bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A distance‐dependent atomic knowledge‐based potential and force for discrimination of native structures from decoys
Authors: Mirzaie Mehdi , Eslahchi Changiz , Pezeshk Hamid , Sadeghi Mehdi
Published: April 2009

The purpose of this article is to introduce a novel model for discriminating correctly folded proteins from well designed decoy structures using mechanical interatomic forces. In our model, we consider a protein as a collection of springs and the force imposed to each atom is calculated. A potential function is obtained from statistical contact preferences within known protein structures. Combining this function with the spring equation, the interatomic forces are calculated. Finally, we consider a structure and define a score function on the 3D structure of a protein. We compare the force imposed to each atom of a protein with the corresponding atom in the other structures. We then assign larger scores to those atoms with lower forces. The total score is the sum of partial scores of atoms. The optimal structure is assumed to be the one with the highest score in the data set. To evaluate the performance of our model, we apply it on several decoy sets. Proteins 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Optimizing the test power for a radiation retention model in the human body
Authors: Amo‐Salas M. , López‐Fidalgo J. , Rodríguez‐Díaz J. M.
Published: April 2009

The model that describes the retention in lungs of radioisotope particles is studied in this paper, considering the situation of an accident in facilities that handle radioactive materials. Optimal times to make the bioassays are computed for D‐ and c‐optimality, and efficiencies for the computed designs are provided and compared. Moreover, the test power is checked by means of simulations and replications. After that the inverse of the Fisher information matrix is compared to an estimation of the covariance matrix of the parameters. Finally, a study taking into consideration the randomness of the designs space is performed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dependence of the wittig reaction mechanism on the environment and on the substituents at the aldehyde group and at the phosphonium ylide
Authors: Alagona Giuliano , Ghio Caterina
Published: April 2009

The B3P86/6‐31G* mechanistic results for the Wittig reaction of acetaldehyde, CH3CHO, in vacuo and in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution in the IEF‐PCM framework, with an unsubstituted trimethylphosphonium or triphenylphosphonium ylide, that is Me3PCH2 or Ph3PCH2, have been compared to those recently obtained at the same levels for the reaction of Ph3PCH2 with a bulky chiral aldehyde, (2S,3R)‐2,4‐dimethyl‐3‐pyrrol‐1‐yl‐pentanal [TCA (DOI: 10.1007/s00214‐009‐0521‐4)], here named sys for short. The two model systems show distinct, but similar, behaviors that however differ from the large system one. In particular, betaine‐type intermediates are not located in vacuo when Me3PCH2 is used, while only a gauche betaine is obtained using Ph3PCH2; the relevant barriers are anyway smaller than those found for sys. Conversely, in THF, the concerted and stepwise mechanisms are both represented and show TS1/TSb barriers, which are negligibly small for sys. Thus, in contrast to assessed literature, models with methyl groups in place of phenyl rings and branched aldehyde chains show a different behavior from realistic systems and prevent inferring general rules from their use, suggesting to resort to Ph3PCH2 whose results in vacuo and in THF are closer to sys. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010
Sample size for two‐stage studies with maintenance therapy
Authors: Feng Wentao , Wahed Abdus S.
Published: April 2009

An adaptive treatment strategy (ATS) is defined as a sequence of treatments and intermediate responses. ATS' arise when chronic diseases such as cancer and depression are treated over time with various treatment alternatives depending on intermediate responses to earlier treatments. Clinical trials are often designed to compare ATSs based on appropriate designs such as sequential randomization designs. Although recent literature provides statistical methods for analyzing data from such trials, very few articles have focused on statistical power and sample size issues. This paper presents a sample size formula for comparing the survival probabilities under two treatment strategies sharing same initial, but different maintenance treatment. The formula is based on the large sample properties of inverse‐probability‐weighted estimator. Simulation study shows strong evidence that the proposed sample size formula guarantees desired power, regardless of the true distributions of survival times. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative defects management in iterative development with BiDefect
Authors: Gou Lang , Wang Qing , Yuan Jun , Yang Ye , Li Mingshu , Jiang Nan
Published: April 2009

Iterative development methodology has been widely adopted in recent years since it is flexible and capable of dealing with requirement volatility. However, how to quantitatively manage iterative projects, and in particular, how to quantitatively manage defects across multiple iterations, remains a challenging issue. In this article, we identify three main challenges of quantitative defects management in iterative development in a leading Chinese telecommunications company (named ZZNode). The three challenges are: identifying appropriate ‘control points’ in each iteration, selecting appropriate measures and corresponding measurement methods, and determining the ‘sweet spot’ amount of effort for performing testing and defect‐fixing activities. We propose a process performanceBaselines basediterationDefects management (BiDefect) method to address the three challenges. We also report an industrial experience where several iterative development projects of ZZNode successfully applied the BiDefect method in initial estimating, analyzing, re‐estimating, and controlling number of defects and defect detecting/fixing effort. In addition, we provide the evaluation of using BiDefect method, and discuss the benefits and lessons learned from BiDefect and its application. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from diesel emissions exert proallergic effects in birch pollen allergic individuals through enhanced mediator release from basophils
Authors: Lubitz Stefanie , Schober Wolfgang , Pusch Gudrun , Effner Renate , Klopp Norman , Behrendt Heidrun , Buters Jeroen T. M.
Published: April 2009

Background:

Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) act as adjuvants in the immune system and contribute to the increased prevalence and morbidity of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are major components of DEPs, which may be involved in the induction and enhancement of proallergic processes. In this study we explored adjuvant effects of DEP‐PAHs on activation parameters of human basophils, fostering allergic inflammation through the release of preformed or granule‐derived mediators.

