bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
PECAM-1 negatively regulates GPIb/V/IX signaling in murine platelets
Authors: Rathore Vipul , Stapleton Michelle A. , Hillery Cheryl A. , Montgomery Robert R. , Nichols Timothy C. , Merricks Elizabeth P. , Newman Debra K. , Newman Peter J.
Published: August 2003

Platelet adhesion at sites of vascular injury is mediated, in part, by interaction of the platelet plasma membrane glycoprotein (GP) Ib/V/IX complex with von Willebrand Factor (VWF) presented on collagen-exposed surfaces. Recent studies indicate that GPIb/V/IX may be functionally coupled with the Fc receptor γ (FcRγ)-chain, which, by virtue of its cytoplasmic immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif, sends activation signals into the cell. Platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) is an inhibitory receptor that has previously been shown to negatively regulate platelet responses to collagen, which transduces activation signals via the GPVI/FcRγ-chain complex. To determine whether PECAM-1 might similarly regulate signals emanating from GPIb/FcRγ, we compared activation and aggregation responses to VWF of PECAM-1-positive and PECAM-1-deficient murine platelets. PECAM-1 and the FcRγ-chain became rapidly tyrosine phosphorylated in platelets following botrocetin-induced VWF binding, but FcRγ-chain tyrosine phosphorylation was delayed in PECAM-1-positive, versus PECAM-1-deficient, platelets. PECAM-1-deficient platelets were hyperaggregable to VWF, exhibited enhanced spreading and, under conditions of arterial flow, formed markedly larger thrombi on immobilized VWF than did wild-type platelets. Taken together, these data support the notion that engagement of the GPIb complex, in addition to sending activation signals, also initiates a negative feedback loop involving PECAM-1 that controls the rate and extent of platelet activation. (Blood. 2003;102:3658-3664)
Congenital afibrinogenemia: identification and expression of a missense mutation in FGB impairing fibrinogen secretion
Authors: Vu Dung , Bolton-Maggs Paula H. B. , Parr Jeremy R. , Morris Michael A. , de Moerloose Philippe , Neerman-Arbez Marguerite
Published: August 2003

Congenital afibrinogenemia is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by complete absence of detectable fibrinogen. We previously identified the first causative mutations for this disease: a homozygous deletion of approximately 11 kb of the fibrinogen α-chain gene (FGA). Subsequent studies revealed that the great majority of afibrinogenemia mutations are localized in FGA, but mutations were also found in FGG and FGB. Apart from 3 missense mutations identified in the C-terminal portion of FGB, all fibrinogen gene mutations responsible for afibrinogenemia are null. In this study, a young boy with afibrinogenemia was found to be a compound heterozygote for 2 mutations in FGB: an N-terminal nonsense mutation W47X (exon 2) and a missense mutation (G444S, exon 8). Coexpression of the FGB G444S mutant cDNA in combination with wild-type FGA and FGG cDNAs demonstrated that fibrinogen molecules containing the mutant β chain are able to assemble but are not secreted into the media, confirming the pathogenic nature of the identified mutation. (Blood. 2003;102:4413-4415)
Automated Syndromic Surveillance for the 2002 Winter Olympics
Authors: Gesteland Per H. , Gardner Reed M. , Tsui Fu-Chiang , Espino Jessi , Rolfs Robert T. , James Brent C. , Chapman Wendy W. , Moore Andrew W. , Wagner Michael M.
Published: August 2003

The 2002 Olympic Winter Games were held in Utah from February 8 to March 16, 2002. Following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and the anthrax release in October 2001, the need for bioterrorism surveillance during the Games was paramount. A team of informaticists and public health specialists from Utah and Pittsburgh implemented the Real-time Outbreak and Disease Surveillance (RODS) system in Utah for the Games in just seven weeks. The strategies and challenges of implementing such a system in such a short time are discussed. The motivation and cooperation inspired by the 2002 Olympic Winter Games were a powerful driver in overcoming the organizational issues. Over 114,000 acute care encounters were monitored between February 8 and March 31, 2002. No outbreaks of public health significance were detected. The system was implemented successfully and operational for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games and remains operational today.
Origin of Neuropeptide Y-Containing Afferents to Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Neurons in Male Mice
Authors: Turi Gergely F. , Liposits Zsolt , Moenter Suzanne M. , Fekete Csaba , Hrabovszky Erik
Published: August 2003

The origin of neuropeptide Y (NPY) afferents to GnRH neurons was investigated in male mice. Neonatal lesioning of the hypothalamic arcuate nuclei (ARC) with monosodium glutamate markedly reduced the number of NPY fibers in the preoptic area as well as the frequency of their contacts with perikarya and proximal dendrites of GnRH neurons. Dual-label immunofluorescence studies to determine the precise contribution of the ARC to the innervation of GnRH neurons by NPY axons were carried out on transgenic mice in which enhanced green fluorescent protein was expressed under the control of the GnRH promoter (GnRH-enhanced green fluorescent protein mice). The combined application of red Cy3 and blue AMCA fluorochromogenes established that 49.1 ± 7.3% of NPY axons apposed to green GnRH neurons also contained agouti-related protein (AGRP), a selective marker for NPY axons arising from the ARC. Immunoelectronmicroscopic analysis detected symmetric synapses between AGRP fibers and GnRH-immunoreactive perikarya. Additional triple-fluorescence experiments revealed the presence of dopamine-β-hydroxylase immunoreactivity within 25.4 ± 3.3% of NPY afferents to GnRH neurons. This enzyme marker enabled the selective labeling of NPY pathways ascending from noradrenergic/adrenergic cell populations of the brain stem, thus defining a second important source for NPY-containing fibers regulating GnRH cells. The absence of both topographic markers (AGRP and dopamine-β-hydroxylase) within 26% of NPY contacts suggests that additional sources of NPY fibers to GnRH neurons exist. Future studies will address distinct functions of the two identified NPY systems in the afferent neuronal regulation of the GnRH system.
Activation Functions 1 and 2 of Nuclear Receptors: Molecular Strategies for Transcriptional Activation
Authors: Wärnmark Anette , Treuter Eckardt , Wright Anthony P. H. , Gustafsson Jan-Åke
Published: August 2003

