bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Redox Control on the Isotopic Composition of Dissolved Sulfate in Percolating Sewage — An Experimental Study
Authors: Stögbauer Andrea , Berner Zsolt , Stüben Doris
Published: December 2004

The risk potential of sewage exfiltrating from leaky sewers for the groundwater depends on a series of physico‐chemical, geochemical, and microbial processes, which are all linked in some way to the redox state of the system. Since bacterial sulfate reduction is a decisive transformation process under anaerobic conditions and is known to cause isotope fractionations, changes in the S‐isotope composition of sulfate may be used to characterise the redox state in sediments affected by percolating sewage. To investigate changes in sewage composition as a function of the redox state, column experiments were performed, simulating the infiltration of sewage into a water unsaturated sandy soil. Results show that long‐term observations on concentration and δ34S‐values of sulfate in the outflow of the columns may provide valuable information on the evolution and stability of the redox states established during different operation modes of the columns. Stable anaerobic conditions are reflected by constantly low sulfate concentrations and high δ34S‐values in the outflow. However, redox conditions may be often variable, due to changes in the composition of the sewage, in its rate of percolation and in preferential flow paths. Such conditions are expressed by fluctuating δ34S‐values in the outflow, because in such cases sulfate represents a mixture of varying proportions of sulfate of different origin, including δ34S‐enriched residual sulfate from bacterial sulfate reduction, 32S‐enriched sulfate from reoxidised sulfide, and unchanged sulfate from sewage.
Transformation of Wastewater‐derived Dissolved Organic Matter below Leaky Sewers — Fate of Amino Acids and Carbohydrates
Authors: Brinkmann Thomas , Abbt‐Braun Gudrun , Karle Elly , Hesse Sebastian , Lungar Nicoleta , Frimmel Fritz H.
Published: December 2004

Due to defects in sewerage systems, wastewater might contaminate groundwater. The aim of the study was to analyse the removal efficiency of organic matter from wastewater after trickling through columns filled with sand. Size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC) coupled to on‐line UV, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and dissolved nitrogen (DN) detection as well as the analysis of amino acids (AA) and carbohydrates (CH) were employed as analytical tools to investigate structural changes of the dissolved organic matter (DOM). The DOC removal in the columns accounted for about 80 % based on the DOC concentration of the influent. The chromatograms gained by DOC detection showed three fractions: 1) colloids and polysaccharides, 2) humic material, and 3) low‐molecular‐weight compounds. The DOM present in fractions 1 and 3 was removed to a much higher extent (95 %, 90 %) than the DOM in fraction 2 (54 %) indicating ongoing humification processes. At the same time, highly bioavailable organic N compounds were lost, whereas N fractions bound to humic material remained. AA and CH belonged to the bioavailable fraction of the DOM. Despite the considerable variations of the ratios of AA and CH carbon to the DOC, a fairly constant pattern of the relative concentrations of the compounds was found. After acid hydrolysis of the column inflows, the AA pattern was dominated by glycine, alanine, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid, and the CH pattern by glucose. The relatively high concentrations of rhamnose and fucose in comparison to arabinose and xylose showed the strong microbial influence on the DOM composition.
Comparison of renal allograft fibrosis after transplantation from heart-beating and non-heart-beating donors
Authors: Bains J C , Sandford R M , Brook N R , Hosgood S A , Lewis G R R , Nicholson M L
Published: December 2004

Background

Renal transplants from non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) yield acceptable function and allograft survival rates in the medium term. However, the long-term results are less certain and there is a paucity of information relating to the development of chronic allograft nephropathy. The aim of this study was to compare allograft fibrosis in kidneys transplanted from NHBDs and conventional heart-beating donors (HBDs).

Methods

A series of 37 NHBD and 75 HBD renal transplants were studied. Protocol renal transplant biopsies were performed at 6 and 12 months after transplantation. Biopsy sections were stained with Sirius red to demonstrate interstitial extracellular matrix. Renal allograft fibrosis was quantified using a computerized image analysis system.

Results

The mean first warm ischaemia time for kidneys from NHBDs was 24 min. A significant delay in graft function occurred in eight of 75 recipients in the HBD group and 31 of 37 in the NHBD group (P < 0·001). There were no significant differences in the level of allograft fibrosis between the two groups at any time point.

Conclusion

Despite high rates of delayed graft function secondary to a prolonged warm ischaemia time, NHBD kidneys do not appear to be more susceptible to the development of renal allograft fibrosis. This study supports the growing body of evidence that kidneys from NHBDs are an acceptable alternative to those from HBDs.
Diminished expression of CD19 in B‐cell lymphomas
Authors: Yang Wei , Agrawal Neeta , Patel Jigar , Edinger Alison , Osei Ebenezer , Thut Dawn , Powers Jennifer , Meyerson Howard
Published: December 2004

Background

CD19 is expressed on most B‐cell lymphomas; however, the frequency and types of B‐cell lymphomas with low‐level expression of CD19 are not well characterized.

Methods

We reviewed flow cytometric histograms specifically for decreased CD19 expression on 349 cases analyzed by the Flow Cytometry Laboratory at University Hospitals of Cleveland (Cleveland, Ohio). Results of flow cytometry were correlated with the morphologic diagnosis.

