bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Skeletal Disproportion in Children with Chronic Renal Disease
Authors: Qayyum Nadia , Alcocer Lolita , Maxwell Heather , Beattie T. James , Murphy Anna V. , Ramage Ian J. , Ahmed S. Faisal
Published: November 2003

Objectives: To assess stature and skeletal disproportion in children with chronic renal disease. Methods: Cross-sectional study of height (HT), sitting height (SH), subischial leg length (SILL), sitting height/height ratio (SH:HT) and disproportion score (SH SDS minus SILL SDS) in 56 children (M:35) with median age 11.4 years (range 4.5,18.7) with chronic renal disease. Results: There were 19 children with chronic renal insufficiency, 6 receiving peritoneal dialysis and 31 after renal transplant. The median HTSDS for the whole group was –1.21 (–2.8, 0.35). The median SH:HT ratio in non-transplanted children and renal transplant were 0.51 (0.49, 0.53) and 0.50 (0.48, 0.53), respectively (p = 0.02). The median disproportion score of the whole group was –3.2 (–4.8, –1.8). There was a significant correlation between disproportion score and SH:HT (r = 0.5, p = 0.005). SH:HT ratio was negatively related to duration of illness (r = 0.4, p = 0.005). Conclusion: Children with chronic renal disease have significant body disproportion and this may be due to a disproportionately greater effect of disease and treatment on spinal growth.
PROP-1 Gene Mutation (R120C) Causing Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiencies with Variable Clinical Course in Eight Siblings of One Jewish Moroccan Family
Authors: Lazar L. , Gat-Yablonski G. , Kornreich L. , Pertzelan A. , Phillip M.
Published: November 2003

Background: PROP-1 gene mutations have been described in patients with combined pituitary hormone deficiencies (CPHD). Methods: Clinical follow-up and molecular analysis of the PROP-1 gene were performed in 4 affected sisters of one consanguineous family, in whom 8 members had CPHD. Results: The 4 sisters were homozygous for the same R120C mutation. Growth hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone deficiencies were diagnosed concomitantly in all subjects, but at different ages (5.5–10.8 years). All 8 subjects exhibited complete gonadotropin deficiency with failure of spontaneous sexual maturation. Adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency developed in only 2 sisters in the 3rd and 4th decades of life. Conclusions: The CPHD in this family, caused by an R120C mutation, was characterized by clinical phenotypic variability in terms of the severity of hormonal deficiencies and the time of their development. Identifying the mutation does not predict the clinical course. Therefore, continuous follow-up with repeated endocrine evaluations is mandatory to provide proper hormone substitution therapy.
Reproducibility in Patterns of IGF Generation with Special Reference to Idiopathic Short Stature
Authors: Selva Karin A. , Buckway Caroline K. , Sexton Gary , Pratt Katherine L. , Tjoeng Efi , Guevara-Aguirre Jaime , Rosenfeld Ron G.
Published: November 2003

Background/Aim: Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin-lke growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) generation tests are both sensitive and specific measures of growth hormone (GH) sensitivity. Recently, the question of reproducibility of IGF generation tests has been raised. We report our analysis of the correlation of low- and high-dose GH IGF-I and IGFBP-3 generation tests among patients with GH deficiency, GH insensitivity, and idiopathic short stature. Methods: A total of 198 subjects were randomized to either high- or low-dose GH for 7 days; the alternate dose was received after a 2-week washout period. Samples were collected at baseline and on days 5 and 8 of GH administration. Results: The serum concentrations of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 correlated significantly from one test to the other, regardless of the diagnosis. In normal subjects and patients with GH insensitivity and GH deficiency, the delta over baseline in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in the low-dose test was highly predictive of the delta values in the high-dose test. The delta correlation was greatly diminished, however, in the patient population having idiopathic short stature. Conclusions: These observations support partial GH insensitivity effecting IGF-I generation specifically, as a possible etiology for idiopathic short stature, and thus such patients may warrant appropriate biochemical and/or molecular evaluation for partial GH insensitivity.
Relationship of Stressful Life Events, Anxiety and Depression to Hyperthyroidism in an Asian Population
Authors: Lee I-Te , Sheu Wayne Huey-Herng , Liau Yi-Ju , Lin Shih-Yi , Lee Wen-Jane , Lin Chih-Chien
Published: November 2003

Background: Psychological disturbances are well-known disorders in patients with hyperthyroidism, with anxiety and depression being the most commonly described. Stressful life events may play an important role in the relationship of anxiety, depression and hyperthyroidism. We assessed the associations of these disorders by three-part rating scales, including the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A) indicating anxiety, the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (Zung Scale) indicating depression and the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS) indicating external stress from life events in this study. Methods: Eighty-six outpatients who visited an endocrine clinic with suspicion of thyroid disease and 18 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. In all of these individuals, thyroid functions were assessed and questionnaires were completed during an interview. Results: The outpatients with hyperthyroidism (n = 39) had higher scores of HAM-A (15.7 ± 1.1 vs. 8.0 ± 0.8, p < 0.001), Zung scale (46.2 ± 1.5 vs. 37.5 ± 1.4, p < 0.001) and SRRS (92.9 ± 13.5 vs. 56.9 ± 8.4, p = 0.015) than those with euthyroidism (n = 47). The scores of the three-part rating scales were also higher in the outpatients with hyperthyroidism than in healthy volunteers (n = 18), with no significant differences between the outpatients with euthyroidism and healthy volunteers. Conclusion: In patients with hyperthyroidism, anxiety, depression and stressful life events were more severe than in those with normal thyroid function. There were no correlations between these psychological disorders and thyroid function tests of the subjects with hyperthyroidism. The role of psychotherapy in the development of hyperthyroidism deserves further investigations.
Plasmapheresis Rapidly Eliminates Thyroid Hormones from the Circulation, but Does Not Affect the Speed of TSH Recovery following Prolonged Suppression
Authors: Liel Yair , Weksler Natan
Published: November 2003

