bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the performances of first‐ and second‐order time‐domain ABC's for the truncation of finite element grids
Authors: Caorsi Salvatore , Cevini Gaia
Published: May 2003

In this paper we investigate the performances of first‐ and second‐order time‐domain absorbing boundary conditions (ABCs) when introduced in a finite‐element algorithm to solve electromagnetic scattering problems. Attention is focused on the analysis of the ABC's absorbing characteristics when different geometries are considered for the truncation of the computational domain. Numerical results will be given by considering, as a first analysis, two‐dimensional scattering problems. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 38: 11–16, 2003
Dual‐frequency planar inverted‐F antenna with a rolled radiating arm for GSM/DCS operation
Authors: Hsiao Fu‐Ren , Chiou Tzung‐Wern , Wong Kin‐Lu
Published: May 2003

A novel dual‐frequency planar inverted‐F antenna (PIFA) with a rolled radiating arm suitable for GSM (890–960 MHz) and DCS (1710–1880 MHz) dual‐band operation is proposed. The radiating arm is first printed on a thin flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and then rolled onto the surface of a foam cylinder, which greatly reduces the dimensions of the proposed PIFA. In addition, the rolled radiating arm provides two separate resonant paths, leading to the excitation of two resonant modes for GSM and DCS operations. The proposed PIFA is suitable to be mounted on top of the system ground plane and shows a very low profile (only 8 mm), which makes it a very promising internal antenna to be built‐in within the housing of a communication device. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 38: 25–27, 2003
A continuous hybrid approach to the noise modelling of FETs
Authors: Günel Tayfun
Published: May 2003

In this work, a continuous hybrid approach (CHA) to determine the FET model elements for given noise parameters in a frequency band is presented. The CHA is based on a continuous parameter genetic algorithm and a controlled random search algorithm. The results obtained from the CHA are compared with the given noise and scattering parameters of the FET. This approach has been simply and effectively applied to the noise modelling of FETs. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 38: 56–60, 2003
Coupling matrix of a 10th‐order dual‐mode asymmetric canonical filter
Authors: Lee Juseop , Uhm Man Seok , Yom In‐Bok , Lee Seong Pal
Published: May 2003

This paper deals with a simple method to extract the coupling matrix of a 10th‐order dual‐mode asymmetric canonical filter. The coupling matrix of an asymmetric canonical filter is obtained by applying a plane rotation technique to the coupling matrix of a symmetric canonical filter. This paper gives a list of pivots and rotation angles to obtain the coupling matrix of an asymmetric canonical‐structure filter. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 38: 64–68, 2003
Equations of laser‐induced plasma shock wave motion in air
Authors: Chen X. , Bian B. M. , Shen Z. H. , Lu J. , Ni X. W.
Published: May 2003

Simple equations of laser‐induced plasma shock wave motion in air are studied, based on the point blast theory. The theoretical models of the shock wave front evolution characterize two stages of shock wave propagation: the initial formation stage and the free attenuation stage. Due considerations of the boundary conditions, the validity range of the attenuation equation is larger than the one of the t2/5 law of the self‐similar solution. Furthermore, the theoretical results are in good agreement with the experimental data and nuclear explosion results. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 38: 75–79, 2003
Moving phase center antenna arrays with optimized static excitations
Authors: Yang Shiwen , Beng Gan Yeow , Qing Anyong
Published: May 2003

The in‐band sidelobe levels of a moving phase center antenna array can be significantly lowered by applying a static excitation amplitude distribution, which is more economical and convenient to implement than those employing dynamic excitation distribution. This paper describes a differential evolution algorithm method for determining the static excitations, via application to a 40‐element linear array. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 38: 83–85, 2003
Accurate expressions for directivity of a circular microstrip antenna on suspended and composite substrates
Authors: Verma A. K. , Nasimuddin  , Omar A. S.
Published: May 2003

We present two sets of simple and accurate closed‐form expressions to compute the directivity of a circular microstrip antenna on suspended and composite substrates. The results have been compared with the results computed by the method of moments (MoM)‐based commercial software Ensemble. Both models follow each other and are in good agreement with Ensemble. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 38: 85–87, 2003
Cell‐free fetal DNA concentration in plasma of patients with abnormal uterine artery Doppler waveform and intrauterine growth restriction—a pilot study
Authors: Caramelli Elisabetta , Rizzo Nicola , Concu Manuela , Simonazzi Giuliana , Carinci Paolo , Bondavalli Corrado , Bovicelli Luciano , Farina Antonio
Published: May 2003

Objective

To evaluate if an increased amount of fetal DNA concentration can be found in women screened positive for intrauterine growth restriction because of abnormal uterine artery Doppler waveforms.

Methods

We enrolled eight pregnant women (each bearing a male fetus), with the evidence of abnormal uterine artery Doppler waveforms, and 16 control patients for a case‐control study matched for gestational age (1 : 2). Uterine artery Doppler was carried out at 20 to 35 weeks' gestation (median 29). The mean uterine artery resistance index (RI) was subsequently calculated, and a value >0.6 was considered positive for the clinical features of pre‐eclampsia. The SRY locus was used to determine the amount of male fetal DNA in the maternal plasma at the time of Doppler analysis.

