bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeted gene therapy for rat glomerulonephritis using HVJ‐immunoliposomes
Authors: Tomita Naruya , Morishita Ryuichi , Yamamoto Kei , Higaki Jitsuo , Dzau Victor J. , Ogihara Toshio , Kaneda Yasufumi
Published: October 2002

Background

Kidney targeted gene transfer has been attempted by many researchers over the last 10 years; however, unfortunately, no reliable technique for gene transfer to the kidney has been established. At experimental level several in vivo gene transfer methods have been reported.

Methods

We were the first to report successful in vivo gene transfer into the kidney using the HVJ‐liposome method. Since then, this method has been modified to achieve highly efficient gene transfer. In this study, we have developed a renal glomerulus‐specific gene transfer method using HVJ‐liposomes with anti‐Thy 1 antibody, OX‐7.

Results

Following systemic delivery of fluoroisothiocyanate (FITC)‐labeled oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) by HVJ‐liposomes coupled with OX‐7, we observed fluorescence in renal glomeruli from 2 h post‐administration. To examine the efficacy of this delivery system, NF‐κB or scrambled (SD) decoy ODN was administered by HVJ‐liposomes coupled with OX‐7 into a crescent glomerulonephritis, anti‐glomerular basement membrane (GBM) model. Animals given SD decoy ODN developed severe glomerulonephritis by day 7 with heavy albuminuria, glomerular crescent formation and up‐regulated renal expression of IL‐1β and ICAM‐1. In contrast, NF‐κB decoy ODN treatment substantially inhibited the disease with a reduction in alubuminuria, histological damage and the renal expression of inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusions

This study has demonstrated that systemic delivery of HVJ‐liposomes coupled with OX‐7 results in efficient ODN transfer in rat glomeruli. NF‐κB, but not SD decoy ODN administered systemically via HVJ‐liposomes complexed with OX‐7 showed clear therapeutic potential for glomerulonephritis. This novel ODN transfer method combined with decoy strategy has the potential to lead to the establishment of a new therapeutic approach to glomerular diseases. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of human herpesvirus 8 by real‐time PCR in blood fractions of AIDS patients with Kaposi's sarcoma and multicentric Castleman's disease
Authors: Boivin Guy , Côté Stéphanie , Cloutier Nathalie , Abed Yacine , Maguigad Michelle , Routy Jean‐Pierre
Published: October 2002

Few studies have assessed human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) viremia levels in different HHV8‐related pathologies, using sensitive and reproducible molecular assays. Our objective was to compare the HHV8 DNA load in serial blood samples (collected every 3 months for 1 year) from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD). The HHV8 viral load was determined in both peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and plasma fractions, using a competitive real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay developed in a LightCycler instrument (Roche Diagnostics). In six subjects with limited or extensive KS while on highly active antiretroviral therapy, the HHV8 DNA load was either undetectable (<50 copies/105 cells) or low (≤135 copies) in all PBMC samples. In contrast, the cellular HHV8 load was >1,000 copies in at least one of the samples from the two subjects with both KS and MCD. HHV8 DNA was detected in plasma only when the cellular viral load was >10,000 copies/105 cells. After chemotherapy, the HHV8 DNA load became undetectable in the MCD patients despite no changes in CD4 T‐cell counts or highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens. These results suggest that the pathogenesis of the two HHV8‐associated diseases (i.e., KS and MCD) might be different, as only the latter was associated with important viremia in our patients. J. Med. Virol. 68:399–403, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Measles virus strains circulating in Central and West Africa: Geographical distribution of two B3 genotypes
Authors: Kouomou D. Waku , Nerrienet E. , Mfoupouendoun J. , Tene G. , Whittle H. , Wild T.F.
Published: October 2002

Africa remains one of the major reservoirs of measles infection. Molecular epidemiological studies have permitted different measles virus isolates to be grouped into clades and genotypes; the major group, which has been identified as indigenous to Africa, is clade B. The viruses from epidemics in the Gambia (1993) and in the Cameroon (2001) were examined. In both studies, the homogeneity of the virus isolates within the epidemic as shown by sequence analysis revealed less than 0.2% variation of nucleotides between isolates. The measles viruses isolated in 1983 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, were designated as the B1 genotype. However, in 2001 only viruses belonging to the B3 genotype were found in this city. The viruses in the Gambia (1993) were also of the B3 genotype. However, these viruses could be distinguished from each other at the antigenic level and by comparative sequence analysis. The B3 Cameroon (2001) viruses were related to the proposed B3.1 subgroup, whereas the Gambian (1993) isolates corresponded to the B3.2 subgroup. The geographical distribution for the period 1993–2001 of these two viruses shows that B3.1 is found from the Sudan to Nigeria and Ghana extending south to the Cameroon, whereas the B3.2 genotype is found in West Africa. In Nigeria and Ghana, the viruses co‐circulate. The identification of these viruses will permit more meaningful epidemiological studies after the proposed increase in measles vaccination coverage. J. Med. Virol. 68:433–440, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Isolation of vaccine‐derived type 1 polioviruses displaying similar properties to virulent wild strain Mahoney from sewage in Japan
Authors: Horie Hitoshi , Yoshida Hiromu , Matsuura Kumiko , Miyazawa Miwako , Wakabayashi Kengo , Nomoto Akio , Hashizume So
Published: October 2002

