bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sonographic diagnosis of placental teratoma
Authors: Ahmed Nadeem , Kale Vasudha , Thakkar Hemangini , Hanchate Vijay , Dhargalkar Prajakti
Published: January 2004

Placental teratomas are very rare, and the features that distinguish them on sonography and allow their differentiation from other placental tumors have not been fully described. Prenatal recognition of this tumor is prognostically useful because, unlike other neoplasms, placental teratoma is benign and almost never associated with congenital deformities in the fetus. We describe the case of a 27‐year‐old pregnant woman in whom prenatal color Doppler sonographic examination performed during early‐stage labor revealed a heterogeneous mass at the placental margin. This lesion, which measured 10 × 8 × 5 cm, had an echogenic focus consistent with calcification and hyperechoic foci consistent with fat. Placental teratoma and fetus acardius amorphus were considered in the differential diagnosis, but the segmental organization and umbilical cord–like structures that characterize the latter diagnosis were absent. The sonographic diagnosis, placental teratoma, was confirmed postnatally by histopathologic examination. The neonate, a healthy boy, was delivered vaginally at term. Although the presence of tissues of varied echogenicity, such as calcification, fat, and fluid, and the absence of both polarity and an umbilical cord–like structure support the sonographic diagnosis of placental teratoma, fetus acardius amorphus should be considered in the differential diagnosis. Histopathologic examination may be needed to establish a definitive diagnosis in such cases. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:98–101, 2004
Experience with focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST) in 313 pediatric patients
Authors: Soudack Michalle , Epelman Monica , Maor Roni , Hayari Lili , Shoshani Gideon , Heyman‐Reiss Asnat , Michaelson Moshe , Gaitini Diana
Published: January 2004

Purpose

The use of focused abdominal sonography for trauma (FAST), which detects free fluid in the abdomen and pelvis, for the assessment of blunt abdominal trauma is gaining acceptance worldwide and has been described extensively in the general medical literature. The precise application of this technique in pediatric patients, however, has yet to be established. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of FAST in pediatric trauma patients by comparing the results of this technique with those of CT and explorative laparotomy (ELAP).

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and sonographic examinations of pediatric patients who had sustained multiple traumatic injuries for which they were treated at our hospital during a 20‐month period. For all patients, FAST had been the initial screening examination for blunt abdominal trauma. We compared the FAST findings, which had been recorded as positive or negative, with the findings on CT or ELAP, which were considered definitive.

Results

A total of 313 patients (204 boys and 109 girls) with a mean age of 7.1 years were included in the study. The FAST finding had been negative in 274 patients, of whom 201 had had no clinical signs of abdominal injury and had been managed conservatively without complications. CT had been performed in 109 patients and ELAP in 11. FAST had yielded 3 false‐negative and 2 false‐positive results. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FAST were 92.5%, 97.2%, and 95.5%, respectively.

Conclusions

FAST is an effective tool in screening pediatric trauma patients for blunt abdominal trauma. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:53–61, 2004
Characteristic imaging features of breast fibroadenomas in women given cyclosporin A after renal transplantation
Authors: Son Eun Ju , Oh Ki Keun , Kim Eun Kyung , Cho Nariya , Lee Jong Doo , Kim Se Hoon , Jung Woo Hee
Published: January 2004

Purpose

This retrospective study was conducted to determine the characteristic imaging and histopathologic features of breast fibroadenomas in kidney‐transplant recipients given chronic cyclosporin A immunosuppressive therapy after the transplantation and to compare these characteristics with those from a control group.

Methods

From January 1, 1990, through December 31, 1999, 486 women underwent renal transplantation at our institution. All patients subsequently received immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporin A and prednisolone. Ten (2%) of these women had developed breast fibroadenomas during this chemotherapy. We compared the data obtained on this group's fibroadenomas with those obtained from those in the control group, which comprised 100 women with fibroadenomas but who had never undergone organ transplantation or immunosuppressive therapy.

Results

Twenty‐two fibroadenomas developed in the 10 transplant recipients. Eight of those 10 had multiple lesions, and 7 were affected bilaterally. The mean diameter of the fibroadenomas was 4.2 ± 2.5 cm. Mammographically, the lesions were round or oval high‐density masses with well‐circumscribed margins and no calcification or spiculation. Sonographically, the lesions were relatively highly echogenic and had a lower ratio of the longitudinal to the anteroposterior diameter (L /AP) than did those in the control group. Histopathologically, the features of these lesions were generally typical of fibroadenomas, but some were more typical of malignant lesions. Among the 100 control patients, 146 fibroadenomas developed; 33 women had multiple lesions, and 12 were affected bilaterally. Their fibroadenomas had a mean diameter of 2.1 ± 1.5 cm, and the imaging features of these lesions were typical of fibroadenomas.

Conclusions

The fibroadenomas that developed in kidney‐transplant recipients given chronic cyclosporin A and prednisolone immunosuppressive therapy had a tendency to be multiple, bilateral, and larger than those that developed in the control patients. These fibroadenomas also exhibited some imaging features that differed from those of typical fibroadenomas that develop in women who have not undergone organ transplantation or immunosuppressive therapy. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:69–77, 2004
Simple new technique for sonographic measurement of the thyroid in neonates and small children
Authors: Yasumoto Mayumi , Inoue Hideaki , Ohashi Isamu , Shibuya Hitoshi , Onishi Toshikazu
Published: January 2004

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine whether the ratio of the thyroid width (Th) to the trachea width (Tr) is a useful technique for sonographic estimation of thyroid size in neonates and small children.

