P = 0.046) and the median time to dyskinesia was significantly longer (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.4; 95% CI: 0.2, 0.8; P = 0.007). The incidence of at least moderate wearing off (“off” time ≥26% of the awake day) was also significantly lower in the ropinirole group (adjusted OR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.09, 0.03; P = 0.03). There were no significant differences in change in UPDRS activities of daily living or motor scores, or scores for the 39‐item PD questionnaire, Clinical Global Impression, or the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Early treatment decisions for individual patients depend largely on the anticipated risk of side effects and long‐term complications. Both ropinirole and levodopa are viable treatment options in early PD. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
A neuropsychological longitudinal study in Parkinson's patients with and without hallucinations
Authors: Santangelo Gabriella , Trojano Luigi , Vitale Carmine , Ianniciello Marta , Amboni Marianna , Grossi Dario , Barone Paolo
Published: September 2007

The aim of this work was to determine the progression of cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with or without hallucinations. Two years after the first assessment, 36 PD patients were re‐evaluated on standardized neuropsychological tests, including the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and on rating scales for overall cognitive functioning, functional autonomy, behavioral disorders. Nine patients had hallucinations at baseline and endpoint assessments; 12 patients developed hallucinations during the follow‐up; and 15 patients were hallucination‐free throughout the study. Cognitive performance significantly declined in all three groups, but at endpoint assessment PD hallucinators scored significantly lower than nonhallucinators on phonological and semantic fluency tasks, immediate free recall and the go/no‐go FAB subtest; moreover, they showed more severe apathy than nonhallucinators. Reduced phonological fluency at baseline (odds ratio [OR], 13.5; 95% CI: 1.34–135.98, P = 0.027) was the only independent predictor of onset of hallucinations after 2 years, whereas hallucinations (OR, 10.1; 95% CI: 1.94–51.54, P = 0.006) and poor phonological fluency (OR, 6.1; 95% CI: 1.04–35.03, P = 0.045) independently predicted development of diffuse cognitive impairment. We concluded that reduced verbal fluency scores may predict the onset of hallucinations, while hallucinations and poor phonological fluency may predict development of dementia in PD patients. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata) ovaries, like human oocytes, express four zona pellucida glycoproteins
Authors: Ganguly Anasua , Sharma R.K. , Gupta Satish Kumar
Published: September 2007

Recent studies document that the zona pellucida matrix of human oocytes is composed of four glycoproteins designated as ZP1, ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4 instead of three as proposed in mouse model. In the present study, investigations were carried out to find the presence of the fourth ZP glycoprotein in the ovaries of non‐human primates namely bonnet monkey (Macaca radiata). Employing total RNA isolated from bonnet monkey ovaries, the complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) encoding bonnet monkey ZP1 (up to furin cleavage site) was successfully amplified by reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The deduced amino acid (aa) sequence of bonnet monkey ZP1 revealed 96.0% identity with human ZP1. The 21 cysteine residues present in bonnet monkey ZP1 were conserved in human, mouse, rat, quail, and chicken. Simultaneously, polyclonal antibodies were generated in mice against synthetic peptides corresponding to human ZP1 (P1, 137–150 aa; P2, 223–235 aa; P3, 237–251 aa; P4, 413–432 aa; and P5, 433–451 aa). Employing anti‐peptide antibodies that were devoid of cross‐reactivity as determined by ELISA with human/bonnet monkey recombinant ZP2, ZP3, and ZP4, the presence of ZP1 in the ovaries of bonnet monkey and human oocytes was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence. The antibodies against peptides P3 and P4 reacted only with the ZP of bonnet monkey ovaries and not other ovarian associated cells. The data presented in this manuscript provide evidence, for the first time, that the bonnet monkey ZP matrix is composed of four glycoproteins. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 156–166, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Both type 1 and type 2a muscle fibers can respond to enzyme therapy in Pompe disease
Authors: Drost Maarten R. , Schaart Gert , van Dijk Paul , van Capelle Carine I. , van Der Vusse Ger J. , Delhaas Tammo , van Der Ploeg Ans T. , Reuser Arnold J. J.
Published: September 2007

Muscle weakness is the main symptom of Pompe disease, a lysosomal storage disorder for which major clinical benefits of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) have been documented recently. Restoration of skeletal muscle function is a challenging goal. Type 2 muscle fibers of mice with Pompe disease have proven resistant to therapy. To investigate the response in humans, we studied muscle biopsies of a severely affected infant before and after 17 months of therapy. Type 1 and 2a fibers were marked with antibodies, and lysosome‐associated membrane protein‐1 (Lamp1) was used as the lysosomal membrane marker. Quantitative measurements showed a 2.5–3‐fold increase of fiber cross‐sectional area of both fiber types during therapy and normalization of the Lamp1 signal in ∼95% of type 1 and ∼75% of type 2a fibers. The response of both type 1 and 2a muscle fibers in the patient studied herein corroborates the beneficial effects of enzyme therapy seen in patients with Pompe disease. Muscle Nerve, 2007
FoxO3a preferentially induces p27Kip1 expression while impairing muscle precursor cell‐cycle progression
Authors: Rathbone Christopher R. , Booth Frank W. , Lees Simon J.
Published: September 2007