Objective: To report an attempt to shorten the preparation interval before radioactive iodine administration using plasmapheresis in a 77-year-old woman with a history of papillary thyroid carcinoma with local recurrence and lung metastases, in whom the administration of a high dose of radioactive iodine was intended as a desperate rescue procedure. Methods: The patient was initially started on cholestyramine. Two days later, plasmapheresis was performed. Results: Plasmapheresis rapidly decreased free tri-iodothyronine (FT3) and free thyroxine (FT4). Serum FT4 subsequently remained low, while FT3 recovered the next day. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) reached 25 mIU/l in 14 days, which is within the time frame required to reach the target TSH level by withdrawing levothyroxine alone. Conclusion: Plasmapheresis is very effective in eliminating thyroid hormones from the circulation. However, it does not seem to accelerate thyrotroph recovery to a considerable extent after prolonged suppression.
A Missense Mutation (GGC[435Gly]→AGC[Ser]) in Exon 8 of the CYP11B2 Gene Inherited in Japanese Patients with Congenital Hypoaldosteronism
Authors: Kuribayashi Isao , Kuge Hideaki , Santa Romero Jovel , Mutlaq Aldahoodi Ziyad , Yamasaki Naohito , Furuno Takashi , Takahashi Akio , Chida Shoichi , Nakamura Toshiro , Endo Fumio , Doi Yoshinori , Onishi Saburo , Shizuta Yutaka
Published: November 2003

Objectives: To clarify the underlying molecular mechanism of corticosterone methyl oxidase type II (CMO II) deficiency, Japanese patients newly diagnosed with CMO II deficiency were investigated. Methods: We analyzed the patients’ genomic DNA sequence on all 9 exons of the CYP11B2 gene. In addition, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and expression studies were performed. Results: The analysis showed that the patients homozygously retained a missense mutation, GGC[435Gly]→AGC[Ser], in the CYP11B2 gene. Expression studies indicated that the steroid 18-hydroxylase/oxidase activities of the mutant enzyme were substantially reduced. Conclusion: These results support the hypothesis that this mutation causes CMO II deficiency in the patients, and are in accordance with our theory that the partial loss of P-450C18 activities causes CMO II deficiency.
The donor chromosome breakpoint for a jumping translocation is associated with large low-copy repeats in 21q21.3
Authors: Stankiewicz P. , Cheung S.W. , Shaw C.J. , Saleki R. , Szigeti K. , Lupski J.R.
Published: November 2003

Jumping translocations (JTs) are very rare chromosome aberrations, usually identified in tumors. We report a constitutional JT between donor chromosome 21q21.3→qter and recipients 13qter and 18qter, resulting in an ∼15.5-Mb proximal deletion 21q in a girl with mild developmental delay and minor dysmorphic features. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies, we identified an ∼550-kb complex inter- and intra-chromosomal low-copy repeat (LCR) adjacent to the 21q21.3 translocation breakpoint. On the recipient chromosomes 13qter and 18qter, the telomeric sequences TTAGGG were retained. Genotyping revealed that the deletion was of maternal origin. We propose that genome architecture involving LCRs may be a major mechanism responsible for the origin of jumping translocations.
Chromosomal assignment of 20 candidate genes for canine congenital sensorineural deafness by FISH and RH mapping
Authors: Rak S.G. , Drögemüller C. , Leeb T. , Quignon P. , André C. , Scott A. , Breen M. , Distl O.
Published: November 2003

The analysis of inherited diseases in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) provides a resource for the continued use of this species as a model system for human diseases. Many different dog breeds are affected by congenital sensorineural deafness. Since mutations in various genes have already been found causative for sensorineural hearing impairment in humans or mice, 20 of these genes were considered as candidates for deafness in dogs. For each of the candidate genes a canine BAC clone was isolated by screening with heterologous human or murine cDNA probes. The gene-containing BAC clones were physically assigned to the canine genome by FISH and the BAC-derived STS-markers were positioned with the RHDF5000 panel on the canine RH map. The mapping data, which confirm the established conservation of synteny between canine and human chromosomes, provide a resource for further association studies in segregating canine populations and the basis for new insights into this common canine and human disease.
A comparative map of interstitial bovine chromosome 5 with human chromosomes 12 and 22
Authors: Liu Z. , Hansen M. , Womack J.E. , Antoniou E.
Published: November 2003

We have constructed a high-density comparative radiation hybrid map of the interstitial region of bovine chromosome 5 (BTA5) using a recently constructed 12,000-rad, whole-genome, cattle-hamster radiation hybrid (WGRH) panel. Sixty-two bovine EST markers were selected which have orthologous sequences on human chromosomes 12 and 22 (HSA12 and HSA22). Sixty markers were included in the multi-point framework map at LOD 3.0. Our comprehensive RH map contains more than twice as many markers (88) than previous generation maps. Because of a higher marker density and increased resolution of the RH12,000 panel, all markers were placed into a single linkage group based on two-point analysis at a LOD score 6.0. As a result, this new comparative map reveals new blocks of synteny and extensive gene order alterations between species. Breakpoints of synteny are located with high accuracy. Overall, this work reveals widespread chromosomal rearrangements between bovine, human and mouse genomes.
Current Role of Helicobacter pylori Stool Tests
Authors: Lehmann Frank Serge , Beglinger Christoph
Published: November 2003

