bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Screen for expanded FMR1 alleles in patients with essential tremor
Authors: Garcia Arocena Dolores , Louis Elan D. , Tassone Flora , Gilliam T. Conrad , Ottman Ruth , Jacquemont Sébastien , Hagerman Paul J. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractFragile X‐associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a neurodegenerative disorder, was described recently among male carriers of expanded alleles (55–200 CGG repeats; premutation range) of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. Major features of the syndrome include intention tremor, gait ataxia, and parkinsonism in men over 50 years of age. This disorder is believed to be relatively common, possibly affecting 1 in 3,000 men over the age of 50 years in the general population. This raises the possibility that some patients presenting with essential tremor (ET) may harbor expanded FMR1 alleles. We screened 81 ET patients (40 males, 41 females) for expanded FMR1 alleles to determine whether ET is associated with such alleles. None of the ET cases had the premutation genotype. CGG repeat sizes ranged from 5 to 47 repeats within this study population, suggesting that expanded FMR1 alleles are uncommon among patients with ET. Screening of movement disorder patients with other clinical features of FXTAS (e.g., ataxia and parkinsonism) may be more likely to yield expanded FMR1 alleles. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Clinical characteristics of Parkinson's disease among Inuit in Greenland and inhabitants of the Faroe Islands and Als (Denmark)
Authors: Wermuth Lene , Bünger Nick , Von Weitzel‐Mudersback Paul , Pakkenberg Henning , Jeune Bernard 
Published: March 2004

AbstractIn earlier studies, we found high age‐adjusted prevalences of Parkinson's disease (PD) in the Faroe Islands (209 per 100,000 inhabitants) and in Greenland (187.5 per 100,000 inhabitants) compared to the age‐adjusted prevalence on the island of Als in the southern part of Denmark (98.3 per 100,000 inhabitants). We thoroughly examined patients with suspected parkinsonism using internationally accepted diagnostic criteria. In the present study, we found no significant clinical differences between patients with PD in the three areas, despite this high difference in prevalence. However, comparing the age at examination and age at treatment, the patients were younger in Greenland, a higher proportion of patients had cognitive decline, and they had a higher mean Hoehn and Yahr rating score, although they received a lower levodopa dose. A higher proportion of the patients in Greenland were newly diagnosed than in the other two areas. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Observations on the human rejection behaviour syndrome: Denny–Brown revisited
Authors: Warren Jason D. , Hu Michele T.M. , Galloway Malcolm , Greenwood Richard J. , Rossor Martin N. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThe parietal avoiding–rejection behaviour syndrome, first described by Denny‐Brown in the rhesus monkey, has been reported only rarely in humans. Here, we describe a patient with rejection behaviour in the setting of progressive cognitive decline accompanied by cortical myoclonus. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Ninhydrin sweat test: A simple method for detecting antibodies neutralizing botulinum toxin type A
Authors: Voller Bernhard , Moraru Ekaterina , Auff Eduard , Benesch Michael , Poewe Werner , Wissel Jörg , Müller Jörg , Entner Tanja , Bigalke Hans , Schnider Peter 
Published: March 2004

AbstractApproximately 5% of patients with cervical dystonia receiving repeated botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) injections develop secondary loss of treatment benefit. Currently available tests to directly detect neutralizing BoNT/A antibodies (BoNT/A‐AB) are either expensive or time consuming. To establish a simple, clinically useful test for antibody detection, we adapted the ninhydrin sweat test (NST). Eighteen dystonic patients with secondary nonresponse and clinically suspected BoNT/A‐AB formation were tested for BoNT/A‐AB in the mouse diaphragm test (MDT). In addition, the size of the anhidrotic area was determined by the NST 21 days after an intradermal dose of 10 U Dysport into the hypothenar region of the left palm. In nine patients, positive BoNT‐AB titers were found in the MDT. There was a significant correlation between the BoNT/A‐AB titers and the anhidrotic area (Spearman's rho = −0.9, P < 0.0001). Both tests provided comparably good results with respect to qualitative antibody detection. In the clinical situation of secondary nonresponse to BoNT/A therapy, the economical NST may be a helpful tool to detect neutralizing BoNT/A‐AB. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Vascular hemichorea/hemiballism and topiramate
