bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Letter legibility and chart equivalence
Authors: McMonnies Charles W. , Ho Arthur 
Published: October 2002

Summary Introduction: We tested the appropriateness of the assumption that charts, which only vary in having different sequences of five letters per line, chosen from the same 10 letter set, can be regarded as equivalent for the purpose of making valid comparisons of visual acuity. Method: Visual acuity findings from samples of 400 patients, for each of two nominally equivalent Bailey–Lovie charts, have been used to determine the relative legibility of individual letters and lines, using the percentage incorrect method of analysis. Results: The chance of error for the hardest letter is approximately 13 times greater than for the easiest letter on each chart. Significant between‐chart differences in error rates for the hardest letters (‘F’ and ‘H’) were found. Some letters that have adjacent ranks on the legibility scale were found to have significantly different legibility. Significant differences in difficulty can occur for the same nominal line on apparently equivalent charts because of chance combinations of easier or harder letters in that line. Uneven line‐to‐line scale intervals have been confirmed for the charts examined, by showing corresponding differences in the distributions of lines of threshold acuity. Conclusions: The use of varying examination distances may be inappropriate for Bailey–Lovie (or similar) charts that depart from their nominal interval scaling. When different versions of these charts are assumed to be equivalent, the discrepancy between repeated measurements may be significantly increased. There is the possibility of increasing measurement precision using charts having different sequences of the same 10 letters in each line to achieve equal scaling of line intervals. Equivalent charts can be validly constructed using different sequences of the same 10 letters in each line.
The prevalence of ocular defects and the provision of eye care in adults with learning disabilities living in the community
Authors: Woodhouse J. Margaret , Griffiths Christine , Gedling Alison 
Published: October 2002

SummaryMost people with learning disabilities now live in the community rather than in institutions, and community services need to be targeted appropriately. Vision screening was carried out in community Day Care Centres for adults with learning disabilities. One hundred and fifty four subjects took part, and screening was successful in 148 subjects, using retinoscopy and standard acuity tests, including preferential looking.The previously reported high prevalence of refractive errors, strabismus and pathological defects amongst people with learning disabilities was confirmed. Over 60% of subjects had below‐normal distance acuity, which in many cases was exacerbated by uncorrected refractive errors. In all, 41% of subjects could have benefited from distance spectacles, and 56% from spectacles for near tasks. The lack of adequate spectacles was particularly high amongst adults with more severe learning disabilities.The study highlights the current lack of adequate eye care for people with learning disabilities, and demonstrates that eye examinations are possible for the majority of individuals. There is a need for greater awareness amongst families/carers and amongst optometrists to address this important issue.
Intra‐observer repeatability and inter‐observer agreement of the Smith method of measuring the anterior chamber depth
Authors: Osuobeni E. P. , Oduwaiye K. A. , Ogbuehi K. C. 
Published: October 2002

SummaryThe Smith (1979) method provides a means of estimating the anterior chamber depth without additional attachments to the slit lamp [Smith, R. J. H. (1979). A new method of estimating the depth of the anterior chamber. Br. J. Ophthalmol. 63, 215–220]. In this study, the 95% intra‐observer limits of repeatability and the 95% inter‐observer limits of agreement of this method have been determined. The intra‐observer limits of repeatability were determined by plotting the difference vs the mean of the estimated anterior chamber depth obtained in two different sessions by each of two examiners, while the inter‐observer limits of agreement are represented by a plot of the difference vs the mean estimated anterior chamber depth between the two examiners. For one examiner, the 95% intra‐observer limits of repeatability was −0.36 to 0.58 mm, while for the other examiner the 95% intra‐observer limits of repeatability was −0.25 to 0.37 mm. The 95% inter‐observer limits of agreement were −0.31 to 0.23 mm and −0.41 to 0.25 mm for the first and second sessions respectively. The intra‐observer limits of repeatability are comparable with those reported for A‐scan ultrasonographic measures of the anterior chamber depth. These results imply that the Smith method can be used with a high degree of repeatability and agreement to clinically monitor longitudinal changes in anterior chamber depth.
Effect of sex and menstrual cycle phase on cytochrome P450 2C19 activity with omeprazole used as a biomarker
Authors: Kim Myong‐Jin , Bertino Joseph S. , Gaedigk Andrea , Zhang Yanhua , Sellers Edward M. , Nafziger Anne N. 
Published: October 2002