Previous work has demonstrated that forkhead transcription factors, which include the FoxO subfamily, play a critical role in muscle atrophy by inducing expression of the atrophy‐related ubiquitin ligases. The proliferation of muscle precursor cells (MPC) is also essential for skeletal muscle mass. The hypothesis was tested that the FoxO forkhead transcription factor FoxO3a hinders MPC proliferation. The present studies were designed to determine the effects of overexpression of FoxO3a on in vitro proliferation of MPCs. MPCs infected with an adenovirus for wild‐type FoxO3a had decreased DNA synthesis as detected by the incorporation of 5‐bromo‐2′ deoxyuridine. In general, cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitors, including p27Kip1and p21Waf/Cip1, inhibit cell proliferation. Associated with the impaired MPC proliferation, we found an increase in the promoter activity and protein levels of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1, whereas there was no effect and a decrease in the promoter activity and protein levels of p21Waf/Cip1. FoxO3a overexpression had no effect on either the phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (ser780) or cyclin D1 protein levels, suggesting that FoxO3a does not effect the early phase of the G1–S transition. In addition to its ability to induce muscle atrophy, these studies identify FoxO3a as a negative regulator of MPC proliferation. Our findings suggest that attenuating increased FoxO3a may restore MPC proliferation to prevent atrophy and improve the regenerative capacity of skeletal muscle. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Intrathecal baclofen for spasticity‐related pain in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Efficacy and factors associated with pain relief
Authors: McClelland Shearwood , Bethoux Francois A. , Boulis Nicholas M. , Sutliff Matthew H. , Stough Darlene K. , Schwetz Kathleen M. , Gogol Danuta M. , Harrison Michelle , Pioro Erik P.
Published: September 2007

Clinical signs and symptoms of spasticity include hypertonia, involuntary movements (spasms, clonus), decreased range of motion, contractures, and often spasm‐related pain. When spasticity is refractory to medical management, patients may be referred for intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pump placement. We reviewed a cohort of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with intractable spasticity requiring ITB to further define the impact of ITB on pain relief in this patient population. From 2003 to 2005, eight patients (mean age 43.8 years; 5 men, 3 women) with ALS received ITB for pain associated with intractable spasticity at our institution. Mean disease duration preoperatively was 47.4 months, mean follow‐up was 9.8 months, and pain was evaluated using a 0–10 scoring system. All patients experienced spasticity relief in response to a preoperative bolus test injection of ITB (25–50 μg) via lumbar puncture. Following ITB pump placement, the average reduction of pain was 54% (P = 0.0082). Six patients (75%) experienced pain score reduction, three of whom had complete pain relief. Postoperative pain reduction was predicted by the degree of pain reduction following preoperative ITB test injection. These results support ITB as a treatment modality for pain associated with spasticity in ALS. Muscle Nerve, 2007
Development and validation of the pelvic floor inventories Leiden (PelFIs)
Authors: Zalm Petra J. Voorham‐van der , Stiggelbout Anne M. , Aardoom Ilona , Deckers Stella , Greve Inge G. , Nijeholt Guus A.B. Lycklama à , Pelger Rob C.M.
Published: September 2007

Aims

To evaluate the validity and reliability in Dutch of the Pelvic Floor Inventories Leiden (PelFIs) for men and women, an administered questionnaire, developed to create a condition‐specific pelvic floor questionnaire addressing all symptoms of micturition, defecation and sexual dysfunction related to pelvic floor dysfunction.

Methods

The PelFIs is an 83‐item instrument for women and 76‐item instrument for men measuring the degree of pelvic floor dysfunction, containing nine different domains. Questions have been selected which, from a clinical point of view, should configure a domain. The PelFIs was administered to healthy volunteers (N = 120), and to patients (N = 100). Reliability of the PelFIs was assessed by internal consistency and test‐retest reliability. Construct validity was established comparing healthy volunteers and patients by intercorrelating the domains.

Results

A total of 220 questionnaires were completed; by 147 women and 73 men. Some domains in the men's questionnaire had a low alpha (α) although the overall α was good. The overall of the domains for men ranged from 0.53 to 0.90. The internal consistency for the total scale of men's questionnaire was 0.84. The overall of the domains in women ranged from 0.60 to 0.85. The internal consistency of the women's questionnaire was 0.88 for the total scale. Intraclass correlation ranged from 0.65 to 0.88. Differences between healthy volunteers and patients were statistically significant for all domains.

