bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osteology and myology of the cephalic region and pectoral girdle of the Chinese catfish Cranoglanis bouderius, with a discussion on the autapomorphies and phylogenetic relationships of the Cranoglanididae (Teleostei: Siluriformes)
Authors: Diogo Rui , Chardon Michel , Vandewalle Pierre
Published: October 2002

The cephalic and pectoral girdle structures of the Chinese catfish Cranoglanis bouderius are described and compared with those of other catfishes as the foundation for an analysis on the Cranoglanididae autapomorphies and also for a discussion on the phylogenetic relationships between the cranoglanidids and the other catfishes. Our observations and comparisons indicate that cranoglanidids are defined, at least, by four autapomorphies, namely: 1) the cartilages associated with the mandibular barbels are broad, somewhat circular; 2) epioccipital with a well‐developed posterodorsal process, which presents a large, deep, circular posterior concavity; 3) a well‐defined, deep, anteroposteriorly elongated concavity formed by both the frontal and the lateral ethmoid to receive the anteromedial surface of the metapterygoid; 4) the adductor mandibulae A3″ is dorsally divided into two bundles and partially inserted on the posterior portion of the primordial ligament. With respect to the phylogenetic relationships of the Cranoglanididae, this study strongly suggests that these fishes are probably closely related to the Ariidae and the Claroteidae. J. Morphol. 253:229–242, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Radial fast spin‐echo method for T2‐weighted imaging and T2 mapping of the liver
Authors: Altbach Maria I. , Outwater Eric K. , Trouard Theodore P. , Krupinski Elizabeth A. , Theilmann Rebecca J. , Stopeck Alison T. , Kono Mitsuko , Gmitro Arthur F.
Published: October 2002

Purpose

To evaluate a multishot radial fast‐spin echo (RAD‐FSE) method developed to improve the quality of abdominal T2‐weighted imaging as well as the characterization of focal liver lesions.

Materials and Methods

The RAD‐FSE sequence used in this work consisted of a preparatory period followed by a short echo train (ETL = 16). A novel radial k‐space trajectory was used to minimize streaking artifacts due to T2 variations and motion. Small diffusion gradients (b = 1.2 mm/s2) were used to improve flow suppression. The quality of images obtained with RAD‐FSE was compared to multishot 2DFT fast spin‐echo (2DFT‐FSE) and half‐Fourier acquisition single‐shot turbo‐spin‐echo (HASTE) images using data from 16 patients. A postprocessing algorithm was used to generate multiple high‐resolution images (at different effective TE values) as well as a T2 map from a single RAD‐FSE data set. The T2 maps were used to differentiate malignant from benign lesions for a set of 33 lesions ranging from 0.8–194 cm3.

Results

RAD‐FSE produces high‐resolution images of the liver in a breath‐hold without the motion artifacts of 2DFT‐FSE methods, and without the blurriness and loss of small lesion detectability of HASTE. The inclusion of diffusion weighting in RAD‐FSE decreases the signal from blood in hepatic vessels, which improves lesion visualization. The T2 values obtained by postprocessing a single RAD‐FSE data set can differentiate malignant from benign lesions. The mean T2 values obtained for malignancies, hemangiomas, and cysts are 108 ± 30 msec, 240 ± 14 msec, and 572 ± 334 msec, respectively.

Conclusion

These results indicate that RAD‐FSE produces abdominal images of higher quality than 2DFT‐FSE and HASTE. In addition, lesions can be characterized using T2 maps generated from a single RAD‐FSE data set. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2002;16:179–189. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
High‐performance liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric identification of the phototransformation products of tebuconazole on titanium dioxide
Authors: Calza Paola , Baudino Simone , Aigotti Riccardo , Baiocchi Claudio , Branca Paolo , Pelizzetti Ezio
Published: October 2002

Tebuconazole is a widely used fungicide. The formation of by‐products on irradiated titanium dioxide as a photocatalyst was evaluated. Several species derived from tebuconazole degradation were identified and characterized by HPLC/MSn. A pattern of reactions accounting for the observed intermediates is proposed. Different parallel pathways are operating (and through these pathways the transformation of the molecule proceeds), leading to a wide range of intermediate compounds. All these molecules are more hydrophylic than tebuconazole. The main steps involved are (1) the hydroxylation of the molecule with the formation of three species having [M + H]+ 324; the hydroxylation occurs on the C‐1 carbon and on the aromatic ring in the two ortho‐positions; (2) the cleavage of a C—C bond with the release of the tert‐butyl moiety and the formation of a species having m/z 250; analogously to step 1, also on this species a further hydroxylation reaction occurs; (3) through the loss of the triazole moiety with the formation of a structure with m/z 257. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longitudinal use of phenotypic resistance testing to HIV‐1 protease inhibitors in patients developing HAART failure
Authors: Servais Jean , Plesséria Jean‐Marc , Lambert Christine , Fontaine Elodie , Robert Isabelle , Arendt Vic , Staub Thérèse , Schneider François , Hemmer Robert , Schmit Jean‐Claude
Published: October 2002

