bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contribution of progression of erosive damage in previously eroded joints in early rheumatoid arthritis trials: COBRA trial as an example
Authors: Bruynesteyn Karin , Van Der Heijde Désirée , Boers Maarten , Verhoeven Arco , Boonen Annelies , Van Der Linden Sjef ,   for the Cobra Trial Group
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveIn rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the context of a drug trial, prevention of erosions in undamaged joints is often considered more important than prevention of progression in already damaged joints, although a clear rationale is lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the relative contribution of separate components of the erosion score of the modified Sharp/van der Heijde method in early RA.MethodsDifferent aspects of erosive damage were evaluated by their ability to discriminate between the 2 treatments in an early RA trial (the COBRA trial).ResultsThe contribution of progression of already eroded joints to the total erosion score clearly increased during the 1.5 years of the trial. When the periods 0–28, 28–56, and 56–80 weeks were analyzed separately, the erosion score showed a significant difference between the groups in the first 2 periods (P < 0.0001, P < 0.03, and P < 0.64, respectively). Similar differences were seen in rates of progression in previously eroded joints (P = 0.005, P = 0.003, P = 0.35). On the other hand, rates of progression in newly eroded joints showed no significant difference between the 2 treatment groups in the second and third period (P < 0.0001, P < 0.16, P < 0.87). Analyses on joint and patient level showed analogous results.ConclusionSubanalyses on progression rates in noneroded joints and already eroded joints can provide additional information. However, important information and discriminative strength may be lost when assessment is limited to the development of erosions in undamaged joints.
The rheumatoid hand: A predictable disease with unpredictable surgical practice patterns
Authors: Alderman Amy K. , Chung Kevin C. , Demonner Sonya , Spilson Sandra V. , Hayward Rodney A. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate variation in fusion, arthroplasty, and tenosynovectomy rates among rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients across states; to evaluate associations between surgery rates and the density of hand surgeons; and to evaluate differences in treatment by sex of the patient.MethodsData were obtained from the 1996 and 1997 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project database. The procedure codes for fusion, arthroplasty, and tenosynovectomy were matched to patients with the diagnostic code of RA, which provided the total number of procedures performed in each state. The smoothed estimates of the RA population for each state were derived from age/sex strata in the 1995 US census using age/sex‐adjusted RA prevalence data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The number of hand surgeons was from the 1996 American Society for Surgery of the Hand.ResultsProcedure rates across states varied from 9‐fold to 12‐fold for all 3 procedures. The rates of the reconstructive procedures—fusion and arthroplasty—were highly correlated in each state, but these 2 procedures were only moderately correlated with tenosynovectomy. Surgeon density and procedure rates were minimally correlated. Procedure rates differed by patient sex, with significantly more arthroplasty and fusion procedures performed in women. More tenosynovectomy procedures were performed in men, and they were also performed at a younger age in men.ConclusionsSignificant large area variations are present in the surgical management of the rheumatoid hand, but the correlations between reconstructive and early intervention procedures are modest. These rate differences are not explained by the number of hand surgeons, disease prevalence, or demographic composition of the states. However, men are more likely to receive more aggressive early surgical interventions, and women are more likely to receive end‐stage reconstructive surgery.
Usefulness of an insole with subtalar strapping for analgesia in patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee
Authors: Toda Yoshitaka , Segal Neil 
Published: October 2002