BackgroundLiterature addressing the effect of sex on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 activity is conflicting. The exogenous female sex steroid hormones used in oral contraceptives are believed to significantly inhibit CYP2C19 activity. However, the effect of variations in endogenous sex steroid concentrations throughout the menstrual cycle has not been investigated.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to determine the effects of sex and menstrual cycle phase on CYP2C19 activity by using omeprazole.MethodsWhite subjects with body weights between 45 and 66 kg received a single oral dose of 30 mg omeprazole. Those with weights of 67 to 90 kg received a dose of 40 mg. Twelve female subjects were phenotyped during the midfollicular and midluteal phases of the menstrual cycle for 3 complete cycles. Twelve male subjects were phenotyped every 14 days for 12 weeks. The 2‐hour postdose plasma concentration ratio of omeprazole to 5′‐hydroxyomeprazole was used as a measure of CYP2C19 activity. All subjects were genotyped for CYP2C19*2 and *3 alleles.ResultsTwelve women and 8 men were extensive metabolizers (EMs) with a CYP2C19*1/*1 genotype, whereas 4 male subjects were heterozygous (CYP2C19*1/*2). Median metabolic ratios during the midfollicular and midluteal visits were 0.845 and 0.930, respectively (P = .7). Sex had no effect on CYP2C19 activity in CYP2C19*1/*1 EMs (0.875 for men versus 1.070 for women, P = .140). The median metabolic ratios of all individuals with 2C19*1/*1 and *1/*2 genotypes were 0.94 and 3.75, respectively.ConclusionThere is no sex difference in CYP2C19 activity in healthy white CYP2C19*1/*1 EMs with the omeprazole ratios. A gene‐dose effect was observed. In addition, variations in endogenous sex steroid concentrations throughout the menstrual cycle did not influence CYP2C19 activity.Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2002) 72, 192–199; doi: 10.1067/mcp.2002.126174
Theoretical Antecedents to HIV Risk Perception
Authors: Brown Emma J. , Outlaw Freida H. , Simpson Edith M. 
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND: HIV risk perceptions have been unreliable in predicting behavioral change, suggesting that significantfactors which may contribute to HIV risk perception remain unknown. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to describe HIV risk perceptions of two discordant samples and theorize about possible antecedents to their HIV risk perception. STUDY DESIGN: The multiethnic samples consist of female college students (n = 286) and female HIV seronegative injecting drug users (n = 101). Secondary analysis of two data sets was conductedfor this comparative descriptive study. RESULTS: Approximately 90% of college students and 60.4% of injecting drug users appraised their HIV risk as nil or small Injecting drug users were 3.1 times more likely than college students to perceive some risk of HIV infection and 28.8 times more likely to perceive a large or great risk. CONCLUSION: Both samples minimized their HIV risk. HIV risk perception appears to be based on cognitive antecedents in addition to risky HIV-related sexual and drug-use behavior. It is theorized that both samples used the cognitive coping strategies of denial; distancing, and downward comparison to minimize their HIV risk perception.
Becoming Responsible Teens: Promoting the Health of Adolescents in Foster Care
Authors: McGuinness Teena M. , Mason Marian , Tolbert Grace , DeFontaine Cheryl 
Published: October 2002

BACKGROUND: As a result of traumatic early histories, female adolescents in foster care are at great risk for contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Becoming a Responsible Teen (BART) curriculum on adolescents’ condom awareness and HIV risk knowledge. BART is an 8-week group intervention that combines education and behavior skills training with content on topics such as sexual assertion, refusal, problem solving, and risk recognition. DESIGN: Adolescents living in residential foster care participated in the BART intervention. The study used a pretest/posttest design with one group. FINDINGS: Preintervention and postintervention measures of outcomes of condom awareness and HIV risk knowledge improved significantly after the BART group intervention. CONCLUSION: Adolescent females in foster care have experienced multiple early adversities and are a high-risk group for sexually transmitted diseases. BART increased the adolescents knowledge related to condom use and HIV risk and encouraged participants to spread the word to other adolescents.
The α‐like RNA polymerase II core subunit 3 (RPB3) is involved in tissue‐specific transcription and muscle differentiation via interaction with the myogenic factor myogenin
Authors: Corbi Nicoletta , Di Padova Monica , De Angelis Roberta , Bruno Tiziana , Libri Valentina , Iezzi Simona , Floridi Aristide , Fanciulli Maurizio , Passananti Claudio 
Published: October 2002

