bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Relaxation Treatment Administered by School Nurses to Adolescents With Recurrent Headaches
Authors: Fichtel Åsa , Larsson Bo 
Published: June 2004

Objective.—To study the outcome of two different forms of relaxation training administered by school nurses to adolescents suffering from recurrent headaches in an effectiveness study.Methods.—A total of 11 school nurses were randomized to administer one of the two treatments to 63 adolescents. A post hoc group with 42 untreated subjects, matched for headache diagnosis, sex, and age were included as a control group.Results.—The results showed no pre‐post differences in headache reduction between the treatment groups, however, subjects treated with either of the two relaxation approaches were significantly more improved than those in the post hoc group on total headache activity and headache‐free days. Clinical improvement (at least 50% improvement) was attained among 19% of the treated subjects as compared to 7% for those in the post hoc group, a nonsignificant difference. Higher functional disability predicted a worse outcome, and positive self‐statements predicted better outcome. Altogether, these variables accounted for 29% of the outcome variance in the total headache activity.Conclusions.—In the present study, outcomes of relaxation training as administered by school nurses were not found to be as powerful as similar treatments provided for adolescents with migraine or tension‐type headache in the previous controlled studies of clinic as well as school samples. It is likely that the school nurses need to be more thoroughly trained and informed to achieve cost‐effective improvement. Presently, it is suggested that the relaxation training should not be used as a part of regular treatment in the school health care for adolescents with recurrent headaches until further evidence is provided.
Self‐Reported Headache Frequency and Features Associated With Frequent Headaches in Canadian Young Adolescents
Authors: Gordon K. E. , Dooley J. M. , Wood E. P. 
Published: June 2004

Objective.—To explore the associated factors for frequent headache among young adolescent Canadians.Methods.—We analyzed the self‐administered questionnaire microdata files of the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (NLSCY: 1996 to 1997). Two thousand and ninety respondents representing 793,100 Canadian youth aged 12 to 13 years were asked how often they had headaches in the previous 6 months.Results.—Of the 2090 adolescents, 1998 (96%) responded. Frequent headaches of “about once a week” or more often were reported by 26.6% of them aged 12 to 13 years (95% CI: 24.2, 28.6). Frequent headaches appear to be associated with a plethora of risk factors germane to the life experience of these young adolescents. All factors were significant at P < .0001 by chi‐square analysis and can be loosely categorized as school‐related, lifestyle‐related, or involving mental health. A multivariate Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis models frequent headaches on a depression scale, a self‐esteem scale, and ever having smoked, with 60% sensitivity, and 65% specificity.Conclusions.—The NLSCY reveals a remarkable insight into headache frequency and the life experience of Canada's young adolescents with frequent headaches.
The Medical Costs of Migraine and Comorbid Anxiety and Depression
Authors: Pesa Jacqueline , Lage Maureen J. 
Published: June 2004

Objective.—To examine the direct medical costs associated with migraine, when diagnosed alone and in conjunction with anxiety and/or depression in adults and children.Background.—Migraine is a common disorder that can often be accompanied by comorbid anxiety and/or depression. Given the prevalence of migraine and the likelihood for comorbid conditions, it is not surprising that migraine is extremely costly for society.Methods.—Migraine cohorts were identified in a 1999‐2000 database capturing inpatient, outpatient, and prescription drug services from approximately 45 large employers. Four cohorts of adults (migraine only, migraine and anxiety, migraine and depression, migraine and both conditions), and two cohorts of children (migraine only, migraine and anxiety and/or depression), were compared to respective “healthy” cohorts. t‐statistics were used to capture differences in costs between the migraine cohorts and the healthy cohorts whereas ANOVA was used to test for differences in costs between subgroups of migraine sufferers.Results.—Compared to nonmigraineurs, adults and children with migraine had significantly higher total direct medical costs in all examined categories (P < .0001) ($7,089 vs $2,923 adults; $4,272 vs $1,400 children). For adults, the presence of depression and/or anxiety along with migraine equated to significantly greater total direct medical costs when compared to their matched healthy cohorts (P < .0001) ($12,642 vs $5,179 anxiety; $11,290 vs $3,135 depression). Children with migraine and either anxiety or depression (or both) incurred an average of $9,875 in total direct medical costs as compared with only $1,165 for healthy comparators. For children and adults, the presence of comorbid anxiety or depression was associated with significantly higher medical costs when compared to migraine alone (P < .0001).Conclusions.—This analysis quantifies the economic impact of a migraine diagnosis for both adults and children. The results of this analysis demonstrate that individuals identified as migraineurs have significantly higher medical costs than healthy comparators, with or without comorbid anxiety and/or depression. This study also suggests that clinicians should be aware that while proper treatment of migraine with effective acute and prophylactic therapy is important, attention must also be directed to comorbid conditions.
Impact of Headache on Quality of Life in a General Population Survey in France (GRIM2000 Study)
Authors: Duru Gérard , Auray Jean‐Paul , Gaudin Anne‐Françoise , Dartigues Jean‐François , Henry Patrick , Lantéri‐Minet Michel , Lucas Christian , Pradalier André , Chazot Guy , Hasnaoui Abdelkader El 
Published: June 2004

