bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Randomised, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial to assess the potential of cannabinoid receptor stimulation in the treatment of dystonia
Authors: Fox Susan H. , Kellett Mark , Moore A. Peter , Crossman Alan R. , Brotchie Jonathan M.
Published: August 2002

Cannabis may have medicinal uses in a variety of diseases. The neural mechanisms underlying dystonia involve abnormalities within the basal ganglia—in particular, overactivity of the lateral globus pallidus (GPl). Cannabinoid receptors are located presynaptically on GABA terminals within the GPi, where their activation reduces GABA reuptake. Cannabinoid receptor stimulation may thus reduce overactivity of the GPl and thereby reduce dystonia. A double‐blind, randomised, placebo‐controlled, crossover study using the synthetic cannabinoid receptor agonist nabilone in patients with generalised and segmental primary dystonia showed no significant reduction in dystonia following treatment with nabilone. © 2001 Movement Disorder Society.
Role of drug metabolism in drug discovery and development
Authors: Kumar Gondi N. , Surapaneni Sekhar
Published: August 2002

Metabolism by the host organism is one of the most important determinants of the pharmacokinetic profile of a drug. High metabolic lability usually leads to poor bioavailability and high clearance. Formation of active or toxic metabolites will have an impact on the pharmacological and toxicological outcomes. There is also potential for drug–drug interactions with coadministered drugs due to inhibition and/or induction of drug metabolism pathways. Hence, optimization of the metabolic liability and drug–drug interaction potential of the new chemical entities are some of the most important steps during the drug discovery process. The rate and site(s) of metabolism of new chemical entities by drug metabolizing enzymes are amenable to modulation by appropriate structural changes. Similarly, the potential for drug–drug interactions can also be minimized by appropriate structural modifications to the drug candidate. However, the optimization of the metabolic stability and drug–drug interaction potential during drug discovery stage has been largely by empirical methods and by trial and error. Recently, a lot of effort has been applied to develop predictive methods to aid the optimization process during drug discovery and development. This article reviews the role of drug metabolism in drug discovery and development. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Med Res Rev, 21, No. 5, 397–411, 2001
In vivo monitoring of microvessels in skin flaps: Introduction of a novel technique
Authors: Langer Stefan , Biberthaler Peter , Harris Anthony Gustave , Steinau Hans‐Ulrich , Messmer Konrad
Published: August 2002

Orthogonal polarization spectral (OPS) imaging was validated against intravital fluorescence microscopy (IFM) for microvascular measurements in skin flaps of hairless mice. Examinations were performed 1, 6, and 24 hours after elevation (n = 8) with both OPS imaging and IFM. A fluorescent dye was a prerequisite for IFM measurements but not for OPS imaging. Our findings show that OPS imaging can visualize the skin flap microcirculation independent from the application of fluorescent tracers. From these images, quantitative analysis of functional capillary density (FCD) was feasible. As expected, FCD was significantly lower in the distal part of the flap compared with its base (171.8 ± 34.7 versus 62.0 ± 25.6, mean ± SD; 1 hour data). Comparison of OPS imaging and IFM revealed a significant correlation of FCD values (P < 0.001) at all time points. Given the success of this validation study on mouse skin flaps, clinical investigations will have to prove that OPS imaging can also successfully be used to monitor flaps in humans. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 21:317–324 2001
Use of osteocutaneous “double‐barrel fibular flaps” in limb reconstruction: Four clinical cases
Authors: Dautel G. , Duteille F. , Merle M.
Published: August 2002

The use of a vascularized fibular transfer is a technique used for the reconstruction of large defects in long bones. A technical variation that consists of osteotomizing the transplant, giving two distinct segments, is adapted in the reconstruction of long bones with a large diameter, in particular, the femur or the proximal tibia. The results obtained using this technique in four clinical cases are presented here. The length of the bone defects was between 7.5 and 11 cm. There were two cases involving the tibia, one case the distal humerus, and one case the pelvis. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 21:340–344 2001
Bow‐tie wide‐band monopole antenna with the novel impedance‐matching technique
Authors: Lee Jong‐Pil , Park Seong‐Ook , Lee Sang‐Keun
Published: August 2002

A staircase bow‐tie monopole‐type antenna that features a novel broadband technique is investigated experimentally and numerically. A bandwidth of 77.1% (VSWR ≤ 2) can be achieved, and an omnidirectional radiation pattern is obtained. The electrical characteristics of the proposed antenna make it attractive for use in multiband mobile systems. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 33: 448–452, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.10347
A compact microstrip antenna with meandering slots in the ground plane
Authors: Kuo Jieh‐Sen , Wong Kin‐Lu
Published: August 2002

A novel compact microstrip antenna design is demonstrated. By embedding meandering slots in the antenna's ground plane, it is observed that the resonant frequency of the microstrip antenna is significantly lowered, which can lead to a large antenna size reduction for a fixed frequency operation. In addition, enhanced impedance bandwidth and antenna gain are also observed for the proposed antenna. Details of the proposed design and experimental results of the constructed prototypes are presented and discussed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 29: 95–97, 2001.
Wind direction azimuthal signature in the Stokes emission vector from the ocean surface at microwave frequencies
Authors: Camps A. J. , Reising S. C.
Published: August 2002

