bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Slope Gradient on Termite Assemblages and Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Koudi Secondary Forest Patches of the Central Region of Cameroon
Authors: Dieudonné Akama Pierre , Yede  , Zephirin Tadu , Thierry Elomo Assomo Parfait , Maurice Navodita G.
Published: January 2024

Soil is the Cameroon’s primary economic driver and an indispensable natural resource for agriculture. Various factors including physical, chemical and biological directly affect agricultural production by enhancing soil fertility. The influence of relief on termites’ diversity was extensively studied. However, the effect of the slope gradient on termite diversity and functional groups remains less studied. This study evaluated termite assemblages in relation to some edaphic parameters, with emphasis on gradual changes in soil slope. The study was conducted in Koudi, in the semi-deciduous forest zone of Southern Cameroon. The study aimed to evaluate  the effect of slope gradient on termite diversity and some soil physico-chemical factors;  the influence of some physico-chemical soil properties on termites. To achieve these, three slope gradients: gentle slope: A [0 - 15°]; moderate slope: B [15.1°- 31°]; and steeper slope: C [x > 31°[were chosen. The experimental design was composed of 66 rectangular quadrants of 5m x 2m in order to determine the presence or absence of termites. Two soil samples were taken per slope gradient for the determination of physico-chemical parameters. Termite community was characterized using species richness, Shannon diversity, Pielou Evenness and Simpson dominance indexes. Data obtained were subjected to Spearman correlation test and ANOVA followed by the Tukey HSD test at a threshold p = 0.05.  Our findings suggested thirty-five(35) termite species belonging to eighteen (18) genders, six (6)subfamilies that were sampled and identified. Termites’ diversity and species richness decreased as slope gradient increased; slope gradient displayed a significant detrimental correlation with sand (%) and total organic (g/kg) content, with a positive significant correlation with clay (%) content, according to Spearman's test. It appeared that variations of slope at soil surface have been identified as one of the factors controlling nutrients and termite diversity.
Predictors to Students’ Enrollment Pattern into Technology Education Programmes in Tertiary Institutions in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Sunday Bassey Imaobong , Joseph Amaechi O. , Nwachukwu Idibia Clinton , Godstime Thomas Chinujinim
Published: January 2024

This descriptive survey examined the factors influencing students' enrollment pattern into technology education programs in tertiary institutions in Rivers State. From a population of 522 students, using proportionate random sampling techniques sample size of 120 respondents was selected. A 4-point rating scale questionnaire with a reliability index value of 0.820 that had been validated by two measurement and evaluation specialists was used to collect the data. Two additional research assistants who work for the institutions helped administer the instrument to the respondents. 113 of the 120 administered copies were deemed suitable and sufficient for the descriptive mean and standard deviation data analysis, while the remaining 7 were deemed not useable. The study established a threshold of 2.50 for agreement or disagreement in response to research questions. To test the null hypotheses at significant levels of 0.05, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized. The findings demonstrated that factors such as parental influence, peer pressure, lack of career awareness, interests and personal preferences, and the social status of technology education programs all had a substantial impact on students' decision to enroll in the programs. It's recommended to reframe public opinions regarding the potential of technology programs through career awareness, advocacy initiatives, and public awareness campaigns.
Mode and Dose of Boron Nutrition on Growth, Productivity, Nutrient Uptake and Quality of a Rice-groundnut Cropping System
Authors: Dash Subhashis , Nayak Rabindra Kumar , Biswal Sabyasachi , Pattanayak Sushanta Kumar , Nayak Raghabananda
Published: January 2024

To assess the effect of boron (B) nutrition on growth, productivity, uptake and crop quality of rice-groundnut cropping system under medium land Inceptisols Odisha, a field experiment was conducted during Kharif and Rabi 2016-17 and 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with eight treatments being replicated thrice. The results revealed that rice crop showed higher growth rate (9.4 mm day-1) than groundnut crop of 9.1 mm day-1. Soil application of B in split doses maintained higher growth rate than foliar spray irrespective of crops. B fertilization to rice crop reduced chaffiness from 35% in no B fertilization to 15% in B applied in split doses. It also showed 15.6% higher number of nodules than no B application in groundnut crop. Economic yield produced in different mode of B application in rice-groundnut cropping system, the 2nd crop was influenced by 22.5% against 16.0% for the 1st crop. B improved the economic yield by 19.5%over no B application. Application of B@1kg.ha-1 to each crops increased the economic yield by 8.7% compared to its half rate application (0.5 kg.ha-1). Based on rice-equivalent yields (REY) of rice-groundnut cropping system practices followed the order: Split application (288)>Full dose basal (250)>Full dose B to groundnut (199)>Half dose B basal to each crop (188)>Full dose B to rice (186) = Foliar spray of B (186)>STD (100). The recovery of added N increased by (42.2%) when B was applied to 1st crop with full dose (53.5%), again it increased further by 60.8% when applied in split. B nutrition to rice-groundnut system influenced P and K uptake by 36.4% and 48.4% respectively over no application. In rice-groundnut cropping system split application of B@0.5 kg.ha-1 to both crops at active growth stages improved the yield, uptake, crop quality and economic benefit was found superior over no or sub optimal dose of B application in a deficient medium land Inceptisols of Jajpur district.
The Growth of Rice Plants on Combination of Liquid Organic Fertilizer Based of the Water Hyacinth
Authors: Salawati  , Ende Sjarifuddin
Published: January 2024

Aims: This study aims to obtain a combination of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) concentrations of palm wine and water hyacinth on the growth of rice plants.

