bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ewing sarcoma: Favourable results with combined modality therapy and conservative use of radiotherapy
Authors: Zogopoulos George , Teskey Lindsay , Sung Lillian , Dix David , Grant Ronald , Greenberg Mark L. , Weitzman Sheila 
Published: April 2004

AbstractBackgroundAt the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC), we have treated Ewing sarcoma (ES) with multi‐agent chemotherapy, surgery and conservative use of radiotherapy for local control. Our objective was to describe the outcome and prognostic factors associated with this strategy.ProcedureWe performed a retrospective chart review of children diagnosed with ES at HSC from Feb 1984 to June 1999.ResultsSeventy‐two evaluable children were identified. All received chemotherapy. Local control administered was surgery (n = 37), radiation (n = 23), both (n = 10) or neither (n = 2). The 7‐year EFS was 66.4%. Recurrence occurred in 23 patients, 7 locally and 16 distantly. Better EFS was associated with male gender (78.5% vs. 52.1%; P = 0.007), localised disease (77.0% vs. 39.4%; P = 0.0004), extremity primary (88.2% vs. 52.8%; P = 0.005) and non‐pelvic primary (75.7% vs. 18.2%; P < 0.0001).ConclusionsFavourable outcomes were seen for patients treated with multi‐agent chemotherapy, surgery and conservative use of radiotherapy. Metastatic disease rather than local control was the major cause of failure. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Proteomic characterization of novel serum amyloid P component variants from human plasma and urine
Authors: Kiernan Urban A. , Nedelkov Dobrin , Tubbs Kemmons A. , Niederkofler Eric E. , Nelson Randball W. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractSerum amyloid P component (SAP) is a human plasma protein that has been widely studied for its influence on amyloid plaque formation and stabilization. SAP was characterized directly from human plasma and urine samples via novel affinity mass spectrometry‐based proteomic technology that is able to readily discriminate between mass‐altered protein variants. These analyses were able to identify several variants of SAP that have not been previously reported. These variants include microheterogeneity of the glycan structure, from the loss of one or both terminal sialic acid residues, as well as the loss of the C‐terminal valine residue. Moreover, the analysis of urine allowed for the consistent identification of serum amyloid P component as a normal constituent of the urine proteome.
A competition model within and across groups explaining the contrast between the societies of chimpanzees and bonobos
Authors: Horiuchi Shiro 
Published: April 2004

AbstractTwo apes species, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and bonobos (Pan paniscus), show a peculiar contrast in their social structure. The contrast cannot be explained simply by the differences in their ecological conditions, as has previously been suggested. This paper presents a mathematical model to interpret the contrast, through a competition game within and across groups. Two alternative strategies, dispersal and association, are applied to the model, in order to represent within‐group‐competition (WGC). Two more alternative strategies, Hawk and Dove, are also applied to the model, in order to represent between‐group‐competition (BGC). Mathematical analysis is executed for the frequencies of three mixed‐strategists: dispersal‐Hawk, dispersal‐Dove and association. The population dominated by dispersal‐Hawk and dispersal‐Dove strategists, or by association strategists, is assumed to characterize the social structure of chimpanzees or bonobos, respectively. The model predicts that each social structure can be evolutionarily stable under the same ecological conditions, and will not easily recover once it has been replaced by the other. This stability is through a bi‐directional influence: the influence of BGC on WGC and vice versa. The model suggests that the possibility of fatal violence within a group strengthens the robustness of each social structure.
Corticosteroids and Inhaled Salbutamol in Patients with Reversible Airway Obstruction Markedly Decrease the Incidence of Bronchospasm after Tracheal Intubation
Authors: Silvanus Marie-Therese , Groeben Harald , Peters Jürgen 
Published: April 2004

Background
In patients with bronchial hyperreactivity, airway instrumentation can evoke life-threatening bronchospasm. However, the best strategy for the prevention of bronchospasm has not been defined. Therefore, in a randomized, prospective, placebo-controlled study, the authors tested whether prophylaxis with either combined salbutamol-methylprednisolone or salbutamol alone (1) improves lung function and (2) prevents wheezing after intubation.

