bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caring for Poorly Controlled Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Pharmacist Intervention
Authors: Odegard Peggy S , Goo Alvin , Hummel Jeff , Williams Kristal L , Gray Shelly L
Published: February 2005

BACKGROUND:

There is limited information from randomized controlled studies about the influence of pharmacist interventions on diabetes control.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effect of a pharmacist intervention on improving diabetes control; secondary endpoints were medication appropriateness and self-reported adherence.

METHODS:

A randomized, controlled, multi-clinic trial was conducted in the University of Washington Medicine Neighborhood Clinics. Seventy-seven subjects, ⩾18 years old with a hemoglobin (Hb) A1c ⩾9% at baseline and taking at least one oral diabetes medication, were randomized to receive a pharmacist intervention (n = 43) or usual care (n = 34) for 6 months followed by a 6-month usual-care observation period for both groups. Subjects met with a clinical pharmacist to establish and initiate a diabetes care plan followed by weekly visits or telephone calls to facilitate diabetes management and adherence. HbA1c, medication appropriateness, and self-reported adherence were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months.

RESULTS:

The mean HbA1c did not differ between groups over the 12-month period (p = 0.61). A reduction in HbA1c was noted for both groups over time compared with baseline (p = 0.001); however, control subjects relied more heavily on provider visits. Medication appropriateness was not improved for diabetes medications (p = 0.65). Self-reported adherence was not significantly improved by the intervention.

CONCLUSIONS:

This pharmacist intervention did not significantly improve diabetes control, but did allow for similar HbA1c control with fewer physician visits. Medication appropriateness and self-reported adherence compared with usual care in individuals with poorly controlled diabetes were not changed.
Refractory Anaphylactic Shock Associated with Ketoconazole Treatment
Authors: Liu Ping-Yen , Lee Cheng-Han , Lin Li-Jen , Chen Jyh-Hong
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVE:

To report a rare but severe reaction of refractory anaphylactic shock with ketoconazole treatment—associated hypotensive episodes in an elderly patient.

CASE SUMMARY:

A 72-year-old woman received antifungal therapy for her almost completely occluded cornea infected with Candida albicans. She was initially prescribed oral ketoconazole 200 mg twice daily. She developed hypotension over the first 2 days of therapy (BP 136/82 mm Hg at baseline; 90/50 mm Hg on day 2). Severe hypotension (BP 90/49 mm Hg) unresponsive to fluid therapy or high-dose dopamine developed on day 4 of therapy. An invasive Swan—Ganz catheterization study showed a very low level of peripheral vascular resistance with high cardiac output index without clinical signs of infection. When laboratory tests showed a high level of plasma tryptase, anaphylactic redistribution shock was diagnosed. Her vital signs became more stable after treatment with hydrocortisone and epinephrine infusion. She was discharged in good condition after 24 hours of observation.

DISCUSSION:

As of December 2004, refractory anaphylactic shock resulting from ketoconazole use had not been reported. The events of hypotension were strongly associated with the intake of ketoconazole. The hemodynamic results obtained with Swan—Ganz catheterization were compatible with anaphylactic shock. The Naranjo probability scale showed a probable association of the adverse event with ketoconazole.

CONCLUSIONS:

Ketoconazole may cause severe anaphylactic shock even when taken orally. Invasive catheterization and elevated tryptase levels can provide important information in the management of anaphylactic shock.
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers versus ACE Inhibitors: Prevention of Death and Myocardial Infarction in High-Risk Populations
Authors: Epstein Benjamin J , Gums John G
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVE:

To determine, through a review of the medical literature, whether there is adequate evidence to support the use of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in place of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in high-risk populations, focusing on the prevention of death and myocardial infarction (MI).

DATA SOURCES:

Original investigations, reviews, and meta-analyses were identified from the biomedical literature via a MEDLINE search (1966–August 2004). Published articles were also cross-referenced for pertinent citations, and recent meeting abstracts were searched for relevant data.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:

All articles identified during the search were evaluated. Preference was given to prospective, randomized, controlled trials that evaluated major cardiovascular endpoints and compared ARBs with ACE inhibitors, active controls, or placebo.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

The renin—angiotensin system plays a pivotal role in the continuum of cardiovascular disease and represents a major therapeutic target in the treatment of patients at risk for vascular events. While ACE inhibitors have been definitively shown to prevent death and MI, studies with ARBs in similar populations have not reduced these endpoints. In clinical trials that enrolled patients with heart failure, post-MI, diabetes, and hypertension, ARBs did not prevent MI or prolong survival compared with ACE inhibitors, other antihypertensives, or placebo.

CONCLUSIONS:

ACE inhibitors and ARBs should not be considered interchangeable, even among patients with a documented history of ACE inhibitor intolerance. ARBs can be considered a second-line alternative in such patients with the realization that they have not been shown to prevent MI or prolong survival.
Improvement of Dry Mouth by Replacing Paroxetine with Fluvoxamine
Authors: Arima Yuka , Kubo Chiharu , Tsujimoto Masayuki , Ohtani Hisakazu , Sawada Yasufumi
Published: February 2005

OBJECTIVE:

To present a case of improvement of paroxetine-induced dry mouth by substitution of fluvoxamine and analyze this case based on receptor occupancy theory.