Results

Two controls (normal Doppler) were excluded from the final analysis because they had a pre‐term delivery. One case (abnormal Doppler) had evidence of intrauterine growth restriction at the time of enrolment. In four out of eight cases (abnormal Doppler), intrauterine growth restriction was subsequently observed. Multiples of median (MoM) conversion of the fetal DNA values showed an increase of 1.81 times in the cases when compared to the controls. An increase of 2.16 times was instead observed for the cases with a growth‐restricted fetus (5 cases out of 8) in comparison with the controls (14 cases).

Conclusions

In subjects positive to uterine artery Doppler velocimetry analysis (Doppler analysis for pre‐eclampsia screening), the fetal DNA concentration is higher than expected, in the absence of any other clinical feature. Since the increase in fetal DNA seems to be related to the presence or to the future development of intrauterine growth restriction, this paper suggests a possible integration between ultrasound and molecular markers for predicting the disease in some cases. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Frequency and clinical consequences of extremely high maternal serum PAPP‐A levels
Authors: Cuckle H. , Arbuzova S. , Spencer K. , Crossley J. , Barkai G. , Krantz D. , Muller F. , Nikolenko M. , Aitken D. , Hallahan T. , Macri J. , Buchanan P. D.
Published: May 2003

A multicentre study was carried out to determine the frequency and clinical consequences of extremely high maternal serum pregnancy‐associated plasma protein (PAPP)‐A. There was a total of 79 pregnancies with PAPP‐A exceeding 5.0 multiples of the gestation‐specific median in a series of 46 776 pregnancies tested (0.2%) at the 7 collaborating centres. Five pregnancies were lost to follow‐up, one miscarried and one with Noonan's syndrome was terminated. Of the remaining 72 that ended in a live birth, one infant had gastroschisis and five pregnancies had obstetric complications: pre‐eclampsia, pregnancy‐induced hypertension, gestational diabetes and two with growth retardation. Among women with high PAPP‐A and no complications or adverse outcomes, there was no evidence of a substantial change in the levels of other Down syndrome markers or the extent of nuchal translucency. Three analytical methods were used to assay PAPP‐A and yielded different frequencies of extremely high levels (0.05%, 0.4% and 0.6%) possibly owing to cross‐reaction with another substance. We conclude that women with high PAPP‐A can be reassured that there is no reason to suppose that the outcome of pregnancy will differ from those with normal levels, provided other markers are normal. If, as more centres move their Down syndrome screening practice to the first trimester, additional cases emerge with Noonan's syndrome or gastroschisis and raised PAPP‐A, this advice will need to be modified. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nonlinear stress relaxation of an entangled linear polystyrene in single step‐strain flow: A quantitative theoretical investigation
Authors: Chen Chun Y. , Wu Seng M. , Chen Zhi R. , Huang Tien J. , Hua Chi C.
Published: May 2003

The nonlinear stress relaxation of a nearly monodisperse, moderately entangled polystyrene solution (i.e., roughly seven entanglements per chain at equilibrium) in single step‐strain flow is investigated quantitatively by a detailed comparison of an existing set of experimental data with a simulation based on the tube model. The proposed simulation enables the effects of primary nonlinear relaxation mechanisms other than chain retraction to be identified more clearly and investigated individually. Two peculiar nonlinear relaxation behaviors are observed in this experiment. One is concerned with an apparent enhancement in the stress relaxation at short times, and the other is responsible for a seeming slowdown of the stress relaxation at long times. These findings are discussed within the tube model, in view of the effects of convective constraint release, partial strand extension, and nonaffine deformation. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1281–1293, 2003
Molecular characterization of a hyperbranched polyester. I. Dilute solution properties
Authors: De Luca Edoardo , Richards Randal W.
Published: May 2003

A hyperbranched polyester was fractionated by precipitation to produce 10 fractions with molecular weights between 20 × 103 and 520 × 103 g mol−1. Each of these fractions was examined by size exclusion chromatography, dilute‐solution viscometry, intensity, and quasi‐elastic light scattering in chloroform solution at 298 K. High‐resolution solution‐state 13C NMR was used to determine the degree of branching; for all fractions this factor was 0.5 ± 0.1. Viscometric contraction factors, g′, decreased with increasing molecular weight, and the relation of this parameter to the configurational contraction factor, g, calculated from a theoretical relation suggested a very strong dependence on the universal viscosity constant, Φ, on the contraction factor. A modified Stockmayer–Fixman plot was used to determine the value of (〈r2〉o/Mw)1/2, which was much larger than the value for the analogous linear polymer. The scaling relations of the various characteristic radii (Rg, Rh, RT, and Rη) with molecular weight all had exponents less than 0.5 that agreed with the theoretical predictions for hyperbranched polymers. The exponent for Rg was interpreted as fractal dimension and had a value of 2.38 ± 0.25, a value that is of the same order as that anticipated by theory for branched polymers in theta conditions and certainly not approaching the value of 3 that would be associated with the spherical morphology and uniform segment density distribution of dendrimers. Second virial coefficients from light scattering are positive, but the variation of the interpenetration function, ψ, with molecular weight and the friction coefficient, ko, obtained from the concentration dependence of the diffusion coefficient suggests that chloroform is not a particularly good solvent for the hyperbranched polyester and that the molecules are soft and penetrable with little spherical nature. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 1339–1351, 2003
Experience with breast cancer, pre‐screening perceived susceptibility and the psychological impact of screening
Authors: Absetz Pilvikki , Aro Arja R. , Sutton Stephen R.
Published: May 2003