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the effect of an insole with subtalar strapping on patients with medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee.MethodsNovel lateral wedged insoles with elastic subtalar strapping (the subtalar strapping support group) and ankle supporters with a lateral wedged heel insert (the sock‐type ankle support group) were prepared. Eighty‐eight female outpatients with knee OA were treated with 1 of the 2 insoles for 8 weeks. Femorotibial angle was assessed by standing radiographs with and without unilateral insole use for each subject. Symptoms of knee OA were evaluated according to the severity index of Lequesne et al at baseline and at the final assessment.ResultsParticipants wearing the insole with subtalar strapping (n = 42) demonstrated significantly decreased femorotibial angle (an average of change: −3.1° ± 2.5°, P < 0.0001), but a significant difference was not found in the sock‐type ankle support group (n = 46; −0.4° ± 1.1°, P > 0.05). In the subtalar strapping support group, pain during bed rest with full extension of the knee (P < 0.0001), pain after getting up (P = 0.04), pain on getting up from a seated position (P = 0.021), maximum distance walked (P = 0.009), and aggregate severity score (P < 0.0001) were significantly improved compared with baseline. In contrast, significant symptomatic improvement was detected only in the aggregate score (P = 0.016) in the sock‐type ankle support group, but not in any of the 10 specific categories.ConclusionThe lateral wedged insole with subtalar strapping induces correction of the femorotibial angle and symptomatic relief in patients with varus‐deformity knee OA.
Global and local motions in ribonuclease A: A molecular dynamics study
Authors: Merlino Antonello , Vitagliano Luigi , Antoine Ceruso Marc , Di Nola Alfredo , Mazzarella Lelio 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe understanding of protein dynamics is one of the major goals of structural biology. A direct link between protein dynamics and function has been provided by x‐ray studies performed on ribonuclease A (RNase A) (B. F. Rasmussen et al., Nature, 1992, Vol. 357, pp. 423–424; L. Vitagliano et al., Proteins: Structure, Function, and Genetics, 2002, Vol. 46, pp. 97–104). Here we report a 3 ns molecular dynamics simulation of RNase A in water aimed at characterizing the dynamical behavior of the enzyme. The analysis of local and global motions provides interesting insight on the dynamics/function relationship of RNase A. In agreement with previous crystallographic reports, the present study confirms that the RNase A active site is constituted by rigid (His12, Asn44, Thr45) and flexible (Lys41, Asp83, His119, Asp121) residues. The analysis of the global motions, performed using essential dynamics, shows that the two β‐sheet regions of RNase A move coherently in opposite directions, thus modifying solvent accessibility of the active site, and that the mixed α/310‐helix (residues 50–60) behaves as a mechanical hinge during the breathing motion of the protein. These data demonstrate that this motion, essential for RNase A substrate binding and release, is an intrinsic dynamical property of the ligand‐free enzyme. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 65: 274–283, 2002
Ascending and descending projections from the superior olivary complex in guinea pigs: Different cells project to the cochlear nucleus and the inferior colliculus
Authors: Schofield Brett R. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe superior olivary complex is a source of ascending projections to the inferior colliculus and descending projections to the cochlear nucleus. We used multiple‐labeling techniques with fluorescent retrograde tracers to determine whether individual superior olivary cells project to the inferior colliculus and the cochlear nucleus. Almost all labeled cells contained one tracer, suggesting that they projected to only one of the injected targets. A small number of cells sent collateral projections to the ipsilateral cochlear nucleus and ipsilateral inferior colliculus. The double‐labeled cells constituted fewer than 2% of the cells that projected to the cochlear nucleus or to the inferior colliculus. There was no evidence for cells projecting to both contralateral targets or to one ipsilateral target and one contralateral target. We conclude that the ascending projections to the inferior colliculus and the descending projections to the cochlear nucleus arise almost exclusively from separate populations of cells in the superior olivary complex. Their separate origins suggest that these projections are sending different information to higher and lower centers of the auditory pathways. J. Comp. Neurol. 453:217–225, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prognostic implications of BAX and TGFBRII mutations in colon cancers with microsatellite instability
Authors: Samowitz Wade S. , Curtin Karen , Neuhausen Susan , Schaffer Donna , Slattery Martha L. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractMicrosatellite instability in sporadic colon cancer is associated with an improved prognosis. Recent studies, however, have suggested that microsatellite unstable cancers with mutations in the proapoptotic gene BAX have a relatively poor prognosis, whereas those with mutations in transforming growth factor‐β receptor type II (TGFBRII) have a relatively good prognosis. Using instability in the non‐coding mononucleotide repeat BAT‐26 as a measure of generalized microsatellite instability, we evaluated the prognosis of unstable colon cancers with and without frameshift mutations in the coding mononucleotide repeats of BAX and TGFBRII in a population‐based sample of 1,427 individuals. BAX mutations were identified in 39.0% (64/164) of unstable colon cancers, whereas TGFBRII mutations were identified in 79.3% (138/174) of unstable colon cancers. Unstable colon cancers with and without instability in BAX and TGFBRII were associated with very similar and statistically indistinguishable percentage 5‐year survivals and Kaplan–Meier survival curves; stable colon cancers were associated with a significantly worse 5‐year survival and Kaplan–Meier survival (P < 0.001 and P < 0.013, respectively, compared against BAT‐26 unstable). The age‐ and stage‐adjusted risk of death associated with BAX or TGFBRII mutations was not significantly different from that of unstable tumors without such mutations. We conclude that instability‐induced mutations in BAX or TGFBRII do not have a significant impact on the good prognosis of colon cancers with microsatellite instability. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Acute thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura following orthopedic surgery
Authors: Kathula Satheesh K. , Kamana Mallika , Naqvi Tahir , Gupta Sharda , Chang Jae C. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractRelease of unusually large von Willibrand factor (UL vWF) multimers and a deficiency of vWF metalloprotease may result in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a life threatening disease. Surgery has been associated with TTP, probably by releasing massive amounts of UL vWF. An association between TTP and orthopedic surgery has never been reported in the literature. We report a case of TTP following a total knee replacement surgery in which prior use of ticlopidine might have played a role. J. Clin. Apheresis 17: 133–134, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peptide biosensor for recognition of cross‐species cell surface markers
Authors: Samoylov Alexandre M. , Samoylova Tatiana I. , Pathirana Suram T. , Globa Ludmila P. , Vodyanoy Vitaly J. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractBiosensors based on phage display‐derived peptides as biorecognition molecules were used for the detection of cell surface cross‐species markers in tissue homogenates. The peptide selected for murine myofibers was immobilized onto the surface of an acoustic wave sensor by biotin–streptavidin coupling. To detect peptide–receptor interaction, the sensors were exposed to muscle and control (kidney, liver, brain) tissue homogenates. The sensor showed a strong response to murine muscle. The amplitudes of the responses to the feline muscle homogenates were lower compared to those of the murine muscle, while the same Kd indicated that the peptide has cross‐species affinity. In contrast, murine kidney, liver and brain homogenates produced insignificant responses. Specificity of the sensor was shown in a blocking experiment, as reduced signal was detected when muscle preparations were preincubated with free peptide. Additionally, when muscle‐specific peptide was replaced with two different random control peptides, the sensors produced no response to murine muscle. Suitability of peptide ligands for a variety of species can be evaluated using this technology. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cyclic voltammetry characterization of metal complex imprinted polymer
Authors: Zeng Yi Ning , Zheng Ning , Osborne Peter G. , Li Yuan Zong , Chang Wen Bao , Wen Mei Juan 
Published: October 2002