CASE SUMMARY:

A 66-year-old woman with major depressive disorder had been treated with brotizolam 0.5 mg/day, flunitrazepam 2 mg/day, sulpiride 100 mg/day, bromazepam 2 mg/day, trazodone 25 mg/day, and paroxetine hydrochloride 10 mg/day. Although her psychological symptoms improved gradually, she complained of dry mouth. Paroxetine was replaced with fluvoxamine maleate 50 mg/day, and the dryness disappeared within a month.

DISCUSSION:

We calculated the time courses of muscarinic acetylcholine (mACh) receptor occupancy after oral administration of paroxetine and fluvoxamine at the treatment doses by using pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from the literature. The mACh receptor occupancy was estimated to be decreased from 0.22% to 0.020% by replacing paroxetine with fluvoxamine.

CONCLUSIONS:

The improvement of dry mouth observed after the replacement of paroxetine with fluvoxamine in this patient may have been due to a decrease in the mACh receptor occupancy.
Perceived Risk of Chlamydial and Gonococcal Infection Among Sexually Experienced Young Adults In the United States
Authors: Ford Carol A. , Jaccard James , Millstein Susan G. , Bardsley Philip E. , Miller William C.
Published: February 2005

CONTEXT: Understanding young adults' perceived risk of chlamydial and gonococcal infection can inform interventions to reduce the prevalence of these sexually transmitted diseases.

METHODS: Bivariate and multivariate analyses, using data from Wave 3 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (2001–2002), were conducted to examine relationships between perceived risk and selected characteristics in two groups: a nationally representative sample of sexually experienced 18–26‐year‐olds and a subsample of those who tested positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea. The relationship between current infection and perceived risk was also evaluated.

RESULTS: Only 14% of all respondents and 33% of infected participants reported some perceived risk of chlamydial or gonococcal infection. In the overall sample, the odds of perceiving risk were significantly elevated among blacks, His‐panics, unmarried respondents, inconsistent condom users and nonusers, respondents who reported multiple partners in the past year, those who had received a diagnosis of chlamydia or gonorrhea in the past year, and those reporting current symptoms (odds ratios, 1.5–3.3). Currently infected participants were significantly more likely than those who were not infected to perceive some risk of infection (2.4). Among infected respondents, the factors positively associated with perceived risk were being black or Hispanic, using condoms inconsistently or not using them, having exchanged money for sex, having been tested in the past year but with no diagnosis, having received a diagnosis, and reporting current symptoms (2.5–5.2).

CONCLUSIONS: Interventions to increase the accuracy of young adults' risk perceptions may influence sexual and health care‐seeking behaviors in a way that will reduce rates of chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Kv1 K+Channels Control Purkinje Cell Output to Facilitate Postsynaptic Rebound Discharge in Deep Cerebellar Neurons
Authors: McKay Bruce E. , Molineux Michael L. , Mehaffey W. Hamish , Turner Ray W.
Published: February 2005

Purkinje cells (PCs) generate the sole output of the cerebellar cortex and govern the timing of action potential discharge from neurons of the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN). Here, we examine how voltage-gated Kv1 K+channels shape intrinsically generated and synaptically controlled behaviors of PCs and address how the timing of DCN neuron output is modulated by manipulating PC Kv1 channels. Kv1 channels were studied in cerebellar slices at physiological temperatures with Kv1-specific toxins. Outside-out voltage-clamp recordings indicated that Kv1 channels are present in both somatic and dendritic membranes and are activated by Na+spike-clamp commands. Whole-cell current-clamp recordings revealed that Kv1 K+channels maintain low frequencies of Na+spike and Ca-Na burst output, regulate the duration of plateau potentials, and set the threshold for Ca2+spike discharge. Kv1 channels shaped the characteristics of climbing fiber (CF) responses evoked by extracellular stimulation or intracellular simulated EPSCs. In the presence of Kv1 toxins, CFs discharged spontaneously at ∼1 Hz. Finally, “Kv1-intact” and “Kv1-deficient” PC tonic and burst outputs were converted to stimulus protocols and used as patterns to stimulate PC axons and synaptically activate DCN neurons. We found that the Kv1-intact patterns facilitated short-latency and high-frequency DCN neuron rebound discharges, whereas DCN neuron output timing was markedly disrupted by the Kv1-deficient stimulus protocols. Our results suggest that Kv1 K+channels are critical for regulating the excitability of PCs and CFs and optimize the timing of PC outputs to generate appropriate discharge patterns in postsynaptic DCN neurons.
Nuclear Translocation of the p75 Neurotrophin Receptor Cytoplasmic Domain in Response to Neurotrophin Binding
Authors: Frade José M.
Published: February 2005

