bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Early Markers of Prolonged Hospital Stays in Older People: A Prospective, Multicenter Study of 908 Inpatients in French Acute Hospitals
Authors: Lang Pierre‐Olivier , Heitz Damien , Hédelin Guy , Dramé Moustapha , Jovenin Nicolas , Ankri Joël , Somme Dominique , Novella Jean‐Luc , Gauvain Jean Bernard , Couturier Pascal , Voisin Thierry , De Wazière Benoît , Gonthier Régis , Jeandel Claude , Jolly Damien , Saint‐Jean Olivier , Blanchard François
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVES: To identify early markers of prolonged hospital stays in older people in acute hospitals.

DESIGN: A prospective, multicenter study.

SETTING: Nine hospitals in France.

PARTICIPANTS: One thousand three hundred six patients aged 75 and older were hospitalized through an emergency department (Sujet Âgé Fragile: Évaluation et suivi (SAFEs) —Frail Elderly Subjects: Evaluation and follow‐up).

MEASUREMENTS: Data used in a logistic regression were obtained through a gerontological evaluation of inpatients, conducted in the first week of hospitalization. The center effect was considered in two models as a random and fixed effect. Two limits were used to define a prolonged hospital stay. The first was fixed at 30 days. The second was adjusted for Diagnosis Related Groups according to the French classification (f‐DRG).

RESULTS: Nine hundred eight of the 1,306 hospital stays that made up the cohort were analyzed. Two centers (n=298) were excluded because of a large volume of missing f‐DRGs. Two‐thirds of subjects in the cohort analyzed were women (64%), with a mean age of 84. One hundred thirty‐eight stays (15%) lasted more than 30 days; 46 (5%) were prolonged beyond the f‐DRG‐adjusted limit. No sociodemographic variables seemed to influence the length of stay, regardless of the limit used. For the 30‐day limit, only cognitive impairment (odds ratio (OR)=2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.2–4.0) was identified as a marker for prolongation. f‐DRG adjustment revealed other clinical markers. Walking difficulties (OR=2.6, 95% CI=1.2–16.7), fall risk (OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.7–5.3), cognitive impairment (OR=7.1, 95% CI=2.3–49.9), and malnutrition risk (OR=2.5, 95% CI=1.7–19.6) were found to be early markers for prolonged stays, although dependence level and its evolution, estimated using the Katz activity of daily living (ADL) index, were not identified as risk factors.

CONCLUSION: When the generally recognized parameters of frailty are taken into account, a set of simple items (walking difficulties, risk of fall, risk of malnutrition, and cognitive impairment) enables a predictive approach to the length of stay of elderly patients hospitalized under emergency circumstances. Katz ADLs were not among the early markers identified.
Megadroughts in the Indian Monsoon Region and Southwest North America and a Mechanism for Associated Multidecadal Pacific Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies
Authors: Meehl Gerald A. , Hu Aixue
Published: May 2006

A 1360-yr control run from a global coupled climate model (the Parallel Climate Model) is analyzed. It simulates “megadroughts” in the southwestern United States and Indian monsoon regions. The megadroughts represent extreme events of naturally occurring multidecadal precipitation variations linked to the dominant pattern of multidecadal SST variability in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Gaining insight into the occurrence of megadroughts thus requires an understanding of the mechanism that is producing this multidecadal SST variability. Analysis of the model variability shows that the mechanism involves atmosphere–ocean and tropical–midlatitude interactions, with a crucial element being wind-forced ocean Rossby waves near 20°N and 25°S in the Pacific whose transit times set the decadal time scale. At the western boundary, the Rossby waves reflect into the equatorial Pacific to affect thermocline depth. The resulting feedbacks, involving surface temperature, winds, and the strength of the subtropical cells, produce SST anomalies and associated precipitation and convective heating anomalies. These anomalies are associated with atmospheric Rossby waves and resulting anomalous atmospheric circulation patterns in the midlatitude North and South Pacific. Consequent surface wind stress anomalies extend equatorward into the Tropics and help force ocean Rossby waves near 20°N and 25°S, and so on. Though there are some common elements with various ENSO processes, this decadal mechanism is physically distinct mainly because the surface wind stress anomalies near 20°N and 25°S supplement the wave reflections at the eastern boundary to force the ocean Rossby waves that provide the decadal time scale. These wind anomalies are closely tied to the anomalous midlatitude atmospheric circulation that is a product of teleconnections from the multidecadal SST and tropical convective heating anomalies, themselves linked to precipitation anomalies in the southwestern United States and south Asia associated with megadroughts.
Ice Age Winds: An Aquaplanet Model
Authors: Williams Gareth P. , Bryan Kirk
Published: May 2006

Factors controlling the position and strength of the surface winds during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) are examined using a global, multilevel, moist, atmospheric model. The idealized aquaplanet model is bounded below by a prescribed axisymmetric temperature distribution that corresponds to an ocean-covered surface. Various forms of this distribution are used to examine the influence of changes in the surface cooling and baroclinicity rates. The model omits seasonal variations.

Increasing the cooling lowers the tropopause and greatly reduces the moist convection in the Tropics, thereby causing a weakening and equatorward contraction of the Hadley cell. Such a cooling also weakens the surface westerlies and shifts the peak westerly stress equatorward. An extra surface baroclinicity in midlatitudes—implicitly associated with an increase in the polar sea ice—also shifts the peak westerly stress equatorward, but strengthens the surface westerlies.