Type 1, 2, and 3 vaccine‐derived polioviruses were isolated from a sewage disposal plant located downstream of the Oyabe River in Toyama Prefecture, Japan, between October 1993 and September 1995. Neurovirulence was analyzed in 13 type 1 vaccine‐derived strains, using mutant analysis by polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme cleavage (MAPREC). Nine strains (69%) were estimated to have marked neurovirulence. Some of the neutralizing antigenic sites, temperature sensitivity, and plaque‐forming ability of two virulent vaccine‐derived poliovirus strains were similar to Mahoney strain. The neutralizing activity of human sera obtained after oral poliomyelitis vaccine (OPV) administration against one of the virulent vaccine‐derived polioviruses was examined. Although all human sera showed sufficient neutralizing activity for the prevention of poliomyelitis by vaccine‐derived poliovirus strains, a lower titer than that against Sabin type 1 strain was observed. Vaccination against virulent vaccine‐derived poliovirus will be effective. However, the environmental presence of viruses that have properties similar to those Mahoney strain is a threat. The introduction of inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV), and well‐maintained herd immunity, together with reinforced environmental surveillance is important for the final phase of the polio eradication program by the World Health Organization (WHO). J. Med. Virol. 68:445–451, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The impact of multiple source feedback on management development: findings from a longitudinal study
Authors: Bailey Caroline , Fletcher Clive
Published: October 2002

Despite the rapid uptake of multi‐source multi‐rater (MSMR) feedback systems by UK organizations, comparatively little research exists describing the actual impact on participant managers, in terms of changes in management competence. Ratings of 104 target managers (by self assessments, bosses‐, first‐ and second‐level subordinates) were investigated within the context of a developmental feedback programme in operation within an organization. The study compared ratings over two administrations (with two years between administrations) to determine: (1) changes in co‐workers' perceptions of their target manager's competence, (2) changes in target managers' development needs over time, (3) factors influencing a target manager's revised self‐assessment and co‐workers ratings, (4) changes in congruence between self and co‐workers ratings and (5) the relationship of feedback to the organization's formal performance appraisal process. Significant increases in managers' competence were perceived by the managers' themselves and by their subordinates, development needs were seen to reduce and self and co‐workers ratings were largely seen to become more congruent. However, polynomial regression analyses revealed co‐workers feedback at Time One was not predictive of targets' self‐assessments at Time Two. The implications of these findings with regard to the utility of MSMR feedback as a tool for management development are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Follow‐up survey of 308‐nm laser treatment of psoriasis
Authors: Rodewald Erin J. , Housman Tamara Salam , Mellen Beverly G. , Feldman Steven R.
Published: October 2002

Background and Objectives

UVB treatment with a 308‐nm excimer laser is a new treatment modality for localized psoriasis. The purpose of this study is to assess patients' impressions and satisfaction with 308‐nm laser treatment of mild to moderate psoriasis.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Telephone survey data were obtained from patients after participation in a case series study of 124 patients with mild to moderate psoriasis treated with 308‐nm UVB laser treatment for a target plaque and other lesions. The survey included information on changes in the target plaque, remission time, changes in other areas of psoriasis, satisfaction with the result, side effects of treatment, and efficacy relative to other treatments.

Results

Patients (55% of total) reported overall satisfaction with the treatments, and 63% of patients thought they needed additional laser treatments, including for maintenance. Subjects (25%) reported that the laser treatments were better than any other treatment they had tried. Adverse effects were mild and had either disappeared or were significantly decreased in 86% of patients. Self reported length of remission compared favorably to those for other therapies for localized disease.

Conclusions

UVB laser treatments provide a well‐tolerated means to clear psoriasis plaques. The treatment provides a high level of patient satisfaction. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:202–206, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Detection of squamous cell carcinomas and pre‐cancerous lesions in the oral cavity by quantification of 5‐aminolevulinic acid induced fluorescence endoscopic images
Authors: Zheng Wei , Soo Khee Chee , Sivanandan Ranjiv , Olivo Malini
Published: October 2002

Background and Objectives

Studies of 5‐aminolevulinic acid‐induced protoporphyrin IX fluorescence have shown a sensitivity of 95–100% for oral cancer diagnosis, but the specificity is only about 50–60%. Here, we explore the applicability of quantifying PPIX fluorescence images to improve the diagnostic specificity and detect early oral lesions.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

PPIX Fluorescence endoscopy and imaging were performed on 28 patients with a known or suspected premalignant or malignant oral cavity lesion. A total of 70 biopsies were taken from the tissue sites imaged for histological analysis. The red‐to‐blue and red‐to‐green intensity ratios were calculated from the fluorescence images to correlate with histology.

