bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of swimming on metabolic recovery from anoxia in the painted turtle
Authors: Warren Daniel E. , Jackson Donald C.
Published: June 2004

Anoxic submergence in the Western painted turtle results in a severe metabolic acidosis characterized by high plasma lactate and depressed arterial pH, a response similar to that seen in other vertebrates following exhaustive exercise. We tested the hypothesis that 1 or 2 h of aerobic swimming following anoxic submergence would enhance the rate of lactate disappearance from the blood just as sustained aerobic exercise does in mammals and fishes following strenuous exercise. Following 2 h of anoxic submergence at 25° C and 1 h of recovery, the pattern of plasma lactate disappearance in turtles previously trained to swim in a flume and swum aerobically (2–3× resting V̇O2) for 1 or 2 h did not differ significantly from that in trained and untrained non-swimming turtles. Turtles were fully recovered by 7–10 h post-anoxia. The response patterns also did not differ between treatments for arterial PO2, PCO2, pH,and plasma glucose and HCO3–. Blood pH and plasma HCO3– recovered by 1 and 4 h, respectively. Despite the large lactate load, painted turtles are able to sustain periods of continuous swimming for at least 2 h without compromising metabolic recovery. Although this activity did not consistently enhance recovery, the rate of lactate disappearance was positively correlated with oxygen consumption rate in actively and passively recovering turtles. We suggest that active recovery was not a more important enhancer of recovery either because swimming may have had an inhibitory effect on hepatic gluconeogenesis or that there is variation in fuel utilization during the swimming period.
Fluoride-selective Colorimetric Sensors Based on Hydrazone Functionality
Authors: Zhou Lili , Zhang Xiaohong , Wu Shikang
Published: June 2004

Hydrazone derivatives 2, 3, 5, 6 with H-bond donor and color-reporting chromophore were synthesized to be used as chemosensors for selective detecting anionic species via naked eye and absorption spectroscopy. The results revealed that these compounds exhibited good selectivity to fluoride anion (F−). In order to clarify the mechanism of interaction between anionic species and sensors, compound 4 was synthesized for comparative study.
Formation of Hollow Submicrometer Spheres of Nickel Selenides
Authors: Liu Xiaohe , Qiu Guanzhou , Wang Junwei , Li Yadong
Published: June 2004

Hollow submicrometer spheres of nickel selenides have been successfully prepared via sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-assisted hydrothermal reduction route in which aqueous hydrazine was used as a reducing agent and the surfactant SDS was used as a structure-directing agent.
Radical Carbonylation of 1,5-Enynes Using TTMSS as a Chain Carrier. Unexpected Formation of Persistent 3-Silyl-1-siloxyallyl Radicals Serving as a Chain Breaking Path
Authors: Fukuyama Takahide , Uenoyama Yoshitaka , Oguri Shinya , Otsuka Noboru , Ryu Ilhyong
Published: June 2004

The radical carbonylation of 1,5-enynes 1a and 1b using TTMSS as radical mediator gave the predicted carbonylative cyclization products 2a and 2b, respectively, in poor yields. The isolation and characterization of reaction byproducts by X-ray crystallographic analysis suggest that the poor chain propagation can be attributed to the formation of long-lived 3-silyl-1-siloxyallyl radicals, produced by the addition of a (TMS)3Si radical onto the O–C double bond of the initially formed cyclopentanones.
Self-assembly of Guanidinium Hexagonal Carboxylate: How Many H-bonds and H-bonding Pattern between ArCOO− and C(NH2)3+?
Authors: Yang Chi , Wong Wing-Tak
Published: June 2004

In guanidinium hexacarboxylate, H·G6·2H2O (2, G = C(NH2)3, the guanidinium cations and the side pyridinecarboxylate rings are self-assembled via multiple H-bonds into zigzag-like ribbons which located between the hexahost H core plane layers. The H-bonds graph set present in the zigzag ribbons are R22(8), R21(6), R22(10), R12(6), R24(12), R53(10), R86(24), and R84(24).
Copolymerization of Aziridines and Carbon Monoxide Catalyzed by a Heterodinuclear Organopalladinum–Cobalt Complex
Authors: Komine Nobuyuki , Tanaka Shin-ichi , Tsutsuminai Susumu , Akahane Yoshifumi , Hirano Masafumi , Komiya Sanshiro
Published: June 2004

Heterodinuclear organopalladium–cobalt complex having a 2,2′-bipyridine ligand (bpy)AcPd–Co(CO)4 catalyzes copolymerization of unsubstituted and both C- and N-monosubstituted aziridines, such as aziridine, 2-methylaziridine, and N-ethylaziridiene, and CO (3–6 MPa) in THF at 100 °C for 6 h.
Templated Assembly of a Monolayer Consisting of a Coordination Nanobox at Air–Water Interface
Authors: Aoyagi Masaru , Minamikawa Hiroyuki , Shimizu Toshimi
Published: June 2004

