bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ALTERED DOSAGE OF PERIPHERAL MYELIN PROTEIN 22 (PMP22) AFFECTS MYELIN PERIODICITY
Authors: Grandis M. , Nobbio L. , Abbruzzese M. , Gherardi G.F. , Bellone E. , Ansaldo G.L. , Mancardi G.L. , Schenone A. 
Published: July 2002

PMP22 is a 22‐kD glycoprotein expressed by myelinating Schwann cells. PMP22 seems to play a dual role in regulating cell growth and in peripheral myelin compaction. Myelin formation and maintenance are the result of interactions between PMP22 and the peripheral myelin protein zero (P0), which form complexes at the myelin membrane and mutually contribute to stabilize the intraperiod lines and to held together the major dense lines. Both PMP22 and P0 mutations result in specific inherited demyelinating neuropathies, which are neuropathologically characterized by uncompaction of myelin lamellae and splitting of the major dense lines in some myelinated fibers (MF). However, the most common hereditary neuropathies, Charcot‐Marie‐Tooth 1A (CMT1A) and Hereditary Neuropathy with liability to Pressure Palsies (HNPP), are due to a duplication and a deletion respectively, of the PMP22 gene, leading to over‐ and underexpression of the protein. It is unknown how the altered PMP22 dosage impairs peripheral myelination. Using our imaging system for nerve morphometry directly connected to the electron microscope, we evaluated myelin lamellae periodicity in 150 MF from sural nerves of: 3 CMT 1A patients, 3 HNPP patients, and 3 normal controls. Furthermore, we measured myelin period in 50 MF obtained from a CMT1A culture model and in 50 MF from normal DRG cultures. Myelin periodicity was significantly increased in CMT1A patients (9.77 ± 0.9 nm) and in the CMT1A culture model (10.1 ± 0.1 nm) compared respectively to the normal sural nerves (9.1 ± 0.7 nm) and to the control cultures (9.6 ± 0.1 nm). Conversely, myelin periodicity was slightly reduced in HNPP patients (8.9 ± 0.7 nm).In conclusion, PMP22 overexpression induces widening of myelin lamellae, which may be recorded with appropriate morphometric techniques. As this change has been also observed in DRG cultures from a CMT1A rat model, it may be the first stage of the demyelination process going on in this disease. The observation that altered dosage of PMP22 significantly affects myelin periodicity provides further clues in understanding the role of this protein in the process of myelin assembly and maintenance.
PLASMA EXCHANGE VERSUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN INFUSION THERAPY IN MYASTENIC CRISIS. REPORT OF SIX CASES
Authors: Inghilleri M. , Perinelli D. , Gozzer M. , Libertucci V. , Conte A. , Manfredi M. 
Published: July 2002

The clinical effectiveness of plasma exchange (PE) and intravenous immunoglobulin infusion (IVIg) were compared in six patients during myastenic crisis. Five subjects had autoimmune myastenia and one myastenia‐like syndrome. Neurological examination showed low values of myastenic muscle score. The initial treatment was infusion of IVIg 0.4 gr/Kg/day for 5 days, but despite therapy, progressive dyspnea and worsening muscular weakness appeared. After a variable delay from the last IG infusion (from 2 to 12 days) patients underwent PE treatment (Dideco Vivacell 798DE System) for 8 days, receiving a daily, single‐volume exchange with 5% albumin replacement. After the fourth–fifth exchange, the patient weakness improved. Because PE started from 2 to 12 days after the last IVIg infusion, the therapeutic effect of PE did not depend on a delayed IVIg action. A spontaneous recovery also appears unlikely, because all the patients had severe, progressive neurological symptoms that proved insensitive to anticholinesterase drugs. A possible reason why IVIg proved ineffective is that the various immunoglobulin preparations differed in the proportion of specific antibody and therefore did not sufficiently counteract the patient's autoantibodies. In agreement with this hypothesis, others have recently described a remarkable post‐exchange response to IVIgs in a different dysimmune syndrome. PE was effective because it directly washed the autoantibodies off.In conclusion, these findings lend support to the use of PE as first‐choice treatment in patients in myastenic crisis. Infusion of IgIV should be given only when PE is unavailable or contraindicated and supportive therapy alone proves inadequate.
MILD CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: EARLY ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL DIAGNOSIS AND POST SURGICAL FOLLOW UP
Authors: Lanzillo B. , Nucciotti R. , Di Caprio G. , Crisci C. , Pappone N. , Saltalamacchia A.M. , Stancanelli A. , Caruso G. 
Published: July 2002