Results

Suspicious lesions display bright reddish fluorescence, while normal mucosas exhibit blue color background in the fluorescence images. The red‐to‐blue and red‐to‐green intensity ratios of malignant tissues are larger than those of benign tissues. Combining the two ratio diagnostic algorithms yields a sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 97%, respectively, exceeding each diagnostic algorithm alone for discriminating malignant tissue from benign tissue.

Conclusions

Quantifying PPIX fluorescence endoscopic images combined with the ratio diagnostic algorithms developed in this study has the potential to significantly improve the noninvasive diagnosis of oral cavity lesions in vivo. Lasers Surg. Med. 31:151–157, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatoblastoma with cholangioblastic features (‘cholangioblastic hepatoblastoma’) and other liver tumors with bimodal differentiation in young patients
Authors: Zimmermann Arthur
Published: October 2002

In a subset of hepatoblastomas, differentiation of neoplastic cells can procede along a pathway resulting in cholangiocyte‐like cells. These cells either occur as single, immunohistochemically detectable elements, or form incomplete and complete duct‐like profiles in continuation with embryonal, fetal or macrotrabecular hepatoblastoma components. As a working formulation it is proposed to employ the term, hepatoblastoma with cholangioblastic features (or ‘cholangioblastic’ hepatoblastoma), to denote such lesions. This bimodal differentiation presents itself in other rare tumors in the form of complex arrays of duct‐like cells encircling nests of neoplastic hepatocyte lineage cells, in some way mimicking a ductal plate. A possible pathogenetic pathway is suggested, i.e., uni‐ or bipotential neoplastic progenitors switch into either of the two lineages. Med Pediatr Oncol 2002;39:487–491. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hemangioma of the liver in children: Proliferating vascular tumor or congenital vascular malformation?
Authors: Prokurat Andrzej , Kluge Przemysław , Chrupek Malgorzata , Kościesza Andrzej , Rajszys Pawel
Published: October 2002

Background

Hepatic vascular tumors (HVT) are the most common benign liver tumors present in infancy and childhood commonly associated with high output cardiac failure. Pediatric HVT usually are divided into infantile hemangioendothelioma (IHE), cavernous hemangioma (HC), and arteriovenous malformations (AVM). The aim of this study was to analyze clinical and histologic features of pediatric HVT in relation to treatment strategies.

Procedure

During last 12 years, 17 children have been treated because of HVT. The diagnosis of HVT was established in all on the basis of clinical and imaging data. A retrospective analysis of clinical records and histopathology divided 17 into: Group 1, neonates; and Group 2, infants and older children.

Results

Radiologic imaging revealed the vascular nature of the tumors in all patients. All nine from Group 1 were symptomatic from AVMs and seven were operated upon. Only one of eight children from Group 2 presented symptoms of AVM requiring surgery; four of five in this group had surgery because of the risk of malignancy. Within Group 1, a mixture of proliferating IHE with microscopic features of AVM was found in most. In three neonates with HVT immunologic and clinical features of cytomegalovirus (CMV) hepatitis were noted. In two Group 2 patients, pure HC was present and in another, the diagnosis of angiosarcoma was established after biopsy of a peritoneal metastasis.

Conclusions

HVT in children demonstrate internal morphologic heterogeneity and an age‐related behavior of the disease. We also confirm the proliferative nature of all hemangioendotheliomas (HEs) in children. Further studies on the tumorigenesis of these lesions are needed. Med Pediatr Oncol 2002;39:524–529. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Involvement of endothelin‐1 and its receptors in PGF2α‐induced luteolysis in the rat
Authors: Girsh Eliezer , Dekel Nava
Published: October 2002

The possible mediatory role of endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) in prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α)‐induced luteolysis in the rat was examined. The effect of PGF2α was tested on day 9 of pregnancy either in vivo, by injecting cloprostenol, an analog of PGF2α or in vitro, in isolated intact corpora lutea incubated with PGF2α. Luteolysis was confirmed by progesterone determination in the peripheral blood serum or in the culture medium, respectively. Administration of cloprostenol (.0025 mg/rat) induced within 1 hr, a significant fall (from 56.8 to 27.6 ng/ml, P <  0.0001) in serum progesterone concentrations that was associated with an increased expression of the mRNA to ET‐1 and its protein product in rat luteal tissue. Elevated level of ET‐1 were also determined at the spontaneous regression of the CL, upon parturition. Expression of the ET receptors, ETA and ETB was not affected by cloprostenol. On the other hand, this PGF2α analog induced expression of luteal VEGF mRNA. In vitro experiments demonstrate that the LH (100 ng/ml)‐induced increase in luteal progesterone secretion was reduced by PGF2α (1 μg/ml). The inhibitory effect of PGF2α was reversed by BQ123 (10− 7 M), that is a selective ETA receptor antagonist. We conclude that the PGF2α‐induced elevation in luteal expression of ET‐1 combined with the reversal of its luteolytic effect by an ETA receptor antagonist suggest that ET‐1 may take part in the PGF2α‐induced luteolysis in the rat. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 63: 71–78, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
sox9 in a teleost fish, medaka (Oryzias latipes): Evidence for diversified function of Sox9 in gonad differentiation
Authors: Yokoi Hayato , Kobayashi Tohru , Tanaka Minoru , Nagahama Yoshitaka , Wakamatsu Yuko , Takeda Hiroyuki , Araki Kazuo , Morohashi Ken‐Ichirou , Ozato Kenjiro
Published: October 2002