Study Design: This research used a randomized block design with thri (3 replications).

Place and Duration of Study: This research was conducted in Baolan District, Tolitoli Regency, Central Sulawesi Province with an altitude of 20 meters above sea level (MSL) from September 2022 to January 2023.

Methodology: consisting of six treatments, namely Ao = control, A1 = 80 ml LOF of water hyacinth + 20 ml LOF of palm wine + 900 ml of water, A2 = 70 ml LOF of water hyacinth + 30 ml palm wine + 900 ml water, A3 = 50 ml water hyacinth + 50 ml palm wine + 900 ml water, A4 = 40 ml water hyacinth +60 ml palm wine + 900 ml water, A 5 = 30 ml water hyacinth + 70 ml of palm wine + 900 ml of water. Each treatment was applied to the pot as media and each pot was planted with 1 seed.

Results: The results of the study was shown that the combination of water hyacinth and palm wine had a significant effect on plant height, number of tillers, panicle length and grain weight per panicle.

Conclusion: Application of liquid organic fertilizer with a combination of water hyacinth and palm wine can increase rice plant growth, increase the number of tillers, panicle length and seed weight per panicle.
Effect of Foliar Spraying of Nano Zno on Qualitative and Physical Parameters of Tomato Grown in Polybags
Authors: Rajani D. , Padma M. , Kumar K. Suresh
Published: January 2024

Background: Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is the main vegetable crop extensively grown all over the globe. Tomato requires both major and micronutrients for its proper plant growth. Nano fertilizers are preferred largely due to their efficiency and environmentally friendly nature compared to conventional chemical fertilizers. Nano fertilizers are preferred largely due to their efficiency and environmentally friendly nature compared to conventional chemical fertilizers. The use of nano fertilizers is expected to maintain better soil fertility and provide greater crop yields.

Methods: A polybag experiment was conducted during Kharif, 2020-21 at Agricultural College, Palem, PJTSAU, in a completely randomized design (CRD) with fourteen treatments comprising different concentrations of nano ZnO (50, 100, 250, 500, 750, 1000, 1250, 1500, 1750, 2000, 2250 and 2500 ppm), ZnSO4 and control.

Results: Foliar spraying of nano ZnO 1000 ppm recorded the lowest total soluble solids (4.00 0brix), highest ascorbic acid (23.71 mg 100g-1), highest titrable acidity (0.48%), lowest percentage of total sugars (2.80%), lowest percentage of reducing sugars (2.48%), highest percentage (0.32%) of non-reducing sugars and highest value of lycopene content (6.64 mg   100g-1), maximum shelf life (11.67 days) and firmness (3.05 kg cm-2). On 3rd, 6th and 9th day after harvest, same treatment recorded minimum physiological loss in weight (3.64%, 6.36% and 8.51%).
Myelodysplastic features in visceral leishmaniasis
Authors: Yaralı Neşe , Fışgın Tunç , Duru Feride , Kara Abdurrahman
Published: October 2002

We have detected trilineage myelodysplasia in two children recently diagnosed to have visceral leishmaniasis (V.L.), which led us to investigate retrospectively available peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirate smears of 5 children previously diagnosed as V.L. We saw that they also had trilineage myelodysplasia. We postulate that elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNFα) may cause trilineage myelodysplasia in the patients with V.L. This nonclonal myelodysplasia may be responsible for pancytopenia along with hypersplenism, hemolysis and reticuloendothelial hyperplasia causing abnormal retention of iron in V.L. Am. J. Hematol. 71:191–195, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Amifostine does not prevent activation of TGFβ1 but induces smad 7 activation in megakaryocytes irradiated in vivo
Authors: Segreto Helena R.C. , Ferreira Alice T. , Kimura Edna T. , Franco Marcello , Egami Mizue I. , Silva Maria Regina R. , Segreto Roberto A.
Published: October 2002