Conclusion

The PelFIs is a new, practical and conceptually clear questionnaire, which focus on micturition, defecation and/or sexual dysfunction related to pelvic floor dysfunction. Neurourol. Urodynam. 27:301–305, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Spiral artery blood volume in normal pregnancies and those compromised by pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Moore Rachel J. , Ong Stephen S. , Tyler Damian J. , Duckett Rachel , Baker Philip N. , Dunn William R. , Johnson Ian R. , Gowland Penny A.
Published: September 2007

The aim of this work was to use intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) to provide a non‐invasive in vivo assessment of the function of the maternal spiral arteries that feed the placenta in normal pregnancy and in pre‐eclampsia. Eleven normal pregnant women were scanned at 16, 22, 29 and 35 weeks gestation in a longitudinal study. Nine normal pregnant women and six women with pre‐eclampsia were scanned in a cross‐sectional study, within 10 days of delivery. The MRI IVIM technique was used to measure the moving blood fraction (f%) at the basal plate. There was no evidence that f% changed with gestational age (P = 0.84), but considering the cross‐sectional groups, f% in women with pre‐eclampsia was reduced compared with normal pregnancy (mean ± SD: 36 ± 5% and 27 ± 5%; P < 0.005). In conclusion, pregnancies complicated by pre‐eclampsia exhibit a reduced fraction of moving blood within the region of the spiral arteries. IVIM performed in the mid‐trimester may provide an early means of predicting those pregnancies with an increased likelihood of being complicated by pre‐eclampsia. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the modelling of incompressibility in linear and non‐linear elasticity with the master–slave approach
Authors: Muñoz J. J.
Published: September 2007

The master–slave approach is adapted to model the kinematic constraints encountered in incompressibility. The method presented here allows us to obtain discrete displacement and pressure fields for arbitrary finite element formulations that have discontinuous pressure interpolations. The resulting displacements satisfy exactly the incompressibility constraints in a weak sense, and are obtained by solving a system of equations with the minimum (independent) degrees of freedom. In linear analysis, the method reproduces the well‐known stability results for inf–sup compliant elements, and permits to compute the pressure modes (physical or spurious) when they exist. By rewriting the equilibrium equations of a hyperelastic material, the method is extended to non‐linear elasticity, while retaining the exact fulfilment of the incompressibility constraints in a weak sense. Problems with analytical solution in two and three dimensions are tested and compared with other solution methods. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discrete gradient method in solid mechanics
Authors: Lu Jia , Qian Jing , Han Weimin
Published: September 2007

A discrete method to boundary value problems in solid mechanics is presented. In this method, the unknown variable and its derivative are defined only at nodes. A discrete gradient operator is constructed with the aid of a tensorial identity on the Voronoi diagram. This operator is utilized in a weak form to derive a discrete Galerkin formulation for the boundary value problem. The theoretical underpins of the methodology are discussed, and the details of computational implementation in two‐dimensional elasticity, both small strain and finite strain, are provided. Several benchmark tests are presented to demonstrate the accuracy, convergence, and other properties of the method. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Substituent effects on the formation of sulfonyl cations from sulfonyl chlorides: comparisons of solvolysis kinetic data with calculated gas phase energies
Authors: Bentley T. William , Jones Robert O.
Published: September 2007

Suitable theoretical methods are validated for organosulfur compounds using experimental data for gas phase enthalpies of formation, proton affinities (PA) and heterolytic bond dissociation enthalpies (HBDEs). From enthalpies of chloride anion transfers from neutral chlorides to acyl, sulfonyl or cumyl cations in the gas phase, it is calculated that (i) similar aromatic substituent effects are expected for heterolyses of acyl, sulfonyl and cumyl chlorides; (ii) HBDEs for loss of chloride increase by over 70 kcal mol−1 from 4‐MeOC6H4COCl to SO2Cl2. Rate constants for solvolyses of 4‐Z‐substituted arenesulfonyl chlorides (Z = OMe, Me, H, Cl, NO2) in 97% w/w 2,2,2‐trifluoroethanol (TFE)–water are reported. Substituent effects are smaller than observed for identical solvolyses of acyl and cumyl chlorides, and are much smaller than those predicted theoretically for gas phase unimolecular heterolysis (explained by variable amounts of nucleophilic solvent assistance). Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Transport Phenomena in an Atmospheric‐Pressure Townsend Discharge Fed by N2/N2O/HMDSO Mixtures
Authors: Enache Ionut , Caquineau Hubert , Gherardi Nicolas , Paulmier Thierry , Maechler Louison , Massines Francoise
Published: September 2007

This paper focuses on the understanding of the main mechanisms that participate in the growth process of an SiO2‐like film in an atmospheric pressure Townsend discharge in N2 with small ad‐mixtures of HMDSO and N2O. The approach consists of analyzing the influence of operating parameters on the growth rate profile through a fluid dynamics model. The suggested chemical mechanism is constituted by one volume reaction and one surface reaction. This simple model enables us to assume which phenomena control the film growth process among the following mechanisms: HMDSO dissociation by N2(A3Σ) in Si‐containing radicals, radicals transport to the surface, and surface activation process by plasma.