Sox9 is a transcription factor containing the Sry‐related high‐mobility‐group (HMG) box. Mutations in human SOX9 gene cause skeletal defects and male‐to‐female sex reversal, indicating its essential roles in chondrogenesis and testis development. Comparative studies have shown that Sox9 is expressed in chondrogenic tissues and testis in other vertebrates. Therefore, it was suggested that roles of Sox9 in cartilage and male gonad development are conserved among vertebrates. To investigate the evolutional significance of Sox9 in the gonad and cartilage development of teleost fish, we isolated medaka sox9 and analyzed its expression. Two kinds of transcripts (sox9 and sox9lf) were isolated by cDNA library screening. The sox9 encoded 487 amino acids and showed approximately 70% amino acid identity with known vertebrate SOX9 proteins. The sox9lf was a longer form of the sox9, which was transcribed from an additional exon in the 5′ upstream region. Interestingly, the expression of medaka sox9 was predominantly observed in the adult ovary by northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses, whereas in the testis, its expression was detectable only by RT‐PCR. During medaka embryogenesis, its expression was observed in the cranial cartilage and pectoral fin endoskeleton. These observations suggest that the function of Sox9 in the cartilage is conserved among vertebrates, while that in the gonad is quite different in medaka. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 63: 5–16, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The epidemiology of autistic spectrum disorders: is the prevalence rising?
Authors: Wing Lorna , Potter David
Published: October 2002

For decades after Kanner's original paper on the subject was published in 1943, autism was generally considered to be a rare condition with a prevalence of around 2–4 per 10,000 children. Then, studies carried out in the late 1990s and the present century reported annual rises in incidence of autism in pre‐school children, based on age of diagnosis, and increases in the age‐specific prevalence rates in children. Prevalence rates of up to 60 per 10,000 for autism and even more for the whole autistic spectrum were reported. Reasons for these increases are discussed. They include changes in diagnostic criteria, development of the concept of the wide autistic spectrum, different methods used in studies, growing awareness and knowledge among parents and professional workers and the development of specialist services, as well as the possibility of a true increase in numbers. Various environmental causes for a genuine rise in incidence have been suggested, including the triple vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR]. Not one of the possible environmental causes, including MMR, has been confirmed by independent scientific investigation, whereas there is strong evidence that complex genetic factors play a major role in etiology. The evidence suggests that the majority, if not all, of the reported rise in incidence and prevalence is due to changes in diagnostic criteria and increasing awareness and recognition of autistic spectrum disorders. Whether there is also a genuine rise in incidence remains an open question. MRDD Research Reviews 2002;8:151–161. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Co‐occurrence of developmental disabilities with birth defects
Authors: Kirby Russell S.
Published: October 2002

This article begins with a discussion of the concepts of comorbidity and co‐occurrence of diseases and health conditions. These concepts are then applied to the literature on the population‐based prevalence of developmental disabilities and birth defects. Most of the existing literature focuses on co‐occurrence and obtains data from both clinical and administrative sources. Developmental disabilities occur more frequently in children with multiple, rather than with isolated, birth defects. More research, with more sophisticated study designs, will be necessary to further elucidate the contributions of birth defects to the etiology of developmental disabilities, control for other risk factors, and to identify strategies for prevention and intervention services. MRDD Research Reviews 2002;8:182–187. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Secondary conditions in children with disabilities: spina bifida as a case example
Authors: Simeonsson Rune J. , McMillen Janey Sturtz , Huntington Gail S.
Published: October 2002

