bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY IN HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTED PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT MIXED CRYOGLOBULINEMIA
Authors: Sampaolo S. , Ambrosone L. , Franzese G. , De Martino L. , Panella G. , Migliaresi S. , Di Iorio G. 
Published: July 2002

Objective: To evaluate immunohistochemical and ultrastructural changes in sural nerve biopsies from patients with peripheral neuropathy and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.Methods: Frozen and plastic‐embedded nerve specimens were obtained from 19 HCV‐positive patients with (16) or without (3) mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC). Immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence studies were performed on cryostat cross‐sections using antibodies recognising cellular subsets and humoral factors involved in the inflammation (CD68, CD11a‐b‐c, CD20, CD3, CD4, CD45, C1q, C3d, TCC, IgG, IgA, IgM). Semi and ultrathin sections were studied by standard protocols.Results: Nerve biopsy showed an axonal degeneration with micro‐ angiopathy (perineurial > endoneurial). IgM and IgG were observed as a thin sub‐perineurial band and in the wall of endo and perineurial vessels in MC patients only. Immunoglobulin deposition colocalised in some nerves with complement factors. Macrophages and T memory/activated lymphocytes were seen perivascularly and in endoneurium while rare B‐cells were detected in perineurium. In the MC‐negative patients, the peripheral neuropathy was characterised by a prominent myelin degeneration. The pattern of distribution of immunoreactivity for humoral and cellular factors was similar but not identical to that of MC patients.Conclusions: Axonal degeneration characterises the HCV‐related MC neuropathy and is likely secondary to ischaemia. The vascular damage is prevailing in perineurium and appears to be mediated by both T‐cells and immune complex. Myelin alterations mainly occur in MC‐negative patients. These last findings suggest a primary pathogenetic role for HCV in the induction of the nerve damage.
ACTIVES RELIEF MANEUVERS IN CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
Authors: Manente G. , Staniscia T. , Ragno M. , Pineto F. , Romano F. , Uncini A. 
Published: July 2002

In 1999 we described a maneuver, called Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Relief Maneuver (CTS‐RM), which eases or abolishes paresthesias or pain in carpal tunnel syndrome by gently squeezing the distal heads of the metacarpal bones (excluding the first) and stretching the third and fourth fingers. For the same purpose we recently developed two active counter‐resistance maneuvers which we called Carpal Tunnel Actives Relief Maneuvers (CTS‐ARMs).In CTS‐ARM n. 1 the patient uses maximum effort to bring digit I closer to digits IV and V (which should touch), while the examiner offers maximum resistance. On the contrary in CTS‐ARM n. 2, the patient uses maximum effort to distance digit I from digit IV and V (which should touch), while the examiner offers maximum resistance.To verify the efficacy of these maneuvers we enrolled 81 consecutive patients (120 hands) with CTS symptoms and signs and abnormal electrodiagnostic study. At clinical examination 38 patients (47%), 11 men and 27 women, complained of paresthesias in 54 hands (45%). In these patients we performed the three maneuvers: (1) the CTS‐RM; (2) the CTS‐ARM n.1 and (3) CTS‐ARM n. 2. The CTS‐ARMs 1 and 2, were successful in 51 hands (94%). In 40 hands (74%) there was complete abolition and in 11 (20%) improvement of paresthesias in a few seconds. In 3 hands (5.6 %) the CTS‐ARMs did not improve or worsen the paresthesias. The three maneuvers had almost the same results except in the three hands in which the CTS‐RM improved the paresthesias whereas CTS‐ARMs did not.We believe that the CTS‐ARMs may reduce compression and ischemia of the median nerve by stretching and raising the transverse carpal ligament. The CTS‐ARMs may help in clinical diagnosis of CTS, can be useful to relieve symptoms and provide the rationale for therapeutic hand exercises in CTS.
DISOPYRAMIDE‐INDUCED NEUROPATHY
Authors: Briani C. , Zara G. , Ruggero S. , Negrin P. 