Methods

We prospectively performed sonographic examination of the thyroid gland in 30 pediatric subjects ranging in age from 1 week to 12 years. The sum of the maximum width of the left thyroid lobe and the maximum width of the right lobe was considered the Th. Each subject's thyroid was classified as small, normal sized, or large on the basis of the Th value in reference to the subject's body height. The ratios of the Th to the Tr were then calculated and compared among the 3 groups by 1‐way analysis of variance. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to determine the correlation between body height and Tr. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The mean Th/Tr ratios (± standard deviations) for the 3 groups were as follows: small, 1.25 ± 0.19; normal sized, 2.09 ± 0.19; and large, 4.10 ± 2.42. The difference in the Th/Tr ratios between the 3 groups was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). A significant positive correlation was found between Tr and body height (p < 0.001; r = 0.85).

Conclusions

The Th/Tr ratio is a simple, practical parameter for estimating the size of the thyroid gland in neonates and small children. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 32:82–85, 2004
Automated detection and delineation of mitochondria in electron micrographs of human skeletal muscles
Authors: Guo Yu , Gong Biao , Levesque Sebrina , Manfredi Thomas , Sun Ying
Published: January 2004

Morphometric measurements of mitochondria in human skeletal muscles provide useful information relating to tissue oxidative energy production, nutrition, exercise, and aging. Morphometric data such as area, perimeter, long axis, and short axis can be obtained by delineating individual mitochondria in electron micrographs. However, manual counting and delineating of individual mitochondria is a formidable task. The purpose of this study was to develop a fully automated computer algorithm for quantifying mitochondrial morphometry in electron micrographs. The algorithm locates mitochondria with a two‐dimensional matched filter and then traces the borders of individual mitochondria. The delineation is accomplished by edge detection along radial lines launched outwards from the center of each mitochondrion. Shape descriptors applied to delineated mitochondria are used to reject likely false‐positive selections. The results show that the fully automated algorithm detects mitochondria with a false‐positive rate of 2% and a false‐negative rate of 36%. The errors are easily and rapidly corrected by user intervention using a second semiautomated delineation algorithm. Morphometric measurements collected with the automated algorithm are equivalent to those obtained manually by human experts. The algorithm significantly improves the speed of image analysis and it also provides copious quantities of high‐quality mitochondrial morphometric data. Microsc. Res. Tech. 63:133–139, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Nanoanalysis by a high‐resolution energy filtering transmission electron microscope
Authors: Mitome Masanori , Bando Yoshio , Golberg Dmitri , Kurashima Keiji , Okura Yoshihiro , Kaneyama Toshikatsu , Naruse Mikio , Honda Yoshiaki
Published: January 2004

An energy‐filtering transmission electron microscope with 300 kV acceleration voltage was developed and the spatial resolution of elemental distribution images was improved. Observing oxygen monolayers in Al11O3N9, it was shown that the actual resolution attained is up to 0.5 nm. Surface plasmon loss images of silver particles were taken with a resolution of better than 0.4 nm. Furthermore, the sensitivity is sufficiently high to distinguish indium content differences of 2.5 atomic percent in InxAl1‐xAs. This performance is good enough to analyze elemental distribution with atomic‐level resolution. Furthermore, since analysis with the energy‐filtering microscope is easy and practical, nanoanalysis may come into wide use not only in academic fields but also in industry. Microsc. Res. Tech. 63:140–148, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring the method of optical dating and comparison of optical and 14C ages of Late Weichselian coversands in the southern Netherlands
Authors: Vandenberghe D. , Kasse C. , Hossain S. M. , De Corte F. , Van Den Haute P. , Fuchs M. , Murray A. S.
Published: January 2004

A study was made of the applicability of three different techniques for equivalent dose (De) determination in the optical dating of quartz: the single‐aliquot regenerative‐dose technique (SAR), the single‐aliquot additive‐dose technique (SAAD) and the multiple‐aliquot additive‐dose technique (MAAD). For this purpose, quartz grains were extracted from a sequence of Upper Pleniglacial to Late‐glacial coversands exposed at the locality of Ossendrecht in the southwestern Netherlands, a site for which both radiocarbon and earlier luminescence dates are available, providing independent age control.