Results

Of the cases reviewed, 125 (36%) showed a visible decrease in CD19 expression compared with normal B lymphocytes. Decreased CD19 expression was noted in 79% of follicular lymphomas (27 of 34), 36% of small lymphocytic lymphomas/chronic lymphocytic leukemias (82 of 228), 31% of mantle cell lymphomas (4 of 13), 24% of diffuse large B‐cell lymphomas (8 of 33), and 13% of marginal zone B‐cell lymphomas/lymphoplasmacytoid lymphomas (4 of 30) and was not observed in any Burkitt lymphoma (0 of 5) or hairy cell leukemia (0 of 6). Decreased CD19 expression was significantly more frequent in follicular lymphomas than in other lymphoma subtypes (P < 0.001). No significant difference was observed in the frequency of decreased CD19 expression based on histologic grade of follicular lymphoma.

Conclusions

Diminished expression of CD19 expression occurs frequently in B‐cell lymphomas, in particular follicular lymphoma, and may be helpful in identifying B‐cell lymphoma cells in complex cell mixtures such as bone marrow specimens. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Homozygosity for the 168His variant of the minor histocompatibility antigen HA‐1 is associated with reduced risk of primary Sjögren's syndrome
Authors: Harangi Mariann , Kaminski Wolfgang E. , Fleck Martin , Orsó Evelyn , Zeher Margit , Kiss Emese , Szekanecz Zoltán , Zilahi Erika , Marienhagen Jörg , Aslanidis Charalampos , Paragh György , Bolstad Anne Isine , Jonsson Roland , Schmitz Gerd
Published: December 2004

The genes for the human ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter ABCA7 and the minor histocompatibility antigen HA‐1 are juxtaposed in close proximity on chromosome 19p13.3. The multispan transmembrane protein ABCA7 contains an extracellular domain that is recognized by antisera from patients with Sjögren's syndrome (“Sjögren‐epitope”). Recent work from our laboratory demonstrating the involvement of ABCA7 in cellular ceramide and phosphatidylserine export suggests a role for this transporter in programmed cell death. In HA‐1, a protein of unknown function, a His/Arg polymorphism (His168Arg), which constitutes the immunologic target for HA‐1‐specific cytotoxic T cells, has been causatively linked to graft‐versus‐host disease after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Because these findings suggest a potential implication of ABCA7 and HA‐1 in immune processes, we tested the hypothesis that allelic variants in both genes are associated with autoimmune disorders. We identified a total of 31 exonic single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the ABCA7/HA‐1 gene complex, nine of which represent non‐synonymous nucleotide alterations. Genotypes of ABCA7 and HA‐1 SNP were determined in three distinct Caucasian populations of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome and ethnically matched controls. Comparison of allele frequencies between these groups revealed that the incidence of the HA‐1 168His allele is significantly lower in Sjögren's syndrome patients than in controls (p<0.003). In contrast, the frequencies of all ABCA7 allelic variants and additional HA‐1 polymorphisms were similar in patients and controls. In cohorts of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, no significant differences in the frequencies of ABCA7 and HA‐1 allelic variants were observed relative to controls. Our results suggest that the HA‐1 168His variant is associated with reduced susceptibility to primary Sjögren's syndrome.
Hardware architecture for hierarchical segmentation in foveal images
Authors: Coslado F. J. , Camacho P. , González M. , Sandoval F.
Published: December 2004

Foveal sensors can substantially increase the performance of active vision systems because of their ability to handle wide field of view and simultaneously reduce the data/bandwidth with space variant sensing. To process the multiresolution images and associated data structures, a new hierarchical processing has been applied to minimize data communications and retrieval. In this article, we present a hardware platform that implements a level sequential segmentation algorithm in one of these hierarchical structures based on a Cartesian lattice topology. The platform operates in real time, at speeds in the range of 25 to 85 frames/s, using a digital uniform‐resolution camera as the source to generate and process the multiresolution images. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 14, 153–166, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.20019
Synthetic‐aperture technique for high‐resolution composite imaging of the inside walls of tubular specimens
Authors: Lee Hua
Published: December 2004

High‐resolution survey of the inside walls of tubular specimens is a unique application of synthetic‐aperture composite imaging. This article describes the data acquisition process, 3D motion estimation and compensation, image registration, and superposition for the formation of high‐resolution composite images from conventional video sequences. Experiment results from the survey of an oil well are used to demonstrate the capability of the technique. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 14, 167–169, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.20020
Strategic planning via Baldrige: Lessons learned
Authors: Jasinski John
Published: December 2004

This chapter extends the discussion of the Baldrige framework in the preceding chapter by highlighting the eleven lessons learned from Baldrige best‐practice organizations.
Linking planning, quality improvement, and institutional research
Authors: Seymour Daniel , Kelley John M. , Jasinski John
Published: December 2004

External and internal forces are driving institutions not only to create departments and positions that specialize in planning, quality improvement, and institutional research but also to link them within a systems context.
Moving the strategic plan off the shelf and into action at the University of Wisconsin‐Madison
Authors: Paris Kathleen A.
Published: December 2004