An ocean polarimetric emission model is presented. It is found that skewness and upwind/cross‐wind rms slopes are responsible for the first and second azimuthal harmonic, respectively. Atmospheric effects contribute significantly at low wind speeds, and at horizontal polarization at certain observation angles. Simulation results compare favorably with reported JPL–WINDRAD measurements. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 29: 426–432, 2001.
Radiation‐induced skin cancer in humans*
Authors: Shore Roy E.
Published: August 2002

The principal epidemiologic studies of ionizing radiation and skin cancer have all shown that radiation causes basal cell carcinoma but have not found dose‐related excesses of squamous cell carcinoma or malignant melanoma. The Japanese atomic bomb study indicates that doses of radiation under about 1 Gy confer less risk per unit dose than higher doses do. All available studies show that skin cancer risk is greater from radiation exposure at young ages than at older ages. Finding few excess skin cancers among irradiated African‐Americans as compared to Caucasians with a comparable dose indicates that skin susceptibility to ultraviolet exposure modifies the excess risk from ionizing radiation. Available evidence indicates that the excess risk of skin cancer lasts for 45 years or more following irradiation. Several studies indicate a risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) following cancer therapy; however, most of the studies reporting on NMSC have not distinguished between patients who received radiotherapy versus chemotherapy. Some, but not all, follow‐up studies of cancer patients have reported excesses of malignant melanoma as second malignant neoplasms. It is not clear from the studies how much, if any, of the excess melanoma risk is attributable to radiotherapy. Med. Pediatr. Oncol. 36:549–554, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Natural J coupling (NJC) analysis of the electron lone pair effect on NMR couplings: Part 1. The lone pair orientation effect of an α‐nitrogen atom on 1J(C,C) couplings
Authors: Barone Verónica , Peralta Juan E. , Contreras Rubén H. , Sosnin Anton V. , Krivdin Leonid B.
Published: August 2002

The known lone pair orientation effect of an α‐nitrogen atom on 1J(C,C) couplings was studied using the natural J coupling (NJC) dissection method for the Fermi contact (FC) term. This dissection was performed at the DFT‐B3LYP level using three different basis sets. It was verified that non‐contact contributions, which are much smaller than the FC term, do not depend on the orientation of the N lone pair. Acetone oxime (1), protonated acetone oxime (2) and ethylamine (3), were taken as model compounds to perform this study. In 1 the difference between 1J(Z) and 1J(E) is mainly determined by three NJC terms, i.e the nitrogen lone pair, the carbon–carbon bond containing the coupled carbon atoms and the carbon inner core orbitals contributions. In 3 the angular dependence of 1J(C,C) vs the amine group conformation is dominated by the same three contributions that define the 1J(Z) and 1J(E) difference in 1. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and characterisation of known and novel transcripts expressed during the final stages of human oocyte maturation
Authors: Goto Tetsuya , Jones Gayle M. , Lolatgis Nick , Pera Martin F. , Trounson Alan O. , Monk Marilyn
Published: August 2002

The final stages of oocyte maturation, from the germinal vesicle (GV) stage to metaphase II (MII) oocytes, are characterised by a series of dynamic events. These include germinal vesicle break down (GVBD), resumption of meiosis, and nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation to produce MII oocytes ready for fertilisation. To investigate the specific genes transcribed during these stages of oogenesis, we have prepared and analysed amplified cDNA representing the transcribed genes in a series of GV and MII oocytes. Differential display analysis disclosed that the overall gene expression profiles between different samples of GV oocytes are very similar, regardless of their source, while those between the MII oocytes are markedly variable. A comparison of expression profiles in oocytes and somatic (cumulus) cells identified several known genes preferentially‐expressed in oocytes (e.g., a zona pellucida gene), as well as five novel sequences. Two of the five novel sequences are homologous to retrotransposon sequences, long terminal repeat (LTR) and long interspersed nuclear element (LINE) 1, and two other sequences show partial homology to known ESTs and genomic sequences. The remaining sequence, which is identical to shorter ESTs isolated from germ cell tumor cDNA libraries, was extended towards its 5′ end by PCR, using the original cDNA preparation from which it was isolated as a template. Expression of the resultant 1.1‐kb transcript is restricted to the testis and ovary, and its expression correlates with cell pluripotency in that it is expressed in embryonal carcinoma cells, but not in their differentiated derivative cells. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 62: 13‐28, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Apoptosis in sea urchin oocytes, eggs, and early embryos
Authors: Voronina Ekaterina , Wessel Gary M.
Published: August 2002