Upon testing the different assumptions underlying each of the three OSL techniques investigated, the SAR protocol was found to be the technique of choice. The optical ages obtained with this protocol were in good agreement with the chronostratigraphical position of the sediments investigated and with the available chronostratigraphical information on the same and equivalent deposits. This confirms the suitability of the SAR technique for dating coversands. Furthermore, a small laboratory intercomparison of SAR‐based De determinations yielded results that were in fair overall agreement. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Periglacial trimlines and nunataks of the Last Glacial Maximum: the Gap of Dunloe, southwest Ireland
Authors: Rae Alaric C. , Harrison Stephan , Mighall Timothy , Dawson Alastair G.
Published: January 2004

During the last main phase of glaciation (26–13 ka) an ice‐cap developed in southwest Ireland and ice, from a dispersal centre in the vicinity of Kenmare, flowed north through the Gap of Dunloe in the Macgillycuddy's Reeks. On surrounding hillsides a weathering limit separates ice‐moulded bedrock, on low ground, from frost‐weathered terrain above. Assessment of bedrock dilation joint characteristics, Schmidt hammer R‐value data and clay‐sized mineral contents of basal soil samples, demonstrate significant contrasts in the degree of weathering above and below this limit. The weathering limit declines in altitude along former ice flow‐lines and is confluent with morainic deposits on the eastern side of the Gap. This supports the assertion that the high‐level weathering limit is a periglacial trimline that marks the former maximum upper limit of the body of ice which occupied the Gap of Dunloe during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Reconstruction of the former ice‐surface profile from periglacial trimline limits on the eastern side of the Gap yields a mean estimate for basal shear stress of 106.5 kPa. This value suggests that the ice mass which occupied the Gap of Dunloe at the LGM was warm based and flowed on a bedrock substrate. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A precisely‐dated lake‐level rise marked by diatomite formation in northeastern Ireland
Authors: Plunkett G. M. , Whitehouse N. J. , Hall V. A. , Brown D. M. , Baillie M. G. L.
Published: January 2004

The intercorrelation of palaeoclimate events from various studies is often hindered by a lack of precise chronological control. Tephra isochrons can overcome this problem by providing direct site linkages. This paper outlines a study of Holocene peat and diatomite deposits that accumulated within the floodplain of Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland. The Icelandic Hekla 4 tephra has been identified at the base of diatomite deposits at a number of sites and provides firm dating evidence for a widespread flooding event in the area at ca. 2300 BC. The evidence is consistent with other studies in Ireland and elsewhere for increased wetness at this time. The results demonstrate that the terrestrial deposits around Lough Neagh contain an important record of Holocene lake‐level change. Dendrochronological evidence from the Lough Neagh area provides additional information about lake‐level fluctuations over the past two millennia. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A multiproxy study of a basal till: a time‐transgressive accretion and deformation hypothesis
Authors: Larsen Nicolaj K. , Piotrowski Jan A. , Kronborg Christian
Published: January 2004

A two‐part basal till at Knud Strand, Denmark reveals a uniform fabric pattern and strength, petrographical composition and clay mineralogy. The nature of the contact with the underlying sediments, ductile deformation structures, partly intact soft sediment clasts, small meltwater channels and thin horizontal outwash stringers dispersed in the till indicate both bed deformation and basal decoupling by pressurised subglacial water. A time‐transgressive model is suggested to explain the lack of vertical gradation in till properties in which debris released from the active ice sole is sheared in a thin zone moving upward as till accretion proceeds. It is suggested that, although strain indicators occur throughout the entire till thickness, the deformation at any point of time encompassed the uppermost part of the till only, allowing preservation of fragile clasts below. The substantial thickness of the till (up to 6 m) coupled with a much smaller (by more than one order of magnitude) inferred thickness of the deforming bed suggests that the bulk of till material was transported englacially prior to deposition. The lack of petrographical gradation in the till is attributed to effective mixing and homogenisation of material along the ice flow path. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dehydrocyanation of cultivars of lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L) and its effect on tryptophan content
Authors: Ihimire IG , Eguavoen IO , Onimawo IA
Published: January 2004

Three cultivars (red, black and white) of lima bean were studied to determine the best medium in which to cook them in order to reduce their hydrocyanic acid content to tolerable levels. The study also investigated the effects of processing media on the trytophan content of lima beans. Samples of each cultivar were parboiled in each of three media, 0.94 M HCl, 0.47 M H2SO4 and distilled water, for various times. Portions of each cultivar were also parboiled in the three media after enzyme incubation. Boiled samples were dried, pulverised and analysed for cyanide and tryptophan contents. There were 96.82, 99.78 and 99.62% reductions in cyanide content of the red cultivar after boiling in water, dilute HCl and dilute H2SO4 respectively for 30 min. The corresponding values for the white cultivar were 96.39, 99.59 and 94.77% respectively. Dehydrocyanation was more effective in enzyme‐incubated samples when they were parboiled in dilute mineral acids. The residual cyanide content in enzyme‐incubated samples was below tolerable limits after 30 min of treatment. However, the longer the parboiling time, the higher was the trytophan loss. Therefore parboiling for 30 min in dilute HCl will produce the desired result of insignificant residual cyanide content and minimal tryptophan loss in all samples. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Antinutritional and/or toxic factors in soybean (Glycine max (L) Merril) seeds: comparison of different cultivars adapted to the southern region of Brazil
Authors: Becker‐Ritt Arlete B , Mulinari Fernanda , Vasconcelos Ilka M , Carlini Célia R
Published: January 2004