The monolayer formation consisting of an amphiphilic terpyridine ligand and a biphenyl template on aqueous solution of a palladium complex was examined with varying the mixing ratios. Templated self-assembly resulted into a stable monolayer of a box-shaped host–guest complex at air–water interface.
Solvatochromic Shift of Phthalocyanine Q-band Governed by a Single Solvent Parameter
Authors: Isago Hiroaki , Kagaya Yutaka , Matsushita Akiyuki
Published: June 2004

Position of the main optical absorption band (Q-band) in electronic spectra of some trans-[M(Pc)L2]k (Pc = substituted or unsubstituted phthalocyaninate, M = Co(III), L = CN−, k = −1; M = Sn(IV), L = Cl−, k = 0; M = Sb(V), L = Cl−, k = +1) complexes depends only on the refractive index of the solvents, indicating that interaction of the transition dipole moment with induced dipole moment generated in the surrounding solvent molecules is predominant.
SN2 Type Hydrolysis of Secondary Alkyl Halides and Sulfonates in Hydrothermal Water
Authors: Yamasaki Yuki , Hirayama Takaharu , Oshima Koichiro , Matsubara Seijiro
Published: June 2004

Optically active secondary alkyl halides and sulfonates were treated with alkaline hydrothermal water at 250 °C in sealed vessel. The hydrolysis mostly proceeded with inversion of stereochemistry.
Soluble Polymer-supported Synthesis of trans β-Lactams with High Diastereoselectivity
Authors: Jian Shan-Zhong , Wang Yan-Guang
Published: June 2004

A general method for the liquid-phase synthesis of trans β-lactams with high diastereoselectivity is described. The mechanism can be explained by a chair-like transition state involving the imine and the (Z)-enolate.
Alkoxyhydrosilanes as Sources of Silylene Ligands: Novel Approaches to Transition Metal–Silylene Complexes
Authors: Sato Takahiro , Okazaki Masaaki , Tobita Hiromi
Published: June 2004

Irradiation of Fe(CO)5 and HSiMe2OR (R = alkyl or aryl group) together with hexamethylphosphoric triamide (HMPA) produces (CO)4Fe=SiMe2·HMPA and SiMe2(OR)2. Even in the absence of HMPA, irradiation of Fe(CO)5 and HSiMe2O(2-C5H4N) affords (CO)3(H)Fe{SiMe2···O(2-C5H4N)···SiMe2}. In these reactions, the alkoxyhydrosilanes act as sources of the silylene ligand.
Fluorescence Spectra of Trp53Phe and Trp110Ile Mutants of a Heme-regulated Phosphodiesterase from Escherichia coli
Authors: Hirata Satoshi , Kurokawa Hirofumi , Sagami Ikuko , Shimizu Toru
Published: June 2004

Fluorescence bands of a Trp110Ile mutant of the isolated heme domain of a heme-regulated phosphodiesterase (Ec DOS) from Escherichia coli and its complex with 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) were very weak, compared to the wild-type protein, suggesting that the fluorescence of the remaining Trp53 residue is quenched by interactions with heme, and that the Trp110 residue is exposed to the solvent.
Preparation and Characterization of Polyamine-functionalized Mesoporous Silica
Authors: Yoshitake Hideaki , Koiso Emi , Tatsumi Takashi , Horie Haruyuki , Yoshimura Hiroyuki
Published: June 2004

Polyamine-functionalized mesoporous MCM-41 and SBA-15 were synthesized by the substitution of surface chloroalkyl group by linear polyamines. The structure of the functional group was determined by elemental analysis, 29Si and 13C MAS NMR, and IR spectroscopy to explore the effects of chain length and pore size on aqueous ion adsorption capability.
Highly α-Selective Glycosylation with Glycosyl Acetate via Glycosyl Phosphonium Iodide
Authors: Kobashi Yohei , Mukaiyama Teruaki
Published: June 2004

Mild and highly α-selective glycosylations of several acceptors with glycosyl phosphonium iodide, a glycosyl donor readily generated in situ from glycosyl acetate, proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding disaccharides in high yields.
Eight-membered Ring Formation via Olefin Insertion into a Carbon–Carbon Single Bond
Authors: Matsuda Takanori , Fujimoto Atsushi , Ishibashi Mitsuru , Murakami Masahiro
Published: June 2004

Treatment of cyclobutanone having an o-styryl group at the 2-position with a catalytic amount of rhodium–phosphine complex afforded eight-membered ring ketones via intramolecular insertion of the C=C bond into the C–C single bond of the cyclobutanone.
P-Chiral Phosphinoselenoic Chlorides and Optically Active P-Chiral Phosphinoselenoic Amides: Synthesis and Stereospecific Interconversion with Extrusion and Addition Reactions of the Selenium Atom
Authors: Kimura Tsutomu , Murai Toshiaki
Published: June 2004

An efficient synthesis of P-chiral phosphinoselenoic chlorides and the first optically active P-chiral phosphinoselenoic amides was successfully achieved. Stereospecific interconversion with the extrusion of selenium atom from optically active phosphinoselenoic amides and the addition of selenium atom to optically active aminophosphines were also investigated.
Single-crystalline PbCrO4 Nanowires and Their Hydrothermal Transformation to Amorphous PbCr3O10 Nanotubes
Authors: Hu Xian-Luo , Zhu Ying-Jie
Published: June 2004