Nuclear receptors (NRs) comprise a family of ligand inducible transcription factors. To achieve transcriptional activation of target genes, DNA-bound NRs directly recruit general transcription factors (GTFs) to the preinitiation complex or bind intermediary factors, so-called coactivators. These coactivators often constitute subunits of larger multiprotein complexes that act at several functional levels, such as chromatin remodeling, enzymatic modification of histone tails, or modulation of the preinitiation complex via interactions with RNA polymerase II and GTFs. The binding of NR to coactivators is often mediated through one of its activation domains. Many NRs have at least two activation domains, the ligand-independent activation function (AF)-1, which resides in the N-terminal domain, and the ligand-dependent AF-2, which is localized in the C-terminal domain. In this review, we summarize and discuss current knowledge regarding the molecular mechanisms of AF-1- and AF-2-mediated gene activation, focusing on AF-1 and AF-2 conformation and coactivator binding.
Cross-linking of actin filaments by myosin II is a major contributor to cortical integrity and cell motility in restrictive environments
Authors: Laevsky Gary , Knecht David A.
Published: August 2003

Cells are frequently required to move in a local environment that physically restricts locomotion, such as during extravasation or metastatic invasion. In order to model these events, we have developed an assay in which vegetative Dictyostelium amoebae undergo chemotaxis under a layer of agarose toward a source of folic acid [Laevsky, G. and Knecht, D. A. (2001). Biotechniques 31, 1140-1149]. As the concentration of agarose is increased from 0.5% to 3% the cells are increasingly inhibited in their ability to move under the agarose. The contribution of myosin II and actin cross-linking proteins to the movement of cells in this restrictive environment has now been examined. Cells lacking myosin II heavy chain (mhcA-) are unable to migrate under agarose overlays of greater than 0.5%, and even at this concentration they move only a short distance from the trough. While attempting to move, the cells become stretched and fragmented due to their inability to retract their uropods. At higher agarose concentrations, the mhcA- cells protrude pseudopods under the agarose, but are unable to pull the cell body underneath. Consistent with a role for myosin II in general cortical stability, GFP-myosin dynamically localizes to the lateral and posterior cortex of cells moving under agarose. Cells lacking the essential light chain of myosin II (mlcE-), have no measurable myosin II motor activity, yet were able to move normally under all agarose concentrations. Mutants lacking either ABP-120 or α-actinin were also able to move under agarose at rates similar to wild-type cells. We hypothesize that myosin stabilizes the actin cortex through its cross-linking activity rather than its motor function and this activity is necessary and sufficient for the maintenance of cortical integrity of cells undergoing movement in a restrictive environment. The actin cross-linkers α-actinin and ABP-120 do not appear to play as major a role as myosin II in providing this cortical integrity.
Interphase and monoastral-mitotic phenotypes of overexpressed MAP4 are modulated by free tubulin concentrations
Authors: Holmfeldt Per , Brattsand Goran , Gullberg Martin
Published: August 2003

The microtubule-associated protein 4 (MAP4) has recently been shown to counteract destabilization of interphase microtubules caused by catastrophe promotion but not by tubulin sequestering. To address how MAP4 discriminates between destabilization of microtubules by these two mechanisms, we have evaluated the combined phenotypes of MAP4 coexpressed with Op18/stathmin family member derivatives with either catastrophe-promoting or sequestering activities. This approach relies on the finding that overexpression of MAP4 alone stabilizes microtubules during all phases of the cell cycle in human leukemia cells, and causes a potent mitotic block and a dramatic, previously unobserved, phenotype characterized by large monoastral spindles. Coexpression of either catastrophe-promoting or tubulin-sequestration-specific Op18 derivatives was found to modulate the activity of ectopic MAP4 during mitosis, but with differential functional outcome. Interestingly, the tubulin-sequestering derivative suppressed the monoastral mitotic phenotype of MAP4 (i.e. coexpression facilitated the formation of functional spindles). To evaluate whether this phenotypic suppression could be explained by tubulin-sequestration-dependent modulation of MAP4 activity, a plasma-membrane-targeted, tubulin-sequestering chimera was constructed to decrease the cytosolic free tubulin concentration substantially. This chimera likewise suppressed the monoastral phenotype caused by overexpression of MAP4, suggesting a direct downregulation of MAP4 activity by reduced free tubulin concentrations.
Microtubule and Rac 1-dependent F-actin in growth cones
Authors: Grabham Peter W. , Reznik Boris , Goldberg Daniel J.
Published: August 2003