Soybean (Glycine max (L) Merril) seeds are known to contain different proteins displaying antinutritional and/or toxic effects, such as soybean agglutinin (an N‐acetylgalactosamine‐specific lectin), proteinase inhibitors (Kunitz‐ and Bowman–Birk‐type trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors) and urease (seed and tissue isoforms). Two other toxic proteins were previously isolated from soybeans, soyatoxin (21 kDa) and soybean toxin (18.4 kDa), which are immunologically related to canatoxin, a toxic protein from Canavalia ensiformis (jackbean) seeds. In this work we have screened crude extracts from seeds of six different soybean cultivars, which together represent most of the crop harvested in the southern region of Brazil, for the presence of urease, trypsin inhibitory and haemagglutination activities, intraperitoneal toxicity in mice and immunoreactivity against anti‐canatoxin antibodies. Significant differences were found in the contents of proteinase inhibitors, lectin, urease activity and lethality in mice. The relevance of these findings to the agronomic qualities and to the choice of soybean cultivars to be used as food or feed is discussed. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
The effects of irrigation, nitrogen fertilizer and grain size on Hagberg falling number, specific weight and blackpoint of winter wheat
Authors: Clarke Matthew P , Gooding Mike J , Jones Steve A
Published: January 2004

The effects of irrigation and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on Hagberg falling number (HFN), specific weight (SW) and blackpoint (BP) of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L) were investigated. Mains water (+50 and +100 mm month−1, containing 44 mg NO3− litre−1 and 28 mg SO42− litre−1) was applied with trickle irrigation during winter (17 January–17 March), spring (21 March–20 May) or summer (24 May–23 July). In 1999/2000 these treatments were factorially combined with three N levels (0, 200, 400 kg N ha−1), applied to cv Hereward. In 2000/01 the 400 kg N ha−1 treatment was replaced with cv Malacca given 200 kg N ha−1. Irrigation increased grain yield, mostly by increasing grain numbers when applied in winter and spring, and by increasing mean grain weight when applied in summer. Nitrogen increased grain numbers and SW, and reduced BP in both years. Nitrogen increased HFN in 1999/2000 and reduced HFN in 2000/01. Effects of irrigation on HFN, SW and BP were smaller and inconsistent over year and nitrogen level. Irrigation interacted with N on mean grain weight: negatively for winter and spring irrigation, and positively for summer irrigation. Ten variables derived from digital image analysis of harvested grain were included with mean grain weight in a principal components analysis. The first principal component (‘size’) was negatively related to HFN (in two years) and BP (one year), and positively related to SW (two years). Treatment effects on dimensions of harvested grain could not explain all of the effects on HFN, BP and SW but the results were consistent with the hypothesis that water and nutrient availability, even when they were affected early in the season, could influence final grain quality if they influenced grain numbers and size. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
The prognostic significance of margin width for extremity and trunk sarcoma
Authors: Mc Kee Mark D. , Liu Dong Feng , Brooks John J. , Gibbs John F. , Driscoll Deborah L. , Kraybill William G.
Published: January 2004

Background and Objectives

To evaluate the significance of resection margin for soft tissue sarcoma (STS), we determined local recurrence‐free interval (LRFI), distant metastases‐free interval (DMFI), and overall survival (OS) for primary extremity and truncal STS with clear margins (≥10 mm), close margins (1–9 mm), and positive margins (0 mm).

Methods

Patients were evaluated via review of charts and tumor specimens.

Results

Among 111 patients, tumors were predominantly high grade (86%), ≥5 cm (76%), and deep (81%). A minority of patients received adjuvant radiation (38%) and/or adjuvant chemotherapy (34%). Margin width was ≥10 mm (48%), 1–9 mm (40%), or 0 mm (12%). Margins ≥10 mm were less common for large (P = 0.009) or deep (P = 0.02) tumors. By multivariate analysis, independent factors for LRFI were tumor size (P = 0.04) and margin width (P = 0.03). Independent factors related to DMFI were tumor grade (P = 0.002), size (P = 0.007), and patient age (P = 0.02). Independent factors relating to OS were tumor grade (P = 0.001), size (P = 0.004), and depth (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

Margins ≥10 mm independently predicted longer LRFI and are optimal for extremity STS resection. Adjuvant radiotherapy should be considered for all STS resected with margins <10 mm, and margin width should be considered when reporting and interpreting LR outcomes for these patients. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;85:68–76. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Feasibility of sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy: A pilot study
Authors: Aihara Tomohiko , Munakata Satoru , Morino Hideo , Takatsuka Yuichi
Published: January 2004

Background and Objectives

Sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is used for evaluation of axillary lymph node status of patients with breast cancer. The usefulness of SNB after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is not established. In addition, SNB after endocrine therapy has rarely been evaluated. We assessed the feasibility of dye guided SNB after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy in comparison with those of SNB after chemotherapy.

Methods

A total of 36 patients subjected to SNB after endocrine therapy alone (n = 16) (tamoxifen, anastrozole or combination of goserelin and tamoxifen) or after chemotherapy (n = 20) (anthracycline and/or taxane) were included. SNB was performed with indigocarmine dye prior to the wide resection of the tumor or mastectomy.

Results

Sentinel nodes were successfully identified in 100% (16/16) of patients after endocrine therapy and in 85% (17/20) of patients after chemotherapy. The mean number of harvested sentinel nodes was 2.2 after endocrine therapy and 1.8 after chemotherapy. There was no false negative case after endocrine therapy and there was one false negative case after chemotherapy (8% of overall false negative rate).