Thus, calculations with combined surface cooling and baroclinicity increases, representative of the Last Glacial Maximum, reveal an absence of change in the amplitude of the peak westerly stress but exhibit a substantial equatorward shift in its position, 7° for a 3-K cooling and 11° for a 6-K cooling. The easterlies, however, always increase in strength when the surface westerlies move equatorward.

The application of these results to the LGM must take into account the model’s assumption of symmetry between the two hemispheres. Any changes in the climate’s hemispheric asymmetry could also cause comparable latitudinal shifts in the westerlies, probably of opposite sign in the two hemispheres. Published coupled-model simulations for the LGM give an equatorward shift for the peak westerlies in the Northern Hemisphere but give contradictory results for the Southern Hemisphere.
Toward a Seasonally Ice-Covered Arctic Ocean: Scenarios from the IPCC AR4 Model Simulations
Authors: Zhang Xiangdong , Walsh John E.
Published: May 2006

The sea ice simulations by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC AR4) models for the climate of the twentieth century and for global warming scenarios have been synthesized. A large number of model simulations realistically captured the climatological annual mean, seasonal cycle, and temporal trends of sea ice area over the Northern Hemisphere during 1979–99, although there is considerable scatter among the models. In particular, multimodel ensemble means show promising estimates very close to observations for the late twentieth century. Model projections for the twenty-first century demonstrate the largest sea ice area decreases generally in the Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES) A1B and A2 scenarios compared with the B1 scenario, indicating large multimodel ensemble mean reductions of −3.54 ± 1.66 × 105 km2 decade−1 in A1B, −4.08 ± 1.33 × 105 km2 decade−1 in A2, and −2.22 ± 1.11 × 105 km2 decade−1 in B1. The corresponding percentage reductions are 31.1%, 33.4%, and 21.6% in the last 20 yr of the twenty-first century, relative to 1979–99. Furthermore, multiyear ice coverage decreases rapidly at rates of −3.86 ± 2.07 × 105 km2 decade−1 in A1B, −4.94 ± 1.91 × 105 km2 decade−1 in A2, and −2.67 ± 1.7107 × 105 km2 decade−1 in B1, making major contributions to the total ice reductions. In contrast, seasonal (first year) ice area increases by 1.10 ± 2.46 × 105 km2 decade−1, 1.99 ± 1.47 × 105 km2 decade−1, and 1.05 ± 1.9247 × 105 km2 decade−1 in the same scenarios, leading to decreases of 59.7%, 65.0%, and 45.8% of the multiyear ice area, and increases of 14.1%, 27.8%, and 11.2% of the seasonal ice area in the last 20 yr of this century. Statistical analysis shows that many of the models are consistent in the sea ice change projections among all scenarios. The results include an evaluation of the 99% confidence interval of the model-derived change of sea ice coverage, giving a quantification of uncertainties in estimating sea ice changes based on the participating models. Hence, the seasonal cycle of sea ice area is amplified and an increased large portion of seasonally ice-covered Arctic Ocean is expected at the end of the twenty-first century. The very different changes of multiyear and seasonal ice may have significant implications for the polar energy and hydrological budgets and pathways.
Constitutive activation of STAT5 and Bcl-xL overexpression can induce endogenous erythroid colony formation in human primary cells
Authors: Garçon Loïc , Rivat Christine , James Chloé , Lacout Catherine , Camara-Clayette Valérie , Ugo Valérie , Lecluse Yann , Bennaceur-Griscelli Annelise , Vainchenker William
Published: May 2006

The biologic hallmark of polycythemia vera (PV) is the formation of endogenous erythroid colonies (EECs) with an erythropoietin-independent differentiation. Recently, it has been shown that an activating mutation of JAK2 (V617F) was at the origin of PV. In this work, we studied whether the STAT5/Bcl-xL pathway could be responsible for EEC formation. A constitutively active form of STAT5 was transduced into human erythroid progenitors and induced an erythropoietin-independent terminal differentiation and EEC formation. Furthermore, Bcl-xL overexpression in erythroid progenitors was also able to induce erythroid colonies despite the absence of erythropoietin. Conversely, siRNA-mediated STAT5 and Bcl-xL knock-down in human erythroid progenitors inhibited colony-forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E) formation in the presence of Epo. Altogether, these results demonstrate that a sustained level of the sole Bcl-xL is capable of giving rise to Epo-independent erythroid colony formation and suggest that, in PV patients, JAK2V617F may induce EEC via the STAT5/Bcl-xL pathway.
High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion in inmates from Ohio : Cervical screening and biopsy follow-up
Authors: Proca Daniela M , Rofagha Soraya , Keyhani-Rofagha Sedigheh
Published: May 2006

Background:

Cervical carcinoma remains the second leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide and sexual behavior is regarded as the main contributing factor. We studied cervical cytology screening with surgical biopsy follow-up in women prisoners and compared the findings to those in the general population.

Methods:

We reviewed 1024 conventional cervical smears, 73 cervical biopsies and 2 loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) specimens referred to us from the Correctional Center in Columbus, Ohio during a 12-month period. The results were compared to 40,993 Pap smears from the general population for the same 12-month period.