Authors: Gatto Emilia Mabel , Uribe Roca Claudia , Raina Gabriela , Gorja Marcelo , Folgar Silvia , Micheli Federico E. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractAlthough vascular hemichorea/hemiballism (HC/HB) has been reported to be self‐limited, in some cases, it can be irreversible and severely disabling. The standard treatment includes typical and atypical neuroleptics and GABA‐mimetic drugs. Topiramate is a new antiepileptic drug possessing a complex mechanism of action, including the enhancement of GABA‐mediated inhibition. We describe a 71‐year‐old patient with HC/HB who markedly improved after topiramate treatment. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Solid‐phase synthesis and 1H and 13C high‐resolution magic angle spinning NMR of 13C‐labeled resin‐bound saccharides
Authors: Loening Nikolaus M. , Kanemitsu Takuya , Seeberger Peter H. , Griffin Robert G. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractWe show how high‐resolution magic angle‐spinning NMR spectroscopy can be used to characterize 13C‐labeled saccharides that have been prepared using solid‐phase synthesis techniques while they are still bound to a solid‐support resin. With the use of 13C‐labeled glucose as the starting material, we have successfully synthesized mono‐, di‐ and trisaccharides with uniform 13C labeling of the saccharide rings. Using these materials, we have been able to assign the 13C and 1H spectra and to characterize various impurities on the resin beads. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Which motor nerve conduction study is best in ulnar neuropathy at the elbow?
Authors: Shakir Ali , Micklesen Paula J. , Robinson Lawrence R. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractThere is debate regarding how best to utilize ulnar motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) to identify ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). We used receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves to compare absolute across‐elbow MNCV with MNCV difference between elbow and forearm segments (VDIF) when recording from abductor digiti minimi (ADM) and first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscles. Also, we determined how their utility was impacted by low amplitudes of compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs). We studied 85 subjects with UNE and 77 subjects with carpal tunnel syndrome but without clinical evidence of UNE. The UNE group was divided into three subgroups based on CMAP amplitude. At 95% specificity, MNCV sensitivities were 80% at ADM and 77% at FDI, and VDIF sensitivities were 51% at ADM and 38% at FDI. The ROC curves showed MNCV to be superior to VDIF across all amplitude subgroups; however, confidence intervals overlapped when amplitude was high. Muscle Nerve 29: 585–590, 2004
Genomic organization and mutation analysis of three candidate genes for hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy
Authors: Hünermund Gert , Schirmacher Anja , Ringelstein Bernd , Young Peter , Watts Giles D. , Meuleman Jan , Nelis Eva , Chance Phillip F. , Timmerman Vincent , Stögbauer Florian , Kuhlenbäumer Gregor 
Published: March 2004

AbstractHereditary neuralgic amyotrophy (HNA) is an autosomal‐dominant inherited recurrent focal neuropathy affecting mainly the brachial plexus. In this study we report the genomic structure and mutation analysis of three candidate genes: sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1); tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP2); and cytoglobin (CYGB). We did not find any disease‐associated mutations, indicating that HNA is not caused by point mutations in these genes. However, we identified several sequencing errors in the cDNA of SPHK1 as well as seven novel single‐nucleotide polymorphisms. Muscle Nerve 29: 601–604, 2004
On the behavior and shape of mixture failure rates from a family of IFR Weibull distributions
Authors: Wondmagegnehu Eshetu T. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractPopulations of many types of component are heterogeneous and often consist of a small number of different subpopulations. This is called a mixture and it arises in a number of situations. For example, a majority of products in industrial populations are mixtures of defective items with shorter lifetimes and standard items with longer lifetimes. It is a well‐known result that distributions with decreasing failure rates are closed under mixture. However, mixtures of distributions with increasing failure rates are not easily classifiable. If the subpopulations involved in the mixture have increasing failure rates, there might be some upward movement in the mixture and later a general downward pull towards the strongest component. Little work has been done in describing the shape of mixture failure rates when all subpopulations do not have decreasing failure rate. In this paper, we present general results that describe the shape and behavior of a failure rate of a mixture obtained from two Weibull subpopulations with strictly increasing failure rates. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2004