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Nitrogen‐Rich Plasma‐Polymer Films for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Truica‐Marasescu Florina , Wertheimer Michael R.
Published: September 2007

Low‐pressure plasma co‐polymerisation of binary gas mixtures of ethylene and ammonia was investigated in order to deposit N‐rich plasma polymer coatings for biomedical applications. Deposition kinetics and relevant surface characteristics were investigated as a function of r.f. power, gas pressure, and NH3/C2H4 ratio. Physico‐chemical properties of the coatings were determined by surface‐sensitive techniques: for example, total nitrogen concentrations up to 40 at.‐% were measured by XPS, while those of primary amines were determined by chemical derivatisation followed by XPS analysis. L‐PPE:N films were further characterised by UV‐vis and IR spectroscopic ellipsometry and by CAG.

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Efficient comprehensive scoring of docked protein complexes using probabilistic support vector machines
Authors: Martin Oliver , Schomburg Dietmar
Published: September 2007

Biological systems and processes rely on a complex network of molecular interactions. While the association of biological macromolecules is a fundamental biochemical phenomenon crucial for the understanding of complex living systems, protein‐protein docking methods aim for the computational prediction of protein complexes from individual subunits. Docking algorithms generally produce large numbers of putative protein complexes with only few of these conformations resembling the native complex structure within an acceptable degree of structural similarity. A major challenge in the field of docking is to extract near‐native structure(s) out of the large pool of solutions, the so called scoring or ranking problem. A series of structural, chemical, biological and physical properties are used in this work to classify docked protein‐protein complexes. These properties include specialized energy functions, evolutionary relationship, class specific residue interface propensities, gap volume, buried surface area, empiric pair potentials on residue and atom level as well as measures for the tightness of fit. Efficient comprehensive scoring functions have been developed using probabilistic Support Vector Machines in combination with this array of properties on the largest currently available protein‐protein docking benchmark. The established classifiers are shown to be specific for certain types of protein‐protein complexes and are able to detect near‐native complex conformations from large sets of decoys with high sensitivity. Using classification probabilities the ranking of near‐native structures was drastically improved, leading to a significant enrichment of near‐native complex conformations within the top ranks. It could be shown that the developed schemes outperform five other previously published scoring functions. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Crystal structures of Salmonella typhimurium propionate kinase and its complex with Ap4A: Evidence for a novel Ap4A synthetic activity
Authors: Simanshu Dhirendra K. , Savithri H. S. , Murthy M. R. N.
Published: September 2007

Propionate kinase catalyses the last step in the anaerobic breakdown of L‐threonine to propionate in which propionyl phosphate and ADP are converted to propionate and ATP. Here we report the structures of propionate kinase (TdcD) in the native form as well as in complex with diadenosine 5′,5′′′‐P1,P4‐tetraphosphate (Ap4A) by X‐ray crystallography. Structure of TdcD obtained after cocrystallization with ATP showed Ap4A bound to the active site pocket suggesting the presence of Ap4A synthetic activity in TdcD. Binding of Ap4A to the enzyme was confirmed by the structure determination of a TdcD‐Ap4A complex obtained after cocrystallization of TdcD with commercially available Ap4A. Mass spectroscopic studies provided further evidence for the formation of Ap4A by propionate kinase in the presence of ATP. In the TdcD‐Ap4A complex structure, Ap4A is present in an extended conformation with one adenosine moiety present in the nucleotide binding site and other in the proposed propionate binding site. These observations tend to support direct in‐line transfer of phosphoryl group during the kinase reaction. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluating protein:protein complex formation using synchrotron radiation circular dichroism spectroscopy
Authors: Cowieson Nathan P. , Miles Andrew J. , Robin Gautier , Forwood Jade K. , Kobe Bostjan , Martin Jennifer L. , Wallace B. A.
Published: September 2007

Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy beamlines at synchrotrons produce dramatically higher light flux than conventional CD instruments. This property of synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD) results in improved signal‐to‐noise ratios and allows data collection to lower wavelengths, characteristics that have led to the development of novel SRCD applications. Here we describe the use of SRCD to study protein complex formation, specifically evaluating the complex formed between carboxypeptidase A and its protein inhibitor latexin. Crystal structure analyses of this complex and the individual proteins reveal only minor changes in secondary structure of either protein upon complex formation (i.e., it involves only rigid body interactions). Conventional CD spectroscopy reports on changes in secondary structure and would therefore not be expected to be sensitive to such interactions. However, in this study we have shown that SRCD can identify differences in the vacuum ultraviolet CD spectra that are significant and attributable to complex formation. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Mechanistic insights into the inhibition of prostate specific antigen by β‐lactam class compounds
Authors: Singh Pratap , Williams Simon A. , Shah Meha H. , Lectka Thomas , Pritchard Gareth J. , Isaacs John T. , Denmeade Samuel R.
Published: September 2007