Helicobacter pylori stool tests are an accurate and noninvasive tool to assess H. pylori status before and after treatment. We are convinced that the current technical shortcomings of H. pylori stool tests, i.e. inter-test variability and reduced specificity after treatment, can be overcome in the near future. The availability of an office-based stool test would offer a considerable advantage since it could be performed in any private practice without further delay. However, it remains to be seen whether the reluctance of patients to collect stool specimens will have an impact on its general use.
Development of a Radioreceptor Assay for Measuring an Oxytocin Antagonist in Blood
Authors: An Tae Hun , Song Chang Hun , Pak Sok Cheon , Choi Bum Chae , Diveky Lubomir , Flouret George
Published: November 2003

The purpose of the present study was to develop a radioreceptor assay to monitor the pharmacokinetics of the oxytocin antagonist, TT-235, in the blood of the pregnant rat and baboon. The receptors used for this assay were prepared from the pregnant rat uterus at delivery. The assay using blood from pregnant rats and baboons was performed on filter plates and analyzed for radioactivity in a gamma counter. The assay was sensitive to 10 pg/well with a range from 10 to 1,000 pg. The average recovery was 86%. A new radioreceptor assay was developed for the oxytocin antagonist, TT-235. TT-235 had a much longer half-life than oxytocin in the pregnant rat and baboon. This longer half-life may partially explain the prolonged in vivo tocolytic activity of TT-235 in these animals.
Comparison between Different Types of Surveillance Samples for the Detection of GBS Colonization in Both Parturient Mothers and Their Infants
Authors: Hammoud Majeda S. , Al-Shemmari Majed , Thalib Lukman , Al-Sweih Noora , Rashwan Nabeel , Devarajan Lakshami V. , Elsori Hassan
Published: November 2003

Objective: To find the optimum screening method in detecting group B streptococcal (GBS) colonization in both mother and infant, and to identify the risk factors that influence GBS colonization in the infants. Patients and Methods: 1,120 singleton pregnant women were evaluated for GBS colonization by combined lower vaginal-anorectal swabs (LVRS) and urine tests, while their infants were evaluated for colonization with skin, ear and gastric aspirate samples. Results: LVRS swabs were positive in 14.2% of mothers while urine was positive in 7.6%. Among the infants skin, ear and gastric aspirate samples were positive in 7.0, 6.9 and 3.5%, respectively. Prolonged rupture of the membrane was the only significant factor associated with colonization in these infants (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Lower vaginal-anorectal swab is an effective method in detecting colonization in mothers especially when combined with urine culture. Skin or ear swabs are equally effective in detecting colonization in neonates. GBS colonization rate in our parturient and neonatal population is comparable to that was reported from other countries. A well-developed screening program and appropriate management strategies for both GBS colonized mothers and infants are recommended.
Are yellow eels from Lake Balaton able to cope with high pressure encountered during migration to the Sargasso sea? The case of energy metabolism
Authors: Vettier Aurelie , Székely Csaba , Sébert Philippe
Published: November 2003

Eels from Lake Balaton are unique because they do not undergo the silvering process and do not migrate. The question is whether these eels, despite such particularities, retain their ability to cope with migration constraints, usually high pressure. To ascertain this, eels were exposed for 3 days to 10.1 MPa of hydrostatic pressure (HP) and the effects of this on aerobic metabolism were evaluated by measuring oxygen consumption (MO2), Cytochrome Oxydase activity (COX) and energetic nucleotide contents in red and white muscles. The results show that Balaton eels survive HP. However, 3 days under pressure induces an alteration in aerobic metabolism. Moreover, when only muscle fibres are exposed to HP, there is a significant decrease in maximal aerobic capacities (-20%). The results are discussed in terms of the ability of these eels to migrate, bearing in mind that this activity represents a high percentage of maximal aerobic capacity when compared with other populations.
On the osteology and myology of the cephalic region and pectoral girdle of Heteropneustes fossilis (Siluriformes: Heteropneustidae), with comments on the phylogenetic relationships between Heteropneustes and the clariid catfishes
Authors: Diogo Rui , Chardon Michel , Vandewalle Pierre
Published: November 2003

The osteological and myological structures of the cephalic region and pectoral girdle of the Asiatic catfish Heteropneustes fossilis are described and compared with those of several other catfishes, as the foundation for an analysis on the phylogenetic relationships of the genus Heteropneustes. Our observation and comparisons support a close relationship between Heteropneustes and the clariid catfishes. More specifically, the present study supports De Pinna's 1993 study, according to which Horaglanis and Uegitglanis, two genera commonly included in the family Clariidae, are the successive sister-groups of a monophyletic clade composed by the genus Heteropneustes and the remaining clariid genera.
Osteology and myology of the cephalic region and pectoral girdle of Centromochlus heckelii, comparison with other auchenipterids, and comments on the synapomorphies and phylogenetic relationships of the Auchenipteridae (Teleostei: Siluriformes)
Authors: Diogo Rui , Chardon Michel , Vandewalle Pierre
Published: November 2003