Methods:

Heparinized blood samples from birch pollen allergic and control donors were stimulated with Bet v 1, the major allergen of birch pollen grains, alone or together with a mixture of 16 environmental prominent PAHs (EPA‐PAH standard). Flow cytometric analysis was performed for quantitative determination of PAH‐enhanced basophil activation. To assess direct PAH effects on basophils, enriched cultures from both donor groups were exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) or phenanthrene (Phe), two major DEP‐PAHs, with and without allergen. Supernatants were assayed for IL‐4 and IL‐8 secretion and histamine release by means of ELISA.

Results:

At environmental relevant exposure levels EPA‐PAH standard synergized with antigen and significantly enhanced basophil activation of all birch pollen allergic individuals up to 95%. Single PAHs significantly drove IL‐8 secretion from sensitized basophils of all patients tested, and there was no further enhancement by addition of rBet v 1. B[a]P and Phe also significantly induced IL‐4 secretion, a key factor for Th2 development, from purified sensitized basophils in the absence of antigen suggesting an adjuvant role of DEP‐PAHs in allergic sensitization. None of the basophil samples from healthy controls showed any PAH effect on mediator release.

Conclusion:

DEP‐PAHs exert proallergic effects on sensitized basophils in an allergen independent fashion, suggesting a potential role of these pollutants for the allergic breakthrough in atopic individuals, who have not developed an allergic disease yet. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol, 2010.
[Gd(OH)(H2O)(b18c6)]I(I3)(CH3CN), a New Cationic In‐cavity Complex with Iodide and Triiodide as Anions
Authors: Walbaum Christine , Pantenburg Ingo , Meyer Gerd
Published: April 2009

Single crystals of [Gd(OH)(H2O)(b18c6)]I(I3)(CH3CN) were obtained from an acetonitrile solution of GdI3, I2 and benzo‐18‐crown‐6. The crystal structure (monoclinic, P21/a (no. 14), Z = 4, a = 1233.8(1) pm, b = 1925.0(2) pm, c = 1252.3(1) pm, β = 104.375(7)°) contains hydroxide bridged cationic dimers and iodide as well as triiodide as anions.
Ag9I(GeO4)2 – Containing Two‐dimensionally Linked [IAg12] Metallo Complexes
Authors: Pitzschke Dragan , Curda Jan , Jansen Martin
Published: April 2009

Ag9I(GeO4)2 was obtained for the first time by reacting a stoichiometric mixture of Ag2O, AgI, and GeO2, at elevated oxygen pressures, adding a small portion of distilled water. The synthesis was done at 480 °C and 110 MPa of oxygen pressure. It crystallizes in space group C2/m, with the unit cell dimensions a = 17.3736(9) Å, b = 6.9177(4) Å, c = 5.7176(3) Å, β = 105.501(3)°, V = 662.18(6) Å3, and Z = 2. The structure refinement was based on 638 independent reflections and resulted in R1 = 6.26 %. The crystal structure consists of isolated (GeO4)4– ions and [IAg12] metallo complexes, the latter are interconnected through each two common edges and corners corresponding to [IAg6/1Ag6/2], thus forming infinite layers within the (100) plane. The Ag/I slabs are stacked perpendicular to the a‐axis with an interlayer distance of about 3.4 Å. The (GeO4)4– anions are located in the gaps between the silver iodide layers. According to the results of impedance measurements, Ag9I(GeO4)2 is a good silver ion conductor. The compound shows an increase in the ionic conductivity in the temperature range of 30 to 310 °C, and has a silver ion conductivity of 1.1 × 10–3 Ω–1 cm–1 at room temp. The activation energy for silver ion conduction is 0.35 eV, in the temperature range from 25 to 190 °C.
Development of a field‐friendly technique for fecal steroid extraction and storage using the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)
Authors: Santymire R. M. , Armstrong D. M.
Published: April 2009

Hormonal analysis provides information about wildlife populations, but is difficult to conduct in the field. Our goal was to develop a rapid and effective field method for fecal steroid analysis by comparing: (1) three extraction methods (laboratory (LAB), homogenize (HO) and handshake (HS)) and (2) two storage methods (solid‐phase extraction (SPE) tubes vs. plastic tubes (PT)). Samples (n=23) from captive African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) were thoroughly mixed, three aliquots of each were weighed (∼0.5 g) and 5 ml of 90% ethanol was added. For LAB, samples were agitated (mixer setting 60; 30 min), centrifuged (1,500 rpm; 20 min) and poured into glass tubes. Or aliquots were HO (1 min) or HS (1 min) and poured through filter paper into glass tubes. Samples were split, analyzed for corticosterone (C) and testosterone (T) metabolites using enzyme immunoassays or stored in SPE or PT. Samples were stored (room temperature) for 30, 60 or 180 days, reconstituted in buffer and analyzed. Mean C and T recoveries of HO were greater (P=0.03) than HS compared with LAB, which was similar to HO (P>0.05). After 30 days <21% of C and T was recovered from SPE, but ∼100% of each was recovered from HO‐PT and HS‐PT. Similarly, after 60 and 180 days, ∼100% of C and T was recovered from HO‐PT and HS‐PT. Results demonstrated that, for C and T, HO was more comparable (P<0.001) to LAB than HS and PT storage was more efficient than SPE (P<0.001). Zoo Biol 29:289–302, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Value of Multidetector Row CT in the Assessment of Longitudinal Extension of Cholangiocarcinoma—Correlation Between MDCT and Microscopic Findings
Authors: Senda Yoshiki , Nishio Hideki , Oda Koji , Yokoyama Yukihiro , Ebata Tomoki , Igami Tsuyoshi , Sugiura Teiichi , Shimoyama Yoshie , Nimura Yuji , Nagino Masato
Published: April 2009