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a biomarker used in the diagnosis of prostate cancer and to monitor therapeutic response. However, its precise role in prostate carcinogenesis and metastasis remains largely unknown. A number of studies arguing in the favor of an active role of PSA in prostate cancer development and progression have implicated this serine protease in the release and activation of growth factors such as insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF1) through cleavage of insulin like growth factor binding protein 3 and Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF‐β) through cleavage of Latent TGF‐β. In contrast, other studies suggest that PSA activity might hinder tumor development and progression. In light of these contradictory findings, efficient inhibitors of PSA are needed for exploring its biological role in tumor development and metastasis. Towards the goal of developing potent inhibitors of PSA, we have explored the molecular mechanism of a series of β‐lactam based compounds on binding to PSA using activity assays, matrix assisted laser desorption ionization with a time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry, and GOLD docking methodology. The mass spectrometry experiments and the activity assays confirmed the time‐dependent and covalent nature of β‐lactam binding. To gain insights on the reaction intermediates at the molecular level, we docked β‐lactam inhibitors to a homology modeled PSA using the GOLD docking program in noncovalent and covalent binding modes. The docking studies elucidated the molecular details of the early noncovalent Michaelis complex, the acyl‐enzyme covalent complex, and the nature of conformational reorganization required for the long term stability of the covalent complex. Additionally, the molecular basis for the effect of stereochemistry of the lactam ring on the inhibitory potency was elucidated through docking of β‐lactam enantiomers. As a validation of our docking methodology, two novel enantiomers were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory potency using fluorogenic substrate based activity assays. Additionally, cis enantiomers of eight β‐lactam compounds reported in a previous study were docked and their GOLD scores and binding modes were analyzed in order to assess the general applicability of our docking results. The close agreement of our docking results with the experimental data validates the mechanistic insights revealed through the docking studies and paves the way for the design and development of potent and specific inhibitors of PSA. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization and structural modeling of a novel thermostable glycine oxidase from Geobacillus kaustophilus HTA426
Authors: Martínez‐Martínez Irene , Navarro‐Fernández José , García‐Carmona Francisco , Takami Hideto , Sánchez‐Ferrer Álvaro
Published: September 2007

Glycine oxidase from Geobacillus kaustophilus HTA426 (GOXK) is a 43 kDa monomer flavoenzyme containing noncovalently bound FAD. The induction of the enzyme resulted in the expression of a fully soluble protein with higher specific activity than those previously reported for GOX from B. subtilis (GOXB). A study of the kinetic properties of this novel GOXK revealed the lowest KM values for most of the substrates analyzed, with the exception of D‐proline which kept a similar value and had the highest Vmax value reported. The Vmax/KM ratio maintained a substrate preference of GOXK for amines of small size, like glycine, sarcosine, N‐ethyl‐glycine, and glycine‐ethyl‐ester. GOXK presented good stability at 60–70°C and in alkaline media (pH 6–9.5). The putative tridimensional structure was modeled by sequence alignment and by comparing the changes between GOXK and GOXB, and the residues that could be responsible for the substrate specificity as well as those essential for the catalytic activity were found. The comparison between the possible topology of GOXK with that of GOXB showed changes at the putative interactions between monomers for the building of the tetrameric oligomerization. Proteins 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reliability as an added‐value factor in an automotive clutch system
Authors: Teixeira Carlos Adriano Rigo , Cavalca Kátia Lucchesi
Published: September 2007

In the present competitive scenario, companies face the challenge of developing new products in a short time period, with superior technology in relation to prior developments and reduced costs to guarantee the survival of their business. Success is directly coupled with client requirements where quality and reliability should be the highest feasible, whereas deadlines and price have to be the lowest possible. This paper discusses tools and methods applied to planning and assurance of quality, which have to be taken into account at the product conception project, which concerns the phase in which quality, reliability and the final price of a product are technically defined. A methodology is presented for this purpose, and it can be extended to any product or system with few adaptations concerning quality, reliability and cost models. The product selected for the case‐study analysis in this work is an automotive clutch. The methodology proposed for the analysis is a combination of the KANO method, target cost and value analysis with respect to the assessment of client requirement compliance levels and the determination of the choice of functions—whose relative costs are above relative needs, therefore offering optimization or elimination potential. Thus, the reliability concepts of statistical distributions and fault tree analysis are employed to locate critical components and quantify design temporary performance. To provide life tests results to the highest failure risk in the system, the planning and deployment of accelerated tests are carried out. The final goal of this paper is the reliability assessment based on critical levels for the analysis of components to be improved or optimized and, mainly, to create a methodology for the development of optimized products. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mixed modeling and multiple imputation for unobservable genotype clusters
Authors: Foulkes A. S. , Yucel R. , Reilly M. P.
Published: September 2007

Understanding the genetic contributions to complex diseases will require consideration of interaction across multiple genes and environmental factors. At the same time, capturing information on allelic phase, that is, whether alleles within a gene are in cis (on the same chromosome) or in trans (on different chromosomes), is critical when using haplotypic approaches in disease association studies. This paper proposes a combination of mixed modeling and multiple imputation for assessing high‐order genotype–phenotype associations while accounting for the uncertainty in phase inherent in population‐based association studies. This method provides a flexible statistical framework for controlling for potential confounders and assessing gene–environment and gene–gene interactions in studies of unrelated individuals where the haplotypic phase is generally unobservable. The proposed method is applied to a cohort of 626 subjects with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to assess the potential contribution of four genes, apolipoprotein‐C‐III, apolipoprotein‐E, endothelial lipase and hepatic lipase in predicting lipid abnormalities. A simulation study is also presented to describe the method performance. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Type A behaviour pattern is associated with cynicism and low self‐acceptance in medical students
Authors: Song You Hwi , Terao Takeshi , Nakamura Jun
Published: September 2007