Extracellular cues control the rate and direction of growth of neuronal processes in large part by regulating the cytoskeleton of the growth cone. The actin filament network of the peripheral region is thought to be the primary target for these cues, with consequences for the advance and organization of microtubules. Binding of laminin to integrin receptors is a cue that accelerates the growth of processes from many types of neurons. It was applied acutely to sympathetic neurons in culture to study its effects on the cytoskeleton of the growth cone. Microtubules advance to the edge of the growth cone and bundle in response to laminin, and it was found that small veils of membrane appear near the ends of some of those microtubules. To examine more clearly the relationship between the microtubules and the appearance of actin-rich structures at the periphery, a low dose of cytochalasin D was used to deplete the peripheral region of the growth cone of pre-existing F-actin. The subsequent addition of laminin resulted in the bundling of ends of dynamic (tyrosinated) microtubules at the distal edge of the growth cone, most of which were associated with foci of F-actin. Observations of labeled actin within living growth cones confirmed that these foci formed in response to laminin. Suppression of microtubule dynamics with drugs eliminated the actin foci; washout of drug restored them. Rac 1 did not co-concentrate with F-actin in the peripheral region of the growth cone in the absence of laminin, but did co-concentrate with the foci of F-actin that formed in response to laminin. Inhibition of Rac 1 functioning prevented the formation of the foci and also inhibited laminin-induced neurite growth with or without cytochalasin. These results indicate that extracellular cues can affect actin in the growth cone via microtubules, as well as affect microtubules via actin. They also point to the mediation of microtubule-dependent accumulation of F-actin at the front of the growth cone as a role of Rac 1 in neurite growth.
The C-terminal end of R-Ras contains a focal adhesion targeting signal
Authors: Furuhjelm Johanna , Peränen Johan
Published: August 2003

R-Ras promotes cell adhesion and activation of integrins through a process that is yet unknown. We show here that active R-Ras (38V) promotes the formation of focal adhesions and a spread cell shape. By contrast, the dominant-negative mutant of R-Ras (43N) reduces the number of focal adhesions, leading to the formation of refractile cells. In adherent cells wild-type R-Ras, activated (38V) R-Ras and endogeous R-Ras were preferentially targeted to focal adhesions, whereas the dominant-negative mutant (43N) of R-Ras was excluded from these structures. Activated mutants of H-Ras and K-Ras were not found in focal adhesions. We dissected R-Ras to find out the determinants that are important for the targeting process. The outermost region in the N-terminus of R-Ras, as well as the intact proline-rich sequence in the C-terminus of RRas that mediates binding to Nck, were not essential. Mutating the potential palmitoylation site (C213A) of RRas results in depalmitoylation and accumulation of R-Ras in the Golgi. Using H-Ras/R-Ras, R-Ras/H-Ras and RRas/K-Ras hybrid molecules we showed that the C-termini (175-218 amino acids) of R-Ras contains the signal for focal adhesions targeting. Exchanging the hypervariable region of H-Ras to R-Ras inhibited the targeting of R-Ras to focal adhesions, whereas H-Ras obtained the ability to localize to focal adhesions after receiving the hypervariable region of R-Ras. This indicates that R-Ras targeting is mediated both by the nucleotide binding status as well as through a specific region in the C-terminus of R-Ras. These results indicate that targeting and activation of R-Ras are linked processes in the formation of focal adhesions.
KSHV vFLIP binds to IKK-γ to activate IKK
Authors: Field Nigel , Low Walter , Daniels Mark , Howell Steven , Daviet Laurent , Boshoff Chris , Collins Mary
Published: August 2003

When expressed in heterologous cells, the viral FLIP protein (vFLIP) of Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) has been reported both to block Fas-mediated apoptosis and to activate the NF-κB activation pathway by interaction with IκB kinase (IKK). In a yeast-two-hybrid screen, we identified IKKγ as an interacting partner of vFLIP. We expressed fragments of IKKγ in mammalian cells and bacteria, and identified the central CCR3/4 (amino acids 150-272) as the vFLIP binding region. To investigate the proteins interacting with vFLIP in a KSHV-infected primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) cell line, we immunoprecipitated vFLIP and identified four associated proteins by mass spectrometry: IKK components IKKα, β and γ, and the chaperone, Hsp90. Using gel filtration chromatography, we demonstrated that a single population of vFLIP in the cytoplasm of PEL cells co-eluted and co-precipitated with an activated IKK complex. An inhibitor of Hsp90, geldanamycin, inhibited IKK's kinase activity induced by vFLIP and killed PEL cells, suggesting that vFLIP activation of IKK contributes to PEL cell survival.
Architectural defects in pronuclei of mouse nuclear transplant embryos
Authors: Moreira Pedro N. , Robl James M. , Collas Philippe
Published: August 2003

