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Terms modified by CAN Selected AbstractsLow prevalence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy in Type 1 diabetic patients without nephropathyDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 8 2001J. A. Meinhold Abstract Aim To assess the prevalence of cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in Type 1 diabetic patients with and without nephropathy. Methods Sixty-six consecutive patients without nephropathy (n = 24), with incipient (n = 26) or overt nephropathy (n = 16) and a diabetes duration between 21 and 31 years were examined. Heart rate variability (HRV) as measure for CAN was investigated with short-term spectral analysis in the low-frequency (LF) band (0.06,0.15 Hz), reflecting sympathetic and vagal activity, and high-frequency (HF) band (0.15,0.50 Hz), reflecting vagal activity. HRV was expressed as spectral power (ms2, log-transformed). Normal, age-corresponding reference values were established in 184 controls. QTc intervals and dispersion were measured. Results After adjustment for age, there was no significant difference between healthy controls and patients without nephropathy. After further adjustment for diabetes duration, HbA1c, hypertension and treatment with ,-blockers, HRV in both frequency bands decreased with evidence of nephropathy. LF band (supine): patients without nephropathy 5.56 (4.89,6.21) (least squares means and 95% confidence interval (CI)), incipient nephropathy 5.72 (5.15,6.29) and overt nephropathy 4.11 (3.27,4.96). HF band (supine): without nephropathy 5.93 (5.26,6.60), incipient nephropathy 5.99 (5.41,6.57) and overt nephropathy 4.84 (4.00,5.68). Significant differences were found for patients without and with incipient nephropathy compared with those with overt nephropathy in the LF band and between patients with incipient nephropathy compared with those with overt nephropathy in the HF band. QTc intervals and QTc dispersion increased significantly with increasing nephropathy. Conclusions Long-term Type 1 diabetes without nephropathy was not associated with impaired cardiac autonomic function in our study. However, in those with nephropathy, a loss of both vagal and sympathetic activity was present, and the severity of CAN correlated positively with more advanced nephropathy. Diabet. Med. 18, 607,613 (2001) [source] Novel Model Sulfur Compounds as Mechanistic Probes for Enzymatic and Biomimetic OxidationsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2005Alicia B. Peñéñory Abstract To test for the intermediacy of sulfide radical cations in biomimetic and enzymatic oxidations, the sulfides PhSCH3 (1a), PhSCH2Ph (1b), PhSCHPh2 (1c), PhSCPh3 (1d), CH3SCHPh2 (2), PhSCH2CH=CH2 (3), PhSCH2CH=CHPh (4) and CH3SCH2CH=CHPh (5) were studied, and their results were compared to those obtained for the corresponding chemical electron transfer (CET) and photoinduced electron transfer (PET) oxidations. The radical cations generated from 3,5 by CET in the presence of cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate (CAN) yielded only fragmentation products from the alkyl cations and the thiyl radicals (RS·), whereas 2·+ afforded both fragmentation and mainly ,-deprotonation products. Photochemical treatment of the sulfides 1a and 1b with C(NO2)4 gave only the corresponding sulfoxides, while fragmentation was the main pathway for the photoreactions of 1c, 2 and 5, and for 1d only this latter process was observed. These results support our selection of the sulfides RSCHPh2, RSCH2CH=CHPh (R = Me, Ph) and PhSCPh3 as models for the biomimetic and enzymatic studies. As evidenced by the sulfoxides and sulfones detected as unique products both in protic and in aprotic solvents, it is proposed that the mechanism of the biomimetic sulfoxidations of sulfides 1c and 2,5 by TPPFeIIICl is direct oxygen transfer. Three enzymes , Coprinus cinereus peroxidase (CiP), horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and chloroperoxidase (CPO) , were studied in the oxidation of sulfides 1a, 2, 4 and 5. The use of a racemic alkyl hydroperoxide in the CiP enzymatic oxidation of sulfides 5 and 2 yielded the corresponding sulfoxides (23 and 29%) and the aldehyde or benzophenone (5%), respectively. These results suggest the involvement of an ET process for the CiP-catalysed oxidation. Fragmentation products were observed in the enzymatic oxidation of sulfide 4 with HRP, which confirms the previously proposed ET mechanism. On the other hand, the CPO-enzymatic oxidation of sulfide 5 yielded only the corresponding sulfoxide, as would be expected for a direct oxygen-transfer or oxene mechanism. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005) [source] Identification of a novel and myeloid specific role of the leukemia-associated fusion protein DEK-NUP214 leading to increased protein synthesisGENES, CHROMOSOMES AND CANCER, Issue 4 2008Malin Ageberg The t(6;9)(p22;q34) chromosomal translocation is found in a subset of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The translocation results in a fusion between the nuclear phosphoprotein DEK and the nucleoporin NUP214 (previously CAN). The mechanism by which the fusion protein DEK-NUP214 contributes to leukemia development has not been identified, and disruptions of normal cellular functions by DEK-NUP214 have previously not been described. In the present study, a novel effect of the DEK-NUP214 fusion protein is demonstrated. Our findings reveal a substantial increase in global protein synthesis in DEK-NUP214 expressing cells. Furthermore, we conclude that this effect is not the result of dysregulated transcription but merely due to increased translation. Consistent with the association with AML, the increased protein synthesis mediated by DEK-NUP214 is restricted to cells of the myeloid lineage. Analysis of potential mechanisms for regulating protein synthesis shows that expression of DEK-NUP214 correlates to the phosphorylation of the translation initiation protein, EIF4E. The present data provide evidence that increase of translational activity constitutes a mechanism by which the leukemogenic effect of DEK-NUP124 may be mediated. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Seismic singularities at upper-mantle phase transitions: a site percolation modelGEOPHYSICAL JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL, Issue 3 2004Felix J. Herrmann SUMMARY Mineralogical phase transitions are usually invoked to account for the sharpness of globally observed upper-mantle seismic discontinuities. We propose a percolation-based model for the elastic properties of the phase mixture in the coexistence regions associated with these transitions. The major consequence of the model is that the elastic moduli (but not the density) display a singularity at the percolation threshold of the high-pressure phase. This model not only explains the sharp but continuous change in seismic velocities across the phase transition, but also predicts its abruptness and scale invariance, which are characterized by a non-integral scale exponent. Using the receiver-function approach and new, powerful signal-processing techniques, we quantitatively determine the singularity exponent from recordings of converted seismic waves at two Australian stations (CAN and WRAB). Using the estimated values, we construct velocity,depth profiles across the singularities and verify that the calculated converted waveforms match the observations under CAN. Finally, we point out a series of additional predictions that may provide new insights into the physics and fine structure of the upper-mantle transition zone. [source] Syntheses, spectral property, and antimicrobial activities of 6-,-amino dibenzo [d,f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepin 6-oxidesHETEROATOM CHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2007M. Kasthuraiah Diethyl ,-aminophosphonates (4) were prepared in excellent yield from three-component reaction of aldehydes (1), amines (2), and triethylphosphite (3) under solvent-free conditions in the presence of ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) and were reacted with 2,2,-dihydroxybiphenyl (5) using p -toluene sulfonic acid monohydrate (PTSA) as a catalyst to obtain 6-,-aminodibenzo[d f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepin 6-oxides (6) in good yield. It is a first report on the cyclizations of 4 with 5. An antimicrobial activity of numbers of 6 is evaluated. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 18:2,8, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.20244 [source] Intracellular Enzymatic Formation of Nanofibers Results in Hydrogelation and Regulated Cell Death,ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 20 2007M. Yang Enzymatic formation of supramolecular nanofibers is demonstrated as a novel approach to induce intracellular hydrogelation and control the fate of cells or cellular functions, which can lead to a new paradigm for developing biomaterials to manage cellular artificial nanostructures (CAN), understand cellular functions beyond the molecular level, and create novel therapeutics. [source] Accuracy and Efficiency of Computer-Aided Nursing DiagnosisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING TERMINOLOGIES AND CLASSIFICATION, Issue 3 2008Sachiko Kurashima MSN PURPOSE.,This study aims to determine whether a computer-aided nursing (CAN) diagnosis system improves diagnostic accuracy and efficiency. METHODS.,A randomized crossover trial was performed using two kinds of case studies with 42 nurses as subjects. The subjects were divided into a group using the CAN diagnosis system and a group using a handbook of nursing diagnosis. Degree of accuracy was judged by using Lunney's seven-point interval scale, while efficiency was evaluated by time required for diagnosis. FINDINGS.,There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of diagnostic accuracy; however, time required for diagnosis was significantly shorter for subjects who used the CAN diagnosis system than for those who did not. Multiple regression analysis showed that the use of the CAN diagnosis system was the only factor associated with the time required for making the nursing diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS.,The use of the CAN diagnosis system improved the efficiency of the diagnostic process without reducing the level of accuracy of nursing diagnoses. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.,The use of a computerized system should be a useful tool for implementation of standardized nursing terminologies. [source] Effect of Timing and Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.). I. Growth Dynamics and Seed YieldJOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 5 2004P. Bar Abstract The field experiments conducted on the grey-brown podzolic soil in the four growing seasons (1998,2001) at Krzeslice Farm, central-western Poland comprised seven fertilization variants: 80NF + 80CAN; 80CAN + 80CAN; 80AN + 80AN; 80NF + 50CAN + 30CN; 80CAN + 50CAN +30CN; 80AN + 50AN + 30CN (where NF , nitrofos NPK; CAN , calcium-ammonium nitrate; AN , ammonium nitrate; CN , calcium nitrate) and control (without N) applied in split rates at the beginning of spring regrowth (80 kg N ha,1), stem elongation (80 or 50) and flower buds visible stages (30). The yielding effect of tested fertilization variants was significant in comparison with the control (2.24 t ha,1). The highest mean seed yield (3.64 t ha,1) was collected from 80AN + 80AN and 80CAN + 80CAN variants. Mean values of 4 years indicate that the second N rate division (80 + 50 + 30) decreased yield, although not significantly in comparison with these two N treatments. Plants grown on these treatments have developed different patterns of growth to yield the seeds. These patterns were characterized by very high crop growth rate during flowering (above 21 g m,2 day,1) and negative at maturation (down to ,2.5 g m,2 day,1). Plants fertilized with ammonium nitrate (80AN + 80AN) reached maximum growth rate earlier (65 days), which lasted longer (20 days) than plants fertilized with calcium-ammonium nitrate (71 days lasting 17.5 days). Plants grown on the control treatment reached the highest crop growth rate within 79 days (14.8 g m,2 day,1), which lasted 15 days. [source] Strategies to Improve the Use Efficiency of Mineral Fertilizer Nitrogen Applied to Winter WheatJOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 3 2002K. Blankenau Recovery of fertilizer nitrogen (N) applied to winter wheat crops at tillering in spring is lower than that of N applied at later growth stages because of higher losses and