The cephalic and pectoral girdle structures of the auchenipterid Centromochlus heckelii (Centromochlinae) are described and compared with those of two representatives, Auchenipterus dentatus and Ageneiosus vittatus (Auchenipterinae), of the other auchenipterid subfamily, as well as with several other catfishes, as the foundation for a discussion on the synapomorphies and phylogenetic position of the Auchenipteridae. Our observations and comparisons support the idea that the Auchenipteridae and the Doradidae are sister-groups, and also that the clade formed by these two Neotropical families is closely related to the African mochokids. In addition, our observations and comparisons identified a potentially new auchenipterid synapomorphy, maxillary markedly elongated proximo-distally.
Synthesis and Structures of Neutral Crystals and Charge-Transfer Salts of Selenium Containing TMET-TTP Derivatives
Authors: Ashizawa Minoru , Nii Hirofumi , Mori Takehiko , Misaki Yohji , Tanaka Kazuyoshi , Takimiya Kazuo , Otsubo Tetsuo
Published: November 2003

TMET-TTP derivatives in which one or both of the outer 1,3-dithiole rings are replaced by 1,3-diselenole rings (1a–1d) have been prepared (TMET-TTP: 2-[4,5-bis(methylthio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene]-5-(4,5-ethylenedithio-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene). The neutral crystal of 1c has β-type uniform stacks, whereas 1a shows a θ-type molecular arrangement in the neutral crystal. The AsF6 salts of 1a and 1d have a θ-type structure similarly to other TMET-TTP salts. In spite of the relatively small dihedral angle (117°), the conductivity is weakly semiconductive from room temperature. Selenium substitution causes unbalance of the diagonal intermolecular interactions, which may be the origin of a deviation from the universal phase diagram of the θ-phase.
Novel Solvent-Free Reactions with Iodine: Solid–Solid and Solid–Vapor Reactions of 1-Aryl-4-(methylthio)-2-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-1,3-butadienes
Authors: Matsumoto Shoji , Kumazawa Kazuhisa , Ogura Katsuyuki
Published: November 2003

Under “solvent-free” solid–solid and solid–vapor conditions, 1-aryl-4-(methylthio)-2-(p-tolylsulfonyl)-1,3-butadienes (1) react with iodine to form (p-tolylsulfonyl)naphthalene derivatives (2) in high yield. These conditions make the reaction tolerant to the kind of the aryl so that various derivatives of 2 were produced in high yield. The products (2) can be obtained in a nearly pure form by removing co-existing hydrogen iodide and dimethyl disulfide by evaporation. Thus, this process is environmentally benign, because no solvent and water need to get the pure product.
Regioselective Carboxylation of Phenols with Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Rahim Mohammad Abdur , Matsui Yoshihisa , Matsuyama Takanori , Kosugi Yoshio
Published: November 2003

A few novel methods were developed for the regioselective preparation of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (pHBA) and its amino derivative by means of the Kolbe–Schmitt reaction. Thus, the carboxylation of tetraalkylammonium phenoxide at 125 °C under the CO2 pressure of 5.0 MPa in the presence of K2CO3 gave pHBA in a maximum yield of 56% with the regioselectivity of 97–100%. The carboxylation of potassium phenoxide (PhOK) at 230 °C under the CO2 pressure of 0.5 MPa also gave pHBA regioselectively in a 39% yield, together with unaltered phenol (61%). Under such conditions, the potassium salt of salicylic acid (SA) once formed was transformed into pHBA. Heat treatment of the dipotassium salt of 13C labeled SA indicated that the transformation occurs via two pathways, i.e., the intramolecular rearrangement of the salicylate (66%) and the decarboxylation of the salicylate followed by the recarboxylation of the resulting PhOK (34%). Furthermore, the carboxylation of cesium m-aminophenoxide and 5-amino-1-naphthoxide with CO2 gave regioselectively 4-hydroxyanthranilic and 8-amino-4-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acids, respectively, in good yields. This is a simple one-pot reaction giving these industrially useful acids with good yields.
Crystal Structures of Protected Derivatives of α-Alkoxyglycines
Authors: Kawai Masao , Hosoda Kouji , Omori Yoshimasa , Yamamura Hatsuo , Miwa Yoshihisa , Taga Tooru
Published: November 2003

X-ray crysal structures of two α-alkoxyglycine derivatives, Cbz–Gly(OR)–OR (R = Me and Pri), were determined. The structural and chemical characteristics of Gly(OR) residues as unique β-oxa analogs of α-amino acids are discussed.
Water-based Dye-sensitized Solar Cells: Interfacial Activation of TiO2 Mesopores in Contact with Aqueous Electrolyte for Efficiency Development
Authors: Murakami Takurou N , Saito Haruhisa , Uegusa Sadao , Kawashima Norimichi , Miyasaka Tsutomu
Published: November 2003

Surface activation of TiO2 mesopores in contact with aqueous electrolytes was conducted by hydrophilic conversion and reaction of chemical adsorbents. Water-based dye-sensitized solar cell was fabricated as an environmentally benign device. The solar cell yielded high conversion efficiency up to 2.2%.
Promoting Effect of Cyclic Ethers in the Layered Silicate Synthesis
Authors: Kawai Akiko , Ikeda Takuji , Kiyozumi Yoshimichi , Mizukami Fujio
Published: November 2003

One of the layered silicates RUB-15, having TMA (Tetramethylammonium) ions between the layers, was rapidly synthesized by using cyclic ethers. The reaction with cyclic ethers was 6 times faster than that without cyclic ethers. The other organic solvent did not produce RUB-15 in 5 days. The effect of cyclic ethers is investigated by 29Si NMR.
Risk factors for HIV infection among women in Carletonville, South Africa: migration, demography and sexually transmitted diseases
Authors: Zuma K , Gouws E , Williams B , Lurie M
Published: November 2003