We studied orthodromic sensory and motor conduction along median and ulnar nerves in 52 patients suspected for CTS (60 hands) and in 30 control subjects. Patients underwent electrophysiological examination before and up to 24 months after surgical decompression.We evaluated the following electrophysiological tests:1. sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) from digit III and V to wrist (dSNCV) and from palm to wrist (pSNCV)2. pSNCV/dSNCV ratio in median nerve3. median/ulnar pSNCV ratio4. Distal latency (DL)5. SNAP and CMAP amplitudes.In 3 patients, presurgical neurographic findings were normal. According to median dSNCV, the remaining 49 patients were classified into 3 groups: A = normal, B = mild slowing, C = marked slowing. In all B and C group patients, median pSNCV was significantly reduced. In group A, pSNCV was reduced in 16 patients (53%), pSNCV/dSNCV ratio was abnormal in 29 patients (97%), and median/ulnar pSNCV ratio in all subjects (100%). DL, SNAP, and CMAP amplitudes abnormalities were detected only in group B and C. Disease duration in the 3 goups was inversely correlated with SNCV and DL abnormalities.After surgery, neurographic findings returned within the normal range earlier in group A, then in group B; group C showed an incomplete recovery of digit and palm SNCV at 24 months.Median palm/digit SNCV and median/ulnar pSNCV ratios were the most sensitive tests, providing a reliable tool for the assessment of very early phase of CTS and for the subsequent surgery treatment.
PARANEOPLASTIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY
Authors: Quattrini A. 
Published: July 2002

Paraneoplastic neurologic disorders are rare diseases that occur as a remote effect of cancer. Paraneoplastic syndrome may affect any portion of the nervous system, causing either diffuse or focal neurologic dysfunction. However, peripheral neuropathy is one of the most frequently encountered. Subacute sensory neuropathy, which usually occurs in patients with a previously undiscovered small‐cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), is believed to result from an immune reaction against a protein antigen(s) expressed jointly by neurons and tumor cells. Anti‐Hu antibodies are highly‐specific diagnostic markers for paraneoplastic sensory neuropathy/encephalomyelitis, which is nearly always associated with SCLC. Strong evidence suggests a pathogenic role for anti‐Hu antibodies.Peripheral nerve disorders also occur with lymphoma and plasma cell dyscrasia. I shall briefly review the neuropathies observed in association with malignant dyscrasia, such as multiple myeloma, plasmacytoma, lymphoproliferative diseases, and amyloidosis.Finally, peripheral neuropathy is an important and potentially dose‐limiting complication of the new chemotherapeutic agents, which are often used in treating solid tumors.
PURE MOTOR CIDP. A DISTINCT ENTITY?
Authors: Sabatelli M. , Madia F. , De Armas L. , Tonali P. 
Published: July 2002

The spectrum of clinical, pathological, and electrophysiological features of CIDP is very heterogeneous. The onset may be acute or slowly progressive and clinical course monophasic or relapsing‐remitting. Motor‐sensory, ataxic sensory and pure motor variants have been described. The importance of the classification of CIDP is not an academic one, as each subtype might respond to specific treatments.We describe clinical features and long term follow up of 4 patients affected by pure motor CIDP. 4 out of our 30 CIDP patients showed no clinical, electrophysiological, or (in three patients) sural nerve biopsy features of sensory fiber involvement. All four patients disclosed similar clinical, electrophysiological features: the age of onset was before 30 years, clinical course was relapsing‐remitting, and electrophysiological examination showed features of pure demyelinating neuropathy with normal distal CMAP amplitude and clear evidence of conduction blocks. None of them showed significant response to corticosteroids, while high‐dose intravenous immunoglobulins were very effective in all patients. Three patients showed marked improvement with interferon alpha therapy. Two patients showed marked myastenic‐like fluctuation of weaknessOur findings suggest that pure motor CIDP represents a distinct entity. Supported by Telethon Italy.
Solvation thermodynamics: An approach from analytic temperature derivatives
Authors: Yu Hsiang-Ai , Roux Benoit , Karplus Martin 
Published: July 2002