This paper examines the concept of secondary conditions and its application in studies of childhood disability focusing on children with spina bifida as a representative group. The “International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health” (World Health Organization, Geneva, 2001) provides a classification of body function/structure, activities, participation and the environment to document dimensions of human functioning in context. The ICF is of value in the study of secondary conditions in two ways: as a conceptual framework for defining impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions, and the mediating role of the environment in their expression; and as a taxonomy for coding these dimensions of disability. The ICF can yield a profile of a child's difficulties, and documentation of environmental barriers experienced by that child. Research studies with children and adolescents with spina bifida reveal that physical and mental impairments and limitations in performing activities and participating in communal life are experienced as secondary conditions. The significance of secondary conditions is that they are preventable. Identifying the mechanisms associated with their manifestation is thus an important priority for the development of effective prevention programs. MRDD Research Reviews 2002;8:198–205. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An eight‐node hybrid‐stress solid‐shell element for geometric non‐linear analysis of elastic shells
Authors: Sze K. Y. , Chan W. K. , Pian T. H. H.
Published: October 2002

This paper presents eight‐node solid‐shell elements for geometric non‐linear analysis of elastic shells. To subdue shear, trapezoidal and thickness locking, the assumed natural strain method and an ad hoc modified generalized laminate stiffness matrix are employed. A selectively reduced integrated element is formulated with its membrane and bending shear strain components taken to be constant and equal to the ones evaluated at the element centroid. With the generalized stresses arising from the modified generalized laminate stiffness matrix assumed to be independent from the ones obtained from the displacement, an extended Hellinger–Reissner functional can be derived. By choosing the assumed generalized stresses similar to the assumed stresses of a previous solid element, a hybrid‐stress solid‐shell element is formulated. Commonly employed geometric non‐linear homogeneous and laminated shell problems are attempted and our results are close to those of other state‐of‐the‐art elements. Moreover, the hybrid‐stress element converges more readily than the selectively reduced integrated element in all benchmark problems. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and determination of flavonoids in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, Polygonaceae) by high‐performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry and photodiode array ultraviolet detection
Authors: Tian Qingguo , Li Dan , Patil Bhimanagouda S.
Published: October 2002

An analytical method for flavonoids present in the seed extract of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, Polygonaceae), using HPLC and a photodiode array detector and interfaced to an electrospray ionisation mass spectrometer, has been developed. Structural information about the flavonols was obtained from the retention time characteristics, the UV–visible spectra and the mass spectra without the need to isolate the individual compounds. The methanol extract of buckwheat contained principally four flavonol glycosides: rutin, quercetin, kaempferol‐3‐rutinoside and a trace quantity of a flavonol triglycoside. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis of Milroy's primary congenital lymphedema
Authors: Makhoul Imad R. , Sujov Polo , Ghanem Nadir , Bronshtein Moshe
Published: October 2002

Milroy's primary congenital lymphedema (PCL) (hereditary lymphedema type I, Milroy disease) is present at birth, and mostly affects the dorsal aspects of feet. It is mostly a life‐long condition but does not affect longevity. Complications are rare except for chronic discomfort and warmness of affected areas. PCL is an autosomal dominant disease with incomplete penetrance due to a mutation in the gene locus encoding for VEGFR3 with resultant dysgenesis of microlymphatic vessels. We report on two fetuses where ultrasonographic examination at 15 weeks of gestation showed significant edema of the dorsal aspects of both feet with no evidence of other major malformations. Whereas in one fetus the edema resolved completely, it persisted in the second fetus and proved after birth to be of lymphedematous nature. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of early prenatal diagnosis of primary congenital lymphedema via fetal ultrasonographic examination and of spontaneous resolution of lymphedema during fetal life. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Printed plastic electronics and paperlike displays
Authors: Rogers John A. , Bao Zhenan
Published: October 2002

Plastic electronic materials and high‐resolution printing methods may be important technologies for new classes of consumer electronic devices that are lightweight, mechanically flexible and bendable, and that can cover large areas at low cost. This article summarizes some of our recent work in this area. It focuses on the materials and patterning techniques that we used to produce plastic active‐matrix backplane circuits for a type of paperlike display. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3327–3334, 2002
Effect of orientation on thermoset frontal polymerization
Authors: Bazile Mervin , Nichols H. Archie , Pojman John A. , Volpert Vitaly
Published: October 2002

We observed that the velocities of descending thermoset polymerization fronts were strongly affected by the orientation of the tube. The front remained approximately perpendicular to the gravitational vector but propagated almost 1.8 times as fast at 75° along the axis of the tube. We performed a study of the velocity and front‐shape dependence on orientation with propagating fronts of triethylene glycol dimethacrylate with peroxide initiator and acrylamide/bisacrylamide polymerization in dimethyl sulfoxide with persulfate initiator. The percentage increase of velocity was independent of the initiator concentration but strongly dependent on the viscosity. Convection under the front flowed away from the tube wall nearest the vertical axis and was stronger as the angle increased. The front shape also changed, becoming significantly distorted near the wall from which the convection originated. We applied a simple geometric argument to explain the angular dependence for small angles on the basis of the assumption that convection did not affect the velocity of propagation normal to the front. The increase in velocity along the tube axis could be explained by a projection of the normal velocity onto the tube axis, following a 1/cosθ dependence. For higher angles, the convection was not sufficiently strong to maintain a level front. When the difference from a 180° orientation was considered, the velocity dependence exactly followed the geometric relationship. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3504–3508, 2002
Soluble tin(II) macroinitiator adducts for the controlled ring‐opening polymerization of lactones and cyclic carbonates
Authors: Storey R. F. , Mullen B. D. , Desai G. S. , Sherman J. W. , Tang C. N.
Published: October 2002