An “in‐house” recombinant virus protease inhibitor susceptibility assay was carried out (median of 3 per patient) retrospectively in 26 patients failing HIV protease inhibitor based therapy at regular intervals to the initiation of the first protease inhibitor. Patients were treated with either indinavir (N = 6), ritonavir (N = 10), or saquinavir (N = 10) and two nucleoside analogues. Second line therapy was based on single or dual protease inhibitor regimens occasionally containing nelfinavir. Clinically relevant resistance cut‐offs associated with a poorer virological outcome from 6 months on and the clinical outcome from 3 months on were determined tentatively as 4‐ to 8‐fold resistance for indinavir and ritonavir and 2.5‐ to 8‐fold to saquinavir. In addition, the degree of cross‐resistance at the time of the change of protease inhibitor was associated with the response in viral load at 6 months to the second line therapy (P = 0.018). Cross‐resistance (>= 8‐fold) between ritonavir and indinavir was common (78 and 100%). Cross‐resistance between indinavir or ritonavir and saquinavir was less frequent (75 and 60% respectively) than the opposite (100%, P = 0.004). Cross‐resistance to nelfinavir was encountered more frequently (> 70%) than to amprenavir (9%). The magnitudes of resistance were correlated between each other. In summary, the protease inhibitor susceptibility carried out longitudinally appears to be an earlier prognostic marker than viral load in a context of cross‐resistance. The magnitude of resistance, as a marker of cross‐resistance, should be useful to guide second line therapy. J. Med Virol. 67:312–319, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparative expression profiles of Trk receptors and Shc‐related phosphotyrosine adapters during retinal development: Potential roles of N‐Shc/ShcC in brain‐derived neurotrophic factor signal transduction and modulation
Authors: Nakazawa Toru , Nakano Itsuko , Sato Masahiro , Nakamura Takeshi , Tamai Makoto , Mori Nozomu
Published: October 2002

Neurotrophins (NTs) have multiple roles in retinal development and survival, which are mediated through their specific receptors and signaling molecules. An emerging family of adapter protein, Shc (Src homology and collagen)‐related molecules, i.e., Shc/ShcA, Sck/ShcB, and N‐Shc/ShcC, has been implicated in various phosphotyrosine signal transduction mechanisms, including that for NTs. To explore the potential role(s) of Shc‐related adapters in NT signaling in the retina, we compared the developmental changes of the mRNA expression of TrkA ‐B, and ‐C in the rat retina, on one hand and, on the other hand, studied which members of the Shc family were activated after brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) application in axotomized rat retinas. Early in development, both TrkA and ShcA were highly expressed, whereas, in late development to adulthood, TrkB/C and ShcB/C were highly expressed. In the mature retinal ganglion cell layer, the expression of ShcB/C and TrkB/C was evident. Immunoreactivity of ShcC was located in the retinal ganglion cells, amacrine cells, and inner plexiform layer. The response of ShcC following retinal axotomy was most profound with the administration of BDNF, and there was some response with neurotrophin‐3. These results indicate that ShcC could be a potential phosphotyrosine adapter among the Shc family members for BDNF signaling and function during retinal development and regeneration in vivo. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Variant PC12 cell line that spontaneously differentiates and extends neuritic processes
Authors: Xiao Jingnan , Zhou Qiong , Liu Yuechueng
Published: October 2002

The rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells differentiate into neuronal‐like cells in response to treatment with neurotrophins. The cells have been extensively used for investigating neuronal differentiation and axonal growth. Here we report the isolation of a variant PC12 cell line, named PC12‐N1, which spontaneously differentiates and extends neuritic processes. The PC12‐N1 cells expressed many neuronal specific proteins, including the synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP‐25), synaptotagmin, and synaptobrevin (also known as VAMP). The cells also expressed neurofilament protein of 68 kDa, a marker for differentiated neurons. In addition to the spontaneous neurite outgrowth, the PC12‐N1 cells showed a marked increase in neurite outgrowth upon treatment with nerve grwoth factor (NGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and cyclic AMP (cAMP). The activation of mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinases was examined by immunoblot analysis using phospho‐specific antibodies. No overactivation was observed with ERK1/2 or p38. However, the c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase JNK/SAPK was activated approximately 10‐fold over the parental PC12 cells. These results suggest that activation of JNK/SAPK may be involved in the spontaneous neurite extension in the PC12‐N1 cells. Moreover, the PC12‐N1 cells may be used as a model for investigating molecular signaling mechanisms underlying neuronal differentiation and axonal outgrowth. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ethanol‐induced increase of sphingosine recycling for ganglioside biosynthesis: A study performed on cerebellar granule cells in culture
Authors: Ravasi Daniela , Ferraretto Anita , Omodeo‐salè Maria Fausta , Tettamanti Guido , Pitto Marina , Masserini Massimo
Published: October 2002