Methods
Thirty-one patients with partially reversible airway obstruction (airway resistance > 180%, forced expiratory volume in 1 s [FEV1] < 70% of predicted value, and FEV1 increase > 10% after two puffs of salbutamol), who were naive to anti-obstructive treatment, were randomized to receive daily for 5 days either 3 x 2 puffs (0.2 mg) of salbutamol alone (n = 16) or salbutamol combined with methylprednisolone (40 mg/day orally) (n = 15). Lung function was evaluated daily. Another 10 patients received two puffs of salbutamol 10 min before anesthesia. In all patients, wheezing was assessed before and 5 min after tracheal intubation.

Results
Within 1 day, both salbutamol and salbutamol-methylprednisolone treatment significantly improved airway resistance (salbutamol, 4.3+/- 2.0 [SD] to 2.9+/-1.3 mmHg x s x l(-1); salbutamol-methylprednisolone, 5.5+/-2.9 to 3.4+/-1.7 mmHg x s x l(-1)) and FEV1 (salbutamol, 1.79+/-0.49 to 2.12+/-0.61 l; salbutamol-methylprednisolone, 1.58+/-0.66 to 2.04+/-1.05 l) to a steady state, with no difference between groups. However, regardless of whether single-dose salbutamol preinduction or prolonged salbutamol treatment was used, most patients (8 of 10 and 7 of 9) experienced wheezing after intubation. In contrast, only one patient receiving additional methylprednisolone experienced wheezing (P = 0.0058).

Conclusions
: Pretreatment with either salbutamol alone or salbutamol combined with methylprednisolone significantly and similarly improves lung function within 1 day. However, only combined salbutamol-methylprednisolone pretreatment decreases the incidence of wheezing after tracheal intubation. Therefore, in patients with bronchial hyperreactivity, preoperative treatment with combined corticosteroids and salbutamol minimizes intubation-evoked bronchoconstriction much more effectively than the inhaled beta2-sympathomimetic salbutamol alone.
Effects of a Circulating-water Garment and Forced-air Warming on Body Heat Content and Core Temperature
Authors: Taguchi Akiko , Ratnaraj Jebadurai , Kabon Barbara , Sharma Neeru , Lenhardt Rainer , Sessler Daniel I. , Kurz Andrea 
Published: April 2004

Background
Forced-air warming is sometimes unable to maintain perioperative normothermia. Therefore, the authors compared heat transfer, regional heat distribution, and core rewarming of forced-air warming with a novel circulating-water garment.

Methods
Nine volunteers were each evaluated on two randomly ordered study days. They were anesthetized and cooled to a core temperature near 34 degrees C. The volunteers were subsequently warmed for 2.5 h with either a circulating-water garment or a forced-air cover. Overall, heat balance was determined from the difference between cutaneous heat loss (thermal flux transducers) and metabolic heat production (oxygen consumption). Average arm and leg (peripheral) tissue temperatures were determined from 18 intramuscular needle thermocouples, 15 skin thermal flux transducers, and "deep" hand and foot thermometers.

Results
Heat production (approximately 60 kcal/h) and loss (approximately 45 kcal/h) were similar with each treatment before warming. The increases in heat transfer across anterior portions of the skin surface were similar with each warming system (approximately 65 kcal/h). Forced-air warming had no effect on posterior heat transfer, whereas circulating-water transferred 21+/-9 kcal/h through the posterior skin surface after a half hour of warming. Over 2.5 h, circulating water thus increased body heat content 56% more than forced air. Core temperatures thus increased faster than with circulating water than forced air, especially during the first hour, with the result that core temperature was 1.1 degrees +/- 0.7 degrees C greater after 2.5 h (P < 0.001). Peripheral tissue heat content increased twice as much as core heat content with each device, but the core-to-peripheral tissue temperature gradient remained positive throughout the study.

Conclusions
The circulating-water system transferred more heat than forced air, with the difference resulting largely from posterior heating. Circulating water rewarmed patients 0.4 degrees C/h faster than forced air. A substantial peripheral-to-core tissue temperature gradient with each device indicated that peripheral tissues insulated the core, thus slowing heat transfer.
Role of Lipid in Sulfite-dependent Propofol Dimerization
Authors: Baker Max T. , Gregerson Marc S. , Naguib Mohamed 
Published: April 2004

Background
During long-term intravenous infusions, sulfite in sulfite-containing propofol emulsions can cause the peroxidation of lipid and dimerization of propofol. This study evaluated the role of lipid in sulfite-dependent propofol dimerization by determining the effects of individual fatty acids in soybean oil emulsion and peroxidized lipids in a model system.