AbstractPolymer capable of specific binding to Cu2+‐2, 2′‐dipyridyl complex was prepared by molecular imprinting technology. The binding specificity of the polymer to the template (Cu2+‐2, 2′‐dipyridyl complex) was investigated by cyclic voltammetric scanning using the carbon paste electrode modified by polymer particles in phosphate buffer solution. Factors that influence rebinding of the imprinted polymer were explored. The results demonstrated that cyclic voltammetry was an efficient approach to explore interactions between template and imprinted polymers. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Side effects, feasibility, and adherence to treatment during home‐managed electrical stimulation for urinary incontinence: A Norwegian national cohort of 3,198 women
Authors: Indrekvam Solfrid , Hunskaar Steinar 
Published: October 2002

AbstractAim.To analyze side effects, feasibility, and adherence to treatment during home‐managed electrical stimulation for urinary incontinence in women.Methods.This was a prospective study of 3,198 Norwegian women treated with home‐managed electrical stimulation from 1992 to 1994. Data were collected from both patients and physicians by questionnaires before and after treatment.Results.Eighty‐nine percent of the patients found the stimulator easy or acceptable to use. Fifty percent had no or little discomfort from stimulator use. Nine percent found the stimulator very unpleasant, difficult, or impossible to use. Fifty‐one percent had one or more side effects related to the treatment, most of them mild. A wide range of side effects was reported; the majority of which related to local discomfort. Three hundred and six patients (12%) discontinued treatment. A total of 79% of the patients recommended the treatment to other women with similar problems.Conclusions.Home‐managed electrical stimulation was practicable and well accepted. Half of the patients reported various degrees of side effects with treatment, but no serious events were reported. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:546–552, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Urethral pressure profile: Is it affected by position?
Authors: Dörflinger Annette , Gorton Emma , Stanton Stuart , Dreher Ekkehard 
Published: October 2002