Single-crystalline PbCrO4 nanowires have been successfully synthesized by a simple solution method at room-temperature. Amorphous PbCr3O10 nanotubes could be hydrothermally prepared from PbCrO4 nanowires in the presence of PVP. This simple method needs no any seed, catalyst, or template, and may also be extended to the fabrication of other 1-D chromates.
A Novel and Efficient Method for the Synthesis of α-Azidoketones and α-Ketothiocyanates
Authors: Yadav J S , Reddy B V Subba , Srinivas M
Published: June 2004

α-Diazoketones underwent insertion smoothly with sodium azide and potassium thiocyanate in the presence of CeCl3·7H2O under mild reaction conditions to afford the corresponding α-azidoketones and α-ketothiocyanates in excellent yields.
Practice Abstracts
Authors: Keefer Donald L.
Published: June 2004

“Practice Abstracts” carries short reports of specific current or recent OR/MS projects. Often these reports are based on existing documents, such as internal reports or company newsletters. We hope that these abstracts will be accessible, interesting, and valuable to practitioners in other organizations. Contributions should be sent for evaluation to the editor of “Practice Abstracts,” Donald L. Keefer, Department of Supply Chain Management, Arizona State University, Box 874706, Tempe, Arizona 85287-4706 (don.keefer@asu.edu).
Integrating Harm Reduction and Abstinence-Based Substance Abuse Treatment in the Public Sector
Authors: Futterman Roy , Lorente Maria , Silverman Susan
Published: June 2004

Harm reduction and abstinence-based substance abuse treatment can not only be integrated, but their integration is more powerful than either separately. This integration has more positive effects than either model separately on the large problem of patient retention in substance abuse treatment. This integration is particularly relevant for its utility and acceptance in the public sector. Examples from a clinic currently utilizing this model in a public hospital are presented.
Success of Referral for Alcohol Dependent Patients from a General Hospital
Authors: Rochat Stephane , Wietlisbach Vincent , Burnand Bernard , Landry Ulrika , Yersin Bertrand
Published: June 2004

To assess the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary evaluation and referral process in a prospective cohort of general hospital patients with alcohol dependence, alcohol-dependent patients were identified in the wards of the general hospital and its primary care center. They were evaluated and then referred to treatment by a multidisciplinary team; those patients who accepted to participate in this cohort study were consecutively included and followed for 6 months. Not included patients were lost for follow-up, whereas all included patients were assessed at time of inclusion, 2 and 6 months later by a research psychologist in order to collect standardized baseline patients’ characteristics, process salient features and patients outcomes (defined as treatment adherence and abstinence).

Multidisciplinary evaluation and therapeutic referral was feasible and effective, with a success rate of 43% for treatment adherence and 28% for abstinence at 6 months. Among patients’ characteristics, predictors of success were an age over 45, not living alone, being employed and being motivated to treatment (RAATE-A score < 18), whereas successful process characteristics included detoxification of the patient at time of referral and a full multidisciplinary referral meeting.

This multidisciplinary model of evaluation and referral of alcohol dependent patients of a general hospital had a satisfactory level of effectiveness. Predictors of success and failure allow the identification of subsets of patients for whom new strategies of motivation and treatment referral should be designed.
Training Medical Providers to Conduct Alcohol Screening and Brief Interventions
Authors: Babor Thomas F. , Higgins-Biddle John C. , Higgins Pamela S. , Gassman Ruth A. , Gould Bruce E.
Published: June 2004

Although progress has been made in developing a scientific basis for alcohol screening and brief intervention (SBI), training packages are necessary for its widespread dissemination in primary care settings. This paper evaluates a training package developed for the Cutting Back(r) SBI program. Three groups of medical personnel were compared before and after SBI training: physicians (n = 44), medical students (n = 88), and non-physicians (n = 41). Although the training effects were at times dependent on group membership, all changes were in a direction more conducive to implementing SBI. Physicians and medical students increased confidence in performing screening procedures, and students increased self-confidence in conducting brief interventions. Non-physicians perceived fewer obstacles to screening patients after training. Trained providers reported conducting significantly more SBIs than untrained providers, and these differences were consistent with patients’ reports of their providers’ clinical activity. Thus, when delivered in the context of a comprehensive SBI implementation program, this training is effective in changing providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practice of SBI for at-risk drinking.
Use of Alcohol Screening and Brief Interventions in Primary Care Settings
Authors: Barry Kristen L. , Blow Frederic C. , Willenbring Mark , McCormick Richard , Brockmann Laurie M. , Visnic Stephanie
Published: June 2004

Although evidence indicates that brief alcohol screening and interventions are effective across primary care settings, implementation of these techniques has been problematic. The primary objective of this study was to determine current practices and barriers for screening and interventions with primary care patients across randomly selected clinics in a large health care system, the Veterans Health Administration. Focus groups and mailed structured surveys were used. Results from providers indicated that 85% of patients treated in primary care received some screening for alcohol use disorders. The CAGE was the predominant screening tool. The primary clinical focus was on treatment referrals for patients who met abuse/dependence criteria. Lack of time was the most important perceived barrier to implementing screening and brief alcohol interventions for at-risk and problem drinkers. Implications for implementation of screening and intervention programs for a range of drinkers (at-risk use, problem use, abuse, dependence) are discussed.
Family-Focused Smoking Cessation
Authors: Key Janice D. , Marsh Linda D. , Carter Cindy L. , Malcolm Robert J. , Sinha Debajyoti
Published: June 2004