This prospective study examined whether the psychological impact of organized mammography screening is influenced by women's pre‐existing experience with breast cancer and perceived susceptibility (PS) to the disease. From a target population of 16,886, a random sample of women with a normal screening finding and all women with a false positive or a benign biopsy finding were included (N=1942). Data were collected with postal questionnaires 1‐month before screening invitation and 2 and 12 months after screening. Response rate was 63% at baseline; 86, and 80% of the baseline participants responded to the follow‐ups. Psychological impact was measured as anxiety (STAI‐S), depression (BDI), health‐related concerns (IAS), and breast cancer‐specific beliefs and concerns. Data was analyzed with repeated measures analyses of variance, with estimates of effect size based on Eta‐squared. Women with breast cancer experience had higher risk perception already before screening invitation; after screening they were also more distressed. Women with high PS were more distressed than women with low PS also at pre‐invitation. The distress was not alleviated by screening, but instead remained even after normal mammograms. Experience and PS did not influence responses to different screening findings. Of the finding groups, false positives experienced most adverse effects: their risk perception increased and they reported most post‐screening breast cancer‐specific concerns. Furthermore, they became more frequent in breast self‐examination (BSE) despite a simultaneous decrease in BSE self‐efficacy. Our findings suggest that women with high PS and women with false positive screening finding may need individualized counseling and follow‐up as much as women with a family history of breast cancer. Besides medical risk factors, women's own perceptions of susceptibility should be discussed during the screening process. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Cancer Coping Questionnaire: A self‐rating scale for measuring the impact of adjuvant psychological therapy on coping behaviour
Authors: Moorey Stirling , Frampton Maria , Greer Steven
Published: May 2003

The Cancer Coping Questionnaire is a brief, self‐rating scale designed to measure coping strategies taught in Adjuvant Psychological Therapy. This paper describes the development of the 21 item Cancer Coping Questionnaire (CCQ) in a sample of 201 patients with mixed cancers. The construct validity and reliability of the instrument are reported from work on 3 samples (a mixed cancer group, n=42; women with breast cancer, n=50; and a group of patients referred for psychological help, n=48). The CCQ showed very good internal reliability and test–retest reliability. As hypothesised cancer patients with more psychological morbidity demonstrated lower CCQ scores, and the CCQ correlated with measures of adjustment to cancer. Compared with an established coping inventory (the Coping Responses Indices; CRI) the CCQs overall individual scale (items 1–14) assessed similar coping areas, particularly in relation to the CRIs foci of coping. The CCQ correlated with Active Behavioural Coping methods on the CRI. The study did not demonstrate sufficiently consistent results concerning the Interpersonal Scale of the CCQ to confirm its validity. Further psychometric work is needed, but the study demonstrated the reliability and validity of the CCQ, supporting the view that change in CCQ scores with cognitive therapy indicates improvement in coping. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The group psychotherapy and home‐based physical exercise (group‐hope) trial in cancer survivors: Physical fitness and quality of life outcomes
Authors: Courneya Kerry S. , Friedenreich Christine M. , Sela Rami A. , Quinney H. Arthur , Rhodes Ryan. E. , Handman Michael
Published: May 2003

Physical exercise has been shown to enhance quality of life (QOL) in cancer survivors using pretest–posttest designs and compared to usual care (i.e. no intervention). In the present study, we conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine if exercise could improve QOL in cancer survivors beyond the known benefits of group psychotherapy (GP). We matched 22 GP classes (N=108) on content and then randomly assigned 11 (n=48) to GP alone and 11 (n=60) to GP plus home‐based, moderate‐intensity exercise (GP+EX). Participants completed a physical fitness test and QOL measures (e.g. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy scales) at the beginning and end of GP classes (about 10 weeks). We had excellent recruitment (81%), retention (89%), and adherence (84%) rates and a modest contamination (22%) rate. Using intention‐to‐treat repeated measures analyses of variance, we found significant Time by Condition interactions for functional well‐being, fatigue, and sum of skinfolds. We also found borderline significant interactions for physical well‐being, satisfaction with life, and flexibility. All interactions favored the GP+EX condition. We conclude that a home‐based, moderate intensity exercise program may im‐prove QOL in cancer survivors beyond the benefits of GP, particularly in relation to physical and functional well‐being. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Short‐term control of capsaicin on blood and oxidative stress of rats in vivo
Authors: Lee Chung‐Yung Jetty , Kim Minsun , Yoon Sung‐Won , Lee Cherl‐Ho
Published: May 2003