Polyesters and poly(ester carbonates) were synthesized via ring‐opening polymerization with new tin(II) macroinitiator adducts containing oligomeric L‐lactide (LLA), rac‐lactide (rac‐LA), and ϵ‐caprolactone (CL). The novel initiating species were synthesized by the reaction of LLA, rac‐LA, or CL with Sn(OEt)2 (monomer concentration/initiator concentration ≤20) and then were dissolved in methylene chloride or toluene and stored in a stoppered flask for the subsequent ring‐opening polymerization of cyclic esters and carbonates. The soluble tin alkoxide macroinitiators yielded predictable and quantitative initiation of polymerization for up to 1 month of storage time at room temperature. The resulting polymers displayed low polydispersity (≤1.5), and a high monomer conversion (>95%) was obtained within relatively short polymerization times (≤2 h). Adjusting the monomer/macroinitiator ratio effectively controlled the molecular weights of the polymers. NMR was used to characterize the initiating species and polymer microstructure, and size exclusion chromatography was used to determine the molecular weight properties of the polymers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3434–3442, 2002
Thermodynamic analysis of polymer‐solid adhesion: Sticker and receptor group effects
Authors: Lee Ilsoon , Wool Richard P.
Published: October 2002

Adhesion of dense linear polymer chains containing a small number of randomly distributed sticker groups (ϕX) to a solid substrate containing receptor groups (ϕY) has been analyzed by a single‐chain scaling approach. An entanglement sink probability (ESP) model motivated by vector percolation explains the nonmonotonic influences of sticker concentration (ϕX), receptor concentration (ϕY), and their interaction strength (χ) on the adhesion strength GIC of the polymer‐solid interface. The ESP model quantifies the degree of interdigitation between adsorbed and neighboring chains on the basis of the adsorbed chain domain with an extension of the scaling treatment of de Gennes. Here, the adsorbed chain domain changes thermodynamically with respect to the energy of interaction parameter, r = χϕXϕY. This model considers the situation of a blend consisting of a small volume fraction of adhesive molecules as a compatibilizer at the interface, where these molecules promote adhesion by adsorbing to the surface via sticker‐receptor interactions. The percolation model scales solely with r = χϕXϕY, and this parameter can be related to both the adhesive potential (GA) and the cohesive potential (GC). GA describes adhesive failure between adsorbed chains and the solid surface and linearly behaves as GA ∼ r = χϕXϕY. The cohesive strength between adsorbed and neighboring chains corresponds to GC ∼ r−0.5∼−1.0 = (χϕXϕY)−0.5∼−1.0. When the fracture stresses for cohesive and adhesive failure are equal, the model predicts maximum adhesion strength at an optimal value of r* = (χϕXϕY)*. Thus, for a given χ value, optimal values ϕ and ϕ exist for the sticker and receptor groups, above or below which the fracture energy will not be optimized. Alternatively, if the X‐Y interaction strength χ increases, then the number of sticker groups required to achieve the optimum strength decreases. Significantly, the optimum strength is not obtained when the surface is completely covered with receptor groups (ϕY = 1) but is closer to 30%. For polybutadiene, the optimum value of r* was determined experimentally (Lee, I.; Wool, R. P. J Adhesion 2001, 75, 299), and typically ϕ ≈ 1–3%, ϕ ≈ 25–30%. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2343–2353, 2002
Predicting worry following a diagnosis of breast cancer
Authors: Mathews A. , Ridgeway V. , Warren R. , Britton P.
Published: October 2002

Measures identified in research as being predictive of later worry following a cancer diagnosis may be too time consuming for routine clinical screening purposes. In practice, therefore, clinicians may use factors such as disease severity to anticipate likely distress. In this study we evaluated alternative predictors based on simple ratings that we had found useful with other patient groups.

Methods: Women attending a breast clinic were briefly interviewed on three occasions about their worries: in the clinic immediately before diagnosis and twice after diagnosis, two and four months later. Severity of disease was established using the Nottingham Prognostic Index (NPI).

Results: Severity as assessed by the NPI was not highly correlated with post‐diagnostic health worries. The factor found to be most highly correlated with subsequent worry about cancer was patients' ratings of the frequency of thinking about the initial clinic visit during the preceding week.