The effect of ethanol on ganglioside metabolism was assessed in cultured rat cerebellar granule cells. Cells were incubated in the presence of tritiated serine or galactose, and the synthesis of radioactive gangliosides was followed. The rate of de novo biosynthesis of gangliosides labeled in the oligosaccharide moiety (deriving from tritiated galactose) was not affected by the presence of ethanol. On the contrary, the biosynthesis of gangliosides labeled in the ceramide long chain base moiety (deriving from tritiated serine), dramatically decreased in the presence of alcohol. These results suggest that the gap between the extent of the biosynthesis of lipid and polar portions observed in the presence of ethanol, is filled by an increased recycling of sphingosine produced from ganglioside degradation. This hypothesis was confirmed by pulse‐chase experiments with GM1 ganglioside, tritiated in the sphingosine moiety, and following radiolabeled gangliosides deriving from its metabolic processing. In fact, the radioactivity carried by gangliosides whose labeling could derive exclusively (GD1b + GT1b) or partially (GD1a) from the recycling of catabolic radiolabeled sphingosine, dramatically increased in ethanol‐treated cells during the chase period. Taken together, these results suggest that ethanol increases ceramide sphingosine recycling for ganglioside biosynthesis. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evidence for a role of the N‐terminal domain in subcellular localization of the neuronal connexin36 (Cx36)
Authors: Zoidl G. , Meier C. , Petrasch‐Parwez E. , Zoidl C. , Habbes H.‐W. , Kremer M. , Srinivas M. , Spray D.C. , Dermietzel R.
Published: October 2002

The expression and functional properties of connexin36 (Cx36) have been investigated in two neuroblastoma cell lines (Neuro2A, RT4‐AC) and primary hippocampal neurons transfected with a Cx36‐enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) expression vector. Transfected cells express Cx36‐EGFP mRNA, and Cx36‐EGFP protein is localized in the perinuclear area and cell membrane. Upon differentiation of cell lines, Cx36‐EGFP protein was detectable in processes with both axonal and dendritic characteristics. Small gap junction plaques were found between adjacent cells, and electrophysiological recordings demonstrated that the electrical properties of these gap junctions were virtually indistinguishable from those reported for native Cx36. Mutagenesis of Cx36 led to the identification of a structural element that interferes with normal protein localization. In contrast, site directed mutagenesis of putative protein phosphorylation motifs did not alter subcellular localization. This excludes phosphorylation/dephosphorylation as a major regulatory step in Cx36 protein transport. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Syndecan‐3 and perlecan are differentially expressed by progenitors and mature oligodendrocytes and accumulate in the extracellular matrix
Authors: Winkler Susan , Stahl Richard C. , Carey David J. , Bansal Rashmi
Published: October 2002

Oligodendrocyte progenitors originate in the subventricular zone, proliferate, migrate to their final destinations, differentiate, and interact with axons to produce multilamellar myelin sheaths. These processes are regulated by a variety of environmental signals, including growth factors, the extracellular matrix, and adhesion molecules. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans are premier candidates as participants in this regulation by virtue of their structural diversity and their capacity to function as coreceptors for both growth factors and extracellular matrix molecules. Consistently with this, we have previously shown that oligodendrocyte progenitors are unable to proliferate in response to fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) in the absence of sulfated heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Here we show that members of three families of heparan sulfate proteoglycans, syndecan, perlecan, and glypican, are developmentally and posttranscriptionally regulated during oligodendrocyte‐lineage progression: Syndecan‐3 is synthesized by oligodendrocyte progenitors (but not terminally differentiated oligodendrocytes) and is up‐regulated by FGF‐2; perlecan synthesis increases as oligodendrocytes undergo terminal differentiation; glypican‐1 is expressed by both progenitors and differentiated oligodendrocytes. Astrocytes express glypican‐1 and perlecan but not syndecan‐3. All three of these heparan sulfate proteoglycans are shed from the cell surface and bind to specific substrates. The developmentally regulated expression of these heparan sulfate proteoglycans is indicative of their participation in events involving growth factor receptors and the extracellular matrix that may regulate oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation, migration, and adhesion phenomena. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Examining the roles of job involvement and work centrality in predicting organizational citizenship behaviors and job performance
Authors: Diefendorff James M. , Brown Douglas J. , Kamin Allen M. , Lord Robert G.
Published: October 2002

A recent meta‐analysis by Brown (1996) concluded that job involvement was unrelated to job performance. The present investigation proposed that the null findings reported in this meta‐analysis stem from the choice of performance criteria and the use of job involvement measures that are confounded with work centrality in the primary studies included in the meta‐analysis. The current study found that job involvement, when assessed with a recently published measure (Paullay et al., 1994), is a significant predictor of supervisor ratings of organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) and in‐role performance, controlling for work centrality and other individual difference variables. Consistent with recent findings, there is evidence that sex moderates some of the job involvement and OCB relationships, with females having a stronger, positive relationship between these constructs than males. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A review of telework research: findings, new directions, and lessons for the study of modern work
Authors: Bailey Diane E. , Kurland Nancy B.
Published: October 2002