Certain experimental manipulations with sea urchin oocytes, eggs, and early embryos result in induction of cell death. We were interested in whether or not these cells posessed functional apoptotic machinery, and whether cellular demise under certain experimental conditions is due to activation of a programmed cell death pathway. Therefore, we evaluated a number of apoptosis assays in sea urchin oocytes, eggs, and early embryos experimentally induced to apoptose with staurosporine. Our results indicate that these cells each possess and activate necessary apoptotic machinery that leads to characteristic apoptotic phenotypes. The eggs of this animal have completed meiosis, and are quiescent transcriptionally, translationally, and metabolically. Suprisingly, they still undergo apoptosis. The progression through apoptosis of treated specimens could be followed by morphological changes of the cells, by chromatin condensation and degradation, and by activation of caspases. The similarities and differences in the execution of apoptosis between the cell types studied are discussed. Results of this study will be useful for interpreting experiments in these model systems in which different molecules are targeted for interference and which brings about cell death. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 60: 553–561, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Seminal plasma proteins reduce protein tyrosine phosphorylation in the plasma membrane of cold‐shocked ram spermatozoa
Authors: Pérez‐Pé Rosaura , Grasa Patricia , Fernández‐Juan Marta , Peleato Maria Luisa , Cebrián‐Pérez José Álvaro , Muiño‐Blanco Teresa
Published: August 2002

Capacitation of spermatozoa, a complex process occurring after sperm ejaculation, is required to produce fertilization of the oocyte in vivo and in vitro. Although this process results from a poorly understood series of morphological and molecular events, protein tyrosine phosphorylation has been associated with sperm capacitation in several mammalian species, but it still remains to be demonstrated in ram spermatozoa. Studies of capacitation in ram spermatozoa are of great interest, since several reports have suggested that the reduced fertility of cryopreserved spermatozoa is due to their premature capacitation. In this work, we report for the first time, to our knowledge, that tyrosine phosphorylation of ram sperm membrane proteins is related to the capacitation state of these cells.

Capacitation induced tyrosine phosphorylation of some plasma membrane proteins of ram spermatozoa freed from seminal plasma by a dextran/swim‐up procedure. It has also been proved that cold‐shock induces protein tyrosine phosphorylation as well as a decrease in plasma membrane integrity. Addition of seminal plasma proteins prior to cold‐shock not only improved sperm survival but also promoted a decrease in protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 61: 226–233, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
EPR/NMR co‐imaging for anatomic registration of free‐radical images
Authors: He Guanglong , Deng Yuanmu , Li Haihong , Kuppusamy Periannan , Zweier Jay L.
Published: August 2002

While electron paramagnetic resonance imaging (EPRI) enables spatial mapping of free radicals in the whole body of small animals, it solely visualizes the free‐radical distribution and does not typically provide anatomic visualization of the body. However, anatomic registration is often required for meaningful interpretation of the EPRI‐derived free‐radical images. An approach is reported for whole‐body, EPRI‐based, free‐radical imaging along with proton MRI in mice. EPRI instrumentation with a 750‐MHz narrow band microwave bridge and transverse oriented electric field reentrant resonator, with automatic coupling control and automatic tuning control capability, was used to map the spatial distribution of nitroxide free radicals in phantoms and in living mice, while low‐field proton MRI at 16 MHz was used to define the anatomic structure to register the EPR images. Small capillary tubes containing an aqueous radical label were used as markers to enable image superimposition. With this coregistration technique, the EPRI free‐radical images were precisely registered, enabling assignment of the location of the observed free‐radical distribution within the organs of the mice. This technique enabled differentiation of the distribution and metabolism of nitroxide radicals within the major organs and body sites of living mice. Magn Reson Med 47:571–578, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Biexponential diffusion attenuation in the rat spinal cord: Computer simulations based on anatomic images of axonal architecture
Authors: Chin Chih‐Liang , Wehrli Felix W. , Hwang Scott N. , Takahashi Masaya , Hackney David B.
Published: August 2002

Water diffusion in neurological tissues is known to possess multicomponent diffusion behavior. The fractions of fast and slow apparent diffusion components have often been attributed to the volume fractions of extracellular space (ECS) and intracellular space (ICS) although diffusion fractions are at variance with the tissue compartment volume ratios. In this article this puzzle was examined with a finite difference diffusion simulation model on the basis of optical images from sectioned rat spinal cord. Here the results show that assignment of fractions obtained from biexponential fits of fast and slow diffusion attenuation to ECS and ICS volume ratios is not correct. Rather, the observed multicomponent diffusion behavior is caused by motional restriction and limited intercompartmental water exchange in that at long diffusion times diffusion attenuation is shown to become monoexponential. Although the measured apparent diffusion fractions also depend on T2 relaxation time of water protons in the various compartments, the sensitivity to T2 is small and thus T2 differences are unlikely to explain the mismatch between apparent diffusion fractions and cellular volume fractions. Magn Reson Med 47:455–460, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dynamic 19F‐MRI of pulmonary ventilation using sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas
Authors: Schreiber Wolfgang Günther , Eberle Balthasar , Laukemper‐Ostendorf Simone , Markstaller Klaus , Weiler Norbert , Scholz Alexander , Bürger Katja , Heussel Claus Peter , Thelen Manfred , Kauczor Hans‐Ulrich
Published: August 2002