Background

A few authors have reported the value of multidetector row CT (MDCT) for evaluating the longitudinal extent of cholangiocarcinoma. They have not focused on CT attenuation of a tumor and actual tumor extent along the bile ducts. We designed the present study to analyze attenuation.

Methods

Between January 2003 and July 2005, 113 consecutive patients with cholangiocarcinoma underwent a surgical resection following MDCT. Of these MDCT studies, 73 (perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, n = 62; middle and distal cholangiocarcinoma, n = 11) were suitable for analysis, and the patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided according to tumor hypoattenuation and hyperattenuation on MDCT. Histologic differentiation, desmoplastic reaction, and vascular density were microscopically compared with the tumor attenuation to differentiate the characteristics of the attenuation. The extent of cancer along the bile duct diagnosed by MDCT was compared with the actual extent determined by the microscopic findings.

Results

Hyperattenuated tumor was observed in 40 patients. There was no difference in histologic differentiation, desmoplastic reaction, or vascular density between the hyperattenuated and hypoattenuated cholangiocarcinomas. Neither the proximal nor the distal borders between the normal and thickened bile duct wall could be determined in the 33 patients with hypoattenuated tumor; in contrast, an accurate assessment of extent of tumor was obtained in 76% of the proximal borders and 82% of the distal borders in the 40 patients with hyperattenuated tumor.

Conclusions

Although the cause of the difference between the hyperattenuated and hypoattenuated cholangiocarcinoma still is unclear, MDCT can be an alternative to direct cholangiography in selected patients with hyperattenuated cholangiocarcinoma.
Early‐onset hyperargininaemia: A severe disorder?
Authors: Schiff M. , Benoist J.‐F. , Cardoso M. L. , Elmaleh‐Bergès M. , Forey P. , Santiago J. , Ogier de Baulny H.
Published: April 2009

Hyperargininaemia is a rare inborn error of metabolism due to a defect in the final step of the urea cycle. Infantile onset is the most common presentation with recurrent vomiting and psychomotor delay associated with spastic paraparesis; chronic hyperammonaemia is often overlooked. Neonatal and early‐onset presentations are very uncommon and their clinical course not well‐described. We report on a 3‐week‐old hyperargininaemic girl who presented with neurological deterioration associated with liver failure and 47‐day ammonia intoxication before diagnosis could be made and treatment started. Despite appropriate but delayed treatment, our patient exhibited severe psychomotor delay at age 1 year. Conclusion Early identification and management of this rare but potentially treatable affection is crucial as delayed management may result in poor neurological outcome.
New Method to Prepare Mitomycin C Loaded PLA-Nanoparticles with High Drug Entrapment Efficiency
Authors: Hou Zhenqing , Wei Heng , Wang Qian , Sun Qian , Zhou Chunxiao , Zhan Chuanming , Tang Xiaolong , Zhang Qiqing
Published: April 2009

The classical utilized double emulsion solvent diffusion technique for encapsulating water soluble Mitomycin C (MMC) in PLA nanoparticles suffers from low encapsulation efficiency because of the drug rapid partitioning to the external aqueous phase. In this paper, MMC loaded PLA nanoparticles were prepared by a new single emulsion solvent evaporation method, in which soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC) was employed to improve the liposolubility of MMC by formation of MMC–SPC complex. Four main influential factors based on the results of a single-factor test, namely, PLA molecular weight, ratio of PLA to SPC (wt/wt) and MMC to SPC (wt/wt), volume ratio of oil phase to water phase, were evaluated using an orthogonal design with respect to drug entrapment efficiency. The drug release study was performed in pH 7.2 PBS at 37 °C with drug analysis using UV/vis spectrometer at 365 nm. MMC–PLA particles prepared by classical method were used as comparison. The formulated MMC–SPC–PLA nanoparticles under optimized condition are found to be relatively uniform in size (594 nm) with up to 94.8% of drug entrapment efficiency compared to 6.44 μm of PLA–MMC microparticles with 34.5% of drug entrapment efficiency. The release of MMC shows biphasic with an initial burst effect, followed by a cumulated drug release over 30 days is 50.17% for PLA–MMC–SPC nanoparticles, and 74.1% for PLA–MMC particles. The IR analysis of MMC–SPC complex shows that their high liposolubility may be attributed to some weak physical interaction between MMC and SPC during the formation of the complex. It is concluded that the new method is advantageous in terms of smaller size, lower size distribution, higher encapsulation yield, and longer sustained drug release in comparison to classical method.
On the Enhanced Antibacterial Activity of Antibiotics Mixed with Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Burygin GL , Khlebtsov BN , Shantrokha AN , Dykman LA , Bogatyrev VA , Khlebtsov NG
Published: April 2009