Results:

High grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL) was diagnosed in 1.3% of the cervical smears from the inmate population versus 0.6% in the general population (p < 0.01). The unsatisfactory rate was 1.6% compared to 0.3% in the general population (p < 0.01). Among the study population, follow-up tissue diagnosis was obtained in 24.3% of the abnormal cytology results (ASCUS, LGSIL, and HGSIL). Of the HGSIL Pap smears, 61.5% had a subsequent tissue diagnosis. Thirty-nine biopsies (52% of the all inmate biopsies and LEEP) showed CIN II/III (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II/III). Eight of these thirty-nine follow-up biopsies diagnosed as CIN II/III had a previous cervical cytology diagnosis of ASCUS. The average age for HGSIL was 30.5 years (S.D. = 5.7) and for low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LGSIL) was 27.2 years (S.D. = 6.1).

Conclusion:

A significantly higher prevalence of HGSIL cervical cytology and unsatisfactory smears was encountered in female inmates, with tissue follow-up performed in less than two thirds of the patients with HGSIL. These results are in keeping with data available in the literature suggesting that the inmate population is high-risk and may be subject to less screening and tissue follow-up than the general population. Clinicians should proceed with urgency to improve screening and follow-up with treatment. The inmate population should be targeted for HPV vaccination promptly after FDA approval.
All-trans retinoic acid-induced expression of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) in human myeloid cells correlates to binding of C/EBPβ and C/EBPε to the BPI promoter
Authors: Lennartsson Andreas , Vidovic Karina , Pass Malene Bjerregaard , Cowland Jack B , Gullberg Urban
Published: May 2006

Bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) neutralizes the proinflammatory effects of lipopolysaccharide and is of potential clinical use in the treatment of fulminant Gram-negative infections. BPI is a cationic protein with antibacterial activity stored in azurophil (primary) granules of neutrophil granulocytes. However, the absence of BPI in patients with specific granule deficiency indicates a transcriptional control of BPI, which is distinct from that of other azurophil granule proteins. Accordingly, we demonstrate in vivo that the BPI mRNA level peaks, together with mRNA for specific granule proteins, during the myelocytic and metamyelocytic stage of granulocytic maturation. The human promyelocytic cell line NB4 expresses several azurophil granule proteins, but expression of BPI is undetectable. We show that treatment of NB4 cells with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) induces BPI expression at mRNA and at protein level. The induction is dependent on de novo protein synthesis, as judged by sensitivity to cycloheximide. Previous investigations have indicated a potential role of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) transcription factors in the regulation of BPI expression. Here, we show that induction of NB4 cells with ATRA correlates to direct binding of C/EBPβ and C/EBPε to the proximal BPI promoter, as determined by electrophoretic mobility shift analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation. The dependency on C/EBPβ and C/EBPε provides an explanation for delayed BPI mRNA expression, as compared with mRNA of other azurophil granule proteins.
Exploratory study of factors influencing practice of pharmacists in Australia and Thailand with respect to dietary supplements and complementary medicines
Authors: Kanjanarach Tipaporn , Krass Ines , Cumming Robert G
Published: May 2006

Objective

To explore opinions and practices of pharmacists in Australia and Thailand in relation to dietary supplements and complementary medicines (DS/CM)

Method

Data were collected from individual in-depth interviews of 10 pharmacists from the Sydney metropolitan area, Australia, and 10 pharmacists from the north-eastern region of Thailand, using semi-structured interview protocol to guide the interview.

Key findings

Australian respondents evaluated the necessity and safety of use of DS/CM in the same way as for conventional medicines. Thai respondents performed a quick assessment to ensure that customers were in a normal-health condition before selling them DS/CM products. The provision of information about DS/CM products and their efficacy, and advice on the maintenance of healthy lifestyles were still inadequate in both studied groups. When assisting customers in selecting products, Australian respondents would select a product about which they had knowledge, while Thai respondents would suggest brands that were relatively cheap but yielded a higher profit margin. Criteria used by Australian respondents to select DS/CM products to sell in pharmacies were clinical evidence and the credibility of companies and distributors, while Thai respondents appeared to be influenced by companies' credibility, customers' income, products' appearance and companies' policies about unsold products.

Conclusion

It was found that neither Australian nor Thai respondents were proactive in providing professional services to support the appropriate use of DS/CM. Among Australian respondents, the decision to sell or recommend DS/CM was often motivated by customers' desire and customers' health conditions. Among Thai respondents the action taken was often motivated by customers' request and the profit to be made from the sale.
Preparation of Sterically Protected 3,4-Bis(phosphinidene)cyclobutenes and Their Isomerism
Authors: Yoshifuji Masaaki , Toyota Kozo , Murayama Michiko , Yoshimura Hideki , Okamoto Akihiro , Hirotsu Ken , Nagase Sigeru
Published: May 2006

Sterically protected bis(phosphinidene)cyclobutenes were prepared starting from the diphosphane and their isomerism involving a 1,6-diphosphahexa-1,2,4,5-tetraene intermediate, which is both cumulative and conjugated, was studied. X-Ray crystallographic study of the (E,Z)-phosphinidenecyclobutene shows that the molecule suffers from large steric congestion between intra- and inter-substituents.
Novel Construction of 4H-2,3-Dihydro-1,3-benzothiazine Ring via Nickel(0)-Catalyzed Reaction of o-Iodobenzamide or o-Iodobenzonitrile with Thioureas
Authors: Takagi Kentaro
Published: May 2006

Nickel(0) complex induced the catalytic reaction of o-iodobenzamide or o-iodobenzonitrile with thioureas giving rise to cyclized products, 4H-2,3-dihydro-2-imino-1,3-benzothiazin-4-one or 4H-2,3-dihydro-1,3-benzothiazine-2,4-diimine.
EXAFS Study on Chloranilate Complexes of Lanthanoid(III)
Authors: Sudoh Susumu , Miyanaga Takafumi , Ohta Shigehiro , Nagao Yoshitaka , Katagiri Shigeyoshi
Published: May 2006