A new method for dynamic imaging of pulmonary wash‐in and wash‐out kinetics of inhaled sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) gas was developed. Measurements at the fluorine‐19 Larmor frequency were performed in pigs using a gradient echo pulse sequence with 0.5 ms echo time and a measurement time of 9.1 s per image. Dynamic MRI was performed during wash‐in and wash‐out of SF6 gas in mechanically ventilated porcine lungs. A postprocessing strategy was developed for quantitative determination of wash‐out time constants in the presence of noise. Mean wash‐out constants were 4.78 ± 0.48 breaths vs. 4.33 ± 0.76 breaths for left and right lung when ventilation was performed with low tidal volume, and 1.73 ± 0.16 breaths vs. 1.85 ± 0.11 breaths with high tidal volume ventilation. In conclusion, breath‐hold MRI of SF6 gas is feasible in large animals. Moreover, regional wash‐in and wash‐out kinetics of SF6 can be determined noninvasively with this new method. Potential human applications are discussed. Magn Reson Med 45:605–613, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Abnormal lipid profile of dystrophic cardiac tissue as demonstrated by one‐ and two‐dimensional magic‐angle spinning 1H NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Griffin J.L. , Williams H.J. , Sang E. , Nicholson J.K.
Published: August 2002

Dystrophin, a protein associated with sarcolemma and cell membranes, is not expressed in sufferers of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), or in the mdx mouse. DMD is a fatal disorder, with a significant proportion of fatalities associated with cardiac failure (∼40% having dilated cardiomyopathy and >90% clinically significant cardiac defects at death). In this study, the metabolic composition of intact dystrophic cardiac tissue was investigated using high‐resolution magic‐angle spinning (HRMAS) 1H NMR spectroscopy with both 1‐ and 2D pulse sequences coupled with pattern recognition (PR). While conventional solvent presaturation spectra indicated increases in CH2 chain length in lipids, PR analysis of correlation spectroscopy (COSY) spectra demonstrated that this was also accompanied by an increase in concentration of lactate or threonine along with a relative decrease in CH = CHCH2CO groups in these lipids. To investigate the physical environment of these lipids, T2‐ and diffusion‐weighted 1H MAS NMR spectra were acquired on whole‐tissue samples. The relatively increased lipid signal intensity in dystrophic tissue was due to an increase in molecules with long T2 and short diffusion rates. The use of a range of pulse programs allowed the direct probing of the biochemical environment in which the lipid infiltration occurred, and by coupling the experiments to PR the significance of lipid infiltration and accumulation was also assessed. Magn Reson Med 46:249–255, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessment of regional differences in myocardial blood flow using T2‐weighted 3D BOLD imaging
Authors: Wright Kara B. , Klocke Francis J. , Deshpande Vibhas S. , Zheng Jie , Harris Kathleen R. , Tang Richard , Finn J. Paul , Li Debiao
Published: August 2002

The feasibility of detecting regional differences in myocardial blood flow based on the blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) effect was evaluated in vivo in dogs (N = 9) using a 3D T2‐prepared segmented gradient‐echo sequence at 1.5 T. Regional differences in myocardial blood flow were created by administering adenosine through a catheter placed in the left circumflex coronary artery (LCX). The difference in the R2 (1/T2) relaxation rate between the left ventricular myocardial region supplied by the LCX and regions supplied by the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) or septal artery during adenosine administration was correlated to the corresponding regional myocardial blood flow difference determined using fluorescent microspheres. A correlation coefficient of 0.80 was found between the MR BOLD measurements and the myocardial flow assessment. Our results show that the sequence used in this study allows fast 3D BOLD imaging of the heart, and is a promising technique for detecting regional myocardial perfusion differences. Magn Reson Med 46:573–578, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
SNR versus resolution in 3D 1H MRS of the human brain at high magnetic fields
Authors: Li Belinda S.Y. , Regal Juleiga , Gonen Oded
Published: August 2002

It is commonly accepted that the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR = peak‐signal/RMS‐noise) per‐unit‐time of proton MR spectroscopy (1H‐MRS) is linearly proportional to the voxel volume. Consequently, with a headcoil and 30‐min acquisition, 1 cm3 is considered the SNR‐limited spatial resolution barrier in the human brain. However, since local linewidths, Δυ* = (πT)−1, at high magnetic fields (B0), are dominated by regional inhomogeneities (ΔB0), i.e., T ≪ T2, reducing the voxel dimensions may increase T. This could compensate, in part, for signal loss with volume decrease. It is shown that for two cubic voxels of sides l1 and l2, l1 > l2, as the volume decreases by (l1/l2)3, their SNR ratio is reduced by only (l1/l2)2 due to a commensurate T increase of l1/l2. This is demonstrated in a phantom and the brains of volunteers, with 3D 1H‐MRS in a headcoil at 4 T. It is shown that while the cubic voxels' dimensions were all halved, reducing their volume eightfold, their metabolites' SNR decreased only fourfold, due to their Δυ*s' twofold decrease. In other words, both spatial and spectral resolutions were doubled at a significantly, ×2, smaller‐than‐expected SNR loss. This advantage was exploited to produce quality high spatial resolution, 0.75 × 0.75 × 0.75 cm3, metabolic maps in a 27‐min acquisition. Magn Reson Med 46:1049–1053, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Insulin treatment enhances expression of IGF‐I in sural nerves of diabetic patients
Authors: Grandis Marina , Nobbio Lucilla , Abbruzzese Michele , Banchi Loris , Minuto Franceso , Barreca Antonina , Garrone Simona , Mancardi Gian Luigi , Schenone Angelo
Published: August 2002

