bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modeling and analysis of mobile business processes
Authors: Gruhn V. , Köhler A. , Klawes R. 
Published: October 2007

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to present results from an analysis of service processes regarding their optimization potential through mobile technologies. The analysis was performed with a company of the housing industry.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis was conducted with the aim of organizing business processes more efficiently in order to realize cost savings. Therefore, a method introduced in this paper was used.FindingsIt is shown how the initial situation of the company was analyzed, which alternative process models on the basis of mobile technologies were developed and how these alternatives were economically evaluated. Furthermore, first restrictions for the software and system design were identified on the basis of one process model. Finally, it is shown how the method can be used to verify whether the adoption of mobile technologies is suitable to obtain a defined goal, and which requirements such a solution needs to fulfill.Originality/valueThis paper shows practitioners how to conduct a systematic analysis of business processes regarding their optimization potential through mobile technologies.
An alternative excited‐state proton transfer pathway in green fluorescent protein variant S205V
Authors: Shu Xiaokun , Leiderman Pavel , Gepshtein Rinat , Smith Nicholas R. , Kallio Karen , Huppert Dan , Remington S. James 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWild‐type green fluorescent protein (wt‐GFP) has a prominent absorbance band centered at ∼395 nm, attributed to the neutral chromophore form. The green emission arising upon excitation of this band results from excited‐state proton transfer (ESPT) from the chromophore hydroxyl, through a hydrogen‐bond network proposed to consist of a water molecule and Ser205, to Glu222. Although evidence for Glu222 as a terminal proton acceptor has already been obtained, no evidence for the participation of Ser205 in the proton transfer process exists. To examine the role of Ser205 in the proton transfer, we mutated Ser205 to valine. However, the derived GFP variant S205V, upon excitation at 400 nm, still produces green fluorescence. Time‐resolved emission spectroscopy suggests that ESPT contributes to the green fluorescence, and that the proton transfer takes place ∼30 times more slowly than in wt‐GFP. The crystal structure of S205V reveals rearrangement of Glu222 and Thr203, forming a new hydrogen‐bonding network. We propose this network to be an alternative ESPT pathway with distinctive features that explain the significantly slowed rate of proton transfer. In support of this proposal, the double mutant S205V/T203V is shown to be a novel blue fluorescent protein containing a tyrosine‐based chromophore, yet is incapable of ESPT. The results have implications for the detailed mechanism of ESPT and the photocycle of wt‐GFP, in particular for the structures of spectroscopically identified intermediates in the cycle.
Efficacy of interferon‐γ in patients with refractory bullous pemphigoid
Authors: NAKAMA Takekuni , ISHII Norito , ONO Fumitake , HAMADA Takahiro , YASUMOTO Shinichiro , HASHIMOTO Takashi 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTBullous pemphigoid (BP) usually responds well to conventional therapies, although some severe cases show less response to various therapies or develop side‐effects due to long‐term drug administration using high doses. Most BP patients are elderly and are thus prone to systemic deterioration or unfavorable outcome. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of interferon‐γ on severe BP patients resistant to conventional therapies. Interferon‐γ was administered to 10 severe BP patients at a dose of 2 million Japan reference units (JRU) once a day for 7 consecutive days by i.v. infusion in addition to oral corticosteroids. The degree of improvement in the clinical symptoms, serum interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐5, and plasma RANTES concentrations, as well as the results of indirect immunofluorescence and BP180 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay index values, were compared before and after the 7‐day drug administration. Among the nine patients whose clinical symptoms were evaluated, an improvement was observed in all patients. Except for one patient, the serum IL‐4 concentrations decreased and similar results were observed for the serum IL‐5 concentration. All five patients in whom the plasma RANTES concentration was measured showed decreased levels. The indirect immunofluorescence titers decreased in only four patients. However, in seven patients in whom index values of BP180 enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay were evaluated, all patients showed significant decrease of the index values. These results suggest that, in severe BP patients refractory to conventional therapies, interferon‐γ in addition to oral corticosteroids is effective and thus should be considered for further clinical use.