The intracellular domain of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75ICD) can be released by γ-secretase in response to the previous activation of α-secretase by phorbol esters. However, ligand-dependent release of p75ICDhas yet to be described. We show here that nerve growth factor can induce the release of p75ICDand facilitate its translocation to the nucleus in a γ-secretase-dependent manner. This effect was observed in RN22 schwannoma cells cultured under serum-free conditions, as well as in Schwann cells, and it was mimicked by other neurotrophins, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor or neurotrophin-3. Unlike other known examples of regulated intramembrane proteolysis, ligand-dependent release of p75ICDdid not need the previous activation of α-secretase. These results suggest that nuclear translocation of p75ICDmay represent a novel neurotrophin-mediated signaling pathway.
Apoptosis-Inducing Factor Is a Key Factor in Neuronal Cell Death Propagated by BAX-Dependent and BAX-Independent Mechanisms
Authors: Cheung Eric C. C. , Melanson-Drapeau Lysanne , Cregan Sean P. , Vanderluit Jacqueline L. , Ferguson Kerry L. , McIntosh William C. , Park David S. , Bennett Steffany A. L. , Slack Ruth S.
Published: February 2005

Mitochondria release proteins that propagate both caspase-dependent and caspase-independent cell death pathways. AIF (apoptosis-inducing factor) is an important caspase-independent death regulator in multiple neuronal injury pathways. Presently, there is considerable controversy as to whether AIF is neuroprotective or proapoptotic in neuronal injury, such as oxidative stress or excitotoxicity. To evaluate the role of AIF in BAX-dependent (DNA damage induced) and BAX-independent (excitotoxic) neuronal death, we used Harlequin (Hq) mice, which are hypomorphic for AIF. Neurons carrying double mutations forHq/Apaf1-/-(apoptosis proteases-activating factor) are impaired in both caspase-dependent and AIF-mediated mitochondrial cell death pathways. These mutant cells exhibit extended neuroprotection against DNA damage, as well as glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Specifically, AIF is involved in NMDA- and kainic acid- but not AMPA-induced excitotoxicity.In vivoexcitotoxic studies using kainic acid-induced seizure showed thatHqmice had significantly less hippocampal damage than wild-type littermates. Our results demonstrate an important role for AIF in both BAX-dependent and BAX-independent mechanisms of neuronal injury.
Enhanced Temporal Response Properties of Anteroventral Cochlear Nucleus Neurons to Broadband Noise
Authors: Louage Dries H. G. , van der Heijden Marcel , Joris Philip X.
Published: February 2005

Compared with auditory nerve (AN) fibers, trapezoid body (TB) fibers of the cat show enhanced synchronization to low-frequency tones. This phenomenon probably contributes to the high temporal resolution of binaural processing. We examined whether enhanced synchronization also occurs to sustained broadband noise. We recorded responses to a reference Gaussian noise and its polarity-inverted version in the TB of barbiturate-anesthetized cats. From these we constructed shuffled autocorrelograms (SACs) and quantified spike timing by measuring the amplitude and width of their central peak.

Many TB fibers with low characteristic frequency (CF) showed SACs with higher and narrower central peaks than ever observed in the AN, indicating better consistency and precision of temporal coding. Larger peaks were also observed in TB fibers with high CF, but this was mostly caused by higher average firing rates, resulting in a larger number of coincident spikes across stimulus repetitions. The results document monaural preprocessing of the temporal information delivered to binaural nuclei in the olivary complex, which likely contributes to the high sensitivity to interaural time differences.
Procurement of Autogenous Bone from the Mandibular Ramus with Simultaneous Third-Molar Removal for Bone Grafting Using the Er, Cr:YSGG Laser: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Lee Cameron Y. S.
Published: February 2005

Autogenous bone grafting and third-molar removal are surgical procedures routinely performed in dentistry on a daily basis. The purpose of this preliminary report is to describe our clinical experience with the Er, Cr:YSGG laser in the procurement of bone harvested from the ramus and removal of third molars simultaneously from the mandible.
Study on suspension catalytic distillation for synthesis of linear alkylbenzene
Authors: Wang Er‐qiang , Li Cheng‐yue , Wen Langyou , Min Enze
Published: February 2005

An extensive study is presented of linear alkylbenzene (LAB) synthesis by suspension catalytic distillation (SCD) with supported PW heteropoly acid catalyst. SCD is a new development of catalytic distillation in which the catalyst particles are suspended in the liquid and recirculated through a separator equipped without the column, while in traditional catalytic distillation the catalyst is generally fixed in the column. SCD has shown more advantageous characteristics for LAB synthesis in an exploratory experiment of bench scale. A completely rate‐based simulator RaCOLUMN for SCD process is developed, and as a case study used to simulate the profiles of concentrations, temperatures and other important process variables in SCD for LAB synthesis. Simulation results can agree well with the experimental data obtained in a stainless steel tray column with 23 sieve trays. It is found that, although the benzene/olefin ratio in the feed entering into the SCD column is very small, the concentration of benzene in the reaction section of the SCD column could maintain a large value because of the distillation effect, which is favorable to prohibit side reactions in alkylation process. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 51: 845–853, 2005
Dispersion of particle pulses in fluidized beds measured by positron emission tomography
Authors: Dechsiri C. , Van der Zwan E. A. , Dehling H. G. , Hoffmann Alex. C.
Published: February 2005