Capsaicin (8‐methyl‐n‐vanillyl‐6‐nonenamide), a pungent component found in red pepper can induce body heat and possibly enhance blood ﬂow as well as increase energy expenditure, and prevent oxidative stress. Male Wistar rats were divided into vehicle, 1 mg/kg body weight capsaicin and 3 mg/kg body weight capsaicin groups. Samples were taken from the animals on day 1 of i.p. treatment with capsaicin and on 3 consecutive days of i.p. treatment with capsaicin. Our investigation demonstrated that blood ﬂow measurements in rats was negatively correlated with LDL after treatment with capsaicin. Although capsaicin did not show a noticeable effect on the serum total cholesterol level, LDL decreased while HDL and triglyceride increased in rats treated with 3 mg/kg capsaicin for 3 days. The antioxidant effect of capsaicin was not shown when the rats were treated with 1 mg/kg body weight capsaicin. However, rats treated with 3 mg/kg body weight capsaicin for 3 days showed a reduction of oxidative stress measured as malondialdehyde in the liver, lung, kidney and muscle. Liver glycogen was found to decrease after 3 days treatment with 3 mg/kg body weight capsaicin. From this study, it is hypothesized that capsaicin can be a potent antioxidant and aid in lowering LDL even when consumed for a short period. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cytotoxic activities of some Greek Labiatae herbs
Authors: Badisa R. B. , Tzakou O. , Couladis M. , Pilarinou E.
Published: May 2003

Nineteen methanolic crude plant extracts of Labiatae family, collected in Greece from different locations, were evaluated for cytotoxic activity against brine shrimps and three human cancer cell lines along with a normal mouse cells as a control cell line. In the brine shrimp lethality test, Mentha pulegium was the only sample found to be active with an LC50 value 347.3 µg/ml, while all remaining samples had LC50 values greater than 1000 µg/ml. In case of Caco‐2 and HepG2 cell lines, only one sample, namely Thymus parnassicus Halacsy, was active with LC50 values 44.6 and 50.3 µg/ml respectively, while against MCF‐7 cell line, two samples, namely, Clinopodium vulgare L. (LC50: 60.4 µg/ml), and Thymus parnassicus Halacsy (LC50: 54.7 µg/ml), were found active. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Superoxide dismutase activity enhanced by green tea inhibits lipid accumulation in 3T3‐L1 cells
Authors: Mori Midori , Hasegawa Noboru
Published: May 2003

We studied the effect of powdered green tea on intracellular superoxide dismutase activity in the adipose conversion of 3T3‐L1 cells. By the 14 days of culture with insulin, the triglyceride concentration was increased. When powdered green tea and insulin were added simultaneously, the increased triglyceride content was decreased (p < 0.05), and the superoxide dismutase activities were signiﬁcantly enhanced (p < 0.05). These data suggest that green tea may have an antilipogenic activity due to its radical scavenging activity mechanism. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reducing effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts on alcohol intake: inﬂuence of vehicle
Authors: Vacca Giovanni , Colombo Giancarlo , Brunetti Giuliana , Melis Samuele , Molinari Daniela , Serra Salvatore , Seghizzi Roberto , Morazzoni Paolo , Bombardelli Ezio , Gessa Gian Luigi , Carai Mauro A. M.
Published: May 2003

A previous study demonstrated that an extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza, a medicinal herb highly valued in Chinese folk medicine for the treatment of different pathologies, including insomnia, was capable of reducing voluntary alcohol intake in selectively bred Sardinian alcohol‐preferring (sP) rats. The present study was designed to evaluate the suitability of different emulsifying, suspending agents and solvents as vehicles through which Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts can exert their reducing effect on alcohol intake. A single dose (100 mg/kg) of a standardised extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza was dissolved in either pure Polysorbate 80, arachis oil, PEG 400, or Polyoxyl 35 castor oil, or suspended in 0.5% CMC in water, and administered acutely by gavage to sP rats. A signiﬁcant and speciﬁc reduction in alcohol intake was recorded only in rats treated with the combination of Polysorbate 80 plus the Salvia miltiorrhiza extract. A further experiment demonstrated that the ability of the combination of Polysorbate 80 in water plus the Salvia miltiorrhiza extract to decrease alcohol intake was dependent upon the concentration of Polysorbate 80. The results of the present study demonstrate that Polysorbate 80 is a proper vehicle for unravelling the reducing effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts on alcohol intake. The ability of Polysorbate 80 to form micelles with the active ingredient(s) of the Salvia miltiorrhiza may explain these results. They may also offer relevant information for pharmaceutical preparation of Salvia miltiorrhiza extract to be used in future clinical trials. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inhibitory effects of aromatic herbs on lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative modiﬁcation by copper
Authors: Toda Shizuo
Published: May 2003

Aromatic herbs have been used as carminatives. Oxygen free radicals are generated in ischaemia/reperfusion injury in the stomach, and induce lipid peroxidation or protein oxidative modiﬁcation. Several aromatic herbs were shown to have inhibitory effects on the generation of oxygen free radicals. It was shown that several aromatic herbs, Caryophylli Flos, Cinnamomi Cortex, Foeniculi Fructus and Zedoariae Rhizoma, have inhibitory effects on lipid peroxidation or protein oxidative modiﬁcation by copper. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The proton‐pumping respiratory complex I of bacteria and mitochondria and its homologue in chloroplasts
Authors: Friedrich Thorsten , Steinmüller Klaus , Weiss Hanns
Published: May 2003