The local structures of lanthanoid(III) chloranilate complexes have been studied by the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The Fourier transformed EXAFS spectra suggest that the complexes are rigid three dimensional network structures. The distances between a metal and coordinated atoms estimated from EXAFS spectra are correlated to the ionic radii of lanthanoid(III) ions very well.
Porphyrins Coupled with Nucleoside Bases. Synthesis and Characterization of Adenine- and Thymine-Porphyrin Derivatives
Authors: Hisatome Masao , Maruyama Noriaki , Furutera Tetsuo , Ishikawa Tomoyasu , Yamakawa Koji
Published: May 2006

Several porphyrins linked to an adenine or thymine have been synthesized. Spectroscopic study suggested an interaction between the porphyrin ring and the base moiety, and indicated nucleoside base recognition ability of the compounds.
Extended Micro-Raman Densimeter for CO2 Applicable to Mantle-originated Fluid Inclusions
Authors: Yamamoto Junji , Kagi Hiroyuki
Published: May 2006

Micro-Raman spectroscopy enables nondestructive analyses of CO2 fluid density in a very small volume. For application of the method to CO2 fluid inclusions in minerals originated from the deep Earth having widely various densities, we extended the relational expression between the density and Raman spectra of CO2 up to the density corresponding to the boundary between liquid and solid.
Counterproductive Juvenile Justice
Authors: McCord Joan
Published: May 2006

By describing evaluations demonstrating that carefully planned and executed interventions can have harmful effects, the author argues that programs to prevent crime should be tested for safety as well as efficacy. Although client reports of benefits and improvements over predicted outcomes would have suggested benefits from intervention, randomly assigned matched cases used in one such comparison showed that an intervention lasting more than five years increased the likelihood of serious crime, alcoholism, early death, and mental illness.
Reviews
Authors: Dupont Benoit , Gibbs Anita
Published: May 2006

Blue Army: Paramilitary Policing in Australia; Jude McCulloch (2001) Melbourne: Melbourne University Press, 289 pp. ISBN 0-522-84960-1, Paperback.

Crime, State and Citizen; David Faulkner (2001) Waterside Press:Winchester, England, 360 pp.
Differentiating the Roles of the Hippocampus and Perirhinal Cortex in Processes beyond Long-Term Declarative Memory: A Double Dissociation in Dementia
Authors: Lee Andy C. H. , Buckley Mark J. , Gaffan David , Emery Tina , Hodges John R. , Graham Kim S.
Published: May 2006

There is increasing evidence to suggest that the hippocampus and perirhinal cortex may mediate processes beyond long-term declarative memory. We assessed patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or semantic dementia (SD) on a visual oddity judgment task that did not place an explicit demand on long-term memory and is known to be sensitive to hippocampal and perirhinal cortex lesions. Importantly, within the medial temporal lobe, AD is associated with predominant hippocampal atrophy, whereas SD patients have greater perirhinal cortex damage. The AD group was selectively impaired in oddity judgment for scenes, whereas the SD patients demonstrated a deficit in face oddity judgment only. This compelling double dissociation supports the idea that the hippocampus and perirhinal cortex may be critical for the processing of scenes and objects, respectively, in the domain of perception or very short-term working memory.
Profile and Regulation of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) Expression in the CNS in Mice with Targeting of Green Fluorescent Protein Gene to the ApoE Locus
Authors: Xu Qin , Bernardo Aubrey , Walker David , Kanegawa Tiffany , Mahley Robert W. , Huang Yadong
Published: May 2006

To study the profile and regulation of apolipoprotein E (apoE) expression in the CNS, we generated mice in which apoE expression can be detectedin vivowith unprecedented sensitivity and resolution. cDNA encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) with a stop codon was inserted by gene targeting into the apoE gene locus (EGFPapoE) immediately after the translation initiation site. Insertion of EGFP into one apoE allele provides a real-time location marker of apoE expressionin vivo; the remaining allele is sufficient to maintain normal cellular physiology. In heterozygous EGFPapoEmice, EGFP was highly expressed in hepatocytes and peritoneal macrophages. EGFP was also expressed in brain astrocytes; however some astrocytes (∼25%) expressed no EGFP, suggesting that a subset of these cells does not express apoE. EGFP was expressed in <10% of microglia after kainic acid treatment, suggesting that microglia are not a major source of brain apoE. Although hippocampal neurons did not express EGFP under normal conditions, kainic acid treatment induced intense expression of EGFP in injured neurons, demonstrating apoE expression in neurons in response to excitotoxic injury. The neuronal expression was confirmed byin situhybridization of mouse apoE mRNA and by anti-apoE immunostaining. Smooth muscle cells of large blood vessels and cells surrounding small vessels in the CNS also strongly expressed EGFP, as did cells in the choroid plexus. EGFPapoEreporter mice will be useful for studying the regulation of apoE expression in the CNS and might provide insights into the diverse mechanisms of apoE4-related neurodegeneration.
Stabilization of a CSTR in an Oscillatory State by Varying the Thermal Characteristics of the Reactor Vessel
Authors: Razon Luis F
Published: May 2006