In the present study, we investigated the associations between Type A behaviour pattern, depressive state, other psychological factors and biological factors, in particular lipid metabolism. Seventy Japanese medical college students (40 males and 30 females) were assessed for Type A behaviour pattern, depressive state and other psychological factors, and serum lipid concentrations were measured. By using Structured Interview, it was revealed that 21 (52.5 per cent) male students exhibited Type A behaviour pattern, whereas 8 (27.5 per cent) female students exhibited this pattern. Although there was no significant difference in terms of depressive state or serum lipid levels between students exhibiting Type A and non‐Type A behaviour pattern, Type A students had significantly higher cynicism and lower levels of self‐acceptance than non‐Type A students after controlling for age and gender. These findings suggest that Type A behaviour pattern is more prevalent among male than female Japanese medical students. The pattern may be associated with a high degree of cynicism and low self‐acceptance, but is not apparently related to serum lipid levels. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Associations between adolescents' health, stress and sense of coherence
Authors: Nielsen Anne M. , Hansson Kjell
Published: September 2007

This study analyses the associations between sense of coherence and health and between stress and health in adolescents. In addition, this study tests whether a high sense of coherence could modify the health effects of stress. The study was a Danish cross‐sectional analysis of 3258 adolescents from school classes in a national representative sample. The child, the main teacher and the school doctor completed a questionnaire for each child. The two dependent variables were recent self‐reported illness and symptoms. The associations of stress and of sense of coherence and their interaction on the two health measures were analysed by logistic regression analysis for each gender, with and without confounder control. Sense of coherence and stress were generally associated with health. Girls with a low sense of coherence who were exposed to stress reported recent illness twice as often as unstressed girls did. This difference disappeared in girls with a high sense of coherence. The corresponding regression analysis showed a significant interaction between stress and sense of coherence on recent illness and was compatible with a stress modifying effect of sense of coherence. For boys, there was no such significant interaction. For both girls and boys, there were no significant interactions on symptoms. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enabling research synergies through a doctoral research network for systems engineering
Authors: Rhodes Donna H. , Valerdi Ricardo
Published: September 2007

As contrasted with traditional engineering and science fields, doctoral research in systems engineering is characterized by several unique factors. These include the relatively young tradition of systems engineering academic programs, the necessity for hybrid research methodologies, the existence of strong links with industry and government, and a nontraditional makeup of students in regard to their background, experience levels, and career goals. The International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) has set strategic objectives and policies to encourage doctoral level research in systems engineering, and has recently undertaken an initiative to create a doctoral student research network. This paper describes the motivations for and formation of the Systems Engineering and Architecting Doctoral Student Network (SEANET), and presents findings from a survey conducted at the 2006 inaugural workshop event. While limited, this survey gives insight into the demographics of students and underscores the essential role of a network in motivating, encouraging, and shaping doctoral research in systems engineering. Implications are discussed based on three key findings from the survey. These include: (1) The pool of systems engineering doctoral students is largely nontraditional; (2) students identified attending workshops and access to data as the two most pressing issues that professional societies can help with; and (3) doctoral students in systems engineering have a high diversity of career interests. Professional societies play an important role in encouraging and enabling systems engineering research, and sponsorship of a research network is an effective mechanism for this goal given that such societies can provide a neutral venue for this interchange. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 10: 348–360, 2007
An approximate method for static and dynamic analyses of symmetric wall‐frame buildings
Authors: Bozdogan Kanat Burak
Published: September 2007

In this study an approximate method based on the continuum approach and transfer matrix method for static and dynamic analyses of symmetric wall‐frame buildings is presented. The whole structure is idealized as a sandwich beam in this method. Initially the differential equation of this equivalent sandwich beam is written; shape functions for each storey can then be obtained by the solution of differential equations. By using boundary conditions and storey transfer matrices obtained from these shape functions, system modes and periods can be calculated. The reliability of the study is shown using several examples. A computer program has been developed in MATLAB and numerical samples have been solved for demonstration of the reliability of this method. The results of the samples show the agreement between the present method and other methods given in the literature. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute Abdominal Pain: Diagnostic Impact of Immediate CT Scanning
Authors: Strömberg Cecilia , Johansson Gunnar , Adolfsson Anders
Published: September 2007

Background

Acute abdominal pain is a common diagnostic problem. This study aimed to evaluate the routinely use of contrast enhanced computed tomographic (CT) scanning early in the diagnostic process.