Methods
Individual fatty acids, stearic (18:0), oleic (18:1), linoleic (18:2), linolenic (18:3), and arachidonic (20:4), were added to sulfite-containing propofol emulsion and incubated for 90 min at 37 degrees C. Model systems containing soybean oil (100 microl), water (900 microl), propofol (10 mg/ml), and sulfite (0.25 mg/ml) composed of oils with different peroxide values were allowed to react for 60 min at room temperature. After the reactions, propofol dimer and propofol dimer quinone were analyzed by reversed-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography.

Results
Propofol did not dimerize when added to aqueous sulfite unless soybean oil was also included. The addition of the polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, linolenic, arachidonic) to sulfite-containing propofol emulsion resulted in large increases of propofol dimerization compared with stearic or oleic acid. Using biphasic mixtures of soybean oil and aqueous sulfite, propofol dimerization increased with increasing peroxide content of the oil. In propofol emulsion, lipoxidase and ferrous iron in the absence of sulfite also caused the dimerization of propofol.

Conclusions
These results show that lipid can play a significant role in sulfite-dependent propofol dimerization. The relation of dimerization to polyunsaturated fatty acid and soybean oil peroxide content suggests that sulfite reacts with unsaturated lipid or peroxide-modified lipid to facilitate propofol dimerization.
Experimental Pain Models Reveal No Sex Differences in Pentazocine Analgesia in Humans
Authors: Fillingim Roger B. , Ness Timothy J. , Glover Toni L. , Campbell Claudia M. , Price Donald D. , Staud Roland 
Published: April 2004

Background
Accumulating evidence suggests that there are sex differences in analgesic responses to opioid agonists. Several studies using an oral surgery pain model have reported more robust analgesia to kappa-agonist-antagonists (e.g., pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol) among women than among men. However, evidence of sex differences in kappa-agonist-antagonist effects from studies of experimentally induced pain in humans is lacking.

Methods
Therefore, the analgesic effects of intravenous pentazocine (0.5 mg/kg) were determined in healthy women (n = 41) and men (n = 38) using three experimental pain models: heat pain, pressure pain, and ischemic pain. Each pain procedure was conducted before and after double-blind administration of both pentazocine and saline, which occurred on separate days in counterbalanced order.

Results
Compared with saline, pentazocine produced significant analgesic responses for all pain stimuli. However, no sex differences in pentazocine analgesia emerged. Effect sizes for the sex differences were computed; the magnitude of effects was small, and an equal number of measures showed greater analgesia in men than in women. Also, analgesic responses were not highly correlated across pain modalities, suggesting that different mechanisms may underlie analgesia for disparate types of pain.

Conclusions
These findings indicate significant analgesic responses to pentazocine in both men and women across multiple experimental pain assays, and the absence of sex differences contrasts with previous data from the oral surgery model. The most likely explanation for the discrepancy in results is that of differences in the pain assays. These findings are important because they suggest that sex differences in opioid analgesia may be specific to certain types of pain.
Predicting subcellular localization of proteins for Gram‐negative bacteria by support vector machines based on n‐peptide compositions
Authors: Yu Chin‐Sheng , Lin Chih‐Jen , Hwang Jenn‐Kang 
Published: April 2004