Experiments were undertaken to assess the role of amifostine in the activation of latent TGFβ1 and in the smad proteins cascade (smad 2/3, smad4, smad7), focusing on megakaryocytes, in the bone marrow irradiated in vivo. Non‐irradiated megakaryocytes were negative for active TGFβ1. Immunopositivity to active TGFβ1 was detected in megakaryocytes 10 days after irradiation in amifostine‐ treated and untreated marrows. Smad 2/3 and smad 4 were strongly positive in the nucleus of megakaryocytes 10 days after irradiation. At the same time, a predominant hypocellular bone marrow with foci of hematopoiesis was observed with few megakaryocytes. An increase in the number of reticulin fibers was also seen. In amifostine‐treated marrows, smad 2/3 and smad4 were not detected in the nucleus but were positive in the cytoplasm of megakaryocytes 10 days after irradiation. Coincidentally, bone marrows were cellular with megakaryocytes. Smad7 immunoexpression was detected in the cytoplasm of megakaryocytes in the non‐irradiated, amifostine‐treated and in the irradiated, amifostine‐treated marrows. Data indicate that amifostine does not prevent latent TGFβ1 activation in irradiated megakaryocytes. While TGFβ1 signal transduction occurs in megakaryocytes in untreated bone marrows, it is inhibited in megakaryocytes in amifostine‐treated marrows due to the induction of smad 7 activation. This is the first report showing smad 7 activation by amifostine. Our results also suggest a role for TGFβ1 as an inhibitor of megakaryocytes in vivo. Am. J. Hematol. 71:143–151, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Resistance of bcr‐abl‐positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia to daunorubicin is not mediated by mdr1 Gene Expression
Authors: Gupta Mamta , Kumar Anil , Dabadghao Sunil
Published: October 2002

In vitro resistance to anthracyclines is thought to be a poor prognosis in achieving long‐term remission in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Expression of a multidrug resistance gene (mdr1) that codes for 170 Kd transmembrane glycoprotein is responsible for conferring resistance to malignant cells to anthracyclines. The t(9:22) translocation, resulting in bcr‐abl fusion gene, is commonly found in B‐lineage ALL and is known to be a poor prognostic factor for long‐term remission. To investigate whether resistance to anthracyclines contributes to poor prognosis in bcr‐abl‐positive ALL, we studied daunorubicin sensitivity by an in vitro colorimetric methyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay in B‐lineage ALL patients who were bcr‐abl‐positive and compared them with the B‐lineage, age‐matched bcr‐abl‐negative group. We also looked for and compared the presence of mdr1 gene expression in these two groups of patients by RT‐PCR. Of the 46 patients included in the study, 16 (34.7%) were positive for the bcr‐abl fusion gene. mdr1 gene expression was seen in 14 of these 46 patients (30.4%). However, the expression of the mdr1 gene was relatively lower in the bcr‐abl‐positive group (3 out of 16, 18.7%) compared to the bcr‐abl‐negative group (11 out of 30, 36.6%). The median LD50 of daunorubicin (concentration lethal to 50% of the leukemic blasts) differed significantly between bcr‐abl‐positive and ‐negative patients (P = 0.018). This in vitro study suggests that bcr‐abl‐positive ALL is relatively resistant to daunorubicin, but this resistance is not mediated through mdr1 gene expression. Am. J. Hematol. 71:172–176, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinical course of thrombocytopenia in patients treated with imatinib mesylate for accelerated phase chronic myelogenous leukemia
Authors: van Deventer Hendrik W. , Hall Melissa D. , Orlowski Robert Z. , Mitchell Beverly S. , Berkowitz Lee R. , Hogan Cathe , Dunphy Cherie H. , Koehler Julie , Shea Thomas C.
Published: October 2002

We studied 28 patients with accelerated phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) who were enrolled on the Novartis expanded access study 114. Diagnosis of accel‐ erated phase CML was based on karyotypic evolution (n = 9) and hematologic criteria (n = 18). All patients were begun on 600 mg/day of imatinib mesylate. Dose reductions to 400 mg/day and then 300 mg/day were prescribed for an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of <0.5/μl or a platelet count of <20,000/μl. Twenty‐seven of the 28 patients continued treatment for a median of 34 weeks. Eleven patients developed thrombocytopenia following an average of 8.4 ± 1.4 weeks of therapy. The onset of thrombocytopenia was associated with disease progression in one patient and a decline in bone marrow megakaryocytes in the other 10. Nine patients recovered to a platelet count of >20,000/μl after an average of 19.7 ± 1.8 weeks. Patients who developed thrombocytopenia had a longer duration of disease (9.39 vs. 4.35 years; P < 0.01) and were more likely to be diagnosed with accelerated phase CML by hematologic criteria. Hematologic responses in patients with and without thrombocytopenia were comparable; however, 31.3% of patients without thrombocytopenia had a complete cytogenetic response compared to none of those with thrombocytopenia. Grade III–IV thrombocytopenia is common in accelerated phase CML and may be a marker for the inability to achieve cytogenetic response using single agent imatinib mesylate. Am. J. Hematol. 71:184–190, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Unusually indolent T‐cell prolymphocytic leukemia associated with a complex karyotype: Is this T‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia?
Authors: Soma Lorinda , Cornfield Dennis B. , Prager David , Nowell Peter , Bagg Adam
Published: October 2002

T‐cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T‐PLL) is typically associated with an aggressive clinical course, with a median survival of less than 1 year. We report a case of T‐PLL that displays multiple cytogenetic abnormalities, with the most complex subclone having the following karyotype: 47, Y, −X, +8, inv (10) (p12q26), del (11) (p13p15) +marker. However, despite this genetic complexity, the leukemia has behaved in a remarkably indolent manner, with the patient remaining asymptomatic, without therapeutic intervention, for more than 7 years. The unusually benign behavior of this disease calls into question the validity of grouping such cases under the umbrella of T‐PLL and warrants a reconsideration of T‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (no longer recognized as a distinct disease) as a bona fide diagnostic entity. Am. J. Hematol. 71:224–226, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Unfounded attribution of the “half‐life” index‐number of literature obsolescence to Burton and Kebler: A literature science study
Authors: Száva‐Kováts Endre
Published: October 2002