ABSTRACTRNA polymerase II core subunit 3 (RPB3) is an α‐like core subunit of RNA polymerase II (pol II). It is selectively down‐regulated upon treatment with doxorubicin (dox). Due to the failure of skeletal muscle cells to differentiate when exposed to dox, we hypothesized that RPB3 is involved in muscle differentiation. To this end, we have isolated human muscle RPB3interacting proteins by using yeast two‐hybrid screening. It is of interest that an interaction between RPB3 and the myogenic transcription factor myogenin was identified. This interaction involves a specific region of RPB3 protein that is not homologous to the prokaryotic α subunit. Although RPB3 contacts the basic helix‐loop‐helix (HLH) region of myogenin, it does not bind other HLH myogenic factors such as MyoD, Myf5, and MRF4. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments indicate that myogenin contacts the pol II complex and that the RPB3 subunit is responsible for this interaction. We show that RPB3 expression is regulated during muscle differentiation. Exogenous expression of RPB3 slightly promotes myogenin transactivation activity and muscle differentiation, whereas the region of RPB3 that contacts myogenin, when used as a dominant negative molecule (Sud), counteracts these effects. These results indicate for the first time that the RPB3 pol II subunit is involved in the regulation of tissue‐specific transcription.
Etomoxir‐induced increase in UCP3 supports a role of uncoupling protein 3 as a mitochondrial fatty acid anion exporter
Authors: Schrauwen Patrick , Hinderling Vera , Hesselink Matthijs K. C. , Schaart Gert , Kornips Esther , Saris Wim H. M. , Westerterp‐Plantenga Margriet , Langhans Wolfgang 
Published: October 2002

ABSTRACTThe physiological function of human uncoupling protein‐3 is still unknown. Uncoupling protein‐ 3 is increased during fasting and high‐fat feeding. In these situations the availability of fatty acids to the mitochondria exceeds the capacity to metabolize fatty acids, suggesting a role for uncoupling protein‐3 in handling of non‐metabolizable fatty acids. To test the hypothesis that uncoupling protein‐3 acts as a mitochondrial exporter of non‐metabolizable fatty acids from the mitochondrial matrix, we gave human subjects Etomoxir (which blocks mitochondrial entry of fatty acids) or placebo in a cross‐over design during a 36‐h stay in a respiration chamber. Etomoxir inhibited 24‐h fat oxidation and fat oxidation during exercise by ~14–19%. Surprisingly, uncoupling protein‐3 content in human vastus lateralis muscle was markedly up‐ regulated within 36 h of Etomoxir administration. Up‐regulation of uncoupling protein‐3 was accompanied by lowered fasting blood glucose and increased translocation of glucose transporter‐4. These data support the hypothesis that the physiological function of uncoupling protein‐3 is to facilitate the outward transport of non‐metabolizable fatty acids from the mitochondrial matrix and thus prevents mitochondria from the potential deleterious effects of high fatty acid levels. In addition our data show that up‐regulation of uncoupling protein‐3 can be beneficial in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Recognition of DNA by Fur: a Reinterpretation of the Fur Box Consensus Sequence
Authors: Baichoo Noel , Helmann John D. 
Published: October 2002