The dispersion of pulses of a range of shapes through a bubbling fluidized bed has been studied using an ECAT EXACT HR+ PET camera. The equipment and materials used made it possible to label actual bed particles with a radioactive labeler for use as tracer. The experimental equipment and procedure as well as the data analysis procedure are described. The results are shown as bitmaps, 3‐D plots, and contour plots of the relative tracer concentration during 1‐s time intervals. The particle pulse is shown to exhibit a cyclical axial motion while it is being dispersed. The results are compared with a phenomenological stochastic model for particle dynamics. It is further shown that the model, which is based on the notions of upward material transport with the fluidization bubbles and material descent with dispersion in the bulk, qualitatively captures all the essential features. Material transport only in bubble wakes, however, could not account quantitatively for the results. The discrepancy is likely attributable to “gulf streaming” in the bed, a phenomenon that should be studied experimentally and accounted for in models for particle dynamics in fluidized beds. for particle dynamics in fluidized beds. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 51: 791–801, 2005
Experimental and numerical study of a rotating wheel air classifier
Authors: Karunakumari L. , Eswaraiah C. , Jayanti S. , Narayanan S. S.
Published: February 2005

Rotating wheel air classifiers are often used in many process industry applications. The internal geometry of these equipment is quite complicated and has not been investigated in detail. In the present study, the flow field inside a rotating wheel air classifier has been calculated using CFD techniques, taking full account of the internal geometrical features. The predicted overall flow rate and the flow pattern are in good agreement with measurements and flow visualization studies. The calculations show that the induced flow depends strongly on geometric parameters such as the location of the inlet and outlet ports and the type of shutters used. Trajectory calculations of single particles show that the particle motion is influenced principally by centrifugal force, air drag, and wall‐rebound characteristics. The wall rebound is possibly one of the means of how large particles enter the fines stream, leading to low efficiency at high speeds or large particles. Experiments of the classification using angular and radial shutter vanes show distinct range of operability of each type. These results have been interpreted coherently in the light of the flow pattern and particle trajectory calculations. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 51:776–790, 2005
Concentration of Gengnian'an extract with a vapor–liquid–solid evaporator
Authors: Liu Ming‐yan , Yang Yang , Li Xiu‐lun , Nie Wan‐da , Ling Ning‐sheng , Pan Li‐jia
Published: February 2005

A multiple‐tube evaporator with a vapor–liquid–solid flow of external natural circulating was established to investigate the characteristics of heat‐transfer enhancement and prevention of fouling in the concentration of Gengnian'an extract, which is a kind of Chinese patent medicine. The evaporator is composed of five stainless steel heating tubes. The cylindrical solid particles are made of physiologically inert material. Steam was used as the heating medium. Heat‐transfer enhancement was obtained with the three‐phase evaporator. For the concentration of an alcohol extract of Gengnian'an, the overall average heat‐transfer coefficients and the evaporation intensity with three‐phase flow are all about 1.6‐fold higher than those of the vapor–liquid two‐phase evaporator under similar operating conditions. For the evaporation of a water extract of Gengnian'an, the evaporation intensity for the three‐phase evaporator is about 1.3‐fold higher than that of the vapor–liquid two‐phase evaporator. Prevention of on‐line fouling was also observed. After running more than 300 h, fouling was not seen on the surface of the heating tubes of the three‐phase evaporator, although it does form in the evaporator with vapor–liquid flow when the operation time exceeds about 100 h under the same conditions. The concentration process can be simplified from the traditional two‐step concentration to one‐step concentration for such high viscous or easily fouled solutions. The quality of thick liquor was very stable according to the content analysis of the active ingredients, thus meeting the requirement for product quality standards. © 2005 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 51: 759–765, 2005
Association between the DRD2 A1 allele and opium addiction in the Iranian population
Authors: Najafabadi Maria Shahmoradgoli , Ohadi Mina , Joghataie Mohammad Taghi , Valaie Faraz , Riazalhosseini Yasser , Mostafavi Hamid , Mohammadbeigi Fariba , Najmabadi Hossein
Published: February 2005

Dysfunction of the central dopaminergic neurotransmission has been suggested to play an important role in the etiology of certain neuropsychiatric disorders such as drug abuse. It has been shown that the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene dysfunction is associated with multi‐drug addiction. Addiction to opium is the most common form of drug abuse in Iran. We studied the allelic association between DRD2 Taq I A polymorphism in 100 opium‐dependent Iranian patients and 130 unrelated controls. A 310 bp (base pair) region surrounding Taq I site at the DRD2 locus was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the PCR product was incubated with Taq I restriction enzyme. The A1 allele remained intact while the A2 allele was cut. Significant association was observed between A1 allele and addiction in the patients group (P < 0.0001). Moreover, the frequency of A1A1 genotype was significantly higher in opium users than controls (P < 0.0001). Our result indicates that DRD2 might be involved in the pathophysiology of opium addiction. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Washington University Twin Study of alcoholism
Authors: Prescott Carol A. , Caldwell Constance B. , Carey Gregory , Vogler George P. , Trumbetta Susan L. , Gottesman Irving I.
Published: February 2005

