bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous and long‐term resolution of diabetes following diabetic ketoacidosis: a rare entity?
Authors: Baynes KCR , Chan NN , Feher MD
Published: July 2003

Diabetic ketoacidosis is usually characterised by absolute insulin deficiency with an essential requirement for life‐long insulin therapy. We report a case of a 40‐year‐old Ghanaian man, who presented with classical diabetic ketoacidosis, in the absence of any previous history of diabetes or intercurrent illness. After conventional treatment with insulin for one year, he submitted himself to a course of treatment with Chinese herbal medicines and accupressure. Over the following year he became normoglycaemic without the need for exogenous insulin therapy demonstrating the unusual feature of resolution of type 1 diabetes. Spontaneous resolution of hyperglycaemia following diabetic ketoacidosis challenges the traditional understanding of the pathogenesis of this condition, which is usually attributed to non‐reversible insulin deficiency. Newly diagnosed patients presenting with diabetic ketoacidosis may have ‘atypical’ diabetes, rather than life‐long insulin deficiency due to autoimmune type 1 diabetes. Literature review suggests that atypical (idiopathic or J‐type), diabetes is probably more common than is appreciated. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Medication and fitness to drive
Authors: Del Río M. C. , Alvarez F. J.
Published: July 2003

Purpose

The aim of this study is to analyze the consumption patterns of medicaments among motor vehicle drivers who attend ‘Medical Driving Test Centres’ and the relation between habitual consumption of medicaments and fitness to drive.

Methods

The study was carried out on 8043 drivers who attended 25 Medical Driving Test Centres.

Results

24.7% of drivers chronically consume medicaments while 6.8% consume medicaments along with alcohol every day. Of those who chronically consume medicaments with a warning about the medications on driving, 65.8% were considered ‘fit’ to drive, 27.3% ‘fit with restrictions’, 5.1% ‘suspended’ and 0.4% ‘unfit’.

Conclusions

The results show how frequent the consumption of medicaments along with alcohol is and that the great majority of drivers who take medicaments are considered fit to drive. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prescribing patterns of tricyclic and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants among a sample of adolescents and young adults
Authors: Kairuz Therèse , Truter Ilse , Hugo Johan , Foxcroft Cheryl
Published: July 2003

Purpose

There are few studies that document antidepressant prescribing in young patients. Although tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are considered equal in efficacy to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), the latter have an improved side effect profile. The aim of this study was to investigate the prescribing patterns of TCAs and SSRIs among adolescents and young adults, with reference to prescribing frequency, cost and dose.

Method

A retrospective drug utilization study was conducted over a 14‐month period, from January 2000 to February 2001.

Results

There were 166 antidepressants prescribed to 98 adolescents and young adults. TCAs were prescribed more frequently than SSRIs, with amitryptiline and fluoxetine being the two most frequently prescribed antidepressants. Fluoxetine accounted for a higher ratio of cost to prescribing frequency than amitryptiline. Amitryptiline was issued in small quantities of tablets, resulting in a low average calculated prescribed daily dose (PDD). Duration of treatment was not considered optimal for SSRIs or TCAs.

Conclusion

This study elicits prescribing patterns that contribute to the relative scarcity of data on antidepressant drugs for young patients. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of the New Zealand Intensive Medicines Monitoring Programme to study the levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine device (Mirena)
Authors: Zhou Lifeng , Harrison‐Woolrych Mira , Coulter David M.
Published: July 2003

Purpose

To demonstrate how the Intensive Medicines Monitoring Programme (IMMP) can be used to monitor adverse events associated with an intrauterine device, using the levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine device (Mirena) as an example.

Methods

A long‐term prospective observational cohort study using Prescription Event Monitoring (PEM) is currently being undertaken in women using Mirena in New Zealand. This report describes the method used and reports the early results for those women who used the device between March 1998 and March 2001. Adverse events were recorded by inserting doctors and general practitioners on registration forms and systematic follow‐up questionnaires.

Results

Between March 1998 and March 2001, the IMMP received 3519 registration forms for insertions in 3452 women. ‘Difficult insertion’ was the most frequently reported event (3.6% of all insertions). Approximately, 2% of the Mirena insertions were carried out under GA and there were three uterine perforations (0.9 per 1000 insertions) in the total cohort. To date, follow‐up questionnaires have been processed for 495 patients. The response rate for these was 83%.