Methods

A retrospective review of 2,222 patients with acute abdominal pain who underwent contrast enhanced CT scanning within 24 h after admission. The diagnoses obtained were compared with the final diagnoses after 1 month.

Results

After CT scanning the following diagnoses were suggested as the primary cause of the abdominal pain: nonspecific abdominal pain 984 (44.3%), appendicitis 354 (15.9%), bowel obstruction 190 (8.6%), diverticulitis 182 (8.2%), gastrointestinal perforation 52 (2.3%), gallstone disease 64 (2.9%), pancreatitis 72 (3.2%), inflammatory bowel disease 13 (0.6%), intra‐abdominal malignancy 34 (1.5%), vascular disease (including 1 completely cured patient with paradoxical embolization in the superior mesenteric artery) 33 (1.5%), urological 131 (5.9%), gynecological 54 (2.4%), miscellaneous 31 (1.4%). In 28 cases a conclusive CT examination could not be carried out. The suggested diagnoses were correct in 2,151 cases (96.8%). In 16 cases (0.7%) an incorrect diagnosis was reported, leading to 7 unnecessary laparotomies. False negative reports were obtained in 27 cases (1.2%). After CT examination 500 patients could be discharged immediately.

Conclusions

Contrast‐enhanced CT scanning results in superior diagnostic precision in patients with acute abdominal pain. The present work supports the strategy to include this examination early in the routine diagnostic process.
Treatment of High‐output Enterocutaneous Fistulas with a Vacuum‐compaction Device. A Ten‐year Experience
Authors: Wainstein Daniel Edgardo , Fernandez Ernesto , Gonzalez Daniel , Chara Osvaldo , Berkowski Dario
Published: September 2007

Background

Enterocutaneous fistulas arise as complications in 0.8%–2% of abdominal operations. The global mortality rate is 5%–37%, yet it may exceed 60% in the case of high‐output fistulas and when sepsis and malnutrition are involved. The objective of this prospective cohort study with retrospective data analyses was to analyze our ten‐year experience with a vacuum‐compaction device for the management of high‐output, postoperative enterocutaneous fistulas at the Department of General Surgery, E. Tornú Hospital, and the Intensive Care Unit, Churruca Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Patients and methods

Ninety‐one patients presented 179 fistulas; 73 (69.2%) were men whose mean age was 48 years. Sepsis and malnutrition were present in 66 (72.5%). The mean initial fistula output was 1,485 ml/day. Conservative management was carried out according to diagnostic and therapeutic priority staging. A vacuum‐compaction system (SIVACO; Spanish acronym) was used to control output.

Results

Output was entirely suppressed in 37 (40.7%) patients after 1–7 days of treatment, and reduced to less than 500 ml/day (average = 138) in 52 (57.1%) patients. Spontaneous closure was achieved in 42 (46.2%) patients, whereas 37 (40.7%) patients did not improve after 20–380 (average = 111) days of treatment. Those patients required surgical correction, which had an 83.8% success rate. Overall mortality was 16.5% (15 patients).

Conclusions

The vacuum‐compaction device proved effective for reducing fistula output in 89 of 91 patients (97.8%).
Expansion of bamboo forests caused by reduced bamboo‐shoot harvest under different natural and artificial conditions
Authors: Suzuki Shigeo , Nakagoshi Nobukazu
Published: September 2007

To elucidate the expansion of bamboo (Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel ex Houzeau de Lehaie) forests, we used multiple linear regression analysis and determined whether there were site differences for data obtained in Hirasawa, Otaki‐machi, Chiba Prefecture, and Kofuki, Takehara City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. Vegetation maps from 1984 and 2001 for Hirasawa, and from 1986, 1996, 2000, and 2006 for Kofuki, were compared, and the annual expansion rate of each P. pubescens forest was calculated. We evaluated nine indices, including original bamboo forest area, neighbouring vegetation, slope inclination and aspect, distance from roads, and shipment of bamboo shoots. Shipment of bamboo shoots was a positive factor for P. pubescens forest expansion, whereas the proportion of adjacent short vegetation, northness (the cosine of slope aspect), and area negatively affected the expansion in Hirasawa (R2 = 0.683). On the other hand, distance from roads and eastness (the sine of slope aspect) positively affected expansion, while slope inclination was a negative factor in Kofuki (R2 = 0.942). We calculated that P. pubescens forests expanded at about 2% per year in regions of reduced shipments of bamboo‐shoot harvest. We showed that not only natural conditions but also management factors affect P. pubescens forest expansion. Regional differences in natural and anthropogenic effects on expansion were also found.
Clinical trials update from the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2007: 3CPO, ALOFT, PROSPECT and statins for heart failure
Authors: Cleland John G.F. , Abdellah Ahmed Tageldien , Khaleva Olga , Coletta Alison P. , Clark Andrew L.
Published: September 2007

This article provides information and a commentary on trials relevant to the pathophysiology, prevention and treatment of heart failure, presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2007. Unpublished reports should be considered as preliminary data, as analyses may change in the final publication.