A method is presented that uses integral equation theory to determine analytic temperature derivatives of the radial distribution functions. It is illustrated by studying the solvation thermodynamics of monatomic solutes in aqueous solution. The results agree well with the density derivative method developed previously [Yu and Karplus, J. Chem. Phys. 89, 2366 (1988)]. An expression for the solvation enthalpy is derived which allows direct comparison with experimental and isobaric–isothermal (NPT) ensemble simulation data. Satisfactory agreement with experiment is found for pure water and for the aqueous solvation of monovalent ions. Simple equations that exploit the site–site HNC closures are given for the decomposition of the potential of mean force into its enthalpic (or energetic) and entropic components. Since the extended RISM (HNC-RISM) theory yields an incorrect (trivial) value of the dielectric constant, two different ways to correct for the asymptotic behavior of the solute–solute potential of mean force are compared. They lead to similar results but the method in which the solvent dielectric constant is modified from the outset can be applied more generally.
The interactions between nonpolar and between polar solutes in water are decomposed into enthalpic and entropic contributions. This is difficult to do by computer simulations because of the lack of precision in such calculations. The association of nonpolar solutes in water is found to have comparable enthalpic and entropic contributions; this result disagrees with the usual description of an entropy-dominated hydrophobic interaction. For ions, the somewhat surprising result is that the association of like-charged species is enthalpy driven while for oppositely charged ions entropic effects are dominant. The process of bringing two like-charged ions together leads to higher local charge density; the more favorable solvation enthalpy arising from this increase in charge density (q2 dependence) more than compensates for the Coulombic repulsion. For oppositely charged ions, association leads to a partial charge neutralization in which the favorable Coulombic attraction is overwhelmed by the loss of stabilizing solvation enthalpy. The entropic increase is due to the greater freedom of the surrounding water molecules resulting from the partial charge neutralization.
Methadone syrup‐related deaths in New South Wales, Australia, 1990–95
Authors: SUNJIC SANDRA , ZADOR DEBORAH 
Published: July 2002

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the number, and to describe the circumstances, of accidental methadone syrup‐related deaths (MSRDs) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia from 1990 to 1995. Coronial files of all cases positive for methadone at autopsy between July 1990 and December 1995 in NSW were reviewed to determine methadone syrup‐related cases. One hundred and thirty‐four cases of MSRD were identified, of which 72 (54%) were registered in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) at time of death. Diverted sources were implicated in the remaining 62 cases (46%) not registered in MMT. The majority of all cases were single (60%), unemployed (80%) males (75%), with a mean age of 31 years. Intravenous injection of methadone prior to death was evident in 35% of cases not in MMT, and in 10% in MMT. Polydrug use was detected in 89% of cases, most commonly benzodiazepines (52%), followed by morphine (37%) and alcohol (28%). However, forensic authorities did not implicate other drugs detected at autopsy in the cause of death in 34% of cases. The large proportion of deaths involving diverted sources of methadone may be indicative of high‐risk behaviour among some injecting drug users, who abuse methadone in combination with other drugs to enhance the effects of intoxication. Alternatively, heroin users who use illicit methadone may be doing so to medicate opioid withdrawal symptoms, which could suggest a high unmet demand for MMT. Failure to implicate other drugs detected at autopsy in the cause of death may result in over‐reporting of methadone‐detected cases as methadone‐caused deaths. The findings from this study support an urgent review of the current classification and reporting mechanisms for methadone‐related deaths. [Sunjic S, Zador D. Methadone syrup‐related deaths in New South Wales, Australia, 1990–95. Drug Alcohol Rev 1999:18:409–415]
Chronic alcohol administration in the rat pup: effects upon later consumption of alcohol and other palatable solutions
Authors: LÓPEZ MARCELO FERNANDO , MOLINA JUAN CARLOS 
Published: July 2002