immobilization of N. Two strategies to reduce early N losses and N immobilization and to increase N availability for winter wheat, which should result in an improved N use efficiency (= higher N uptake and/or increased yield per unit fertilizer N), were evaluated. First, 16 winter wheat trials (eight sites in each of 1996 and 1997) were conducted to investigate the effects of reduced and increased N application rates at tillering and stem elongation, respectively, on yield and N uptake of grain. In treatment 90-70-60 (90 kg N ha,1 at tillering, 70 kg N ha,1 at stem elongation and 60 kg N ha,1 at ear emergence), the average values for grain yield and grain N removal were up to 3.1 and 5.0 % higher than in treatment 120-40-60, reflecting conventional fertilizer practice. Higher grain N removal for the treatment with reduced N rates at tillering, 90-70-60, was attributed to lower N immobilization (and N losses), which increased fertilizer N availability. Secondly, as microorganisms prefer NH4+ to NO3, for N immobilization, higher net N immobilization would be expected after application of the ammonium-N form. In a pot experiment, net N immobilization was higher and dry matter yields and crop N contents at harvest were lower with ammonium (ammonium sulphate + nitrification inhibitor Dicyandiamide) than with nitrate (calcium nitrate) nutrition. Five field trials were then conducted to compare calcium nitrate (CN) and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) nutrition at tillering, followed by two CAN applications for both treatments. At harvest, crop N and grain yield were higher in the CN than in the CAN treatment at each N supply level. In conclusion, fertilizer N use efficiency in winter wheat can be improved if N availability to the crops is increased as a result of reduced N immobilization (and N losses) early in the growth period. N application systems could be modified towards strategies with lower N applications at tillering compensated by higher N dressing applications later. An additional advantage is expected to result from use of nitrate-N fertilizers at tillering. Strategien zur Verbesserung der Effizienz von Düngerstickstoff in Winterweizen Aus früheren Versuchen mit Winterweizen ist bekannt, daß zur Ernte die Wiederfindung von im Frühjahr zur Bestokkung gedüngtem Stickstoff (N) geringer ist, als die von N aus Spätgaben. Die Ursachen liegen in einer höheren mikrobiell-bedingten Netto-N-Immobilisation, aber auch N-Verlusten zwischen Bestockung und Schoßbeginn im Vergleich zu späteren Wachstumstadien begründet. In den vorliegenden Versuchen wurden zwei Strategien getestet, um insbesondere die früh in der Vegetation auftretende Netto-N-Immobilisation zu vermindern. Die dadurch erwartete erhöhte N-Verfügbarkeit sollte zu einer erhöhten N-Effizienz (höherer N-Entzug/Ertrag bezogen auf die N-Düngung) führen. 1996 und 1997 wurden jeweils 8 Feldversuche mit Winterweizen durchgeführt, um den Einfluß einer reduzierten Andüngung bei gleichzeitig erhöhter Schossergabe im Vergleich zur konventionellen N-Düngung zu untersuchen. Tatsächlich wurden in dem Prüfglied 90-70-60 (N-Sollwertdüngung: 90 kg N ha,1, Schossergabe: 70 kg N ha,1, Ährengabe: 60 kg N ha,1) im Mittel bis zu 3.1 % höhere Erträge und 5.0 % höhere N-Abfuhren mit dem Korn im Vergleich zur konventionellen Variante 120-40-60 (N-Sollwertdüngung: 120 kg N ha,1, Schossergabe: 40 kg N ha,1 und Ährengabe: 60 kg N ha,1) erzielt. Die höhere N-Abfuhr kann auf eine erhöhte N-Verfügbarkeit infolge geringerer mikrobieller N-Festlegung zurückgeführt werden. Da die vornehmlich heterotrophen Bodenmikroorganismen bevorzugt NH4+ gegenüber NO3, immobilisieren, kann eine höhere N-Immobilisation bei Ammonium-Düngung erwartet werden. Tatsächlich wurden in einem Gefäßversuch nach Düngung von Ammoniumsulfat (+ Nitrifikationshemmer Dicyandiamid) geringere Trokkenmasseerträge und N-Aufnahmen von Weizenpflanzen erzielt als mit Calciumnitrat. Für die Ammoniumsulfatvariante ergab sich eine höhere Netto-N-Immobilisation. Danach wurde in fünf Feldversuchen mit Winterweizen der Einfluß einer Andüngung mit Nitrat (Calciumnitrat) im Vergleich zur Verwendung des ammoniumhaltigen Kalkammonsalpeters (KAS) auf die N-Aufnahme und den Kornertrag untersucht (beide Varianten erhielten KAS als Spätgaben). In der nitratangedüngten Variante wurden zum Teil signifikant höhere Ertäge und N-Aufnahmen in Korn und Stroh ermittelt. Aus den dargestellten Versuchen kann gefolgert werden, daß die Düngerstickstoff-Effizienz verbessert werden kann, wenn vor allem die N-Immobilisation (und eventuell auch N-Verluste) in frühen Wachstumsstadien zwischen Bestockung und Schoßbeginn verringert und so die N-Verfügbarkeit erhöht wird. Es kann empfohlen werden Winterweizenbestände mit geringeren N-Mengen , als nach N-Sollwert 120 kg N ha,1 vorgesehen , anzudüngen und die Schossergabe entsprechend zu erhöhen. Die Verwendung von nitrathaltigen Düngern bei der Andüngung ist von Vorteil. [source] Novel polymeric flocculants based on polyacrylamide grafted dextran in kaolin suspensionJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 6 2010S. Krishnamoorthi Abstract A study is done on ceric-ammonium-nitrate (CAN) initiated graft copolymerization of polyacrylamide (PAM) on to dextran (Dx) by solution polymerization technique. The average molecular weight of dextran is 7.0 × 10,6 g/mole. By changing the concentrations of the initiator in the reaction feed, a series of graft copolymer (Dx-g-PAM1 to Dx-g-PAM4) with variation in the number and length of the grafted PAM chains are obtained. The flocculation characteristics of various polymers are investigated by the use of settling tests in 2 wt % using kaolin suspensions. Among the series of graft copolymers, the one with highest molecular weight shows superior performance. The flocculation characteristics of the best-performing graft copolymer (Dx-g-PAM3) are compared with those of various commercially available flocculants and PAM in the kaolin suspension. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010 [source] Synthesis and properties of starch-graft-acrylic acid/Na-montmorillonite superabsorbent nanocomposite hydrogelsJOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE, Issue 1 2008Ebru Al Abstract The graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) onto starch was carried out with monomer/starch weight ratio = 1.5. Cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN) and N,N,-methylenebis acrylamide (NMBA) were used as initiator and crosslink agent, respectively. Na-montmorillonite was used as nanoparticles. Starch- graft -acrylic acid/Na-MMT (S -g-AA/MMT) nanocomposite hydrogels were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and FTIR analysis. The effect of Na-MMT content in nanocomposite hydrogels on the swelling behavior was investigated. Increasing the Na-MMT/monomers ratio up to 1% causes an increment in water absorbency, which indicates that Na-MMT can improve the ability of water absorbency but further increase of Na-MMT causes a decrease in water absorbency. In addition, we describe the removal of safranine T from aqueous solutions using S -g-AA/MMT nanocomposite hydrogels. Effects of various parameters such as treatment time, initial dye concentration, and amount of the Na-MMT were investigated. The Freundlich equations were used to fit the equilibrium isotherms. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008 [source] Synthesis, oxidation and dehydrogenation of cyclic N,O - and N,S -acetals.JOURNAL OF HETEROCYCLIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 6 20074-oxadiazolines, O -acetals: 3-acyl-, Part III., Transformation of N Various aldehyde and ketone acylhydrazones are synthesized and, under acylating conditions, cyclized into 3-acyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolines. The scope and limitations of these cyclizations and the possible side reactions (e.g. formation of the open-chain N,O -acylhydrazinocarbinols) are dissected. For the first time, simple, convenient and efficient dehydrogenations of 3-acyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolines to oxadiazoles by treatment with potassium permanganate, or more conveniently, with ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate (CAN) are presented. CAN oxidation of 2,2-disubstituted 3-acyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolines, as well as that of aldehyde diacylhydrazones (open-chain isomers of 2,5-disubstituted 3-acyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolines) regenerates the parent carbonyl compounds. [source] Synthesis, oxidation and dehydrogenation of cyclic N,O - and N,S -Acetals.JOURNAL OF HETEROCYCLIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2006-thiazolidines, . Transformation of N, S -acetals: 3-Acylbenzothiazolines The dehydrogenations with iron(III) chloride, potassium permanganate, and for the first time, CAN, tris-[trinitrato-cerium(IV)]-paraperiodate (TTNCPP), and (diacetoxyiodo)benzene (IBDA) are investigated. Hydrogen peroxide, sodium periodate, potassium permanganate, and ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate (CAN) oxidation of chiral benzothiazolines, O - and O,N -acylated derivatives of the condensates of D-galactose with 2-aminothiophenols or L-cysteine, are also reported. [source] An investigation of the factors controlling the adsorption of protein antigens to anionic PLG microparticlesJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 11 2005James Chesko Abstract This work examines physico-chemical properties influencing protein adsorption to anionic PLG microparticles and demonstrates the ability to bind and release vaccine antigens over a range of loads, pH values, and ionic strengths. Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) microparticles were synthesized by a w/o/w emulsification method in the presence of the anionic surfactant DSS (dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate). Ovalbumin (OVA), carbonic anhydrase (CAN), lysozyme (LYZ), lactic acid dehydrogenase, bovine serum albumin (BSA), an HIV envelope glyocoprotein, and a Neisseria meningitidis B protein were adsorbed to the PLG microparticles, with binding efficiency, initial release and zeta potentials measured. Protein (antigen) binding to PLG microparticles was influenced by both electrostatic interaction and other mechanisms such as van der Waals forces. The protein binding capacity was directly proportional to the available surface area and may have a practical upper limit imposed by the formation of a complete protein monolayer as suggested by AFM images. The protein affinity for the PLG surface depended strongly on the isoelectric point (pI) and electrostatic forces, but also showed contributions from nonCoulombic interactions. Protein antigens were adsorbed on anionic PLG microparticles with varying degrees of efficiency under different conditions such as pH and ionic strength. Observable changes in zeta potentials and morphology suggest the formation of a surface monolayer. Antigen binding and release occur through a combination of electrostatic and van der Waals interactions occurring at the polymer-solution interface. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 94:2510-2519, 2005 [source] Impact of different nitrogen fertilizers and an additional sulfur supply on grain yield, quality, and the potential of acrylamide formation in winter wheatJOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 4 2008Ernst Albrecht Weber Abstract The amino acid asparagine (Asn) plays a key role in acrylamide (AA) formation in strongly heated cereal foodstuffs. The influence of different nitrogen (N) fertilizers (calcium ammonium nitrate, CAN; urea ammonium sulfate solution, UAS, applied according to the CULTAN method; urea; urea ammonium nitrate, UAN; ammonium nitrate sulfate containing the nitrification inhibitor 3,4-dimethyl pyrazole phosphate, Entec 26®; and a combination of liquid manure and CAN) at a nitrogen level of 180,kg N ha,1 and an additional sulfur (S) supply on grain yield, quality, Asn concentration, and the potential of AA formation of winter wheat were studied in a 2-year field experiment. Grain yields varied between 61 und 104 dt ha,1 dry matter depending on cultivar (cv), fertilization, and year. Quality demands concerning crude protein concentration and sedimentation value were reached when CAN, CAN+S, urea, or a combination of liquid manure and CAN were applied. Asparagine concentrations in flours varied from 2.6 to 13.6 mg per 100 g flour dry matter depending on cultivar, fertilization, and year. In both years, a close nonlinear correlation between crude protein concentration and the