While partner support has been found to be an important factor in smoking cessation, programs with partner training have not demonstrated improved efficacy. The goal of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a smoking cessation treatment program that included partner support in an innovative education/therapy model similar to alcohol and drug treatment programs. Subjects included 23 smokers, 71% with a support partner. The program consisted of a smoking cessation curriculum, combined with facilitated group therapy for participants and partners, and individualized medication evaluation. Smoking abstinence was 87% at program completion and 80% at one month follow up, 100% abstinence in participants with support and 50% in participants without support (p < 0.05). Smoking Stage of Change at enrollment was: contemplation 22%, preparation 70%, and action 8%, with 87% movement toward action stage. In the present study, partner support enhanced short-term abstinence from smoking.
Family Medicine Residents’ Beliefs, Attitudes and Performance with Problem Drinkers
Authors: Kahan Meldon , Wilson Lynn , Liu Eleanor , Borsoi Diane , Brewster Joan M. , Sobell Linda C. , Sobell Mark B.
Published: June 2004

Fifty-six second-year family medicine residents completed a survey on their knowledge and beliefs about problem drinkers. Most residents felt responsible for screening and counseling, were confident in their clinical skills in these areas, and scored well on related knowledge questions. However, only 18% felt that problem drinkers would often respond to brief counseling sessions with physicians while 36% felt that moderate drinking was a reasonable goal for patients with severe alcohol dependence. Residents were then visited by unannounced simulated patients (SPs) presenting with alcohol-induced hypertension or insomnia. Residents detected the SP in 45 out of 104 visits. In the 59 undetected SP visits, residents asked about alcohol consumption in 47 visits (80%), discussed the relationship between alcohol use and the presenting complaint in 37 visits (63%), and recommended a specific weekly consumption in 35 visits (59%). Only 31% offered reduced drinking strategies, and most did not ask about features of alcohol dependence. These results suggest that residents have the fundamental clinical skills required to manage the problem drinker who gives a clear history and is receptive to advice. Educational efforts with residents should focus on the importance of systematic screening, taking an alcohol history under more challenging conditions, identifying the subtler presentations of alcohol problems, counselling the less receptive patient at an earlier stage of change, distinguishing the problem drinker from the alcohol-dependent patient, and offering specific behavioral strategies for the problem drinker.
Predictors of Relapse during Treatment and Treatment Completion among Marijuana-Dependent Adolescents in an Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse Program
Authors: White Aaron M. , Jordan Jonathan D. , Schroeder Kristin M. , Acheson Shawn K. , Georgi Becky D. , Sauls Gary , Ellington Roxanne R. , Swartzwelder H. Scott
Published: June 2004

The present study assessed possible predictors of relapse while in treatment and treatment completion among marijuana-dependent adolescents (N = 59) in an intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment program. Comorbid depression was associated with an increased likelihood of relapse and a higher total number of relapses. As expected, relapse while in treatment was associated with a reduced likelihood of successfully completing the treatment program. Comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was also associated with a lower likelihood of successful program completion. These findings add to a slowly growing literature regarding adolescent substance abuse treatment, and may help clinicians identify marijuana-dependent adolescents at greater risk of relapse or noncompliance.
Imatinib Mesylate Treatment in Two Patients with Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndrome
Authors: Payne Sonja M , Kovacs Michael J
Published: June 2004

OBJECTIVE:

To report 2 clinical cases of hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) refractory to standard therapy and the variable responses to imatinib mesylate, and to review previously reported cases of imatinib mesylate use in the treatment of hypereosinophilia.

CASE SUMMARIES:

Two male patients were diagnosed with idiopathic HES complicated with organ involvement. Both were treated with imatinib mesylate after failing to respond to or being unable to tolerate standard therapy. In one patient, treatment with imatinib mesylate 100 mg/day produced resolution of symptoms and peripheral blood cell counts within 6 days. The patient has successfully maintained normal blood cell counts and has been without symptoms for more than one year after starting imatinib mesylate. The other patient failed to respond to imatinib mesylate even at the maximum dose (up to 400 mg/day).

DISCUSSION:

Imatinib mesylate was considered an appropriate alternative for standard therapy of HES based on the evidence that other treatments used for chronic myelogenous leukemia have also been successful in treating HES. Three small studies have supported this hypothesis. However, not all patients with HES respond to imatinib mesylate therapy. The cases presented here illustrate the marked difference.