ABSTRACTFerric uptake repressor (Fur) proteins regulate the expression of iron homeostasis genes in response to intracellular iron levels. In general, Fur proteins bind with high affinity to a 19-bp inverted repeat sequence known as the Fur box. An alignment of 19 operator sites recognized byBacillus subtilisFur revealed a different conserved 15-bp (7-1-7) inverted repeat present twice within this 19-bp consensus sequence. We demonstrated using electrophoretic mobility shift assays that this 7-1-7 inverted repeat comprises a minimal recognition site for high-affinity binding by Fur. The resulting revised consensus sequence is remarkably similar to a related 7-1-7 inverted repeat sequence recognized by PerR, a Fur paralog. Our analysis of the affinity and stoichiometry of DNA binding byB. subtilisFur, together with a reinterpretation of previously described studies ofEscherichia coliFur, supports a model in which the 19-bp Fur box represents overlapping recognition sites for two Fur dimers bound to opposite faces of the DNA helix. The resulting recognition complex is reminiscent of that observed for the functionally related protein DtxR. Like Fur, DtxR contains a helix-turn-helix DNA-binding motif, recognizes a 19-bp inverted repeat sequence, and has a typical DNase I footprint of ∼30 bp. By envisioning a similar mode of DNA recognition for Fur, we can account for the internal symmetries noted previously within the Fur box, the tendency of Fur to extend into adjacent regions of DNA in a sequence-selective manner, and the observed patterns of DNA protection against enzymatic and chemical probes.
An ABC Transporter from
Bacillus thuringiensis
Is Essential for β-Exotoxin I Production
Authors: Espinasse Sylvain , Gohar Michel , Lereclus Didier , Sanchis Vincent 
Published: October 2002

ABSTRACT

β-Exotoxin I is a nonspecific insecticidal metabolite secreted by some
Bacillus thuringiensis
strains. Several studies of
B
.
thuringiensis
strains that have lost the capacity to produce β-exotoxin I have suggested that there is a strong correlation between high levels of β-exotoxin I production and the ability to synthesize crystal proteins. In this study, we showed that a mutant strain,
B
.
thuringiensis
407-1(Cry
−
)(Pig
+
), with no crystal gene, produced considerable amounts of β-exotoxin I together with a soluble brown melanin pigment. Therefore, β-exotoxin I production can take place after a strain has lost the plasmids bearing the
cry
genes, which suggests that these curable plasmids probably contain determinants involved in the regulation of β-exotoxin I production. Using a mini-Tn
10
transposon, we constructed a library of strain 407-1(Cry
−
)(Pig
+
) mutants. We screened for nonpigmented mutants with impaired β-exotoxin I production and identified a genetic locus harboring two genes (
berA
and
berB
) essential for β-exotoxin I production. The deduced amino acid sequence of the
berA
gene displayed significant similarity to the ATP-binding domains of the DRI (drug resistance and immunity) family of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) proteins involved in drug resistance and immunity to bacteriocins and lantibiotics. The
berB
gene encodes a protein with six putative transmembrane helices, which probably constitutes the integral membrane component of the transporter. The demonstration that
berAB
is required for β-exotoxin I production and/or resistance in
B
.
thuringiensis
adds an adenine nucleotide analog to the wide range of substrates of the superfamily of ABC proteins. We suggest that
berAB
confers β-exotoxin I immunity in
B
.
thuringiensis
, through active efflux of the molecule.
Surface Diversity in
Mycoplasma agalactiae
Is Driven by Site-Specific DNA Inversions within the
vpma
Multigene Locus
Authors: Glew Michelle D. , Marenda Marc , Rosengarten Renate , Citti Christine 
Published: October 2002

ABSTRACT

The ruminant pathogen
Mycoplasma agalactiae
possesses a family of abundantly expressed variable surface lipoproteins called Vpmas. Phenotypic switches between Vpma members have previously been correlated with DNA rearrangements within a locus of
vpma
genes and are proposed to play an important role in disease pathogenesis. In this study, six
vpma
genes were characterized in the
M. agalactiae
type strain PG2. All
vpma
genes clustered within an 8-kb region and shared highly conserved 5′ untranslated regions, lipoprotein signal sequences, and short N-terminal sequences. Analyses of the
vpma
loci from consecutive clonal isolates showed that
vpma
DNA rearrangements were site specific and that cleavage and strand exchange occurred within a minimal region of 21 bp located within the 5′ untranslated region of all
vpma
genes. This process controlled expression of
vpma
genes by effectively linking the open reading frame (ORF) of a silent gene to a unique active promoter sequence within the locus. An ORF (
xer1
) immediately adjacent to one end of the
vpma
locus did not undergo rearrangement and had significant homology to a distinct subset of genes belonging to the λ integrase family of site-specific
xer
recombinases. It is proposed that
xer1
codes for a site-specific recombinase that is not involved in chromosome dimer resolution but rather is responsible for the observed
vpma
-specific recombination in
M. agalactiae
.
PATCHING DUALITIES
Authors: ÁNH PHAM NGOC , HERBERA DOLORS 
Published: October 2002