The author describes practical steps for infusing the strategic plan throughout the organization. These steps have carried the University of Wisconsin‐Madison effectively through two cycles of reaccreditation and planning.
Charge donation to and dearomatization of benzene attending complexation: DFT estimates of binding energies of TpMXO(L) with benzene, for Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl) borate, MXO = MoNO, ReCO, and WNO, and L = ammonia, N‐methylimidazole, pyridine, phosphine, methyl isocyanide, and carbon monoxide
Authors: Harman W. Dean , Trindle Carl
Published: December 2004

By density functional methods we characterize the bonding and charge distribution in complexes of benzene with dearomatizing agents tpReCO(L), tpMoNO(L), and tpWNO(L), where tp = hydrido Tris (pyrazolyl)borate), for a range of ligands L. Our LSDA and B3LYP density functional calculations use the Spartan LACVP+ basis and pseudopotential on Re, Mo, and W and 6‐31G* on light atoms. The binding energy is strongly dependent on the nature of the ligand L, being greatest for L = ammonia and N‐methylimidazole and weakest for CH3NC and CO. We find a correlation between strength of binding and electron transfer from the dearomatizing agents toward benzene. For the most strongly bound systems we find substantial (up to 500 millielectrons) charge transfer towards benzene, while for the most weakly bound systems charge is withdrawn from benzene. Structural details illustrate the ability of Re, Mo, and W species to dearomatize complexed benzene, which is extensive for all but the most weakly bound species with L = MeNC and CO. Re and W dearomatizing agents, which are computed and observed to form stable complexes with benzene, may be economic alternatives to osmium dearomatizing agents. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 26: 194–200, 2005
Theoretical study and rate constant calculation for the reactions of SH (SD) with Cl2, Br2, and BrCl
Authors: Wang Li , Liu Jing‐Yao , Li Ze‐Sheng , Sun Chia‐Chung
Published: December 2004

The mechanisms of the SH (SD) radicals with Cl2 (R1), Br2 (R2), and BrCl (R3) are investigated theoretically, and the rate constants are calculated using a dual‐level direct dynamics method. The optimized geometries and frequencies of the stationary points are calculated at the MP2/6‐311G(d,p) and MPW1K/6‐311G(d,p) levels. Higher‐level energies are obtained at the approximate QCISD(T)/6‐311++G(3df, 2pd) level using the MP2 geometries as well as by the multicoefficient correlation method based on QCISD (MC‐QCISD) using the MPW1K geometries. Complexes with energies less than those of the reactants or products are located at the entrance or the exit channels of these reactions, which indicate that the reactions may proceed via an indirect mechanism. The enthalpies of formation for the species XSH/XSD (X = Cl and Br) are evaluated using hydrogenation working reactions method. By canonical variational transition‐state theory (CVT), the rate constants of SH and SD radicals with Cl2, Br2, and BrCl are calculated over a wide temperature range of 200–2000 K at the a‐QCISD(T)/6‐311++G(3df, 2pd)//MP2/6‐311G(d, p) level. Good agreement between the calculated and experimental rate constants is obtained in the measured temperature range. Our calculations show that for SH (SD) + BrCl reaction bromine abstraction (R3a or R3a′) leading to the formation of BrSH (BrSD) + Cl in a barrierless process dominants the reaction with the branching ratios for channels 3a and 3a′ of 99% at 298 K, which is quite different from the experimental result of k3a′/k3′ = 54 ± 10%. Negative activation energies are found at the higher level for the SH + Br2 and SH + BrCl (Br‐abstraction) reactions; as a result, the rate constants show a slightly negative temperature dependence, which is consistent with the determination in the literature. The kinetic isotope effects for the three reactions are “inverse”. The values of kH/kD are 0.88, 0.91, and 0.69 at room temperature, respectively, and they increase as the temperature increases. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 26: 184–193, 2005
Constructions for anti‐mitre Steiner triple systems
Authors: Fujiwara Yuichiro
Published: December 2004

In this paper, we present a recursive construction for anti‐mitre Steiner triple systems. Furthermore, we present another construction of anti‐mitre STSs by utilizing 5‐sparse ones. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hydrogels of Thermoreversible Comb‐Polymers Exhibit Increased Resistance for Dissolution
Authors: Jalil A. , Uludag H.
Published: December 2004

The N‐isopropylacrylamide (NiPAM) polymers exhibit thermoreversible properties in aqueous solutions. The resiliency of NiPAM hydrogels is believed to influence the outcome when the polymers are utilized in biomedical applications. To determine the influence of polymer architecture on hydrogel resiliency, polymers of NiPAM, methyl methacrylate (MMA) and acrylic acid were synthesized as random polymers and as comb polymers, where MMA was incorporated as side‐chains. Random polymers exhibited a Lower Critical Solution Temperature (LCST) that decreased in proportion to MMA content in polymers. The LCST of comb polymers was not dependent on MMA content or the length of MMA side‐chain (between 3.0 and 10.1 kD). Whereas low molecular weight (∼100 kD) random polymers did not form intact gels, comb‐polymers of equivalent molecular weight were capable of forming intact gels. Gel resiliency, as determined by propensity of hydrogels to dissolve upon cooling, was improved when the molecular weight of comb‐polymers was increased but the length of the MMA side‐branch did not influence the gel resiliency. We conclude that hydrogel dissolution was dependent on polymer architecture as well as the polymer molecular weight.
The Effect of the Stiffness of the stem of the Modular Revision Prosthesis MRP Titan Depending on Stem Diameter
Authors: Schuh A. , Holzwarth U. , Zeiler G.
Published: December 2004

The MRP‐Titan revision stem has proved to be a very successful implant system in revision arthroplasty of the hip joint. With this revision system good and very good clinical and excellent radiographic results with spontaneous filling out of femur defects were published in studies. The observation, that an atrophy of the proximal femur could be recorded with stem diameters above 17 mm, lead us to carry out stiffness measurements on different diameters of the MRP‐Titan revision stem.