CONCLUSIONS:

Imatinib mesylate has shown some promise in the treatment of HES. However, until the etiology of idiopathic hypereosinophilia and the role of imatinib mesylate in the resolution of this disease are determined, it will continue to be difficult to predict the responsiveness of a patient to imatinib mesylate therapy.
Dual Blockade of the Renin—Angiotensin System in Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Wade Vicki L , Gleason Brenda L
Published: June 2004

OBJECTIVE:

To review the literature concerning dual blockade of the renin—angiotensin system (RAS) with an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) in diabetic nephrophathy.

DATA SOURCES:

MEDLINE (1998—September 2003), EMBASE (1998–September 2003), and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1998–September 2003) were used to access the literature. Search terms included angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, angiotensin II receptor blocker, diabetic nephropathy, dual blockade, renin—angiotensin system, and combination therapy.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Monotherapy with an ACE inhibitor provides incomplete blockade of the RAS. Dual blockade of the RAS has been studied in approximately 300 patients with diabetic nephropathy. Recent randomized controlled studies suggest that dual blockade using an ACE inhibitor and an ARB in diabetic nephropathy is well tolerated and will provide an additional 11–43% reduction in albuminuria versus monotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS:

Dual blockade of the RAS using an ACE inhibitor and an ARB provide statistically significant reductions in albuminuria and blood pressure. Use of dual blockade is safe, but requires additional monitoring for hyperkalemia. Long-term studies are needed to determine whether the decrease in albuminuria will correlate with an actual improvement from overt proteinuria to microalbuminuria or a decreased incidence of end-stage renal disease in the overall diabetic population.
Omalizumab: A Novel Therapy for Allergic Asthma
Authors: Davis Lorrie A
Published: June 2004

OBJECTIVE:

To review the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of omalizumab, focusing on the treatment of allergic asthma.

DATA SOURCES:

A MEDLINE search (1966—November 2003) was conducted using the key words omalizumab, Xolair, and Rhu-MAB25, with studies limited to those in humans and published in English. References of identified articles were reviewed for additional citations.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

Clinical trials evaluating the pharmacology, efficacy, and safety of omalizumab for treatment of allergic asthma in patients aged ≥1 2 years were selected. Clinical trials examining utility in pediatric patients were also reviewed.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Omalizumab's ability to form complexes with unbound immunoglobulin E (IgE) translates into decreased unbound serum IgE levels and high-affinity IgE receptors on basophils, as well as attenuation of early and late allergic response in patients with allergic asthma. Results of clinical trials demonstrated that omalizumab administered subcutaneously is a safe and effective treatment for moderate to severe allergic asthma. Generally, omalizumab has a mild adverse effect profile. Omalizumab may be particularly useful for treatment of moderate to severe allergic asthma in patients who are poorly controlled on conventional therapy, experience adverse effects secondary to high-dose or prolonged corticosteroid treatment, or who have frequent exacerbations because of poor medication adherence. The high cost associated with omalizumab treatment may be prohibitive for some patients, thereby limiting its utility.

CONCLUSIONS:

Omalizumab is a safe and effective therapy for treatment of moderate to severe allergic asthma in difficult-to-treat, high-risk patients.
Leflunomide-Associated Pancytopenia With or Without Methotrexate
Authors: Chan Jonathan , Sanders Daniela C , Du Leanne , Pillans Peter I
Published: June 2004

OBJECTIVE:

To report 18 cases of pancytopenia associated with leflunomide use in Australia, 5 of which were treated at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane.

CASE SUMMARIES:

Leflunomide was used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis in 17 of 18 patients; the other patient was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. Median age was 65.5 years (range 18–79), and 15 of the patients were female. Fourteen patients were on combined treatment with methotrexate. Pancytopenia was typically severe, requiring hospital admission, withdrawal of the immunosuppressant(s), intensive supportive therapy, and treatment of neutropenic sepsis. Five patients died, 4 of whom were receiving concomitant methotrexate. Time to onset of pancytopenia ranged from 11 days to 4 years (median 4 mo). In one case in which the patient had been stable while receiving leflunomide, methotrexate, and hydroxychloroquine for 4 years, fatal pancytopenia was triggered by acute renal failure secondary to dehydration and use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. The Naranjo probability scale suggested a probable causal association in 5 cases and possible association in the remainder.

DISCUSSION:

Leflunomide, indicated for treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis, inhibits pyrimidine synthesis in lymphocytes and other rapidly dividing cells and may rarely be associated with life-threatening pancytopenia. Combination therapy with methotrexate may increase the risk. Time to onset is variable, and clinicians should remain vigilant, particularly when there is a change in the patient's baseline health status.

CONCLUSIONS:

The risk of pancytopenia during leflunomide therapy appears to be increased when the drug is combined with methotrexate and in older patients. Onset may be delayed, and ongoing monitoring of blood counts is essential.
Lithium Intoxication as a Result of an Interaction with Rofecoxib
Authors: Bravo Alexandra E Rätz , Egger Sabin S , Crespo Sophie , Probst Willi L , Krähenbühl Stephan
Published: June 2004

OBJECTIVE:

To report the occurrence of lithium intoxication in a patient with bipolar disorder after adding rofecoxib to the medication regimen.