Telework has inspired research in disciplines ranging from transportation and urban planning to ethics, law, sociology, and organizational studies. In our review of this literature, we seek answers to three questions: who participates in telework, why they do, and what happens when they do? Who teleworks remains elusive, but research suggests that male professionals and female clerical workers predominate. Notably, work‐related factors like managers' willingness are most predictive of which employees will telework. Employees' motivations for teleworking are also unclear, as commonly perceived reasons such as commute reduction and family obligations do not appear instrumental. On the firms' side, managers' reluctance, forged by concerns about cost and control and bolstered by little perceived need, inhibits the creation of telework programmes. As for outcomes, little clear evidence exists that telework increases job satisfaction and productivity, as it is often asserted to do. We suggest three steps for future research may provide richer insights: consider group and organizational level impacts to understand who telework affects, reconsider why people telework, and emphasize theory‐building and links to existing organizational theories. We conclude with lessons learned from the telework literature that may be relevant to research on new work forms and workplaces. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solar correlates of Southern Hemisphere mid‐latitude climate variability
Authors: Thresher Ronald E.
Published: October 2002

Atmospheric circulation in the southern mid‐latitudes is dominated by strong circum‐Antarctic zonal west winds (ZWW) over the latitude range of 35 to 60°S. These winds exhibit coherent seasonal and interannual variability, which has been related both to Antarctic (e.g. polar ice) and low‐latitude climate (e.g. El Niño–southern oscillation) parameters. Historical and recent studies suggest that, at its northern margins, variability in the ZWW also has a marked quasi‐decadal component. Analysis of sea‐level pressure and rainfall data for the Australian region, South Africa and South America confirms frequent indications of quasi‐decadal variability in parameters associated with the ZWW, which appears to be in phase around the hemisphere. This variation broadly correlates with the sunspot cycle, and specifically appears to reflect sunspot‐correlated, seasonally modulated shifts in the latitude range each year of the sub‐tropical ridge over eastern Australia. Sunspot‐correlated variability in the southern mid‐latitudes is likely to have substantial effects on temperate climate and ecology and is consistent with recent models of solar effects on upper atmospheric climate, though the mechanisms that link these to winds and rainfall at sea level remain obscure. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society
Regional streamflow trend detection with consideration of both temporal and spatial correlation
Authors: Yue Sheng , Wang Chun Y.
Published: October 2002

It is known that serial correlation within time series at sites and cross‐correlation among sites in a specific region will influence the ability of statistical tests to assess the field significance of trends over the region. However, serial and/or cross‐correlation has been ignored in field trend‐analyses. This study attempts to develop a methodology that takes into account both serial and cross‐correlation in the assessment of the field significance of trends. The regional average Mann–Kendall (RAMK) statistic is used to represent the regional properties of trends at a regional scale. The null distribution of the RAMK statistic is derived on the basis that the joint probability distribution ofmindependent normal variables is also normally distributed. The variance of the RAMK statistic is then modified by serial and cross‐correlation. The applicability of the method was demonstrated by applying it to assess the field significance of trends in annual mean, annual maximum, and annual minimum daily streamflow from 1967 to 1996 in ten major homogeneous climate regions of Canada. The results indicate that the method developed provides more accurate assessment of the field significance of trends than that without consideration of serial and cross‐correlation.

At the significance level of 0.10, annual mean daily flow increased significantly in the region of Yukon and northern BC mountains whereas it decreased significantly in the Pacific and the Prairie regions. Annual maximum daily flow decreased significantly across southern Canada, except in the Pacific region. Annual minimum daily flow decreased significantly in the Pacific region and in southeastern Canada, with the exception of the region of Great Lakes and St Lawrence river basin, whereas it increased significantly in the region of Yukon and northern BC mountains. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society
Geomorphology and style of plateau icefield deglaciation in fjord terrains: the example of Troms‐Finnmark, north Norway
Authors: Evans David J. A. , Rea Brice R. , Hansom James D. , Whalley W. Brian
Published: October 2002

In spite of a widespread distribution, the way in which plateau icefields affect the glaciation and deglaciation of adjacent terrains is not particularly well‐known. This paper aims to identify how the deglaciation of the fjord and plateau terrain of north Norway has influenced the glacial geomorphology and relative sea‐level history of both local and adjacent areas and so serve as a model for interpreting similar areas along the continental margins of northwest Europe and elsewhere. The identification of moraines and their relationships with the Main shoreline of northern Norway allows the margins of the Øksfjordjøkelen, Svartfjelljøkelen and Langfjordjøkelen plateau icefields to be identified in the adjacent terrains. In locations where ice margins are uncertain, it is also possible to reconstruct ice limits by means of glacier models appropriately constrained by known local conditions and dates. Earlier glacier margins, characterised in north Norway by ice shelves floating in the local inlets of major fjords, also can be related to known regional shorelines. The distribution of high shoreline fragments, augmented by radiocarbon dates, helps show the extent to which inter‐island channels and outermost parts of fjords can become deglaciated relatively early in comparison with published maps of regional deglaciation. Plateau‐icefield‐centred glaciation became important sometime after 14 00014C yr BP and was characterised by glacier readvances up to, and in some locations beyond, earlier moraines and raised marine features. Although overlooked until recently, the identification of the influence of plateau icefields on local glaciation, and their interaction with local and regional marine limits, is of great importance in accurate palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Composition of subcutaneous fat from dry‐cured Iberian hams as influenced by pig feeding
Authors: Timón María L , Martín Lourdes , Petrón María J , Jurado Ángela , García Carmen
Published: October 2002