Reprogramming somatic nuclear function by transplantation of nuclei into recipient oocytes is associated with a morphological remodeling of the somatic nucleus. Successful cloning of animals by nuclear transplantation (NT) demonstrates that reprogramming somatic cell function is possible. However, low pregnancy rates and high frequencies of lethal abnormalities in animals born suggest that reprogramming is rarely complete. To address this issue, we tested the hypothesis that nuclear transplantation leads to nuclear remodeling deficiencies. We report the identification of several markers of morphological remodeling, or lack thereof, of mouse cumulus cell nuclei after transplantation into oocytes. Notably, nuclear transplant mouse embryos exhibit nuclear assembly of the differentiated cell-specific A-type lamins at the one-cell stage, as a result of misregulation of lamin A gene expression. The transplanted nuclei also display enhanced concentration of the nuclear matrix-associated protein NuMA as a result of translation from maternal mRNA and de novo transcription. The A-kinase anchoring protein 95 (AKAP95), a marker of the nuclear envelope-chromatin interface, is of somatic origin. Furthermore, greater resistance of AKAP95 and DNA to in situ extractions of one-cell stage NT embryos with non-ionic detergent, DNase, RNase and NaCl reflects an enhanced proportion of heterochromatin in these embryos. Passage through first embryonic mitosis does not rescue the defects detected in one-cell stage embryos. We propose that somatic nuclear reprogramming deficiencies by NT might emanate from, at least in part, failure to remodel the somatic nucleus morphologically into a functional embryonic nucleus.
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 regulates formation of long lamellipodia in human keratinocytes
Authors: Koivisto Leeni , Alavian Keyhan , Häkkinen Lari , Pelech Steven , McCulloch Christopher A. , Larjava Hannu
Published: August 2003

During wound healing, keratinocytes initiate migration from the wound edge by extending lamellipodia into a fibronectin-rich provisional matrix. While lamellipodia-like structures are also found in cultured keratinocytes exposed to epidermal growth factor (EGF), the signaling pathway that regulates the formation of these structures is not defined. In cultured human keratinocytes seeded on fibronectin, we found that protein-serine/threonine kinase inhibitors including staurosporine, induced concentration-dependent formation of extended lamellipodia (E-lams). The formation of E-lams was inhibited by the proteintyrosine kinase inhibitors herbimycin A and genistein and augmented by the protein-tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor sodium orthovanadate. Staurosporine treatment induced relocation of tyrosine phosphorylated phospholipase C-γ1 (PLC-γ1) to the tips of lamellipodia where actin assembly was initiated. Consistent with an involvement of PLC-γ1 in E-lam formation, intracellular free calcium (Ca2+) was elevated during the formation of E-lams and conversely, E-lam formation was blocked by intracellular Ca2+ chelation with BAPTA/AM, but not by extracellular reduction of Ca2+ by EGTA. Notably, glycogen synthase kinase-3α/β (GSK-3α/β) was activated by staurosporine as evidenced by reduced phosphorylation on Ser-21/9. Suppression of GSK-3 activity by LiCl2 or by a specific chemical inhibitor, SB-415286, blocked E-lam formation but without altering cell spreading. Furthermore, GSK-3 inhibitors blocked both staurosporine- and EGF-induced keratinocyte migration in scratch-wounded cultures. We propose that GSK-3 plays a crucial role in the formation of long lamellipodia in human keratinocytes and is potentially a central regulatory molecule in epithelial cell migration during wound healing.
The importance of setting and evaluating standards of telemedicine training
Authors: Brebner E M , Brebner J A , Ruddick-Bracken H , Wootton R , Ferguson J
Published: August 2003

summary

The importance of appropriate training in the use of videoconferencing equipment for clinical purposes is often underestimated when telemedicine projects are established. We developed a user training programme which was delivered via videoconferencing to a group of 130 nurses. Training was delivered on a one-to-one basis. A questionnaire was developed to evaluate user satisfaction and the effectiveness of training. One hundred and two fully completed questionnaires were returned (a 79% response rate). High levels of satisfaction were obtained but the level of user competence reached 100% only when training was supported by a training manual and at least weekly practice. Before establishing a telemedicine service, the following steps appear to be important: identify the required training competencies; deliver a ‘hands on’ training programme based on the required training competencies; back up the training programme with an instruction booklet; ensure that trainees have at least weekly practice; measure the level of user competence.
Evaluation of an Internet-based teledermatology system
Authors: Chao L W , Cestari T F , Bakos L , Oliveira M R , Miot H A , Zampese M , Andrade C B , Böhm G M
Published: August 2003

summary

We established a Website which allowed clinical dermatology cases to be submitted, with digital images, through a simple online form. The case could then be managed within the public health service. A database containing 6000 drug interactions was also available on the Website to help clinical management. The Website was tested by 10 junior doctors, who examined dermatology patients, filled in the electronic form with their clinical observations and descriptions, and forwarded digital images. Five dermatologists then evaluated the 71 cases stored on the Website. The agreement between the virtual evaluation and the definitive diagnosis (on face-to-face examination) was 95%. The Website could be used in national health strategies, as a tool for promoting voluntary medical attendance, and for multicentre epidemiological surveillance.
Rationalizing radio medical advice for maritime emergencies
Authors: Aujla K , Nag R , Ferguson J , Howell M , Cahill C
Published: August 2003

summary

The provision of radio medical advice by the National Health Service for British coastal waters has developed in an ad hoc fashion. In 1999, the closure of one of the two centres providing such advice led to unexpected problems. The demographic characteristics of the offshore population covered by each centre were markedly different and this resulted in a different spectrum of medical emergencies presenting to the sole remaining centre. Subsequent data collection of the details of medical emergencies presenting from offshore allowed an audit to inform the development of training packages for both base and remote practitioners. This has led to an ongoing national rationalization of ship-to-shore radio medical advice for the UK.
Minor injuries telemedicine
Authors: Ferguson J , Rowlands A , Palombo A , Pedley D , Fraser S , Simpson S
Published: August 2003