Conclusion

As adapted in the IMMP, PEM is an effective tool for the early post‐marketing surveillance of an intrauterine device in real life clinical practice. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New roles of volunteers in development
Authors: Bonnicksen Bruce C.
Published: July 2003

We all want the best possible leadership associated with our organizations. But are the best volunteers available to you? Do you still need volunteers to get the job done? Is a volunteer the best person to make the request for a major gift? What is the model for success?
What's in it for me?
Authors: Lysakowski Linda
Published: July 2003

Almost all nonprofit organizations seek volunteers to help with their fundraising efforts. Often they are stymied by their inability to recruit and retain effective volunteers. Examining this situation from two views—the volunteers' perspective and that of organizations successful at retaining active volunteer fundraisers—may help struggling organizations chart a path to success.
Fundraising volunteers in small organizations
Authors: Knox Kenneth J.
Published: July 2003

Exploring challenges unique to small nonprofits as they work with volunteers engaged in fundraising must start with an understanding of what is meant by “small” and with other factors besides size. In some ways, being small has its advantages.
A consensus‐binding structure for adenine at the atomic level permits searching for the ligand site in a wide spectrum of adenine‐containing complexes
Authors: Kuttner Yosef Y. , Sobolev Vladimir , Raskind Alexander , Edelman Marvin
Published: July 2003

Attempts to derive structural features of ligand‐binding sites have traditionally involved seeking commonalities at the residue level. Recently, structural studies have turned to atomic interactions of small molecular fragments to extract common binding‐site properties. Here, we explore the use of larger ligand elements to derive a consensus binding structure for the ligand as a whole. We superimposed multiple molecular structures from a nonredundant set of adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP) protein complexes, using the adenine moiety as template. Clustered binding‐site atoms of compatible atomic classes forming attractive contacts with the adenine probe were extracted. A set of atomic clusters characterizing the adenine binding pocket was then derived. Among the clusters are three vertices representing the interactions of adenine atom N6 with its protein‐binding niche. These vertices, together with atom C6 of the purine ring system, complete the set of four vertices for the pyramid‐like structure of the N6 anchor atom. Also, the sequence relationship for the adenine‐binding loop interacting with the C2–N6 end of the conjugated ring system is expanded to include a third hydrophilic cluster interacting with atom N1. A search procedure involving interatomic distances between cluster centers was formulated and applied to seek putative binding sites in test cases. The results show that a consensus network of clusters, based on an adenine probe and an ATP‐complexed training set of proteins, is sufficient to recognize the experimental cavity for adenine in a wide spectrum of ligand–protein complexes. Proteins 2003;52:400–411. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of sequence variability in nucleosome core histone folds
Authors: Sullivan Steven A. , Landsman David
Published: July 2003

The three‐helix, ∼65‐residue histone fold domain is the most structurally conserved part of the core histones H2A, H2B, H3, and H4. However, it evinces a notable degree of sequence variation within and between histone classes. We used two approaches to characterize sequence variation in these histone folds, toward elucidating their structure/function relationships and evolution. On the one hand we asked how much of the sequence variation seen in structure‐based alignments of the folds maintains physicochemical properties at a position, and on the other, whether conservation correlates to structural importance, as measured by the number of residue‐to‐residue contacts a position makes. Strong physicochemical conservation or correlation of conservation to contacts would support the idea that functional constraints, rather than genetic drift, determines the observed range of variants at a given position. We used an 11‐state table of physicochemical properties to classify each position in the core histone fold (CHF) alignments, and a public website (http://www.ebi.ac.uk/thornton‐srv/databases/cgi‐bin/valdar/scorecons_server.pl) to score conservation. We found that, depending on histone class, from 38 to 77% of CHF positions are maximally conserved physicochemically, and that for H2B, H3, and H4 the degree to which a position is conserved correlates positively to the number of contacts made by the residue at that position in the crystal structure of the nucleosome core particle. We also examined the correlation between conservation and the type of contact (e.g., inter‐ or intrachain, histone‐histone, or histone‐DNA, etc.). For H2B, H3, and H4 we found a positive correlation between conservation and number of interchain protein contacts. No such correlation or statistical significance was found for DNA or intrachain contacts. This suggests that variations in the CHF sequences could be functionally constrained by requirements to make sufficient interchain histone contacts. We also suggest that inventory of histone residue variants can augment functional studies of histones. An example is presented for histone H3. Proteins 2003;52:454–465. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring the origin of the ion selectivity of the KcsA potassium channel
Authors: Burykin Anton , Kato Mitsunori , Warshel Arieh
Published: July 2003

The availability of structural information about biological ion channels provides an opportunity to gain a detailed understanding of the control of ion selectivity by biological systems. However, accomplishing this task by computer simulation approaches is very challenging. First, although the activation barriers for ion transport can be evaluated by microscopic simulations, it is hard to obtain accurate results by such approaches. Second, the selectivity is related to the actual ion current and not directly to the individual activation barriers. Thus, it is essential to simulate the ion currents and this cannot be accomplished at present by microscopic MD approaches. In order to address this challenge, we developed and refined an approach capable of evaluating ion current while still reflecting the realistic features of the given channel. Our method involves generation of semimacroscopic free energy surfaces for the channel/ions system and Brownian dynamics (BD) simulations of the corresponding ion current. In contrast to most alternative macroscopic models, our approach is able to reproduce the difference between the free energy surfaces of different ions and thus to address the selectivity problem. Our method is used in a study of the selectivity of the KcsA channel toward the K+ and Na+ ions. The BD simulations with the calculated free energy profiles produce an appreciable selectivity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the trend in the selectivity in the ion current is produced by a computer simulation approach. Nevertheless, the calculated selectivity is still smaller than its experimental estimate. Recognizing that the calculated profiles are not perfect, we examine how changes in these profiles can account for the observed selectivity. It is found that the origin of the selectivity is more complex than generally assumed. The observed selectivity can be reproduced by increasing the barrier at the exit and the entrance of the selectivity filter, but the necessary changes in the barrier approach the limit of the error in the PDLD/S‐LRA calculations. Other options that can increase the selectivity are also considered, including the difference between the Na+…Na+ and K+…K+ interaction. However, this interesting effect does not appear to lead to a major difference in selectivity since the Na+ ions at the limit of strong interaction tend to move in a less concerted way than the K+ ions. Changes in the relative binding energies at the different binding sites are also not so effective in changing the selectivity. Finally, it is pointed out that using the calculated profiles as a starting point and forcing the model to satisfy different experimentally based constraints, should eventually provide more detailed understanding of the different complex factors involved in ion selectivity of biological channels. Proteins 2003;52:412–426. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neural Networks in 3D QSAR
Authors: Livingstone David J. , Manallack David T.
Published: July 2003