To determine the static bending characteristics, the bent 200 mm MRP‐Titan revision stem was tested under axial stress in accordance with Euler´s buckling cases. Various diameters from 13 to 22 mm were tested with a calibrated hydraulic MTS 810 axial piston testing machine (MTS Systems, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA). Each test was carried out five times, the mean average value of the respective deflexion for each stem diameter was listed in a diagram.

It turned out that deflexion decreased disproportionately from a stem diameter of > 18 mm. This correlated directly with an increased stiffness of the stem.

With the MRP‐Titan revision stem a reliable implant in revision arthroplasty has been made available. The clinical observation of a proximal femur atrophy with stem diameters > 17 mm could be correlated in the series of experiments with a corresponding exponential increase in stiffness. The aim of continuing development will be to reduce the stiffness of the individual implant, especially in larger stem diameters, through constructive and/or material science measures.
Loss of Cx43 augments ATP‐mediated calcium signals of osteoblast‐like cells
Authors: Wiemann M. , Gramsch B. , Schirrmacher K.
Published: December 2004

Intercellular communication of osteoblast‐like cells (OBL) is discussed to be a prerequisite for osseointegration of implants. This signaling involves changes of the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i ) which can be elicited by mechanical stimuli and are propagated from cell to cell. These [Ca2+]i signals have originally been assumed to pass exclusively through gap junctions. However, substances such as purine nucleotides (ATP, UTP) are also released by osteoblasts upon mechanical stimulation and evoke [Ca2+]i signals in neighboring cells after binding to purine receptors. In this investigation we studied the impact of the major gap junction protein connexin 43 (Cx43) on ATP‐mediated calcium signaling of OBL in vitro. We compared OBL derived from calvaria of Cx43 deficient (Cx43‐/‐, Cx43+/–) and wild type animals (Cx43+/+). While application of ATP to Cx43+/+ or Cx43+/– OBL evoked a single transient increase of [Ca2+]i, the response of most Cx43‐/‐ OBL was pronounced in that the initial [Ca2+]i peak was larger and followed by 3‐10 repetitive calcium waves. With respect to shape and number of peaks different types of responses co‐existed in neighboring OBL, possibly pointing to differences in purinoceptor subtypes and/or filling states of intracellular calcium stores. Data show that ATP signaling of osteoblasts is changed in Cx43 deficient OBL, suggesting a compensatory role of purinoceptor mediated [Ca2+]i signaling secondary to an impaired gap junction communication in Cx43‐/‐ OBL.
Pallidotomy effect on the cortical excitability in patients with severe Parkinson's disease
Authors: Tsai Chon‐Haw , Chang Fang‐Chia , Lu Chin‐Song , Lee Shih‐Tseng , Huang Yu‐Ting , Lu Ming‐Kuei , Chen Rou‐Shayn , Wu Tony , Lee Jiann‐Der , Weng Yi‐Hsin , Chang Hsiu‐Chen
Published: December 2004

Surgical lesions in the medial pallidum have been shown to ameliorate motor deficits in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). It is believed that interruption of the pallidothalamocortical projections to the motor cortex is required for the satisfactory results. In this report, we adopt cortico‐cortical inhibition as the tool to assess the pallidotomy effect on cortical excitability in PD. Interstimulus interval between 1 and 15 msec were investigated. The average peak‐to‐peak amplitude was measured and calculated at each delay. A total of 8 patients (M:F = 4:4) 54.9 years of age (SD = 9.6) and 10 controls were recruited for the study. In the controls, the inhibitory phenomenon was observed from the 1‐msec to the 4‐msec delay points and the maximal inhibition was at the 3‐msec delay point (33.69% ± 6.50% of the control response). Mild facilitation was noticed since the 5‐msec delay point and thereafter. In patients before operation, a similar trend of inhibition was also observed in the initial 4 msec with the maximal inhibition also at the 3‐msec delay point (64.66 ± 6.77% of the control response). In the postoperative group, the short interstimulus interval inhibition can no longer be observed and the conditioned response was 95.06 ± 23.68% of the control at the 3‐msec delay point. The suppression was gone at and after the 7‐msec delay point. Results of repeated‐measures analysis of variance show a significant difference among the controls and PD patients before and 3 months after pallidotomy (F = 3.40, P = 0.05). Post hoc examination revealed a significant difference between the controls and PD patients 3 months after pallidotomy at the 3‐msec delay point (P = 0.004). However, no correlation was observed between the 3‐msec inhibition and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Motor score or the dyskinesia score. The results suggest that pallidotomy can modulate the cortical inhibitory circuitry in patients with PD. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Risks and consequences of gene flow from herbicide‐resistant crops: canola (Brassica napus L) as a case study
Authors: Légère Anne
Published: December 2004