Conclusions

SNB seemed feasible and accurate after neoadjuvant endocrine therapy in patients with breast cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;85:77–81. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Toxicity of cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intra‐peritoneal chemotherapy
Authors: Verwaal Vic J. , Tinteren Harm van , Ruth Serge V. , Zoetmulder Frans A.N.
Published: January 2004

Background and Objectives

Cytoreduction with hyperthermic intra‐peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is a treatment with a high morbidity. Optimal patients selection can possible reduce toxicity and complications.

Patients and Methods

Complications and toxicity of 102 patients were studied. Toxicity was graded according National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria (NCI CTC) classification. A complication was defined as any post‐operative event that needed re‐intervention. Potential patients, tumor, and treatment factors were studied on their relation to complications.

Results

Grade 3, 4, or 5 toxicity was observed in 66 patients (65%). Eight patients died of treatment‐related causes. Surgical complications occurred in 36 patients (35%). Fistulae were frequently encountered (18 patients). The risk of a complicated recovery was higher in carcinomatosis with recurrent colorectal cancer (P = 0.009) and in the case of more than five regions affected (P = 0.044), who had a Simplified Peritoneal Cancer (SPC) score of 13 (P = 0.012) and with an incomplete initial cytoreduction (P = 0.035). Patients with blood loss exceeding 6 L (P = 0.028) and those with three or more anastomoses also had an increased post‐operative complication rate (P = 0.018).

Conclusions

Toxicity of cytoreduction followed by HIPEC was 65% (Grade 3–5 NCI CTC), with a surgical complication rate of 35%. Patients with six or seven regions involved and those in whom complete cytoreduction cannot be reached are probably better off without this treatment. J. Surg. Oncol. 2004;85:61–67. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Investigation of fiber‐optic probe designs for optical spectroscopic diagnosis of epithelial pre‐cancers
Authors: Skala Melissa C. , Palmer Gregory M. , Zhu Changfang , Liu Quan , Vrotsos Kristin M. , Marshek‐Stone Crystal L. , Gendron‐Fitzpatrick Annette , Ramanujam Nirmala
Published: January 2004

Background and Objectives

The first objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of fluorescence spectroscopy for diagnosing pre‐cancers in stratified squamous epithelial tissues in vivo using two different probe geometries with (1) overlapping versus (2) non‐overlapping illumination and collection areas on the tissue surface. Probe (1) and probe (2) are preferentially sensitive to the fluorescence originating from the tissue surface and sub‐surface tissue depths, respectively. The second objective was to design a novel, angled illumination fiber‐optic probe to maximally exploit the depth‐dependent fluorescence properties of epithelial tissues.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

In the first study, spectra were measured from epithelial pre‐cancers and normal tissues in the hamster cheek pouch and analyzed with a non‐parametric classification algorithm. In the second study, Monte Carlo modeling was used to simulate fluorescence measurements from an epithelial tissue model with the angled illumination probe.

Results

An unbiased classification algorithm based on spectra measured with probes (1) and (2), classified pre‐cancerous and normal tissues with 78 and 94% accuracy, respectively. The angled illumination probe design provides the capability to detect fluorescence from a wide range of tissue depths in an epithelial tissue model.

Conclusions

The first study demonstrates that fluorescence originating from sub‐surface tissue depths (probe (2)) is more diagnostic than fluorescence originating from the tissue surface (probe (1)) in the hamster cheek pouch model. However in general, it is difficult to know a priori the optimal probe geometry for pre‐cancer detection in a particular epithelial tissue model. The angled illumination probe provides the capability to measure tissue fluorescence selectively from different depths within epithelial tissues, thus obviating the need to select a single optimal probe design for the fluorescence‐based diagnosis of epithelial pre‐cancers. Lasers Surg. Med. 34:25–38, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hybrid germanium/silica optical fibers for endoscopic delivery of erbium:YAG laser radiation
Authors: Chaney Charles A. , Yang Yubing , Fried Nathaniel M.
Published: January 2004

Background and Objectives

Endoscopic applications of the erbium (Er):YAG laser have been limited due to the lack of an optical fiber delivery system that is robust, flexible, and biocompatible. This study reports the testing of a hybrid germanium/silica fiber capable of delivering Er:YAG laser radiation through a flexible endoscope.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Hybrid optical fibers were assembled from 1‐cm length, 550‐μm core, silica fiber tips attached to either 350‐ or 425‐μm germanium oxide “trunk” fibers. Er:YAG laser radiation (λ = 2.94 μm) with laser pulse lengths of 70 and 220 microseconds, pulse repetition rates of 3–10 Hz, and laser output energies of up to 300 mJ was delivered through the fibers for testing.

Results

Maximum fiber output energies measured 180±30 and 82±20 mJ (n = 10) under straight and tight bending configurations, respectively, before fiber interface damage occurred. By comparison, the damage threshold for the germanium fibers without silica tips during contact soft tissue ablation was only 9 mJ (n = 3). Studies using the hybrid fibers for lithotripsy also resulted in fiber damage thresholds (55–114 mJ) above the stone ablation threshold (15–23 mJ).