3D QSAR data analysis typically deals with large numbers of descriptors and various methods have been used to cope with this multivariate problem. One popular method, CoMFA, makes use of Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression. Alternative methods of data analysis to PLS have been explored including artificial neural networks (ANN). Within 3D QSAR, ANNs have been successful in producing models showing reasonable predictive capabilities. This review will examine recent studies in 3D QSAR and QSPR using ANN methods.
Structure Activity Relationships (SAR) and Pharmacophore Discovery Using Inductive Logic Programming (ILP)
Authors: Sternberg Michael J. E. , Muggleton Stephen H.
Published: July 2003

The application of Inductive Logic Programming (ILP), a form of machine learning, to derive structure activity relationships (SAR) and to discover pharmacophores is reported. The ILP approach was initially applied to model 1D SARs in terms of the attributes of the molecules. Subsequently 2D ILP SARs were developed describing chemical connectivity. Finally ILP has been used to model 3D SARs in which the conformation of the pharmacophore can be described. ILP has advantages over many other widely used methods as it can reason with relations and hence discover chemical substructures and 3D features without these aspects having been explicitly encoded prior to learning. In particular, there is no requirement for a structural superposition. Additionally, the results of ILP provide chemical descriptions that can readily be understood by a medicinal chemist. In several trials, ILP‐based SARs have been shown to be significantly more accurate than widely‐used methods.
Support Vector Machines for ADME Property Classification
Authors: Trotter Matthew W. B. , Holden Sean B.
Published: July 2003

This work describes the application of a recent addition to the data analysis toolbox, Support Vector Machines (SVMs) [1], to a classification task involved in contemporary drug discovery.
Analysis of clustered matched‐pair data
Authors: Durkalski Valerie L. , Palesch Yuko Y. , Lipsitz Stuart R. , Rust Philip F.
Published: July 2003

Evaluation of the performance of a new diagnostic procedure with respect to a standard procedure arises frequently in practice. The response of interest, often in a dichotomous form, is measured twice, once with each procedure. The two procedures are administered to either two matched individuals, or when practical, to the same individual. A large sample test for matched‐pair data is the McNemar test. The main assumption of this test is independent paired responses; however, when more than one outcome from an individual is measured by each procedure, the data are clustered. Examples of such cases can be seen in dental and ophthalmology studies. Variance adjustment methods for the analysis of clustered matched‐pair data have been proposed; however, because of unequal cluster sizes, variability of correlation structures within a cluster (within paired responses in a cluster as well as between paired responses in a cluster), and unequal success probabilities among the clusters, the performances of some available methods are not consistent. This research proposes a simple adjustment to the McNemar test for the analysis of clustered matched‐pair data. Method of moments is used to calculate a consistent variance estimator. Using Monte Carlo simulation, the size and power of the proposed test are compared to those of two currently available methods. To illustrate practical application, clustered matched‐pair data from two clinical studies are analysed. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resistin is expressed in different rat tissues and is regulated in a tissue‐ and gender‐specific manner
Authors: Nogueiras Rubén , Gallego Rosalía , Gualillo Oreste , Caminos J.Eduardo , García-Caballero Tomás , Casanueva Felipe F. , Diéguez Carlos
Published: July 2003

Resistin is a polypeptide hormone first reported from human and rodent adipocytes. In order to better define the potential biological role of resistin we undertook a detailed analysis of its expression in different rat tissues. We demonstrate by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Southern blotting and immunohistochemistry that resistin is expressed not only in brown and white adipose tissue, but also in the stomach, small and large intestines, adrenal gland, and skeletal muscle. Food deprivation led to a decrease in resistin mRNA expression only in adipose tissue, not in any of the other tissues studied. Furthermore, resistin mRNA expression is higher in males than in females in adipose tissue, not in any of the other tissues. Thus, our data suggest that resistin is not exclusively localized in adipocytes, and indicate that its expression is regulated in a tissue‐ and sex‐specific manner.
Human immunodeficiency virus‐1 Nef protein interacts with Tat and enhances HIV‐1 gene expression
Authors: Joseph Ajith Mathew , Ladha Jayashree S , Mojamdar Manoj , Mitra Debashis
Published: July 2003