One of the most thoroughly studied systems in chemical engineering is the classic problem of a first-order exothermic reaction in a diabatic CSTR. In this paper, an extension of the classic problem, in which the reactor vessel temperature varies independently of its contents, is considered. A bifurcation analysis showed that a CSTR in an oscillatory state may be stabilized by the use of a reactor with the appropriate combination of thermal characteristics. Stabilization of an oscillatory state was demonstrated for a variety of scenarios that had been previously shown by Uppal, Ray and Poore to be representative cases of phase diagrams that exhibit limit-cycle behavior.
Effects of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor on Experimental Diabetic Neuropathy in Rats
Authors: Nakae Mika , Kamiya Hideki , Naruse Keiko , Horio Naoichi , Ito Yasuki , Mizubayashi Ryuichi , Hamada Yoji , Nakashima Eitaro , Akiyama Noboru , Kobayashi Yasuko , Watarai Atsuko , Kimura Nachi , Horiguchi Masayuki , Tabata Yasuhiko , Oiso Yutaka , Nakamura Jiro
Published: May 2006

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) stimulates angiogenesis and induces neural cell regeneration. We investigated the effects of bFGF on diabetic neuropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were treated with human recombinant bFGF as follows: 1) intravenous administration, 2) intramuscular injection into thigh and soleus muscles with cross-linked gelatin hydrogel (CGH), and 3) intramuscular injection with saline. Ten or 30 days later, the motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) of the sciatic-tibial and caudal nerves, sensitivity to mechanical stimuli, sciatic nerve blood flow (SNBF), and retinal blood flow (RBF) were measured. Delayed MNCV in the sciatic-tibial and caudal nerves, hypoalgesia, and reduced SNBF in diabetic rats were all ameliorated by intravenous administration of bFGF after 10, but not 30, days. Intramuscular injection of bFGF with CGH also improved sciatic-tibial MNCV, hypoalgesia, and SNBF after 10 and 30 days, but caudal MNCV was not improved. However, intramuscular injection of bFGF with saline had no significant effects. bFGF did not significantly alter RBF in either normal or diabetic rats. These observations suggest that bFGF could have therapeutic value for diabetic neuropathy and that CGH could play important roles as a carrier of bFGF.
The ATGL Gene Is Associated With Free Fatty Acids, Triglycerides, and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Schoenborn Veit , Heid Iris M. , Vollmert Caren , Lingenhel Arno , Adams Ted D. , Hopkins Paul N. , Illig Thomas , Zimmermann Robert , Zechner Rudolf , Hunt Steven C. , Kronenberg Florian
Published: May 2006

Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) was recently described to predominantly perform the initial step in triglyceride hydrolysis and therefore seems to play a pivotal role in the lipolytic catabolism of stored fat in adipose tissue. In the first study investigating genetic variations within the ATGL gene in humans, 12 polymorphisms identified via sequencing and database search were studied in 2,434 individuals of European ancestry from Utah. These polymorphisms and their haplotypes were analyzed in subjects not taking diabetes medication for association with plasma free fatty acids (FFAs) as primary analysis, as well as triglycerides and glucose as a secondary analysis (n = 1,701, 2,193, or 2,190, respectively). Furthermore, type 2 diabetes (n = 342 of 2,434) was analyzed as an outcome. FFA concentrations were significantly associated with several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ATGL (P values from 0.015 to 0.00003), consistent with additive inheritance. The pattern was similar when considering triglyceride concentrations. Furthermore, two SNPs showed associations with glucose levels (P < 0.00001) and risk of type 2 diabetes (P < 0.05). Haplotype analysis supported and extended the shown SNP association analyses. These results complement previous findings of functional studies in mammals and elucidate a potential role of ATGL in pathways involved in components of the metabolic syndrome.
Risk of Reamputation in Diabetic Patients Stratified by Limb and Level of Amputation
Authors: Izumi Yuki , Satterfield Kathleen , Lee Shuko , Harkless Lawrence B.
Published: May 2006

OBJECTIVE—This study examined the risk of reamputation, stratified by original level of amputation, in a population of diabetic patients. We also illustrated reamputation rates by ipsilateral and contralateral limbs.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The study population included 277 diabetic patients with a first lower-extremity amputation performed between 1993 and 1997 at University Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Reamputation episodes for the ipsilateral and contralateral limbs were recorded through 2003. Using a cumulative incidence curve analysis, we compared the reamputation rate by limb. Cumulative rates of reamputation were calculated for each limb at each amputation level at 1, 3, and 5 years.

RESULTS—Cumulative rates of reamputation per person were 26.7% at 1 year, 48.3% at 3 years, and 60.7% at 5 years. Ipsilateral reamputation per amputation level at the 1-, 3-, and 5-year points were toe: 22.8, 39.6, and 52.3%; ray: 28.7, 41.2, and 50%; midfoot: 18.8, 33.3, and 42.9%; and major: 4.7, 11.8, and 13.3%. For contralateral reamputation, the rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were toe: 3.5, 18.8, and 29.5%; ray: 9.3, 21.6, and 29.2%; midfoot: 9.4, 18.5, and 33.3%; and major: 11.6, 44.1, and 53.3%.