Genetic contributions to the liability to develop alcoholism in males of Northern and Western European ancestry are well‐established. However, questions remain concerning the role of genetic variation in the etiology of alcoholism among non‐white populations, among women, and the possibility of etiological heterogeneity in subtypes of alcoholism. The answers to these questions are needed to help define phenotypes for molecular genetic studies searching for QTLs for alcoholism. Twins from 295 pairs were consecutively ascertained at inpatient and outpatient psychiatric and alcohol treatment facilities in St. Louis, MO in 1981–1986. Probands and willing cotwins were evaluated by structured psychiatric interviews, psychometric assessment, and lifetime treatment records. One hundred fifty‐four probands met criteria for alcohol abuse/dependence (AAD), including twins from 45 MZ, 50 same‐sex DZ, and 59 opposite‐sex pairs. Twin‐pair resemblance was evaluated for AAD and alcohol dependence (AD), as well as for subsets defined by gender, patterns of comorbidity, ethnic background, and clinical features. Among males, heritability of AAD and AD was substantial, with little evidence for common environmental contributions to family resemblance. Pair resemblance among females was also substantial, but similar for MZ and DZ pairs, yielding near‐zero heritability estimates. However, based on these sample sizes, the sex differences were not statistically significant. The results confirm prior studies of strong genetic influences on alcoholism in males, but suggest lower genetic influence in females. Power to test other sources of heterogeneity was limited, but the results suggest no evidence for higher heritability for male early onset alcoholism or for alcoholism with comorbid antisocial personality. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic linkage of bipolar disorder to chromosome 6q22 is a consistent finding in Portuguese subpopulations and may generalize to broader populations
Authors: Pato Carlos N. , Middleton Frank A. , Gentile Karen L. , Morley Christopher P. , Medeiros Helena , Macedo Antonio , Azevedo M. Helena , Pato Michele T.
Published: February 2005

We recently reported genome‐wide significant linkage to chromosome 6q for bipolar disorder, in a study of 25 Portuguese families, using the Human Mapping Assay Xba 131 (HMA10K). To explore the generalizability of this finding, we reanalyzed our SNP linkage data according to the families' geographic origin. Specifically, the 25 families included 20 families from the Portuguese island collection (PIC; 15 families from the Azores Islands and 5 from the Madeira Islands) and 5 families from continental Portugal. Non‐parametric linkage analysis (NPL) was performed as previously described and indicated that each of these subpopulations showed evidence of linkage for the same region. To further address the potential generalizability of these findings to other populations, we have also examined allelic heterozygosity in our subpopulations and in three reference populations (Caucasian, East Asian, and African‐American). This analysis indicated that the PIC population is highly correlated to the Caucasian reference population (R = 0.86) for all of chromosome 6. In contrast allelic heterozygosity was more weakly correlated between PIC and both East Asian (R = 0.37) and African‐American (R = 0.32) reference populations. Taken together these observations suggest a shared genetic liability among Portuguese populations for bipolar disorder on chromosome 6q, and that the PIC population is likely representative of Caucasians in general. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐gain observer for chaotic synchronization and secure communication
Authors: Yu Wen
Published: February 2005

An information signal can be embedded in a transmitter which produces a chaotic signal, it is inviable to the observer who has no knowledge about the transmitter, but it can be recovered if the receiver is a replica of the chaotic transmitter. In this paper, a new aspect of the chaotic communication is introduced. A high‐gain observer at the receiver's end replaces the conventional chaotic system. A single parameter is adjusted so that the receiver and transmitter can be synchronized. Three chaotic systems, Duffing equation, Van der Pol oscillator and Chua's circuit, are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the chaotic communication. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interfacing Boron Doped Diamond and Biology: An Insight on Its Use for Bioanalytical Applications
Authors: Fortin Elodie , Chane‐Tune Jérôme , Delabouglise Didier , Bouvier Pierre , Livache Thierry , Mailley Pascal , Marcus Bernadette , Mermoux Michel , Petit Jean‐Pierre , Szunerits Sabine , Vieil Eric
Published: February 2005

Boron doped diamond (BDD) films are promising materials for electroanalysis and bioelectroanalysis. This contribution gives a short review on BDD functionalization by chemical and biochemical entities and on the applications of BDD electrodes to electroanalysis of chemical compounds of biological interest. This review is illustrated by the developments on BDD interfaces in both these areas carried out in our group. BDD electrodes were prepared by means of microwave plasma‐assisted CVD onto silicon substrate giving rise to H‐terminated BDD films. Anodic polarization of BDD electrodes in aqueous media generates hydrophilic oxidized surfaces and extended electrochemical window in aqueous media. We took advantage of this enlarged electrochemical window together with the hydroxylated surface for the functionalization of BDD electrode surfaces with biomolecules and for bioelectroanalysis. We have designed a novel route of BDD functionalization using OH terminations of the anodized surface. The modification of the BDD surface with biotin groups will be presented here as biologically active model. Furthermore, as the anodic potential window of BDD increases upon electrochemical activation, 2′‐deoxyguanosine (1.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl) and 2′‐deoxyadenosine (1.5 V vs. Ag/AgCl) could be detected electrochemically with an acceptable signal to noise ratio. The electrochemical signature of each oxidizable base was assessed using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). These experiments pointed towards adsorption of the oxidized products, which were investigated macroscopically by DPV and at the microscopic level by SECM (scanning electrochemical microscopy).
Nonmelanoma skin cancer in relation to ionizing radiation exposure among U.S. radiologic technologists
Authors: Yoshinaga Shinji , Hauptmann Michael , Sigurdson Alice J. , Doody Michele Morin , Freedman D. Michal , Alexander Bruce H. , Linet Martha S. , Ron Elaine , Mabuchi Kiyohiko
Published: February 2005