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV‐1) Nef protein is now regarded as a regulatory protein responsible not only for establishment of infection and increased pathogenesis but also for enhancement of viral replication. However, the mechanism of Nef‐induced activation of viral replication remains to be clearly understood. Using transient transfection assay, co‐immunoprecipitation and pull‐down analysis, we demonstrate in this report that the HIV‐1 Nef protein physically interacts with Tat, the principal transactivating protein of HIV‐1. Our observations with single cycle replication experiments further indicate that this interaction results not only in enhancement of Tat‐induced HIV‐1 long terminal repeat‐mediated gene expression but also in virus production.
Electrical activity in endocrine pituitary cells in situ: A support for a multiple‐function coding
Authors: Bonnefont Xavier , Mollard Patrice
Published: July 2003

The anterior pituitary is an endocrine gland that controls basic body functions. Pituitary cell functioning depends on membrane excitability, which induces cytosolic calcium rises. Here, we reported the first identification of small‐amplitude voltage fluctuations that controlled spike firing in endocrine cells recorded in situ. Three patterns of voltage fluctuations were distinguishable by their durations (1–100 s). These patterns could be ordered on top of each other, namely in response to secretagogues. Thus, pituitary endocrine cells express in situ a cell code in which small‐amplitude voltage fluctuations lead to a multimodal arrangement of spike firing, which may finely tune calcium‐dependent functions.
Characterization of rapid and high‐affinity uptake of L‐serine in neurons and astrocytes in primary culture
Authors: Yamamoto Toshifumi , Nishizaki Itone , Furuya Shigeki , Hirabayashi Yoshio , Takahashi Kenzo , Okuyama Shigeru , Yamamoto Hideko
Published: July 2003

The non‐essential amino acid L‐serine was shown to be required to support the survival of rat cerebellar Purkinje neurons because of lack of the expression of the L‐serine biosynthesis enzyme 3‐phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase in them. In the present study, we investigated L‐[3H]serine uptake in primary cultures of neurons and astrocytes from the rat telencephalon. In both neurons and astrocytes, L‐[3H]serine uptake was dependent on temperature and Na+ ions, and exhibited a single component of high‐affinity uptake sites (K
m=15.0 and 17.2 μM for neurons and astrocytes, respectively). Kinetic analysis of L‐[3H]serine uptake also revealed that the uptake into neurons was faster than that into astrocytes. The selectivity of inhibition by amino acids of the L‐[3H]serine uptake resembled that of the system ASC transporters ASCT1 and ASCT2. Neutral amino acids L‐alanine, L‐serine, L‐cysteine, and L‐threonine strongly inhibited the uptake by both cell types. Furthermore, in astrocytes, but not in neurons, L‐valine and L‐proline also inhibited L‐[3H]serine uptake. Neither α‐methyl aminoisobutyric acid (a system A‐specific substrate) nor 2‐aminobicyclo(2,2,1)heptane‐2‐carboxylic acid (a system L‐specific substrate) inhibited the uptake of L‐[3H]serine in both neurons and astrocytes. Expression of ASCT transporters in both neurons and astrocytes was examined by use of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analysis. Whereas transcripts (mRNAs) of both ASCT1 and ASCT2 transporters were detected in astrocytes, only the mRNA of the former subtype was detected in neurons. Immunoblot analysis confirmed the presence of ASCT1 in both neurons and astrocytes. These findings indicate that neurons accumulate a high level of L‐serine by using a Na+‐dependent, high‐affinity transport system, operating predominantly through the ASCT1 transporter subtype.
Esmolol is antiarrhythmic in doxorubicin‐induced arrhythmia in cultured cardiomyocytes – determination by novel rapid cardiomyocyte assay
Authors: Gorelik Julia , Vodyanoy Igor , Shevchuk Andrew I , Diakonov Ivan A , Lab Max J , Korchev Yuri E
Published: July 2003

Cardiac toxicity is an uncommon but potentially serious complication of cancer therapy, especially with anthracyclines. One of the most effective anticancer drugs is doxorubicin, but its value is limited by the risk of developing cardiomyopathy and ventricular arrhythmia. When applied to a network of periodically contracting cardiomyocytes in culture, doxorubicin induces rhythm disturbances. Using a novel rapid assay based on non‐invasive ion‐conductance microscopy we show that the β‐antagonist esmolol can restore rhythm in doxorubicin‐treated cultures of cardiomyocytes. Moreover, esmolol pre‐treatment can protect the culture from doxorubicin‐induced arrhythmia.
The role of professional associations in reducing maternal mortality worldwide
Authors: Chamberlain J. , McDonagh R. , Lalonde A. , Arulkumaran S.
Published: July 2003