1H NMR spectroscopic method for diagnosis of malabsorption syndrome: a pilot study
Authors: Bala Lakshmi , Nagana Gowda G. A. , Ghoshal U. C. , Misra A. , Bhandari M. , Khetrapal C. L. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractDespite its well‐documented limitations, colorimetry has been commonly used for the d‐xylose test in the diagnosis of malabsorption syndrome (MAS). With a possibility of overcoming its limitations, the use of 1H NMR spectroscopy for D‐xylose test is explored herein. Urine samples from 35 adults with suspected MAS were obtained before and after oral ingestion of D‐xylose. The diagnosis of MAS was based on fecal fat (72 h excretion using Van de Kamer's technique, normal < 7 g/24 h and/or Sudan III stain of spot stool specimen, normal≤10 droplets/high power field) and/or endoscopic duodenal biopsy. Urinary excretion of D‐xylose over 5 h after consumption of 5 g D‐xylose, using both colorimetry and NMR was compared (normal≥1 g/5 g/5 h). In vitro experiments on the standard specimens of D‐xylose were also performed independently using both methods. Colorimetry showed a lower value for the quantity of D‐xylose excreted in urine than NMR [median 0.73 (0.17–1.89 g) vs 1.37 (0.17–3.23 g), respectively; p<0.0001, Wilcoxon's signed ranks test]. Colorimetry and NMR correctly diagnosed 11/12 and 10/12 (p=N.S.) patients with MAS and 14/23 and 20/23 (p<0.05) without MAS, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of colorimetry and NMR were 91.6 and 60.7% vs 83.3 and 86.9%, respectively. In in vitro experiments, the values obtained for standard xylose using NMR showed a maximum error of 7%, whereas the colorimetric method showed 20%. The NMR method is simple and may be more accurate for the D‐xylose absorption test. Colorimetry was found to be inferior as compared with NMR due to its low specificity. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Error estimates for a finite volume element method for parabolic equations in convex polygonal domains
Authors: Chatzipantelidis P. , Lazarov R. D. , Thomée V. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractWe analyze the spatially semidiscrete piecewise linear finite volume element method for parabolic equations in a convex polygonal domain in the plane. Our approach is based on the properties of the standard finite element Ritz projection and also of the elliptic projection defined by the bilinear form associated with the variational formulation of the finite volume element method. Because the domain is polygonal, special attention has to be paid to the limited regularity of the exact solution. We give sufficient conditions in terms of data that yield optimal order error estimates in L2 and H1. The convergence rate in the L∞ norm is suboptimal, the same as in the corresponding finite element method, and almost optimal away from the corners. We also briefly consider the lumped mass modification and the backward Euler fully discrete method. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2004
A new class of stabilized mesh‐free finite elements for the approximation of the Stokes problem
Authors: Srinivas Kumar V. V. K. , Rathish Kumar B. V. , Das P. C. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractPreviously, we solved the Stokes problem using a new linear‐constant stabilized mesh‐free finite element based on linear Weighted Extended B‐splines (WEB‐splines) as shape functions for the velocity approximation and constant extended B‐splines for the pressure (Kumar et al., 2002). In this article we derive another linear‐constant element that uses the Haar wavelets for the pressure approximation and a quadratic‐linear element that uses quadrilateral bubble functions for the enrichment of the velocity approximation space. The inf‐sup condition or Ladyshenskaya‐Babus̆ka‐Brezzi (LBB) condition is verified for both the elements. The main advantage of these new elements over standard finite elements is that they use regular grids instead of irregular partitions of domain, thus eliminating the difficult and time consuming pre‐processing step. Convergence and condition number estimates are derived. Numerical experiments in two space dimensions confirm the theoretical predictions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2004.