We investigate the prevalence of, and risk factors for, HIV infection among women in an urban South African setting. A random sample of 834 women was recruited into a community-based cross-sectional study. HIV prevalence was 37.1% with higher prevalence among migrant women (46.0%) than non-migrant women (34.7%), (odds ratio [OR]=1.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-2.31). The highest HIV prevalence (50.9%) was between ages 26 and 35 years. Having two or more lifetime partners increased the risk of HIV infection (OR=4.88, 95% CI: 3.01-7.89). Migration, age, marital status, alcohol use, syphilis and gonorrhoea were independently associated with HIV infection. Migration increases the risk of HIV infection. Provision of services to treat sexually transmitted diseases and educational empowerment programmes that will promote safer sex among migrant women are urgently needed.
Human immunodeficiency virus in plasma and cervicovaginal secretions in Filipino women
Authors: Natividad-Villanueva G U , Santiago E , Manalastas R M , Brown H W , Ingersoll J , Caliendo A M , Mayer K H , Cu-Uvin S
Published: November 2003

This study examined 30 HIV-infected women in Manila to assess the relationship between cervicovaginal and plasma HIV-1 viral load. An interview and gynaecologic examination was conducted and cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) and venous blood specimens were collected. HIV-1 RNA was detected in plasma samples of 24 patients (80%) and in CVL samples of 18 women (60%); 16 patients (53%) had detectable levels in both. CVL HIV-1 RNA was detectable in 75% of women (6/8) with plasma viral loads between 10,000 and 100,000 copies/mL and in 77% of women (10/13) with plasma viral loads higher than 100,000 copies/mL ( P =0.0086). Among women with CD4 cell counts of less than 200, 200-500, and greater than 500/mm3, CVL HIV-1 RNA was detected in 73%, 69%, and 17% of women, respectively ( P =0.1428). HIV-1 RNA shedding in the genital tract was significantly associated with plasma viral load.
'You can't tell by looking': pilot study of a community-based intervention to detect asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections
Authors: Low N , Connell P , McKevitt C , Baggili Tamara , Tenant-Flowers Melinda , More Christine , Zuckerman Mark , Hamilton Michael , Jones Jef , Blake Mark , Sterne Jonathan A C
Published: November 2003

Innovative and non-stigmatizing interventions are required to reduce ethnic inequalities in rates of sexually transmitted infections among young people. We therefore designed an intervention, 'You can't tell by looking,' which combined health promotion with testing for gonorrhoea and chlamydia using nucleic acid amplification technology and treatment and partner notification delivered in the non-clinical settings.

One hundred and eighty-one participants were seen in 13 sessions in local further education colleges. Forty-three percent of participants were from Black Caribbean or Black Other ethnic groups and 39% were Black African: 125 of 181 participants were sexually active and 109 of these (87%) provided a urine specimen. 10/109 (9.2%, 95% confidence interval 4.5-16.2%) samples were confirmed positive for Chlamydia trachomatis and two were also positive for Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Only 7% of those tested found it embarrassing. The intervention was both feasible and acceptable to young people. It could be tested in a wider variety of non-clinical settings and evaluated in a cluster randomized trial.
Prevalence and risk factors of STDs in rural Haiti: implications for policy and programming in resource-poor settings
Authors: Smith Fawzi M C , Lambert W , Singler J M , Koenig S P , Léandre F , Nevil P , Bertrand D , Claude M S , Bertrand J , Salazar J J , Louissaint M , Joanis L , Farmer P E
Published: November 2003

The goals of the current study are to: (1) estimate the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among women accessing services at a women's health clinic in rural Haiti; and (2) identify risk factors for STDs in this setting. The design is a case control study, comparing risk factors for women who demonstrated positive laboratory results for chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea to women who tested negative for both of these pathogens. The strongest risk factors for chlamydia and/or gonorrhoea were largely economic variables, with work as a domestic servant increasing the risk by four-fold. Working as a market vendor reduced a woman's risk of having an STD by approximately 45%. Given that economic factors are strongly associated with STD risk in this context, one potential mechanism for reducing the risk of STDs, including HIV, would involve increasing economic opportunities for women in rural Haiti.
Audit of HIV partner notification in a district general hospital
Authors: de Souza L , Munday P E
Published: November 2003

We evaluated partner notification for HIV in a district general hospital over a two-year period. The majority of current partners were notified and 60% were found to be HIV-positive. No previous partners were successfully notified. We make recommendations intended to improve the rate of notification and testing.
Evidence that poly(A) binding protein has an evolutionarily conserved function in facilitating mRNA biogenesis and export
Authors: CHEKANOVA JULIA A. , BELOSTOTSKY DMITRY A.
Published: November 2003