The death of hundreds of thousands of women due to pregnancy‐related complications casts a shadow over the modern obstetrical world. This paper examines the potential roles and responsibilities of professional obstetrical and midwifery associations in addressing this tolerated tragedy of maternal deaths. We examine the successes and challenges of obstetrical and midwifery associations and encourage the growth and development of active associations to address maternal mortality within their own borders. Professional associations can play a vital role in the reduction of maternal mortality worldwide. Their roles include lobbying for women's health and rights, setting standards of practice, raising awareness and team building. Associations from developed countries can influence and strengthen their colleagues within developing countries; for example, the FIGO Save the Mothers initiative. Professional associations should be encouraged to play an active role in reducing maternal mortality within their own country and abroad.
Evaluation of the Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) as a predictor of adolescent real‐world risk‐taking behaviours
Authors: Lejuez C.W. , Aklin Will M. , Zvolensky Michael J. , Pedulla Christina M.
Published: July 2003

The Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) was administered to a sample of 26 high school‐aged adolescents to test the utility of the BART as a behavioural measure of risk‐taking propensity. Data indicate that riskyness on the BART was related to self‐reported engagement in real‐world risk‐taking behaviours. These data replicate and uniquely extend past research to an adolescent sample, suggesting that the BART may be a useful addition to self‐report batteries for the assessment of risk‐taking behaviours in adolescents.
Chemical inhibitors of cyclin‐dependent kinases control proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation of oligodendroglial cells
Authors: Nguyen Laurent , Malgrange Brigitte , Rocher Véronique , Hans Grégory , Moonen Gustave , Rigo Jean‐Michel , Belachew Shibeshih
Published: July 2003

Since cyclin‐dependent kinases (Cdks) and their endogenous inhibitors (Cdkis) play an essential role as regulators of cell cycle withdrawal and onset of differentiation within oligodendroglial cells, we assessed here the effects of exogenous chemical Cdk inhibitors (CKIs) on cultured rat cortical oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). We showed that purine derivatives and especially roscovitine strongly inhibited OPCs proliferation. In the presence of mitogenic signals, roscovitine synergized with thyroid hormone to stimulate oligodendrocyte differentiation. Roscovitine also prevented oligodendroglial apoptosis induced by growth factor deprivation. We thus demonstrated that small molecular weight chemical CKIs have important effects on crucial events of oligodendroglial development in vitro. This might open prospects for using these apparently well tolerated agents in remyelination strategies.
Utilization of discards and offal from commercial fisheries by seabirds in the Baltic Sea
Authors: Garthe Stefan , Scherp Birgit
Published: July 2003

The distribution and abundance of scavenging seabirds and their utilization of discards and offal between June and December 1998 were studied in the western Baltic Sea. Herring gulls were clearly the most numerous scavenging species in all areas and all seasons, followed by great black-backed gulls, lesser black-backed gulls and mew gulls. High percentages of discarded gadoids (cod, whiting), clupeids (herring, sprat), scad, rockling and offal were consumed by seabirds during experimental discarding on fishing boats, whereas the percentages of flatfish consumed were extremely low. There was a clear effect of cod length on total and species-specific consumption by birds but this pattern was hardly evident for clupeids or dab. By combining official discard and offal statistics and our experimental discarding, we estimate that 6500 t of fish discards and 16 000 t of offal were consumed annually by seabirds in the Baltic Sea. Bivalves, especially blue mussels Mytilus edulis, were the most frequently represented food item in herring gull pellets. Fish identified in the pellets consisted mainly of gadoids, in particular cod. The proportion of discards in herring gull pellets was on average 1.6% (range: 0–4.5%) at Laboe and 17.5% at Warnemünde (range: 9.4–25.5%), but pellets bias diet assessment as offal and other soft prey (including clupeids) will be under-represented. Scavenging on discards and offal is a widespread phenomenon in the Baltic Sea as it is in other shelf areas of Europe, but the number of bird species involved is generally lower and strongly biased towards gulls, especially herring gulls.
The effects of swimbladder size, condition and gonads on the acoustic target strength of mature capelin
Authors: Jørgensen Roar
Published: July 2003

Pre- and post-spawning capelin from the Barents Sea stock were observed in a net pen with a calibrated 38 kHz scientific split-beam echosounder. The transducer was positioned vertically or tilted. The acoustic target strength (TS) of capelin depended on swimbladder length. In female capelin within 15.5–18.0 cm length the logarithm of weight was significantly negatively related to TS. The negative effect of weight on TS could be due to a higher condition factor (assumed higher fat content), which gave the fish additional buoyancy and less need for swimbladder volume. The effect of gonad weight on TS was not significant. Comparisons of measurements made with vertical and tilted transducers demonstrated a small but significant effect of tilt angle on TS.
Redistribution of motor proteins by Cytochalasin J treatment
Authors: Robinson Rollin W. , Snyder Judith A.
Published: July 2003

In this study we extend our analysis of the effect of Cytochalasin J (CJ) on mitotic and interphase cells by the use of immunocytochemical techniques to localize antigens to anti‐β‐tubulin, anti‐dynein heavy chain (HC), anti‐dynein intermediate chain (IC), and anti‐kinesin antibodies following CJ treatment. Anti‐dynein IC and HC staining of CJ treated cells showed a significant reduction in anti‐dynein staining in the nuclear region of interphase cells. Monolayer cultures of PtK1cells treated with 10 μg/ml CJ for 10 min showed a significant reduction in pixel luminosity of fluorescence staining using anti‐dynein IC and HC antibodies (P<0.05). Cytochalasin J treatment reorganized anti‐dynein staining from a cytoplasmic punctate staining with greatest intensity in the perinuclear region, to a more uniform staining throughout the cytoplasm.
Impact of Satisfaction, Nurse–Patient Interactions and Perceived Benefits on Health Behaviors Following a Cardiac Event
Authors: Zrinyi Miklos , Horvath Teodora
Published: July 2003