Ionizing radiation (IR) is an established cause of nonmelanoma skin cancer, but there is uncertainty about the risk associated with chronic occupational exposure to IR and how it is influenced by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure. We studied 1,355 incident cases with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 270 with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin in a cohort of 65,304 U.S. white radiologic technologists who responded to the baseline questionnaire survey in 1983–1989 and the follow‐up survey in 1994–1998. Cox's proportional‐hazards model was used to estimate relative risks of BCC and SCC associated with surrogate measures of occupational exposure to IR and residential UVR exposure during childhood and adulthood, adjusted for potential confounders including pigmentation characteristics. Relative risks of BCC, but not of SCC, were elevated among technologists who first worked during the 1950s (RR = 1.42; 95% CI = 1.12–1.80), 1940s (RR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.44–2.88) and before 1940 (RR = 2.16; 95% CI = 1.14–4.09), when IR exposures were high, compared to those who first worked after 1960 (p for trend < 0.01). The effect of year first worked on BCC risk was not modified by UVR exposure, but was significantly stronger among individuals with lighter compared to darker eye and hair color (p = 0.013 and 0.027, respectively). This study provides some evidence that chronic occupational exposure to IR at low to moderate levels can increase the risk of BCC, and that this risk may be modified by pigmentation characteristics. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Preclinical evaluation of superantigen (staphylococcal enterotoxin B) in the intravesical immunotherapy of superficial bladder cancer
Authors: Perabo Frank G.E. , Willert Patricia L. , Wirger Andreas , Schmidt Doris H. , Wardelmann Eva , Sitzia Mario , von Ruecker Alexander , Mueller Stefan C.
Published: February 2005

Superantigens are potent activators of T lymphocytes; therefore, their characteristics can be exploited in diseases where immunomodulation is known to be effective. In this study, we evaluated a new approach for the intravesical therapy of superficial bladder cancer. We investigated in coculture experiments if staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB)–activated PBMCs are able to induce apoptosis in human transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) cells. Additionally, we tested the toxicity and efficacy of SEB dissolved in NaCl 0.9% administered intravesically once weekly for 6 weeks in a rat bladder cancer model. To validate the coculture in vitro findings, we evaluated tumor stage, grade, apoptotic cells in the urothelium and stroma of the bladder and infiltration of the bladder wall by lymphocytes, macrophages and mononuclear cells. Coculture experiments revealed that SEB‐activated PBMCs are able to kill TCC cells by inducing apoptosis. The intravesical toxicity study with a maximum dose of 100 μg/ml SEB demonstrated no side effects. In the intravesically SEB‐treated animals (10 μg/ml), only 3 tumors remained vs. 15 persisting tumors in the control group. The remaining tumors of the therapy group showed a significant amount of apoptosis and granulocytes, mainly in the urothelium, whereas no relevant apoptosis or infiltration of the bladder with lymphocytes or macrophages was found in the control group. These preclinical findings suggest that SEB might be an interesting candidate for further clinical evaluation. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecules affecting myelin stability: A novel hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Mastronardi Fabrizio G. , Moscarello Mario A.
Published: February 2005

In this Mini‐Review we present a new hypothesis in support of the neurodegenerative theory as a mechanism for the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). The pathogenesis of MS results from changes in two distinct CNS compartments. These are the “myelin” and “nonmyelin” compartments. The myelin compartment is where primary demyelination, amidst attempts at remyelination, is superseded in the CNS by ongoing disease. Recent evidence obtained via magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy techniques supports the view that the normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM) in the MS brain is altered. Several biochemical changes in NAWM have been determined. These include the cationicity of myelin basic protein (MBP) as a result of the action of peptidyl argininedeiminase (PAD) activity converting arginyl residues to citrulline. The accompanying loss of positive charge makes myelin susceptible to vesiculation and MBP more susceptible to proteolytic activity. An increase of MBP autocatalysis in the MS brain might also contribute to the generation of immunodominant epitopes. Accompanying the destruction of myelin in the myelin compartment is the activation of astrocytes and microglia. These contribute to the inflammatory response and T‐cell activation leading to autoimmunity. The complex environment that exists in the demyelinating brain also affects the “nonmyelin” compartment. The inappropriate up‐regulation of molecules, including those of the Jagged‐1–Notch‐1 signal transduction pathway, affects oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation. Other effectors of oligodendrocyte maturation include stathmin, a microtubule‐destabilizing protein, which prevents healing in the demyelinating brain. The hypothesis we present suggests a therapeutic strategy that should 1) target the effectors within the myelin compartment and 2) enable resident OPC maturation in the nonmyelin compartment, allowing for effective repair of myelin loss. The net effect of this new therapeutic strategy is the modification of the disease environment and the stimulation of healing and repair. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Use of levetiracetam to treat tics in children and adolescents with Tourette syndrome
Authors: Awaad Yasser , Michon Anne Marie , Minarik Sarah
Published: February 2005