Eukaryotic poly(A) binding protein (PABP) is a ubiquitous, essential cellular factor with well-characterized roles in translational initiation and mRNA turnover. In addition, there exists genetic and biochemical evidence that PABP has an important nuclear function. Expression of PABP from Arabidopsis thaliana, PAB3, rescues an otherwise lethal phenotype of the yeast pab1Δ mutant, but it neither restores the poly(A) dependent stimulation of translation, nor protects the mRNA 5′ cap from premature removal. In contrast, the plant PABP partially corrects the temporal lag that occurs prior to the entry of mRNA into the decay pathway in the yeast strains lacking Pab1p. Here, we examine the nature of this lag-correction function. We show that PABP (both PAB3 and the endogenous yeast Pab1p) act on the target mRNA via physically binding to it, to effect the lag correction. Furthermore, substituting PAB3 for the yeast Pab1p caused synthetic lethality with rna15-2 and gle2-1, alleles of the genes that encode a component of the nuclear pre-mRNA cleavage factor I, and a factor associated with the nuclear pore complex, respectively. PAB3 was present physically in the nucleus in the complemented yeast strain and was able to partially restore the poly(A) tail length control during polyadenylation in vitro, in a poly(A) nuclease (PAN)-dependent manner. Importantly, PAB3 in yeast also promoted the rate of entry of mRNA into the translated pool, rescued the conditional lethality, and alleviated the mRNA export defect of the nab2-1 mutant when overexpressed. We propose that eukaryotic PABPs have an evolutionarily conserved function in facilitating mRNA biogenesis and export.
Phylogenetic conservation of RNA secondary and tertiary structure in the trpEDCFBA operon leader transcript in Bacillus
Authors: SCHAAK JANELL E. , BABITZKE PAUL , BEVILACQUA PHILIP C.
Published: November 2003

Expression of the trpEDCFBA operon of Bacillus subtilis is regulated by transcription attenuation and translation control mechanisms. We recently determined that the B. subtilis trp leader readthrough transcript can adopt a Mg2+-dependent tertiary structure that appears to interfere with TRAP-mediated translation control of trpE. In the present study, sequence comparisons to trp leaders from three other Bacillus sp. were made, suggesting that RNA secondary and tertiary structures are phylogenetically conserved. To test this hypothesis, experiments were carried out with the trp leader transcript from Bacillus stearothermophilus. Structure mapping experiments confirmed the predicted secondary structure. Native gel experiments identified a faster mobility species in the presence of Mg2+, suggesting that a Mg2+-dependent tertiary structure forms. Mg2+-dependent protection of residues within the first five triplet repeats of the TRAP binding target and a pyrimidine-rich internal loop were observed, consistent with tertiary structure formation between these regions. Structure mapping in the presence of a competitor DNA oligonucleotide allowed the interacting partners to be identified as a single-stranded portion of the purine-rich TRAP binding target and the large downstream pyrimidine-rich internal loop. Thermal denaturation experiments revealed a Mg2+- and pH-dependent unfolding transition that was absent for a transcript missing the first five triplet repeats. The stability of several mutant transcripts allowed a large portion of the base-pairing register for the tertiary interaction to be determined. These data indicate that RNA secondary and tertiary structures involved in TRAP-mediated translation control are conserved in at least four Bacillus species.
The ability to form full-length intron RNA circles is a general property of nuclear group I introns
Authors: NIELSEN HENRIK , FISKAA TONJE , BIRGISDOTTIR ÅSA BIRNA , HAUGEN PEIK , EINVIK CHRISTER , JOHANSEN STEINAR
Published: November 2003

In addition to splicing, group I intron RNA is capable of an alternative two-step processing pathway that results in the formation of full-length intron circular RNA. The circularization pathway is initiated by hydrolytic cleavage at the 3′ splice site and followed by a transesterification reaction in which the intron terminal guanosine attacks the 5′ splice site presented in a structure analogous to that of the first step of splicing. The products of the reactions are full-length circular intron and unligated exons. For this reason, the circularization reaction is to the benefit of the intron at the expense of the host. The circularization pathway has distinct structural requirements that differ from those of splicing and appears to be specifically suppressed in vivo. The ability to form full-length circles is found in all types of nuclear group I introns, including those from the Tetrahymena ribosomal DNA. The biological function of the full-length circles is not known, but the fact that the circles contain the entire genetic information of the intron suggests a role in intron mobility.
The Role of Cholesterol and Statins in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Miller Lisa J , Chacko Reni
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVE:

To briefly discuss the impact of elevated total and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels, as well as the potential relationship of hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin) use, on the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

DATA SOURCES:

Biomedical literature was accessed through MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1966–June 2003). The authors independently reviewed literature for possible inclusion in this article.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

Clinical studies were selected and reviewed from the data sources, with special emphasis on those dealing with statin use and AD.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

The impact of AD is significant, as it is rapidly becoming one of our country's most debilitating and costly diseases. Data from epidemiologic trials indicate that statins may have some protective effect against the development of AD. These trials also allude to theories regarding possible mechanisms of action for this use, data implicating possible superiority of one statin over another, and their lack in certain populations, specifically the very old elderly population.

CONCLUSIONS:

Preliminary evidence suggests that statins may offer a protective effect against the development of AD. However, review of the literature does not lend credence to the use of statins in the general nondemented population without hyperlipidemia. Potential confounding variables have not been considered in the majority of trials. Placebo-controlled clinical trials are ongoing and should yield more definitive results.
Ritodrine-Induced Leukocytoclastic Vasculitis in Pregnancy
Authors: Cobeta-García Juan C , García-Enguita Pilar , Pina-Latorre Miguel A , Lerin-Sánchez Francisco J , Rodilla-Calvelo Francisco
Published: November 2003

OBJECTIVE:

To report 2 cases of pregnant women who presented with leukocytoclastic vasculitis (LV) associated with the administration of ritodrine hydrochloride after undergoing genetic amniocentesis and to review the literature on LV.