MRI morphometric and neuropsychological correlates of long‐term memory in survivors of childhood leukemia
Authors: Hill Dina E. , Ciesielski Kristina T. , Hart Blaine L. , Jung Rex E. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractBackgroundLong‐term survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are reported to have post‐treatment neurological changes as well as neuropsychological changes. Few studies have investigated the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) volumetric measurements of brain regions of interest and cognitive functioning. This study examined the relationship between hippocampal volumes and long‐term memory abilities in survivors of ALL.ProcedureTen survivors of ALL and ten matched controls underwent MRI acquisition. The participants completed a battery of tests measuring both visual and verbal long‐term memory. Volumetric measurements of the hippocampus were obtained by consecutive manual tracing using the NIH Image 1.52 program. Estimates of whole brain volume were also obtained.ResultsNo significant group differences were found in right or left hippocampi. Nor were there significant differences between the two groups on measures of long‐term memory. Correlations between volumetric measurements of the hippocampus and measures of long‐term memory were non‐significant.ConclusionsOur hypothesis of deficits in both long‐term memory and its neural substrates was not supported. It was concluded that the hippocampus, as an early developing structure, may be less vulnerable to chemotherapy treatment. Children surviving ALL are able to retain and retrieve once learned information comparable with peers. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2004;42:611–617. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ototoxicity following pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Punnett Angela , Bliss Bonnie , Dupuis L. Lee , Abdolell Mohamed , Doyle John , Sung Lillian 
Published: March 2004

AbstractBackgroundOur objectives were to describe the frequency and determine risk factors for hearing deterioration following pediatric stem cell transplantation (SCT).MethodsIn this prospective cohort study, we performed pure tone audiometry and measured otoacoustic emissions (OAE) prior to and following SCT. Worse hearing was considered deterioration in either audiometry or OAE.ResultsBetween October 2000 and November 2002, 45 informative audiometry or OAE results were obtained. Hearing deteriorated following SCT in 20/45 (44%) of these children. Those with worse hearing following SCT were more likely to have neuroblastoma (odds ratio [OR] 16.0 [95% CI 1.8, 143.2; P = 0.003]), receive carboplatin conditioning (OR 7.7 [95% CI 1.4, 41.9; P = 0.01]), have abnormal baseline hearing (OR 5.1 [95% CI 1.3, 19.5; P = 0.02]), and have higher baseline serum creatinine (OR for every increase of 5 μmol/L of serum creatinine of 1.5 [95% CI 1.03, 2.1; P = 0.03]).ConclusionMany children who undergo SCT will have deterioration in hearing following SCT. A high‐risk group of children can be delineated who may bene fit from more intensive audiological monitoring following SCT. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Steroids and triterpenes from Eleocharis acutangula and E. sellowiana (cyperaceae)
Authors: Amaral Maria do Carmo E. , Faria Aparecida D. , Magalhães Aderbal F. , Magalhães Eva G. , Ruiz Ana Lúcia T. G. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractFrom the hexane extract of the underground parts of Eleocharis acutangula (Roxb.) Schult., lup‐20(29)‐ene‐3β,16β‐diol and a mixture of campesterol, stigmasterol and sitosterol were isolated. The hexane extracts of aerial and underground parts of E. sellowiana Kunth furnished two new substances, namely neohop‐13(18)‐en‐3α‐ol and stigmast‐22‐en‐3β,6β,9α‐triol, together with a mixture of steroids, betulinic acid, stigmast‐4‐en‐6β‐ol‐3‐one and fern‐9(11)‐en‐3α‐ol. The molecular structures were determined by spectral analysis (1D‐ and 2D‐NMR experiments and MS) and comparison with literature data. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Psychosocial factors at the workplace—do they affect substance use? Evidence from the Tyrolean workplace study
Authors: Traweger C. , Kinzl Johann F. , Traweger‐Ravanelli B. , Fiala M. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractBackgroundTo determine the prevalence of drug consumption and the impact of workplace demands and burdens for substance use, we conducted a survey in a representative sample of Tyrolean employees.MethodsThis analysis was restricted to the 700 respondents (395 male, 305 female; age 18–60 years) in the year 2001 by telephone interview who hold a full‐time or part‐time job during the 6 months preceding the interview. We studied the use of antidepressants, benzodiazepines, analgetics. stimulants and phytotherapeutics.ResultsOf the whole sample, 5.6% employees (4.8% male, 6.6% female) stated that they take some kind of pills to cope with job demands. There was no statistically significant difference between males and females. Substance use depended to a great extent on the work atmosphere and job satisfaction. The prevalence