The term and notion of the “half‐life” index‐number of literature obsolescence, as well as their borrowing from nuclear physics and adaptation into the literature of literature obsolescence, have up to now been attributed to the librarian Burton and the physicist Kebler and to their famous 1960 journal article. In this article it is documented that (1) Burton and Kebler in their 1960 article were not the first to use the term literature “half‐life”; (2) it was not Burton and Kebler who borrowed the conception of “half‐life” from nuclear physics and not them who adapted it into the literature of literature obsolescence; (3) in their 1960 article Burton and Kebler first made critical and later ambiguous statements, and finally attributed only “some validity” to the idea of literature half‐life; (4) Burton and Kebler stated and produced an argument to show that there is an essential difference between the nature of radioactive “half‐life” and that of literature “half‐life”, and they therefore disapproved the use of the latter term; (5) in his next article published in 1961 and entirely left out of consideration, Burton proposed the term “median age” of statistical nature in place of the term literature “half‐life”. For all these reasons it is unfounded and erroneous to continue to attribute the term and conception of literature “half‐life” to Burton and Kebler.
Using graded relevance assessments in IR evaluation
Authors: Kekäläinen Jaana , Järvelin Kalervo
Published: October 2002

This article proposes evaluation methods based on the use of nondichotomous relevance judgements in IR experiments. It is argued that evaluation methods should credit IR methods for their ability to retrieve highly relevant documents. This is desirable from the user point of view in modern large IR environments. The proposed methods are (1) a novel application of P‐R curves and average precision computations based on separate recall bases for documents of different degrees of relevance, and (2) generalized recall and precision based directly on multiple grade relevance assessments (i.e., not dichotomizing the assessments). We demonstrate the use of the traditional and the novel evaluation measures in a case study on the effectiveness of query types, based on combinations of query structures and expansion, in retrieving documents of various degrees of relevance. The test was run with a best match retrieval system (InQuery1) in a text database consisting of newspaper articles. To gain insight into the retrieval process, one should use both graded relevance assessments and effectiveness measures that enable one to observe the differences, if any, between retrieval methods in retrieving documents of different levels of relevance. In modern times of information overload, one should pay attention, in particular, to the capability of retrieval methods retrieving highly relevant documents.
The influence of mental models and goals on search patterns during Web interaction
Authors: Slone Debra J.
Published: October 2002

This article reports on a study that uses a new analysis and display tool to examine the influences of understanding the system and goals on end‐user Internet searching. Thirty‐one public library users were observed searching the Web and/or a Web‐based on‐line catalog. The study identified four user categories, distinguished by the number of search approaches employed. These included linking, use of search engines, URL use, on‐line catalog searching, and searching within a specific Web‐site domain. Results conclude that experience and motivation, elements of situational goals and mental models, work in tandem to determine search approaches, Web sites visited, and sources used. People who sought information for job‐related or educational purposes were highly motivated. Thus, they were persistent. Those who had a great deal of Internet experience used an array of tools; while those with immature mental models of the Internet relied more heavily on the Web on‐line catalog or off‐line sources. People seeking information for recreational or personal use were not highly motivated. Whether experienced or not, they relied on serendipity, linking, and other tasks that were not cognitively overbearing. When searching became too difficult, they abandoned the Internet as an information source.
Children's use of the Yahooligans! Web search engine. III. Cognitive and physical behaviors on fully self‐generated search tasks
Authors: Bilal Dania
Published: October 2002

This article presents the third part of a research project that investigated the information‐seeking behavior and success of seventh‐grade science children in using the Yahooligans! Web search engine/directory. In parts 1 and 2, children performed fully assigned tasks to pursue in the engine. In the present study, children generated their tasks fully. Children's information seeking was captured from the cognitive, physical, and affective perspectives using both quantitative and qualitative inquiry methods. Their information‐seeking behavior and success on the fully self‐generated task was compared to the behavior and success they exhibited in the two fully assigned tasks. Children were more successful on the fully self‐generated task than the two fully assigned tasks. Children preferred the fully self‐generated task to the two fully assigned tasks due to their ability to find the information sought and satisfaction with search results rather than the nature of the task in itself (i.e., self‐generated aspect). Children were more successful when they browsed than when they searched by keyword on the three tasks. Yahooligans! design, especially its poor keyword searching, contributed to the breakdowns children experienced. Implications for system design improvement and Web training are discussed.
Automatic thesaurus generation for Chinese documents
Authors: Tseng Yuen‐Hsien
Published: October 2002

This article reports an approach to automatic thesaurus construction for Chinese documents. An effective Chinese keyword extraction algorithm is first presented. Experiments showed that for each document an average of 33% keywords unknown to a lexicon of 123,226 terms could be identified by this algorithm. Of these unregistered words, only 8.3% of them are illegal. Keywords extracted from each document are further filtered for term association analysis. Association weights larger than a threshold are then accumulated over all the documents to yield the final term pair similarities. Compared to previous studies, this method speeds up the thesaurus generation process drastically. It also achieves a similar percentage level of term relatedness.
Algorithmic procedure for finding semantically related journals
Authors: Pudovkin Alexander I. , Garfield Eugene
Published: October 2002