The bacterial action of gentamicin and that of a mixture of gentamicin and 15-nm colloidal-gold particles onEscherichia coli K12 was examined by the agar-well-diffusion method, enumeration of colony-forming units, and turbidimetry. Addition of gentamicin to colloidal gold changed the gold color and extinction spectrum. Within the experimental errors, there were no significant differences in antibacterial activity between pure gentamicin and its mixture with gold nanoparticles (NPs). Atomic absorption spectroscopy showed that upon application of the gentamicin-particle mixture, there were no gold NPs in the zone of bacterial-growth suppression in agar. Yet, free NPs diffused into the agar. These facts are in conflict with the earlier findings indicating an enhancement of the bacterial activity of similar gentamicin–gold nanoparticle mixtures. The possible causes for these discrepancies are discussed, and the suggestion is made that a necessary condition for enhancement of antibacterial activity is the preparation of stable conjugates of NPs coated with the antibiotic molecules.
What’s in an intron? CCN1 mRNA splicing in cancer
Authors: Leask Andrew
Published: April 2009

The CCN family of matricellular signaling regulators shares a common domain structure. Variants of individual CCN proteins exist, which contain different combinations of these domains. Although mRNA splicing is likely to play a key role on CCN biology, this hypothesis has not been thoroughly tested. In a recent report, Hirschfeld and colleagues (Cancer Res 69:2082‐90, 2009), show that CCN1 (cyr61) mRNA is normally present in a form in which intron 3 is retained. In cancers, or upon hypoxia, intron 3 is removed resulting in the appearance of CCN1 protein. The significance of this paper is discussed.
Induction of genomic instability in cultured human colon epithelial cells following exposure to isocyanates
Authors: Mishra Pradyumna Kumar , Bhargava Arpit , Raghuram Gorantla Venkata , Jatawa Suresh Kumar , Akhtar Nabila , Khan Saba , Tiwari Archana , Maudar Kewal Krishan
Published: April 2009

The toxic response of cultured human colon epithelial‐FHC cells to methyl isocyanate was investigated with regard to genomic instability. Qualitative and quantitative assessments of the extent of phosphorylation of DNA damage signaling factors such as ATM, γH2AX and p53, was increased in treated cells compared to controls. At the same time, many treated cells were arrested at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, and had an elevated apoptotic index and increased inflammatory cytokine levels. Cytogenetic analyses revealed varied chromosomal anomalies, with abnormal expression of pericentrin protein. Analysis through ISSR PCR demonstrated increased microsatellite instability. The results imply that isocyanates can cause genomic instability in colonocytes.
Cytoplasmic interaction with CYCLE promotes the post‐translational processing of the circadian CLOCK protein
Authors: Maurer Christian , Hung Hsiu-Cheng , Weber Frank
Published: April 2009

CLK (uniprotkb:O61735) binds (MI:0407) to Cyc (uniprotkb:O61734) by pull down (MI:0096)
An alternative spliced mouse presenilin‐2 mRNA encodes a novel γ‐secretase inhibitor
Authors: Suzuki Yoshihiro , Ohta Kazunori , Itoh Masanori , Sakoh-Sumitomo Yukari , Mitsuda Teruhiko , Ueda Masashi , Hayakawa-Yano Yoshika , Li Shimo , Hida Yoko , Inuzuka Takashi , Jung Yong-Keun , Nakagawa Toshiyuki
Published: April 2009

MINT‐7025631: APH1 (uniprotkb:Q96BI3) physically interacts (MI:0218) with NCT (uniprotkb:Q92542), PEN2 (uniprotkb:Q9NZ42) and PS1 (uniprotkb:P49769) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)
The Miro GTPases: At the heart of the mitochondrial transport machinery
Authors: Reis Katarina , Fransson Åsa , Aspenström Pontus
Published: April 2009

Mitochondria are organelles of elaborate structure that in addition to supplying cellular energy, have significant roles in calcium homeostasis and apoptosis. Failure to maintain mitochondrial dynamics results in neurodegenerative diseases and neuromuscular pathologies. The Miro GTPases, which constitute a unique subgroup of the Ras superfamily, have emerged as essential regulators of mitochondrial morphogenesis and trafficking along microtubules. Miro GTPases function as calcium‐dependent sensors in the control of mitochondrial motility. Increased awareness of the biological function of Miro GTPases can contribute to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying diseases caused by deregulated mitochondrial dynamics.
Small organic probes as amyloid specific ligands – Past and recent molecular scaffolds
Authors: Nilsson K. Peter R.
Published: April 2009

Molecular probes for selective staining and imaging of protein aggregates, such as amyloid, are important to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein misfolding diseases and also for obtaining an early and accurate clinical diagnosis of these disorders. Since normal immunohistochemical reagents, such as antibodies have shown limitation for identifying protein aggregates both in vitro and in vivo, small organic probes have been utilized as amyloid specific markers. In this review, past and recent molecular scaffolds that have been utilized for the development of small organic amyloid imaging agents are discussed.
Next‐generation sequencing approaches in genetic rodent model systems to study functional effects of human genetic variation
Authors: Guryev Victor , Cuppen Edwin
Published: April 2009