CONCLUSIONS—This study showed that a patient is at greatest risk for further same-limb amputation in the 6 months after the initial amputation. Although risk to the contralateral limb rises steadily, it never meets the level of that of the ipsilateral limb. This finding will help clinicians focus preventive efforts and medical resources during individualized at-risk periods for diabetic patients undergoing first-time amputations.
Comparative studies on enzyme preparations and role of cell components for (R)‐phenylacetylcarbinol production in a two‐phase biotransformation
Authors: Satianegara Gernalia , Rogers Peter L. , Rosche Bettina
Published: May 2006

Whole cell pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) from Candida utilis enhanced the enzymatic production of (R)‐phenylacetylcarbinol (PAC) in an aqueous/octanol biotransformation compared to the partially purified PDC especially for a lower range of initial activities (0.3–2.5 U/mL). With an initial activity of 1.1 U/mL and at a 1:1 phase volume ratio, whole cell PDC achieved a maximum specific PAC production of 42 mg/U (2.8 g/L/h) in comparison to 13 mg/U (0.9 g/L/h) for partially purified PDC. The enhanced performance of whole cell PDC was associated with high stability towards the substrate benzaldehyde. The strong PDC inactivation by benzaldehyde was minimal even when whole cells were broken as long as cell debris was not removed from the broken cells. Biotransformations with various cellular components added to partially purified PDC revealed that membrane components especially 2 mg/mL phosphatidylcholine enhanced PAC concentrations. The role of surfactants was further confirmed from the results with synthetic surfactant sodium bis(2‐ethyl‐1‐hexyl)sulfosuccinate (AOT). It was apparent that the membrane components in whole cells were sufficient for optimal PAC production and no further surfactant addition is required for optimal performance. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High growth rate and substrate exhaustion results in rapid cell death and lysis in the thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus thermoleovorans
Authors: Pavlostathis Spyros G. , Marchant Roger , Banat Ibrahim M. , Ternan Nigel G. , McMullan Geoffrey
Published: May 2006

Batch cultures of the thermophilic bacterium Geobacillus thermoleovorans T80 attained extremely high‐specific glucose utilization rates leading to high specific growth rates, followed by extensive cell death and lysis with the onset of substrate exhaustion. The dramatic decrease in live cell numbers, as determined by flow cytometry, was accompanied by the release of soluble protein. Once the growth phase reached the point of commitment to lysis created by the impending exhaustion of substrate, the addition of extra carbon substrate did not halt the rapid death rate and lysis, although, towards the end of the exponential growth phase, the substrate was utilized producing only a small additional biomass concentration as a result of the net effect of cell growth and death. This lytic phenomenon was observed when a range of different carbon substrates (glucose, pyruvate, acetate, n‐hexadecane, nutrient broth), as well as ammonium (the nitrogen source) in the presence of excess carbon source, reached near exhaustion. The rate and extent of cell death and the ensuing lysis depend on the culture growth rate. Cultures batch grown with a lower initial substrate concentration, or at a lower temperature, or at lower dilution rates for continuous‐flow cultures, exhibited a lower rate and extent of cell death and lysis. Batch re‐culture of the persister cells resulted in a behavior identical to that of the original culture indicating that these cells were not genetically modified. The glucose utilization, cell growth and death rates were mathematically described based on Monod kinetics and estimated values of pertinent biokinetic constants are reported. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cover Picture: Induced‐Fit Recognition of DNA by Small Circular Oligonucleotides (Chem. Eur. J. 15/2006)
Authors: Escaja Núria , Gómez‐Pinto Irene , Viladoms Júlia , Rico Manuel , Pedroso Enrique , González Carlos
Published: May 2006

A new family of quadruplex structures, based on tetrads aligned in the minor groove, are formed from induced‐fit recognition of DNA by small cyclic oligonucleotides. The detailed NMR investigation of these complexes along with structure calculations are described by C. Gonzàlez, E. Pedroso et al. in their Full Paper on page 4035 ff.
A New Asymmetric Total Synthesis of Enantiopure (‐)‐Malyngolide.
Authors: Miyamoto Hidetoshi , Iwamoto Mitsuhiro , Nakada Masahisa
Published: May 2006

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF.
The “Building‐Block” Assembly of a [Ni12Mn6] Aggregate (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 10/2006)
Authors: Wu Gang , Clérac Rodolphe , Wernsdorfer Wolfgang , Qiu Shilun , Anson Christopher E. , Hewitt Ian J. , Powell Annie K.
Published: May 2006

The cover picture shows a mixed metal Mn6Ni12 compound that results when manganese(II) and nickel(II) percursor building blocks are allowed to self‐assemble. The resulting structure contains a trigonal‐prismatic central framework portion made up by linking six manganese(II) coordination compound precursors with meridionally arranged labile water ligands, which are replaced here by linking carboxylate units. This framework is decorated with three self‐assembled nickel(II) acetate/methoxide cubane units. The overall structure is similar to a wind turbine having a hexanuclear manganese spindle with the nickel cubanes as blades. The synthetic strategy is a promising means for obtaining high‐nuclearity heterometallic assemblies with interesting magnetic properties. Details of this work are described in the Short Communication by A. K. Powell et al. on p. 1927 ff.
DIESEL‐MP2: A new program to perform large‐scale multireference‐MP2 computations
Authors: Musch Patrick , Engels Bernd
Published: May 2006

This article presents a new MR‐MP2 code (Multi‐Reference Møller–Plesset 2nd order) suitable for the computation MR‐MP2 energies of extended systems with strong near degeneracy effects (e.g., open shell systems). It is based on the DIESEL program package developed by Hanrath and Engels. Due to improved algorithms the new code is able to handle systems with 400–500 basis functions and more than 100 electrons. The code is made for parallel computers with distributed memory, but can also be run on local machines. It possesses two integral interfaces (MOLCAS, TURBOMOLE). The algorithms are briefly introduced and timings for the Neocarzinostatin chromophore are presented. The efficiencies of the codes obtained with Intel or GNU compilers are compared. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 1055–1062, 2006
Definition of Systematic, Approximately Separable, and Modular Internal Coordinates (SASMIC) for macromolecular simulation
Authors: Echenique Pablo , Alonso J. L.
Published: May 2006