Conclusion: Given the relative ease of asking about level of pre‐diagnostic intrusive thoughts, we conclude that this index would provide a useful and practical method for clinicians to identify in advance those patients likely to worry excessively following a diagnosis of cancer. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pesticide residue analysis and its relationship to hazard characterisation (ADI/ARfD) and intake estimations (NEDI/NESTI)
Authors: Renwick Andrew G
Published: October 2002

Over 800 pesticides are currently approved for use in one or more EU countries. The maximum residue levels (MRL) for agricultural pesticides are derived from field trials conducted under good agricultural practice (GAP). The MRL is a legally enforceable limit related to GAP. The results from field trials would only be used to establish MRLs if the estimated intake of residues did not exceed the acceptable daily intake (ADI) or acute reference dose (ARfD). However, the MRL is not linked to the ADI or ARfD, and could result in intakes considerably below the ADI/ARfD. This disconnection between hazard characterisation (ADI/ARfD) and potential exposure assessment (MRL) means that risk characterisation of pesticide residues is less transparent than for other chemicals present in human food. Residue levels at or below the MRL would not give intakes that exceed the ADI/ARfD but, despite this, there is public concern over such residues. Residue levels above the MRL have to be analysed on a case‐by‐case basis to determine if the intake could exceed the health‐based limits. Other causes of public concern, such as the presence of multiple residues, are currently under investigation.

© 2002 Society of Chemical Industry
Novel method for testing the grease ­resistance of pet food packaging
Authors: Lange J. , Pelletier C. , Wyser Y.
Published: October 2002

For paper‐based dry pet food packaging, one of the main requirements is a high resistance against staining from the fat in the product. For both development and quality control, rapid and reliable standardized test procedures assessing this property are needed. Although a number of tests are available, they either apply only to certain types of packaging materials and show limited correlation with field behaviour, or employ non‐standard testing substances, long testing times and complicated equipment. In response to this situation, a new testing procedure that reflects field behaviour but without the drawbacks of the existing tests has been developed. The new test shows high reproducibility and good correlation with field performance for a wide range of multiwall bag and folding box materials with different types of grease resistance treatment. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Triplex and quadruplex DNA structures studied by electrospray mass spectrometry
Authors: Rosu Frédéric , Gabelica Valérie , Houssier Claude , Colson Pierre , Pauw Edwin De
Published: October 2002

DNA triplex and quadruplex structures have been successfully detected by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). Circular dichroism and UV‐melting experiments show that these structures are stable in 150 mM ammonium acetate at pH 7 for the quadruplexes and pH 5.5 for the triplexes. The studied quadruplexes were the tetramer [d(TGGGGT)]4, the dimer [d(GGGGTTTTGGGG)]2, and the intramolecular folded strand dGGG(TTAGGG)3, which is an analog of the human telomeric sequence. The absence of sodium contamination allowed demonstration of the specific inclusion of n − 1 ammonium cations in the quadruplex structures, where n is the number of consecutive G‐tetrads. We also detected the complexes between the quadruplexes and the quadruplex‐specific drug mesoporphyrin IX. MS/MS spectra of [d(TGGGGT)]4 and the complex with the drug are also reported. As the drug does not displace the ammonium cations, one can conclude that the drug binds at the exterior of the tetrads, and not between them. For the triplex structure the ESI‐MS spectra show the detection of the specific triplex, at m/z values typically higher than those typically observed for duplex species. Upon MS/MS the antigene strand, which is bound into the major groove of the duplex, separates from the triplex. This is the same dissociation pathway as in solution. To our knowledge this is the first report of a triplex DNA structure by electrospray mass spectrometry. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface studies of a chalcogenide glass ferric ion‐selective electrode Part 1: Influence of ferric and hydroxide ions on interfacial kinetics
Authors: Pejcic Bobby , De Marco Roland , Prince Kathryn
Published: October 2002

X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) have been used to characterize the interfacial chemistry of the chalcogenide glass ferric (FeIII) ion‐selective electrode (ISE). The effects of ferric ions (Fe3+) and hydroxide ions (OH−) on the FeIII ISE have been studied and a mechanism for their action is proposed. It has been shown that an elevated hydroxide ion concentration causes the chalcogenide glass FeIII ISE to experience accelerated corrosion. In particular, XPS detected the formation of various antimony and iron hydroxide/oxide species, whereas SIMS and SEM revealed extensive dissolution of germanium selenide from the chalcogenide glass in the presence of OH−. The EIS measurements demonstrated that the rate of charge transfer is facilitated under extreme alkaline conditions, and this is internally consistent with the XPS/SIMS results. By contrast, EIS and XPS aging studies in ferric ion solution revealed a mild passivation film symbolic of an oxide layer. Extended aging of the chalcogenide glass membrane demonstrated a decrease in the charge transfer impedance, indicative of a breakdown in the passive layer properties. It has been shown that a charge transfer reaction occurs between Fe3+ and Ge2+ selenide sites in the membrane and that the rate of reaction is strongly dependent on temperature. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Statistical issues in the assessment of the evidence for an interaction between factors in epilepsy trials
Authors: Williamson Paula R. , Clough Helen E. , Hutton Jane L. , Marson Anthony G. , Chadwick David W.
Published: October 2002