The proton‐pumping NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase, also called complex I, is the first of the respiratory complexes providing the proton motive force which is essential for the synthesis of ATP. Closely related forms of this complex exist in the mitochondria of eucaryotes and in the plasma membranes of purple bacteria. The minimal structural framework common to the mitochondrial and the bacterial complex is composed of 14 polypeptides with 1 FMN and 6–8 iron‐sulfur clusters as prosthetic groups. The mitochondrial complex contains many accessory subunits for which no homologous counterparts exist in the bacterial complex. Genes for 11 of the 14 minimal subunits are also found in the plastidial DNA of plants and in the genome of cyanobacteria. However, genes encoding the 3 subunits of the NADH dehydrogenase part of complex I are apparently missing in these species. The possibility is discussed that chloroplasts and cyanobacteria contain a complex I equipped with a different electron input device. This complex may work as a NAD(P)H: or a ferrodoxin:plastoquinone oxidoreductase participating in cyclic electron transport during photosynthesis.
Effect of simultaneous versus staggered dosing on pharmacokinetic interactions of protease inhibitors
Authors: Washington Carla B. , Flexner Charles , Sheiner Lewis B. , Rosenkranz Susan L. , Segal Yoninah , Aberg Judith A. , Blaschke Terrence F.
Published: May 2003

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether pharmacokinetic interactions between the protease inhibitors saquinavir soft gel, nelfinavir, and ritonavir are affected by the timing of administration.

Study design

We used an open‐label, 6‐period, incomplete Latin square crossover study in 18 human immunodeficiency virus–negative subjects. Each received single oral doses of 2 of the 3 protease inhibitors during each of 6 periods. Single doses were given either simultaneously or separated by 4 hours. The order of the periods was balanced, and periods were separated by 2 days. We measured protease inhibitor concentrations over a 24‐hour period by HPLC and estimated pharmacokinetic parameters by noncompartmental methods.

Results

Median saquinavir area under the curve (AUC) increased by 62‐fold when ritonavir was coadministered, by 50‐fold when ritonavir was given 4 hours earlier, and by 16‐fold when saquinavir preceded ritonavir by 4 hours. Saquinavir AUC increased by 7‐fold when nelfinavir was coadministered. Nelfinavir AUC increased by 2.5‐fold with coadministration of ritonavir and by 1.8‐ and 2.1‐fold when ritonavir was administered before nelfinavir and after nelfinavir, respectively. Ritonavir AUCs were unaffected by coadministration of the other drugs. The effect of ritonavir on the kinetics of saquinavir persisted for at least 48 hours after a single dose of ritonavir, suggesting the possibility of metabolic intermediates that form inhibitory complexes.

Conclusion

Except for saquinavir followed by ritonavir, there is little difference in protease inhibitor exposure for simultaneous or staggered doses. The persistent effect of ritonavir suggests the possibility that lower doses and longer dosing intervals might be effective when ritonavir is used to boost concentrations of other protease inhibitors.

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2003) 73, 406–416; doi: 10.1016/S0009‐9236(03)00006‐7
Termination of early pregnancy in the scarred uterus with mifepristone and misoprostol
Authors: Xu J. , Chen H. , Ma T. , Wu X.
Published: May 2003

Objective: To analyze the safety and possibility of terminating early pregnancy up to 49 days gestation after cesarean section with mifepristone and misoprostol. Methods: One‐hundred and ninety‐two early pregnant women were recruited, of which, 35 cases with uterine cicatrix and 157 cases were no‐uterine cicatrix as control group. All of them took 25 mg of mifepristone, b.i.d. for 3 days and 600 μg of misoprostol on the 4th day. Results: Of the 35 cases with uterine cicatrix, 33 achieved complete abortion after medical abortion. The complete abortion rate was 94.29% (95% CI 81–99%) in the cicatrix group and 89.81% (95% CI 75–91%) in the control group. There were no obvious complications detected in the cicatrix group. Conclusion: For the termination of early pregnancy in scarred uterus, administration of mifepristone and misoprostol is safe and effective, and a further large series study needs be done to confirm its acceptability as a routine medication in such situations.
Constant estrogen, intermittent progestogen vs. continuous combined hormone replacement therapy: tolerability and effect on vasomotor symptoms
Authors: Rozenberg S , Caubel P , Lim P.C
Published: May 2003

Objective: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of a novel oral constant estrogen plus intermittent progestogen hormone replacement therapy (HRT) regimen to a continuous combined HRT regimen in postmenopausal women. Methods: Subjects were randomly assigned to receive treatment with either constant 17β‐estradiol (E2), 1 mg, plus intermittent norgestimate (NGM) 90 μg (3 days off, 3 days on) (n=221) or E2 2 mg/norethisterone acetate (NETA) 1 mg (n=217) for 1 year. Treatments were evaluated based on the incidence of hot flushes and uterine bleeding. Results: Both regimens had similar bleeding profiles and provided comparable vasomotor symptom relief. However, breast discomfort and edema were experienced by twice as many subjects who received E2/NETA. Conclusions: The constant E2/intermittent NGM regimen was well tolerated and possesses similar efficacy compared with a continuous combined E2/NETA regimen and may be considered whenever HRT without withdrawal bleeding is deemed appropriate.
Urgent adolescent psychiatric consultation: from the accident and emergency department to inpatient adolescent psychiatry
Authors: Parker Kevin C.H. , Roberts Nasreen , Williams Cheryl , Benjamin Marcia , Cripps Linda , Woogh Carolyn
Published: May 2003