Objectives.—The objectives of this study were to determine the impact of headache on health‐related quality of life in a nationwide sample of the French general population using a disease‐specific measure, the Qualité de Vie et Migraine (QVM), to compare quality of life in subjects reporting different headache to types, and to evaluate the relationship between quality of life and severity, frequency, associated disability, and treatment responsiveness of headaches.Methods.—The QVM questionnaire was included within a large epidemiological survey of 1486 headache sufferers. Diagnosis was assigned retrospectively using an algorithm based on the International Headache Society classification. Headache severity was assessed with the MIGSEV scale and disability with the MIDAS scale.Results.—The mean global QVM score in the sample was 80.2. Quality of life was poorer in subjects with chronic daily headache (QVM score: 66.2) than in those with migraine (QVM score: 76.7), while those with other forms of episodic headache had the best quality of life (QVM score: 91.7). Quality‐of‐life scores were correlated with frequency, severity, disability, and treatment resistance of headaches (P < .001).Conclusion.—The QVM scale is a sensitive tool to measure health‐related quality of life in headache sufferers in the general population.
Headache in Sleep Apnea Syndrome
Authors: Idiman Fethi , Oztura Ibrahim , Baklan Baris , Özturk Vesile , Kursad Fatma , Pakoz Burak 
Published: June 2004

Objective.—To find out whether there is a relationship between the headache characteristics and polysomnographic findings in patients with prediagnosis of the sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) and, if there is, to search for its possible cause.Background.—Chronic morning headache is considered by many to be an important part of the SAS. Some reports support this relationship, and some do not.Methods.—We questioned 75 patients with SAS about headache. Headaches were classified according to the International Headache Society (IHS‐88) system. We evaluated the relationship between headache and polysomnographic findings.Results.—There was no statistically significant relationship between headache and apnea hypopnea index (AHI) or minimal oxygen saturation (P > .05).Conclusions.—We could not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between headache, AHI, and minimal oxygen saturation in our patients with SAS.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cluster Headache
Authors: Graff‐Radford Steven B. , Newman Alan 
Published: June 2004

A patient with cluster headache often wakes from sleep. The relationship to sleep apnea has been described. This study sought to confirm the relationship cluster may have with sleep apnea.Methods.—Thirty‐nine consecutive patients diagnosed with episodic cluster headache according to the International Headache Society (IHS) criteria were sent for polysomnographic studies. All patients were in an active phase when they were in the study. Patients were told of the proposed relationship and were allowed to choose a sleep laboratory close to their home.Results.—Thirty‐one patients with episodic cluster headache completed an overnight polysomnographic study. Twenty‐three were male and eight female. The average age was 51 years (range 33 to 78 years). The average weight was 173 pounds (range 117 to 260 pounds). A total of 80.64% had sleep apnea (25/31). Average respiratory depression index (RDI) was 19.0 (SD 14.6) with 6 patients having no apnea, 10 having mild, 11 having moderate, and 4 having severe apnea (RDI < 5 = none; RDI 5 to 20 mild; RDI 20 to 40 moderate; RDI > 40 severe). Oxygen saturation decreased on average to 88.4% SD 4.5. Sleep efficiency was 76.2% (SD 13.4).Conclusions.—The data closely approximate those of Chervin et al, where 80% had RDI > 5. The relationship sleep apnea has in the perpetuation or precipitation of cluster headache is still to be determined. There are some reports that treatment stops the cluster but there is no prospective study. The high incidence (80.64%) seen in this population suggests the cluster patient should receive a sleep evaluation and perhaps intervention with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or an appropriate dental device.
Nummular Headache: A Prospective Series of 14 New Cases
Authors: Pareja Juan A. , Pareja Julia , Barriga Francisco J. , Barón Manuel , Dobato José L. , Pardo Javier , Sánchez Carmen , Vela Lydia 
Published: June 2004