Using citations, papers and references as parameters a relatedness factor (RF) is computed for a series of journals. Sorting these journals by the RF produces a list of journals most closely related to a specified starting journal. The method appears to select a set of journals that are semantically most similar to the target journal. The algorithmic procedure is illustrated for the journal Genetics. Inter‐journal citation data needed to calculate the RF were obtained from the 1996 ISI Journal Citation Reports on CD‐ROM©. Out of the thousands of candidate journals in JCR©, thirty have been selected. Some of them are different from the journals in the JCR category for genetics and heredity. The new procedure is unique in that it takes varying journal sizes into account.
5‐Alpha‐ and 5‐beta‐2‐deoxyintegristerone A, a 5‐alpha and 5‐beta isomer pair of ecdysteroids isolated from the Silene genus
Authors: Báthori M. , Kalász H. , Pongrácz Z. , Máthé I. , Kálmán A. , Argay G.
Published: October 2002

5‐Alpha‐2‐deoxyintegristerone A and 5‐beta‐2‐deoxyintegristerone A were isolated from the aerial parts of Silene italica ssp. nemoralis (Waldst. and Kit.) Nyman using a specific combination of absorption column chromatography, preparative thin‐layer chromatography and preparative HPLC. Both normal‐phase and reversed‐phase modes of HPLC were employed for isolation. Structural elucidation of 5‐alpha‐2‐deoxyintegristerone A was completed by X‐ray diffraction. Both 5‐alpha‐2‐deoxyintegristerone A and 5‐beta‐2‐deoxyintegristerone A were firstly isolated from this plant. We propose that 5‐alpha‐2‐deoxyintegristerone A is not an artifact but an integral part of the ecdysteroid spectrum of Silene italica ssp. nemoralis (Waldst. and Kit.) Nyman. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of reaction products of cocaine and hydrogen peroxide by high‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry
Authors: Tanaka Seishi , Iio Reiko , Chinaka Satoshi , Takayama Nariaki , Hayakawa Kazuichi
Published: October 2002

The change of chemical structure of cocaine in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, a main component of hair dye and decolorant treatments, was studied. High‐performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was used for the separation and identification of cocaine derivatives. After a mixture of cocaine and hydrogen peroxide solutions was incubated at 39°C (this temperature is commonly used when the hair is treated with hair dye or decolorant) for 24 h, six reaction products were detected by LC/MS. Two of them were ecgonine methyl ester and benzoylecgonine, which are metabolites of cocaine. The other reaction products were assumed to be ortho‐, meta‐ and para‐hydroxycocaines and dihydroxycocaine, in each of which the benzene ring was hydroxylated by the reaction. These five reaction products (except for dihydroxycocaine) were found immediately after mixing cocaine and hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, the above reaction products might be present in the hair of cocaine users that had treated their hair with hair dye or decolorant. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid determination of anastrozole in plasma by gas chromatography with electron capture detection and its application to an oral pharmacokinetic study in healthy volunteers
Authors: Duan Gengli , Liang Jianying , Zuo Ming
Published: October 2002

A rapid, sensitive and accurate capillary gas chromatographic assay with 63Ni electron capture detection was developed for the determination of anastrozole in human plasma. It comprises a one‐step liquid–liquid extraction procedure and gas chromatography on a capillary column using constant oven temperature. This method has been applied to the oral pharmacokinetic study of anastrozole in healthy Chinese male volunteers. Pharmacokinetic parameters of two anastrozole preparations were evaluated after single, oral administrations to 18 subjects at a dose of 1 mg in a single‐blind cross‐over trial. Plasma anastrozole concentration–time profiles were best described by a two‐compartment model. After oral administrations of imported and domestic anastrozole tablets, the tmax and Cmax were 1.52 ± 1.04 h and 8.75 ± 3.03 ng/mL for the former, and 1.43 ± 1.12 h and 9.44 ± 3.59 ng/mL for the latter; the elimination half‐life was 46.0 ± 25.2 h vs 41.2 ± 8.8 h, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 423 ± 114 ng h/mL vs 444 ± 157 ng h/mL. The result indicates that the two products are bioequivalent. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro metabolism of a novel phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitor DA‐8159 in rat liver preparations using liquid chromatography/electrospray mass spectrometry
Authors: Choi Sung Jin , Ji Hye Young , Lee Hee‐Yong , Kim Dong Sung , Kim Won Bae , Lee Hye Suk
Published: October 2002