We studied the expression of insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) and its receptor in sural nerves from 8 diabetic patients divided into insulin‐treated (IT) and non–insulin‐treated (NIT) groups, compared with 5 patients with axonal neuropathies and 4 control patients (undergoing biopsies for diagnostic purposes). Insulin‐like growth factor I mRNA levels did not differ in diabetic cases compared with control subjects. In sural nerves from IT patients and axonal neuropathies, IGF‐I expression was higher than in NIT subjects and diagnostic controls. Changes in IGF‐I receptor mRNA levels paralleled those of the ligand. Insulin‐like growth factor I immunoreactivity was higher in nerves undergoing axonal degeneration and higher in IT than NIT diabetic patients and diagnostic controls. These findings suggest that insulin treatment increases IGF‐I expression in diabetic nerves. Our data do not support the hypothesis of an absolute IGF‐I deficiency in human diabetic neuropathy. A Schwann cell's incapacity to increase IGF‐I expression after severe nerve damage, as happens in axonal neuropathies, may be a cofactor in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 622–629, 2001.
Familial continuous motor unit activity and epilepsy
Authors: Liguori Rocco , Avoni Patrizia , Baruzzi Agostino , Di Stasi Vitantonio , Montagna Pasquale
Published: August 2002

A mother and son both had muscle stiffness due to continuous generalized muscle twitching, beginning in childhood and associated with epileptic seizures. Electromyography (EMG) showed continuous motor unit activity (CMUA) at rest, which decreased during ischemia, sleep, and carbamazepine treatment, and was abolished by anesthetic nerve blockade. Genetic analysis disclosed a G724C point mutation in the potassium channel KCNA1 gene. The electrophysiological data suggested pathological impulse generation in both the peripheral and central nervous system, probably related to abnormal ion channel function. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 630–633, 2001
Muscle glycogenoses
Authors: DiMauro Salvatore , Lamperti Costanza
Published: August 2002

There are 11 hereditary disorders of glycogen metabolism affecting muscle alone or together with other tissues, and they cause two main clinical syndromes: episodic, recurrent exercise intolerance with cramps, myalgia, and myoglobinuria; or fixed, often progressive weakness. Great strides have been made in our understanding of the molecular bases of these disorders, all of which show remarkable genetic heterogeneity. In contrast, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying acute muscle breakdown and chronic weakness remain unclear. Although glycogen storage diseases have been studied for decades, new biochemical defects are still being discovered, especially in the glycolytic pathway. In addition, the pathogenesis of polyglucosan deposition is being clarified both in traditional glycogenoses and in disorders such as Lafora's disease. In some conditions, combined dietary and exercise regimens may be of help, and gene therapy, including recombinant enzyme replacement, is being actively pursued. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 24: 984–999, 2001
Integral equation solution of heat extraction from a fracture in hot dry rock
Authors: Cheng A. H.‐D. , Ghassemi A. , Detournay E.
Published: August 2002

In the study of heat extraction by circulating water in a fracture embedded in geothermal reservoir, the heat conduction in the reservoir is typically assumed to be one dimensional and perpendicular to the fracture. In this paper, we demonstrate that by an integral equation formulation utilizing Green's function, the multi‐dimensional heat flow in the reservoir can be modelled. In the resulting numerical solution system, the discretization of reservoir geometry is entirely eliminated, leading to a much more efficient scheme. The multi‐dimensional heat conduction effect as compared to its one‐dimensional simplification is studied. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Numerical solution for consolidation and desiccation of soft soils
Authors: Yao Daniel T. C. , de Oliveira‐Filho Waldyr Lopes , Cai Xiao‐Chuan , Znidarcic Dobroslav
Published: August 2002

The consolidation and desiccation behaviour of soft soils can be described by two time‐dependent non‐linear partial differential equations using the finite strain theory. Analytical solutions do not exist for these governing equations. In this paper, we develop efficient numerical methods and software for finding the numerical solutions. We introduce a semi‐implicit time integration scheme, and show numerically that our method converges. In addition, the numerical solution matches well with the experimental result. A boundary refinement method is also developed to improve the convergence and stability for the case of Neumann type boundary conditions. Interface governing equations are derived to maintain the continuity of consolidation and desiccation processes. This is useful because the soil column can undergo desiccation on top and consolidation on the bottom simultaneously. The numerical algorithms has been implemented into a computer program and the results have been verified with centrifuge test results conducted in our laboratory. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Good urodynamic practices: Uroflowmetry, filling cystometry, and pressure‐flow studies**
Authors: Schäfer Werner , Abrams Paul , Liao Limin , Mattiasson Anders , Pesce Francesco , Spangberg Anders , Sterling Arthur M. , Zinner Norman R. , Kerrebroeck Philip van
Published: August 2002