AbstractPrevious studies indicate that in rats, chronic alcohol exposure during the first weeks of life markedly affect subsequent ethanol consumption patterns. The present study examined the impact of different alcohol doses (0.5–3.0 g/kg), administered between postnatal days 6–12, upon subsequent infantile consumption of an ethanol solution as well as upon intake of various non‐ethanol solutions (water, sucrose, quinine or sucrose mixed with quinine). Alcohol administration did not strongly affect consumption scores of water, sucrose or quinine. In contrast, 15‐day‐old pups pretreated with 2.0 and 3.0 g/kg alcohol doses showed significant increases in terms of alcohol consumption when compared to saline controls. Furthermore, a positive significant correlation was observed between alcohol intake patterns and alcohol dose administered during early ontogeny. Intake of sucrose mixed with quinine was also significantly and positively correlated with pretreatment ethanol dosage. Interestingly, this taste configuration has been shown to mimic psychophysical properties of ethanol in the rat. The results appear not to be explained by teratological effects of the drug upon sensory processing of distinctive tastants. It appears that chronic alcohol exposure during early ontogeny provides specific sensoryrelated alcohol information that later modulates alcohol intake patterns.
Catalase as a regulator of the propensity to ingest alcohol in genetically determined acatalasemic individuals from Israel
Authors: AMIT ZALMAN , SMITH BRIAN R. , WEISS SHOSHANA 
Published: July 2002

AbstractDirect descendants of an individual residing in Israel, who was diagnosed in the 1960s with a genetic deficiency in catalase, were examined for their propensity to consume alcohol.These individuals were found to possess a lower level of catalase activity compared to that of a group of matched controls with the same ethnic background.While no differences were observed in the propensity to drink alcohol between the two groups, the catalase deficient individuals did show a significant positive correlation between catalase activity and alcohol drinking behaviour as measured by Q‐value. No such relationship was observed in the matched controls.The findings suggest that the apparent acatalasemia in the experimental subjects may act as a limiting factor for these individuals and that catalase may play an important role in regulating alcohol drinking behaviour. These results are consistent with previous animal and human studies which suggest that catalase, via its ability to produce acetaldehyde through the metabolism of ethanol, may have a regulatory role in the propensity to drink alcohol.
Kinetochore Fibers Are Not Involved in the Formation of the First Meiotic Spindle in Mouse Oocytes, but Control the Exit from the First Meiotic M Phase
Authors: Brunet Stéphane , Maria Angélica Santa , Guillaud Philippe , Dujardin Denis , Kubiak Jacek Z. , Maro Bernard 
Published: July 2002

During meiosis, two successive divisions occur without any intermediate S phase to produce haploid gametes. The first meiotic division is unique in that homologous chromosomes are segregated while the cohesion between sister chromatids is maintained, resulting in a reductional division. Moreover, the duration of the first meiotic M phase is usually prolonged when compared with mitotic M phases lasting 8 h in mouse oocytes.
We investigated the spindle assembly pathway and its role in the progression of the first meiotic M phase in mouse oocytes. During the first 4 h, a bipolar spindle forms and the chromosomes congress near the equatorial plane of the spindle without stable kinetochore– microtubule end interactions. This late prometaphase spindle is then maintained for 4 h with chromosomes oscillating in the central region of the spindle. The kinetochore–microtubule end interactions are set up at the end of the first meiotic M phase (8 h after entry into M phase). This event allows the final alignment of the chromosomes and exit from metaphase. The continuous presence of the prometaphase spindle is not required for progression of the first meiotic M phase. Finally, the ability of kinetochores to interact with microtubules is acquired at the end of the first meiotic M phase and determines the timing of polar body extrusion.
Clustering of non-polar contacts in proteins.
Authors: Drabl√∏s F 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
MOTIVATION: Hydrophobic or non-polar contacts in proteins are important for protein folding, protein stability and protein-protein interactions. In particular, in the interior of a protein, in the hydrophobic core, a large number of such contacts are found. The residues involved in these contacts often form a tightly packed cluster of atoms. It is useful for the understanding of protein structure to be able to identify and analyse such clusters. RESULTS: Tools for hierarchical cluster analysis of non-polar contacts in proteins are described. These tools allow for efficient identification of clusters of non-polar interactions in proteins, both internal clusters and clusters involved in protein-protein contacts. The non-polar contacts are represented by a dendrogram structure, which is a simple approach for flexible identification of clusters by visual inspection. The tools are demonstrated on the structure of crambin, the structure of the complex between human growth hormone and the human growth hormone binding protein, and a pair of lipase/esterase structures. AVAILABILITY: On request from the author.
Serum bactericidal activity of levofloxacin against Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Shah P. M. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the serum bactericidal activity (SBA) of levofloxacin against Streptococcus pneumoniae strains with various degrees of susceptibility to penicillin and cefotaxime. Serum samples of volunteers ( n = 12) who had received levofloxacin 500 mg as a single po dose were provided in blinded fashion. SBA was determined, using the microdilution method, in Todd–Hewitt broth supplemented with lysed horse blood inoculated with an overnight culture diluted to yield a final concentration of approximately 10 5 cfu/mL. The serum bactericidal titre was defined as the highest dilution of serum showing no growth (&gt;99.9% reduction of inoculum). The duration of SBA ranged from 0.75 to 6.3 h (mean 3.85 h), and was independent of the susceptibility of the strains to penicillin and cefotaxime. In conclusion, a single po dose of 500 mg levofloxacin achieved serum concentrations which were bactericidal against penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae for a mean period of 3.85 h.
Risk of Prostate Cancer in US Veterans With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Wheeler Austin M. , Roul Punyasha , Yang Yangyuna , Brittan Kaitlyn M. , Sayles Harlan , Singh Namrata , Sauer Brian C. , Cannon Grant W. , Baker Joshua F. , Mikuls Ted R. , England Bryant R. 
Published: April 2022

ObjectivePatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have an increased risk of select cancers, including lymphoma and lung cancer. Whether RA influences prostate cancer risk is uncertain. We aimed to determine the risk of prostate cancer in patients with RA compared to patients without RA in the Veterans Health Administration (VA).MethodsWe performed a matched (up to 1:5) cohort study of male patients with and without RA in the VA from 2000 to 2018. RA status, as well as covariates, were obtained from national VA databases. Prostate cancer was identified through linked VA cancer databases and the National Death Index. Multivariable Cox models compared prostate cancer risk between patients with RA and patients without RA, including models that accounted for retention in the VA system.ResultsWe included 56,514 veterans with RA and 227,284 veterans without RA. During 2,337,104 patient‐years of follow‐up, 6,550 prostate cancers occurred. Prostate cancer incidence (per 1,000 patient‐years) was 3.50 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 3.32–3.69) in patients with RA and 2.66 (95% CI 2.58–2.73) in patients without RA. After accounting for confounders and censoring for attrition of VA health care, RA was modestly associated with a higher prostate cancer risk (adjusted HR [HRadj] 1.12 [95% CI 1.04–1.20]). There was no association between RA and prostate cancer mortality (HRadj 0.92 [95% CI 0.73–1.16]).ConclusionRA was associated with a modestly increased risk of prostate cancer, but not prostate cancer mortality, after accounting for relevant confounders and several potential sources of bias. However, even minimal unmeasured confounding could explain these findings.
A Ceramic‐Electrolyte Glucose Fuel Cell for Implantable Electronics
Authors: Simons Philipp , Schenk Steven A. , Gysel Marco A. , Olbrich Lorenz F. , Rupp Jennifer L. M. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractNext‐generation implantable devices such as sensors, drug‐delivery systems, and electroceuticals require efficient, reliable, and highly miniaturized power sources. Existing power sources such as the Li–I2 pacemaker battery exhibit limited scale‐down potential without sacrificing capacity, and therefore, alternatives are needed to power miniaturized implants. This work shows that ceramic electrolytes can be used in potentially implantable glucose fuel cells with unprecedented miniaturization. Specifically, a ceramic glucose fuel cell—based on the proton‐conducting electrolyte ceria—that is composed of a freestanding membrane of thickness below 400 nm and fully integrated into silicon for easy integration into bioelectronics is demonstrated. In contrast to polymeric membranes, all materials used are highly temperature stable, making thermal sterilization for implantation trivial. A peak power density of 43 µW cm−2, and an unusually high statistical verification of successful fabrication and electrochemical function across 150 devices for open‐circuit voltage and 12 devices for power density, enabled by a specifically designed testing apparatus and protocol, is demonstrated. The findings demonstrate that ceramic‐based micro‐glucose‐fuel‐cells constitute the smallest potentially implantable power sources to date and are viable options to power the next generation of highly miniaturized implantable medical devices.