Rapid advances in DNA sequencing improve existing techniques and enable new approaches in genetics and functional genomics, bringing about unprecedented coverage, resolution and sensitivity. Enhanced toolsets can facilitate the untangling of connections between genomic variation, environmental factors and phenotypic effects, providing novel opportunities, but may also pose challenges in data interpretation, especially in highly heterogeneous human populations. Laboratory rodent strains, however, offer a variety of tailored model systems with controlled genetic backgrounds, facilitating complex genotype/phenotype relationship studies. In this review we discuss the advent of massively parallel sequencing, its methodological advantage for molecular analysis in model organisms and the expectation of increased understanding of biologically relevant consequences of human genetic variation.
BS69 negatively regulates the canonical NF‐κB activation induced by Epstein–Barr virus‐derived LMP1
Authors: Ikeda Osamu , Sekine Yuichi , Mizushima Akihiro , Oritani Kenji , Yasui Teruhito , Fujimuro Masahiro , Muromoto Ryuta , Nanbo Asuka , Matsuda Tadashi
Published: April 2009

MINT‐7032478: LMP1 (uniprotkb:P03230) physically interacts (MI:0218) with BRAM1 (uniprotkb:Q15326) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)
Estradiol promotes proliferation of dopaminergic precursors resulting in a higher proportion of dopamine neurons derived from mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Díaz Néstor F. , Díaz‐Martínez Néstor E. , Camacho‐Arroyo Ignacio , Velasco Iván
Published: April 2009

Estradiol protects dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra from toxic insults. Such neurons succumb in Parkinson's disease; one strategy for restoring dopamine deficiency is cell therapy with neurons differentiated from embryonic stem cells. We investigated the effects of 17β‐estradiol on dopaminergic induction of embryonic stem cells using the 5‐stage protocol. Cells were incubated with different steroid concentrations during the proliferation (stage 4) or differentiation (stage 5) phases. Estradiol added at nM concentrations only during stage 4 increases the proliferation of dopaminergic precursors expressing Lmx1a, inducing a higher proportion of dopamine neurons at stage 5. These actions were mediated by activation of estrogen receptors, because co‐incubation of cells with estradiol and ICI 182,780 completely abolished the positive effect on both proliferation of committed precursors, and subsequent differentiation to dopaminergic neurons. Our results suggest that estradiol should be useful in producing higher proportions of dopamine neurons from embryonic stem cells aimed for treating Parkinson's disease.
Oral misoprostol versus intracervical prostaglandin E2 gel for active management of premature rupture of membranes at term
Authors: Nagpal Monika B. , Raghunandan Chitra , Saili Arvind
Published: April 2009

Objective

To compare the efficacy and safety of oral misoprostol with intracervical prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) gel for the active management of premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at term.

Methods

Women with pregnancies between 37 and 42 weeks presenting with PROM at term and a Bishop score of 5 or less were randomly assigned to receive either a 4‐hourly oral dose of 50 µg of misoprostol up to a maximum of 3 doses or 2 applications of intracervical PGE2 gel at a 6‐hour interval. Oxytocin was given if labor had not started after 12 hours.

Results

Twenty women in the misoprostol group (n = 31) delivered within 12 hours compared with 5 in the PGE2 group (n = 30) (P < 0.001). The induction‐to‐delivery interval in the misoprostol group was shorter than in the PGE2 gel group (615 min vs 1070 min; P < 0.001). The mode of delivery was comparable between the 2 groups (P = 0.821). Abnormalities in uterine contractions and neonatal outcomes were also comparable. The requirement for oxytocin was lower and patient satisfaction was better in the misoprostol group.

Conclusion

Oral misoprostol is a safe and efficacious alternative to intracervical PGE2 gel in the active management of PROM at term.
Unerwünschte Wirkungen von Impfstoffen
Authors: Schneeweiß Burkhard
Published: April 2009

Einleitung

Impfstoffe sind Arzneimittel, die präventiv zur Verhütung von Infektionskrankheiten eingesetzt werden. Die über 200jährige Impfgeschichte ist eine Erfolgsgeschichte. Die Pocken wurden durch systematische Impfungen ausgerottet. Nächste Eradikationsziele der WHO sind Poliomyelitis und Masern.

Den Impferfolgen – Schutz des Einzelnen und bei hinreichend hohen Impfquoten auch der Gemeinschaft – stehen unerwünschte Arzneimittelwirkungen (UAW) gegenüber. Wie jedes Arzneimittel hat auch jeder Impfstoff Nebenwirkungen. Diese muss der Impfarzt kennen und darüber seinen Impfling bzw. dessen Sorgeberechtigten aufklären. Der Aufklärungspflicht hat der Impfarzt nicht nur aus juristischen Gründen große Aufmerksamkeit zu widmen.
Über die Bedeutung von Schutzimpfungen
Authors: Reiter Sabine
Published: April 2009

Einleitung

Infektionskrankheiten stellten in der Vergangenheit die häufigste Todesursache dar. Schutzimpfungen, die Verbesserung der Hygiene, der Ernährung und der therapeutischen Möglichkeiten sowie die Bereitstellung sauberen Trinkwassers haben weltweit zu einem drastischen Rückgang der Infektionskrankheiten geführt. Impfungen gehören damit zu den wirksamsten und wichtigsten präventiven Maßnahmen in der Medizin.
HumanDirofilaria repensinfection in Serbia
Authors: Džamić A.M. , Čolović I.V. , Arsić-Arsenijević V.S. , Stepanović S. , Boričić I. , Džamić Z. , Mitrović S.M. , Rašić D.M. , Stefanović I. , Latković Z. , Kranjčić-Zec I.F.
Published: April 2009