Conclusions

Hybrid germanium/silica fibers represent a robust, flexible, and biocompatible method of delivering Er:YAG laser radiation during contact soft tissue ablation. However, significant improvement in the hybrid fibers will be necessary before they can be used for efficient Er:YAG laser lithotripsy. Lasers Surg. Med. 34:5–11, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Photodynamic Therapy of oral dysplasia with topical 5‐aminolevulinic acid and light‐emitting diode array
Authors: Tsai Jui‐Chang , Chiang Chun‐Pin , Chen Hsin‐Ming , Huang Sheng Bang , Wang Chun Wei , Lee Ming I. , Hsu Yih‐Chih , Chen Chin‐Tin , Tsai Tsuimin
Published: January 2004

Background and Objectives

In Taiwan, more than two million people have the betel quid (BQ) chewing habit which is a risk factor related to premalignant lesion and squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity. We developed a light‐emitting diode (LED) array combined with topical 5‐aminolevulinic acid (ALA) for photodynamic therapy (PDT) and evaluated its effectiveness for the treatment of oral lesions.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

We compared the ALA‐PDT effect of the homemade LED array to that of a commercial light source on cultured Ca9‐22 human gingival carcinoma cells and the DMBA‐induced hamster buccal pouch carcinoma model. Furthermore, we treated several patients having an oral lesion using a topical ALA delivery system and the LED array.

Results

The LED array light source was as effective as the commercial light source for ALA‐PDT in cultured Ca9‐22 cells with LD50 of 4.5 and 4.3 J/cm2, respectively, using an MTT assay. This light source was also effective in the DMBA‐induced hamster buccal pouch carcinoma model, and in the patients of oral leukoplakia.

Conclusions

ALA‐PDT is effective for premalignant lesions such as mucosal dysplasia and carcinoma in situ of oral cavity. Good results could be obtained by using the homemade LED array as light source. The LED array has the advantages of low cost, high reliability, and portability. It is safe, convenient and easy to use for the treatment of oral dysplasia. Lasers Surg. Med. 34:18–24, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of the combination of laser excision and interstitial hyperthermia in palliative therapy of head and neck tumours in the advanced stage of the disease
Authors: Šmucler Roman , Mazánek Jiří
Published: January 2004

Background and Objectives

We evaluated the potential of combining laser excision with laser interstitial hyperthermia in order to improve the quality of life of patients with 3rd or 4th stage malignant head and neck tumours.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

To evaluate the quality of life, we used the 4th version of the University of Washington Quality of Life assessment score modified for head and neck tumours. The study group of 20 patients assessed their condition in a questionnaire, examining 12 aspects of their quality of life before the laser treatment, the second day after, and 6 weeks after the treatment.

Results

We observed a gain of 16.41 points, which subjectively represents a 70.32% improvement in the quality of life.

Conclusions

Following this therapy the quality of life significantly improved in patients with primarily low quality of life, whereas the group of patients with less affected quality of life reported a temporary decline in the quality of life after the treatment. To obtain a proper objective indication, we suggest a mathematical modelling of possible gains for the individual patient using the University of Washington Quality of Life classification. Lasers Surg. Med. 34:12–17, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Suppression of polyamine catabolism by activated Ki‐ras in human colon cancer cells
Authors: Ignatenko Natalia A. , Babbar Naveen , Mehta Dipti , Casero Robert A. , Gerner Eugene W.
Published: January 2004

An activated Ki‐ras was expressed in the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line Caco‐2 to study the effects of Ki‐ras oncogene on polyamine metabolism during gastrointestinal tumorigenesis. Multiple clones selected for expression of the mutant Ki‐ras transgene displayed a suppression of transcription of a key catabolic enzyme in polyamine catabolism spermidine/spermine N1‐acetyltransferase (SSAT). Gene expression analysis, with cDNA microarrays, showed that Ki‐ras transfected clones had decreased levels of expression, compared to mock transfected cells, of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor family and an important regulator of cell proliferation and differentiation. The activated Ki‐ras suppressed SSAT expression by a mechanism involving the PPARγ response element (PPRE) located at +48 bp relative to the transcription start site of the SSAT gene. Transient expression of the PPARγ protein in Ki‐ras expressing Caco‐2 clones, or treatment with the PPARγ ligand ciglitazone, led to an increase in the SSAT promoter activity. A MEK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 induced transcription of both PPARγ and SSAT genes in the activated Ki‐ras clones, suggesting that the mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were involved in the regulation of SSAT expression by PPARγ. We concluded that mutated Ki‐ras suppressed SSAT via a transcriptional mechanism involving the PPARγ signaling pathway. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Molecular mechanisms for apigenin‐induced cell‐cycle arrest and apoptosis of hormone refractory human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells
Authors: Shukla Sanjeev , Gupta Sanjay
Published: January 2004