The Rapid Response Model (RRM) provides psychiatric services to children and adolescents seen at the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department or at the Urgent Consultation Clinic of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division the next day. In a naturally occurring experiment, the RRM was introduced, withdrawn and restarted. When RRM was withdrawn at one site, it was implemented at another. The RRM reduced nighttime Emergency Consultations and inpatient admissions from A&E, while it increased daytime consultations and daytime admissions. The RRM provided timely, organized emergency psychiatric services. A&E staff expressed satisfaction with the service.
Molecular characterization of a defensin in the IZD‐MB‐0503 cell line derived from immunocytes of the insect Mamestra brassicae (Lepidoptera)
Authors: Mandrioli Mauro , Bugli Silvia , Saltini Sabrina , Genedani Susanna , Ottaviani Enzo
Published: May 2003

Abstract The induction of anti‐microbial peptides against Gram positive and negative bacteria in the IZD‐MB‐0503 cell line from the lepidopteran Mamestra brassicae is demonstrated, while no anti‐fungal activity is detected. The identification of a defensin‐like molecule active against Gram positive bacteria is described for the first time in Lepidoptera. This molecule shows between 43% and 59% homology with group A defensins from other dipteran and hymenopteran species.
Serum to urinary sodium concentration ratio is an estimate of plasma renin activity in congestive heart failure
Authors: Marenzi GianCarlo , Lauri Gianfranco , Assanelli Emilio , Grazi Marco , Campodonico Jeness , Famoso Gabriella , Agostoni Piergiuseppe
Published: May 2003

We investigated the relationship between plasma renin activity (PRA) and serum ([sNa+]) and urinary ([uNa+]) sodium concentrations in 124 congestive heart failure (CHF) patients (II–IV NYHA class) and 20 healthy subjects. According to PRA (> or <3 ng ml−1 h−1) and [sNa+] (> or <135 mEq l−1), patients were classified as Group A (normal PRA and normal [sNa+], n=39), Group B (increased PRA and normal [sNa+], n=62) and Group C (low [sNa+], n=23). Measurements were performed at rest and, in 26 cases, after extracorporeal ultrafiltration (UF). At rest, [sNa+] and [uNa+], and their difference ([sNa+]−[uNa+]), were linearly correlated with PRA, but the values did not allow differentiation of control subjects from patients or differentiation of patients with from those without renin–angiotensin system (RAS) activation. Conversely, the [sNa+]/[uNa+] ratio showed the best correlation with PRA (r=0.79, P<0.0001). UF‐induced PRA changes were linearly correlated with [sNa+]/[uNa+] ratio changes (r=0.67, P=0.002), but not with those of [sNa+], [uNa+] and [sNa+]−[uNa+]. In CHF, the [sNa+]/[uNa+] ratio best correlates with PRA and reflects the basal activity as well as the rapid changes (as those induced by UF) of the RAS. Therefore, it can be considered a strong and easily available marker of PRA.
Determination of mutacin activity and detection of mutA genes in Streptococcus mutans genotypes from caries‐free and caries‐active children
Authors: Longo P. L. , Mattos‐Graner R. O. , Mayer M. P. A.
Published: May 2003

Relationships between genetic diversity, mutacin production and sensitivity to mutacins in Streptococcus mutans were evaluated in 19 clinical isolates from caries‐free and caries‐active children. Mutacin production was tested against 30 indicator strains; results showed significant variations in the inhibitory spectra of the clinical isolates. There was no association between the inhibitory spectrum of the infecting strain and the caries experience or the level of mutans streptococci infection of the host. Homology to the mutA gene coding for mutacin II was detected in one clinical isolate; none of the clinical isolates showed homology to the mutA genes coding for mutacins I or III. Genotyping by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) reactions grouped the isolates into three clusters, but no correlation was found between any of the clusters and mutacin activity, caries experience or level of mutans streptococci in the host.
Temperature‐dependent changes of amine levels during early seedling development of the cold‐adapted subantarctic crucifer Pringlea antiscorbutica
Authors: Dufeu Manuel , Martin‐Tanguy Josette , Hennion Françoise
Published: May 2003

Pringlea antiscorbutica R. Br., an endemic crucifer from the Kerguelen Archipelago in the subantarctic, has been previously shown to be unable to acclimatize to 25°C when transferred after several months cultivation under cold conditions. Furthermore, the polyamine composition was greatly modified in such high‐temperature‐treated plants. The development of seedlings of this species was investigated under a regime mimicking the subantarctic summer thermoperiod (5/10°C night/day) and a regime with high temperatures (22/25°C night/day). In parallel, the associated changes in polyamine composition that occurred during the first 6 days of seedling life were determined. Marked acceleration of seedling growth and intense cotyledon greening were observed at day 4 in 5/10°C‐grown seedlings but not in 22/25°C‐grown seedlings. Seedlings grown at high temperature accumulated agmatine and putrescine, whereas cold‐cultivated seedlings maintained high levels of spermidine. Cold‐cultivated seedlings accumulated the uncommon long‐chain polyamines norspermidine and homospermidine. These seedlings also accumulated free 1,3‐diaminopropane, cadaverine, N1‐acetylspermidine, N1‐acetylspermine and bound polyamines, whereas seedlings under high temperature accumulated N1‐acetylputrescine. Aromatic amine metabolism also appeared to be very responsive to temperature: seedlings under a cold regime accumulated free dopamine and bound phenylethylamine and tyramine, whereas seedlings grown at high temperature accumulated free tyramine. The possible relationships between the observed amine patterns and seedling growth under low and high temperature are discussed.
Cryoprotective activity of a cold‐induced dehydrin purified from barley
Authors: Bravo León A. , Gallardo Jorge , Navarrete Alejandro , Olave Nélida , Martínez José , Alberdi Miren , Close Timothy J. , Corcuera Luis J.
Published: May 2003