The triacylglycerol and free fatty acid composition and volatile profile of subcutaneous fat of three batches of dry‐cured lberian hams from pigs fed in an extensive system based on acorn and pasture (‘montanera’: MONT) or in confinement with a control diet (FEED) or a 100 mg α‐tocopheryl acetate kg−1 enriched diet (VITE) were investigated. Triacylglycerol of subcutaneous fat of hams from pigs fed on acorn and pasture (MONT) was more unsaturated, with larger percentages of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, than triacylglycerol of subcutaneous fat of hams from pigs fed on concentrate feeds (FEED and VITE). However, the trend of oxidative processes was quite similar in the groups that contained antioxidants (‘montanera’ and α‐tocopherol supplementation); namely, the highest volatile contents were found in subcutaneous fat of hams from pigs fed on acorn and pasture, while α‐tocopherol supplementation gave rise to a different profile of volatile compounds in comparison with the control diet. Therefore antioxidant presence could contribute to a high intensity and quality of aroma of these hams.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Mechanical properties of green asparagus
Authors: Rodriguez‐Arcos Rocio C , Smith Andrew C , Waldron Keith W
Published: October 2002

The mechanical properties of three sections (upper, middle and lower) of the spears of green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) were investigated as affected by storage and cooking. A range of methods based on cutting, compression and puncture was employed to measure mechanical properties of spear sections. A transverse puncture test was the most suitable for measuring mechanical properties of fresh and cooked spear sections, and it was observed that strength increased along the spear from the upper to the lower section of fresh asparagus. Postharvest storage resulted in strengthening, mainly located in the last portion of the stem. A softening phenomenon was detected in every section as a consequence of cooking. The results of a tensile test on two different tissue types separated from the middle and lower portions of the stem showed that the external tissues were stronger and stiffer than the internal tissues, and both increased in strength and stiffness after 3 days of storage. However, the effect of cooking was different: while the external tissues decreased in stiffness and strength, as expected, a significant increase was observed for the internal tissues of the stem.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Yield, characteristics and composition of banana juice extracted by the enzymatic and mechanical methods
Authors: Kyamuhangire William , Myhre Hilde , Sørensen Hege T , Pehrson Robert
Published: October 2002

A comparative study of the enzymatic and mechanical banana juice extraction methods and the respective juices produced was carried out using Kayinja bananas (ABB genotype) imported from Uganda. In the enzymatic extraction process, macerated ripe banana pulp was incubated with a commercial enzyme preparation (Pectinex Ultra SP‐L) at 50 °C for 2 h. In the mechanical extraction process the ripe banana pulp was mixed with stretched strips of polythene and worked with a dough mixer at room temperature for 20 min (on average) until the juice appeared. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher ‘pure’ juice yield (604 g kg−1 pulp) was obtained with the enzymatic method than with the mechanical method (541 g kg−1 pulp). However, adding water to the spent pulp from the mechanical process and extracting dilute juice improved the juice yield to 757 g kg−1 pulp. The enzyme‐extracted juice had significantly (p < 0.05) higher soluble solids, titratable acidity, fructose, glucose, total nitrogen, density and mineral potassium. However, the mechanically extracted juice had significantly higher sucrose, pH and viscosity. Although the mechanical extraction process suffers from occasional juice extraction failures, it offers an opportunity to extract banana juice without excessive energy expenditure, and the juice produced is wholesome with a superior flavour to that produced by the enzymatic method.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Relationship between the enzymatic determination of starch and the starch iodine index in two varieties of cider apple
Authors: Travers Isabelle , Jacquet Alain , Brisset Adélaïde , Maite Claire
Published: October 2002

Monitoring the hydrolysis or disappearance of starch by the starch iodine test is a simple procedure for determining the maturity of cider apples, but it does not indicate the exact amount of starch present. So far, studies of starch in apples have dealt exclusively with dessert apples. In this paper the relationship between the visual starch index, the dark‐coloured surface area and the real starch content was studied in two varieties of cider apple commonly used in Normandy (France). Starch determination in cider apples required adapting the protocol provided by the Boehringer enzymatic kit. The work led to proposing a simplified index with five scales instead of 10. This index gives the correspondences between the new and old scales as well as the probable starch contents for each new scale.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterisation of the casein fraction of Ibérico cheese by electrophoretic techniques
Authors: Molina Elena , Ramos Mercedes , Amigo Lourdes
Published: October 2002