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the difference between sitting and standing passive urethral pressure measurements, and to determine the accuracy of urethral pressure profilometry in each position. Urethral pressure profilometry was performed in the sitting and standing position in 98 women. Stress incontinence due to urethral sphincter incompetence was demonstrated in 59 of whom 6 also had detrusor instability. The others were normal volunteers (7), women with a normal cystometrogram (23), and women with detrusor instability (9). MUCP tended to be higher in the standing than the sitting position but this did not reach statistical significance. Urethral lengthening appeared to occur on standing with a mean increase of FUL of 5 mm on standing. For both FUL and MUCP, there was a wide variation in the difference between sitting and standing values. There was poor reproducibility of measurements of MUCP and FUL in the standing position, limiting its clinical applicability. The difference between sitting and standing MUCP and FUL was not affected by age, parity, weight, height, BMI, or oestrogen status. In women with genuine stress incontinence, there was less difference between sitting and standing MUCP, but this explained only a small part of the variability. The increase in FUL in the standing position was unaffected by diagnosis. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:553–557, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Determination of the embryonic inner ear
Authors: Noramly Selina , Grainger Robert M. 
Published: October 2002

AbstractInner ear induction, like induction of other tissues examined in recent years, is likely to be comprised of several stages. The process begins during gastrulation when the ectoderm is competent to respond to induction. It appears that a signal from the endomesoderm underlying the otic area during gastrulation initiates induction complemented by a signal from presumptive neural tissue. By the neural plate stage, a region of ectoderm outside the neural plate is “biased” toward ear formation; this process may be part of a more general “placodal” bias shared by several sensory tissues. Induction continues during neurulation when a signal from neural tissue (possibly augmented by mesoderm underlying the otic area) results in ectoderm committed to otic vesicle formation at the time of neural tube closure. Studies on several gene families implicate them in the ear determination process. Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) family members are clearly involved in induction: FGFs are appropriately expressed for such a role, and have been shown to be essential for inner ear development. FGFs also have inductive activity, although it is not clear if they are sufficient for ear induction. Activation of transcription factors in the otic ectoderm, for example, by Pax gene family members, provides evidence for important changes in the responding ectoderm beginning during gastrulation and continuing through specification at the end of neurulation, although few functional tests have defined the role of these genes in determination. The challenge remains to merge embryologic data with gene function studies to develop a clear model for the molecular basis of inner ear induction. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 53: 100–128, 2002
Manic episodes: the direct cost of a three-month period following hospitalisation
Authors: Olié J.P. , Lévy E. 
Published: October 2002

SummaryIntroduction.Few data exist to estimate the burden of manic episodes on healthcare systems or the therapeutic strategies used. This study was undertaken to identify treatment strategies chosen, and to assess the “real-world” direct medical cost of treating manic episodes necessitating hospitalisation.Method.Case record data were reviewed during the three months following hospitalisation for a manic episode in France. Healthcare resource utilisation was assessed, direct costs calculated, and treatment strategies analysed. A total of 137 patients files (51.8% female; mean age: 35 years) were reviewed and data on 185 hospitalisations collected.Results.The mean duration of hospitalisation was 47 days over the study period. The most common treatment strategy during hospitalisation was the combination of a mood stabiliser with a neuroleptic drug (64% of patients at day 30). Anticonvulsants including valproate (39%) and carbamazepine (20%) were more common than lithium (42%). Treatment received during hospitalisation was generally continued after discharge, with a trend away from neuroleptics and towards mood stabilisers. The mean direct costs incurred over the three-month study period was Euro 22 297, with 98.6% of those costs due to hospitalisation.Conclusion.These results confirm that the costs of treating a manic episode are high, and overwhelmingly due to the cost of hospitalisation.
In Vitro Activities of 5-Fluorocytosine against 8,803 Clinical Isolates of
Candida
spp.: Global Assessment of Primary Resistance Using National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards Susceptibility Testing Methods
Authors: Pfaller M. A. , Messer S. A. , Boyken L. , Huynh H. , Hollis R. J. , Diekema D. J. 
Published: October 2002

ABSTRACT

We determined the in vitro activity of flucytosine (5-fluorocytosine [5FC]) against 8,803 clinical isolates of
Candida
spp. (18 species) obtained from more than 200 medical centers worldwide between 1992 and 2001. The MICs were determined by broth microdilution tests performed according to NCCLS guidelines by using RPMI 1640 as the test medium and the following interpretive breakpoints: susceptible (S), ≤4 μg/ml; intermediate (I), 8 to 16 μg/ml; resistant (R), ≥32 μg/ml. 5FC was very active against the 8,803
Candida
isolates (MIC
90
, 1 μg/ml), 95% S. A total of 99 to 100% of
C. glabrata
(MIC
90
, 0.12 μg/ml),
C. parapsilosis
(MIC
90
, 0.25 μg/ml),
C. dubliniensis
(MIC
90
, 0.12 μg/ml),
C. guilliermondii
(MIC
90
, 0.5 μg/ml), and
C. kefyr
(MIC
90
, 1 μg/ml) were susceptible to 5FC at the NCCLS breakpoint.
C. albicans
(MIC
90
, 1 μg/ml; 97% S) and
C. tropicalis
(MIC
90
, 1 μg/ml; 92% S) were only slightly less susceptible. In contrast,
C. krusei
was the least susceptible species: 5% S; MIC
90
, 32 μg/ml. Primary resistance to 5FC is very uncommon among
Candida
spp. (95% S, 2% I, and 3% R), with the exception of
C. krusei
(5% S, 67% I, and 28% R). The in vitro activity of 5FC, combined with previous data demonstrating a prolonged post-antifungal effect (2.5 to 4 h) and concentration-independent activity (optimized at 4× MIC), suggest that 5FC could be used in lower doses to reduce host toxicity while maintaining antifungal efficacy.
Regulated Expression of the
Escherichia coli lepB
Gene as a Tool for Cellular Testing of Antimicrobial Compounds That Inhibit Signal Peptidase I In Vitro
Authors: Barbosa Maria D. F. S. , Lin Siqi , Markwalder Jay A. , Mills Jonathan A. , DeVito Joseph A. , Teleha Christopher A. , Garlapati Vasudha , Liu Charles , Thompson Andy , Trainor George L. , Kurilla Michael G. , Pompliano David L. 
Published: October 2002

ABSTRACT

Escherichia coli
under-expressing
lepB
was utilized to test cellular inhibition of signal peptidase I (SPase). For the construction of a
lepB
regulatable strain, the
E. coli lepB
gene was cloned into pBAD, with expression dependent on
l
-arabinose. The chromosomal copy of
lepB
was replaced with a kanamycin resistance gene, which was subsequently removed. SPase production by the
lepB
regulatable strain in the presence of various concentrations of
l
-arabinose was monitored by Western blot analysis. At lower arabinose concentrations growth proceeded more slowly, possibly due to a decrease of SPase levels in the cells. A penem SPase inhibitor with little antimicrobial activity against
E. coli
when tested at 100 μM was utilized to validate the cell-based system. Under-expression of
lepB
sensitized the cells to penem, with complete growth inhibition observed at 10 to 30 μM. Growth was rescued by increasing the SPase levels. The cell-based assay was used to test cellular inhibition of SPase by compounds that inhibit the enzyme in vitro. MD1, MD2, and MD3 are SPase inhibitors with antimicrobial activity against
Staphylococcus aureus
, although they do not inhibit growth of
E. coli
. MD1 presented the best spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Both MD1 and MD2 prevented growth of
E. coli
under-expressing
lepB
in the presence of polymyxin B nonapeptide, with growth rescue observed when wild-type levels of SPase were produced. MD3 and MD4, a reactive analog of MD3, inhibited growth of
E. coli
under-expressing
lepB
. However, growth rescue in the presence of these compounds following increased
lepB
expression was observed only after prolonged incubation.