Dehydrins are a family of proteins associated with cell dehydration. Drought, salinity, and high and low temperature may cause water loss from cells. Cold‐induced dehydrins have been reported in several species. P‐80 is a cold‐induced 80 kDa dehydrin in barley. This protein has the same apparent molecular mass as Dhn5, previously described for barley cv Himalaya. P‐80 was localized in the vicinity of vascular cylinders and in the epidermis of leaves and stems. Both tissues have been reported to be sites of early ice nucleation during controlled freezing. The present authors have proposed that this protein cryoprotects macromolecules and frost‐sensitive structures. In the present study, P‐80 and Dhn5 were purified with the purposes of demonstrating their cryoprotective activity in vitro, and comparing both proteins. More than 95% purity was obtained combining heat treatment, cationic exchange chromatography, preparative denaturant electrophoresis and band electroelution. Western blots showed that P‐80 was the major cold‐induced dehydrin in the cultivars examined in the present study. There was a major band of mRNA that showed expression kinetics consistent with P‐80 accumulation. The RT‐PCR picked one major band when using Dhn5‐specific primers in four cold‐acclimated barley cultivars. Both proteins have a similar amino acid composition, with differences in Arg, Asn + Asp, Glu + Gln, His, and Lys. The analysis of proteolytic fragments of Dhn5 and P‐80 by reverse phase chromatography showed a similar pattern. Furthermore, both proteins were able to cryoprotect lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, EC 1.1.1.27) against freeze/thaw inactivation, showing a similar shape dependence on concentration and almost the same protein dosage that renders 50% of cryoprotection (PD50). Thus, P‐80 and Dhn‐5 share more similarities than expected for two different proteins. Their identities, though, remain to be firmly established. Further research is necessary to establish if the observed in vitro cryoprotective activity of these dehydrins is important for cryoprotection in vivo. The association of cryoprotective activity with K repeats of dehydrins is discussed.
Light‐harvesting complex gene expression is controlled by both transcriptional and post‐transcriptional mechanisms during photoacclimation in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Durnford Dion G. , Price Julie A. , McKim Sarah M. , Sarchfield Michelle L.
Published: May 2003

To compensate for increases in photon flux density (PFD), photosynthetic organisms possess mechanisms for reversibly modulating their photosynthetic apparatus to minimize photodamage. The photoacclimation response in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was assessed following a 10‐fold increase in PFD over 24 h. In addition to a 50% reduction in the amount of chlorophyll and light‐harvesting complexes (LHC) per cell, the expression of genes encoding polypeptides of the light‐harvesting antenna were also affected. The abundance of Lhcb (a LHCII gene), Lhcb4 (a CP29‐like gene), and Lhca (a LHCI gene) transcripts were reduced by 65 to 80%, within 1–2 h; however, the RNA levels of all three genes recovered to their low‐light (LL) concentrations within 6–8 h. To determine the role of transcript turnover in this transient decline in abundance, the stability of all transcripts was measured. Although there was no change in the Lhcb or Lhca transcript turnover time, the Lhcb4 mRNA stability decreased 2.5‐fold immediately following high‐light (HL) stress. The Lhcb transcript abundance, on the other hand, was primarily dictated by the rate of transcription as determined using an arylsulphatase reporter gene system. Transcription from the Lhcb promoter was initially repressed in HL but recovered to the LL rate after 6–9 h. Interestingly, the LHCII and CP29 transcripts recovered to their prestress levels before there were significant reductions in the abundance of their corresponding polypeptides. Although there are short‐term alterations in transcription and transcript stability, the long‐term acclimation of the light‐harvesting antennae to HL occurs primarily at the translational level.
A proposed role for the anaerobic pathway during low‐temperature sweetening in tubers of Solanum tuberosum
Authors: Blenkinsop Robert W. , Copp Leslie J. , Yada Rickey Y. , Marangoni Alejandro G.
Published: May 2003

Following exposure to low temperatures (i.e. < 9–10°C), tubers of potato (Solanum tuberosum) undergo a phenomenon known as low‐temperature sweetening (LTS), which results in the conversion of starch to sugars. LTS in stored potato tubers was evaluated by monitoring glycolysis, the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway, anaerobic respiration and mitochondrial respiration, in order to obtain an overview of the regulation of sugar metabolism during LTS. Carbohydrate metabolism during 4°C storage was evaluated in four different storage seasons, comparing tubers of cold‐tolerant (low sugar‐accumulating) clones (ND 860‐2, V 0056‐1 and Wis 1355‐1) and cold‐sensitive (high sugar‐accumulating) cultivars (Novachip and Monona). Parameters measured included whole tuber respiration, concentrations of sucrose, reducing sugars, ATP, NADH, NADPH, lactate and ethanol, as well as tissue pH. In three of the four seasons of study, the cold‐tolerant tubers maintained lower levels of reducing sugars, and higher levels of lactate and ethanol, relative to cold‐sensitive tubers. A higher anaerobic flux in tubers of cold‐tolerant genotypes may be partially responsible for a lower accumulation of reducing sugars relative to cold‐sensitive tubers. This study represents the first known report on the role of the anaerobic pathway during LTS in potato tubers.
Negative social bias against children with strabismus
Authors: Uretmen Onder , Egrilmez Sait , Kose Süheyla , Pamukçu Kemal , Akkin Cezmi , Palamar Melis
Published: May 2003