Development of effective agents for treatment of hormone‐refractory prostate cancer has become a national medical priority. We have reported recently that apigenin (4′,5,7‐trihydroxyflavone), found in many common fruits and vegetables, has shown remarkable effects in inhibiting cell growth and inducing apoptosis in many human prostate carcinoma cells. Here we demonstrate the molecular mechanism of inhibitory action of apigenin on androgen‐refractory human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells that have mutations in the tumor suppressor gene p53 and pRb. Treatment of cells with apigenin resulted in a dose‐ and time‐dependent inhibition of growth, colony formation, and G1 phase arrest of the cell cycle. This effect was associated with a marked decrease in the protein expression of cyclin D1, D2, and E and their activating partner, cyclin‐dependent kinase (cdk)2, 4, and 6, with concomitant upregulation of WAF1/p21, KIP1/p27, INK4a/p16, and INK4c/p18. The induction of WAF1/p21 and its growth inhibitory effects by apigenin appears to be independent of p53 and pRb status of these cells. Apigenin treatment also resulted in alteration in Bax/Bcl2 ratio in favor of apoptosis, which was associated with the release of cytochrome c and induction of apoptotic protease‐activating factor‐1 (Apaf‐1). This effect was found to result in a significant increase in cleaved fragments of caspase‐9, ‐3, and poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP). Further, apigenin treatment resulted in downmodulation of the constitutive expression of nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB)/p65 and NF‐κB/p50 in the nuclear fraction that correlated with an increase in the expression of IkappaB‐alpha (IκBα) in the cytosol. Taken together, we concluded that molecular mechanisms during apigenin‐mediated growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in DU145 cells was due to (1) modulation in cell‐cycle machinery, (2) disruption of mitochondrial function, and (3) NF‐κB inhibition. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Kinetics of myc‐max‐mad gene expression during hepatocyte proliferation in vivo: Differential regulation of mad family and stress‐mediated induction of c‐myc
Authors: Mauleon Itsaso , Lombard Marie‐Noëlle , Muñoz‐Alonso Maria J. , Cañelles Matilde , Leon Javier
Published: January 2004

Mad proteins (Mad1, Mxi1, Mad3, Mad4, Mnt/Rox) are biochemical and biological antagonists of c‐Myc oncoprotein. Mad‐Max dimers repress the transcription of the same target genes activated by Myc‐Max dimers. Despite the critical role of Max and Mad proteins as modulators of c‐Myc functions, there are no comparative data on their regulation in vivo. We carried out a systematic analysis of c‐myc, max, and mad family expression in a model of synchronized cell proliferation in vivo in adult tissues, that is, rat hepatocytes after partial hepatectomy. We confirmed the previously reported early peak of c‐myc expression after hepatectomy but we show that it did not correlate with hepatocyte proliferation as it also occurred in sham‐operated animals as a result of surgical stresses. A second peak of c‐myc expression was observed later, at the time of the wave of DNA synthesis. No such expression was detected in sham‐operated rat quiescent hepatocytes. max expression increased around 4–16 h after hepatectomy, before the peaks of c‐myc and DNA synthesis. mxi1 and mad4 were slightly downregulated during liver regeneration. mnt/rox expression did not change. These expression patterns suggest a role of Myc‐Max for efficient mitogenic response of hepatocytes. We also analyzed the effects of Myc and Max ectopic expression on the clonogenic growth of the rat hepatoma cells. Expression of c‐Myc and Max increased clonogenic growth, whereas the reduction of c‐Myc levels by an antisense vector decreased growth. The results suggest nonredundant roles for mad genes in hepatocyte proliferation and point to c‐Myc as a putative target for anticancer therapy of liver cancer. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Imbalance of antioxidant enzymes in tumor cells and inhibition of proliferation and malignant features by scavenging hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Policastro Lucía , Molinari Beatriz , Larcher Fernando , Blanco Patricia , Podhajcer Osvaldo L. , Costa Cristina S. , Rojas Paola , Durán Hebe
Published: January 2004

The aim of this study was to evaluate the endogenous alterations of the antioxidant enzymes in tumor cells and to specifically compensate the resulting changes in the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to control the malignant growth. We determined and compared the activities of antioxidant enzymes and the levels of superoxide anion (${\rm O}_{\rm 2}^{ \cdot - }$) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in tumor cell lines with different degrees of malignancy, paired with regard to their origin (PB/CH72T4, PDV/PDVC57, and HBL‐100/MCF‐7). An increase in superoxide dismutase activity and a decrease in the activities of H2O2‐detoxifying enzymes, as a function of malignancy, coupled with a rise in H2O2 and a decrease in ${\rm O}_{\rm 2}^{ \cdot - }$ were demonstrated. Treatment of cells with exogenous catalase showed a dose‐dependent inhibition of proliferation. This inhibition was also demonstrated in several cell lines of different tissue origin and species, suggesting a general role of H2O2 in cell proliferation. Moreover, stable expression of human catalase in MCF‐7 cells inhibited proliferation and also reverted malignant features. We conclude that H2O2 played a crucial and general role in the regulation of proliferation and that an endogenous imbalance in antioxidant enzymes could be a relevant event in the carcinogenesis process. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modulation of DNA hypomethylation as a surrogate endpoint biomarker for chemoprevention of colon cancer
Authors: Tao Lianhui , Wang Wei , Kramer Paula M. , Lubet Ronald A. , Steele Vernon E. , Pereira Michael A.
Published: January 2004