summary

A minor injuries telemedicine network in Grampian connects 14 accident and emergency departments in community hospitals to a teaching hospital department. In a six-month study, 407 new telemedicine consultations met the inclusion criteria. Rates of transfer for treatment to the base hospital were used as an outcome measure. Fourteen out of a total of 19 members of medical staff gave telemedical advice. They were mainly middle-grade accident and emergency doctors. Transfer rates were 16–48% (median 29%) across staff. The rates did not seem to be affected by the base doctor's seniority, but were a reflection of that doctor's experience of and confidence in using videoconferencing equipment for clinical purposes. Transfer rates decreased as experience increased. Training for doctors undertaking the provision of specialist advice should include the clinical practicalities of making remote diagnoses.
Implementing telemedicine services in northern Norway: Barriers and facilitators
Authors: Larsen F , Gjerdrum E , Obstfelder A , Lundvoll L
Published: August 2003

summary

Telemedicine is not simply a technology – it also involves processes. The use of telemedicine is influenced by many factors. Our intention was to examine what conditions promote the use of telemedicine between general practitioners (GPs) and hospitals. Qualitative interviews were undertaken with 16 GPs in northern Norway. The extent to which GPs were using the services was limited, although some used them fairly frequently. The most widely used service was teledermatology. The GPs saw advantages of the services in general and saw clear benefits for their patients. The services were considered to be time-consuming, and the lack of adequate government remuneration for the time involved in teleconsultations was seen as a barrier to their use. The GPs focused on their own ability to handle new technology and expressed a need to practise more.
An evaluation of a telemedicine fracture review clinic
Authors: Palombo A , Ferguson J , Rowlands A , Pedley D , Fraser S
Published: August 2003

summary

Telemedicine is being widely used in the treatment of patients with minor injuries in north-east Scotland. A telemedicine fracture review clinic has been developed. During a one-month study period there were a total of 67 review appointments and 88 new patients. Fifty individual patients were reviewed and 10 were seen on more than one occasion. The mean number of reviews for all patients was 2.3. Thirty-six patients had initially been seen by telemedicine, six of whom (17%) had to come to Aberdeen for part of their treatment. Fourteen patients reviewed by telemedicine had initially been seen in person. All patients were safely managed and normal guidelines were followed. There is scope for significant expansion of this service, since 131 patients were seen in a fracture clinic in Aberdeen who lived close to a minor injury unit with telemedicine and X-ray facilities. The majority of these patients were likely to have had injuries suitable to be followed up using telemedicine.
A role for tele-education in the centralization of accident and emergency services
Authors: Pedley D , Brebner E , Rowlands A , Palombo A , Ferguson J
Published: August 2003

summary

We evaluated the use of tele-education to provide an induction programme for accident and emergency senior house officers (SHOs) in three remote locations, and compared their performance with that of SHOs receiving the same induction programme in the conventional manner. Both groups of doctors performed similarly in a pre-course multiple-choice question (MCQ) paper, and showed comparable improvement following the induction programme lectures. Sound quality and levels of interactivity were identified as areas for improvement in the tele-education programme. Tele-education might allow doctors based in peripheral units similar access to high-quality teaching to that enjoyed by those in larger hospitals. Further experience and evaluation are required to optimize this method of education delivery.
An evaluation of the west Surrey telemedicine monitoring project
Authors: Dale Jeremy , Connor Sarah , Tolley Kim
Published: August 2003

summary

We conducted a three-month pilot study of a home monitoring service for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Fifty-five patients were recruited. They transmitted physiological data to a monitoring centre once a day. During the period of the study, 36 escalations were reported to have occurred. Of these, 29 (81%) were managed at home; the other 7 (19%) resulted in acute admission after emergency telephone calls. Although only a small number of patients were involved for a relatively short period of time, there was evidence of a substantial (approximately 50%) decrease in rates of hospital admission. The service was highly acceptable to the patients.
An empirical analysis of a telehealth system in terms of cost-sharing
Authors: Tsuji Masatsugu , Suzuki Wataru , Taoka Fumio
Published: August 2003

summary

We interviewed 348 users of a home telemonitoring system and asked questions about their willingness to pay (WTP). Assuming that the functional form of demand was logistic, the best estimate of the WTP was ¥4519 per user per month. We also analysed how the benefits of the system (expressed in terms of WTP) were attributed to four factors: stabilizing illness; enhancement of health consciousness; less anxiety in day-to-day life; and a decrease in medical expenditures. All except the last were significant. According to the resulting model, individual users should bear ¥2763 in costs, while society should reimburse ¥349. Surprisingly, the value of ¥2763 obtained here is very close to the amount (¥2500) actually charged by Kamaishi City.
Design and implementation of an automatic message-routing system for low-cost telemedicine
Authors: Wootton Richard
Published: August 2003