The physicochemical characteristics of Ibérico cheese, a semi‐hard Spanish variety manufactured from mixtures of cow's, ewe's and goat's milk, were studied. The casein fraction and breakdown products of 6‐month‐old cheeses were characterised by various electrophoretic techniques: urea polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (urea‐PAGE) at alkaline pH, isoelectric focusing (IEF) and two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2DE). Proteins were separated in 2DE according to their charge/mass ratio by urea‐PAGE at alkaline pH in the first dimension and according to their isoelectric point by IEF in the second dimension. Some individual bands considered homogeneous by urea‐PAGE at alkaline pH (ie different grades of phosphorylation of αs1‐casein and αs2‐casein) or by IEF (ie overlapping of several bands of αs2‐casein with γ‐casein bands) were found to be complex mixtures of casein components by 2DE. The two‐dimensional electrophoretic pattern was characteristic of the milk of each animal species included in Ibérico cheese. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) was also used to study the Ibérico cheeses. The high resolution of this technique allowed the identification of the main caseins of the different species (ie para‐κ‐casein, β‐casein, γ2‐casein and γ3‐casein).

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer: Does the number of sentinel nodes removed have an impact on the accuracy of finding a positive node?
Authors: Schrenk Peter , Rehberger Wolfgang , Shamiyeh Andreas , Wayand Wolfgang
Published: October 2002

Background and Objectives

The number of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) removed during biopsy may have an impact on the accuracy of finding a positive SLN. This study investigated various factors to determine if they had any significant correlation with the number of SLNs found during biopsy. In patients with positive SLNs, the nodes were then analyzed to determine which SLN contained metastasis.

Methods

For 263 patients with breast cancer who successfully underwent SLN biopsy, parameters such as tumor size, histologic characteristics, differentiation, and receptor status, patient age, breast quadrant, type of surgery, mapping with blue dye only or with radiocolloid, and whether biopsy was performed before or after tumorectomy were prospectively collected. These factors were analyzed to determine whether they had any significant correlation to the number of removed lymph nodes. Positive SLNs were ranked in the order they were removed and examined for which node contained the metastasis.

Results

During biopsy, a mean of 1.8 (range, 1–5) SLNs were found. The SLNs were negative in 158 patients and positive in 105. The number of SLNs removed was comparable between node‐negative and node‐positive patients, and none of the parameters analyzed was significantly related to the number of SLNs removed. Of the 105 patients with a positive SLN, the first SLN independently predicted the pathologic status of the axilla in 96 patients (91.4%; 95% CI 86.1–96.8), and the first and second SLN independently predicted the status in 104 patients (99%; 95% CI 97.2–100). Only one of 105 patients had metastasis in the third SLN removed.

Conclusion

The pathologic status of the axilla was independently determined by removal of the first or first and second SLN in 99% of patients; removal of more than three SLNs did not increase the accuracy of finding a positive node. J. Surg. Oncol. 2002;80:130–136. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tumor response to arterial embolization hyperthermia and direct injection hyperthermia in a rabbit liver tumor model
Authors: Moroz Paul , Jones Stephen K. , Gray Bruce N.
Published: October 2002

Background and Objectives

It is possible to arterially embolize or directly inject liver tumors in small animal models with ferromagnetic particles that generate hysteretic heating on exposure to an alternating magnetic field. The objective of this study was to compare the response of liver tumors to arterial embolization hyperthermia (AEH) and direct injection hyperthermia (DIH).

Methods

Ten rabbits containing experimental hepatic tumors were treated with AEH, and a second group of ten rabbits were treated with DIH. The tumors of both groups were heated to 43° to 50°C for 20 minutes. Tumor response, which was determined by measuring change in tumor volume and by comparison of tumor mass after treatment with the mass of untreated control tumors of the same age, was assessed 14 days after treatment.

Results

All tumors treated with AEH decreased in volume by 50% to 94% (P = 0.005), and their average mass (median 1.73 gm) was significantly less than that of untreated control tumors (median 8.01 gm, n = 20; P < 0.001). Three of the treated tumors were completely necrotic, while the remainder were at least 80% necrotic. Nine of the ten tumors treated with DIH increased in volume by at least 143% (P = 0.01), and their average mass (median 5.68 gm) was not significantly different from that of the untreated control tumors (P = 0.56).

Conclusion

These results indicate that AEH is more effective than DIH at moderately elevated temperatures. This is probably because the more widespread particle distribution that can be achieved using arterial embolization results in more extensive and complete treatment of the tumor.J. Surg. Oncol. 2002;80:149–156. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effects of typographic factors in advertising‐based persuasion: A general model and initial empirical tests
Authors: McCarthy Michael S. , Mothersbaugh David L.
Published: October 2002