of drug consumption increased from 3.7% (good atmosphere at work) and 3.3% (high job satisfaction) to 12.6% (bad atmosphere at work) and 42.9% (low job satisfaction ) (p = 0.019 and p = 0.001). The feeling of being a victim of bullying at work appears to be particularly destructive for the individuals' well‐being. Only 4.1% of the employees who were not victims of bullying took drugs because of job problems, as compared with 20% of the bullying victims.DiscussionOur results indicate that drug consumption as the consequence of workplace burdens is a frequent and serious problem with negative consequences for the life quality of the individuals and for the individuals' efficiency. Therefore, occupational medicine and employers should direct their attention to ensure the best possible work place structure and occupational conditions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extent of branching from linear viscoelasticity of long‐chain‐branched polymers
Authors: Robertson Christopher G. , García‐Franco César A. , Srinivas Srivatsan 
Published: March 2004

AbstractWe present new results and examine literature data concerning the linear viscoelastic behavior of polyethylene with sparse to intermediate levels of long‐chain branching (LCB). These branched polymers displayed a common rheological signature, namely, a region of frequency‐independent loss tangent along with the corequisite scaling of the storage and loss moduli to the same frequency exponent. This apparent power‐law response occurred within a finite frequency window and bore resemblance to the behavior of physical gels. The appearance of this region, however, was the consequence of the presence of two distinct, yet partially overlapping, terminal relaxation processes. After considering the analogous relaxation behavior of wholly linear polymers with bimodal molecular weight distributions, we considered the polymers with LCB as blends of linear and branched species to develop a simple method of quantifying the extent of LCB. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1671–1684, 2004
Supportive‐expressive group therapy: The transformation of existential ambivalence into creative living while enhancing adherence to anti‐cancer therapies
Authors: Kissane David W. , Grabsch Brenda , Clarke David M. , Christie George , Clifton Diane , Gold Stan , Hill Christine , Morgan Ann , McDermott Fiona , Smith Graeme C. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractSupportive‐Expressive Group Therapy (SEGT) has been developed and manualised in the research setting, but there have been few clinical accounts of its utility. In this qualitative review of its application in the Melbourne‐based randomised control trial (RCT) for women with advanced breast cancer, SEGT is considered from the perspective of the structure and framework of therapy, its therapists, the issues that develop in exploring its common themes and what constitutes a well functioning group. Groups move through identifiable developmental phases. The mature group process transforms existential ambivalence into creative living, evidenced by humour, celebration, assertiveness, altruism, new creative pursuits and eventually courageous acceptance of dying. Challenges and pitfalls include avoidance, non‐containment of ambivalence, intolerance of difference, anti‐group phenomena and splitting. A key element is the medicalization of the group culture whereby members and co‐therapists explore health beliefs and attitudes about care. This promotes compliance with anti‐cancer treatments, including both the initiation of and perseverance with chemotherapy. This mechanism could prove to be a potentially important pathway in promoting longer survival. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Emotional control in Chinese female cancer survivors
Authors: Ho Rainbow T.H. , Chan Cecilia L.W. , Ho Samuel M.Y. 
Published: March 2004

AbstractChinese persons are not known as strong in expressing emotions, especially negative ones. However, being diagnosed with cancer and going through treatment can be an emotionally traumatic experience and cancer patients are supposed to have a stronger need to express these negative feelings. The control of expression of negative emotions such as anger, anxiety and depression in Chinese female cancer survivors (n=139) was examined in the present study using the Chinese version of the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS). The reliability, internal consistency and validity of the Chinese CECS were comparable to the original English scale. Correlation analyses suggested that cancer survivors with higher emotional control tended to have higher stress, anxiety and depression levels and to adopt negative coping with cancer. Regression analysis showed that emotional control would positively predict stress level even after the effect of depressed mood was under control. Further investigations are suggested in order to elucidate the causal relationships and specific cultural factors affecting emotional control in Chinese cancer survivors and, most importantly, its effect on health outcomes. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.