Purpose:  To determine whether the presence of noticeable strabismus creates a negative social bias against children.

Methods:  Photographs of two boys and two girls were digitally altered to create photographs of the same child in orthotropic, esotropic and exotropic states. Elementary school teachers rated their perceptions of the children's personal characteristics (using a 10‐item list of personal characteristics) based on their responses to these whole‐face photographs. The participants were also asked to answer five questions related to the first impressions created by the photographs.

Results:  Children with esotropia and exotropia were rated more negatively than orthotropic children on all 10 characteristics. Children with esotropia were rated more negatively than those with exotropia on most of these characteristics.

Conclusions:  Children with noticeable strabismus are viewed negatively. Hence, correction of strabismus may provide psychosocial benefits even when there is no hope of improving visual function.
Growth of cultured porcine retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Wiencke Anne Katrine , Kiilgaard Jens Folke , Nicolini Jair , Bundgaard Magnus , Röpke Carsten , La Cour Morten
Published: May 2003

Purpose:  To establish and characterize cultures of porcine retinal pigment epithelial (pRPE) cells in order to produce confluent monolayers of cells for transplantation.

Methods:  Primary pRPE cell cultures were established. Cell morphology was assessed by phase contrast and electron microscopy. Growth was determined by the crystal violet dye uptake assay. DNA synthesis and content were measured by incorporation of 3H‐thymidine and flow cytometry.

Results:  This primary culture resulted in cells with well‐preserved morphology that could be propagated in up to six passages. The deterioration observed over time in cultures was not due to a constant high rate of cell turnover as postconfluency cell proliferation was limited. However, a large fraction of the cells had a high DNA content despite a lack of active DNA synthesis.

Conclusions:  The present method yields pRPE cells of high purity and proliferative capacity with preserved epithelial phenotype. However, aberrant DNA profiles and the deterioration of cell morphology observed over time in this graft material represent serious problems in RPE transplantation.
Maximum acceptable dose of ultraviolet radiation: a safety limit for cataract
Authors: Söderberg Per G. , Michael Ralph , Merriam John C.
Published: May 2003

Purpose:  To develop a method for experimental estimation of toxicity for continuous dose–response relationships. To apply this method to cataract induced by ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in young rats.

Methods:  After establishing experimentally the frequency distribution of light scattering of normal physiologically clear lenses, the lower limit of pathological light scattering is defined such that a certain fraction, for example 97.5%, of normal lenses scatter less light.

Results:  The dose–response function for UVR and cataract is determined experimentally. With this function, the dose corresponding to the lower limit of pathological light scattering may be determined as the maximum acceptable dose (MAD). The MAD0.975 for UVR 300 nm was determined to be 2.2 kJ/m2.

Conclusions:  The method can serve as a basis for establishing safety standards for UVR‐induced cataract and probably other continuous dose–response functions.
Effects of topical vitamin E on corneal superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase activities and polymorphonuclear leucocyte infiltration after photorefractive keratectomy
Authors: Bilgihan Ayse , Bilgihan Kamil , Yis Özgür , Sezer Cem , Akyol Gülen , Hasanreisoglu Berati
Published: May 2003

Purpose:  Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) induces free radical formation and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell infiltration in the cornea. Vitamin E is a free radical scavenger and protects the cells from reactive oxygen species. We investigated the effects of topical vitamin E on corneal PMN cell infiltration and corneal antioxidant enzyme activities after PRK.

Methods:  We studied four groups, each consisting of seven eyes. Group 1 were control eyes. In group 2 the corneal epithelium was removed by a blunt spatula (epithelial scrape). In group 3, corneal photoablation (59 µm, 5 dioptres) was performed after epithelial removal (traditional PRK). In group 4 we tested the effects of topical Vitamin E after traditional PRK. Corneal tissues were removed and studied with enzymatic analysis (measurement of corneal superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities) and histologically.

Results:  Stromal PMN leucocyte counts were significantly higher after mechanical epithelial removal and traditional PRK (p < 0.05). Corneal superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities decreased significantly after mechanical epithelial removal and traditional PRK (p < 0.05). In group 4, treated with vitamin E, corneal superoxide dismutase activity did not differ significantly from that in the medically non‐treated groups, nor did corneal PMN cell infiltration after traditional PRK. The reduction of corneal glutathione peroxidase activity after PRK was reduced significantly after topical vitamin E treatment.

Conclusions:  Topical vitamin E treatment may be useful for reducing the harmful effects of reactive oxygen radical after epithelial scraping and PRK in that it increases corneal glutathione peroxidase activity.