Human infection byDirofilaria repensin Serbia has been increasing steadily. The first case was reported in 1971, presented in the form of a single subcutaneous nodule on the back of a young boy. As established by a literature search, eight additional cases were reported until mid-2001. The most frequent site of infection was subcutaneous tissue, with the exception of two cases, in which parasites were found in subconjunctiva and epididymis. Our study, conducted from 2001 to 2008, encompasses 19 new cases. Most of them (63.1%) presented as ocular or periocular infections, in which the parasite was typically found under the conjunctiva. In other cases a parasitic nodule was localized in the temporal region of the head, epididymis, testicle, abdomen, breast or arm. The diagnosis was made by morphological and histological analysis of the extracted intact worms and parasite sections from the tissue. Morphology of the filarial worms was well preserved in more than half of the cases (12/19) and there was never more than one parasite found inside the lesions. Adult worms and immature nematodes were observed in nine and seven cases, respectively. Furthermore, in two cases microfilariae were discovered inside the pseudocoelom, sections of the female reproductive tubes filled with clearly visible larval stages.Dirofilaria repensinfection was diagnosed by its morphological features (17/19) or by performing polymerase chain reactions (PCR) using paraffin-embedded tissues (2/19) in the cases where the morphology was insufficient for identification and the parasites had been determined initially asDirofilariaspp. The amplified 246 bp PCR product showed that the worms wereD. repens.
New insights into the biology of filarial infections
Authors: Specht S. , Wanji S.
Published: April 2009

Recent successes in the control of lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis need continuing research in order to sustain the achievements and to develop further tools to tackle the new questions that arise when only reduced infection prevalences prevail. In this regard, in a symposium held at the Xth European Multicolloquium of Parasitology (August 2008, Paris) questions such as the impact of filarial immunosuppression, and its lack following filarial control, on the outcome of co-infections were addressed, as were new approaches to treatment with promising drugs such as moxidectin or the antibiotic chemotherapy against Wolbachia endosymbionts in filariae. In particular, longer treatment courses of doxycycline could be carried out by community-directed treatment at high coverage, thus potentially allowing its use in restricted areas with suboptimal responses to ivermectin against onchocerciasis, or in areas with co-infection by loiasis where onchocerciasis or lymphatic filariasis need to be controlled. New, more potent drugs, or eventually vaccines, will be of importance because in many vector–filarial parasite relationships worldwide, transmission efficacy increases with low numbers of ingested microfilariae, and since ivermectin may render treated hosts more susceptible to new infection.
The genusProsphaerosyllis(Polychaeta: Syllidae: Exogoninae) in Brazil, with description of a new species
Authors: Fukuda Marcelo V. , Yunda-Guarin Gustavo , Nogueira João M. M.
Published: April 2009

In studies carried out off the north-eastern and south-eastern coast of Brazil, three species ofProsphaerosylliswere found:P. isabellae, which was already recorded for Brazilian waters;P. xarifae, a newly recorded species for the area; and P.brachycephalasp. nov., a new to science species.Prosphaerosyllis brachycephalasp. nov., is characterized by having swollen anterior part of the body, prostomium retractable within the peristomium and anterior segments, short antennae, short peristomial and dorsal cirri, and falcigers with short, unidentate blades throughout. All these species are herein described and compared to the most similar congeners.
Cue synergy inLittorina littoreanavigation following wave dislodgement
Authors: Chapperon Coraline , Seuront Laurent
Published: April 2009

Under the assumption that dislodged intertidal gastropods have developed some adaptations to return to their original habitat, we investigated the cues involved in the navigation ability ofLittorina littorea, following a simulated wave-dislodgement. Return rates decreased by 2 and 4-fold in the absence of chemical cues at the surface of the sediment and the rock, respectively. The 19-fold decrease in return rates observed in the absence of both cues suggests their synergistic effect onL. littoreanavigation. Chemoreception might be much more involved in the navigation and the survival of intertidal gastropods following wave dislodgement than previously thought.
A new species ofArchinome(Polychaeta: Archinomidae) from hydrothermal vents on the Pacific–Antarctic Ridge 37°S
Authors: Fiege Dieter , Bock Gordon
Published: April 2009

Archinome storchisp. nov. is described as the second species of the family Archinomidae. The specimens were collected from a hydrothermal vent site in 2212 m depth on the Pacific–Antarctic Ridge at 37° S. It differs fromArchinome rosaceamainly in the position of the anus, the first appearance of branchiae and the length of the nuchal cirrus. Additional specimens ofA. rosaceacollected from hydrothermal vent locations in the North Fiji Basin and on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge were used for morphological comparison. A synoptic table of characters is given forA. rosaceaandA. storchisp. nov. together with a list of records for Archinomidae compiled from the literature.
Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) in north-western France: aerial survey, opportunistic sightings and strandings monitoring
Authors: Jung J.-L. , Stéphan E. , Louis M. , Alfonsi E. , Liret C. , Carpentier F.-G. , Hassani S.
Published: April 2009