Aims: To describe patient perceptions of quality and satisfaction with nursing care, nurse–patient interactions and barriers to and benefits of implementing a healthy lifestyle. Methods: A pretest–posttest cross-sectional correlational research design was used. Subjects were randomly selected between November 2001 and January 2002 from patients admitted to the National Institute of Cardiology in Budapest, Hungary. Participants completed 3 self-reported measures and a demographic survey, which assessed individual lifestyle behaviors (e.g. frequency of smoking, physical activity, stress and unhealthy dieting). Results: Satisfaction with nursing care and nurse–patient interactions influenced both perceived benefits and barriers. Patient satisfaction and perceived benefits at discharge were associated with more frequent exercising and less smoking. Among other factors, perceived benefits at discharge were predicted by attentive nurse behaviors toward patients and by patients’ ability to initiate discussion with nurses. Conclusions: Findings support effects of patient satisfaction and nurse–patient relationships on perceived benefits/barriers. Compared to barriers, perceived benefits more importantly determined health behaviors. Attentive nursing care and the patient's ability to discuss health concerns with nurses appear more influential in modifying patient perceptions. Exploring nursing interventions to maximize perceived benefits during hospitalization is suggested.
Why Do Women Seek Antenatal Care Late? Perspectives From Rural South Africa
Authors: Myer Landon , Harrison Abigail
Published: July 2003

Despite the widespread availability of free antenatal care services, most women in rural South Africa attend their first antenatal clinic late in pregnancy and fail to return for any followup care, potentially leading to avoidable perinatal and maternal complications. Using interviews with pregnant women from the rural Hlabisa district of South Africa, we documented perceptions of health and health care during pregnancy and investigated factors shaping the utilization of antenatal care. Our findings indicate that most women in this setting do not perceive significant health threats during pregnancy, and in turn view more than one antenatal care visit as unnecessary. In contrast, women perceive labour and delivery as a time of significant health risks that require biomedical attention, and most women prefer to give birth in a health facility. This paradox, in which health care is important for childbirth but not during pregnancy, is embodied in most women's primary reason for seeking antenatal care in this setting: to receive an antenatal attendance card that is required to deliver at a health facility. Health education programs promoting antenatal care are required to explain the importance of effective antenatal care toward maternal and child health.
Induction of Labor: The Misoprostol Controversy
Authors: Goldberg Alisa B. , Wing Deborah A.
Published: July 2003

Misoprostol (Cytotec) is safe and effective for induction of labor, although it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in pregnancy. In August 2000, the manufacturer of misoprostol warned against its use in pregnancy because of its abortifacient properties and cited reports of maternal and fetal deaths when misoprostol was used to induce labor, fueling the misoprostol controversy. More than 45 randomized trials including more than 5400 women have found vaginal misoprostol to be more effective than oxytocin or vaginal prostaglandin E2 at effecting vaginal delivery within 24 hours. Cesarean delivery rates with vaginal misoprostol are lower than with oxytocin alone, but similar to prostaglandin E2. There have been no significant differences in the frequency of serious adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes with low‐dose misoprostol compared with oxytocin or prostaglandin E2; however, the relative risk of rare adverse outcomes with misoprostol is unknown. The data suggest that absolute risks are low when misoprostol is used appropriately. We recommend 25 mcg vaginally every 4 to 6 hours for carefully selected patients in closely monitored settings. Whether misoprostol will prove to be the most cost‐effective agent for inducing labor in women with an unfavorable cervix remains to be determined.
A Systematic Approach for Midwifery Students: How to Consider Evidence‐Based Research Findings
Authors: Lydon‐Rochelle Mona T. , Hodnett Ellen , Renfrew Mary J. , Lumley Judith
Published: July 2003

The midwifery profession is increasingly applying the results of evidence‐based research findings. Several researchers were asked if they would answer questions regarding the essential research skills necessary for midwives, the relevance of applying valid evidence to practice, and concerns regarding evidence‐based practice overall. The objectives were to share expert researchers' responses that could be used by educators to help introductory midwifery students understand the importance of developing skills in assessing “the best evidence” and to stimulate interactive discussion in the classroom. Consideration of the expert opinions stimulated student thinking on the relation of evidence‐based findings to practice in an exciting approach characterized by inquiry and debate, which got favorable responses and evaluations from the students.
Your Pregnancy for the Father‐to‐Be. Everything You Need to Know About Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Ready for Your New Baby
Authors: Curtis Glade B. , Schuler Judith
Published: July 2003

Reviewed by: Ira Kantrowitz‐Gordon, MN, CNM, Providence Midwifery Care, Everett, WA.
Advanced Directives and Midwifery Care
Authors: Sanders Lorraine B.
Published: July 2003