summary

Email has been used for some years as a low-cost telemedicine medium to provide support for developing countries. However, all operations have been relatively small scale and fairly labour intensive to administer. A scalable, automatic message-routing system was constructed which automates many of the tasks. During a four-month study period in 2002, 485 messages were processed automatically. There were 31 referrals from eight hospitals in three countries. These referrals were handled by 25 volunteer specialists from a panel of 42. Two system operators, located 10 time zones apart, managed the system. The median time from receipt of a new referral to its allocation to a specialist was 1.0 days (interquartile range 0.7–2.4). The median interval between allocation and first reply was 0.7 days (interquartile range 0.3–2.3). Automatic message handling solves many of the problems of manual email telemedicine systems and represents a potentially scalable way of doing low-cost telemedicine in the developing world.
Guidelines for teleradiology practice: Results of the Tyrolean teleradiology pilot project
Authors: Soegner P , Rettenbacher Th , Smekal A , Nedden D Zur
Published: August 2003

summary

The Tyrolean telemedicine pilot project linked the University Clinic of Innsbruck and the district hospital in Reutte. Five medical specialties were investigated: teleradiology, telepathology, teledermatology, tele-ophthalmology and tele-oncology. A Tyrolean ‘four-column model of quality management in telemedicine’ was introduced to ensure a global view of the project and to avoid mistakes. In teleradiology, a 12-step workflow was developed, which described the medical responsibilities at each stage. We found that the defined teleradiology workflow and the technical equipment for data security and data exchange worked without problems in over 79% of a total of 424 cases. To ensure continuous quality assurance, the whole teleradiology workflow was ISO 9001:2000 certified.
Lessons from the implementation of a home telecare service
Authors: Hibbert D , Mair F S , Angus R M , May C , Boland A , Haycox A , Roberts C , Shiels C , Capewell S
Published: August 2003

summary

We conducted a qualitative evaluation of the introduction of a telenursing service. The service used an analogue videophone linked with a physiological monitoring device, which allowed the transmission of data between the patient's home and the hospital. A researcher kept a detailed diary of day-to-day activity for the first year of the project. Computer software for qualitative data analysis was used to code the text and the analysis followed the principles of constant comparison. The diary entries documented how the commercially available equipment was adapted to suit the organization and content of the nurses’ work. The nurses made a number of suggestions to improve the user-friendliness of the equipment. The technology, the existing home care service (the comparison arm of the study) and the randomized controlled trial itself all underwent continuous change. The traditionalrandomized control design of trial has limitations in this situation, and there is a need for more realistic trial designs.
How has NHS Direct changed primary care provision?
Authors: Mark Annabelle L , Shepherd Ifan D H
Published: August 2003

summary

We studied a general practice cooperative in west London that served 900,000 patients. The telephone triage service subsequently became a pilot for the national service, NHS Direct. Both quantitative and qualitative data were used for the study. The quantitative data consisted of the (anonymized) patient computer records available on the telephone triage service for the first two weeks in December 1998, December 1999 and December 2000. Two significant events were identified. The first, which emerged principally from analysis of the quantitative call data, were changes in patient outcomes during the period that spanned the arrival of NHS Direct. The second, revealed mainly through analysis of the qualitative data, were changes in the behaviour, perceptions and work experience of the triage nurses. Significant behavioural and attitudinal transitions occur when primary care organizations are modified.
Determining clinician satisfaction with telemedicine
Authors: Kennedy C , Johnston K , Taylor P , Murdoch I E
Published: August 2003

summary

We compared two methods of assessing clinician satisfaction with telemedicine. Clinicians completed a self-administered questionnaire with a preference ranking scale and a discrete choice method. Sixty-three clinicians completed the questionnaire (a 78% response rate). The preference ranking method showed that clinicians ranked the level of skill of the other clinician as the most important (55%) attribute of a teleconsultation and the completeness of the history as the second most important attribute (42%). The discrete choice method showed that clinicians ranked completeness of the patient's history as the most important attribute and risk of receiving wrong advice as the second most important. The use of discrete choice preferences provides an alternative and more objective method for collecting data about preferences in telemedicine. However, its use is not simple and requires the participants to be engaged in person rather than sent a questionnaire by post.
Self-reported compliance of patients receiving antihypertensive treatment: Use of a telemonitoring home care system
Authors: Port Kristjan , Palm Kairit , Viigimaa Margus
Published: August 2003

summary

Home monitoring of blood pressure and self-reported drug administration were investigated. Fifty hypertensive patients used a home telemonitoring service for a year. An average of 39% reported that they had followed their prescribed drug intake. Long-term treatment effectiveness was measured as the change in the weekly average morning systolic blood pressure (SBP). Sixteen patients showed a decrease in SBP, 21 no change and 13 a rise in SBP. There was a significant relationship between reported drug intake and variation in daily blood pressure. Groups differed in the magnitude of this effect. Compared with other groups, the difference (3.4 mmHg) between morning and evening SBP was greatest (and significant) in the patients whose blood pressure decreased during the study. Self-reported data using remote home monitoring reveals considerable differences in patterns of compliance with prescribed treatment as well as in the effectiveness of the drug regime.
The effect of telemedicine on consultation time
Authors: Baldwin Lynne , Clarke Malcolm , Hands Linda , Knott Mary , Jones Russell
Published: August 2003

summary

We have implemented an ‘evidence-based referral’ for primary care patients in dermatology, cardiology and peripheral vascular disease. Telemedicine clinics bring together a district nurse, patient and vascular surgeon to discuss diagnosis, management and care. During a 30-month study, a total of 30 patients participated in telemedicine clinics. The mean consultation time fell from 23 to 10 min. In parallel, the type of consultation changed from dermatology to vascular surgery. Nineteen patients participated in vascular telemedicine clinics over the last 16 months of the study. The average consultation time was 10 min (SD 1), which included discussion of the case and negotiation of its management. The average consultation time in the equivalent outpatient clinic in the same hospital for the same consultant was 15 min. The acquisition of the relevant information in primary care could lead to a reduction of 75% in outpatient clinic appointments.
Crystallographic report: Thallium(18‐crown‐6) hexafluorophosphate, [Tl(18‐crown‐6)](PF6)
Authors: Liu Fenghui
Published: August 2003