CASE SUMMARIES:

Case 1. A 40-year-old pregnant woman was diagnosed with autoimmune hypothyroidism at week 12 of her third gestation. At week 14, she underwent a genetic amniocentesis and received oral prophylactic treatment with ritodrine for 10 days. At week 16, she presented with fever, epigastric abdominal pain, polyarthritis, microhematuria, and purpura. Skin biopsy showed LV. Case 2. A 34-year-old pregnant woman had developed polyarthralgias and polyarthritis after receiving ritodrine following genetic amniocentesis in her second gestation. She also underwent a genetic amniocentesis in her third gestation and received ritodrine. Five days later, she presented with fever, polyarthritis, and purpura. A skin biopsy demonstrated LV. The rest of her gestation was normal until week 33, when she developed oligohydramnios and a delay of intrauterine fetal growth. A cesarean section was then performed. After birth, the baby developed tachypnea, anemia, splenomegaly, edema, and renal failure; she died on her 15th day of life.

DISCUSSION:

Ritodrine hydrochloride is a β2-adrenergic agonist that is used in pregnant women as a tocolytic agent. In our 2 patients, there was a time relationship between the administration of ritodrine and the appearance of LV. In both cases, other causes of vasculitis were excluded in a reasonable way. As of November 4, 2003, only one other case has been found in the literature. An objective causality assessment revealed that the reactions to ritodrine were probable and possible, respectively, in our 2 cases.

CONCLUSIONS:

In pregnant women with autoimmune disease, ritodrine should be used with caution because of its ability to induce vasculitis.
Inappropriate Medication Use Among Frail Elderly Inpatients
Authors: Hanlon Joseph T , Artz Margaret B , Pieper Carl F , Lindblad Catherine I , Sloane Richard J , Ruby Christine M , Schmader Kenneth E
Published: November 2003

BACKGROUND:

Inappropriate prescribing in frail elderly inpatients has not received as much investigation as in frail elderly nursing home patients.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the prevalence and predictors of inappropriate prescribing for hospitalized frail elderly patients.

METHODS:

The study was conducted at 11 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers and involved a sample of 397 frail elderly inpatients. Inappropriate prescribing was measured by physician—pharmacist pair's consensus ratings for 10 criteria on the Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI). The MAI ratings generated a weighted score of 0–18 per medication (higher score = more inappropriate) and were summed across medications to achieve a patient score.

RESULTS:

Overall, 365 (91.9%) patients had ≥1 medications with ≥1 MAI criteria rated as inappropriate. The most common problems involved expensive drugs (70.0%), impractical directions (55.2%), and incorrect dosages (50.9%). The most common drug classes with appropriateness problems were gastric (50.6%), cardiovascular (47.6%), and central nervous system (23.9%). The mean ± SD MAI score per person was 8.9 ± 7.6. Stepwise ordinal logistic regression analyses revealed that both the number of prescription (adjusted OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.36) and nonprescription drugs (adjusted OR 1.17; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.29) were related to higher MAI scores. Analyses excluding the number of drugs revealed that the Charlson index (adjusted OR 1.62; 95% CI 1.12 to 2.35) and fair/poor self-rated health (adjusted OR 1.15; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.26) were related to higher MAI scores.

CONCLUSIONS:

Inappropriate drug prescribing is common for frail elderly veteran inpatients and is related to polypharmacy and specific health status characteristics.
Moderne Synthesemethoden: Kupfer‐vermittelte C(Aryl)‐O‐, C(Aryl)‐N‐ und C(Aryl)‐S‐Verknüpfungen
Authors: Ley Steven V. , Thomas Andrew W.
Published: November 2003

Kupfer‐vermittelte C(Aryl)‐N‐, C(Aryl)‐O‐ und C(Aryl)‐S‐ Verknüpfungen sind Kupplungsreaktionen mit einer großen Bandbreite an Substraten. In dieser Hinsicht ergänzt diese Methode die Palladium‐vermittelten Arylierungsreaktionen. Hier beschreiben wir neue Entwicklungen bei stöchiometrischen und katalytischen Varianten der Reaktionen mit Arylboronsäuren, Arylhalogeniden, Iodoniumsalzen, Siloxanen, Stannanen, Plumbanen, Bismutaten und Trifluoroboraten als Aryldonoren. Erst kürzlich wurden Arylboronsäuren als Reaktionspartner für die O‐ und N‐Arylierung eingeführt; dieser Klasse von Aryldonoren wird in diesem Aufsatz besondere Aufmerksamkeit gewidmet. Durch die Verwendung unterschiedlicher Kupferquellen und Basen sowie zusätzlicher Liganden und Additive konnten deutliche Verbesserungen erzielt werden. Mechanistische Untersuchungen sollen Aufschluss über die katalytisch aktiven Spezies geben und so zur Entwicklung milderer Methoden mit größerer Effizienz führen. Der Aufsatz umfasst die Literatur bis Ende April 2003.
Neue Substrate für Palladium‐katalysierte Kupplungsreaktionen von Aromaten
Authors: Zapf Alexander
Published: November 2003

Aromaten und Heteroaromaten sind allgegenwärtige Strukturelemente in Wirkstoffen und neuen Materialien. Die Funktionalisierung (“Veredelung”) von einfachen aromatischen Vorstufen ist deshalb nach wie vor von zentraler Bedeutung für die präparative Organische Chemie. In den letzten 20 Jahren haben vor allem Übergangsmetall‐katalysierte Kreuzkupplungen von Arylhalogeniden und ‐triflaten der Aromatenchemie neue Impulse gegeben, vor wenigen Jahren wurden auch erste technische Anwendungen realisiert. Seit kurzem ergänzen nun Carbonsäurederivate wie Anhydride und Ester das Substratspektrum derartiger Kupplungsreaktionen. Einige aktuelle Entwicklungen auf diesem Gebiet werden in diesem Aufsatz vorgestellt.
Modern Synthetic Methods for Copper‐Mediated C(aryl)O, C(aryl)N, and C(aryl)S Bond Formation
Authors: Ley Steven V. , Thomas Andrew W.
Published: November 2003