Objective.—To study the clinical features of nummular headache (NH) and get an approach to its epidemiology.Background.—NH has been recently described as a primary disorder characterized by head pain exclusively felt in a small rounded area typically 2‐6 cm in diameter.Methods.—Through a 1‐year period we have studied all patients referred to our neurologic clinic because of head pain exclusively felt in a small‐circumscribed area, and not attributed to another disorder. All the patients had normal neurological, analytical, and neuroimaging examinations. All the patients belonged within the same regional care system comprising 220,000 inhabitants.Results.—A total of 11 females and 3 males were studied. Based in our hospital series, the incidence was 6.4/100,000/year. The mean age at the onset was 38 years (range: 13‐72). Only three patients had another concurrent headache: migraine (n = 2), and trigeminal neuralgia (n = 1) which proved to have an independent course. All the patients reported head pain exclusively felt in either a rounded (n = 12) of 1‐6 cm diameter, or an oval area (n = 2) of 5 × 3 cm, and 2 × 3 cm, respectively. Both size and shape of the painful area remained constant since the onset of symptoms. The location of the symptomatic area was mostly parietal (n = 7) or temporal (n = 5), but also frontal (n = 1) and in occiput (n = 1). The background pain was mostly mild‐to‐moderate, but also moderate‐to‐severe pain was reported. Exacerbations—either spontaneous or precipitated by combing hair or touching the symptomatic area—were reported by 8 patients. The temporal pattern was chronic‐continuous (n = 7) and episodic (n = 7). Ten patients reported a variable combination of sensory disturbance (tenderness, hypoesthesia, hyperalgesia, and allodynia) in the symptomatic area. There were no autonomic accompaniments. Treatment was generally not necessary. When needed, standard oral doses of paracetamol usually sufficed.Conclusions.—NH emerges as a clear‐cut clinical picture. It is a noninfrequent primary headache. The particular topography suggests the pain has a probable epicranial source conveyed by, or originated in, one/a few terminal branch(es) of the cutaneous nerves of the scalp.
Saturation Mutagenesis of
Burkholderia cepacia
R34 2,4-Dinitrotoluene Dioxygenase at DntAc Valine 350 for Synthesizing Nitrohydroquinone, Methylhydroquinone, and Methoxyhydroquinone
Authors: Keenan Brendan G. , Leungsakul Thammajun , Smets Barth F. , Wood Thomas K. 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACT

Saturation mutagenesis of the 2,4-dinitrotoluene dioxygenase (DDO) of
Burkholderia cepacia
R34 at position valine 350 of the DntAc α-subunit generated mutant V350F with significantly increased activity towards
o
-nitrophenol (47 times),
m
-nitrophenol (34 times), and
o
-methoxyphenol (174 times) as well as an expanded substrate range that now includes
m
-methoxyphenol,
o
-cresol, and
m
-cresol (wild-type DDO had no detectable activity for these substrates). Another mutant, V350M, also displays increased activity towards
o
-nitrophenol (20 times) and
o
-methoxyphenol (162 times) as well as novel activity towards
o
-cresol. Products were synthesized using whole
Escherichia coli
TG1 cells expressing the recombinant R34
dntA
loci from pBS(Kan)R34, and the initial rates of product formation were determined at 1 mM substrate by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography. V350F produced both nitrohydroquinone at a rate of 0.75 ± 0.15 nmol/min/mg of protein and 3-nitrocatechol at a rate of 0.069 ± 0.001 nmol/min/mg of protein from
o
-nitrophenol, 4-nitrocatechol from
m
-nitrophenol at 0.29 ± 0.02 nmol/min/mg of protein, methoxyhydroquinone from
o
-methoxyphenol at 2.5 ± 0.6 nmol/min/mg of protein, methoxyhydroquinone from
m
-methoxyphenol at 0.55 ± 0.02 nmol/min/mg of protein, both methylhydroquinone at 1.52 ± 0.02 nmol/min/mg of protein and 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol at 0.74 ± 0.05 nmol/min/mg of protein from
o
-cresol, and methylhydroquinone at 0.43 ± 0.1 nmol/min/mg of protein from
m
-cresol. V350M produced both nitrohydroquinone at a rate of 0.33 nmol/min/mg of protein and 3-nitrocatechol at 0.089 nmol/min/mg of protein from
o
-nitrophenol, methoxyhydroquinone from
o
-methoxyphenol at 2.4 nmol/min/mg of protein, methylhydroquinone at 1.97 nmol/min/mg of protein and 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol at 0.11 nmol/min/mg of protein from
o
-cresol. The DDO variants V350F and V350M also exhibited 10-fold-enhanced activity towards naphthalene (8 ± 2.6 nmol/min/mg of protein), forming (1
R
,2
S
)-
cis
-1,2-dihydro-1,2-dihydroxynaphthalene. Hence, mutagenesis of wild-type DDO through active-site engineering generated variants with relatively high rates toward a previously uncharacterized class of substituted phenols for the nitroarene dioxygenases; seven previously uncharacterized substrates were evaluated for wild-type DDO, and four novel monooxygenase-like products were found for the DDO variants V350F and V350M (methoxyhydroquinone, methylhydroquinone, 2-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, and 3-nitrocatechol).
Saturation Mutagenesis of Toluene
ortho
-Monooxygenase of
Burkholderia cepacia
G4 for Enhanced 1-Naphthol Synthesis and Chloroform Degradation
Authors: Rui Lingyun , Kwon Young Man , Fishman Ayelet , Reardon Kenneth F. , Wood Thomas K. 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACT

Directed evolution of toluene
ortho
-monooxygenase (TOM) of
Burkholderia cepacia
G4 previously created the hydroxylase α-subunit (TomA3) V106A variant (TOM-Green) with increased activity for both trichloroethylene degradation (twofold enhancement) and naphthalene oxidation (six-times-higher activity). In the present study, saturation mutagenesis was performed at position A106 with
Escherichia coli
TG1/pBS(Kan)TOMV106A to improve TOM activity for both chloroform degradation and naphthalene oxidation. Whole cells expressing the A106E variant had two times better naphthalene-to-1-naphthol activity than the wild-type cells (
V
max
of 9.3 versus 4.5 nmol · min
−1
· mg of protein
−1
and unchanged

K
m

), and the regiospecificity of the A106E variant was unchanged, with 98% 1-naphthol formed, as was confirmed with high-pressure liquid chromatography. The A106E variant degrades its natural substrate toluene 63% faster than wild-type TOM does (2.12 ± 0.07 versus 1.30 ± 0.06 nmol · min
−1
· mg of protein
−1
[mean ± standard deviation]) at 91 μM and has a substantial decrease in regiospecificity, since
o
-cresol (50%),
m
-cresol (25%), and
p
-cresol (25%) are formed, in contrast to the 98%
o
-cresol formed by wild-type TOM. The A106E variant also has an elevated expression level compared to that of wild-type TOM, as evidenced by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Another variant, the A106F variant, has 2.8-times-better chloroform degradation activity based on gas chromatography (
V
max
of 2.61 versus 0.95 nmol · min
−1
· mg of protein
−1
and unchanged

K
m

) and chloride release (0.034 ± 0.002 versus 0.012 ± 0.001 nmol · min
−1
· mg of protein
−1
). The A106F variant also was expressed at levels similar to those of wild-type TOM and 62%-better toluene oxidation activity than wild-type TOM (2.11 ± 0.3 versus 1.30 ± 0.06 nmol · min
−1
· mg of protein
−1
). A shift in regiospecificity of toluene hydroxylation was also observed for the A106F variant, with
o
-cresol (28%),
m
-cresol (18%), and
p
-cresol (54%) being formed. Statistical analysis was used to estimate that 292 colonies must be screened for a 99% probability that all 64 codons were sampled during saturation mutagenesis.
Localization and Functional Analysis of PepI, the Immunity Peptide of Pep5-Producing
Staphylococcus epidermidis
Strain 5
Authors: Hoffmann Anja , Schneider Tanja , Pag Ulrike , Sahl Hans-Georg 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACT

Pep5 is a cationic pore-forming lantibiotic produced by
Staphylococcus epidermidis
strain 5. The producer strain protects itself from the lethal action of its own bacteriocin through the 69-amino-acid immunity peptide PepI. The N-terminal segment of PepI contains a 20-amino-acid stretch of apolar residues, whereas the C terminus is very hydrophilic, with a net positive charge. We used green fluorescent protein (GFP)-PepI fusions to obtain information on its localization in vivo. PepI was found to occur outside the cytoplasm and to accumulate at the membrane-cell wall interface. The extracellular localization appeared essential for conferring immunity. We analyzed the functional role of the specific segments by constructing various mutant peptides, which were also fused to GFP. When the hydrophobic N-terminal segment of PepI was disrupted by introducing charged amino acids, the export of PepI was blocked and clones expressing such mutant peptides were Pep5 sensitive. When PepI was successively shortened at the C terminus, in contrast, its export properties remained unchanged whereas its ability to confer immunity was gradually reduced. The results show that the N-terminal part is required for the transport of PepI and that the C-terminal part is important for conferring the immunity phenotype. A concept based on target shielding is proposed for the PepI immunity mechanism.
Cloning, Nucleotide Sequence, and Overexpression of the
l
-Rhamnose Isomerase Gene from
Pseudomonas stutzeri
in
Escherichia coli
Authors: Leang Khim , Takada Goro , Ishimura Akihiro , Okita Masashi , Izumori Ken 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACT

The gene encoding
l
-rhamnose isomerase (
l
-RhI) from
Pseudomonas stutzeri
was cloned into
Escherichia coli
and sequenced. A sequence analysis of the DNA responsible for the
l
-RhI gene revealed an open reading frame of 1,290 bp coding for a protein of 430 amino acid residues with a predicted molecular mass of 46,946 Da. A comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence with sequences in relevant databases indicated that no significant homology has previously been identified. An amino acid sequence alignment, however, suggested that the residues involved in the active site of
l
-RhI from
E. coli
are conserved in that from
P. stutzeri
. The
l
-RhI gene was then overexpressed in
E. coli
cells under the control of the T5 promoter. The recombinant clone,
E. coli
JM109, produced significant levels of
l
-RhI activity, with a specific activity of 140 U/mg and a volumetric yield of 20,000 U of soluble enzyme per liter of medium. This reflected a 20-fold increase in the volumetric yield compared to the value for the intrinsic yield. The recombinant
l
-RhI protein was purified to apparent homogeneity on the basis of three-step chromatography. The purified recombinant enzyme showed a single band with an estimated molecular weight of 42,000 in a sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. The overall enzymatic properties of the purified recombinant
l
-RhI protein were the same as those of the authentic one, as the optimal activity was measured at 60°C within a broad pH range from 5.0 to 11.0, with an optimum at pH 9.0.
Enzyme Production-Based Approach for Determining the Functions of Microorganisms within a Community
Authors: Nakamura Kohei , Haruta Shin , Nguyen Huong Lan , Ishii Masaharu , Igarashi Yasuo 
Published: June 2004

ABSTRACT

The functions of specific microorganisms in a microbial community were investigated during the composting process.
Cerasibacillus quisquiliarum
strain BLx
T
and
Bacillus thermoamylovorans
strain BTa were isolated and characterized in our previous studies based on their dominance in the composting system. Strain BLx
T
degrades gelatin, while strain BTa degrades starch. We hypothesized that these strains play roles in gelatinase and amylase production, respectively. The relationship between changes in the abundance ratios of each strain and those of each enzyme activity during the composting process was examined to address this hypothesis. The increase in gelatinase activity in the compost followed a dramatic increase in the abundance ratio of strain BLx
T
. Zymograph analysis demonstrated that the pattern of active gelatinase bands from strain BLx
T
was similar to that from the compost. Gelatinases from both BLx
T
and compost were partially purified and compared. Homologous N-terminal amino acid sequences were found in one of the gelatinases from strain BLx
T
and that of compost. These results indicate strain BLx
T
produces gelatinases during the composting process. Meanwhile, the increase in the abundance ratio of strain BTa was not concurrent with that of amylase activity in the compost. Moreover, the amylase activity pattern of strain BTa on the zymogram was different from that of the compost sample. These results imply that strain BTa may not produce amylases during the composting process. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating that the function of a specific microorganism is directly linked to a function in the community, as determined by culture-independent and enzyme-level approaches.