Data from the literature and recent experiments with herbicide‐resistant (HR) canola (Brassica napus L) repeatedly confirm that genes and transgenes will flow and hybrids will form if certain conditions are met. These include sympatry with a compatible relative (weedy, wild or crop), synchrony of flowering, successful fertilization and viable offspring. The chance of these events occurring is real; however, it is generally low and varies with species and circumstances. Plants of the same species (non‐transgenic or with a different HR transgene) in neighbouring fields may inherit the new HR gene, potentially generating plants with single and multiple HR. For canola, seed losses at harvest and secondary dormancy ensures the persistence over time of the HR trait(s) in the seed bank, and the potential presence of crop volunteers in subsequent crops. Although canola has many wild/weedy relatives, the risk of gene flow is quite low for most of these species, except with Brassica rapa L. Introgression of genes and transgenes in B rapa populations occurs with apparently little or no fitness costs. Consequences of HR canola gene flow for the agro‐ecosystem include contamination of seed lots, potentially more complex and costly control strategy, and limitations in cropping system design. Consequences for non‐agricultural habitats may be minor but appear largely undocumented. For the Department of Agriculture and Agri‐Food, Government of Canada, © Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2005. Published for SCI by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Many‐body energy decomposition analysis of cooperativity in hydrogen fluoride clusters
Authors: Rincón Luis , Almeida Rafael , García Aldea David
Published: December 2004

This article studies the cooperativity present in hydrogen fluoride clusters, (FH)n, by means of a many‐body decomposition of the binding energy. With the aim of quantifying how the results depend on the calculation level, the partition was performed from dimer to hexamer at the RHF, MP2, and density functional (B3LYP) levels, and for the heptamer and octamer at the RHF and B3LYP levels, using a 6‐31++G(d, p) basis set in all cases. We obtain that, for a proper representation of the cooperative effects in hydrogen fluoride, at least the inclusion of the three‐body terms is fundamental. The contributions are found to be underestimated at the RHF level and overestimated at the B3LYP level, with respect to the MP2 results. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Study of metal ions (Na+, K+) interaction with different conformations of glycine molecule
Authors: Selvarengan P. , Kolandaivel P.
Published: December 2004

Interaction of metal ions (Na+, K+) with different binding sites, such as amino nitrogen, hydroxyl oxygen, and carbonyl oxygen for all gaseous conformers of glycine molecule were investigated using Density Functional Theory (B3LYP/6‐311++G**, B3PW91/6‐311++G**) methods. It was found that the order of stability of the conformers was changed due to the binding of the metal ion. The relative energy values show that the 7p conformer is more stable than the 1p conformer when a metal ion binds with the carbonyl oxygen. The intensity of interaction on hydroxyl oxygen is very low due to the low basicity of hydroxyl oxygen. The binding affinities of the complexes were calculated using the thermochemical properties. The relative energy and chemical hardness values predicted the most stable complex. The calculated condensed Fukui functions predict the favorable reactive site among the three binding sites. It is concluded that the reactivity of each binding site varies for each conformation due to the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Density functional study of HO(H2O)n (n = 1–3) clusters
Authors: Dong Xiu‐Li , Zhou Zheng‐Yu , Tian Lai‐Jin , Zhao Gang
Published: December 2004

The hydrogen bonding complexes HO(H2O)n (n = 1–3) were completely investigated in the present study using DFT and MP2 methods at varied basis set levels from 6‐31++G(d,p) to 6‐311++G(2d,2p). For n = 1 two, for n = 2 two, and for n = 3 five reasonable geometries are considered. The optimized geometric parameters and interaction energies for various complexes at different levels are estimated. The infrared spectrum frequencies and IR intensities of the most stable structures are reported. Finally, thermochemistry studies are also carried out. The results indicate that the formation and the number of hydrogen bonding have played an important role in the structures and relative stabilities of different complexes. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005
Conversion of unresectable to resectable hepatoblastoma and long‐term follow‐up study
Authors: Reynolds Marleta
Published: December 2004

In children with hepatoblastoma, cure or a prolonged diseasefree interval can only be accomplished with surgical resection of the primary tumor. Less than 50% of children with hepatoblastoma are felt to have resectable tumors at the time of diagnosis. Clinical studies have recently focused on the hypothesis that adjuvant chemotherapy can convert the unresectable tumor to a tumor that can be resected. Shortterm outcomes for patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and subsequent resection are nearly equal to those patients treated with initial resection followed by chemotherapy. This study is a review of the current literature on the chemotherapeutic conversion of unresectable hepatoblastoma and an update on the long‐term follow‐up of some of these patients.
Treatment of unresectable lung cancer with brachytherapy
Authors: Aygun Cengiz , Blum Julia E.
Published: December 2004