The copper‐mediated C(aryl)N, C(aryl)O, and C(aryl)S bond formation is an important transformation and has been developed to include a wide range of substrates. This Review highlights the recent developments in the copper‐mediated (both stoichiometric and catalytic) reactions of aryl boronic acids, aryl halides, iodonium salts, siloxanes, stannanes, plumbanes, bismuthates, and trifluoroborate salts as aryl donors. In particular, the recent introduction of boronic acids as reaction partners in both O‐ and N‐arylation has been a significant discovery and will occupy centre‐stage in this review. Clear improvements can be obtained by the correct choice of copper source, base, ligands, and other additives. Mechanistic investigations should provide insight into the catalytically active species, which would aid in the development of milder, more‐efficient methods.
Cover Picture: Multicenter Strategy for the Development of Catalytic Enantioselective Nucleophilic Alkylation of Ketones: Me2Zn Addition to α‐Ketoesters (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 44/2003)
Authors: Funabashi Ken , Jachmann Markus , Kanai Motomu , Shibasaki Masakatsu
Published: November 2003

The Senjyu Kannon statue in the Koufukuji temple in Nara, Japan (see picture), has thousands of hands to manipulate thousands of things at once. A new catalyst, a 2,4‐cis‐hydroxyprolinol derivative, was developed for the enantioselective addition of dimethylzinc to α‐ketoesters. The catalyst has three hands in a cis‐stereochemical array, which activates both the ketoester substrate and the organozinc reagent simultaneously. M. Shibasaki et al. describe on page 5489 ff. the excellent enantioselectivities obtained from aromatic and heteroaromatic substrates.>
Nodes of topicality: Modeling user notions of on topic documents
Authors: Greisdorf Howard , O'Connor Brian
Published: November 2003

Topicality, while demonstrably an empirically manageable variable of investigation, engenders aspects of cognitive complexity that may, or may not, be easily managed during user interactions with IR systems. If an item retrieved from an IR system is considered to be on topic by a user, the meaning of that judgment may imply other underlying criteria. What makes an item on topic for users is the subject of this investigation. Although topicality has served to generate a great deal of attention in the body of information science literature, the meaning of topicality to IR system users has suffered from a lack of full understanding in designing more effective approaches to information search and retrieval. This investigation takes an inductive approach to the deductive extraction of characteristics that describe and explain how items retrieved from interactions with IR systems can be considered as on topic.
Network influences on scholarly communication in developmental dyslexia: A longitudinal follow‐up
Authors: Perry Claudia A.
Published: November 2003

Author cocitation analysis was used to explore ongoing changes in the intellectual structure of the hybrid problem area of developmental dyslexia for the period 1994–1998, and to address ambiguities in results raised by an earlier study of these researchers for the years 1976–1993. Results suggest that: (1) discrepancies between the structure of the sociometric (personal) and author cocitation networks reflect real differences, not temporal factors; (2) differences between cocitation patterns and reports in the literature, and corresponding delays in the visibility of emerging perspectives, are likely due to the “inertia” of aggregate cocitation data and/or by shifts by neuroscience‐vision researchers to publication in more prominent journals; (3) a sharp rise in link density for the neuroscience‐vision subgroup indicates increased cohesiveness and growing maturation for this emerging perspective; (4) shifts in subgroup membership, link density, patterns of coauthorship, and multiple factor loadings suggest possible convergence between other subgroups in the network and identify individuals who may play boundary‐spanning roles within the network; and (5) changing patterns of cocitation throughout the network suggest the increasing influence of studies relating to neurobiological mechanisms underlying dyslexia. The possible contributions of such boundary spanners in addressing the substantial information and communication challenges posed by the increased interdisciplinary character of scholarship in general, also are discussed.
Bibliographic index coverage of a multidisciplinary field
Authors: Walters William H. , Wilder Esther I.
Published: November 2003

This study examines the literature of a multidisciplinary field, later‐life migration, and evaluates the effectiveness of 12 bibliographic databases in indexing that literature. Five journals—three in social gerontology, one in rural sociology, and one in regional science—account for 40% of the papers published in this area. The disciplines that publish the most work on later‐life migration are not necessarily those that provide the best index coverage, however. Moreover, four multidisciplinary databases each provide better index coverage than any single‐subject index. The relatively low degree of overlap among the 12 databases suggests that scholars working on topics such as later‐life migration must continue to rely on a wide range of bibliographic tools, both disciplinary and multidisciplinary.
Bibliographic and Web citations: What is the difference?
Authors: Vaughan Liwen , Shaw Debora
Published: November 2003

Web citations have been proposed as comparable to, even replacements for, bibliographic citations, notably in assessing the academic impact of work in promotion and tenure decisions. We compared bibliographic and Web citations to articles in 46 journals in library and information science. For most journals (57%), Web citations correlated significantly with both bibliographic citations listed in the Social Sciences Citation Index and the ISI's Journal Impact Factor. Many of the Web citations represented intellectual impact, coming from other papers posted on the Web (30%) or from class readings lists (12%). Web citation counts were typically higher than bibliographic citation counts for the same article. Journals with more Web citations tended to have Web sites that provided tables of contents on the Web, while less cited journals did not have such publicity. The number of Web citations to journal articles increased from 1992 to 1997.