CASE SUMMARY:

A 68-year-old woman with bipolar disorder under long-term treatment with lithium, carbamazepine, pipamperon, and mirtazapine was prescribed rofecoxib 25 mg twice daily for the treatment of leg pain. Within one week, she showed progressive hypokinesia and tremor, which was treated with propranolol. Subsequently, she developed bradycardia, necessitating treatment with isoproterenol. Her lithium serum concentration had doubled compared with those before rofecoxib, and her renal function had deteriorated. After stopping lithium and rofecoxib, her laboratory values and neurologic signs improved or normalized within 2 days. An objective causality assessment revealed a probable relationship between concomitant use of the drugs and the resulting symptoms.

DISCUSSION:

As of May 24, 2004, only 3 cases of reversible lithium intoxication as a result of a possible interaction with rofecoxib or celecoxib have been previously reported. The mechanism of the interaction between lithium and cyclooxygenase (COX) 2 selective inhibitors is most probably related to inhibition of renal synthesis of prostaglandins, which are important for the maintenance of renal perfusion and tubular function. Impairment of renal blood flow, leading to a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate, and increased proximal tubular absorption are the most likely mechanisms by which COX-2 selective inhibitors reduce lithium clearance.

CONCLUSIONS:

Coadministration of rofecoxib and lithium may result in life-threatening lithium intoxication, especially in patients with a preexisting decrease in renal function and/or decreased intravascular volume.
Prospective Analysis of Discordant Results between Biochemical Markers and Biopsy in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C
Authors: Poynard Thierry , Munteanu Mona , Imbert-Bismut Françoise , Charlotte Frederic , Thabut Dominique , Le Calvez Sophie , Messous Djamila , Thibault Vincent , Benhamou Yves , Moussalli Joseph , Ratziu Vlad
Published: June 2004

Background: The FibroTest and ActiTest are noninvasive biochemical markers of liver injury that are intended for use as alternatives to liver biopsy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The aims of this study were to assess the quality of biopsy and the prevalence of discordances between biopsy and markers, to identify factors associated with discordances, and to attribute these discordances to either markers or biopsy failure.

Methods: Fibrosis stage and activity grade were prospectively assessed on the same day by a liver biopsy and by markers. On the basis of risk factors for failure and independent endpoints, discordance was classified as being attributable to biopsy or to markers.

Results: Only 74 of 537 patients (14%) had a biopsy size ≥25 mm. Discordance was observed in 154 of 537 patients (29%), including 16% for fibrosis staging and 17% for activity grading. Steatosis, an inflammatory profile, and biopsy size were associated with discordance. Discordance was attributable to failure of markers in 13 patients (2.4%) and to biopsy failure in 97 (18%; P <0.001 vs Fibrotest and Actitest), and was nonattributable in 44 patients (8.2%). The most frequent failures attributable to markers were false negatives (1.3%) attributable to inflammation. The most frequent failures attributable to biopsy were false negatives of activity grading (10.1%) and of fibrosis staging (4.5%), both associated with smaller biopsy size and steatosis. False positives of fibrosis staging (3.5%) were associated with fragmented biopsies.

Conclusion: In this series, the size of liver biopsy is adequate in only a minor proportion (∼14%) of patients with chronic hepatitis C. When biopsy and marker results are discordant, a reason can be identified in more than two-thirds of cases and, in those cases, biopsy failure is >7 times more common than diagnostic failure of markers.
Lithium Monitoring by Reverse Iontophoresis in Vivo
Authors: Leboulanger Benoı̂t , Aubry Jean-Michel , Bondolfi Guido , Guy Richard H , Delgado-Charro M Begoña
Published: June 2004

Background: We investigated reverse transdermal iontophoresis as an alternative, noninvasive method for lithium monitoring in vivo. The objectives of such an approach would be to facilitate compliance with treatment and to improve the quality of life for bipolar patients.

Methods: We studied 23 bipolar or schizo-affective patients. Over a 2-h period, we extracted lithium and other cations across intact skin by application of an electric current (0.8 mA) and quantified the concentrations by ion chromatography. A blood sample provided comparative reference values for the drug and other electrolytes.

Results: Lithium, sodium, potassium, and calcium were efficiently extracted by iontophoresis. Lithium extraction fluxes were proportional to the corresponding serum concentrations, whereas sodium, potassium, and calcium extraction fluxes were relatively constant, consistent with their stable concentrations in blood. Normalization of the lithium extraction flux with that of sodium, which acted as an “internal standard”, permitted calibration of the monitoring procedure without the need for a blood measurement. This conclusion was tested retrospectively by dividing the patients into two groups. The reverse iontophoretic extraction data from the first subset (a) established the proportionality between lithium iontophoresis (or the relative electrotransport of lithium and sodium) and (b) predicted lithium blood concentrations in the second subset of patients. The predictive ability was very good, with the internal standard concept providing substantial benefit.