Advertisers are constantly seeking ways to increase the persuasive power of their ads. To that end, advertisers are encouraged to match their advertising's executional elements (e.g., spokespersons, visuals, etc.) with their consumer's motivation, opportunity, and ability (MOA) to process brand information from advertising. A less‐considered approach is to select executional elements that will increase consumer motivation, opportunity, and ability. Following this approach, the current study examines typography, a potentially critical but relatively underinvestigated executional element. Typography is a major executional element of word‐driven advertising (e.g., print and internet), and has the potential to significantly influence motivation, opportunity, and ability to process advertising messages. Given the potential importance of typography, it is surprising how little research has been conducted to examine its effects in a persuasion context. One reason for this paucity of research may be the lack of an organizing framework delineating the macrolevel relationships between typographic dimensions, typographic outcomes, and the effects of those outcomes on consumer MOA to process advertising. Therefore, the current study develops a general model of typographic effects in advertising‐based persuasion and then tests select portions of that model empirically. The findings indicate that not only is typography capable of affecting consumer ability to process ad‐based brand information, but that the effects of various typographic characteristics are highly interactive. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kumar Suresh , Bhatia Manvir , Behari Madhuri
Published: October 2002

We sought to estimate the frequency and nature of sleep disturbances in Indian Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. One hundred forty nine consecutive PD patients attending the Movement Disorders Clinic of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India and 115 age‐matched healthy controls participated. After clinical evaluation, sleep assessment was done using a 23‐question, validated sleep questionnaire. Mean age of PD patients and the duration of illness were 58.37 (S.D. 10.45) years and 5.7 (S.D. 3.85) years, respectively. The mean age of the controls was 56.50 (S.D. 11.45) years (P > 0.05). Sleep problems were seen in 63 (42%) PD patients compared to 12% of controls. These were: insomnia in 32%, nightmares in 32%, and excessive day time sleepiness in 15% of PD patients as compared with 5%, 5% and 6%, respectively, in controls (P < 0.025). Presence of nightmares was significantly associated with higher Hoehn and Yahr score (P < 0.002), high unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UPDRS) Part I score (P < 0.000) and levodopa dose (P < 0 .025). Excessive daytime sleepiness correlated with higher Hoehn and Yahr stage (P < 0.004), and levodopa dose (P < 0.040). The sleep latency was longer in PD patients as compared to controls (P < 0.000). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed association of sleep disturbances with UPDRS Part III, Schwab and England score, levodopa dose, rigidity score, and bradykinesia score. Sleep problems are much more common in PD patients compared to controls (P < 0.001), and correlate with increased severity of disease. © 2002 Movement Disorder Society
Case‐control study of estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Maraganore Demetrius M. , Farrer Matthew J. , McDonnell Shannon K. , Elbaz Alexis , Schaid Daniel J. , Hardy John A. , Rocca Walter A.
Published: October 2002

We investigated the association of Parkinson's disease (PD) with two estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms. In a sample of 319 unrelated PD cases and 196 control subjects including both men and women, we observed no association of PD with the estrogen receptor genotypes derived from XbaI and PvuII digests. Analyses restricted to women or to cases and controls of European origin yielded similar findings. Further analyses stratified by age at examination or by family history did not show associations. While exogenous and endogenous estrogen may modify the risk of PD in women, the two estrogen receptor gene polymorphisms considered here do not seem to contribute to PD susceptibility. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Existence and asymptotic behaviour of solutions for a class of quasi‐linear evolution equations with non‐linear damping and source terms
Authors: Zhijian Yang
Published: October 2002

We consider a class of quasi‐linear evolution equations with non‐linear damping and source terms arising from the models of non‐linear viscoelasticity. By a Galerkin approximation scheme combined with the potential well method we prove that when m<p, where m(⩾0) and p are, respectively, the growth orders of the non‐linear strain terms and the source term, under appropriate conditions, the initial boundary value problem of the above‐mentioned equations admits global weak solutions and the solutions decay to zero as t→∞. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microstrip filter design using FDTD and neural networks
Authors: Banciu M. G. , Ambikairajah E. , Ramer R.
Published: October 2002

A new design technique using the FDTD method and neural networks is applied to a microstrip filter. The total design time is reduced by two means. First, an iterative ARMA signal estimation technique is utilized to reduce the computation time for each FDTD run. Second, the number of FDTD simulations is decreased with the use of the device model provided by a neural network with the ARMA coefficients at the output. The trained network was then incorporated to an optimization procedure for a microstrip filter design. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 34: 219–224, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10422
Characterization of monolithic spiral inductor using neural networks
Authors: Ouchar A. , R. Aksas  , Baudrand H.
Published: October 2002

The characterization of a monolithic spiral inductor (MSI) by using a multilayer neural network approach is presented in this Letter. The inductance, physical, and geometrical parameters are extracted in order to perform a full characterization of MSI. A three‐layer neural network was used for accurate representation. The results obtained by using neural networks are compared with measuredSparameters of typical MSI. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 34: 299–302, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10442
Evolving concepts of management of febrile neutropenia in children with cancer
Authors: Orudjev Elmar , Lange Beverly J.
Published: October 2002

Background

Recent investigations of febrile neutropenia in pediatric cancer patients have identified subsets of low‐risk patients who can be managed with less antibiotic therapy than previously recommended standards.

Methods and Materials

PubMed and Medline were searched for prospective trials and reviews of febrile neutropenia in children. Magnitude and duration of fever and neutropenia, comorbidities, and therapeutic strategies were examined.