IgG/IgA pemphigus with dyskeratotic acantholysis and intraepidermal neutrophilic microabscesses
Authors: NAKAJIMA Kimiko , HASHIMOTO Takashi , NAKAJIMA Hideki , YOKOGAWA Maki , IKEDA Mitsunori , KODAMA Hajime 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTHerpetiform vesicles and erythema with erosion developed on the trunk of a 48‐year‐old Japanese man. Acantholysis was observed in the spinous layer of the lesional epidermis and direct immunofluorescence revealed cell surface deposition of immunoglobulin IgG and C3. Indirect immunofluorescence could not detect circulating anti‐cell surface antibodies. Immunoblot analysis detected neither anti‐desmoglein (Dsg)1 antibody nor anti‐Dsg3 antibody. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay could detect IgG and IgA anti‐Dsg1 antibodies and IgA anti‐Dsg3 antibody, in addition to a gray zone titer of IgG anti‐Dsg3 antibody. Intraepidermal neutrophilic infiltration with neutrophilic microabscesses and intense dyskeratotic cells were histopathologically characteristic in this case. Skin lesions improved within 1 month and remission has continued for 9 years under oral administration of dapsone.
Autopsy case of systemic sclerosis with severe pulmonary hypertension
Authors: NAGAI Yayoi , YAMANAKA Masayoshi , HASHIMOTO Chie , NAKANO Akihiko , HASEGAWA Akira , TANAKA Yuko , YOKOO Hideaki , NAKAZATO Yoichi , ISHIKAWA Osamu 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTWe report an autopsy case of a 60‐year‐old Japanese woman who died 27 years after the onset of systemic sclerosis and 4 years after the diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Oral administration of bosentan was effective in improving her dyspnea but had to be stopped because of drug eruption along with fever and eosinophilia. During hospitalization for the treatment of multiple skin ulcers and gangrene, she suddenly complained of severe respiratory difficulty, followed by bradycardia, unconsciousness and cardiopulmonary arrest. The autopsy revealed concentric intimal proliferation and marked luminal obstruction in many small‐ and medium‐sized vessels of the lungs. In addition to right ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation, similar vascular changes were also present in the myocardial tissue and the atrioventricular node. In our patient, these marked vascular changes caused pulmonary hypertension followed by the severe right heart failure. The vascular changes in the atrioventricular node were suspected as the cause of a fatal arrhythmia leading to sudden death.
Case of adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma manifesting marked purpura
Authors: OKADA Junna , IMAFUKU Shinichi , TSUJITA Jun , MOROI Yoichi , URABE Kazunori , FURUE Masutaka 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTWe present a case of a 62‐year‐old woman with marked purpura, first appearing on both legs, then spreading over the whole body, including the face. At presentation, the patient was thought to have Henoch–Schonlein purpura. However, a skin biopsy from a purpuric lesion revealed prominent infiltrations of atypical lymphocytes into the papillary dermis and marked extravasation of erythrocytes through the epidermis and upper dermis. Antibody to human T‐lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV‐1) was present in the serum and samples from skin lesions revealed HTLV‐1 proviral DNA integration, as well as a clonal T‐cell receptor Cβ1 gene rearrangement. We therefore diagnosed this case as adult T‐cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL), and the purpuric lesions as ATL‐specific. Soon after the initiation of chemotherapy, these purpuric lesions began to resolve with pigmentation.
Case of purpura fulminans due to septicemia after artificial abortion
Authors: ICHIMIYA Makoto , TAKITA Yuko , YAMAGUCHI Michiya , MUTO Masahiko 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTWe describe a case of purpura fulminans due to septicemia after artificial abortion. Our patient suffered purpuric progressive skin necrosis on the back, extremities and buttock. Rhabdomyolysis involvement was confirmed by high level of creatinine phosphokinase and appearance of much brownish discharge from necrotic gluteal muscle and latissimus dorsi muscle. Amputation of both feet and second, third, fourth and fifth fingers of the right hand was performed. The buttock lesion was reconstructed with the posterolateral thigh V‐Y flap after debridement. Other lesions were covered with split‐thickness skin grafts.
Erythropoietic protoporphyria with eye complications
Authors: TSUBOI Hiromi , YONEMOTO Kohzoh , KATSUOKA Kensei 
Published: October 2007