Endobronchial brachytherapy is an evolving treatment modality. Although standard clinical indications and dosage schedules have not yet been established, the wide range of individual experience overwhelmingly demonstrates its efficacy in palliating lung cancer patients who generally have limited treatment options. Although the exact complication rate is not known, it appears to be low and the potential benefits far outweigh the risks. The role of endobronchial brachytherapy for cure is less clear. For most instances “prolonged palliation” would be a more suitable term than “cure.” Further data is needed to clarify the proper place of endobronchial brachytherapy as a boost to external beam radiation therapy. The dose, fractionation scheme and timing relative to external beam radiation therapy are based on institutional preference at this time. The historical evolution, treatment technique, results, and complications of endobronchial brachytherapy are reviewed here.
Comparison of different treatments for unresectable esophageal cancer
Authors: Reed Carolyn E.
Published: December 2004

Many patients with esophageal cancer have advanced disease that is not amenable to curative treatment. For these individuals the relief of dysphagia is of utmost importance to the quality of their remaining survival time. This article reviews and compares the methods of palliation with focus on indications and contraindications, advantages as well as disadvantages of each technique, success rates, and complications. Tumor characteristics, the physician's experience, the institution's capabilities, cost, and patient preference will influence choice of palliation. Methods are often complementary rather than competitive.
Enhancement of biliary carcinogenesis in hamsters by cholecystokinin
Authors: Ikematsu Yoshito , Tomioka Tsutomu , Tajima Yoshitsugu , Tsunoda Tsukasa , Kanematsu Takashi
Published: December 2004

We recently developed a new model for rapid and reproducible induction of biliary carcinoma in hamsters. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of cholecystokinin (CCK), which has a trophic action on the gastrointestinal tract and on the pancreaticobiliary system, on biliary carcinogenesis in this hamster model. Hamsters treated with N‐nitrosobis (2‐oxopropyl) amine (BOP) were divided into four groups: In Group I, hydrolyzed gelatin, a solvent of CCK, was injected subcutaneously. In Groups II and III, CCK 2.5 and 25 μg/kg were administered, respectively. In Groups IV loxiglumide, a CCK receptor antagonist, was administered. CCK significantly promoted the carcinogenetic effect of GOP in the intra‐ and extrahepatic bile ducts but not in the gallbladder or pancreas. Loxiglumide exerted an inhibitory effect on carcinogenesis in the intrahepatic bile duct.
Selection criteria for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) in patients with gallstone disease
Authors: Trondsen Frik , Edwin Bjørn , Reiertsen Ola , Fagertun Hans , Rosseland Arne R.
Published: December 2004

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been used in patients referred for cholecystectomy when clinical information, biochemical values, or ultrasonography (clinical characterization) have indicated possible presence of common bile duct stones. A retropective study of 599 patients treated for gallstone disease was used to develop a characterization procedure for predicting common bile duct stones by a discriminant analysis procedure. The variables selected by the analysis as the best combination for CBDS prediction were age (years), the values of bilirubin (micromol/I), ALAT (U/I) and gamma GT (U/I). The characterization was false positive in 22 cases (3.7%) and false negative in 11 cases (1.8%), compared to 198 false positive cases (33.1%) and three false negative cases (0.5%) by the clincal characterization. A leaving‐one‐out correction did not change the results. In a test set of 157 cholecystectomy patients, clinical characterization was false positive in 44.6% of the patients, compared to 4.5% false positive results when using the discriminant analysis procedure. The discriminant analysis procedure would have missed one patient with common bile duct stones. Selection by the discriminant analysis characterization procedure seems to reduce the frequency of preoperative ERCP significantly without an inerease in undetected common bile duct stones.
Gastritis in Barrett's esophagus
Authors: Mason Rodney J. , Bremner Cedric G.
Published: December 2004

Duodenogastric reflux has been implicated in the pathogenesis of complicated Barrett's esophagus and gastric ulceration. A group of 123 Barrett's patients were followed for a mean of 41 months; 9 (7%) developed gastric ulceration (GU). Of the Barrett's patients treated by antireflux surgery, 14% developed GU. We reviewed the gastric histology on 54 Barrett's patients (34 men, 20 women; average age 64 years) at presentation and classified the gastritis according to the Sydney system. A normal histologic pattern was present in seven patients; 15 patients had chronic pangastritis, 9 chronic antral gastritis, and 18 chronic gastritis of the corpus. Five patients had acute gastritis only, and in 74% there was reactive chronic gastritis. Of the patients with chronic gastritis, 45% (19 of 42) had histologic evidence of duodenogastric reflux, established by the bile reflux index. The presence of reactive chronic gastritis in Barrett's patients may have important pathophysiologic and therapeutic implications.
Pattern of arterial aneurysms in acquired immunodeficiency disease
Authors: Marks Charles , Kuskov Sergey
Published: December 2004