Conclusions: Reverse iontophoresis appears to offer a novel and accurate method for lithium monitoring.
Actualizing Innovation Effort: The Impact of Market Knowledge Diffusion in a Dynamic System of Competition
Authors: Marinova Detelina
Published: June 2004

This study focuses on the dynamic process that governs the impact of market knowledge diffusion on innovation effort and its subsequent effect on firm performance. First, the author proposes that three aspects of market knowledge (knowledge level, knowledge change, and extent of shared knowledge about customers and competitors) influence innovation effort. In so doing, she explicitly models the dynamic process of competition, including heterogeneity in interdependence of innovation across competitors, firm-specific inertial tendency in innovation, and feedback effects reflected in satisfaction with past performance. Second, within a partial adjustment model of performance, the author studies the role of shared market knowledge and firm size in the translation of innovation effort into firm performance over time. She tests the conceptual framework with longitudinal quasi field experiments based on a Markstrat simulation exercise, including a main experiment and three validation studies. The results reveal a dynamic system in which some aspects of market knowledge diffusion propel innovation, whereas satisfaction with past performance hinders innovation effort. Furthermore, the results show that innovation effort, by itself, does not affect firm performance. In the context of the study, total shared market knowledge helps smaller firms actualize better returns from their innovation effort than larger firms.
Understanding Adolescent Intentions to Smoke: An Examination of Relationships among Social Influence, Prior Trial Behavior, and Antitobacco Campaign Advertising
Authors: Andrews J. Craig , Netemeyer Richard G. , Burton Scot , Moberg D. Paul , Christiansen Ann
Published: June 2004

Telephone interviews were conducted with more than 900 adolescents aged 12 to 18 as part of a multimillion dollar, statewide, antitobacco advertising campaign. The interviews addressed two primary questions: (1) Do counter-advertising campaign attitudes directly affect antismoking beliefs and intent in a manner similar to those of conventional advertisements? and (2) Can advertising campaign attitudes have a stronger effect on beliefs and intent for adolescents with prior smoking behavior and for adolescents exposed to social influence (i.e., friends, siblings, or adult smoker in the home)? The authors’ findings show that advertising campaign attitudes, prior trial behavior, and social influence all directly affect antismoking beliefs and that advertising campaign attitudes interact with prior trial behavior to strengthen antismoking beliefs. The results indicate that attitudes related to the campaign, prior trial behavior, and social influence directly influence intent, and advertising campaign attitudes interact with social influence and prior trial behavior to attenuate adolescent intent to smoke. In addition, the effect of advertising campaign attitudes in attenuating social influence and prior trial behavior effects on adolescent intent to smoke persists even when the authors account for strongly held beliefs about smoking. The authors discuss implications for countermarketing communications and the design and understanding of future antismoking campaigns.
The Role of Relational Knowledge Stores in Interfirm Partnering
Authors: Johnson Jean L. , Sohi Ravipreet S. , Grewal Rajdeep
Published: June 2004

Drawing on the notions of relational capabilities and absorptive capacity, the authors examine the effects of interactional, functional, and environmental knowledge stores on relationship quality and relationship portfolio effectiveness. The results suggest that the knowledge stores affect the outcome variables differently and that the effects vary by levels of industry turbulence.
Consumer Response to Retailers’ Use of Partially Comparative Pricing
Authors: Barone Michael J. , Manning Kenneth C. , Miniard Paul W.
Published: June 2004

Consumers sometimes encounter a combination of comparative and noncomparative prices in the marketplace. For example, a grocer may employ signage that provides favorable price comparisons with those of a competitor for a portion of its products, a practice that the authors refer to as “partially comparative pricing.” The authors examine the effects of partially comparative pricing on consumer response and find that it has both desirable and undesirable effects. On the one hand, such pricing enhances consumers’ beliefs about the relative prices of comparatively priced products and about the retailer's relative prices in general. On the other hand, such pricing also reduces consumers’ relative price beliefs about noncomparatively priced products and their intentions to purchase such products. The authors further show that the adverse influence of partially comparative pricing stems from consumers’ suspicions about why price comparisons exist for some, but not all, products. They also document how these effects depend on store patronage. They discuss implications of their research and provide suggestions for future empirical efforts.
Geographic Patterns in Customer Service and Satisfaction: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Mittal Vikas , Kamakura Wagner A. , Govind Rahul
Published: June 2004

When firms’ customers are located in geographically dispersed areas, it can be difficult to manage service quality because its relative importance is likely to vary spatially. This article shows how addressing such spatial aspects of satisfaction data can improve management's ability to implement programs aimed at enhancing service quality. Specifically, managers can identify areas of high service responsiveness, that is, areas in which overall satisfaction is low but customers are highly responsive to improvements in service quality. The authors estimate the spatial patterns using geographically weighted regression, a technique that accounts for spatial dependence in the variables. They apply this methodology to a large national sample of automobile customers served by a network of dealerships across the United States. The authors also investigate the extent to which factors related to the physical and psychological landscape explain the importance that people in different regions place on dealership service and vehicle quality.
Building and Sustaining Buyer–Seller Relationships in Mature Industrial Markets
Authors: Narayandas Das , Rangan V. Kasturi
Published: June 2004