Published: July 2002

Neuropathies are well‐known complications of therapy with amiodarone, but other antiarrhythmic drugs are rarely associated with neurological side effects. We report a patient who developed a severe sensory‐motor neuropathy after treatment with disopyramide.A 71 year‐old woman, who had been treated with disopyramide 500 mg/day for 4 years for cardiac arrythmias, presented with fatigue, paresthesias, and pain in her lower limbs. Morning stiffness and arthralgias were also present. On neurological examination, her gait was unsteady, and weakness was present in the 4 limbs; tendon reflexes were reduced in the upper limbs and lost in the lower limbs. C‐reactive protein was increased. Electrodiagnostic studies revealed a sensory‐motor polyneuropathy, with reduced motor conduction velocity (MCV) in peroneal nerves (38 m/sec) with normal compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude. There was some evidence of muscle denervation, with fibrillation at rest and reduced patterns on maximal contraction; no sensitive potential was recorded from sural nerves.Antibodies to peripheral nerve antigens (gangliosides, sulfatides, MAG, glycosaminoglycans) resulted negative. A diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica was made and steroid started with a prompt recovery of arthralgias and stiffness. Weakness and dysesthesias in the legs, however, worsened and an electrophysiological study, three months later, evidenced a more severe peripheral neuropathy, with a slower MCV (31 m/sec) and signs of denervation. After excluding other known causes of neuropathy, disopyramide was withdrawn. Four months later, the patient showed a significant improvement of the symptoms and of electrophysiological studies, with peroneal nerve MCVs of 40 m/sec and reappearance of the excitability of the sural nerves (43 m/sec). This is, to our knowledge, the second case of a disopyramide‐induced polyneuropathy so far reported. Although uncommon, it should be considered when polyneuropathy occurs and no other causes are found. If possible, the discontinuation of the therapy might help in clarifying the diagnosis and curing the neuropathy.
Musculoskeletal Pain and Risk for Falls in Older Disabled Women Living in the Community
Authors: Leveille Suzanne G. , Bean Jonathan , Bandeen‐Roche Karen , Jones Rich , Hochberg Marc , Guralnik Jack M. 
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVES:To determine whether musculoskeletal pain increased risk for falls in older women with disabilities.DESIGN:Prospective population‐based cohort study.SETTING:The city and county of the eastern area of Baltimore.PARTICIPANTS:One thousand two women aged 65 and older, participants in the Women's Health and Aging Study, representing the one‐third of older women who were living at home with disabilities, followed semiannually for 3 years beginning in 1991.MEASUREMENTS:Pain was categorized into four groups according to severity and location. Widespread pain was defined as pain in the upper and lower extremities and in the axial skeletal region, with moderate to severe pain in at least one region (≥ 4 on a 10‐point numeric rating scale, 10 = excruciating pain). Moderate to severe lower extremity pain that did not meet criteria for widespread pain was the next category. The reference category was no pain or mild pain in one site. The additional category of “other pain” was pain that did not fit into the other three groups. The occurrence of falls and fall‐related injuries were assessed at each interview.RESULTS:Of the 940 women who participated in at least one follow‐up examination, 39% fell in first year; of the survivors, 36% fell in Year 2, and 39% in Year 3. After adjusting for several major risk factors for falls, women with widespread pain had an increased likelihood of falling during follow‐up (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.25–2.21) compared with those with no or mild pain in only one musculoskeletal site. Women who had other musculoskeletal pain but not widespread pain or lower extremity pain also had an increased risk of falls (AOR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.02–1.82). Among women with musculoskeletal pain, risk for falls was lower in those who used daily analgesic medication. Risk for recurrent falls and self‐reported fractures due to falls was also elevated in women with musculoskeletal pain, most consistently in women with widespread pain.CONCLUSIONS:Musculoskeletal pain, particularly widespread pain, is a substantial risk factor for falls in older women with disabilities. These findings add an important dimension to our understanding of the multifactorial processes leading to falls in older persons. J Am Geriatr Soc 50:671–678, 2002.
The evolution of chemical patterns in reactive liquids, driven by hydrodynamic instabilities
Authors: Avnir D. , Kagan M. L. 