The in vitro metabolism of a new erectogenic, DA‐8159, has been studied by LC with UV detection and on‐line LC‐electrospray mass spectrometry using rat hepatic microsomal incubation and rat liver perfusion. Both rat liver microsomal incubation of DA‐8159 in the presence of NADPH and single‐pass liver perfusion of DA‐8159 resulted in the formation of three metabolites (M1–3). M1 was tentatively identified as hydroxy‐DA‐8159. M2 and M3 were identified as N‐demethyl‐DA‐8159 and 5‐(2‐propyloxy‐5‐aminosulphonylphenyl)‐1‐methyl‐3‐propyl‐1,6‐dihydro‐7H‐pyrazolo(4,3‐d)pyrimidin‐7‐one (DA‐8164), respectively, on the basis of LC‐MS/MS analysis with authentic standards. Rat CYP2D1 was a major isozyme for the formation of hydroxy‐DA‐8159 and N‐demethyl‐DA‐8159. CYP2C12 and CYP1A1 catalysed the oxidation of DA‐8159 to DA‐8164. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Export aspiration catheter thrombosuction before actual angioplasty in primary coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Wang Huang‐Joe , Kao Hsien‐Li , Liau Chiau‐Suong , Lee Yuan‐Teh
Published: October 2002

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in lesions with a large thrombus load increases the procedural complication rate. We describe a thrombus reduction technique in this setting using the Export aspiration catheter (EAC) for primary thrombosuction before actual angioplasty. The EAC is a component of the GuardWire Plus system (PercuSurge, Sunnyvale, CA), which was originally developed for emboli containment in saphenous vein graft and peripheral vessel interventions. Primary EAC thrombosuction was performed successfully in 12 patients undergoing primary PCI, and gross thrombi were obtained from 9 patients (75%). After definitive treatment with balloon angioplasty and/or stenting, TIMI 3 flow was restored in all target vessels. There was no angiographic evidence of distal branch loss or vessel injury. No major procedural or in‐hospital complication occurred in any patients. This primary EAC thrombosuction technique may offer a new, potentially effective method for thrombus burden reduction in treating AMI patients. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;57:332–339. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparison of early results of percutaneous metallic mitral commissurotome with Inoue balloon technique in patients with high mitral echocardiographic scores
Authors: Zaki Adel M. , Kasem Hussien H. , Bakhoum Sameh , Mokhtar Magdy , Nagar Wael El , White Christopher J. , Guindy Mohamed El
Published: October 2002

We compared the safety, efficacy, and cost of the newly introduced percutaneous metallic commissurotome (PMC) with the results of Inoue balloon mitral valvuloplasty (BMV) in 80 patients with mitral stenosis (MS). The mean increase in mitral valve area (MVA) was 0.95 ± 0.19 to 1.7 ± 0.35 cm2 for PMC and 0.97 ± 0.15 to 1.81 ± 0.36 cm2 for BMV (P = NS). The Wilkins echocardiographic scores before dilatation did not correlate with any difference in MVA after dilatation. Bilateral commissural splitting was significantly more common with PMC than with BMV (30/39 patients, 76.9%, vs. 21/40 patients, 52.5%; P = 0.02). Postprocedural severe mitral regurgitation occurred in 1/39 (2.6%) in the PMC group and in 4/41 (9.8%) in the BMV group. Because the PMC device is resterilizable, we estimated the cost to be one‐fourth the cost of BMV with the Inoue balloon. The estimated device cost ratio of PMC to BMV for each patient was 1 to 4.25. The early results of PMC on the MVA are comparable to BMV. However, PMC had better results not only in patients with high echocardiographic scores, but the PMC device splits commissural calcification better than BMV. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;57:312–317. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Coronary artery saddle embolus and myocardial infarction in a patient with prosthetic mitral valve
Authors: Aslam Mohammad Shakil , Sanghi Vinay , Hersh Steven , Lakier Jeffrey B.
Published: October 2002

Coronary embolism is a rare cause of transmural myocardial infarction. A 58‐year old female with mechanical mitral valve prosthesis and chronic atrial fibrillation who presented with anterolateral myocardial infraction is described. The etiologies, diagnosis, treatment dilemma and various management options are discussed. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;57:367–370. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plasma lidocaine concentrations after local anesthesia of the groin for cardiac catheterization
Authors: Guth Angelika , Hennen Benno , Krämer Thomas , Stoll Hans‐Peter , Böhm Michael
Published: October 2002

This study aimed to investigate serum lidocaine concentrations after subcutaneous infiltration of the groin for cardiac catheterization. One hundred twenty‐six patients for planned heart catheterization received five different dosages (5–25 ml) of lidocaine 2% for local anesthesia of the groin in a randomized manner. All of them received an arterial sheath and 13 received both an arterial sheath and a venous sheath for right heart catheterization. Blood samples were taken before as well as 15, 30, and 120 min after subcutaneous application of the drug. Although in 33 patients with an arterial sheath (no venous sheath) excessive doses of lidocaine 2% (20–25 ml) were used, neither symptoms of intoxication nor toxic plasma levels were observed. However, in patients receiving an additional venous sheath, toxic plasma levels were obtained in a third of the cases. One of them showed symptoms of intoxication. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;57:342–345. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A randomized prospective trial of ioxaglate 320 (Hexabrix) vs. iodixanol 320 (Visipaque) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Sutton Andrew G.C. , Ashton Victoria J. , Campbell Philip G. , Price Dallas J.A. , Hall James A. , de Belder Mark A.
Published: October 2002