The harbour porpoise(Phocoena phocoena)is one of the common small cetaceans of European waters. This discreet and undemonstrative species is strongly represented throughout the cold waters of the northern hemisphere, and is the most abundant cetacean in the North Sea. In the last few years, some observations and studies indicate a shift of harbour porpoise distribution in European waters, from northern regions of the North Sea to the southern North Sea, English Channel and Celtic Sea. This shift may include a comeback around the coasts of France. Harbour porpoises inhabit shelf-waters and are often observed in shallow waters, conditions offered for instance by the coasts of Brittany in north-western France. We used opportunistic sightings, aerial survey and a ten-year strandings database to study the presence of harbour porpoises along the coasts of Brittany. Opportunistic sightings made by non-specialists did not confirm a strong presence of harbour porpoises along the Brittany coasts, most probably because of the undemonstrative behaviour of this cetacean. However, aerial survey and stranding analysis indicate that harbour porpoises have become natural inhabitants of the Brittany coasts once more: 68.6% of cetacean school sightings made during a 1578 km aerial survey of the Brittany coasts concerned harbour porpoises, with an encounter rate of 1.5 individuals per 100 km that peaked to 5.8 per 100 km to the top of the shallow waters of the south-western Western English Channel. The number of harbour porpoise strandings increased each year from 1997 to 2007, making a total of 135 along the coasts of Brittany. Other cetaceans did not show such an increase during the same period. Strandings of harbour porpoises were also characterized by an apparent increase as a proportion in relation to all the cetacean strandings during the months of September to January, by a marked impact of by-catch during winter, and by an almost total absence of stranded calves. The comeback of the harbour porpoise along Brittany coasts is clearly confirmed by our data, and a stable population seems to be established again along the coasts of Brittany. This tends to confirm the shift of the distribution of the species in certain European waters. Long term monitoring, diet and genetic studies are now planned for a better understanding of this shift, and for the effective implementation of a conservation plan.
Mortality and cause of death among psychiatric patients: a 20-year case-register study in an area with a community-based system of care
Authors: Grigoletti L. , Perini G. , Rossi A. , Biggeri A. , Barbui C. , Tansella M. , Amaddeo F.
Published: April 2009

Background

Most mortality studies of psychiatric patients published to date have been conducted in hospital-based systems of care. This paper describes a study of the causes of death and associated risk factors among psychiatric patients who were followed up over a 20-year period in an area where psychiatric care is entirely provided by community-based psychiatric services.

Method

All subjects in contact with the South Verona Community-based Mental Health Service (CMHS) over a 20-year period with an ICD-10 psychiatric diagnosis were included. Of these 6956 patients, 938 died during the study period. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and Poisson multiple regressions were used to assess the excess of mortality in the sample compared with the general population.

Results

The overall SMR of the psychiatric patients was 1.88. Mortality was significantly high among out-patients [SMR 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.6–1.8], and higher still following the first admission (SMR 2.61, 95% CI 2.4–2.9). The SMR for infectious diseases was higher among younger patients and extremely high in patients with diagnoses of drug addiction (216.40, 95% CI 142.5–328.6) and personality disorders (20.87, 95% CI 5.2–83.4).

Conclusions

This study found that psychiatric patients in contact with a CMHS have an almost twofold higher mortality rate than the general population. These findings demonstrate that, since the closure of long-stay psychiatric hospitals, the physical health care of people with mental health problems is often neglected and clearly requires greater attention by health-care policymakers, services and professionals.
Intensive practice of a cognitive task is associated with enhanced functional integration in schizophrenia
Authors: Schlösser R. , Koch K. , Wagner G. , Schultz C. , Röbel M. , Schachtzabel C. , Reichenbach J. R. , Sauer H.
Published: April 2009

Background

There is increasing evidence that the frequently reported working memory impairments in schizophrenia might be partly due to an alteration in the functional connectivity between task-relevant areas. However, little is known about the functional connectivity patterns in schizophrenia patients during learning processes. In a previous study, Koch et al. [Neuroscience (2007) 146, 1474–1483] have demonstrated stronger exponential activation decreases in schizophrenia patients during overlearning of short-term memory material. The question arises whether these differential temporal patterns of activation in schizophrenia patients and controls are going along with changes in task-related functional connectivity.

Method

Therefore, in the current study, 13 patients with schizophrenia and 13 controls were studied while performing a short-term memory task associated with increasing overlearning of verbal stimulus material. Functional connectivity was investigated by analyses of psychophysiological interactions (PPI).

Results

Results revealed significant task-related modulation of functional connectivity between the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and a network including the right DLPFC, left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, premotor cortex, right inferior parietal cortex, left and right cerebellum as well as the left occipital lobe in patients during the course of overlearning and practice. No significant PPI results were detectable in controls.