In the 3CPO study, non‐invasive ventilation produced a more rapid resolution of symptoms in patients hospitalised with acute cardiogenic pulmonary oedema; but had no effect on survival, compared to standard oxygen therapy. The ALOFT study showed that the selective oral renin inhibitor aliskiren reduces plasma BNP levels and is well tolerated in patients with heart failure receiving ACE inhibitors or ARBs, although the study was not powered to show clinical benefit. In the PROSPECT study, no echocardiographic measure of mechanical dyssynchrony was identified that was useful for identifying patients more or less likely to respond to CRT. Low dose atorvastatin reduced the incidence of sudden cardiac death in a small placebo controlled study of patients with advanced chronic heart failure.
Risk factors of atherosclerosis and shoulder pain – Is there an association? A systematic review
Authors: Viikari‐Juntura Eira , Shiri Rahman , Solovieva Svetlana , Karppinen Jaro , Leino‐Arjas Päivi , Varonen Helena , Kalso Eija , Ukkola Olavi
Published: September 2007

Background: Shoulder pain is prevalent and a common cause of disability at work and daily activities. Some studies suggest an association between risk factors of atherosclerosis and shoulder pain and disorders.

Aim: To assess associations between risk factors of atherosclerosis and shoulder pain or disorders and to discuss possible pathophysiological pathways for found associations.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted searching Medline until June 2006. Two authors extracted data and assessed quality independently using the Cochrane criteria for the assessment of quality in non‐experimental studies with slight modifications. Due to heterogeneity of studies, meta‐analysis was not possible. Results were summarized and discussed paying attention to study design and quality.

Results: Fifteen papers from 14 studies were included in the review. Diabetes was consistently associated with clinically defined shoulder disorders in population studies. Overweight or obesity was associated with the incidence of shoulder symptoms in three studies and with clinically defined shoulder disorders in one case control study. A few studies showed a preventive effect of physical exercise. Associations between smoking and shoulder disorders were seen only in studies on occupational populations.

Conclusions: A consistent association between diabetes and shoulder disorders, some associations for weight‐related factors as well as a possible preventive effect from physical exercise and sports suggest a metabolic pathophysiological process in shoulder disorders. More prospective studies using appropriate analytical methods are needed.
Detection of initiation sites in protein folding of the four helix bundle ACBP by chemical shift analysis
Authors: Modig Kristofer , Jürgensen Vibeke W. , Lindorff-Larsen Kresten , Fieber Wolfgang , Bohr Henrik G. , Poulsen Flemming M.
Published: September 2007

A simple alternative method for obtaining “random coil” chemical shifts by intrinsic referencing using the protein's own peptide sequence is presented. These intrinsic random coil backbone shifts were then used to calculate secondary chemical shifts, that provide important information on the residual secondary structure elements in the acid‐denatured state of an acyl‐coenzyme A binding protein. This method reveals a clear correlation between the carbon secondary chemical shifts and the amide secondary chemical shifts 3–5 residues away in the primary sequence. These findings strongly suggest transient formation of short helix‐like segments, and identify unique sequence segments important for protein folding.
SiRNAs do not induce RNA‐dependent transcriptional silencing of retrovirus in human cells
Authors: Haraguchi Takeshi , Mizutani Taketoshi , Yamamichi Nobutake , Ito Taiji , Minoguchi Shigeru , Iba Hideo
Published: September 2007

RNA‐dependent transcriptional silencing (RdTS) has been reported to operate even in human cell lines. It is tempting to speculate that RdTS plays a role in retroviral gene silencing, considering that retroviral RNA transcripts harbor a U3 promoter sequence that is a potentially good source of double‐stranded RNAs. To test this possibility, we constructed several model HeLaS3 cell lines expressing GFP driven by murine leukaemia virus (MLV)‐long terminal repeat (LTR) and introduced a series of shRNAs that target the U3 region of the MLV‐LTR. However, transcriptional gene silencing was not induced in most instances, in spite of the fact that processed shRNA was found in cellular nuclei, indicating that RdTS does not contribute to MLV gene silencing in host cells.
Molecular mechanism of molt‐inhibiting hormone (MIH) induced suppression of ecdysteroidogenesis in the Y‐organ of mud crab: Scylla serrata
Authors: Imayavaramban L. , Dhayaparan D. , Devaraj Halagowder
Published: September 2007

The present study was focused on the regulation of ecdysteroidogenesis in the Y‐organ of Scylla serrata during molting cycle. A strong expression of molt‐inhibiting hormone (MIH) and phosphorylation of ERK was predominantly observed in the postmolt and intermolt stages of Y‐organs, whereas protein kinase C, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and cytochrome P450scc activity were exclusively seen in the premolt stages. Interestingly, inhibition of ERK phosphorylation by PD98059 in the early postmolt (A), middle postmolt (B) and intermolt (C) stages resulted in the prominent expression of PKC and StAR in the postmolt stages. This result indicates that phosphorylation of ERK is required for suppression of ecdysteroid biosynthesis with the involvement of protein kinase C, and StAR protein.