Empirical research in relationship management has tended to take a snapshot of a relationship at a given time and attempt to project its trajectory, despite agreement among researchers that a longitudinal perspective focused on process models advances the implications for practice. The authors use a field investigative approach to study, over time, the evolution of three industrial buyer–seller relationships in mature industrial markets. The relationships are characterized by various degrees of initial asymmetry and have evolved in dramatically different ways over time. Their findings suggest that weaker firms can structure and thrive in long-term relationships with powerful partners because initial asymmetries are subsequently redressed through the development of high levels of interpersonal trust across the dyad, which in turn leads to increased levels of interorganizational commitment.
Gaining Compliance and Losing Weight: The Role of the Service Provider in Health Care Services
Authors: Dellande Stephanie , Gilly Mary C. , Graham John L.
Published: June 2004

This research provides and empirically tests a conceptualization of health care services in which customer compliance outside of the service organization is necessary for successful health outcomes. Using data from service providers and customers in a weight-loss clinic, the authors examine the provider's role in gaining customer compliance. They find that provider expertise and attitudinal homophily play a role in bringing about customer role clarity, ability, and motivation. This study demonstrates that compliance leads to goal attainment, which results in satisfaction. More important, compliance also leads to satisfaction directly; consumers who comply with program requirements have greater satisfaction with the program.
Why We Boycott: Consumer Motivations for Boycott Participation
Authors: Klein Jill Gabrielle , Smith N. Craig , John Andrew
Published: June 2004

Although boycotts are increasingly relevant for management decision making, there has been little research of an individual consumer's motivation to boycott. Drawing on the helping behavior and boycott literature, the authors take a cost–benefit approach to the decision to boycott and present a conceptualization of motivations for boycott participation. The authors tested their framework during an actual boycott of a multinational firm that was prompted by factory closings. Consumers who viewed the closures as egregious were more likely to boycott the firm, though only a minority did so. Four factors are found to predict boycott participation: the desire to make a difference, the scope for self-enhancement, counterarguments that inhibit boycotting, and the cost to the boycotter of constrained consumption. Furthermore, self-enhancement and constrained consumption are significant moderators of the relationship between the perceived egregiousness of the firm's actions and boycott participation. The authors also explore the role of perceptions of others’ participation and discuss implications for marketers, nongovernmental organizations, policymakers, and researchers.
Synaptic Contributions to Focal and Widespread Spatiotemporal Dynamics in the Isolated Rat SubiculumIn Vitro
Authors: de la Prida L. Menendez , Gal B.
Published: June 2004

The subiculum, which has a strategic position in controlling hippocampal activity, is receiving significant attention in epilepsy research. However, the functional organization of subicular circuits remains unknown. Here, we combined different recording and analytical methods to study focal and widespread population activity in the isolated subiculum in zero Mg2+media. Patch and field recordings were combined to examine the contribution of different cell types to population activity. The properties of cells leading field activity were examined. Predictive factors for a cell to behave as leader included exhibiting the bursting phenotype, displaying a low firing threshold, and having more distal apical dendrites. A subset of bursting cells constituted the first glutamatergic type that led a recruitment process that subsequently activated additional excitatory as well as inhibitory cells. This defined a sequence of synaptic excitation and inhibition that was studied by measuring the associated conductance changes and the evolution of the composite reversal potential. It is shown that inhibition was time-locked to excitation, which shunted excitatory inputs and suppressed firing during focal activity. This was recorded extracellularly as a multi-unit ensemble of active cells, the spatial boundaries of which were controlled by inhibition in contrast to widespread epileptiform activity. Focal activity was not dependent on the preparation or the developmental state because it was also recorded under 5 mm[K+]oand in adult tissue. Our data indicate that the subicular networks can be spontaneously organized as leader-follower local circuits in which excitation is mainly driven by a subset of bursting cells and inhibition controls spatiotemporal firing.
Sequences of Abstract Nonbiological Stimuli Share Ventral Premotor Cortex with Action Observation and Imagery
Authors: Schubotz Ricarda I. , von Cramon D. Yves
Published: June 2004

Activation triggered by either observed or imagined actions suggests that the ventral premotor cortex (PMv) provides an action vocabulary that allows us to detect and anticipate basically invariant perceptual states in observed actions. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the same PMv region is also recruited by nonbiological (abstract) stimulus sequences as long as the temporal order of stimuli has to be processed. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we instructed participants to assess expected outcomes in observed actions [external biological cues (EB)], motor imagery [internal biological cues (IB)], or geometrical figure sequences [external nonbiological cues (EN)]. As hypothesized, we found that each condition elicited significant activation within PMv [left hemisphere, Brodman Area (BA) 6], in contrast to a sequential target detection control task. In addition, cue-specific activations were identified in areas that were only engaged for biologically (action) cued (EB, IB) and nonbiologically cued (EN) tasks. Biologically cued tasks elicited activations within inferior frontal gyri adjacent to PMv (BA 44/45), in the frontomedian wall, the extrastriate body area, posterior superior temporal sulci, somatosensory cortices, and the amygdala-hippocampal-area, whereas the nonbiologically cued task engaged presupplementary motor area, middle frontal gyri, intraparietal sulci, and caudate nuclei of the basal ganglia. In sum, findings point to a basic premotor contribution to the representation or processing of sequentially structured events, supplemented by different sets of areas in the context of either biological or nonbiological cues.