This is the first report of the International Continence Society (ICS) on the development of comprehensive guidelines for Good Urodynamic Practice for the measurement, quality control, and documentation of urodynamic investigations in both clinical and research environments. This report focuses on the most common urodynamics examinations; uroflowmetry, pressure recording during filling cystometry, and combined pressure–flow studies. The basic aspects of good urodynamic practice are discussed and a strategy for urodynamic measurement, equipment set‐up and configuration, signal testing, plausibility controls, pattern recognition, and artifact correction are proposed. The problems of data analysis are mentioned only when they are relevant in the judgment of data quality. In general, recommendations are made for one specific technique. This does not imply that this technique is the only one possible. Rather, it means that this technique is well‐established, and gives good results when used with the suggested standards of good urodynamic practice. Neurourol. Urodynam. 21:261–274, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A comparison of cell and tissue extraction techniques using high‐resolution 1H‐NMR spectroscopy
Authors: Belle J. E. Le , Harris N. G. , Williams S. R. , Bhakoo K. K.
Published: August 2002

Analysis of brain metabolites by a wide range of analytical techniques is typically achieved using biochemical extraction methodologies that require either two separate samples or two separate extraction steps to prepare both aqueous and organic metabolite fractions. However there are a number of brain pathologies in which both aqueous metabolite and lipid changes occur so that a simultaneous extraction of both fractions would be valuable. The methanol–chloroform (M/C) technique enables extraction of both aqueous metabolites and lipids simultaneously. It is already well established for lipid extraction of cells and tissue but its efficiency and reproducibility for extraction of aqueous metabolites is unknown. Therefore, we compared the aqueous metabolite yield and the reproducibility of the M/C method to the commonly used perchloric acid (PCA) method, using 1H‐NMR spectroscopy of adult rat brain and purified rat astrocyte culture extracts. The results indicate that M/C is a superior technique for aqueous metabolite extraction from both brain tissue and cells when compared to the PCA method. The M/C extraction technique enables the simultaneous extraction of both lipids and aqueous metabolites from a single sample using small solvent‐volumes, making it well suited for NMR investigations of both tissues and cells. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dual role for calcium in agrin signaling and acetylcholine receptor clustering
Authors: Borges Lucia S. , Lee Young , Ferns Michael
Published: August 2002

Agrin is a motoneuron‐derived factor that initiates neuromuscular synapse formation; however, the signaling pathway underlying postsynaptic differentiation is not yet understood. We have investigated the role of calcium in agrin signaling through the MuSK receptor tyrosine kinase and in the intracellular signaling cascade that leads to AChR phosphorylation and clustering. We find that agrin‐ and neuramindase‐induced MuSK activation in cultured myotubes is completely blocked by removal of extracellular calcium, but only slightly reduced by clamping of intracellular calcium transients with BAPTA. Following agrin's activation of MuSK, we find that the downstream tyrosine phosphorylation of the AChR β‐subunit was inhibited by BAPTA but not by a slower acting chelator, EGTA. Similarly, agrin‐induced clustering of the AChR was blocked by BAPTA but not EGTA. These findings indicate that extracellular calcium is required for the formation of a MuSK signaling complex, and that intracellular calcium regulates phosphorylation and clustering of the AChR in the postsynaptic membrane. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 50: 69–79, 2002
BMP‐2 and cAMP elevation confer locus coeruleus neurons responsiveness to multiple neurotrophic factors
Authors: Reiriz Julia , Holm Pontus C. , Alberch Jordi , Arenas Ernest
Published: August 2002

The locus coeruleus (LC) is a major target of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. However, very little is known of the trophic requirements of LC neurons. In the present work, we have studied the biological activity of neurotrophic factors from different families in E15 primary cultures of LC neurons. In agreement with previous results, neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) and also glial cell line‐ derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) increased the number of embryonic LC noradrenergic neurons in the presence of serum. In serum‐free conditions, none of the factors tested, including NT‐3, GDNF, neurturin, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), or bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2), promoted the survival of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)‐immunoreactive neurons at 6 days in vitro. However, when BMP‐2 was coadministered with any of these factors the number of LC TH‐positive neurons increased twofold. Similar results were obtained by cotreatment of LC neurons with forskolin and NT‐3, bFGF, or BMP‐2. The strongest effect (a fourfold increase in the number of TH‐positive cells) was induced by cotreatment with forskolin, BMP‐2, and GDNF. Thus, our results show that LC neurons require multiple factors for their survival and development, and suggest that activation of LC neurons by bone morphogenetic proteins and cAMP plays a decisive role in conferring noradrenergic neuron responsiveness to several trophic factors. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Neurobiol 50: 291–304, 2002; DOI 10.1002/neu.10034
Numerical simulation of one‐dimensional flows through porous media with shock waves
Authors: Martins‐Costa Maria Laura , Saldanha da Gama Rogério M.
Published: August 2002

This work studies an unsaturated flow of a Newtonian fluid through a rigid porous matrix, using a mixture theory approach in its modelling. The mixture consists of three overlapping continuous constituents: a solid (porous medium), a liquid (Newtonian fluid) and an inert gas (to account for the mixture compressibility). A set of two nonlinear partial differential equations describes the problem, which is approximated by means of a Glimm's scheme, combined with an operator splitting technique. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analytical study and numerical experiments for degenerate scale problems in the boundary element method for two‐dimensional elasticity
Authors: Chen J. T. , Kuo S. R. , Lin J. H.
Published: August 2002