A set of rules is defined to systematically number the groups and the atoms of polypeptides in a modular manner. Supported by this numeration, a set of internal coordinates is defined. These coordinates (termed Systematic, Approximately Separable, and Modular Internal Coordinates—SASMIC) are straightforwardly written in Z‐matrix form and may be directly implemented in typical Quantum Chemistry packages. A number of Perl scripts that automatically generate the Z‐matrix files are provided as supplementary material. The main difference with most Z‐matrix‐like coordinates normally used in the literature is that normal dihedral angles (“principal dihedrals” in this work) are only used to fix the orientation of whole groups and a different type of dihedrals, termed “phase dihedrals,” are used to describe the covalent structure inside the groups. This physical approach allows to approximately separate soft and hard movements of the molecule using only topological information and to directly implement constraints. As an application, we use the coordinates defined and ab initio quantum mechanical calculations to assess the commonly assumed approximation of the free energy, obtained from “integrating out” the side chain degree of freedom χ, by the Potential Energy Surface (PES) in the protected dipeptide HCO‐L‐Ala‐NH2. We also present a subbox of the Hessian matrix in two different sets of coordinates to illustrate the approximate separation of soft and hard movements when the coordinates defined in this work are used. (PACS: 87.14.Ee, 87.15.‐v, 87.15.Aa, 87.15.Cc) © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 27: 1076–1087, 2006
Equilibrium on line method (ELM) for imposition of Neumann boundary conditions in the finite point method (FPM)
Authors: Sadeghirad A. , Mohammadi S.
Published: May 2006

Equilibrium on line method (ELM) for imposition of Neumann boundary conditions in the finite point method (FPM) is presented. In contrary to weak‐form‐based methods, strong‐form‐based methods such as the FPM are often unstable and less accurate, especially for problems governed by partial differential equations with Neumann (derivative) boundary conditions. In this paper, a truly meshless approach for imposition of Neumann boundary conditions in the FPM is proposed and adopted for 2D elasticity analyses. In the proposed method, equilibrium on lines on the Neumann boundary conditions is satisfied as Neumann boundary condition equations. Numerical studies show that this method for imposition of Neumann boundary is simple to implement and computationally efficient and also leads to more stable and accurate results. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rheology, morphology, and estimation of the interfacial tension of binary blends based on low‐density polyethylene/poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and high‐density polyethylene/poly(trimethylene terephthalate) [retracted article]
Authors: Shokri A. A. , Zamani S. E.
Published: May 2006

It has come to our attention that this article, “Rheology, Morphology, and Estimation of the Interfacial Tension of Binary Blends Based on Low‐Density Polyethylene/Poly(trimethylene terephthalate) and High‐Density Polyethylene/Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)” by A. A. Shokri and S. E. Zamani was previously published under the title, “Rheology, Morphology and Estimation of Interfacial Tension of LDPE/EVA and HDPE/EVA Blends” by H. A. Khonakdar, S. H. Jafari, A. Yavari, A. Asadinezhad, U. Wagenknecht, in Polymer Bulletin 54, 75–84 (2005),
.

We have retracted the article, and offer our apologies to the authors of the original paper.
The study of screening phenomena under the nano‐domain formation in ferroelectric semiconductors
Authors: Morozovska Anna N. , Eliseev Eugene A.
Published: May 2006

We calculate the realistic sizes of nano‐domains recorded by the electric field of atomic force microscope tip in ferroelectric semiconductors. We modified the existing models of domain formation allowing for the Debye screening, recharging of sluggish surface screening layers caused by emission current between the tip apex and the domain face and the redistribution of domain depolarization field induced by the charged tip apex. We have shown that the depolarization field energy of the domain butt, Debye screening effects and field emission at high voltages lead to the essential decrease of the equilibrium domain sizes. We obtained, that the domain length and radius do not decrease continuously with voltage decrease: the domain appears with non‐zero length and radius at definite critical voltage. Such “threshold” domain formation is similar to the first order phase transition and correlates with recent theoretical and experimental investigations. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Investigation of thermal conductivity of nitride mixed crystals and superlattices by molecular dynamics
Authors: Kawamura Takahiro , Kangawa Yoshihiro , Kakimoto Koichi
Published: May 2006

The thermal conductivities of AlxGa1–xN and InxGa1–xN mixed crystal and AlN/GaN superlattices were investigated by molecular dynamics simulation. We used Stillinger‐Weber potentials, and Green‐Kubo's formula was employed to calculate thermal conductivity. The results showed that the value of thermal conductivity of Al0.5Ga0.5N was about 1/20 smaller than that of GaN. It was also found that the thermal conductivity of AlN/GaN superlattices along the c‐axis, which is parallel to the growth direction, was much less than that of bulk GaN. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Structural and electrical characteristics of Ag/Al0.2Ga0.8N and Ag/Al0.3Ga0.7N Schottky contacts: an XPS study
Authors: Boudjelida B. , Gee I. , Evans‐Freeman J. , Clark S. A. , Azize M. , Bethoux J.‐M. , DeMierry P.
Published: May 2006