AbstractGram‐negative bacteria have five major subcellular localization sites: the cytoplasm, the periplasm, the inner membrane, the outer membrane, and the extracellular space. The subcellular location of a protein can provide valuable information about its function. With the rapid increase of sequenced genomic data, the need for an automated and accurate tool to predict subcellular localization becomes increasingly important. We present an approach to predict subcellular localization for Gram‐negative bacteria. This method uses the support vector machines trained by multiple feature vectors based on n‐peptide compositions. For a standard data set comprising 1443 proteins, the overall prediction accuracy reaches 89%, which, to the best of our knowledge, is the highest prediction rate ever reported. Our prediction is 14% higher than that of the recently developed multimodular PSORT‐B. Because of its simplicity, this approach can be easily extended to other organisms and should be a useful tool for the high‐throughput and large‐scale analysis of proteomic and genomic data.
Acidophilic adaptation of family 11 endo‐β‐1,4‐xylanases: Modeling and mutational analysis
Authors: de Lemos Esteves Frédéric , Ruelle Virginie , Lamotte‐Brasseur Josette , Quinting Birgit , Frère Jean‐Marie 
Published: April 2004

AbstractXyl1 from Streptomyces sp. S38 belongs to the low molecular mass family 11 of endo‐β‐1,4‐xylanases. Its three‐dimensional structure has been solved at 2.0 Å and its optimum temperature and pH for enzymatic activity are 60°C and 6.0, respectively. Aspergillus kawachii xylanase XynC belongs to the same family but is an acidophilic enzyme with an optimum pH of 2.0. Structural comparison of Xyl1 and XynC showed differences in residues surrounding the two glutamic acid side chains involved in the catalysis that could be responsible for the acidophilic adaptation of XynC. Mutations W20Y, N48D, A134E, and Y193W were introduced by site‐directed mutagenesis and combined in multiple mutants. Trp 20 and Tyr 193 are involved in substrate binding. The Y193W mutation inactivated Xyl1 whereas W20Y decreased the optimum pH of Xyl1 to 5.0 and slightly increased its specific activity. The N48D mutation also decreased the optimum pH of Xyl1 by one unit. The A134E substitution did not induce any change, but when combined with N48D, a synergistic effect was observed with a 1.4 unit decrease in the optimum pH. Modeling showed that the orientations of residue 193 and of the fully conserved Arg 131 are different in acidophilic and “alkaline” xylanases whereas the introduced Tyr 20 probably modifies the pKa of the acid–base catalyst via residue Asn 48. Docking of a substrate analog in the catalytic site highlighted striking differences between Xyl1 and XynC in substrate binding. Hydrophobicity calculations showed a correlation between acidophilic adaptation and a decreased hydrophobicity around the two glutamic acid side chains involved in catalysis.
Backbone dynamics of complement control protein (CCP) modules reveals mobility in binding surfaces
Authors: O'Leary Joanne M. , Bromek Krystyna , Black Gordon M. , Uhrinova Stanislava , Schmitz Christian , Wang Xuefeng , Krych Malgorzata , Atkinson John P. , Uhrin Dusan , Barlow Paul N. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractThe regulators of complement activation (RCA) are critical to health and disease because their role is to ensure that a complement‐mediated immune response to infection is proportionate and targeted. Each protein contains an uninterrupted array of from four to 30 examples of the very widely occurring complement control protein (CCP, or sushi) module. The CCP modules mediate specific protein–protein and protein–carbohydrate interactions that are key to the biological function of the RCA and, paradoxically, provide binding sites for numerous pathogens. Although structural and mutagenesis studies of CCP modules have addressed some aspects of molecular recognition, there have been no studies of the role of molecular dynamics in the interaction of CCP modules with their binding partners. NMR has now been used in the first full characterization of the backbone dynamics of CCP modules. The dynamics of two individual modules—the 16th of the 30 modules of complement receptor type 1 (CD35), and the N‐terminal module of membrane cofactor protein (CD46)—as well as their solution structures, are compared. Although both examples share broadly similar three‐dimensional structures, many structurally equivalent residues exhibit different amplitudes and timescales of local backbone motion. In each case, however, regions of the module‐surface implicated by mutagenesis as sites of interactions with other proteins include several mobile residues. This observation suggests further experiments to explore binding mechanisms and identify new binding sites.
The Healing Potential of Back Massage
Authors: Gauthier Donna M. 
Published: April 2004