Thallium(18‐crown‐6) hexafluorophosphate was prepared and its structure was determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis. The Tl+ ion is surrounded by six oxygen atoms of 18‐crown‐6 and three fluorine atoms of $\hbox{PF}_{6}^{-}$, forming a sandwiched structure. If the three Tl–F interactions were considered significant, the coordination number in the title compound would be nine. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of a new modification of PtAl
Authors: Weidenthaler Claudia , Brijoux Werner , Ould‐Ely Teyeb , Spliethoff Bernd , Bönnemann Helmut
Published: August 2003

A new PtAl phase, which is stable at room temperature under oxidizing conditions, has been synthesized at 200 °C and 5 MPa. X‐ray studies reveal it to be different from the known polymorphs of PtAl, which crystallize in the FeSi and CsCl structure types. The crystal structure of the new PtAl modification is found to be isotypical with the low‐temperature modification of PdAl.In situhigh‐temperature X‐ray diffraction experiments in air were performed to study the thermal behavior of the new PtAl alloy. In the temperature range between 400 and 700 °C, Pt5Al3forms as an intermediate phase. At higher temperature the alloy decomposes, resulting in the formation of platinum and Al2O3. The thermodynamic instability at high temperatures explains why this new modification has not been observed using contemporary metallurgic processes. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crystallographic report: A three‐dimensional coordination polymer: [Zn6(btc)4(4,4′‐bipy)5]n (btc = 1,2,4‐benzenetricarboxylate; 4,4′‐bipy = 4,4′‐bipyridine)
Authors: Zheng Pei‐Qing , Long La‐Sheng , Huang Rong‐Bin , Zheng Lan‐Sun
Published: August 2003

The three‐dimensional (3D) coordination polymer [Zn6(btc)4(4,4′‐bipy)5]n (1) (btc = 1,2,4‐benzenetricarboxylate; 4,4′‐bipy = 4,4′‐bipyridine) has been prepared hydrothermally. The zinc(II) centers in 1 are bridged by btc ligands to form a trinuclear subunit, which is further linked by 4,4′‐bipy and btc ligands to construct the 3D coordination architecture. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis, characterization and in vitro antitumor activity of some arylantimony ferrocenecarboxylates and crystal structures of C5H5FeC5H4CO2SbPh4 and (C5H5FeC5H4CO2)2Sb(4‐CH3C6H4)3
Authors: Liu Run‐Chang , Ma Yong‐Qiang , Yu Lin , Li Jin‐Shan , Cui Jing‐Rong , Wang Rui‐Qing
Published: August 2003

A series of arylantimony ferrocenecarboxylates with the formula (C5H5FeC5H4CO2)nSbAr(5−n) (n = 1, 2; Ar = C6H5, 4‐CH3C6H4, 3‐CH3C6H4, 2‐CH3C6H4, 4‐ClC6H4, 4‐FC6H4) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR and mass spectra. The crystal structures of (C5H5FeC5H4CO2)2Sb(4‐CH3C6H4)3 and C5H5FeC5H4CO2SbPh4 were determined by X‐ray diffraction. Four human neoplastic cell lines (HL‐60, Bel‐7402, KB and Hela) were used to screen these compounds. The results indicate that these compounds at 10 µM show certain in vitro antitumor activities. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Working methods: Complete extraction of arsenic species: a worthwhile goal?
Authors: Francesconi Kevin A.
Published: August 2003

Some issues regarding sample preparation for arsenic speciation analyses are briefly discussed. In particular, the use of a single set of extraction conditions for the many different arsenicals present in biological samples is questioned. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mild depolymerization of silicone grease using aluminum(III)chloride: high‐yield synthesis and crystal structure of [{ClSiMe2OAlCl2}2], and its controlled hydrolysis on aluminum surfaces
Authors: Alexander Morgan R. , Mair Francis S. , Pritchard Robin G. , Warren John E.
Published: August 2003

Reaction of AlCl3 with {Me2SiO}n (Dow‐Corning high‐vacuum grease) at an Al : Si ratio of 1 : 1 in hexane at room temperature yielded a large crop of colorless crystals of [{ClSiMe2OAlCl2}2], which were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and NMR. These crystals hydrolyzed on an aluminum surface to give a coating of silicone oil interspersed with particles of [Al(OH2)6]Cl3, as determined by powder X‐ray diffraction and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometry. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some ferrocenyl Schiff bases with nonlinear optical properties
Authors: Huang Guo‐Sheng , Liang Yong‐Min , Wu Xiao‐Li , Liu Wei‐Min , Ma Yong‐Xiang
Published: August 2003