ABSTRACTWe herein report a case of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) complicated by a decrease in eyesight that occurred in a Japanese male. An ophthalmologist initially thought that the eyesight loss might be the result of idiopathic optic nerve atrophy due to a vascular obstruction in the fundus. There are no previous reports of EPP cases with eye complications. However, an eye abnormality has been reported in an animal model of protoporphyria after long‐term, low‐level exposure to blue light. As a result, in our case, it is therefore possible that a relationship may have existed between EPP and the onset of eye complications.
Phase III study to evaluate the use of high‐dose chemotherapy as consolidation of treatment for high‐risk postoperative breast cancer: Japan Clinical Oncology Group study, JCOG 9208
Authors: Tokuda Yutaka , Tajima Tomoo , Narabayashi Masaru , Takeyama Kunihiko , Watanabe Toru , Fukutomi Takashi , Chou Takaaki , Sano Muneaki , Igarashi Tadahiko , Sasaki Yasutsuna , Ogura Michinori , Miura Shigeto , Okamoto Shin‐ichiro , Ogita Masami , Kasai Masaharu , Kobayashi Tadashi , Fukuda Haruhiko , Takashima Shigemitsu , Tobinai Kensei ,   the members of the Autologous Bone Marrow Transplantation Study Group,   the Breast Cancer Study Group of the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG)
Published: October 2007

A randomized controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of high‐dose chemotherapy (HDC) as consolidation of the treatment of high‐risk postoperative breast cancer. Patients under 56 years of age with stage I to IIIB breast cancer involving 10 or more axillary lymph nodes were eligible. The primary endpoint was relapse‐free survival (RFS). Between May 1993 and March 1999, 97 patients were enrolled, and two patients became ineligible. The median age of the 97 patients was 46 years (range 27–55 years), and 72 (74%) were premenopausal. The median number of involved axillary nodes was 16 (range 10–49). All patients had undergone a radical mastectomy. Major characteristics were well balanced between the treatment arms. Forty‐eight patients in the standard‐dose (STD) arm received six courses of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and 5‐fluorouracil followed by tamoxifen. Forty‐nine patients were assigned to undergo HDC with cyclophosphamide and thiotepa after six courses of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and 5‐fluorouracil followed by tamoxifen; however, 15 of these patients (31%) did not undergo HDC. HDC was well tolerated without any treatment‐related mortality. At a median follow‐up of 63 months, the 5‐year RFS of 47 eligible patients in the STD arm and 48 eligible patients in the HDC arm was 37% and 52% on an intent‐to‐treat basis, respectively (P = 0.17). Five‐year overall survival of all randomized patients was 62% for the STD arm and 63% for the HDC arm (P = 0.78). Although the prespecified values of the two arms were not so accurate as to allow detection of the observed difference, no advantage of HDC was observed in terms of RFS or overall survival. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 145–151)
Short‐term survival and long‐term mortality of Acacia drepanolobium after a controlled burn
Authors: Okello B. D. , Young T. P. , Riginos C. , Kelly D. , O’Connor T. G. 
Published: October 2007

AbstractWe investigated the short‐ and long‐term effects of a controlled burn in Acacia drepanolobium woodland in Laikipia, Kenya in 1998. Fire temperatures averaged 250°C at ground level, with a maximum of over 500°C, but were rarely >100°C at 1.5 m above the ground or more. Nine months after the fire, virtually all A. drepanolobium trees had survived the fire. Some smaller trees were burnt to ground level, but most were only ‘top‐killed’ and had coppiced. Taller trees suffered less damage than smaller trees. However, a 2003 satellite image suggested a dramatic reduction in A. drepanolobium canopy cover at the site. A survey of the site in 2006 revealed that the density of larger A. drepanolobium trees was nearly three times greater in adjacent control areas than in the old burn, with a lesser reduction in the density of smaller trees. These data suggest that short‐term measures of postburn survivorship may be deceptive, and that an additional source of tree mortality (perhaps elephants) was concentrated on trees in burned areas, even many months after the burn, with long‐term consequences for tree and ecosystem dynamics.
Analysis of polymorphisms in the insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) gene from Japanese quail selected for body weight
Authors: Moe H. H. , Shimogiri T. , Kamihiraguma W. , Isobe H. , Kawabe K. , Okamoto S. , Minvielle F. , Maeda Y. 
Published: October 2007