We performed a randomized, prospective, double blind trial comparing the use of the ionic dimer contrast agent ioxaglate 320 (Hexabrix) with the nonionic dimer contrast agent iodixanol 320 (Visipaque) in 618 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for stable or unstable coronary artery syndromes. The aim was to determine whether the different anticoagulant and antiplatelet properties of these two contrast agents resulted in a significant difference in the incidence of a combined endpoint comprising the major complications of PCI. Procedural success rates were marginally higher in the Visipaque group compared to the Hexabrix group, although this did not reach statistical significance (96.7% vs. 93.9%; P = 0.09). There was a borderline statistically significant higher requirement for bailout stenting in the Visipaque group compared to the Hexabrix group (6.8% vs. 3.2%; P = 0.05), although this was not a predefined endpoint. The incidence of the combined primary endpoint of failed catheter laboratory outcome/requirement for bailout stenting/requirement for abciximab/myocardial infarction/death before hospital discharge was higher in the Visipaque group compared to the Hexabrix group (17.9% vs. 14.8%), although this did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.29). When subgroup analysis was performed, the incidence of the combined endpoint in patients with stable coronary artery disease randomized to receive either Visipaque or Hexabrix was identical (13.7%). In patients with an acute coronary syndrome, there was a trend toward a reduced incidence of the combined endpoint in the Hexabrix compared to the Visipaque group, although this did not reach statistical significance (17.2% vs. 24.8%; P = 0.17). More adverse reactions occurred in the Hexabrix group compared to the Visipaque group (8.7% vs. 4.9%; P = 0.06). We conclude that there is no clear advantage with the use of an ionic contrast agent in a large population of patients undergoing PCI for both stable and unstable coronary artery disease. Although the study was underpowered to detect significant differences with the use of either agent when patients with either stable or unstable coronary disease were studied, it is highly unlikely that the ionicity of the contrast agent confers any advantage for patients with stable coronary disease. There remains a possibility that ionic agents do have advantages for patients with unstable coronary artery disease undergoing PCI, although a larger study than ours would be required to confirm or refute this. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2002;57:346–352. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tyrosine hydroxylase‐immunoreactive interneurons in the olfactory bulb of the frogs Rana pipiens and Xenopus laevis
Authors: Boyd Jamie D. , Delaney Kerry R.
Published: October 2002

We studied tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐immunoreactive neurons and neuropil in the olfactory bulb of the leopard frog, Rana pipiens, and in the clawed frog, Xenopus laevis. In both frogs, TH processes in the main olfactory bulb showed a trilaminar organization, with a densely stained external glomerular layer (GL), a moderately stained middle mitral cell layer (MCL), and internally a weakly stained internal plexiform layer (IPL) and granule cell layer (GRL). TH‐positive cells in the MCL and IPL could be divided into two types. Type 1 cells had one or two thick dendrites that arborized within glomeruli in the GL and often had a thin “axon‐like” process that exited the cell on the internal surface, with a recurrent collateral that ascended into the GL. Type 2 cells had beaded dendrites arborizing in the MCL and no discernible axons. Both type 1 and type 2 cells were numerous in the MCL and IPL of Rana, whereas only type 2 cells were common in the MCL and IPL of Xenopus. In the GL, labeled cells were numerous in Xenopus but rare in Rana. Mitral cells were stained retrogradely by tracer injection into the lateral olfactory tract and by local injection into the bulb. In no case was double labeling for TH observed, suggesting that TH‐positive cells in frog olfactory bulb are likely to be interneurons. Double labeling with an anti‐γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) antibody showed that the TH‐positive cells formed a population separate from the GABA‐containing interneurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 454:42–57, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Gene organization and expression of a neuropeptide Y homolog from the land planarian Arthurdendyus triangulatus
Authors: Dougan Paula M. , Mair Gunnar R. , Halton David W. , Curry W. James , Day Tim A. , Maule Aaron G.
Published: October 2002

Neuropeptide Y is one of the most widespread regulatory peptides within the vertebrate nervous system and shares the C‐terminal motif [FY]‐x(3)‐[LIVM]‐x(2)‐Y‐x(3)‐[LIVMFY]‐x‐R‐x‐R‐[YF] with pancreatic polypeptide, peptide YY, and fish pancreatic peptide Y. All four peptides are believed to have arisen from a single ancestral gene through successive gene duplication events in vertebrates. The origin of this peptide family may date back further still; similarly sized peptide transmitters with an identical C‐terminal motif have been identified in molluscs and flatworms and designated neuropeptide F (NPF). Cloning of the npf gene from the parasitic flatworm Moniezia expansa identified some unusual features within the peptide precursor organization but, at the same time, provided support for an evolutionary relationship of npf and npy genes through the presence of a single intron at a conserved position. To extend the analysis of the evolutionary relationships between invertebrate NPF and vertebrate NPY family peptides, the NPF precursor from the turbellarian Arthurdendyus triangulatus was characterized. Sequence analysis revealed the npf transcript to be 362 base pairs in length encoding a single open reading frame of 81 amino acids. The precursor comprises a signal peptide followed by the mature peptide of 36 amino acids in length, terminating in the typical invertebrate GRPRF motif, followed by a carboxyterminal glycyl extension. The NPF precursor of A. triangulatus shows significant similarities to the vertebrate NPY peptides. Indeed, the N‐terminus of A. triangulatus prepro‐NPF corresponds more closely to that of the vertebrate peptide homologs than to that of other invertebrate NPFs isolated to date. Immunocytochemical localization studies have demonstrated NPF immunoreactivity throughout the nervous system of A. triangulatus, particularly in association with muscular structures. The data support an early evolutionary origin for this peptide transmitter family within the nervous system of basal bilaterians. J. Comp. Neurol. 454:58–64, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Axonal sprouting of a brainstem–spinal pathway after estrogen administration in the adult female rhesus monkey
Authors: Vanderhorst Veronique G.J.M. , Terasawa Ei , Ralston Henry J.
Published: October 2002