Some drugs currently used to treat tics in pediatric patients have drawbacks, including the risk of side effects. New therapeutic options with better safety profiles are needed. Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug with atypical mechanisms of action that might be beneficial for this indication. We evaluated the effects of levetiracetam on motor and vocal tics, behavior, and school performance in children and adolescents with tics and Tourette syndrome (TS). Sixty patients, ≤18 years of age, with tics and TS were enrolled in this prospective, open‐label study. The initial starting dose of levetiracetam was 250 mg/day. The dosage was titrated over 3 weeks to 1,000 to 2,000 mg/day. Clinical outcomes were assessed with the Clinical Global Impression Scale, Yale Global Tic Severity Scale, and Revised Conners' Parent Rating Scale. Behavior and school performance were also recorded. All 60 patients showed improvements based on all of the scales used, and 43 patients improved with regard to behavior and school performance. Levetiracetam was generally well tolerated. Three patients discontinued treatment because of exaggeration of preexisting behavioral problems. Levetiracetam may be useful in treating tics in children and adolescents. Given its established safety profile, levetiracetam is a candidate for evaluation in a well‐controlled trial. © 2005 Movement Disorder Society
Relation between psychological amount in polyhedron recognition and 3D object image entropy
Authors: Ishikawa Hiroyo , Sato Yukio
Published: February 2005

In this paper, the authors examine the relationship between a psychological information amount quantified by humans and the 3D object image entropy representing a physical information amount in relation to the ease of perceiving the shape of a 3D object that varies according to the view direction. They propose a method of using the pair comparison method and Thurstone's law of comparative judgment to construct a psychological information amount representing the psychological amount for which the shape of a 3D object is felt to be easy to perceive. The 3D object image entropy, which is a one‐dimensional scale that is defined based on the number of visible surfaces in the 3D object image and the proportions of their surface areas, represents the amount of information that reflects the qualitative characteristic called aspect that the 3D object has and the quantitative characteristic called the proportion of the surface area. The authors limit the target objects to polyhedrons and measure the psychological information amount and 3D object image entropy for various types of shapes to examine the relationship between these kinds of information. Although some shapes were exceptions, the results showed a monotonically increasing relationship between the psychological information amount and the 3D object image entropy for many types of 3D objects. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 36(3): 75–84, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10526
Proposal of meta‐data in a database for identification using face images
Authors: Inaba Rieko , Aizawa Kiyoharu , Kodate Kashiko
Published: February 2005

This paper proposes the introduction of meta‐data for efficient retrieval of particular personal data from a large‐scale face database. The face index is calculated from the feature parameters of the face, and is defined as the meta‐data. The purpose of this approach is to structure the database and to minimize the number of database matching operations in retrieval, so that the processing efficiency is improved. In this study, (1) Garson's facial index and (2) the three‐point face index are proposed as the face indexes. For verification, an experiment on face index introduction is performed, using an already constructed optical face recognition system, and an efficiency improvement is demonstrated. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 36(3): 53–64, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10639
Beta2 adrenoceptor THR164ILE polymorphism is associated with markedly decreased vasodilator and increased vasoconstrictor sensitivity in vivo
Authors: Dishy V. , Cahana R. Landau , Sofowora G. , Xie H. , Smiley R.M. , Kim R.B. , Byrne D.W. , Wood A.J. , Stein C.M.
Published: February 2005

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2003) 73, P1–P1; doi:
Artificial intelligence (AI) in prediction of beta‐lactam antibiotic toxicity
Authors: Truong D.H. , Rieder M.J. , Dantor W.
Published: February 2005

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2003) 73, P10–P10; doi:
Drug interaction detection using epocrates in a walk‐in clinic
Authors: Dällenbach M. Francis , Desmeules J. , Bovier P. , Dayer P.
Published: February 2005

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2003) 73, P11–P11; doi:
Ala893ser variant has no effect on p‐glycoprotein (P‐GP) function
Authors: Hodges L.M. , Lacayo C.I. , Chinn L.W. , Ho C. , Lillehammer T. , Pauli‐Magnus C. , Kroetz D.L.
Published: February 2005

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2003) 73, P13–P13; doi:
The functional change of P‐glycoprotein on lymphocytes under induction conditions as a function of MDRL polymorphisms
Authors: Desai D.G. , Murayama N. , Lantz M. , Woo J.M. , Chan W. , Benet L.Z.
Published: February 2005

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2003) 73, P13–P13; doi:
Stresses in the subducting slab beneath southwest Japan and relation with plate geometry, tectonic forces, slab dehydration, and damaging earthquakes
Authors: Wang Kelin , Wada Ikuko , Ishikawa Yuzo
Published: February 2005