We examine the common clinical belief that there is an interaction between epilepsy type and the two standard anti‐epileptic drugs, valproate and carbamazepine, using data from several randomized clinical trials. Epilepsy type is not always easy to define, and three possible reclassifications are investigated to see whether misclassification of epilepsy type within the trials has potentially masked such an interaction. Regression modelling is employed to investigate whether heterogeneity between trial results can be explained by patient factors. Our work suggests that uncertainty in epilepsy type classification should be recognized in future studies. We also generate the hypothesis that the interaction of drug effect with age may reflect the perceived interaction with epilepsy type. We suggest that in any context where misclassification is likely, it is worth considering the use of an explicit ‘unclassified’ group, and investigating whether additional covariates can answer the substantive question. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating disease prevalence in the absence of a gold standard
Authors: Black Michael A. , Craig Bruce A.
Published: October 2002

When estimating disease prevalence, it is not uncommon to have data from conditionally dependent diagnostic tests. In such a situation, the estimation of prevalence is difficult if none of the tests is considered to be a gold standard. In this paper we develop a Bayesian approach to estimating disease prevalence based on the results of two diagnostic tests, allowing for the possibility that the tests are conditionally dependent, but not conditioning on any particular dependence structure. This involves the construction of four models with various forms of conditional dependence and uses Bayesian model averaging, enabled by reversible jump MCMC, to obtain an overall estimate of the prevalence. This methodology is demonstrated using a study on the prevalence ofStrongyloidesinfection. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Survival curve estimation with partial non‐random exposure information
Authors: Brookmeyer Ron , Curriero Frank C.
Published: October 2002

The objective of this paper is to estimate survival curves for two different exposure groups when the exposure group is not known for all observations, and the data is subject to left truncation and right censoring. The situation we consider is when the probability that the exposure group is missing may depend on whether the observation is censored or uncensored, in which case the exposure is not missing at random. The problem was motivated by a study of Alzheimer's disease to estimate the distribution of ages at diagnosis for individuals with and without an apolipoprotein E4 allele (the exposure group). Genotyping for this risk factor was incomplete and performed more frequently on the cases of Alzheimer's disease (the uncensored observations) than the censored observations. The survival curves are estimated in discrete time using an EM algorithm. A bootstrapping procedure is proposed that guarantees each bootstrap sample has the same proportion of observations with missing exposure. A simulation is performed to evaluate the bias of the estimators and to investigate design and efficiency issues. The methods are applied to the Alzheimer's disease study. Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Initial findings on cross‐system utilization of citizen foster care review board recommendations
Authors: Cahoon Byrnes Edward
Published: October 2002

During 1998 an estimated 560,000 children were in foster care across the United States. With increasing numbers of children in foster care policy‐makers are concerned with permanency planning. In an effort to promote permanency planning the US Congress enacted the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980 which mandated that individual states (a) develop a case plan within 30 days of a child being placed in foster care, (b) incorporate a system of review into their foster care programs, and (c) review foster care cases at least every six months. Despite the level of policy activity centering on foster care review there has been a paucity of rigorous research. This study asks ‘How well utilized are foster care review recommendations by child welfare case managers and Juvenile Court judges?’ Results are framed in Systems Theory, specifically Complexity Theory. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceiving the pattern of organization in a family system
Authors: McGarry Donna DeWitt
Published: October 2002

Physicist and writer Fritjof Capra states that the crisis of our times is a crisis of perception. I would suggest the crisis stems from our inability to perceive systemic connections. We are conditioned by the seventeenth‐century worldview of Newton and the tool of analysis devised by Descartes to perceive objects and events as separate and non‐related. The only relationship we acknowledge is linear cause and effect. Newton's worldview and Descartes' analysis are insufficient to perceive and comprehend the complex systems problems that plague our daily existence. The systems sciences offer a very different worldview that begins not with separate parts but with a whole that differentiates into parts. The parts are therefore connected through the relationships and interactions that organize the system. To effectively deal with systems you must be able to perceive the systemic connections and recognize their pattern of organization. Pattern recognition at this level requires skills in observation, abstraction and imaging. Families are systems that too often are perceived through the lens of reductionism as aggregates of individuals. Family therapists recognize that the family is a system but they are still hampered in their efforts to comprehend the systemic connections by the cognitive tool of analysis. Analysis breaks the system into its component parts and ignores the relationships and interactions that organize the system. My presentation will offer the theory and techniques of pattern recognition. This tool together with an understanding of systems principles and dynamics provides the framework needed to deal with the complex problems that emerge within family and other complex systems. Changing a system is not simply a matter of changing the individuals within the system. The characteristics of a system do not come from the characteristics of its components but from their organization. Changing systems requires changing their pattern of organization, that is, the pattern of relationships and networks of interaction that organize the system. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.