Summary Insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) is essential for the signalling of growth. In this study, we performed single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection in the Japanese quail IGF1R coding region and an association study between SNPs and body weight in two lines (SS and LL) selected for large and small body weight. Of 21 SNPs obtained, a SNP at position AB292766:c.2293G>A led to the replacement of a valine with an isoleucine (V765I). The two lines were fixed for alternate alleles, with allele encoding valine fixed in the LL line. A significant effect of the SNP genotype was found on 10‐week body weight (P < 0.01) and on 4‐ to 10‐week and 6‐ to 10‐week average daily gain (P < 0.05) in the F2 family obtained from lines LL and SS. In six populations maintained in Japan or France, the frequency of allele encoding valine was higher than the allele encoding isoleucine.
Overview of the human pharmacokinetics of recombinant activated factor VII
Authors: Klitgaard Thomas , Nielsen Tina G. 
Published: October 2007

AIMSTo review the pharmacokinetics of rFVIIa in various patient populations, and to discuss the differences observed between groups.METHODSBased on a registry of Novo Nordisk studies, 14 studies evaluating rFVIIa pharmacokinetics following single and multiple bolus administration in healthy volunteers, adult and paediatric patients with congenital haemophilia and inhibitors, patients undergoing liver surgery and in patients with cirrhosis, inherited FVII deficiency, upper gastrointestinal bleeding or severe trauma were identified. Data on rFVIIa PK, analyzed with noncompartmental and population pharmacokinetic methods, were extracted.RESULTSPlasma clearance was a more robust parameter than half‐life for comparing rFVIIa pharmacokinetics between groups. In healthy volunteers and patients with no or low‐level bleeding (e.g. adults with haemophilia, nonbleeding patients with cirrhosis), plasma clearance was relatively low (30–40 ml kg−1 h−1). In children with haemophilia and adults with high‐level bleeding (e.g. cirrhotic patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation or resection) and patients with congenital FVII deficiency, plasma clearance was relatively higher (60–90 ml kg−1 h−1).CONCLUSIONSComparison of plasma clearance rates in different patient populations suggested that subjects fall into two distinct groups. These differences may have clinical implications in terms of how to adapt the rFVIIa dosing regimen, depending on the expected bleeding rate/blood loss and underlying disease.
The effect of age, gender, and body mass index on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vildagliptin in healthy volunteers
Authors: He Yan‐Ling , Sabo Ron , Campestrini Joelle , Wang Yibin , Riviere Gilles‐Jacques , Nielsen Jace C. , Rosenberg Mitchell , Ligueros‐Saylan Monica , Howard Dan , Dole William P. 
Published: October 2007