The ever‐spreading incidence of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has introduced a spectrum of unusual, subtle, and often life‐threatening lesions that can affect almost every organ and tissue in the body. With the introduction of laboratory serologic evidence of HIV infection, the spectrum of indicator diseases has extended beyond the classic opportunistic infections and Kaposi sarcoma. An analysis of 28 patients in Zimbabwe with focal areas of vascular disease treated during a 4‐year period (1989–1993) defined 16 patients ranging in age from 12 to 46 years appropriate for special scrutiny as they evinced none of the usual causes of vascular disease. Twelve of the patients were HIV‐positive; in two patients the serologic status was unknown; and two patients were HIV‐negative at the time of their presentation. There were special clinical features in this group of patients selected for study: (1) They were young with a mean age of 31 years; (2) they were all indigenous Africans with no evidence of atherosclerosis; and there was (3) rapid development of focal necrotizing vasculitis with aneurysm formation and rupture or (4) slow, progressive development of granulomatous vasculitis. The sites of cardiovascular involvement included the left ventricle; aortic arch; thoracic, thoracoabdominal, and abdominal aorta; and iliac, femoral, gluteal, popliteal, and subclavian arteries. It is inferred that the association between HIV‐positive status and arterial aneurysms or fibroproliferative aortic occlusion are causally related and that the principles of vascular surgery can be successfully applied to their treatment.
Corticotropin‐releasing hormone test: Improvement of the diagnostic accuracy of simultaneous and bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling in patients with cushing syndrome
Authors: Zarrilli Lucio , Colao Annamaria , Merola Bartolomeo , La Tessa Giuseppe , Spaziante Renato , Tripodi Francesca S. , Di Sarno Antonella , Marzano Luigi A. , Lombardi Gaetano
Published: December 2004

Twenty‐six consecutive patients with ACTH‐dependent Cushing syndrome were subjected to simultaneous, bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling for ACTH assay before and after ACTH‐releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation. The baseline ACTH inferior petrosal sinus/periphery (IPS/P) ratio was ≥2 in 12 of 26 patients (46%), whereas the CRH‐stimulated IPS/P ratio was ≥ 3 in 19 of 26 patients (73%). A pituitary adenoma, ACTH‐secreting at immunostaining, was surgically proved in all of the 19 patients who had an ACTH IPS/P ratio ≥ 2 basally or ≥ 3 after the CRH test but also in three other patients who did not have such ratios. The value of the basal IPS/P ratio and the complete lack of ACTH increase after CRH led to the diagnosis of an ectopic ACTH syndrome in four patients: a bronchial carcinoid was found in three patients, and the site of the tumor was still unknown in the other. In conclusion, the CRH test improved the diagnostic accuracy of inferior petrosal sinus sampling from 61.5% (12 pituitary, 4 ectopic) to 92.0% (19 pituitary, 4 ectopic). Thus it should be performed during the diagnostic process.
Integration of risk factors to allow patient selection for adjuvant systemic therapy in lymph node‐negative breast cancer patients
Authors: Wood William C.
Published: December 2004

The selection of patients with axillary lymph node‐negative breast cancer who should receive adjuvant therapy today is confused by an expanding arsenal of putative prognostic factors. The size of the primary tumor remains the dominant factor in sorting among this group of patients, with general agreement that tumors 1 cm or less should be spared adjuvant systemic therapy outside of a clinical trial. There are a few favorable histologic subgroups that may be added to this excluded group: ductal carcinoma in situ and pure tubular, papillary, and typical medullary tumors. For the larger tumor (generally >2 cm in diameter, but always >3 cm), there is little disagreement that adjuvant therapy is indicated. The host of additional prognostic factors are directed mainly toward the group of tumors that fall between these two categories. Nuclear grade, S‐phase, and perhaps p53 mutations influence decisions for treatment by their elevation. Although the decision remains with the patient and the recommendation with the mature judgment of the clinician, the prognostic indicators available continue to multiply. That an indicator can retrospectively sort prognosis is of limited interest. It requires prospective validation in another patient population, reproducibility in other laboratories, and multivariate analysis among factors measured on the same population of patients to integrate a factor into clinical decision‐making. It is only beginning to be accomplished. The next generation of factors being sought are those that predict for response or lack or response to specific therapies, rather than merely indicating natural history. Estrogen and progesterone receptors are the prototypes of this class of indicators.
Risk factors and management of local recurrence following breast conservation surgery
Authors: Osteen Robert T.
Published: December 2004

Although a number of histologic and treatment factors that individually and in combination predict for an increased risk of local recurrence after breast conserving surgery can be identified, none so obviously compromises survival that breast conservation is contraindicated because that risk factor is present. In‐breast recurrence is associated with the risk of any disease remaining after lumpectomy if the breast is not irradiated and the risk of large amounts of residual disease if irradiation is used. Some risk factors appear to predict for both local recurrence and distant recurrence, whereas others predict an increased risk of local recurrence but appear to have little effect on the risk of metastatic disease. Overall, the relation between in‐breast recurrence and the risk of systemic metastases is poorly understood. Furthermore, the efficacy of chemotherapy in decreasing the risk of systemic metastases after in‐breast recurrence has not been evaluated. Mastectomy is the treatment of choice for in‐breast recurrence after breast conserving surgery and radiation therapy. A few patients are candidates for a second attempt at breast conservation.
Management of inflammatory breast cancer
Authors: Singletary Sonja E. , Ames Frederick C. , Buzdar Aman U.
Published: December 2004