Let R anf T be rings, and let U be a faithful R-T-bimodule. We show that the triple (R, U, T) has a Morita duality if and only if RR and TT are linearly compact, and there is a duality between the semisimple factors R/J(R) and T/J(T) induced by the socle of U. The main tool to prove this result is proving that lattice anti-isomorphisms can be patched together provided the AB-5* condition is satisfied.
An analysis of misaligned spline couplings
Authors: Medina S , Olver A. V. 
Published: October 2002

The evolution of slip and pressure between the teeth of involute side-fit spline couplings subjected to a steady torque and a rotating misalignment has been studied, using the boundary integral element method. Results show that the tooth load and pressure oscillate during shaft rotation while the teeth undergo a complex cycle of slip. Approximate formulae are provided in order to describe the pressure and wear behaviour of the coupling in terms of dimensionless parameters. The wear pattern on a spline tooth was correctly predicted.
Antiaggressive Effects of Zolpidem and Zopiclone in Agonistic Encounters Between Male Mice
Authors: Martín‐López Mercedes , Navarro José Francisco 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe effects of benzodiazepines on various types of aggression have been extensively studied. These substances produce their pharmacological effects by allosterically modulating the action of GABA via specific recognition sites on the GABAA receptor called omega 1 and omega 2. The antiaggressive profile of non‐benzodiazepine compounds that also act at omega sites, such as zopiclone (a non‐selective omega 1 and 2 ligand) and zolpidem (a selective omega 1 ligand) has been scarcely explored. In this study, we examined the action of zolpidem (0.75‐3 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and zopiclone (1.5‐6 mg/kg), administered acutely or subchronically for 10 days, on agonistic behavior elicited by isolation in male mice. Individually housed mice were exposed to anosmic “standard opponents” 30 min after drug administration, and the encounters were videotaped and evaluated using an ethologically based analysis. Acute treatment with zopiclone produced a marked antiaggressive effect, reducing offensive behaviors (threat and attack) at all doses used (1.5, 3, and 6 mg/kg) without affecting immobility. Likewise, the intermediate dose of zolpidem (1.5 mg/kg) significantly decreased aggression in a specific manner, without altering immobility, whereas the highest dose (3 mg/kg) provoked a reduction of aggression accompanied by a weak (but significant) increase of immobility. With repeated treatment, no tolerance to the antiaggressive effects of zopiclone and zolpidem was developed. It is concluded that omega sites at the GABAA receptor could be involved in the control of aggression. Aggr. Behav. 28:416–425, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the design of signal sets with constrained magnitude spectrum and phase structure
Authors: Jiao Bin , Nordholm Sven , Yan Wei‐Yong , Zang Zhuquan 
Published: October 2002

AbstractIn this paper, a new method is introduced for designing signals that have low cross‐correlation among them with constant passband magnitude spectrum and quadratic phase. It is shown that in order to get low values of the cross‐correlation magnitude between any two signals in the set, the coefficients of the phase functions should be equally spaced along one axis of an ellipse determined by the bandwidth and time duration of signals. Furthermore, as an estimate of the maximum cross‐correlation magnitude, a new tighter upper bound is also given in the paper. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Very low dose warfarin as prophylaxis against ultrasound detected deep vein thrombosis following primary hip replacement
Authors: Bern Murray M. , Bierbaum Benjamin , Wetzner Steven , Brennan William , McAlister Sheila 
Published: October 2002

AbstractOne mg daily warfarin was compared to variable dose warfarin (PT 1.3–1.5 times the normal PT), as prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis (DVT) following unilateral hip replacement for degenerative joint disease (DJD). Ninety‐eight patients entered onto study after having had negative color Doppler ultrasounds of the legs. Patients receiving 1 mg began therapy 7 days preoperatively and continued daily until discharge. Patients receiving the variable dose took 5 mg the night preoperatively, and thereafter daily based upon the daily PT. Seventy‐eight patients completed the study protocol. No patient completing the protocol had DVT or pulmonary embolus (PE). Based upon intent to treat for all registered patients, one from each group had DVT after withdrawal from study. For patients receiving 1 mg warfarin daily, PTs extended none or slightly. Therefore, 1 mg warfarin can be used to prevent postoperative DVT following elective hip surgery. Am. J. Hematol. 71:69–74, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.