We infer stresses in the subducting slab beneath southwest Japan from focal mechanisms and discuss their geodynamical implications. The majority of the 824 fault plane solutions used in this study were obtained by the Japan Meteorological Agency for earthquakes that occurred during 1970–2002 and were previously unpublished. The focal mechanisms are believed to reflect stresses in both the untransformed slab crust and the slab mantle. The stresses are controlled by tectonic forces, and the earthquakes are facilitated by local dehydration. The slab experiences a regional E–W stretch, that is, downdip and margin‐parallel tension at the Kyushu and Nankai margins, respectively. We propose that the margin‐parallel component of mantle resistance to the obliquely subducting young slab at Nankai provides an easterly stretch, acting against the westerly slab pull of the older and colder part of the slab at northern Kyushu. Despite the complex slab geometry along the Nankai margin the direction of tension is largely parallel with the local strike of the slab, indicating that the slab is a stress guide. The complex slab geometry is not related to the present stress regime but likely reflects severe deformation in the past when an extremely young and incompetent plate was forced to subduct against its own buoyancy. The maximum margin‐parallel stretch and a sharp bending of the slab both occur in the area of the 2001 M 6.7 Geiyo earthquake. Using a simple strength envelope model, we demonstrate that normal‐faulting failure of the slab mantle can occur under such conditions.
Instantaneous global plate motion model from 12 years of continuous GPS observations
Authors: Prawirodirdjo Linette , Bock Yehuda
Published: February 2005

We estimate a global plate motion model for 17 major and minor tectonic plates solely on the basis of analysis of data from 106 globally distributed continuous GPS stations, spanning the period from January 1991 to July 2003. Site positions estimated from 24‐hour segments of data are aligned day‐by‐day to the International GPS Service (IGS) realization of the ITRF2000 reference frame using a similarity transformation, thereby ensuring that the ITRF2000 no‐net‐rotation condition is preserved. Linear velocities of a carefully selected set of stations are estimated from the position time series, along with annual and semiannual fluctuations and position offsets due to GPS instrument changes. A white noise plus flicker noise model is applied to estimate realistic uncertainties for the site velocities, which are then propagated into the derived plate motion model parameters. We also examine the vertical velocities in the site selection process. At the Scripps Orbit and Permanent Array Center we have implemented a procedure whereby the plate motion model is updated on a regular (monthly) basis to improve its precision and reliability as new data become available and as a baseline against which anomalous motions can be detected.
Evolution of hydrothermal regime along a crustal shear zone, Tinos Island, Greece
Authors: Famin V. , Philippot P. , Jolivet L. , Agard P.
Published: February 2005

Structural cathodoluminescence and SIMS δ18O analyses of quartz‐calcite veins are combined to constrain the evolution in space and time of fluid infiltration in an exhuming detachment shear zone (Tinos Island, Cyclades, Greece). Careful description of vein arrays shows that the plumbing system evolved into an interconnected network just beneath the ductile‐to‐brittle transition. Microtextures of quartz and calcite infilling veins display deformed relics and newly precipitated grains. High‐resolution δ18O mapping in relics yields a steady quartz‐calcite fractionation of 2 ‰ at ∼400°C, whereas fractionation increases in neograins from 2 to 5 ‰ in 190 m toward the fault, or a ∼150°C temperature fall. Cooling is associated with a shift of fluid stable isotope signature from 15 ‰ to 0 ‰ beneath the detachment. Results are interpreted as advective removal of heat by massive infiltration of surface‐derived fluids over depths of 10–15 km. Fluid penetration was promoted by the coalescence of late ductile‐early brittle veins, as the exhuming footwall crossed the ductile‐brittle transition. Only small amounts of fluids penetrated the ductile crust beneath the transitional rheology.
Infrared complex refractive indices for nopinone
Authors: Dohm Michelle T. , Niedziela Richard F.
Published: February 2005

Complex refractive indices for nopinone have been inverted from the mid‐infrared spectra of laboratory generated aerosols. The particles were formed via homogeneous nucleation, injected into a laminar flow cell, and analyzed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The inversion was initiated by using a thin‐film spectrum of nopinone to obtain an estimate of the imaginary component of the frequency‐dependent refractive indices. The corresponding real components were then determined through the Kramers‐Kronig transformation. The refractive indices were then used in a weighted Mie scattering calculation to fit nopinone aerosol extinction spectra that showed evidence of scattering. The inversion results were averaged together to produce the data set reported here from 750 to 5000 cm−1. The nopinone refractive indices are also compared to those reported for carvone, a biosynthesized keto‐monoterpene.
Atmospheric anomalies observed during earthquake occurrences
Authors: Fujiwara H. , Kamogawa M. , Ikeda M. , Liu J. Y. , Sakata H. , Chen Y. I. , Ofuruton H. , Muramatsu S. , Chuo Y. J. , Ohtsuki Y. H.
Published: February 2005

Appearance of anomalies in the atmosphere before earthquakes (EQs) has been verified, through observation of anomalous transmission of VHF electromagnetic (EM) waves beyond line‐of‐sight. Anomalous increase of the received intensity for a few minutes ‐ several hours on a day was identified by the previous 15‐day running median and its inter‐quartile range. The cross‐correlation between the EQ occurrences and the anomalies shows that the appearance of anomalies was significantly enhanced within 5 days before M ≥ 4.8 EQs. The one‐day average number of the anomaly appearance within 5 days was found 2.4 times larger than that of other days. Through the polarization measurement of the received EM waves, the anomalies were found to occur in the atmosphere.