Abstract(1) The experience of illness and/or hospitalization often elicits a stress response which may manifest as sleep disturbances, increased heart rate, increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, anxiety and general discomfort. The diagnosis and treatment of a person's response to illness or other event is key tenet of nursing. The well‐established nursing intervention, back rub or back massage, has been utilized as a time‐honored comfort measure. This research review summarizes the studies that have evaluated the effect of massage on psychophysiologic outcome measures. Research demonstrates that back massage has the ability to elicit a relaxation response in the majority of study subjects.
Managing Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly: Conceptual, Intervention and Methodological Issues
Authors: Buckwalter Kathleen Coen , Stolley Jacqueline M. , Farran Carol J. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractPurpose(1) With the aging of society, the incidence of dementia in the elderly is also increasing, and thus results in increased numbers of individuals with cognitive impairment. Nurses and other researchers have investigated issues concerning the management of cognitive impairment. This article highlights conceptual, intervention and methodological issues associated with this phenomenon.Conclusion(2) Cognitive change is a multivariate construct that includes alterations in a variety of information processing mechanisms such as problem solving ability, memory, perception, attention and learning, and judgement. Although there is a large body of research, conceptual, intervention and methodological issues remain. Much of the clinical research on cognitive impairment is atheoretical, with this issue only recently being addressed. While many clinical interventions have been proposed, few have been adequately tested. There are also various methodological concerns, such as small sample sizes and limited statistical power; study design issues (experimental vs. non‐experimental), and internal and external validity problems. Clearly, additional research designed to intervene with these difficult behaviors is needed.Implication(3) A variety of psychosocial, environmental and physical parameters must be considered in the nursing care of persons with cognitive impairment. Special attention has been given to interventions associated with disruptive behaviors. Interventions are complex and knowledge must be integrated from both the biomedical and behavioral sciences in order to deal effectively with the numerous problems that can arise over a long and changing clinical course. Some researchers and clinicians have suggested that a new culture regarding dementia care is needed, one that focuses on changing attitudes and beliefs about persons with dementia and one that changes how organizations deliver that care. This review identifies key conceptual, intervention and methodological issues and recommends how these issues might be addressed in the future.
A Systematic Review of the Congruence Between People's Needs and Nurses' Interventions for Supporting Hope
Authors: Holt Jeanie 
Published: April 2004

AbstractPurpose(1) This systematic review of nursing research from 1987 to 1999 was conducted to explore the factors people identify as supportive of hope, the interventions nurses use to support hope, and the congruence between these two sets of studies.Conclusions(2) The factors supporting hope for patients and families found most frequently were social and professional support, cognitive strategies, spiritual or religious activities, relying on inner resources, and setting goals. Nurses used interventions to support families, assist with goal setting and distraction, affirm patient worth, and provide symptom relief. There was substantial congruence between people's needs and nursing actions. The main incongruence was the lack of interventions supporting spiritual practices.Implications(3) Nurses should continue current practices to nurture hope in their patients and clients. In addition, nurses need to provide spiritual care as an intervention that supports hope. There is a need for further research on nursing interventions to stimulate hope as well as research to understand the differences and relationships among hope, hopelessness, coping, courage, wellbeing, and spirituality. Research to understand hope in cultures outside of the mainstream United States culture is also needed.
Evaluation of Selected Behavior Change Theoretical Models Used in Weight Management Interventions
Authors: Keller Colleen S. , Allan Janet D. 
Published: April 2004

AbstractPurpose(1) This paper evaluates selected behavior change theoretical models used in weight reduction interventions and presents recommendations for the use of theory in weight reduction research.(2) Overweight and obesity are complex problems, requiring long‐term behavioral change. Behavioral treatments for overweight and obesity are as varied as the elements of behavior, and the long‐term efficacy of most approaches is poor. Because of the complexity of both the problem and its treatment, investigations must target the development of cause‐effect explanations.Conclusions(3) Many of the behavioral change intervention studies reviewed lacked external validity, primarily due to the failure to consider salient moderators. The theoretical models reviewed in this paper were primarily tested on white, employed populations. These and other data suggest that extant theoretical approaches may not be salient in certain groups.Implications(4) Practice implications include: 1) assess indicators for readiness to engage in weight reduction efforts; 2) base interventions on multiple theories; and 3) develop context‐based interventions. Future research should include a focus on innovative methods in theory development, development of theory acknowledging mediator/moderator interactions, development of theory in context, and development of theory reflecting cultural meaning and diversity.