What is already known about this subject • Vildagliptin is a new, potent, and selective inhibitor of DPP‐4.• The efficacy and safety of vildagliptin in type 2 diabetes has been intensively studied in diverse subject populations.• There has been little information published about the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vildagliptin. What this study adds • No clinically relevant changes in pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics were observed between young and elderly, male and female, or high body mass index (BMI) and low BMI subjects.• The results suggest that no dose modification is necessary for vildagliptin based on the age, gender, or BMI of a subject.AimsTo evaluate the effect of age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vildagliptin.MethodsForty healthy subjects received a single oral dose of 100 mg vildagliptin to assess the effects of age, gender, and BMI on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, reflected by the time course of inhibition of DPP‐4 activity, of vildagliptin.ResultsPeak concentration and exposure (AUC(0–∞)) of vildagliptin were 17% (90% CI 2, 35%) and 31% (90% CI 18, 45%) higher in elderly vs. young subjects. Renal clearance was reduced by 32% (90% CI 17, 45%) in elderly subjects. The pharmacokinetics of vildagliptin were not significantly influenced by gender or BMI. Inhibition of DPP‐4 activity was similar regardless of age, gender, or BMI.ConclusionsThe pharmacokinetics of a single oral 100 mg dose of vildagliptin were not affected by gender and BMI. Exposure to vildagliptin was higher in elderly patients, but this was not associated with any difference in the effect of DPP‐4 inhibition. Based on these results, no vildagliptin dose adjustment is necessary for age, gender, or BMI.
Monoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis in blood donors
Authors: Rachel Jane M. , Zucker Marjorie L. , Fox Christopher M. , Plapp Fred V. , Menitove Jay E. , Abbasi Fatima , Marti Gerald E. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryMonoclonal B‐cell populations have been detected in the peripheral blood of apparently healthy individuals by flow cytometry. In 2005, the term monoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis (MBL) was proposed to describe these findings. MBL may be immunophenotypically similar to chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and, like CLL, the prevalence is higher in males and older individuals. We studied the prevalence of MBL in blood donors from the Midwestern United States. Samples from 5141 donors were examined and seven (0·14%) were found to have immunophenotypic characteristics of MBL or CLL. Immunoglobulin heavy chain analysis yielded monoclonality or oligoclonality. Prior and subsequent to the study, an additional undetermined number of blood donors were screened and seven of these expressed immunophenotypic characteristics of MBL or CLL. We thus found a total of 14 healthy blood donors with monoclonal expansions of B‐lymphocyte populations. Of these, 12 were presumptively classified as MBL and two as CLL. All but two of the donors were male; the mean age was 59 years. The clinical importance of these findings with regard to transfusion medicine has not been established.
Chemical exposures and risk of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Blair Aaron , Purdue Mark P. , Weisenburger Dennis D. , Baris Dalsu 
Published: October 2007

SummaryLiterature on the role of chemicals in the development of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and monoclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis in humans is sparse. This research is complicated by the rarity of these outcomes and the different disease classifications used over time. Several studies have noted excesses of CLL among farmers and a few have pointed to specific chemicals. Reports suggesting elevated CLL rates in the rubber and petroleum industries point to a possible role for solvents and other chemicals. The few studies that focus on specific chemicals suggest that CLL should be more carefully evaluated in relation to possible exposure to chemicals and solvents, particularly for benzene and butadiene. Pooled analyses of CLL studies within consortia offer an opportunity to investigate the possible aetiological role of chemical exposures with improved statistical power.
Molecular profiling of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: genetics meets epigenetics to identify predisposing genes
Authors: Plass Christoph , Byrd John C. , Raval Aparna , Tanner Stephan M. , De La Chapelle Albert 
Published: October 2007

SummaryMolecular profiling may lead to a better understanding of a disease. This knowledge is especially important in malignancies, where multiple alterations are required during the progression from premalignant to malignant stages. Such information can be useful for the development of novel biomarkers that allow the prediction of a clinical course, response to treatment or early detection. Molecular data is also utilized to develop targeted therapies. Moreover, gene defects identified in profiling studies will help to understand the molecular pathways disrupted in the disease. This review provides an overview of molecular profiling approaches in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). We will describe our current understanding of genetic alterations in CLL, the use of familial CLL for the identification of predisposing mutations, and the search for epigenetic alterations in CLL.
Emerging therapy for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Auer Rebecca L. , Gribben John , Cotter Finbarr E. 
Published: October 2007

SummaryThe presentation, clinical course and prognosis for chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is diverse and strategies for therapy reflect this variability. Staging of the disease has assisted in deciding treatment options and more recently the cytogenetic, molecular and surrogate markers of the immunoglobulin heavy chain mutational status, CD38 and ZAP‐70, have assisted in further risk stratification. Chemotherapy has been the mainstay of interventional therapy when required and the two most important classes of agents in the treatment of CLL are nucleoside analogues and alkylating agents. Combining these two groups of agents has significantly improved prognosis in this disease. More recently a number of novel agents have been applied to patients with CLL to determine if they represent better therapy. However, allogeneic stem cell transplantation offers perhaps the only realistic chance of a cure in this disease. Clinical trials are still needed to determine the timing and role of this promising treatment modality in the treatment of CLL and, where possible, combined with the emerging awareness of the disease biology, related biological markers and prognostic indicators.