Surrogate end‐point biomarkers are being developed as indicators of the efficacy of chemopreventive agents. These biomarkers are molecular and biological end‐points that can be modulated by chemopreventive agents in accordance with their efficacy to prevent cancer. DNA hypomethylation is a common alteration found in colon tumors that has the potential of being modulated by chemopreventive agents and thus being useful as a surrogate end‐point biomarker. Agents that were either effective or ineffective in preventing colon cancer were evaluated for the ability to modulate DNA hypomethylation in azoxymethane‐induced colon tumors in male F344 rats. DNA methylation was determined by Dot Blot Analysis using a mouse monoclonal anti‐5‐methylcytosine antibody. Colon tumors had a 70% reduction in DNA methylation relative to normal colonic mucosa. DNA methylation in the tumors was increased by 7 days of treatment with agents that have been shown to prevent colon cancer (calcium chloride, α‐diflouromethylornithine [DFMO], piroxicam, and sulindac), whereas agents shown not to prevent colon cancer in rats (low dose aspirin, 2‐carboxyphenyl retinamide [2‐CPR], quercetin, 9‐cis retinoic acid, and rutin) did not increase DNA methylation. The results suggest that the ability to reverse the DNA hypomethylation in colon tumors could be useful as a surrogate end‐point biomarker for chemoprevention of colon cancer. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Modelling of an underground waste disposal site by upscaling
Authors: Bourgeat A. , Gipouloux O. , Marušić‐Paloka E.
Published: January 2004

In this paper, we study the global behaviour of an underground waste disposal in order to have an accurate upscaled model suitable for the computations involved in safety assessment processes. We start from a detailed model describing the transport of pollutant leaking from a high number of units. Using the method of homogenization, going to the limit, we obtain first a macroscopic model where the sources are now appearing globally. Then we compute a first‐order matched asymptotic expansion and we give the error estimates for this approximation. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does fractional anisotropy have better noise immunity characteristics than relative anisotropy in diffusion tensor MRI? An analytical approach
Authors: Hasan Khader M. , Alexander Andrew L. , Narayana Ponnada A.
Published: January 2004

Fractional anisotropy (FA) and relative anisotropy (RA) are the two most commonly used scalar measures of anisotropy in diffusion tensor (DT) MRI. While a few published studies have shown that FA has superior noise immunity relative to RA, no theoretical basis has been proposed to explain this behavior. In the current study, the diffusion tensor invariants were used to derive a simple analytical expression that directly relates RA and FA. An analysis based on that analytical expression demonstrated that the FA images have a higher signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) than RA for any value of tensor anisotropy RA or FA > 0. This theoretical behavior was verified using both Monte Carlo simulations and bootstrap analysis of DT‐MRI data acquired in a spherical water phantom and normal human subjects. Magn Reson Med 51:413–417, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Noninvasive monitoring of stem cell transfer for muscle disorders
Authors: Walter Glenn A. , Cahill Kevin S. , Huard Johnny , Feng Huisheng , Douglas T. , Sweeney H. Lee , Bulte Jeff W.M.
Published: January 2004

In this study the ability of magnetodendrimers to efficiently label cultured muscle stem cells and allow for subsequent in vivo cell detection was determined. Magnetodendrimer‐labeled cells exhibited normal growth rates in culture, and retained their capacity to undergo proliferation and form normal myotubes. Labeled stem cells possessed high in vivo proton relaxivities that enhanced MRI contrast properties and enabled us to noninvasively monitor the stem cells' incorporation into dystrophic muscle. Well defined regions of decreased signal intensity were observed in both T2‐ and T1‐weighted image sequences. MRI was used to longitudinally follow stem cell dynamics in dystrophic muscle with in‐plane resolutions on the order of a single muscle fiber (22 × 43 μm2). Regions of decreased signal intensity were well correlated with iron accumulation and other histochemical markers of stem cell incorporation. We concluded that this technique may be useful for continuous noninvasive readouts of stem cell transfer, replacing sequential muscle biopsies and tissue harvesting. Magn Reson Med 51:273–277, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Iterative Next‐Neighbor Regridding (INNG): Improved reconstruction from nonuniformly sampled k‐space data using rescaled matrices
Authors: Moriguchi Hisamoto , Duerk Jeffrey L.
Published: January 2004

The reconstruction of MR images from nonrectilinearly sampled data is complicated by the fact that the inverse 2D Fourier transform (FT) cannot be performed directly on the acquired k‐space data set. k‐Space gridding is commonly used because it is an efficient reconstruction method. However, conventional gridding requires optimized density compensation functions (DCFs) to avoid profile distortions. Oftentimes, the calculation of optimized DCFs presents an additional challenge in obtaining an accurately gridded reconstruction. Another type of gridding algorithm, the block uniform resampling (BURS) algorithm, often requires singular value decomposition (SVD) regularization to avoid amplification of data imperfections, and under some conditions it is difficult to adjust the regularization parameters. In this work, new reconstruction algorithms for nonuniformly sampled k‐space data are presented. In the newly proposed algorithms, high‐quality reconstructed images are obtained from an iterative reconstruction that is performed using matrices scaled to sizes greater than that of the target image matrix. A second version partitions the sampled k‐space region into several blocks to avoid limitations that could result from performing multiple 2D‐FFTs on large data matrices. The newly proposed algorithms are a simple alternative approach to previously proposed optimized gridding algorithms. Magn Reson Med 51:343–352, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.