Published: July 2002

We summarize our activity in unveiling a very wide phenomenon: When a chemical reaction takes place at a liquid interface, spectacular patterns of product form (see Plate 1). The pattern formation phenomenon is general, and is observed in reactions between liquids separated by a membrane, in liquids subjected to gaseous reactants, and in photoreactive liquids. We have demonstrated the phenomenon on over 100 different reactions of all types, thus discovering what we believe to be one of the widest macroscopic pattern formation processes known to chemistry. As can be seen in the accompanying pictures, the richness, beauty, and variations in types of patterns can be breathtaking. Two important aspects of these patterns are noted: First, the patterns are true far-from-equilibrium structures, which are maintained only as long as reactants are available, or only as long as light energy is supplied to the system; and second, the chemical products that form the patterns are not precipitates, but are entirely soluble in the liquid in which they form. Thus, if the containers in which the patterns form are shaken or stirred, a homogeneous solution results. Our research of this phenomenon concentrated on three main aspects. The first one was phenomenological. Here we explored the scope and generality of the phenomenon, motivated both by the aesthetic appeal of the phenomenon, and by the puzzle of how is it that such a wide-scope, experimentally simple phenomenon, has by and large, escaped the attention of the scientific community.
The second aspect was devoted to the understanding of the underlying general mechanism. Of the many mechanisms we analyzed and tested, some very complex, others quite trivial, the one that fits the majority of the physical and chemical observations is the following: By performing a reaction through a liquid interface, a concentration gradient of the product forms near the interface. We have shown that in many cases, these gradients lead to hydrodynamic instabilities, which then break nonlinearly into a pattern which onsets slow convections. In other words, we found that these patterns mark the route along which a chemical instability relaxes. The third aspect of our research was theoretical. Here we concentrated in depth on one of the reactions (the Fe+2/Fe+3 photoredox reaction), determined all its important physical parameters, and modeled its behavior theoretically. Our model, which was based on the instability buildup described above, was solved numerically, and its results compared with computerized image analysis of the evolving patterns; very good agreement between theory and experiment, was obtained.
Microscopic theory of the dynamics of polymeric liquids: General formulation of a mode–mode-coupling approach
Authors: Schweizer Kenneth S. 
Published: July 2002

A formally exact, nonlinear generalized Langevin equation (GLE) for a flexible probe polymer in a dense melt has been derived using molecular phase space kinetic theory and Mori–Zwanzig projection operator techniques. An approximate, linearized dynamic memory function is developed, and the resulting GLE is specialized to the problem of an overdamped liquid of uncrossable Rouse polymers. An analytically tractable, perturbative/short time evaluation of the projected force time correlation function matrix is proposed which accounts for uncorrelated intermolecular pair interaction effects in the polymer melt. The detailed predictions for transport coefficients and various time correlation functions are determined for linear chains, and compared with recent lattice Monte Carlo simulations. Significant slowing down of all dynamical processes relative to the Rouse behavior is found, but the molecular weight scaling is not correctly described. A nonperturbative approach based on a polymeric generalization of molecular-scale mode–mode coupling theory is formulated which does properly capture the strong caging and viscoelastic effects in dense melts.
The phenomenological concepts of topological entanglements, a static tube, and primitive path are not employed, and simplified assumptions about liquid structure and mode of motion are not introduced a priori. The microscopic theory is based on an explicit nonlinear coupling of the collective fluid density fluctuations with the segmental density fields of a probe polymer. Equilibrium structural information is naturally incorporated, and the associated renormalized intermolecular potential, or vertex, is found to be spatially long range due to chain connectivity and correlation hole effects. The projected dynamics describing the time evolution of the mode-coupling part of the memory function matrix is evaluated using the short time/pair interaction theory. The polymeric mode-coupling theory can be employed as a rigorous and unified framework for qualitatively and quantitatively studying transport coefficients, material response functions, crossover phenomena, collective density fluctuation dynamical effects, nonlinear molecular architectures (e.g., ring polymers), tracer diffusion, semidilute solutions and blends.