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is a rare but often fatal disease. This review discusses the following conclusions: (1) The diagnosis IBC is based on the clinical triad of erythema, ridging with peau d'orange, and rapid onset. The importance of histologic evidence of dermal lymphatic involvement is controversial. (2) Combining doxorubicin‐containing chemotherapy with mastectomy or radiation therapy improves survival over that achieved with mastectomy or irradiation alone. (3) Mastectomy after induction chemotherapy may not improve survival or decrease locoregional recurrence rates, but the surgery does provide important prognostic information on treatment response and enables use of a lower radiation dose afterward, which results in reduced long‐term complications. (4) The optimal number of cycles and dose intensity of chemotherapy for IBC remain undefined.
Salvage surgery for recurrence after breast conservation
Authors: Osborne Michael P. , Simmons Rache M.
Published: December 2004

Breast conservation surgery and radiation therapy are chosen with increasing frequency in breast cancer management. In addition to the risk of developing a contralateral malignancy, these women are at risk for local recurrence or a new primary lesion in the conserved breast. Most of these ipsilateral recurrences can be treated successfully with salvage mastectomy. The prognosis with salvage mastectomy depends on several factors, including the method of diagnosis of the recurrent tumor, the size of the recurrence, the extent of breast involvement at recurrence, the time interval from initial surgery to recurrence, the involvement of axillary nodes at the initial diagnosis and at the time of recurrence, and the histopathology of the recurrent tumor.
Elective laparoscopic appendectomy in patients with familial Mediterranean fever
Authors: Reissman Petachia , Durst Arieh L. , Rivkind Avraham , Szold Amiki , Ben‐Chetrit Eldad
Published: December 2004

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) also known as bereditary polyserositis, is an inherited disorder commonly found in Armenians, Turks, Arabs, Balkans, and Jews originating from North African countries. The diagnosis of FMF is based on clinical findings and family history, as no specific diagnostic test is yet available. One of its main clinical features is recurrent acute episodes of peritonitis. During such an episode, physical examination and laboratory findings may be similar to those for acute appendicitis. Therefore up to two‐thirds of FMF patients undergo emergency appendectomy, with the appendix being normal in most cases. As laparoscopic appendectomy has proved to be safe and advantageous, and to prevent misdiagnosis and unnecessary emergency surgery, we performed elective laparoscopic appendectomy in 13 FMF patients ranging in age from 8 to 32 years. They had been suffering from the disease for 1 to 12 years (mean 3.8) and had had an average of 3.5 yearly episodes of FMF peritonitis. All procedures were concluded by laparoscopy without conversion to open surgery. The average postoperative hospital stay was 3.07 days. The only complication was superficial wound infection in one patient (7.6%), and the mean time to regain full normal activity was 8.5 days. We conclude that elective laparoscopic appendectomy in FMF patients is safe. It helps to exclude appendicitis as a cause for peritonitis in these patients and may prevent unnecessary emergency surgery.
Direct Round Window Application of Gentamicin with Varying Delivery Vehicles: A Comparison of Ototoxicity
Authors: Sheppard William M. , Wanamaker Hayes H. , Pack Adam , Yamamoto Satoshi , Slepecky Norma
Published: December 2004

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate patterns of ototoxic damage sustained from gentamicin applied directly to the round window in varying delivery vehicles.

SETTING

The search for a reliable method of drug delivery to the inner ear continues. Vehicles such as Gelfoam, hyaluronic acid, and fibrin may allow for a more reproducible pattern of ototoxic damage.

STUDY DESIGN

Histological evaluation of vestibular and cochlear damage was performed on Mongolian gerbils after a known dosage of gentamicin in different delivery vehicles.

RESULTS

Variable ototoxic damage was caused by Gelfoam and fibrin‐based vehicles. No ototoxic damage was found in the Healon vehicle. The vehicle of fibrin and Gelfoam combined resulted in severe damage. There was no evidence of selective cochlear or vestibular ototoxicity in any of the vehicles tested.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

The fibrin/Gelfoam vehicle was the only delivery system to produce reliable damage. Ototoxic damage depended on the vehicle. We found no evidence for selective vestibular ototoxicity with gentamicin.
Effects of Viscosity, Taste, and Bolus Volume on Swallowing Apnea Duration of Normal Adults
Authors: Butler Susan G. , Postma Gregory N. , Fischer Eileen
Published: December 2004

OBJECTIVE

The effects of viscosity, taste, and nectar‐thick liquid bolus volume on swallowing apnea duration (SAD) were examined.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Twenty‐two adults, comprised of 10 males and 12 females, participated. SAD was assessed via nasal airflow during swallow conditions of viscosity (thin liquid, thick liquid, and puree), taste (water, apple juice, lemon concentrate), and nectar‐thick liquid bolus volumes (5, 10, 15, and 20 mL) across three trials.

RESULTS

A significant main effect of nectar‐thick liquid bolus volume was found (P < 0.05). Viscosity and taste were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

SAD increased with increases in bolus volume; however, neither changes in bolus viscosity nor changes in taste affected SAD.

SIGNIFICANCE

These findings indicate that since viscosity was not significant, the normative data previously published (by this PI) with 60 healthy adults stratified by age and gender can be utilized for comparison to disordered swallowing without regard to the bolus viscosity being used. EBM rating: D. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004;131:860–3.)