For a plane elasticity problem, the boundary integral equation approach has been shown to yield a non‐unique solution when geometry size is equal to a degenerate scale. In this paper, the degenerate scale problem in the boundary element method (BEM) is analytically studied using the method of stress function. For the elliptic domain problem, the numerical difficulty of the degenerate scale can be solved by using the hypersingular formulation instead of using the singular formulation in the dual BEM. A simple example is shown to demonstrate the failure using the singular integral equations of dual BEM. It is found that the degenerate scale also depends on the Poisson's ratio. By employing the hypersingular formulation in the dual BEM, no degenerate scale occurs since a zero eigenvalue is not embedded in the influence matrix for any case. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Comparison of psychosocial and behavioral profiles of victimized and nonvictimized homeless women and their intimate partners
Authors: Nyamathi Adeline , Wenzel Suzanne L. , Lesser Jana , Flaskerud Jacquelyn , Leake Barbara
Published: August 2002

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychosocial, behavioral, and environmental profiles of homeless women, both those with and without a history of victimization, and their intimate partners. Five hundred seven homeless women and their intimate partners participated in the study. Thirty‐nine percent of the women reported being physically and/or sexually assaulted as adults. Controlling for potential confounders, victimized women were more likely than others to have a history of childhood sexual and physical abuse, lifetime substance use, greater mental health symptomatology, and current risky sexual activity. Thus, homeless women with mental health and substance abuse problems ought to be screened for violent experiences and encouraged to obtain treatment appropriate to their problems to reduce their ongoing risk of victimization. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 24:324–335, 2001
An HPLC method for the assay of UDP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase and UDP‐glucose‐4‐epimerase in Solieria chordalis (Rhodophyceae)
Authors: Goulard F. , Diouris M. , Deslandes E. , Floc'h J. Y.
Published: August 2002

An efficient method to assay both UDP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase and UDP‐glucose‐4‐epimerase in a crude extract of the red seaweed, Solieria chordalis is described. The method is based on the direct quantification by reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography of the UDP‐sugars generated in the reaction mixture. UDP‐glucose, UDP‐galactose and UTP were detected by spectrophotometry at 254 nm and their recoveries ranged from 97 to 100%. In the course of the reaction, a correlation was observed between the reduction in the area of the substrate peak and the occurrence of product peak(s). This highly reproducible method for enzyme assay is fast since no intermediate reaction mixture is required. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and quantification of galloyl derivatives, flavonoid glycosides and anthocyanins in leaves of Pistacia lentiscus L.
Authors: Romani A. , Pinelli P. , Galardi C. , Mulinacci N. , Tattini M.
Published: August 2002

Separation, identification and quantification of polyphenols was carried out on leaves of Pistacia lentiscus L., an evergreen member of the family Anacardiaceae, using semi‐preparative HPLC, HPLC‐photodiode array detection and HPLC‐MS analysis, together with 1H‐ and 13C NMR. Three major classes of secondary metabolites were detected: (i) gallic acid and galloyl derivatives of both glucose and quinic acid; (ii) flavonol glycosides, i.e. myricetin and quercetin glycosides; and (iii) anthocyanins, namely delphinidin 3‐O‐glucoside and cyanidin 3‐O‐glucoside. Low amounts of catechin were also detected. The concentration of galloyl derivatives was extremely high, representing 5.3% of the leaf dry weight, and appreciable amounts of myricetin derivatives were also detected (1.5% on a dry weight basis). These findings may be useful in establishing a relationship between the chemical composition of the leaf extract and the previously reported biological activity of P. lentiscus, and may also assign a new potential role of P. lentiscus tissue extracts in human health care. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Management of prenatally detected trisomy 8 mosaicism
Authors: van Haelst M. M. , Van Opstal D. , Lindhout D. , Los F. J.
Published: August 2002

We report on ten pregnancies with trisomy 8 mosaicism. Nine cases were prenatally detected in chorionic villi (n=6), amniotic fluid (AF) cells (n=2) or fetal blood (FB) lymphocytes (n=1). Follow‐up laboratory investigations showed confined placental mosaicism (CPM) or pseudomosaicism in eight cases. In one case with ultrasound abnormalities, trisomy 8 mosaicism was detected in FB cells although cultured AF cells showed normal cells only. Another case of mosaic trisomy 8 was prenatally missed; cytogenetic analysis of short‐term cultured villi revealed a normal male karyotype, while postnatally, trisomy 8 mosaicism was detected in peripheral blood lymphocytes and skin fibroblasts of the affected child.