The effects of successive Ag depositions on AlxGa1–xN for x = 0.20 and x = 0.30 grown by metal‐organo chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) have been investigated using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The interfacial chemistry and electron transport properties have been studied. We report Fermi shifts ΔEF = ‐0.3 eV and ΔEF = ‐0.4 eV to lower binding energies on AlxGa1–xN for x = 0.20 and 0.30 respectively, from the clean surface to the last Ag coverage. The effects of ex‐situ hydrofluoric acid etch followed by in‐situ 600 °C ultrahigh‐vacuum (UHV) anneal have also been investigated. We show that a reduction in oxygen concentration at the surface for the two different Al concentrations may affect the surface band bending prior to metallization, hence altering the characteristics of the Schottky barrier. XPS characterization of Ag/AlxGa1–xN formed after the premetallization surface treatment shows that HF etching followed by UHV annealing produce abrupt, well‐defined interfaces. These results are discussed in the context of current models of Schottky barrier formation. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Large bandgap bowing of InxGa1–xN films and growth of blue/green InxGa1–xN/GaN MQWs on highly tensile strained GaN/Si(111) hetero structures
Authors: Lee Kang Jea , Oh Tae Su , Kim Tae Ki , Yang Gye Mo , Lim Kee Young
Published: May 2006

InxGa1–xN films and InxGa1–xN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) were grown on highly tensile strained GaN/Si(111) structure by MOCVD. Due to the large difference of lattice constant and thermal expansion coefficient between GaN and Si, GaN growth on Si(111) substrate usually leads to an initially high dislocation density and cracks. We demonstrate the low dislocation density and crack‐free GaN films grown on Si(111) substrate introducing an AlN/GaN strain compensation layer and SixNy dislocation masking layer. The Raman shift of E2 phonon peak of GaN films on Si(111) substrate indicate the strong tensile stress (0.474 GPa). The InxGa1–xN bandgap energy depended on In‐composition, which can be fitted by a larger bowing parameter of b = 4.5 eV in Ga‐rich region (x < 0.25). Also, crack‐free InxGa1–xN/GaN MQWs with blue and green emissions were demonstrated. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Growth of GaN on patterned thick HVPE free standing GaN substrates by high pressure solution method
Authors: Boćkowski M. , Grzegory I. , Nowak G. , Łucznik B. , Pastuszka B. , Kamler G. , Wróblewski M. , Kwiatkowski P. , Jasik K. , Wawer W. , Krukowski S. , Porowski S.
Published: May 2006

Results of high pressure solution growth of GaN on various patterned substrates are presented. The growth on MOCVD GaN/sapphires templates patterned in GaN parallel stripes and with SixNy mask is described in details. The usefulness of Mo, Ni and SiO2 films as masks for lateral overgrown of GaN is also studied. The results of crystallization on thick HVPE free standing GaN patterned in 20 µm high stripes are shown. The role of stripe edges, as seeds for growth of dislocation free GaN crystals is discussed. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
In‐plane anisotropy in uniaxially‐strained GaN films detected by optical diffraction technique
Authors: Adachi Satoru , Toda Yasunori , Ishiguro Tetsuro , Hoshino Katsuyuki , Arakawa Yasuhiko
Published: May 2006

Exciton fine structures induced by the uniaxial strain have been revealed in gallium nitride grown on an a ‐plane sapphire substrate by using the spectrally‐resolved four‐wave mixing technique. Sensitivity on the exciton polarization is enhanced by the nonlinearities of the four wave mixing signals, and therefore the safety alternative tool for mapping of the uniaxial strain field and the resultant anisotropic exchange can be offered. Such a nonlinear spectroscopic measurement gives a kind of crystalline analysis achieved in X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy as well as information of the exciton fine structures including their temporal dynamics. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Investigation of growth mechanisms of GaN quantum dots on (0001)AlN surface by ammonia MBE
Authors: Mansurov V. G. , Galitsyn Yu. G. , Nikitin A. Yu. , Zhuravlev K. S. , Vennegues Ph.
Published: May 2006

2D and 3D nucleation kinetics of GaN on (0001)AlN was experimentally studied. The 3D nucleation rate of GaN is decreased with increasing of substrate temperature and an activation effective energy is estimated as Eeff ≈ 1 eV. Standard rate equation analysis is used for description of the 3D nucleation. The 3D critical nucleus size is estimated as i ≈ 1 (single‐atom of Ga on top of a 2D critical island). A multilayer structure of GaN QDs in AlN matrix is fabricated. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Chain Sampling Scheme under Constant Inspection Errors
Authors: Gao Yinfeng , Tang Loon Ching
Published: May 2006

The primary aim of this paper is to extend the inspection error consideration to chain sampling schemes, an area that has not been dealt with in the literature. A mathematical model is developed to investigate the performance of chain sampling schemes under constant inspection errors. Expressions of performance measures, such as operating characteristic function, average total inspection and average outgoing quality, are derived to aid the analysis of a general chain sampling scheme, ChSP‐4A ($c_1,\,c_2$) r, developed by Frishman. This study reveals that as Type I inspection error increases the probability of acceptance will decrease and as Type II inspection error increases the acceptance probability will increase. The effect of Type II error on the probability of acceptance is very marginal compared with that of Type I error, especially when the true fraction non‐conforming is small. In addition, the effects of inspection errors can be ‘eliminated’ by transforming to its equivalent perfect inspection counterpart, hence greatly reducing the complexity of the analysis. The effects of other sampling parameters are also studied to serve as a foundation for future plan designing purposes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.