Conclusions

Activation changes with practice were associated with high functional connectivity between task-relevant areas in schizophrenia patients. This could be interpreted as a compensatory resource allocation and network integration in the context of cortical inefficiency and may be a specific neurophysiological signature underlying the pathophysiology of schizophrenia.
Factor markets in Nieboer conditions: pre-colonial West Africa, c.1500–c.1900
Authors: AUSTIN GARETH
Published: April 2009

This article reviews the history of factor markets in pre-colonial West Africa, both during and after the Atlantic slave trade. The forms and volume of these markets strongly reflected the natural and technological environment, and a horizontally and vertically uneven distribution of coercive and purchasing power. The general abundance of land and absence of economies of scale in production militated against contracting for land and free labour. Hence the most widespread and large-scale factor market was in slaves. Capital and credit were transacted mostly within networks of trust and/or on the security of human pawns. With considerable social costs, variously reinforced and restricted by states, pawning and (especially) the intra-West-African slave trade channelled labour into the production of commodities for sale, contributing to the nineteenth-century growth of certain coastal and interior economies. It was only in the latter era that land rights began to be commercialized. This was not a response to a general shift in factor ratios, but rather to demand for specific kinds of land in specific places, stimulated by the growth of export markets for agricultural commodities.
Factor markets in England before the Black Death
Authors: CAMPBELL BRUCE M. S.
Published: April 2009

Modern English factor markets originated during the two centuries of active commercialization that preceded the Black Death. An active labour market was established by the late twelfth century. Evolution of a land market followed the legal reforms of the 1170s and 1180s, which created legally secure and defensible property rights in land. These rights stimulated growth of a capital market, since land became a security against which credit could be obtained. Nevertheless, none of these nascent factor markets functioned unconstrained and each became embedded in legal, tenurial, and institutional complexities and rigidities which it took later generations centuries to reform.
Changes in factor markets in the Ottoman Empire, 1500–1800
Authors: PAMUK ŞEVKET
Published: April 2009

The most important determinant of Ottoman economic institutions and their evolution in the early modern era needs to be sought in the Empire's social structure and political economy. Merchants and producers were never in a position to influence the state elites and to push for institutional changes that would favour the growth of the private sector. As a result, many of the key institutions of the Ottoman order, including the state ownership of land and the urban guilds, remained intact until the nineteenth century. In contrast, institutions related to state borrowing changed significantly. This difference in the political power of different groups explains – better than geography or resource endowments, Islam or culture – the striking divergence in the trajectory of different factor markets.
Factor markets and the narrative of economic change in India, 1750–1950
Authors: ROY TIRTHANKAR
Published: April 2009

This article revisits an argument that land, labour and credit market transactions in India were restructured by colonialism and globalization, in a manner that left peasants and labourers worse off than before. It shows that the process of change was more diverse than this approach considers, and that it was shaped also by social institutions. I argue further that growth and welfare outcomes of the process cannot be fully understood in terms of market imperfection and state policy. For that purpose, it is necessary to pay more attention to environmental factors and local society.
Land, labour and market forces in Tokugawa Japan
Authors: SAITO OSAMU
Published: April 2009

This article examines the markets for land and labour in traditional Japan, where peasant families accounted for 80 per cent of the population; it focuses on the extent of these markets and how they operated. The survey of evidence, both literary and statistical, indicates that, while the size of the factor markets was small and limited, lease arrangements for farmland and the markets for seasonal labour and the rural–urban transfer of manpower functioned rather well. It is therefore suggested that market forces must have played an indispensable part in the process of Tokugawa Japan's proto-industrialization and Smithian growth.
Is driving a car a risk for Legionnaires' disease?
Authors: SAKAMOTO R. , OHNO A. , NAKAHARA T. , SATOMURA K. , IWANAGA S. , KOUYAMA Y. , KURA F. , NOAMI M. , KUSAKA K. , FUNATO T. , TAKEDA M. , MATSUBAYASHI K. , OKUMIYA K. , KATO N. , YAMAGUCHI K.
Published: April 2009

Legionnaires' disease (LD) is a major cause of severe community-acquired pneumonia but the source and mode of transmission are not always apparent, especially in sporadic cases. We hypothesized that LD can be acquired from the air-conditioning systems of motor cars. Swabs were taken from the evaporator compartments of the air-conditioning system of scrapped cars. Healthy subjects who were mainly employees of regional transportation companies were tested for antibody toLegionella pneumophilaserogroups 1–6; they also completed a questionnaire.Legionellaspecies were detected in 11/22 scrapped cars by the loop-mediated isothermal amplification method. The prevalence of microplate agglutination titres ⩾1:32 was significantly higher in subjects who sometimes used car air-conditioning systems. Although we did not prove a direct link betweenLegionellaspp. in the car evaporator and LD, our findings point to a potential risk of car air-conditioning systems in LD, which needs further investigation.
Temperature dependent Fe2+→Fe3+ electron delocalization in ilvaite
Authors: Nolet D. A. , Burns R. G.
Published: April 2009

The observation of an “electron hopping phenomenon” in ilvaite, CaFe22+Fe3+ Si208(OH), has been made by previous workers. The effect of temperature on Fe2+→Fe3+ electron delocalization in ilvaite is closely investigated in the present study. Mössbauer spectra of a suite of naturally‐occurring ilvaites were recorded over a range of temperatures, 80K to 575K. Delocalization is readily confirmed in the spectra with appearance of species with parameters intermediate to Fe2+ and Fe3+. Contrary to prior investigations, five doublets are required to fit the spectra and are assigned to Fe3+(A), Fe2+(A), Fe2+(B), and Fe2+(A)→Fe3+(A) ∥c and ⊥c. Doublets associated with delocalization are resolved at 80K and preclude the use of an order‐disorder transition model. We propose a thermal activation model and draw some implications for geophysical applications.