Eleven new ferrocenyl Schiff bases containing a benzene ring and CN in a conjugating chain have been synthesized by facile methods and characterized by 1H NMR, elemental analysis and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. Cyclic voltammetry was used to determine their electrochemical properties and electron‐withdrawing effects. It is shown that these pull–push ferrocenyl compounds have nonlinear optical responses according to their electronic absorption spectra and powder second harmonic generation measurements. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vinylarenetricarbonyl complexes of chromium as chain propagation regulators for polymerization of acrylic monomers
Authors: Grishin Dmitry F. , Semyonycheva Ludmila L. , Artemov Alexander N. , Telegina Ekaterina V. , Valetova Natalia B. , Illichev Ilya S.
Published: August 2003

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate initiated by azo‐bis‐isobutyronitrile in the presence of metal‐containing monomers (p‐methylstyrene‐, stilbene‐ and α‐methylstyrene‐chromiumtricarbonyl) was studied. Kinetic parameters (i.e. the decrease in the autoacceleration during the polymerization of acrylic monomers, its shift towards a high conversion region in the presence of α‐methylstyrenechromiumtricarbonyl, a linear dependence of the molecular weight of a polymethyl methacrylate and the shift of molecular‐weight distribution curves to a high molecular weight region with conversion) demonstrate the influence of vinylarenetricarbonyl complexes of chromium on basic steps of polymerization. It is important to note that the above organometallic compounds enable the controlled synthesis of polymers under temperature conditions (50–70 °C) corresponding to those of the industrial polymer production. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of benzoxazine‐based phenolic resins: Crosslinking study
Authors: Espinosa M. A. , Cádiz V. , Galià M.
Published: August 2003

Modified novolac resins with benzoxazine rings were prepared. The synthetic method involved the preparation of 1,3,5‐triphenylhexahydro‐1,3,5‐triazine as an intermediate that further reacts with the novolac resin. The catalytic effects of phenols, carboxylic acids, and Lewis acids on the benzoxazine ring‐opening polymerization were shown. The curing behavior of the benzoxazine compounds and the thermal properties of the cured resin were studied, and the results indicated improved degradation behavior for flammability. V‐0 materials were obtained when the materials were tested for ignition resistance using the UL‐94 test. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 470–481, 2003
Study of the polymerization ability of a novel type of aniline monomer, 2‐(m‐aminophenylbenzothiazole)
Authors: Folch I. , Borrós S.
Published: August 2003

The oxidation process of the aniline derivative [2‐(m‐aminophenylbenzothiazole] was studied, and the products obtained from its oxidation and the coreaction with different ratios of aniline were characterized in structure and properties. IR, NMR, and MALDI‐TOF spectrometries demonstrate the actual polymerization of the monomer, whereas DSC, TGA, and conductivity measurements show their good thermal and electrical properties when combined with aniline. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 497–504, 2003
Preparation of a mono‐sheet bipolar membrane by simultaneous irradiation grafting polymerization of acrylic acid and chloromethylstyrene
Authors: Fu Rongqiang , Xu Tongwen , Yang Weihua , Pan Zhongxiao
Published: August 2003

A new type of mono‐sheet bipolar membrane was produced from a porous polyethylene (PE) substrate using simultaneous irradiation grafting polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) on one side and chloromethylstyrene (CMS) on the other side. PE film with absorbent filter paper absorbing AA on one side and paper absorbing CMS on the other side was irradiated in the cobalt‐60 gamma ray irradiation field, followed by quaternization with trimethylamine aqueous solution. AA and CMS were grafted on the substrate membrane simultaneously. The performance of the final membrane is significantly affected by the irradiation time. For short irradiation time, the prepared membrane behaves as a bipolar membrane; whereas for long irradiation time, the final membrane behaves as a charge mosaic membrane. Therefore, by controlling the conditions, a bipolar membrane with good current rectification can be prepared, across which the voltage drop is ∼2.0 V at the current density 800 A/m2 in 1.0 M NaOH. This preparation method is simple and can be applied both in laboratory and in industry. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 572–576, 2003
Studies on the critical phase‐transition behavior of cholesteric N‐phthaloyl chitosan/dimethyl sulfoxide solutions by five techniques
Authors: Wu Yusong , Dong Yanming , Zhou Hua , Ruan Yonghong , Wang Huiwu , Zhao Yaqing
Published: August 2003

A selectively side‐modified chitosan derivative, N‐phthaloyl chitosan (PhthCs), was prepared. Five techniques, including circular dichroism (CD) spectropolarimetry, ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy, small‐angle light scattering (SALS), polarized optical microscopy (POM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), were simultaneously applied to investigate the order–disorder phase transition for the lyotropic PhthCs/dimethyl sulfoxide system. POM observations suggested that the critical concentration was 48 wt %, which agreed well with the DSC measurements. A four‐leaf SALS picture was recorded in biphasic solutions. The four‐leaf type became a circular symmetric scattering picture with a further increase in the concentration. A sharp peak at 330 nm was recorded in dilute isotropic solutions with CD measurements. The sharp peak turned into a broad tailed peak from 330 to 800 nm after the phase transition occurred. The sharp peak was induced by a chromophore (phthoyl group). The broad peak was attributed to the formation of short‐range‐ordered organization in the concentrated solutions. In UV–vis studies, when the system varied from isotropic to anisotropic, the absorption band turned into platform. These five techniques were proven to be feasible methods for measuring the phase transition of cholesteric liquid crystals. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 583–586, 2003