These findings indicate the difficulties in the prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 8 mosaicism. When found in chorionic villi, it mostly represented CPM, while in a case of true fetal trisomy 8 mosaicism, the cytotrophoblast cells showed a normal karyotype. So, the cytotrophoblast compartment of chorionic villi is a poor indicator of the presence or absence of fetal trisomy 8 mosaicism. Follow‐up investigations including amniocentesis and especially fetal blood sampling are required to come to a definite prenatal diagnosis of trisomy 8 mosaicism. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Classification of ADRs: a proposal for harmonization and differentiation based on the experience of the Comprehensive Hospital Drug Monitoring Bern/St. Gallen, 1974–1993
Authors: Hunziker Thomas , Bruppacher Rudolf , Kuenzi Urs Peter , Maibach Ruedi , Braunschweig Suzanne , Halter Fred , Hoigné Rolf V.
Published: August 2002

The present paper deals with the classification of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) according to today's largely accepted pathomechanisms. The classification system applied, relies primarily on the proposals of Rawlins and Thomson with type A (‘augmented’) and B (‘bizarre’) reactions. In the database of the Comprehensive Hospital Drug Monitoring (CHDM) Bern/St. Gallen on 48 005 consecutively hospitalized patients, ADRs had been attributed to 10 different pathomechanisms. These permit a versatile new system, easily adaptable to expanding knowledge. lf we look at the 12 785 ADRs registered in the CHDM Bern/St. Gallen from 1974 to 1993, 76% were of type A, 13% of type B, and 11% of a pathomechanism not yet defined (type X). The main subgroups were A1 ‘not specified’ in type A, Ba allergic/immunological and Bpa pseudoallergic/anaphylactoid in type B. Dose‐related (A2) and drug‐related reactions (A4, intolerance in a restricted sense), drug‐to‐drug interactions (A5), rebound/withdrawal effects (A6) and secondary reactions (A7) represented smaller subgroups. Patient‐related reactions (A3, ‘idiosyncrasy’ in the strict sense) were not assessed. Today's algorithms for ADRs mainly rely on pharmacological, i.e. type A reactions. For most of the type B reactions adaptations including the experience of allergists, clinical immunologists and infectious disease specialists should be respected. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Multiple melting endotherms in melt‐crystallized nylon 10,12
Authors: Li Yongjin , Zhu Xinyuan , Tian Guohua , Yan Deyue , Zhou Enle
Published: August 2002

The melting behaviour of melt‐crystallized nylon 10,12 was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD). The results show that all nylon 10,12 crystals obtained under various conditions, including isothermal, non‐isothermal and stepwise crystallization, and also after partial melting or annealing, show multiple melting behaviour. It was found that each melting endotherm has a different origin. The highest melting peak corresponds to melting of the recrystallized material while the other melting endotherms are related to melting of lamellae with different thicknesses developing under different crystallization conditions. The equilibrium melting point of nylon 10,12 was also firstly estimated to be about 206 °C.

© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Acculturation, social support and academic achievement of Mexican and Mexican American high school students: An exploratory study
Authors: López Eric J. , Ehly Stewart , García‐Vásquez Enedina
Published: August 2002

Concerns about the high dropout rate among Mexican American high school students has led researchers and educators to determine which variables affect academic success. The study investigated two factors associated with academic achievement: acculturation and social support. The sample consisted of 60 ninth‐grade students of Mexican decent in a southwestern school district. Results indicated that students identified as highly integrated and strongly Anglo‐oriented bicultural tended to have higher academic achievement. In addition, the sample as a whole perceived social support from all four sources. Although no generational effects were identified, females tended to have higher GPAs, and perceive more social support, while the males, interestingly, were slightly more acculturated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Designing effective interventions for children at‐risk for antisocial behavior: An integrated model of components necessary for making valid inferences
Authors: Lane Kathleen L. , Beebe‐Frankenberger Margaret E. , Lambros Katina M. , Pierson Melinda
Published: August 2002

Children demonstrating antisocial behavior patterns are at‐risk for a host of negative outcomes including school failure, peer and teacher rejection, academic difficulties, and future delinquency. These children are undoubtedly in need of effective and appropriate interventions to address problem areas in both behavioral and academic domains. To ensure that academic and sociobehavioral interventions will be more successful, three main components: (a) social validity, (b) treatment integrity, and (c) generalization and maintenance must be addressed when designing the interventions. The purpose of this article is to (a) describe the pertinent characteristics (e.g., definition, application, and assessment issues) of each of these components as they relate to school‐based interventions, and (b) introduce an integrated model that illustrates the interrelatedness of these essential intervention components. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Model reaction for the synthesis of polyhydroxyurethanes from cyclic carbonates with amines: Substituent effect on the reactivity and selectivity of ring‐opening direction in the reaction of five‐membered cyclic carbonates with amine
Authors: Tomita Hidetoshi , Sanda Fumio , Endo Takeshi
Published: August 2002

This article focuses on the substituent effect on the reactivity and selectivity of the ring‐opening direction in the reaction of five‐membered cyclic carbonates with n‐hexylamine. The reactivity of the cyclic carbonate and the formation selectivity of the adduct with a secondary hydroxyl group increased as a stronger electron‐withdrawing group was introduced at the α‐methylene of the cyclic carbonate. These results are discussed on the basis of the stability of intermediates, primary and secondary alcoholate anions, Mulliken charges on carbonyl carbon, and the bond lengths and orders of the OCO single bond. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 3678–3685, 2001