The Patient Self‐Determination Act was passed by the U.S. federal government in 1990 and became effective in December 1991. This federal law requires institutions that accept Medicaid funding to provide written information about rights to make decisions about medical care to all persons admitted for care. To meet federal guidelines, many health care institutions provide this information in the admission packet. Studies have shown that compliance with addressing this subject has been uneven at best and that providers may be uncomfortable discussing this issue with clients. Midwife‐attended births accounted for 7.3% of all births in 2000. The majority of these births occur in the hospital setting; therefore, laboring women are subject to the Patient Self‐Determination Act. This article addresses the responsibilities of the certified nurse midwife/certified midwives in counseling women and their families regarding advanced directives.
Quantitative modeling of granitic melt generation and segregation in the continental crust
Authors: Jackson Matthew D. , Cheadle Michael J. , Atherton Michael P.
Published: July 2003

We present a new quantitative model of granitic (in a broad sense) melt generation and segregation within the continental crust. We assume that melt generation is caused by the intrusion of hot, mantle‐derived basalt, and that segregation occurs by buoyancy‐driven flow along grain edges coupled with compaction of the partially molten source rock. We solve numerically the coupled equations governing heating, melting, and melt migration in the source rock, and cooling and crystallization in the underlying heat source. Our results demonstrate that the spatial distribution and composition of the melt depends upon the relative upward transport rates of heat and melt. If melt transport occurs more quickly than heat transport, then melt accumulates near the top of the source region, until the rock matrix disaggregates and a mobile magma forms. As the melt migrates upward, its composition changes to resemble a smaller degree of melting of the source rock, because it thermodynamically equilibrates with rock at progressively lower temperatures. We demonstrate that this process of buoyancy‐driven compaction coupled with local thermodynamic equilibration can yield large volumes of mobile granitic magma from basaltic and meta‐basaltic (amphibolitic) protoliths over timescales ranging from ∼4000 years to ∼10 Myr. The thickness of basaltic magma required as a heat source ranges from ∼40 m to ∼3 km, which requires that the magma is emplaced over time as a series of sills, concurrent with melt segregation. These findings differ from those of previous studies, which have suggested that compaction operates too slowly to yield large volumes of segregated granitic melt.
Launch of solar coronal mass ejections and submillimeter pulse bursts
Authors: Kaufmann Pierre , Giménez de Castro C. Guillermo , Makhmutov Vladimir S. , Raulin Jean‐Pierre , Schwenn Rainer , Levato H. , Rovira M.
Published: July 2003

The rapid solar spikes (100–500 ms) recently discovered at submillimeter waves bring new possibilities to investigate energetic processes near the solar surface that might have an important role in the launch and propelling of ionized mass away from the Sun. We present a study on the association between the launch time of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed by the LASCO instruments on the SOHO spacecraft and the onset of the new kind of rapid solar spikes (100–500 ms) observed at submillimetric waves (212 and 405 GHz) by the new Solar Submm‐wave Telescope (SST). We investigated six submm‐wave events, all found associated to CMEs. Seven related CME were identified. Five of them were associated with flares with large GOES class soft X‐rays, presenting distinct time histories and associations at other energy ranges, and two of them were related to flares behind the solar limb, with simultaneous related activity observed in the visible solar disk. Ultraviolet images from EIT on SOHO show some kind of small or large‐scale magnetic activity or brightening for all events. The extrapolation of apparent CME positions to the solar surface show that they occurred nearly coincident in time with the onset of submm‐wave pulses for all six events. These results suggest that pulse bursts might be representative of an important early signature of CMEs, especially for events beginning near the center of the solar disk, sometimes identified as “halo” CMEs. They lead to several challenging questions relative to the physical nature of the pulses and its association to the launch and acceleration of coronal mass ejections. Although these evidences may favor multiple rapid energy releases at the origin near the solar surface, they require further research in order to better understand both diagnostics and model descriptions.
Physics of multiscale convection in Earth's mantle: Onset of sublithospheric convection
Authors: Korenaga Jun , Jordan Thomas H.
Published: July 2003

We investigate the physics of multiscale convection in Earth's mantle, characterized by the coexistence of large‐scale mantle circulation associated with plate tectonics and small‐scale sublithospheric convection. In this study, conditions for the existence of small‐scale convection beneath oceanic lithosphere are investigated by deriving a scaling law for the onset of convection in a fluid whose surface is instantaneously cooled. We employ two dimensional finite element convection modeling to solve this intrinsically time dependent problem for the Rayleigh number of 105–107 and with a range of temperature‐dependent viscosity. Two different forms of temperature dependency, the Arrhenius law and its linear exponential approximation, are used. We present a new scaling analysis, on the basis of the concept of a differential Rayleigh number, to derive a general scaling law covering from constant viscosity to strongly variable viscosity. Compared to previous studies, our scaling law predicts significantly shorter onset time when applied to Earth's mantle. Possible reasons for this discrepancy are also discussed.
Dissolved organic carbon distribution and origin in the Nordic Seas: Exchanges with the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic
Authors: Amon Rainer M. W. , Budéus Gereon , Meon Benedikt
Published: July 2003