Results

Twenty‐seven prospective trials and five reviews were identified. The child with cancer and low‐risk febrile neutropenia is clinically well and afebrile within 24–96 hr of antibiotic therapy and has evidence of marrow recovery with a rising phagocyte count. Disqualifying comorbidities include leukemia at diagnosis or in relapse, uncontrolled cancer, age under 1 year, medical condition(s) that would otherwise require hospitalization and social or economic conditions that may potentially compromise access to care or compliance. Therapeutic strategies include parenteral or oral antibiotics in the hospital with early discharge or parenteral antibiotics in the outpatient setting followed by oral or parenteral therapy and daily reassessment. Although as many as 25% of low‐risk patients require modification of therapy and/or hospitalization, life‐threatening or fatal infection is exceptional.

Conclusion

One‐third to one‐half the children with febrile neutropenia are at low‐risk of serious infection. In the context of clinic trials, they can be safely managed with inpatient or outpatient strategies that maintain close follow‐up and reduce the burden of antibiotic therapy. Adoption of these alternative strategies as the standard of care should proceed with caution guided by written protocols. Med Pediatr Oncol 2002;39:77–85. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Noise and motion correction in dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI for analysis of atherosclerotic lesions
Authors: Kerwin W.S. , Cai J. , Yuan C.
Published: October 2002

Dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI of atherosclerotic vessels after contrast agent injection may provide unique information regarding lesion structure and vulnerability. The high‐resolution images necessary for viewing lesion substructures, however, are often corrupted by patient motion and low signal‐to‐noise ratios, making pixel‐level analyses difficult. This article presents a postprocessing method that enables pixel‐level analysis of dynamic images by eliminating motion and enhancing image quality. Noise and motion correction are performed using optimal statistical methods under the assumption that noise and contrast agent dynamics are random processes. The method is demonstrated and validated on dynamic images of atherosclerotic plaques in human carotid arteries. Magn Reson Med 47:1211–1217, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantification of spinal cord atrophy from magnetic resonance images via a B‐spline active surface model
Authors: Coulon O. , Hickman S.J. , Parker G.J. , Barker G.J. , Miller D.H. , Arridge S.R.
Published: October 2002

A method is presented that aims at segmenting and measuring the surface of the spinal cord from MR images in order to detect and quantify atrophy. A semiautomatic segmentation with very little intervention from an operator is proposed. It is based on the optimization of a B‐spline active surface. The method allows for the computation of orthogonal cross‐sections at any level along the cord, from which measurements are derived, such as cross‐sectional area or curvature. An evaluation of the accuracy and reproducibility of the method is presented. Magn Reson Med 47:1176–1185, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Simultaneous perfusion and BOLD imaging using reverse spiral scanning at 3T: Characterization of functional contrast and susceptibility artifacts
Authors: Yang Yihong , Gu Hong , Zhan Wang , Xu Su , Silbersweig David A. , Stern Emily
Published: October 2002

Reverse spiral scanning with arterial spin‐labeling was developed at 3T to simultaneously detect perfusion and BOLD signals in the brain by subtracting or adding the control and labeled images, respectively, in the same dataset. BOLD contrast was improved with the longer effective echo time achieved in the reverse spiral scan compared to conventional forward spiral scans. Susceptibility artifacts near air–tissue interfaces in the brain were substantially reduced in the reverse spiral images due to their early data acquisition time and, hence, less signal attenuation. Brain activation experiments with the reverse spiral scan were performed on normal subjects and were compared to forward spiral imaging in the same subjects. The experiments demonstrated that reverse spiral imaging was able to detect perfusion and BOLD signals simultaneously and reliably, even in the brain regions with severe susceptibility‐induced local gradients, while forward spiral scans were either not optimal for detecting the two functional signals at the same time or were vulnerable to susceptibility artifacts. Magn Reson Med 48:278–289, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative measurement of regional lung ventilation using 3He MRI
Authors: Deninger Anselm J. , Månsson Sven , Petersson J. Stefan , Pettersson Göran , Magnusson Peter , Svensson Jonas , Fridlund Björn , Hansson Georg , Erjefeldt Ingrid , Wollmer Per , Golman Klaes
Published: October 2002

A new strategy for a quantitative measurement of regional pulmonary ventilation using hyperpolarized helium‐3 (3He) MRI has been developed. The method employs the build‐up of the signal intensity after a variable number of 3He breaths. A mathematical model of the signal dynamics is presented, from which the local ventilation, defined as the fraction of gas exchanged per breath within a given volume, is calculated. The model was used to create ventilation maps of coronal slices of guinea pig lungs. Ventilation values very close to 1 were found in the trachea and the major airways. In the lung parenchyma, regions adjacent to the hilum showed values of 0.6–0.8, whereas 0.2–0.4 was measured in peripheral regions. Monte Carlo simulations were used to investigate the accuracy of the method and its limitations. The simulations revealed that, at presently attainable signal‐to‐noise ratios, the ventilation parameter can be determined with a relative uncertainty of <5% over a wide range of values. Magn Reson Med 48:223–232, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.