concentration of free Asn with r²2004 = 0.93 and r²2005 = 0.94 was observed. Nitrogen fertilizers leading to high crude protein concentrations caused significantly increased Asn concentrations. In both years, a correlation between the concentration of free Asn and the potential of AA formation with r²2004 = 0.72 and r²2005 = 0.84 was found. The application of S (CAN compared to CAN+S) had no beneficial effect on the Asn concentration and the potential of AA formation, most likely because S concentration in grains was sufficient even without additional S supply. [source] The sexual and relationship needs of people who experience psychosis: quantitative findings of a UK studyJOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRIC & MENTAL HEALTH NURSING, Issue 4 2010E. MCCANN phd rmn msc dippi pgdip academic practice fhea Accessible summary ,,Distinct lack of studies exist that explore sexual and relationship issues. ,,Captures important experiences of people who use mental health services. ,,Reveals potential obstacles to the expression of sexuality. ,,Identifies a diversity of needs. ,,Presents issues that may guide mental health practice, education and research. Abstract Few studies have investigated the experiences of people regarding sexual and relationship issues in the area of mental health. This study presents the quantitative findings of a larger study that was conducted in London, UK. The aims of the study were to establish client's sexual and relationship experiences and perceived needs. A total of 30 people with a medical diagnosis of schizophrenia, living in the community, were interviewed using three questionnaires. The first related to demographics, the second used relevant parts of the Camberwell Assessment of Need (CAN) and the third looked at possible determinants of sexual behaviour. The CAN also captured keyworker responses to issues related to their clients sexual and relationship requirements. The results showed that 83% of the clients were currently experiencing sexual feelings. Some 90% of clients felt some need in relation to sexual expression and 83% for needs related to intimate relationships. Only 10% of staff recognized sexual expression as a need in clients in their care and 43% perceived a need for intimate relationships. Furthermore, most clients interviewed thought that their psychotropic medication caused sexual problems. Contrasts are made with other studies to help highlight the important issues that emerged for service users. [source] Early Detection Of Diminished Baroreflex Sensitivity In Diabetic Patients Without Evidence Of Cardiovascular Autonomic NeuropathyJOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 3 2000D Ziegler Diabetic cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) carries an increased risk of mortality. Decreased baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) has been identified as a predictor of increased mortality following myocardial infarction. We evaluated spontaneous BRS in 39 healthy control subjects (C: age (mean ± SEM): 41.5 ± 1.9 years) and 116 diabetic patients (64% Type 1, 36% Type 2; age: 45.8 ± 1.4 years; diabetes duration: 16.9 ± 1.0 years; HbA1c: 9.2 ± 0.2%) using cross-spectral analysis between systolic blood pressure and heart rate in the low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) bands as well as time domain (sequence) analysis in the supine and standing positions over 10 min. According to previously suggested definitions based on autonomic function tests (AFTs), 36 patients had definite CAN (CAN+: 3 of 7 indices abnormal), 13 had borderline CAN (CAN[+]: 2 of 7 indices abnormal), and 64 had no evidence of CAN (CAN,: 1 of 7 indices abnormal). Maximum gain in cross-spectral LF band (standing) was significantly reduced in CAN, as compared with C (5.2 ± 0.4 vs. 7.2 ± 0.8 ms/mmHg, p < 0.05). Moreover, maximum gain in cross-spectral HF band was significantly lower in CAN, than in C (supine: 12.0 ± 1.2 vs. 17.9 ± 2.5 ms/mmHg, p < 0.05; standing: 4.9 ± 0.5 vs. 8.7 ± 1.0 ms/mmHg, p < 0.05). The slope of the regression line between defined increases or reductions in systolic blood pressure and R-R intervals was significantly reduced in CAN, compared to C (supine: 10.6 ± 0.7 vs. 14.2 ± 1.6 ms/mmHg, p < 0.05; standing: 5.6 ± 0.4 vs. 8.1 ± 0.7 ms/mmHg, p < 0.05). Similar differences were obtained when comparing the CAN, and CAN[+] groups, the latter showing significantly reduced BRS by both techniques (p < 0.05). In contrast, no such differences were noted when comparing the CAN[+] and CAN+ groups. In conclusion, reduced spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity is an early marker of autonomic dysfunction at a stage when autonomic function tests do not yet indicate the presence of CAN, while cases with borderline CAN show a degree of BRS abnormality that is comparable to the level seen in definite CAN. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate whether reduced BRS is a predictor of mortality in diabetic patients. [source] Quasi-maximum likelihood estimation of periodic GARCH and periodic ARMA-GARCH processesJOURNAL OF TIME SERIES ANALYSIS, Issue 1 2009Abdelhakim Aknouche Primary: 62F12; Secondary: 62M10, 91B84 Abstract., This article establishes the strong consistency and asymptotic normality (CAN) of the quasi-maximum likelihood estimator (QMLE) for generalized autoregressive conditionally heteroscedastic (GARCH) and autoregressive moving-average (ARMA)-GARCH processes with periodically time-varying parameters. We first give a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of a strictly periodically stationary solution of the periodic GARCH (PGARCH) equation. As a result, it is shown that the moment of some positive order of the PGARCH solution is finite, under which we prove the strong consistency and asymptotic normality of the QMLE for a PGARCH process without any condition on its moments and for a periodic ARMA-GARCH (PARMA-PGARCH) under mild conditions. [source] Association among lung function, exhaled nitric oxide, and the CAN questionnaire to assess asthma control in children,PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY, Issue 5 2010O. Sardón-Prado MD Abstract Background The aim of this study was to investigate the association among a validated symptom-based questionnaire for asthma control in children (CAN), forced expiratory volume in 1,sec (FEV1), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO). Methods Observational cross-sectional study was performed in a consecutive sample of asthmatic children aged between 7 and 14 years old from December 2007 to February 2008. FENO was measured with a portable electrochemical analyzer and forced spirometry was performed according to American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society. The CAN questionnaire was completed by the parents (aged <9 years old) or by the children (,9 years old). The strength of the association among FEV1, FENO, and CAN questionnaire was studied using Spearman's rho, and the degree of agreement for asthma control among FEV1, FENO, and CAN questionnaire, with classification of these variables according to values of normality, was studied using Pearson's ,2 test and Cohen's kappa (KC). Results We studied 268 children, mean age 9.7,±,2.1 years. Significant correlations were found between FENO and CAN (r,=,0.2), between FEV1 and CAN (r,=,,0.3), and between FENO and FEV1 (r,=,,0.12). On classifying the variables according to values of normality, no agreement was found to establish the degree of asthma control between FENO and CAN (KC,=,0.18, ,2 Pearson,=,9.63); between FEV1 and CAN (KC,=,0.29, ,2,=,38.5); or between FENO and FEV1 (KC,=,0.07, ,2,=,4.9). Conclusions The association among the three measurement instruments used to assess asthma control (FEV1, FENO, and CAN) was weak. These are instruments that quantify variables that influence asthma in different ways, in this sense, none can be used instead of another in asthma management although they are complementary. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2010; 45:434,439. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Rapid steroid discontinuation for pediatric renal transplantation: A single center experiencePEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 5 2007Keith K. Lau Abstract:, To determine the outcomes of pediatric renal transplant recipients who received immunosuppression consisting of early withdrawal of corticosteroids at a single Northern California center. Protocols using minimal steroid exposure have been recently reported in adult transplant recipients with successful results. We examined the outcomes of pediatric renal transplant recipients who were managed at our center using a protocol with very early discontinuation of steroids after renal transplantation. We retrospectively studied the medical records of all renal transplant recipients followed at the Children's Hospital at the University of California, Davis Medical Center from 01/2004 to 12/2005. All patients were less than 18 yr of age at the time of transplantation. The immunosuppressive protocol included three tapering daily doses of methylprednisolone, together with five doses of thymoglobulin followed by maintenance therapy with tacrolimus and MMF. Eight patients with equal numbers of males and females were transplanted during this time period. There were equal numbers of Caucasians, African-Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. A total of 37.5% (3/8) of the subjects received preemptive transplantation, 25% (2/8) received peritoneal, and 37.5% (3/8) received hemodialysis before transplantation. The median (range) age at transplantation was 12.3 (3.1,16.0) year with a follow-up of 1.7 (0.9,2.8) year. At one yr post-transplantation, 57% (4/7) of patients still required anti-hypertensives. Three children required erythropoietin supplementation after transplantation. The mean delta height standard deviation score at 12 months was 0.20 ± 0.56. There were no episodes of clinical acute rejection. One patient switched from tacrolimus to sirolimus due to biopsy-proven CAN. No patient became diabetic or required hypoglycemic agents. Surveillance biopsies showed no subclinical acute rejection in any patient. Steroid-free immunosuppression is safe in children after renal transplantation. Larger number of patients and longer follow-up are required to further confirm the effectiveness and safety of immunosuppression with rapid steroid discontinuation. [source] Mycophenolate mofetil introduction stabilizes and subsequent cyclosporine A reduction slightly improves kidney function in pediatric renal transplant patients: A retrospective analysisPEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 3 2006Kerstin Benz Abstract: Chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) is the major cause of late graft loss. Among others, chronic calcineurin inhibitor toxicity (CNI) contributes to the development of CAN. Therefore, reduction in CNI dosage may delay the development of CAN, leading to longer graft survival. It was the aim of the present retrospective analysis to investigate the effect of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) addition with subsequent cyclosporine A (CSA) reduction on renal function in pediatric kidney allograft recipients. Seventeen patients (aged 8.3,17.6 yr) with monotherapy with CSA and progressive loss of renal function at a median of 3.4 yr after kidney transplantation were enrolled. After at least three months of MMF treatment, CSA dosage was stepwise reduced to trough levels of 100, 80, and 60 ng/mL. In all patients, introduction of MMF prevented a further decrease of glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The mean GFR 12 months before study enrollment was 96.1±24.5 and 71.0±21.0 mL/min/1.73 m2 at start of MMF. After introduction of MMF and unchanged CSA dosage GFR was stabilized to 71.1±23.8 mL/min/1.73 m2. After CSA reduction to trough levels of 60 ng/mL, GFR was slightly ameliorated up to 76.3±24.1 mL/min/1.73 m2. Within the follow-up period, one borderline rejection occurred in a patient in whom the CSA trough level was 60 ng/mL since seven months. In pediatric kidney allograft recipients with progressive loss of renal function reduction of CSA after introduction of MMF may stabilize and even slightly ameliorate renal function. [source] Ceric Ammonium Nitrate Initiated Grafting of PEG to Plasma Polymers for Cell-Resistant SurfacesPLASMA PROCESSES AND POLYMERS, Issue 2 2008Naomi J. Vickers Abstract The development of a facile method with general applicability and mild reaction conditions for grafting PEG onto surfaces to reduce bio-adhesion is