The nucleus retroambiguus (NRA) is located in the caudal medulla oblongata and contains premotor neurons that project to motoneuronal cell groups in the brainstem and spinal cord. NRA projections to the lumbosacral cord are species specific and might be involved in mating behavior. In the female cat, this behavior is estrogen dependent, and estrogen induces axonal sprouting in the NRA–lumbosacral pathway. Because female receptive behavior in primates is not fully dependent on estrogen, the question arises as to whether the capacity of estrogen‐induced sprouting is preserved in primates. The effect of estrogen was studied on the NRA–lumbosacral projection with the use of wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase as a tracer in six adult ovariectomized rhesus monkeys with or without estrogen priming (three controls and three treated with 20 μg/day of estradiol benzoate subcutaneously for 14 days). Light microscopy showed that the density of arborizing labeled NRA axons in the lumbosacral cord was greater in estrogen‐treated than in control animals. Ultrastructurally, labeled NRA terminal profiles were quantified in motoneuron pools that supply muscles of the abdominal wall, axial, and pelvic floor. After estrogen treatment, the average number of labeled terminal profiles per area of the abdominal wall, axial, and pelvic floor motoneuron pool increased 1.5‐, 3.3‐, and 2.8‐fold, respectively. In the estrogen‐treated cases, 8.9% of labeled terminal profiles showed characteristics of growth cones. In controls, such profiles were rarely observed. The results showed that estrogen induces axonal sprouting in a brainstem–spinal pathway in the adult female rhesus monkey. These findings supported the concept that the NRA–lumbosacral pathway may be involved in sexual behavior. Moreover, they demonstrated that a long descending brainstem–spinal tract in adult nonhuman primates retains the capacity for axonal sprouting. J. Comp. Neurol. 454:82–103, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pharyngoesophageal reconstruction with lateral thigh free flap
Authors: Baek Chung‐Hwan , Kim Byung‐Sik , Son Young‐Ik , Ha Bomjoon
Published: October 2002

Background

We evaluated the use of a lateral thigh free flap in pharyngoesophageal reconstruction, which is often overlooked and less widely used despite its distinct advantages.

Methods

This study reviewed the patient's medical records, including the patient's age, gender, histopathologic diagnosis, surgical defects, flap size, flap survival, donor and recipient site complications, and swallowing function and voice rehabilitation.

Results

Twelve lateral thigh free flaps were used to primarily reconstruct the pharyngoesophagus in 11 patients after tumor resection from July 1997 to May 1999. Eleven of the 12 flaps (91.7%) were transferred successfully. In one patient, the flap failure occurred as a result of venous thrombosis, and therefore another lateral thigh free flap from the opposite thigh was used 3 days later. The swallowing function was restored in all patients. Prosthetic voice rehabilitation was successfully achieved in all five patients, who primarily underwent tracheoesophageal punctures. No frank fistula or stricture developed. Significant donor site morbidity was not noted.

Conclusions

The lateral thigh free flap is useful and reliable in selected cases of pharyngoesophageal reconstruction and versatile in flap design with favorable functional outcomes of swallowing and voice rehabilitation with minimal donor site morbidity. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck: A retrospective case series
Authors: Brissett Anthony E. , Olsen Kerry D. , Kasperbauer Jan L. , Lewis Jean E. , Goellner John R. , Spotts Bruce E. , Weaver Amy L. , Strome Scott E.
Published: October 2002

Background.

Eighty‐five percent of all Merkel cell carcinomas appear on sun‐exposed areas, with 50% to 55% occurring on the head and neck.

Methods.

A chart review was performed on 22 patients treated for Merkel cell carcinoma of the head and neck between 1981 and 1998.

Results.

Fifteen patients were men (68%). The average age at operation was 69.9 years (range, 24–84 years). The average duration of follow‐up was 3.6 years (range, 3 days–8.6 years). Overall survival at 1, 2, and 3 years postoperatively was 78%, 68%, and 68%, respectively. The only independent predictor of survival was the type of surgical therapy. All patients who underwent wide local excision (WLE) of the primary tumor with dissection of the lymphatic drainage basin were alive at 2 years as opposed to 68% who had WLE alone and 33% who had Mohs surgery.

Conclusions.

WLE and dissection of the lymphatic drainage basin provided the best overall survival. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 982–988, 2002