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and in situ fluorescence were measured along with hydrographic parameters in the Greenland, Iceland, and Norwegian Seas (Nordic Seas). Surface (<100 m) concentrations of DOC ranged from 60 to 118 μM with elevated values in the East Greenland Current (EGC) which transports water from the Arctic Ocean to the North Atlantic. EGC surface waters also showed a pronounced fluorescence maximum between 30 and 120 m depth in all EGC sections indicating the abundance of Arctic river derived DOC in this current. Based on fluorescence we estimated that 20–50% of the annual river discharge to the Arctic Ocean was exported in the EGC. The fluorescence maximum was typically associated with salinity around 33 and temperatures below −1°C which are characteristic of surface and upper halocline water in the Arctic Ocean. The elevated fluorescence in this water mass suggests a strong Eurasian shelf component and also suggests that in situ fluorescence could be used to trace Eurasian shelf water in the central Arctic Ocean. DOC concentrations in the Nordic Sea basins (>1000 m) were relatively high (∼50 μM DOC) compared with other ocean basins indicating active vertical transport of DOC in this region on decadal timescales. Based on existing vertical transport estimates and 15 μM of semilabile DOC we calculated an annual vertical net DOC export of 3.5 Tg C yr−1 in the Greenland Sea and about 36 Tg C yr−1 for the entire Arctic Mediterranean Sea (AMS) including the Greenland‐Scotland Ridge overflow. It appears that physical processes play a determining role for the distribution of DOC in the AMS.
Mode of lithospheric extension: Conceptual models from analogue modeling
Authors: Michon Laurent , Merle Olivier
Published: July 2003

Comparison of analogue experiments at crustal and lithospheric scale provides essential information concerning the mode of deformation during lithospheric extension. This study shows that during extension, lithospheric deformation is controlled by the development of shear zones in the ductile parts. At lithospheric scale, the global deformation is initiated by the rupture of the brittle mantle lithosphere. This failure generates the formation of conjugate and opposite shear zones in the lower crust and the ductile mantle lithosphere. The analysis of the internal strain of the ductile layers suggests that the two opposite shear zones located below the asymmetric graben in the lower crust and the ductile mantle lithosphere prevail. Experiments show that from a similar initial stage, the relative predominance of these shear zones originates two different modes of deformation. If the crustal shear zone prevails, a major detachment‐like structure crosscuts the whole lithosphere and controls its thinning. In this model named the simple shear mode, the resulting geometry shows that crustal and lithospheric thinning are laterally shifted. If the mantle shear zone predominates, the lithospheric thinning is induced by the coeval activity of the two main shear zones. This process called the necking mode leads to the vertical superposition of crustal and mantle lithospheric thinning. Applied to natural laboratories (West European rift, Red Sea rift and North Atlantic), this conceptual model allows a plausible explanation of the different geometries and evolutions described in these provinces. The North Atlantic and the Red Sea rift systems may result from a simple shear mode, whereas the necking mode may explain part of the evolution of the West European rift especially in the Massif Central and the Eger graben.
In vitro T‐cell responses to β‐lactam drugs in immediate and nonimmediate allergic reactions
Authors: Luque I. , Leyva L. , José Torres M. , Rosal M. , Mayorga C. , Segura J. M. , Blanca M. , Juárez C.
Published: July 2003

Background:β‐Lactam drugs may induce both cellular and humoral allergic reactions, and there is evidence that T cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of these reactions. The aim of this work was to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the lymphocyte transformation test (LTT) as an in vitro diagnostic tool, in patients with either an immediate or a nonimmediate reaction to penicillin G and/or amoxicillin.

Methods: Fifty patients with a well‐documented history of allergic reactions to β‐lactams (31 immediate and 19 nonimmediate) were studied by means of skin tests (prick and intradermal), radioallergosorbent test (RAST), and, when necessary, controlled administration of the drug. Twenty‐eight healthy subjects with good tolerance to penicillins served as controls. LTT was performed in all subjects.

Results: Skin tests were positive in 77.4% of the patients with immediate reactions and in 36.8% of those with nonimmediate reactions. The overall sensitivity of LTT in the allergic patients was 62%, but, when analyzed separately, sensitivity was 64.5% for the immediate group and 57.9% for the nonimmediate group. The LTT specificity was 92.8%.

Conclusions: The LTT should be considered a useful in vitro diagnostic tool to identify subjects allergic to penicillins, especially patients with nonimmediate reactions where the LTT has a better diagnostic value than skin tests. Interestingly, positive T‐cell proliferative responses can be observed 10 or more years after the occurrence of the reaction without further exposure to the drug.
A new allele, HLA‐DRB4*010304
Authors: Fasano M.E. , Dametto E. , Day S. , Dunn P. , Tacconella M. , Curtoni E.S.
Published: July 2003

Abstract:  We report here the identification of a novel DRB4*01 allele, DRB4*010304, found in a patient waiting for a liver transplantation. The new allele was detected during a routine DNA‐based HLA typing. Sequencing confirmed that the new allele is identical to DRB4*01030101 at exon 2 except for position 216 where the new allele has a T instead of a C.