described. The approach taken was to use CAN to graft PEG to plasma polymers coatings selected to give a high concentration of alcohol groups. The study showed that grafting required functional groups on surfaces, a minimum concentration of CAN initiator (0.05 M) and was time and initiator concentration dependent. Adhesion of fibroblasts and endothelial cells was reduced to negligible levels compared to the adhesion to tissue culture polystyrene and untreated plasma polymers of allyl alcohol following CAN induced PEG grafting. [source] Ceric(IV) ion-induced graft copolymerization of acrylamide and ethyl acrylate onto cellulosePOLYMER INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2006Prof. Kailash C Gupta Abstract Graft copolymerization of acrylamide (AAm) and ethyl acrylate (EA) onto cellulose has been carried out from their binary mixtures using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as an initiator in the presence of nitric acid at 25 ± 1 °C. The extent of acrylamide grafting increased in the presence of the EA comonomer. The composition of the grafted chains (FAAm = 0.52) was found to be constant during the feed molarity variation from 7.5 × 10,2 to 60.0 × 10,2 mol L,1, whereas the composition of the grafted chains (FAAm) was found to be dependent on feed composition (fAAm) and reaction temperature. The effects of ceric(IV) ion concentration, reaction time and temperature on the grafting parameters have been studied. The grafting parameters showed an increasing trend up to 6.0 × 10,3 mol L,1 concentration of CAN at a feed molarity of 30.0 × 10,2 mol L,1 and showed a decreasing trend on further increasing the concentration of CAN (>6.0 × 10,3 mol L,1) at a constant concentration of nitric acid (5.0 × 10,2 mol L,1). The composition of the grafted chains (FAAm) was determined by IR spectroscopy and nitrogen content and the data obtained then used to determine the reactivity ratios of the acrylamide (r1) and ethyl acrylate (r2) comonomers by using a Mayo and Lewis plot. The reactivity ratios of acrylamide and ethyl acrylate were found to be r1 = 0.54 and r2 = 1.10, respectively, and hence the sequence lengths of acrylamide (m,M1) and ethyl acrylate (m,M2) in the grafted chains are arranged in an alternating form, as the product of the reactivity ratios of acrylamide and ethyl acrylate (r1 × r2) is less than unity. The rate of graft copolymerization of the comonomers onto cellulose was found to be dependant on the ,squares' of the concentrations of the comonomers and on the ,square root' of the concentration of ceric ammonium nitrate. The energy of activation (,Ea) of graft copolymerzation was found to be 5.57 kJ mol,1 within the temperature range from 15 to 50 °C. On the basis of the results, suitable reaction steps have been proposed for the graft copolymerzation of acrylamide and ethyl acrylate comonomers from their mixtures. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Synthesis of graft copolymers of xyloglucan and acrylonitrilePOLYMERS FOR ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, Issue 2 2008Anuradha Mishra Abstract Xyloglucan (XG), a water-soluble food grade polysaccharide is reported as a substrate for the graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN). XG was extracted from tamarind seed mucilage. Polymerization was initiated both by ceric ion in aqueous medium under N2 atmosphere and with microwave (MW) irradiation. The progress of the reaction was monitored gravimetrically. The effect of different reaction parameters such as monomer concentration, level of ceric ammonium nitrate/HNO3 (CAN) initiator, reaction time and temperature, and MW power on the percent grafting (PG) was studied. Grafting of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) onto XG was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques have been used to study the thermal and morphological changes in the materials. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Correlation-associated peptide networks of human cerebrospinal fluidPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 11 2005Jens Lamerz Dr. Abstract Profiling of peptides and small proteins from either human body fluids or tissues by chromatography and subsequent mass spectrometry reveals several thousand individual peptide signals per sample. Any peptide is an intermediate in the course of biosynthesis, post-translational modification (PTM), proteolytic processing and degradation. Changes in the concentration of one peptide often affects the concentration of the other, hence a challenge consists in the development of suitable tools to turn this large amount of data into biologically relevant information. Comprehensive statistical analysis of the peptide profiling data allows associating peptides, which are closely related in terms of peptide biochemistry. Here, the bioinformatic concept of peptide networks, correlation-associated peptide networks (CANs), is introduced. Peptides with statistical similarity of their concentrations are grouped in form of networks, and these networks are interpreted in terms of peptide biochemistry. The spectrum of functional relationships found in cerebrospinal fluid CAN covers PTM and proteolytic degradation of peptides, clearance processing in the complement cascade, common secretion of peptides by neuroendocrine cells as well as ubiquitin-mediated degradation. Our results indicate that CAN is a powerful bioinformatic tool for the systematic analysis and interpretation of large peptidomics and proteomics data and helps to discover novel bioactive and diagnostic peptides. [source] Flufenamic acid blocks depolarizing afterpotentials and phasic firing in rat supraoptic neuronesTHE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 2 2002Masoud Ghamari-Langroudi Depolarizing afterpotentials (DAPs) that follow action potentials in magnocellular neurosecretory cells (MNCs) are thought to underlie the generation of phasic firing, a pattern that optimizes vasopressin release from the neurohypophysis. Previous work has suggested that the DAP may result from the Ca2+ -dependent reduction of a resting K+ conductance. Here we examined the effects of flufenamic acid (FFA), a blocker of Ca2+ -dependent non-selective cation (CAN) channels, on DAPs and phasic firing using intracellular recordings from supraoptic MNCs in superfused