Molecular dynamics with Langevin equation using local harmonics and Chandrasekhar’s convolution
Authors: Askar Attila , Owens Robert G. , Rabitz Herschel A. 
Published: July 2002

A numerical method for studying molecular systems subject to a random force field leading to a Gaussian velocity distribution and described by the Langevin equation is presented. Two basic elements constitute the formulation: local harmonic modes and Chandrasekhar’s formula for the distribution function for a convolution involving a random function. First, by linearizing the governing Langevin equations locally and employing an orthogonal change of coordinates, an explicit solution for the displacement and velocity is constructed. Second, Chandrasekhar’s formula is employed in deriving the probability distribution function of the displacements and the velocities coming from the random forces. The local mode analysis is essential for the use of the Chandrasekhar’s formula, since we need the formal solution as a convolution of the random forces and the local Green’s function. For an illustration of the method in a significant case representative of real problems, we study a one dimensional idealization of a long chain molecule possessing internal energy barriers and subjected to an applied tension. The results are compared with the predictions of a conventional approximate method where a finite number of random realizations are generated in each time step. This truncation constitutes an approximation to obtain the desired Gaussian probability distribution function for the velocities which is reached in the limit of an infinity of random realizations. The calculations show that the conventional approximations may be acceptable only for short times, small temperatures, and average values over very long times. In particular, these approximations fail to give accurate results for transient phenomena, show slow convergence with the increase in the number of random realizations, and predict large values for the variance even in the steady regime.
The new proposed method on the other hand, (i) incorporates the mathematically and conceptually correct limit for the distribution function, (ii) is quite stable with respect to increases in the value of the time increment as well as in terms of fluctuations characterized by the variance, (iii) leads to considerable savings in computer time over the approximate method, and (iv) has the proper description during the transient regime, which is usually the most interesting phase of dynamical processes.
Alcohol and the pancreas
Authors: APTE MINOTI V. , HABER PAUL S. , NORTON IAN D. , WILSON JEREMY S. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractAlcoholic pancreatitis is a major, often lethal complication of alcohol abuse. Until recently it was generally accepted that alcoholic pancreatitis was a chronic disease from the outset. However, there is now emerging evidence in favour of the necrosis‐fibrosis hypothesis that alcoholic pancreatitis begins as an acute process and that repeated acute attacks lead to chronic pancreatitis, resulting in exocrine and endocrine failure. Over the past 10‐15 years, the focus of research into the pathogenesis of alcoholic pancreatitis has shifted from possible sphincteric and ductular abnormalities to the acinar cell itself which has increasingly been implicated as the initial site of injury. Recent studies have shown that the acinar cell can metabolize alcohol at rates comparable to those observed in hepatocytes. In addition, it has been demonstrated that alcohol and its metabolites exert direct effects on the pancreatic acinar cell which may promote premature digestive enzyme activation and oxidant stress. The challenge remains to identify predisposing and triggering factors in this disease.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signal Transactivation
Authors: Leserer Michael , Gschwind Andreas , Ullrich Axel 
Published: July 2002

AbstractCross‐communication between heterologous signaling systems and the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been shown to be critical for a variety of biological responses: EGFR transactivation when G‐protein‐coupled receptors (GPCRs) are stimulated represents the paradigm of an interreceptor network that is dependent on G‐proteins, kinases, metalloproteases, and growth factor precursors. Investigating the mechanism of this process will help expand our knowledge of physiological regulatory mechanisms and diverse pathophysiological disorders.
Formal design and implementation of an improved DDBJ DNA database with a new schema and object-oriented library.
Authors: Okayama T , Tamura T , Gojobori T , Tateno Y , Ikeo K , Miyazaki S , Fukami-Kobayashi K , Sugawara H 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
MOTIVATION: The DNA Data Bank of Japan (DDBJ) has developed a new DNA database system with a new schema design to accommodate rapid change and growth of requirements on the system. RESULTS: The new schema and systems were created using an object-oriented design approach. The design was accomplished in accordance with ANSI/SPARC three-level schema architecture. First, the conceptual schema was designed using a functional model named AIS (associative information structure) and was visualized in extended diagram format. The model is a natural extension of an ER (entity relationship) model and describes real-world objects in binary associations between entities with the concept of order. Second, the schema was mapped on a relational database as a physical schema. All details are concentrated in this schema and the layer lying above enjoys physical independence. Finally, as another layer, external modeling was introduced for the database applications interface. It provides set-at-a-time basis operations and was implemented as a C++ object-oriented library. On this common framework of a new schema, a new annotator's workbench named Yamato II and a World Wide Web (WWW) submission system named Sakura have been successfully developed to improve drastically daily transactions in the DDBJ. AVAILABILITY: Sakura is available at the following address: http://sakura.ddbj.nig.ac.jp. CONTACT: hsugawar@genes.nig.ac.jp
LIGAND: chemical database for enzyme reactions.
Authors: Goto S , Nishioka T , Kanehisa M 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
MOTIVATION: The existing molecular biology databases focus on the sequence and structural aspects of biological macromolecules, i.e. DNAs, RNAs and proteins. However, in order to understand the functional aspects, it is essential to computerize the interaction of these molecules. Furthermore, living cells contain additional molecules, such as metabolic compounds and metal ions, that may also be considered as parts of the basic building blocks of life, but are not well organized in public databases. LIGAND chemical database is our attempt to solve these problems, at least for enzymatic reactions. RESULTS: LIGAND consists of two sections: ENZYME and COMPOUND. The ENZYME section is an extension of previous studies (Suyama et al. , Comput. Applic. Biosci., 9, 9-15, 1993), and it is a flat-file representation of 3303 enzymes and 2976 enzymatic reactions in the chemical equation format that can be parsed by machine. The COMPOUND section has been newly constructed for information on the nomenclature and chemical structures of compounds. It contains 5383 chemical compounds. Both ENZYME and COMPOUND entries contain rich cross-reference information, most of which is automatically generated by the DBGET/LinkDB system, thus providing the linkage between chemical and biological databases. LIGAND is updated daily, tightly coupled with the KEGG metabolic pathway database, and forms the basis for reconstruction and computation of pathways. AVAILABILITY: LIGAND can be accessed through the DBGET/LinkDB and KEGG systems in the Japanese GenomeNet database service via http://www.genome.ad.jp/. The flat-file format of the LIGAND database can be downloaded by anonymous FTP via ftp://kegg. genome.adjp/molecules/ligand/. CONTACT: goto@kuicr.kyoto-u.ac.jp; nishioka@scl.kyoto-u.ac.jp; kanehisa@kuicr.kyoto-u.ac.jp
CAST: an iterative algorithm for the complexity analysis of
sequence tracts
Authors: Promponas Vasilis J. , Enright Anton J. , Tsoka Sophia , Kreil David P. , Leroy Christophe , Hamodrakas Stavros , Sander Chris , Ouzounis Christos A. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
Motivation: Sensitive detection and masking of low-complexity regions in protein sequences. Filtered sequences can be used in sequence comparison without the risk of matching compositionally biased regions. The main advantage of the method over similar approaches is the selective masking of single residue types without affecting other, possibly important, regions.
Results: A novel algorithm for low-complexity region detection and selective masking. The algorithm is based on multiple-pass Smith–Waterman comparison of the query sequence against twenty homopolymers with infinite gap penalties. The output of the algorithm is both the masked query sequence for further analysis, e.g. database searches, as well as the regions of low complexity. The detection of low-complexity regions is highly specific for single residue types. It is shown that this approach is sufficient for masking database query sequences without generating false positives. The algorithm is benchmarked against widely available algorithms using the 210 genes of Plasmodium falciparum chromosome 2, a dataset known to contain a large number of low-complexity regions.
Availability: CAST (version 1.0) executable binaries are available to academic users free of charge under license. Web site entry point, server and additional material: http://www.ebi.ac.uk/research/cgg/services/cast/
Contact: ouzounis@ebi.ac.uk
To whom correspondence should be addressed.