explants of rat hypothalamus. Application of FFA, but not solvent (0.1 % DMSO), reversibly inhibited (IC50+ 13.8 ,m; R+ 0.97) DAPs and phasic firing with a similar time course, but had no significant effects (P > 0.05) on membrane potential, spike threshold and input resistance, nor on the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous synaptic potentials. Moreover, FFA did not affect (P > 0.05) the amplitude, duration, undershoot, or frequency-dependent broadening of action potentials elicited during the spike trains used to evoke DAPs. These findings suggest that FFA inhibits the DAP by directly blocking the channels responsible for its production, rather than by interfering with Ca2+ influx. They also support a role for DAPs in the generation of phasic firing in MNCs. Finally, the absence of a depolarization and increased membrane resistance upon application of FFA suggests that the DAP in MNCs may not be due to the inhibition of resting K+ current, but to the activation of CAN channels. [source] Histopathologic Clusters Differentiate Subgroups Within the Nonspecific Diagnoses of CAN or CR: Preliminary Data from the DeKAF StudyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2010A. J. Matas The nonspecific diagnoses ,chronic rejection',CAN', or ,IF/TA' suggest neither identifiable pathophysiologic mechanisms nor possible treatments. As a first step to developing a more useful taxonomy for causes of new-onset late kidney allograft dysfunction, we used cluster analysis of individual Banff score components to define subgroups. In this multicenter study, eligibility included being transplanted prior to October 1, 2005, having a ,baseline' serum creatinine ,2.0 mg/dL before January 1, 2006, and subsequently developing deterioration of graft function leading to a biopsy. Mean time from transplant to biopsy was 7.5 ± 6.1 years. Of the 265 biopsies (all with blinded central pathology interpretation), 240 grouped into six large (n > 13) clusters. There were no major differences between clusters in recipient demographics. The actuarial postbiopsy graft survival varied by cluster (p = 0.002). CAN and CNI toxicity were common diagnoses in each cluster (and did not differentiate clusters). Similarly, C4d and presence of donor specific antibody were frequently observed across clusters. We conclude that for recipients with new-onset late graft dysfunction, cluster analysis of Banff scores distinguishes meaningful subgroups with differing outcomes. [source] Pathological and Clinical Characterization of the ,Troubled Transplant': Data from the DeKAF StudyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2010S. Gourishankar We are studying two cohorts of kidney transplant recipients, with the goal of defining specific clinicopathologic entities that cause late graft dysfunction: (1) prevalent patients with new onset late graft dysfunction (cross-sectional cohort); and (2) newly transplanted patients (prospective cohort). For the cross-sectional cohort (n = 440), mean time from transplant to biopsy was 7.5 ± 6.1 years. Local pathology diagnoses included CAN (48%), CNI toxicity (30%), and perhaps surprisingly, acute rejection (cellular- or Ab-mediated) (23%). Actuarial rate of death-censored graft loss at 1 year postbiopsy was 17.7%; at 2 years, 29.8%. There was no difference in postbiopsy graft survival for recipients with versus without CAN (p = 0.9). Prospective cohort patients (n = 2427) developing graft dysfunction >3 months posttransplant undergo ,index' biopsy. The rate of index biopsy was 8.8% between 3 and 12 months, and 18.2% by 2 years. Mean time from transplant to index biopsy was 1.0 ± 0.6 years. Local pathology diagnoses included CAN (27%), and acute rejection (39%). Intervention to halt late graft deterioration cannot be developed in the absence of meaningful diagnostic entities. We found CAN in late posttransplant biopsies to be of no prognostic value. The DeKAF study will provide broadly applicable diagnostic information to serve as the basis for future trials. [source] Heightened Expression of the Cytotoxicity Receptor NKG2D Correlates with Acute and Chronic Nephropathy After Kidney TransplantationAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2007M. Seiler The activating cytotoxicity receptor NKG2D binds to stress-regulated molecules encoded by the major histocompatibility complex class I chain-related (MIC) and UL-16-binding protein (ULBP)/retinoic acid early transcript (RAET) gene family. To assess whether acute allograft rejection leads to an induction of these inducible ligands and their receptor NKG2D, we examined the mRNA profiles in kidney transplant biopsies. Expression levels were correlated with the incidence of acute rejection (aRx) episodes and chronic allograft nephropathy (CAN) proven by histology. Whereas MICA, ULBP1/3 and RAET1-E did not display heightened gene expression, elevated levels of NKG2D mRNA could be associated with aRx (p < 0.001). Immunohistology of kidney biopsies diagnosed with aRx revealed NKG2D+ cells in tubulointerstitial areas positive for CD8+ cells. Most importantly, elevated levels of NKG2D mRNA were associated with restricted long-term graft function assessed by the glomerular filtration rate at 6, 12 and 18 months posttransplantation. Induced NKG2D mRNA expression was still observable in biopsies diagnosed with CAN (p < 0.001), demonstrating a higher sensitivity and specificity compared to CD3, granzyme B and granulysin mRNA measurement. Significant elevated levels of NKG2D mRNA could be further detected in urine sediment prior to aRx, suggesting this receptor as a new candidate marker for the diagnosis of acute and chronic allograft rejection. [source] Mechanistic Complexity in Organo,SOMO Activation,ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 35 2010James Nasse Chemie: ,Organo-SOMO-Aktivierung" ist ein komplizierter Prozess. Der Katalysator ist ohne H2O desaktiviert, und seine Konzentration wird durch 2,Äquiv. H2O konstant gehalten. Die kinetische Rolle von Cerammoniumnitrat (CAN) wird durch Phasentransfer maskiert, und seine begrenzte Löslichkeit wird durch zugegebenes H2O verbessert. Mechanistischen Studien zufolge erhöht die sorgfältige Zugabe von H2O zu getrockneten Reagentien die Reaktionseffizienz. TMS=Trimethylsilyl. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||